Almighty God

God Is The Strength Of My Heart

/ Gail Johnson / 3 Comments

Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. KJV

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. NIV

 

Someone is Praying

Someone is Praying

We don’t realize the extent of God’s blessings in our lives until something happens. It’s during those times, we catch a glimpse of the incredible power of our Creator.

I wish to share a friend’s testimony with you.

Recently, this precious man found he needed surgery for stents. Family and friends gathered and prayed for him asking for God’s covering. Later that week during morning devotion, I stumbled across the above verse and sent it to offer comfort in his hour of need.

During the surgery, they failed to place the stents due to a 100% blockage in the main coronary artery called the widowmaker. The surgeon informed the family it was a miracle he’d not had a massive heart attack.

 

God is the strength of my heart and my portion. How excellent is His name in all the earth! I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress. In Him will I trust.

 

He is now preparing for open heart surgery on the 24th of this month.

Would you, dear friend join me in prayer for peace to surround my friend and his family during this time of need?

Thank you.

Gail

You Are God

/ Gail Johnson

Often when going through certain circumstances, I find myself writing. Dark blue words spill on tear-stained paper as my frustrations leave me on the floor. But, as I continue to write, something begins to happen. My prayers become praises when I am reminded of His Faithfulness.

Psalms 23

As the words flow, they become part of me, never to be forgotten. Then, when life, once again, throws me for a loop, the words and music come out of nowhere and brings peace to my troubled soul.

Do songs come to mind when you’re in the midst of trials?

Prayer of Praise

Oh Lord, how I love You. I will lift my voice in praise to You. You are Faithful. Your mercies are new every morning! In times of trouble, You are there. I am not alone. Though I walk through darkened places, You are my light. I will not fear. When the enemy rages, You are my shield and buckler. I am safe from harm. Great is Thy Faithfulness! Great is Thy love and mercy! Let Thy name be forever praised.

The Battle of Attrition

/ Gail Johnson

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:37 KJV).

The word attrition means the act of wearing away or the state of being worn away, as by friction; constant wearing down to weaken or destroy (often in the phrase war of attrition) attrition. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/attrition (accessed: March 24, 2015).

Sword of the Spirit Gail Johnson

Sword of the Spirit
Gail Johnson

Attrition will do two things. Either it will work for, or against you. In the case of the oyster, the constant rubbing of an irritant inside the shell eventually produces a pearl. On the other hand, the constant dripping of water wears away the hardest stone.   The difference is the oyster (active) produces something, while the stone (passive) eventually wears away.   The lesson? The longer the battle, the longer and harder we must fight.

The Weapon of Fear

When facing battles, we are often confronted with fear. The fear that we are unable to win. The fear that God doesn’t hear us. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the darkened places. But God did not give us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).

The Greek word for power in 2 Timothy is where we get our word for dynamite, mighty, strength, a miracle itself. (Strong’s Concordance) We have the power through the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to conquer fear. If not conquered, fear can make us forget what God has already done.

And the longer we fight, the weaker our resistance becomes, and fear soon gives way to acquiescence. Acquiescence is acceptance without protest. Our struggles, whether spiritual, physical, financial or emotional become the norm. We define ourselves by what we are going through and not what the Word says about us.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:37 KJV).

Conquerors: to vanquish beyond; gain a decisive victory. (Strong’s Concordance) Never give up! Wherever we are, God is there.

The psalmist wrote: If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me (Psalms 139:8-10 KJV).

God is with us! Keep fighting no matter how hard the battle. Be on guard for signs of surrender.

Warning Signs

When we don’t oppose, we settle. We circle the wagons and withdraw. Nothing gets in or out. We separate from fellow-believers. We become more vulnerable to attacks. Soon we become depressed and easily provoked. We become testy in waiting. Our tempers flare hot. We become the product of our circumstances.

Ever been there?

I have. Hindsight is 20-20.

The Solution

Remember His promises. …for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalms 37:23 KJV).

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8 KJV).

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1KJV).

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV).

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33 KJV).

Prayer

Lord, I pray for strength for the weary, health for the sick, salvation for the lost, and freedom for the captive. I know You hear the cries of Your people. Your eyes run to and fro throughout the earth. There is nothing hidden from Thee. Nothing is too hard for Thee. When hearts are overwhelmed, lead us to the Rock. Teach us to rejoice in the midst of our troubles. Help us recall Your past blessings. Remind us that You are omnipresent and there is nothing that can happen to us that doesn’t pass through Your hands. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.