The Plumbline

God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in sea storm and earthquake, Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us. (Psalm 46:1 MSG) If you face something uncertain today, how will you face it? Alone, attempting to build up your 'faith' to face it? Alongside a companion, both working hard to just 'make it through'? Or with the presence and safety of our heavenly Father, secure in his protection and built up in faith that isn't based in what we can 'muster up' in our own strength. We need one another, don't get me wrong. We need to build one another up in faith - this is God's plan. We cannot count on each other alone, though - we need God to be in the midst of us. The strength that comes when God is walking us through those difficult places is nothing we should take for granted. That ...

What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries. (Luke 12:6-7 MSG) We have a bully for an enemy and he employs 'bullies' right here on this earth to attempt to dissuade us from following Jesus with our whole heart, mind, body, and soul. He uses people - you heard me right - he uses other people to discourage you, get you distracted, and hopefully pull you off-course. What is worse is when we allow our own self-talk to 'bully' us into believing lies about ourselves! God cares more about us than any other creature roaming this earth. Yet, he takes special care and maintains a watchful eye over all creatures, big and small. If he is watchful of their needs, how they find their way in life, what makes us so willing to ...