Strong Tower

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." -- Proverbs 18:10

I love the way God uses my alarm clock to speak to me. This morning I woke up to "Strong Tower" by Kutless and I immediately thought of the verse in Proverbs 18:10 that says "The name of the LORD is a strong tower." No matter what is going on around us or in us we can always call on His name; He is our strong tower; a place of safety and shelter. LORD, I run to your name today.

Strong Tower, by Kutless

When I wander through the desert
And I'm longing for my home
All my dreams have gone astray
When I'm stranded in the valley
And I'm tired and all alone
It seems like I've lost my way

I go running to your mountain
Where your mercy sets me free

[chorus]
You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I seek

In the middle of my darkness
In the midst of all my fear
You're my refuge and my hope
When the storm of life is raging
And the thunder's all I hear
You speak softly to my soul

I Will Follow

But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God." -- Ruth 1:16

Twenty-five years ago, my husband and I uttered these vows from Ruth, and when I heard Chris Tomlin's song this morning, "I Will Follow" it occurred to me that there are a few things worth following no matter what. First, I will follow Christ, regardless of people, or hardship, or high water. I will follow the Holy Spirit's leading and guidance even when it doesn't make sense to my natural mind or the mind of others. I will follow righteousness (but not self-righteousness) and leaders who uphold that truth. I will follow the Inerrant Word of God and carry that Sword daily. I will follow the model of Christ by offering grace and mercy to my fellowman, being diligent to be generous and loving especially in their time of need. In these things I choose to be a follower.

I Will Follow, by Chris Tomlin

Where you go, I'll go

Where you stay, I'll stay

When you move, I'll move

I will follow...

All your ways are good

All your ways are sure

I will trust in you alone

Higher than my side

High above my life

I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go

Where you stay, I'll stay

When you move, I'll move

I will follow you

Who you love, I'll love

How you serve I'll serve

If this life I lose, I will follow you

I will follow you

Light unto the world

Light unto my life

I will live for you alone

You're the one I seek

Knowing I will find

All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there's life everlasting

In you there's freedom for my soul

In you there joy, unending joy

and I will follow

Top Secret

"Praise God forever and ever, because he has wisdom and power. He changes the times and seasons of the year. He takes away the power of kings and gives their power to new kings. He gives wisdom to those who are wise and knowledge to those who understand. He makes known secrets that are deep and hidden; he knows what is hidden in darkness, and light is all around him." -- Daniel 2:20-22

No secret is so hidden that God does not know it fully. He knows all. He sees all. And when He chooses, He can even make known our secrets to others. Who can fathom the mind of God? It is so perfect that no human can understand. There is no randomness with God. If he reveals your secrets, be assured it is for a greater purpose.

"You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."
-- Psalm 139:1-12

Physician, Heal Thyself

Well-known faith healers, used by God to heal multitudes, had their share of sickness and trouble ... Kathryn Kuhlman died at the age of 68 following open-heart surgery; Smith Wigglesworth died of a stroke at age 65; John Alexander Dowie died of a stroke at age 60; and Aimee Semple McPherson died of an accidental overdose complicated by kidney failure, at the age of 54.

I was healed miraculously of an incurable disease 8 years ago, but I still have my occasional share of the common cold or viral infection, and each time the sickness takes its course and I recover in a few days. Does this mean that Jesus does not heal? Absolutely not! In James 5:14 we're told that when we lay hands on the sick and pray the prayer of faith that the sick will recover. I've recovered from every one of these illnesses, proof enough for me that Jesus heals! The Bible is TRUTH; God cannot lie; and I love what Bill Johnson said in response to someone not getting healed: "It would be tragic for us to use an example for which we have no explanation to cancel the clear mandate given and modeled to us by Jesus. Mystery is important, otherwise there's no reward for making the right choice."

We must continue to operate in faith, believe for every healing, and trust that God is sovereign and in complete control. Do not let sickness (yours or someone else's) make you doubt the healing power of Jesus.

The phrase, "Physician, heal thyself" is a proverb found in Luke 4:23, "Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.'"

The usual interpretation of this passage is that, during the "Rejection of Jesus," Jesus expected to hear natives of his hometown of Nazareth use this phrase to criticize him. Matthew 27:42 - "He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him."

Jesus could have come down from the cross; He could have called ten thousand angels to his side; but Jesus will never conform to the taunts of man to violate the will of God. Let's be careful to not discourage faith healers from acting on what the Bible says, even when they themselves become sick.