October 14, 2007
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Continued thoughts…
I wrote the following paragraph in my QUOTE BOOK so that I could recall it, if need be. I got the idea of a QUOTE BOOK from my friend, Kim. How many times do we read something of value that a godly saint has written and then later try to find the quote to no avail? The QUOTE BOOK is a great way to keep track of those little gems. I’m thinking I may buy some dividers and separate the categories to make the topics easier to locate.
The following quote reminded me of what I was trying to share in my last post about Daddy. The quote is from Ruth Graham’s mother, Mrs. Bell. The Bells had every ‘earthly’ reason to be fearful and to let their thoughts go wild on all the ‘what ifs’ that may happen but instead they disciplined their mind to think on what was TRUE for that moment. Instead, they chose to let their thoughts dwell on what God’s Word said!
They were in a situation that seemed hopeless. They lay in a dugout shelter in China due to military upheaval not knowing their fate. Mrs. Bell reports: “We were counting over our defenses… Overhead are the overshadowing wings (Ps. 91:4); underneath are the everlasting arms (Dueteronomy 33:27); all around ‘the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them,’ (Psalm 34:7); inside, that ‘Peace which passeth all understanding,’ (Phil. 4:7); also, ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, who mind is stayed on Thee: because He trusteth in Thee’ (Isaiah 26:3).”
The Bell’s chose to obey God’s Word and think on what was true! Phil 4:8
Isn’t that an awesome example of setting our minds on what is true in the midst of a severe trial? I can only imagine how frightened they must have been for their lives and that of their children? They had no idea how long they could hide in that dugout let alone thinking of the prospect that they may be found and killed. Instead of focusing on the ‘what ifs’ they chose to focus on God’s DEFENSES promised in His Word. I can imagine that their hearts were filled with His peace which passes all understand because that is what His Word has promised. So awesome!!!
We may never be sent to a foreign country as missionaries or have our actual lives threatened but we can count of the fact that we will have tribulation in this world. Let’s be prepared! I want to practice TODAY (in the seemingly little things) to discipline my mind to think thoughts that line up with God’s Word. How foolish of me to think that I will bring glory to God in those ‘big tests’ if I can’t pass the little ones.
God’s Word is truly alive and powerful! Yum!!!
Comments (7)
Thanks so much for sharing that quote with me. It is very true that KNOWING the Truth will set you free. His Word is so comforting during times that it would be easy to be fretful and afraid. I love it that He’s got us covered from every direction. Blessings to you…..and thanks for praying for my Woodi. Q.’
Love that quote. Also I love that Elizabeth George book you are reading. It’s my favorite one.
Have a blessed day. Jenn
Awesome. God is soooooo awesome to give us these privildges which becomes our weapons and at the same time our blessings. Now … if we just avail ourselves to them!
Great idea about that quote book. If I would have thot of that amny years ago!
Yes, Kyle is still in our home. He would like to stay inside the house until his stomach button comes out, then plans to move back out to the trailer.
And, yes, John is still off of work because of it. In fact, they wouldn’t allow him the time off he needed, so he lost that job. Please pray for him to have wisdom to know what to do. He loved working in the ER, BUT, it didn’t pay the bills as it was less than $10 per hour. So we were continually having to borrow to make it anyway. This may be God’s way to have him get another job. Or ask for a raise, if he were hired back.
So, financially…..we had a rental house that closed just after Kyle had the accident. Even tho we were not planning to use this income for everyday expenses, we praise God for providing it for us when we really need it.
I loved the pics of the river baptism. John and I were actually re-baptized when we were in the Brethren Church. And then all of our children were also baptized, later, in the river. What a sweet, memorable experience.
Thanks for asking about us. God bless ~E
Georgene, I see, both on my list of e-props, and on my e-mail notification, that you commented on my last post, but it didn’t show up there! Perhaps it will yet make its way from cyberspace to my xanga, but in the meantime, I know that it was a thoughtful and encouraging comment and I wanted to thank you!
RYC
Dear Gerogene,
The Burroughs book is wonderful! It’s alot to digest and it’s very convicting but I think I will truly be blessed by it!
Jenn
Thank you for this quote. I will soon be sending it to a very dear person in my life who is needing intervention by someone bigger than myself. These timeless truths stand alone. Blessings.