You are preserved

Psalm 121:7-8 - NKJV

7 The Lord shall preserce you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in. From this time forth, and even forevermore.

This is a very popular Psalm. We often hear people quote verses 1-2 (I will lift up my eyes to the hills From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.) Notice that the writer asks the question "From whence comes my help?"  Then he answers the question "My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth".

Like us, we often talk to ourselves even when others are around. We see even during this time it was normal.  David knew exactly where his help came from. In all situations he knew how to position himself in acknowledging where to look and who to look to for help.

Today I want to focus on the last two verses of this scripture because I am not sure we understand the depth of "preservation".

In verse 7, David says "The Lord shall preserve you from all eveil; He shall preserve your soul.  Now, I did a little research on preserving and I found out how awesome it is that God will preserve us from evil and preserve our soul. Let's look at the preservation process for clarity.

"The process of preserving food prevents the perishable food from getting spoiled. Food preservation stops the growth of food bacteria, fungi and also slows the oxidation of fat foods such as butter and cheese. The preserved foods need to be sealed to prevent it from being contaminated by (sin) microbes. This is known as food canning. Canned foods stay fresh for a longer period." (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/food-processing.html)

As you can see, this process keeps the food from becoming contamintated and spoiled. God takes us through a preservation process to keep us from being contaminated by sin. He will preserve us from all evil through his preservation process. Preserving foot means put it through all kinds of tests. Storing it in jars or cans under pressure keeps it fresh and edible for later periods. The same goes for us, we have to be put under pressure so that we can be used later and still be as fresh and effective prior to canning. We often wonder why we go through certain things, why we have to be scandelized, why we have to cry and hurt, well it's because we are preserved for God's usage.

Verse 8 says "The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth and even forevermore."  Again, we are protected from the enemy when we go out and come in. He has already provided a fence around us that keeps us from harms way. The best way for us to let God is to let him have his way as we are preserved by him.

God I thank you for taking the time to preserve my heart, mind and spirit. I thank you for keeping me protected from myself and the enemy. I am grateful that you chose to preserve me for your purpose. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Is your fruit missing something???

Galations 5:22-26 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Have you ever had a strawberry or any type of fruit and realized it was missing something?  Maybe it wasn't the right color, or sweet enough, but something just didn't seem right?  Well the fruit of the Spirit is no different.

There are so many scriptures in the bible that describe the character of a Christian believer.  This scripture however encompasses all of them in nutshell.

According to the Scofield Reference Notes it describes the FRUIT as such:

              "Christian character is not mere moral or legal correctness, but the possession and manifestation of nine graces: love, joy, peace--character as an inward state; longsuffering, gentleness, goodness--character in expression toward man; faith, meekness, temperance--character in expression toward God."

There is one fruit and it is to contain these 9 characters.  You cannot have faith without love. You cannot have longsuffering without peace.  If your fruit is missing something, then it may need pruning in order to exemplify the characters needed in your daily walk with Christ.


Father God in the name of Jesus.  Please forgive me of my sins. Forgive me for not always showing for the characteristics of your Son Jesus. If my fruit is missing something, please prune me and make me over.  Have your way in me.  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Did you exalt yourself?? - Luke 18:9-14

9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’


13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

Today, I was going to talk on the subject "Who's report do you believe?", but because of an incident or should I say a facebook comment in regards to unemployment and politicians, I was swayed in another direction.
How easy is it for us to see ourselves as one of the persons in the story Jesus tells? We at times find that we too become puffed up and think more of ourselves than we are. Because we have not committed "certain" sins that we "think" others do that makes us better than they are. Or because of social status or economic situations we're better! Not so.

The Pharisee like so many people we come in contact with believes that because of their "acts" they are "All Right" with God. He had what I call the "I do, I don't syndrome". I do this and this and that and this and I don't do XY and Z so that means I'm all good! Not so. This Pharisee, also known as a person of the clergy missed the whole point. It's not about what you do and don't do, it's about how you approach God with pure intentions of the heart. There was nothing pure or humble about his prayer. And yet while he was to be praying for himself, he was too busy judging the tax collector! SMH! Lol

The tax collector knew exactly who he was. He admitted in his prayer that he was a sinner and needed God's mercy in his life. He approached God with reverence and humility something we should do on a daily basis.

If you want to receive God's continued Mercy and Grace, and want to reap all the benefits he has in store for you, remember to approach him with a humble and pure heart. As you decrease yourself ask that God be increased in you.


Father God in the name of Jesus. I pray that you bless us and provide guidance and direction to seek you with a pure and humble heart. Let us remember to decrease ourselves that you may be increased in us. We realize we are nothing without you and acknowledge that we are sinners saved by mercy and grace. Thank you God for your forgiveness and kindness to us. Bless our political leaders that they may hear from you and humble themselves before you. Open their hearts, minds and ears to receive what you have for your people. It is in your son Jesus' name I pray...AMEN

It is well!

Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well: 2 Kings 4:26.

Even when you are in a "not well" situation, it is still well. Put your faith, hope and trust in the Father.

Speak yourself into an "IT IS WELL" situation.

God bless.

JP