D is for Deliverer

1st Writes is participating in the 2013 April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

This year our theme is "Attributes of God from A to Z".

Join us each day as we explore

the characteristics of our awesome God!

Photo from Stockvault.com

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve [me]

for His heavenly kingdom. To Him [be] glory forever and ever. Amen!

2 Timothy 4:18

Jesus is the one who delivers us from evil; He is our Deliverer.

Initially, He delivers us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Light. But His work of deliverance continues as we realize and acknowledge our need for freedom in certain areas. If we’re controlled by anything, we are captive to it.

I was a prisoner of alcohol, cigarettes, fear of heights, and emotional wounds but Jesus set me free from it all.  Food, shopping, jealousy, and pornography, are but a few additional areas where one can be held in bondage.

The good news is that Jesus, the Deliverer, is able and willing to set us free from all that has kept us imprisoned.   We must set our hearts and minds on Him and His love for us, and His forgiveness which was accomplished on the cross before we even sinned. We ask Him to set us free. We invite His Spirit to take control of us and then we enjoy His freedom, peace and love.

We must not allow ourselves to be discouraged.  Jesus is the one who will be doing the work.  Our job is simply to allow the enabling power of His grace to complete the work He has already begun in us.

Jesus is our Deliverer and His love is powerful! 

©2013 Sandy James

C is for Comfort

1st Writes is participating in the 2013 April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

This year our theme is "Attributes of God from A to Z".

Join us each day as we explore

the infinite characteristics of our awesome God!

Photo courtesy of Morguefile.com

“The God of all comfort who comforts us in all of our afflictions…”

2 Corinthians 1:3

Although he tried to hide it, I had never seen my husband so anxious. The next morning he was to be transported from our local hospital to another, further away, for heart surgery. I couldn’t go with him but would meet him there.  

He had never experienced anything like this. I prayed that God would be a real presence inside that ambulance! I also needed to feel God’s comfort because I was anxious myself!

When I knew they were on the road, I left to pick up our daughter who lived in another town. Due to heavy traffic, I was concerned that we would be unable to arrive in time to meet the ambulance.  Praying as I drove, I pulled back onto the highway. Much to our amazement and relief I was directly behind the ambulance carrying my husband! He was able to see us following along!

I had asked for comfort and God, Our Comforter, responded out of His love and awareness of our anxieties to comfort all of us! In the midst of our trials we can always call on Him and know that He will answer!

©2013 Cheryl Andreus

B is for Banner

1st Writes is participating in the 2013 April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

This year our theme is "Attributes of God from A to Z".

Join us each day as we explore

the characteristics of our awesome God!

"White Flag" by Chris Tomlin

“...the Lord is my Banner...Hold high the banner of the Lord!”

Exodus 17:15

Banner - a graphic image that announces a name, identity, or product. 

 
Banners are everywhere. Pennants and clothing feature our favorite sports teams to show team spirit. Billboards sell merchandise and services. Banners on blogs give the first impression of who the author is and what the blog is about. Banners are a way to get your message out and good ones make people stop and take notice. 

In Exodus, Moses built an altar to God and named it "The Lord is my Banner." Moses then instructed the people to "hold high the banner of the Lord." What does that mean to us?


I think it means that we should treat our bodies as altars to God. The way we live, love, and share Christ is our banner. The song "White Flag" by Chris Tomlin declares complete surrender to God. Lifting the white flag high declares Christ has won and love has come. We can reflect that in all we do.

Have you accepted Christ? Do you boldly declare Him to be your Savior?  What does your banner look like?

©2013 Dawn M. Hamsher