ThoughtSeeds

A simple, century-old gospel chorus boldly proclaims the truth about our wilderness experiences: Our Lord knows the way through, and all we have to do is follow.

If you're in the middle of a wilderness season, be assured that God intends to lead you out of it into your promised land. While you are there, He is protecting you, guiding you, and keeping you as "the apple of His eye." Find out what it means to be the apple of God's eye, and how you can come out of your wilderness to the other side, into your promised land.

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/meaning-of-apple-of-my-eye-in-the-bible.html

Are you in a place of wilderness in your life? Did you know God often purposely leads us into a wilderness to quiet our hearts and minds, so we can hear His voice?

https://www.hprweb.com/2015/05/the-meaning-of-the-wilderness/

Our hymn this week fits well with our study of sanctuary. As God desires us to be His sanctuary, He fills us with His Holy Spirit. In this simple hymn, we find a beautiful prayer that progressively draws us closer to our Lord.

Sanctuary: a place of refuge or protection. God calls you to Him, to take refuge in His everlasting arms. Find protection in the shelter of the Almighty God, Who consecrated and set you apart before you were even born.

God told His people to prepare a place -- a sanctuary -- for Him, so He could dwell among them. That consecrated, set-apart, and holy place was where He was able to come closest to them here on earth. Today, WE are the sanctuary -- the Holy Spirit dwells in each believer. God has declared us holy and sacred. How do we live a life that is holy, sacred, and set apart? What does it mean to be a sanctuary?

What is stronger than a mighty fortress or a bulwark that never fails? Nothing. God is our fortress, our refuge, our unfailing strength, and as we look at how the great Reformation hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" came to be, we find incredible encouragement and assurance in the promises of Who God truly is.

How often do you rely on your strength? God says to rely on HIS strength, and that it is made perfect in your weakness. How does that even work? Find out how to have joy in making God your strength.

The Bible is full of references to God's strength, but what does that actually mean? IS God strong? Look with me at some of the definitions of the word "strength," and how God comes through for us on all of them. He really is our strength!

Continuing & concluding our theme of brokenness, in this episode, we look at the old gospel song, "Broken Pieces." Life's battles may have you heavy-hearted & discouraged, but Jesus is in the business of making all things new. Place your broken pieces at the Savior's feet and be made whole again.