Your Refuge

"You are my hiding place

I run to You

I need Your mercy and grace

To see me through

So I'll run to You...

You are my strength oh God

You will uphold me

You are my shield oh God

You will protect me"

Hiding Place by Don Moen

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Who are you running to when the going gets hard?

What are you turning to trying to fill the void?

What is satisfying you temporarily?

"I will say to the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust" Psalms 91:2

When we sin, let us learn to run to God and not away from him (this is for me to remember as well). When temptation arises, God always provides a way out (it could be the most simple, unrecognisable way such as a phone call). But, we then indulge the flesh and end up feeling ashamed, disappointed in ourselves etc. The enemy will use this stage to lure you away from God and tell you that you should feel that way and you are so undeserving of God's love and mercy!

I am here to tell you to not feel that way! This is a time when you recognise in yourself that you cannot go through life without God's intervention, strength and guidance. OWN IT! Ask for God's forgiveness and repent. Repenting means turning completely away from your old ways and asking God to help you live life differently and in accordance with His word and His plan for you.

(However, let's not use this as a free card to keep indulging in sin)

This should then lead you to extinguishing the negatives that tempt you. If it is a particular page on social media, UNFOLLOW! If it is a certain environment or type of music, leave the space and stop listening to that song!

You have to want to change! The bible says to flee from temptation so you don't go into sin. A perfect example is Joseph found in Genesis 39. Potiphar's wife kept asking him to go to bed with her and he kept refusing. Until a day came when she grabbed his cloak and he fled out of the house leaving his cloak with her. It is a wise decision not to entertain sin. Even our Lord Jesus was tempted and he resisted!

As we get rid of things that tempt us, let's fill that void with God and with positive activities. The devil will try so hard to keep you in your chains but we have been given freedom in Jesus Christ and there is power in His name to break every chain! The mind is a constant battlefield but as you draw closer to God and turn away from wrong, He will help you and uphold you.

The Christian walk is not easy but it is easier if we walk alongside God and in fellowship with one another.

We are called, "Unashamedly Following Christ" - we may fall and face troubles, but the praise of our God should always be on our lips and we should keep following Him unashamedly!

I pray God hears our sincere prayers, He sees our desire to change and help us to be bold in making the changes needed and may all glory be His, in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

I pray this song blesses you below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v62a2AyWCd0