Tag Archives: strength

Hold the Line

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These rocks beside the Atlantic Ocean are holding the line. The fury of the winds, rains, and storms push hard against these cliffs in Donegal. There might be erosion, but the cliffs at Horn Head stay.

Events in this world are also pushing hard, attempting to topple us, to cause us to compromise, to collapse us into the sea. The storm of spiritual warfare is actively raging. But our anchor holds. Jesus Christ will hold the line. And He holds us. Praise God. He is the Victor.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23

“They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.” – 1 Timothy 3:9

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be men of courage; be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13

“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him.” – Deuteronomy 13:4

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” – Hebrews 6:19a

Hold the line. Blessings, Lisa

Lo, A Light Approaches!

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They couldn’t remember the last time they felt safe. Each monstrous wave threatened to upend the very ship they sailed upon, they relied on for their survival. The wind had long since shredded their sails and torn their anchoring ropes. They had not eaten for so long that they forgot they were hungry.

Would this series of storms ever end? They wished they had never signed up for this voyage. It had been one storm after another. For weeks, or had it been months? Time was not relevant anymore.

Each sailor tried to sleep when they weren’t on watch, holding on to whatever they could find that seemed relatively solid. Except for the two watchmen, drenched and huddled on deck, gripping the railings with all they had left.

The dawn approached, and a weak light pushed through the clouds. One sailor wearily strained his eyes to see what he could see. What was that? Brightness? A mirage to taunt him? No, it was definitely light. Beautiful, beautiful light. Ahead in the darkness.

Invigorated, he holds the wheel a little tighter and makes for the direction of this glorious thing. Light. Hope. Future. Salvation.

They are saved.

Whatever you are facing, whatever storms come your way, look for the light. Wait for it, as watchmen wait for the morning. It is coming, it has come, it will always come.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I Am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ ” – John 8:12

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning…” – Psalm 130:5-6

This song….ahhh, perfect! Enjoy Mary Dillon and Deanta’s version of this wonderful tune.

Blessings, Lisa

Straight On

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The cold and wind hit like a stone

Unyielding, chilling, hard

At first they huddled, cringed and turned

But then one brave one

Turned and faced the pain, the cold

Chose to face the hardness

Straight on

c2022 Lisa Lyons

Monasterboice, County Louth, Ireland. Founded in the 5th century.

The Ant Who Wouldn’t Give Up

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Ant carrying an elephant

Several days ago, I was privileged to watch an amazing ant for almost an hour. He carried an enormous seed pod that had a larger circumference than his whole body. It was so large that the ant would fall forward with the weight of it as he walked forward.

You would think he would give up, abandon it, and find something else to carry home. But not this ant. He found new ways to walk, turning sideways, inching forward, using the weight of the pod to propel him forward in a sideways manner. On and on, until he had traversed the entire length of our front porch.

I was transfixed. I couldn’t stop watching him and marveling at his progress, his tenacity, his ingenuity. I cheered him on, and vowed to protect him from errant footsteps of dog or man. He was a true inspiration to me in those minutes.

I don’t know where he is now; I finally lost sight of him as he descended the porch to the ground. But his lessons remain in my mind.

-I can do bigger things than I think I can, with God’s strength.

-I can find new ways to do things that are challenging by using my imagination.

-I must never, ever give up.

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” – Proverbs 6:6

“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise; ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.” – Proverbs 30:24-25

“Whatever you do, , work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” – Colossians 3:23

Thank you, God, for letting this little ant cross our porch that day. Your creation always speaks clearly and beautifully. Love, Lisa

Keep Being Strong

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Which is stronger? The mighty ocean, crashing upon the immovable rocks?

Or the humble sheep, trusting in his shepherd to lead him to pasture and water?

I would argue both are strong. Trust and faith take great strength. Strength only comes from the power of the only truly strong One. The Lord Jesus Christ.

My dad once told me, “You’re being strong. Keep being strong.” I can tell you that I do not feel like a strong person. I have many anxieties, physical weaknesses and chronic disability. But his faith in my strength helps me to remember that true strength resides within. It comes from relying, moment by moment, on Christ.

” ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me….For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” – 1 Corinthians 1:27

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

“Finally, be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:10-11

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:29, 31

Keep being strong. Love, Lisa