Dark victories

Today's affirmation:

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. Psalms 119: 147
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Good Morning! ~ Jesus is Tenderly Calling

When Trouble Knocks

Read - Psalm 32: 7-11

Don't be like the horse or mule which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with  bit and bridle. Psalm 32:9

When trouble knocks

The still of night is always awakened when trouble knocks or it kicks in a door. Strangers lurk invisible, like a lion seeking to destroy. They snatch life, and worldly possessions out of your grasp. It’s a hurting feeling when intruders violate your home. 

When trouble knocks people do crazy things that don’t make sense. Emotions supersede logic and all chaos breaks through. Lost job, people in need money, or the house note is due, so it’s okay to rob?

When trouble knocks people become numb, confused, frustrated, helpless, and hopeless.  What do you do or who do you call? Don’t take matters into your hands by leaning upon your own understanding seek a higher power – God?

When trouble knocks cries go up to the Father “please answer the call.” Cover and protect your children through their turmoil.

Facing Challenges

When faced with challenges in life we often contemplate the worse. All too often we strategize on what “we” plan to do oppose to calling on the power and source which passes all understanding – God.

I love David for many reasons.  Despite the fact he was a rascal who committed adultery, a murderer, and liar, who sinned before God, David knew what to do when he encountered calamities in life. He sought God’s heart. Even when David’s E.G.O. – Edged God Out – he always game back and never allowed it to get in the way of his relationship with God.

David in the storm

In the middle of David’s storms he often prayed expressing how he felt: “Have mercy on me O Lord for I am in trouble my eye wastes away with grief… I am a broken vessel… Give ear to my prayer God and don’t hide yourself from my supplication.” David learned to cast ALL his burdens on the Lord and God sustained him every time!

What trouble is knocking at your door – health trouble, finance, trouble, loved ones or friend troubles what do you do?

Cheer up and turn to God’s word and trust in his mercy. Though you may walk through the valley of shadows of death, remember not to fear or worry because God is with you and he will comfort you.  When you seek fresh new help and guidance from God He will show you his ways and lead you in his truth. Then you can be rest assured than when trouble knocks it will not last always because God got your back!

 Prayer

Father God,

You know when trouble knocks at my door. I pray that you will take over the situation.  I release the troubles allowing you to take full control. May the Holy Spirit rest and abide over me bringing your light and peace to dark circumstances. In the name of Jesus hear my cry. Amen.

The Darkest Hour: The breaking of Dawn

Sunrise - Tigner Rand

 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. Psalms 119: 147

Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.Ecclesiastes 11:7

Dark times of trouble
The darkest hour is during trouble times, midnight, or just before dawn. In Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sermon, A Knock at Midnight, he states midnight is a confusing hour when man’s faith often waivers. During the Montgomery bus boycotts, the darkest hour of their struggle became the first hour of victory.  Just when it was certain they would go down in defeat dawn came with the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling over segregation, their faith prevailed.  “Disappointment, sorrow, and despair are born at midnight but morning always follows”. 

God's Majestic painting

Tigner Rand

The light in darkness

Pre-dawn or the early morning was time for David to sing, praise, seek guidance and discover the night will shine like day, for darkness is as light to God; though weeping may endure for a night Joy will come in the morning. David found solace, peace during this period of day.  

Instructors, family members and friends stated my greatest work was around midnight.  Early morning has allowed me to capture creative thoughts and amazing writings.  It has severed as my ideal to praise God! 

God's daily masterpieces
Each morning, starting with a fresh canvas, God creates a work of art. A blue or grey sky along with basic primary colors yet each morning the composition is totally different.  One day more red, orange and burnt sienna, while on other day’s pinks, blues, and even gray tones. Sometimes God chooses a sunrise against a light blue canvas splattered with floating pink cotton candy clouds or a sunset blended with burnt orange and amber colors against the evening sky which give way to sparkling star diamonds of midnight blue heavens. God’s art and colors are vibrant! 

Amazing art in the sky
I captured these breath taking sunrise images one morning while driving.  Within seconds one could see the tapestry change; same colors a d sky just a different perspective of beauty to witness.  These pictures are just subtle reminders of how amazing God is yet we often over look this beauty as well as dismiss God’s daily blessings and miracles in our lives.

Image by: Tigner J.

Used coffee grounds - yesterday's problems
To bring this closer to home, coffee drinkers would you attempt to brew a fresh pot of java from yesterday’s depleted grinds?  Then why start your life with yesterday problems?  God starts each day with a fresh slate to paint, we to should begin our morning as a new dawning, a new beginning by casting aside the troubles of yesterday and start fresh. Allow God to whitewash your doubts, fears, sins, and troubles today that your "darkest hour of struggle can become the first hour of victory!"

Tigner J.

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