first line of defense

 “I love You, God. You are my strength”

(Psalm 18:1)

Monday, May 19, 2025 (6:18 a.m.)

Let’s start with that Truth shall we Lord.

Yes. I love You. You ARE my strength!

(6:39 a.m.)

I keep crying Lord. Unexpectedly. Often.

Thank You that my first line of defense is Your Word. Your Truth. Your promises. When I remember to put my focus there.

I’m confessing to feeling a bit bewildered. Off my mark. Out of my depth. There are so many things I don’t know. Don’t understand. Don’t want to deal with.

Thank You that I can choose to bring them all to You. Every fear. Each indecision. I am looking to You Dearest Lord and Father. Seeking first Your kingdom (Matthew 6:33).

Thank You for reminding me.

(6:51 a.m.)

Reading an online post entitled “Our First Line of Defense” it begins by quoting the Truth of John 14:16-17. Followed later with this keen observation.

“As believers, we think with our minds, but we discern in our spirits. Mentally we can know something is right or wrong… However, the spiritual world is not always discernible by our natural senses. To chart our way in the spiritual world requires the presence of God.”

I feel as though I have been doing battle Dear Lord. Knowing, trusting, believing You to be the good, good God You are. And being tripped up by every hiccup living in the world throws my way.

I KNOW You to be good! I’ve experienced Your faithful goodness more times than I can count. Thank You for this.

Your Truth guides and doesn’t change. Yet I tend to spiral and become derailed at each disappointing difficulty or setback that comes my way.

On a different site with an entry of the same name, I get to read and be reminded that the apostle John did not sit around whining about his isolation on the Isle of Patmos. No. He communed with Jesus! 

(7:36 a.m.)

Thank You for Your Truth Lord. And Your promises. I get to read them. Be reminded. Choose to turn from the myriad of circumstances that would hold me bound by fear and instead boldly stand firmly by staying my mind on Jesus. The Truth! By which I will be set free (John 8:33).

Lord God, how truly I thank You. Every reference to Your Word leads me to the very next hope. A feeling of renewal. Strength. Not in myself. But Your Word.

Following a reference to Ephesians 1:7 into The Life Recovery Bible, I note the underlining of four words in verse 10. “…At the right time…”

You know the right time for all. A quote from this blog reminds, “When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, it is our first line of defense against the devil.” Thank You Father.

Further expansion of this Truth explains, “The only way you can stop him [satan] from kicking you around is the Blood of Jesus! You have to become born of the Spirit of God, through the Blood. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. There is no other way!”

“The Blood of Jesus, applied on the doorpost of our hearts” refers us back to Exodus 12. Father, thank You for Your love!

This blog continues explaining that our belonging to You does NOT stop satan’s attacks. “It makes him keenly aware that when he messes with us, he is messing with someone dear to the heart of God.” We used to be on our own. But because of the precious blood of Jesus, that is no longer the case. Thank You Lord!

Because of this priceless gift, we are “given authority over the devil!” Teach me, Dearest Father, to use this authority well. Empower me in making “sure the Blood of Jesus has been” properly applied to my heart. My first line of defense!

Yes! Reminders that because:

Forsaking

All

I

Trust 

Him

God’s

Riches

At

Christ’s

Expense

I get to sing the Truth of Ephesians 1:3. 

♪All praise to God the Father

All praise to Christ the Son

All praise to the Holy Spirit

Our God has overcome

The King who was and is and evermore will be

In Jesus mighty name, I Believe♪

Yes Lord! I believe in one: salvation, doorway, redemption, confession. By His blood, I am set free! Thank You. Praise You. Use me. Unafraid. Trusting You as my first line of defense. Amen.

(748 words ~ 8:20 a.m.)