Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Confession

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2       

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“So the LORD sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: 2 Samuel 12:1-14 NLT

Nathan, the prophet for King David, tells him a story. Assuming it true, David becomes outraged at the betrayer in this story, says the man deserves to die! Nathan’s replies, “You are that man!” He speaks God’s message of anointing and protecting and empowering David, and reveals the consequences of David’s destructive choices. David then confesses, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

God forgives David of his sins of adultery and murder, his arrogance and insensitivity, but God also allows the irreversible consequences of David’s behavior. Still, God has more for David to accomplish. With David’s confession and repentance comes God’s forgiveness. Often the hardest sin to recognize is our own. How good that God gives us faithful friends to help us recognize the truth about our choices! How generous is God’s forgiveness! Faithful Father, I must disappoint You with my casual indifference, my cruel remarks, my carnal interests, my caustic judgments. In these moments I ignore, betray, and destroy relationships with others and with You. I create irreversible consequences. Count me alive in Christ. I confess my sins, and You offer me forgiveness. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

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“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Perspective

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“Then David went into the Tabernacle and sat before the Lord and prayed. ‘O Lord God, why have you showered Your blessings on such an insignificant person as I am? And now, in addition to everything else, You speak of giving me an eternal dynasty! Such generosity is far beyond any human standard!’” 2 Samuel 7:18-29 TLB

After David hears God’s kingdom plans, he goes into the Tabernacle to offer prayer and praises. Spending time with God, David opens his heart praising God’s greatness, goodness, and generosity, thanking God for his extraordinary power, purpose and promise. In this prayer, David declares God’s blessings from choosing the people of Israel as His own to God’s promise of a forever kingdom. David does not completely understand how God’s promise will unfold, but he trusts that the blessings and promises of God have a greater purpose that will endure.

In God’s presence, David pours out his heart with gratitude and humility. He speaks with reverence about the Sovereignty and faithfulness of God. David accepts God’s purpose despite God saying no to his own desire to build a Temple. When we go into the presence of God, let us pray with trusting hearts. Sovereign Lord, there is a sweetness in Your presence. How good it is to rest with Your promises. Hallelujahs for Grace overflow my soul! When I long for better, You continue to offer me best! Count me alive in Christ. May Your desires be mine. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

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“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ 2nd Sunday in Lent ~ God's Presence Beyond the Tabernacle

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

The soul’s deepest thirst is for God Himself,

Who has made us so that we can never be satisfied without Him.

F.F. Bruce

The LORD said, “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in. For I have not dwelt in a house since the time I brought up Israel, even to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. . . And I have been with you wherever you have gone.” 1 Chronicles 17:4-14 NKJV

The LORD says about David, “You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be their leader.” David makes a covenant with the leaders before God and is anointed king of Israel. After conquering the Philistines, the Ark of the Covenant is rescued and placed inside the special tent that David had prepared for it. David considers his lavish home and is greatly concerned about God dwelling in a tent! David desires to build God an appropriate dwelling place.

God doesn't want David to build a temple. God’s plan for David is to lead Israel, to conquer all its enemies, and develop unity among the people. God does not desire a warrior to build the Temple. His long term plan exceeds David’s vision: I will build a house for you – a dynasty of kings! Centuries later, Jesus, the Messiah, a direct descendant in David’s lineage, fulfills God’s promise, “I will establish Him in My House and in My kingdom forever.”  Crucified and risen, Christ reigns over this forever kingdom, now in heaven and later on earth. King of kings, I need You to be with me wherever I go. Your dwelling place far exceeds my grandest imagination, expands far beyond the walls of any Tabernacle, extends unmeasured grace and unfailing love, enlarges Your spiritual kingdom. Count me alive in Christ. Open my eyes to more. ~dho  

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

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“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Mercy

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

[standing on top of a hill opposite Saul’s army] “David answered, ‘See what I have here? The king’s spear. Let one of your servants come and get it. It’s GOD’s business to decide what to do with each of us in regard to what’s right and who’s loyal. God put your life in my hands today, but I wasn’t willing to lift a finger against GOD’s anointed. Just as I honored your life today, may GOD honor my life and rescue me from all trouble.’” 

1 Samuel 26:22-24 MSG

Pursued by King Saul’s rage and jealousy, David continues to seek safety in the wilderness. This is David’s second opportunity to kill Saul and stop the unending attacks. This time David takes Saul’s sword and water jug while he sleeps. When at a safe distance, David calls to Saul who is surrounded by 3,000 of his soldiers. David refuses to take matters into his own hands, giving mercy to Saul and honoring God. David believes it is GOD’s business to decide what to do with each of us in regard to what’s right and who’s loyal.

David’s general wants to end it all, and asks David to let him use Saul’s own spear to kill him. David refuses to allow this. The Life Application Bible’s commentary says, “The strongest moral decisions are the ones we make before temptation strikes.” God’s ways are greater. Lord, sometimes I get so tired of rude people, careless words, repeated injustices. Forgive me when anger defines my heart, disappointment champions my mind, betrayal rends my soul. Forgive me when my retaliation does not give You honor. Count me alive in Christ. Let my responses be formed by Your Mercy. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!” 

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Satisfaction

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“God, You’re my God! I can’t get enough of You! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts.” Psalm 63:1 MSG

Although David is anointed king by the prophet Samuel, King Saul still remains on the throne and tirelessly attempts to kill David. Spending much time avoiding Saul, David lives in the wilderness of Judah, sometimes taking refuge in caves. What sustains David during these difficult times? David seeks God’s power and presence, His provision and protection. David embraces the contentment that fellowship with God brings.

Read Psalm 63 and discover how David’s thirst for God is satisfied because he recognizes God’s mercy and kindness and goodness are better than anything in life. As praises come from David’s lips, a deep satisfaction pours over him. God of mercy, my soul, too thirsts in the dry and weary places of this world. In Your presence I find rest and peace, I know fellowship and joy, I feel kindness and love. You are more than shelter, more than sustenance, more than security. Count me alive in Christ. You are the endless satisfaction for my soul.  ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Giants

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“David shouted in reply [to the Goliath, the giant Philistine],’You come to me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD Almighty – the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you … and everyone will know that the LORD does not need weapons to rescue His people. It is His battle, not ours. The LORD will give you to us!’” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 NLT

The armies of Israel and the Philistines camp on the opposite sides of the Valley of Elah in Judah. For forty days, twice a day, morning and evening, the Philistine giant strutted in front of the Israelite army. David, son of Jesse, a shepherd boy from Bethlehem, is given bread and cheese to take to his older brothers who serve in the Israelite army. He sees Goliath, the champion from Gath, come forward, shouting his challenge to the army of Israel. David tells King Saul, “I’ll go fight this Philistine, for he has defied the armies of the living God!” David goes with the confidence that the LORD will be with him. He picks up five smooth stones from a stream. Armed with his sling, David steps out with faith in a mighty God and wins a victory over the giant!

Over three thousand years later, this story about facing the giant continues to be told, continues to be relevant to us. Today the historic Valley of Elah rests in the hill country of Palestine. A stream runs through the valley during the rainy season. There are no landmarks, no memorials. People frequently pass this place but remain unaware of the historical battlefield. Many of our struggles are fought on a spiritual battlefield where giants taunt us, where others remain unaware. Like incense rising, when we pray to the Living God, we experience spiritual victory over the giants. God of the Angel Armies, see the giants before me. Call them by name; conquer them! Give me strength to step out in faith knowing You are leading the battle, preparing the way, giving the spiritual victory. Count me alive in Christ. May Your Glory mark these places! ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”