Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Glory

[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 LORD said] 'I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel'... [Solomon] was seven years in building [the Temple].'

1 Kings 6:13,38b ESV

Beginning in Solomon's fourth year as king, God tasks Solomon with building the Temple. The Temple takes seven years to complete. With no expenses spared, the Temple rests on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem, a city that becomes the center of religious and civil decisions. Consisting of an outer court, the holy place and the Most Holy Place, the Temple holds the silver, gold and vessels dedicated by David. A vast storehouse for the treasuries, The Temple is built to the Glory of God.

Lastly, the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD is put in place in the Most Holy Place. When the priests come out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD... for the glory of the LORD filled this place. The cloud represents God's presence with His people. After the resurrection of Christ, the Holy Spirit becomes His presence within each believer. God, generation after generation, You dwell among Your children. You are the Keeper of Promises. Let my efforts nourish the hungry, empower the helpless, encourage the broken, and listen to the whispers of those society ignores. Count me alive in Christ. May the Glory always be Yours! ~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 ~

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

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Repentance

[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]

"My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God; You will not reject a humble and repentant heart.” Psalm 51:17 GNT

David, a poet, musician, shepherd, soldier and king, is brave, humble, obedient, and faithful to God. Scripture gives examples where David tells lies, commits adultery, and sanctions murder. Above all, David is chosen and beloved by God. Sin always creates a chasm between man and God. For David this is also true; however, there is no sin that exceeds God’s forgiveness.

David’s repentant heart cries out to God, “For I recognize my shameful deeds – they haunt me day and night.” Sin not only creates irreversible consequences but interrupts our intimate relationship with God. Repentance recognizes the sin and gives voice to the heart’s desire to change. God hears the repentant heart! Holy God, I wait among my brokenness, my disillusionment, my recklessness, my impulsiveness, my rebellion. In my confession, I recognize I fractured our relationship. Forgive me! Let me try again. Count me alive in Christ. Renew my joy in Your Presence. ~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 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

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 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!”