Posts Tagged ‘psalm 34’

A Call to Prayer! The Lord Will Deliver Us!

Posted: March 11, 2015 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Ministry, Prayer
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I Will Bless the Lord
Hannah, Dawn and Dave

Hannah, Dawn and Dave

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in Psalm 34. Today this Psalm especially ministers to me, as I find myself struggling with fear.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 34:1-4:

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

I thank the Lord for this promise, that as I seek him he will answer. He will deliver me from all my fears. 

Dawn and I have had our highs and lows as we’ve endured this trial with our daughter, Hannah. Some days we feel very encouraged, and our hope is strong and bright. Then at other times when we focus more on the weight of the problem, or the duration it wears on us and we feel weighed down.

Looking to Jesus to Come Through Today!

Today is a big day. We need much prayer support.

The Sunset at Imperial Beach

The Sunset at Imperial Beach

We have some friends that will be helping us this afternoon, and we are hoping for a breakthrough. I suppose the uncertainty of it all combined with the other happenings in our lives makes it feel heavy.

I do want to taste and see that the Lord is good today! I desire this each day, but I especially need it today.

Dear Jesus, Come to our rescue. There is healing in your wings and we do look to you.

The Psalmist continues in Psalm 34:5-8, 17-19:

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

O Lord, thank you for your wonderful promises, that give me hope. Thank you that you promise to be near as my family and I endure troubles. Thank you that you will deliver us!

I also give thanks for all our friends who help carry this burden. I will bless the Lord, and I will praise him even in these difficult days!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

When You are Down, You Need Others!

Posted: January 27, 2014 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Journey, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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Tempted to Despair
The Sunset on the Pacific

The Sunset on the Pacific

As this trial our family is enduring drags on, I’m tempted to despair. In my weaker moments I do feel like hope is slipping away. Then I need to remind myself of what a wrote a few days ago, When You are Down, Look Up!

Dawn and I are usually in a position of encouraging others. Both of us have gifts in the area of encouragement and exhortation. We love to come alongside our friends and strengthen them.

Reminded that We are Weak

Now we are weak. Now we are at a place where we need people to come alongside us.

It has been encouraging, and it does give us hope knowing that we have so many people both near and far away that love us and are praying for us.

We do need you now!

Promises & Hope Found in Psalm 34

I also seek to follow my own advice by looking to Jesus. There are a number of passages in Psalm 34 that give me hope.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (vs. 4)

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. (vss. 6, 7)

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. (vs. 15)

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all troubles. The LORD is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (vss. 17, 18)

—Psalm 34:4, 6, 7, 15, 17 & 18 (ESV)

I’m reminded we too are weak people in need of Jesus. I knew that before, but I know it more acutely now. God is good. He will carry us through this.

Hope for the Future

The passage I keep on my desk gives me hope.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future.”

—Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Believe that with me. Thanks for standing with us in prayer. We desperately need prayer and hope during these days!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

P.S. I find it therapeutic to write about what we are going through. I’m purposely not sharing all the details, because of their personal nature. Thanks for your interest and concern for me and my family!

Trials and Tears: Part Two, Answers

Posted: November 23, 2013 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Journey, Ministry, Prayer
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The Lord Hears our Prayers

Today (Friday) was a much better day than Thursday!

The Lord wipes our tears away. He promises to be near the brokenhearted.

Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears… The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (Psalms 34:3-4, 7-8, ESV)

David & Jon in the recovery room after the surgery

David & Jon in the recovery room after the surgery

God Answers for Jon

Thanks for praying for our friends and our family. Jonathan’s surgery went very well. Jon’s doctor gave us this wonderful news after he came out of the operation room.

We feel very relieved and we give praise to the Lord for his care for our son. He’s uncomfortable as he recovers, but that is normal after the type of surgery he had.

We won’t know for about a month how successful the surgery was in improving his vision. It’s hard to wait, but we trust. Please join us in calling out to our Lord in asking for his complete healing work.

The Lord Cares for Hannah
Jon & Hannah right before we began our trek

Jon & Hannah

Hannah is feeling sore from her accident, and she had a good day today. She is on her way to recovery!

We still have things to sort out with the insurance company, but things are definitely moving in the right direction. Pray for wisdom and favor with the insurance adjuster as Hannah interacts with them about repairing the damages that she suffered.

God Comes Through for Ana

Another encouraging answer to prayer is that our friend, Ana who had been detained since Tuesday morning was released on Friday. She is now back with her family. Her family is overjoyed! We join them in giving thanks.

God’s hand is in all of this, and we praise him as we look to him to lead us.

Praise the Lord that his mercies are new every morning. Thank the Lord for a new day. Thank him that he lifts us up when we are down.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Pray for Petra Anderson – The Colorado Shootings

Posted: July 20, 2012 in Christianity, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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Petra Anderson

Petra Anderson

I woke up this morning to the news that there had been a terrible shooting in Aurora, Colorado, which is an eastern Denver suburb. The shooting took place at the premier of the movie, “Dark Knight Rises”. When I saw the news I wondered if anyone we knew might have been there. See story here…

Then my son, David came down with the news that our friend, Petra Anderson had been shot three times in the arm and once in the head. She is now in ICU. The bullet that hit her in the head went through her nose and is stuck in the back of her skull. She can still move and talk. That is good news!

Please join us along with her family and friends in praying for Petra’s healing and recovery. Pray for the Lord’s peace and comfort for her and her family, and loved ones.

We first met Petra through speech and debate. She is one of the most gifted and talented young women we know. She loves Jesus, and is part of a wonderful family! Her aunt, uncle and cousins go to our church, Village Seven Presbyterian.

The Anderson family has experienced more than their share of pain and hardship lately. Petra’s mom, Kim has been battling cancer. Our heart goes out to them.

It’s time to come together and hold them up in prayer as well as all those affected by this tragedy.

Psalm 34 is one of my favorites in times of trials and difficulties.

“When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”

—Psalm 34:17-19 (ESV)

When you read something like this in the news it’s sad and scary, but when someone you know was affected by the tragedy, it really brings it home. Thanks for caring and standing with us and them in prayer.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org