A Mighty Fortress

Text

Ps. 18:2
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

   Built over seventy-eight years ago, Fort Knox Gold Depository, was designed to protect America’s most valuable resource. Being the worlds most secure facility, it required over 17,000 feet of granite, 4,500 yards of concrete, 775 tons of reinforced steel and 700 tons of structural steel with a vault door twenty-one inches thick and weighing twenty tons. It is guarded by an aviation unit consisting of armed Apache helicopters, one engineer battalion, a brigade, and a division totaling approximately thirty-thousand soldiers. No one enters in with out the proper credentials.

   There are those who would love to penetrate the walls of Fort Knox, and get their hands on the precious metal housed in the facility. The only problem with that is it would require an army and a caravan of vehicles to make it happen. Because of its construction and safe guards, no one has ever attempted that feat since it was been built.

   Like Fort Knox, we have a fortress that the enemy can not penetrate. It is built on a solid foundation, fortified by God, and protected by a host that is gathered around us; making it impossible for the enemy to enter. He may attack from every angle, try to gain access through false pretense, and even bombard us; but his attempts are futile. In the end, we will overcome through Jesus Christ, the Savior of our soul. So don’t loose hope, we have something better than Fort Knox.

Quote

“Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your Saviour, your guide? If He is, you don’t need to search any further for security.”

Elisabeth Elliot

Louis Edwards

Resort Livng

Resort Living

by Rena Fish, Copy Editor

Resort living is life at its finest! Accommodations are plush; all of your needs (and often your wants!) are supplied. Beautiful and peaceful sur­roundings are usually part of the package. Guests are treated like royalty.

Whenever I feel particularly stressed, I make a visit to my favorite resort. The location is perfect! I can be there in minutes. In fact, if I choose to, I can stay there continually. This resort always has vacancies, and it is absolutely free! Hard to believe, isn’t it! But it is absolutely true.

Psalm 71:3 tells about this amazing resort. “Be thou [God] my strong habitation, whereunto I continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.” My resort is my place of safety, rest, and peace. I can run to my resort anytime of the day or night. I find the most restful sleep during my stays there. “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

I am not the only one who has discovered this secret place—this place where I can hide from the cares of the world. John 10:41a says, “Many re­sorted unto him [Jesus].” Don’t miss out on resort living—rest in Jesus!

From Christian Womanhood Magazine

Women for Christ

Women today face many challenges that threaten their moral character. When confronted with these trials, it is comforting to know that you are not alone. Women for Christ, is a blog post about women and their insight on how God has helped them through life’s encounters.

If you have a story you would like to share that would help others, please send it to me at theemmauswalk@gmail.com. Please include the word, “Women” in the subject line. We would love to hear how God has helped you through your challenge.

Click the links below to read the articles

Resort Living

Dressing for the Occasion

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Clothing fashions have changed over the past marking a change in the way we express ourselves. Some choose to stay with apparel from the past, while others keep up with the latest trends. When it comes to that special occasion, most will pick an outfit that brings out the best in them and honors the guest they are with.

Many times a young man or lady will spend hours getting ready for that special person on their prom night. The bride will spend days finding the perfect dress for the moment she has been waiting for. A young man will hurry home to clean up, change from his dirty work clothes, and spritz a spray of cologne on him to meet his date. The preparation is time consuming but the outcome is great.

When getting dressed spiritually, it is important to remember that we are not only preparing ourselves to look good in the world’s eyes, but we are demonstrating our desire to look the best for the one we love, Jesus. The armor of God not only takes time to put on and protects us from the wiles of the devil; it also helps us to look our best for the Master. So the next time you are getting dressed to impress that special person, or whether it is getting ready for work, remember to cloth yourself with the armor of God and Dress for the Occasion.

Louis Edwards

Quote

Dress has a moral effect upon the conduct of mankind. Let any gentleman find himself with dirty boots, soiled neckcloth, and a general negligence of dress, he will, in all probability, find a corresponding disposition by negligence of address.[1]

Sir J. Barrington

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[1] 6000 Sermon Illustrations by Elon Foster page 205 Ill. 1641

Destined to Fail

Text:

Proverbs 16:18  

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

On April 10, 1912, one of White Stars’ crown jewels started its maiden voyage from Southampton England to New York.  Four days into its journey at 11:40 p.m. on April 14, the Titanic struck an iceberg that plunged it 12,600 feet to the bottom of the ocean in less than three hours.  More than 1,500 people became victims to a watery grave early that morning. 

The White Stars’ promotional flyer for the Olympic and Titanic boasted: “As far as it is possible to do, these two wonderful vessels are designed to be unsinkable.”  Thus giving way to the saying, “Not even God Himself could sink her.”

The tragedy of the Titanic lingers today.  Movies, documentaries, museums, and web sites remind us of the horrible event that took place over a century ago.  We often boast of the progress and achievements made in our lives while unaware of the iceberg of “Pride” waiting to sink us.

Although Captain Edward Smith received six warnings about the danger that lie ahead, his confidence in an “unsinkable ship” cost him more than his life; it cost the lives of others.  Let us avoid the chilling hand of “Pride.” The cost not only touches us, but it affects others as well.

Louis Edwards

Recommended Reading:

Isaiah 14:12-16

Quote:

A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you.

C. S. Lewis

Cleaning House

Text: Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Growing up my mother was a stickler for a clean house; you would think that she had O.C.D. (obsessive-compulsive disorder) but she did not. She would make us clean our rooms, wash the dishes, vacuum the house and many other tasks she felt were necessary. Afterward, she would check behind us and see if it was to her specifications. If it were not to her satisfaction, we would do the job over. Looking back, I am thankful for her persistence because it has made us who we are today.

As a child of God, I often find myself trying to clean up the messes I have made only to discover my cleaning does not meet the approval of God’s. He sends in the Holy Spirit to check every crevice of my heart, and if He finds any problems, He is quick to bring it to my attention. Like my childhood days, at times, I am not willing to clean it up, but after it starts to affect my life, I ask Him to help me. 

 

It is important to listen to the instructions the Holy Spirit offers us. When we do, our life will be so much better, and others can see the difference. Someone once said, “We need to clean he cobwebs out of our heart.” A dear elderly saint spoke up and admonished, “No, we need to kill the spider that is in it.” Like the Psalmist mentioned, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Quote

Grace is God as heart surgeon, cracking open your chest, removing your heart – poisoned as it is with pride and pain – and replacing it with his own.

--Max Lucado, "Grace" (p. 10)

Louis Edwards

Speed Bumps

Text:

John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

                                                                

On June 7, 1906, the town of Chatham, New Jersey, implemented the first speed bump. They were five inch raised crosswalks designed to slow down speeding automobiles and keeping pedestrians safe. Although, the top speed was only 30 MPH, it was effective in slowing down the motorist and it wasn’t long before others followed suite.

Today, our lives are set in the fast lane. We are being pushed to accomplish more in a day’s time than ever before. We have fast foods, supper computers, quicker cars, real time information at our finger tips, forcing us to consume every second of our life at warp speed. This quick pace, if gone unchecked will one day cause us to crash.

Jesus’ life and ministry was filled with task that kept Him busy every waking hour. He faced opposition, healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons, fed the multitude, and the list could go on. He understood the importance of slowing down and spending time with His Father. It allowed Him the opportunity to rejuvenate his body and recharge his spirit.

If we continue the pace the world sets for us, we may accomplish some things in life, but at what cost. The waning of love. Separation of family interaction and growth. A closer relationship with Jesus. It is important that we slow down and become more intimate with Him and our families. Like Christ, we need speed bumps in our lives to keep us from crashing or falling apart.

Louis Edwards