Welcome to Day 19 of The Challenge! Our verse to memorize is II Timothy 2:19:
~
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,
having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
And let every one that nameth the name of Christ,
depart from iniquity."
~
As I write this, it is a warm day outside. The birds are singing and the sky is blue. 
For many people it isn’t. For many the future looks gray and dim.
Tomorrow a new President of the United States will be sworn in. Today is a big day for a lot of people. Living in Mexico and being one of the few Americans around, I get asked a lot what I think about our new President. Many people feel insecure, not only about the future but about a lot of things. Uncertainty is a hard thing to deal with, but what a joyous thing it is that our comfort can be found in the fact that "the foundation of God standeth sure." You can take that to the bank! How freeing that I can base my life on that and live each day with that in mind.
Psalm 18:2 says, "The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer, my God is my Rock in Whom I take Refuge." But you have to consciously take your refuge there. Not only when the storms come but all the time! We have so many others things we tend to turn to for strength, comfort, or deliverance but I can guarantee none of that is as "sure" as having the seal of being grounded in the foundation of God. Just typing this makes me want to get up and shout!
Lately I have overheard or participated in conversations involving phrases such as, "But how will the heathen in Africa be saved?" Are Catholics going to heaven?" "Is she going to heaven since she goes there and does that?" All I have to say is, "I am glad I am not God!" I know I would misjudge and the wrong people would be going to the wrong place. But what a relief it is that God knows who are His! It is not our place to decide that. Furthermore those of us who do call Jesus Lord must take care to "depart from iniquity" and walk out a humility that says Jesus is more worthy of our praise and adoration than anything life here on earth has to offer.
With that in mind, let’s go into this week being blessed!
~ Cristina Rodriguez
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January 19th, 2009 at 11:15 am
yes Yes YES! I Heard a sermon last night that really goes along with this, about living a relationship with God that is “daily”. One point he made was that each day we are so blessed by God, just the sun rising or that you can take in another breath. He made us in His own image, don’t we like to hear a greatful word once in a while? Don’t you think He would? I am so glad He “knows His own” and that “the foundation of God standeth sure.” I can be thankful on the worst days! And yes, we must also make a choice to “depart from iniquity” DAILY. Psa 1:6 “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
January 19th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Thanks for your energy-giving spirit, Cristina, and your thoughts on the verse. I’ll be praying for you all during your new stage in political history.
January 20th, 2009 at 6:40 am
What a wonderful thought! I love how God satisfies every need for us… I love the verse in Proverbs that goes with the verse you put. “The name of the Lord is a strong Tower; the righteous run into it, and is safe.” (Pr. 18: 10)
We do need to run to Him daily! Thanks!
January 21st, 2009 at 6:01 am
As I meditated on this verse, the word “depart” caught my eye. It does not mean we should glide noiselessly away from our wrong ways of life…we must “instigate a revolt” against it!
This reminds me of a time when I experienced rejection from a childhood friend. It was a painful trial, and I was often tempted to give in to feelings of bitterness and self-pity. Applying the concept of a prayer target to Scripture memorization, I began quoting Ephesians 2 whenever I felt the pull to indulge in wrong emotions.
Just as a war is not won overnight, my temptations did not immediately abate. (Frequent recitation of Ephesians 2 deeply engrafted it into my life!) However, as I persistently and passionately used this weapon of warfare, the Lord gave me power to overcome my hurt and choose forgiveness.
I am excited to report that God recently reopened the doors of communication with my friend, and I pray this will lead to full reconciliation and healing of our friendship. Truly the weapons of our warfare are mighty, and the “revolt” against our carnal man is worth it. Keep fighting the good fight of faith!
(And please say a prayer that God would bless me with complete reconciliation. Thank you!)
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:15 am
“The Lord knoweth them that are His.” I love that part of the verse! It is so good to know that Jesus completely understands, is acquainted with, and has knowledge about His sheep! John 10:14, 27 “I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep and am known of Mine… My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:”
Wow, Cristina! You’re back in Mexico. Thank you for blessing us with this post. A great and needed reminder that the Lord is my Rock and Fortress. May the Lord continue to use you to be a blessing to those around you!
March 14th, 2009 at 4:47 am
Thank you so much Cristina for this thought. It is a lesson for my life. May God continue blessing you and giving you wisdom to respond any question.
Adios!
God Bless
Laura