The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States “CALMED BY GOD’S WORD” for Monday, 25 July 2016 with Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States “CALMED BY GOD’S WORD” for Monday, 25 July 2016 with Scripture: Psalm 46:1 (0) For the leader. By the descendants of Korach. On ‘alamot [high-pitched musical instruments?]. A song:
2 (1) God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
3 (2) Therefore we are unafraid,
even if the earth gives way,
even if the mountains tumble
into the depths of the sea,
4 (3) even if its waters rage and foam,
and mountains shake at its turbulence. (Selah)
5 (4) There is a river whose streams
gladden the city of God,
the holy habitation of ‘Elyon —
6 (5) God is in the city.
It will not be moved —
when daybreak comes, God will help it.
7 (6) Nations were in turmoil,
kingdoms were moved;
his voice thundered forth,
and the earth melted away.
8 (7) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us,
our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)
9 (8) Come and see the works of Adonai,
the astounding deeds he has done on the earth.
10 (9) To the ends of the earth he makes wars cease —
he breaks the bow, snaps the spear,
burns the shields in the fire.
11 (10) “Desist, and learn that I am God,
supreme over the nations,
supreme over the earth.”
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God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.[Psalm 46:1 (NIV)]
After completing a week of intense training sessions, I was anxious to get home. With traffic backed up on the freeway, I had to find an alternate route home.
On the way, I began to think about Bible verses that describe the way God cares for us and discovered that my anxiety had left me. As I drove along the alternate route, I began to see wonderful, new sights such as a sparkling blue river that wound between cliffs and disappeared into the horizon. I pondered how God calls us to be still even in the midst of trouble. I remembered scripture that admonishes us to put aside our jumbled thoughts and to fix our minds on God’s presence and promises.
When we make a habit of reading the Bible, memorizing it, and recalling it, the reassuring words of God can replace our worries. They are always close at hand when we need comfort or assurance in our daily lives.
Read more from the author, here.
"More from Linda Jo Reed"

As I drove on the day described in my devotional, I followed the Columbia River home from Portland, OR to Eastern Washington in the Pacific Northwest. I consider this waterway as “my river” (see photos below). It has so many expressions and changes drastically as it flows toward the Pacific Ocean. I always see and feel God’s handiwork in this great northwest passage.
Being around the rivers in the Pacific Northwest is one way that I practice the presence of God. I see the River of Life flowing from the throne of God in these tributaries. My devotional blog can be found at my website, www.lindajoreed.com, and rivers figure in it quite often.
I am a writer with a mission: to glorify God and encourage people. I have published a book called “Upheld In The Battle” in which I hope help and support for life’s battles can be found in my words. I believe God has a great and intimate passion for us, his children. We can know this as an everyday experience. He is faithful and true. His promise comes through Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NIV)
I continue to write, something that is a lifelong dream. I’ve been fortunate to guest blog several times and I have another book in process. I hope it will rapidly advance to completion.
I can boast of nine grandsons. You’d think there would be some girls in there, wouldn’t you? But my family is blessed with this lively crew, and I wouldn’t have it any different. I do a lot of traveling to see them, though (thus lots of river scenery). This Grandma has the journey thing down pat!
During the day I am the Sponsor A Child Coordinator for Partners International, a ministry that works in regions across the world. As a team, our staff and donors come alongside nationals in their own countries to help them reach their people with the vision God gives them. The avenues our partners work through can include such things as church planting, Bible classes, pastor training, holistic micro-enterprise, farming, children's education and Bible teaching, community building, and much more. They are heroes who work in very dangerous countries. It is a privilege to serve them.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog piece. God bless you.[Linda Jo Reed]


See mages of the author's detour, here.
"Link2Life for July 25, 2016"
Images of the Columbia River.




The Author: Linda Jo Reed (Washington, USA)
Thought for the Day: Daily Bible reading helps me remember God’s presence.
Prayer: Dear Lord, sharpen our minds to recall your words so that we can trust you to ease our anxieties. Thank you for your loving care. We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9-13). Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE TRAVELING FOR WORK

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