Matthew 12:43-45 -        Now when an unclean spirit goes out of a man; it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it.  Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came; and when it comes it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order.  Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go and live there;
 
 
When I took my mom to the oral surgeon yesterday, we were told that she had dry socket from having a tooth pulled.  Dry socket is where a clot either never formed or dislodged from where the tooth was pulled leaving bone and nerves exposed in a now empty space.  It’s very painful and can take numerous days to heal and grow the soft tissue needed to cover and protect the area where the tooth once was.
 
I couldn’t help but think of our walk as believers with Christ.  As believers Jesus dwells within us like the blood clot plugging the hole to where the tooth once was.  We have laid aside our old self, and put on the new self in the likeness of God (Eph 4:22-24).  Sometimes we “backslide” and practice the very thing we do not want Rom 7:19); similar to when a clot lets loose allowing food to enter the space causing more pain.  We may not notice this change immediately but feel the effects over time.  In the above verse, if we don’t fill the space once occupied by sin with good and with Christ, it will come back ten-fold.  The surgeon told my mom to wait a few days then rinse the area using a syringe and mouthwash disinfectant. Then, over time it would begin to heal and grow the tissue it needs.  The same is true in our journey as believers.  Over time it’s critical that we monitor our steps and continually cleanse and disinfect our hearts from anything that may trip us up.  We grow over time by being diligent in God’s word and prayer to where as we mature as believers we learn how to protect and defend the enemy attacks.  Let’s put on the armor of God and fill our life with His Word trusting that He will heal our every need and protect us from the trials of this world.
 
 
Lord, thank you for filling my every need when the trials of life come.  Help me to remain steadfast in You who dwells within me and continually seek Your Word. Thank you for growing and protecting me even when I fail.  You are all I need.
 
 
Do you have dry socket?  Fill it with Christ.

Psalm 91:1-2 -  He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to The Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust!”
 
 
This verse takes me two ways, but I find that both lead me back to the end of the verse.  My God in whom I trust.  When we get caught up in the busyness of life, it’s easy to forget that God is always with us, always working, and fulfilling the plan He has laid out for us.  Sometimes we are blessed to look around or back and see how He has orchestrated one thing into another to complete the puzzle.  And each time we are still amazed when one door shuts and another opens, like the removing of us from our current job only to give us the opportunity we’ve been seeking.  Yet, sometimes we can’t see Him working.  I’ve often wondered when a slow car pulls out in front of me what might God be saving me or someone else from.  Maybe nothing, but I know God is always working.  The definition of “refuge” is a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger or trouble.  The definition of “fortress” is a heavily protected and impenetrable building.  So whenever we are faced with uncertainty, fear, anxiety, or the unknown, we only need to look within ourselves to our God that dwells within us and us in Him.  Like a shadow that surrounds us even when we can’t see it, He is with us.  We are heavily protected and nothing can penetrate through Him that surrounds us.  We are safe from all that comes before us to taunt us because we have a God that never leaves and it’s in Him that I put my trust!
 
 
Lord, I pray that in all that comes before me, that I seek you who dwells within me and surrounds me.  Thank you for your comfort and protection always.
 
 
The shadow of our God is all around us.  Sometimes following behind us, sometimes walking beside us, and sometimes leading us.  But one thing is for sure, it is always there!