There is a spiritual battle going on around us all the time. We need to put on the armor that God provides in His Word. Only then can we battle evil and bring lost souls to Christ. May God bless you in your daily witness for Him!

PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD

We are in a battle for the souls of men.
Put on God’s armor today.
He has given us truth and righteousness
to protect us along the way.

Always be prepared to share the Good News.
Walk in peace as you share God’s Word.
Take faith as your shield to stop Satan’s arrows.
Guard your mind with the truth you have heard.

Wicked spirits and powers of the unseen world
will try to destroy what you do.
So wear each piece of the armor of God.
They will give protection to you.

The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
is the strongest weapon you own
Use it with prayer on every occasion.
Worship daily before God’s throne.

© Rosemary Watson 2003
Eph. 6:11-18

Today I am rejoicing in God's faithfulness, but especially in His grace. He always supplies the strength and wisdom I need to serve Him. Oh, I can't do as much as when I was younger, but I can do whatever is God's will for me TODAY. As long as I am fully yielded to Him, He provides the grace.

Do you agree? Do you have a story to share with our readers? Please post a comment below so that others can be blessed by your testimony!

ABUNDANT GRACE

I can do all things through Christ in me.
He strengthens me hour by hour.
This is the truth we must remember:
Christ is the source of our power.

Sometimes we receive abundant blessings.
Sometimes we suffer need.
But Jesus always gives us strength.
Every hunger He will feed.

Whether my task is difficult or easy,
Jesus strengthens me.
He always helps me overcome.
His abundant grace is free!

My God shall supply all my needs
according to His riches in glory.
I’ll praise Him through all eternity.
This is my wonderful story!

© Rosemary Watson 2002
Philippians 4:13,19

Many of us are grieved by the turmoil and suffering that is going on in Iraq. Anger and fear are spreading across America. Are our leaders doing the right thing? What does the future hold for America, for our children and grandchildren? Can we really help bring freedom to Iraq?

Whatever happens, we know that God is in control. He can overrule and bring peace and blessing, even though there have been mistakes. Let us trust Him today and work with Him through our faith and our prayers.

OUR GOD HAS A PLAN

As God has planned, so shall it come to pass.
As He has purposed, so shall it stand.
Though war is coming in our days,
there shall be victory in our land.

Our Lord has a plan for the whole earth.
His power reaches throughout the world.
Though the suffering of war grieves our hearts,
the banners of our faith are unfurled.

Our Lord has spoken. Who can change His plans?
God's arm is stretched out today.
If we love the Lord with all our hearts,
He will guide us all the way.

© Rosemary Watson 2003

After I returned home from Laos in 1964 because of ill health, I felt very alone and uncertain about what God might want me to do. For ten years I worked in various hospitals and universities, and also for an orthopedic surgeon in Tulsa, Oklahoma. But I kept my focus on Jesus and read the Bible faithfully every day, that I might know how to live to please Him.

God led me to a wonderful church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, called Eastwood Baptist Church. The preacher brought forth marvelous things from God's Word, and I was greatly blessed. Then I joined the Sonshine Singles Bible class there, and met Lindell Watson, who became my dear husband.

We have been married 31 years now, since April 1974. I have two step-sons and two grandchildren, Melissa and Matthew. Melissa married Frank Casale in June, 2005, and we are very happy for them both.

I continue to write poetry and put my poems on bookmarks which I give out to friends. All of my poems are written to help people know God better, and many poems are based on specific Scriptures that have touched my heart.

I am deeply concerned about Laos, where I served years ago. Occasionally I send out news that will help my friends pray for the Christians in Laos. Many are suffering persecution from the communist government that took control of Laos in 1975 after South Vietnam fell to the communists. We have visited Laos and are in touch with friends there. God is building His church.

I also write devotionals and have had some of them published. In my blog I will be sharing some things that God has taught me through the years. Please write to me if there are any questions you would like to ask. God bless you all.

Rosemary

GOD WILL BRING YOU THROUGH

When you pass through deep waters of trouble and trial,
God Himself will be with you.
The rivers of difficulty will not overflow.
God will bring you through.

Though you walk through the fire of severe oppression,
you will not be burned.
Someday you will see that God was glorified
through the lessons you have learned.

Fear not, for Jesus has redeemed your soul.
He has called you and knows your name.
He is making you stronger by tribulation.
You will never be the same.

© Rosemary Watson 2003
Isaiah 43:1-2

Has God brought you through some trials? Please click on "Comments" and share what you have learned.

BEARING BURDENS FOR OTHERS

Paul tells us in Galatians 6:2 that we should bear one another’s burdens, encourage others, and try to make life easier for them. This does not necessarily mean we pay their gas bill or buy them groceries, although at times God may lead us to do those very things.

Bearing someone’s burdens means we empathize with them and pray for them to have strength to go on. We praise them for their efforts to live for Jesus. We encourage them when they seem downhearted. It means giving someone an extra hug or a smile when we see they look discouraged.

We all remember those times when we were trying our best to do right, but we faced hurdles we couldn’t overcome. Then someone’s smile or word of encouragement lifted our spirit and helped us plod onward.

Many people find it difficult to bear someone else’s burdens. They may think they have enough burdens of their own, or they may feel they are in competition with others and really don’t want them to succeed. You might not admit it, but when you see someone praised for a good deed, do you immediately think of the ways they have failed in the past?

Such people with negative outlooks on life will always be somewhat depressed. They hold peoples’ failures and mistakes against them. They cannot rejoice when someone else is applauded, because they wish they themselves were the one being praised.

Life is not meant to be a continual competition to see who is the best. We are all in the struggle of life together, and we need to give one another encouragement and praise. In return, someday another person may encourage us during a difficult experience and help us go on.

Yes, Scripture also says, "... every man shall bear his own burden" (Gal. 6:5). There are some private burdens that others will never know about, and we must carry them alone, depending on God for help. But we are specifically commanded to "bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" in verse 2 of that same chapter. It is not the ten commandments we are trying to fulfill, but the law of Christ, which is to love one another and show it in our actions.

Are you quick to say "Thank you" when someone helps you? Are you just as quick to say "I’m sorry," when you realize you have hurt someone’s feelings? Or do you just think they will figure it out if you start treating them nicely the rest of the day? We need to hear our friends say "I’m sorry I did that," not just hope they are sorry or wonder why they can’t apologize in words.

When we see someone do a kind deed, we can make their day so much brighter if we would only say, "That was thoughtful of you." It takes humility to tell a friend, "You do that so well," because we may wish people would recognize us more. But God doesn’t honor the proud in heart.

Life is not a competition, but a race where we all hold hands and help those who fall, so that we can rejoice together along the way.

COME TO JESUS FOR REST

The Lord gives wisdom and understanding
to those who have a childlike spirit.
Jesus reveals the truth about God
to all who are willing to hear it.

The people of Capernaum heard Jesus speak,
but only a few believed.
God would have blessed them abundantly
if His truth they had received.

All you who are weary, carrying heavy burdens,
come to Jesus for rest.
Receive His yoke and learn from Him.
Believe His words, and you will be blessed.

Learn from Jesus, the gentle one,
and you will find rest for your soul.
His yoke fits perfectly and His burden is light.
Only Jesus can make you whole.

© Rosemary Watson 2003
Matthew 11:28-30

HELP ME COME CLOSER
Lord, you have given me friends so dear.
The fragrance of their lives brings you near.
I know that daily they walk with you.
I want to come closer to you, too.

When problems come and I face a test,
I hear you calling, "Child, come. Rest."
I want to trust you hour by hour.
By trusting you I can know your power.

Disappointments will surely come.
You allow the trials, one by one.
I can always rest in you, my Lord.
You guide me clearly as I read your Word.

Help me not focus on my trials today.
I know you are with me along the way.
Simply trusting, I will walk with you.
I trust you to guide me in all I do.

© Rosemary Watson 2004