Pages

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Unfolded by the Spirit

Every word You give me is a miracle-word -
how could I help but obey?
Break open Your words, let the light shine out,
let ordinary people see the meaning.
Psalm 119:129-130 The Message

Between the skeptics and unbelievers, questions swirl around Christians. The world constantly queries the Bible and seeks to discredit it on many fronts. Sometimes, even Christians have difficulty explaining God's Living Word. Words from Ray Stedman's The Power of His Presence give a good description of the Old and New Testaments and why both are still relevant.
first gardenia of 2014! ~dho

"The Old Testament is designed to be a picture book, illustrating with fascinating stories the spiritual truths presented in the New Testament. . . One of the most convincing proofs of the inspiration of the Bible is the facility with which the Spirit of God took simple history - facts as they were lived out day by day - and recorded them in such a way as to weave together a totally accurate pattern of the development of spiritual life. In other words, what took place physically in the Old Testament is a picture for believers today of what takes place spiritually in their own growth in grace."

The NASB uses these words in Psalm 119:130 ~ The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. When we spend time reading the Living Word, God's promises and spiritual truths are unfolded by the Spirit. Through studying the Scriptures, we begin to understand more about the character of God and His purposes for us.

Gracious LORD, I come to the altar shouting
praise for all the blessings in my life. You are
the Light that writes the words of my soul-song.
It is You that gives my heart its desires.
Faithful Father, I am God-strong; my blessings
abundantly exceed my needs. Creator, gather
the details of my life, take Your holy threads and
weave a tapestry of Your design. You transcend
all circumstances, expose all evil, reveal all love
but never measure Grace. I am God-strengthened!
 ~dho

Thursday, May 08, 2014

Divine Retreat

He will shield you with His wings. He will shelter you with His feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4 NLT

God’s faithfulness provides safe shelter for His own. Whether the metaphor refers to feathers of angels or eagles and hens (see Matthew 23:37), trusting in this living God becomes a shield for the fearful, the forgotten, the desperate, the dying, the wounded, the weary. The world reeks of danger and uncertainty, but we find our refuge, our safe place in the embrace of God Almighty.

Whether the context is Moses reminding the Israelites or Jesus grieving over Jerusalem or the world churning its chaos, God longs to sit in the inner sanctuary, to have communion and fellowship with those who seek Him. So come to a place of safety, a place of Divine Protection, a place of unfailing love. El Shaddai, You are my safe place, my port in life’s storms, my retreat from daily struggles, my shelter from Satan’s lies. Great is Your faithfulness; be my salvation. - dho

Focus Point: The world reeks of danger and uncertainty, but we find our refuge, our safe place in the embrace of God Almighty.

Thursday, May 01, 2014

Faithfulness

MAY is National Brain Tumor Awareness month! Celebrating my nephew, Thomas! July 2011, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, sent immediately to Duke Children's hospital, underwent surgery and weeks of radiation treatments. Almost three years later, Thomas remains cancer free! To God be the glory!         Go GRAY in MAY!       

To be faithful in every circumstance means that we have only one loyalty, or object of our faith – 
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1Corinthians 1:9 NKJV

God is sovereign, all-powerful! This attribute of God’s character escapes our full understanding but becomes the truth a faithful follower accepts. Our loyalty to Christ reveals itself by our faith in God. When things fall apart, when circumstances become difficult, when we can no longer see God’s purpose – we have a tendency to doubt, blame, and criticize. This eroding of personal faith affects our spiritual health and witness. Our faith must stay grounded in the faithfulness of God, not in our ability to understand the situation.

In our faithfulness to God, perseverance must continue, as well as loyal devotion with Christ as the “object of our faith”. Especially when we do not comprehend, trusting in a faithful God brings the soul true hope and provides rest in fellowship with Christ. On this journey there are many unexpected roads that lead to despair, wind through darkness, or pass over mountains, and God always goes before us. Our continued faithfulness in God “in every circumstance” finds its greatest purpose in allowing God to work through us.
El Shaddai, Lord God Almighty – renew Your gift of my faith. Reach through me to others that need to know of Your power. Let my story be: Great is Your faithfulness to me, in every situation. –dho


Focus Point: Our faith must stay grounded in the faithfulness of God, not in our ability to understand the situation.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Easter Sunday ~ Our Dwelling Place, His Presence

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  
During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.  Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]


“The hope we have in Christ is an absolute certainty. We can be sure that
the place Christ is preparing for us will be ready when we arrive, because with Him
nothing is left to chance. Everything He promised He will deliver.”
Billy Graham

“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His temple.” Psalm 27:4 ESV

Just before Jesus ascends to heaven, He instructs the disciples to tell the story of Good News to all people. His final words of encouragement: And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. In Scripture, the last days refers to the time between Christ’s return to heaven after the resurrection and His second return to earth. The last days are now! The promise remains true; Jehovah Shammah, the LORD is there, dwells with us. God’s presence with His people is certain.

Scripture tells us that in the last days the story of Jesus is mocked and questioned. Arrogance diminishes the power of God, discredits His role in creation, and dismisses His promise of judgment. People choose other gods to worship. With humility, His faithful followers must earnestly continue to be about the work God calls us to do. LORD, Creator and Promise Keeper, Your grace falls gently in the midst of these harsh last days. Forgive those who deny You and give them a reason to hope. I long to dwell in Your Presence all the days of my life. Here I see the beauty of Extravagant Love and know the unexplainable joy of Eternal Hope. As I eagerly anticipate what You will do next, help me tell Your story of Grace! Count me alive in Christ. Moment by moment, Jehovah Shammah, You are here! - dho 

Thank you for the opportunity to share the Extravagant Love of God with you during this Easter Season. For more devotionals throughout the year, see my blog: BreathingRoomForMySoul.com  Donna Oswalt

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~
“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Knowing

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  
During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.  Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” Ephesians 6:18 MSG

After the crucifixion, the followers of Jesus are emotionally stranded, fear-full, and alone. Hidden and disillusioned, they yearn for what they cannot have, they grieve for what they do not understand, they wait for what they do not expect. On this Sabbath, the solitude feels suffocating, doubt engages defeat, and hope hesitates. Just a week ago, they were preparing to come to Jerusalem.

Spiritual enemies use tools of discouragement, deception, and division. Confusion, chaos, and contradiction shout, whisper, and overwhelm. In contrast, truth and God’s righteousness along with peace and faith in Christ become the spiritual armor protecting us from the fiery arrows of Satan. Having salvation as the helmet, Holy Scriptures as the sword, and prayer in the power of the Holy Spirit, these spiritual weapons belong to all Christians! Only in God’s presence can we truly know safety and wholeness, order and peace, love and unity. Brother Lawrence in Practicing His Presence shares that his prayers are nothing other than a sense of the presence of God and suggests trying to live in a continual sense of the Lord’s presence. Holy God, as the fiery arrows fly, as temptations test, as disobedience destroys, cover me. In Your presence, grace prepares me with righteousness, provides me with knowledge, protects me with holiness. Count me alive in Christ. Blessed Assurance, my Hope in all times! -dho 

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Friday, April 18, 2014

Preparing for Easter ~ Good Friday - Place of Everlasting Glory

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  
During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.  Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’” Revelation 21:1-3 NASB

On the day of crucifixion, prophecy of the Messiah surrounds Jesus, but most watch unaware. A lack of understanding is consumed by fallacy and fear, power and providence, greed and grief, barter and betrayal. God’s plan of salvation unfolds before their very eyes. Perfect Love is nailed to a wooden cross, broken for humanity. The Lamb of God becomes the only necessary blood sacrifice, a complete sin offering for atonement and everlasting life. Immanuel, God with us, breathes His last breath on earth.

Messiah reigns in heaven, for now, but prophecy waits to be fulfilled. In the day of His return, there will be a new earth, a New Jerusalem. Then God will dwell among His people, and together, all the faithful will live in this place of Everlasting Glory forever. LORD of LORDs, hold my broken places and forgive my foolish plans, change my stubborn heart and break my selfish will, reveal my complacent attitude and renew my weary soul. I eat the bread broken for me, and drink the wine poured out for me. Count me alive in Christ. Perfect Love, Amazing Grace for me! – dho 

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Preparing for Easter ~ Maundy Thrusday - Place of Completeness

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  
During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.  Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is! He’s the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in Him.” Ephesians 1:3 MSG

God chooses us, Jesus redeems us, and the Spirit marks us. These are not temporary blessings but spiritual blessings. God’s goodness and grace continually flows from an endless well and takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. One of the greatest spiritual blessings is the peace that comes with knowing Jesus, the Prince of Peace. In Hebrew, Jesus, Prince of Peace is Yeshua, Sar Shalom.

Shalom offers more than peace, reflecting a deeper, more complex idea that conveys a completeness evidenced by the blessings of spiritual security and rest, wholeness and well-being. How does one find this kind of peace? Only grace through Jesus reconciles the soul to perfect rest with God. Yeshua, Sar Shalom, take me to the high places of blessing! When life empties my heart and blurs my thoughts, steals my joy and fatigues my soul, take me to the high places of blessing! Count me alive in Christ. Perfect Love gives Perfect Peace. - dho 

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Community

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  
During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.  Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“Come to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by the people, but He is precious to God who chose Him. And now God is building you, as living stones, into His spiritual temple. What’s more, you are God’s holy priests, who offer the spiritual sacrifices that please Him because of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5 NLT

Peter’s words declare Christ as the foundation of the church, and those who follow Christ become the living stones that God uses to build His church. This reference does not suggest literal buildings, rather the building of the church as a community of believers. When the curtain in the Temple is torn in two, every believer gains direct access to God. Rejected but resurrected, Jesus creates a New Way back to God. Christ, the Great High Priest, makes the last and ultimate blood sacrifice for sin. Through Grace we can enter into the Presence of God as His holy priests.

God always desires to have a dwelling place with His people, first in the tabernacle, later in the temple, then on earth in Christ, and now within each believer through the Holy Spirit. God’s presence resides in the community of believers, the body of Christ, the church. Holy God, infinite in wisdom, I try to imagine Your mystery but cannot understand such love, cannot comprehend such power, cannot explain such mercy. My sacrifice of praise is endless. Count me alive in Christ. Let this living stone glorify You! – dho 

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Contentment

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  
During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.  Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“You will teach me how to live a holy life. Being with You will fill me with joy; at Your right hand I will find pleasure forever.” Psalm 16:11 NCV

The Psalm of David voices deep expressions of trust in God, the One from Whom all good things come. In his devotion to honor God, David acknowledges that some worship idols, but he believes that God alone is my cup of blessing. At Pentecost, Peter even quotes verses from this Psalm in his first sermon. Verse 10 reads: For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. As prophecy, these ancient words point to the Messiah; in remembering, these words affirm God’s promise.

Contentment suggests satisfaction or a willingness to accept certain situations. Psalm 16 reflects on full and lasting spiritual satisfaction not on momentary and fleeting happiness. With the resurrection of Christ, we are guaranteed this holy living, fullness of joy, and forever peace because the presence of God now dwells within us. Lord, in Your Presence I long to sit in solitude, pray without ceasing, love beyond imagination. To live in Your glorious presence gives me confidence to stand firm in my faith. Count me alive in Christ. All good things come from You! – dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”