Group 4 – Section 4

…Thank You Lord! And, (Your name), rejoice that the protection I NEED is…

…not from my hiding under a ‘lid of self-protection’ that I hold down tightly from inside. I turn my heart to love God and His kingdom around me as my strong fortress—I rest into the place of loving that I can enter, stand before God, and receive His kingdom all around me as God washes me clean. Heart, God is my protection, not other things. (pause to love it!)

…not in staying away from God. Drawing near to God is a better place to hide. I love the protection I find in You, Lord. Angels are here; my God is the almighty commander of the angels.

…not by how well I keep from believing God’s love and grace. I set my delight on God’s presence as my protection. Like Elijah and Elisha, I am trusting that I am standing before the Lord of hosts.

…not by my using a lack of hope as an excuse for avoiding spiritual growth. God doesn’t hold back, and nothing else works. Heart, hear, and believe that “…it is Heaven that rules” (Dan. 4:26).

…not from hiding in a cave of fear. I humble myself from believing that I have to protect myself. God Almighty is my strength. I am delighting my heart into believing and loving that I can draw near to God and receive the kingdom of God all around me here. (Pause to love the God who is close!)

…not by wearing the armor of hardness and rebellion. God is the Lord of all authority and strength, and I entrust myself to Him. I set my heart to love You. (pause to be thankful about these truths!)

…not from ___________ . I humble myself, and I admit my need. I thrill my heart into believing that I am entering before the Father here and that You, Lord Jesus, are standing with me in all Your radiant glory. The radiance of the Spirit flowing from Jesus and the Father is my strong fortress.

…I turn my soul from letting circumstances, people, or the demonic rob me of confidence about the power of God’s protection. I set my heart to enter and stay in God’s radiance for protection.

…The more I direct my heart to turn away from earthly glory and open up to God with childlike faith about receiving His presence and kingdom coming here, the more freedom God has to do His will on earth as it is in Heaven (Matt. 6:33; Matt. 6:10). By this, I am presenting my body to God (Rev. 12:1), standing before Him as a priest (2 Chron. 29:11), and reigning with Him here (Rev. 5:10)!

Heart, let yourself be delighted about God drawing near and being able to abide in Him as my strong protection. I am entrusting myself to His presence around me as my refuge of power and strength: “Guard my soul…for I take refuge in You” (Ps. 25:20). (pause to believe and love God!)

…” The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.

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. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock” (Ps. 27:1 and 3,4,5). (Let yourself feel confident from the closeness of God!)

…I can enter and rest into receiving God’s presence. By this, God is here and I am protected because Lord, “You are my hiding place and my shield…” (Ps. 119:114). (Pause to entrust yourself to the presence of God and His kingdom around you as your refuge, hiding place, and shield!)

…I am confident that God is here and that He is protecting me because “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken…my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely” (Ps. 16:8,9). (pause to be thankful and love the God who is close!)

…Thank You Lord! And, (Your name), rejoice that the protection I NEED is…

…not by priding myself with the things that I control. I humble myself into believing that I can enter and receive the kingdom of God all around me here. I am setting my heart to trust that I am standing on the sea before the throne of God. Angels are above me, behind me, and they are underneath.

…not by winding myself up and being hyper. I turn my praise toward God. I love that receiving the kingdom of God around me is a strong fortress. (Pause to be thankful and love it as the truth!)

…not with what feels like a “bubble” of their acceptance around me. Soul, hear this and hold onto God. All my delight is in You, Lord! I take refuge in You power and love around me; by this, I “possess” Your holy mountain (Isa.57:13).

…not by manipulating people against each other. God is a greater glory. I praise You, Lord, not myself. By faith, my eyes are on You before me here, Lord: “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken…my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely” (Psa. 16:8,9).

…not by my using self-contempt to keep myself hiding in a cocoon of depression. God is a stronger fortress. I set my heart to thrill myself that I can enter and stand before God here. My joy is to hide myself in Your glory, Lord—not in depression. (Pause to let yourself feel reassured by the closeness of God!)

…not from a fortress of self-inflicted guilt and shame. I love finding the refuge I need in Your cleansing protection, Lord. I rejoice my heart into loving that I can receive and wear the kingdom of God.

…not by using dominance to control other people or the circumstances. It is the kindness of God that I love. I rest into receiving the touch of the presence of God as my strong shield and fortress.

…not in staying away from God. I will run to You, Lord. I will not stay away. I set my affections on the closeness of God. (Pause to feel confident from trusting that God’s presence is here!)

…not from fear and disbelief as my best hope for a place of refuge. Because of faith in the strength of the radiance around God, I can open up to God without self-protection and trust His presence is coming to me by His Spirit who shines from the fountain of God.

…I love the protection that comes from the presence of God with me. My God is the Almighty Lord of hosts. (Your name), listen and let yourself love the presence of God as your protection!

…Heart, God is my strong protection because the radiance of the glorified Christ is upon me—by this I “…put on the armor of light…put on the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Rom. 13:12 and 14).

…I am confident about being protected because I am turning to set my heart to stay in the throne room with God: “he who takes refuge in Me…will possess My holy mountain” (Isa. 57:13). The kingdom of God IS here. …but even if God does not protect me, I am determined to keep entrusting myself to His presence for the protection I need.

“…[the king] …said to them, ‘Is it true…that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up…if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire…Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king…we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter…our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Dan. 3:14-18). (pause to be thankful and love the truth!)

…by faith, I draw near to God, and He draws near to me by His flooding me with His radiant and cleansing presence that pours out abundantly from Him (Isa. 55-1-2). Heart, I am telling myself with boldness to believe and enjoy that “The Lord is my light…The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” (Ps. 27:1).

… “In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid…” (Ps. 56:11). (Pause to believe and love God!)

… “…God…gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God” (Ps. 68:35)!

…It was my Jesus who prayed to the Father saying, “…Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one” (John 18:9). And He will not lose me either! (pause to let yourself feel confident because of the truth!)

By faith, I enter before the Father, open myself to God, trust His radiance is upon me, and receive His presence here. By this, I hide myself in God and He alone is my protection because I “…have made the Lord…even the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent” (Psalm 91:9-10). (Pause to let yourself feel confident because of the truth!)

… “Be gracious to me, O God…For my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by” (Ps. 57:1).

…by confidently believing I have entered and am before the fountain of God, I wrap myself in His presence of God because “…God is Light…” (1 John 1:5). (pause to love the God who is close!)

…I turn my soul from letting circumstances, people, or the demonic rob me of confidence about the power of God’s protection. I set my heart to believe and enjoy staying in the radiance around Him.

(Your name) Rejoice that the protection I NEED is…

…not from a fortress of self-inflicted guilt and shame. God is a better hiding place. I rest into receiving God’s presence. And I set my heart to trust that I can draw near and “set the Lord continually before me” as David did. I rest into believing that angels are all around me here and that I am standing before the Lord, the commander of Heaven’s armies. (Pause to be thankful for the truth!)

…not by my using a lack of hope as an excuse for avoiding spiritual growth. God is worthy of my trust. I turn my faith to God’s presence. I set my love of protection on You, Lord. All my delight is in You, Lord.

…not by how well I cower and close up inside. I turn from holding back. I rest into receiving the touch of Your protection. (Pause to let yourself feel confident and reassured by God’s presence!)

…not from how much I can make myself hide because of self-directed anger and contempt. I submit into hiding in God. (Pause to feel confidence from trusting that God’s presence is here!)

…not from hiding in a cave of fear. God is a safer place to hide. I am trusting that God is with me here. I trust that my eyes are looking at You, Lord. I rest into entrusting myself to God’s presence as my fortress. All my protection is in Your presence, God.

…Lord, “…You have been a refuge for me…let me dwell in Your tent forever…” (Ps. 61:3,4).

…Heart inside me, you will listen and believe: “You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence…or of the destruction…it shall not approach you…for you have made the Lord…even the Most High, your dwelling place” (Ps. 91:5-9).

…God is my protection because God is here! I am receiving God’s presence, and by faith, I trust that I “…walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light…” (1 John 1:7 see also Ps. 104:1 NIV).

…it thrills my heart to walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light (1 John 1:7). “He wraps Himself in light as with a garment” (Ps. 104:1 NIV). (pause to be thankful and love the God who is close!)

…I am setting my heart to love the protection that comes from the presence of God with me. God hides me His kingdom, inside a kingdom that is greater and more real than this world. I love that I can open up and trust that the kingdom of Heaven is coming down (James 1:17) and that the peace of God is crushing the demonic realm around me here (Rom. 16:20). Heart, God, and His holy presence is my strong armor. I am trusting that my eyes are looking at the presence of the kingdom of God all around me here: Lord, “…You are my God…My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You…Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory…My soul is satisfied…” (Ps. 63:1-2, 5).

…Heart believe this! “…In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength…” (Isa. 30:15). (Let yourself feel confident from the closeness of God’s power and glory!)

…I am secure, and I am confident because “…I have made the Lord God my refuge…” (Ps. 73:28). “God is to us a God of deliverances…” (Ps. 68:20).

…Thank You Lord! And, (Your name), rejoice that the protection I NEED is…

…not from maintaining their approval by accepting the blame for what others do wrong. I turn away from opening up to them and open myself to You, God.

…not from giving up for fear of not being able to maintain success. I will trust in God, and I will not be afraid. I love You. (Pause to let yourself feel confident and reassured by God’s presence!)

…not by how well I cower and close up inside. I rest into receiving the touch of Your strength Lord. I love that it is right for me to believe that I can stand in the throne room here and that God is before me in all His radiant glory. (Pause to let yourself feel confident and reassured by God’s presence!)

…not from how much I can make myself hide because of self-directed anger and contempt. I set my trust in You, Lord. (Let yourself feel confident by faith that God’s presence with His power and glory is here!)

…not by wearing anger and harshness toward others like a coat of armor around me. I repent of putting my faith in me. And I turn my heart to trust that I can draw near with freedom and stand before the Lord, the commander of the armies of Heaven. (Pause to let yourself feel confident because of the truth!)

…not by covering up the sin of those who I wish would love me and do right. I turn, and I set my hope on You, Lord.

…the God of deliverances is all powerful and He alone is “…my rock and my fortress.” (Ps. 71:3). (Pause to hear and believe it)

… “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and…my stronghold.” (Ps. 18:2); “The eternal God is a dwelling place…” (Deut. 33:27). I am turning my heart to delight in the living and true God who draws near so He can be a dwelling place, around me here.

…Lord, “…You are my refuge in the day of disaster” (Jer. 17:17). “…You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence…” (Ps. 71:5). Lord God, “You are my hiding place and my shield…” (Ps. 119:114); “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith…be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13). (Pause to hear and believe it)

…I am confident about being protected by God because IT IS WRITTEN: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” (James 4:8). But I am telling my heart to believe that I draw near to God by trusting Him to draw near to me here because “…he who comes to God must believe…that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6). Heart, it is not righteous faith to think I have to ascend into Heaven to bring Christ down (Rom. 10:6)! (Pause to let yourself feel confident because of it!)

… (Your name), listen and let yourself love the presence of God as your protection!

…I am confident about the power of the presence of God with me because it says to “…put on the armor of light…put on the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Rom. 13:12, 14); “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32); and, “… if God so clothes the grass of the field…will He not much more clothe you…” (Matt. 6:30)? Heart, “…Be strong and courageous, and act…” (1 Chron. 28:20). “…You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God’s…” (Deut. 1:17).

(Your name) Rejoice that the protection I NEED is…

…not by using anger and harshness to protect my sense of being adequate. I rest into receiving the touch of God as my protection, all over me, around me, in me. I set my heart on praising Your nearness as my adequacy, God. Oh, how I love You, Lord. (Pause to let yourself feel confident because you can depend on God instead of yourself!)

…not by retreating into my mind and trying to figure things out. I trust You, Lord, because You know best. I love You, God. (Pause to let yourself feel confident because of the truth!)

…not from how well I protect myself from being hurt. God is the one who soothes and heals my pain—He doesn’t hold back. I rest into receiving the touch of Your compassion and love. I make You my delight. I rest in faith about being in the throne room and Your protection, Lord. (Pause to let yourself feel confident because of the truth!)

…not in what I know. I love Your wisdom, Lord. I rest into receiving Your wisdom that comes down onto me from the fountain. (let yourself feel confident from the closeness of God’s power and glory!)

…not in analyzing it more or how well I understand something. I rest from fear and quiet my heart into listening to the Holy Spirit who lives in me and who God is radiating onto and around me from His radiance. (Pause to let yourself feel confident because of the truth!)

…not from the doctrines, I believe. God is my righteousness—not the details of what I think. I set my love on You Lord. (Let yourself feel confident from the closeness of God’s power and glory!)

…not in making my mind a place of refuge or retreat. I love the protection that comes from standing before the Lord.

…not in my figuring out why (some bad thing happened) . I turn and set my heart to trust in You, Lord. You are the God I love.

…Heart, rejoice that the protection I need is …

…not from my telling people that I don’t want to talk about it. God is the protection I NEED. I entrust myself to You, Lord. Let yourself believe that you are before the Lord and that He is here before you. Angels are all around, above, behind, and to the sides. (Pause to let yourself feel confident because of these truths!)

…not by how well I control my emotions and stay respectable. I will be passionate in my love toward God—I will not hold back.

…Heart, God’s word to me is: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). “…Be strong and courageous, and act…” (1 Chron. 28:20).

… (Your name), listen and let yourself love the presence of God as your protection! I am turning my soul away from letting circumstances, people, or the demonic rob me of confident faith in the power of God’s holiness and protection. I set my heart to stay before the Lord and to trust Him as my protection. (Let yourself feel confident from the closeness of God’s power and glory!)

…I trust by faith that I am entering before the Lord by trusting that the mountain of God and the kingdom of Heaven are coming down around me here (Heb. 12:22-24, 28). By this, I am trusting that angels are around me; the holiness of God is upon me and touching me all around; I am in the radiant presence of God.

Heart, rejoice about being protected because “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken…my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely” (Ps. 16:8-9). (pause to hear and believe it)

…I have protection because I stand before Jesus and the Father God. By His power, I can pull down strongholds. My weapons are spiritual and are divinely powerful. With the spiritual weapon of receiving the kingdom of Heaven like a child, God comes and destroys lofty things and spiritual fortresses that rise up against the knowledge of Him (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

…I grab my soul and turn away from earthly sources. Lord, I love the intensity of Your glory and grace. I declare to my heart to delight in the Lord that I can stand before Him and entrust myself to the holy presence of God as my protection.

…Heart, embrace it when I say to God, “You are my King and my God…” (Ps. 44:4 NIV); “…the Lord loves His people…” (2 Chron. 2:11).

…I am confident about being protected because “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe” (Prov. 18:10). (pause to be thankful and love the truth!)

…I am trusting that I have entered before Him and that God is here: “…You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head” (Ps. 3:3). (Pause to hear and love the truth!)

…Heart, rejoice that the protection I need is…

…not by making them laugh all the time. I love that my faith pleases God. It thrills me that my praise makes Your Holy Spirit enjoy being here with me in power, strength, love, and kindness. I love the touch of Your protection, Lord.

…not by talking so much that others can’t. I calm my heart into faith. I rest in Your presence, God.

…not in how well I keep myself from being embarrassed. God has given me so much that I choose to love Him with a passionate kind of continual praise. Oh, I love You, Lord. I turn my heart to make God my great delight. (Pause to let yourself feel confident because of these truths!)

…not by avoiding something that might require change. I can change because the beliefs and loves of my heart can change.

…not by preventing myself from hearing the truth about my own heart. God is the protection I need. I choose to go all the way with repentance. Holding back from total repentance cuts down on what I am able to receive from God—I want it all. (Pause to turn away from anything holding you back!)

…not by my trying to prevent the possibility of pain. Repentance with joy can help me turn and run to God. I set my heart to turn and keep facing toward You, Lord. I love Your radiant protection all around me here.

… (Your name), listen and let yourself love the presence of God as your protection!

…by faith, I draw near to God by trusting He is drawing near to me. As He comes, I enter before Him, and He washes me with His radiant presence (James 4:8; Heb. 1-:19-22)! By this, I obey the command to “…put on the armor of light…put on the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Rom. 13:12 and 14). And, to build my faith, I declare with bold confidence that “The Lord is my light…the Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” (Ps. 27:1). (Let yourself enjoy the greatness of God’s power and glory!)

…IT IS WRITTEN: “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” (Ps. 9:9 NIV). Even if God does not protect me, I am determined to entrust myself to God’s presence, coming upon and around me for the protection I need. (Let yourself feel confident from the closeness of God’s power and glory!)

“Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places…” (Hab. 3:17-19).

…Because of receiving God’s presence and trusting that the kingdom of God is here, “I have become a marvel to many; for You are my strong refuge” (Ps. 71:7). (pause to hear and believe it)

…Heart, rejoice that the protection I need is…

…not from _____________________. I make God’s Presence the protection that I love. I set my affections on God and on trusting the Scriptures about receiving the kingdom of Heaven and angels around me here (Heb. 12:22-24, 28).

…not by justifying the sin of those who are not as honest and loving as they should be. I will not hold back from God. Heart, pause to hear, believe, and love the closeness of God and the holy perfection of His kingdom all around and touching me! I turn my heart to love that the nearness of God burns away the demons pushing me toward sin! I am setting my heart to turn to God and enjoy receiving His kingdom so that when demons push their lies and temptations on me, it is what I receive coming down from God that crushes (Rom. 16:20) and burns them (Isa. 4:4)!

…not by how well I avoid people who try to cause emotional pain. I set my heart to love, holding tightly to the presence of God right up close to me here. Lord, You are my protection. I entrust myself to You.

…not by avoiding honest and open interaction. I repent of protecting myself from the truth.

…not from fear and disbelief as my best hope for a place of refuge. I rest into receiving the closeness of God as my refuge of power and strength. Because I am setting my heart to abide in Him so that God can be my only God, my safety, confidence, identity, and worth are in receiving and loving that the kingdom of Heaven is coming and resting upon and all around me here! Thank You, God, that just like You stood before Moses on the rock, it is right to trust that You are before me here. Thank You that angels are all around. With childlike faith, I think of Your nearness as my security and protection because this motivates me to keep abiding in You!

…not by avoiding ideas that make me think. I pause right now to think about the closeness of God as my strong shield. (Pause to let yourself feel confident and reassured by these things!)

…not by wearing the armor of hardness and rebellion. I turn and face toward God. Your radiance around me is my shield.

I refuse to agree with the lies of the enemy that I have to get the protection I need apart from God. The Lord God is a strong shield of protection around me. God, I pray you would rebuke any enemy pushing me to trust myself. And Lord, I ask that with Your authority and power, You would command the forces of evil to leave me alone and never come back. (Pause to let yourself believe that He is doing it)

…I turn my soul from letting circumstances, people, or the demonic rob me of confidence about the power of God’s protection. I set my heart to stay before the Lord and to trust Him as my protection. I am trusting that my eyes are looking at the presence of the kingdom of God all around me here: Lord, “…You are my God…My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You…Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory…My soul is satisfied…” (Ps. 63:1-2, 5).

… (Your name), listen and let yourself love the presence of God as your protection!

…I am determined to rest in God as my protection. I turn my heart to You, God! I “…have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, [my] dwelling place. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent” (Ps. 91:9-10). (Let yourself feel confident from the closeness of God’s power and glory!)

…I am confident about the protection of God — but even if God does not protect me, I am determined to keep entrusting myself to His presence for the protection I need.

“…[the king] …said to them, ‘Is it true…that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up…if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire…Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king…we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter…our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Dan. 3:14-18). (Pause to embrace this way of thinking for yourself!)

…With determination, I set my heart to love the protection that comes from the presence of God with me. God tells me to put on the armor of Light, so by childlike faith, I entrust myself to God’s presence coming down upon me so He can protect me from evil and temptation. Even though His kingdom comes, God hides me in a kingdom, not of this realm or this world. By this God and His kingdom of Light, have become my strong refuge here (Ps. 27:1-6).

…Heart, “…you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Thank You, God!

…God protects me because I have set my heart to keep on receiving from the radiance around God and trust that the power of His presence is with me here: “…Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You” (2 Chron 14:11). (pause to hear and believe it)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that by drawing near and receiving His presence all around me, “…I have made the Lord God my refuge…” (Ps. 73:28). I am confident about God as my refuge because as I stand in bold faith before Jesus and the Father I become “…armed in the presence of the Lord…” (Num. 32:32).

…Heart, rejoice that I do not have to be afraid: “…do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled” (1 Pet. 3:14). “Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you” (Deut. 3:21). “…Do not fear or be dismayed because…the battle is not yours but God’s” (2 Chron. 20:15).

…Because of faith about entering before the Lord by receiving Heaven here, I am declaring to the ears of my heart that “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken…my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely” (Ps. 16:8,9); “For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock” (Ps.27:5). (Let yourself feel confident from the closeness of God’s power and glory!)

…Heart, determined to believe that I am secure in the presence of God. I will be confident about the protection of God because “…In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength…” (Isa. 30:15).

…I turn my trust to the presence of God. Lord, “…You are my refuge in the day of disaster” (Jer. 17:17); “The eternal God is a dwelling place…” (Deut. 33:27); “You are my hiding place…” (Ps. 32:7).

“…My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped…” (Ps. 28:7); “Since I am afflicted and needy, let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer…” (Ps. 40:17). Heart, rejoice that it is my Jesus has said, “…Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one” (John 18:9).

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I am free to be confident about being protected because “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.

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. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock” (Ps. 27:1 and 3,4,5). (Let yourself feel confident because of these truths!)

…I am confident about the protection of God. I rest into trusting the grace of God for receiving His presence: “…In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength…” (Isa. 30:15); “Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I take refuge in You” (Ps. 143:9); “…O Lord God, You are my confidence…” (Ps. 71:5); “…You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head” (Ps. 3:3); “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord” (Ps. 31:24); “…My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped…” (Ps. 28:7).

…Heart, rejoice that I can be confident about the protection of God because the God of peace will soon crush Satan under my feet (Rom. 16:20)… (pause to be thankful and love the God who is close!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that it is safe and good and right for me to listen and obey the voice of God. When God speaks to me, He wants me to obey because sometimes it is for my protection, and sometimes it is so that He can bless me.

“Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places…” (Hab. 3:17-19).

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that because of my childlike obedience in trusting God as my God, I am far less afraid to turn away from idolatry and can gladly cut off depending on them.

…God blesses me by setting me high above all the nations of the earth (Deut. 28:1); God blesses me in the city and in the country (Deut. 28:3); God blesses my family and my work (Deut. 28:4,5); God blesses me when I come in and when I go out (Deut. 28:6); God blesses me by causing my enemies to be defeated (Deut. 28:7); God blesses me in all that I do and in all that God gives me (Deut. 28:8); God blesses me by establishing me as a holy person for Him (Deut. 28:9); God blesses me so that all the people of the earth know and see me as one who has God with them (Deut. 28:10); God blesses me by making me to abound in prosperity (Deut. 28:11); God blesses me in all the work that I do. God blesses me so that I am a lender and not a borrower (Deut. 28:12); God blesses me so that I am the head and not the tail. God puts me above and not underneath (Deut. 28:13-14). (Let yourself feel confident and secure because of these truths!)

…I am confident about the protection of God — but even if God does not protect me, I am determined to keep entrusting myself to His presence for the protection I need: “…[the king] …said to them, ‘Is it true…that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up…if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire…Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king…we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter…our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Dan. 3:14-18). (pause to be thankful and love the truth!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I am entirely free to enter, and I trust that I am near to God. I open myself to receive the presence of the kingdom of God all around me here. By this, His presence is here, and I am protected: “…Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Eph. 6:10). By trusting my access into the throne room and entering, He draws near to me and I am “…armed in the presence of the Lord…” (Num. 32:32).

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that by my receiving His presence instead of from the world, God protects me: “…soul…my hope is from Him. He only is my rock…” (Ps. 62:5,6); Heart, “…you have made the Lord…even the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent” (Ps. 91:9-10). I am confident about the protection of God because it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons (Mark 16:17).

…Heart, rejoice that I can and I can be confident about God as my strong protection. Because of receiving the kingdom of Heaven here with the mountain of God and angels, I am declaring with boldness that I will “…not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you” (Deut. 3:22);

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” (Ps. 9:9 NIV); “O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Ps. 34:8); “…none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned” (Psa. 34:22); “…O my God, in You I trust…” (Psa. 25:2).

Protection by Entering and Receiving Heaven Here

Because Jesus told us to abide in Him (John 15:5) and “…we…receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal 3:14), and “…faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom.10:17). But “…they were not able to enter because of unbelief” (Heb. 3:19). So, I am directing my heart into the place of believing that I am receiving from the radiance around God in an ongoing way: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; / The Lord gives grace and glory…” (Ps. 84:11),

Heart, let yourself be reassured by the truth in God’s Word. Standing before the Lord is a theme in the Scriptures because “You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, The place, O LORD, which You have made for Your dwelling, The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established (Exo. 15:17). But we are to stand before Him here with our body because “…the Lord said to Moses, ‘…Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb…’” (Exo. 17:5,6). And, to me, God says, “…I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (2Cor 6:16).

Heart, rejoice that God “…has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father…” (Rev. 1:6); “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth” (Rev. 5:10). So, because of salvation, I am a priest to God. As a kingdom priest, it is my service of worship to present my body acceptable to God (Rom. 12:1), and God makes my body acceptable by washing me clean as I enter before HIm here (Heb. 10:19-22). Heart, God wants us to consider Him holy (Lev. 10:3) when we draw near. But it doesn’t end there because He also commands us to enter by receiving Heaven here so we can stand before Him as a priest, “…do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to minister to Him, and to be His ministers…” (2 Chron. 29:11). Thank You God that when Heaven comes because of my receiving, Your will is able to be done more fully on earth as it is in Heaven (Matt. 6:33; Matt. 6:10).

Heart, be reassured about the truth of these things because “Elijah said, ‘As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand…” (1 Kings 18:15). And “Elisha said, ‘As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand…” (2 Kings 3:14). The apostle Paul said, “…the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished…” (2Ti 4:17). And, “…the Lord said to Moses, ‘…Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb…’” (Exo. 17:5,6).

…So, heart, by faith that the Kingdom of Heaven is coming upon and around me, I can embrace and say with King David that “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely” (Psa. 16:8,9). In context with many Scriptures I can indeed walk in newness of life by openly receiving the glory of the Father around me here (Rom. 6:4); “…the LORD God is a sun and shield; / The LORD gives grace and glory; / No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps. 84:11). Thank You God for Your grace that freely sends the “Spirit of glory” upon me (1 Peter 4:14), the “Helper” (John 16:7) who enables me to walk uprightly! Thank You God that by this I “…put on the armor of light…put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” (Rom. 13:12, 14).

Heart, rejoice that God is gracious about freely giving His kingdom! “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate” (Ps. 116:5).

Protection by Entering and Receiving Heaven Here

Heart, “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!’ For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark” (Psa. 91:1-4).

Heart, “…have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus…draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:19, 22). Heart, have confidence in God who draws near because “…through Him we…have our access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:18). “…we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him” (Eph. 3:12).

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear…The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me…I shall be confident.

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. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock” (Ps. 27:1 and 3,4,5).

…Heart “he who takes refuge in Me…will possess My holy mountain” (Isa. 57:13). And, we are to come to Him (Mat. 11:28,29), but Jesus said, “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all” (Mark 10:15). And, “By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy” (Lev 10:3).

So, I am drawing near to God by trusting He is drawing near me for cleansing (James 4:8; Heb. 10:19-22).

Heart, I must trust I am entering before the Lord by believing Heaven is down coming upon and around me here because: “…have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus…draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:19, 22). When Heaven comes, God washes my body here!

From God’s perspective, I come to Him. But from my perspective, God and Heaven are coming to me here. For that, I must show gratitude about receiving because “you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels… and to God, the Judge of all…and to Jesus… Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:22-24, 28).

With gratitude I am drawing near to God by trusting that the mountain of God and the kingdom of Heaven are coming down with angels around me here: “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17). By receiving the kingdom of Heaven like a child God’s will can be done on earth as it is in Heaven (Matt. 6:33; Matt. 6:10). By this, I can boldly say, “Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident” (Ps. 27:3). Heart, “Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you” (Deut. 3:22).