Our Strong Tower    For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.  (Psalms 61:3-5)   My Lord God, You are my Strong Tower; I must continually learn to depend on You. I must become accustomed to being obedient to Your will; to believe on Your perfectness. You are God, the Creator; Holy and Righteous, omnipotent, omnipresent. There can be no God other than You.    Dear brother and sister: the following is a short and particular history of the Lord's loving provision in a believer's life. May you be blessed and encouraged therefrom.    Firstly, a few examples of A4 size posters placed in strategic positions in my prayer room to be gazed at from time to time:  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  (Romans 8:13-14) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  (1 Corinthians 6:19) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.  (Colossians 3:17) See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (1 Thessalonians 5:15-23)   And some words from James Montgomery Boice: We must not assume that we shall be able to understand any passage of Scripture unless we are willing to be changed by it.    * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    Towards the end of December a few years back we travelled down to Natal in our venerable motor car to visit family and on the freeway going down came up to a new model of the same make of car that we drove. We remained behind it for a while and remarked that it was ugly and seemed smaller than our own, nevertheless it was a pity that it was not available in a sedan model as the extra boot space would be a valuable asset. While still discussing the matter another car interposed itself between us and I noticed that it was the same make of car, but unfamiliar. However, because its driver had forced himself between us I could read the "small print" and saw that it was in fact a sedan of the same model as the one in front, but appeared so much larger.  That was interesting to know, thank you Lord for showing us.  There was no intention to obtain a new car!  Further, while travelling down the freeway we remarked to each other that the vast majority of vehicles in sight were either white, silver or different shades of black - hardly any interesting colours.    When we approached our destination it was noticed that there was a motor dealership of a brand name that was unfamiliar and on discussing the matter with our hosts, my wife's cousin Roy and I purposed to visit it out of curiosity.  The vehicle concerned (there was only one to view) appeared to be well made but the downside was that there were only half a dozen dealerships in the country and spare parts could be a problem. Anyway something interesting was learned.    While in town we walked up the road to the dealership of the brand that we had noticed on the way down. On display was a demo model sedan. A close inspection was made and it was noticed that the car supported a five-speed gearbox and aircon was also standard. This was interesting indeed, perhaps the wife had better see it as well.  Unfortunately this was in the afternoon of the last business day of the year.    During the weekend we talked about it a bit and decided to visit the dealership on the Monday "just to see". Well this was the first business day of the new year and the prices of all models had gone up, and in any case there were no stocks; but the salesman did show the colour range and besides the usual greys there was a blue and a green. Our present car was blue and the olive green appealed to one of us - the salesman gave us a piece of the colour sample.  And there the matter ended.   The next morning our hostess emphatically stated that we should visit the City that was some 25 Kilometres away and call on the motor dealership there - she couldn't say why; so off we went.  To shorten the story somewhat, we met the right salesperson at the right time because she had two cars in stock on this the second working day of January, moreover because one car was an unpopular colour (olive green) she was able to let us have it at last year's price. Did we want it as there was another lady who was interested?  We showed her our colour chip, explained how our Lord Jesus had sanctioned the purchase of a new car and she showed us a xmas message that she had received from her son who is a Christian Pastor.  So, we came home with a new car. Thank you Lord Jesus.  What a pleasure it is to drive in comfort knowing that the Lord cares for us.    * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    This writing has been lying unfinished on the desk for over a week while I was waiting for something - it was just not yet ready for placing on our web site.  Yesterday and last night a personal physical and spiritual problem arose and some time was spent tossing to and fro on the bed; and amid all the turmoil a quiet word of comfort came "leave it all to me."  Hallelujah! This morning the following was read: Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  (Isaiah 8:13-14) And another of those posters: Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7)   My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; . . . . . .  (Psalms 144:2)