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'Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high because he hath known my name. ' Psalm 91:14 KJV

I like pretzels. I want them hot, out of the oven with plenty of butter on them. I like to look at them also. They intrigue me. The way they are twisted and shaped makes me wonder how pretzels' creator came up with the idea.

So I looked it up.

According to howstuffworks.com, The world can thank a frustrated teacher with leftover bread dough for the soft pretzel. In A.D. 610, while baking bread, an Italian monk decided to create a treat to motivate his distracted catechism students. He rolled out ropes of dough, twisted them to resemble hands crossed on the chest in prayer, and baked them.

There you have it. Since it was an Italian Monk that invented the soft pretzel, I'm going to say it was a God idea.

What do pretzels have to do with this verse?

I'm glad you asked.

The word "love" is defined in the Strong's translation as to cling, that is, join. "Cling" is defined in the Websters Dictionary 1828: to adhere closely; to stick to; to hold fast upon, especially by winding round or embracing; as the tendril of a vine clings to its support.

With the pliable dough, pretzels take shape. After they are baked at 400 degrees, cooled, and ready to eat, you cannot pull them apart with the same pliability. No matter how hard you try, you cannot separate the pretzel without breaking it.

Metaphorically, it is the same with us as we grow in Christ. New Christians usually don't know a lot about the Lord. They are just happy and giggly in their new love relationship with Jesus. Eventually, the Holy Spirit leads them into the fiery life trials to be tried, tested, and trained to live out their calling. The great thing about this challenging time is the Holy Spirit is with us on each fiery step. Read the 3chapter of Daniel. It's the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. The King threw them into a furnace because they wouldn't bow down to his idol. Daniel's 24th and 25th verses give an example of God's faithfulness to walk with us in all things due to us winding ourselves around Jesus and embracing Him as the tendril of a vine clings to its support.

Psalm 91:14 is the Lord Himself speaking, showing us the path into a realm of peace, protection, and a provision most believers do not walk in. Setting our love on Him and knowing Him is the key. The Lord longs to show His perfect love as it eliminates fear, worry, and distrust. His love repels manipulation, self-reliance, and human potential. Setting our love on Him takes us to a place of walking with God in the garden, as Adam and Eve did in the beginning. As our heart intertwines with Him, we morph into His personality, thinking, and abilities. We no longer tinker with sin or negotiate with weakness. We begin to live out our duty as victors and no longer employ Satans twisted theology. We no longer hold back the fire burning in our soul. We move from seeking His desires to fulfilling them. We close hospitals. We own the banks. We prune the crime rate. We run the cities, govern the states, and rule the nations. We fulfill the great commission and make disciples of all nations.

When the Lord sends His soldiers into the world to do His work, He gives them perfect peace, protection, and provision. The safest place to be is in God's plan for our life.

In conclusion, be a pretzel. Or be entwined with Jesus, so the enemy doesn't have a say in your life.

#bestrongandcourageous

Andy

voiceofinspiration@yahoo.com

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

The Best Ace