Now and Forevermore

Psalm 121: 5-8  “The LORD watches over you–the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (NIV)

     These verses conclude this uplifting Psalm by giving us a picture of our God as Protector.  He will be at our right hand, near to us, day and night.  He will watch over our life now and forevermore.  Knowing that God is my protector and is with me 24/7, shouldn’t that give me courage, hope and assurance that I can live each day by His power?  

Here is a New Testament passage that gives similar hope and assurance:
Hebrews 13:5-8  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you;  never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?” Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.  Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV)

     Praise God today that He is a promise keeper.  He will never leave me nor forsake me and I will be with Him for eternity.  God is unchanging and we can be assured that what He says He will do.  Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, as he who promised is faithful.”  He does not change His mind.  Hebrews 13:8  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”   Be encouraged and assured today.

Confident in His assurances,

Linda

Read about God’s miraculous provision for Elijah and the utter defeat of the prophets of Baal in 1Kings 18:16-46. God was faithful to Elijah and caused all to proclaim “The LORD -he is God!” This statue is in a garden on the top of Mt.Carmel.

Lifting my eyes Heavenward, How about you?

Psalm 121: 1-4  I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?  My help comes form the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;  indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (NIV)

     This Psalm is one of the ‘psalms of ascents’.  These were psalms that were sung at temple festivals and was also possibly referring to the stairs leading up to the temple.  Today these psalms are beautiful reminders of God’s grace, mercy and care for us.

     The first thing I notice is that the psalmist directs us to lift up our eyes and think about where our help in life comes from.  He has decided that his help comes from Creator God who in His omnipotent power made the heavens and the earth.  What power could be greater than one who could create all that we know and see?  He assures us that God does not sleep on the job or rest in caring for us.  He points to his omnipresence with assurance that His protection is both night and day (24/7).   He even states that God cares about us and minds whether we stumble.

     We have many New Testament references to confirm the Psalmists words and claims.  Hebrews 3:4 says “Every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. (God is creator.)   Jesus tells us in Matthew 19:26 “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (God is omnipotent.)  Jesus said in Matthew 28:20b “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”.  2Timothy 1:14 “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you–guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” (God is omnipresent.)

     What about you?  Does God have preeminence in your life?  Do you claim Him as Creator?  Is He present in all parts of your week and with you each day?  Call upon Him.  As we were reminded yesterday in James 4:8a  “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”  Do it today and you will be encouraged when you lift your eyes heavenward.  God is there, seek Him today.

Lifting my eyes heavenward,

Linda

Mt. Pilatus as viewed from Lucerne Switzerland.

Steadfast Love Surrounds Me

Psalm 32:8-11 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.  Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with a bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.  Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”

God’s character revealed to me:  He instructs and teaches me his ways, He counsels and watches over me, He constantly loves those who follow Him, He brings joy and gladness into my life and desires to live in my heart.

     David knew that God would teach him what he needed to know and he would benefit from it as long as he was willing.  God warned him not to be like a mule or a horse that needed to be lead around.  We need only to be willing to listen and go where God leads to totally benefit from His teaching, love, counsel, protection and guidance.  God is omnipresent and promises constant availability to those who love and trust in Him.

     Does that describe you?  Do you allow your rebellious nature (we all have it) to take control so that you miss out on God’s intended blessings and guidance?  Letting go and letting God lead, guide, protect, counsel and love us is a life long process.  Will you join David today and praise God for His steadfast love and trustworthiness?   Let God hear your shouts of praise in words and maybe songs today as you lift you voice to Him in joy!

Shouting with you, Praises to our Lord!,

Linda

Golden walls of Jerusalem’s Old City.

Drawing near to God

Psalm 32: 6-7  “Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters they shall not reach him.  You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

     David is speaking to God but also his fellow Israelites.  He is cautioning them to seek God and not provoke him.  Isaiah has similar words in Isaiah 55:6, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near”.  James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”   We determine if God is going to be vibrant and alive in our lives.  He has given us free will and the choice is ours to seek Him or not.  He is always there, unchanging and accessible to us.   We are the ones who vacillate and change our position in relation to God.  James, Isaiah and David want to remind us that God is there and we need to draw near to Him.

     David gives good reasons to draw near to God.  He tells us that God is a refuge or hiding place for us spiritually and emotionally.   He says that God will preserve us and keep us from trouble, and He reminds us that God is our source of deliverance.  Do you find yourself drawing nearer to God as you mediate on God’s word and seek Him?  God wants to walk with us each day not just in times of trouble or distress.  Draw near and walk with Him today!

Seeking to walk nearer to Him,

Linda

Young Jordan River in the northern area of Dan.

Living Freely and Forgiven

Psalm 32:3-5  For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.   Selah   I acknowledged my sins to you, and I did not cover my iniquity;  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.  Selah  (ESV)

      The Psalmist, David, is describing how he felt when he did not confess his sins and tried to keep them from God.  He felt like he was wasting away, groaning all day.  He was like a plant withering in the dry, hot summer heat.  The only solution he found to this oppression from sin was to confess his iniquities (sins) and  seek God’s forgiveness.    We know that David was forgiven as God tells us in Numbers 14:18a “The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty,”  (ESV)  and in the New Testament 1John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (ESV)    David experienced God’s love and forgiveness, but still had to accept the consequences his sin caused.  Read more about David in 2Samuel 11 and 12.

      Do you have sin that is weighing upon your mind and holding you captive?  Confess it today and feel the freedom of forgiveness in Christ.  God desires that we live lives that are free and unfettered by sin, open to his love and mercy.   Take Jesus’ words to heart today from John 8:34-36,  “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be fee indeed.”   Be free today in Christ!

Living freely and forgiven in Christ,

Linda

Serenity and beauty in the gardens at the Mount of Beatitudes.

Blessed Living

Psalm 32:1-2  Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.  (ESV)

      David begins this beautiful Psalm with a description of the state of mind of the forgiven man.  The forgiven man is blessed by God, his sins are covered by God, his slate is clean in God’s eyes and he is living a life pleasing to God that is truthful and honest.  Does this describe you?  Do you feel blessed by God knowing you have eternal salvation and hope in Him?  Do you truly believe God has forgiven your sins?  Have you accepted His forgiveness and newness of life?  Are you endeavoring to live a life pleasing to God?

     Paul quotes from this Psalm in Romans 4:6-8 and gives us a hint of the reasons for David’s joy, “just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart form works; Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the LORD will not count his sin.”   David is reveling in God’s forgiveness and imparted righteousness.    He is accepting his forgiven state with joy.  Can you put your worries and troubles aside and focus on God’s goodness, mercy, forgiveness and love today?  Taking the focus off yourself and placing it on God will bring you joy and contentment.  Thinking of God’s imputed righteousness to us through Christ will bring you a sense of thankfulness and peace.

Living by God’s blessings,

Linda

Beautiful view of the Jezreel Valley from the top of Mt. Carmel.

Blessings this First Sunday of Lent

On this the first Sunday of Lent, here is the conclusion of Psalm 103.

Psalm 103:19-22  The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.  Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.  Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.  Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion.  Praise the LORD, O my soul.

May you have a day of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD of heaven and earth. 
     May you attend services some place where you can worship and praise His Holy
     name. 
          May you find communion and fellowship with other believers.
               Praise Him today,  He is Worthy of ALL our Praises!

See you tomorrow with a new Psalm.

Linda

Psalm 122: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure, May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” Temple Mount as viewed from the Mt. of Olives.

Eternally Remembered, Thank you Jesus!

Psalm 103:13-18  As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.  As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.  But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children– with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.  (NIV)

Lessons and Truths:
1.      God knows us, how we are formed and what we are- physically, spiritually and emotionally.  He is omniscient.
2.     Our days are numbered and fleeting but God is eternal.
3.     God’s love and righteousness are everlasting.  God’s character is unchanging, immutable.
4.     God remembers eternally those who faithfully follow Him.  God is faithful.

     What part of God’s character speaks to you today?  His omniscience, His eternality, His immutability, or His faithfulness?  Today, reflect upon God’s greatness, His unchanging character, His trustworthiness and His ability and desire to remember you.  He created you and desires that you follow Him all the days of your life.  How wonderful it is to be loved by Almighty God and know that we are remembered by Him for eternity!    Praise God that He will and does remember each one of us, but not our sins.

Hebrews 8:12 “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (NIV)   God’s forgiveness of sin is and will be an everlasting reality!!

Prayer:  Thank you Jesus that you died so that I may be free eternally and that I will not have to bear the punish for my sins that I so deserve.  Thank you for saving me.  Make me clean within and fill me with your love and forgiveness for others.  Amen.

Walk forgiven in His love today!

Linda

Judean dust at Masada. When David spoke of dust he was fully aware of what dust really was. He spent much time in En Gedi very near here.

Infinite Love and Forgiveness

Psalm  103: 11-12  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  (NIV)

     How far is the east from the west?  They will never meet and are always an infinite distance from each other.  When I picture this distance, I see that God has removed my sins from me forever.  They are gone never to return.

     How high are the heavens above the earth?  This is another picture of an infinite distance that shows how much God loves me and desires that I fear Him.  Fear means to have reverence, respect, awe and worship for Him.

     Both of these word pictures show me that God loves me with a fierce and unending love and desires to forgive me.  What then is keeping me from His love and forgiveness?  1John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”    John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”    Is anything keeping you from God’s love and forgiveness today?  Are you bound up with pride or consumed with hopelessness?  James 4:8a promises “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”   Do it today and be free from guilt and sin.  Walk towards Easter with forgiveness and hope in your heart.

Walking the road to forgiveness and hope,

Linda

Land’s End in Finnestera Spain. This was once thought to be the end of the Earth, the farthest point west. Pilgrims come today and burn items as a symbol of the old being put to rest and a new beginning.

God's Grace to Me

Psalm 103:8-10  “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. (NIV)

     As we enter this Lenten season, we are consciously mindful of our sinfulness and state of unworthiness.  These verses point us to God’s mercy and grace, longsuffering patience and immeasurable love.   Accuse means to find fault with or blame.  God does not always see us as failures and His anger is not eternal towards us.  In His grace, He does not give us the punishment our sins deserve or does He keep count of our mounting sins.  In His grace and mercy, though the love of Christ, God wipes our slate clean and forgive us for eternity.

     How can God love me so much?   That much love is incomprehensible and worthy of my praise and adoration.  Without Christ, my fate would be eternal death for my sins.  Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Thank Him today.

Prayer:  Lord, how can I ever thank you enough for sending Jesus to die for my sins.  You loved me so much and wanted me to spend eternity with you that you sent Jesus to die in my place.  Thank you for my eternal salvation and the cleansing power of Christ’s blood.  Thank you Jesus that I am forgiven and made whole through your work on the cross.  Amen.

Blessings as you stand by God’s grace today,

Linda

Cemetery of fallen soldiers in Normandy, France. Death apart from Christ will separate us from God for eternity. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we can spend eternity with God. We choose- forgiven or forsaken.

 

Ash Wednesday Bless the Lord O My Soul

Psalm 103: 1-5  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth his renewed like the eagle’s. (ESV)

This is one of my favorite Psalms and I will be using portions of Psalms or even whole Psalms as we walk through this season of Lent.  Here the Psalmist reveals the essence of God’s character in His forgiveness and redemption.  We are also reminded of God’s mercy and goodness as He satisfies the needs of our souls and renews us.

As you mediate on these verses today- focus on your iniquity and seek His forgiveness.  God desires that we are humble and penitent before Him.   1Peter 5:5b-6 “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”  (ESV)    Know that God can and will forgive you as you repent and turn to follow Him more closely.  As you pray claim these verses in Micah and know with assurance that your sins are gone.

Micah 7:18-20   Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance?  He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.  He will again have compassion on us, he will tread our iniquities underfoot.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.  You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old. 

Because of Christ’s work on the cross, we are His children and belong to His forever family. Praise God for His mercy and forgiveness.

Beginning with forgiveness,

Linda

Remember, God casts our sins into the depths of the sea- way out there- they are gone. Let them GO! 

Observing Lent Together

The practice of observing Lent has been going on since before 1000 AD.  It is a time of fasting and penitence beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting 40 days until Easter.    40 seems to be a significant number in scripture.  Here  are a few famous 40’s you’ll probably remember.  It rained for 40 days and 40 nights while Noah and his family were in the ark.  Jesus was in the wilderness fasting for 40 days and 40 nights and then Satan came and confronted him with various temptations.  After Christ ascension into heaven, it was 40 days until Pentecost and the arrival of the Holy Spirit.  40 seems to be number that shows a length of time that is not too short or too long but enough to reveal our character and devotion.

It is my intent to publish a daily blog during this Lenten season to help us focus on Christ’s sacrifice, His glorious resurrection and victory over death.  I would ask you to pray for me as I write and mediate on God’s word that I will be able to communicate helpful, though provoking and uplifting devotions that will help all of us to focus on Jesus, His sacrifice and His love for us.  Please pray that the devotions will be glorifying to Him.

Join me each day in His word as we seek to glorify Him during this special season.  I pray that this Lenten season be one you will remember as you strive to increase your love and devotion to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Blessings as we prepare our hearts,

Linda

Come join me as we journey towards Calvary together.

God's Love is Constant and Filled with Joy

John 15:9-11  “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your  joy may be complete.”  (NIV)

Promise:  God promises that obeying His commands will keep us in His love.

Lessons and Truths:

1.    God desires obedience.
2.    To stay in God’s love requires obedience.
3.    The Love that God has for his Son Jesus is like the love Jesus has for me.
4.    Obedience brings complete joy.

      God’s love is complete and unconditional.  We learn from Jesus that obedience and love go hand in hand.  We can’t say we love God and then turn around and purposely live a life of sin and disobedience.  Walking with God and staying close to Him, accepting His ways and will for our lives and striving to follow the pattern of obedience set by Christ will keep us in His love.  What better place is there to be???   We can then join Paul and say as he did in Romans 8:38-39  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (NIV)

     In John 15: 9-11 Jesus is telling us about the constancy of God’s love and the hope and joy that will be ours when we walk in obedience to Him.  He says our JOY will be complete.  Have you experienced the joy of obedience?  Do you strive to please God with how you live your life?  Make this your prayer today and you will see your joy and the presence of God’s love more abundantly in your life.

Happy Valentine’s Day with the best love ever- God’s Love,

Linda

Find Everlasting and Eternal Love

Jeremiah 31:3-4a  The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:  ” I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness,  I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt.”  (NIV)

Promise:  God promises His everlasting love and faithfulness to those who belong to Him.

      This promise was given to the nation Israel by the prophet Jeremiah.  He was trying to encourage the Israelites with assurances from the past as they faced deportation to Babylon in their future.  God had always been faithful to his people and Jeremiah wanted them to know that God will continue to love and support them in the future regardless of where they find themselves.

     These ancient words of encouragement can be ours today!  God does not change His attitudes and actions toward those He has chosen,  Scripture tells us in Hebrews 13:8 that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Jesus tells us in John 15:19 that “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.   As it is you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.”   Just as the Israelites were chosen by God to bring his message to the world, so we are chosen by God to bring the message of hope and salvation though our Lord Jesus Christ.

      In this month where we celebrate love, isn’t it comforting to know that we have the love of our heavenly Father and that His love stands for eternity.  God is faithful and will keep his promises to us.  Hebrews 10:23  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, as He who promised is faithful.  We can hold onto these truths and promises as we seek to show His love and kindness to others.  If you waver, take a moment or two and remember how God has been with you faithfully day by day and has strengthened and supported you.  He will give you the strength to continue and love for those around you.

In His Love,
Linda

God is good all the time!

Last week I was writing discussion questions to be used with my book Fearless Living and Psalm 31:9 from Day 4 came up in our study.  “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.” (NIV)  We did a search for verses describing God’s goodness. 
Here are a few of the verses we looked at:

Psalm 86:5  “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.”

Psalm 100:5 “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 145:9 “The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Lamentations 3:25 “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him:

Nahum 1:7  “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble, He cares for those who trust in him,

Matthew 7:11 (Jesus is speaking)  “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Philippians 1:6  “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

1Peter 2:1-3 “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

     Do these verse speak to you about God’s goodness?  We see that God in His goodness forgives and loves us. (Ps 86:5)   His goodness is eternal and will last from generation to generation.(Ps 100:5)   In His goodness He shows compassion on everyone and everything He has created. (Ps 145:9)  In His goodness He gives hope to those who believe in Him. (Lam 3:25)  His goodness provides care and refuge for the believer. (Nah 1:9)  Jesus said that God will give good gifts out of His goodness if we ask Him. (Matt 7:11)  God promises that the work He is doing in us is good! (Phil 1:6)  He promises that experiencing God’s goodness will cause us to move away from sin and grow up in the Lord. (1Pet 2:1-3)

I pray that you will let these verses sink into your soul and bring you Hope and Assurance of God’s goodness.  It is part of His character and cannot be separated from His being.  May you taste and see, experience in your own life, the goodness of God this week.

Blessings,
Linda

God’s goodness in evident in all creation.  Flowers on a garden wall near Gethsemane.