Love is our Calling

Holy Week continues….

       On Tuesday scholars think Jesus was at the temple and was questioned about His authority Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33 and Luke 20:9-21:4.   He was also teaching important doctrines in the temple in Matthew 21:28-23:39, Mark 12: 1-44 and Luke 20:9-21:4.  Then Jesus was anointed and His betrayal was unveiled  in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, and Luke 22:3-6.  This last event took place in Bethany so it would seem that Jesus was staying in Bethany and went into Jerusalem each day.

Matthew 22: 34-40  Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’   This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the  second is like it:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself;  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'”  (NIV)

       Today’s portion from Matthew is just a small bit of the wonderful teaching Jesus did on Tuesday.  I chose it because it reminds me where my focus and prioity needs to be in life.  God wants me to love Him with my very being and essence.  He is to have my number one love and devotion.  Then with loving Him in the right place I can reach out to love everyone around me.  I like to think of my neighbor as someone I like but often that is not the  case.  I am called to love, with godly love, those around me both near and far.  I am to win them to Christ with my love.  Jesus also stated this in John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another, As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 

      How are you doing in loving your neighbor?  Sometimes it can be really hard, but knowing that it is God’s will for us is to love others sacrificially gives us the courage and strength to strive to do as Jesus would through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Step out today in love, make it a conscious effort and see the fruit Jesus will  bring.

Looking to love,

Linda

These massive walls of Jeruselum were just outside the temple area where you could enter the city.

These steps where I am sitting are a likely place that Jesus entered and taught.

Living Courageously for Jesus

       Many scholars think that on Monday following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem Jesus cleansed the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17 and Mark 11:15-18) and cursed the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22 and Mark 11:12-14) before returning to Bethany for the night.   You might want to read both of these in the gospels of Matthew and Mark.

Matthew 21:12-17  Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there.  He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.  “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.'”  (NIV)

       Jesus was facing mighty opposition from the Pharisees that  were plotting to kill Him,  so why would He confront these merchants that were selling doves to be used as sacrifices and call such attention to himself?  Jesus was righteously angry at the evil He saw before Him.  He could not stand still and allow His Father’s house to be desecrated or demeaned.  These men were making unlawful gains off the needs of others, and they were in need of judgment.  Jesus called them robbers and condemned their activity.  He rightly wanted to see His house used for prayer and worship not for unlawful gain, greed and dishonoring activity.   What about you – when was the last time you got really angry when you saw someone misrepresenting the Lord, using His name in vain or taking advantage of others to satisfy their own greed?  Just like Jesus, we need to stand up and stand firm when confronted with evil.   This is easier said than done, but God desires that we stand up in His name when we see injustice that is ungodly.   In those circumstances we need to pray and seek God’s guidance, strength and courage.  God desires us to be righteous and walk with Him in righteousness.

Will you pray and stand firmly with the Lord, seek His guidance and strength when you see evil practices that are an affront to God?

Living for Jesus demands strength and courage,

Linda

The Western Wall is the closest place to the Temple where Jews can stand and pray.

Western Wall with the Temple Mount area in the background.

Palm Sunday-the Sixth Sunday of Lent

Matthew 21:1 and 7-11   As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives…..They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”  “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  ” Hosanna in the highest!”   When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”  The crowds answered, “This is Jesus the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

      Last March I had the privilege of walking the Palm Sunday Road that Jesus rode down on his donkey.  The view that Jesus had of Jerusalem and the temple mount is breathtaking.  The descent down the Palm Sunday Road takes you  into the Kidron Valley.  Jesus entered the Eastern Gate that is now blocked.   The Jews today desire to be buried on this hill as they believe that Messiah will come and enter triumphantly through this gate into Jerusalem.  They want to be ready.  They are right, Jesus the Messiah did enter that Eastern Gate but they missed His coming.  The Muslims who now occupy the temple mount with their mosque have blocked this entrance to keep Messiah from entering.  They too missed Him when He came humbly on a donkey.

      As you journey down this hill,  do you see the great need of the city for a Savior?  Jesus loved Jerusalem and its people just as He loves you and me.  Knowing what lay before Him, He must have been filled with love and compassion for us as He came down that road.  Don’t miss Him like the Jews and Muslims did, know Jesus and love Him today.  Praise Him with shouts of “Hosanna!”  ” Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Join the crowd in proclaiming Him your Savior today!

Shouting with praise,

Linda

View of the Old City and Temple area from the Mount of Olives.

 

Looking down on the Kidron Valley from the Mt of Olives.

 Looking down on the Kidron Valley from the Mt of Olives.

Descending down the Palm Sunday Road.

Jewish graves, poised for Messiah’s coming.

Eastern gate that Jesus road through on the donkey is now blocked.

Be open to Jesus, our Savior, today!

Get ready to enter Jerusalem

John 12: 1 “Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived in Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 

      This was the night before Jesus’ Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem.  That night Lazarus’ sister Martha served dinner and their sister Mary took a jar of expensive perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair.  Judas was upset as he looked at the cost and his own greed but Jesus said “Leave her alone,  It is intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.  You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me”.  (John 12:7-8)  The very next day Jesus mounted a donkey and entered the city.

      As we prepare to enter Jerusalem with Jesus and journey this next week towards the cross, let our hearts be open, seeking and filled with thanksgiving for His great sacrifice.  What is your response to the Savior?   Are you filled with love and devotion like Mary?  Are you willing to sacrifice things of great value for the Lord?  Or do you count the cost of service like Judas and think of what else you could be doing?

     Come and be ready to enter Jerusalem and journey with me and our Savior this next week.  Seek to meet the real Jesus and partake in the great love and devotion He showed us at the cross.

Walking with Jesus towards the cross,

Linda

Hills leading UP to Jerusalem from Jericho and a glimpse of the city walls.

Speak Praises

Psalm 145: 1-2   I will exalt you, my god the King;  I will praise your name for ever and ever.  Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
Psalm 145: 21  My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.  Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.  (NIV)

       The psalmist begins and ends this beloved psalm with praises.   He reminds us that God is to be praised  and exalted by our words.  Every creature on earth by their very existence gives praise to God the creator.   Do you make a conscious effort to praise God by the way you speak?  Do you give credit and honor to God for the things He does in your life both big and little or do you say ‘that was lucky’ or  ‘that was just a coincidence’?   After studying the book of Esther, I realized that there are no coincidences in God’s economy.  There is only God’s providence.  Providence is the care or benevolent guidance of God.  God promises to guide and protect us so why should we be surprised when things happen, doors open, we meet the right people, we are in the right place at the right time or just miss an accident.  God loves us and we have great value to Him.  Matthew 10:29-31 reminds us, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father,  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”   

      So open you mouth and speak praise to God.  Thank Him and praise Him for all that he does for you.  You are loved and valued by God so show Him your devotion, fear and awe today!

Praising God,

Linda

From wild flowers in Isarel to the grand cathedral in Burgos, Spain let everyone and everything proclaim God’s greatness!

Call, He will hear you!

Psalm 145: 17-20  The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.  The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.  The LORD watches over all who love him, but the wicked he will destroy.

       Our righteous, loving God tells us in these verses to fear Him.  This fear is best translated in our lives as awe, devotion or reverence.  The result of godly ‘fear’ is rewarded by God in many ways.  These verses describe a few of those rewards:   love, His nearness, fulfilling of my desires, being heard, salvation, and being constantly watched over in love.  To receive those rewards God tells us we have to call on Him in truth.  How truthful are you in your devotion, prayers and worship of God?  Are you just going through the motions or is He real to you?  God promises in Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”    Do you believe?   Are you earnestly seeking Him?  One must believe to receive the great rewards God has promised.  Step out in faith today and call upon Him.  He will surely answer you!

Calling on our faithful God,

Linda

View from Mt Carmel where Elijah faced the prophets of Baal for the LORD. God gave Elijah victory. Read this inspiring account in1Kings 16:16-45. God is indeed faithful!

God is ever Faithful

Psalm 145: 13b-16  The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.  The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.  The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.  You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.  (NIV)

      God is so good and gracious.  He is faithful, a promise keeper, loving to all His creation, upholds all believers and provides for our nourishment.   He is open to us and fulfills the desires of all His creation.  At this season of Lent, thank Him for His gracious provision and knowledge of all our needs.  He knows our needs even before we ask.  What a great and loving God we serve.  Thank Him for his spiritual provision through His Son Jesus and remember the great sacrifice Jesus made to bring us into a complete relationship with the Father.  When I see what He has done, I know how unworthy I am.  I will praise Him today for His goodness, mercy and faithfulness.  How about you?

Lamentations 3:21-23 comes to mind “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of  the LORD never ceases;  his mercies know no end;   they are new every morning;   great is your faithfulness.  (ESV)

Loving our faithful God,

Linda

Old Jerusalem walls and the gates are the only points of entry into the Old City of Jerusalem even today. Just as Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.

God's Majestic Character

Psalm 145: 8-13a  The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all;  he has compassion on all he has made.   All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.   They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know  of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.  (NIV)

This psalm is rich in descriptions of our LORD and His wonderful character.

God is gracious.  Psalm 84: describes this attribute this way “For the LORD God is sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.   Are you trying to walk in His grace?

God is compassionate.  Psalm 103:13 “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;”  Who can you have compassion towards today in Jesus’ name?

God is slow to anger and rich in love.  Psalm 86:15 “You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”  Do you abound in love towards others?
Considering the magnitude of God’s character we are to praise Him and bring Him glory.  His kingdom is eternal and filled with His majesty and splendor.

What will you say or do today that will bring God glory?  Who can you tell of His mighty deeds and acts done for your good?

Looking to Jesus,

Linda

Two beautiful cathedrals considered to be magnificent and splendid will seem pale when compared to God’s splendor in heaven. Notre Dame and Sac le Coeur Cathedrals in Paris

Tell Others what He has done for YOU!

Psalm 145: 1-7     I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.  Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.  Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.  One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.  They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.  They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. (NIV)

       It is hard to read this psalm sitting down and in a quiet voice.  It was probably sung in the temple during worship and praise to God.  Our praise songs today often reflect the same adoration and thanksgiving to God, as He is worthy of our praises.   The psalmist says that he is thinking about all the things God has done for him in the past, meditating on them and telling the next generation- his children and grandchildren about his wonderful God.  When was the last time you spoke to your spouse, children, friends and neighbors about the greatness and goodness of God and what He has done for you?
      All Israel was familiar with Deuteronomy 6:4-7 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to  be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road. when you lie down and when you get up.”   God is to be the central person in our life, and we are to proclaim what He has done for us all day long.  Will you strive to make Him a part of each moment today and tell others of His great work in your life?

Have a blessed day with your mouth wide open in praise!

Linda

The church of the Pater Noster was the site of Jesus’ teaching his disciples how to pray to the Lord. On the walls are hundreds of tiled mosaics with the words of the Lord’s prayer in all different languages. It is a very moving site that shouts to everyone, everywhere that Jesus came to save and teach all people.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

 Psalm 23

 

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.      Amen

Have a blessed day as you seek to follow Him and worship in His house!

Linda

As grand as the cathedral in Santiago de la Compostela Spain is, it will pale in comparison to the house of the LORD that we will see one day and worship there!

Quiet Waters for my Soul

Psalm 23:1-3  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.    (NIV)

      This week we have been by still waters several times and received God’s love and assurance.  The 23rd Psalm is one of the most beloved passages in scripture.  The psalmist, King David, proclaims God’s character as a shepherd to His people.  With our shepherd’s care, we will not be in want, know quiet calm places, be guided in righteousness, be without fear in hard and trying times and receive His comfort and support.  What more could we want?   We have God’s assurance of eternal hope and security in Him.   Have you placed your hope and future in God’s hands?   Do you know the love and salvation He sent in Jesus?   Know Him today and be assured of eternity with Him.    Check these verses for assurance:  John 3:16, Acts 4:12,  Romans 10:9-11, 1 John 1:9.  Call on Jesus today and be saved.

Know quiet waters in Jesus today,

Linda

Quiet waters of the Sea of Galilee that David and Jesus would have known.

Quiet rushing waters of the Jordan River in northern Israel.

Quiet waters of the Dead Sea that Jesus passed by and where David hid from Saul near En Gedi.

God watches over you and me!

Psalm 1: 4-6  Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.  (NIV)

      Today’s verses describe the fate of those who do not believe and trust in God.  Since sin is sin and God does not differentiate between ‘big and little’ sins, anyone who does not follow God, seek his deliverance and salvation through Jesus is in a state of sinfulness.  The psalmist would classify them as wicked.  He describes their fate as one being blown away, not rooted or grounded, temporal, fleeting and in a position to be judged by God for their sin.  Whereas, the righteous, those believing in God who accepted the cleansing and forgiveness ofJesus, are watched over by God.  Believers are loved and cared for by God!  What a wonderful position to be in!

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to bring salvation to this hurting world.  I am thankful that I love you and am forgiven.  Thank you for the assurance that you watch over me each day.  Guide me in your ways that I may accomplish much in your name that will have eternal value.  Amen.

Living for Jesus,

Linda

Museum where a Model of Ancient Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed. Jerusalem- the city God watches over continually just as He watches over you and me!

Blessed is the Man or Woman

Psalm 1: 1-3  Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.  (NIV)

      One of the blessings I’ve experienced this year during Lent is that I’ve been able to spend time in the Psalms.  I hope you are feeling that way too.  This psalm contrasts the way of those that walk with God and those that don’t.   Let’s look at what it means to walk with God.  We are to avoid the counsel or advice of those that do not know God, avoid putting ourselves in ‘harms way’ by being totally associated with those that do not know God or associate with those that mock or denigrate God.  That does not sound like a place I would want to be anyway, right?  However, we often find ourselves in the midst of those who do not know and love God in our everyday lives.  Our place is in the world, witnessing and speaking for God and modeling godly behavior. We can do that in the midst of unbelievers without being sucked into their motives, goals and purposes.  This is a often a difficult walk but God does not leave us there unattended.  He promises to be with us 24/7 and guide us though His Holy Spirit.  The psalmist brings us back to how we can keep ourselves apart when we live in a sinful world.  We are to delight in God’s word and mediate on it day and night.  Then we will see fruit in our lives, live in His peace and be well rooted.  Lives that are grounded in Him show godly prosperity in both our actions and character.

May you grow strong, deeply rooted and fruitful as you meditate on God’s word,

Linda

Spring waters from Mt Hermon at Caesarea Philippi. It is a beautiful and peaceful setting.

Are you planted by streams of living water through Jesus?

                                             

Looking to our Rock and Redeemer

Psalm 19: 12-13  Who can discern his errors?  Forgive my hidden faults.  Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.  Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 

14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

      Where is your heart and mind today?  As we saw yesterday in Psalm 19:7-11 God’s word through His Holy Spirit can reveal to us our great sin.  As we look at our lives in the light of God’s word, we see our many hidden faults and our own willfulness.  God desires a repentant heart and will open us to His cleansing forgiveness though Jesus.   With an attitude of gratefulness and humility, we too can proclaim verse 14.  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

May this verse live in your heart and be on your lips as you seek to repent and live for Him today.   He is indeed our Rock and our Redeemer!

Linda

Rocks at Golgotha

Looking to God's Word

Psalm 19: 7-11   The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.  The statues of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.  The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.  The ordinances of the LORD are sure and all together righteous.  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

      I love this psalm as David describes God’s word and its value.  Look at the names he gives for God’s word:  law, statues, precepts, commands and ordinances.  He describes the word itself as: perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, eternal, sure and righteous, more precious than gold and sweeter than honey.   God also describes the work of His word in our lives as it: revives the soul, makes wise things simple, give joy to the heart, gives light to our eyes, righteousness in our life and keeping them brings great reward.  How  do you feel about God’s word?  Is it more precious to you than gold (money), your career, your entertainment or your possessions? God designed His word to be active and living in our lives.  Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates eve to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.   Will you allow God’s precious word to work in you heart and mind today?

Looking to God’s word,

Linda

The caves above Qumran where a young Bedouin boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Psalm 19 Looking Around Me

Psalm 19: 1-4a  The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where their voice is not hear.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words too the ends of the world. 

     These verses speak of the glory of God that is evident in all creation.  We see God’s work in the day and night as we look around.  Haven’t you been someplace gloriously beautiful and wondered how anyone could deny the existence of Almighty Creator God?  As David, our psalmist, wrote he saw God all around him.  What about you?  Do you put on blinders as you go through your day oblivious to the glories of God all around?  When you go for your walk, as you sit in your garden, as you drive though a park or walk on the seashore,  you can see a world that is masterfully put together.  Take a look today and try to see your world and the creator who designed it.  Don’t miss the smiles of others as they are created being too.

Looking for God all around me today,

Linda

The beauty of the Alps in Germany

The stark beauty of a beach at Normandy

The grandeur of Niagara Falls in Canada

The solitude of rocks and sand in Pismo Beach, California

The simple beauty of wild flowers in Israel

The beauty of color in a sunrise on the Sea of Galilee

The Fourth Sunday of Lent

Wisteria on the walls of Jerusalem.

 Psalm 37

1-4      Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither like green plants they will soon die away.     3-4  Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.      5-6  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.     7  Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.      8-11  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil.  For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.      23-24  The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.    27-28  Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.  For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints.  They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.     34-38  Wait for the LORD and keep his way.  He will exalt you to  inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.  I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.  Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.   But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.    

39-40      The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.  The LORD helps them and delivers them;  he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

 

Take refuge in Him today as you go to worship.  Proclaim His glory and rejoice in His righteousness and mercy towards us.

 

Blessings this Lord’s day,

 

Linda

Peacefully Waiting with Assurance

Psalm 37: 34-38  Wait for the LORD and keep his way.  He will exalt you to  inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.  I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.  Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.   But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.  (NIV)

      The psalmist reminds us today that our job is to wait for the LORD’s timing in all things.  No matter what it looks like around us and whoever we see prospering or succeeding we are not to lose heart and keep our trust in the LORD.  The wicked and ruthless are as fleeting as grass which withers and dies.  Our focus is to be on doing what is right and seeking peace.   God is omnipotent and sovereign and will be victorious.   Here are a few reminders from scripture that God is indeed in charge:

       Job 42:2   I know that you can do all things, no plan of yours can be thwarted.

      1Chronicles 29:12    Wealth and honor come from you;   you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

Lastly, we are assured by Jesus that we are eternally safe with Him. John 10:28  “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;  no one can snatch them out of my hand.”

Waiting upon the Lord with you,

Linda

Waiting – be in prayer like these at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

Eternal Hope and Care

Psalm 37:23-24  The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
27-28  Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.  For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints.  They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.  (ESV)

      Today’s words bring hope and direction into the troubled times in which we live.  Delighting in God’s way, living by His Word, knowing Jesus are all ways God has for establishing us in Him.  Being rooted and grounded in and by faith in Jesus establishes us and brings assurance of His care.  We know that troubles will come into our lives, but with our firm foundation in the Lord we can rely on His mercy and compassion.  He promises to uphold us with His own hand.  What a blessed assurance of His love and care.  Being in Christ and committed to Him, leads us to do good and we know that God will be with us and not leave us or forsake us!   Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD you God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NIV)    Our establishment in the LORD is forever and we will be with Him for eternity!

Take heart and have HOPE in Him today!

Linda

The Dead Sea with the hills of Jordan in the background

Casting Away Your Cares

Psalm 37: 8-11  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil.  For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

       Three times in this psalm we have been instructed – do not fret.  We are told not to fret because of evil men,  when others succeed and we don’t seem to be succeeding, and that fretting will lead to evil.   In today’s verses we are first told to keep ourselves from being angry and turn away from anger.  Then we are told not to fret as it will lead us to sin.  The dictionary says fret means: to eat away, gnaw, disturb, irritate, vex, worry or annoy.   I was thinking of fret as just worry but it actually means something that would get under your skin and eat away at you.  Isn’t that what happens when you dwell on problems that are seemingly unresolved and emotions that are flared.   Keeping fretful things in our minds eats away at us and causes us to lose our godly focus.  God wants to be preeminent in our lives and hold every thought captive in Christ.  Letting ourselves become fretful will lead us away from God and into sin.

      The psalmist also reminds us that living fretfully will keep us from the blessings He has promised.  His land and His kingdom are rich in blessings for us now and into eternity.  Don’t miss out on the blessings by spending your time fretting.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:26-27 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

      Make the commitment today to reign in worry and anxiety.  Don’t waste even a minute on this today.  Remember 1 Peter 5:7  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you!

No fretting allowed today!!

Linda

Mount of Beatitudes as seen from the Sea of Galilee. This is the site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount given in the gospels.

Be Still and Wait

Psalm 37:7  Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  (NIV)

      Do you have a special place where you can go to be still before the Lord?  How are you at waiting patiently?   I do have a place that I like to study and pray, but I’m not so good a waiting patiently!   I have a friend that when I asked her how is a certain relationship was progressing she would always tell me “I’m waiting upon the Lord.”   I did not understand her answer for the longest time.  Then the Lord had me spend some time waiting upon Him.  When I was pursuing the publishing of my book, Fearless Living, I waited upon the Lord for guidance.  I had no idea how to pursue this, but I knew that God was leading me to publish.  So I waited and prayed.  As I look back now, it still seems like a long time I prayed with no idea what direction God would lead.  I was anxious to know  the how, when and where my publishing journey would come to reality.  But slowly, God led me to take steps and  doors opened.  I was led to Certa Publishing, and it has been a wonderful match.  They are caring professional people that want to see God’s word spread by means of printed  works.   My waiting time was one of the more difficult times of my life as I knew the end but not the journey.  I had to trust and obey as the Lord led.  I now have a better understanding of my friend’s patient answer.  “I’m waiting upon the Lord.”   I also see more clearly how God wants me to live my life.  He wants to guide and direct my path as He knows my journey’s pathway.  I need to trust Him as I know the end of my journey will be with Him in eternity.

       The last of today’s lines reminds us again to not fret.  God does not want us to focus on those around us and their seeming success, but keep our eyes upon Him!  This is a needed reminder as we tend to want to focus on the materialistic driven society in which we live and can be pulled and pushed away from what God intends for our lives.

Blessings as you wait quietly before God,

Linda

Gethsemane, a place where Jesus waited upon the Lord.

Shine like the dawn for Him

Dawn over the Sea of Galilee shows the promise of a new day.

Psalm 37:5-6  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. (NIV)

      The verbs really stand out to me today in these verses.  Look at them alone:

                                  Commit       Trust      (He) will  do    (He) will make

      Our part involves commitment and trust in the Lord.  His part is doing and making us shine with righteousness and purpose.    This is God’s recipe for success and transformation.  For our efforts in walking with Him, we will be richly rewarded with imputed righteousness from Jesus and fulfilling purpose that will shine and shed His light on others.  Even though walking with Jesus each day, trusting and being committed is a struggle against the world and our own selfish desires, God promises we will be richly rewarded.

Prayer:  Lord, create in me a desire to walk with you, to cling to you and commit myself to follow you wholeheartedly.  Shine through my life and allow me to see your work being accomplished through the purposes you have for me.  Create in me a clean heart that is fully committed to you.  Amen.

May we shine for Him,

Linda

Sunrise over Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea.

Trust and Delight

Psalm 37:1-4

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.  (NIV)

      It is so easy to look at our neighbors, friends and enemies and covet what they have materialistically, the power or position they have at work or the influence they have with others- isn’t it?  The Bible repeatedly tells us wanting what others have is a sin.  My mom frequently used sayings and the one that fits here is “the grass is always greener on the other side of the street”.

      These verses begin with a reminder to not fret or be envious over what others have as these things here on earth are temporal and will fade quickly like the new grass.  The grass looks good in spring but does not last even into summer.  The Lord wants our focus to be upon Him and live trusting, doing good and enjoying the life He has given to us.  He even promises us the desires of our hearts if we keep our eyes on Him.

      Have you really thought about what is the desire of your heart?  I would guess that it is not something you can touch or hold but a character trait, a relationship or a spiritual truth you’d like to see developed in your life.  Only God can give those types of things and He promises that delighting and trusting in Him will lead us to those goals.

      As we begin this 4th week of Lent, prayerful ask God to show you what He desires most for your life and ask Him to develop that within you.  Our willing attitude and open heart is one of the first steps in delighting and trusting in the Lord.  Then you will be on the road to obtaining the desires of your heart.

Praying with you,

Linda

             Delight yourself in the LORD!

 

Mary Ellen and Rich leading in worship aboard a boat in the Sea of Galilee.

 

Delight yourself in the LORD!

 

Group singing and worship on the Mt of Olives.

Third Sunday of Lent

Psalm 8 

 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens. 

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 

You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:

all flocks and herds, and the beast of the field,

the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!     (NIV)

 

Consider God’s great majesty and mercy as you worship Him today!

Blessings,

Linda

Here are a few close ups of Niagara Falls. They give us a glimpse of God’s power and majesty as evidenced by His creation.

Majesty Revealed

Psalm 8:1-5

  O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.  From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.  When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?  You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.  (NIV)

      This beautiful psalm speaks of God’s majesty and how all of His creation reflects His glory and greatness.  All creation sees His work in the skies every night with the moon and the stars.  Just as all creation shouts out praises to God, our very being speaks of His grace and mercy.  He made us and cares about us.  Why me?  Why should Almighty Creator God care about me?  He created and gave us a position of honor.   I love the fact that David is questioning his worthiness in relation to God’s great power and might.  I have wondered too, why did God choose me?  He concludes the psalm with the same phrase with which he started.  All of this is due to God’s majesty and grace.  How blessed am I to be loved by Almighty God.  I agree with David that I am unworthy of this position and humbled by his mercy and love.

     Think about our great God today and thank Him for choosing and loving you.  He cares and loves you!

Being loved by God is a great place to be,

Linda

When I think of God’s majesty, this picture of Niagara Falls comes to mind. It is one of the most powerful sights I have ever witnessed.