A Meeting on the Road

        After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared many times over the next 40 days.  He appeared in human form to individuals and groups alike able to talk and eat with them.  Yet,  He had the ability to appear and disappear as He willed.  Jesus first appeared on Resurrection Sunday to the women at the tomb,  then to both Mary and Peter in the garden.  Later that Sunday was on the road to Emmaus,  two of the believers were walking along discussing the things that had happened.  I can imagine they were recounting Jesus’ death, their own sadness, Jesus’ resurrection appearance to the women in the garden and their hope that all of this was true and Jesus really was risen.



        Luke 24: 27-33  “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.  As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.  But  they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is near evening; the day is almost over.’  So he went in to stay with them.  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, give thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.  They asked each other, ‘Were not you hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’  They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.”

       I like to think of their encounter with Jesus as a powerful reminder to me that Jesus can and does come to me as I live my daily life.  He meets me where and when I need him most.  He will bring His words, the Bible, to my remembrance, so that I might be strong and courageous as I walk through my day.    Also, encounters with Jesus stimulate my thinking and prod me to stretch my faith.  The response of these men on the road to Emmaus was to beg Jesus to stay with them,  and then they  rushed to tell others that He was alive.   What about you?  Do you ask Jesus to stay and walk with you each day?  Do you seek His presence and help?   Are you excited and motivated to tell others about our risen Lord?

        Consider all He has done for you and trust in all He will do for you as you walk away from the cross.  Has this season of Lent and the celebration of Easter drawn you closer to Him?  Does it excite and motivate you to tell others of our risen Lord?

Walk with Him today,

Linda

Faithfulness I can count upon

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Lent is a special season of the year that helps prepare us for the cross and the blessedness of Resurrection Sunday.  This year the 47 blogs I composed in the 6 weeks of Lent were a testament to God’s faithfulness.  I did not plan ahead each week as to which scriptures I would use as I did last year, when I wrote each day from the Psalms.  However, I let God direct me each morning to the scripture He had selected and the ideas He had laid on my heart.  I did not prepare them in advance, if I was having a busy week or busy day, but trusted God for enough time to write before I left the house each morning.  Some days I had to rise earlier than I wanted, but all was accomplished.  I have 2 scriptures that describe God’s faithfulness and my dependence upon Him for each day.

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.    
Lamentations  3:21-23  “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

I am feeling incredibly blessed to have experienced His faithfulness each day for 6 weeks in a very personal way that I can share with others.  I challenge you to step out in faith and trust something or someone to God today.  Then, step back and watch how God will faithfully answer.   It will be cause for great growth and rejoicing.

Praising God for His faithfulness and mercy,

Linda
 

HE HAS RISEN!!!!

       The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here;  he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples:  ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’  Now I have told you.”    So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them.  “Greetings,” he said.  They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.  Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”  Matthew 28:5-10

      This is a wonderfully encouraging portion of scripture.  We see an angel encouraging and comforting the women,  then Jesus himself comforting them.  We see their supreme joy in learning that Jesus is risen and will appear to them in Galilee.    What is your response to Jesus today?  Are you filled with joy at his resurrection?  Do you want to run and tell others that He Lives!  Are you ready and willing to fall down at His feet and worship Him?

       Meeting Jesus demands a response. Hebrews 11:6 puts it this way: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who come to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  Will you respond to Jesus today in faith?  Will you respond to the statement -He is risen with  “He is risen indeed!”?   Claim the risen Christ as your Savior today.  Rejoice with believers today that He is Alive and claim your life anew in Him.

He has risen.  He has risen indeed!,

Linda

This is a hand cut tomb in the garden area near Golgotha and believed to be Jesus’ tomb. There is a large groove right outside the doorway where the stone to cover the entrance had once been.

Praise Him Today!!

Silent waiting for our Savior

       Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb of his friend Joseph of Arimathea.  Scripture gives us some hints as to what Jesus was doing between the time of his burial and resurrection.  There is a lot of debate by scholars on the subject but it is agreed that Jesus  was in Hades preaching and teaching.  Ephesians 4:8-10 speaks of Jesus descending and leading captives as he ascended into heaven.  1Peter 3:18-20 speaks of Jesus preaching to spirits in prison.

       Why is scripture basically silent on this period of time?  Probably because it is of little importance to us as believers.  The gospel essence is the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  His power over death is so miraculous and life giving that our focus needs to be on our redemption and His victory.  We also know that Jesus was always about His Father’s business.  “Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I , too, am working.”  John 5:17  God always has a purpose and a plan, and Jesus was always doing the Father’s work.  So on this silent day we can ask ourselves, Am I doing what God wants me to do?  Am I using the time God has given me to pray, study, witness and do good things for others?  Quietly think about God today as you prepare for Resurrection Sunday.   Know for sure the truth of Isaiah’s ancient words:    How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”   Isaiah 52:7

Blessings as we await His resurrection,

Linda

Friday-is Jesus your king?

      Good Friday is the day of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ.  There are so many thoughts and images associated with this day it is hard to single out one event.  As I was reading the events in the gospels, I was drawn to the sign they posted at the cross that told the crime of the accused.  All of the gospels say the sign read:  the King of the Jews in multiple languages.  When the chief priests objected that it should say this is what Jesus claimed, Pilate said “What I have written, I have written.” John 19:22   Perhaps Pilate was recalling his interview with Jesus held earlier in the day and recorded in John 18:33-37.  Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”  “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”  Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.  If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews.  But now my kingdom is from another place.”  “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.  Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am king.  In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

      The Jews had looked for the Messiah to come as a conquering king to rescue and save them from their lives of oppression at the hands of occupying powers.  They had overlooked all the prophesies about the suffering servant Messiah who would come to save His people from their sins.  They were right that Jesus would be the conquering King but that is still future to us when Christ returns.  Revelation 17:14 “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”  The Lamb of God is Jesus and when He returns He will overcome all evil.  When Jesus returns in victory Revelations 19:16 gives us this description “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:  KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”   Just as Jesus told Pilate, He is the king.   Philippians 2:9-11 describes Jesus’ true place before all humanity  “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  He is King Jesus!

Is Jesus your King?  Today is the day to proclaim Him as your king.  He came to seek you and save you and die so that you could know the Lord fully and belong to Him.    Let Him know of your love and devotion for this ultimate sacrifice.

I bow before you King Jesus,

Linda

Thursday-a day of comfort?

      During Holy Week, many things took place on this day in the life of Jesus and his disciples.  Jesus washed their feet before dinner, the Last Supper, prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, betrayal by Judas, denial by Peter, the beating of Christ and many trials throughout the night.  What stood out to me as I looked at the scriptures of the above events was the amount of comfort that Jesus conveyed to his disciples.  After dinner in the Upper Room, Jesus spent time comforting the disciples about things to come.  Some of the most precious verses in scripture come from this talk Jesus had with them and eventually us as we read His words.  Jesus gave comfort and then went to the garden to pray for strength and comfort from his heavenly Father.  He needed to be comforted and strengthen to face the trials ahead.  He knew what lay ahead and sought renewal from His Father.  The portion of scripture I have chosen for today comes from the gospel of John and is well known for its comfort, especially as we lose loved ones in death.  I pray it will bring you comfort today.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”   Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you would know my Father as well.  From now on, you do know him and have seem him.”  John 14: 1-7

What comfort do I receive from Jesus’ words?  Jesus does not want me to worry about my future.   Jesus wants me to trust Him and believe His Word.  Jesus is preparing heaven for my arrival. Heaven is a real place.  Jesus will return.  I will be with Jesus in heaven.  I can and do know the way to heaven.  The way to heaven is through faith in Jesus.  Knowing Jesus = knowing God Himself.  Seeing and experiencing Jesus in my life= seeing and experiencing God.

May the comfort of Jesus’ words bring you peace and hope today.

Linda

Wednesday-rest and plotting

    The gospels are silent about Jesus’ activities on Wednesday.  They say he withdrew to rest.  It is understandable as Thursday Jesus had the Last Supper with his disciples, prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, arrest and trials.  On Wednesday, the plot against Jesus is fully revealed and acknowledged by Jesus at the Last Supper the next evening.

“Then one of the Twelve- the one called Judas Iscariot- went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”  So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.  From then on Judas watched for  an opportunity to hand him over.”   The very next evening  Jesus gathered the disciples in the Upper Room for their Passover dinner and this next scene occurred.  “When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.  And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”  They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other,  “Surely not I, Lord?”  Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.  The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him.  But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man!  It would be better for him if he had not been born”  Then  Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?”  Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.”   Matthew 26: 14-16 and 20-25

      Have you ever wondered how Judas could have been with Jesus for 3 years and not understood His omniscience?  Jesus told of things to come, raised Lazarus from the dead, healed many and offered eternal life in His name.  How could Judas feel he could ‘get away’ with doing something, looking for an opportunity to betray Him, without Jesus knowing about it?  After all this time, Judas still did not believe Jesus was the Son of God.  He did not understand He had come to save and cleanse believers.  The disciples did not understand Jesus’ mission or purpose in coming and after Judas left them Jesus spent time trying to explain and reassure them of the future.  Judas was not included in that Upper Room discourse because he lacked the essential element needed-faith.  He did not believe Jesus was who He said He was.  Peter answered Jesus question as to who He was in Mathew 16:15-16  “But what about you,” Jesus asked.  Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  To be present with the Lord in the Upper Room, the disciples needed to have faith and Judas did not believe so he was sent away.

      What about you?  Who do you say Jesus is?  Is He your Savior and Lord or just a good teacher?  Do you think you can do things in silence and God won’t know? Judas was sent away from the inner group when Jesus revealed His true purpose and had an intimate sharing time with the disciples.  Would you be sent away or would you be invited to stay?  Know Jesus today and believe so you are  invited to be with Him now and for eternity.

Sitting at the table with Jesus,

Linda

Tuesday- parables

   

Western Wall is only remaining portion of the temple remaining today.

The gospels show us that Jesus was teaching parables and talking about the future in and around the temple area Tuesday and possibly Wednesday of Holy Week.  I chose a short parable from Luke for today’s passage but it appears in Matthew and Mark as well.

“As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.  ‘I tell you the truth’, he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.'”  Luke 21:1-4

Why do you think Jesus was teaching about giving these last days?  This passage speaks to us today as much as it did in Jesus’ day.  He was concerned about their heart attitude towards God and sacrificial giving.  Jesus knew the testing that was to come for his disciples and future believers.  He wanted them and us to look at a person’s heart and motives rather than the outward show of their actions.  It is not the amount that one gives monetarily or the amount of time spent in service but the quality of that gift.  Is it sacrificial?  Does it represent all that person can give?  We are not Jesus and can not know for certain what motivates a person’s giving.  This parable is a warning to us not to judge what we do not know.  We need to walk with grace in our hearts and leave the judging to God.   These verses from Ephesians describe the grace we have and the grace we need to give.  Ephesians 2:6-9  “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that  in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been save, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that on one can boast.”

Look for ways to express God’s grace today and be blessed by Jesus,

Linda

Below are the steps that led into Jerusalem during Jesus’ day by which they could enter or leave the city.  He walked these steps and talked with the crowds as they traveled to and from the city.

Monday-the temple

      Mark indicates in 11:12 that the next day, after the triumphal entry, Jesus headed to Jerusalem. Our text for today is Mark 11:15-19.  “On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there.  He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those  selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.  And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a ‘den of robbers,'”  The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at this teaching.  When evening came, they went out of the city.”

      This was a very intense Monday!  Jesus was righteously angry that people were taking advantage of others as they came to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices.  They had to buy animals for their offerings and the money changers were being dishonest in their dealings.  It would also seem that the area was being used as a short cut when bringing animals to the center of the city.  Jesus’ anger is over the misuse of the temple, His house and the dwelling place of Holy God, for unscrupulous practices.  Because He took action and disrupted these exchanges, the chief priests decided He needed to be done away with or killed.  They did fear the crowd so they knew they would have to use unscrupulous practices in dealing with Jesus too.

      Why did these ‘religious leaders’ allow these practices to occur when they knew the purpose of God’s house was for worshipping God?  I could also ask, why do Christians stand by and watch godly principles and laws be overturned and ridiculed?   Being human we can be made to feel powerless against opposition and perhaps we  thought the problems would go away and reason would return, or we have been apathetic towards opposition and did not realized the danger until it was to late.   What ever the reasons for our not standing against evil, scripture tells us in Ephesian 6:13 how God expects us to act in the face of evil and opposition.  “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”  God desires that we be like Jesus.  We are to stand against evil and do what we can in His power to overturn, disrupt or eliminate evil when it comes into our lives.  God wants us focused on Him.  He will deal with evil, just as His Son dealt with the moneychangers, so that focus can be returned to Almighty God and His worship.

Look for opportunities to Stand Up and Stand with Jesus,

Linda

Palm Sunday- He has arrived!

  

Jesus’ view as the looked down from the Mt. of Olives toward Jerusalem, the temple and walls of the city.

Jesus’ view down the road from the Mt of Olives that is now known as the Palm Sunday road.

This was the view as I looked back up the hill.  As you can see it is very steep.

       The triumphal entry into Jerusalem begins Holy Week.  It is recorded in all 4 gospels which speaks of its significance in the life of Jesus, his disciples and us too.  Here is the event as recorded by John in John 12:12-16. “The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.  They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the King of Israel!”   Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid , O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”  At first his disciples did not understand all this.  Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.”

       The roads were crowded that day as many pilgrims were coming to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration.  They wanted Jesus to be their King and throw off the Roman rule.  However, as they last verse tells us they did not know and understand all these things that went on or all the prophesies that were fulfilled until Jesus had risen from the dead and then ascended into heaven.  After those events, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to indwell the believers and He taught and reminded them of all the things they had said and done with Jesus.  I’m sure they were totally amazed as they looked back on the 3 years they spent with Him and what He had said.   What about you?  Do you have things you now understand about God that were totally a mystery until you became a believer?   I know I do and things continue to become more clear the longer I walk with the Lord and study His Word.   Have a blessed Palm Sunday and proclaim Him as Lord today!

Shouting out with prasises today,

Linda

Trust Him for the details!

“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her.  Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.’  This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:  ‘Say to the Daughter of Zion, See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'”   Matthew 21:1-5

      I love these little details about the preparation for Jesus’ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  God is indeed a God of details.  He had planned and prepared for Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem down to the place he would enter the city and the animal He would ride.  He had the people and animals ready and willing to serve.  These details fulfilled a prophecy given in two places Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9.  Both of these were given hundreds of years before the actual entry by Jesus into Jerusalem.    God also used of a donkey for Jesus’ entry which was important as it was symbolic of his humility, peace and Davidic royalty.    What a God we worship and serve!  He planned these things for His Son’s entry hundreds of years beforehand.  Why do we not trust Him with the details of our lives?   Do you doubt He is capable?  Do you doubt that He cares?  I pray your answer to those questions is No!  I think perhaps these questions come from our own inability to relinquish control of our lives to Him.

Prayer:   Lord, I know you have wonderful plans for me to prosper and give me a hope and a future. Help me to trust you with the details of my life.  Build up my confidence and cause me to know with assurance that I am surrounded by your love and protection.  Amen.

Blessings as you grow in trust,
Linda

A gentle donkey

Who can you tell?

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“Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.  They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn-for he has done it.”  Psalm 22:30-31

      As we near Palm Sunday which begins Holy Week, the time between Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the crucifixion which ends with Easter or Resurrection Sunday, a good question to ask ourselves is: Who have I told of the Christ?  David tells us that all future generations will know and proclaim His righteousness.  Are you filled with joy and gratitude over the sacrifice’s Christ made on your behalf?  Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Who can you tell of this great love?  Is there someone you can invite to church on Sunday?  As Palm Sunday approaches be ready to greet the Savior, open your arms to Him and share His great love and redemption with someone. Be a proclaimer of Christ’s righteousness because He had done it.  He has saved and restored us to a right relationship with God the Father through His work on the cross.  Share the joy today.

Joyful in Him,

Linda

All that I have

“Praise be to you , O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  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.  Now our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”   1 Chronicles 29:10-13

      David uttered this prayer of thanksgiving and praise to God as he passed the torch for building the temple to his son Solomon.  David had gathered much of the materials and wealth needed for this project.  David’s understanding of God’s power comes in verse 14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?  Every thing comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”   How do you view the things that you ‘own’?   Do you consider them to be yours or do you attribute them to God’s providential hand of favor upon you?  The ‘it’s mine’ attitude leads us towards selfishness, self-centeredness and the delusional thinking that on our own we can make and produce things.  The ‘it’s His’ attitude and that all I have comes from God leads us toward thankfulness, a grateful spirit, and humility before Almighty God.  I am reminded of the words in Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  Will you endeavor to walk humbly before God today acknowledging that all you have comes from Him? Will you praise Him, like David, as Sovereign Lord and Creator, full of majesty, power, strength and splendor in His glorious name?

Thanks be to my Lord and Savior,

Linda

The math teacher in me connected with this simple diagram that explains God’s providential care.

A way of refreshing

      Building on yesterday’s blog about repentance, let’s look at  Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”   

      Your thought may be- I’m a good person and I don’t deliberately sin.  What have I ever done that needs to be wiped out?  I don’t murder or steal.    Isaiah reminds us in 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear.”   Sin, no matter how small, separates us from Holy God.  God can not tolerate sin so without Jesus to make us clean in His sight we are lost and truly in need of repentance.  Through Jesus we are made clean and whole, forgiven.  Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  Jesus’ path to the cross through His pain and suffering provides a way for you and I to be forgiven.  Without His sacrifice on the cross, we would left in our sin without hope of salvation.   Romans 5:8 -11 tell us about God’s solution to the problem of our sin separating us from Him.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him though the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, though whom we have now received reconciliation.”   Paul uses complex words like justified, reconciled and reconciliation in these verses but the meaning is clear- through Christ’s death on the cross and the shedding of His innocent blood we can receive forgiveness and be brought back into full relationship with Holy God our Father.  Praise and Thank Jesus today for this wonderful gift of sacrifice that has provided you a way to salvation and hope for eternity.  That hope is the refreshing that comes from the Lord though repentance.

Be refreshed today,


Linda

Why repent?

Paul wrote the second letter to the Corinthians to help direct them as false teachers were trying to lead them away from the gospel teachings and to turn them against the apostle.  In this passage we learn about the effects of repentance that we can apply to our lives today.

“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it.  Though I did regret it-I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while- yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance.  For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.  Godly sorry brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.  See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.”  2 Corinthians 7:8-12a 

        The truth of this passage is that godly sorrow brings repentance. God wants us to have a repentant heart so that our character may be developed and used for His purposes.  The result of repenting, for the Corinthians, was a turn around in their thinking.  They had no regrets in moving forward to achieve God’s purpose and justice.   Serving God became their goal.  Turning to God changes the heart, the direction and the motivation of the believer and leaves one with no regrets.   Staying with worldly pursuits and goals brings worldly sorrow and troubles that have no future and lead to death and separation from God.   Where are you headed today?  Do you have a repentant heart?  Are you eager and willing to pursue godly goals in your life?  This last week of Lent,  before we head into Jerusalem next Sunday and move towards the cross, hold yourself accountable and face your heart attitude and motives.  Are they aligned with  the Lord?  If not, repent and offer them to God.  Ask Him to replace your worldly heart attitude and goals with His.  May the truth of today’s passage remain in your mind that godly sorrow brings repentance and repentance brings salvation and newness of life. 

Seeking a renewed heart through Jesus,

Linda

Let this be true of me today!

 

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The 5th Sunday of Lent

    

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.  O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.”  Psalm 84:10-12

On this 5th Sunday of Lent, may you find the Lord to be your sun and shield as He lights your way and protects you.  May you be blessed as you worship the one true God and find favor in His sight.  May you be mightily blessed as you put your trust in Him.  May this verse be on your lips today as you worship.
.
Linda

Sealed and Guaranteed in Christ

March 12, 2016 nofearlindaLeave a comment

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.  And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.  Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.  He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”  2 Corinthians 1:20-23

I find these verses very encouraging.  Paul is telling us that ALL of God’s promises are fulfilled in and through Christ!  Christ helps us to stand firm in faith as we are on solid ground through what He accomplished on the cross.  He blesses us and seals our citizenship in heaven because through our faith in His work we belong to Him.  Finally, Paul says that God gives us His Holy Spirit to indwell our hearts with power so that we can know for sure our faith and future are secure.  What an amazing God we serve!   Do these facts of faith encourage you?  If so, thank God for His many blessings and tell someone today.

Loving our Promise Keeping God,

Linda

Giving and receiving comfort

   

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

       Have you thought about how easily you can give comfort in words, with hugs or actions when you have been in a position to receive comfort?  God tells us in 2 Corinthians that comfort and compassion are attributes of His character.  By way of God’s comfort we too can take that attribute within ourselves and pass it along to others.  The trials we encounter in our life help to build and shape our character.  Those times we desperately needed comfort God sent His Holy Spirit to minister to us and then some of His faithful servants to physically pray with us and for us, to hug and hold us and to do acts of kindness that ease our pain.  How gracious and loving is our God that He would seek to meet us in our pain and help us through our hard times.  Today, as you encounter hurting individuals, remember God’s comfort and take on that attribute and give His comfort to others.  Be quick with a kind word, a hug, a verse of encouragement, prayers and acts of kindness because they go a long way in giving comfort to others.

Thanking God for His love and compassion towards me and thanking my brothers and sisters in Christ who so recently showed me great comfort and compassion.

Linda

Seeing is believing

"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 heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth their words to the ends of the world."  Psalm 19:1-4

       Have you ever wondered how someone who does not have the Bible would know that God exists?  The psalmist David says that all of creation speaks of the greatness of its creator.  It is seen day and night by the inhabitants of the earth and proclaims all powerful, sovereign God to be in existence.  David continues in verses 7b-8 “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.”   Not only do we have creation to testify to God and who He is, but we have God’s Word.  The Words of the Bible are God’s words and lead us to Him and allow us to see Him as LORD.

      After Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the religious leaders told Jesus he should scold his followers for proclaiming Him to be king and Lord.   “I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40   Jesus knew that all creation would proclaim Him Lord.  God created all things to desire to glorify Him as creator and LORD.  What about you?  Do you know God?  Have you seen His creation and yet do not proclaim praise to the Creator?  Think about a beautiful sunset, a mountain’s splendor, a spider’s web and then ask- is God’s creation telling me of His existence? Do you need to read the Bible and ask God to show Himself to you through its words?

Faith comes from knowing, seeing and believing in God.  I pray you will encounter the living God today.

Linda

Got joy?

      I woke up this morning with a song in my head. ‘The joy of the Lord is your strength’  I asked the Lord for a scripture about joy this morning and He pointed me to 1 Peter 1:8-9.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

      Does this scripture jump out at you about our loving, invisible God?  Since we cannot see God, how do we know that He exists?  We can see His handiwork in all of creation.  Only an all powerful God could create a universe so intricately and fearfully made.  We feel His love from our fellow believers towards us.  Being upheld in their prayers and through their actions our fellow believers show God’s love toward us.  Most importantly, I know He lives and is real because of His indwelling Holy Spirit that testifies to His being within me.  I have a conviction of faith, that is a gift from God, that upholds and strengthens me each day.   Knowing these things, believing these things about Almighty God gives me incredible joy.  Here Peter says our joy is inexpressible and glorious.  I would have to agree, how about you?  Do you feel God’s joy in your life?  Peter says that this inexpressible glorious joy comes though salvation which begins with faith in Jesus.  Do you know Him as your Savior?  If not, why not?  Take care of that today by placing your faith in Jesus.  He will send His Holy Spirit to indwell you and fill you with inexpressible, glorious joy!

Remember Acts 2:21 “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved”    Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6      What is stopping you from believing?   Accept Jesus’ gift of salvation by believing in Him and He will fill you with inexpressible, glorious joy!

Reveling in God’s joy today,

Linda

Need answers? God has them!

Daniel was an advisor King Nebuchadnezzar.  The king could not understand his dream and threatened to have all his advisors killed if no one could tell him the contents of the dream and its meaning.  Daniel and his friends were young Jews living in the palace who had been brought to Babylon when King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem.  Daniel “urged his friends to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.” Daniel 2:18-19 During the night God revealed to Daniel in a vision the mystery of the king’s dream and its meaning.  Here is Daniel’s response to God.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  He changes times and seasons, he sets up kings ad deposes them.  He give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.  He reveals deep and hidden things; he know what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”  Daniel 2:20-23

When you experience answered prayer, what is your response?  Do you turn and thank God for who He is and humbly praise Him for what He has done?  I love Daniel’s response because it challenges me to keep a godly perspective on life.  Daniel knew who was all knowing and all powerful, who was sovereign in the universe, who could reveal mysteries to him, who knew the future, who had no evil or darkness in Him and who should receive his praise and thanks.  Daniel knew it was the God he had learned about as a child, the one true and holy God, the God of heaven who He could trust with his life.   Do you know God?    Claim Him as your Father today and call upon Him.  He will answer.  “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”  is a promise given in James 4:8a.   Claim this promise today.

Praising  the Sovereign, Merciful God of heaven and earth,



Linda

Waht are your plans?

    

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD.  Jeremiah 29:11-14a

      These words were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah about the coming Babylonian captivity facing the nation of Israel because of their disobedience in turning away from God.  God knew the plans He had for them and they were good plans.  God is good and intends only good things for us.  His plans will give us hope and a future.  He desires that we seek Him with all our heart and call upon Him in prayer.  Does that describe you?  Do you seek God and call out to Him in prayer?  He promises He will be found.  Jesus said, “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”  Matthew 7:8   Are you seeking God with open eyes, looking for Him in your life?  Are you talking with Him in prayer,  believing He will answer?   Know for certain that God has good plans for you.  Seek Him and you will be find Him.  Be amazed and humbled at the wonderful things God has planned for you.

Seeking with open eyes and heart,

Linda

Let this conviction be ever on your lips and in your heart.

4th Sunday of Lent

As you worship our Lord and Savior today, may this prayer of David be on your lips in praise.

“Praise be to you , O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  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.  Now our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”  Amen     1Chronicles 29:10-13

Have a wonderful day in worship and praise.

Linda

It's a mind set

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2

      What does it mean to set your mind on things above?   We don’t want to be so heavenly minded we are of no earthly good, right?  Paul tells us to set our hearts and minds on things above.  A few days ago I wrote about the heart and things that pass through it.  (February 26)  In light of our hearts, I take  Paul’s words to mean that we need to focus on forgiveness and treasures of the kingdom like salvation, hope in eternity, Jesus’ work on the cross, joy in the Lord, peace for living, thanksgiving and listening to the Holy Spirit.  We also can focus on love for God and others, purity in our walk and obedience to His Word in our thoughts and attitudes.   Setting our minds on Christ keeps us focused on heaven, Christ’s return, those things in life that have eternal value and lifts us up out of the ‘pit’ of anguish, despair, turmoil, hurt and sin that are so prevalent in this world.    Look up today and see if that does not help you have a more positive attitude filled with hope and joy in the Lord.

Endeavoring to develop an attitude for eternity,

Linda

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness..”   Lamentations 3:21-23

Work that is productive-depends upon God

    

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:56-58

      I love the Lenten season as it gives me time to reflect on Jesus and what He did for me at the cross.  Without Jesus, I would be looking toward eternal separation from God and judgment for my sins.  Through Christ, I can have life, hope and a purpose.  These words of Paul remind us that through Christ we are able to stand firm in our faith.  We need to stay focused on God so that our faith does not waver or move.  Committing ourselves to God’s work will bring joy, hope, peace and a work that always produces fruit.  God promises to remember our work for Him and reward us. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”  Hebrews 6:10   Rely upon the justice of God and his promises as you strive to work for Him.  I love Paul’s reminder in Colossians 3:23-24  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving!”    Are you trying to stand firm in faith on your own?  Are you trying to do good works with little success?  Call upon Jesus and rely on God’s promised results as you work to produce good fruits in His name.  To God be the Glory, Great things He has done!!

Relying upon the grace and strength of Jesus,

Linda

Struggling to understand God?

    

A little out of focus- not to worry, God is driving!

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce not food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD , I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” 
Habakkuk 3:17-19

The ancient prophet Habakkuk struggled to know and understand God.  He could not comprehend God’s ways, but he knew for a fact things about God that he could cling to.  He knew that no matter what happened in his life he could rejoice in the Lord.  He had joy in worshipping and depending upon God.  He knew God was sovereign and would move him where he needed to be and give him the strength and purpose to rise above anything that came his way.  What about you?   Do you know things about God in your very being?   Do you know elements of His character like mercy, forgiveness, justice, goodness or have you experienced His faithfulness first hand?   James tells us that if we desire to know God,  we can.  “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.”   James 4:7-8a   Following James’ instructions will result in drawing closer to God.   Then you too will be able to claim the joy of the Lord that Habakkuk speaks of and know His strength in your life!

Rejoicing in my Savior,

Linda

Exactly what Habakkuk said!  How about you?

Good news, shout it out!

    

“Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!  Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows.   No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.”  Nahum 1:15
       These prophetic words given by Nahum from his vision seem far removed from us today.  According to commentaries the good news that came and rescued Israel occurred on several occasions as invaders were turned away by God’s hand and the people were given a reprieve.  However, the climax of this verse, the ultimate good news is Jesus.  He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10   Jesus also said,” I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Luke 4:43   Jesus knew telling the good news of why He had come would lead to faith, peace and the salvation of many.  The apostles knew the message of good news needed to be proclaimed also.  “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 5:42
Who do you need to tell the good news of Christ today?  During this time of Lent, it is good for us to look afresh at the good news of salvation that is available in Christ.  The benefits of faith-hope, peace, assurance, eternity, forgiveness, love….  are truly good news to a dying world.   Tell someone of Jesus today.

Blessed by the good news of Christ,

Linda

Would that we would all shout the Good News of Jesus today!!

 

Postive or Negative?

    

“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into darkness.”  Nahum 1:7-8

Being a math person I often see things with opposites, a positive balanced by a negative. Verse 7  is one of my favorites and tells me about the character of God and His attribute of goodness.  It also assures me that trusting in Him will bring God’s presence and care into my life.  Here are some other verses that confirm this positive goodness from God.  Psalm 34:8  “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”   Psalm 107:9   “He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”    Lamentation 3:25   “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”   Titus 3:4  “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us.”

The opposite results in turning away from God.  Rejection of God will result in an end of life that is consumed by darkness.  Here are some verses that confirm this negative response from God.  John 3:36  “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”  Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Chris Jesus our Lord.”    Revelation : 16-17 “They called to the mountains and their rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!  For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Where are you today?  Are you walking with God and partaking in His goodness or are you pulling away from Him?  Consider 1 John 1:6-7 as you answer ” If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son purifies us from all sin.”    Choose the positive, choose life in Jesus today!  Reject the darkness and live in the goodness of God trusting Him to keep and care for you!

Looking to the positive,

Linda