Month: February 2024

Is Being Good Enough?

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We’ll start our week with Psalm 15 in which David describes what defines the actions of a man who could live with God.

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain? 2 The one whose walk is blameless,
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
    but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
    who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.

We know David’s picture of the ‘good’ man is well defined by how they act towards others. Micah 6:8 describes one who God loves as “He has shown you, O mortal, 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.” David’s good man would live up to the Micah 6:8 criteria.

However, Hebrews 11:6 adds another dimension this as it is not all words and actions but has to involve faith. “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.” One cannot ‘earn’ your way to heaven to live in his presence without faith and it is specific faith that is outlined in 1 Timothy 2:2-4 , “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Faith in the truth of Jesus is what is needed. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is our only access to the Father.

One can have all the ‘right’ actions and word and yet without faith it is impossible to please God, and without Jesus and his work on the cross you are still sinful. Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Today consider your actions, words and faith. Do you act rightly and seek to do good towards others? What about your faith? Is your faith firmly placed in Jesus? Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be clean before God. Good deeds and great words need faith in Jesus to make a difference for you in God’s eyes. Remember without faith in Jesus it is impossible to please God. Take that leap of faith today and trust in Him.

Linda

How Do We Pray for Others during Lent?

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On this first Sunday of Lent, let your hearts and minds focus on prayer. Lent is a good time to reflect on what Christ has done for you and for you to lift up others before Him. There are many examples of how to pray for others in the Bible. Today let’s start with Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians in Ephesians 1:15-17 to start. “For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers; 17 [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son].” AMP version

Paul is giving thanks in his prayer: ** for their faith, their love of people, that their wisdom would increase, that their insight into the things of God and God himself would be increased.

Who can you pray these things for today? Do you know someone who is floundering in their faith and needs a good dose of assurance? Do you know people who genuinely love people and show it in their words and actions? If so thank God for them and their witness in the world as their deeds and actions show Jesus to them. Do you know someone who could benefit from a Bible Study or Home group to help them dig deeper into His Word? Praying for insightful growth is significant and needed by all Christians- pray for those the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

May this first Sunday of Lent give you a new perspective and appreciation for your brothers and sisters in Christ and how they serve the Lord Jesus. May your thanks abound today. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can always bring our needs and those of others to Jesus.

Linda

Experiencing His Majesty, Magnified

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Psalm 8 fills me with wonder and reminds me that we can see the power of God, His beauty and majesty in His creation all around us.

Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
    Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
    to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
    and all who oppose you.

3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
    putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
    and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
    and everything that swims the ocean currents.

9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Caves above Qumran

When was the last time you took a walk and were focused on the beauty around you or took a stroll at night and gazed up at the stars.? God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit we all present at creation. Genesis 1:1-2 speak of God and the Holy Spirit “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” John 1:1-3 speak of Jesus’ presence at creation, “In the beginning the Word already existed.     The Word was with God,   and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him,  and nothing was created except through him.” John clarifies that Jesus is the Word in 1:14 “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” All that we see and hear we owe to the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

Wildflowers in Israel.

Jesus came to earth, the Word, to bring mankind back into relationship with the Father. He was here on earth and experienced the winds of the desert, the storms over the Sea of Galilee, the mountains, roadways and the beauty of Jerusalem. Because Jesus came to earth, died on the cross and rose again, we experience his majesty through our faith in Jesus which magnifies His glory and creation. Our faith gives us a greater appreciation of the majesty of God and the creation that surrounds us. Thank you Jesus.

Linda

Realigned Focus during Adversity

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How do you deal with Nay Sayers or those that would desire to cast doubt on your faith? Believe it or not, the psalmist David had the same issues when he wrote Psalm 3. He did not want to listen his many foes who were telling him God was not going to rescue him or do anything to help him solve his problems. This was written when he was struggling with his son Absalom who was trying to take over David’s throne and kill him. David talked to the Lord about this, laying it before Him. Then, he set about remembering the times God had rescued him!

O Lord, I have so many enemies;
    so many are against me.
2 So many are saying,
    “God will never rescue him!” Interlude

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
    you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
4 I cried out to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude

5 I lay down and slept,
    yet I woke up in safety,
    for the Lord was watching over me.
6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
    who surround me on every side.

7 Arise, O Lord!
    Rescue me, my God!
Slap all my enemies in the face!
    Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
8 Victory comes from you, O Lord.
    May you bless your people. Interlude

David’s conclusion, after remembering who God is and what He had done for him during his lifetime, was that God holds the victory. Victory comes from Him. He can defeat any foe as He is sovereign. David was reminded that God will bring victory and blessing.

David is our example for how to react to those who would discourage our faith saying it is worthless, that God will not help us. We too can change our focus from the Nay Sayers to Jesus. The right perspective will bring us to Jesus. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we have a permanent advocate in Jesus. He intercedes for us and sent the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. Romans 8:27 “And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Focusing on Jesus will put everything in perspective as it did for King David.

Let thanks be on you tongue and praises in your heart as you look to Jesus. Thank you Jesus.

Linda

Living the Life God Intends

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I am so looking forward to our Lenten Journey through the Psalms. There will be much to reflect upon as we dive into these precious poems or songs, as many were sung in the temple for worship. We too can worship God as we read them. Let’s begin at the beginning with Psalm 1. It is truly as favorite of mine as it clearly shows the contrast between the believer and the unbeliever.

It is a bit unconventional but the Message translation hits the mark and the words jar us into understanding God’s intended message.

How well God must like you—
    you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats,
    you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings,
    you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.

2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
    you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
    bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
    always in blossom.

4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,
    who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court,
    unfit company for innocent people.

6 God charts the road you take.
The road they take leads to nowhere.

God shows us how fortunate we are to know and follow Him. We are refreshed by scripture continually, bear fruit for the Lord and are always blooming. Jesus shows this contrast in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Life with Christ is meant to be full and abundant. He allows us to bloom right where we are. I love the picture from Isaiah of us as a well-watered garden. Isaiah 58:11 “The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,  like a spring whose waters never fail.“

The contrasting life, the one of the unbeliever is also pictured here.  They have no anchor, no defense and their road leads no where. Jesus told us in John 15:5 that unless we are connected to Him we can do nothing of eternal value. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  Many unbelievers have very productive lives accomplishing much good. However, their accomplishments apart of Jesus have no eternal value and will ‘burn up’. You cannot earn your way to heaven with good works. Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.“ 

With a life based on faith in Jesus, we can know His abundance. We can read and understand scripture. His Word will enrich and guide our lives. Our works done in His name have eternal value and bring honor and glory to God. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can live with an abundance of love, hope and peace. Thank you Jesus.

Linda

Beginning Lent with LOVE!

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I love this Valentine and see it as a fitting way to begin our Lenten Journey. We received this love gift from God our Father. Our response to His love is partly what Lent is about. How grateful are we for His extreme sacrifice to send His only Son to save us? 

Shouldn’t we pause our day, more than once, to say I love you to the ones we care about? We could all use a valentine, to be loved and cherished by someone. We are very fortunate that we all have our heavenly Father who loves us beyond measure and expressed his great love by sending Jesus. Jesus explained God’s love in John 3:16-17.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that who ever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For He did not sent his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  John 3:16-17  

How much more love could God show towards us than sacrificing His only Son on our behalf?  He loved us that much.   He sent Him so that through faith in Jesus we could be saved and not condemned.  Only sinless Jesus could erase our sin and present us whole and perfectly clean before our Holy God.

valentine

When you say ‘thank you’ today for a Valentine gift you receive, a card, note, flowers or someone simply saying ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’, think about thanking God too.  Thank Him for sending Jesus.  Thank Him for making a way for your salvation and eternal life with Him.   That is the best Valentine I can think of that is filled with all of God’s love for now throughout eternity.

Blessings on this Valentine’s Day.

Linda

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, we have an eternal Valentine in Jesus. Praise God for His abundant and abounding LOVE!

Getting Ready for Lent 2024

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I love the Lenten Season as it causes me to focus on the great price Jesus paid for my freedom. The access I have to the Father and the relationship I have with Him was restored by Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. Jesus conquered death so I can live. The debt I owe Jesus can never be paid in full, but the marvelous thing is He gives it to me as a gift. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—” Praise God!!

This year I will be blogging daily using passages from the Psalms. As I was reading through the Bible last year, I made note of psalms that spoke to me. When I looked at the list, I saw a perfect list of reflection to use during Lent. I hope you will join me for the daily focus on who Jesus is and what His death and resurrection means to me- right now, right today!

Lent begins on Wednesday- Valentine’s Day and I will begin with a perfect Valentine for you and me.

Join me daily during Lent. Wednesday February 14 to Easter Sunday March 31.

Linda