Comfort, can you find it?

May 4, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

In today’s portion of Psalm 119:49-56, the Psalmist is proclaiming that God’s Word comforts him and guides him in all situations. Are you making this claim for your life? ⁴⁹Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. ⁵⁰My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. The psalmist goes on to explain that God’s Word has brought him comfort when he was being ridiculed by those around him (vs. 51-52) and with this own indignation over all the sin he sees in the world (53-54). He clings to God’s Word day and night as his comfort (55-56).

Where does your comfort come from? The Bible is filled with verses that tell us that comfort comes from God. He is the God of all comfort. David proclaimed God’s comfort in Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. David knew that the things God provides for us bring protection and comfort. Jesus speaks of God’s comfort when we mourn over our sin, Matthew 5:4 in the AMP “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn[over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].” Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 about Jesus who is our ultimate source of comfort. “¹⁶Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, ¹⁷comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Like the Psalmist we can proclaim that God brings comfort into our lives when we know Jesus, when we depend upon His indwelling Holy Spirit and we proclaim and cling to His Word. God’s Word will guide us to Him day and night. Jesus will bring comfort into our lives as we cling to His Word. Cling to His Word today and you will be comforted. God is faithful in all His promises.

comfort-from-god-2th2_16-17wp Jesus my comforter,

Linda

Resolve to speak of your Hope

May 1, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

In this next portion of Psalm 119, verses 41-48, the psalmist is struggling with resolve. He is troubled by those that question his faith and he wants to have an answer for them. He wants to be faithful to God’s Word. Look at the number of I will’s he states. He really wants to use God’s Word and live it!

Waw

⁴¹May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
    your salvation, according to your promise;
⁴²then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
⁴³Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
    for I have put my hope in your laws.
⁴⁴I will always obey your law,
    for ever and ever.
⁴⁵I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.
⁴⁶I will speak of your statutes before kings
    and will not be put to shame,
⁴⁷for I delight in your commands
    because I love them.
⁴⁸I reach out for your commands, which I love,
    that I may meditate on your decrees.

psalm 119 42 In verses 41 and 42 the psalmist is asking God for his help so he can reply to those who would taunt him for or about his faith. He asked God to give him an answer from His Word to reply to his tormentors. Peter also tells us in 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” We are to always be prepared to talk about Jesus and the hope we have in Him. Does that describe your attitude towards telling others about Jesus, and what He has done for you? We are not to brag or boast over our privileged position as a child of God but to convey our love for others, our concern about their future and our belief that life with Jesus frees us from sin and all the baggage this world heaps upon us. Jesus 1 peter 3 15 has and is the answer to the world’s problem of sin as He alone is the redeemer.

Just like the psalmist, you can ask God to give you the words to say in reply to naysayers. We need to stand firm and boldly speak of Jesus. He will give you the words, just as He has promised. Keep studying and learning about God and He will reveal more and more about Himself. Remember 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” God’s Word equips us for every good work and gives us replies to those who would question our faith.

It is a blessing and a comfort to be prepared.

Linda

Pleading with God

April 27, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

If you could write down your prayers, what would they look like? Are they filled with joy, praise, thanksgiving, submission, confession and petitions? In reality, our prayers are filled with all of these but often vary according to our need or level of distress in life. The psalmist in Psalm 119:33-40 pleads with God. Look at the verbs as you read.

He

³³Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
    I will keep them to the end.
³⁴Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
    I will put them into practice with all my heart.
³⁵Make me walk along the path of your commands,
    for that is where my happiness is found.
³⁶Give me an eagerness for your laws
    rather than a love for money!
³⁷Turn my eyes from worthless things,
    and give me life through your word.
³⁸Reassure me of your promise,
    made to those who fear you.
³⁹Help me abandon my shameful ways;
    for your regulations are good.
⁴⁰I long to obey your commandments!
    Renew my life with your goodness.

psalm 119 37 The psalmist is struggling with his daily life and desires God to guide him away from temporal things to a focus on eternal truths that will change and renew his life. God’s goodness will transform our lives is we submit to His truths and follow Him. Do you desire God’s help with your life problems? Seek His wisdom and truth. Open His Word and bow in prayer. He will find you, just like He promised. Hebrews 11:6 challenges us to believe and take that step of faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Does that describe you and your search for God? Turn to Him in faith today. He will find you.

Hebrews 11 6 Walking with Him is an adventure in faith,

Linda

Need Encouragement? Look into His Word.

April 24, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Psalm 119:25-37 (Section 4) Daleth

I have read this section in various translations and the New Living seems to speak to me the most. It would seem the writer of this psalm has been hit by the trials and tribulations of the world and has been knocked down, verse 25. He is pleading with the Lord to revive him through His Word. Have you ever felt that way? When you seem at your wits end, you open the Word of God and He speaks to your needs right at that moment. It is so uplifting and reviving to your spirit.

²⁵I lie in the dust;
revive me by your word.

He told God his plans, verses 26-28, and is now asking for help, encouragement, teaching and time to meditate.
²⁶I told you my plans, and you answered.
    Now teach me your decrees.
²⁷Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
    and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
²⁸I weep with sorrow;
    encourage me by your word.

He asks God to keep him from lying to himself. This describes our real life struggle with the world and keeping faithful to our walk with God.
²⁹Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.

In the last 3 verses, the author resolves to preserve, choose God and pursue God’s commands. Is that your resolve today?
³⁰I have chosen to be faithful;
    I have determined to live by your regulations.
³¹I cling to your laws.
    Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!
³²I will pursue your commands,
    for you expand my understanding.

Is the world beating you up and you need some refreshment and rest? Come to God’s Word and He will restore, encourage, teach and revive your spirit so you can move boldly forward in your walk with Him.

psalm-119-2930 Praise God for His faithfulness and the power of His Word,

Linda

Open His book-Ahh! The wonder of it.

April 20, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

In today’s portion of Psalm 119, the psalmist recognizes that following God’s ways, as outlined in the Bible, brings good and will reveal wonders about God.

Psalm 119:17-18 Gimel.

Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word [treasuring it and being guided by it day by day].
Open my eyes [to spiritual truth] so that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law. (AMP)

Do you open God’s Word regularly seeking to know Him better and learn a better way of living? The Word of God is to be treasured as it guides and reveals God to us. I like the conclusion that the psalmist comes to in the last verse of this section, verse 24. “Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.” Knowing and using God’s Word brings delight, good counsel and hope to the one who seeks answers that are found within the pages of the Bible. Does that describe you? Are you a seeker of truth, guidance and wisdom that comes from God? Prayerfully consider how much time you are spending in God’s Word each week. Do you seek out groups where you can study His Word and learn? If you don’t know where to find such groups- here are a few suggestions. 1) ask your pastor what is available at your own church. If you don’t attend a church or your church does not have groups that match your schedule, here’s someplace else to look. 2) Bible Study Fellowship and Community Bible Study are organizations that present the Bible all over the world. Look them up on-line and see if there is a class you can join that is near where you live. The studies are complete, well laid out and based on the Biblical truths in God’s Word. Here are the links to their websites: https://www.bsfinternational.org and https://communitybiblestudy.org

The study of God’s Word will always result in delight and wonder as God reveals himself to you.

Being a student of the Bible brings great reward,

Linda

Integrity- is it attainable?

April 17, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Psalm 119 Beth

⁹How can a young person stay pure?
    By obeying your word.
¹⁰I have tried hard to find you—
    don’t let me wander from your commands.
¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.

The Psalmist begins part 2 of Psalm 119 by questioning how can you keep yourself pure or living uprightly with integrity? This is a question that both young and old ask themselves daily. The psalmist confesses he is seeking God and asks God’s help in staying true or close to God’s ways. He wants to be obedient and walk with God. He then gives the action he has taken to stay true to God. He has hidden God’s Word in His heart to protect himself from temptation and sinning. God’s solution for keeping us close to Him and keeping us away from sinful actions is to have us immerse ourselves in His Word and commit it to memory. Why is this an answer? God in His wisdom knows that we need to imprint His Word and His ways upon our hearts. Memorizing or internalizing the Word of God does that for our heart, mind and soul. How long has it been since you memorized a piece of scripture? It is easy to get started. Choose a favorite verse, write it on a card or use the App Scripture Typer on your phone and review it daily. Before you know it you will have it memorized and ready for recall when you need it most. Recalling Scripture gives you strength and power to walk with integrity, just as Jesus would have you do.

The Jews had a portion of scripture in the Old Testament that they recited twice a day. The Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, was their confession of faith. God is wise and wants us to know His word and have it in our hearts and on our lips. He knew that having these words on their lips repeatedly would help to keep them focused and walking with Him. ⁴“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. ⁵And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. ⁶And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. ⁷Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ⁸Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. ⁹Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

May you delight in God’s Word today!

Linda

Biblical A,B,C’s- let’s take a look!

April 13, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

As I have been praying about writing after the Lenten season, the Lord has renewed my conviction that His Word is essential to our Christian walk and good spiritual health. I am going to walk through Psalm 119 in successive weeks stopping to blog and meditate on selected verses. I pray you will be blessed as we journey through this magnificent Psalm together.

Pslam 119:1-2

Aleph

¹Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
²Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts. (NLT)

This psalm is known as an acrostic as it goes through the Hebrew alphabet, aleph to taw. Each section has 8 verses and are all about God’s Word. In these opening verses the Psalmist tells us that joy is to be had in following God’s Word, walking in obedience and seeking after God. Can you agree with the psalmist? Do you find joy in reading and knowing God’s Word? Does walking in obedience make your life more joyful and keep you in touch with God? Do you hunger for a deep meaningful relationship with God and seek Him out each day?

Nehemiah 8:9-10 tells what happened when the people of God heard the word read to them. “Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” How does the Word of God affect you? The Israelites were sad and grieved over their sins as God’s Word revealed to them how they were sinning and not walking with Him. Then Nehemiah reminded them that a right relationship with God brings joy and strength from the Lord! Their repentance brought them into a place of joy in the Lord. Offer up a prayer with a repentant heart right now, then claim His joy and strength in your day.

Jeremiah 29 13 As we journey through this psalm, claim the joy that God has for you as you seek him with a humble and repentant heart. Remember, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

Seeking God and a right attitude,

Linda

I am filled with wonder over His mercy and grace.

April 2, 2018 nofearlinda4 Comments

Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am filled with wonder over His mercy and grace to me. Lent is a long time to write daily. It is 6 weeks of planning, rising early, study, inspiration and typing each morning on my computer. As I depended upon God, He faithfully inspired me each day. Trusting Him to provide, I have experienced His grace and mercy. I never lacked for time, energy or inspiration and was struck by the wonder of His Word. Through faith we receive so much from Him that our only true response is one of wonder, praise and love for our Savior. His promise to me in psalm 37 5 Psalm 37:5 has been enacted over and over as I committed this Lenten season of blogging to Him. “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act.”

Here is a recap of all the I am statements from this season. Print it out and use it to encourage yourself and revisit it when you doubt the value of faith in your life.

I am …. loved, a child of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, reconciled, justified, forgiven, holy and blameless before God, an ambassador, a temple, tenderly loved by God, salt, light, helped by God, sanctified, God’s Workmanship, not condemned, a citizen of Heaven, the sweet fragrance of Christ to God, a branch on Christ’s vine, a saint, confident of God’s good work in me, a prince/princess in God’s kingdom, a child of light, a friend of God, chosen by God, chosen by God to bear fruit, a joint heir with Christ, holy and I share in God’s heavenly calling, sustained by Christ, united with Jesus in Spirit, sealed by the Holy Spirit, firmly rooted and built up in Christ, one of God’s living stones, born of God and the evil one cannot touch me, a personal witness for Christ, known by God, seated with Christ in the heavenly realm, a member of Christ’s body, a conqueror, overwhelmed with joy, a bride/bridegroom for Christ and SAVED!

What an amazing list of what God has given to us and made us in and through Christ. Praise be to Jesus our Lord and Savior!

Blessings,

Linda

I am overwhelmed with joy! Blessed Resurrection Day!

April 1, 2018 nofearlinda1 Comment

Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am overwhelmed with joy. I am dressed as a bridegroom or bride, resplendent in my robes of salvation. With His righteousness upon me, I am like a garden in the spring growing everywhere. Read Isaiah’s words of prophecy over us in 61:10-11.

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
    For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
    and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding
    or a bride with her jewels.
¹¹The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world.
    Everyone will praise him!
His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring,
    with plants springing up everywhere.

Praise Him today for your joy, your salvation and your righteousness. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we are victorious and are filled with joy, saved and clothed in His righteousness! We are in right standing before God because of Him. Have a glorious Easter celebration because our God is alive, HE LIVES! HE HAS RISEN, INDEED! He has conquered the grave and because He lives so can we.

Happy Easter celebrating our risen Lord Jesus,

Linda

I am SAVED!

March 31, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am SAVED! The most important statement this Lenten season is that I am saved. Jesus said that He was the way to salvation and all we need to do is believe in Him to be saved from eternal death into life, John 14:6 ” “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He also called himself the gateway, John 10:9 “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” Acts 4:12 says that Jesus and only Jesus can provide salvation, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Belief in Jesus saves us from God’s wrath over our sin, Romans 5:9-10 “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”

What about you? As I look at the cross and Christ’s suffering, I realize that He john 3 16 suffered and died for me, to take away my sin, so I can live with Him eternally. He loved me so much! John 3:16 says it all, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Belief in Jesus cost me nothing but it cost Him everything. How grateful am I? Praise Jesus and thank God for sending Jesus as you prepare to celebrate Resurrection Sunday. The Love of God has brought us full circle from the beginning of Lent to it’s end- Jesus and His love for us reigns supreme. Jesus conquered it all to save me and you!