Today as I sit in our smoke filled area of Northern California, I think about those that have lost so much, endured so much and have yet much more to endure.  All of us fit into these categories somewhere.  I have written this summer and early fall about: our identity in Christ and what we have as our inheritance.  These are things we can claim through Christ that can not be lost, burned or stolen- they are eternal!  This gives us hope no matter what our future looks like right now,  In Christ there is always HOPE!  As I recap today for us, I am looking forward to my next series of blogs focusing on Thankfulness.  I am constantly reminded of how much I have to be thankful for each day and that my attitude should reflect thankfulness no matter what is happening around me.  I hope you will join me for this series leading up to Advent.

BECAUSE my identity is in CHRIST- I AM… tenderly loved by God (Jer 31:3), forgiven (Col 1:13-14), confident that His good work  begun in me will be perfected in me (Phil 1:6), chosen by God (Col 3:12), a sweet aroma to God (2 Cor 2:15), salt and light to the world (Matt 5:13-14), God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10, a child of light (1 Thess 5:5), a friend of God (John 15:15), an ambassador for Christ (2 Cor 5:20), God’s co-worker (2 Cor 6:1 and 1 Cor 3:9), a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20).  What an amazing identity we have in Christ!

BECAUSE of CHRIST I can claim as my  inheritance- I have….. wisdom (Jas 1:5), peace (John 14:27 and Rom 5:1), great and precious promises from God (1 Pet 1:4), been bought with a price, belong to Him and I’m freed from sin (1 Cor 6:19-20, Gal 5:1), the ability to approach God with boldness, freedom and confidence (Eph 3:12), the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), access to God and belong to His household (Eph 2:18-19), and the assurance that all things in my life God can work them together for good ( Rom 8:28).  What an inheritance!  No taxes due- it was all paid for by Christ at the cross.

IF you want too refresh your memory of this great identity and inheritance, visit my blogs again and reread, print or share with a friend.  We are truly blessed.  I have written 20 blogs on these topics and there are many more that can be written.  Perhaps it will revisit this next summer.

Thinking on all we have in Christ has led me to my next series focusing on Thanksgiving.  Scripture is rich in encouragement and admonition for us to be thankful.  During late October and November I will be focusing on Thanksgiving and cultivating an attitude of gratitude within myself.

Thanks for following and I pray you were uplifted and encouraged by all we have in Christ.

Linda

Romans 8:28  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”.   This is one of my favorite promises.   It is just packed with Lessons and Truths that give us hope and assurance of faith.

1.   No circumstance is beyond God’s control.  God is sovereign and He can bring good things out of bad situations.    In 2 Chronicles 20:6, King Jehoshaphat affirms God’s sovereignty:  “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”  There is nothing in heaven or earth that is outside of God’s control.
2. God intends good for me.  God is good and intends only good things for me.  “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”  Lamentations 3:25 and Psalm 34:8  “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! ”  Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good,
   a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in him.”   All of these verses promise God is good and intends good towards me, the believer.  Belief in God brings showers of goodness and purpose.
3. God has a purpose to which he has called me.    2 Timothy 1:9-11 tells us that through Jesus “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”
4. God’s ways are not our ways.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  Isaiah 55:8   Many times I do not understand the events, the suffering, senseless violence and evil that happen in our sin filled world.  Sin taints and destroys indiscriminately.  We simply must trust in our good sovereign God to work everything to good in His time.   Here is where faith is essential- trusting God in the face of adversity, trusting God that He is good, trusting God that He loves me and has good things planned for me, trusting God to avenge wrongs and vindicate the believers.

In all of this– are you called by God- do you believe in Him and the saving work of Jesus on the cross?  If you do- then you can rest assured that no matter what, no matter how things look, God is sovereign and can work things for good and will according to His plan.  We cannot see the beginning and the end, we do not see the whole picture and how things fit together- even though God allows things to happen, He does not cause evil.  Being sovereign He can and does work within the circumstances and  bring about good.  If you are not a believer, why not?  God stands with his own.  Over and over He promises,  “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6

Romans 8:28 is a wonderful promise filled with hope and assurance.  Claim it today!!

Linda

On this Labor Day, I am thankful for being able to work, for having a job, for the freedom to choose the type of work I love and for those that labor along side me.  In several places believers in Christ are called God’s coworkers.  What does that mean?

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3 describes his ‘co-working’ for God.  “⁵ What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.    Apollos was a new testament believer that Paul met and taught, then he went out and taught others about Jesus.  Paul calls both of them servants working to spread the gospel of Christ neither is greater than the other.  From the one who first tells of Jesus to the one who teaches, they both have an invaluable place in God’s work.  God alone is the one who accomplishes the growth from the seeds we plant and water.

This position of being a co-worker with God in His kingdom is a place of honor and true significance.  Our purpose is clear- tell others about Jesus and honor God in all we do.  Isn’t that how we want to be known in our place of work?  We want others to listen to what we have to say- thus we need to be able to listen.  We want others to work beside us-thus we have to be able to work with others and cooperate towards a common goal.  We want the freedom to work and achieve thus we have to be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to motivate, inspire and center us for God’s work.   Being a coworker with God is an awesome responsibility and a great privilege.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for giving me the privilege to work along side you in ministry.  I know you could do all the work yourself, but you allow me to stand, tell and show the world who you are in my life.  Thank you for your indwelling Holy Spirit that motivates, guides and completes me  so that I can be an effective worker for you.  Amen.

Have a blessed Labor Day!

Linda

Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that we have a special job and position in Christ’s kingdom.  “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”   Before going any farther, I think I need a definition of who and what an ambassador is.  The dictionary says an ambassador is the highest ranking diplomatic representative appointed by a government to represent them in another country, a special representative.   By Paul referring to us as ambassadors he shows our status in regard to the kingdom of God.  The indwelt believer is indeed God’s mouthpiece, model and witness to a world that is desperately in need of a Savior.  As Christ’s ambassadors we proclaim Jesus to the word and implore them to become reconciled to God by faith in Jesus.  We are the highest ranking person in God’s kingdom here on earth entrusted with this sacred duty.  When you consider your job or work in the kingdom in this light, you can see that you- the believer- are the heart of His ministry here to the world around us.  We are the ones that non-believers see and view Christ through us.  It is sobering to know that they judge God by what they see in our words, deeds and actions.  The way we live is important to our witness.  Hebrews 13:18 reminds us that we need prayer to stand firm in Him. “Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.”   

As you go about today– thank Jesus for making you His ambassador- it is a privileged position. -thank Jesus for the power He gives so that we can be successful in this job bringing honor and glory to Him. -be open to His leading so that you may boldly proclaim Him where ever He has placed you.

Living for Jesus is an exciting and challenging position.

Linda

This summer I have loved looking at all the ‘things’ I have because of Christ.   A very privileged position we, as believers, hold is being called Jesus’ friends.   John 15:15  “No longer do I call you servants,^[a] for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”    Jesus makes the distinction between a servant and a friend.  A servant is one who just does the bidding of his master, one who works without knowing the plans, motives and purposes behind what he is doing and receives little to no reward for his service.   Whereas as a friend is someone who is brought into close confidence with him and one with whom Jesus shares His knowledge of the Father.  In scripture Abraham was referred to as a friend of God.  James 2:23 ” and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.”  Through his faith and faithfulness towards God, Abraham was recognized by God as His friend and he was rewarded with righteousness.

Friendship with God brings us a closeness like Abraham and knowledge of who He is and what He desires for mankind.  We share in His vision and purpose when we are His friends.  I have a really close friend that now lives in LA.   For years we lived close enough to see each other each week and share our hopes, dreams, struggles and worries.  We supported one another in prayer, gave encouragement and listened with a heart of love.   Proverbs 17:17a “A friend loves at all times,”  describes my friend.  She was there for me and stood by me.   My friend is still my friend even though I don’t see her every week.  I know I can call her and she will listen, pray and encourage me no matter what.  Jesus is even more a friend as He goes beyond all earthly friendships.  He intercedes for us with the Father (Romans 8:26), He listens and encourages me through prayer (Hebrews 4:15)  and through others.  He has His good planned for me (Jeremiah 29:11) and loves me (John 3:16).   Just like Abraham, I need to be faithful and full of faith then His righteousness will be credited to me too.  Knowing Jesus, being washed by His blood and cleansed will impute His righteousness to me.  Proverbs 22:11 “He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

As a follower of Christ, You can call Jesus your friend.  What a blessed friendship it is!

Linda

There are 2 powerful verses in Ephesians that define our place with God and our access to Him.  Ephesians 2:18-19  “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”  Because of him (Jesus) we have access to God through the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Because of his death and resurrection we are no longer isolated by our sin but belong to God through our faith in Jesus.  He sees us as sons and daughters and citizens in heaven awaiting a time when we will live eternally with Him.  Scripture is filled with evidence of these truths.   Here are a few references for you to check out.

We have access to God through Jesus’ work on the cross and indwelling Holy Spirit.   Romans 10:10-12, Ephesians 2:21-22,  Ephesians 3:12-13,  Hebrews 7:25,  Colossians 1:18-20.  1 John 4:13 “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.”

We are fellow citizens in heaven and members of His household.  If we are members of His household then He is our father.   “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,Father.”  Galatians 4:6  

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,”  Philippians 3:20    Jesus went to prepare our heavenly home.  He promised us we would be with Him.   John 14:1-4 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that 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.”

What a privileged position we hold.  Christ sent His Holy Spirit to live within us and give us access to Him 24/7.  We can come before Him anytime be it day or night.  Hebrews 10:22-23 encourages us to come before God with a humble spirit and live with assurance that He is faithful and will meet our needs.  “ Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswerving to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

Since we live in the hear and now, I often forget that I already am a citizen of heaven and that in the future my home will be there with God.  As for now, I can revel in the fact that I can stay in constant communication with Jesus through His indwelling Holy Spirit and that He is interceding for me there in heaven.   Romans 8:26-27 confirms this, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”    Do you see yourself as being heaven bound?  Do you know for a fact that the Holy Spirit intercedes for you, on your behalf?  Take some time and mediate on your heavenly position and the grace God shows you though Jesus.  If you don’t know Him, pray for Jesus to come into your heart and your life today.  Acknowledge your own sinfulness and need for a savior.  Then thank Him and begin your redeemed life.

This picture is a good reminder of how we belong to Jesus for eternity.  Be encouraged today!

Linda

This statement of fact about those who belong to the Lord Jesus is found in 1 Thessalonians.  Paul wanted to warn the Thessalonian Christians that as they waited for the Lord to return as He promised, they were to be awake, aware and encouraged.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-8  “For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.  So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.  But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”

Throughout scripture light has been associated with God- He created light (Genesis 1:3), He is our light and our salvation(Psalm 27:1), He will be our everlasting light (Isaiah 60:19) and Jesus proclaimed himself to be the light of the world on multiple occasions.  John 8:12 Jesus said,  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”   Jesus tells us we are children of God when we believe in Him.  He made that relationship possible to us through His death and resurrection.  Belief in Jesus as the light, purity, holy God brings us to the light of God where we can be in a position to reflect that light in our lives.  Here He calls us children of light.  What a privileged place that is- wholesome, pure, without a shadow of darkness.  The opposite to being a child of light is being a child of darkness.  Satan, all evil and sin are associated with darkness and it is a state that leads to death.  Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Without Jesus we are walking in darkness and are not guided by the ‘light of life’.  There is no gray area, not partial belief.  Partial belief is unbelief and will result in eternal death.  The end for the believer is life with Christ for the non-believer death and separation from God.

I love that Paul tells us in verse 8 above “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”   Belonging to Christ, the day, we have faith and love to clothe and protect ourselves.  We have salvation and the hope of eternity protecting our thinking, thoughts and future.  We are to take this place of light seriously and be on guard, awake and aware of the enemy who would love to lure us back into the darkness.  1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”   We don’t need to be afraid but on guard, always standing firm with the Lord.

I love that as a child of God- I am in the light.  How about you?  Are you feeling sunny and reflective of God’s love and light to the world?  God will use you where ever you are to reflect His love and light to others.  Shine for Him today.

Linda

The verse in Ephesians that describes believers as the workmanship of God was our memory verse several years ago for our church Day Camp.  There are several different translations of this verse that can help shed light on this unique position of believers.  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV

NIV translates workmanship as God’s handiwork

NLT calls us His masterpiece

HCSB says we are His creation

The Living (TLB) says we are what He has made us

The Amphified goes the extra mile adding several words: ” For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus”

Each translation adds a new dimension to the definition of what it means for us to be called His Workmanship.  God created us to do His work in the world.  He even prepared those good things He wants us to do for Him before we were even born.  God wants us to walk with Him and do good works in the name of Jesus to bring glory to His name.  It pleases God when we obey and serve Him.

It means a lot to me that God thought enough of me to create me for good works.  He desires that I accomplish great things for Him.  He wants me to be a masterpiece or a true work of art in the name of Jesus.  When we recognize that we are not just a dot to God but a whole canvas masterpiece, we realize how much He loves us and wants good for us.

If you were doubting yourself or your existence today, doubt no more!  God has created you for good things and desires that you accomplish them in and through Jesus.  It is a privileged work He has for us in a privileged place.  Take a tour of God’s museum of life and walk with Him.  He will show you all the good pieces that are treasures to behold!

Focus on Jesus and let God make your canvas perfect in Him.

Linda