Where does your strength come from?

June 28, 2019June 26, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

We know that God is mighty in strength as scripture is filled with references to God’s strength. David praised God’s strength in his song of thanksgiving in 1 Chronicles 16:10-11 when he had the ark brought to Jerusalem. “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.¹¹Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” David knew seeking God was the correct action to receive strength at all times. Later in Psalms he writes how God strengthen his heart in Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” , equips and brings righteousness with His strength Psalm 18:32 “the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.”, and His strength brings blessing Psalm 84:5 “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.”

There are so many others who wrote about God’s strength. Isaiah proclaimed God’s strength for those in need in Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength“. Habakkuk proclaimed God’s strength and ability to lift him above his circumstances in Habakkuk 3:19 “God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”

In the New Testament we are encouraged to seek God’s strength through prayer. Luke 21:36 Jesus exhorts the disciples to pray for the strength to combat the temptations of the world that would lead us astray, “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Paul reminds us in Ephesians to pray for strength that comes through faith and trust in Christ, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,” Ephesians 3:14-18 In Philippians Paul pens one of my favorite verses about God’s strength, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

What do you know and feel about God’s strength? Is His strength accessible to you in prayer? Do you ask for His strength daily in your life or only when you are in times of great need? Scripture shows us that God’s strength is available to us so that we may be strong of heart, filled with love and conviction for Christ, equipped to do His work and to be able to stand in adversity. Philippians 4:13 would even go so far as to say God can make the impossible possible through His strength. Do not be lacking in strength because you neglected to pray and ask for strength. Jesus said in John 16:24 “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” James 4:2 “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” We know God desires us to be strong and living in His strength daily, so ask Him for strength whenever you need it.

Be comforted and encouraged by His strength in your life today!

Linda

Is God your Rock?

June 25, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

David was well aware of God as his Rock. In Psalm 18:1-3 he uses this image of God when proclaiming his thanks for God’s strength in protecting him from murderous Saul. David struggled with Saul chasing him and seeking to kill him for over 10 years. David trusted God and His plan and timing to make him king.

I love you, Lord, my strength.

²The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

³I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I have been saved from my enemies.

Since David struggled for so many years against the elements as a shepherd, a boy facing Goliath, as a fugitive and as a king with many battles to face, the Psalms are filled with his reliance upon God as his rock and source of his faith.

Psalm 19:14 “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 62:1-2 “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
²Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Psalm 71:1-3 “In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
²In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me.
³Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.”

David proclaims God as his Rock as well as fortress, deliverer, refuge, stronghold, salvation, redeemer and righteous God. David knew from experience that God was faithful, and he could depend upon Him. Can you proclaim who God is to you? Let David’s words seep into you thoughts today and give you confidence and strength in God. Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” and James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ” The God who David trusted and loved is the same God we serve. He does not change from generation to generation and we can depend upon Him just like David.

Prayer: Thank you Father that you are the same yesterday, today and forever. Your character and ideals do not change or shift with the times and whims of man. You are my rock and can hold me steady as I face the storms in my life. You are to be praised for you are always faithful and seek to do and bring good into my life. Help me to be depend upon your strength and character so I may live fully for you. Amen.

Linda

Is God your Shepherd?

June 21, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

good shepherd David saw God as His shepherd and wrote about him in Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The shepherd provides.
²He makes me lie down in green pastures. The shepherd guides.
He leads me beside still waters.
³He restores my soul. The shepherd restores.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

⁴Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; The shepherd protects and comforts.
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵You prepare a table before me The shepherd knows the future and
in the presence of my enemies; prepares for me.
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me The shepherd is with me eternally.
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Do you regard the Lord God as your shepherd? The shepherd was the one who tended, cared, protected, defended and loved his sheep. God is described as the shepherd of the nation of Israel in Isaiah 40: 10-11 “See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,….He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Jesus described himself as the good shepherd in John 10:11 ““I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Then in John 10:14-16 ““I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. (Here Jesus was referring to those who were not Jews, the Gentiles.) I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” Jesus is the perfect image of the good shepherd. The sheep listen to Him, know Him and He sacrifices Himself for this beloved sheep. What a beautiful pictures of our loving God.

Today as you reflect upon God, consider the 23rd Psalm and Jesus’ words in John. Know that you are loved and cared for by your loving heavenly Father and that your good shepherd, Jesus, will guide, protect, defend, hear, and love you.

Linda

Come with me and praise His Name!

June 18, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Last fall I was working on a series based on the names of God. It is essential to our faith to learn as much about God as possible because the more we know God the more we can be assured He is who He says He is and will do all things He promises. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are incomprehensible (an attribute of God) and yet God desires that we know Him. Our finite minds can only take in so much of our omniscient God, but we know from life’s experiences that we can grow and as we do we stretch ourselves to learn more. I love this quote from Daniel 11:32b. Daniel was in a very turbulent time and he wanted to encourage the people that knowing God would give them a firm foundation to withstand the trials of their present day. “but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” That is my prayer for us too, that knowing more about our God will cause us to stand firmly planted and willing and able to take action for Him.

Psalm 148 is a psalm of praise to God as the creator of all things about earth and the heavens.

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights!
²Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his hosts!

³Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
⁴Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!

⁵Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
⁶And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. The psalmist call upon all people to praise His name because of all He has created in the heavens. He continues….

Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
⁸fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!

⁹Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
¹⁰Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!

¹¹Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
¹²Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!

¹³Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his majesty is above earth and heaven.
¹⁴He has raised up a horn for his people,
    praise for all his saints,
    for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the Lord! The psalmist calls upon all people to praise the name of the one who created all nature and peoples on the earth.

In verse 13 points us to the name of the creator, the Lord who is worthy of all our praise because He is above all, greater than all He created and He alone is worthy of our praise. If we think the creation is wonderful, it is nothing compared to God himself. The creation pales in comparison to the Creator God. This psalm is a call to all of creation to praise the creator and a reminder that He is greater than all.

I challenge you this summer to come along with me to explore greater depths of God’s character as we look into the Word and focus on Who God is by name. His name is worthy of all praise!

Linda

Remembering Father’s Day

June 14, 2019June 14, 2019 nofearlinda1 Comment

Mom and Dad on their 50th Wedding Anniversay

Dad in his 50’s.

Psalm 103:13 “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”

Proverbs 23:24 “The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.”

Sunday is Father’s Day and it’s approach has caused me to think reflectively about my earthly father, Henry Beecher Chrisp. He was a loving father, but demanded that we behave well, work hard, show respect and not give up easily. He loved to work with his hands building things and to fish. Dad loved the outdoors by cultivating flowers, growing a vegetable garden or simply taking a hike or ride through the forest. He had a deep faith in God. He showed me God, the Father, through his compassion and love for me. Dad was always one to love what we did and took pride in our accomplishments.

I hope your own father reminds you of God, the Father, in some personal way. I felt blessed and fortunate to have a father who loved me and wanted the best for me. I know all earthly fathers are not like that. Fortunately, we all have a perfect Heavenly Father we can look up to and depend upon. He will always be there for us and promises to never leave us or forsake us. Thank you Lord.

Have a blessed Father’s Day filled with good memories or activities with your father.

Linda

The 5 W’s of Pentecost…Let them speak to you today!

June 9, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Who was there? Scripture tells us in Acts chapters 1 and 2 that the disciples and many other Jews from every nation were gathered together.

What? The arrival of the promised power from heaven that would empower them to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

When? Pentecost was 50 days after the Passover. It was called the Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament. It was 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven.

Where? Jesus told them to go and wait for the helper that would come. They returned to Jerusalem after Jesus’ Ascension just as He commanded.

Acts 2:2-4 describes to us vividly the arrival of the Holy Spirit. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Peter stood and preached to the gathered crowd and told them that this outpouring from heaven was from God. He quoted the Old Testament prophet Joel in Acts 2:17 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” The arrival of the Holy Spirit was dramatic- tongues of fire- and noisy- as a strong wind and filled with many languages. It was a surprise arrival yet it had been expected. Jesus told them to go and wait, so they knew something or someone was coming. In John 15:15-17, 25-26, Jesus had promised them the Holy Spirit would come. “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. And all this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, 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.” Also in Luke 24:48-49 Jesus told them of the coming power and place, “You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Why was this necessary? When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, His Holy Spirit came to dwell within me. This Spirit that arrived on tongues of fire and with a great sound lives within me. He empowers me to live a godly life and to speak to others about Jesus and His salvation. 1 John 4:4 puts it this way, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is great than the one who is in the world.” Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “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.”

How do you answer your own 5 W’s about the Holy Spirit? Who is the Holy Spirit to you? What are you allowing God to do with this Holy Spirit that lives within you? Where are you walking in obedience and listening to His Word? When are you stepping out in faith to tell others about Jesus? Why is the Holy Spirit necessary in your life? Jesus wanted the disciples, and us too, to use the power the Father sent to do the work of telling others and living for Him. Will you begin today by allowing God’s Holy Spirit living within you to lead you to live for Him in a mighty way that will bring Him honor and glory?

Praising Him this Pentecost Sunday,

Linda

What does June 6th mean to you? Sacrifice, freedom, honor….

June 6, 2019 nofearlinda2 Comments

Today is the 75th Anniversary of the “D-Day” invasion of Europe in 1944. Known as Operation Overload it was cloaked in secrecy and

Today the Allied flag still fly in memory.

various rumors were spread to mislead the enemy as to when the attack would take place. General Eisenhower had originally chosen June 5 for the invasion but bad weather made that impossible, so they moved forward as weather cleared on June 6. It was the largest amphibious attack in history and some 156,000 plus troops from Great Britain, Canada and the United States landed on various beaches. When I visited Normandy, I realized how great the coordination had to have been to attack simultaneously the different beaches. The British and Canadians captured beaches code named Gold, Juno and Sword. The Americans captured Utah Beach but faced heavy resistance on Omaha Beach where over 2,000 Americans died. Some historians estimate that more than 4,000 Allied troops lost their lives in the D-Day invasion, with thousands more wounded or missing.

Beautiful and serene today, but then were covered with barbed wire and obstacles to stop the troops from landing.

By the day’s end, some 156,000 troops had landed successfully and led what is thought to be ‘the beginning of the end for Germany’. By the end of August, northern France had been liberated and by the Spring of 1945 the Germans were defeated. The coordinated efforts of all the commanders were lead by General Dwight D Eisenhower. They successfully adapted and overcame to defeat the enemy.

The Rangers attacked under heavy fire from the Germany guns in these bunkers on top of the cliff.

This beautiful beach cliff was the setting of the American Rangers’ attack that morning.

As we ponder this day in history, let us give thanks to those who gave their lives and those who fought bravely in the face of grave danger and survived. Thank you to those who came home and lived lives of honor and courage after having experienced the horrors of war and to those who did not return.

Normandy, a place of remembrance. Let us remember their sacrifice for our freedom and not take it lightly as the cost was great.

Proverbs 10:7 “The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
May the memories bring you blessings today.

Linda

Are you in the crowd? Why did Jesus come to you?

June 4, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

There is one other post-resurrection appearance I want to think about as we wait for Pentecost. Paul recounts to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 the appearances between Christ’s purposeful death and resurrection and His ascension back into heaven. “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁴that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,(Christ died and rose again with purpose foretold in scripture)⁵and that he appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve. ⁶Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.⁷Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” (Paul is referring to his encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus that happened sometime later.)

Have you ever wondered about the large gathering of 500 that saw Jesus? What was His purpose? In each post-resurrection appearance, Jesus purposefully met with those who needed to see Him most- the grieving Mary, the doubting Thomas, the guilt ridden Peter and the unbelieving disciples. What could have been His reason for appearing to 500? Perhaps He wanted those who did not know Him as intimately as the disciples to experience His love and power first hand? Perhaps He wanted to make known the reality that He was alive and they could carry on. Perhaps He wanted to comfort, ignite, give hope, …. Seeing Him again, knowing the reality of His death on the cross, knowing He had been buried and was alive for them to see must have been eyeopening, challenging, fearsome, awesome, unbelievable….. One can only imagine what it must have been like to see Jesus.

Today as you think about this, try to picture yourself as one of the 500. We have an advantage as we have His indwelling Holy Spirit within us to convict us and bear witness to our faith. We do not need to see Him to believe. Jesus addressed this issue in John 20:29 as He spoke to Thomas. “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Faith is a blessing from God. Thank Him today for your ability to believe even though you were not there with the 500. You can know that He loves, cares for you and is with you always.

Linda

Ascension Day- up He goes!

May 30, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

40 days after the resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven. His ascension is recorded in Mark, Luke and the book of Acts. It took place on a mountain top in the vicinity of Bethany according to Luke 24:50-51 “And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. ⁵¹While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” Mark also adds in Jesus’ destination after His ascension, Mark 16:19 “So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” In the book of Acts, Luke, the author, gives us a more complete picture of this event. Acts 1:9-11 “And after He said these things, He was caught up as they looked on, and a cloud took Him up out of their sight. ¹⁰While they were looking intently into the sky as He was going, two men in white clothing suddenly stood beside them, ¹¹who said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This [same] Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will return in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

The disciples who were focused on where Jesus went and the angels assured them that Jesus will return in the same way He left. Jesus had lovingly told them that He would send a helper to guide and empower them in His absence. Acts 1:7-8 “He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority. ⁸But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.” Jesus wanted His followers to be about telling others of the kingdom and the good news of the salvation and forgiveness available to each one though Jesus. The promised Holy Spirit would come upon them in just 10 days at Pentecost and then the truth of Christ and His work would revolutionize the world!

Are you anticipating the return of Christ? Be encouraged with these words from 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Are you telling others about your Savior as you wait? Be encouraged by Peter’s words: 1 Peter 3:15 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” Be ready to tell others of your HOPE in Jesus!

Have a blessed Ascension Day, and may our prayer be, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus”.

Linda

Are you ready? Jesus calls us to be part of His Plan “A”.

May 28, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today’s meeting with Jesus took place on a mountainside in Galilee. I had always associated this scene with the ascension, but it is a separate incident. Jesus did give the ‘Great Commission’ at His ascension but he also gave it here sometime before the ascension.

Matthew 28:16-20 “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

There were 11 disciples because Judas had betrayed Jesus and hanged himself. However, there were probably others along with them as in verse 10 earlier in the chapter Jesus had said to the women at the tomb garden, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Scholars think that the people Matthew is referring to as ‘doubting’ are the other brothers who also accompanied the 11 to the mountainside and does not refer to the disciples. The heart of Jesus’ message is He wants the message of salvation and redemption to go out to all the world. It is their job to spread the ‘good news’ to the world. He promises to go with them (and us) throughout all the ages to come.

Have you ever considered that you are God’s plan A? There is no backup plan for spreading the news of redemption to the world- we are it! God promises that His word will not return empty or without use, Isaiah 55:11 “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” God also promises that His will cannot be thwarted, Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Jesus did His part- He came to earth, lived, died on the cross to redeem us and rose from the grave conquering sin and death. We have our part to do now- tell others about marvelous, amazing, redemptive Jesus! Since you are part of plan A, whom will you tell today? Remember there are many ways to tell others about Jesus. Yes, you need to be able to give a full account of the gospel which according to 1 Peter 3:15, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,“ However, you can witness each day to the power of the risen Christ in your life by what you say, how you respond, who you help, what you do for others, how you treat them, etc. Our lives speak for Jesus along with our mouths. We can give a word of praise to God for little and big things in our lives and others will hear it. We can mention a verse of scripture and how it applies to our circumstances, we can offer to pray for a colleague or neighbor who is in need or lend a helping hand without being asked. There are many ways to show you love Jesus and that He is the driving force behind what you say and do. All of these witness to His power of redemption. At any point you are asked, you need to be willing and able to give words to your faith as 1 Peter 3:15 tells us- the reason for your hope.

Be encouraged today and mindful of the position and commission Jesus gave to me and you. Be bold for the gospel and let the gospel drive you thoughts, actions and words today.