Peace-filled Living, Possible for you and me!

June 21, 2025 nofearlindaLeave a comment

In light of recent events, I begin to question whether or not living peacefully with others is at all possible. Peace seems like such an illusive thing. Some days I revel in it and some days it seems out of my reach. What we can be assured of is that peace is ours through Christ and is always attainable. Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” The peace Jesus gives is not worldly calm and freedom from activity, but a peace with God that will satisfy our souls. It is the peace the pervades us even when the world is swirling around us. Paul describes this peace in Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” Paul assures us that the peace we have though Christ brings us into relationship with God and is filled with His grace and purposefully holds us no matter what else is happening in our lives.

Believing that Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have peace in Christ. He promises that His peace is ours for the taking. Why do we struggle with it so much? I think it is because of the pull of the world on our lives and the loss of focus and faith in the power of our God. We are free in Christ from the power of sin over our lives but we live in a sinful world. The effects of sin on us and our lives is unavoidable. Staying above this and living in peace takes work- unwavering faith, prayer, diligence to stay in the Word and fellowship with other believers. Are you getting a dose of each of these in your life each day or week? Summer is a good time to renew commitments and take time to pray, read God’s Word, memorize a verse or two and have fellowship with other believers. It is good for your soul and will bring you peace!

Thankful for the power of peace in Christ,

Linda

Reconciliation, an Amazing state of Being!

June 5, 2025 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Have you ever tried to reconcile a broken relationship or even your bank statement? Sometimes it can be trying and almost impossible. Consider trying to make yourself right with God? Can you ever be good enough? Can you ever wipe out your sin or make yourself clean? NO you can’t. Unlike relationship the reconciliation of your bank account or a personal relationship, there might be a way you could achieve it. But making yourself clean enough to stand before God, there is no human way to do this. So where does that leave us? Without hope? Stuck in our sins forever? No, Jesus is the answer.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am reconciled to God through faith in Jesus. To be reconciled means to be brought into a right relationship with someone that you had been in opposition to or opposed to for some reason. The reason we were in opposition to God is because of our sin. God is pure and holy and cannot have a relationship with anything that is unholy or sinful. In Romans 5:10-11 Paul puts it this way, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Through Jesus’ death on the cross he made it possible for us to be reconciled to God through faith in Him. He returned us to a place of favor in God’s sight. What a wonderful Savior we have in Jesus!

Romans 5-11 We Exalt In God Through Our Lord Jesus Christ gold

Does your life reflect the reconciliation made possible by Jesus? Do you cherish the relationship you have with God? Do you seek to know Him through His Word and talk with Him each day in prayer? It is an amazing fact that the God of the universe desires to have a relationship with you. Thank you Jesus for making this possible.

Eternally grateful for Jesus’ work of reconciliation,

Linda

I am sustained by Christ!

April 14, 2025 nofearlindaLeave a comment

This last week, Holy Week, before Easter, I want to continue exploring God’s promises about things we have in Christ. What we have goes beyond the things we’ve discovered on the Sunday’s during Lent- Salvation, Christ’s Righteousness, a heavenly home to look forward to, the ability to approach God’s throne and being Sealed by the Holy Spirit. This week we will explore a few more of the things we have because of Christ’s willing sacrifice on the cross and his victory over death.

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am sustained by Christ. This assurance of faith is one of my favorite promises stated in Philippians 4:19. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” God knows what I need and Jesus reminded us that He will provide for us in even greater measure than the sparrows. Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” We are valued by God and He will take care of our needs. Jesus said this in Matthew 6:28-30 “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So it would seem that God will take care of us because he loves and values us. Why do we worry over our needs? Being human it is difficult to set aside worry and replace it with trust in God. God desires to take care of us and He loves us. 1 Peter 5:7 says “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Jesus said in John 16:27 “for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” How will you show your trust in Jesus today?

Promise: God promises to sustain us in Christ.

Prayerfully present your needs to God and then leave them with Him. Let Him do the heavy lifting and care for you. Be encouraged today- He will provide!

Learning to trust in Jesus more and more each day,

Linda

Spiritually Blessed, Thank you Jesus!

February 27, 2020April 16, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. This truth is stated in Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,”

What does that really mean for you and me? What spiritual blessings come from heavenly places because of Christ and His work on the cross? Here are a few: I am saved for eternity, I will live with Him in heaven forever, I am considered part of God’s family and Christ called believers His brothers and sisters. God has a plan for my life and has good things and a future for me, Jeremiah 29:11. I am forgiven, I am considered holy and blameless through Jesus’ work on the cross, I will live after death and rise to be with Him, I am beloved of God and God has given me His Holy Spirit to live within me.

As you meditate today try to lengthen this list of spiritual blessings you have because of Christ. We are truly blessed as children of God!

Linda

#5 Practicing Devotion to God-Knowing your Identity

February 7, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

As we grow and mature in life we go through a process of learning to know who we are. We struggle with self-esteem, motivation and self-discovery. As a Christian, we also go through this as we learn who we are in Christ, and how much we are loved by God. I personally did not really learn to love and appreciate myself until I got a grasp on how much God loved me, and how important I am to Him. This knowledge gave me worth in His eyes and was more powerful in shaping me than anyone or anything.

God tells us who we are to Him in His Word. Psalm 139 is filled with His love for us. Here are a few verses: 1-6, 14-15

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
²You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
³You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
⁵You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it….. ¹³For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.

Isaiah also gives us a picture of God’s love for us in Isaiah 43:1-2, 4,7

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
²When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.

4 Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,

7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”

God loves us beyond measure and we were created for His glory. His love was ultimately shown when He sent Christ to die for our sins and restore us to relationship with Him that was broken by sin. Galatians 2:20 gives Paul’s testimony of who He is in Christ. Let it be ours too. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

I pray that as you meditate on these verses you will catch of glimpse of how much God loves you and desires a relationship with you. You are important to Him! Know that you were loved even before you were created and you are held precious in His eyes. That is true worth, to know and understand you are loved by God. Let your life be governed by His love and let your identity be in and with Christ.

Linda

He has Risen, He has risen indeed!

April 21, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have faith in resurrection too. Paul writes on the importance of believing in the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. “¹²But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? ¹³For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁴And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.” Paul is making the argument that if we do not believe in resurrection, life after death, then we can’t believe Christ was raised either. “¹⁵And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. ¹⁶And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. ¹⁷And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.” He continues that if we don’t believe in the resurrection then all the people who saw Jesus (like 500 plus) were liars but the most horrific consequence of not believing in Jesus’ resurrection is that we are still in our sins, no forgiveness or redemption has occurred. Jesus has to conquer death and sin to redeem us. “ ¹⁸In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! ¹⁹And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.” If Christ did not conquer the grave, we are to be pitied and we are lost! Paul makes his conclusion in verse 20a, “²⁰But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead.” Praise God! Death could not hold him and Jesus rose victorious over death, leaving our sins behind and rising to new life. We too can hold that hope as Christ has won the victory for all who believe!

Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday! As the early Christians would greet one another to show they believed saying, “He has Risen.” With the response being, “He has risen indeed!”

Linda

Words of life, do you have them?

April 20, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have a complete manual for living in God’s Word. God’s Word has stood firm and resolute since the beginning of time. His Word, Jesus, came in human form bringing salvation to all who believe. His Words in the Bible bring life, depth, understanding and guidance to us so that we can live the lives that God intends by following His ways and bringing Him glory. Here are a few verses affirming the guidance and hope we receive in God’s Word:

Psalm 119:9 “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.” Obedience to God’s Word leads one towards purity in all areas of life.

Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” God’s Word internalized helps us not to sin.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” God’s Word provides guidance to my life.

Matthew 4:4 “But Jesus told him (Satan), “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” God’s Word rebukes Satan and gives spiritual sustenance for living.

Luke 11:28 “Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” Applying God’s Word to our lives brings blessing.

John 6:63 and 68 “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” and “Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” God’s Words are words of life and spirit and they lead to eternal life in Him.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” God’s Word is alive and works on our hearts, minds, souls and desires to align them with His ways.

Jesus plainly said that His Words lead to life. Thank you Jesus.

Linda

Suggestion: Open His Word today and reread some of the above passages. Let Him speak to you from His Word and be blessed.

SALVATION- Thank you Jesus!

April 19, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have salvation. This is a wonderful message filled with hope on this Good Friday. Jesus’ sacrifice on my behalf accomplished what nothing else could. He was the perfect sacrifice that was wholly accepted by God the Father. Jesus told us that He was the way to salvation. Here are a few verses to ponder in your heart as you consider your own faith in Jesus.

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The way to salvation is clearly through faith in Jesus.

Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Salvation can only come through Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” God’s plan to redeem us from the punishment of sin was through Jesus.

Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,” God’s grace, undeserved favor, was fully shown in sending Jesus. It is His plan for salvation for everyone who believes and He desires that none should perish but all come to repentance.

Jesus is our salvation, our only hope in this sin-filled world. He alone can SAVE us!

Linda

Suggestion: This Good Friday spend time in prayer thanking Jesus for His sacrifice on your behalf.

Is God your Father or Daddy?

April 18, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I have been adopted as God’s child. Through my faith in Jesus, I enter into a Father/son or daughter relationship with God. Scripture uses the word adoption to describe our new relationship with God because of Jesus the Son. Romans 8:14-15 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ¹⁵For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” God’s indwelling Holy Spirit leads and guides us in the Father/son or daughter relationship. Paul again wrote to reassure the Galatians of this wonderful fact in Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ⁶And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ⁷So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” And Paul wrote to the Ephesians that God ordered this to be so in love when He sent Jesus. Ephesians 1:5-6 “In love ⁵he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” What wonderful assurances we have that through Jesus we are Sons and Daughters of the King.

I am a daughter of the King, and I can call God my Father or ‘Daddy’. Be encouraged today because of this personal relationship you have with the Father because of the Son. Thank you Jesus!

Linda

Suggestion: Pray today with the focus that you are God’s child and He is your heavenly Father. See and feel the difference.

Looking for your keys? See Jesus, He found them.

April 17, 2019March 23, 2020 nofearlinda1 Comment

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have an eternal home. Jesus’ work on the cross reconciled us, as sinners, and brought us into relationship with Holy God. Jesus knew that future believers would then dwell with Him in heaven. He reassured the disciples of this joyful fact even though they did not understand it at the time. It was only later they would grasp more fully the greatness of the price He paid to redeem all mankind. John 14:1-2 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ²In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?“ Jesus wanted his disciples, and us too, to understand that He was leaving them, but He was going ahead to prepare a place, a home for them. He assured them there would be room enough for all. This scripture is often used at funerals to comfort the grieving. The idea that we have a prepared place to go, a home in heaven is of great comfort and gives us great hope.

In our heavenly home, we will have a heavenly body that is eternal, immortal and imperishable. 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 in the Amplified version makes it very clear. “For we know that if the earthly tent [our physical body] which is our house is torn down [through death], we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ²For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our [immortal, eternal] celestial dwelling,” and 1 Corinthians 15:42 “So it is with the resurrection of the dead. The [human] body that is sown is perishable and mortal, it is raised imperishable and immortal.”

Be encouraged today as the suffering of this life will end and we will someday be with Jesus in a new body in a new home. Praise God!

Linda

Suggestion: Find someone to share your eternal hope and destination with and tell them how that gives you hope for today. You live with assurance as you know you have a home in heaven and Jesus is waiting for you there.