Category: lenten blog

God Promised Us A Helper, Do you Know Him?

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John 14:25-26 holds precious promises made by Jesus while he was with His disciples. Since we are followers of Jesus too, they apply directly to us also!

 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you

Promise: Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to help, teach and remind us all things He had said.

We know that the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost and indwelt the believers. His Spirit gave them power and motivated them to fulfill Jesus’ great commission given in Matthew 28:19-20. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus told the disciples to go to Jerusalem after his ascension and wait for the Holy Spirit to come. Acts 2:1-4 “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” The disciples depended upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to witness and live for Jesus. He taught them and helped them recall all the words of Christ recorded in the gospels.

We too received the Holy Spirit when we accepted Jesus into our lives. As we depend upon Him, read God’s Word and pray, the Holy Spirit works within to teach us and help us to align our thoughts with God. He reminds us of what we have read or studied in God’s Word so that we can apply it to our lives. He convicts us of sin and leads us in a process called sanctification. As believers we are in the process of becoming more and more like Jesus!

What we can know from these verses: God sent the Holy Spirit to counsel, teach, and help us remember what we learn about God and apply it to our lives.

Lenten Reflections: Am I open to the teaching and leading of the Holy Spirit? Do I try to quench the Spirit and do things my way? Where do I need the Holy Spirit’s help?

Leaning into the Spirit of God and accepting His leading shows maturity in the Christian life. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and trust Him to guide me in God’s ways.

Linda

Related verses: Acts 1:8, Ephesians 1:13, Titus 3:5, Luke 24:49, Acts 2:33, John 15:26, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:10.

God is For Us! ALWAYS, Trust Him

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 Today’s promise was given to the people of Israel through Moses after 40 years of wandering and countless adventures with God. They were poised to enter the Promised Land and God wanted them to know they could count on Him in so many ways.

Deuteronomy 1:29-31 “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be in dread or afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.’

Promises: God will go before me, fight for me and carry me protectively as a good Father does.

I particularly cherish this promise as it shows the heart God has for me, and how He cares about my wellbeing. He does not want me to live in fear of the problems or difficulties I will face in life but to take strength and courage from His promised presence. He will not wait for trouble to be present but will go before me preparing the way. When troubles and trials do come, and they will, He promises to fight for me. He has my back and wants me to succeed. Lastly, I love and take comfort in the image of God carrying me as one cherished and loved by Him. He knows what I need and will carry me without my even asking as He is my loving heavenly Father. He will always uplift, unburden and comfort those He loves.

What we can now from these verses: God’s presence dispels fear, God goes before me, God will fight for me, God loves me as His child and desires to protect me, God will see me safely to my appointed destinations in life.

Lenten Reflections: Am I pre-praying for events and thanking Him for His protection? Am I trying to fight my own battles or am I asking God to assist?

I have known God’s care as He has given me courage in times of great fear, hope when faced with adversity and comfort when broken hearted or in need of care. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can depend upon God’s loving care and protection. He will never leave me nor forsake me!

Linda

Related verses: 1 John 4:18, Isaiah 49:16, 25, John 1:12, Psalm 41:2, 2 Timothy 4:18, Nahum 1:7, Psalm 91:1-2.

Good News-Eternity Assured

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Have you considered the fleetingness of life? We look around and nothing seems to stay the same and is all so temporary. Seasons come and go and people are born and die. When we compare this to the eternalness of God and His kingdom we see a different picture. 1 Peter 1:23-25 gives a comparison for us to consider and examine.

“since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass
    and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
    and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”

Promise: God promises that my new life in Christ comes from a living, eternal Savior and His Word will never fail or fade but will stand for ever.

Unlike our temporal body, our spiritual body in Christ is eternal. Even though we die, we will live on with Him as our soul, the spirit God gave us is imperishable. It will abide just as God will abide forever and we will be with Him. The comparison that Peter uses about withering grass and flowers is poetic language that comes from Isaiah 40: 6,8. Peter wants us to know that even though the world around us withers and dies, we will remain with God forever. God’s Word and His promises from His Word are eternal. Peter desires that we believe this about our future and see this as good news. The Good News that Jesus has to offer from His suffering on the cross and His resurrection brings a saving faith to each of us. Through Christ we can see the true nature of who we are in Christ, for we are His eternality.

What we can know from these verses: Newbirth comes from God through Christ, God and His Word are eternal, Christ is the living word of God, things on earth are temporal, knowing Jesus brings good news to everyone who believes.

Lenten Reflections: Do I have this eternal life or am I still on the fence deciding if Jesus is right? If this is your question consider these verses in Romans 3:10-12, John 3:16, 1 John 1:9. After praying and confessing, ask Jesus to come into your life and then rejoice as He lives within you! Read these passages to confirm your new faith. John 1:12-13 and 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.

Knowing Jesus changes our lives and gives us an eternal perspective on life. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can trust in the eternality of God, His Word and my place with Him forever. Thank you Jesus for your assurances and the hope that they bring.

Linda

Related Verses: Romans 6:4, Psalm 90:1-2, Psalm 119:89, 160, Ephesians 2:5, 1 Peter 1:12, 2 Timothy 4:17-19, Ephesians 1:3 and 2:6.

He Has Us Covered!!

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This is a precious promise from Isaiah that we can claim over our lives and depend upon. Isaiah 51:15-16

I am the Lord your God,
    who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
    the Lord of hosts is his name.
16 And I have put my words in your mouth
    and covered you in the shadow of my hand,
establishing the heavens
    and laying the foundations of the earth,
    and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”

Promise: God promises to give me His words and protect me with the shadow of His hand.

Isaiah tells us that God is creator as He has established the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. The waves, sky, sun, etc are all His. We are part of His creation established by Him. He has promised to cover and protect me with the shadow of His hand and give me the words I need when speaking about Him. I do not need to be afraid to tell others about Jesus as He will protect me because I belong to Him! Scripture often refers to the shadow of God’s wings as a place of safety. Psalm 91:1-2 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Anyplace guarded by God is safe for us!

What we can know from these verses: God is creator and knows His creation personally, God is Almighty and there is none greater than Him, God desires to use me for His work, God chose me to belong to Him.

Lenten Reflections: Am I actively praying for God’s protection and guidance in my life? Where has God given me opportunities to speak about Him?

I love to think of God’s protective hand over my life and His words guiding me as I speak about Him. It makes me feel loved and valued. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can trust that God is active in my life and will provide me with opportunities to speak out for Him. Thank you Jesus for your abiding faith and protection of me.

Linda

Related verses: Psalm 5:11-12, Psalm 121:1-2, Matthew 10:17-20, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Priorities Matter

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 Today’s verses are often quoted when speaking about the sacrifices missionaries make in choosing to go to foreign lands to preach and teach about Jesus. However, there are applications we can make for these verses to our own lives in the city, suburbs, country or wherever God has placed us.

Matthew 19:29-30 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Promise: God promises generous blessings and eternal life to those who sacrifice and put Him first in their life.

These verses are about priorities and putting God first. This maybe harder, if say you choose to believe in Jesus, and your family rejects you. But, choosing to follow Jesus takes full commitment and rejection of the world and its ways that surround us. Jesus warned the disciples, in John 15:18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.’ We are to be in the world but not of the world.

Keeping the mindset of Jesus first in our lives opens us to receive his promised eternal life and blessings upon blessing. Jesus is sovereign and controller of all things and circumstances and giving him our praise, honor and heartfelt devotion He promises will result in our blessing. The blessings Jesus refers to are both physical and spiritual! Romans 5:17 speaks of the difference, “For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.” The new Gentile believers were to share in Christ’s blessing through faith in Jesus. In Ephesians 3:1 Paul explains “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,” Our blessings may be tangible- here on earth, but most assuredly they are spiritual. These spiritual blessings like salvation, righteousness, a heavenly home, a loving forgiving Savior, etc. are priceless. Putting Christ first takes prayer, commitment, study of His Word, faith, dedication but most of all a passionate love for Jesus and what He did for us on the cross!

The order of God’s kingdom is unlike the world’s kingdom. The best, most aggressive and accomplished will not be first. The humble with a servant attitude who love Jesus beyond measure- those will be the ‘first’ in God’s kingdom. Remember when thinking about this Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

What do we know from these verses: God honors sacrifices made in His name and for His purpose, God can bless beyond our greatest imagining, God is eternal and promises life with Him, God’s reward system is not like earthly man made plans and is at his direction.

Lenten Reflections: Where do I need my priorities adjusted? Are my goals more worldly or spiritually motivated? Where am I seeing God’s blessings in my life? Count away!

These verses hold me accountable for runaway goals that are worldly. They help to ground me and point me towards having Jesus’ as the main focus in my life. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can keep my priorities and focus aligned with Jesus and will open myself to untold blessings. His blessings will be for now and eternity!

Linda

Related verses: Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 5:17, Ephesians 3:1, John 5:24, Isaiah 55:8-9. Genesis 15:1.

Second Sunday of Lent, 2025 Righteousness His and Mine

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Today my focus of thankfulness is on Christ’s righteousness. Last Sunday we considered our salvation but today let’s expand this to look at how we now look to God. Because of Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, I am considered righteous before God. When God looks at me, He sees the blood of Christ covering my sins. Praise God! Thank you Jesus.

The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that Jesus, the perfect Son of God died so through faith we could be righteous. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” All the sins of mankind were put upon Christ at the cross, so that we might be freed from the penalty of sin which is death. 2 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” Isaiah 53:5 explains “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Our healing is from sin and the penalty of sin which is death. We are reminded of this in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 5:19 tells how we got in this state of sinfulness, though the sins of Adam and Eve and how Christ restored us. “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” Our restoration is dependent upon our acceptance of Jesus and faith in His work on the cross. 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Take some time today and thank Jesus for his sacrifice on the cross that allows you to be forgiven, cleansed by His blood and made clean before God. Thank you Jesus!

Linda

Nations as well as Individuals Can Seek Forgiveness

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There is a wonderful promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that was made to Solomon and the people of Israel when the temple was dedicated in Jerusalem. This ancient promise holds a principle that is just as true today for the people of God as it was then.

“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Promise: God promises to hear, forgive and heal me as an individual as well as collectively as nation if we will turn away from sin and pray.

This promise states the actions God needs to see from us. They are repentance of heart and deeds if we are to see a change in the way things are going. God was telling the Israelites that when things go wrong in the nation take a look and see what you are doing that is against my ways. Later the Israelites fell into idolatry and did not repent. They were chastised by God and take into captivity in Babylon but not before they had multiple chances to repent.

How can that apply to us today? God wants us to take a serious look at our actions. Are our ways wicked? Mark 7:21-23 gives us a list of unacceptable behaviors “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” The 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 list those essential things God desires in our behavior. I also like Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good;  and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,  and to walk humbly with your God?” All of us do some of these actions and when we see that the are getting the upper hand in our lives we need to stop and repent by humbling ourselves before God and asking His forgiveness. He promises us that He will hear and forgive us.

This applies to the individual as well as the nation. Have you thought of sins our nation has or is committing? We as a people of God need to repent and ask God’s forgiveness for the sins our our nation so that our land may be healed. This is on a big scale but yet follows the same godly principle of confession and repentance. God wants us to humble ourselves, let go of our pridefulness, our claims to be right, our arrogance and our selfishness. When we do, God promises to forgive and heal us as individuals and our land.

What we know from this verse: God is accessible and hears our prayers, God desires a people that are humble and seeking Him, God does not tolerate evil, sin, God is forgiving, God will restore those who seek Him.

Lenten Reflections: Am I approaching God with humility desiring His ways in my life instead of my own selfish ways? Am I faithful in praying for our nation?

I find great comfort in this promise in that God has given us a way to return to walking with Him. Repentance means to literally turn in the opposite direction away from the sin. When we confront our sin, we need to repent and turn to a new way. God promises forgiveness and restoration if we do. We are not lost in our sinfulness. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can receive forgiveness when I repent and so can my family or nation. That is true hope when living in a sin filled world.

Linda

Related verses: 1 John 5:14, 1 John 1:9, Colossians 1:13-14, Joel 2:25, Luke 24:47.

Where Do You Get True Wisdom? Ask God.

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How many times have you been criticized for not knowing something or stuck because you did not know what to do? It happens in life, as we cannot know all things. God is wise and promises to give us the wisdom we need. I find that very comforting and reassuring.

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

The Bible tells us God is wise and has all widom. Job 12:13 “With God are wisdom and might;  he has counsel and understanding.” Daniel elaborates on this in Daniel 2:20-24 “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,  to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 He changes times and seasons;   he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise  and knowledge to those who have understanding;22 he reveals deep and hidden things;  he knows what is in the darkness,  and the light dwells with him.” The picture of God’s wisdom given by Job and Daniel shows us that God’s wisdom extends to all things. He is omnipotent, all-knowing.

Knowing that God is the sources of all wisdom, leads us to the conclusion that if we desire wisdom on any given subject or matter, God is the one we should turn to. This promise in James encourages us to come to God and ask Him for wisdom. He promises to give us wisdom without judging us for not knowing. There is no condemnation from God because we do not know what is the wise course of action. He has compassion upon us and promises to guide and direct us in life. The only way to get the true wisdom we need is to ask God. The promise says that He will give it to us generously. That means He will provide wisdom liberally, openhandedly and in abundance! I am also encouraged by Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” Through our faith in Jesus, He will grace us with all wisdom and insight. Accessing God’s wisdom can be done in several ways. We can pray and ask God directly or we can search God’s Word for wisdom He has already given to us. Sometimes when I pray about a problem, He will direct me through the Holy Spirit to His Word to find the answer. Sometimes He will use a fellow brother or sister in Christ to give me a good idea to pray about for confirmation.

What we can know from this verse: God is wise, God gives wisdom, God does not judge us for not having wisdom, God knows I need wisdom to live for Him, to receive His wisdom I must ask.

Lenten Reflections: Where am I struggling to make a decision that needs God’s wisdom? Have I asked God or searched His Word? How can I used God’s wisdom wisely in my life?

God acknowledges that we do not have all the wisdom we need for living and He promises to provide it to us abundantly. He does that when we ask Him in prayer or search His Word. The Bible is God’s manual for living and has God’s wisdom inside. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can ask God for answers and He will give me the wisdom I need to make the right decisions. I can live confidently that God has all the answers.

Linda

Related verses: Job 9:4, Job 12:16, Psalm 104:24, Ephesians 3:10, Matthew 7:7, John 11:22.

When God says, “I Will”, He WILL!

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In some Bible passages the Lord spoke to His people and gave them multiple assurances. They were nuggets of gold that the people could cling to in their lives which enable them to live with confidence and assurance from God that He was there for them! Those passages do the same for us today. Psalm 91:14-15 is one such passage. Let the truths of God’s words sink into your soul.

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.”

Promises: God promises to: rescue, protect, answer, be with us in trouble, deliver, honor, favor with long life, and save those who love and acknowledge His name.

Any time God says “I will”, we can take that as a truth. God does not lie, Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” God is not like us and will not ever lie nor will He change His mind! God is immutable, unchanging. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” So unlike us, God means “I will’ with certainty and will not change from it. We can totally count on those promised words.

What a wonderful long list of promises from God of how He intends to care for those who love and honor Him in faith. Which of these means the most to you right now? Do you need God to rescue you from a difficult situation? Pray. Do you need protection? Pray. Do you need answers? Pray. Do you need His presence with you right now? He is omnipresent- pray and ask for Him to comfort you and quiet your fears. Deliverance can be different from rescue. Do you need a new idea at work, something in working with your children, an extra job? Pray and be specific about what you need. Remember the promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” Ask God to show you your way of escape. It might be right through it though for only God knows what that escape looks like. How has God shown you favor? It may come as providential care, blessings in our lives or mercy. All of us our days are numbered and He determines the length of our life. He promises salvation for those who believe in Jesus. John 17:13 “And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”

What we can know from these verses: God desires for me to love Him, God in His sovereignty can rescue, protect, defend and deliver me from life’s situations, God is accessible and will answer when I call upon Him (pray), God number’s each person’s days, God offers salvation with eternal life, Faith in Jesus shows our love of God and acknowledgement of His name.

Lenten Reflections: How am I showing God that I love Him? Where do I need to call upon God to receive His promised help?

These verses require us to think about the many things we take for granted about God. If we love Him, He is integral in our lives and is our partner in living for Him. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can call to God in faith with all the details of my life and He will be there for me. He is faithful and will not let me down.

Linda

Related verses: Numbers 23:19, 1 Corinthians 10:13, John 17:13, Galatians 1:3-5, Hebrews 4:16, Proverbs 3:1-3, John 3:16.

Need a Plan for Peace- Try Prayer

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I love the promise for today. It is so meaningful and uplifting to me and is filled with God’s assurance and love. Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Promise: God promises that prayer will relieve anxiety and bring His peace that guards both our hearts and our minds in Christ.

These verses lay out a plan for relief from the anxieties that plague our lives and gives us a plan of action. When I’m feeling worried or stressed, the best way to get my mind off of the problem is to be busy doing something. God knows this and gives us a plan for doing here which is to be praying with a thankful heart. We are to tell him about our problems and desires and leave these with Him. The result will be His peace and protection through the work of the Holy Spirit within our lives. Being thankful reminds us of who is in control and who is sovereign in all circumstances. Leaving our worries at Jesus’ feet reminds us of His great power and omniscience. We serve a sovereign Lord that cares for us and wants us to live a life free from anxiety and have a heart that is focused on Him. His peace both guards our hearts and our minds and frees us. The fears of worries are enslaving and He wants us free to serve Him. The resulting freedom = peace from God.

What we can know from these verses: God hears and answers our prayers, my heart attitude and mindset are important when talking with God, God desires peace for me, God’s peace is beyond imagining, a heavenly place of mind, God’s peace is internal and can happen even when life seems in turmoil.

Lenten reflections: Where am I needing God’s peace in my life? What worries or anxieties can I relinquish to God today in exchange for His peace?

Just reading these verses seems to calm my mind and heart when I’m in turmoil. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have peace of mind and heart through Jesus.

Linda

Related verses: Isaiah 26:3-4, Isaiah 48:17-18, John 14:26-27, Colossians 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 7:25.