Category: lenten blog

I am a member of Christ’s body.

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Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am a member of Christ’s body.  This biblical truth is spoken of many times in the Bible.  Believers are considered to be part of Christ’s body, which is the church.  Paul explains 1 corinthians 12 27this amazing unity with Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:12 “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”  verse 27 “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”   In Romans 12: 4-5 Paul also speaks of this unique blending of believers into a body that functions to support each other in Christ.  “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”  The idea of us working together and supporting one another as a body committed to Christ is also expressed in Ephesians 4:11-12 “ And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”

The-Body-of-Christ-Open-1So what does this mean for you and me?  Do you consider yourself a member of Christ’s body, the church?  “The Church” is the body of believers throughout the world that believe that Christ is their Lord and Savior.   Together, whether local or within the world, we are to work to spread the good news of Christ and His redeeming work.  Not all of us are preachers or teachers but we all have a special gift and are equipped by God so we can contribute to the body and support each other in faith.  Are you using your gifts to encourage other believers?  Christ suffered and died for each of us and desires that we all work together as members of His body to reach a needy world.

United in Christ we stand,

Linda

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.

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Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.  The concept of believers being with Christ in heaven and reigning with Him is a privilege of faith and God’s grace to us.   Since we are adopted into God’s family and are heirs with Jesus, we will be in seated in heaven with Him.  Ephesians 2:4-6 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with ephesians-2-vs-6-ewhich he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.   God did this for us, placed us in a place of privilege and honor because of His grace, mercy and love.  He made us alive in Christ when we were dead in our sins.  Believing in Christ changed our position from rejected sinner to one of honor.  2 Timothy 2:11-12a  give a similar picture, “If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;”  Faith in Christ is the determining factor in whether we live and reign with Him or face eternal death.  God cannot look on sin so we have to find some way to deal with our sin or we are rejected from God’s sight forever.  In His infinite mercy and grace, He sent Jesus to provide a way for us to be restored, cleansed and elevated to a position of honor and purity.  Praises to Jesus for what grace-and-mercyHe did for us at the cross.

What about you?  Are you thanking Jesus for His grace and mercy?  As we gaze on the cross in a few days, think about what He has done for you and what you have because of His sacrifice.

Humbled in His sight,

Linda

I am known by God.

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Because I believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am known by God.  Paul made this statement several times in his letters:  in 1 Corinthians 8:3 “ But 1-corinthians-8-3if anyone loves God, he is known by God.”  and in  Galatians 4:9 “But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?”   Being known by God changes your life and as a believer you are freed from the sins that enslaved you and opened to have a full relationship with God.  Jesus himself spoke of being known by God in his relationship with those who believed in Him.  John 10:14-15a, 27  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father”  and 27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them , and they follow me.”  Jesus spoke of God knowing us, even to the minutest details, even to the number of hairs on our head and how valuable we are in His eyes.  Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”  

So what does this mean for you?  God knows you personally and values you.  As a believer you also know God and hear and understand his voice.  Have you ever  been reading scripture and had a revelation about the meaning of a passage? Or have you been praying and feel a sense of peace come over you about what you are to do?  These are examples of how God speaks to us, and how we hear and understand His voice.   I am always amazed that God wants to know me and cares for me.  Here are a few lines from Psalm 91 that speak of God’s care and tenderness towards me- the one He knows personally.  14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
psalm 91 14-1515 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Being known by God leads to a life of peace and contentment in Him,

Linda

 

I am a personal witness for Christ.

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acts 1 8Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am a personal witness for Christ.  This astounding statement was made by Christ just before his return to heaven in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  The believers witnessing His ascension were told to go back to Jerusalem and await the coming of this promised power.  Acts 2:2-4a “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.”  After the arrival of the Holy Spirit the Bible records mighty things done by believers to spread the good news of Jesus throughout the world.  This commission to go to the world and witness to the truth of Him was given to all of us by Jesus.  All believers are filled with the Holy Spirit when they accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and are to be His witnesses in the world in which they live. 

How does one come to know about Jesus?  The Bible tells us that faith comes from hearing.  Romans 10:17 ” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the romans 10 15word of Christ.”   We have to tell others about Christ.  That is why Paul proclaimed in Romans 10:15 “And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”  Jesus issued the marching orders in Acts 1:8, we are to go and tell others about Him and His great saving love and redemption.  You don’t have to go to a far away land (the ends of the earth) you can tell others in your own home, at your job, in your town, state and country.  Living a life committed to Jesus brings blessing and good news to those around you.  What a privilege this Holy Week to live for Him.  Tell someone of Jesus and His love today.

Living with good news for the world,

Linda

Last Sunday of Lent-Palm Sunday

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All 4 of the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and work record his entry into Jerusalem on the Sunday before the Jewish Passover.  Matthew, Mark and Luke tell the story of how Jesus obtained the donkey upon which He entered Jerusalem,  as it was prophesied that Messiah, king, would arrive riding a donkey.  Zechariah 9:9 was written hundreds of years before the event “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!  Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  your king comes to you gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the fold of a donkey.”   John was the only writer to mention the palm branches that were waved by the crowds as Jesus humbly rode into the city.  “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'” John 12:13  The waving of the palm branches  was a show of celebration indicating a victory and was a reminder of Jesus’ royalty.  The only other place that palm branches are waved is in Revelation 7:9-10.   John records the following scene that will take place in heaven. 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

As you worship today, cry out in praise to Jesus, our mighty King and Savior.  He is the Victor King now and forever!  Raise your palm fronds high in praise and proclamation that Jesus is our Savior.  He is indeed the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

Palm-Sunday-pic-2017Today let my praises join those in heaven proclaiming the name of Jesus.  

Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Linda

I am assured that all things are working together for good.

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romans-8-28Because I believe that Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am assured that all things work together for good.  This powerful promise is given in Romans 8:28.  “ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  There are many powerful truths packed into this verse that we can claim for our life.   First, there is no circumstance 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 ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!”  There is nothing in heaven or earth that is outside of God’s control.  Second, God is good and intends only good things for me.  Look at these powerful verses about God’s intent.  “The Lord is good to those who depend on him,  to those who search for him.” Lamentations 3:25  and “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11  These verses show God’s heart and intent is good towards us, as believers.  Third, God has a purpose to which he has called us.  2 Timothy 1:9 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.”  Lastly, 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, the senseless violence and evil that happens 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 and in His way just as He promised.  Trusting God in the face of adversity, trusting God that He is good, trusting God that He loves us and has good things planned for us and trusting God to avenge wrongs and vindicate believers calls for mighty faith.

So what about you?  Do you have this kind of faith in our loving, merciful, holy God?  Believing in God’s character and trusting that He will do as He has promised will cause you to rest in the assurance that faith in Jesus brings to a world in chaos.  Since Lent is a time of reflection and prayer, consider God’s mercy and care for you.  Remember how He has guided and comforted you in times of great need.  As you put your trust in Him, He will show himself faithful and work all things together for good in your life so that rom 8 28you can accomplish the purpose to which He has called you.

Trusting in Jesus is empowering,

Linda

I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.

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1_John_5_18Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.   This powerful truth is given in 1 John 5:18.  I like the Amplified Bible for this verse as it makes the truths very clear “18 We know [with confidence] that anyone born of God does not habitually sin; but He (Jesus) who was born of God [carefully] keeps and protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”  Being born of God means we are believers, born of His Holy Spirit through our faith in Jesus.  Jesus spoke of this new birth in John 3:3-5 when He was talking one night with Nicodemus. 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”  Once we believe in Jesus and are reborn in His Spirit,  we are protected from Satan.  Evidence of this protection would be our desire to not commit the same sins over and over that were our usual habits before our rebirth.  We will sin since we live in a sin-filled world but habitual sin should be left in our former life.  Another important aspect of this protection is the safety of our eternal soul.  Once we belong to Jesus no one or nothing can take that away.  In John 10:28 Jesus gives us this promise, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”     This rebirth should have a permanent effect on our lives.  Peter describes this new life in Christ in 1 Peter 1:23 “since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;”    Satan is not able to touch our eternal life in Christ as it is protected by God.   He can lead us into sin and cause us all kinds of grief in life but he cannot touch our eternal soul.   Our life with Christ is protected by God.  Remember that you are sealed by the Holy Spirit and that keeps you secure. As we grow in Christ our desire to sin lessens and His power within us increases. Knowing Christ is an amazing insurance plan that will never expire or have a payment come due.  His plan is in Jesus capable hands that help us to weather all things through faith in Him.

What about you?  Are you born of God and sealed by His Holy Spirit?  If not, talk to Jesus about this today.  If you ask and earnestly seek Him, He will be found. (Matthew 7:7)  Are you feeling secure and protected by God?  Take a look at Psalm 91.  A brother in Christ  told me he considers this his 911 call to God and he used it when he was going on missions during WWII.  “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.”  and it continues in verses 14-15                                   psalm 91 1414 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
    I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble;
    I will rescue him and honor him.   Seek the Lord today and call on Him for protection.

Feeling secure in God is a good place to be,

Linda

I am one of God’s living stones.

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Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am one of God’s living stones.  The concept of believers being living stones, which God is building into a spiritual temple,  is found in several places in scripture.  1 Peter 2:4-5  “As you come to him, the l1-Peter-2-8-You-Are-Living-Stoned-black-copyiving Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—  you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Here we are told that Christ is the living stone that was rejected by men.  The next verse, 6, refers to Christ as the cornerstone, the solid foundation upon which our faith is built.  We are part of a living community of faith built upon Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Paul uses the term temple (a spiritual house) in referring to our bodies.  “ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”   Since the Holy Spirit lives within us, our body is a house where God dwells- a spiritual house.  God desires that we live ‘holy lives’ that are honoring to Him and reflect the love of Jesus.  In Romans 12:1 Paul refers to being living sacrifices, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”  Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, our lives should be like living sacrifices seeking to please God and reflect His glory to the world.  This is a big job that is only possible through His power.  God chose to use us so that we can know and experience His grace.  We can demonstrate the sufficiency of God’s grace.  2-Corinthians.12-27-My-Grace-Is-Sufficient-For-You-aqua-copyOne of my favorite promises is in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”  Only through Christ can we be living stones that reflect His glory in our lives.

What about you?  Do you feel like a living stone?  Do you consider yourself a temple where His Holy Spirit resides?  Since Lent is a time of prayer and reflection, think about your witness to others.  If you find yourself lacking, offer it to God and ask for His help.  Only through Jesus can we be the pure, living temples that God will find acceptable.  Then through His merciful grace and power, He will use us to effect change on the world around us.

Living for Jesus,

Linda

I am firmly rooted and built up in Christ.

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rootedBecause I believe Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am firmly rooted and built up in Christ.  What does it mean to be rooted and built up in Christ?  Colossians 2:6-7 uses these terms, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”   Being rooted in Christ means your faith is firm and will hold you in the storms of life, you are being continually fed by Christ through your faith in Him, and that you desire your roots of faith to grow you into a mighty tree for Christ that is visible to the world.   Paul adds to this idea in Ephesians 3:17, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love”.  Being rooted in Christ connects and established you in His love and gives you a testimony for the world to hear and see.   The second phrase in the Colossians verse talks about being built up in Christ.  The Amplified Bible adds this “now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith”.  The building up is what we refer to as the process of sanctification– growing more and more like Jesus through His indwelling Holy Spirit.  The result of being rooted and built up is a heart that is filled to overflowing with thankfulness.  

rooted in ChristSo does that describe you?  Are you rooted and built up in Christ?  Does your heart overflow with thankfulness?  Since Lent is a time of prayer and reflection, think about your roots.  Do you need to seek a Bible study, attend an adult Sunday School class, or link into some podcasts  that will help build your faith?  Also does your faith in Christ make your life overflow with thankfulness?  If not, seek guidance in prayer from the Holy Spirit to refine and re-tune your faith.  God wants us to grow more and more like Jesus so we can witness to a lost world and glorify Him in our lives.  Take steps to be closer to Jesus today.

Rooted and built up is a good place to be,

Linda

I am sealed by the Holy Spirit.

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sealedBecause Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am sealed by the Holy Spirit.  Ephesians 1:13-14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.  This amazing Biblical truth gives me assurance of my salvation and hope for today and a future with Christ.  It also assures me of where and to whom I belong through my faith in Jesus.  Paul also spoke of this guaranteeing seal in 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.”  2 Corinthians 5:5 “ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”  What does a seal do?  A seal protects the contents (us) from harmful things getting in and it marks it as authentic.  By being sealed with God’s Holy Spirit we are insulated or protected from the power of Satan over us and His Spirit marks us as belonging to Him, we are His- authentic believers in Christ.  His seal gives me assurance that I belong to Him for eternity and is evidence that He is working within me.  What a wonderful promise to claim in Christ!

What about you?  Do you feel His Spirit within you?  Do you listen when He speaks and leads you away from wrong choices?  Scripture says in Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”  God will give you assurance and hope that you belong to Him through His indwelling Holy Spirit.  Believe it, embrace it, and romans 8 16cling to it today.  As a believer, you belong to God and are sealed by His Holy Spirit and NOTHING can change that!  His Holy Spirit gives us an eternal promise with hope for now and into eternity.  Thank you Jesus!

Sealed by Jesus,

Linda