Category: lenten blog

5th Sunday of Lent

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Place yourself with John, in the throne room, and join the chorus of praise to God on behalf of our Savior, Jesus.  Let today be a day of thanksgiving and praise as you worship. Revelation 5:9-12

9 And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and they shall reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,

5-Slide16“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”  (ESV)

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for sending Jesus and I worship Him today as my Lord and Savior.  He is Worthy of all Honor and Praise.  I am rejoicing that Jesus is perfect in your sight and able to save me from the wrath that is due me because of my sin. I rejoice today that the Lamb of God, Jesus, was found worthy.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen.

Loving the Lamb, Jesus,

Linda

 

   

Majesty and Protection

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Yesterday I looked at the good news of the gospel of peace in Isaiah 52:7.  Looking further in Isaiah 52 you come to verses 10 and 12.  “The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.” (52:12)  Jesus returned to heaven after His time on earth and is seated at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19, Luke 22:69)   He is the holy arm of God that brought salvation to us through His death and resurrection.  That salvation is for all mankind who will believe.  Looking to Jesus we see the salvation of our God.  Verse 12 “But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”   I love this image of God being my rear guard.  As the children of Israel were leaving Egypt, God protected them from behind as the chasing Egyptian army was unable to catch them because of God’s protection.(Exodus 14:19-20)  

God-has-your-future-and-you-back-300x195How do you need the message of Jesus today?  Do you need to focus on His grandeur and position in heaven?  Does this give you assurance of His power and might? Or do you need protection and someone to guard your back?   Are you worried about things in the past and keep looking back?  Jesus can and will do both of these things for us.  We just need to trust Him.

 

directionsPrayer:  Lord, You are all powerful,  Lord of heaven and earth.  Give me a glimpse of your majesty so that I may reflect your glory in what I say and do.  Protect me as I walk in the minefields of work and relationships.  I know and trust that you have my back and are with me 24/7.  Guide me in your way.  Amen.

Striving to reflect the majesty of Christ,

Linda

Got message? Share it!

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When you have good news, how do you share it?  By phone- you call family and friends. By internet- you post it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.  Not so long ago, people wrote letters or cards to send news or greetings to those not living with them.  In Biblical times, they had runners that would run from the battlefield to deliver the good news of the battle to the king and the people at home.  Isaiah 52:7 captures the expedience and joy of such a runner.

feetHow beautiful on the mountains
    are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation,
    the news that the God of Israel reigns! (NLT)

This good news spoken of here has many meanings- joy for the captives in Babylon that their time in exile was coming to an end, joy that Christ was coming bringing deliverance from sin, joy that our salvation brings  us peace and the joy that God is sovereign over all.  Where do you need good news today?  Is God bringing you back from hard times?  Are you looking to Jesus for good news in a hard situation?  Is the news of peace and salvation sufficient for today’s problems?  Do you know for certain that God is in control?  This verse has the answer to all these questions.  The good news of Jesus’  death and resurrection brings hope, salvation, restoration and peace into our lives.  The cross of Christ is good news indeed!

Prayer:  Lord, the good news of the gospel of Christ has the power to transform me.  Thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus to save me and make me more like Him.  Use me today to share Christ and His love with others.   Amen.

God reignsLoving the good news of the gospel and the power of Almighty God,

Linda

Victorious Living

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Psalm 103:8-12  (NIV)

Psalm-103-12-As-Far-As-The-East-Is-From-The-West-brown-copy8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

In our Lenten journey, we have thought much about God’s grace- His favor to us that we did nothing to deserve.  In this Psalm, David captures the character of God- compassionate and gracious, one that does not anger quickly and is always loving.  He links God’s character to what He did for us.  He treated us with mercy, not giving us death we deserved for our sinfulness,  and removed that sin from us so that it is never to be seen or felt again.  If God forgives you the sin is gone forever, why then do we continue to punish ourselves by reliving in our minds our wrong doings or keep that guilt and shame with us?   This Psalm specifically says our sins are gone- God has removed them from us.  Therefore, since Satan wants us defeated and unproductive for the Lord, it must be Satan that keeps us remembering and living in our guilt and shame.  1 Peter 5:8 describes our enemy “Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”   

Take Peter’s advice today- be self-controlled and on the alert.  If thoughts of guilt or shame come into your mind today, rebuke them and tell Satan to be on his way in the power of Jesus.  Jesus promised us “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  1 John 4:4   Claim it today in victory.

Prayer:  Lord, you show me great mercy and grace that I do not deserve.  Help me in the name of Jesus to live today freed from guilt and shame as you intended.  Thank you that my sins are forgiven and I never need to think about or look on them again.  Thank you for your love that holds me each day in the palm of your hand.  Amen.

1-johnLiving in victory through Jesus,

Linda

Day by day renewal-try it!

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Good Morning!  Reading Psalm 103 always brings a smile to my face and hope to my heart. Try it right now- verses 1-5.

Psalm 103

psalm 103-4,5A psalm of David.

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!  (NLT)

Can you think of good things God has done for you?  Send Him a prayer of thanksgiving right now.   The best thing He did for me was send Jesus die in my place for my sins.  Day after day,  He redeems me, forgives me, loves me and renews me.   I love this time of Lent when I can focus on Jesus and His great love and sacrifice for me.   What a blessed Savior we have in Jesus.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for sending Jesus, for the many things you allow to come into my life to challenge and bless me.  Day to day it is such a blessing to know I am saved and held in your arms as a child of yours.  Help me to be a blessing to someone today in your name.  Amen.

psalm103_5eagleswings2Being renewed day by day,

Linda

One of those days….trusting

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What do you do when you have a hard day?  Yesterday was one of those for me.  I am not prone to tears but cried at least 3 times.  The source of those tears was disappointment, anger, frustration and pity.  Each time the tears would come I cried out to the Lord and released those feelings to Him.  I was reminded of God’s goodness and sovereignty.  I know there is no hole to deep for God to see the bottom and provide a way out.  When you experience a day like I had yesterday- here are verses to hold onto.

1 Chronicles 29:12  “Wealth and honor come from you, you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”   God is in control of all things and will work them to my good.  Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for that good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  I also claim Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in him.”

When we have those days that try us, I’ve found that with an attitude of prayer I hold onto the promises God has given me in His Word.  I know that no matter what it seems or looks like- He is in control and has good planned for me as I trust in Him.  I pray that these verses meet you where you are and give you encouragement.

Prayer:  Lord take me where I am and move me into a closer walk with you.  Encourage me today as I claim your promises  and lean on your strength.  Amen.

GenerosityWalking with Jesus,

Linda

A Fresh Walk with Him

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Our Lenten journey is a time of reflection, prayer, fasting, renewal, casting off old habits and stepping out in faith with Jesus by our side.  I feel this is a mirror of my life right now. I’m moving after 7 years in one place and going to a smaller home. I’m having to sort, give away, sell and part with those things I will not need anymore.  It is painful at time and yet cleansing to be shed of ‘things’ that were weighing me down.  This passage in Romans came to mind as I am reminded that beginning anew with Christ, starting fresh with new habits and thoughts is what He wants for me.

12 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.  2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT)

Knowing all God has done for meSONY DSC– Am I trying to please Him in all I say and do?  Am I stepping away from the things of this world that would weigh me down and seeking to do things that Jesus would do?  What about my mind, am I seeking the mind of Christ and holding all thoughts captive to Christ?  These verses promise that if we do we will be able to walk in God’s will which is perfect for each of us.

Our Lenten journey helps equip us to abide and walk with Him daily.  Meditate on Romans 12:1-2 and ask God to reveal His perfect will for you for today as you walk with Him.

Prayer:  Lord, transform me into the person you want me to be.  Take my mind and clean out the old habits and ways of thinking and replace them with your thoughts and ways.  Give me positive words to speak that will glorify you and encourage those around me.  Show me your will as I walk with you today.  Amen.

Seeking a fresh start with Him today,

Linda

4th Sunday of Lent

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As we worship today, keep Philippians 2:5-11 in your mind.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8     he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.  (New Living Translation)

God desires that we imitate Christ as He is the perfect example of self-sacrificing humility, love and obedience.  Someday we will bow before Him and confess He is Lord bringing glory to Father and Son.

JesusHave a blessed Sunday worshiping Jesus,

Linda

You Alone are God

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I was thinking about God and how He alone is worthy of our praises.  This prayer found in Nehemiah 9 shows God’s glory and commands us to stand and proclaim Him God Almighty.

glorious“On your feet! Bless God, your God, for ever and ever!”

5-6 Blessed be your glorious name,
    exalted above all blessing and praise!       
You’re the one,
    God, you alone;
You made the heavens,
    the heavens of heavens, and all angels;
The earth and everything on it,
    the seas and everything in them;
You keep them all alive;
    heaven’s angels worship you!  MSG

Prayer:  Father, you alone are worthy of praise. You created all things in the earth and heavens.  Thank you for creating me and giving me a beautiful world to live in and the ability to worship and serve you.  Amen.

Keeping things in perspective,keep calm

Linda

Who am I?

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idenityTwice in one week I have been reminded that who I really am is not Linda by myself but Linda- the daughter of the King, loved by God, an ambassador for Him, united to Christ and so much more.  My true identity as a believer is bound up with Christ.  Colossians 1:21-22 tells me how this happened. “And you,who once were alienated and hostile in mind doing evil deeds”. (That was me before I believed in Jesus and gave my life to Him.  I was not in sync with Him or filled by His spirit and those things I did were not for His glory.)  “he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” (His death on the cross brought me into a right relationship with God and placed me holy and without sin before God.  Jesus made me worthy, pure and holy by His blood.)  So, who I am is now covered by Jesus and infused by Jesus.  My identity is His identity within me.  This happened when I accepted Jesus and believed in who He is and what He had done for me through His death and resurrection.  Learning to live in this new identity is the challenge.  Our old nature and ways constantly war within but we are promised that “He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world”. (1 John 1:4)  Live today as a son or daughter of the King.  Think about how precious you are to Jesus and let that give you confidence and hope as you go through your day.

Learning more each day about my identity in Christ,

Linda