Category: lenten blog

Worthy of Worship, Father and Son

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Psalm 96 begs the question, why do you worship God? What about God is worthy of praise? Psalm 96 gives the answer in full Technicolor with lots of exclamation points! The psalmist extols God for who He is and proclaims His greatness.

Sing a new song to the Lord!
    Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
    Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. He is worthy of praise as He alone SAVES.
3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
    Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. His deeds are wonderous.
4 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
    He is to be feared above all gods.
5 The gods of other nations are mere idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens! He is no mere idol or wood. He is greater than any other god.
6 Honor and majesty surround him;
    strength and beauty fill his sanctuary. He is surrounded by glory in heaven.

7 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord;
    recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. He is glorious and strong.
8 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
    Bring your offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
    Let all the earth tremble before him. Worship Him as all earth quakes before Him.
10 Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
    The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
    He will judge all peoples fairly. He is the just judge.

11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
    Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
    Let the trees of the forest sing for joy All creation praises and rejoice in Him.
13 before the Lord, for he is coming!
    He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
    and the nations with his truth. Unlike earthly kings, He will just with absolute justice and truth.

The psalmist in Psalm 86:8 describes God. “Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.” In Isaiah 46:9 God describes himself. “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”

Why would we go looking anyplace else for one to follow and worship?

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can worship the one true God in Jesus the Son. Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place  and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”

Linda

Images of a Protecting, Saving God

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Psalm 91 is often referred to the SOS psalm. God’s love and protection is clearly stated and one can be assured that they can call upon the Lord for help.

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.” God promises shelter and protection for those who abide in Him.

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
    nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. The images of protection by God’s wings and our not needing to live fearfully are powerful. They are very reassuring!

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
    and see the recompense of the wicked. God will protect you!

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
    the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
    no plague come near your tent. Protection comes from abiding in the Lord.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
    the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. He has sent angels to guard our way.

14 “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.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.” My salvation is secure in Him from now throughout eternity!

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be assured of God’s protection and my eternal salvation is secure. Thank you Jesus. Hebrews 5:8-9 “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,“

Linda

Be Honest with God, He Listens

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Psalm 90 shows the depravity of man and the power and might of God. It also shows God’s heart for mankind and His great generosity.

Psalm 90:1-2 “Lord, through all the generations
    you have been our home!
2 Before the mountains were born,
    before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
    from beginning to end, you are God.” The psalmist is thinking about the eternality and the faithfulness of God towards man. He has always been there for us.

In verses 3-6, You turn people back to dust, saying,
    “Return to dust, you mortals!”
4 For you, a thousand years are as a passing day,
    as brief as a few night hours.
5 You sweep people away like dreams that disappear.
    They are like grass that springs up in the morning.
6 In the morning it blooms and flourishes,
    but by evening it is dry and withered. The psalmist extols the fragility of man and the fleetingness of our lives. God is timeless but not man.

In verses 7-12, We wither beneath your anger;
    we are overwhelmed by your fury.
8 You spread out our sins before you—
    our secret sins—and you see them all.
9 We live our lives beneath your wrath,
    ending our years with a groan. 10 Seventy years are given to us!
    Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
    soon they disappear, and we fly away.
11 Who can comprehend the power of your anger?
    Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. 12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
    so that we may grow in wisdom. God is angry over sin, rightly so, God abhors sin. As we live with a sin nature fighting within us, we can experience pain and trouble. The psalmist asks for wisdom from God that he might grow in Him in his short lifetime. As we confront our own sin, our faith in Jesus helps us to grow in the time God has allotted us.

In verses 13-17,  O Lord, come back to us!
    How long will you delay?
    Take pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
    so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
15 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
    Replace the evil years with good.
16 Let us, your servants, see you work again;
    let our children see your glory.
17 And may the Lord our God show us his approval
    and make our efforts successful.
    Yes, make our efforts successful! The psalmist concludes with a plea to God for compassion and love, for gladness in proportion to his suffering, that good would replace evil years, to be able to see God at work and that his children would see God’s glory. Lastly, he asks God for His approval, that He could see that God was pleased.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can lay our hearts before God in prayer and know He is listening and will respond. Hebrews 4:16, we can approach God, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Philippians 4:6-7 “ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Psalm 4:3 “But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.”

Linda

Jesus Teaches US to Pray for Others by Example

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Each Sunday during Lent we have been looking at prayers offered by the Apostles for the new believers in Christ. Each time we have seen their heartfelt love for their friends and deep conviction that their faith grow and develop. Today on this 4th Sunday of Lent I want to look at Jesus’ prayer recorded in John 17. I have chosen verses 20-26 but the whole chapter is Jesus’ prayer.

John 17:20-26  “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

****Jesus prayed for you and me, future believers. He prayed for unity and that world who see and hears our testimonies will also come to believe.

22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

****Jesus has shared part of His glory with us so that we may be unified with Him. He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell us! He wants the world to see His love. He wants us to be able to ‘see’ Him and know He is real and has always and will always love us.

25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

*****Jesus promises to continually reveal Himself and the Father to us. His love will continue to be in us and with us.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we too can pray for others to deeply abide in Him and reflect His glory given to us. Who do you know today that needs the love of Christ? Who needs to see Jesus and have a spirit of unity with other believers? Pray for one another today.

Linda

God’s Grace, His Gift of Jesus

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Psalm 67 is a prayer of praise. The Psalmist is praising God for his graciousness towards them as a nation. What graciousness has God shown towards you? Grace is God’s kindness to those who do not deserve it, which is all of us. He showed His grace to everyone when He sent Jesus to provide a way for our salvation. I love Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He gives us life, families, sunshine, rain, music, talents, etc. He gives kindnesses even to those who do not know him yet. For those of us who know Him, Matthew 7:11 “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Think about God’s grace when you read Psalm 67.

May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
    your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you!

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you judge the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you!

6 The earth has yielded its increase;
    God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
    let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can know the grace of God in Jesus and be recipients of His grace in our lives. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.“

Linda

Rejoicing in Trials

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Psalm 66 caught my eye because it is a song of praise to God that is filled with thankfulness. When was the last time you thanked God for testing and proving your character? James 1:2-4 says we should rejoice in trials, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James says trials help us to grow and have our character refined by God. The psalmist would agree.

Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
2     Sing the glory of his name;
    make his praise glorious.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power
    that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you;
    they sing praise to you,
    they sing the praises of your name.” Praise the Lord for who He is and His preeminence.

5 Come and see what God has done,
    his awesome deeds for mankind!
6 He turned the sea into dry land,
    they passed through the waters on foot—
    come, let us rejoice in him.
7 He rules forever by his power,
    his eyes watch the nations—
    let not the rebellious rise up against him. Praise the Lord for His wonderous deeds on our behalf.

8 Praise our God, all peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives
    and kept our feet from slipping.
10 For you, God, tested us;
    you refined us like silver.
11 You brought us into prison
    and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and water, Praise the Lord for the trials of life that
    but you brought us to a place of abundance. refine my character.

13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
    and fulfill my vows to you—
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
    when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you
    and an offering of rams;
    I will offer bulls and goats. Come and worship the Lord!

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God;
    let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
    his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened
    and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
    who has not rejected my prayer
    or withheld his love from me! Praises to our God who listens and answers my prayers, who forgives my sins and accepts me with His unfailing love. He has not rejected me but sent Jesus to save me! Thank you Father God.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can know joy in trials, changed character and lack for nothing through faith in Him. We can rejoice with the psalmist over who God is and what He has done for us.

Linda

Awesome God, Filled with Character!

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Psalm 62 gives us a glimpse into the character of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As you read you will see the psalmist highlight what the character of God is like.

Truly my soul finds rest in God; Refuge
    my salvation comes from him. Savior
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; Steadfast
    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Unshakeable

3 How long will you assault me?
    Would all of you throw me down—
    this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 Surely they intend to topple me
    from my lofty place;
    they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
    but in their hearts they curse. The psalmist is plagued by those that would seek to defeat him.

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; Refuge, place of rest
    my hope comes from him. Giver of hope
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; Savior and rock
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Unshakeable fortress
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; Savior, dependable
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Rock and Refuge
8 Trust in him at all times, you people; Trustworthy
    pour out your hearts to him, Accessible, listens
    for God is our refuge. Refuge

9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
    the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
    together they are only a breath. The psalmist find life fleeting.
10 Do not trust in extortion
    or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
    do not set your heart on them. The psalmist finds worldly things unreliable.

11 One thing God has spoken,
    two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God, All Powerful
12     and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; Unfailing in Love
and, “You reward everyone Rewarder
    according to what they have done.” Looks at what we do, interested in me!

I pray that you find this list encouraging. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know and trust the character of God and indwelling of His Holy Spirit. Jesus made that possible! Thank you Jesus. I love the words in Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Linda

Confession Brings Forgiveness

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When Nathan the prophet came to David and confronted him about his sinful behavior with Bathsheba which included adultery and murder. David confessed his sin to the Lord, recognized his sin nature from birth, and implored the Lord to forgive him. David’s confession is one we can model our confessions upon. We may not have committed adultery or murder but sin is sin and all of it is wrong in God’s eyes. There is no level of sin in God’s eyes all or any sin makes us guilty before Him. As we near the cross and think of Jesus’ sacrifice, think about where you need to confess and seek God’s cleansing.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
    because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
    blot out the stain of my sins.
2 Wash me clean from my guilt.
    Purify me from my sin.
3 For I recognize my rebellion;
    it haunts me day and night.
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
    I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
    and your judgment against me is just.
5 For I was born a sinner—
    yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But you desire honesty from the womb,
    teaching me wisdom even there.

7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again;
    you have broken me—
    now let me rejoice.
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.
    Remove the stain of my guilt.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can ask Him for cleansing and forgiveness. We can have that new and clean heart before God. Remember 1 John 1:9-10  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” Make confession part of your daily prayers and keep short accounts with God. I desire a clean heart before God, do you?

Linda

Dependable God, No Matter What!

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Have you ever asked yourself, How strong is my God? What can He withstand? Is anything to hard for Him? Will anything overcome Him? Psalm 46 is a celebratory psalm proclaiming the power of God.

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

The psalmist’s conclusion is that nothing is too hard for God. He will not waver even as He looks down from Heaven He will be victorious. How can we know this? Verse 10 tells us to be quiet and listen, you will know that He is God.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can depend upon God. He is who he says He is. John 10:28-30. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” God’s promises are Jesus’ promises and Jesus’ promises are God’s promises too!

Linda

All Yes! in Christ

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Psalm 42 paints a beautiful picture of how we long for God. We may move away from Him but He is always there and can be depended upon. Whether I am joyful or weeping, God is the answer and you can put your trust in Him.

As the deer longs for streams of water,
    so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
    When can I go and stand before him?
3 Day and night I have only tears for food,
    while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
    “Where is this God of yours?” Do you thirst for God? Do you know where to find Him?

5 Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and 6 my God! Sadness can be turned to JOY, when you turn to God.

Now I am deeply discouraged,
    but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
    from the land of Mount Mizar.
7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas
    as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
    and through each night I sing his songs,
    praying to God who gives me life. Each day, in my discouragement, God is there uplifting me.

11 Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God! Turing to God is the answer to all discouragement.

I am reminded of the New Testament verses about Christ. Just like David we can cling to God’s promises in Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:20-21“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,“

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, all God’s promises are Yes in Him! Enjoy this song of these verses as you reread and meditate on what you have in Christ.

Linda