I AM…the Good Shepherd

September 27, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

“I am the good shepherd.” Jesus made this bold statement in John 10:11 and 14. He knew the people understood the job of a shepherd and the sacrifice it entailed. They were to guard their sheep with their life both during the day and night against wolves, bears, and any disaster that might come their way. He was their first and only line of defense against the outside world. Jesus was identifying and claiming this same relationship and responsibility with those who were following Him then and those of us who would follow Him in the future. I love the passage in John 10 as it gives me comfort and assurance of who Jesus is to and for me.

“¹¹I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹²He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Jesus promises that He is the good type of shepherd that will stick with us always. He was not hired to watch over us but is committed to us because He loves us. He affirms that He has a relationship with us in verse 14 and He knows us and we know Him. Jesus says He willingly sacrificed His life to save us and bring us into a close relationship with Him and the Father. Romans 5:8 puts it this way, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The attribute of being good belongs to God alone. It is His nature to be good where our nature is rooted in sin. So when Jesus says He is the good shepherd, He alone can claim this as He is God. Here are a few verses extolling God’s goodness: Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Lamentations 3:25 “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” Titus 3:4 “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,” God’s goodness was truly shone when He sent Jesus to redeem us. He desires to know us and love us. Through Jesus we can be brought into the arms of our loving Father.

Jesus rightly claims to be our good shepherd, do you know Him? He knows you and desires to embrace you with His love and care. Step into His arms today and receive His love and protection and find that safe harbor in Him for eternity.

Linda

I AM…the door of the sheep

September 10, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Many translations use the word gate instead of door, but the sheep pen used by shepherds was a rock enclosure with only 1 gate or door into the pen. They would sleep at the door preventing anyone or thing from entering and harming their sheep. This is a wonderful picture of Jesus as our protector or guardian of our safety. One we are in his ‘pen’ no one or nothing can ever take us away from Him.

Jesus adds to this idea of guardian by saying He is the door. John 10:7 -9 “⁷So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” When we accept Jesus into our life we have entered by the door- the only door to salvation. Act 4:12 confirms this truth, “¹²And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Many might say there are many ways to be saved, many doors or gates but Jesus is emphatic that He is the only true door to salvation. He warns that others -thieves and robbers have or will come, but He admonishes us to not listen to their lies and depend upon Him for salvation.

Why choose Jesus? His door leads to love, compassion, freedom from sin, an inheritance sealed with by the Holy Spirit, life eternal, …. the benefits are many for those that choose to enter into a relationship with Jesus. He is the only one who can redeem us from our sin-filled state of being, Romans 5:8-9 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” Meditate upon His goodness and love for you today and His mercy in loving you even when you still in sin- He sent Jesus to redeem you! Praise God!

Linda

I AM… the light of the world

September 6, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Jesus made this claim and it is recorded twice in John. Once when challenged by the Pharisees in John 8:12 and again in John 9:5 when questioned about the sin of man that was born blind.

In John 8:12-15 the Pharisees were seeking to discredit Jesus’ claims saying He could not be His own witness to who He really was. Jesus’ answers are straight forward and He turns the statements back to them so that they will examine themselves. ¹²Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ¹³So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” ¹⁴Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. ¹⁵You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.” Jesus’ statement is bold and shows purpose and direction. He knew where He was going, what He was doing and why. He assures us that if we follow His light, His truth, and His ways we will not walk in the darkness of sin but have a life filled with His light and truth! What a wonderful assurance.

In John 9 Jesus encountered a man born blind and His disciples asked, who sinned and made this man blind- his parents or him? “³Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. ⁴We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Jesus assured them that the blindness did not come from sin but was to be an opportunity to show the works and power of God. Jesus performed many miracles of this kind during His ministry. Giving sight was a living example of what Jesus can do for us as He can give us sight. His light brings salvation, hope, understanding of God’s Word, a pathway to stronger character based on Him, guidance and direction. He shows us the way to God. John calls Jesus the Word in John 1:1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus is the fulfillment of Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Jesus is God’s Word brought into our lives to bring us to Him and to be the light by which we can come to God. Praise God for His mercy and grace towards us by sending Jesus to be our light in this dark world.

Ask yourself, Am I walking fully in God’s light, letting Him guide and direct my way? Or am I walking part in light and part in darkness trying to live in the world, keeping worldly thoughts and actions a part of my life? How can I walk more in God’s light and less in the shadow of the world’s darkness each day? David gave us a glimpse of an answer in Psalm 119:9-11:   ⁹How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word. Stay in the Word (Jesus)
¹⁰With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments! Follow the Word (Jesus)
¹¹I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you. Keep the Word in your heart. (Jesus)

Does this describe how your heart looks?

Have a blessed day walking in the LIGHT of Jesus.

Linda

I AM… the Bread of Life

September 3, 2019September 3, 2019 nofearlinda1 Comment

All summer I have been writing about God’s names in the Old Testament seeing that God is our refuge, our glorious sword, our King, our provider and so much more. As we enter fall, I want to switch to the New Testament voice of Jesus and who He says He is to us. He made 7 ‘I am’ statements that are equal in measure with God’s statement to Moses in Exodus 3:14 when he questioned God, asking who shall I say has sent me? God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

Picture the scene that John portrays in John 6. The crowds were pressing Jesus and asking Him for a sign to show that He was God. They wanted a tangible sign from Jesus and reminded Him of the manna that God sent to the children of Israel while wandering in the desert. Jesus told them God had sent them true bread from heaven to give life to the world. Of course, “They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus replies with His first of the 7 I AM statements. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:34-35 Jesus goes on to assure them further, “³⁶But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. ³⁷All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. ³⁸For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” Jesus came to show us the Father, to do His will and hold us as His own. We never need to fear what man can do as God holds us tighter than tight and sees to our needs. Knowing Jesus brings satisfaction for your spiritual hunger to know God and to be fed by Him.

Do you allow God to feed you daily from His Word? Jesus, the very bread of life, is ever present in God’s Word and John even refers to Jesus as the Word in John 1:1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus is the Word and has the very words of life for us in the Bible. Read the Word today and let Him feed and nurture you as you seek to know Him. He will sustain you with pure spiritual food that will always satisfy. Jesus promises He is the true bread of life that we need for living an authentic life before Him.

Linda

King and Kingdom-are they yours?

August 28, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

One of the images presented in scripture is of God as our eternal King. This seems like an earthly title but when we consider His kingdom and what it is like, we realize that His reign is way beyond any earthly kingdom. Jesus tell us in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” God’s kingdom is not territory driven but character driven. Romans 14:17 adds more, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” His kingdom is a place of joy, peace and dwelling with God. 1 Corinthians 4:20 “For the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power.” His kingdom is based on His power and might. Scripture tells us Jesus is and will be our king. Hebrews 1:8 “But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.”

David knew God was and is king forever. Psalm 145:1 “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.” Jeremiah proclaimed God the living eternal King in Jeremiah 10:10 “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.” Daniel knew who God was as stated in Daniel 2:37 “You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory,”

Today question is: Who is God to you? Is He your King and if so do you desire to be a member of His Kingdom? Meditate on Psalm 145:1, Jeremiah 10:10 and Daniel 2:37 and analyze your own thoughts about who God is and your relationship to Him. If you find Him to be your King, then think about your life and ask yourself if you are acting like a member of His kingdom. Are you driven by earthly desires or by wanting to be more and more like Jesus so your character counts? Jesus desires to abide in us and be the driving force and power within our lives. We have to relinquish ourselves to Him and desire to be citizens of His kingdom. Through salvation in Jesus, we are citizens of heaven, praise the Lord! Take heart in Philippians 3:20, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

Linda

Is God personal to you?

August 23, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

How do you see the God of the universe? Is He personal or impersonal in your life? The Bible is filled with proclamations of those to whom God is personal. I have chosen a few testimonies in today’s blog to whet your appetite for what you can find in The Book!

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew God personally. God guided, delivered and literally wrestled with Jacob. David depended upon God and tells us in 2 Samuel 22:7 that He call upon God personally, “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I called.
From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry came to his ears.” In Psalm 31:14 David makes a bold proclamation: But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” The list of those who called God their God continues with Nehemiah, Isaiah, and all the Old Testament prophets. Daniel states in Daniel 9:4 about his own experience with God, “I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,” Mary proclaims in Luke 1:47, “and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” Thomas declares in John 20:28, “Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” when he touched the hands of the risen Jesus. and Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:4 states, “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus.“

What is your statement about God? Is He personal to you? Can or do you call Him, My God? Knowing Jesus personally is what faith involves. Our relationship with the Almighty God is one on one. He is there for me, knows my ways. He even knows the number of hairs on my head as Jesus said in Luke 12:7 “Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” He knows me intimately and desires good things for me and desires that I grow in good character as I walk with Him daily.

Will you step out in faith today and call Him, My God? If you do, He will meet you there and walk beside you each day bringing comfort, joy, growth and well being to your hungry soul. Invite Him today, just say, Come in Lord Jesus and be with me. He will answer.

Linda

The Amazing Creator

August 20, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

God refers to himself as Creator in Isaiah 43:15 “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” In Isaiah 40:28 Isaiah speaks of the hope that this Creator brings to us, “Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.” This Creator of heaven and earth, the one who made us and everything in the universe wants to be our King. Isaiah’s passage tell us this creator is eternal, has unlimited energy and power, is not subject to human weaknesses like being tired, weary or falling away and His knowledge is beyond end.

Have you ever spent time gazing at God’s creation? Those things that we make reflect on our abilities, ingenuity, creativity, dexterity, resources and perseverance. How much more so with God and His creation of the universe. It speaks of His majesty, unlimited knowledge, sense of humor and creativity, grandeur and power. Psalm 19:1-2 puts it so eloquently, “The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
²Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.”

I hope you have had some time this summer to go out and about in God’s grand creation. Did you reflect on the Creator as you gazed at His marvelous creation all around you? As summer wanes and we head into the busy fall season with school and multiple activities, I pray you will take some time to think about how awesome our God is and all He has created for you to enjoy. All creation, including you, is made to bring glory and honor to God, the Creator. Let us strive today to bring glory to Him in what we say and do.

Linda

Place or person, who is your refuge?

August 16, 2019August 16, 2019 nofearlinda2 Comments

How many times have you said, “God is my refuge”? These are words that David repeatedly spoke about God. By definition a refuge is a place of shelter or protection from danger or difficulty, or it can be a person who gives shelter, help or comfort. David spent 14 years running from King Saul after being anointed the future king by Samuel. He was hunted, attacked and driven into the wilds away from friends, family and others.

David refers to God as his refuge, a place of safety, in Psalm 91:1-2 and 91:9-10. ” He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
²I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.” 91:9-10 “⁹Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
    the Most High, who is my refuge —
¹⁰no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
    no plague come near your tent.” Abiding with God in your heart, soul and mind each day gives you a refuge, a safe place where you can depend upon God to shelter and protect you.

David also saw God as his refuge, a person who brings protection, help or comfort. In Psalm 62:5-7 David describes his refuge relationship with God. “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.
⁶He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
⁷On God rests my salvation and my glory;
    my mighty rock, my refuge is God. David sees God as the one who keeps him secure, steadfast and is his provider of salvation.

Psalm 59:16-17 “But I will sing of your strength;
    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
    and a refuge in the day of my distress.
¹⁷O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
    for you, O God, are my fortress,
    the God who shows me steadfast love. David is so thankful that God is his refuge providing him with protection, steadfast love and comfort.

Is this the lens through which you see God? Is He your place and person of protection, safely, love and comfort? He can be that and more. Look to Him today and ask Him to draw near to you and He will just as he promised in James 4:7-8. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” David repeatedly resisted the desire and opportunity to kill Saul which would have ended his running, but he did not yield to that temptation and kept drawing nearer to God depending upon Him for refuge. God can do the same for you.

Linda

God is mighty in battle!

August 13, 2019 nofearlinda1 Comment

These last few weeks have been a trial of strength and endurance as I have moved from one place to another. Gathering, boxing, hauling, pondering where to put things, deciding what I need and what should go are all actions filled with stressful joy. I have found strength in the Lord and in His people. The Bible often speaks of the mighty hand of God, His mighty deeds or works, His mighty arm, power and strength but the description I held onto is God is mighty in battle. He was right there with me seeing to the details of this move that brought people to help at just the right time with just the resources that were needed! Psalm 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!” David saw God as mighty, strong and one who would go with him into battle. He goes on in verses 9-10 to tell us that God is strong and mighty and He will help us in our battles if we will let Him in. “Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. ¹⁰Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!”

How are you doing in the battles life is bringing your way? Are you trying to go it alone or are you willing to open yourself to the mighty helping hand of God? We need to let Him come into our lives to receive His help and blessing. He is all around us and standing in wait, won’t you ask Him to come into you today? Revelation 3:20 promises Jesus’ availability at all times, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Ask Him into your battles, He is strong and mighty and will give you strength, guidance, help and courage to prevail in whatever circumstances you find yourself. Cling to Him, He is mighty in the battle of life! Have Him by your side and on your side and you will be victorious. Be of good courage the battle is His!

Linda

God is my strength!

August 2, 2019August 2, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

God is my strength! Are these words you would speak freely, often and with great conviction? The Bible is filled with words of praise to the Father for the strength that God provided to His beloved people in both the Old and New Testaments. Moses proclaimed in Exodus 2:15 after crossing the Red Sea and seeing the Egyptian army defeated. “The Lord is my strength and my defense;  he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,  my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” David proclaimed praises to God for delivering him from Saul in Psalm 18:32 “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” Proclaiming praises to God for His deliverance and strength uplifts our spirit and pleases God. David penned in Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.  Do you have praises for Almighty God today for the strength and deliverance He has provided in your life? Or maybe you are struggling to find strength. David prayed for strength as he pleaded with God in Psalm 71:9 “Do not cast me away when I am old;  do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” Whether it is due to age or overwhelming circumstances, we can pray and ask God for strength to face our challenges. Paul often directed believers pray for spiritual strength, Ephesians 3:13-14 “So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father,” and gospel power strength in doing God’s work, 2 Timothy 2:1-2 “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

The Bible teaches we can pray and ask God for strength but then we need to trust in God’s strength as it has amazing power. He can not only give us physical strength but He can dispel fear. Isaiah 41:10 gives me great hope. “Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God promises to be with us and hold us in His righteous right hand which is another name for Jesus. Jesus will hold us! We also find in Habakkuk 3:19 that God’s strength can enable us do do things we cannot do on our own and will renew us in the process! “God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”

So today, I really need this message as I am facing a move for good and pleasant reasons but a move nonetheless. I need physical and spiritual strength, and I know God can and will provide for me. I only need ask Him. I pray you can trust God enough to call upon His strength today for your needs. He will be with you and give you just what you need for strength, renewal or comfort.

Have a blessed day.

Linda