NOTE TO SELF…..

God is faithful.  He is not just with me sometimes, He is with me always.  He doesn’t just occasionally hear my prayers, He hears each one.  God doesn’t randomly work things for my good, He works ALL things together for my good.  I can trust Him.  My heart is safe and secure in His hands.

I got this note from a friend.  It encouraged me today.  Hope it encourages you too.

Linda

Psalm 103 is one of my favorite Psalms and it speaks to me today as I prepare to give the Sunday morning message at the Yountville Veteran’s Home Protestant Service.  I am comforted by these words:

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers  that we are dust.  As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;  the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembered no more.   But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children-with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”      Psalm 103: 8, 10-18

I know for certain the Lord loves, forgives, treats me with His compassion, knows my very being from beginning to end and that I can be used by Him.  Do I fear speaking this Sunday?  Yes, I am fearful of standing before others and speaking. But, No, I am confident that God will use me, my words and my testimony to His glory.  He is in control, not me.  I just need to trust Him for the results.  Isaiah 55:11 is the verse I claimed for my book Fearless Living and I am surely claiming it this Sunday too.  “so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”    God is the one doing the work and His word will not come back without results.  What greater guarantee of success can I ever need?

May the words of this psalm give you hope, courage, knowledge and assurance of our Great God today!

Linda

 

“The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people.  They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.”  Zechariah 9:16

The image given by Zechariah describing  believers as jewels that sparkle for the LORD is thought provoking.  Do you consider yourself as one who sparkles for the LORD?  Are you shining and on display for Him?  We know He considers us of great value as He sent His son Jesus to save us, John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  But, what about our part-are we believing, walking in faith and showing and telling others about Jesus?  Consider how you are shining for God today?  He desires that believers sparkle.  Will you look for ways and opportunities to show Jesus to the world today with SPARKLE?

Desiring to be a jewel that SPARKLES for the Lord,

Linda

I was excited this morning to get back to my series -What does God desire of me?  Paul exhorts us to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit and then describes what this fruit would look like in our lives.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  Galatians 5:22-23

I looked up gentleness in the dictionary and discovered this character trait involves, generosity, kindness, tameness, patience and courteousness.  Gentleness was a character trait that Christ possessed.  He entered Jerusalem …”See your king comes to you,  gentle and riding on a donkey.”   Matthew 21:5   Jesus described himself as gentle in Matthew 11:28-29  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  

The New Testament is filled with references to gentleness of sprit and the apostles begged the new believers to treat one another with gentleness like Christ.   Paul writes in  Ephesians 4:1-2  “As a prisoner, for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”    Again in 1 Timothy 6:11 he writes “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurances and gentleness.”  Peter adds an additional dimension to this gentleness we are to exhibit as believers in 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.”     I saw this portrayed in the new movie God Is Not Dead 2.  It is about  a teacher who gives an answer to the hope that is within her.  She was asked, “Why does nothing seem to get you down?”  She answered with one word, “Jesus.”   She got into a lot of legal trouble because of that answer, but she was doing as Peter tells us.  She had a ready answer to the HOPE that was within her.   What about you?  What would your answer would you give to the Hope that is within you?

Be ready today with an answer and a gentle and quiet spirit,

Linda

After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared many times over the next 40 days.  He appeared in human form to individuals and groups alike able to talk and eat with them.  Yet,  He had the ability to appear and disappear as He willed.  Jesus first appeared on Resurrection Sunday to the women at the tomb,  then to both Mary and Peter in the garden.  Later that Sunday was on the road to Emmaus,  two of the believers were walking along discussing the things that had happened.  I can imagine they were recounting Jesus’ death, their own sadness, Jesus’ resurrection appearance to the women in the garden and their hope that all of this was true and Jesus really was risen.

Luke 24: 27-33  “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.  As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.  But  they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is near evening; the day is almost over.’  So he went in to stay with them.  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, give thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.  They asked each other, ‘Were not you hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’  They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.”

I like to think of their encounter with Jesus as a powerful reminder to me that Jesus can and does come to me as I live my daily life.  He meets me where and when I need him most.  He will bring His words, the Bible, to my remembrance, so that I might be strong and courageous as I walk through my day.    Also, encounters with Jesus stimulate my thinking and prod me to stretch my faith.  The response of these men on the road to Emmaus was to beg Jesus to stay with them,  and then they  rushed to tell others that He was alive.   What about you?  Do you ask Jesus to stay and walk with you each day?  Do you seek His presence and help?   Are you excited and motivated to tell others about our risen Lord?

Consider all He has done for you and trust in all He will do for you as you walk away from the cross.  Has this season of Lent and the celebration of Easter drawn you closer to Him?  Does it excite and motivate you to tell others of our risen Lord?

Walk with Him today,

Linda

 

Lent is a special season of the year that helps prepare us for the cross and the blessedness of Resurrection Sunday.  This year the 47 blogs I composed in the 6 weeks of Lent were a testament to God’s faithfulness.  I did not plan ahead each week as to which scriptures I would use as I did last year, when I wrote each day from the Psalms.  However, I let God direct me each morning to the scripture He had selected and the ideas He had laid on my heart.  I did not prepare them in advance, if I was having a busy week or busy day, but trusted God for enough time to write before I left the house each morning.  Some days I had to rise earlier than I wanted, but all was accomplished.  I have 2 scriptures that describe God’s faithfulness and my dependence upon Him for each day.

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.    

Lamentations  3:21-23  “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

I am feeling incredibly blessed to have experienced His faithfulness each day for 6 weeks in a very personal way that I can share with others.  I challenge you to step out in faith and trust something or someone to God today.  Then, step back and watch how God will faithfully answer.   It will be cause for great growth and rejoicing.

Praising God for His faithfulness and mercy,

Linda

 

 

 

 

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here;  he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples:  ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’  Now I have told you.”    So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them.  “Greetings,” he said.  They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.  Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”  Matthew 28:5-10

This is a wonderfully encouraging portion of scripture.  We see an angel encouraging and comforting the women,  then Jesus himself comforting them.  We see their supreme joy in learning that Jesus is risen and will appear to them in Galilee.    What is your response to Jesus today?  Are you filled with joy at his resurrection?  Do you want to run and tell others that He Lives!  Are you ready and willing to fall down at His feet and worship Him?

Meeting Jesus demands a response. Hebrews 11:6 puts it this way: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who come to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  Will you respond to Jesus today in faith?  Will you respond to the statement -He is risen with  “He is risen indeed!”?   Claim the risen Christ as your Savior today.  Rejoice with believers today that He is Alive and claim your life anew in Him.

He has risen.  He has risen indeed!,

Linda

This is a hand cut tomb in the garden area near Golgotha and believed to be Jesus’ tomb. There is a large groove right outside the doorway where the stone to cover the entrance had once been.

Praise Him Today!!

Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb of his friend Joseph of Arimathea.  Scripture gives us some hints as to what Jesus was doing between the time of his burial and resurrection.  There is a lot of debate by scholars on the subject but it is agreed that Jesus  was in Hades preaching and teaching.  Ephesians 4:8-10 speaks of Jesus descending and leading captives as he ascended into heaven.  1Peter 3:18-20 speaks of Jesus preaching to spirits in prison.

Why is scripture basically silent on this period of time?  Probably because it is of little importance to us as believers.  The gospel essence is the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  His power over death is so miraculous and life giving that our focus needs to be on our redemption and His victory.  We also know that Jesus was always about His Father’s business.  “Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I , too, am working.”  John 5:17  God always has a purpose and a plan, and Jesus was always doing the Father’s work.  So on this silent day we can ask ourselves, Am I doing what God wants me to do?  Am I using the time God has given me to pray, study, witness and do good things for others?  Quietly think about God today as you prepare for Resurrection Sunday.   Know for sure the truth of Isaiah’s ancient words:    How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”   Isaiah 52:7

Blessings as we await His resurrection,

Linda

Good Friday is the day of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ.  There are so many thoughts and images associated with this day it is hard to single out one event.  As I was reading the events in the gospels, I was drawn to the sign they posted at the cross that told the crime of the accused.  All of the gospels say the sign read:  the King of the Jews in multiple languages.  When the chief priests objected that it should say this is what Jesus claimed, Pilate said “What I have written, I have written.” John 19:22   Perhaps Pilate was recalling his interview with Jesus held earlier in the day and recorded in John 18:33-37.  Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”  “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”  Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.  If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews.  But now my kingdom is from another place.”  “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.  Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am king.  In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

The Jews had looked for the Messiah to come as a conquering king to rescue and save them from their lives of oppression at the hands of occupying powers.  They had overlooked all the prophesies about the suffering servant Messiah who would come to save His people from their sins.  They were right that Jesus would be the conquering King but that is still future to us when Christ returns.  Revelation 17:14 “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”  The Lamb of God is Jesus and when He returns He will overcome all evil.  When Jesus returns in victory Revelations 19:16 gives us this description “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:  KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”   Just as Jesus told Pilate, He is the king.   Philippians 2:9-11 describes Jesus’ true place before all humanity  “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  He is King Jesus!

Is Jesus your King?  Today is the day to proclaim Him as your king.  He came to seek you and save you and die so that you could know the Lord fully and belong to Him.    Let Him know of your love and devotion for this ultimate sacrifice.

I bow before you King Jesus,

Linda

During Holy Week, many things took place on this day in the life of Jesus and his disciples.  Jesus washed their feet before dinner, the Last Supper, prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, betrayal by Judas, denial by Peter, the beating of Christ and many trials throughout the night.  What stood out to me as I looked at the scriptures of the above events was the amount of comfort that Jesus conveyed to his disciples.  After dinner in the Upper Room, Jesus spent time comforting the disciples about things to come.  Some of the most precious verses in scripture come from this talk Jesus had with them and eventually us as we read His words.  Jesus gave comfort and then went to the garden to pray for strength and comfort from his heavenly Father.  He needed to be comforted and strengthen to face the trials ahead.  He knew what lay ahead and sought renewal from His Father.  The portion of scripture I have chosen for today comes from the gospel of John and is well known for its comfort, especially as we lose loved ones in death.  I pray it will bring you comfort today.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”   Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you would know my Father as well.  From now on, you do know him and have seem him.”  John 14: 1-7

What comfort do I receive from Jesus’ words?  Jesus does not want me to worry about my future.   Jesus wants me to trust Him and believe His Word.  Jesus is preparing heaven for my arrival. Heaven is a real place.  Jesus will return.  I will be with Jesus in heaven.  I can and do know the way to heaven.  The way to heaven is through faith in Jesus.  Knowing Jesus = knowing God Himself.  Seeing and experiencing Jesus in my life= seeing and experiencing God.

May the comfort of Jesus’ words bring you peace and hope today.

Linda