James 1:12  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Promise:  God promises blessings and an eternal reward to those who  persevere during difficult times with love for Him.

What motives you to ‘hang in’ when times are hard?  Do you persevere because you are hoping for monetary compensation, a better education, advancement potential, family commitment or self-enhancement?  Do you persevere because of loyalty, patriotism or love? The Bible tells us in James 1:2-4 that perseverance builds our character, but here God reminds us that our perseverance brings blessings and eternal rewards.  In a world that is driven by ‘self’ promotion and advancement, isn’t it important that we look at our motives and see what is really driving us.  Are you looking for godly blessings?  If so, do you have godly goals for your life?  How much time do you spend in God’s Word meditating and studying?   This summer, why not look into God’s Word and see what you can learn about Him.  He promises that you will be rewarded now and in eternity.  My final questions are:  are you motivated by the love that God showed towards you by sending Jesus?    Do you seek to show  godly love towards others?

Lessons and Truths:

1.     God blesses steadfastness and perseverance.

2.     God’s tests have a time limit, they will not go on indefinitely.

3.     God’s rewards have eternal valuable.

4.     God loves us and desires that we show our love for Him in our lives.

Prayer:   Lord, create in me a steadfast character so that I can withstand the trials of life.  Show me ways that I can love others as you would love them.  Give me the desire to establish goals and habits that are glorifying to you.  Guide me in your ways so that I will reflect Jesus in all I say and do.  Amen.

What is my response to God’s promise?

What goals can I set that will reflect Christ in my life?

Where or to whom do I need to show God’s love today?

Promise Confirmation:  (Where else in the Bible do we find a similar promise?)   2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, 4:12-13 and  5:4,  Revelation 2:10 and 3:10-11

I pray you find this promise thought provoking and encouraging.    More to come this summer as I am preparing to launch my new book, Promises for Dynamic Living.

Blessings,

Linda

 

Summer,  I’m so glad this season of the year has arrived.  I was exhausted by my yearly commitments and teaching responsibilities.  I was able to travel a bit and regain my focus and rest.  Now I can get back to writing and studying.  My new book, Promises for Dynamic Living, will be out in the fall.  I am just putting the finishing touches on it, and then it will be ready to print.  God in his graciousness, has blessed me with this second book.  I am praying that many will be find it a tool to strengthen and grow their faith.  In preparation for the launch of this new book, I will be blogging this summer about God’s promises.  I know that we can all use as much assurance and hope as we can get,  so that will be my focus each week.  I hope to faithfully blog each week and give you a nugget of scripture to consider, meditate on and memorize as you travel, rest by the pool, or drive home from work.

Summer fun in God’s word.  Look for my blogs each week.

Blessings,

Linda

Here is the scripture I am standing upon for my new book.      2 Peter 1:3-4    “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world cause by evil desires.”

God’s promises enable us to understand and know Him better and keep us from falling into sin.  What a wonderful assurance of His power in our lives.

For this holiday- Memorial Day- the greeting, “Happy Memorial Day” just does not express the appropriate sentiment.  Memorial Day is a day to remember the sacrifice of soldiers who have died in war.  It began after the Civil war and was originally called ‘Decoration Day’.  It was later extended to honor all fallen soldiers in any war.  Jesus told us in John 15:13  “Greater love has no one than his, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Anyone who joins the military knows they might be called to go to war and fight.  Believing in life, freedom and independent pursuit of happiness that is declared in our Constitution’s Bill of Rights  gives motivation and heart to their call to defend our nation.  It is an honorable calling that is worthy of our acknowledgement and remembrance.  Proverbs 10:7a  “The memory of the righteous will be a blessing.”    Who will you remember today that has answered the call and given their life for their friends?  You and I are those friends and it is our obligation to their sacrifice that we remember them.  Scripture teaches that remembering will be a blessing.

Will you attend a parade, a breakfast, have a time of prayer, watch a war movie?   Any of these things can be a cause to remember those that have fallen and give thanks for their sacrifice for you and for me.  Have a blessed Memorial Day!  I think that would be the proper greeting and I send it to you!

Linda

Prayer:  Thank you Lord, for those brave men and women who have given their all- their lives- so that I can enjoy the freedoms our country provides.  Help me to be honoring to their memory and sacrifices knowing they laid their lives down for me, someone they did not even know.  Give me an attitude of thankfulness for those Veteran’s that are still living and help me to honor them.  Lord, give our leaders wisdom and a sense of unity in working to preserve that for  which so many have died.  Amen.

John 21:1, 4-7a  Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberius (Sea of Galilee)…Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.  He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”   “No,” they answered.  He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”  When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.  Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”

This post resurrection appearance was about a week after Jesus’ resurrection.  He had instructed the disciples to go to Galilee and wait for him there.  Since they were fishermen, and from that region, they went fishing.  When Jesus called them, Luke 5:1-11, they had experienced a No Fish day too.  Jesus had told them where to cast their nets, and they were rewarded with a huge catch.  When Jesus appeared in this passage and questioned them, they did not recognize him.  When he told them where to cast their nets and there was suddenly an abundance of fish,  they immediately recognized Jesus.

When you are defeated and discouraged, where do you turn?  God is merciful and promises to never leave us nor forsake us, Deuteronomy 31:6.  Often we experience defeats or frustrations during our days activities.  Do you ask God to send you an encouragement or look to Him for comfort, strength and courage?  Defeats and disappointments come with daily living but do not need to define or hold us captive.  When you are tempted to slip into depression or discouragement, remember fear does not come from God.  Lamentations 3:55-57  I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit.  You heard my pleas:  “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.”  You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”   Psalm 40:1-2 also speaks of the pit we often find ourselves in,  “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.   He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”

Today when you encounter a challenge, look to Jesus.  Call upon Him to pull you up and out and set you on solid ground.  He will give you a firm place to stand and the confidence to move forward.  Jesus knows the answer to your problem, trust Him today.

Look to Jesus today.   He is waiting with an answer for you!

Linda

 

 

John 20: 26-29  A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.  Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe.”  Thomas said to him, “My Lord  and my God!”  Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

This post resurrection encounter really speaks to me.  Thomas had not been with the disciples the previous week when Jesus appeared to them in the upper room,  See John 20:19-25.  He stated that he would not believe Jesus was alive unless he saw him.   How often this is true for us.  We refuse to believe something unless we see it or hear it for ourselves.  Hebrews 11:1 says “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”   Hebrews 11:6 continues this thought and assures us of our need for faith.  “and without faith is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  

So do you find yourself in the same dilemma as Thomas?  Are you doubting Jesus’ death, resurrection  and payment for our sins?  Unfortunately, we can’t see and touch Jesus physically,  but we can feel his Holy Spirit within us and cling to His promises.  Jesus said we are to be blessed for believing and trusting even though we can not see him physically.  Faith is very personal and must be arrived at on your own.  You can not have faith because your mom, dad or grandparents have faith.  Faith in Jesus needs to be personal, one to one, and genuine for His Holy Spirit to indwell us.  We need to ask Him to dwell with us and make himself known to us.  Romans 10:17 “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ”.

Have you heard the gospel message that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins and rose from the dead?  We are saved by the work of Jesus and redeemed for eternity.  Jesus is the answer.  Just like Thomas we need to encounter the living Jesus  and put our faith and trust in Him.  Will you consider this today?   Maybe you know Jesus yourself and believe, but you know someone who does not know Jesus.  Speak to them boldly today.   We are told in scripture-seek Him and he will be found.  Seek him today.

Consider these scriptures:

Acts 4:12  “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” 

Romans 10:9  That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believer in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 8:9-11  You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.  But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

1 John 1:9.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Pray a simple prayer of confession of sin, profess your faith in Jesus that he died and rose from the dead.  Ask Him to come into your life, then you will be free in Christ for eternity.  Seek Him in faith believing that He exists and He will answer you with His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Join me in proclaiming:  “My Lord and “My God!

Blessings,

Linda

After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared many times over the next 40 days.  He appeared to individuals and groups alike in human form able to talk and eat and yet appear and disappear as he willed.  The next of these appearances occurred on Resurrection Sunday on the road to Emmaus.  Two of the believers were walking along the country road 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.

How does this apply to me?  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 rush 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?

Tell others of His greatness and love,

Linda

P.S.  Thank you for all you wonderful support as I blogged each day during Lent.  It was a powerful experience for me as I trusted God each day for the words and time to accomplish this task for Him.  He was faithful and I walked away with more than when I began.   Isn’t that so like our gracious Lord?   God honors obedience and trust.  Praise God for His faithfulness!

Matthew 28:5-10   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.”

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 “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

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 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.  As you prepare for Resurrection Sunday, consider:    Isaiah 52:7  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!” 

Blessings as we await His resurrection,

Linda

 

Holy Week continues….

Friday was the day of Jesus’ trials, beatings, crucifixion and death, Peter’s denial of Christ and Judas’ suicide.  Since it was a Friday and Shabbat or Sabbath was to begin at sundown, it was imperative to the Jews that Jesus be dead and buried before sundown.  All 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) carry accounts of these happenings .

Matthew 27:31-33 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him.  Then they led him away to crucify him.

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.  They came to a place called Golgotha.  There Jesus was crucified.     

Matthew 27:46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?  which  means, “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?”

Jesus’ words show the depth of the pain he endured for you and for me.  It was not the pain of physical death but the separation from God the Father that was the source of his greatest pain.  All of our sins were upon him and he felt abandoned by God the Father.   God is pure and holy and can not look upon sin.  At that moment, Jesus was alone as God looked away from him and the sin that he bore.   Without Jesus as the perfect, sinless sacrifice for our sins we would be facing a sentence of death.  Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Jesus redeemed us fully and paid the ultimate price for our redemption.  As you consider the cross today, think about His sacrifice for you.  Praise Him and thank Him for your precious gift of salvation.

Live redeemed,

Linda

Holy Week continues….

There were many events on Thursday as Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with the disciples in the upper room, comforted them, went to the garden to pray, was arrested and put on trial.

For today’s scripture I chose Jesus’ time in the Garden of Gethsemane which is described in Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42 and Luke 22:39-46.

Luke 22: 39-46  Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.  On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”  He withdrew about a stones throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet now my will, but yours be done.”  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.  When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.  “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them.  “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”   (NIV)

The passage in Luke adds a few things that are not mentioned in the other passages and gives some extra insight into God’s loving care of His son Jesus and of us today.    Prayer with our heavenly Father is to bring us closer to Him and help to keep us from temptation.  Jesus knew that communion with His Heavenly Father would strengthen Him emotionally and spiritually for the battle that was ahead of Him.   Scripture tell us that Jesus was tempted but did not sin.  Keeping close communion with His Father was something Jesus did often to keep balanced, free from stress and pressure, dependent upon His Father’s wisdom and aligned with His Father’s will for His life.  Do you pray often?  Do you seek God for strength and courage in times of trouble, stress or confusion?

Luke tells us that God the Father sent and angel to minister to Jesus as he prayed.  God knew and could feel His son’s anguish over the coming events.  He knew that taking on the sins of the world, feeling the evil upon his body would be excruciating both physically and mentally.  He knew that taking on our sins would separate Him for a time from his Father.  Jesus needed extra comfort before facing this ordeal and God sent his angel to minister to him.  Who has God sent to minister or encourage  you lately?  How have you known God’s comfort?

Lastly, Jesus confronts his disciples and tells them to “get up and pray”.  Laying down on the job does not get it done.  Jesus calls us to be a people that rely on prayer and are up and willing to serve Him.  Are you quick to volunteer to pray for others?  Do you see prayer as an active, participating ministry?  I would encourage you to get involved in a prayer ministry at your church.  Praying with  a like mind for others builds up the body and will encourage you in your own personal walk with the Lord.

Praying with you,

Linda