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

A psalm of David.

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.

Walking with Jesus,

Linda

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 me– 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

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

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

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.

Have a blessed Sunday worshiping Jesus,

Linda

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.

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

Twice 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

 

 

 

 

Since we are looking at the cross during Lent, this morning I awoke thinking about Righteousness- who has it and who doesn’t.  Psalm 145:17 says, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.”  In His Righteousness love, He sent Jesus. “For God so love the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”John 3:16.   God loved us so much that He sent His perfect, sinless Son to die for my sin and yours.  He wanted to be able to have a relationship with us again, like in the garden.  Because of our sin and His holiness, that relationship was not possible. Through Jesus it all became possible again.  2 Corinthians 5:21 brings it all into perspective for me.  “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”  When did this happen?  Jesus took all our sins upon himself at the cross.  1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness by his wounds you ave been healed.”  Why did it happen?  Because of His great love for me.

So to answer my questions- who has righteousness and who doesn’t?  God is righteous in all ways.  Jesus is righteous in all ways.  I am not but I can be through Jesus.  He died to bring me into that right relationship with God.  Looking at the cross today, I see Jesus’ righteousness covering me.  His blood covers all my sin, and I then become righteous in God’s eyes.  I owe it all to Jesus and His atoning work on the cross.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to see Jesus today and to reflect His righteousness to the world.  Forgive my sin of arrogance and pride.  I can not be good or righteous on my own but only through Jesus.  Thank you for sending Jesus to save me from my own sinfulness. Amen.

So thankful for His healing sacrifice,

Linda

This morning I woke up thinking about how thankful I am.  This is a particularly difficult time for me- I’m moving, teaching, watching my grandson several afternoons a week, keeping up with various studies and just trying to do laundry and cook occasionally.  It all seems so overwhelming and yet, God wants us to have a thankful attitude in all things.   Here are a few reminders God brought to my mind today.

James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Be joyful always;  pray continually;  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer:  Lord, create in me an attitude of thankfulness no matter what circumstances I face today.  Keep my mind fixed on you- praying and thanking you with joy. Please give me the peace you promised- peace that will setting my mind and keep worries away.  Thank you Jesus for caring for me in all things and in all ways.  Amen.

Looking to Jesus with a thankful heart,

Linda

 

This last weekend I had the privilege of hearing great teaching from the book of Colossians.  Verses 3:1-3 reminded me of our Lenten journey and our desire to reflect on what we have in Christ.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” 

Knowing Jesus our place with Christ is assured, we already have victory over death and a place in heaven with Him.  Since that is the case, our ‘job’ so to speak is to reflect Him in all we say and do.  We need to set our minds on things above-moving towards sanctification or growing more and more like Jesus.  To help us in this process Philippians 4:8 gives us more specific directions “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.  Filling our minds with good things helps us to rise above quarrels, dissensions and worldly pursuits.  Try this today- fix your mind on good things and don’t let yourself be dragged down or embroiled in conflict.  Choose a verse of scripture to meditate on, pray short arrow prayers throughout the day or call a friend and talk about Jesus.  Any of these will help to keep your mind on things above –setting your mind on things above.  We have a promise from Jesus that our life is now hidden in Him!  Know it and claim it today.  Let yourself hide in Him, not hide away but in and covered by Jesus.  He will protect and shield you from worldly things that would seek to keep you from bringing glory to your Lord.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, keep my mind occupied on things above today that I may rise above the earthly quarrels and pursuit that surround me.  Help me to focus on You so that I may know You more fully and glorify You in all I say and do.  Only in Jesus, Amen.

Desiring to set my mind on things above and to stay hidden in Christ,

Linda

 

 

 

 

“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden like a spring whose waters never fail.  Isaiah 58:11

This verse comes up again and again as I think about how God treats me and cares for me.  Claim and cling to the promises God gives in this verse.  He promises to guide me, meet my needs, strengthen me when I encounter adversity and treat me with special care like a gardener does his favorite plants.  Which of these promises are you in need of today?  Are you trying to make decisions and need guidance? Do you need strength in your body spiritually, emotionally or physically? Are you facing a difficulty situation?  Being in a sun-scorched land can be intense and draining.  Turn to your eternal gardener as He promises to make you into a well-watered plant in His garden.  He has the caring touch you need today.  Turn to Him and Trust Him.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to see how you love and care for me. Increase my faith and trust as I walk with you today staying on the pathways you have lined out for me. Thank you for Jesus, the well-spring in my life who gives eternal rest and salvation to my soul.  Amen.

Resting in His garden,

 

Linda