“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.” Colossians 3:1-2

What does it mean to set your mind on things above?   We don’t want to be so heavenly minded we are of no earthly good, right?  Paul tells us to set our hearts and minds on things above.  A few days ago I wrote about the heart and things that pass through it.  (February 26)  In light of our hearts, I take  Paul’s words to mean that we need to focus on forgiveness and treasures of the kingdom like salvation, hope in eternity, Jesus’ work on the cross, joy in the Lord, peace for living, thanksgiving and listening to the Holy Spirit.  We also can focus on love for God and others, purity in our walk and obedience to His Word in our thoughts and attitudes.   Setting our minds on Christ keeps us focused on heaven, Christ’s return, those things in life that have eternal value and lifts us up out of the ‘pit’ of anguish, despair, turmoil, hurt and sin that are so prevalent in this world.    Look up today and see if that does not help you have a more positive attitude filled with hope and joy in the Lord.

Endeavoring to develop an attitude for eternity,

Linda

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness..”   Lamentations 3:21-23

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:56-58

I love the Lenten season as it gives me time to reflect on Jesus and what He did for me at the cross.  Without Jesus, I would be looking toward eternal separation from God and judgment for my sins.  Through Christ, I can have life, hope and a purpose.  These words of Paul remind us that through Christ we are able to stand firm in our faith.  We need to stay focused on God so that our faith does not waver or move.  Committing ourselves to God’s work will bring joy, hope, peace and a work that always produces fruit.  God promises to remember our work for Him and reward us. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”  Hebrews 6:10   Rely upon the justice of God and his promises as you strive to work for Him.  I love Paul’s reminder in Colossians 3:23-24  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving!”    Are you trying to stand firm in faith on your own?  Are you trying to do good works with little success?  Call upon Jesus and rely on God’s promised results as you work to produce good fruits in His name.  To God be the Glory, Great things He has done!!

Relying upon the grace and strength of Jesus,

Linda

 

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce not food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD , I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”  Habakkuk 3:17-19

 

The ancient prophet Habakkuk struggled to know and understand God.  He could not comprehend God’s ways, but he knew for a fact things about God that he could cling to.  He knew that no matter what happened in his life he could rejoice in the Lord.  He had joy in worshipping and depending upon God.  He knew God was sovereign and would move him where he needed to be and give him the strength and purpose to rise above anything that came his way.  What about you?   Do you know things about God in your very being?   Do you know elements of His character like mercy, forgiveness, justice, goodness or have you experienced His faithfulness first hand?   James tells us that if we desire to know God,  we can.  “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.”   James 4:7-8a   Following James’ instructions will result in drawing closer to God.   Then you too will be able to claim the joy of the Lord that Habakkuk speaks of and know His strength in your life!

Rejoicing in my Savior,

Linda

“Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!  Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows.   No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.”  Nahum 1:15

These prophetic words given by Nahum from his vision seem far removed from us today.  According to commentaries the good news that came and rescued Israel occurred on several occasions as invaders were turned away by God’s hand and the people were given a reprieve.  However, the climax of this verse, the ultimate good news is Jesus.  He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10   Jesus also said,” I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Luke 4:43   Jesus knew telling the good news of why He had come would lead to faith, peace and the salvation of many.  The apostles knew the message of good news needed to be proclaimed also.  “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 5:42

Who do you need to tell the good news of Christ today?  During this time of Lent, it is good for us to look afresh at the good news of salvation that is available in Christ.  The benefits of faith-hope, peace, assurance, eternity, forgiveness, love….  are truly good news to a dying world.   Tell someone of Jesus today.

Blessed by the good news of Christ,

Linda

 

 

“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into darkness.”  Nahum 1:7-8

Being a math person I often see things with opposites, a positive balanced by a negative. Verse 7  is one of my favorites and tells me about the character of God and His attribute of goodness.  It also assures me that trusting in Him will bring God’s presence and care into my life.  Here are some other verses that confirm this positive goodness from God.  Psalm 34:8  “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”   Psalm 107:9   “He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”    Lamentation 3:25   “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”   Titus 3:4  “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us.”

The opposite results in turning away from God.  Rejection of God will result in an end of life that is consumed by darkness.  Here are some verses that confirm this negative response from God.  John 3:36  “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”  Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Chris Jesus our Lord.”    Revelation : 16-17 “They called to the mountains and their rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!  For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Where are you today?  Are you walking with God and partaking in His goodness or are you pulling away from Him?  Consider 1 John 1:6-7 as you answer ” If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son purifies us from all sin.”    Choose the positive, choose life in Jesus today!  Reject the darkness and live in the goodness of God trusting Him to keep and care for you!

Looking to the positive,

Linda

I looked at the calendar and realized this week marks the halfway point in our journey towards Resurrection Sunday and the triumph of the cross. Today’s passage is from a little book in the Old Testament called Nahum.  The prophet Nahum penned these words from a vision given him by God about the fate of Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria.  Nineveh was very wicked and God was warning them of their fate if they did not turn from their evil ways.  The words of this book show us the anger God has towards sin and the need to repent.   Repent is a theme for the Lenten season that we need to continue to think about.

“The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.  His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. ”  Nahum 1:3

This verse holds both comfort and hope for us along with the direct message of punishment for sins.  We know that God does not tolerate sin.  Romans 3:23 “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Our sins against others and ourselves all show our rebellion against God.  But, God is merciful!  In His mercy He is slow to anger.    2 Peter 3:9 explains how merciful God is. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  Christ will return and God will judge the world for its sin and rebellion, but God is patiently waiting.  I take great comfort in these words as I continue to pray for lost friends and family to come to salvation.  This verse in Nahum also tells us of God’s power and might.  He will not leave us in our sin but will actively remind us of Who He is and our need to recognize Him.  He uses the people, places and things around us to reveal Himself to us.  God used the dust storms in the desert to get the attention of the Ninevites, showing them His power and might. What is He using to get your attention today?  How is He calling you to repent and look to Him?  Just as we know God is patient and powerful, we know God is faithful and will not let sin and sinners remain forever.  Pray for your unsaved friends and relatives.  Pray for forgiveness and cleansing in your own life today.

Looking to merciful God with hope,

Linda

“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.  For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.  In his hand are the depths of the earth , and the mountain peaks belong to him.  The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.  Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker,   Psalm 95: 1-6   

As you worship today, let this Psalm motivate you to sing with joy and declare your praises of thanksgiving to our mighty God and Savior!

Blessings,

Linda

“O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night”   Nehemiah 1:5-6a

Today’s verse comes from my heart as I desire to be a woman of prayer.  Nehemiah shows us that our first order of business in prayer is to honor and worship God.  He reminds us that the God he is praying to is awesome, great, in control of all the heavens, and a promise keeper.  Knowing who God is and what He is capable of doing makes any request seem possible because of God’s infinite power and Holy character.   Nehemiah also reminds us of God’s requirements that include worshiping Him in love and obedience.  Jesus told us in Matthew 22:37  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  In Matthew 28:19-20  Jesus spoke of obedience and commitment.  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing then in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Then Nehemiah begs or pleads with God to hear his prayer and see his circumstances .  John reminds us in 1 John5:14 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”  Nehemiah also knows the importance of praying continually.  Paul reminds us to “pray continually” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and of the early Christians habit of praying continually for one another.

Nehemiah’s prayer challenges me to approach God knowing He is capable of doing all things, is Sovereign and full of mercy and compassion.  Believe!  He promises to hear my prayers and wants me to be diligent in prayer seeking to align my will with His.  Perseverance!   As I pray I need to align my walk with His word and seek to please Him.  Obedience!  Quite a challenge.  What about you?  What part of Nehemiah’s prayer speaks to you?   Are you challenged to pray for often, pray with greater faith and pray moving forward in obedience?

Seeking to know Him and please Him,

Linda

I thought Nehemiah would agree with this quote.  How about you?

Have you ever considered what God looks for in us?  In the book of 1Samuel we read the story of Saul being taken from power by God for his disobedience.  He did not do as God instructed and God gave the ‘kingship’ to another.  Saul still remained in power but the future reign of his descendants was ended.  The prophet Samuel was instructed to go and anoint the new one chosen by God to lead His people.  Samuel did not know it was the young shepherd David that was to be chosen.  He went to see the sons of Jesse and started with the oldest son.  He was given these instructions. “But he LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1Samuel 16:7

What does God see when He looks at your heart?  Scripture tells us the ‘heart’ holds many things and reveals our true intent.  The heart is: where you store those things you treasure Matthew 6:21,  the source of evil thoughts Matthew 15:19-20,  the place forgiveness starts Matthew 18:35,  the place love for God and man begins Matthew 22:37-38,  the home of belief  Romans 10:9, the place where we hold our anguish and pain  2Corinthians 2:4, the home of purity 1Timothy 1:5, 2Timothoy 2:22,  the center of all our thoughts and attitudes  Hebrews 4:12, the place of obedience Psalm 119:34, and a place that is known by God  Psalm 139:23-24.   “Search me, O God, and know my heart;  test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”    Which of these heart places do you need to offer to God today with thanksgiving?  Which of these places do you need to ask for forgiveness and healing ?

Prayer:  Lord, create in me a clean and pure heart that stands in faith, love and obedience for You.  Give me a heart for others that is full of forgiveness, and love.  Take away the evil thoughts, pain and anguish I feel and replace it with your ways.  Lead me into your way everlasting.  Amen.

Wanting a heart for God,

Linda        

Yesterday I wrote about the reasons we should worship God.  Today let’s look at Psalm 96.

“Sing to the LORD, praise his name, proclaim his salvation day after day, Declare his glory among the nations his marvelous deeds among all peoples.  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.  Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.  say among the nations, “The LORD reigns”.  The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant , and everything in them.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.”

David, the psalmist, tells us to praise God when we worship.  We are to think about what God has done for us and give Him glory.  Worship should be a time of thinking about God, and how merciful He has been us.  He has not given us the judgment we deserve but has shown us mercy and grace through Jesus. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8   What about thinking about God’s sovereignty?  Do you think about God’s holy character and His power and might when you worship?  Acknowledging God’s position as LORD over all in His creation and His right to judge our sinfulness is important.  We need to approach God with humility and trust in His character.  Jesus told a parable of a Pharisee and a tax collector who went to the temple to pray.  The Pharisee boasted of his own goodness while the tax collector asked for God’s mercy for his sinfulness.  Jesus said, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other , went home justified before God.  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 18:14    Do you  worship God with humility in your heart or do you make excuses and try to tell God how good you’ve been?  David ends this Psalm of worship by reminding himself of God’s character that will be seen in His righteous judgments and truth.  When you worship God, ask Him to reveal His character to you and then praise Him.  God is trustworthy and does not lie.  He will keep all His promises.

Joyfully praising God for His great mercy towards me,

Linda