This promise spoke to my heart today for as relaxing as summer is- there are times of stress with family, coming changes and pressures with expenses.  As I reflected on the courage we can receive from God’s abiding presence, I was encouraged.  I pray you will be too.

Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)

Promise: God promises to be with me wherever I go and His presence will dispel fear and discouragement.

God knows that I get fearful and discouraged as I face the trials of living each day. The people and circumstances that surround me often lead to discouragement, depression and fatigue. Without God to give me encouragement, direction and courage, I can become overwhelmed with despair. God faithfully reminds me that He is with me and His Spirit indwells me giving me His power to persevere. Praise God!

Lessons and Truths

1.     God is greater than anything or anyone that I might fear.

2.     God’s presence dispels fear.

3.     God is omnipresent.

4.     God is sovereign.

Prayer:   Lord, help me to live each day with the assurance of your presence. Give me the encouragement and courage to claim this promise and keep it near to my heart and mind. Thank you that you are greater than anything I will face today and that You are in control of all things.   Amen.

What is my response to God’s promise?

Today will I strive to walk with God and rely upon Him. What fears do I face today that I need to give to Him?

How can I practice living in God’s presence?

Here are a couple of practical tips that may help you to live in God’s presence today:   Pray in the moment– arrow prayers of needs as you see them. Memorize Joshua 1:8-9 so that you can say it when you need assurance of God’s presence.    Ask God for assurance of His presence during your day.

Promise Confirmation:    Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 139: 7-10, Matthew 28:19-20

Blessings as you let this promise live in you today.

Linda

 

 

Psalm 119:9, 160

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word…..All your words are true: all your righteous laws are eternal.”  (NIV)

Promise: God promises that His Word is eternal, righteous and a guide to godly living.

When you get new appliances they come with a manual for operation or installation. Once I purchased a new sewing machine. The purchase came with 2 introductory classes to learn about the machine and the things you could make it do. When I got to the class I sat down, set up and threaded my machine in preparation for our work. The instructor came around and asked me, “How did you get the machine threaded?” He was shocked that I had accomplished that task without his assistance. I replied, “I followed the directions in the manual.”   In today’s world Google and U-Tube have become our convenient manuals for resolving questions about how things work.  What about in the area of godly living? Where do you go for guidance when you have problems with people, money, jobs, stress, etc? God tells us that all we need is in His Word. We do not need to worry that God’s manual will become out of date, have misleading information or lead us into wrong actions as He says His Word is true, eternal and righteous. His Word is our perfect manual for living our lives His way. Be sure to consult your manual often. You can depend on it!

Lessons and Truths:

1.     Following God’s Word leads to purity in our lives.

2.     God’s Word is true, pure, righteous and eternal.

Prayer:   Lord, instead of consulting friends, Google, or other worldly advice, cause me to look to you and your Word for wisdom. I know that You and You alone have the perfect answer. Give me patience as I wait for your answers and increase my trust in you.  Cause me to hunger after your righteous, eternal Word.  Amen.

What is my response to God’s promise?

How is my life reflecting the truths of God’s Word?

How am I allowing God to lead me towards truth, purity and righteousness?

Promise Confirmation: Psalm 119: 11,105, Proverbs 30:5, Matthew 24:35, John 6:68 and 17:17, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:22-25

I thought this promise was appropriate for the week of the Fourth of July.  Enjoy the holiday and cherish your freedoms.

John 8:31-32, 36

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’…’So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,’”

Promise: God promises freedom, truth and discipleship in Christ

Where and when do you feel truly free? As Americans, we pride ourselves on our independence, self-initiative and having freedoms to claim and practice in our daily lives. As we know our freedoms are defined and limited by the society in which we live. Sometimes we agree with these limitations and sometimes we don’t. We struggle each day to survive and maintain our freedoms within our family, neighborhoods and society.

The freedom that God promises is dependent upon Christ not us. We just need to believe and accept the true freedom and then live a life dependent upon God. We need to accept the truth that God provides in His Word and the truth of who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross. We need to accept our place in His family and take up the job of living for Him as His disciple. Working for God’s truth in our world will bring greater freedom than anything we think we can obtain or receive here on Earth. So do as Jesus commands, accept His freedom and be free indeed!

Lessons and Truths:

1.     Belief in God involves action.

2.     God is Truth.

3.     Knowing Christ, brings truth into my life.

4.     God gives freedom, true freedom through Christ.

Prayer: Lord, you are truth. Open my eyes to the true freedoms I have in Christ. Guide me to make choices that are glorifying to you and show my willingness to be a disciple of Jesus. Open ways to tell others about Jesus and the freedom you offer in Him. Amen.

What is my response to God’s promise?

How am I experiencing God’s freedom and truth in my life?

As a disciple of Jesus, how am I holding to my faith and living by His Word?

Promise Confirmation: Psalm 31:5 and 86:11-13, Luke 14:26-27, John 14:6, Romans 8:1-2, Galatians 5:1, Revelation 1:4-5

Be free indeed through Christ,

Linda

 

 

Mark 11:22-24  “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.  “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

  Promise:  God promises that faith-filled prayer will result in answers.

Jesus emphatically says that prayer changes things and can be the cause of mountains being moved.  When you think about it, do you see things you prayed for that seemed impossible at the time like broken relationships being healed, healings, job offers, moves, an unsaved person you have prayed for coming to know and serve Christ, mission trips and the gospel being spoken in ways you never dreamed possible, happening.  Prayer warriors, those that constantly and consistently pray for themselves, their families and others, know for a fact that prayer changes things.  When my children were younger, I belonged to a Mom’s prayer group.  We met weekly to pray for our kids, teachers and their school.  Over months, I found that the worries I had about school and feelings I had towards the teachers changed.  They had not changed as a result of prayer but I had.  My attitude was soften, heart opened and I saw their needs from a different perspective. I found that prayer works on those we are praying for and our own hearts as we pray.  Jesus says here that believing God can accomplish anything is essential to effective prayer.  There is no room for doubt.  Will you seek to pray this week believing God for the results?  Will you allow God to move mountains for you by trusting Him to accomplish His work in and through you?

Lessons and Truths:

1.     Prayer requires faith in God that He can accomplish what is being asked.

2.     Prayer changes things.

3.     Prayer shows God’s power to me.

4,     Effective prayer requires the absence of doubt in the results.

Prayer:  Lord, open my eyes and my heart to greater faith.  Remove all doubt from my mind and help me to resist Satan’s attacks of unbelief.  Hold me close and show me your love as I pray for others and myself.  Allow me to see answered prayer in the little things of life so that I can build my faith and trust in you.  Amen.

What is my response to God’s promise?

Am I not seeing answered prayer due to my lack of faith?      If so, ask God to increase your faith and trust in Him.

When I pray, am I only looking for answers my way or am I really openly seeking God’s answer in God’s time?        If you see this happening, pray directly for God’s will to be done so your thinking does not even enter your mind.  God’s way is always better than anything we can even imagine.

Promise Confirmation: Matthew 21:21-22, Philippians 4:6, James 1:5-8 and 5:15-16,  1Peter 3:12

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!