What byproduct of Joy are you experiencing?

July 13, 2020 nofearlinda2 Comments

Journey towards joy! Today’s passage is from Philippians 1:1-6. Paul and Timothy are greeting the Philippians and thanking them for their love ministry there in Phillipi. They were thankful for all the good memories they had about them, their service, their love towards each other and for faithfully giving out the gospel message.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: ²Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

philippians 1 4 This passage reminds me to pray for my fellow believers as they serve in the cause of Christ. They are a blessing to me and those around them. Paul is thankful for these friends and fellow coworkers in Philippi. He gives thanks for their love for Jesus and diligence in spreading the good news of Christ. He is prompted to pray a prayer of thanksgiving for them, and it fills him with joy whenever he does. Paul states emphatically that he knows God will continue this good work in them, using them, keeping them and moving them forward because it is God’s work in them. God is doing the work! All God’s work is good and God will see all things to completion. God does not give up, change His mind or let us down in any way. James 1:17 promises, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change”.

Who do you need to pray for today? Tap into the joy of thankfulness as you pray.

Then mediate on verse 6 and consider God’s promise a source of joy:

joy in your salvation– God loves you and has provided a secure future for you.
joy in God’s work within you through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is leading you to be more and more like Jesus.
joy in His ability to finish what He has started in you by faith. God is sovereign and He will not fail. His victory = joy and hope within us, no matter what the circumstance look like.

JOY is a byproduct of thankfulness, prayer, salvation and God working within us. Thank you Lord that I can experience these even in the midst of a pandemic. God you are good. Here is a favorite verse of mine- Nahum 1:7 ‘The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” Walk with Jesus and He will restore your joy because He is in control and He cares for you in His goodness!

Linda

Remembering why we celebrate the 4th

July 4, 2020July 4, 2020 nofearlinda2 Comments

This year as we are held in bondage by a world wide pandemic, I am holding my freedoms more closely and cherishing them even more. I am thankful for breath, life and freedom from oppression. I am thankful for our country, flawed as it is, where I am free to worship and live. I am thankful for family and friends- even if I’m not able to be with them, I know they are there. Has the pandemic led you to greater thankfulness?

I want to wish each of you a Happy 4th. The 4th of July is a favorite holiday filled with family BBQ’s, games, swimming, picnicking, corn on the cob, apple pie and fireworks. Even if we are not able to celebrate like we have in the past, we know that the 4th is more than that to each of us. America and the freedom it represents and holds for each of us was bought with a price- sacrifice, hope and struggle by those that went before us and those that labored to secure our freedom. Our struggle over the centuries has been to secure,defend and maintain freedom of religion, peace, prosperity and hope for us and our children. We desire to live in an unbiased, loving and accepting society. Is this possible? Actually I believe it is not possible without Christ. He is the one who can make all things right and gives us the power to love and live in harmony with others.

Today’s thoughts of freedom bring me to Galatians 5:1. Paul was reminding the Galatians about the precious freedom they held in Christ. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves by burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Christ died for us so that we might be free from sin and its bondage and have the ability to live lives that honor Him. The cross was the ultimate sacrifice for us. Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He bought our freedom with a price, his life. He redeemed us from sin’s ultimate consequence-death. My freedom in Christ is due to His sacrifice on the cross for me.

I have FREEDOM in Christ- freedom from my sins, freedom to live for Him, freedom from eternal death and freedom to live with Him for eternity. Just as we are thankful for those who died to secure the freedom we have in America, we need to be eternally grateful for the freedom we have in Christ alone. He is the one who secured it all and brings us to the place where we can enjoy freedom.

freedom Today as you are thankful for America, think also of the greater freedom you have though Christ and say a prayer of Thanks to Jesus.

Thankful today for my Savior and my country,

Linda

Finding Joy- come journey with me!

July 1, 2020 nofearlinda1 Comment

I have been struggling as this pandemic has continued with finding and holding onto my joy. The Holy Spirit has been leading me to seek the joy I have in the Lord. Nehemiah speak of the joy of the Lord that comes from hearing His Word, worshiping and praising Him and being repentant. The exiles had returned to Jerusalem and he gathered them together to hear the Word of God read aloud. The people were called to repentance and gave praises upon hearing the Word. In Nehemiah 8:10, he encouraged the people to rejoice in being there after years in Babylon and told them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved,for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah told them not to grieve over the condition of their beloved city but to look beyond the present circumstances and find their joy in the Lord. I need the same today.

So… I am going in search of my joy- seeking restoration, joy filled living and complete joy that can only be found in Christ. God is pointing me to Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Since I have been to Philippi, I can visualize Paul’s discussions there, the friends he made in that city and how he developed a love for them. Come journey with me through the book of Philippians and see what joys we find together in the Lord.

A key verse with a gigantic promise as we begin our seeking His joy comes from John 15:11 where Jesus said, “I have told you this (of our need to abide in Him) so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” God desires that we have complete joy that is found in Him alone. Let us tap into that joy, especially in these troubled times, and feel His restoration within us. That joy will bubble up and spill over in every area of our lives. Let the joy of the Lord lead you, and me, today and bring you peace within your soul.

Let’s seek joy this summer together in Him!

Linda

Praying, you are in great company!

June 24, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:15-16 that he considered it a privilege to pray for his fellow believers. Do you feel that way too? “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” He knew he could go directly to God and was assured that God would hear his prayers!

As I contemplated God’s accessibility to me through prayer, I reflected some of the people in the Bible that prayed and why they sought an audience with God. Have you talked with God about similar situations in faith? If so you are in good company. Isaac prayed for his wife to conceive a child, Genesis 25:21, Moses and the people prayed for God to remove the serpents because they had greatly sinned Numbers 21:7. Hannah prayed for a child in 1 Samuel 1:11, Solomon prayed for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9, Ezra prayed for protection and safe journey in Ezra 8:21, David prayed when in danger and distress Psalm 55, for grace in Psalm 86, for peace in Psalm 122, Jeremiah prayed for mercy and direction in Jeremiah 42:2-4, Daniel prayed for mercy in Daniel 9:3 and 17, Jonah prayed for salvation and mercy in Jonah 2 and 4, Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done Matthew 26:39 and 42, the disciples prayed for deliverance of Peter in Acts 12:5. and the letters are filled with prayers for salvation, thanksgiving, restoration, for the needs of others, godly behavior, healing and forgiveness. We have a mighty cloud of witnesses in the Bible that attest to the fact that God will listen to our prayers and will answer. In all the ones listed above, Jesus is the only one who prayed for God’s will. He knew that God’s will is perfect and will provide the perfect answer to prayer.

prayer for-strength-faith-fear-power-powerlessness-trusting-amen Be encouraged and keep on praying. Give you requests to God and He will answer. If you don’t exactly know how to pray? Ask the Holy Spirit to do it for you. Romans 8:27 “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” God is faithful and will answer in His time and in His way. This requires faith, trust and patience as we wait upon God for His perfect answer.

Let me encourage you with these final verses: Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

Pray continually and be assured that God hears your prayers.

Linda

** Need a fun exercise? Look up the above prayers and see how God answered each of them in His way in His time. God is good, all the time. “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7

Thank you God for being our Father

June 20, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Mom and Dad on their 50th Wedding Anniversay

Dad in his 50’s.

Psalm 103:13 “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”

Proverbs 23:24 “The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.”

Sunday is Father’s Day and it’s approach has caused me to think reflectively about my earthly father, Henry Beecher Chrisp. He was a loving father, but demanded that we behave well, work hard, show respect and not give up easily. He loved to work with his hands building things and to hunt and fish. Dad loved the outdoors by cultivating flowers, growing a vegetable garden or simply taking a hike or ride through the forest. He had a deep faith in God. He showed me God, the Father, through his compassion and love for me. Dad was always one to love what we did and took pride in our accomplishments.

I hope your own father reminds you of God, the Father, in some personal way. I felt blessed and fortunate to have a father who loved me and wanted the best for me. I know all earthly fathers are not like that. Fortunately, we all have a perfect Heavenly Father we can look up to and depend upon. He will always be there for us and promises to never leave us or forsake us. Our actions of kindness, love, justice and mercy towards others pleases Our Heavenly Father. May we live to please Him each day.

Have a blessed Father’s Day filled with good memories or activities with your father.

Linda

No need to worry- We are SECURE in Him!

June 18, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Ephesians 1:13-14 holds wonderful truths for us to cling to that give us assurance of the hope and faith we have in Christ. “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

The truths of this passages are many. I now have His Holy Spirit living within me through faith in Jesus affirming, testifying and guaranteeing my inheritance in Him. These truths are confirmed other places in scripture as well.

Indwelling Holy Spirit testifying and affirming: Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 5:5 “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” 1 Thessalonians 4:8 “Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.” We can be assured that His Spirit is real and lives within us.

Holy Spirit guaranteeing: 2 Corinthians 5:5 “Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” Hebrews 6:17 “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.” God gives us His word that His indwelling Holy Spirit guarantees our belonging to Him and our future with Him -heirs of His promises.

A tangible inheritance in Jesus: 1 Peter 1:4 “and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,” Colossians 3:24 “since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Our inheritance is kept safe in heaven, a reward waiting for us for living a life of faith that brings glory to Jesus.

As you review these precious truths today. Which ones resonate with your spirit and give you peace? Claim God’s promises today! He has an inheritance for us, He gives us His Holy Spirit when we believe in Jesus and His Holy Spirit affirms and testify with our spirits so we can be assured of His love, a future with Him and His saving grace. Praise God for His wonderful provision for us. He knows we, as finite beings, need assurances and He graciously gives us all we need. Thank you Lord Jesus.

Linda

Love, Hope and a Redemptive Plan = Jesus our Savior!

June 12, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

I love the message of truth given in Ephesians 1:4-10. I can be encouraged by God’s love, the redemption plan made perfect in Christ and the hope I now have in Him. Here it is in the Message translation for ease in understanding,

“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. ^7-10Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.”

God had a long range plan to redeem us. It was not a spur of the moment decision. In Genesis 1:26, God decided to create man, a thinking living being in His image, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,” After giving Adam and Eve the directive to not eat of the tree of good and evil, Eve bowed to temptation from Satan and ate giving some to Adam too. God had anticipated this as He created man with free will and planned for a way to restore men and women into relation ship with Him. Genesis 3:15 gives the first prophecy of Jesus coming to counter Satan’s dominion over the desires of man. “I’m declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers. He’ll wound your head, you’ll wound his heel.” Jesus would be born into this world and give hope to mankind through His sacrifice.

Why would God do this? His motivation was and is LOVE. He loves His creation and desires to have a relationship with us. John 3:16-18 says, “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.”

Does this give you HOPE? Hebrews 3:6 speaks of this hope we now have in Christ. “but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” I also love Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

romans 5 2 The Word is filled with references to God’s plan of redemption and the restoration of His relationship with mankind from Genesis to Revelation. The story of God’s love for us, His desire to bring us back to Him is why Jesus came. All these things give me Hope and I pray they do the same for you as you meditate on Jesus, God’s love and His desire to be in relationship with you.

Linda

A different look at Ephesians beginning with Heaven-what a place!

June 9, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

I have been praying and pondering what God wants me to write about this summer. What has come to mind over and over is that He is telling me I’m not done with Ephesians. The book of Ephesians was the foundation of my Lenten journey this year. I worked my way through the entire book in the 6 week of Lent. It was a rich time in Word of God, and I was mightily blessed. How He is leading me to write on these subjects again is to start with the lessons and truths revealed in Ephesians and search scripture for other passages that confirm the same or very similar truths. I will not attempt to do all of the truths He revealed during our Lenten journey but as many as I can. I am looking forward to a rich time in God’s Word these summer months.

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” The truth is: God blesses us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.

What kind of spiritual blessings does scripture tell us we have in heaven and some that start right here on earth- here are a few I found. (Believe me the Word is filled with references to heaven and these are but a few of the blessings.)

David wrote of the physical blessings of the heavens that we have shown to us through creation itself. Psalm 8:3-9 (a foretaste of the glories of heaven)

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
⁴what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?

⁵Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.
⁶You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under his feet,
⁷all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
⁸the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

⁹O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

We can see and know God’s handiwork even before we get to heaven. The heavens also declare God’s righteousness, faithfulness and justice.

Psalm 36:5 “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”

Psalm 50:6 “The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge!

Jesus said that repentance and persecution bring blessings in heaven. Matthew 5:10-12

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

John 6 passages promise eternal life from, Jesus, the bread of heaven. John 6:51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

2 Corinthians 5:1-2 talks about our new heavenly home, body, made by God, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ²For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,”

In heaven, all things will be united and we will have a place at his right hand, (a place of honor) Ephesians 1:10 and 20 “as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” “that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,”

Peter describes our inheritance that is safe guarded in heaven, 1 Peter 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Lastly, Revelation is filled with picture images of the new heaven God will create for our dwelling place for all eternity. Revelation 21:1-2 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ²And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

The greatest blessing of heaven, now and in the future, is that Christ died for you and me so we can experience these spiritual blessings. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 6:22-23 “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I pray you have the blessing of knowing Christ and are looking forward to these eternal blessings that await us in heaven. May you marvel at the beauty of heaven to come, the safety, completeness and glory we will see there. Be encouraged today as you meditate on these passages. This is our inheritance and a place all believers can look forward to in their future. Praise God!

Linda

Sacrifice then…let us continue the fight for freedom

June 6, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today is a day that will live in history and always be known for the great sacrifice of so many for the cause of freedom and justice. June 6, 1944 was the day of the “D-Day” invasion of Europe in 1944. Known as Operation Overload it was cloaked in secrecy and

Today the Allied flag still fly in memory.

various rumors were spread to mislead the enemy as to when the attack would take place. General Eisenhower had originally chosen June 5 for the invasion but bad weather made that impossible, so they moved forward as weather cleared on June 6. It was the largest amphibious attack in history and some 156,000 plus troops from Great Britain, Canada and the United States landed on various beaches. When I visited Normandy, I realized how great the coordination had to have been to attack simultaneously the different beaches. The British and Canadians captured beaches code named Gold, Juno and Sword. The Americans captured Utah Beach but faced heavy resistance on Omaha Beach where over 2,000 Americans died. Some historians estimate that more than 4,000 Allied troops lost their lives in the D-Day invasion, with thousands more wounded or missing.

Today it is beautiful and serene, but that day the beaches were covered with barbed wire and obstacles to stop the troops from landing.

By the day’s end, some 156,000 troops had landed successfully and led what is thought to be ‘the beginning of the end for Germany’. By the end of August, northern France had been liberated and by the Spring of 1945 the Germans were defeated. The coordinated efforts of all the commanders were lead by General Dwight D Eisenhower. They successfully adapted and overcame to defeat the enemy.

The Rangers attacked under heavy fire from the Germany guns in these bunkers on top of the cliff.

This beautiful beach cliff was the setting of the American Rangers’ attack that morning.

As we ponder this day in history, let us give thanks to those who gave their lives and those who fought bravely in the face of grave danger and survived. Thank you to those who came home and lived lives of honor and courage after having experienced the horrors of war and to those who did not return.

Normandy, a place of remembrance. Let us remember their sacrifice for our freedom and not take it lightly as the cost was great.

Proverbs 10:7 “The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
May the memories bring you blessings today.

Linda

Faith- does it really matter?

June 5, 2020 nofearlinda1 Comment

As we all struggle with the racism that has surfaced yet again in America, we need to seriously ask ourselves if faith matters. People are carrying signs that say “Black Lives Matter” which is so true- as all people matter. We are all precious and made in God’s image. The question I am pondering is does ‘faith matter’? If it indeed does, how is it manifesting itself in your life?

As Christians we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and God is working within us. That should make a difference in the way we see our world and the people, animals and the creation that make up our world. We should be concerned about our life and the lives of others. Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; make and female he created them.” He created all of us and our faith brings God into us. Our faith in God allows us to work and live for Him. Many of God’s attributes are for Him alone- only He is Incomprehensible, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Sovereign and Almighty. However, many of God’s attributes are characteristics that He desires us to emulate.

ephesians-3-17 If we want to be more and more like Jesus, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to develop those characteristics within us. He desires that we are kind, loving faithful, thankful, show goodness, gentleness, joy and experience His peace. If we are to mature in faith, the actual term is sanctification, the we need to work our our faith and live it. It does matter – it matters to God and it matters to me. Jeremiah 9:24 tell us what pleases God, “But let him who boast boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Through faith we can know God, and w can act in ways that bring Him glory and us good.

Just like ‘black lives matter’, so faith matters. It matters to you and to me. We need to humble ourselves and be open to God’s leading in our lives. When Solomon was dedicating the temple in Jerusalem, God promised a way to return to Him and save their land should they veer off course. “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Let us pray for our nation and humble ourselves seeking to do as Jesus would when dealing with others… Faith in God and Love are the ways to peace. Faith matters, let the light of Christ shine in and through you today.