Scripture and My Word

January 25, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

After God has laid upon your heart the word He has for you, you choose 8-10 related words to help you clarify and broaden the scope of the word in your mind. The next step is to go to scripture and search for your word. Most often there are many verses using your word and you need to read through them to see which ones resonate with your heart and capture the broadened meaning of your word. This year’s word for me, Commit, was used over 150 times in the Old and New Testaments. I sifted through and saw various meaning’s or uses of the word. As I studied the passages I began to focus on 3 different scriptures: Psalm 37:5-6, Proverbs 16:3 and 1 Peter 4:19.

Psalm 37:5-6 ”Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
⁶He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.”

I love these verses and included them in my book Promises for Dynamic Living. God promises that committing your way to Him and giving Him your trust allows Him to act on your behalf. He will bring forth good things, help you to shine for Him and see that you are treated justly. Those are mighty returns for your commitment and trust! There are principles about God and His character embedded within theses verses. 1. God is good and wants only good things for me. Those things brought forth through our trust and commitment are in the light, righteous and just. 2. Following God requires trust and commitment. God promises action only if we do our part- trusting and committing. We know God keeps His promises so to receive his blessings we need to commit and trust in Him. Blessedly God knows us and our weaknesses and often acts in spite of what I do. Then I thank God for his boundless grace towards me. 3. God has the power to mold and shape my character. His actions will bring forth from me new light and righteousness in Him. God desires to make us more and more like Jesus as we walk with Him daily. 4. God is just and righteous. These attributes are an intergyral part of God’s character and who He is.

Here are 2 verses from Isaiah about our Just God. 5:16 “But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.” 30:18 “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”

Here are 2 verses from Psalms about our Righteous God. 71:19 “Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?” 145: 17“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.”

I pray you will find just the right verses to go with your word so that God can use them to imprint Himself upon your life this year. The other verses I’ve chosen will be written about in future blogs.

Linda

Choosing a Guiding Word for 2024

January 10, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

As we enter this New Year of 2024, it is time to think about what God has in store for you. One way to do this is to have a Word from His Word to be your focus. I have done this for several years now and have found it to be uplifting for my faith and walk with God. God amazes me how the Word He gives me is repeated continually thought-out the year. Many times it is encouraging to my walk, sometimes instructive but always guiding.

I would challenge you to pray about this as you read and study this week. Ask God what Word He would give you from His Word for this new year. He may give you more than one word to pursue so do that and see where He leads you. The Word you have for your focus has others that are or will be related to it. Make a list of your main word and then 5-10 related words. God will guide you to hone and zero in on the Word He has for you. Now that you have your list, look to scripture for verses that use your word or words and see how God guides in choosing focus verse for the year. I generally end up with 1-2 verses.

Here are some verses and words to get you started:

Joy- Psalm 16:11, Psalm 63:7, Habakkuk 3:18 or James 1:2

Hope– Psalm 62:5, Psalm 147:11, Jeremiah 29:11, Lamentations 3:21-22, Romans 5:4-5 or 1 Timothy 4:10

Trust- Psalm 28:7, Psalm 31:14, Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 3:5-6 or Jeremiah 17:7

Grace– John 1:16-17, Romans 3:24, 2 Corinthians 12:9, or Ephesians 1:7

Peace- Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 5:9, John 14:27 or Philippians 4:7

Obedience– Psalm 128:1, Deuteronomy 10:12

Or you may choose to examine words like: unity, compassion, mercy, steadfastness, stability, generosity, service or enough. When examining words like these you need your list of 10 related words to aid you in your search. Have fun with this and make it an adventure in listening to God and hearing what He has to say to you about your New Year!

May God encourage you as you seek His face this week and look to Him for your Word from His Word.

Linda

An Unlikely Start to Advent, but A Necessary Perspective

December 1, 2023 nofearlindaLeave a comment

As we begin the month of December, we turn our focus on Advent and the birth of our Lord and Savior. Each year for the last 10 years I have written each day in December to help bring myself closer to His celebration and truths instead of focusing on the world’s obsession with buying, gift giving and making or saving money. I pray that my blogs will stimulate your thinking and help you to focus on Jesus with your heart, mind and soul. As I look at the various players in the story of the Lord’s coming and His birth, I want to reflect on God and what the story shows us about His character and especially his great love for us.

Today’s thought about God is that He set His Redemptive Plan in motion when sin entered the world. Only Sovereign God could accomplish this for us. He did it by sending His son Jesus.

The story begins in Genesis 3:14-15. Eve had been enticed by the serpent (the devil) into eating from the tree of good and evil which God had forbidden them to eat. She ate and then gave some to Adam so they both were guilty of disobeying God. God spoke to them- the serpent, Eve and Adam and told them the consequences of their actions. So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,

“Cursed are you above all livestock
    and all wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
    and you will eat dust
    all the days of your life.
¹⁵And I will put enmity
    between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
    and you will strike his heel.” These words are the first hint in scripture that there will be trouble between the offspring (Jesus) of the woman and those that do not believe. God is saying that regardless of the problems, Jesus will crush him (Satan and his minions). This will come to a conclusion when Christ returns and all are held accountable before Him. Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place  and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father.”

All history is about this struggle over sin and its desire to lure, entice, bind and overcome us so that we will not follow God. The original sin that started in the garden overshadows mankind. That is why when Jesus says in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” He is showing us a way to leave the darkness brought on by our sin and to walk in His light. Through Jesus, God provides a way for us to be reconciled to Him and get out from under the bondage of sin. Paul exhorts us in Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Faith in Christ frees us from slavery to our sins. John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

So the arrival of Advent bring Christians a time of reflection on all of God’s goodness and the hope of redemption provided by Jesus. We see God’s great love in sending Jesus to save us from our sins. We were in a hopeless state before His coming as there was nothing we could do to get ourselves right with God and erase our sin. We could not be ‘good’ enough to earn God’s favor.

Thank you Jesus for coming.

Linda

Are you using your Sword effectively? Take a lesson from Jesus.

April 9, 2020April 16, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Ephesians 6:17 lists two weapons – the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. As Paul reminded us in verse 16 these weapons are to be ready in all circumstances. The helmet of salvation is an offensive weapon like the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel and the belt of truth. However, the sword of the Spirit is our only physical weapon that can be used both offensively and defensively. ^“and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”

The Sword of the Spirit or the Word of God is a weapon for close combat one to one or for group warfare. The Word of God includes the physical words in the Bible, the message of the Word, their intended meaning and the actual saying of the words out loud. Jesus gave us a perfect example of the use of God’s Word in combat when He was confronted by Satan in the wilderness. Jesus did not try to reason with Satan or argue with him. He simply used God’s Word and its truth to thwart him. He answered his questions with the Word of truth. (See Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13 for the account of Satan confronting Jesus in the wilderness.)

We can take a lesson in how to use the Sword of Spirit from Jesus. We need to learn to use God’s Word when we are confronted with indecision, confusion, difficult circumstances, temptations, fears, etc. The reason Jesus was able to use God’s Word to rebuff Satan was because He knew the Word of God. That should lead us to the conclusion that we need to hide God’s Word in our hearts so that we will be ready. Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. “ Memorizing scripture has eternal value as once you put it into your mind, the Holy Spirit will use it to shape and mold your mind so that you will be stronger in faith, less led into sin and confidently face situations. We also need to study and immerse ourselves in God’s Word to know more about who God is and what He has for us. Jeremiah 29:11 reveals God’s heart towards us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Studying God’s Word is essential for growth towards maturity as a believer.

Hebrews 4:12 describes God’s Word “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” God’s Word is active and alive, remember saying or using the words of God has power to effect lives for Him. God’s Word helps us to discern God’s truth and discover our hearts intentions. God’s Word has power and should be treated with reverence as it is God’s defensive gift to us for use in our struggles here on earth. Know it, use it and be transformed by it! Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have access to the living Word of God that can and will defeat the enemy.

Wield your sword in battle today. Have God’s power in your hand and on your lips.

Linda

Holy Week- Thursday was the day of Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples. He spent considerable time comforting them and praying for them. They went to Gethsemane where Jesus prayed, arrested and led off to trials throughout the night. Matthew 26:17-46, Mark 14: 12-42, Luke 22:7-46, John 14:1-16:33

#7 Practicing Devotion to God-By Thinking Biblically

February 18, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

This idea of thinking biblically is something I’ve given quite a bit of thought. Scripture tells us in Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God’s way of thinking and doing things are not the same as ours. We are human and finite and God is omniscient and infinite. So, we need to learn to think biblically to understand God’s ways better. How do you go about that? The process begins by spending time in God’s Word, memorizing His Word, and meditating on His Word so that your minds thoughts are immersed in His thinking and ways. Then when you are faced with a situation, you will respond with biblical thoughts more often than with worldly thoughts and actions.

I have had this happen many times while I was memorizing the book of James. It is a very practical book with loads of thoughts to direct our actions. When something would happen, I would immediately recall scripture as my first reaction to a situation. I realized I was practicing biblical thinking and acting like God would have me act. It is an amazing feeling when your first reaction is godly and not worldly. Our thought originate within ourselves and are selfish at heart and of this world. God’s ways are not like ours and only come from being fully covered in His Word.

Psalm 119:11 confirms this idea, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119: 98 “Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.” Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s Word is powerful and can discern truth. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Having God’s Word in your heart and on and in your mind causes you to think Biblically and react as God would have to you act. As you strive to be more and more like Jesus, becoming sanctified in Him, your thoughts and actions need to reflect Jesus more and more.

Ponder how you can think more like Jesus. Delve into God’s Word and try to soak it up into your very being. Endeavor to practice Biblical thinking this week and see if you are not wiser and led into sin less as you look to His Word as your guide.

Linda

Find Hope for Living in 2020

January 3, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

The Bible assures us of Hope in various ways. As I mentioned first we have survival hope, that is filled with God’s promises, mercy, care and love. It is continual hope that never quits and demand our praise because of its consistency and unendingness. Psalm 71:14 “But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.”

Today let’s look at the Hope we have in Scripture. Psalm 119:114 “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” Psalm 119:147 “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.” Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;” The psalmist knows that God protects him, as He says so in His Word. He know that in all of life’s circumstances when he calls to God for help, he knows God will answer as He says so in His Word. He also knows that timing belongs to God and that as he waits he has hope because of God’s faithfulness in His Word.

Do you have Hope because of the assurances God gives in His Word? For this to be true, you have to open the Bible daily and feast upon His Word. You have to hunger to know Him more fully and rely upon His Word. Make it a priority this New Year to join a group that studies God’s Word each week. Perhaps your local church has such a group, if so join and make it a priority. Perhaps you need another place to study, look up the following organizations and see if there are classes meeting in your city. Both groups have studies for men, women and children. These are both Bible base interdenominational, internationally available studies that systematically delve into God’s Word seeking to know Him more fully and to apply scripture to life. Bible Study Fellowship and Community Bible Study classes are both found world wide! Look up you city, country and see if a class is close to you. https://www.bsfinternational.org/ and https://www.communitybiblestudy.org/

Delve into God’s Word in 2020 and discover HOPE for living.

Linda

I AM… the light of the world

September 6, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Jesus made this claim and it is recorded twice in John. Once when challenged by the Pharisees in John 8:12 and again in John 9:5 when questioned about the sin of man that was born blind.

In John 8:12-15 the Pharisees were seeking to discredit Jesus’ claims saying He could not be His own witness to who He really was. Jesus’ answers are straight forward and He turns the statements back to them so that they will examine themselves. ¹²Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ¹³So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” ¹⁴Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. ¹⁵You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.” Jesus’ statement is bold and shows purpose and direction. He knew where He was going, what He was doing and why. He assures us that if we follow His light, His truth, and His ways we will not walk in the darkness of sin but have a life filled with His light and truth! What a wonderful assurance.

In John 9 Jesus encountered a man born blind and His disciples asked, who sinned and made this man blind- his parents or him? “³Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. ⁴We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Jesus assured them that the blindness did not come from sin but was to be an opportunity to show the works and power of God. Jesus performed many miracles of this kind during His ministry. Giving sight was a living example of what Jesus can do for us as He can give us sight. His light brings salvation, hope, understanding of God’s Word, a pathway to stronger character based on Him, guidance and direction. He shows us the way to God. John calls Jesus the Word in John 1:1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus is the fulfillment of Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Jesus is God’s Word brought into our lives to bring us to Him and to be the light by which we can come to God. Praise God for His mercy and grace towards us by sending Jesus to be our light in this dark world.

Ask yourself, Am I walking fully in God’s light, letting Him guide and direct my way? Or am I walking part in light and part in darkness trying to live in the world, keeping worldly thoughts and actions a part of my life? How can I walk more in God’s light and less in the shadow of the world’s darkness each day? David gave us a glimpse of an answer in Psalm 119:9-11:   ⁹How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word. Stay in the Word (Jesus)
¹⁰With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments! Follow the Word (Jesus)
¹¹I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you. Keep the Word in your heart. (Jesus)

Does this describe how your heart looks?

Have a blessed day walking in the LIGHT of Jesus.

Linda

I AM… the Bread of Life

September 3, 2019September 3, 2019 nofearlinda1 Comment

All summer I have been writing about God’s names in the Old Testament seeing that God is our refuge, our glorious sword, our King, our provider and so much more. As we enter fall, I want to switch to the New Testament voice of Jesus and who He says He is to us. He made 7 ‘I am’ statements that are equal in measure with God’s statement to Moses in Exodus 3:14 when he questioned God, asking who shall I say has sent me? God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

Picture the scene that John portrays in John 6. The crowds were pressing Jesus and asking Him for a sign to show that He was God. They wanted a tangible sign from Jesus and reminded Him of the manna that God sent to the children of Israel while wandering in the desert. Jesus told them God had sent them true bread from heaven to give life to the world. Of course, “They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus replies with His first of the 7 I AM statements. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:34-35 Jesus goes on to assure them further, “³⁶But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. ³⁷All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. ³⁸For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” Jesus came to show us the Father, to do His will and hold us as His own. We never need to fear what man can do as God holds us tighter than tight and sees to our needs. Knowing Jesus brings satisfaction for your spiritual hunger to know God and to be fed by Him.

Do you allow God to feed you daily from His Word? Jesus, the very bread of life, is ever present in God’s Word and John even refers to Jesus as the Word in John 1:1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus is the Word and has the very words of life for us in the Bible. Read the Word today and let Him feed and nurture you as you seek to know Him. He will sustain you with pure spiritual food that will always satisfy. Jesus promises He is the true bread of life that we need for living an authentic life before Him.

Linda

A Treasure Chest of provisions for you and me!

June 29, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

psalm119 Today as I reflect on Psalm 119 for the last time, I am looking at the list I made of just a few of the things the psalmist found. This glorious psalm is a song of praise to God and a declaration of the psalmist’s faith in God Almighty.

He found: joy in seeking God, 2 “Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.” a way to purity, 11 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” answers for living, 32 “I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding.” answers for persecutors, 42 “Then I can answer those who taunt me, comfort and hope, 49-50 “Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. for I trust in your word.” security, 86 “All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.” meditations that bring understanding, 103-4 “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.” guidance, 105 “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” a shield and refuge, 114 “You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope” resolve to stand with the right, 128 “Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.” expectations, 131 “I pant with expectation, longing for your commands.” sorrow over evil, 136 “Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions.” God’s righteousness, 137 “O Lord, you are righteous, and your regulations are fair.” truth, 160 The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever. “ the Sovereignty of God, 168 “Yes, I obey your commandments and laws because you know everything I do.” that God seeks the lost, 176 “I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.”

This is an amazing list of things the psalmist understood because he believed in God and took His Word seriously. How precious is God’s Word to you? Meditate on this list of things the psalmist found- how many of them can you claim to have found in God’s Word? Seek Him in His Word and see what you find.

Blessings as you seek Him too,

Linda

I’m claiming God’s promises for my own, how about you?

May 15, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

psalm 119 76 The next section of Psalm 119 in verses 73-80 the psalmist speaks of his joy that God created him and the joy that living as one who fears the Lord brings. I think the heart of his message is in 76-77: “Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.” The psalmist is praising God for loving and comforting him just as He promised. He knows that God will be merciful to him and give him life as he learns to live delighting himself in God’s Word.

Do you know these truths about God for yourself? Do you experience His steadfast love and comfort? Do you see His mercies in your life? Do you find that praying, reading God’s Word and worshiping Him brings you delightful peace and assurance? The psalmist reminds us that all of these are promised by God to those who believe and stand upon His Word. Here are a few promises you can claim in your life and hold onto their truth.

God keeps his promises

Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Psalm 86:5-7 “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.”

Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;”

Ask yourself today, where do I see God’s love and mercy and where am I delighting in doing things God’s way? God will keep His promises. Claim victory in Christ today!

Walking with love and mercy given graciously by Jesus to me,

Linda