Tag: Christianity

Is Being Good Enough?

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We’ll start our week with Psalm 15 in which David describes what defines the actions of a man who could live with God.

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain? 2 The one whose walk is blameless,
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
    but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
    who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.

We know David’s picture of the ‘good’ man is well defined by how they act towards others. Micah 6:8 describes one who God loves as “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.” David’s good man would live up to the Micah 6:8 criteria.

However, Hebrews 11:6 adds another dimension this as it is not all words and actions but has to involve faith. “And without faith it 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.” One cannot ‘earn’ your way to heaven to live in his presence without faith and it is specific faith that is outlined in 1 Timothy 2:2-4 , “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Faith in the truth of Jesus is what is needed. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is our only access to the Father.

One can have all the ‘right’ actions and word and yet without faith it is impossible to please God, and without Jesus and his work on the cross you are still sinful. Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Today consider your actions, words and faith. Do you act rightly and seek to do good towards others? What about your faith? Is your faith firmly placed in Jesus? Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be clean before God. Good deeds and great words need faith in Jesus to make a difference for you in God’s eyes. Remember without faith in Jesus it is impossible to please God. Take that leap of faith today and trust in Him.

Linda

Living the Life God Intends

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I am so looking forward to our Lenten Journey through the Psalms. There will be much to reflect upon as we dive into these precious poems or songs, as many were sung in the temple for worship. We too can worship God as we read them. Let’s begin at the beginning with Psalm 1. It is truly as favorite of mine as it clearly shows the contrast between the believer and the unbeliever.

It is a bit unconventional but the Message translation hits the mark and the words jar us into understanding God’s intended message.

How well God must like you—
    you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats,
    you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings,
    you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.

2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
    you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
    bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
    always in blossom.

4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,
    who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court,
    unfit company for innocent people.

6 God charts the road you take.
The road they take leads to nowhere.

God shows us how fortunate we are to know and follow Him. We are refreshed by scripture continually, bear fruit for the Lord and are always blooming. Jesus shows this contrast in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Life with Christ is meant to be full and abundant. He allows us to bloom right where we are. I love the picture from Isaiah of us as a well-watered garden. Isaiah 58:11 “The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,  like a spring whose waters never fail.“

The contrasting life, the one of the unbeliever is also pictured here.  They have no anchor, no defense and their road leads no where. Jesus told us in John 15:5 that unless we are connected to Him we can do nothing of eternal value. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  Many unbelievers have very productive lives accomplishing much good. However, their accomplishments apart of Jesus have no eternal value and will ‘burn up’. You cannot earn your way to heaven with good works. Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.“ 

With a life based on faith in Jesus, we can know His abundance. We can read and understand scripture. His Word will enrich and guide our lives. Our works done in His name have eternal value and bring honor and glory to God. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can live with an abundance of love, hope and peace. Thank you Jesus.

Linda

My Word- More Scriptures

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When God gives me a word for the year, I select scriptures to solidify the concept God has laid upon my heart. The first verse I mentioned in my last blog, Psalm 37:5-6. The other two verses God gave me are Proverbs 16:3 and 1 Peter 4:19. What truths do these verses add to my word- Commit? I looked each up in various translations to seek clarification and improved understanding.

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” ESV     “Commit your actions to the Lord,  and your plans will succeed.” NLT            “Put God in charge of your work,  then what you’ve planned will take place.” Message   Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.” NKJV

Each of these translations adds something new to the concept of committing everything I do to God and the promise He gives. The New King James Version adds thoughts to the work one does. That new dimension challenges me to put all my doing, acting and thinking into God’s hands. Commitment at this level is total, complete and focusing on what is important for success in life. These are sobering reminders of what God desires of each of us. Doing things, thinking Biblically about what I’m doing or going to do is essential for plans to be accomplished. Committing my work to God and following through for Him brings success. It also tells us that God is the driving force behind successful work for Him.

My final verse 1 Peter4:19  “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” NIV    “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” ESV    “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.” NLT      “Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with the will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator.” Amplified     “So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it.” The Message

It also helped me to look at this verse in various translations. The suffering is expanded in the Amplified to mean ill-treatment and suffering for doing God’s work. Our response to suffering is to continue onward, continue to commit to God, trust Him and what He has for our future. I like the word the ESV version uses for commit- entrust. I am to entrust my life to Him in these trying times and He will see me through because He is the faithful one the faithful Creator.

I love the Word, Commit, God has laid upon my heart for 2024 and the verses He has shown me. I am looking forward to the adventure of 2024 with Him

Linda

P.S. Please let me know what word you have chosen for 2024 by responding. Thanks.

Picture My Word for 2024

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I have been praying and asking God for a new word for this year. He has impressed upon me the word ‘commit’. The dictionary defines commit as to pledge with purpose, to do, to preserve- like to your memory, to trust or charge with safekeeping, to send into battle….  Reflecting on this definition, is would seem that people in our day and times have difficulty committing to relationships, jobs, pursuits to reach goals, and/or to joining or serving and sticking with it. 

Biblically commit is used over 150 times.  Exodus speaks of commit in the 10 Commandments- as in what not to do. ”Do not commit ____.”  Leviticus speaks over and over about the sins people were doing which were committed against God and His laws. 1 Samuel and 1 Kings speak of committing your way to the Lord. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:” David also spoke of committing his spirit to God in Psalm 31:5 “Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” Solomon added in Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” In Luke 23:46 Jesus spoke from the cross of committing His spirit to God. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.” Paul speaks of us being committed in 2 Corinthians 5:19 “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” Peter speaks of our commitment in 1 Peter 4:19 “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” 

We are exhorted in the Old and New Testaments to NOT commit sins- adultery, stealing, lust, etc. In addition to striving to put sin aside we are asked to commit our way, our spirit, our being, our resolve, our faith to God and follow Him. Our job is to commit our ways to Him and then He will lead and bring about things for our good and His glory. 

The related words to commit that I have chosen are: persevere, submit, act, do, support, pray, study, write, serve and join. It will be interesting, as in an adventure, to see how God uses this word in my life in 2024. Here are the verses I am using to guide me: Psalm 37:5-6 “Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” 

1 Peter 4:19 “ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” The suffering here is not so much bad things but committing to God and walking away from worldly pursuits.

I pray God has given you a nudge towards a particular focus word for 2024. I will expand on these verses in days to come as I mediate upon the word and verses God has provided.

Linda

An Unlikely Start to Advent, but A Necessary Perspective

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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.
15 And 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, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and 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

My Manifesto

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Manifesto (noun): a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer

Through my writing, I strive to help people see that God’s Word is not only viable, but should be applied to our lives each and every day of the year.

Whether you are old or young, the message of God’s Word can apply to your life. God promises that His Word will guide us, bring us closer to Him, and give us direction for living. All too often, though, we forget these promises and allow fear to take over.

My passion comes from a deep belief that God’s Word has power.

The written Word of God (the Bible) has just as much power as the words God spoke to create the world. God’s Word can and does change our lives––and the study of God’s Word leads us closer to Jesus, shows us who God is, and demonstrates His character. I am convinced that the more we know about God the closer we can walk with Him, feel His Spirit within us, and grasp the messages that Jesus, the prophets, and Apostles delivered so many years ago in the Bible.

I never expected to write a book.

It all started with a word study about fear. I was experiencing a lot of troubles in my life that were causing me to live fearfully. I once heard someone say that there are 365 references of not being fearful in the Bible. I thought, “I’m a pretty good Bible Student, and I don’t remember seeing that many!” The search began with my own Bible’s concordance and ended with my own book. I discovered 70 instances where we are told specifically to not have fear, and 295 other references about having fear. The fear we are encouraged to have should be directed towards God Almighty.

My writing relies on God.

After writing my first and second books, I began blogging. My devotional blogs and books are written to stimulate your thoughts towards God and show you a way to apply God’s Word to your life the very same day you read it.

It is my desire that through my devotions, you the reader will be led into God’s Word and begin to hunger for the righteousness to be found there. Creating materials that are straightforward, uncomplicated, and based on Scripture available to is essential to my purpose as a writer. I claim Isaiah 55:11 in all my writings. God promises that His Word will not return empty, and God keeps His promises.

I pray my devotional books and blog posts will touch you and cause you to open your Bible to seek His truth for yourself.

If this resonates with you, please consider signing up for my email newsletter. I promise to never spam you or overwhelm your inboxes. My hope is that these occasional emails will be encouraging reminders of His love for us and the promises He’s made us!

Blessings as you open His Word,

Linda Knight

On Writing “Promises for Dynamic Living”

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After I published my first book, Fearless Living, people asked me if I was going to write a second book. Since I never thought I would write even one book, I couldn’t imagine God giving me a second one.

However, while I was publishing my first book, God gave me a new idea to research. As I was studying the book of Genesis, I began to notice promises that God gave to Abraham that could apply to me. I started searching His Word for promises that I could claim in my own life. Each day, I would look up a new promise, write it in my journal, pray, and ask God what He was promising me through that particular verse. I saw His character revealed more and more and the vast scope of His promises. I became really excited about His promises, and what a difference I could see they were making in my life! I thought, I’m not the only one who needs to know the promises of God, nor am I the only one who needs His Word to penetrate in my life. Through His encouragement, Promises for Dynamic Living began to develop and become alive.

Knowing that pulling verses out of context could lead to error and misunderstanding, I searched God’s Word to verify the chosen passages. Great promises of God are stated repeatedly in various contexts so that we can get the idea and claim the promise. Each day’s devotional promise explains the truths we learn about God and where we can find a similar promise or concept in the Bible. I must admit, this search was a challenge and caused me to think, meditate, and internalize God’s promises, as I saw them reaffirmed throughout His Word.

Through the writing of this book, I have seen the completeness of God’s Word and how He has woven it together to confirm, assure, and build us up to be the men and women He desires. His Word in us glorifies Him, and He longs for us to study and know Him. When I work with young people, I try to teach them that God’s Word, on the pages of our Bible, holds the same power as the spoken word of God, which brought the world into existence.

There is power in His Word and He desires that we know His Word and claim it in our lives.

I am so encouraged because the depth of God’s promises span throughout the entire Bible. God’s promises are not just limited to those things given to us by Christ. God has been in the promise-making business from the very beginning of His relationship with man. He knows us and knows that we need assurance of who He is and what He will do in and through our lives. I pray you will find promises in both the Old and New Testaments to enrich your walk with the Lord and that it brings you assurance of His loving character. May His promises remove any, and all, doubts you are experiencing. Claiming His promises in your life will dispel doubt and fear. It will lead you on the pathway toward assurance and HOPE in Christ.

Blessings,

Linda

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