Tag: Christianity

God is all Truth in All Things

nofearlindaLeave a comment

One of the qualities we can always depend upon from God or about God is that He is TRUTH. God is truthful as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I love John 15:26 which describes God as the Spirit of Truth. “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” Jesus wanted to reassure the disciples that he was not leaving them alone, but that His Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, would remain with them after he was gone. As believers we too can take heart in this as once we believe, God’s Holy Spirit comes to indwell us. Romans 8:9a reassures us of His presences with us, “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.” This indwelt state is where all believers find themselves! Praise God!

God the Father is filled with truth, as we see in John 4:24 “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Any worship of God must be done truthfully, God does not honor insincerity. He questioned the returning Israelites as to their sincerity of their worship practices in Zechariah 7:5-6 “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? 6 And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?” God did not want them worshipping Him without their whole hearts being involved. Rote worship is not really worship and God sees it as untruthful.

Jesus is associated with truth in so many passages. John 1:14 describes him, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus was the embodiment of God’s truth which He came to earth to show us. In John 14:6 Jesus describes himself,  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus was and is the truthful way to God, only in Him can we be reconciled to the Father. In John 17:17 Jesus prays for us that God would sanctify or consecrate us in His truth, “ Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

Jesus is also referred to as the Word in many passages. His Word stands for truth and is without error. Psalm 119:160 “The sum of your word is truth,  and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” Not only was Jesus the way and truth but by believing in Him and His Word, He promises that we would be set free, John 8:31-32“ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The truth of the freedom of believing in Jesus speaks of our freedom from the burden of guilt brought on by sin, freedom from God’s wrath over sin and freedom of Spirit when we have His Spirit within us! Paul tells us in Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” We need to guard our freedom and stay steadfastly connected to Jesus, walking with Him, studying the Word and fellowshipping with other believers.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am pure from sin in Christ, filled with His Holy Spirit and free to live for Him, a life that will glorify Him each day. Knowing this, how does this motivate you to live pure and holy lives? We can take direction many places in scripture about godliness but I love this passage from Romans 12:9-13. It gives us a lot to aim for in our daily walk. “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.“

Have a blessed day as you seek to walk in His truth.

Linda

Second Sunday of Lent, Trust God for Answers

nofearlindaLeave a comment

We have seen such wonderful names of God this first full week of Lent. Rewarder, Forgiver, Promise Keeper, Light, Righteousness and Everlasting, each of these give us hope, thoughts to bring to God in prayer and repentance. Here is a continuation of the Psalm we started last Sunday, 103:11-19.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; How big is your God’s love?
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Do you trust Him to thoroughly remove your sins?
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. Do you allow God to show you compassion?
14 For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust. Do you trust Him to number your days justly?

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, God knows were are fleeting.
    and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children’s children, God covers us with his Love and righteousness.
18 to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, God wins and has an eternal home for us.
    and his kingdom rules over all.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know all things are Yes in Jesus and I can trust Him with all my questions. May your prayers be rich today and lead you to a deeper relationship with Him.

Linda

Everlasting God

nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today’s name for God is a big one and used often in the Old Testament, El OLAM (Hebrew) or in English The Everlasting God. This name is used often in the Bible as it specifically refers to the eternal quality of God. He is unending. He has no beginning and has no end. He has always existed and no one or nothing created God. It is a name filled with wonder and assurance.

Isaiah 40:28-31 describes this Everlasting God. “Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable. He is indefatigable and deep.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength. He strengthens his people.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; He renews.
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; He gives power to continue on.
    they shall walk and not faint.

We are recipients of our Everlasting Father’s power and it changes the quality and durability of our lives.

In Genesis 21:32-33 Abraham made a covenant agreement with the Philistine commander. He planted a tree of remembrance.  “So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.  He asked God to bless the agreement by calling upon Him by name.

Most of the time, scriptures uses the everlasting part to describe the etnality of God and yet, praises His name too.

Psalm 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This was the description given to Jesus by Isaiah as he prophesied his coming and the majesty of His name and power.

Jeremiah 10:10 “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.” God’s kingdom is eternal for our Everlasting God!

What does this name of God, Everlasting God, means to you? Do you look forward to the eternity to come with our Everlasting God? Are you awed by the everlasting qualities God gives to us when you are out of energy and He uplifts you or when you lack courage and strength and He provides? Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can accept the everlasting love, energy and strength provided by my Everlasting God. When your own well has run dry, lean into Jesus and He will provide as your everlasting God, as He never runs dry or gives up. Thank you Jesus.

Linda

Lord Our Righteousness

nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today’s name of God was given in Jeremiah 23:5-6, The Lord Our Righteousness which is Jehovah Tsidkeu in Hebrew. God revealed to Jeremiah the prophet that from David’s line would come one who was righteous, a king who we would claim as our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:5-6“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

This is such a wonderful prophecy about our Lord Jesus as the New Testament proclaims we receive our rightousness from Him. Paul states in Romans 3:21-22 “ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction.” We can have the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus the Son.

We believe Jesus is the Son of God and that he came to earth to be an atonement for our sins allowing himself to die on the cross knowing He would conquer death and be raised to life. The power of His atoning blood and the power of His resurrection is how He imputes His righteousness to us through faith. 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” We were healed by his death and now when God looks at us He sees the blood of Jesus covering our sins!

There are many wonderful verses about Jesus’ righteousness that He imparted to us. Here are a few to ponder as you marvel at God’s amazing love:

The power of righteousness in our lives. Romans 1:16-17 “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

The cost of Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden and Jesus’ gift to us. Romans 5:17 “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”

Our hearts should be humbled by Jesus’ sacrifice. 1 Corinthians 1:29-30 “ so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,”

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be clean and pure before God as I’m covered in Jesus’ blood and righteousness. He is our righteous God.

What are your thoughts about Jesus’ righteousness? Do you take it for granted or assume you can have forgiveness and rightness with God without repentance? During this Lenten season, try to keep short accounts with God, going to Him often with your sin and seeking His forgiveness. He will cover you with Jesus’ righteousness just as He promised.

Linda

How does His Light affect me and you?

nofearlindaLeave a comment

The New Testament gives us several names of God from the words of Jesus. Today I want to focus on God as the Light of the World. John 1:4-5 speaks of Jesus, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The properties of this light from God brings life, enlightenment, hope, clarity from darkness both physical and spiritual and a promise that no darkness- no matter how evil- will not overcome it. I find incredible hope in that promise.

In John 8:12 Jesus specifically calls himself the light of the world, “Again 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.” This verse continues the promise of light meant for all the world and His light brings life without fear.

Light has been a beacon for mankind and a symbol of hope from God throughout the ages. He used a pillar of fire to lead the Israelites as described in Exodus 13:21 “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.” God was going to provide for them in the night, times of darkness. David saw God’s light in his life so many times. Psalm 18:28 “For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.” Psalm 27:1“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” He also saw light in God’s Word, Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Daniel’s prayer of praise in Daniel 2:22-23, names God as light. “He changes times and seasons;
    he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding;
22 he reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what is in the darkness,
    and the light dwells with him.“

In Ephesian 5:7-9 Paul encourages us to emulate Jesus and walk in His light as His children. “Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),” 1 John 1:5 tells us the God is light, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” John also gives us reason to follow Jesus in 1 John 5:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

We can trust that God is light and that His light was shown to all the world without reservations when Jesus came as our Savior. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know God’s light in my life, walk with Him and have no fear of darkness. God promised to overcome the world through Jesus. John 16:33b ” I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Take heart in His light as you walk with Him today!

Linda

His Sacrifice Leads to My Rewards Through Faith

nofearlindaLeave a comment

Have you ever thought of God as a rewarder? Genesis 15:1 describes him this way, “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” This was just prior to Abraham questioning God. He wanted to know how this could be as he did not even have a descendent. God had promised Abraham countless descendants in Genesis 12. Here God reiterates his promises to Abraham in verses 5-6, “And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” Abraham believed God totally. His faith had been counted to him as right ness before God.

Hebrews 11:6, one of my verses for the year, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Here we see that without faith in who He is, we cannot please God and that faith in Him we will be rewarded.

What kind of reward is implied here? God was promising Abraham a line of descendants when he physically did not have children. Amazingly, Abraham believed God! His faith was rewarded as he continued to seek God and walk with him. He did indeed have Isaac the child of promise in his old age. How else was Abraham rewarded by God? He was provided righteousness through his faith. We too can experience this righteousness when we believe in Jesus. Through faith, believing in Jesus, God provides us with eternal life, hope in the future and salvation. God desires to shower us with blessings both material and spiritual as we walk with Him each day. How often do we only look at what God provides or does not provide in the big things? How about the sunset, sunrise, growth of plants in our yard, a smile from a neighbor all of these can be counted as God’s provision too. God is in the details of life. Looking for Him in the ordinary will show you extraordinary things about God and His provision.

Here are a few more verses about God’s rewards:

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.” Being steadfast during those everyday trials will bring rewards now and assuredly in the future. Luke 6:23 “Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”

Paul’s idea of God’s reward to him, 1 Corinthians 9:18 “What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” Being able to tell others about Jesus Paul considered a privilege and a reward! Do we?

Colossians 3:22-23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Knowing that God is watching over us and seeing what we do for Him reminds us that He deems it important enough to reward us for it.

Acts 4:12– salvation given by Christ is definitely a great reward. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

John 17:3, eternal life, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.“

Having the fruits of the Holy Spirit indwelling us, Galatians 5:23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

As you can see, scriptures is rich in descriptions of the benefits and rewards provided through faith in Jesus. I will leave you with one of my favorites Romans 6:23 “ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God is indeed generous with His reward towards those who believe! Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be the recipient of the many blessings and rewards my Father God has provided though faith in His son. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice for me.

Linda

Where do you place your Hope?

nofearlindaLeave a comment

I love today’s name for God as the early Christians called him their blessed hope. If you had to name your best hope, would it be Christ? Paul writes to young Titus who he sent to Crete to minister to the Christians there in Titus 2:11-13 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” I love this portion of scripture as Paul reminds Titus, and us too, that Jesus brought salvation for all people. Jesus trains us through the Holy Spirit that lives with us to renounce or turn away from evil and the things of the world that would tempt us to sin. God desires that we live holy godly lives characterized by self-control and rightness. Thankfully, our rightness comes from Jesus and when we accept Jesus as our savior He covers us with His rightousness so that we can stand before God pure and holy. What a blessed gift to us! Paul wanted Titus to look forward to Christ’s return and live a godly life until He does return. That is our desire too, that we many glorify God in our lives. Jesus is our blessed hope as our future with Him is secure and upheld by God’s promises.

David speaks also of our blessed hope in Psalm 71:5 “For you, O Lord, are my hope,
    my trust, O Lord, from my youth.” Do you see the hope the Lord provides in Jesus? He gives us hope as we place our trust in Him! David had trusted God since his days as a shepherd boy as he faced the lion and the bear protecting his father’s sheep. He knew God personally and trusted Him and placed his trust and hope in Him.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am assured of His blessed hope for my salvation, my future and my walk with Him- day by day-fearlessly! Today focus on the blessed hope we have in Jesus and see if it does not motivate and lighten your heart and your steps.

Linda

Forgiveness came at a Price-Provided by our Good Shepherd

nofearlindaLeave a comment

The name for God that I chose for today is mostly found in the New Testament. However, one of the many prophecies about the good shepherd appears in Micah 5:2-5a.  “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
    when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
    to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace. The Hebrew word for Good Shepherd is El Rohi.

We see in these verses that Jesus, the good shepherd, will be born in Bethlehem (2) and that his name and majesty comes from His God (4). Jesus was both man and God incarnate during his time on earth. He calls himself our good shepherd. John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” 14-15“ I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Isaiah 40: 10-11 makes it clear that the Lord is the good shepherd to come. “Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
    he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead those that are with young.”

What does this name mean for you and me? Both the Old and New Testaments tell us that God is the Good Shepherd. A shepherd loves his sheep, protects, feeds, defends and is willing to die for them. Jesus came willingly and died for us bearing our sins on the cross. If Jesus had not come and died on the cross we would still be dead in our sins, as HE provided forgiveness and atonement before the Father. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can know HE is this good shepherd and He made atonement for us and our sins so we can stand before God forgiven. He will care for us eternally holding us close to himself.

What an amazing thing it is to be loved and cared for by God! Hold on to this truth today and feel His loving arms around you as you go about your day. He is there and cares for you!

Linda

A Great Place to Start- God Almighty

nofearlinda1 Comment

Let our Lenten journey begin as we look into the names of God from His Word. How does God refer to himself or how do others see Him? What can we learn about Him from these names and what impact can it have upon our daily lives through the eyes of Jesus?

The name I will start with today is El Shaddai (Hebrew word) translated God Almighty, Lord of the Mountains, All-Sufficient One. This first appears in Genesis 17:1 where God is speaking to Abraham. “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,” This term is used to refer to God 30 times in the Old Testament and 9 in the New Testament. It is an important distinction for us that God is the mighty one. He is the one to whom we can turn and the one who will provide for us. I love the verse in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” All aspects of God are sufficient to meet our needs. There is nothing or no one who is greater or mightier to whom we can turn.

Another place El Shaddai is used is in Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” This verse is particularly meaningful to me as I think of my friend Bob when I see or hear it. He was a WWII veteran who flew bombing missions during the war. He said this verse was the SOS or 911 verse for servicemen who were headed into danger. They could hold onto the truth that if you know Jesus you are under God’s wings of protection. I love that thought and image.

What does the mightiness of God and his All sufficiency mean to you? Do you claim His promises and depend upon His strength each day? Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we have assurance of His love and protection. Jesus said, in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” 1 John 5:18 “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” Lean into God’s love and protection today as you thank Him for His great provision in Jesus!

Linda

Words for Focus, Memory and Viewing!

nofearlindaLeave a comment

I have been praying about my Word for the year and God has given me diligent or diligently. I struggled with this idea even more after I identified my 8-10 related words that helped define what diligent means. They are: tenacity, firmness, grit, resolute, assiduity, determination, perseverance, and stamina. Wow! I was pretty intimidated by this list and what they mean. However, God would not have given me this word unless He has something planned for this year that my character needs to be uplifted in diligence.

My next step was to look for focus scripture or scriptures. The words diligent and diligently are not used that many times in scripture but I found several significant verses that spoke to my heart.

Proverbs 8:17 “I love those who love me,  and those who seek me diligently find me.”

Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”

Romans 12:8 “ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

1 Timothy 4:15 “  Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

The two that I have highlighted are my chosen verses for the year. I know God has much to teach me but I’ll start with diligence in seeking Him. Hebrews 11:6 has always been a favorite verse of mine and promise from God of being rewarded if I diligently seek Him! It goes well with Proverbs 8:17 too.

The last step in this process is to take your word and the 8-10 others and put them into a program offered for free on http://www.wordart.com You can set up a free account to save your word art, print it out to post near your desk and/or send it to others to encourage them. Here are my 2 efforts at word art

I pray you will be able to make your own and find confirmation in your words. God has a great year ahead for you!!

Linda