Tag: confident living in Jesus

Immanuel, Not just at Christmas Time

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Do you only associate the name Immanuel (God is With Us) with Christmas story? The term God is with Us is used other places in the Bible and appears in one of my favorite verses. Deuteronomy 31:6 “ Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” I find great comfort in knowing that now matter what God is with me!

The ones we are most familiar with are those prophesies in Isaiah about the coming Messiah. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” and in Matthew 1:23 when the angel appeared and spoke to Joseph in a dream, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” Joseph would have know of the prophecy of Isaiah and hearing it from the angel must have been an amazing affirmation of his faith and the truth of God’s Word. Knowing that the long awaited Messiah would be coming and that he would have a part in God’s story must have been humbling.

The term, God is with us, is used again in Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Looking at these passages, what does the term Immanuel or God is With Us mean to you? I see it as the physical Jesus that came to earth as our Savior and also the concept of Immanuel-God is with us. I can take both of them as truth. Jesus did come and thankfully will come again. In the meantime, we can know the God is with us. In the Old Testament times, Moses encouraged Joshua who was to lead the people after him, that God would be with him. No matter what he see or hears, he was to have courage and know that God would never leave him and definitely would not forsake him. The author of Hebrews want the early Christians to be encouraged but also to be aware of the snares and pitfalls that exist in the world. He did not want them consumed with worldly pursuits and pleasure but the focus on being content and relying upon God.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be assured of God’s continual presence and His indwelling Holy Spirit that will never leave me. By faith we are His and He is not going to relinquish us ever. Claim John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” and 2 Timothy 1:14 “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” Hold onto these eternal truths! God keeps His promises and will be with us always.

Linda

3rd Sunday of Lent, Set aside Worry

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Has worry crept into your week? Are you frustrated by the state of the world and are things taking your focus off God? I totally understand how easy it is to get sidetracked and/or distracted. When I face times like that, I enjoy reading Psalm 37. In these first 6 verses we see the Lord’s answer to our worried and frustrated soul. As you read these verses, let your mind focus on what God is promising and telling you about the world. His truth is eternal and His will cannot be thwarted, trust in Him alone.

Psalm 37:1-6

Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
    be not envious of wrongdoers!
2 For they will soon fade like the grass God’s perspective- evil will soon be gone.
    and wither like the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord, God’s perspective-trust, do good, immerse yourself in Him.
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act. God’s perspective-commit to Him and let Him be in control.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
    and your justice as the noonday.

Remember God is Sovereign and always in control. He wants us to trust Him and leave the troubles to Him. By focusing on Him and His power, might and love. This week we saw God as Truth, Jehovah Shalom- Peace, our Hiding Place, Jehovah Nissi-our Banner, our Abba Father and Jehovah Jireh -the Lord who will Provide. God is bigger than anything or anyone we will face and sovereign over all the happenings in the world. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can live worry free by focusing on Sovereign God, our Savior.

Have a blessed Sunday.

Linda

The Great Provider, Jehovah Jireh

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The name of God for today is one that has been very precious to me ever since I first encountered it, Jehovah Jireh in Hebrew and The Lord Will Provide or Provider in English. This name of God first appeared in Genesis and comes at the end of the story of Abraham and Isaac. Isaac was the only son of Abraham and Sarah, the son promised to them by God. At this point in the story Isaac is a young man and goes with his father to sacrifice to the Lord. God told Abraham to go to Mt Moriah and sacrifice his son. So they took everything they needed but a lamb. When questioned about this, Abraham told Isaac that the Lord would provide. Abraham laid Isaac on the altar and was preparing to sacrifice him when this happened. Genesis 22:13-14. “ And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

For many years I did not like this story as I could not imagine God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son nor Abraham trusting God enough to go through with it. But, my thinking has changed as I grew to realize that Abraham trusted God completely and knew that Isaac was the son of promise. If Isaac was killed, God could surely bring him back to life as he provided his life when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was in her nineties. He was a miracle from the start. Abraham knew God was a promise keeper and did not go back on His Word. Next, I thought Abraham knew God and knew he did not condone human sacrifice so he trusted God to provide. Abraham’s faith was definitely greater than mine and as I’ve grown I’ve learned to trust in the Provider more and more.

We see repeatedly throughout scripture that God provides. God provided a son for barren Hannah as she prayed and asked God to favor her with a child. (1 Samuel 1) God provided for the widow and her son when Elijah came to live with them- the oil and flour did not run out. (1 Kings 17) He provided food and protection for David as he fled from King Saul for 14 years as he awaited to be king. Psalm 23, written by David, shows his dependance on the great Provider. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2     He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  3He restores my soul.”

God provided for Paul and those shipwrecked sailors on the way to Rome. Acts 27 13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. …18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. 21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.” …..

39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. God provided a place for them to land, a way to get ashore and the kindheartedness of the governing soldiers. He is the great provider.

Throughout the ages God has shown Himself to be Jehovah Jireh, The God who Provides. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know the Lord Who Provides personally and walk each day trusting in His provision.

May He show Himself to you during this Lenten season and may your trust in Him grow.

Linda

The God Who Heals

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Since the names of God appeared in the Bible which was written in Hebrew and later translated to English and many other languages, I will often use the Hebrew name for God as it would have appeared and speak of its English translation. Today’s name Jehovah Rapha is one I hold most dear. It means The Lord who heals or is the healer. This first appears in Exodus 15 right after they had come through the parted Red Sea and seen the destruction of the army of Egypt that was chasing them. They had journeyed a bit further and were very thirst and cried out to God. God showed Moses a log to put into the water to make it sweet. God speaks in Exodus 15:26“ saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.” Not only will God be their protector, provider and defender but here He adds He will be their healer.

In Psalm 103:1-3 David extols the Lord and what He can do. Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,

The psalmist from Psalm 147: 1-5 praises God for His many powers among them dealing with Israel, healing broken hearts, binding wounds, numbering and naming the starts with His power, which is beyond measure.
Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
    for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
    he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
    his understanding is beyond measure.

How have you experienced God as your healer? Has He seen you though illnesses, injuries of both body and soul? Not only does God heal but he binds up our wounds. He is the ultimate bandage that truly heals. I know times when I have been wounded in the heart by relationships or in the hardships of life, God has sent someone to pray for me, hold me and uplift me so I can remain focused upon Him. When my wounds have been caused by my own sin, He has forgiven and restored me as I repented. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know His healing personally and seek His healing whenever I am in need. Thank you Jesus!

Linda

P.S. I came learn a long time ago that just because God can heal all things He does not. Some illnesses are healed only in death and I can trust God that my friend or loved one is whole and cured in heaven. It is best to pray God’s will be done, not ours. Paul prayed to be able to visit the Romans in Romans 15:33 “so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.” He wanted to go but was leaving it up to God, holding his going with an open hand not demanding of God but requesting. James 4:13 puts it this way, saying this or that will happen,“ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” The ultimate decision is up to God and He knows what needs to happen and when for His will to be perfectly complete. We need to pray and trust Him. Knowing that the healing will happen-whether it be not or later- it will happen as God promises to be our healer!

Where do you place your Hope?

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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

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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

It’s Almost February- got your Word done?

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Before we leave this month of new beginnings, January, I wanted to check in with you about your word for the year. I hope you have been following the progression- thinking and praying about your word for the year. God will give you one!! My next step is to take my word and search scripture to see how it is used in God’s Word. Often this step gives you additional insight into the word and how God will possibly use it in your life. After that, you need to meditate on that word and look up related words- kind of define it for yourself in actions, feeling or meaning. I love the art portion of this when you make a graphic image of your words that you can visualize.

What now? I have my word, my scripture and my picture. I usually put my scripture for the year on my email below my signature. That is a visible reminder to me of what my word is. I post my picture by my desk, too. Next, I pray and wait for God to show me how my word will be manifested in my life. This may happen slowly or rapidly as it depends upon God’s timeline. This year I have immediately seen how God wants me to be diligent in various ways. Our church is doing a read the Bible in a year program and it takes diligence to keep this going. I have various students that I have to diligently teach and persevere with so they can be successful. I see others that are coming up that I will need to walk with diligence alongside. I had a spine injection of cortisone recently and will need to be diligent in exercising. I know God will have other things as my list of what it means to be diligent expands.

Linda

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.”I would encourage you to persevere and seek His guidance for the year ahead. Here are mine- I’m ready to be diligent this year for the Lord!!

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

Knowing and Being Known

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Today’s promise is a small gem that packs a big punch. It is found in John 10:14 and tells us so much about Jesus our Savior.

John 10:14 “ I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”

Promises: God promises Jesus is my good shepherd and that He knows me and I can know Him.

In ancient cultures shepherds were needed to care for the sheep. There were not fences to keep the sheep in and the predators out. The sheep are not the smartest of animals and would follow anyone. The shepherd would sleep with the sheep at night, lead them to water and pasture and lovingly care for them. He would give his life for his sheep to keep them safe. By calling himself our good shepherd, Jesus is letting us know how much he loves us. He will provide and care for us and He willingly gave His life so that we could be reconciled to God. The passage continues in verses 16b-17 “So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.”

The other promise included in this short verse is that God knows us and that we can know Him. What a privilege that through faith I can commune with God in prayer, feel His love and support and be indwelled by His Holy Spirit. He knows all about me and allows me to come to know Him through His Word, prayer and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Someday we will see Him and be in His presence. Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

What we can know from this verse: God is accessible, Jesus is our caretaker, God knows all about me, I can know God.

Lenten Reflections: Am I looking to my good shepherd for advice, protection and guidance each day? How much time do I spend getting to know God through His Word and prayer?

Because God created me and is omnipotent He knew me before I was even born. I need to study His Word to learn more about Him, to be able to understand how He wants me to act and to think bibically. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can learn to know God and can rest in His care and love.

Linda

Related Verses: Hebrews 4:16, John 10:1 and 11, Nahum 1:7, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 139:1-3, Psalm 139:13, Revelation 21:3.

Power from Within- in Jesus!

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Many passages in the Bible clarify the role of Christ and what His indwelling Holy Spirit does within our lives. Romans 8:10-11 is one such passage.

Romans 8: 10-11  “But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.“

Promise: God promises to give life through His Spirit and make all believers alive because of Christ’s righteousness.

The old saying goes “nothing is sure except death and taxes.” These verse say that is not true. God promises life in Jesus and all this is possible because of Jesus’ death on the cross. His sacrifice covered your sins and mine. 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.” 1 John 1:7 “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.” Our sins are forgiven and covered by the blood of Jesus. How then are we alive in Jesus? Paul explains in Ephesians 2:4-6 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” This work of grace and mercy from God we owe to our faith in Jesus. Paul continues to explain in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Thank you Jesus for this amazing gift of faith and forgiveness.

What we can know about God from these verses: Jesus’ blood covers our sins-past, present and future, the Holy Spirit indwells the believer, faith in Jesus makes us spiritually alive, Jesus is righteous, Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross.

Lenten Reflections: Am I experiencing God’s Spirit within me each day? Am I thankful for all Jesus did for me on the cross?

These are sobering verses when you consider what our salvation and freedom from the power of sin cost Jesus. His blood was shed for me and you. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can live forgiven and experience His life within me. I am alive in Christ!

Linda

Related Verses: 1 Peter 2:24 1 Peter 3:18, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 1:7-9, Romans 6:10-12, Ephesians 2:3-8, Colossians 2:6-7,

Words with Power and Purpose

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The promise for today assures us of the absolute need for God’s Word in our lives!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ” All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Promise: Scripture (God’s Word) comes straight from God and molds our lives so that we are equipped to do God’s work.

I don’t know about you but I’ve read my share of self-help books. I usually try out the ideas for awhile, work in a few important concepts into my life’s routine and then let the rest go. They are a temporary help at best for the problems in my life. God tells us in 2 Timothy that all of His Word comes from Him and has His life in it. All of His Word can be used in our training, teaching and correction so we can become godly men and women. We don’t have to pick and choose those ideas that would be most helpful as we have His guarantee, through His Holy Spirit, that all of His Word can and does help us. If you want to be ready to do His work, you need to spend time in His God-breathed Word, the Bible. Let it transform you and make you more like Jesus. Then you will be equipped for all situations and grow more like Jesus each day.

What we know from these verses: Scripture comes directly from God, scripture is God’s tool to mold and shape our lives, God has a purpose and work for us to do, God equips us to serve Him.

Lenten Reflections: Do I believe that all scripture is God-breathed? Do I have a plan for studying His word so I can be equipped?

Believing that all scripture is inspired by God is essential. Then you are ready to absorb His truths into your life and get to work. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can trust in God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to teach and train me. Let Go and Let God work within you.

Linda

Related Verses: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 8:3, Psalm 12:6, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 119: 9,11,105, Colossians 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12.