Need Courage? Always Available!

March 26, 2025 nofearlindaLeave a comment

This verse from Joshua is one of my favorites. It is a promise that always brings me comfort and encouragement. Joshua 1:9 is one of the first verses I memorized and it has given me courage and assurance in many difficult situations.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Promise: God promises to be with me wherever I go and his presence will dispel fear and discouragement.

God knows that I get fearful and discouraged as I face the trials of living each day. The people and circumstances that surround me often can lead to discouragement, depression, fatigue and despair. Without God to give me encouragement, direction and courage, I can easily become overwhelmed. God faithfully reminds me that He is with me and His Spirit indwells me. He gives me the power to preserve and serve Him.

What I can know from this verse: God is greater than anyone that I might fear, God’s presence dispels fear, God is omnipresent, God is sovereign, God does not want me to live fearfully.

Lenten Reflections: Where am I letting the fears of my life overwhelm me? Where do I need to turn to Him and trust in His presence?

Seek today to practice God’s presence. Send up arrow prayers when in need. Ask God to be present with you during your day. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have God with me at all times and do not have to live in fear! Praise God, Thank you Jesus!

Linda

Related Verses: Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 139:7-10, Matthew 28:19-20.

God Preserves

March 10, 2025 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today’s promise comes from Psalm 31:23-24. It holds both promises and a warning- a cautionary note from God.

Love the Lord, all you his saints!
    The Lord preserves the faithful
    but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
²⁴Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
    all you who wait for the Lord!

Promise: God promises to preserve those who faithfully follow Him and chastise those who act pridefully.

The world present us with constantly changing circumstances. The life of one who follows Jesus requires strength and courage; it is not for the fainthearted! God promises that He will be preserve us as we wait upon Him and strive to follow His ways. He promises to look out for those who belong to Him and even calls us saints! This does not mean we will not have challenges or heartbreaks, but that we will be preserved. The best verse I can think of for this is John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” We are protected through our faith in Christ. No one, nothing, can take us away from God once we are His. Once committed to Jesus, we cannot lose our salvation as no one can snatch us out of the Father’s hand! He preserves us and our salvation is safe. Our eternal life is secure!! Another verse that helps us see this is Ephesians 1:13 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,” We are sealed though the power of the Holy Spirit.

God’s caution about being prideful is shown through multiple examples in the Bible. 2 Chronicles 26 tells us about King Uzziah who became prideful before God, 2 Chronicles 32 tells us about Hezekiah’s prideful actions that almost cut his life short until he repented. Daniel 4 tells of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who admired all he had built “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” ³¹While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you,” He then lost his kingdom and spent 7 years roaming the woods like an animal until he repented. Only then was he restored to health and power. Proverbs 16:18 puts it this way, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.’

What we can know from these verses: God is worthy of my love and praise, God is committed to preserving me for eternity, God hates pride/arrogance, God supports those who wait upon Him with courage and strength.

Lenten Reflection: Do I truly believe that you belong to Jesus? If in doubt, pray and ask God for assurance of His promise that you are sealed and preserved for all eternity. Do you suffer bouts of pride or arrogance? Be quick to repent and acknowledge God as your Father and provider.

Knowing the Lord loves you and has your back for all eternity is a great comfort in this hectic and often evil world. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can live with assurance of God’s faithfulness and His safeguarding of my salvation.

Linda

Related Verses: Psalm 145:3, John 10:27-29, Ephesians 1:13, Proverbs 16:18, 1 John 2:16-17, Psalm 97:10, Romans 1:7.

Advent Day 9, Waiting in Peace

December 9, 2024 nofearlinda1 Comment

How do you know that you can trust God in all situations? King David penned Psalm 27 as a song to God that is filled with reassurances, hope and faith for anyone in difficult circumstances. You might say, I’m Okay now, no worries. And yet, each day comes with its own troubles and life has its ups and downs. Christmas is often a time of the greatest joy and greatest depression. People are overwhelmed with the demands of the season at work, home and among friends and family. What can we take from Psalm 27 to bring us hope and peace in this busy season?

David begins by reminding himself that God is the source of all hope and rescue. He was David’s salvation just as Jesus is to each one of us. Is he your light? Do you see Him as greater than your enemies? If you do, then you can conclude with the same affirmation as David- I will remain confident!

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?
²When evil people come to devour me,
    when my enemies and foes attack me,
    they will stumble and fall.
³Though a mighty army surrounds me,
    my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
    I will remain confident.

David then reveals to the Lord that being with Him, delighting in his Lord is his primary goal. He longs to be with God. He knows that God will protect and conceal him from his enemies and David will gladly worship Him. What delight do you receive from worship? Do you feel the Lord is with you?

The one thing I ask of the Lord—
    the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
    delighting in the Lord’s perfections
    and meditating in his Temple.
⁵For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
    he will hide me in his sanctuary.
    He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
⁶Then I will hold my head high
    above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
    singing and praising the Lord with music.

David then reassures himself of God’s character and the things he knows and loves about God. Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
⁸My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” God is accessible.

Do not turn your back on me.
    Do not reject your servant in anger.
    You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
    O God of my salvation! God is his Savior and will not leave him or forsake him!
¹⁰Even if my father and mother abandon me,
    the Lord will hold me close. Unlike human friends and family, God is with us eternally!

¹¹Teach me how to live, O Lord.
    Lead me along the right path, God is his guide and teacher.
    for my enemies are waiting for me.
¹²Do not let me fall into their hands.
    For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
    with every breath they threaten me with violence. God is greater than his accusers
¹³Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
    while I am here in the land of the living. His goodness will triumph.

David’s response was affirmation and patience. He trusted God to provide all the courage and patience he needed as he waited upon the Lord for guidance and help. Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

How about you? Will you seek Jesus in this busy season? Looking to Him for joy and peace.

Linda

Time to remember with Gratitude

December 7, 2019December 7, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today is the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor – December 7, 1941. It began 78 years ago at 7:55 am. If you have visited the Memorial over the sunken Arizona where the sailors are still entombed, you are sobered by their sacrifice. War is a terrible thing yet through it men rise to honor and sacrifice for their fellow men. Over 2,400 were killed and 1,000 wounded that day. The most causalities occurred on the USS Arizona as it was hit 4 times by Japanese bombers. A piece of trivia- 37 confirmed pairs or trios of brothers were assigned to the Arizona and this battle cost 62 of these 77 men their lives and 23 sets of brothers died. I can’t imagine the grief those families suffered all in one day. President Franklin D. Roosevelt described it as “a date that will live in infamy.” Just like September 11, 2001 will live on in our minds so should December 7th.

05 Duty, Honor, Sacrifice Say a prayer of gratitude today for the sacrifices of the men who died this day so long ago and for the men and women who continue to sacrifice their lives, time, talents and family time for our freedom.

Seeking to honor their sacrifice and service.

Linda

God is mighty in battle!

August 13, 2019 nofearlinda1 Comment

These last few weeks have been a trial of strength and endurance as I have moved from one place to another. Gathering, boxing, hauling, pondering where to put things, deciding what I need and what should go are all actions filled with stressful joy. I have found strength in the Lord and in His people. The Bible often speaks of the mighty hand of God, His mighty deeds or works, His mighty arm, power and strength but the description I held onto is God is mighty in battle. He was right there with me seeing to the details of this move that brought people to help at just the right time with just the resources that were needed! Psalm 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!” David saw God as mighty, strong and one who would go with him into battle. He goes on in verses 9-10 to tell us that God is strong and mighty and He will help us in our battles if we will let Him in. “Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. ¹⁰Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!”

How are you doing in the battles life is bringing your way? Are you trying to go it alone or are you willing to open yourself to the mighty helping hand of God? We need to let Him come into our lives to receive His help and blessing. He is all around us and standing in wait, won’t you ask Him to come into you today? Revelation 3:20 promises Jesus’ availability at all times, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Ask Him into your battles, He is strong and mighty and will give you strength, guidance, help and courage to prevail in whatever circumstances you find yourself. Cling to Him, He is mighty in the battle of life! Have Him by your side and on your side and you will be victorious. Be of good courage the battle is His!

Linda

I AM your Banner

September 25, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

This curious statement comes in Exodus 17:15. “And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner,” Moses and the children of Israel were still wandering in the desert when this event occurred. They were camped at Rephidim and were attacked by the Amalekites who lived in the northern part of the Sinai peninsula. Moses ordered Joshua to take fighting men and go out and confront them in battle. Moses along with Aaron and Hur would view the battle from the top of a hill. Moses told Joshua he would stand on the hill with the staff of God in his hands, which was the staff that God had used through Moses to perform many miracles. The battle began and as long as Moses’ hands with the staff were uplifted they were winning but if his hand and staff dropped they began losing. So Aaron and Hur sat Moses on a rock and held up his hand until the battle was won. When the victory was complete, Moses built and altar to the Lord and called it “The Lord is my Banner.” “saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! 16a

What is a banner? By definition a banner is: a piece of cloth bearing a design, motto or slogan sometimes attached to a staff and used as a battle standard, a flag (like the Star-Spangled Banner) or a headline in a newspaper. The meaning that seems to fit this event would really be all 3- the battle standard or flag declaring who God is and the announcement that God is the Banner for the those who believe. Moses wanted all to remember that God was the reason they won the battle with the Amalekites, and they were God’s people waving His Banner over their lives. What about you? Do you wave God’s banner over your life? Are your ‘battles’ in life solved with the Lord’s power and direction? A couple of promises come to mind where God promises to be with us in and through things for our good and His glory. “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.” Deuteronomy 31:6, “For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 and “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7. Where do you need God to be your Banner today? Look to Him for courage, power and love to overcome the obstacles you face today. Claim His promises and fly His Banner in victory.