Tag: God's care

Taking Good Advice Pays Off

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When looking at Psalm 32, I searched various translations. The Message, though paraphrased, really hits the mark and plainly points to God’s truth about sin. The question you need to consider before you read this psalm is, what do you do about your sins? Do you ignore them, excuse them, blame them on others or do you own up and confess your wrong doings? You know what is right and failing to do it is sin according to James 4:17 “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be—
    you get a fresh start,
    your slate’s wiped clean.

2 Count yourself lucky—
    God holds nothing against you
    and you’re holding nothing back from him.

3 When I kept it all inside,
    my bones turned to powder,
    my words became daylong groans.

4 The pressure never let up;
    all the juices of my life dried up. Bottled up sin was ‘killing him’.

5 Then I let it all out;
    I said, “I’ll come clean about my failures to God.”

Suddenly the pressure was gone—
    my guilt dissolved,
    my sin disappeared. Confession brought blessed relief.

6 These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray;
    when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts
    we’ll be on high ground, untouched.

7 God’s my island hideaway,
    keeps danger far from the shore,
    throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.

8 Let me give you some good advice;
    I’m looking you in the eye
    and giving it to you straight: Good advice.

9 “Don’t be ornery like a horse or mule
    that needs bit and bridle
    to stay on track.”

10 God-defiers are always in trouble;
    God-affirmers find themselves loved
    every time they turn around.

11 Celebrate God.
    Sing together—everyone!
    All you honest hearts, raise the roof!

His good advice was to not be stubborn and obstinate in our sin. Confess and get blessed relief. I love verse 10 God defilers are always in trouble- sin brings trouble, opposition to God brings disaster but knowing and loving God brings affirmation from God and you will see it all around you! I think the psalmist would agree. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can experience blessed forgiveness of our sins and live a full and redeemed life that looks forward towards eternity. The psalmist concludes that getting your soul right with God brings rejoicing, and joy enough to raise the roof top!

May you see the truth of the psalmist’s words and put them into practice so you may experience His love and forgiveness today!

Linda

Remembering is Essential

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As I read and studied Chapter 63 of Isaiah, I was overwhelmed by the mighty things God has done for His people in spite of their sinfulness. Isaiah pours his heart out to Almighty God in prayer. First he proclaims to God, and in the process reminds himself of what God has done on their behalf. He speaks of good things that showed God’s love and compassion, His heartache over their sin and how He sent an angel to redeem them. In their rebellion they grieved the Holy Spirit, but as they remembered God and what He had done- they softened and returned to Him. Isaiah 63:7-14

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord,
    the praises of the Lord,
according to all that the Lord has granted us,
    and the great goodness to the house of Israel
that he has granted them according to his compassion,
    according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
8 For he said, “Surely they are my people,
    children who will not deal falsely.”
    And he became their Savior.
9 In all their affliction he was afflicted,
    and the angel of his presence saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
    he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

When have you felt the angel of God’s presence save you? How has He personally redeemed you from difficult circumstances, from sinful situations, from hopelessness? If He has, then you can identify with the heart-filled words of Isaiah. Let your amazement and thanks be voiced to God in prayer.

10 But they rebelled
    and grieved his Holy Spirit;
therefore he turned to be their enemy,
    and himself fought against them.
11 Then he remembered the days of old,
    of Moses and his people.
Where is he who brought them up out of the sea
    with the shepherds of his flock?
Where is he who put in the midst of them
    his Holy Spirit,
12 who caused his glorious arm
    to go at the right hand of Moses,
who divided the waters before them
    to make for himself an everlasting name,
13     who led them through the depths?
Like a horse in the desert,
    they did not stumble.
14 Like livestock that go down into the valley,
    the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.
So you led your people,
    to make for yourself a glorious name.

How has remembering the good things God has done for you turned you back to Him? In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy Moses continually reminded the children of Israel to remember Him! Moses included admonitions to remember God 9 times in the book of Deuteronomy. Here are a couple: Deuteronomy 8:18 “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Remember God’s power and His promises.

Deuteronomy 9:7 “Remember and do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord.” Remember your own sinfulness and the consequences of your sins.

Deuteronomy 24:18 “but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this.” Remember what you were before you were saved. Moses wanted the people to remember who God is, what He has done and how we get into trouble when we do not remember.

Do you keep a remembrance diary? This could be a simple as a list of answered prayers, miracles God had done for you personally or even things God has done for others that showed His power. Reviewing those things frequently helps to keep us focused and not so busy that we feel we don’t have time for God in our lives. Satan uses the busyness of our lives to distract us and that helps us forget our need for God in our lives. Be like Isaiah and incorporate your ‘thanks and reembraces’ into your prayers. It will strengthen your walk of faith and increase your devotion to God.

Linda

Assurance in the New Year, 2023

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I know I do not know what the New Year will bring into my life, but I do know the one who knows and faithfully cares for me. Here are some scriptures to encourage you as you look into the New Year: (be sure to read the note to self at the bottom)

God is faithful and His mercies are new each and every morning. Lamentations 3:21-23 “But this I call to mind  and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;  his mercies never come to an end;23 they are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness.” I can cling to God’s character as I traverse this year being assured of His unending love for me and His faithfulness to those who believe in Him.

God cares for me. Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good,  a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” I can depend upon the goodness of God, His protective nature and His care for me.

God a plan for my life that is good. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Whatever this year may hold, I can trust in God’s plans for my life as they are good and filled with hope. My future is secure in Him.

God’s salvation plan is secure because of my faith in Jesus. John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “ Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

God’s promises are true and He is always with me. 2 Peter 1:4 “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” I know God has given me His promises so I can live rightly for Him without fear. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” I do not need to live in fear of them- the world, enemies, bad economic and difficult times, because God is always with me. I can depend upon His faithful character.

May you look to the New Year with hope and anticipation of what God will do in and through your life in 2023! The world is constantly changing and often not in a good way. But we can remain steadfast and plugged into God as He is constant and will not change on us. Hebrews 13:8 is a promise to hold onto, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”. Praise God we have a faithful, immutable God to lead us in 2023!

Happy New Year!

Linda

What is your response? Praise or Disbelief?

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Today’s scripture focuses on Elizabeth and her reaction to the happenings in their lives. Luke 1:23-25 “When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Elizabeth saw what had happened to her husband Zechariah because of his unbelief when given the news about their coming child. Zechariah’s sudden muteness was proof of God’s power in a tangible way. Even though she had a reason to doubt that she could conceive and carry a child, as she was old, she responded with faith. Granted she had a bit more information than her husband as she learned about the angel’s message and saw first hand Zechariah’s inability to talk, she still chose to choose faith in the impossible rather than doubt. What about you? Do you seek to disbelieve when the evidence is right before you that God performed a miracle? Do you deny the resurrection because you were not there to see it yourself? Do you disbelieve that Jonah was swallowed by a big fish and was inside the fish for 3 days? Do you disbelieve that miracles of Elijah and Elisha and discount them as untrue? The Bible is filled with miracles given by God to bless his people and increase their faith. To enjoy and experience the miracles of God one must believe!

Let’s look at Elizabeth’s words in response to her pregnancy. She spent time in seclusion to care for the child that was growing inside her. She was protective of this miracle of life that God had given her. She counted it a blessing as God had removed her barrenness and favored her. Being barren was considered a disgrace in her time and caused by God. Elizabeth was glowing as she gave God all the credit and praise for the miracle of life He had given to her. She did not question God’s timing- like why did I have to wait so long? Why did this happen in my old age? No, she praised God and thanked Him for His favor. What about you? Are you one who is quick to thank God? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Like Elizabeth, our first words need to be ones of thanks.

Think about what is happening around you right now. What do you have to be thankful for and what miracles has God provided in your life? As you reflect on your life with thanksgiving, you will see in a fresh or new way the beauty and praise in Elizabeth’s words and actions.

Linda

After Advent…Wise Men, what a story they have!

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Our nativity scenes with the shepherds and Wiseman all present at Jesus’ birth are not actually accurate. The shepherds received the message from the host of angels and went in search of Jesus the night of his birth. Luke 2. However, the wise men did not appear for about 2 years after Jesus’ birth. They saw the star announcing his birth, studied what this star could mean and then decided to follow it. The journey from Persia would have taken months. Their story is recorded in Matthew 2:1-8.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
    are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
    who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

Our story has several important players that impacted Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Herod also known as Herod the Great was an evil king who was a controlling, power hungry, non-Jew put in power by the Roman Senate in 40, B.C. He was known to have murdered his wife, his three sons, his brother-in-law and many others. He was ruthless and would do anything to protect his reign. There were the Wise men who were learned scholars seeking truth and this new king who’s birth was announced in the stars. And there were the Jewish scholars who served Herod who knew the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah King. The arrival of the Magi, or Wise Men, in Jerusalem would have created quite a stir and their message was one to put fear into jealous Herod’s mind and heart.

I have always wondered why Herod did not send soldier right then to seek out this ‘king’ but his hesitancy was God’s provision to protect Mary, Joseph and young Jesus. It allowed the Wise Men to find Jesus, worship him and present him with gifts. It allowed time for the young family to escape Herod’s grasp and for the Wise Men, we’ll see, to not be involved with evil Herod’s plans.

Where do you see God’s providential care in your life? Has He rescued, provided or comforted you in some way in 2021? I can only imagine the story the Wise Men had to tell when they returned home about the child king who God protected. What story do you have to tell about God’s provision? It is yours to proclaim and is irrefutable proof of God’s hand in your life. Speak up about God and His loving care for you.

Linda