Tag: God’s Word

Peace-filled Living, Possible for you and me!

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In light of recent events, I begin to question whether or not living peacefully with others is at all possible. Peace seems like such an illusive thing.  Some days I revel in it and some days it seems out of my reach.   What we can be assured of is that peace is ours through Christ and is always attainable.  Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  The peace Jesus gives is not worldly calm and freedom from activity, but a peace with God that will satisfy our souls.  It is the peace the pervades us even when the world is swirling around us.  Paul describes this peace in Romans 5:1-2  “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”   Paul assures us that the peace we have though Christ brings us into relationship with God and is filled with His grace and purposefully holds us no matter what else is happening in our lives.

Believing that Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have peace in Christ. He promises that His peace is ours for the taking. Why do we struggle with it so much?  I think it is because of the pull of the world on our lives and the loss of focus and faith in the power of our God.  We are free in Christ from the power of sin over our lives but we live in a sinful world.  The effects of sin on us and our lives is unavoidable.  Staying above this and living in peace takes work- unwavering faith, prayer, diligence to stay in the Word and fellowship with other believers.  Are you getting a dose of each of these in your life each day or week?  Summer is a good time to renew commitments and take time to pray, read God’s Word, memorize a verse or two and have fellowship with other believers.  It is good for your soul and will bring you peace!

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Thankful for the power of peace in Christ,

Linda

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.

The Perfect Manual

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Psalm 119 is a treasure trove of truths and promises about God’s Word. Each of the stanzas of this poetic scripture tell us more and more about the reliability and truthfulness of God’s Word.

Psalm 119:9, 11, 105, 160 “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word…..11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you……105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path….160 All your words are true;  all your righteous laws are eternal.”

Promise: God promises that His Word is eternal, righteous and a guidebook for godly living.

When you get new appliances they come with a manual for operation or installation. Once I purchased a new sewing machine. The purchase came with 2 introductory classes to learn about the machine and the things you could make it do. When I got to the class I sat down, set up and threaded my machine in preparation for our work. The instructor came around and asked me, “How did you get the machine threaded?” He was shocked that I had accomplished that task without his assistance. I replied, “I followed the directions in the manual.”   In today’s world Google and YouTube have become our convenient manuals for resolving questions about how things work.  What about in the area of godly living? Where do you go for guidance when you have problems with people, money, conflicts of faith, jobs, stress, etc? God tells us that all we need is in His Word. We do not need to worry that God’s manual will become out of date, have misleading information or lead us into wrong actions as He says His Word is true, eternal and righteous.

What we know about God from these verses: following God’s Word leads us in the direction of purity for our lives, God’s Word will guide us, God’s Word is true, pure, righteous, and eternal.

Lenten Reflections: Am I using God’s Word as my guide for living? How much time do I spend reading God’s manual for godly living?

His Word is our perfect manual for living our lives His way. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can trust God’s Word to lead me in godly living. Be sure to consult your manual often. You can depend on it!

Linda

Related Verses: Proverbs 30:5, Matthew 24:35, John 6:68, John 17:17, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:22-25.

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.

The Book of Life

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Earlier I wrote about the promise in Joshua 1:9 and while I was reviewing the passage I was drawn to the promises of Joshua 1:8. They are both dynamic promises that make a difference in our daily lives.

Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Promise: God promises a way of life that leads to prosperity and success if we follow His Word.

This is not some type of prosperity gospel but a basic truth from God’s Word. God promises if we follow His word by keeping His commandments in our hearts and minds, meditating on His word, and by doing what His word tell us, we will find fulfillment, happiness, and success in living. This has nothing to do with money or possessions but God is promising those things in life that make life worth living. We will have purpose in Him. We will have an abiding faith in Jesus. We will have the sealing of the Holy Spirit on and in our lives. We will have Christ’s righteousness. We will have eternal life and spend eternity with Him. Those are things only God can give and cannot be purchased or earned. They are promised gifts from God.

What I can know from this verse: God’s Word is meant to be studied, internalized and meditated upon, God’s Word gives us guideline for living His way, God’s Word shows the way to good living and success.

Lenten Reflections: How am I doing on studying God’s Word? Is it daily, regularly, of haphazardly? Do I read God’s Word with the intention of apply it to my life?

So are you reading and studying your Bible? It is impossible to know what God desires or even who He is unless we delve into His word. God reveals himself in the Bible and we see Jesus clearly from His recorded time on earth. Don’t let anything keep you from reading and studying God’s Word. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can read and learn of God and His Son from the pages of His written Word. It is His love letter to me.

Linda

Related verses: Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119: 9, Romans 8:28, Romans 3:25-26, Ephesians 1:13, Romans 1:17, Romans 8:10, John 3:16, John 17:3.

Good News-Eternity Assured

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Have you considered the fleetingness of life? We look around and nothing seems to stay the same and is all so temporary. Seasons come and go and people are born and die. When we compare this to the eternalness of God and His kingdom we see a different picture. 1 Peter 1:23-25 gives a comparison for us to consider and examine.

“since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass
    and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
    and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”

Promise: God promises that my new life in Christ comes from a living, eternal Savior and His Word will never fail or fade but will stand for ever.

Unlike our temporal body, our spiritual body in Christ is eternal. Even though we die, we will live on with Him as our soul, the spirit God gave us is imperishable. It will abide just as God will abide forever and we will be with Him. The comparison that Peter uses about withering grass and flowers is poetic language that comes from Isaiah 40: 6,8. Peter wants us to know that even though the world around us withers and dies, we will remain with God forever. God’s Word and His promises from His Word are eternal. Peter desires that we believe this about our future and see this as good news. The Good News that Jesus has to offer from His suffering on the cross and His resurrection brings a saving faith to each of us. Through Christ we can see the true nature of who we are in Christ, for we are His eternality.

What we can know from these verses: Newbirth comes from God through Christ, God and His Word are eternal, Christ is the living word of God, things on earth are temporal, knowing Jesus brings good news to everyone who believes.

Lenten Reflections: Do I have this eternal life or am I still on the fence deciding if Jesus is right? If this is your question consider these verses in Romans 3:10-12, John 3:16, 1 John 1:9. After praying and confessing, ask Jesus to come into your life and then rejoice as He lives within you! Read these passages to confirm your new faith. John 1:12-13 and 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.

Knowing Jesus changes our lives and gives us an eternal perspective on life. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can trust in the eternality of God, His Word and my place with Him forever. Thank you Jesus for your assurances and the hope that they bring.

Linda

Related Verses: Romans 6:4, Psalm 90:1-2, Psalm 119:89, 160, Ephesians 2:5, 1 Peter 1:12, 2 Timothy 4:17-19, Ephesians 1:3 and 2:6.

Where Do You Get True Wisdom? Ask God.

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How many times have you been criticized for not knowing something or stuck because you did not know what to do? It happens in life, as we cannot know all things. God is wise and promises to give us the wisdom we need. I find that very comforting and reassuring.

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

The Bible tells us God is wise and has all widom. Job 12:13 “With God are wisdom and might;  he has counsel and understanding.” Daniel elaborates on this in Daniel 2:20-24 “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,  to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 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.” The picture of God’s wisdom given by Job and Daniel shows us that God’s wisdom extends to all things. He is omnipotent, all-knowing.

Knowing that God is the sources of all wisdom, leads us to the conclusion that if we desire wisdom on any given subject or matter, God is the one we should turn to. This promise in James encourages us to come to God and ask Him for wisdom. He promises to give us wisdom without judging us for not knowing. There is no condemnation from God because we do not know what is the wise course of action. He has compassion upon us and promises to guide and direct us in life. The only way to get the true wisdom we need is to ask God. The promise says that He will give it to us generously. That means He will provide wisdom liberally, openhandedly and in abundance! I am also encouraged by Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” Through our faith in Jesus, He will grace us with all wisdom and insight. Accessing God’s wisdom can be done in several ways. We can pray and ask God directly or we can search God’s Word for wisdom He has already given to us. Sometimes when I pray about a problem, He will direct me through the Holy Spirit to His Word to find the answer. Sometimes He will use a fellow brother or sister in Christ to give me a good idea to pray about for confirmation.

What we can know from this verse: God is wise, God gives wisdom, God does not judge us for not having wisdom, God knows I need wisdom to live for Him, to receive His wisdom I must ask.

Lenten Reflections: Where am I struggling to make a decision that needs God’s wisdom? Have I asked God or searched His Word? How can I used God’s wisdom wisely in my life?

God acknowledges that we do not have all the wisdom we need for living and He promises to provide it to us abundantly. He does that when we ask Him in prayer or search His Word. The Bible is God’s manual for living and has God’s wisdom inside. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can ask God for answers and He will give me the wisdom I need to make the right decisions. I can live confidently that God has all the answers.

Linda

Related verses: Job 9:4, Job 12:16, Psalm 104:24, Ephesians 3:10, Matthew 7:7, John 11:22.

Lent 2025, Promises

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As I was praying about what to write on during our 6 week Lenten journey, God impressed upon me that He keeps His promises and not knowing His promises means you are are lacking something vital that God intends you to have! I decided to blog each day on a different promise that God has for us in His Word. The promises will come from both the Old and New Testament as He has been in the promise giving and keeping business since the beginning of creation.

In my book, Promises for Dynamic Living, I wrote the following in the forward. It seemed a very appropriate reminder of why we need to know and claim His promises. “In studying God’s promises I have seen a completeness to 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 that 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 doubts and fear. It will lead you on the pathway towards assurance and HOPE in Christ.”

Are you feeling doubts about the future from the circumstances that surround you? Are you anxious about your finances or health issues? Studying God’s promises is guaranteed to reassure and uplift. If this is what you need. Join me for the next six weeks and be ready for joy and hope to invade your life!

Walking with His promises this Lenten Season!

Linda

Advent Day 5, We Have it All in Jesus

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As we ponder Christ in the past, present and future, we can be mightily encouraged by today’s scripture from 1 Corinthians 1:3-9. I have read it in various translations and like the Message as it is the clearest to me. The Apostle Paul was writing to the Corinthian Christians to encourage them in their walk with Christ so that they could endure the trials of their faith in their present culture. Corinth was a very large pagan city with many temples and shrines to various pagan gods. Their faith in Christ was definitely counter-culture and there would have been many temptations to return to their pagan ways.

3 May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father, and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours. Paul begins by letting them know that all they have in faith comes from Jesus. The same is true for us today as without Jesus we would have nothing. I am so thankful Jesus came to set me free from the burden of sin so I can live in Him.

4-6 Every time I think of you—and I think of you often!—I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There’s no end to what has happened in you—it’s beyond speech, beyond knowledge. The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives. We are so rich in Christ. We have access to the Father, the indwelling Holy Spirit and God’s Word to guide and direct our lives. Whom do you pray for in the faith? Do you remember your Christian friends, like Paul is doing? Yes, we pray for our unsaved friends to come to know Jesus and be freed from sin’s power in their lives, but what about those who know Jesus? Praying for the strengthening of the faith of our fellow believers is part of our job as fellow Christians. Whom will you pray for this season?

7-9 Just think—you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all! All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that.

These are such encouraging words from Paul. He reminded them, and us too, that we are gifted by God in so many ways. We have salvation in Christ, the fruits of the Holy Spirit that will be evident in our lives as we mature in Christ and the Word of God to guide us. Romans 1:16-17 speaks of salvation, “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.” Galatians 5:22-23 explains the fruits of the Holy Spirit that can be manifested in our lives as we mature in our faith “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Jesus also sent the Holy Spirit to guide us in His ways. John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. “ God’s Word provides guidance as we seek to walk with Jesus each day, Hebrews 4:12 “ For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

We do indeed have it all in Jesus! Because He came to die on the cross for my sins and be resurrected to life, I can know Him and be used by Him to reach others. I am so thankful that Jesus came to redeem me and a future with Him gives me hope as I live in today’s world.

May your hope abound as you consider what you have today in Jesus!

Linda

WOW! What Affirmation of God’s Word and Work in our Lives!

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Psalm 19 is like a balm to the soul as we are reassured over and over of the purity and rightness of God’s Word. Even though we are flawed and are prone to sin, we can seek God and depend upon Him. His Word is our guide and plumb line for actions and reactions as we dive into its depths and soak in its truths. David concludes with his declaration to follow God in words and deeds because God is his savior and Lord. I hope that we can claim the same for ourselves.

Psalm 19:7-14 God’s Words is…...

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, perfect
    reviving the soul. reviving
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, trustworthy
    making wise the simple. simply wise
8 The commandments of the Lord are right, right
    bringing joy to the heart. create joy
The commands of the Lord are clear, clear
    giving insight for living. insightful
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, pure
    lasting forever. everlasting
The laws of the Lord are true; true
    each one is fair. just
10 They are more desirable than gold, desirable
    even the finest gold. refined
They are sweeter than honey, sweet
    even honey dripping from the comb. honey filled
11 They are a warning to your servant, give warning
    a great reward for those who obey them. rewarding

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Man is… sinful
    Cleanse me from these hidden faults. in need of cleansing
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! willful
    Don’t let them control me. weak willed
Then I will be free of guilt God provides….. freedom
    and innocent of great sin. proclaimed innocence

14 May the words of my mouth David’s conclusion
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

David’s conclusion was that he needs God and desires to walk with Him. He realized that God’s Word is a great asset or resource and has the help he needs to walk with God. God’s Word is powerful and can change lives. I pray that I all have this same attitude. Look to God’s Word daily for strength, guidance, hope and encouragement.

As I look this list over myself, I am thankful for scripture and the great help it provides for my daily living. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we have help to understand and apply scripture to our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. If Christ had not died, the Holy Spirit would not have come. But He did and is now our Helper! John 14:25-26 “ “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 16:8-11“When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” We can live confidently knowing that scripture is not beyond our understanding and that the Holy Spirit will teach us what we need to know to live godly lives.

Thank you Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit.

Linda