What’s your fragrance like?

April 9, 2019 nofearlinda1 Comment

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have the aroma of Christ about me. Paul wanted the Ephesians, and us too, to think about the effect we have on others when we are around them. You can tell if someone bathes regularly, uses special soap or shampoo or is wearing a fragrance, but you can also smell one who does not bathe regularly, who ate garlic or onions recently or who is wearing an offensive fragrance. Paul says we have the ‘smell’ of Christ. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16a This is a sobering thought that to other believers or those who are open to Christ we the aroma of Christ. This aroma is pleasing to God and reminds them of life and brings knowledge of Christ to them. However, to the unbeliever the aroma of Christ and His presence in our life through His indwelling Holy Spirit smells of death, condemnation and judgement.

Today as we consider our presence in the lives of others, let us ask ourselves, Do I have the aroma of Christ about me? Can others smell His presence in my life? How strong or weak is my fragrance? If you think you are only fragrant enough for God to smell you, spend some time in His Word or in prayer or with other Christians or in worship or listening to Christian music. All of those will strengthen your fragrance towards God and others.

Linda

Suggestion: spend some time today in a fragrance a building activity- in the Word, prayer, worship, fellowship or listening to Christian music. Remember your presence speaks to others.

Rescued and Redeemed for Eternity Thank you Jesus!

April 4, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have been rescued from Satan’s domain and transferred into the kingdom of Christ. These truths are stated by Paul in his letter to the Colossians. He opens the letter with thanksgiving and prayer for the state that all believers find themselves in because of Christ. Colossians 1:13 “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin.” Our state of being before knowing Christ is one of eternal darkness and sin. Romans 3:23 tells us “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Our sin separates us from God and Jesus tell us that He is the light in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Without Jesus we are dead in our sins and trapped in darkness. Following Him bring us into the light, truth and knowledge of God. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, a man who was seeking to know if Jesus was the Messiah. In John 3:5 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Jesus went on to explain we have 2 births. The first is our physical birth given by our mothers and then our spiritual birth that is given by God’s Spirit when we accept Jesus as our Savior. In John 3:16 Jesus tells Nicodemus why God sent him, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Eternal life in His kingdom is ours when we believe in Jesus. He further explains the difference between His light and darkness of the world. John 3:19 “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” Jesus wanted Nicodemus and you and me, to know and understand that being apart from Him is darkness, sin and condemnation. With Jesus there is light, love, hope and eternal life. He has indeed rescued us from the domain of darkness ruled over by Satan and brought us into His light and His kingdom to be with Him forever. His death on the cross and resurrection made this possible. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice on my behalf to rescue me from the fate of death and condemnation.

Linda

Suggestion: Spend some time in prayer thanking Jesus for your salvation and eternal home with Him. Remember in prayer someone you know who does not know Jesus and pray that they will come to know Him.We can be assured that Jesus wants everyone to know and come to Him. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Established, Anointed and Sealed- Thank you Jesus!

April 3, 2019 nofearlinda2 Comments

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have been established, anointed and sealed by God the Holy Spirit. I put these all together as they are all stated in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, ²²and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” First, Paul says we are established by God through Christ. Other words used for established are stand firm in or to be confirmed in Christ. The Holy Spirit within us enables us to join with Christ and stand with Him in faith. Second Paul says, we are anointed by God’s Holy Spirit. This anointing empowers us with His Spirit and gives us gifts to work for Him. (Gal 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”) In Old Testament times the Holy Spirit of God would come upon people to do certain tasks for a certain amount of time. But since Jesus died and rose from the dead, believers now have His indwelling Spirit with us 24/7. This indwelling starts the moment we accept Jesus as our Savior! Believers are anointed by God to live for Him and do His good work. Lastly, Paul reminds us we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and His Spirit living
within us is a guarantee to our hearts that we are saved by Him and have an eternal future with Him. When I do canning, I use heat to seal my jars to keep out polluting air and germs. It keeps the contents fresh and usable for future time. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is our protection from the sin-filled world around us and keeps us usable for His work now and into the future.

Feel the joy today of being establish, anointed and sealed by God the Holy Spirit.

Linda

Suggestion: Remember a time when God helped you to stand firm for Him. Remember your own coming to faith in Jesus and share it with someone if you can. Thank Jesus that His Holy Spirit confirms you each and every day as belonging to Him!

Double promises today- access and belonging! BE Encouraged!

March 28, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have access to God and belong to His household. There are 2 powerful verses in Ephesians that define our place with God and our access to Him. Ephesians 2:18-19 “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” Because of him (Jesus) we have access to God through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Because of His death and resurrection we are no longer isolated by our sin but belong to God through our faith in Jesus. God sees us as His sons and daughters and citizens of heaven awaiting a time when we will live eternally with Him.

We have access to God through Jesus’ work on the cross and indwelling Holy Spirit. Ephesians 3:12 “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” Hebrews 7:25 “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” 1 John 4:13 “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us his Spirit.” What a privileged position we hold. Christ sent His Holy Spirit to live within us and give us access to Him 24/7. We can come before Him anytime be it day or night. We know that He will listen and encourage us as we belong to Him.

We are fellow citizens in heaven and members of His household. If we are members of His household, then He is our Father. “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,Father.” Galatians 4:6 “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:20 Jesus went to prepare our heavenly home. It is where we belong as citizens of heaven, saints and members of His household!

Since we live in the hear and now, I often forget that I already am a citizen of heaven and that in the future my home will be there with God. As for now, I can revel in the fact that I can stay in constant communication with Jesus through His indwelling Holy Spirit and that He is interceding for me there in heaven. Romans 8:26-27 confirms this, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

What dynamic promises- access to our Lord and Savior and belonging to Him. Thank you Jesus!

Linda

Suggestion: Spend some time interceding with God on behalf of someone else. Exercise you privilege of prayer and thank Him that you belong to Him forever!

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True Freedom, only found in Christ

March 22, 2019March 29, 2019 nofearlinda1 Comment

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have freedom in Christ. What kind of freedom does Christ give? First and foremost, we have freedom from the bondage and penalty of sin. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2 We do not have to worry about paying the penalty for our sins as Christ paid with His life to redeem us. We simply need a repentant, thankful, believing heart committed to Jesus.

Another freedom we have in Christ is we will not suffer eternal death but live eternally with Him.^“the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.” Romans 8:21 and John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Heaven will be a place where there will be no more tears, no more death, and we will not suffer the decay caused by sin and death.”

The last freedom I want to mention is found in 2 Corinthians 3:17. “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” The indwelling Holy Spirit brings within us freedom that is from the Lord. He unleashes our full potential and puts us on a course to do great things for Him. I love the benediction the author of Hebrews gives in Hebrews 13:21 when he reminds us that God is equipping us to do good works for His glory and our good. ^“may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

In Christ we are free from sin’s penalty, free to live eternally with Him and free to do His work. May you feel His freedom today!

Linda

Suggestion: Choose something to do today for the Lord. As you do this task, thank God for the freedom to choose to do this in His power and for the ability to perform this task. He has equipped you so that you can exercise your freedom to choose to work for Him bringing Him glory and yourself contentment.

Adoption, A thing of beauty for my grateful heart.

March 20, 2019March 29, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have been adopted as God’s child and belong to His family. This is a precious truth from scripture that gives me great comfort. Through my faith in Jesus, I now have a forever family and God is my heavenly Father. Romans 8:15-17 lays out our family heritage and what it means to us eternally. “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” We are adopted through our faith in Jesus into God’s family. We can call God our Father. His Holy Spirit indwells us and reminds us that we are God’s children. By suffering with Christ, we are considered joint heirs with Him and will share in heavenly glory. Through adoption we have access to our heavenly Father and can go to Him each day seeking knowledge, wisdom, comfort, mercy, compassion, hope…. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 103:8

How will you use this truth in your life today? You are God’s child and belong to His family thorough your faith in Jesus. This blessed privilege brings hope, contentment, comfort, assurance and belonging into your life.

Linda

Read the scripture again in the Message and let it sink into your soul and cause you to praise and thank God. “^15-17This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!

Suggestion: Call on your Father, God, today in prayer and thank Him for the privileges you have as His child. He is accessible in prayer, has saved you for eternity, has a home waiting for you in heaven, will be with you each day- will never leave you nor forsake you, His Holy Spirit indwells and bears witness to your spirit that you are His, He gives you power for living and a purpose for your life…..Thank you Jesus for making this possible for me. Amen.

Are you seeing His Fruit?

March 16, 2019March 29, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have the Holy Spirit living within me. Scripture is filled with references to His indwelling Holy Spirit. We receive His Holy Spirit when we believe in Jesus. It is His Holy Spirit within us that gives us hope, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are called the fruits of His Spirit living within us. When we see these character traits being manifested in our lives, we know He is at work within us.

Here are some assurances from God’s Word about this amazing Holy Spirit that lives within each believer: Ephesians 3:16 “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,” His Spirit with gives us power for living! 2 Corinthians 1:22 “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” His Spirit is a seal and guarantee of our salvation in Jesus. Galatians 4:6 “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” His Spirit declares our sonship and allows us to call God our Father or Daddy. 1 John 4:13 “By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” His Spirit helps us to stay connected to Jesus. Romans 8:11 “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.” His Spirit gives us a His spirit to be with us forever.

Belief in Jesus and His work on the cross brings the Holy Spirit into our lives. Rejoice in that hope today and look for His indwelling work within you. He is there-alive and working in you! He gives us the power to resist sin, stay connected to the Father and guarantees results. His fruit is eternal and always for our good and His glory!

Linda

Suggestion: Today- look for His fruit in your life– peace where you might not have thought, patience where you usually would be impatient, joy where you did not expect it, a reaction to a situation with kindness, a deed unexpectedly done, a gentle touch or word to another, a trust in God that is unexpected but natural, showing self-restraint exactly when it is called for- any of these are the working of the Holy Spirit within you. Rejoice and give Glory to God.

Do you have what it takes to survive Lent?

March 9, 2019March 29, 2019 nofearlinda1 Comment

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have a spirit of power, love and self-discipline in my life. When you begin something new it takes time for your mind, body and spirit to accept your new commitment. You often doubt you have the resolve to see it through. However, God’s Word tell us that when we accept Jesus as our Savior and His Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts and minds, we have a new type of power living within us. 2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Today thank God for the spirit of power He has put within you, for the love you have for yourself and others and the self-discipline to see things through. We are not to be timid and shy away from difficult commitments but bold and filled with His Holy Spirit to contend with the world and the challenges it presents to us each day. Take heart from Revelation 21:7 “He who overcomes [the world by adhering faithfully to Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior] will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”

Linda

Suggestion: work on your self-discipline today as you continue with the self-denial you chose on Ash Wednesday. Today will be easier than yesterday. Watch your self-discipline grow daily as we journey through Lent.

Joy of the Redeemed

December 11, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

The words of the Messiah now begin to focus on Jesus’ time here on earth and what he accomplished. Isaiah 35:5-6a gives us a glimpse of the future of the babe that came that Christmas night.

“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
⁶Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.”

This prophecy appears in a chapter subtitled Joy of the Redeemed. These actions prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth speak of the people who encountered Jesus. They would see, hear, jump and shout for joy after their meeting with Jesus. This was fulfilled and recorded in the gospels. Matthew 15:31 “The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.” The direct fulfillment was in Matthew 12:22 “Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.”

This prophecy of visible change either mentally or physically or both can also apply to us. When we have an encounter with Jesus our eyes are opened to His truth and we can hear and believe the gospel message. Romans 10:17 “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” When we hear and believe, we are transformed and our reaction is like those who saw Jesus. We shout His praises, leap for joy and see the reality of His truth. Ephesians 1:13-14 describes our transformation. “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” His indwelling Holy Spirit brings joy, peace, knowledge, wisdom, hope, and so much more into our lives when we accept Jesus as our Savior. I have a needle point on my wall reminding me of the truth of what I have in Christ. Psalm 107:1-2 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble.”

May your day reflect His joy and may you shout out His praises. Let others know of your joy in the Savior that redeemed you.

Linda

Sorry no audio of these verses in the Messiah was available on the Internet.

The Impossible is Possible with God

December 4, 2018 nofearlinda1 Comment

Isaiah 7:14 is one of the most beautiful prophecy’s about the birth of Jesus. Isaiah gave this prophecy during the reign of wicked King Ahaz. He had paid Assyrians to induce them to attack Syria. King Ahaz had put his faith and trust in men instead of calling upon God for defense. Isaiah invited Ahaz to request a sign of faith from God, but Ahaz in his stubbornness refused. God then address the whole house of Israel with this prophecy of the coming Messiah, their true hope, and sign from Almighty God that He would provide deliverance. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

God is amazing as 400 years later this came to pass just as He said. Matthew 1:19-25 gives us the account of the angel of the Lord appearing to Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, and telling him not to fear taking Mary as his wife. The child she is carrying will be called Jesus, Immanuel, meaning ‘God with us’ and was conceived by God the Holy Spirit. “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ²²All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). ²⁴When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”

An angel also appeared to Mary and told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,³³and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33

What amazes you today about this prophecy and drama as it unfolded? I love the specific details of young Mary and the baby. Jesus, God with us, truly came to save us from our sins just as the angel said He would. The odds of this happening just this way in exactly the way God said it would affirms God’s sovereignty, omniscience, wisdom and power. How can all this be we ask along with Mary? The angel had it right in verse 37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”