Unchanging God Holds us Steady

January 8, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

How do you do with change? Making resolutions for change are very common this time of year. It is a hope within us that with a new year we can have a new beginning, a redo, or a fresh start. Psalm 102:25-28 came to mind as a place to reflect on change. “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
²⁶They will perish, but you will remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
²⁷    but you are the same, and your years have no end.
²⁸The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
    their offspring shall be established before you.”

We can rest assured that God’s plans for you and me have not changed since the foundation of the world. Psalm 33:11 “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Our heart attitudes, desires, plans and schemes change from year to year but God is unchanging. Knowing that God does not change His plans, love, mercy, compassion, guidance, help…in the ever changing world that surrounds us gives us hope.

It is good to plan and try to incorporate change into our lives like spending more time in prayer, studying and reading God’s Word, exercising, eating healthy, spending more time with family, working on projects to help others, etc. All of those can be good things to help us reach a world in great need of a Savior. Ponder these words from Proverbs 19:20, 21 and 23 today as you pray about plans and change in the New Year.

Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

²¹Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

²³The fear of the Lord leads to life;

then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

May God bless you today with a renewed spirit of love and devotion to our unchanging God.

Linda

What’s in a Word?

January 4, 2019 nofearlinda1 Comment

Have you ever thought of having a Word for the year? I had not done this until last year. I was asked to choose a word for the year and then a Bible verse or verses to support me in that focus. I prayed and asked God to give me a word to focus upon for 2018 and He gave me Hope. I was amazed at how many times this word appeared in my study, my thoughts, my writing, etc. Each time it would reassure me of His Hope that is within me and how all my hope is in Christ. There were various verses I relied upon and you’d be amazed at how many times they appeared in my daily walk. I did not focus on hope until spring as something I was doing required that I choose a word for the year. Interestingly enough, God already had prepared me as my January 1 blog used Lamentations 3:21-22 which focused on hope. I also used Jeremiah 29:11 and 1 Peter 3:15. For 2019, I have chosen Trust as my word. Right now I’m going through some things that required that I Trust in Him more than ever and not the world, things or people around me. The verses I’ve chosen are Psalm 37:5 and Nahum 1:7.

If you think this might help your focus for the year, pray and ask God to reveal to you a focus word for 2019. Here are some suggestions and possible verses to support your word:

Joy- Psalm 16:11, Psalm 63:7, Habakkuk 3:18 or James 1:2

Hope– Psalm 62:5, Psalm 147:11, Jeremiah 29:11, Lamentations 3:21-22, Romans 5:4-5 or 1 Timothy 4:10

Trust- Psalm 28:7, Psalm 31:14, Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 3:5-6 or Jeremiah 17:7

Grace– John 1:16-17, Romans 3:24, 2 Corinthians 12:9, or Ephesians 1:7

Peace- Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 5:9, John 14:27 or Philippians 4:7.

God, in His great providence, gives us so many resources to help us walk with Him in faith. All His words, we are reminded in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 are useful to us. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” I pray that choosing a word will give you focus and support in the year ahead. We desire to live for Him and as we are reminded in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”

May you have a blessed year filled with His Words!

Linda

A New Spirit for the New Year

January 1, 2019 nofearlinda1 Comment

Happy New Year! I can’t believe 2018 is done and we are ready to embark on 2019. At this time of year we wonder what the year will bring- changes in places, people, relationships and even jobs. It is a good time to take a closer look at our relationship with God and reevaluate our commitment and devotion to Him. God never changes. Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Psalm 33:11, “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” These are just a few verses that reassure us that God is immutable and never changes. Knowing that fact about God, we can look more closely at ourselves, our attitudes and actions.

How do I remain faithful to a faithful God? God reassured the children of Israel when they were taken into captivity in Babylon that He would be their sanctuary. He alone would hold them steady in faith. Ezekiel 11:19 “And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,” God promises to put a new spirit within us and remove our heart of stone- attitudes of rebellion, faithlessness, unbelief, despair, rejection…. God can and will remove those from you and give you a NEW SPIRIT for the New Year. He will give you a heart that is loving, compassionate, believing, and filled with hope. How do you get this new heart and spirit? In Christ alone our hope is found. 1 John 5:11-12 describe our hope. “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹²Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” Belief in Jesus, commitment to Him in gratitude and service is a place to begin. Repentance of past sins and asking forgiveness brings us to our knees and realigns our hearts with Him.

Celebrate your life in Christ, your hope in Christ and be assured that God will give you a new heart and a new spirit to live triumphantly in Him this year! 2019 Bring it on! We’re ready with a repentant heart looking to our Savior.

Linda

Praise and Thanksgiving on our lips today! Good-bye 2018!

December 31, 2018 nofearlinda1 Comment

On this last day of 2018, we conclude with the final chorus of the Messiah. The scene is the throne room of heaven in John’s vision and Jesus is being praised and worshiped. Revelation 5:9-13

⁹And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation,
¹⁰and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and they shall reign on the earth.”

¹¹Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, ¹²saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”

¹³And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

They begin by singing a new song. In the Old Testament, a new song was sung to celebrate and act of divine deliverance or blessing. Here the creatures and angels are praising Jesus, the Lamb, who delivered all mankind through his blood. Jesus is worthy to receive all power, wealth, wisdom, honor and blessing because of the ransom He paid with His blood on the cross. All heaven and earth will praise Him! What a glorious scene this will be. Jesus, the sacrificial lamb, is Worthy of all Praise!

And so… what a fitting way to end our year. Let us praise our Savior and Redeemer. Let your lips utter praise today for all this last year has brought both good and bad. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Ponder the difficulties you’ve had in your life this year in light of James 1:2-4 “²Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,³for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Let us take the adversity we experienced and the blessings we received and offer them up to Jesus today as and offering of praise and thanksgiving.

Linda

The Conclusion of the Messiah

Need focus? Be encouraged today!

December 30, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

This last Sunday of 2018 where is your focus? Handel turns our thoughts to Christ’s return and the changes it will bring as he nears the completion of his work in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵²in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. ⁵³For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.” Wow! Now that will be a transformation! In a nanosecond in time we will be changed as we hear the trumpet signaling Christ’s return. We do not know when this will happen, but can be assured that it will happen just as Christ said. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 addresses the time of His return. “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” We don’t know the day or time so we need to be ever ready for His return. John ends his vision in Revelation 22:20 with this hope. “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Praise our Savior today as you worship! Revel in all He has done and will do in the future for you and me. As you look to 2019, pray for His return and stand with new hope and assurance that He will help you to overcome all obstacles that lie ahead. Praise Him for the victory that will be yours in Christ as you seek to follow Him each new day.

Linda

Enjoy the music and lovely pictures.

My Redeemer Lives

December 28, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

During this Advent Season, I journeyed each day using Handel’s Messiah as my guide. On Christmas Day I ended with the Hallelujah Chorus which seemed so fitting for the celebration of our Savior’s birth. The third and last portion of the Messiah focuses on Christ’s return and reign. I could not leave this wonderful piece without including a few more days in Part 3. It begins with Job 19:25-26. Job is in discussion with his friends who encourage suffering Job to curse and reject God. Job however, relies upon God’s justice and speaks these words of encouragement to his friends that echo throughout the ages.

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
²⁶And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,”

How has your year gone? How did you face the trials that the year brought? Did you see time like Job as a journey that is led by hope in your Redeemer? Or did you get bogged down in the daily struggle and lose sight of who was walking with you each day and who was there for you to lean upon? Job had confidence that He served a living God that will someday reign on earth. Even if he dies before this happens, he has the faith that he will live to see God. Do you share that conviction with Job? Peter shares our hope in Christ and echos Job’s conviction in 1 Peter 1:3-7. Trials of life come but our hope remains steadfast in Christ. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Let’s end this year by turning our focus back upon God, claiming the assurance and Hope of Job, that our Redeemer truly Lives!

Linda

Good News for you and me! Shout it out!!

December 22, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

In this next portion of scripture I envision the angels as they announce the arrival of our Savior to the shepherds, or Paul as he preaches about the ‘good news’ of the gospel. Like many prophecies it has already been fulfilled and yet there is one fulfillment still future to us.

Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful on the mountains
    are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
    who bring good tidings,
    who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”

Scholars feel the first fulfillment of God’s return to Jerusalem (Zion) was when His people returned from captivity in Babylon. Nehemiah led the group back to Jerusalem with the blessing and provisions of King Artaxerxes. See the books of Nehemiah and Ezra for the full telling of their return, opposition, rebuilding of the walls and eventually the temple. The second fulfillment of this prophecy of good news being proclaimed in Zion comes through Jesus. He proclaimed the ‘good news’ of the kingdom. Jesus read the words in Isaiah as told in Luke 4:18 ““The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,” He then in verses 20-21 Luke records, “Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus knew the gospel or good news he preached was to bring salvation and deliverance for all who believed. The final fulfillment of this prophecy is still future to us. It will be when Christ returns triumphantly to Zion, proclaiming the good news of His return and reign over all the earth. Revelation 19:6 “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.” What a glorious time that will be!

The prophecy tells of good news- good tidings, that salvation is available to all who believe. Jesus’ coming brought hope of restoration in our relationship with God and freedom from the bondage of sin. Paul reasoned with the Jews in Antioch “Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.” Acts 13:39 Again in Romans 6:-6-7 and 18 Paul explains this freedom and our new view of righteousness this freedom brings. “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— ⁷because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” The good news of the gospel brings restoration and hope, and that is good news indeed!

Who can you tell of the good news of Jesus this Christmas?

Linda

Messiah tells this scripture one way. The traditional Christmas carol proclaims the good news too. This one is just fun and makes me smile.

Assurance of Eternal Joy in Jesus

December 20, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Handel used this next portion in Psalms 16 to remind us that our long awaited Savior would conquer death. David penned the words of this psalm as a prayerful plea to God for His protection, guidance and victory over death in the many battles and struggles he faced. How much more these words applied to our Savior during His life! Both Peter and Paul quote these verses in speaking of Jesus as he faced death and died, but that the grave could not keep Him and He rose from the dead.

Psalm 16:9-11  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,
¹⁰because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
¹¹You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

God did not abandon Jesus after death as He rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. Peter preached these words about Christ in Acts 2:26-33 as he spoke to the crowds at Pentecost. Paul preached with these words in Acts 13:35-37 at the synagogue in Antioch. These words exude confidence that Jesus would not see decay bring us hope. He would not rot in the grave and return to dust but conquer death through the power of God. Romans 8:11 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” Praise God we have that spirit living within us! Belief in Jesus brings freedom from the curse of death. 2 Corinthians 4:14 “because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.” Do you have that hope? Praise Him if you do and seek Him if you do not.

The psalmist also wrote that this risen one would then be seated in heaven at God’s right hand. Ephesians 1:19b-21 tells us of Jesus’ place in heaven “That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,²¹far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Colossians 3:1 also gives this truth “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”

The Psalmist’s words foretelling Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and placement in heaven are confirmed throughout the New Testament. What joy and hope they should bring to us! Through the power of God, believers do not see death, eternal punishment and separation from God, but rise to live with Him in eternity. We will see Him seated on His heavenly throne at God’s right hand. What a glorious day that will be!

Praise God today for coming and making all this possible through our faith in Him. Thank you Jesus. You came to seek and to save those who are lost. We can be assured today you will find us and save us for all eternity.

Linda

Anguished Prayer Brings Hope

December 18, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

The Messiah continues today with prophecies from the Psalms about the coming Messiah’s fate. Psalm 22:7-8 “All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8“He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him.” This psalm by David spoke his anguished prayer to God as he was pursued and persecuted by Saul for years on end. It is frequently quoted in the New Testament as it readily applies to Jesus. Verse 7 tells of mocking and ridicule the psalmist is receiving from his enemies. This found fulfillment in Matthew 27:39 “Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads.” Verse 8 speaks of the psalmist’s trust in God, deliverance and rescue that is assured because he knows that God loves and cares for him. Jesus knew this to be true and it was partially quoted in Matthew 27:43 “He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

What encouragement do we receive from these prophecies today? I am encouraged that God knows what I am going through just as He knew David’s and Jesus’ situations. God is accessible and will hear our anguished prayers. He is filled with compassion and love as He listens to us. I am also encouraged that my trusting in God delights Him and He promises deliverance. Each deliverance looks different as we are all are in various situations but God keeps His promises and will bring us through.

Be encouraged today as you walk with Him and thank Him for sending Jesus to bring the ultimate deliverance which is from sin and death. These thoughts make Christmas even more special and give us HOPE.

Linda

All we like sheep

December 17, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

This scripture passage was also included in Sunday’s Poignant Gratitude blog, but Handel’s Messiah has a separate chorus for this verse that is very beautiful. Let’s look at this today in the Amplified Translation.

Isaiah 53:6 “All of us like sheep have gone astray,
We have turned, each one, to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the wickedness of us all [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing] To fall on Him [instead of us].

Believers or followers of Christ were often referred to by Jesus as ‘sheep’. It was an image that the people of His time could relate to as most towns and villages had herds of sheep. They were familiar with the idiosyncrasies of sheep and how much care they required. They knew sheep were prone to wander and get lost if the shepherd did not guide, protect and lead them. Jesus called himself the good shepherd and states His willingness to die for His sheep. A good shepherd would want to protect his sheep from predators and would fight to defend them even if it caused his own death. John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” In verse 14, Jesus tell about the sheep and how those who believe in Him will know Him. “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” In verses 27-28, Jesus assures us we will recognize Him, follow Him and be protected by Him. ^“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.” In Luke 15 Jesus gives the parable of the ‘lost sheep’ and how as the good shepherd he pursues any and all that are lost that they might know Him and be saved.

Not only is Jesus the good shepherd but in His death He took on the sins of the world so that mankind could be reconciled with God. “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, ²²he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,” Colossians 1:21-22 He took all sins upon Himself and paid the price for sin which is death. Hebrews 10:10 “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Jesus took the penalty for my sins and yours so that we might be freed from having to pay sin’s price, which is death. Romans 6:22-23 “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.²³For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being my good shepherd and dying for me on the cross. You took the punishment for my sins and gave me life, hope and freedom from the bondage of sin. Thank you that through your blood I am covered and when God looks upon me He sees your righteous covering instead of my sin. You promise that my sins are gone and buried in the depths of the sea and this gives me hope. “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19 Amen.