Tag: Hope

Who is God? I AM

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Moses fled out of Egypt for killing a Hebrew slave, Exodus 2, and ended up in Midian.  He married a Midianite woman and settled there as a shepherd.   He was out in the wilderness when God appeared to him in a ‘burning bush’ that was not consumed.  God told Moses he was to return to Egypt and bring the Israelite people out of Egypt to freedom in Promised Land of Canaan.  Moses was reluctant to say the least and posed many questions to God as excuses as to why he could not possibly go and do this for Him.   He objected with why me? Then what if they don’t believe me?  I’m not eloquent enough.  God patiently responded to each of his objections.   In Exodus 3:13-14 Moses I amquestioned who God is, His name.  Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”  14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 

Why is this answer of who God is important?  It reveals God’s name YHWH, Yahweh or His divine name.  It was written without vowels as they did not even speak the name of God because it was so holy.   It tells us that God is who He is –self-existent and not dependent upon anyone for His existence.  It tell us that God is the creator and sustainer of all that exists.  It tells us that God is- unchanging and immutable, has been and always will be.  It tell us that God is eternal, He always existed and will always exist.  It assured Moses that God in His sovereign power can do all things and will be with him on this journey back to Egypt and beyond.

2017-07-09-The-Great-I-AM-600x600We too can be assured by the great I AM.  He is immutable and we can depend upon Him.  Hebrews 13:8  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”   He will never leave us nor forsake us.  Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Knowing God is eternal and dependent upon nothing else gives us security and assurance of our future with Him. John 14:1-2 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” 

Have a blessed day as you cling to the promises of the great I AM.

Linda

God looks at the Heart

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I love studies of the Old Testament as I learn so much about the character of God.  His attributes shine through as He exhibits His faithfulness and sovereignty over all creation.  In 1 Samuel is the story of God sending the prophet Samuel to identify the son of Jesse that He has chosen to be the next king of Israel.  The Lord gave Samuel some good advice that we need to take to heart as we look at others and even ourselves.  But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward 1-Samuel-16-7appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7    When God looks at us, He looks at our hearts.   Therefore, He desires that our hearts be transformed, renewed and cleansed.  He wants more for us than we can even imagine.   He sees what is truly in our hearts and knows our innermost thoughts.  It is a humbling and sobering thought that God knows all and in His love and mercy He see what I can be not what I am at the present.  God looks at our hearts.

I am comforted by Psalm 10:17 where the psalmist proclaims what God will do for him.  “O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;  you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear”    God will listen to me and the cries of my heart then He will strengthen me.  He knows I need transformation and will listen to my heart cries and then give me strength to persevere in pursuit of His transformation in my life.  

GodismystrengthOur challenge today is seek His transformation for our lives from a heart filled with obedience and love and then to seek to see others as God does.  We are limited and can’t see the heart of others but we can learn not to judge by outward appearances and seek to reach out to others with love and kindness.  We can ask God for insight and wisdom in dealing with others.

Thankful for a loving God that will give me strength to live for Him,

Linda

A Transformed Heart brings results

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1 Kings records a sobering charge from King David to his son Solomon.  He is giving him wise advice when he is near death.  1 Kings 2 records David’s words, “2 “I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. 3 Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.”   His advice was to have courage to stand up for what is right and follow God’s ways.   David goes on to say what the promised results of this type of life would be, “4 If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me. He told me, ‘If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’   David had been chosen by God to lead the people of Israel.  He knew first hand what could happen to a leader who refused to follow God.  He had been pursued for 14 years by King Saul who knew God had chosen David to be the next king, and God had removed His blessing from him because of his sinful life and poor leadership.  David did not want that fate to befall his son, Solomon, and desired that his descendants would reign over Israel for years to come.

David knew that a transformed heart, committed to God would produce results.  The results in this case would be a descendant continuing to be king.  What about us?  What are the results of our transformed and committed heart to God?  Do you see God’s blessings on your life for following Him, reading and studying the Bible, going to worship and fellow-shipping with fellow believers?  God promises results for committing our lives to Him and following Him faithfully.   Take a look at your life today and take note of the many blessings that are the results of godly living and commitment to Jesus.  Then take time to Thank Jesus for those results.

faithful heartPrayer:  Lord, thank you for touching my life and transforming my heart.  I long to serve you and have the fruit of the Holy Spirit be evident in my life.  Your results are eternal and show your great goodness and mercy towards me.  Thank you, In Jesus’ Name,    Amen.

 

Longing to produce godly results in my heart for Him,

Linda

A Transformed Heart is filled with commitment

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Commitment seems to be something that scares people in our day and age.  They seem afraid to step out and say they will be there at a certain time, place or with you in a project.  Are there so many choices in our lives that people cannot decide?  Have they had experiences where they felt trapped by agreements they’ve made?  Whatever the root of their fears, to love and serve Jesus we have to go beyond them, step above or over them and persevere.   1 Peter 3:15 appears in a portion of scripture where Peter is encouraging believers to persevere in their faith and not to fear doing good.  He tells believers to hold fast to their faith in Christ regardless of where they find themselves.  “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”    In addition to honoring Christ as Lord, we need to be able and willing to tell others about what Christ has done for us.  The hope we have in living, the hope we have in eternity, the hope we have in being forgiven and cleansed, and the hope we have in His always being with us.  We need to be prepared to tell others about Jesus.  Being committed to Jesus with your heart demands that we are ready to speak about Him.  This is not to be an argumentative discourse but words that speak of the Hope we have in Jesus with gentleness and respect that come from a heart of love and commitment to Jesus.

Reasons for Our Hope_0I love this verse in 1 Peter because it holds me accountable and tells me where my commitment needs to be.  God wants us committed to Him, loving and acting in our world with words of Hope for unbelievers and words of encouragement in that Hope for fellow believers.   Who will you tell today about the HOPE you have in Jesus?

May the Lord bring people to cross your path today that are in need of those words of hope and encouragement.

Linda

Seeking Heart relief from God

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Two heart verses spoke to me this morning.  Knowing our hearts are deceitful and driven by original sin, God promises to do a work in our hearts that is amazing.  trust-pope francis qutoeProverbs 3:5-6 is a well quoted verse that speaks of God’s power to lead and guide if we will trust and acknowledge Him in our lives.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
 do not depend on your own understanding.  6 Seek his will in all you do,  and he will show you which path to take.”   God is the one with the transforming power in our lives if we will seek to know and trust Him.   My second verse is found in  psalm 34 18Psalm 34:18 “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
    He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”  David wrote these words during a very difficult time in his life.  He knew God. He knew He would hear his cries for help.  He knew God would and could rescue him.  He knew from experience that God was near to him when his heart was broken and his spirit crushed.   David knew God and had experienced His love and care during times of great need.  

God knows our hearts and sees what we need even before we ask for help.  God knows our desire for guidance and He alone has the power to mend our broken hearts and crushed spirit.   Seek Him like David did and lay your sorrows, hurts and needs before Him.  He promises that those who seek Him will find Him.  Moses told the children of Israel just  before they entered the Promised Land, “But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.”  Deuteronomy 4:29   God promises to be found if we seek with and God doesn't failopen heart.  Seek Him today and tell Him about your broken heart, your crushed spirit or your desire to be guided by Him.  God can and will answer your prayers, just as He promised.

Seeking His comfort and jclinging to His promise as I  walk with Him daily,

Linda

God’s Character Proclaimed, can you?

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god-speaks-listenThe psalmist reveals how he knows and sees God in this Qoph portion of Psalm 119:145-152.  He is struggling with persecution and fears for his life, but he stands on the truth of God’s Word and character.  Read this section from the Message and let it speak to you.   145-152 I call out at the top of my lungs,
    “God! Answer! I’ll do whatever you say.”          The psalmist knew God is Accessible.
I called to you, “Save me
    so I can carry out all your instructions.”            He knew God is a Savior.
I was up before sunrise,
    crying for help, hoping for a word from you.     
I stayed awake all night,
    prayerfully pondering your promise.               He knew God was with him 24/7.
In your love, listen to me;
    in your justice, God, keep me alive.                  He knew God listens. 
As those out to get me come closer and closer,                         
    they go farther and farther from the truth you reveal;          He knew God 
But you’re the closest of all to me, God,                            knew his enemies.
    and all your judgments true.
I’ve known all along from the evidence of your words      God and His Word are 
    that you meant them to last forever.                             eternal and trustworthy.

Do your words reflect what you know and believe about God?         Is He Accessible to you 24/7?           Do you feel that you can call upon Him to save you and preserve you in the difficulties of life?       Do you know that God is omniscient and knows what you face each day?         Do you stand on His Word with confidence and believe that His Word is eternal and will last throughout the generations? 

god-always-has-something-for-youThe psalmist was confident God would answer as he laid his heart open before Him?  Will you present your difficulties and fears before God today and call upon Him for help?   He will answer and bring you peace and comfort as you cling to the truth of who God is and what He can do.  God is totally trustworthy and keeps His promises.

Blessings today as you cling to God.

Linda

Why the tears?

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Psalm 119:129-136 opens with praise and awe over the amazing depth of God’s Word.  Your laws are wonderful.
    No wonder I obey them!
130 The teaching of your word gives light,
    so even the simple can understand.   So many times I have heard people say that the Bible is too hard to understand.  Here the psalmist is declares that even the young or less trained can understand.  How is that possible?   Understanding comes from God, so with prayer, meditation, the right translation and through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit believers can read and understand that which God has for them in His Word.  
131 I pant with expectation,
    longing for your commands.
132 Come and show me your mercy,
    as you do for all who love your name.   The psalmist looks with great expectation into God’s Word.  He is looking for mercy and love.  These are tangible confirmations of faith for him.  When you read God’s Word, do you read with expectation?  Do you look for His mercy and love?  Think back, when you read the Bible do you find that you are filled with peace, understanding and hope?  Have you ever opened its pages seeking advice or help or comfort?  The psalmist has faith that God will answer his needs and then provide him with direction.
133 Guide my steps by your word,
    so I will not be overcome by evil.
134 Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;
    then I can obey your commandments.   He trusts in the guidance of God and knows titus 2 14that the Word will lead him to victory.  He claims God as his guide and redeemer!  He refers to being ransomed or bought back from evil.  This is what Christ did for us.  In Paul’s letter to Titus he puts it this way, “He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” Titus 2:14
135 Look upon me with love;
    teach me your decrees.    The psalmist trusts God to look upon him with love.  He knows that God is immutable and will always be loving, slow to anger and filled with compassion.  He looks for teaching from God as he trusts God.
136 Rivers of tears gush from my eyes
    because people disobey your instructions.  The last lines of this section of Psalm 119 really spoke to me.  The psalmist is proclaiming to God that he is distressed to the point of tears over those who disobey and reject God’s Word.  I asked myself, does the psalm 119 136rejection of the truth of God’s Word and His ways bring me to tears?  Do I sorry for those that do not believe or those that profess to believe and do not live by the standards God desires?  If I am  brought to tears, then my response should be one of love and restoration not condemnation.  Pray, pray, pray for the light of God to be made known to them.  God has ways of  reaching those who we consider unreachable.  Look what He did to confront Saul, the chief persecutor of early Christians. He brought him to his knees and to faith in Jesus.  Read his miraculous story in Acts 9.   Lift your tears up to God and ask Him to work on the person who you are concerned about, to bring them to faith and change their life.  Many times I have heard stories of people praying for individuals for years and years before they came to faith.  God calls us to be persistent and filled with hope at their redemption. 

God’s Word fills us with expectation, hope, love, and guidance as He points us to His truths that are eternal and filled with redemption.

Linda

What is your resolve in hard times?

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As I meditate upon Psalm 119:121-128, I am reminded of how often we get ‘stuck’ in a place in life and feel it will never end.  When we pass through that time and look back it does not seem that it was that long.  Yet, while we are in the midst of the struggle it seems forever.  In these verses the psalmist is struggling with oppressors that are closing in upon him and pleads with God “do not leave me to my oppressors.”  He asks for help, “Ensure your servant’s well-being and let not the arrogant oppress me.”  He feels that apart from the salvation of the Lord, “My eyes fail, looking for your salvation , looking for your righteous promise.”  But he rallies and asks God to show him love. “Deal with me according to your love.”  He then asks for understanding and discernment so he can understand God’s plan.  “I am your servant give me discernment that I may understand your statues.”   He concludes with his own resolve about God, “Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong.”  

ResolveHow do you recover your resolve when you struggle with hard people, difficult circumstances or your own unbelief?  The psalmist resolved to trust God and stand on His Word.  Even when we do not understand we can make up our minds to believe God for who He is and what He says.  This will give us hope and bring us through those hard times.  Resolve today to stand with God and believe His Word.  He always proves Himself faithful.

Endeavoring to walk in Trust,

Linda

Standing in awe or doubt?

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In Psalm 119:113-120 there are a couple of key verses I want to focus on in today’s blog.  The psalmist contrasts those that oppose God and the resource of God’s Word for those that believe.

psalm 119 120113  I hate double-minded people,
    but I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commands of my God!   

 He first points out the presence of double-minded people that waver in their commitment to God as being a distraction to the believer.  James 1:6,8 describes this type of individual.  “6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  A double-minded person is trying to be guided by and committed to the world and does not have a solid faith in God.  The effect of such thinking and actions is instability in conduct and thought.  The next group the psalmist reveals as opposing the believer are evildoers.  The Bible speaks often about evildoers or those that work against God and his followers.  1 Peter 2:12 puts it this way, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”  Evildoers seek to bring us down with their accusations and ruin our witness in the world. 

The psalmist seeks to contrast the effects of the double-minded and evildoers with the consistency and reliability of God’s Word.  He speaks of God’s Word as a refuge that shields us and gives us hope (114).  He concludes this section with a profound statement about God’s Word.  In verse 120 he says, “My flesh trembles in fear of you;   I stand in awe of your laws.”  He has such great reverence for God that he describes himself as trembling and his faith in God results in profound adoration and awe for God’s Word.  Praise God for the power of His Word!

The psalmist’s response to God’s Word challenges us today.  Do you hold to God’s Word when assaulted by evildoers and double-minded people?  Is God’s Word your hope and shield?  Do you see the power and might of God revealed in His Word?  The psalmist assures us that we will find hope, strength, love, peace and direction when we stand in awe of God’s Word and cling to it.  His Word will keep us from being double-minded, firmly rooted and grounded in faith and able to withstand the waves of doubt we encounter each day.

restoring the aweStanding in awe of the power of God’s Word,

Linda

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.

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Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.  The concept of believers being with Christ in heaven and reigning with Him is a privilege of faith and God’s grace to us.   Since we are adopted into God’s family and are heirs with Jesus, we will be in seated in heaven with Him.  Ephesians 2:4-6 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with ephesians-2-vs-6-ewhich he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.   God did this for us, placed us in a place of privilege and honor because of His grace, mercy and love.  He made us alive in Christ when we were dead in our sins.  Believing in Christ changed our position from rejected sinner to one of honor.  2 Timothy 2:11-12a  give a similar picture, “If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;”  Faith in Christ is the determining factor in whether we live and reign with Him or face eternal death.  God cannot look on sin so we have to find some way to deal with our sin or we are rejected from God’s sight forever.  In His infinite mercy and grace, He sent Jesus to provide a way for us to be restored, cleansed and elevated to a position of honor and purity.  Praises to Jesus for what grace-and-mercyHe did for us at the cross.

What about you?  Are you thanking Jesus for His grace and mercy?  As we gaze on the cross in a few days, think about what He has done for you and what you have because of His sacrifice.

Humbled in His sight,

Linda