Why the tears?

June 8, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

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!
¹³⁰The 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.
¹³¹I pant with expectation,
    longing for your commands.
¹³²Come 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.
¹³³Guide my steps by your word,
    so I will not be overcome by evil.
¹³⁴Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;
    then I can obey your commandments. He trusts in the guidance of God and knows titus 2 14 that 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
¹³⁵Look 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.
¹³⁶Rivers 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 rejection 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?

June 5, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

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.”

How 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?

June 1, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

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.

113 I hate double-minded people,
    but I love your law.
¹¹⁴You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.
¹¹⁵Away 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. “⁶But 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. ⁸he 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 awe Standing in awe of the power of God’s Word,

Linda

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.

March 28, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

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 which he loved us, ⁵even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶and 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; ¹²if 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-mercy He 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

I am assured that all things are working together for good.

March 24, 2018March 24, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because I believe that Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am assured that all things work together for good. This powerful promise is given in Romans 8:28. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” There are many powerful truths packed into this verse that we can claim for our life. First, there is no circumstance beyond God’s control. God is sovereign and He can bring good things out of bad situations. In 2 Chronicles 20:6 King Jehoshaphat affirms God’s sovereignty, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!” There is nothing in heaven or earth that is outside of God’s control. Second, God is good and intends only good things for me. Look at these powerful verses about God’s intent. “The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.” Lamentations 3:25 and “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 These verses show God’s heart and intent is good towards us, as believers. Third, God has a purpose to which he has called us. 2 Timothy 1:9 tells us that through Jesus, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” Lastly, God’s ways are not our ways. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8 Many times I do not understand the events, the suffering, the senseless violence and evil that happens in our sin-filled world. Sin taints and destroys indiscriminately. We simply must trust in our good, sovereign God to work everything to good in His time and in His way just as He promised. Trusting God in the face of adversity, trusting God that He is good, trusting God that He loves us and has good things planned for us and trusting God to avenge wrongs and vindicate believers calls for mighty faith.

So what about you? Do you have this kind of faith in our loving, merciful, holy God? Believing in God’s character and trusting that He will do as He has promised will cause you to rest in the assurance that faith in Jesus brings to a world in chaos. Since Lent is a time of reflection and prayer, consider God’s mercy and care for you. Remember how He has guided and comforted you in times of great need. As you put your trust in Him, He will show himself faithful and work all things together for good in your life so that rom 8 28 you can accomplish the purpose to which He has called you.

Trusting in Jesus is empowering,

Linda

I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.

March 23, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. This powerful truth is given in 1 John 5:18. I like the Amplified Bible for this verse as it makes the truths very clear “¹⁸We know [with confidence] that anyone born of God does not habitually sin; but He (Jesus) who was born of God [carefully] keeps and protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” Being born of God means we are believers, born of His Holy Spirit through our faith in Jesus. Jesus spoke of this new birth in John 3:3-5 when He was talking one night with Nicodemus. ³Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ⁴Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” ⁵Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Once we believe in Jesus and are reborn in His Spirit, we are protected from Satan. Evidence of this protection would be our desire to not commit the same sins over and over that were our usual habits before our rebirth. We will sin since we live in a sin-filled world but habitual sin should be left in our former life. Another important aspect of this protection is the safety of our eternal soul. Once we belong to Jesus no one or nothing can take that away. In John 10:28 Jesus gives us this promise, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” This rebirth should have a permanent effect on our lives. Peter describes this new life in Christ in 1 Peter 1:23 “since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;” Satan is not able to touch our eternal life in Christ as it is protected by God. He can lead us into sin and cause us all kinds of grief in life but he cannot touch our eternal soul. Our life with Christ is protected by God. Remember that you are sealed by the Holy Spirit and that keeps you secure. As we grow in Christ our desire to sin lessens and His power within us increases. Knowing Christ is an amazing insurance plan that will never expire or have a payment come due. His plan is in Jesus capable hands that help us to weather all things through faith in Him.

What about you? Are you born of God and sealed by His Holy Spirit? If not, talk to Jesus about this today. If you ask and earnestly seek Him, He will be found. (Matthew 7:7) Are you feeling secure and protected by God? Take a look at Psalm 91. A brother in Christ told me he considers this his 911 call to God and he used it when he was going on missions during WWII. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
²I will say  to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.” and it continues in verses 14-15   ¹⁴“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
    I will protect him, because he knows my name.
¹⁵When he calls to me, I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble;
    I will rescue him and honor him. Seek the Lord today and call on Him for protection.

Feeling secure in God is a good place to be,

Linda

I am sealed by the Holy Spirit.

March 20, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am sealed by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14 “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, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. This amazing Biblical truth gives me assurance of my salvation and hope for today and a future with Christ. It also assures me of where and to whom I belong through my faith in Jesus. Paul also spoke of this guaranteeing seal in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 5:5 “Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” What does a seal do? A seal protects the contents (us) from harmful things getting in and it marks it as authentic. By being sealed with God’s Holy Spirit we are insulated or protected from the power of Satan over us and His Spirit marks us as belonging to Him, we are His- authentic believers in Christ. His seal gives me assurance that I belong to Him for eternity and is evidence that He is working within me. What a wonderful promise to claim in Christ!

What about you? Do you feel His Spirit within you? Do you listen when He speaks and leads you away from wrong choices? Scripture says in Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” God will give you assurance and hope that you belong to Him through His indwelling Holy Spirit. Believe it, embrace it, and romans 8 16 cling to it today. As a believer, you belong to God and are sealed by His Holy Spirit and NOTHING can change that! His Holy Spirit gives us an eternal promise with hope for now and into eternity. Thank you Jesus!

Sealed by Jesus,

Linda

5th Sunday of Lent

March 18, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today I want to direct our thoughts to Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 2: 19-23. Daniel had asked the Lord to reveal the meaning of the mysterious dream of King Nebuchadnezzar. all knowing God This prayer record Daniel’s praise to God for His revelation and for His great mercy towards Daniel. May the words wash over you today and fill you with praise.

¹⁹That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. ²⁰He said,

“Praise the name of God forever and ever,
    for he has all wisdom and power.
²¹He controls the course of world events;
    he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the scholars.
²²He reveals deep and mysterious things
    and knows what lies hidden in darkness,
    though he is surrounded by light.
²³I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors,
    for you have given me wisdom and strength.
You have told me what we asked of you
    and revealed to us what the king demanded.”

This week we have seen marvelous things from God’s Word. As a believer in Jesus, I can claim that I am: a friend of God (3/12), chosen by God (3/13), chosen by God to bear fruit (3/14, a joint heir with Christ (3/15), holy and I share in God’s heavenly calling (3/16), and I am sustained by Christ (3/17).

daniel 2 22 Blessings as you worship the magnificent all knowing God like Daniel.

Linda

I am chosen by God.

March 13, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because I believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am chosen by God. What does it mean to you to be chosen by God? Can you even wrap your head around the fact that God loved you enough to choose you through His Son Jesus? He has chosen us for all eternity to be His and to live with Him. There are many verses that speak of God choosing us- here are a few for you to meditate on.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,” Colossians 3:12a

For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 1 Samuel 12:22

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

The theme of these verses is that God chose us because it pleased Him to do so, because He wants to make something out of us that will bring Him glory and so that we can tell others about His great salvation. What a privileged place it is to be- chosen by God to love Him, worship Him and be one of His own. Take time today to relish the place you have in God’s love and as a member of God’s people. He could have chosen anybody but He chose you!

abandon Praising God for being His and knowing He will not let me go,

Linda

I am a friend of God.

March 12, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because I believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am a friend of God. Being called Jesus’ friend or God’s friend is a privileged position. John 15:15 “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” Jesus makes the distinction between a servant and a friend. A servant is one who does the bidding of his master, one who works without knowing the plans, motives and purposes behind what he is doing and receives little to no reward for his service. Whereas a friend is someone who is brought into close confidence with Him and with whom Jesus shares His knowledge of the Father. In scripture Abraham was referred to as a friend of God. James 2:23 ” and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.” Through his faith and faithfulness towards God, Abraham was recognized by God as His friend and he was rewarded with righteousness.

Friendship with Jesus brings us an even greater closeness as we know who He is and what He desires for mankind. We share in His vision and purpose when we are His friends. Unlike a servant, as friends of Jesus we have multiple rewards now and in the future because of this relationship. I have a really close friend that now lives near Los Angeles. For years we lived close enough to see each other each week and share our hopes, dreams, struggles and worries. We supported one another in prayer, gave encouragement and listened with a heart of love. Proverbs 17:17a “A friend loves at all times,” describes friend loves my friend. She has been there for me and stood by me in some really difficult times. My friend is still my friend even though I don’t see her every week. I know I can call her and she will listen, pray and encourage me no matter what. Jesus is an even greater friend as He goes beyond all earthly friendships. He intercedes for me with the Father (Romans 8:26), and He listens and encourages me through prayer (Hebrews 4:15). He has good planned for me (Jeremiah 29:11), and He loves me (John 3:16). Just like Abraham, I need to be faithful and full of faith in Jesus, then His righteousness will be credited to me. Knowing and trusting Jesus as my Savior will wash and cleanse me and will result in His righteousness being imputed to me. Proverbs 22:11 “He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.