Tag: Hope

5th Sunday of Lent

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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 GodThis 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.

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

“Praise the name of God forever and ever,
    for he has all wisdom and power.
21 He 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.
22 He reveals deep and mysterious things
    and knows what lies hidden in darkness,
    though he is surrounded by light.
23 I 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 22Blessings as you worship the magnificent all knowing God like Daniel.

Linda

I am chosen by God.

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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.

chosen“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!

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

Linda

 

 

 

I am a friend of God.

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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 lovesmy 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.

As a follower of Christ, You can call Jesus your friend.  What a blessed friendship it is!

Linda

friend     

                

I am confident in God’s good work.

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Phil 1 6Because I believe that Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, I am confident in God’s good work in me.  In Philippians 1:6  Paul confidently tells us “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  In this wonderful promise we are assured that God has begun something good in us when we accept Jesus as our Savior.  Not only is it a good work but that He will personally guarantee that it will be completed.  His timetable for finishing this good work is when we get to heaven or when Jesus returns, whichever comes first.  God’s promises are eternal and will always be accomplished just as He intends.  The writer of Proverbs was well aware of God’s ability to complete what He started.  He reminds us that commitment to the Lord is required for us to maximize the effect of God’s work in us.  Proverbs 16:3-4  “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.  The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster.”  

phil 1 6 patienceI love the thought that my salvation is considered by God a good work.  He loves and cares for me (Nahum 1:7) and wants only good things for me (Jeremiah 29:11).  Therefore, I can live with confidence that God will keep me and use me for His good.  Philippians 1:6 is a great verse to memorize as it will increase your confidence and sustain you when times get hard!  Share it with a fellow believer or be bold and tell an unbeliever of your confidence in God’s plan and work in your life.

Living with confidence and hope in Jesus,

Linda

3rd Sunday of Lent

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Isaiah’s words draw us into the power, might and care that God possesses and show towards us.

28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.   Isaiah 40:28-31

I am praising God for another wonderful week in His Word.  He showed us this week that because Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead we are:   Salt and Light (2/26), helped by God (2/27), sanctified (2/28), His workmanship or His masterpieces (3/1), not condemned (3/2) and citizens of heaven (3/2).  Praise God!

isaiah-40-31Mediate on the power and might of God today and know you are well loved.

Linda

I am helped by God.

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Because I believe Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am helped by God.  Scripture is filled with proclamations concerning the help we have available from God.  Our key verse today is Hebrews 4:16 “ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in 170932-God-s-Help-Is-Only-A-Prayer-Awayour time of need.”  The author of Hebrews is pointing us to God in prayer.  In prayer we will receive mercy and undeserved favor (grace) and help when we need it the most.  This verse is such a reassuring promise that when we pray God hears us and responds to us with mercy, grace and help.   As a believer, I am assured that God is my helper and accessible 24/7.   Moses told Joshua that as the new leader of the Israelites, he could depend upon God.  His words are true for us today too.   Deuteronomy 31:6  “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Here are a few verses for you to meditate upon today as you consider God’s ability to help.  David eloquently spoke of God’s help in the Psalms.  I particularly love Psalm 34:15,17   The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,  and his ears are attentive to their cry;   The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;  he delivers them from all their troubles.   Psalm 33:20  “We wait in hope for the Lord;  he is our help and our shield.”    Psalm 121:1-2  I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?    My help comes from the Lord,  the Maker of heaven and earth.

Jesus promised after his return to heaven he would send a helper in John 14:26. “ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Paul was confident in Jesus’ help in Philippians 1:19  “Yes, and I will rejoice,  for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,”

Hebrews-136-Big-Faith-Little-Fear-The author of Hebrews was confident in the Lord’s ability to help.  Hebrews 13:5b-6   “for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we can confidently say,  “The Lord is my helper;  I will not fear;  what can man do to me?”

What about you ?  Are you confident that God is your helper?  All believers in Jesus can know for certain that God is accessible and will listen to your cries for help and answer with mercy and grace!  Many times the answer is not what we expect or right when we want it, but God is faithful and will answer.  He have to trust His timing and deliverance.

Blessings today as you draw near to His throne and seek His help,

Linda

 

 

I am loved by God.

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Because I believe Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am loved by God.  Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was motivated by God’s great love for me and you.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”   Love was what caused God to come up with a plan to save us as He desires to be in relationship with mankind and have us live with Him eternally.

Jeremiah-31-3God repeatedly tell us in the Bible that He loves us.  Jeremiah 31:3  The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:  “I have loved you with an everlasting love;  I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”   Paul describes God’s love for us in Ephesians 2:4-5  “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”  God saved us because He loved us and through His grace and mercy He sent Jesus.  

Cross-Poster-Red-MockupHow do you feel today?  Do you feel loved by God or are you letting the cares, worries and circumstances of life block God’s love? As you think about God’s love today, let your mind be transformed by the love of Christ.  He died for you and me.  Know that He loved us enough to die for us.  God loved us enough to send Jesus to bring us into a relationship with Him.  Know you are loved by God, and it cost Him dearly to show you His great LOVE!

Feeling cherished and loved by God,

Linda

I am a temple in which God dwells.

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Because I believe Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am a temple in which God dwells.   This is one of those mind stretching statements that believers often don’t stop to ponder.  We know we are alive and have a conscience and a spirit within us that makes us alive.  When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He sends His Holy Spirit to join with our spirit and live inside of us.  Why would He do that?   In the Old Testament times the Jews built a tabernacle at God’s direction as a place to worship God but also a place for God to dwell.  God instructed Moses in Exodus 25:8 “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.”   God desires to live in our midst so He can guide and direct us into right living, but also so we can know and understand God and His ways more clearly.  1 Corinthians 2:11-12  “For who knows a person’s thoughts except Holy Spiritthe spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.   What an amazing gift God has given us in the indwelling Holy Spirit.  We can feel connected to God at all times, loved and cherished by Him, guided and protected.  I love Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,”   We can know that we are God’s child because the Holy Spirit tells us so from within.

How does this fact affect you?  Paul tells us in Romans 8:9 that if we do not know Christ we do not have His Spirit within us. “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”  Having God’s Spirit living within us and helping us to grow in understanding of Him and His ways is the privilege of every believer.  Paul says we are not led by the flesh anymore but are in the Spirit. To know Christ is to have His Spirit indwell us.  Do you let this fact that the Holy Spirit lives within you guide your words and actions each day?  Or do you ignore the nudging of the Holy Spirit and determine to do your own thing be it godly or not?  God put His Holy Spirit within us to help us to be more and more like Jesus.  Is that you?

walk-in-the-spirit-logoPrayer:  Lord, thank you for your indwelling Holy Spirit.  Help me listen more carefully to you as I speak and interact with others.  Guide and protect me as I seek to be your light in a dark world.   In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Striving to walk in the Spirit each day,

Linda

On Writing “Promises for Dynamic Living”

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After I published my first book, Fearless Living, people asked me if I was going to write a second book. Since I never thought I would write even one book, I couldn’t imagine God giving me a second one.

However, while I was publishing my first book, God gave me a new idea to research. As I was studying the book of Genesis, I began to notice promises that God gave to Abraham that could apply to me. I started searching His Word for promises that I could claim in my own life. Each day, I would look up a new promise, write it in my journal, pray, and ask God what He was promising me through that particular verse. I saw His character revealed more and more and the vast scope of His promises. I became really excited about His promises, and what a difference I could see they were making in my life! I thought, I’m not the only one who needs to know the promises of God, nor am I the only one who needs His Word to penetrate in my life. Through His encouragement, Promises for Dynamic Living began to develop and become alive.

Knowing that pulling verses out of context could lead to error and misunderstanding, I searched God’s Word to verify the chosen passages. Great promises of God are stated repeatedly in various contexts so that we can get the idea and claim the promise. Each day’s devotional promise explains the truths we learn about God and where we can find a similar promise or concept in the Bible. I must admit, this search was a challenge and caused me to think, meditate, and internalize God’s promises, as I saw them reaffirmed throughout His Word.

Through the writing of this book, I have seen the completeness of God’s Word and how He has woven it together to confirm, assure, and build us up to be the men and women He desires. His Word in us glorifies Him, and He longs for us to study and know Him. When I work with young people, I try to teach them that God’s Word, on the pages of our Bible, holds the same power as the spoken word of God, which brought the world into existence.

There is power in His Word and He desires that we know His Word and claim it in our lives.

I am so encouraged because the depth of God’s promises span throughout the entire Bible. God’s promises are not just limited to those things given to us by Christ. God has been in the promise-making business from the very beginning of His relationship with man. He knows us and knows that we need assurance of who He is and what He will do in and through our lives. I pray you will find promises in both the Old and New Testaments to enrich your walk with the Lord and that it brings you assurance of His loving character. May His promises remove any, and all, doubts you are experiencing. Claiming His promises in your life will dispel doubt and fear. It will lead you on the pathway toward assurance and HOPE in Christ.

Blessings,

Linda

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