Tag: Inspirational

I am a branch on Christ’s vine.

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john 15 5Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am a branch on Christ’s vine.   In John 15:1 Jesus referred to himself as the true vine and His Father as the gardener.  Then in John 15:5 He includes our place on the growing ‘tree’ of faith.  “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”   Jesus made these statements to His closest disciples and used analogies they were familiar with to be sure that they got the point.  In the Old Testament the nation Israel was often referred to as the vine so Jesus wanted them to know He was the true vine of Israel, the Messiah.  He also wanted them to know that if they disconnect from Him they would be powerless and their lives would be fruitless.  Connected to Him they would live very productive lives that would accomplish great things for God.

abidingThe same analogy is true for us today.  We need to stay connected to Jesus and many translations use the word abide.  1 John 4:13-16 speaks of major benefits of abiding in Jesus. “13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”   Being connected to Jesus, is a privileged position.  His Spirit lives within us testifying to us that He is with us.  God dwells within us and shows us His love so we can love others in His name.  That is why being connected to Him we will be able to bear good fruit in our lives and accomplish much for His Kingdom.  Jesus is the source of our power and by faith we are connected to Him.  

john 15 5 stayConnected to Jesus today,

Linda

I am the sweet fragrance of Christ to God.

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fragranceBecause I believe Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am the sweet fragrance of Christ to God.  Have you ever thought about how you look, taste, smell or feel to God?  According to 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 we have the smell of life to God because of Jesus.   “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”  The verse also says that to the unsaved we are the smell of death.  Why would that be the case?   The unsaved have no love or appreciation for Christ.  They have no faith in His power to save and are stuck in their sins which lead to death.  Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Through Christ we are washed clean and are sweet smelling.  There is no smell of death or sin about us.  We do not remind God of sin as we are redeemed and according to Jeremiah 31:34 “‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”  The Lord sees us as pure and righteous because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.  

So what does that mean for me? Am I spreading the sweet smell of Christ to those around me?  Do people feel uplifted after having a conversation with me?  Do they see me doing ‘sweet’ things for others without thinking about myself?   Jesus calls us to be self-less in our witness for Him.  As you begin this fourth week of Lent,  remember you are the sweet sweet, aroma of Christ in the world.

aroma-of-christKnowing Jesus and bathing in His Word keeps us sweet smelling!

Linda

I am a citizen of heaven.

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passportBecause I believe Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am a citizen of heaven.  Our passport to heaven is stamped citizen the minute we accept Jesus as our Savior.  In Philippians 3:19-20 Paul describes our position in contrast to those who do not believe. “They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.  But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”   Also in Ephesians 2:19 Paul encourages the Gentile believers that they now belong to the family of God-all believers. “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.”

aliensWhy is citizenship in heaven so important?  Just like in our age, with citizenship comes privileges of belonging to a nation.  We belong to Jesus (Romans 1:5-6), have a future home there prepared by Jesus (John 14:1-3),  we will dwell with Him (John 14:23), our reward waits for us there (Matthew 5:12), our treasures are there (Matthew 6:19),  our home with Him is eternally strong and secure (2 Corinthians 5:1), our inheritance is kept there secure and unfaded by time (1 Peter 1:4) and we have every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).  All these privileges are ours  because we know Christ and are citizens of heaven.  Through our faith in Jesus, we live in this world but our real home and allegiance is in heaven to our heavenly Father.  Jesus warned us that we would struggle with the world and sin but that He has overcome the world.  Victory is ours through Christ.  1 John 5:4-5 “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.  And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”

ephesians 2 19Privileged to be a citizen of heaven,

Linda

I am not condemned.

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Because I believe Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am not condemned.  Romans 8:1 is one of my all time favorite verses.  It brings the truth of the gospel and what it means to me into reality.  “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Because of what Jesus did on the cross, paying the penalty for my sins, and my faith in His saving power, I am no longer subject to the condemnation or guilty charge brought on by my sins.  The Amplified Bible romans 8 1adds to this verse and makes it really clear.  “Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].”   Without Christ dying on the cross and rising from the dead, we would still be under the penalty of sin, which is death.  Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  My faith in Jesus puts me in a privileged category of No Condemnation!  When God looks at me, He sees the blood of Jesus covering me and not my sins.  I am free from the penalty which I deserve for my sinfulness by God’s grace and mercy.  He sent Jesus to take my place and redeem me. In addition, He has given me the gift of eternal life with Him.  What a magnificent and merciful God we serve!

As you ponder this truth today, praise and thank Jesus for His redeeming work on the cross.  What better thoughts to have this Lenten season than praise and thankfulness for the sacrifice that Jesus made on for each of us.  He broke the chains of sin for us and we are free to live without condemnation.  This song of Zach Williams reminds me of my true freedom through Christ.

Praising the Savior,

Linda

I am God’s Workmanship.

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Because I believe Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am God’s Workmanship.   The verse in Ephesians that describes believers as the workmanship of God was our memory verse several years ago for our church Day Camp.  There are several different translations of this verse that can help shed light on this unique position of believers.  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV

masterpieceNIV translates workmanship as God’s handiwork

NLT calls us His masterpiece

HCSB says we are His creation

The Living (TLB) says we are what He has made us

The Amphified goes the extra mile adding several words: ” For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus”

Each translation adds a new dimension to the definition of what it means for us to be called His Workmanship.  God created us to do His work in the world.  He even prepared those good things He wants us to do for Him before we were even born.  God desires for us to walk with Him and do good works in the name of Jesus to bring glory to His name.   “And now, _________(put your own name in here), what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. It pleases God when we obey and serve Him.” Deuteronomy 10:12

Living a life that pleases God causes us to want to do good works, and God thought enough of me to prepare ahead of time specific things for me to do.  God’s will is that I accomplish these things for Him and bring Him glory.  He wants me to be a masterpiece or a true work of art in the name of Jesus.  When we recognize that we are not just a dot to God but a whole canvas masterpiece, we realize how much He loves us and wants good for us.

If you were doubting yourself or your existence today, doubt no more!  God has created you for good things and desires that you accomplish them in and through Jesus.  It is a privileged work He has for us in a privileged place. Walk with Him today with  open eyes and heart.  He will reveal what He has for you to do, that only you can do in Christ.

Focus on Jesus and let God make your canvas perfect in Him.

Linda

I am salt and light.

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Because I believe Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead,  I am considered salt and light in the world.  I love the children’s song.  “This little light of mine.  I’m gonna let it shine.”  It innocently speaks of how Jesus wants us to shine for Him.   In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke plainly of qualities true believers and followers of Him would possess.  “You are the salt of the earth.”  “You are the light of the world.” pour-on-the-salt-and-turn-on-the-light_t Matthew 5:13,14.  He went on to explain that salt that loses it’s saltiness and a light that does not shine are worthless.

So how are we to be ‘salty’ in the world.  Salt has many uses.  It is used to preserve, heal, make tasty, and clean up.  As Christians we are to keep Jesus where the world can see Him, in our lives.  We are to heal the world by telling them about Him.  We are to add flavor- purity, honor, integrity and justice to the world to show them who God is.  And, we are  to be abrasive, causing a rub with the sin and evil of the world so they will remember God and be pointed to Jesus.

Likewise, we are to be light where ever we are placed.  Jesus said we are not to hide our light, His light in our lives, but we are to light up the world.  He wants us to shine so the world will see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.  Light also had many uses- it dispels darkness, allows us to see where we are going and where we have been, it is warm and comforting.  Your presence is a reminder to the world of Christ.  His light overcomes evil and darkness.  His light guides us and shows us His way in the Word.  Light brings warmth and goodness to the world in His name.  Jesus said in John 8:12. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”   Jesus wants us to show others His light as He lights up our lives.

I love thinking about the qualities of light and salt and reflecting how Jesus wants us to act in this world.  Without Jesus showing himself in and through our lives, the world would be a dark and tasteless place.   Where do you need to be salt and light today?

salt missionPrayer:   Thank you Jesus for giving me worth and purpose in the world. Show me where you want me to be salt and light.   Use me to bring others to you.   In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Basking in the light of Jesus,

Linda

 

 

 

2nd Sunday of Lent

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doxologyAs I reflect on this past week’s devotions, I am reminded of Paul’s praise to God in Romans 11:33-36:

“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!                      For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?                    Who knows enough to give him advice?                And who has given  him so much that he needs to pay it back?                                           For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.”

As you ponder the greatness of God, think about what He has done for you with thanksgiving and praise:  Because I believe Christ died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead to life-  I am Justified (2/19), I am forgiven (2/20), I am holy and blameless before God (2/21), I am an ambassador for Christ (2/22), I am a temple in which God dwells 92/23) and I am tenderly loved by God (2/24).  Praise God for all He has done for us!!

romans 11 36Worshiping Him with praise and thanksgiving today,

Linda