Tag: Jesus

Knowing and Being Known

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Today’s promise is a small gem that packs a big punch. It is found in John 10:14 and tells us so much about Jesus our Savior.

John 10:14 “ I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”

Promises: God promises Jesus is my good shepherd and that He knows me and I can know Him.

In ancient cultures shepherds were needed to care for the sheep. There were not fences to keep the sheep in and the predators out. The sheep are not the smartest of animals and would follow anyone. The shepherd would sleep with the sheep at night, lead them to water and pasture and lovingly care for them. He would give his life for his sheep to keep them safe. By calling himself our good shepherd, Jesus is letting us know how much he loves us. He will provide and care for us and He willingly gave His life so that we could be reconciled to God. The passage continues in verses 16b-17 “So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.”

The other promise included in this short verse is that God knows us and that we can know Him. What a privilege that through faith I can commune with God in prayer, feel His love and support and be indwelled by His Holy Spirit. He knows all about me and allows me to come to know Him through His Word, prayer and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Someday we will see Him and be in His presence. Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

What we can know from this verse: God is accessible, Jesus is our caretaker, God knows all about me, I can know God.

Lenten Reflections: Am I looking to my good shepherd for advice, protection and guidance each day? How much time do I spend getting to know God through His Word and prayer?

Because God created me and is omnipotent He knew me before I was even born. I need to study His Word to learn more about Him, to be able to understand how He wants me to act and to think bibically. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can learn to know God and can rest in His care and love.

Linda

Related Verses: Hebrews 4:16, John 10:1 and 11, Nahum 1:7, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 139:1-3, Psalm 139:13, Revelation 21:3.

Power from Within- in Jesus!

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Many passages in the Bible clarify the role of Christ and what His indwelling Holy Spirit does within our lives. Romans 8:10-11 is one such passage.

Romans 8: 10-11  “But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.“

Promise: God promises to give life through His Spirit and make all believers alive because of Christ’s righteousness.

The old saying goes “nothing is sure except death and taxes.” These verse say that is not true. God promises life in Jesus and all this is possible because of Jesus’ death on the cross. His sacrifice covered your sins and mine. 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Our sins are forgiven and covered by the blood of Jesus. How then are we alive in Jesus? Paul explains in Ephesians 2:4-6 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which 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,” This work of grace and mercy from God we owe to our faith in Jesus. Paul continues to explain in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Thank you Jesus for this amazing gift of faith and forgiveness.

What we can know about God from these verses: Jesus’ blood covers our sins-past, present and future, the Holy Spirit indwells the believer, faith in Jesus makes us spiritually alive, Jesus is righteous, Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross.

Lenten Reflections: Am I experiencing God’s Spirit within me each day? Am I thankful for all Jesus did for me on the cross?

These are sobering verses when you consider what our salvation and freedom from the power of sin cost Jesus. His blood was shed for me and you. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can live forgiven and experience His life within me. I am alive in Christ!

Linda

Related Verses: 1 Peter 2:24 1 Peter 3:18, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 1:7-9, Romans 6:10-12, Ephesians 2:3-8, Colossians 2:6-7,

The Perfect Manual

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Psalm 119 is a treasure trove of truths and promises about God’s Word. Each of the stanzas of this poetic scripture tell us more and more about the reliability and truthfulness of God’s Word.

Psalm 119:9, 11, 105, 160 “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word…..11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you……105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path….160 All your words are true;  all your righteous laws are eternal.”

Promise: God promises that His Word is eternal, righteous and a guidebook for godly living.

When you get new appliances they come with a manual for operation or installation. Once I purchased a new sewing machine. The purchase came with 2 introductory classes to learn about the machine and the things you could make it do. When I got to the class I sat down, set up and threaded my machine in preparation for our work. The instructor came around and asked me, “How did you get the machine threaded?” He was shocked that I had accomplished that task without his assistance. I replied, “I followed the directions in the manual.”   In today’s world Google and YouTube have become our convenient manuals for resolving questions about how things work.  What about in the area of godly living? Where do you go for guidance when you have problems with people, money, conflicts of faith, jobs, stress, etc? God tells us that all we need is in His Word. We do not need to worry that God’s manual will become out of date, have misleading information or lead us into wrong actions as He says His Word is true, eternal and righteous.

What we know about God from these verses: following God’s Word leads us in the direction of purity for our lives, God’s Word will guide us, God’s Word is true, pure, righteous, and eternal.

Lenten Reflections: Am I using God’s Word as my guide for living? How much time do I spend reading God’s manual for godly living?

His Word is our perfect manual for living our lives His way. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can trust God’s Word to lead me in godly living. Be sure to consult your manual often. You can depend on it!

Linda

Related Verses: Proverbs 30:5, Matthew 24:35, John 6:68, John 17:17, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:22-25.

WE Belong to God- a family!

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Today’s promise is essential in building our spiritual esteem.

John 1:12 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—”

Promise: God promises that knowing and accepting Jesus brings us into His family.

We all want to have value and worth. We want to belong. God placed us in families for a reason. He wanted us to have the love and support of a family. The same is true of our heavenly family. God wants us to know we have worth and purpose as His child. As believers we have the Holy Spirit within us and know Him. Romans 8:14 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” He also claims us a his sons and daughters, those who will inherit from their Father God. Romans 8:17 makes this clear, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

What we know from this verse: Faith in Jesus brings privileges and rights, God has a family, those in God’s family believe and accept Jesus.

Lenten Reflections: Am I acting like a child of God or a child of this world? What privileges do I have as God’s child that I need to thank Him for today?

As a child of God we are a member of His family, He has a home and an inheritance for each of us. We have brothers and sisters in faith because of our shared bond in Jesus. His spirit lives in each of us. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have a place and a purpose in God’s family.

Linda

Related verses: Matthew 5:9, John 1:13, Romans 8:14 and 8:17, Galatians 3:26. 1 John 3:1

The 5th Sunday of Lent 2025, Sealed

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Each Sunday during Lent I have talked about something special we have because in faith we belong to Christ. So far we have looked at: Salvation, Christ’s Righteousness, Our home in Heaven and the ability to approach God in prayer. Today, I want to look at the sealing we have in the Holy Spirit.

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 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!

romans 8 16

Linda

Freedom -Available in Christ Alone

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We all long to be free- in body and spirit. We know in reality that we cannot be truly free from the obligations to our society and family.  Jesus offers us freedom of spirit regardless of where we are and no matter the circumstances!

John 8:31-32, 36 “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Promises: God promises freedom, truth and discipleship through Christ.

Where and when do you feel truly free? As Americans, we pride ourselves on our independence, self-initiative and love having freedoms to claim and practice it in our daily lives. As we know our freedoms are defined and limited by the society in which we live. Sometimes we agree with these limitations and sometimes we don’t. We struggle each day to survive and maintain our freedoms within our family, neighborhoods and society. The freedom that Jesus promises is dependent upon Him and not us. We just need to believe in faith and accept the true freedom to live a life dependent upon God. We need to accept the truth of God’s Word and who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross in faith. We need to accept that we are part of God’s family and Jesus wants us working for Him as His disciples. Working for God’s truth in our world will bring greater freedom than anything we think we can obtain or receive here on Earth. So do as Jesus commands and accept His freedom and be free indeed.

What we know from these verses: faith in Jesus means holding to His teaching, God is truth and His Word is truth, knowing Christ brings truth into our lives, God gives freedom through faith in Jesus.

Lenten Reflections: Am I experiencing God’s freedom from sin in my life or am I still feeling bound by sin? What truths have I discovered about God in His Word?

Being free from the power of sin allows one to focus on Jesus and be one who tells and teaches others about Jesus. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am free from the power of sin and death and ready to live by His truths.

Linda

Related verses: Psalm 31:5, Isaiah 55:7, Luke 14:26-27, John 3:16-17, John 14:6, Romans 8:1-2, Galatians 5:1, Revelation 1:4-5.

Alignment is a Good Thing!

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What has God promised as a result of our having faith in Jesus? What can we expect from prayer? Today’s promise answers both of these questions definitively.

1 John 5:13-15 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

Promise: God promises that faith in Jesus gives us eternal life and that anything we ask, according to His will, He will grant us.

When you pray do you give God a wants or needs list? This verse reminds us that God has a perfect plan, and that we need to seek to align ourselves with His plan not our own. True alignment with God’s will produces results in the form of answered prayer. Jesus was our example as he prayed in Matthew 6:9-10 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ” And again in Matthew 26:39 “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” As hard as it may seem, to produce results for God, we must seek His will not our own. God promises His will brings the very best to us.

What we know from these verses: faith in Jesus gives eternal life, God is accessible, God has a plan for my life in His will, God is sovereign over all things, God wants me to align myself with His perfect will.

Lenten Reflections: Where am I needing God’s will in my life instead of my own? How am I doing in trusting His will for my life?

Eternal life is God’s promise for our faith in Jesus. It begins as soon as we accept Jesus into our lives. The indwelling Holy Spirit begins working on our character and will to make us more and more like Jesus. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can spend eternity with Christ, approach God in prayer and seek to be in alignment with Him each day.

Linda

Related Verses: John 3:16-17, John 4:13-14, Matthew 7:7, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:27, Romans 12:2, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8

Words with Power and Purpose

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The promise for today assures us of the absolute need for God’s Word in our lives!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ” All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Promise: Scripture (God’s Word) comes straight from God and molds our lives so that we are equipped to do God’s work.

I don’t know about you but I’ve read my share of self-help books. I usually try out the ideas for awhile, work in a few important concepts into my life’s routine and then let the rest go. They are a temporary help at best for the problems in my life. God tells us in 2 Timothy that all of His Word comes from Him and has His life in it. All of His Word can be used in our training, teaching and correction so we can become godly men and women. We don’t have to pick and choose those ideas that would be most helpful as we have His guarantee, through His Holy Spirit, that all of His Word can and does help us. If you want to be ready to do His work, you need to spend time in His God-breathed Word, the Bible. Let it transform you and make you more like Jesus. Then you will be equipped for all situations and grow more like Jesus each day.

What we know from these verses: Scripture comes directly from God, scripture is God’s tool to mold and shape our lives, God has a purpose and work for us to do, God equips us to serve Him.

Lenten Reflections: Do I believe that all scripture is God-breathed? Do I have a plan for studying His word so I can be equipped?

Believing that all scripture is inspired by God is essential. Then you are ready to absorb His truths into your life and get to work. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can trust in God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to teach and train me. Let Go and Let God work within you.

Linda

Related Verses: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 8:3, Psalm 12:6, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 119: 9,11,105, Colossians 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12.

Presence and Purpose -Always with God

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How are you about seeing things through to the very end? In today’s promise God promises He will always see us to the end and be with us. He has a mission and purpose for us to fulfill as we walk with Him towards the end.

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Promise: God promises to be always with us until the very end as we go about His work.

Have you ever started a project and then lost heart or got side tracked or laid aside your goal for what you thought was a better one? All those actions and feelings are products of our sinful nature and provided by Satan. He wants us defeated, unfinished, losing heart and getting sidetracked. All those are not from God as He promises success if we walk with Him. We can trust HIm to do as He says and keep His promises. Does it give you hope and encouragement that God is always with you and has important work for you to do in telling others about Jesus? He gives us His indwelling Holy Spirit to help us accomplish His tasks and assurance of His presence with us 24/7. For me, knowing God is always with me allows me to meet each day with optimism and look for God given opportunities to speak about Him with others. Maybe it will a full conversation or maybe a simple smile or hello, but showing God’s love to others by reflecting the character of Jesus is our work and purpose.

What we can know from these verses: God commands us to tell others about Jesus, God empowers us to witness for Him through His Holy Spirit, God is with me 24/7, God’s plans are eternal, God will see us through life, God desires that I teach and tell others, our time for telling others is limited and will end.

Lenten Reflections: Are you looking for opportunities in your day to reflect Jesus? Who could you teach about Jesus?

Feel God’s presence today and be encouraged. He has work for you, a purpose for your life. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have purpose and His presence assuring and encouraging me to speak to others about Him.

Linda

Related Verses: Numbers 23:19, Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 66:16, Psalm 139:7-10, Romans 8:16, 2 Timothy 2:2.

Seeing Fruit in Your Life?

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The words of today’s promise echoes in my mind as I am reminded that without Christ I can do nothing of eternal value.

John 15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

Promise: God promises that a life lived through faith in Jesus will produce eternal fruit.

Have you ever wondered if you are successful in life? Who determines what is considered success? You, others or God? In this verse, Jesus tells us that believing in Him and walking with Him day by day will produce fruit in our lives. Godly fruit is described in Galatians 5:22-23 and is produced by His Holy Spirit living within us. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” None of those things are material goods but involve our character and are intangible. Having a godly character is what God wants for us. By remaining faithful, Jesus promises that we will be transformed into one who exhibits a Spirit-filled life with abiding fruit that reflects Him within us. What greater success could we ever achieve than to be like Jesus?

What we know from this verse: God is always faithful and omnipresent, having God in my life will produce godly fruit, there is no fruitfulness in one’s life apart from God.

Lenten Reflections: What fruit am I seeing in my life? What fruit do I want God to cultivate and produce in my life?

This promise has a bit of a command attached to it. Jesus tells us to abide in Him and to let Him abide in us. He promises to abide in us but we need to be open to His Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know the abiding presence God in my life through His Spirit and in Him I will produce eternal fruit, guaranteed.

Linda

Related Verses: Isaiah 58:11, John 15:1-2, 16, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 1 John 4:13-18