Advent Day 20, Unfailing Love and Faithfulness-Where else can you find This?

December 20, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today’s passage is from Psalm 89. This psalm begins with a declaration by the psalmist that he knows and trusts in God’s love. I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever!
Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.
²Your unfailing love will last forever.
Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. Can you make this same declaration? Do you know that God’s love is unfailing and eternal? David had a life filled with challenges that serve as an example to us today that no matter what happens in our lives- God is always there with His eternal love.

Verses 19-26 Long ago you spoke in a vision to your faithful people. God made a covenant with His people and is faithful
You said, “I have raised up a warrior.
    I have selected him from the common people to be king. God choose David as king.
²⁰I have found my servant David.
    I have anointed him with my holy oil.
²¹I will steady him with my hand;
    with my powerful arm I will make him strong. God promises to stand by David and support him.
²²His enemies will not defeat him,
    nor will the wicked overpower him.
²³I will beat down his adversaries before him
    and destroy those who hate him. His enemies will not overcome him.
²⁴My faithfulness and unfailing love will be with him,
    and by my authority he will grow in power. God promises faithful love and growth in our lives.
²⁵I will extend his rule over the sea,
    his dominion over the rivers.
²⁶And he will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,
    my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’ David acknowledged God and he was called by God a man after His own heart.

Do you seen God’s hand in you life as David did? The promises made to David are ours to claim in Jesus. He came that we could be part of his forever family. He came that we would know Him and have Him to depend upon in our lives. He promises that temptations and enemies will not overcome us and that we will be victorious in Jesus. Can you claim that God is your rock and your salvation? Can you call him Father? In Jesus all this is possible. It is said that “Wisemen” still seek Him, will you be wise and seek Jesus this season? He is ready and willing if you will just call upon Him. Learn to know Him like David did and your life will be mightily blessed.

Linda

Advent Day 18, Mary’s Reflections led to Worship

December 18, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today’s Advent passage comes from Luke 1:46-55. Mary praises God for the blessing of being chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. This passage is known as the Magnificat, as it is Mary’s response of praise to God for His blessing. Marvel with me at the words Mary uses to describe God and His works in the world,

⁴⁶Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
⁴⁷ How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
⁴⁸For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed. God’s blessing caused Mary to rejoice and marvel at being chosen.

⁴⁹For the Mighty One is holy,
    and he has done great things for me.
⁵⁰He shows mercy from generation to generation
    to all who fear him. Mary knows that God is mighty, holy, eternal, and merciful to those who know Him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
    and exalted the humble. Mary knows that God is sovereign over all, even princely powers.
⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away with empty hands. Mary knows that God provides justly to all.

⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
⁵⁵For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.” Mary knows that God keeps his promises.

If you were writing a song of praise to God, what would you include? Would you acknowledge His power over all things, His great provision for you, His character and how He has blessed you specifically? Mary’s praise starts with her own knowledge of God’s blessing. It has to start with us. We need to acknowledge His grace and mercy towards us and humbly accept Him into our lives. He has marvelous wonders to work in our lives as we submit to Him. Mary is our example.

May our praises this Advent season be reflective of His grace in our lives and reach to those around us.

Linda

In Anticipation…of Advent 2024

November 30, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

What is it you hope for during this Advent season? It is easy to break it down into hope materially, spiritually, or in family. Sometimes we get stuck in the material and lose sight of the purpose of this season. This year as we walk the days to Christmas I am going to be using a daily Advent calendar to bring us from December 1 to 25. I pray that each of us will think seriously about each day and ponder the scriptures in a new way that will lead you to discover who Jesus is and what his arrival on earth really means. I anticipate learning as I delve into God’s Word and speak with you from my heart.

Buckle up for a ride that is sure to bring us into the realm of peace, hope, joy, love and caring for others. See you tomorrow for our first day of Advent, which also happens to be the first Sunday of Advent. Dust off your Advent calendar and get ready to begin.

Linda

P.S. After Advent i will return to my study in Acts.

Jesus Appeared….to individuals

May 3, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Several of the post-resurrection appearances were to specific individuals instead of groups. I previously wrote about Jesus’ encounter with Mary, but today I want to look at Jesus’ appearances to Peter and James. The appearance to Peter is mentioned in passing in Luke 24:34 “saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” and in 1 Corinthians 15:5 by Paul “and that he appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve”. The Luke message was delivered to the disciples by the two men who Jesus met on the Road to Emmaus. Here the men referred to Peter as Simon using his former name. Jesus also referred to Peter by his former name when He told him he would deny Him three time before the rooster crowed. The prediction of the denial is recorded in both Matthew 26 and Mark 14. The actual denial event is recorded in all 4 gospels, Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22 and John 18. Peter was not acting with his new believing nature, clinging to the rock of faith which is Jesus, but with the old, impetuous, doubting nature of unbelieving Simon. This personal appearance to Peter shows great compassion from our Lord to singularly appear to Peter to forgive and restore him. Jesus would have known the anguish and guilt Peter was feeling after his denial of Jesus the night before the Crucifixion. The forgiven Peter went onward, never doubting nor denying his Lord and Savior again. Later, Jesus met a group of disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and spoke more with Peter and his future work in the kingdom. See John 21. Jesus personally knows what we need and is there for each one of us. What a wonderful, compassionate and loving Savior we serve.

The other post-resurrection appearance that was mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 was to James. Scholars believe this was James, the half-brother of Jesus, and not one of the other followers named James. His brother did not believe in Christ before the resurrection, but afterward became a prominent member of the church in Jerusalem, wrote the book of James and died a martyr’s death in 62 A.D. “Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” 1 Corinthians 15:7. This appearance speaks to me of Jesus’ compassion and love for his earthly family and for those who are lost. 2 Peter 3:9 ^“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”. He knew James needed to see Him personally to be confronted with his unbelief. Jesus does that for each one of us as we seek to come to faith and trust in Him. He is a personal God that loves and cares for each of us.

Is Jesus personal to you today? Do you claim Him as your God and Savior? David did in 2 Samuel 22:3 “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation,” Mary did in Luke 1:47 “and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” and Thomas did in John 20:28 “Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Let Him hear your words of declaration today as you thank Him for being your God and Savior.

Linda

Resurrection Sunday, Thank You Jesus!

March 31, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

During our entire Lenten journey, we have pondered the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross and what it means for us in our lives today. Why do we care? Why? Because without Christ’s death and resurrection His life and death would have been meaningless and we would still be dead in our sins. We would be still lost in sin and face eternal death separated from God! In 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Paul writes,”¹²But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? ¹³For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁴And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. ¹⁵And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. ¹⁶And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. ¹⁷And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. ¹⁸In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! ¹⁹And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.”

Paul made this argument to clarify for the unbelievers and doubters that belief in the resurrection was essential to faith otherwise they would still have all their sins and be under penalty of death. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Belief in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and His victorious resurrection were essential to the Corinthian believer’s faith and are for us as well. Without the resurrection there is no forgiveness of sins and no victory over death! All of Christ’s suffering here on earth would have been for nothing.

I know that God is sovereign, all powerful and omniscient and nothing is left to chance or done randomly. Jesus prayed in John 17:3-4 just before His death, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. ⁴I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” We know God’s plans will be accomplished, His Word, Jesus would not return to Him void. Isaiah 55:11 “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Job 42:2 also reminds us of this truth, ““I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Praise God His purpose was not thwarted and was accomplished completely by Jesus’ death and resurrection from the dead. Praise God, our Redeemer Lives!

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, Your faith is real, your sins are forgiven, you will spend eternity with Jesus, you are empowered and indwelt by His Holy Spirit! Praise God!

Happy Easter! Blessings because of our risen Redeemer, Christ Jesus.

Linda

Holy Week, Friday, At the Cross for You and Me

March 29, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

After His arrest Thursday night, Jesus endured 4 trials. He went before the religious leaders, the Sanhedrin, then Pilate who sent him to Herod, the Jewish head of state, then back to Pilate. The Jews wanted Jesus killed but they did not have the authority to execute Him. They demanded that Pilate, the Roman authority in Palestine, crucify Him. Pilate had Jesus flogged and beaten even though Pilate knew Jesus to be innocent. He had hoped this cruel treatment would pacify the Jews. However, the crowds pressed him and requested the release of the criminal Barabbas instead of Jesus since it was the custom to release one convicted person as a token of goodwill at the Jewish Passover. The crowds demanded that Jesus be crucified and Pilate agreed to appease the angry and vocal Jewish crowds. Jesus was then made to carry His own cross to the place of execution, Golgotha. Along the way Jesus stumbled and Simon of Cyrene was conscripted to carry the cross. Jesus was then nailed to a cross and hung to die. His clothes were stripped from Him and as He hung naked on the cross then soldiers gambled for his clothing underneath the cross.

I can not imagine the pain, anguish, humiliation and shame Jesus endured on my behalf. He took all the sins of the world, yours and mine, upon His pure, sinless and innocent body and the sin took him to a place he had never been before. The sins He took upon himself, our sins, separated him from God, His holy Father. He did this so that His sacrifice could atone for our sins. 1 Peter 2:24 explains what Jesus accomplished for you and me.

²⁴He personally carried our sins
    in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
    and live for what is right.
By his wounds
    you are healed. (NLT)

I never realized how sweet Jesus’ final words from the cross were until recently. “‘It is finished.’ With that, he lowered his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 He declared with His final breath that the work of redemption was complete, and He had accomplished what the Father had sent Him to do. Through His death He took the punishment, death, for the sins of all who would believe for all eternity. Having accomplished His work, He gave up His spirit. His life was not taken from Him, but He gave it up voluntarily at the time of His choosing. Only God can choose the time of His death. When we speak of someone dying, we say the person has life take from them. We don’t get to chose the hour or minute of our last breath, but Jesus chose when and where He was to die for you and me. I am staggered by His love and sacrifice that He would endure such punishment and isolation from God on my behalf. As you ponder the cross today, think of all Jesus gave up and all He did on your behalf.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I live redeemed from the penalty of sin, covered by His incredible sacrifice and will be able to stand before God sinless.

Prayer: Father, the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice and your love in sending Him to die for my sin is incomprehensible. ‘Your ways and not my ways’ Isaiah reminds us in Isaiah 55:8. I am so thankful for your plan of redemption. I stand humbly before you because of Jesus, my Savior, covered by His righteousness. Praising you in Jesus name, Amen.

Linda

Old or New Testaments, Jesus is Worthy

March 23, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

On this last day before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, I am thinking about his resolve and determination to face the events that would transpire in the last week of his life. What courage and love it must have taken to head towards Jerusalem with the cross looming before him. For today I have chosen a psalm filled with joy and thanksgiving as we anticipate the shouting crowd, the humble Savior and the willing donkey too.

Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
² Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing! Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. , Ephesians 4:17-20 “but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, ²⁰giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

³Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Ephesians 2:20 ‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” John 10:14-15 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. “

⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name! 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

⁵For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations. 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 1 John 4:8 “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.“

Whether in the Old or New Testaments the story of our God is consistent. He is glorious and worthy of our praise and worship. He is our God and Savior and there is none that can compare to Him. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can rejoice in my God and Savior.

Blessings as you enter into Holy Week and may your journey down the Palm Sunday road be filled with praise.

Linda

Thank You Jesus

March 22, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

As we near the end of the Lenten season and enter Holy Week next week, let us remember what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Psalm 103:3-13 gives a vivid picture of our gracious and marvelous God and Savior.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
⁹He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
¹⁰He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹²as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
¹³As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

I am so thankful that God is filled with love and mercy towards me. When I disobey His word, he disciplines me with justice and leads me towards what He desires for me. He doesn’t punish me for my sins as I deserve but is forgiving and totally removes my sins away. God has compassion for me and shows me His continual steadfast love day after day. What parts of this psalm do you identify with?

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can feel His love, compassion, forgiveness and grace poured over my life. Thank you Jesus for making this relationship with God possible through your work on the cross. I am humbled by your great sacrifice.

Linda

Jesus Teaches US to Pray for Others by Example

March 17, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Each Sunday during Lent we have been looking at prayers offered by the Apostles for the new believers in Christ. Each time we have seen their heartfelt love for their friends and deep conviction that their faith grow and develop. Today on this 4th Sunday of Lent I want to look at Jesus’ prayer recorded in John 17. I have chosen verses 20-26 but the whole chapter is Jesus’ prayer.

John 17:20-26 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. ²¹I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

****Jesus prayed for you and me, future believers. He prayed for unity and that world who see and hears our testimonies will also come to believe.

²²“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. ²³I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. ²⁴Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

****Jesus has shared part of His glory with us so that we may be unified with Him. He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell us! He wants the world to see His love. He wants us to be able to ‘see’ Him and know He is real and has always and will always love us.

²⁵“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. ²⁶I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

*****Jesus promises to continually reveal Himself and the Father to us. His love will continue to be in us and with us.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we too can pray for others to deeply abide in Him and reflect His glory given to us. Who do you know today that needs the love of Christ? Who needs to see Jesus and have a spirit of unity with other believers? Pray for one another today.

Linda

Rejoicing in Trials

March 15, 2024 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Psalm 66 caught my eye because it is a song of praise to God that is filled with thankfulness. When was the last time you thanked God for testing and proving your character? James 1:2-4 says we should rejoice in trials, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James says trials help us to grow and have our character refined by God. The psalmist would agree.

Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
²    Sing the glory of his name;
    make his praise glorious.
³Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power
    that your enemies cringe before you.
⁴All the earth bows down to you;
    they sing praise to you,
    they sing the praises of your name.” Praise the Lord for who He is and His preeminence.

⁵Come and see what God has done,
    his awesome deeds for mankind!
⁶He turned the sea into dry land,
    they passed through the waters on foot—
    come, let us rejoice in him.
⁷He rules forever by his power,
    his eyes watch the nations—
    let not the rebellious rise up against him. Praise the Lord for His wonderous deeds on our behalf.

⁸Praise our God, all peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard;
⁹he has preserved our lives
    and kept our feet from slipping.
¹⁰For you, God, tested us;
    you refined us like silver.
¹¹You brought us into prison
    and laid burdens on our backs.
¹²You let people ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and water, Praise the Lord for the trials of life that
    but you brought us to a place of abundance. refine my character.

¹³I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
    and fulfill my vows to you—
¹⁴vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
    when I was in trouble.
¹⁵I will sacrifice fat animals to you
    and an offering of rams;
    I will offer bulls and goats. Come and worship the Lord!

¹⁶Come and hear, all you who fear God;
    let me tell you what he has done for me.
¹⁷I cried out to him with my mouth;
    his praise was on my tongue.
¹⁸If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened;
¹⁹but God has surely listened
    and has heard my prayer.
²⁰Praise be to God,
    who has not rejected my prayer
    or withheld his love from me! Praises to our God who listens and answers my prayers, who forgives my sins and accepts me with His unfailing love. He has not rejected me but sent Jesus to save me! Thank you Father God.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can know joy in trials, changed character and lack for nothing through faith in Him. We can rejoice with the psalmist over who God is and what He has done for us.

Linda