Tag: prayer

1st Sunday of Lent, Food for our Prayers

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This first Sunday in our Lenten journey I wanted to revisit a scripture we saw earlier this week. Psalm 103 came up as we were looking into God our healer, but there is so much we see about God in these first 10 verses. There is so much to praise Him for!

Psalm 103: 1-10
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name! He is holy.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits, He is filled with blessings.
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases, He heals and forgives.
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, He redeems and crowns.
5 who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. He renews and satisfies.

6 The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed. He is righteous and just.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel. He makes Himself known to us.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He is gracious and merciful.
9 He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever. His anger is limited.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities. He is merciful towards us.

Use these aspects of God today in your prayers and thank Him for His abundant goodness and mercy towards us. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can approach God in prayer and know that He hears us.

Hear our prayers today of Lord.

Linda

The God Who Heals

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Since the names of God appeared in the Bible which was written in Hebrew and later translated to English and many other languages, I will often use the Hebrew name for God as it would have appeared and speak of its English translation. Today’s name Jehovah Rapha is one I hold most dear. It means The Lord who heals or is the healer. This first appears in Exodus 15 right after they had come through the parted Red Sea and seen the destruction of the army of Egypt that was chasing them. They had journeyed a bit further and were very thirst and cried out to God. God showed Moses a log to put into the water to make it sweet. God speaks in Exodus 15:26“ saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.” Not only will God be their protector, provider and defender but here He adds He will be their healer.

In Psalm 103:1-3 David extols the Lord and what He can do. Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,

The psalmist from Psalm 147: 1-5 praises God for His many powers among them dealing with Israel, healing broken hearts, binding wounds, numbering and naming the starts with His power, which is beyond measure.
Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
    for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
    he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
    his understanding is beyond measure.

How have you experienced God as your healer? Has He seen you though illnesses, injuries of both body and soul? Not only does God heal but he binds up our wounds. He is the ultimate bandage that truly heals. I know times when I have been wounded in the heart by relationships or in the hardships of life, God has sent someone to pray for me, hold me and uplift me so I can remain focused upon Him. When my wounds have been caused by my own sin, He has forgiven and restored me as I repented. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know His healing personally and seek His healing whenever I am in need. Thank you Jesus!

Linda

P.S. I came learn a long time ago that just because God can heal all things He does not. Some illnesses are healed only in death and I can trust God that my friend or loved one is whole and cured in heaven. It is best to pray God’s will be done, not ours. Paul prayed to be able to visit the Romans in Romans 15:33 “so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.” He wanted to go but was leaving it up to God, holding his going with an open hand not demanding of God but requesting. James 4:13 puts it this way, saying this or that will happen,“ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” The ultimate decision is up to God and He knows what needs to happen and when for His will to be perfectly complete. We need to pray and trust Him. Knowing that the healing will happen-whether it be not or later- it will happen as God promises to be our healer!

It’s Almost February- got your Word done?

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Before we leave this month of new beginnings, January, I wanted to check in with you about your word for the year. I hope you have been following the progression- thinking and praying about your word for the year. God will give you one!! My next step is to take my word and search scripture to see how it is used in God’s Word. Often this step gives you additional insight into the word and how God will possibly use it in your life. After that, you need to meditate on that word and look up related words- kind of define it for yourself in actions, feeling or meaning. I love the art portion of this when you make a graphic image of your words that you can visualize.

What now? I have my word, my scripture and my picture. I usually put my scripture for the year on my email below my signature. That is a visible reminder to me of what my word is. I post my picture by my desk, too. Next, I pray and wait for God to show me how my word will be manifested in my life. This may happen slowly or rapidly as it depends upon God’s timeline. This year I have immediately seen how God wants me to be diligent in various ways. Our church is doing a read the Bible in a year program and it takes diligence to keep this going. I have various students that I have to diligently teach and persevere with so they can be successful. I see others that are coming up that I will need to walk with diligence alongside. I had a spine injection of cortisone recently and will need to be diligent in exercising. I know God will have other things as my list of what it means to be diligent expands.

Linda

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”I would encourage you to persevere and seek His guidance for the year ahead. Here are mine- I’m ready to be diligent this year for the Lord!!

Proverbs 8:17 ” I love those who love me,  and those who seek me diligently find me.”

Ready to choose your Word?? Start with Prayer.

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Have you ever thought of having a Word for the year?  I started doing this in 2019.  I was asked to choose a word for the year and then a Bible verse or verses to support me in that focus.  I prayed and asked God to give me a word to focus upon for 2019. He gave me the word Trust.  Right then I was going through some things that required that I Trust in Him more than ever and not the world, things or people around me.  The verses I chose were Psalm 37:5, “Commit your way to the Lord;  trust in him and he will do this” and Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good,  a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

In 2020, God gave me the word Hope. I did not know a pandemic was coming but God did and it was the perfect word. In 2021 I found myself bogged down by the pandemic, life’s complexities with schooling my grandkids, working on Zoom and continued isolation. I felt I lacked something and the word God gave me was Joy. In 2022, God impressed upon me that I needed to seek Him and focus on Faith. In 2023, my word was Obedience. That word was wonderful and I saw spiritual growth in so many ways. In 2024, my word was Commit. As I recently reflected, God showed His faithfulness in different aspects of my life as I committed to serve Him. In 2025, I was moaning a lot over again and the aches and pains that were creeping into my life and clouding my perspective. God gave me the word Thankful. It only took about 3 months of keeping a thankfulness journal to turn my thinking around and lift my countenance.

So what about 2026? Actually, the word God has impressed upon me is diligent. I started praying and thinking about my word in mid-December and God impressed the word upon my heart. I fought it for several weeks- in denial that this was my word but came to realize it was my word for 2026 for sure. In the next few days, I will pray about 8-10 words related to diligent that will help to hone and sharpen my focus. They can be words that help you to see that aspect of your life more clearly or how it can be used in relationship to others.

Pray about your 1 Word. Ask God to give you direction and focus that can carry and motivate you throughout the year. If you have it, send me a response, I’d love to see it. I’ll blog more about the related words in a few days.

Linda

(After I got started with this, I discovered there is actually a book called One Word that will change your life. It is written by Jon Gordon, Dan Britton and Jimmy Page. It is a short book that explains how they arrived at this discovery and how God has used it in their lives both personally and corporately. I got mine on Amazon.)

Peace-filled Living, Possible for you and me!

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In light of recent events, I begin to question whether or not living peacefully with others is at all possible. Peace seems like such an illusive thing.  Some days I revel in it and some days it seems out of my reach.   What we can be assured of is that peace is ours through Christ and is always attainable.  Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  The peace Jesus gives is not worldly calm and freedom from activity, but a peace with God that will satisfy our souls.  It is the peace the pervades us even when the world is swirling around us.  Paul describes this peace in Romans 5:1-2  “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”   Paul assures us that the peace we have though Christ brings us into relationship with God and is filled with His grace and purposefully holds us no matter what else is happening in our lives.

Believing that Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have peace in Christ. He promises that His peace is ours for the taking. Why do we struggle with it so much?  I think it is because of the pull of the world on our lives and the loss of focus and faith in the power of our God.  We are free in Christ from the power of sin over our lives but we live in a sinful world.  The effects of sin on us and our lives is unavoidable.  Staying above this and living in peace takes work- unwavering faith, prayer, diligence to stay in the Word and fellowship with other believers.  Are you getting a dose of each of these in your life each day or week?  Summer is a good time to renew commitments and take time to pray, read God’s Word, memorize a verse or two and have fellowship with other believers.  It is good for your soul and will bring you peace!

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Thankful for the power of peace in Christ,

Linda

What does it mean, “I’m indwelt”?

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Have you ever considered how and why you are able to live successfully and faithfully for Jesus? We are not perfect this side of heaven but we have the desire to live for Him once we come to know Him. God did a very special thing for each and every believer when He sent His Holy Spirit to live inside of us. His indwelling spirit gives us the commitment and power to set aside sin and look to Him. He helps us to live for Jesus. He is why we can be successful.

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit when I step out in faith to believe. This fact permeates the life of every believer. Thus, we are all His and belong to one another. Paul sated in 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” Because we have God’s Holy spirit inside of us, guiding and directing our hearts, we are can be loving and united in faith and purpose. Romans 5:1-5 explains this in more detail. “ Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” We know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Paul makes it clear that we are made right with God through Jesus and that He loved us so much He gave us His Spirit to indwell us. His Holy Spirit works from within- guiding, encouraging, molding and shaping our character thus giving us the power to live for Him each day.

What a wonderous provision we have in the indwelling Holy Spirit. Study the graphic below- prayerfully thank God for His Holy Spirit’s work in your life.

Linda

The 4th Sunday of Lent 2025, I can come

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These past Sunday’s I have been highlighting things we have in our lives because of Christ’s work on the cross. Salvation, Christ’s Righteousness, a Heavenly Home and today let’s look at approachability. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have the ability to approach God.

The idea of approaching Holy God is filled with fear and trembling, and rightly so. Sinful man is unworthy to approach God and even Moses only saw God’s shadow as He passed by. (Exodus 33:22) As we saw in the Garden of Eden, it was Adam and Eve’s sin against God that got them barred from the garden where they had communed with God. (Genesis 3:22-24) Jesus came and died so that our relationship with God could be restored and our sins forgiven. Jesus made us clean so that we can now approach God in faith. Ephesians 3:12 “ In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.’ Our confidence comes from our relationship with Jesus. Hebrews 4:16 explains the benefits of coming to God, “ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

The benefits of approaching God are listed in Hebrews 4:16. Coming before God in prayer, we can find freedom, confidence for living, mercy, grace and help in our time of need. What a blessing that now we can approach God and commune with Him.

This week take advantage of this opportunity and spend time with God. Thank Him for his many benefits and lay your needs before Him. He will listen and answer.

Linda

Need Courage? Always Available!

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This verse from Joshua is one of my favorites. It is a promise that always brings me comfort and encouragement. Joshua 1:9 is one of the first verses I memorized and it has given me courage and assurance in many difficult situations.

“ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Promise: God promises to be with me wherever I go and his presence will dispel fear and discouragement.

God knows that I get fearful and discouraged as I face the trials of living each day. The people and circumstances that surround me often can lead to discouragement, depression, fatigue and despair. Without God to give me encouragement, direction and courage, I can easily become overwhelmed. God faithfully reminds me that He is with me and His Spirit indwells me. He gives me the power to preserve and serve Him.

What I can know from this verse: God is greater than anyone that I might fear, God’s presence dispels fear, God is omnipresent, God is sovereign, God does not want me to live fearfully.

Lenten Reflections: Where am I letting the fears of my life overwhelm me? Where do I need to turn to Him and trust in His presence?

Seek today to practice God’s presence. Send up arrow prayers when in need. Ask God to be present with you during your day. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have God with me at all times and do not have to live in fear! Praise God, Thank you Jesus!

Linda

Related Verses: Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 139:7-10, Matthew 28:19-20.

Where Do You Get True Wisdom? Ask God.

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How many times have you been criticized for not knowing something or stuck because you did not know what to do? It happens in life, as we cannot know all things. God is wise and promises to give us the wisdom we need. I find that very comforting and reassuring.

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

The Bible tells us God is wise and has all widom. Job 12:13 “With God are wisdom and might;  he has counsel and understanding.” Daniel elaborates on this in Daniel 2:20-24 “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,  to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 He changes times and seasons;   he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise  and knowledge to those who have understanding;22 he reveals deep and hidden things;  he knows what is in the darkness,  and the light dwells with him.” The picture of God’s wisdom given by Job and Daniel shows us that God’s wisdom extends to all things. He is omnipotent, all-knowing.

Knowing that God is the sources of all wisdom, leads us to the conclusion that if we desire wisdom on any given subject or matter, God is the one we should turn to. This promise in James encourages us to come to God and ask Him for wisdom. He promises to give us wisdom without judging us for not knowing. There is no condemnation from God because we do not know what is the wise course of action. He has compassion upon us and promises to guide and direct us in life. The only way to get the true wisdom we need is to ask God. The promise says that He will give it to us generously. That means He will provide wisdom liberally, openhandedly and in abundance! I am also encouraged by Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” Through our faith in Jesus, He will grace us with all wisdom and insight. Accessing God’s wisdom can be done in several ways. We can pray and ask God directly or we can search God’s Word for wisdom He has already given to us. Sometimes when I pray about a problem, He will direct me through the Holy Spirit to His Word to find the answer. Sometimes He will use a fellow brother or sister in Christ to give me a good idea to pray about for confirmation.

What we can know from this verse: God is wise, God gives wisdom, God does not judge us for not having wisdom, God knows I need wisdom to live for Him, to receive His wisdom I must ask.

Lenten Reflections: Where am I struggling to make a decision that needs God’s wisdom? Have I asked God or searched His Word? How can I used God’s wisdom wisely in my life?

God acknowledges that we do not have all the wisdom we need for living and He promises to provide it to us abundantly. He does that when we ask Him in prayer or search His Word. The Bible is God’s manual for living and has God’s wisdom inside. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can ask God for answers and He will give me the wisdom I need to make the right decisions. I can live confidently that God has all the answers.

Linda

Related verses: Job 9:4, Job 12:16, Psalm 104:24, Ephesians 3:10, Matthew 7:7, John 11:22.

Need a Plan for Peace- Try Prayer

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I love the promise for today. It is so meaningful and uplifting to me and is filled with God’s assurance and love. Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Promise: God promises that prayer will relieve anxiety and bring His peace that guards both our hearts and our minds in Christ.

These verses lay out a plan for relief from the anxieties that plague our lives and gives us a plan of action. When I’m feeling worried or stressed, the best way to get my mind off of the problem is to be busy doing something. God knows this and gives us a plan for doing here which is to be praying with a thankful heart. We are to tell him about our problems and desires and leave these with Him. The result will be His peace and protection through the work of the Holy Spirit within our lives. Being thankful reminds us of who is in control and who is sovereign in all circumstances. Leaving our worries at Jesus’ feet reminds us of His great power and omniscience. We serve a sovereign Lord that cares for us and wants us to live a life free from anxiety and have a heart that is focused on Him. His peace both guards our hearts and our minds and frees us. The fears of worries are enslaving and He wants us free to serve Him. The resulting freedom = peace from God.

What we can know from these verses: God hears and answers our prayers, my heart attitude and mindset are important when talking with God, God desires peace for me, God’s peace is beyond imagining, a heavenly place of mind, God’s peace is internal and can happen even when life seems in turmoil.

Lenten reflections: Where am I needing God’s peace in my life? What worries or anxieties can I relinquish to God today in exchange for His peace?

Just reading these verses seems to calm my mind and heart when I’m in turmoil. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have peace of mind and heart through Jesus.

Linda

Related verses: Isaiah 26:3-4, Isaiah 48:17-18, John 14:26-27, Colossians 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 7:25.