Words with Power and Purpose

April 3, 2025 nofearlindaLeave a comment

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, ¹⁷that 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

April 2, 2025 nofearlindaLeave a comment

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, ²⁰teaching 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.

The Book of Life

March 28, 2025 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Earlier I wrote about the promise in Joshua 1:9 and while I was reviewing the passage I was drawn to the promises of Joshua 1:8. They are both dynamic promises that make a difference in our daily lives.

Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Promise: God promises a way of life that leads to prosperity and success if we follow His Word.

This is not some type of prosperity gospel but a basic truth from God’s Word. God promises if we follow His word by keeping His commandments in our hearts and minds, meditating on His word, and by doing what His word tell us, we will find fulfillment, happiness, and success in living. This has nothing to do with money or possessions but God is promising those things in life that make life worth living. We will have purpose in Him. We will have an abiding faith in Jesus. We will have the sealing of the Holy Spirit on and in our lives. We will have Christ’s righteousness. We will have eternal life and spend eternity with Him. Those are things only God can give and cannot be purchased or earned. They are promised gifts from God.

What I can know from this verse: God’s Word is meant to be studied, internalized and meditated upon, God’s Word gives us guideline for living His way, God’s Word shows the way to good living and success.

Lenten Reflections: How am I doing on studying God’s Word? Is it daily, regularly, of haphazardly? Do I read God’s Word with the intention of apply it to my life?

So are you reading and studying your Bible? It is impossible to know what God desires or even who He is unless we delve into His word. God reveals himself in the Bible and we see Jesus clearly from His recorded time on earth. Don’t let anything keep you from reading and studying God’s Word. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can read and learn of God and His Son from the pages of His written Word. It is His love letter to me.

Linda

Related verses: Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119: 9, Romans 8:28, Romans 3:25-26, Ephesians 1:13, Romans 1:17, Romans 8:10, John 3:16, John 17:3.

Walking in Trust

March 6, 2025 nofearlinda1 Comment

Today’s promise comes from my favorite chapter of Romans, Romans 8:28. This is a verse to be claimed at all times, especially when you don’t understand what is happening. It can give you courage and backbone that comes directly from God.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Promise: God promises He can and does use (work) all things for the good of the believer.

This is a much quoted verse that give comfort to believers. When we face difficult circumstances such as: major problems, dire consequences, financial reversals, the death of a loved one, natural disasters or tragedies, it is only human nature to question God and say, Why me? Why did this have to happen? Why did you allow it God? The believer in Jesus can cling to this verse knowing that God keeps His promises and will bring good out of the circumstances for us and for His kingdom. Many times the good is evident right away and sometimes it is a long time coming or not evident at all in our lifetime. As believers we have to cling to this verse and claim its truth! We know God’s intent is always for our good and His glory. We have to trust Him knowing He is sovereign and His will absolutely will come to pass in His way. We need to hold on and have faith in our Heavenly Father.

What we can know from this verse: no circumstance is beyond God’s control, His intentions are good towards me, God has a special purpose for me as a believer and God’s ways are not our human ways and we have to trust Him with the past, present and future.

Lenten reflections – Am I harboring anger towards God about a situation that I need to seek His forgiveness? What am I facing today that I need to trust Him, knowing He has my best interest at heart?

Related verses: 2 Chronicles 20:6, Psalm 34:8, Lamentations 3:25, Nahum 1:7, John 10:29, Acts 17:26, Ephesians 1:11-14, Philippians 2:12-13 and 2 Timothy 1:9-10.

I pray that this verse or one of these related verses will encourage your trust in God and that you may catch a glimpse of his plans for you. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, _{so that you can be assured of His love, care and plans for you and your future.}

Linda

Questions … can you answer them about Pentecost??

May 31, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Who was there? Scripture tells us in Acts chapters 1 and 2 that the disciples and many other Jews from every nation were gathered together.

What? The arrival of the promised power from heaven that would empower them to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

When? Pentecost was 50 days after the Passover. It was called the Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament. It was 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven.

Where? Jesus told them to go and wait for the helper that would come. They returned to Jerusalem after Jesus’ Ascension just as He commanded.

Acts 2:2-4 describes to us vividly the arrival of the Holy Spirit. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Peter stood and preached to the gathered crowd and told them that this outpouring from heaven was from God. He quoted the Old Testament prophet Joel in Acts 2:17 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” The arrival of the Holy Spirit was dramatic- tongues of fire- and noisy- as a strong wind and filled with many languages. It was a surprise arrival yet it had been expected. Jesus told them to go and wait, so they knew someone was coming. In John 15:15-17, 25-26, Jesus had promised them the Holy Spirit would come. “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. And all this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Also in Luke 24:48-49 Jesus told them of the coming power and place, “You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Why was this necessary? When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, His Holy Spirit came to dwell within me. This Spirit that arrived on tongues of fire and with a great sound lives within me. He empowers me to live a godly life and to speak to others about Jesus and His salvation. 1 John 4:4 puts it this way, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is great than the one who is in the world.” Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ” 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.”

How do you answer your own 5 W’s about the Holy Spirit? Who is the Holy Spirit to you? What are you allowing God to do with this Holy Spirit that lives within you? Where are you walking in obedience and listening to His Word? When are you stepping out in faith to tell others about Jesus? Why is the Holy Spirit necessary in your life? Jesus wanted the disciples, and us too, to use the power the Father sent to do the work of telling others and living for Him. Will you begin today by allowing God’s Holy Spirit living within you to lead you to live for Him in a mighty way that will bring Him honor and glory?

Praising Him this Pentecost Sunday,

Linda

“Masterpieces” by God

March 7, 2020April 16, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

I love today’s verses in Ephesians 2:8-10. They bring renewed hope, purpose and clarification from God showing His great love, generosity, planning and sovereignty. I particularly like the New Living Translation as it brings added clarity to the passage. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ¹⁰For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

What hope we have because we believe in Jesus! We are assured that we don’t have to try and ‘earn’ our way into heaven. God promises us that there is nothing we can do now or in the future to earn our salvation. It is purely a gift from our gracious God. God loves us and we are important to Him. We are His masterpieces. He loves us and has prepared good works for us to do in His name. There are many scriptures that confirm these facts:

John 1:16 “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” His grace is perfectly complete, giving us all we need.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Salvation is a free gift, not earned.

Psalm 139:14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” God specifically created each of us.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God’s plans are complete and for my good, I can place my hope in them.

James 2:14 “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? As a believer, genuine faith will cause me to seek to do good works for Jesus.

We can cling to these verses from our loving and gracious God knowing we are here with a purpose by His design. We can trust His sovereignty in all things. 2 Chronicles 20:6 ““O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”

Have a blessed day as you prayerfully consider: God’s grace towards you, His sovereignty over your life and the good works He has lovingly prepared for you.

Linda

Where are you placing your future? Is it done with Hope and Assurance?

January 10, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Do you have verses that are yours? One of my life verses is Jeremiah 29:11. I first connected with this verse when I was asked to choose a verse for my grandson at his baby dedication. God led me to Jeremiah 29:11 and I began to cling to the promises it holds. The connection for today and every day is the hope contained with God’s Words. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse tells me God knows me and my future and He has good planned for me. Those things He has planned are designed to give me hope and a positive future. I am convinced that God loves me and wants the very best for me. I am convinced that God is good, desiring the best for me- for my good and His glory. How can I not have hope?

Does this mean that everything will always be good, happy and fulfilling? No. It means that whatever happens in my life, God can use it for my good. Romans 8:28 confirms this, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Since I know and love Jesus, I am assured that He can and does use all things in my life for good. In the hard times, it is difficult to be assured of this, but looking back or looking at others suffering we can often get a glimpse of this truth. This calls for our faith and trust in Him.

I cling to the truths of Jeremiah 29:11 when hard times come, when I see amazing things happen, when I look and plan for the future and seek to know what He would have me do. I ask for His help and guidance as His will is perfect His direction is true. Let Psalm 25:4-5 be your prayer as it is mine. “Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
⁵Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.

Linda

The 5 W’s of Pentecost…Let them speak to you today!

June 9, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Who was there? Scripture tells us in Acts chapters 1 and 2 that the disciples and many other Jews from every nation were gathered together.

What? The arrival of the promised power from heaven that would empower them to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

When? Pentecost was 50 days after the Passover. It was called the Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament. It was 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven.

Where? Jesus told them to go and wait for the helper that would come. They returned to Jerusalem after Jesus’ Ascension just as He commanded.

Acts 2:2-4 describes to us vividly the arrival of the Holy Spirit. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Peter stood and preached to the gathered crowd and told them that this outpouring from heaven was from God. He quoted the Old Testament prophet Joel in Acts 2:17 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” The arrival of the Holy Spirit was dramatic- tongues of fire- and noisy- as a strong wind and filled with many languages. It was a surprise arrival yet it had been expected. Jesus told them to go and wait, so they knew something or someone was coming. In John 15:15-17, 25-26, Jesus had promised them the Holy Spirit would come. “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. And all this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Also in Luke 24:48-49 Jesus told them of the coming power and place, “You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Praising Him this Pentecost Sunday,

Linda

When God calls you, how do you answer?

April 15, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have a holy calling from God. The idea that we are called is an intriguing thought. Called is defined as being summoned or drawn by divine command by God . 2 Timothy 1:9 says this is a high calling, “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” Our calling is to come to faith and walk each day with Jesus, Paul calls this a holy calling. This implies that God initiated the call and has reasons for calling us to do His work. The verse goes on to say we did nothing to deserve this calling, but God has a plan and a purpose for us. He knows how He will use us in His kingdom for His glory producing in us growth and well being. Our response to His call, by faith in Jesus, is our part and allows us to enter His kingdom and do His work. He calls us because of His grace, giving us what we do not deserve because He loves us and desires to be in relationship with us. God is relational in all aspects of His being.

In various others places in scripture this idea of a holy or special call is used that confirm the idea that God calls and we respond. Paul addresses the letter to the Romans and Corinthians with similar words. Romans 1:7 “To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” To what and by whom are you feeling called today? If God is calling, you can be assured that He will lead, provide and guide you into His will for His glory. He has great plans for you and He stated so in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Step out if faith today trusting God with your future and His plans for your good and His glory. There is great hope with Him.

Linda

Suggestion: Spend some time today asking God how you can answer His call and bring Him glory. Then be open to the opportunities that He will surely bring!

A Day to Remember our Dreams

January 21, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

i-have-a-dream-mlk Today is deemed Martin Luther King Day in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who stood for rightness in fight for freedom of equality for all men. He was very eloquent in speech and inspired many with his life and fight against oppression. He challenges the generations to dream of equality and reach for it. Where do you have unrealized dreams today? Are you actively pursuing them, keeping them in focus and grabbing onto opportunities to make them happen?

The verses I’ve chosen for this year Psalm 37:5 and Nahum 1:7 are meant to hone my focus and keep me in pursuit of godly goals for 2019. Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Nahum 1:7 ““The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” Like Dr. King, I want my dreams to be accomplished and I want to glorify God in the process. I came across another verse today that fits in and encouraged me. Proverbs 16:3 in the Message translation. “Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place.”

As we remember Dr. King today and honor his achievements for mankind. think how much God has for you to accomplish and what wonderful purposes He has for you. We know for certain that He has a plan and a purpose for each of us. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Put God in charge of your plans and He will make them align with His will and be accomplished!

Linda