Tag: strength

Mary Praises Continue

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Mary’s Song of praise continues in Luke 1:46-49 as she looks to God in praise speaking of God’s care for Israel. Mary recognizes the power of God and His Sovereign nature.

Luke 1:46-49 “And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Only a sovereign God could show His strength and power from generation to generation. He has moved kings and kingdoms, given good things, been merciful to his people and interacted personally with Abraham. Being Sovereign means God controls all things. There is nothing outside of God’s wise control, even to the timing for each individual. What God plans happens. When God allows evil, we can trust He has planned to use it for His people’s good and His glory. God had perfect timing for His Son to come the first time and knows the perfect time for His return. All God has planned will come to pass as He alone has the power to make it happen. His will cannot be thwarted.

Mary knew this about God. She has seen His strength and power in Isabel’s history. She would have known about Moses, the escape from Egypt after the 10 plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho falling down to the trumpet of God, their first king Saul and his hatred for beloved king David, their constant idol worship which led them into captivity for 70 years and the return as God promised. Mary had heard these stories read in the temple and knew the power of Almighty God to move in history. She knew God to be merciful and caring. She knew He was sovereign over all things.

What do you know about God? Can you talk about God’s character and how you have seen Him in your life? Mary knew first hand that God was real and she marveled that God had chosen her. I too marvel at how God uses individuals to accomplish His work. Each of us is important to God and can be a part of His work. Paul spoke of the importance of each believer in Romans 12:4-6a “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,” In Christ we are all part of Him and have a purpose for His work and for supporting other believers. We are all gifted by God to help lift up, encourage and build up one another. Who do you need to encourage today? Can you send an email, a card or call with a word to show you care? Be open to God, like Mary, and look expectantly for ways God will use you to show the love of Jesus to the world.

Linda

God Preserves

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Today’s promise comes from Psalm 31:23-24. It holds both promises and a warning- a cautionary note from God.

Love the Lord, all you his saints!
    The Lord preserves the faithful
    but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
    all you who wait for the Lord!

Promise: God promises to preserve those who faithfully follow Him and chastise those who act pridefully.

The world present us with constantly changing circumstances. The life of one who follows Jesus requires strength and courage; it is not for the fainthearted! God promises that He will be preserve us as we wait upon Him and strive to follow His ways. He promises to look out for those who belong to Him and even calls us saints! This does not mean we will not have challenges or heartbreaks, but that we will be preserved. The best verse I can think of for this is John 10:27-29 “ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” We are protected through our faith in Christ. No one, nothing, can take us away from God once we are His. Once committed to Jesus, we cannot lose our salvation as no one can snatch us out of the Father’s hand! He preserves us and our salvation is safe. Our eternal life is secure!! Another verse that helps us see this is Ephesians 1:13 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,” We are sealed though the power of the Holy Spirit.

God’s caution about being prideful is shown through multiple examples in the Bible. 2 Chronicles 26 tells us about King Uzziah who became prideful before God, 2 Chronicles 32 tells us about Hezekiah’s prideful actions that almost cut his life short until he repented. Daniel 4 tells of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who admired all he had built  “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you,” He then lost his kingdom and spent 7 years roaming the woods like an animal until he repented. Only then was he restored to health and power. Proverbs 16:18 puts it this way, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.’

What we can know from these verses: God is worthy of my love and praise, God is committed to preserving me for eternity, God hates pride/arrogance, God supports those who wait upon Him with courage and strength.

Lenten Reflection: Do I truly believe that you belong to Jesus? If in doubt, pray and ask God for assurance of His promise that you are sealed and preserved for all eternity. Do you suffer bouts of pride or arrogance? Be quick to repent and acknowledge God as your Father and provider.

Knowing the Lord loves you and has your back for all eternity is a great comfort in this hectic and often evil world. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can live with assurance of God’s faithfulness and His safeguarding of my salvation.

Linda

Related Verses: Psalm 145:3, John 10:27-29, Ephesians 1:13, Proverbs 16:18, 1 John 2:16-17, Psalm 97:10, Romans 1:7.

Peace and Strength, Available from God

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What do you do when you are troubled? How do you find assurance and peace? In our chaotic world with wars, rumors of wars, famine, geopolitics and unsettling circumstances all around us, there seems to be no place with or for peace. David lived in such a time as he was pursued by his enemy King Saul for 10+ years. Saul was jealous of David and wanted him gone! David found peace in the assurances of the Lord and comfort from God’s faithful promise that he would be king. God held his future, and David leaned into and depended upon God.

Psalm 29:10-11 The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
    The Lord reigns as king forever.
11 The Lord gives his people strength.
    The Lord blesses them with peace.

Promise: God promises strength and peace to His people.

David knew that God was sovereign and in control of the world around him. He trusted him for his future and the circumstances of his life. He took God at his word that he would provide the strength David needed to face and oppose Saul, lead his people and fight the battles before him. What about your strength? Do you seem to run out of strength to face the hard things in your life? Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:19 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Christ is the source of all strength and He will provide. In Isaiah 40:29 God assures us, “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” God is the source of all strength and it is to be ours through Jesus who gives us the strength we need. We need to ask Him for His strength when we are feeling weak. He will provide what we need to meet the challenges we face.

David also took God at his word and relied upon Him for peace. Not peace from his enemies, but internal peace knowing that all was in God’s hands and under His control. Do you know that peace? It transcends our world and is from within. Jesus spoke of this peace in John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Jesus knew we are prone to worry and would struggle with the circumstances of our lives. He did not want us to live in turmoil or to be afraid! Jesus wanted us to see his peace as a blessing to our lives. It is a blessing that provides hope and assurance and rest in Him.

What we can know from these verses: God our source of strength, God’s peace is a blessing to us when we receive it, God cares about me, God wants me to be secure and resting in His peace.

Lenten reflections: How am I doing at accepting and reflecting God’s peace in my life? Is He winning or am I succumbing to the pressures and worries of the world? Have I asked God to give me strength instead of trying to do all things on my own?

I pray that you will look to Jesus as the source of your strength and peace. He had promised to provide them both. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can trust Him to provide peace and strength in my life as He has promised!

Related verses: Isaiah 40:29, Philippians 4:19, 2 Timothy 4:17, John 14:27, Jon 16:33, Romans 5:1, Psalm 102:27-28, Psalm 62:1-2.

Linda

Here is the entire Psalm 29. Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings;
    honor the Lord for his glory and strength.
2 Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.
    Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.
    The God of glory thunders.
    The Lord thunders over the mighty sea.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars;
    the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf;
    he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
    with bolts of lightning.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks
    and strips the forests bare.
In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”

10 The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
    The Lord reigns as king forever.
11 The Lord gives his people strength.
    The Lord blesses them with peace.

Dependable God, No Matter What!

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Have you ever asked yourself, How strong is my God? What can He withstand? Is anything to hard for Him? Will anything overcome Him? Psalm 46 is a celebratory psalm proclaiming the power of God.

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

The psalmist’s conclusion is that nothing is too hard for God. He will not waver even as He looks down from Heaven He will be victorious. How can we know this? Verse 10 tells us to be quiet and listen, you will know that He is God.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can depend upon God. He is who he says He is. John 10:28-30. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” God’s promises are Jesus’ promises and Jesus’ promises are God’s promises too!

Linda

Jesus is Upholding You, Be Encouraged!

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In Chapter 41 of Isaiah we find encouraging passages that would have strengthened and given hope to the Israelites while in captivity in Babylon and that speak to us today with that same strength and hope.

Isaiah 41:9-10 “I took you from the ends of the earth,
    from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
    I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

The Israelites could identify with these words as they knew God had called them while in Egypt and would call them to return to Jerusalem when their captivity in Babylon was finished. They knew that God would keep the promises He made to their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God was giving them hope that He would strengthen, help and uphold them.

As we look at these verses thousands of years later, what do they mean to us today? We know God kept His promise to return them to the land of Israel after their captivity in Babylon. He also returned them to their land as a nation in 1948 when the Jews returned to establish and the independent country of Israel. We can also take comfort in God’s promise to be with us, strengthen and help us. When God says he will uphold us with His righteous right hand, God is referring to Jesus. Jesus is known as the one who sits at God’s right hand. We can count on Him to uphold us 24/7. Here are some lessons and truths we can glean from these verses that will give us courage, strength and resolve for living:

** God is sovereign and we are chosen by God to serve Him. God is in control of all things in heaven and on the earth. All believers are chosen by God to serve Him. He delights in having a relationship with us. Acts 4:24 “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” Psalm 147:11 “the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

**God’s presence dispels fear. (God is greater than any fear we might have!) Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”

**Knowing He is my God frees me from discouragement. Nothing or no one can withstand the power of God. Romans 8:31b says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” or Isaiah 49:23b “Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”

**God promises to provide strength and help. This promise is found elsewhere too. Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Isaiah 40:29 ” He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Psalm 33:20 “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” Isaiah 50:9 “It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.”

**God promises to uphold me through Jesus, who is His righteous right hand. Mark 16:19 “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.” Acts 5:30-31 “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.” Ephesians 1:19-20 “ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. He told us he would be with us and uphold us until He returns. John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:16-17 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

May you be encouraged today by our promise keeping God!

Linda

God Loves and Cares for Us!

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Chapter 40 of Isaiah begins the portion of scripture beloved by believers because God reveals his plan of redemption in Christ and shows His great love and mercy for His people. They had sinned greatly against God and yet, God loved them. John 3:16 shows the true heart of God “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Throughout this 40th Chapter God reveals more and more about His character so we can know and trust Him more fully.

Here are some verses that show God cares for His people!

Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, comfort my people,  says your God.” God is a God of comfort and desires that we live our lives comforting those who are in need. Jesus said in Matthew 27:37-39 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Paul also wrote in 2 Corinthians 13:3-5 as he described our God, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Isaiah 40:2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
    that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
    double for all her sins.” In spite of the coming hardships and trials in captivity, God promises to forgive their sins. He will redeem them and bring them back to Jerusalem. He will speak tenderly to them and proclaims them forgiven.

Isaiah 40:11 “He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.” God here is portraying himself as a shepherd to His people. He cares for them, carries or holds them close to His heart. How tender is this picture of our God. Jesus portrayed himself as a shepherd to help explain the unique relationship He has with us as a believer. John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:14  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Jesus is our perfect shepherd.

Isaiah 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.” God says He will give us His strength when we get weary or tired and in our weakness He will make us strong. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul proclaims Christ’s power in his weaknesses . “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Our strength comes from Christ and His indwelling Holy Spirt. Romans 8:37-38 “ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,” In Christ we can be sustained and let Him fill our weaknesses with His strength.

May these verses from Isaiah 40 help you to see the depth of God’s love for YOU!

Linda

The Faith Candle-the Second Sunday of Advent

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The second Sunday of Advent is when the candle of faith which is often called the Bethlehem candle is lit. It proclaims the blessing to come because of God’s great love for us, by sending Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. This week’s readings we will focus on Zechariah’s reaction to the angel’s message, Elizabeth’s belief that she will have a child in her old age, the angel’s appearance to Mary, Mary’s response to the angel’s message, and Mary’s encounter with Elizabeth and her unborn child. Prepare your hearts and minds to reach into scripture and discover new meaning for yourself as you read the scripture with faith. Faith pleases God and through our faith in Jesus He blesses us with His love and peace. He also gives us understand and insights into His Word- so be prepared to be blessed this week.

On this second Sunday of Advent, let your heart and mind dwell on the words of Psalm 31:19-23. Let them fill you with joy and anticipation that God has all things under control.

How abundant are the good things
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
on those who take refuge in you.
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from all human intrigues;
you keep them safe in your dwelling
from accusing tongues.

21 Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
22 In my alarm I said,
“I am cut off from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all his faithful people!
The Lord preserves those who are true to him,
but the proud he pays back in full.
24 Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.

Blessings as you enjoy the season and may God strengthen your walk of Faith!

Linda

Strength, Shield, Safe Fortress all Yes in Him

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Psalm 28:7-8 is part of a psalm where David cries to the Lord for help as his enemies seem to be assailing him. He has been contending with people who are two faced and deceitful. He knows they do not know the Lord but thankfully David knows that God is his strength and defender. Here his words:

“The Lord is my strength and shield.
    I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
    I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The Lord gives his people strength.
    He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.”

Could this be our song as well? Do you know God as your shield, strength and safe place? Do you trust Him with all your heart? David was convinced. He had walked with God from a young age and seen how God was always with him as his perfect shepherd. God had kept him safe from the lion and the bear. God had been with him though the fight with Goliath, kept him ahead of pursuing King Saul and given him prosperity and victory as Israel’s King. David knew and trusted his Lord and called upon Him for strength and protection.

If God is your strength, shield and safe fortress, then you have much to be thankful for, just as David did. May your cries of thanksgiving and praise reach to the heavens today. May you extol God Almighty and put your trust in Him!

Linda

Holy Week, Wednesday-Where’s Jesus?

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It would seem that the gospel’s are silent on the whereabouts of Jesus on this day of Holy Week.  Perhaps he remained in Bethany with Mary, Martha and Lazarus, taking a needed day of rest.  Tomorrow will be a trying day with the Last Supper, Gethsemane, His arrest, beating and trials by night leading to crucifixion on Friday.  Jesus knew what was coming and how his human body would need strength for tomorrow so He rested.  Even though He was God, He felt all the pain and fatigue of a man when He was within His earthly body.  So He needed rest today.

What do you need today? Here are a couple of scriptures for you to mediate on to encourage and strengthen you.  David knew his need for the Lord and relied upon Him each day.  

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.  Psalm 138:7-8a

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
    and your justice as the noonday.  Psalm 37:3-6

Jesus knew the Psalms of King David and perhaps He drew strength and comfort from these words too.  He knew God had a purpose for him to complete and that He needed to trust His heavenly Father and rest in Him. Let David’s words bring you peace and rest today as you walk trusting in Jesus..

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can call upon Him for strength and rest in His ability to give me all that I need.

Linda

The Benefits of a Walk that is Pleasing to God

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Paul was praying for the Colossian Christians in a very specific way. He wanted to see them walking and experiencing an authentic life with Christ. He envisioned them, and us too, living a life worthy of the calling of Jesus. In today’s passage, Paul lists the benefits of such a worthy walk with Christ and how it truly pleases Him. Colossians 1:10-12 “ so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Wow! What a list of benefits Paul is praying for the Colossian Christians to experience in their daily walk with Jesus!

Bearing fruit in every good work. A life indwelt by the Holy Spirt, focused on Jesus shows fruit. Which of these is the Holy Spirit producing in your life as you seek to know and follow Him? Galatians 5:22-23 “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.” James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

Increasing in the knowledge of God. Is this your goal, to know God more fully? Could this be said of you? 1 Chronicles 28:9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Do you feel God’s strength, have endurance during the difficulties that arise each day or do you see and feel joy when you wait upon Him? Nehemiah 8:10 “for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Hebrews 10:36 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.“

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Are you thankful for your heavenly inheritance to come and grateful for hope-filled life Jesus is providing for you right now? Ephesians 1:18 “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,“ 1 Peter 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,“

I pray as you study and meditate on these benefits provided to us through our faith in Jesus that you will be blessed with a deeper knowledge of Him and be encouraged in your walk. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can receive benefits of faith that lead to greater knowledge of Him, strength, endurance, patience and joy! Thank you Jesus!

Linda