In All Your Ways

Sharing: Bible Verses By Topic

2012-01-27T18:56:00.000-08:00

Just want to share a useful article from another blog - What Christians Want to Know

I think you will find this to be a great resource for finding a scripture for a particular situation. Click on the following link:

Bible Verses By Topic: Inspirational Scriptures By Subject

Check it out and bookmark it for future reference. Be sure to read some of their other articles too!

Blessings :)

Linda

Remembering To Be Thankful

2010-11-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

Last year during the month of November I wrote a series of blog entries called "Thirty Days of Thanksgiving", I won't be doing those this year but thought I'd just mention it in case you wanted to read any of those entries this year. You can look in my archive section for November 2009 and you'll see an entry for each day of the month.

I hope you are considering the blessings in your life and looking for things for which to be thankful. Try to express your gratitude today whenever the opportunity arises, I think it will be a blessing to you and to those around you.

Feel free to post a comment at any time to let me know what you are thankful for. I am thankful for you, that you have visited my blog!

I pray that you experience God's blessings today.

Linda

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Colossians 3:16

Time to Hibernate?

2010-10-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time again since my last blog entry, I have had several very busy months, yet not too busy to be in my Bible each day. God has been continuing to speak to me and teach me as I spend time in His word.

I have many verses that I would like to share from the past few months, therefore it is kind of difficult to know where to begin today. As I browsed through my journal this verse stood out to me.

"Sow with a view to righteousness,

Reap in accordance with kindness;

Break up your fallow ground,

For it is time to seek the LORD

Until He comes to rain righteousness on you."

Hosea 10:12

When I read this verse it reminded me that what we do and how we do it matter; we need to intentionally live our lives in a way that serves God's purpose and brings Him honor.

I tend to get complacent with life and get caught up in taking care of the needs of my family that I forget that I need to use my time for God and His glory. I also feel kind of irrelevant or insignificant in God's plan because I feel so small; but God does not want me to be discouraged as if I have nothing to offer. As Christians we are called to be actively seeking opportunities to share our faith in Christ with those around us, and God has gifted and equipped each of us uniquely.

Sometimes it is tempting to want to crawl into hibernation and not deal with 'one more thing'. Though we are in the fall season and heading into winter, we are not to hibernate, we need to still be sowing, reaping and breaking up the fallow ground for the Lord, for it is ALWAYS time to seek the Lord!

Be blessed,

Linda

In Humility

2010-07-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

"Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.

Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few."

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

In the United States we have the right to many freedoms, including freedom of speech. This country was founded on principles of freedom and many have fought for, and continue to fight for those rights. I am not headed toward a political topic here, because my real concern is the freedom we have received from God and what we do with it.

The passage I have quoted today reminds me of the many freedoms that have been given to us by God, including the freedom to choose to believe in Him, to accept His gift of salvation, to be obedient to His commands, and to come before Him with our requests.

With the freedom to come to the house of God, the writer of Ecclesiastes tells us to guard our steps as we go, and rather than bring a sacrifice, we ought to come to listen. Humility. Can you come into the presence of God, offering Him nothing but your willingness to listen to Him and learn? Many of our churches today are filled with wonderful Christians sharing their gifts of music and drama, but often it appears to be a performance for the people rather than humble worship of God. While it is good to offer our worship to God, we all need to check our motivation and attitudes.

Freedom of speech is our right, yes? And God allows us the freedom to make our requests known to Him, but should we become so irreverent that we feel we can say anything to Him and it's ok? Society has become extremely informal and casual over the past few decades, respect for elders and those in positions of authority has dwindled; likewise many are complacent about who God is and who we are in relation to Him. Are we presumptuous, that we can speak our mind before the awesome Creator of the Universe? Should we not come before Him in all humility, seeking His favor and His will? Sometimes it can be a real challenge to let our words be few!

God has given us so much, yet in our sinful, fleshly nature we often get caught up in our own self-importance. Thankfully, we do have the freedom to come before the holy living God, and we do have the right to voice our concerns, but let us do so with reverence and humility - for He is God, the creator and we are His creation.

Humbly....

Linda

Finding Pasture

2010-05-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."

John 10: 9-11

Jesus says that He is the door to our salvation and He is the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. He promises us salvation, life abundant and pasture in these verses. He also contrasts Himself with the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy. Our enemy, the devil doesn't care about us, all he wants is our destruction; but Jesus loves us so much that He has provided for our every need.

I learned early on as a Christian that Jesus is the door to my salvation, He is the only way for me to get to the Father and I am so thankful for this. However, I think sometimes I have overlooked the part of the verse which says I will go in and out and find pasture. This gives me a sense of being satisfied or content, because that pasture represents the meeting of my essential needs - food, water and rest. I imagine that a sheep would feel content and cared for when these basic needs are met. But Jesus promises us even more: that we might have life abundantly. We experience the blessings each day of belonging to Him; even though we face trials and difficulties, we have abundant life because we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He lays down His life for us that we might have eternal life - this future life will be more abundant than anything we can imagine.

Jesus wants to provide us pasture. He wants to take us to a place of rest and security. That place is in Him; when we come humbly before Him and seek His presence, He brings us a peace and rest like no other. He wants to feed and nurture us; God's word is overflowing with words of encouragement and help; it is our daily bread, but we must eat in order to be nourished.

Will you follow Jesus to that pasture? You will find that He will give you life, and life abundantly.

Persistence in Prayer

2010-05-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

Today is the National Day of Prayer, and I found it interesting that my Bible reading schedule brought me to Nehemiah whom I discovered was a man who persisted in prayer and ultimately saw God answer.

Nehemiah was informed that the Jews who had escaped and survived captivity were in distress and that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down.

"Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven."

Nehemiah 1:4

Nehemiah prayed diligently, and sincerely interceded for the people for three months before God answered his prayers. This got me thinking about the attitudes we tend to have toward prayer today.

Do we offer 'token' prayers because we said we would pray but we're short on time? Or, do we feel sorrow and compassion and a burden which spurs us into heartfelt intercession? Nehemiah wept, mourned and fasted along with his prayers. He took it seriously and came before God with humility, sincerity and faith.
We live in an "instant gratification" society. We can have immediate access to pretty much any information we want on the internet. Most of us can't imagine going back to a dial-up connection speed. We have TV on demand, cell-phones which act like computers in the palm our hand, we can instantly download a song, instant message with friends anywhere in the world, pay our bills with the click of a mouse, and more. So, when it comes to prayer, are we expecting God to respond in like manner? Are we willing to wait upon the Lord and give Him time to answer? It's not that God can't answer quickly; He is capable of doing whatever He wills whenever He chooses, but His timing is perfect and He knows what is best for us. Nehemiah persisted in prayer and so should we. Often we just give up too easy because God didn't answer right away we think He's not going to; but His word does not teach us that. In fact, we are told to "pray without ceasing", 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

God does answer prayer, if you have trouble seeing that, consider starting a prayer journal and write down your prayer requests, write down your praises. In time you can look back and see the evidence of God's faithfulness to hear your prayers and answer them.

Be committed to prayer, pray with sincere motives, be persistent in prayer, and pray in faith!

Have a blessed day!!

Practice Makes Perfect??

2010-05-05T09:43:00.001-07:00

This week I have read through the book of Ezra in the Old Testament, God showed me several things through my study, but I think what stood out the most to me was the example that Ezra set with his life.

"For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel."

Ezra 7:10

Ezra knew the importance of God's word, he had made a commitment to study it and teach it to others. Obviously he loved the word of God, experienced the blessing of studying it and wanted to share the knowledge of it with Israel. Ezra understood however, that it is not enough to simply study God's word, we must practice what we learn. If we read God's word and do not apply it, have we gained anything? Knowledge perhaps, but we would have missed God's intent for us to grow in faith and love. And how can we really teach others that which we have not applied to our own life? The well known phrases come to mind: "Practice what you preach" or, "Do as I say, not as I do," and of course "Hypocrite" - a term I'm sure we don't want to be used in regard to us.

Have you ever had an employer or teacher who gave you theoretical instruction but had no practical experience to back it up? It's kind of frustrating, isn't it. Well, it's the same with God's word, how can we genuinely teach it to others if we don't live it? This is a challenge for me and I hope it is for you also, that as believers our goal is not to just stay the same; we should be ever-changing, becoming more like Christ. Every time we read God's word we should be saying "Okay, what about me? How does this apply to me, how can I put this to work in my life? Do I need to make a change? What is God trying to teach me here?" I'm not saying it is always easy, sometimes it can be a painful process, but the outcome is worth it.

God's word is a wellspring of life to those who diligently seek it. It is overflowing with knowledge, wisdom and the secrets to true happiness. God has revealed Himself and His purposes to us in His word; He has given us instruction for living.... but we must respond! To know God's commands and not follow them would be disobedience. It is my prayer for you that you will be filled up with the blessings of being in God's word, that He will guide and direct your paths and that you will receive His instruction with a humble, submissive heart that you might grow in Christ.

Still here.....

2010-03-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since my last post. Though I enjoy blogging, I had to step away for just a little while; it is easy to spend too much time on the computer/internet reading blogs and being involved in social networking etc. My relationships, with God first then my family, are my priority and especially as a homeschooling parent I have to make sure I don't get too distracted from my responsibilities. So, here I am with just a short update today, I am still committed to this blog and pray that God will use it for His glory, however I may not post blogs daily. I will continue to share how God is at work in my life and pray for you that you will know the blessings of following Him also.

As I continue to read the Bible each morning I am constantly reminded of the power of God's Word and how He can use it to speak to us if we allow Him. I am convinced that we will not grow spiritually if we do not immerse ourselves in God's Word. If you are feeling dry, or far from God, or find it difficult to stay in a routine with your devotional time, I would recommend using a reading plan or daily devotional guide to keep you on track. I personally like to have a plan to follow, I have used through the Bible reading plans in the past, right now I am using 'Lifewalk' which is a daily devotional guide published by Lifeway. It provides a reading schedule to take you through the Bible in one year and some commentary for each day. So far I am enjoying it. There are many resources available online and in Christian bookstores. Most important, however is to bring yourself before God and allow Him to speak to you.

Thanks for visiting, I would be glad to pray for you if you would like to leave a request in the comments section. God bless,

Linda

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 30 - In Everything

2009-11-30T06:30:00.000-08:00

"in everything give thanks;

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

As we reach the end of our Thirty Days of Thanksgiving I want to share one of my favorite verses. It is one that I have turned to many times during my years as a Christian. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us that we are to give thanks in everything for this is God's will for us. We are not just to give thanks during the good, happy times, but also during the times of trials, suffering, and distress.

This is a learning process because it is not really in our nature to give thanks when things go wrong. However the reality is that no matter what our circumstances are, God is still God, still holy, righteous, and sovereign. He is still worthy of praise and thanksgiving even if our situation does not warrant thanksgiving at the time, there is always reason to be thankful and God can work all circumstances for good. We often cannot see the big picture when we are in the midst of a difficult time but God is good and faithful and worthy of our trust and gratitude.

I want to thank you for reading this series, I know I only have a small group of readers, but I appreciate you and am thankful for you. I hope that we will continue each day to find ways to be thankful and cultivate that attitude of gratitude!

In everything....give thanks!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 29 - Spiritual Fruits

2009-11-29T14:35:00.000-08:00

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

Galatians 5:22-25

God has given us so much for which I am thankful, today I am giving thanks that as a believer in Christ I have been blessed with the Holy Spirit in my life. As we learn to walk by the Spirit and are surrendered to His leading we begin to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. We can try to cultivate these qualities but the source is the Spirit of God from whom all good things flow.

It is a joy to experience the fruit of the Spirit and to be able to bless and encourage others through those spiritual fruits. As these qualities become more evident in our lives we are better able to represent the love of God to those around us. It is good to take time to focus on each of the fruits listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and examine our lives for their presence.

Give thanks!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 28 - The Free Gift

2009-11-28T14:00:00.000-08:00

"For the wages of sin is death,

but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23

As we approach the Christmas season gift giving becomes more prominent in our thoughts. It really is fun to give gifts to others, there is much joy experienced by the giver, especially when you are giving to your family whom you love. It is also a blessing to give gifts to strangers, to meet the needs of someone unexpectedly.

We need not wait for Christmas for an opportunity to give and bless others, of course. We can give at any time of year but as we approach the time of year when we traditionally celebrate the birth of Jesus, somehow hearts become softened and more generous.

The nice thing about a gift is that it is free, you don't pay the giver, it is just that - a gift. You receive the gift with thanksgiving and sometimes in response to the kindness shown to you, you might offer something in return to express your gratitude, though it is typically not expected.

God has offered us a gift, it does not cost us anything to receive it, He has paid the price and presents it to whomever will receive it. That gift is eternal life - can you think of any greater gift? The price He paid was high, but He considered us worthy of the cost, the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.

I give thanks that God has given me the most precious gift, it can be yours also. Will you take this most valuable gift offered to you today? I pray you will, and that you will join me in thanksgiving.

Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 27 - Hope

2009-11-27T10:35:00.000-08:00

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil"

Hebrews 6:19

What do you hope for? Do you hope for health, happiness, wealth, peace, love? Or do you hope for a relationship with a real, living God, full of love, truth and grace? My hope is in the Lord and I give thanks that He has given me this hope, which is my anchor, steadfast and sure.

Jesus has prepared the way. He has gone before us, torn the veil which separated us from the holy presence of God. We can come as we are and enter the throne room of God, washed clean by the sacrificial blood of Jesus. I am so thankful that I do not have to wonder if I am loved by God or whether I will be welcomed into His kingdom. God has given me assurance in His word that Jesus has prepared the way, that He is the way, the truth and the life and that it is only through Him that I can come to the Father (John 14:6).

This is the hope that I have: that in Jesus, God has granted me eternal life, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever. For this I give thanks today and always!

Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 26 - God's Provision

2009-11-26T06:30:00.000-08:00

"Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide,

as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the LORD it will be provided."

Genesis 22:14

At Thanksgiving we give thanks for many things but often the emphasis is upon God's provision for us. As God blessed the pilgrims with a successful harvest they celebrated with a bountiful feast and so the tradition continues today.

In Genesis, God revealed Himself to Abraham as Jehovah Jireh - the Lord provides. God put Abraham to the test; after waiting for his promised son all those years, God had blessed him with Isaac and now he had asked him to offer Isaac back to him as a sacrifice. Abraham must have been tormented within, he loved Isaac, how could he sacrifice him on the altar? Abraham however trusted God, God had been faithful to him and his love for God and obedience to Him was victorious. When Isaac asked his father where the lamb for the offering was, Abraham replied that God would provide. And so, at the last minute God prevented Abraham from slaying his son, Abraham passed the test and God provided a ram for the offering.

I believe God provides everything we need, not necessarily everything we want, and sometimes it is hard for us to see what we really need. God is sovereign and all-knowing. He does know what is best for us and He makes sure we have the provisions we need.

So today, as you celebrate Thanksgiving, give thanks to God for His provision for you in every aspect of your life!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 25 - The Lord, My Shepherd

2009-11-25T06:30:00.000-08:00

"The LORD is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

"He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

Psalm 23

The role of a shepherd is to care for his flock. Sheep are well known for being kind of dumb; if they are not led safely they will walk obliviously into danger, fall prey to predators and eat and drink things which could be disastrous for them. Sadly, we are often likened to sheep in the Bible and though it is uncomplimentary there is much truth in the analogy. Left to our own devices, we will also fall prey to our enemy, the devil; we will most likely head down a path of destruction taking in things which are not good for us either physically or spiritually.

Thanks be to God that He is our Shepherd - Jehovah Raah. As a shepherd cares for his sheep, so does our Shepherd care for us. Psalm 23 is one of the most well known passages of scripture; even non-Christians can often quote parts of it. The Psalm expresses the many ways that our Father cares for us and meets our needs; it offers words of comfort and strength during life's dark days, provision for our every need, and an assurance of God's unfailing love.

For some it is difficult to admit any need to be cared for, it may seem to imply weakness. Perhaps that is true if you put your faith in yourself and in your own abilities, however no man can save Himself, therefore come to God in humility and acknowledge He is Lord, allow Him to be the Shepherd of your soul. There is no other who can or will care for you like God, and no greater joy than to know Him.

With thanksgiving for the care of the Lord, my Shepherd.
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 24 - My All-Sufficient One

2009-11-24T10:37:00.000-08:00

"Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old,

the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him,

"I am God Almighty;
Walk before Me, and be blameless.""

Genesis 17:1

God had promised Abraham that He would make him the father of nations, yet he and his wife Sarai were getting on in years and it seemed impossible. So God appeared to Abraham and revealed to him that He is God Almighty - El Shaddai. This name represents the power and might of God and has often been translated as the All-Sufficient One.

When you think of the word sufficient, what comes to mind? Does it imply to you a feeling of receiving all that you need and having no need for any more? It does to me, and therefore the name El Shaddai brings me great comfort and peace. We strive and struggle for so many things today, we are looking for needs to be met by our spouses, children, co-workers, and more. When our physical, material, and emotional needs are met on a human level are we satisfied? No, because we really have only one vital need - the need to be loved by our Creator.

God is El Shaddai, the all-sufficient God who meets our deepest need, only in Him can we be truly satisfied. Yes, there are many passing pleasures in life which meet our needs of the moment but God alone is sufficient to satisfy the needs of our heart and soul.

Give thanks that God is sufficient for all you need!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 23 - A Strong Tower

2009-11-23T10:40:00.000-08:00

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

The righteous runs into it and is safe"

Proverbs 18:10

Years ago I took part in a study of the names of God - "Lord, I Want to Know You" by Kay Arthur. Before I began the study I had no idea what a blessing it would be to study the names of God, I soon discovered that there are many names given in the Bible for God and each of them reveals something to us about His character and allows us to get to know Him better. In the days to come I will share a few of those names and why I am thankful for that aspect of God's character.

Today I am thankful that God has made Himself known to us and that His name is a strong tower for me, a place of refuge and security. It is where I can run and know that I am safe, I am protected there from the attacks of the enemy. When I feel alone, He is there... Jehovah Shammah. Who do you turn to in times of need?

I highly recommend the study book I mentioned, here is a link for it at Amazon if you want to check it out.

With thanksgiving,
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 22 - The Love of Christ

2009-11-22T09:28:00.000-08:00

"and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,

that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3:19

The Bible is the greatest love story ever told. It tells us of the love of God who created us, created a beautiful world for us to live in, created everything we need and blessed us with abundance. It tells of the love of a heavenly Father who loves us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His own Son in order that we could dwell with Him eternally. (John 3:16)

God has placed within each of us the capacity for love and it is the greatest and most powerful emotion. Love motivates, inspires, forgives, is not selfish and never fails (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8). Jesus told us that the greatest commandments are first to love God and secondly to love others. Without a doubt the central theme of the Bible and thus for our lives, is love.

I love my husband and children with an immense love yet it does not compare to the love of Christ spoken of in Ephesians 3:19 which surpasses knowledge. God not only wants us to know this love but to be filled up to all the fullness of God. His love is beyond measure and I give thanks today for the love of Christ.

Listen to the words of Third Day in Love Song which speak of a love beyond measure.

Be blessed and give thanks!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 21 - The Peace of Christ

2009-11-21T21:20:00.000-08:00

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

to which indeed you were called in one body;

and be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

I am late writing today's blog. It has been a long, busy day, with much of it spent travelling to and from the hospital to visit a family member who was seriously injured in a car crash. So I am keeping it short.

In the midst of tragic situations it is easy to become fearful and anxious. But the best place to turn is to God; the verse I chose today calls us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, not fear or anxiety. Also to be thankful. I am thankful again that God does not leave us alone; He has given us the Comforter - the Holy Spirit to bring us comfort during painful times.

Giving thanks for the peace of Christ and asking for your prayers.
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 20 - Shelter from the Storms

2009-11-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

"There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day,

and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain."

Isaiah 4:6

As I mentioned a few days ago we have been subjected to a series of storms and lots of rain these past few weeks. In fact it seems like the rain has just been incessant. I have been putting off my trip to the grocery store to purchase food for our Thanksgiving meal because I really dislike grocery shopping on wet and windy days. Today, I decided it must be accomplished because the store will be really busy over the weekend, and I need that turkey by Monday so that it can begin to thaw! God blessed, and the rain held off for the entire shopping trip. I like to be thankful for the small things, don't you?

Anyway, all this rain reminded me to be thankful for the shelter that is provided for me. I am thankful for my home; it is so good to sit inside on a rainy day and observe the rain in comfort and warmth. I am thankful to have a vehicle to travel in which protects me from the rain. During my childhood years, my family never had a car therefore we walked everywhere or occasionally took a bus or taxi. Getting wet walking to and from school everyday was just part of life, so I really appreciate my vehicle now!

Of course, I am most thankful for the shelter given to me by my Heavenly Father. He protects me from the storms of life. Do you ever wonder how many catastrophes we are unknowingly spared from? Have you ever driven by the scene of a car accident and realized if you had passed just moments earlier it could have been you? Those storms which do come our way, we manage to get through them because God carries us in His mighty arms with the love of a Father. To be safe and secure in the shelter of the Almighty God provides a warmth and comfort to which there is no other comparison.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."

Psalm 91:1

Remember to give thanks for God's shelter!

Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 19 - No Condemnation

2009-11-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

"Therefore there is now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

has set you free from the law of sin and of death."

Romans 8:1-2

Everything in life bears consequences, we are continually trying to teach this to our children, that whatever their actions, consequences will result. Some good, some bad. We want them to learn to be responsible and make good choices in the small things so that as they mature into adults they will have discernment and wisdom.

We live in a world with laws to which we must abide. If we break those laws we must bear the consequences; we may have to appear before a judge and jury to stand trial for our crimes and be determined guilty or innocent. With guilt comes condemnation and ultimately punishment.

God provided laws for man to live by several thousand years ago, they were given to provide guidance for man, to restrain from sinful living. I believe God knows what is best for us and in giving the law He wanted to protect us from the consequences of our sin. However, it was impossible for any man to keep the whole law and though their sins were covered through the rituals of sacrifice, there was no remission of sin on permanent basis. Until Christ.

Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice; the propitiation for our sins that we might be declared righteous before a holy God. In doing so, He took upon Himself the condemnation for all our sin that we might be set free!

Today I am thankful that as a believer in Christ there is no condemnation for me. Yes, I am a sinner, but I have been set free from the law of sin and the resulting death. This does not mean that I am free to go on sinning; rather I am to pursue godliness in all my ways, but the condemnation has been removed.

Giving thanks again....
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 18 - Escape from Temptation

2009-11-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;

and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted

beyond what you are able,

but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also,

so that you will be able to endure it."

1 Corinthians 10:13

Many years ago when my husband and I were living in San Diego we participated in a small group Bible study which placed an emphasis upon memorizing a series of scriptures. 1 Corinthians 10:13 was one of those scriptures I learned at that time and I have never forgotten it. It is etched in my mind along with some of the memories of our small group times of fellowship where we quizzed each other on our verses, encouraging and laughing together.

We are all faced with temptation, sometimes daily. It is not God who tempts us toward evil, it is the devil who wants us to sin and fail, he does not want us to live victorious lives as believers in Christ, set free from the bondage of our sin. So he is constantly trying to lure us back to sinful living that we might feel discouraged and defeated.

We are not alone in our temptation, all men have been tempted and Jesus Himself experienced temptation after fasting for 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4: 1-11). God allows temptation in our lives but He will never give us more than we can handle and He always provides us a way of escape. Sometimes that way of escape is simply to flee - if you find yourself in a situation where you have a particular weakness, don't stick around - get out of there as fast as you can!

God also gives us His word to overcome temptation. Jesus quoted scripture to rebuke Satan; likewise if we hide God's word in our heart we will be able to stand firm knowing God's truth and promises when temptation comes our way. Psalm 119:11 encourages us about the power of memorizing scripture "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You."

So when temptation comes your way, stand firm in God's word and give thanks that God has not left you alone, he knows what you are going through and will give you strength to escape and endure.

With thanksgiving,
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 17 - The Power of God

2009-11-17T10:01:00.000-08:00

"For by Him all things were created,
both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--

all things have been created through Him and for Him."

Colossians 1:16

We have been experiencing a series of storms here in the Pacific Northwest; over the last few days we have had heavy rain and strong winds which has knocked out the power to our home three or four times. This morning I am thankful that the worst of the storm has passed and our power supply to our home has been restored.

We rely so heavily on electricity to power our lives; to provide light and warmth, to enable us to cook meals, brew coffee, watch TV and use our computers. That source of power is so vulnerable and when it's taken from us we are left scurrying for flashlights, candles and warm blankets. The power of God is not like the electrical power supply to our homes and businesses, and for that I am so thankful.

The power of God is beyond our comprehension and able to withstand any storm; even if we lose faith in that power it is still there. His power is sufficient to create and sustain all things, both seen and unseen. God wants us to rely on His power for our lives, we won't be disappointed or left in the dark!

Giving thanks for the power of God!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 16 - Thankful for Trials?

2009-11-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

And let endurance have its perfect result,

so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

James 1: 2-4

This morning my Bible reading brought me to the book of James and I read the familiar verses quoted above regarding trials in our lives. This topic was not one that I had planned out on my list for the Thirty Days of Thanksgiving, but it reminded me that I should be thankful for the trials in my life.

It seems over the years that my husband and I have gone through more than our fair share of trials. As a pastor and pastor's wife we have had the privilege of serving the Lord in those capacities and experiencing the many joys and blessings which come with the ministry. However, it seems that adversity also comes with the calling and without going into details, we often have felt like we were put through the wringer!

In the book of James, we are told to consider it all joy when we experience various trials... that is hard to do when you are right in the middle of a painful situation and you can't see the end in sight. So why consider it joy? Because God can use every situation for good if we allow Him to; He uses those very trials to test our faith, and that testing refines and purifies us. When we go through traumatic times and keep hanging on to our faith, knowing that God loves us and is sovereign over our lives, we are enduring or persevering. That endurance does have a positive result. We come through the trial with a deeper, stronger faith and trust in God. With more faith we become more Christlike, we are able to share our faith in and love for God in a more meaningful way with others.

I know sometimes it is so hard to see the good in the trials you face, but trust in God that He has a plan, He wants you to be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Someday you will be able to look back at where you came from and see that God was at work in your midst.

Give thanks for trials.
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 15 - Great is Thy Faithfulness

2009-11-15T13:41:00.000-08:00

"The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

This morning in church we sang about the steadfast love of the Lord, how it never ceases, how His mercies never come to an end -they are new every morning; great is God's faithfulness. We also sang the familiar hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness. This brought a smile to my face as I remembered singing it at my wedding ceremony, it caused me to reflect and give thanks for God's faithfulness.

God has been faithful to love me.
God has been faithful to work in my life and heart.
God has been faithful to hear my prayers.
God has been faithful to my husband and me throughout our marriage; He has blessed us with love and commitment.
God has been faithful to strengthen and protect me.
God has been faithful to keep His word.

I am so thankful that God is faithful and unchanging, that when things around me are uncertain, He is always there, always holy and righteous, full of compassion and mercy.
Great is Thy faithfulness O God!

Give thanks!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 14 - Never Alone

2009-11-14T09:27:00.000-08:00

"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money,

being content with what you have; for He Himself has said,

"I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," "

Hebrews 13:5

We are almost halfway through our Thirty Days of Thanksgiving, are you finding new things for which to be thankful each day?

Today my thanksgiving is for the promise from God that He will never leave nor forsake me. This world that we live in and the experiences we go through can leave us feeling worn down and exhausted, sometimes alone. People often let us down, even those we have considered trusted friends will hurt or betray us. It is just human nature, no one is perfect and we all fail. So thanks be to God that He is perfect in every way, and He will not abandon us.

So many things vie for our attention and devotion these days, yet God wants us to be devoted to Him, to be content with what we have and whatever comes our way. He promises to be with us through the good and the bad, and to carry us through the difficult times. When we come to Him in faith, we know we can trust Him and He will not leave us.

Please take courage in this promise and give thanks for it!

Linda