A Strong & Trustworthy Anchor

By: Joanne Viola

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.
It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” (Hebrews 6:19, NLT)

The word “anchor” has been stuck in my thoughts for days now. One verse, and one word, flashes me back to a time when we owned a boat. We often went out of Boston Harbor to go fishing and watch firework displays.

One day in particular, a friend insisted on dropping the anchor. My husband usually did this as he was very careful to make sure the anchor “held”. Our friend dropped it, promising that it was good, and our focus returned to fishing and conversation.

It took a while but we came to realize we had gone out to sea, as the anchor was not as secure as one would hope, and we had drifted. We were safe but several lessons have never been forgotten:

• An anchor must be secured. An anchor is heavy, but unless we drop it down and let it settle in a good place, it is useless.
• The drifting process happens slowly. There were three of us on the boat that day and yet not one of us realized we were drifting away. We looked up and suddenly were saying, “Was that buoy there when we dropped the anchor?” Drifting is a slow compromise, a fading of our joy. It was funny that day while fishing. Not so funny when we drift away from the Lord.
• Focus must always be maintained. The shoreline looked the same even though we were now a few miles away from where we had begun. We can so easily think we are still on the right path. Much the way we were distracted with our fishing and conversation, the enemy of our souls will keep us distracted and from noticing our lives are drifting away from the Lord.

The words of this poem state it beautifully:

“I have an anchor
held close and tight
my rock, strength
all that is solid and safe
but useless in my hand
I must let it go, release
the full weight of it
so it may sink deep and hold
in all that is true
all that is You
(by Karin Fendick, “From Ashes to Glory: A Psalm a Day)

Our hope is our anchor and
will always keep us anchored in Christ.
Be sure your anchor is secure.

Photo by Rostyslav Kondrat on Unsplash

 

Growing the Fruit of the Spirit...

by Elizabeth Stewart

Today I walked to a vacant lot near my house and clipped a few branches of apple blossoms off of  a crabapple tree. The blooming branches look lovely placed in a vase and sitting on top of the cabinet next to my favorite chair in our kitchen nook.

While I love the beauty of fruit tree blossoms, blossoms aren't the fruit, are they?  They are the sign of fruit to come. When autumn comes, that tree in the vacant lot will be full of crabapples. In the meanwhile it isn't stressed out about bearing fruit. It doesn't strive, work and sweat to produce fruit. It simply soaks up water and nutrients from the soil through its roots and absorbs sunlight as well as carbon dioxide through its leaves and the fruit eventually comes!

For too long I've treated the list of the fruit of the Spirit as a to-do list. It was the list of character traits that I needed to strive toward. I needed to try harder to be loving. Try harder to be patient. Try harder to be gentle. Try harder to have more self-control. And then one day, I actually noticed these words in my Amplified Bible. "But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]." Galatians 5:22-23 AMPC

I realized that I couldn't produce the fruit of the Spirit in my life by working harder. Growing the fruit of the Spirit in my life was the Holy Spirit's job. My part was to let Him have His way in me, to yield and surrender to His work in my life. "May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]." Ephesians 3:16 AMPC 

As I let the Holy Spirit have His way within my spirit, He infuses my personality with Christ-like character, the fruit of the Spirit. I don't lose my unique personality, but I become more of the me God created me to be. 

In the margin of my Bible I wrote the words, "Pray daily!" next to Galatians 5:22. Care to join me?

Holy Spirit, I yield and surrender to Your work within me today. Fill me, strengthen me and dwell within every part of my innermost being and personality. Accomplish in me what only You can do. Infuse me with the character of Christ. Let His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control grow in me today. Amen.

www.justfollowingjesus.com

I Am Overwhelmed

By: Jenifer Metzger

Do you feel overwhelmed? You're not alone. Life gets heavy sometimes and we face so many circumstances that we just get overwhelmed. Often, we don't even realized we are overwhelmed until we lose it; like when we blow up at our spouse, we scream at our kids, we cry at the simplest thing, or we eat an entire carton of ice cream in a night.

When I am overwhelmed,

You alone know the way I should turn.

Psalm 142:3

We are a lot like nature. With spring brings new life to the trees. For this new life to come, the tree must release the old life. It must let go of the old, dead leaves. It's not that those leaves are bad, but their time has come to be released. Once gone, the tree can grow again.

Sometimes we must release something. Maybe we need to release an activity or responsibility. The release may be temporary or it may need to be a permanent letting go. Or, perhaps, we just need to release that breath we've been holding.

Come to me, all of you who are

weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Friend, if you are feeling overwhelmed, if you feel like you could just lose it at any moment, take it to God. He alone knows they way you should turn. He knows what you need to release and when you need to release it and for how long you need to release it. God alone can give you the rest and refreshment that you so desperately need.

It's time for Share A Link Wednesday! Each Wednesday we invite you to leave a link to your latest blog post in the comments. We still desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories.

The Bedrock Of Our Faith

By: Joanne Viola

People may dismiss the claim of Christ’s resurrection because of the “impossibility” of it all. Truly it must be accepted by faith, after all, science would never be able to prove it.

“The physical resurrection of Christ is a bedrock belief of Christian faith. In fact, the apostle Paul says in
1 Corinthians 15:14: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith,” and we might as well “eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (15:32). On what basis might people dismiss the Christian claim of the resurrection of Christ? Does it really matter if Christ was raised or not?”
(from Discover Jesus by Dr. Henrietta C. Mears, page 152)

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus matters is of the utmost importance. Three truths emerge from the life and death of Christ:

1. With His life, Jesus shows us how to live. “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did”
   (1 John 2:6, NLT). Jesus lived His life here on earth in union with God, showing love to those around Him. And so we should live our days.
2. With His death, Jesus shows us the way to salvation. “For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22b, NLT). We gain salvation through the shed blood of Jesus on the Cross. Christ’s death established the new covenant, providing complete forgiveness of sin.
3. With His resurrection, Jesus shows us the way to overcome death. “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57, NLT). He lives forever and therein, lies our hope of living with Him forever. 

All three aspects are key to our faith and relationship with Christ.
Jesus, Only Jesus.
In His life. In His death. In His resurrection.

 

 

 

Photo by Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash

 

 

Easter 2019!

by Elizabeth Stewart

Through Jesus' death and resurrection we have

 salvation,

 forgiveness, 

cleansing from sin,

eternal life,

 reconciliation with Father God, 

healing

 and

 deliverance.

How sad if we forget this

 and live our life without receiving and walking in all the wonderful benefits

 of what Jesus has done for us.

www.justfollowingjesus.com

On this Solemn Friday

By: Sarah Geringer

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?").

Matthew 27:46 NIV

Jesus had never been separated from his Father until the day we remember as Good Friday.

In taking sin’s curse upon himself on the cross, Jesus had to accept that terrible sentence. 

This may have been the worst of his sufferings, but he suffered many other things for your sake that day.

On this solemn Friday about 2,000 years ago, Jesus removed the barrier between us once and for all so we can live in his presence forever if we believe in him.

On this solemn Friday, take a few quiet moments to remember what Jesus suffered for you.

Meditate on Matthew 26 and 27:

Jesus was betrayed and deserted by his closest friends.

He was mocked by religious authorities.

He was spit upon, slapped and beaten by the Pharisees.

Jesus was flogged with a lead-tipped whip, a treatment that often killed others.

He was stripped naked and shamed.

He wore a painful crown of thorns.

Jesus was nailed to the cross.

He listened to shouts of abuse from those who knew the most about God's Word.

He was offered sour wine.

Jesus released his spirit for you.

His body was wrapped in linen and laid in a tomb.

Honor Jesus today in your own way for everything he suffered for you on that solemn Friday.

If you want to share feedback on this post, please leave a comment below. You can always share at my site if you have any trouble leaving a comment here.

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Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings and God's peace to you,

Sarah Geringer
Finding Peace in God's Word

Photo from Canva.com

Reflection questions:

1. Have you ever felt forsaken? If so, how does Jesus' story make you feel less alone?

2. How can you find comfort in Jesus’ suffering?

His Purpose

By: Jenifer Metzger

Early in the book of Genesis we see sin enter into the world. The earth was no longer flawless, no longer sinless. As time continues on, evil is all around. God loved His earth, His creation. He loved His people. So, He gave His people commandments to live by. Yet, many wouldn't follow this commands. But God had another plan.

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.

John 3:16

God sent His Son, His one and only Son to this world to die for us. Jesus' purpose of coming to this earth was to die for us. For you. He died so that we can live. He came to give us life.

...I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full.
John 10:10

As we near Easter, let's praise Jesus for what He did for us.

It's time for Share A Link Wednesday! Each Wednesday we invite you to leave a link to your latest blog post in the comments. We still desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories.

He Comes to Save

By: Joanne Viola

Yesterday was Palm Sunday - the day we remember the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

"Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven" (Mark 11:9-10, NLT)

We have all seen the images – Jesus riding on a lowly donkey. The crowd around Him. The palms waving as He passes by.

The people had expectations of Him which would go unmet. They wanted Him to come and restore kingship, leadership to Israel.

His very actions were indicative this would not be. He had not come to be the military and political leader they were hoping to receive. No matter how big of a reception they were to give Him, He was not going to overthrow and take political action.

Their shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” were shouts for Him to save them.

Yet they missed the point –  He was not coming to save them from their society. Instead of salvation from their political and social oppression, He had come to bring salvation for their souls.

The ones who stood praising and waving palms would soon be the very ones to yell, “Crucify Him!” when they faced disappointment in His mission.

Are we any different than the crowd that day?

We have a tendency to desire a particular outcome to our present circumstances, rather than see the treasure which may lie hidden in the dark times. We long for immediate relief or comfort over the eternal.

And yet Jesus still says to us today:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33b, NIV)

Jesus knew this world would bring each of us much turmoil and discomforts. But He gave us Himself – His Presence – to get us through these times. Even when surrounded by that which makes us fearful, anxious, and unsettled, we can be in peace and have peace.

May our adoration of Jesus be firmly established in our hearts and minds.
And may we wave our palms in worship to Him, each and every day!

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

Palm Sunday thoughts...

by Elizabeth Stewart

With His gaze set on His destiny, His will yielded in obedience to His Father, and His great heart set on the joy of the redemption He was going to bring to all who would receive Him, Jesus entered Jerusalem. As He road into the city on a borrowed donkey, the crowd gathered along the road, cutting branches from the trees and removing their coverings to lay them in the road before Him. "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest!", they cried.

Gathered in that praising crowd there were those that, just days later, would be trading their praises for shouts of, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Perhaps they became offended when He entered their temple, turning over the tables of the money changers and those that sold the doves for sacrifice, declaring that His house was to be a house of prayer and not a den of robbers. Perhaps they listened to the chief priests and scribes who insisted that He was full of the devil and was most definitely not the long awaited Messiah. Perhaps they became disillusioned when He didn't fight against their Roman oppressors like they thought the Messiah would. Perhaps it was all of the above. He just wasn't measuring up to their idea of what and Who they thought the Messiah would be, which means He must be an imposter. Their disappointment in Him turned into despite of Him.

Also, gathered in that praising crowd were those who were convinced of His goodness. They had seen Him heal the sick, feed the hungry, raise the dead.Yet, they couldn't quite put the puzzle pieces together about Him. Was He John the Baptist come back to life, maybe Elijah? Was He another great prophet sent from God?

There were a few in the crowd who knew in their heart Who He was. He was the Messiah sent from God. Some of the things He said and did were hard for them to understand. His talk of His coming death made no sense to them. If He knew that the religious leaders were out to kill Him, why was He insisting on going to Jerusalem right into their trap? Yet, He had changed their lives. Their understanding of Him was lacking, but still growing. Yet, they believed.

This weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday. Next week our churches will probably be a but more full than usual as we gather to celebrate Easter Sunday. Like that Palm Sunday crowd centuries ago, there will be those who have ideas and expectations about Who Jesus is, yet they don't really know Him personally. They may come in disillusioned about Him because of suffering and injustice that has touched their life. They may even be offended or angry. There will also be those Who think Jesus was a good man, a prophet or a great teacher. They don't realize that He is God's only Son, the Messiah, the Savior sent to save them from their sin, the One Way to relationship with Father God and life eternal. And there will be those Who really know who Jesus is, they have made the choice to receive Him as their Savior and Lord. Perhaps they don't understand Him fully, but they are seeking Him and wanting to grow in their understanding of Him and relationship with Him.  This week let's pray for those who will gather in our churches this coming Easter Sunday-the hurting, the offended and angry ones, the unbelieving, the disappointed, the seeking-that God's truth would penetrate their minds, that the reality of Who Jesus is will be made clear to them, that God's love will penetrate their hearts, that they will open their hearts to Him, receive Him and decide to follow Him.

www.justfollowingjesus.com

Offering the Fruits of the Spirit

By: Sarah Geringer

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

What is your favorite fruit?

I love fruit and eat it every day. It's hard for me to pick a favorite, but I think cherries take the prize.

When I think of fruit, happy memories come to the surface. My great-grandma put fresh raspberries in coffeecakes, wild blackberries in custard pie, and grapes from her own vine in homemade grape juice. My mouth is watering just thinking about that dark, flavor-packed juice in a Mason jar.

My grandma helped me grow my first cantaloupe when I was probably 8 years old. Nothing tasted better on a hot, humid August day than ripe cantaloupe from the garden.

Picking strawberries with my children. Fighting playfully over who gets the fresh pineapple juice while my husband and I cook Chinese food. Making a fresh cherry pie, all from scratch, with cherries picked from the tree at the family farm.

Fruit is a simple, delightful pleasure for almost everyone I know. I love that the Bible describes the best parts of the Christian life with a metaphor of fruit.

When we bear fruit through the Holy Spirit's power, we cause others to crave God. 

Our love, joy, and peace taste much sweeter than the stale offerings of the world.
Our patience, kindness, and goodness whet others' appetites with the flavors of heaven.
Our faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are refreshing and rejuvenating compared to the harsh, bitter everyday fare that lost and hurting souls take in every day.

You know how wonderful fresh fruit tastes. When you share the fruit of the Spirit with others, you give them a taste of God's goodness and abundance. 

I know it's difficult to keep offering good fruit when you feel worn down. The beauty of this scripture is that you don't really have to do anything except depend on the Holy Spirit to produce fruit through you. 

When you abide in God's presence, you are connected to the Vine who will produce fruit in your life.

Friend, I encourage you to draw close to Jesus in these twelve days before Easter. Consider His sacrifice for you, and how you can share the good news of Easter with someone this year.

Abide in Jesus' presence, and He will produce fruit through you.

Remember, you may be the only person who shows Jesus to someone else today. What you do and say really matters, because you are chosen and loved by God, and He has given you a unique purpose to fulfill.

If you want to share feedback on this post, please leave a comment below. You can always share at my site if you have any trouble leaving a comment here.

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Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings and God's peace to you,

Sarah Geringer
Finding Peace in God's Word

Photo from Canva.com

Reflection questions:

1. Which fruit of the spirit is easiest for you to bear, and why?

2. How can you bear more spiritual fruit leading up to Easter?