Written in Your Heart

For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 

—Romans 2:13-15 (NLT)

Just listening to the law doesn’t make you right with God. Only the love of Jesus on Calvary creates in you a clean heart, and makes you right with Him. Do you know you can instinctively know and follow God’s written law without having even heard it?  When the law is written in your heart by the grace of Jesus, you unconsciously know what you haven’t heard. When your own conscience convicts you that are doing wrong or encourages you that you are doing right, you demonstrate that God’s law is written in your heart. You choose to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, and to live a life that is pleasing to God. 

“Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you,” Paul wrote. “This ‘letter’ is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3, NLT). At Calvary, Jesus wrote His righteousness upon your heart. He imparted it to you when you accepted Him as your Savior. Your heart is a “letter” carved by the Spirit of the living God. It beats and pulsates with His love and grace and wishes to live the worthiness that He imparted at Calvary. It is not a heart of stone that demands performance. It is a heart of flesh that beats with His Spirit. “And I will give you a new heart,” God promised, “and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT). He gave you a new heart when He gave you Jesus. You don’t live by the old covenant. Jesus has torn the veil that separates you from a holy God and given access into His presence. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit gives life. 

“To this day whenever the old covenant is being read,” Paul wrote, “the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:14, NLT). If you know Him, you don’t need to perform for a merciful and loving God because you fear judgment. You live righteously because of His grace. 

“Whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away,” Paul continued, “for the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Live in the freedom that Jesus purchased for you. Live by the Spirit of the living God, and do not try to earn the forgiveness He purchased for you. It is His gift—not your job. 

All of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

—2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com/2018/10/written-in-your-heart.html

Overflowing Grace

Thank God for this gifttoo wonderful for words!

—2 Corinthians 9:15 (NLT)

What is this gift that is just too wonderful for words—a gift so abundant that mere words can’t describe?  “They will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you,” Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:14. Overflowing grace is the gift Paul tells the Corinthians they have received. It is a gift that is never stagnant, but unconsciously brims over and streams into the lives of those to whom they minister. And not only that!  Overflowing grace fosters deep affection, and returns to the giver in prayer.

Has the grace of Jesus overflowed into your life? Does it overflow unconsciously from you into the lives of others or do you feel you have to work at it? Do you consciously tell yourself to extend grace, or is it as natural to you as breathing? Overflowing grace overflows because it is unconsciously rendered from a life that has been forgiven and changed beyond what man can render. Only Jesus offers forgiveness that imparts overflowing grace. It is a gift freely given. Washing away every sin that has blocked us from experiencing God’s abundant love, grace gives us the freedom to receive again and again—and give again and again. 

Many have only touched His garment, and let go. Without exercising faith, they could not cling to their source of redeeming grace. His grace encountered self—that immobile dam of resistance that holds back surrender. And His grace has waited again and again, just longing to hear “Yes, Lord, take all of me.”

Grace changes everything. Nothing remains the same. Love overflows joyfully, and loves the unlovely, and forgives the unforgiven. Overflowing grace is naturally and unconsciously accountable to Jesus who has given His life to offer it. Nothing has to be reasoned or explained. It is the greatest overflowing freedom that was fueled at Pentecost, and shall burn and overflow in our lives as long as we will allow it to burn.

“Jesus, be Jesus in me. No longer me—only you. Overflow in me and break down any resistance of self that looks for the reason. Just love through me, Holy Spirit. Just love.”

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com/2018/10/overflowing-grace.html

His Surpassing Wisdom

The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

—James 3:17 (NLT)

The wisdom that God imparts is gentle, pure, and peaceable. It yields to others and does not insist on its own way. His wisdom is full of mercy, because He is forgiving and merciful. His wisdom brings forth a wealth of good fruit in my life. His wisdom never creates something that is not true in order to make a point.  It is honest and sincere.

I looked up Proverbs 10:18 in several translations. 

The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin (NIV). 

A wise heart takes orders; an empty head will come unglued (MSG). 

The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces (NLT). 

If I don't want to be a “chattering or babbling fool” or have an “empty head” or “come to ruin” or be “unglued” or “fall flat on my face”, I will receive God's instruction gladly and allow Him to guide my life. Without His wisdom, I chatter with no purpose and I have no peace. If I babble to hear myself talk, I do not yield to hear what someone needs to impart. My interest is in me and not in someone else. My words have no power to impart hope and faith to another, because they are full of what I consider “my” wisdom instead of God's wisdom. I chatter on unaware of my own emptiness and shallowness. My words fall flat, and so do I. 

More than anything I want what I say and how I live to make a difference in the life of someone else. To receive God's wisdom, I must yield to His instruction, and accept it gladly. His instruction brings out the best in my life. It results in the wealth of His fruit living in me—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Unlike a chattering tongue with no depth, His wisdom gives the ability to speak truth that makes a difference—that brings hope—that instills peace—that offers greater faith──that gives a new perspective.

“A word fitly spoken” advised King Solomon, “is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11, NKJV). This kind of wise word makes a difference. A friend was speaking of an opportunity that God had extended, and how she believed God was opening doors. Suddenly she began to speak of her fear of failure. Another friend said to her, “do you really believe that God sets you up for failure?” These were wise words that offered a positive perspective. 

Neither does God set us up for failure! Daily seek His surpassing wisdom, and receive His instruction. Always pray for your words to be filled with His love and purpose. Words fitly spoken through the direction of the Holy Spirit not only make a difference in the life of someone else. They inspire you to seek more of Him or less of yourself.

© Lynn Lacher 2018

www.lynnlacher.com/2018/10/his-surpassing-wisdom.html

I'll be gone....

I want to let you know that I'll be gone until Monday, October 15th.  Thanks so much for allowing me to share devotions with you.  I appreciate the opportunity you extend to me. May the Lord guard your heart and mind in Him.  

Lynn

Free to Forgive

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.

 —Luke 6:37, NLT)

Through the years I have learned that the inability to forgive is like a terrible cancerous disease. It eats at your spiritual health and ultimately destroys your relationship with God. Because God has given us a free will to either choose or reject Him, we also have a free will to either forgive or not to forgive.

In this verse in Luke, Jesus explains that if we don't judge, we will not be judged. If we don't condemn, we will not be condemned. If we forgive, we will be forgiven. Isn’t the inability to forgive really judgment of that person? Our hurt and our pain does not give us a license to judge that person. It does not give us a license to allow anger and hate to consume our hearts. In fact Jesus explains in Luke 6:35-36 that we are to “love our enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” We are to love those that hurt us. We can't harbor bitterness. It will only breed more hurt and devastation. We forgive without expecting anything in return. Those we forgive may not receive our forgiveness. But we are to be merciful anyway. Just as Jesus forgives us, we forgive others.

When we are devastated by someone's action, we have a choice what to do with the hurt and pain that arises. If we allow that hurt to define who we are, that pain will immobilize us. We find ourselves in bondage to our bitterness and hate. It directs our lives, and consumes our waking and sleeping moments. Holding on to the pain of unforgiveness is exhausting. Grabbing on to the bars of our emotional prison, we shake and demand our jailor to release us. The truth is we have jailed ourselves. We keep asking God to release the pain, and all along we have had the key to open the door.

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,” Paul writes (2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV). The Holy Spirit invites us to forgive so that we might open the door to our prison. It is our choice.  Are we ready to be released from our bondage of resentment, bitterness, anger, hurt, frustration, hatred, and all that claims a hurting and hardened heart?  When we choose to forgive, then we surrender what we believe we have a right to own. His power will enable our choice and transform our heart. “I will give you a new heart,” the Lord promises, “and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT). With the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us, forgiveness sets us free.

© 2017 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com/2018/10/free-to-forgive.html

Sets My Heart Free

For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

—Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

Scripture has something to say about itself. What it reveals speaks clearly of its own worthiness. The Word of God is alive. It breathes powerful truth and life into my tired dry existence­—into my heart that is crushed—into my mind upon which the enemy etches lies—into my dry bones which ache for His breath of life. It slices through doubt and speaks faith. It exposes wrong attitudes and desires of my heart. It opens my heart to listen to His instruction and obey His truth. It sets me free from a heart which sets conditions on its love

The Word of God instructs that I not only believe what it says, but that I also trust its message by applying it in every aspect of my life. Not only should I follow His revealed truth, but, most importantly, my heart must be pure in its motive. I respect and honor His truth when I live it, and my heart is changed by its powerful message.

I can trust God's Word in every moment of my life. Its very nature is timeless! It is unchanging, and just like Jesus Christ, it is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I can believe its truthful direction for all the circumstances I face, and for decisions I make.

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11, NIV). His Word has a purpose, and it will accomplish Hebrews 4:12 in my life if I will study it and open my heart to its truth.

The Word of God is absolutely trustworthy. I can stand on what it says. I can believe in its promises. Its truth was witnessed and shared by those who personally experienced the power of God. It is God's living Word. He breathed it in human writers with the breath of His Holy Spirit. As I study it and seek His truth, He also breathes His life into me. It changes me to be more like Him. It changes the attitudes and desires of my heart. And thenI can rejoice following His will, because His Word has broadened my understanding and has truly set my heart free.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com/2018/10/sets-my-heart-free.html

For You

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

—John 10:10b (NIV)

How can anyone not believe that God is generous? He lavished His love on us at Calvary. He gives abundant life for earth, and abundant life for eternity. This is the reason He came. To give His life for us! To give joyful life instead of depression and heartache! To give victory over fear! To impart peace in the midst of turmoil! To bring fulfillment! 

Jesus Christ came so that we may know overflowing abundant life in Him. He gave His life for that purpose. He sacrificed all the innocence that He was for all the ugliness that we are. He is the vine that empowers, and we are the branches. When the life of the vine flows into ours, it brings new growth. We flourish in His presence. Our being is one with His.

Whatever you might face today, He has already given victory. He is peace, joy, strength, power, healing, patience, forgiveness! He is everything you cannot be alone. He is all you lack. His life flowing through you is all you need. Look to Him, the author of your faith, and take courage. It is only in Christ that you can have supernatural peace, overflowing strength, unending power, total healing, enduring patience, and humbling forgiveness. But you must allow Him to be Lord of every part of your life. Then and only then will His life accomplish the miraculous in yours.

He is abundant life!  He is your purpose, and your promise. This is the reason He came. For you.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com/2018/10/for-you.html

Best Way

Let me show you a way of life that is best of all. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

—1 Corinthians 12:31b; 2 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

The best way to live is with love. His love, alive and forgiving, sets you free to live without needing to get your own way. His love doesn’t get upset easily and doesn’t keep score when someone wrongs it. His love rejoices when truth prevails—no matter how painful that truth is. His love never gives up—never loses faith—is resiliently hopeful—perseveres against all odds.

Do we love this way? So often, we don’t. Life is about our needs and our desires—not those of someone else. Jesus is our greatest example of unselfish love. He gave up His right to live because of unconditional love. To learn to live with His love, we are also called to give up what we consider our rights for the sake of another person. We have to exercise His love in the most trying situations and circumstances. His love stretches us to reach beyond our selfish limitations and forgive someone who has offended or hurt us—to love with His love that held nothing back.

Years ago, I heard someone make a statement that the Holy Spirit has brought to mind at times when self wants to prove a point or strike back. “There is great freedom when you don’t have to make the last word.” If I want to walk in the grace of His freedom, then I need to exercise the grace of His love in my relationships.

Never tire of His lesson of love. The Lord continually sends it because it will take a life time to completely get it. The world doesn’t get it and goes about its selfish way trying to prove one point or another. His love is lived moment by moment in daily surrender—in unselfishness and forgiveness, washing the feet of one who denies that you even care.

His love is never about us. It is about how He loves through us, and sets us free.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com/2018/10/best-way.html

Safe in Him

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.

—Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)

Fear is about focus. We either keep our focus on God, who gives perfect peace, or we focus on our problems, which overwhelm and remind us that we can’t handle what is wrong. Turmoil and pain, rising from personal conflict, circumstances, or lies of the enemy, can drive us closer to fear instead of closer to God. We worry about what will happen next, or we fear what someone might say or not say, do or not do.

Is this you? Do you struggle with fear that overwhelms? Trusting the Lord means safety. You don’t need to fear people or circumstances. Fear is a dangerous trap of the enemy to keep you from trusting in God’s grace. His safety is nothing like what we envision. We are limited in our perception, but trust inspires greater faith to believe in what we can’t see or hear.

Trust in this world is earned. But trusting God is a choice. God doesn’t need to prove himself. He gave His life for us out of love. Someone might say that Jesus earned our trust by His sacrifice. No. His life was a gift, and we need not do anything to receive His love except say yes. Trust is the gift we give back to Him.

Never be caught in the performance trap. Fearing how someone will judge you renders you helpless and hopeless. Trusting God keeps you safe from the judgments of others and of yourself. It brings the assurance of His grace to meet each need. When your thoughts are focused on Him, faith is stronger. Peace is greater. Joy is effervescent. There is no better place than to put your trust in Him. Safety is never earned. It is His promise.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com/2018/10/safe-in-him.html

Peace You Breathe

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

—John 14:1 (NLT)

My heart is finally at peace, Lord. For years I’d struggled with thoughts that had threatened my heart, but you came, Holy Spirit, and ended the torment. You swept into the barren place where I only existed and bestowed peace. I finally tired of battling the fears of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. When I finally realized the love with which you had accepted me, I had hope for the end of the pain of rejection and heartache. You were the only answer for my heart to be at peace. Trusting you was my only answer.

Trusting you meant letting go of who I perceived myself to be, and allowing you to mold me into who you had created me to me. I’d never discover my identity in you if I didn’t let go of all I thought I had to fix, and allow you to have control. I’d never know your heart beating in me until I let you have my own.

I found trust on your altar. I found trust when I gave up the struggle to take care of only what you could make right. I discovered trust when I let go of my control with praise in my heart for your promise of deliverance. It was a sacrifice of praise and a sacrifice of self. And with that sacrifice came your power gradually strengthening me and wiping the troubled thoughts from my mind. Peace settled in my soul— not as the world gives, but peace as only you can breathe.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com/2018/10/peace-you-breathe.html