Author: MaryEllen

I am a follower of Christ, on mission for God, fueled by His Word and empowered by His Spirit. My life has been blessed but not perfect, crippled with mistakes but forever changed by His grace.
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Quiet Time, She, Volume 2, The Gospel

The True Harlot Mother

Posted on by MaryEllen

Adapted from She, Volume 2/p83-84

Read: 1 Kings 3

If you’ve heard the story, you already know the outcome; if you haven’t, then you may be surprised at the King’s first suggestion and the vastly different reactions of the women. Whether the story is new to you or well-known, we must be careful not to brush it aside as irrelevant to us today. Our circumstances and life choices may never place us in the exact scenario of the two mothers, but throughout our lifetime, we will inevitably face difficult choices – choices that make us choose right from wrong, good or evil, love or hate, gain or loss – and in all of these, we must choose carefully. Our decisions must be made with a heart yielded and committed to God’s glory (the righteous choice), even if it means suffering great loss. After all, Jesus told His disciples (including us): whoever wanted to follow Him would need to deny themselves daily and take up their cross, which, as explained by one commentary1, means to: “accept the rejection of the world for turning to Jesus and following him. Discipleship involves a death that is like a crucifixion (Gal. 2: 20 and 6:14).” This is why Jesus went on to say: ‘Whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life because of me will save it” (Luke 9:24).

Solomon could not tell from their words which woman was telling the truth. Instead, he issued a shocking command: “Bring me a sword. . . . Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other”

(1 Kings 3:24–25). 
Reflection and Application
  • Leave a comment below with another example of someone willing to suffer great loss for God’s glory.
The More We Know

The chapter’s final verse notes the effect that Solomon’s unorthodox methods had on the kingdom: “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice” (1 Kings 3:28). Solomon’s wisdom had been given by God when Solomon requested it (verse 5). The account of Solomon’s handling of the case of the two prostitutes showed that he had indeed been granted wisdom from God. ~ (Got questions.org)

Dear reader, if you do not know Jesus… if you have never professed your faith in Him, I invite you to explore “Know These Truths” where you will discover the Way to everlasting life and an indescribable joy. It is available to all who believe.

Know These Truths
  1. Biblegateway.com sn Only Luke mentions taking up one’s cross daily. To bear the cross means to accept the rejection of the world for turning to Jesus and following him. Discipleship involves a death that is like a crucifixion; see Gal 6:14. ↩︎
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Quiet Time, She, Volume 2

The Widow with Two Mites

Posted on by MaryEllen

Adapted from She, Volume 2/pp89-90

Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4

While there is much we can learn from the story of the widow and her two mites, two things stood out to me the most. First, as gotquestions.org points out, “God sees what man overlooks. The big gifts in the temple were surely noticed by people; that’s probably what the disciples were watching. But Jesus saw what no one else did: He saw the humble gift of a poor widow. This was the gift that Jesus thought worthy of comment; this was the gift that the disciples needed to be aware of. The other gifts in the treasury that day made a lot of noise as they jingled into the receptacles, but the widow’s mites were heard in heaven.”

God sees what man overlooks.

Got questions.org

The widow mentioned by Mark and Luke is used by Christ to teach the disciples the difference of giving from your wealth and giving from your poverty. In other words there is more value in giving two small coins when you have nothing left to give and giving “large sums” with an abundance left over. Borrowing again from gotquestions.org, “The difference is one of proportion. The rich were giving large sums, but they still retained their fortunes; the widow “put in everything—all she had to live on” (Mark 12:44). Hers was a true sacrifice; the rich had not begun to give to the level of her sacrifice.

“Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God – which is your reasonable service.”

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NET‬‬

 “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43–44; cf. Luke 21:1–4).

The widow with two mites serves as an example of how any sacrifice for Christ does not go unnoticed by Him.

She, Volume 2//90

Friends, let’s ask Jesus to help us see as He sees and to make much of even the smallest things done for or given in His name. May our gifts and works for God be ones of faith and sacrifice, rather than those born of duty or seeking notice.

Reflection and Application

  • What has the widow taught you?

Posted in Conversations With God, God is good, Uncategorized

So Much More to Say

Posted on by MaryEllen

Father, You are good – blessing me with the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit – through whom You have not only sealed me as Your own and fulfilled Your promise to always be with me, but You also made a way to communicate with me.

There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future.

You are good to speak TRUTH and in Your omniscient power, You know what to say and when I need to hear it.

I am blessed that You, the Most High God, would want to speak with me; and even greater is the blessing to know the depth of Your desire to make it happen meant sending Christ – Your only begotten Son – to live in human flesh and die in my place on a cross of shame.

To say that “You are good” does not begin to convey Who You are nor what You have done – for truly – Your greatness no one can fathom!

Surely, God, Your Name is great and greatly to be praised! And at the Name of Jesus, Your Son, every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue will confess that He is Lord! And this to Your glory – my Father and my God! Amen and amen!

Posted in Bible study, Conversations With God, From the Insideout, God is good

God’s Goodness through His Word

Posted on by MaryEllen

Father, You are good! You are kind and gracious to call us into Your Presence and to give us Your Word and Your Spirit that we might hear from You and know You and Your will. And in doing so – we are forever changed!

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Rom 10:17

We are saved by Your Word! We are built up and sanctified by It – changed and set apart for You.

Now I entrust you to God and to the Word of His grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those He has set apart for Himself. Acts 20:32

Knowing It protects us.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Ps 119:11

My child pay attention to what i say. Listen carefully to My words, for they are life to those who find them and healing to their whole body. Prov 4:20-22

Your Spirit teaches It to us and counsels us with It and by It we are convicted and made right.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to You. John 14:26

Father, no matter what else I forget and no matter how deaf or blind I may continue to become – please – never let me fail to remember Your Word or to hear Your voice or to follow where It leads. In Jesus’ powerful name – amen and amen!

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good

Celebration of Life

Posted on by MaryEllen

God you are good! You have, this day, blessed me with 57 years of life🎉 This number represents more than years of life though – it is a reminder that …

  • through FAITH in Jesus Christ, I have known you as my God for 51 years – and
  • for 30 years I have been GROWING in the knowledge of Your grace and of my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ ❤️ and in the nurture and admonition of Your amazing, never failing LOVE!

So while I celebrate and am deeply thankful another year of life today – my greater celebration is in You!

  • I bow in worship and celebrate who You are and that You made Yourself known to me!
  • I bless Your Name – Name above all Names – and celebrate being adopted into Your family and known as a child of God!
  • I praise You for all that you have done for me for 57 years – and celebrate my salvation 51 years ago – and Your mercy to bring me to a fuller understanding of Your Grace and to grow me up in the nurture and admonition of Your Love over the past 30 years!

As I was writing these words – a song from many years back started playing in my mind – And will be my song of celebration today 🎶

Listen to my birthday song

Posted in Uncategorized

Good Reminders

Posted on by MaryEllen

Do you ever wake to thoughts of the past that stir up regrets or to thoughts of the future that stir up fears? This morning was one of those mornings for me.

As I lay there, struggling with the ‘if onlys’ of the past and the ‘what ifs’ of the future – God, in His goodness, prodded me with His Spirit – reminding me (speaking words right into my very soul, it seemed) to fix my thoughts on Him. He was specific, reminding me that this is the day that the Lord has made and I should rejoice and be glad in it. He whispered, Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. I quickly rose in the strength of the reminders – knowing they were words of life and victory over the enemy’s attempt to steal and kill and destroy – but found myself still trying to shake off the regrets and fears that had been stirred up – unfortunately, they didn’t shake off like sand but stuck like caked-on dirt. He rescued me though with one final word – PEACE – reminding me that those who trust in Him and fix their thoughts on Him are kept in perfect peace. With that I was able to move forward free from the debris of fears and regrets and finding myself in worship and awe of God’s goodness. 

As I spent time in the wonder and worship of what had just transpired I looked up the reference He had whispered about Jesus being the author and finisher of my faith – curious as to why that one for this situation and I found these words preceding those: 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down (i.e. Fears and regrets) especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us fixing our eyes on Jesus … Hebrews 12:1-2

Familiar words for sure, hidden away but not thought of or quoted for a while now – but certainly putting into deeper perspective the beauty of how God uses His Spirit and His Word in our lives. 

…the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26

My child pay attention to what I say, listen carefully to My words. Don’t lose sight of them, for they are life to those who find them and healing to their whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22

Prayer: Father, You are good and in Your goodness You have won the battle over the thoughts of regrets and fear that plagued my mind. When You are for us what can stand against us? So, it is in gladness I have risen up to meet this day and it is with thanksgiving that I fix my eyes on Christ, the author and finisher of my faith, and through whom I find forgiveness and renewed strength. It is with steadfast HOPE that I entrust – not just this day – but all the days of my future, whether here on earth or in heaven with You. Yes God, You are good and I praise You for Your Presence in my life and for the work of Your Spirit to remind me of everything You have said. You are a good good Father! It’s who You are and You are mine because of my faith in Jesus Christ. I know You are working all things together for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose – and in this TRUTH I find PEACE. Thank you for intimately knowing every detail of my life, for knowing the words I needed to hear this morning and for speaking them into me. Is it any wonder that I love and trust You? For surely I have tasted and seen that You are Good! 

Blessings – from the Inside Out 💕

Posted in Uncategorized

How Do We Choose?

Posted on by MaryEllen

I am currently doing the Love God Greatly study on Joshua. This morning’s scripture was from Joshua 13:1-8 and Isaiah 66:3-4 and lead me to these thoughts …

  • Our choices matter to Him
  • We put ourselves and our relationship with Him in great jeopardy when we choose our own ways over His
  • The same is true when we attempt to align His will with ours or come up with a combination of the two instead of fully aligning our will with His
  • When He calls He wants us to answer
  • When He speaks He wants us to listen

My child pay attention to what I say, listen carefully to My words. Don’t lose sight of them for they bring life to those who find them … Proverbs 4:20-22

In this world we will face situations everyday where we must choose our way or His. The question is how do we consistently make the right choice?

As children of God and joint-heirs with Christ we must be careful and intentional with our choices. We must strive to faithfully make God – His Word and Spirit – our guide and priority over what we see and feel and desire.

His will, His pleasure, His ways … should be our utmost criteria.

cri·te·ri·on

noun

plural noun: criteria – a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided.

From the InsideOut 💕

Borderline Believers

Posted in Bible study, Joshua

Do Not Be Afraid! The Freedom of God’s Promises and Presence

Posted on by MaryEllen

We read in Joshua 10:42 that Joshua and his army had defeated all the kings and their lands in one campaign because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. It’s a beautiful and awe-inspiring story that plays out through the entirety of chapter 10, a sequel to the preceding chapters of the book and a set-up for what happens in chapter 11. 

All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.  Joshua 10:42

Chapter 11 opens with King Jabin hearing of this and sending word to the kings throughout the land.  It tells of all the Kings joining forces, of their troops and a large number of horses and chariots – describing them as a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Joshua gets wind of this and is once again reminded by God to not be afraid.

“Do not be afraid of them because by this time tomorrow I will hand them over to Israel, slain.” Joshua 11:6

Joshua trusted the LORD and called his army into battle once again. 

And the LORD gave them into the hands of Israel. Joshua 11:8

There is truly one amazing story after another in these chapters of Joshua where we read of God continually calling His people to not be afraid. Though they had plenty of reasons to fear He had commanded them to be strong and courageous. He also Infused them with the very courage He had commanded by promising His presence with them and often telling them what He would do for them.  

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Complying with the command meant trusting and obeying, but their obedience led to success in their battles and victory over their enemies just as God had promised. 

His call and promised victories are the same for us today. As His children, we are to be strong and courageous as we live in obedience to Him, infused with the promise that He is with us we are to stand firm in the battle,  and claim the victory promised in Jesus’ Name. 

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ . 1 Corinthians 15:57

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

As He told Joshua, He also tells us in Ephesians to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. He infuses us with courage by allowing and calling us to put on His full armor so that we can take our stand against the schemes of our enemy. He reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

I’m guessing He knew how terrifying that would sound because He follows it up with another reminder to put on His full armor, so that when the day of evil comes, we will be able to stand our ground. In addition to this promise He prepares us for the battle by teaching us about the armor: 

  • the belt of truth – buckled around your waist
  • the breastplate of righteousness – in place
  • feet fitted with the readiness – that comes from the gospel of peace
  • the shield of faith – with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one
  • the helmet of salvation
  • the sword of the Spirit – which is the word of God
  • and prayer in the Spirit – on all occasions with all kinds of prayers

There will be times that the battles and the enemy seems more than we can bear – perhaps – as with Joshua and his enemy, even “more numerous than the grains of sand on the seashore” – but we are assured that He is with us wherever we go.

 “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. … You know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

 This world is full of evil and it will call to us and seek to overcome us – for the enemy seeks to steel, kill and destroy – but we can live free of its fear because Christ has already won the battle – and God has given us the victory through Him!

You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is living in you is greater than the one who is living in the world. 1 John 4:4

As God spoke to Joshua, He speaks to us through the the words of Christ … 

“… In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Me – from the Insideout💕

Posted in Uncategorized

The Importance of Remembering

Posted on by MaryEllen

“We all struggle to remember what God has done for us, and that spiritual memory loss often shows itself in complaining. Complaining reveals a heart that has forgotten what God saved you from and where He is taking you.

We need to get back to remembering.” Love God Greatly https://lovegodgreatly.com/

In Joshua 4 God instituted a tangible, visible, conversation -inducing memorial with a God-given purpose. He wanted them not just to remember for themselves but He wanted others (specifically here – their children) to know what He had done for them.

God wanted Joshua and those who crossed the Jordan with him to be able to tell how God had worked in their lives.

He wants the same for His children today. God wants those who live around us and come behind us – our children, neighbors, friends and even strangers – to see and to hear about the things He has done for us, in us, and through us. So that they will know and understand Who He Is.

We must remember what He’s done from the time of our salvation to now. We must look for His fingerprints and remember them – it’s a game changer! We will look different, sound different and live different and when we are asked we will be ready with an answer for the Hope that is us.

Me- From the Inside Out 💕

Posted in Uncategorized

My Battle Cry

Posted on by MaryEllen

“Father, You Are Good!” This is my heart cry – my battle cry – each new morning. For the knowledge and experience of His Goodness – NOT just what He does but who He is – is what gets me through each day. The knowledge and experience of what He does and Who He is is my STRENGTH when I am weak. It is my PEACE when I am anxious and CALMS me when I am fearful. It is my LIGHT when my pathway seems or is dark and confusing and it is my GUIDE and my COUNSEL when decisions lie before me. It is my COMFORT when I am lonely or sad and my PROTECTION when I am in danger. It is my REST when I am tired and weary. It is the SOLID GROUND beneath my feet when life becomes like shifting sands and it is the very AIR that I breathe when panic seizes me. It is the HOPE of each new day and the GUARDIAN of my mind when I lie down to sleep at night. It is my daily FREEDOM from the law of sin and death and my FORGIVENESS when I fall. Such knowledge and experience EMPOWERS me to WAIT EXPECTANTLY and to TRUST with EXCEEDINGLY GREAT HOPE.  It is my JOY and the DELIGHT of my heart to know Him and His goodness. 

Taste and see that the LORD is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!  Psalm 34:8