Category: Bible study

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Everlasting Covenant: An Unconditional Covenant

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Today’s Scripture: Genesis 9:12-17 (S.O.A.P. Genesis 9:12-13)

12 Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. 13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. 14 When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, 15 and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. 16 When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” 17 Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”

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Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout

From the Insideout: Everlasting Covenant – Week 1, Tuesday

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The rainbow has been used in many different ways throughout history, such as an acronym, Roy G. Biv, for the sequence of hues commonly described as making up a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, or as a trademark in the advertisement of a popular cereal, and the infamous path to a pot of gold. However, it’s first use as a symbol precedes each of these by centuries and carries much more importance.

We find it mentioned for the first time as a sign of a covenant between Noah and all generations that followed. God said it was to signify that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. He called it a guarantee, and to this day He has held true to His promise.

Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. 13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.

Genesis 9:12-13

Since childhood, when I see a rainbow I’ve been intrigued. First of all – where’s it’s end and is there really a pot of gold there? (Ok, be honest, you’ve wondered the same thing.) However, having been raised in a Christian home and taken to church from birth – I learned very early on through Bible story books and flannel graph lessons (yes, I am that old) – that what I was seeing meant God had made a promise. Somewhere along the way, as I grew and matured in my understanding of that promise I moved from simple intrigue and being mesmerized by it’s beauty to giving thanks to God for His promise, and then to being humbled by His faithful grace and mercies to His people.

As I reread the passage today, I noticed three things –

He gave a sign for Noah and all generations to come. God could have simply said, “I promise.”, but He’s a relational God and He chose to give His people a visible sign. He called it a guarantee, a term meant to imply or encourage trust in the one making the promise.

Then there’s the placement of the sign. “I will place My rainbow in the clouds.” When I think about clouds, I think of “looking up”, an act I immediately associate with “looking to God”. I think of Scriptures like Psalm 121: 1-2, where the Psalmist said he looked up to the hills because he knew his help came from the Lord, and of Luke 21:25-28 where Jesus, Himself, said that the people were to look up because their redemption was coming.

25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

Luke 21:25-28

However, the thing I found most interesting is that Scripture doesn’t say that the rainbow is to be a reminder for Noah and the generations to come, I guess that’s a given since a sign is meant to be noticed. It does, however, say that He will notice it and remember it as the guarantee He made to His children. God is God – He is the omniscient – all knowing – God. Forgetfulness is not one of His characteristics, but just as He can declare that He will not remember our sins against us* – He can “claim the right” to remember a promise made. His statement, as the symbol itself, is an indication of the how serious He is about the promise.

*31 “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

Jeremiah 31:31-34

God is serious about His promise so He gives His people a visible sign to confirm it, a sign that is a reminder still today. A symbol of trust that has not worn out with the passing of time. A symbol that awakens a fresh remembrance of a faithful and loving God. A symbol of hope, of grace, of mercy, and of love.

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Bridge to Everlasting Covenant Week 2, Friday

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Question of the Day: According to verse 17, the law was given through Moses, but what was given through Jesus Christ?

Today’s Scripture: John 1:14-18 (S.O.A.P. John 1:14)

So the Word became human[a] and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[b] And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

15 John testified about Him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for He existed long before me.’”

16 From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.[c] 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is Himself God,[d] is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

The Prayer God Loves to answer
Don’t Let Me Miss the Glory

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Bridge to Everlasting Covenant Week 2, Thursday

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Question of the Day: Who does the phrase, “own people,” refer to in verse 11?

Today’s Scripture: John 1:6-13 (S.O.A.P. John 1: 10-11)

 God sent a man, John the Baptist,[a] 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. 11 He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him. 12 But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

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Bridge to Everlasting Covenant Week 2, Wednesday

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Question of the Day: Verse 4 says, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.” Who is “Him” referring to?

Today’s Scripture: John 1:1-5 (S.O.A.P. John 1:4-5)

Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,[a]
    and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.[b]

Posted in Bible study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Malachi 4:2-3 … Leaping for Joy

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The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.

2 “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. 3 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Malachi 4:1-3

The Coming Day of Judgment

Have you ever read a passage of Scripture and then read it again only to say – huh? Sometimes you just have to use a commentary or call someone smarter than you. I opted for a commentary with today’s passage from Malachi, and before I finish this I won’t be surprised if I need to call someone. .

Reading through several trusted commentaries I learned that the phrase – “The sun of Righteousness” in verse 1 typically refers to the coming Messiah. I reread that first verse and the phrase “healing in His wings” jumped off the page, revealing, yet again, the HOPE that comes from being in Christ – belonging to God. Reading on through verse 2 with this fresh awareness I found myself smiling at the scene – where, in stark contrast to the wicked, described in verse 1 as being consumed — roots, branches, and all – we, who fear His name, are set free – “leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture”. As I mulled this one over – I was reminded of one of my favorite verses “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free …” Now, I don’t know if a Bible scholar would put these two verses together in any way, but for me, one highlights the other – for I am no longer bound or held captive by the law of sin and death instead, I live in freedom because the Messiah came to set me free. Oh, how I love when the Old Testament meets the New Testament, or visa versus, and defines its or at least shines a light on it.

The next part is still puzzling to me, but what I did notice was the description of God as – “the LORD of Heaven’s Armies” is the same reference of hope that the Psalmist used in our reading from Psalm 46 on Friday. Remember? He was referenced as being “on our side”. This picture goes with the commentary I found in my NIV study Bible for Malachi, that says –

“These last verses of the Old Testament are filled with hope. Regardless of how life looks now, God controls the future, and everything will be made right. We who have loved and served God look forward to a joyful celebration. This hope for the future becomes ours when we have trusted God with our lives.”

NIV Study Bible Note on Malachi 4:2-3

Some 400 plus years after these words from Malachi, the Messiah was indeed born, and with Him came the deliverance that had been promised and long-awaited. As believers today, we revel in the freedom received through Faith in the One who was born of a virgin, suffered, bled, and died for our sins, and rose again from the grave – delivering us from the bondage of sin and death. He is our Hope, the Anchor for our soul, and the reason we can proclaim with confidence – God is in control! I have nothing to fear! Christ, “the Sun of Righteousness,” is the reason we wait with confidence and not dread of the coming day of judgment when we will stand before God in the Righteousness and freedom of Christ and we will echo the words of the Psalmist and of Malachi – The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is on our side!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Quiet Time

“For Such a Time As This”

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God is our strong refuge; he is truly our helper in times of trouble. 2 For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes, and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea, 3 when its waves crash and foam, and the mountains shake before the surging sea. (Selah) 4 The river’s channels bring joy to the city of God, the special, holy dwelling place of the Most High. 5 God lives within it, it cannot be moved. God rescues it at the break of dawn. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms are overthrown. God gives a shout, the earth dissolves. 7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Selah) 8 Come, Witness the exploits of the Lord, who brings devastation to the earth. 9 He brings an end to wars throughout the earth.
He shatters the bow and breaks the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God. I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!” 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob is our stronghold!  (Selah)

Psalm 46

How appropriately timed is this passage for the current events and conditions of our nation? An unprecedented time of great proportions – with the ongoing pandemic and its ensuing rivalries and the unprecedented political unrest – both amid the growing social unrest of riots and killings. When I read today’s passage I couldn’t help but think of Mordecai’s words, “For such a time as this”, in the book of Esther.

Embattled in a seemingly, unending pandemic that continues to claim lives and somehow disrupt unity – and the political and social unrest that disrupts peace it seems fitting to be reminded to “Stop striving”. I find it good and comforting to be reminded – “For such a time as this”, to recognize that HE IS GOD! He declared, “I WILL BE EXALTED over the nations! I WILL BE EXALTED over the earth!” If I believe this declaration, and I do – should I not also live in peace KNOWING that He truly is my helper in these unprecedented times of trouble? Should I not rest in the TRUTH that The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on my side and the God of Jacob is my stronghold? Should I not rise up with the Psalmist and say – “For this reason I do not fear because my God WILL BE EXALTED?” He wins, and He alone will bring peace in His perfect timing over this pandemic and racism and brutality and political unrest! For He is God!

“For such a time as this” – in the midst of the turmoil of our day let us remember to take comfort and strength and find courage and joy in knowing that He is on our side! He is our stronghold!

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. It was tempting for the nation of Israel to align with foreign powers, and God reminds them that ultimately He is exalted! God wins, and He will bring peace. During Isaiah’s time, Judah looked for help from the Egyptians, even though God warned against it. Judah did not need Egyptian might; they needed reliance on the Lord: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).

When we are still and surrendered to God, we find peace even when the earth gives way, the mountains fall (verse 2), or the nations go into an uproar and kingdoms fall (verse 6). When life gets overwhelming and busyness takes precedence, remember Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Run to Him, lay down your weapons and fall into His arms. Acknowledge that He is God and that He is exalted in the earth. Be still and know that He is God.

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Psalm 46 Reference

Posted in Bible study, Quiet Time

Psalm 40:11-17

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O Lord, you do not withhold your compassion from me. May your loyal love and faithfulness continually protect me! 12 For innumerable dangers surround me. My sins overtake me
so I am unable to see; they outnumber the hairs of my head so my strength fails me. 13 Please be willing, O Lord, to rescue me! O Lord, hurry and help me! 14 May those who are trying to snatch away my life be totally embarrassed and ashamed. May those who want to harm me be turned back and ashamed. 15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be humiliated and disgraced. 16 May all those who seek you be happy and rejoice in you. May those who love to experience your deliverance say continually, “May the Lord be praised!” 17 I am oppressed and needy. May the Lord pay attention to me. You are my helper and my deliverer. O my God, do not delay.

Psalm 40:11-17

Have you ever heard of “Praying God’s Word back to Him”? It’s where you take what You know of God, His character, His Words, His actions, His expressed thoughts and will, what pleases and displeases Him … and you let this knowledge guide your prayers. In some situations it may be praying His exact Words back to Him. Take for example a prayer of repentance/forgiveness – Father, You have said “Do not lie”, please forgive me for lying. However, praying God’s Word back to Him can also flow – not as a direct quote – but rather out of what we have learned from His Word or our experiences with God. I believe, this Psalm is a wonderful example – not only of this type of prayer but of the benefit that comes from it.

We only have to look back at the preceding verses of this Psalm to know that the Psalmist obviously knew God was compassionate and that His love and faithfulness were unfailing – and – he prayed accordingly. How was this beneficial? Because –

  • In his desperation he knew He could depend on God (11)
  • Depending on God’s compassion, love and faithfulness, kept him from losing hope in the midst of a frighteningly overwhelming situation (12-15)
  • It set his eyes on God and even turned His thoughts and prayers to the needs of others (16)
  • Finally, it gave him resolve to trust completely, the One he knew as his helper and deliverer (17)

As one who has suffered from panic attacks, and has watched others in the throes of them, I see the Psalmist overtaken by distress that leads to panic – that leads to desperate thoughts – but who survived. Because, for every thought of panic and distress he called out to God based on knowledge and experience of who He was and what He could do. Doing this didn’t change the fact that he was “oppressed and needy” nor did it give him an assurance of when God would act – but it did offer him an inner-calm and confidence to say –

… You are my helper and my deliverer –

Psalm 40:17

Posted in Bible study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Psalm 40 – The Rescue

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I relied completely on the Lord, and he turned toward me and heard my cry for help. 2 He lifted me out of the watery pit, out of the slimy mud. He placed my feet on a rock and gave me secure footing.

Psalm 40:1-2

God is good! I know I can completely rely on Him – because He is Trustworthy. This isn’t just book knowledge for me. I have tasted and seen His goodness for myself. Even as the Psalmist said, I have turned to Him – I have cried out to Him and He heard my cry. I have been in the watery pit, sinking in the slimy mud – with no vision of hope or proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” – BUT He rescued me! He sat my feet on the Rock and gave me secure footing. He pointed me to Jesus, the Anchor of my soul.

I am forever grateful for His goodness, mercy, and love. I am thankful that He rescued me and is always teaching me to TRUST. I can look back over the course of my life and see that He has been training me to not give into the doubts that inevitably come with pain and suffering, or disappointments, or the unknown factors of this life. He has led me often to the teachings of Paul to ‘put off” what doesn’t belong in the believer’s life and to “put on” what pleases Him – that which is good and right and honoring to Him … Trust over doubt … peace over fear … kindness and forgiveness over anger and bitterness … love over hate … godly desires over fleshly ones – and the list goes on. I have learned that just as salvation is dependent on God, so to is the practice of putting off and putting on. I can’t do it in my own strength, but the One who knows my heart and mind, the One who wants me to be safe and secure has placed His Spirit in me, giving me all that I need to live a godly life.

His divine power has given us everything we ne3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

2 Peter 1:3-4

Prayer: Father, I am thankful to know that You will never leave me or forsake me. I know I can depend on You come what may. May this confidence be reflected not only in my words but in my actions and countenance as well – so that others may see and know You – the true, living, and TRUSTWORTHY God – In the name and power of Jesus – Amen!

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!