Category: Bible study

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 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 Insideoutđź’•

Posted in Devotion, From the Insideout, From the Vault, God is good, Love, Quiet Time

You are Good

Posted on by MaryEllen

Father, You are Good – To define it is sometimes difficult – because it is simply and yet profoundly who You are – GOOD! Teach me to know Your goodness – to see it, and hear it, and sense it, and to walk in it, and share it all of my days. For You desire it in me and by Your Spirit have equipped me for it.

Even as I asked this of You – to teach me to know Your Goodness – I lay down my pen and begin to read from my “One Thousand Gifts” devotional and you meet me there on the page revealing Your goodness in Your intimacy with me – for there on the page I read: “Augustine had asked two questions of the world: ‘If there is no God, why is there so much good? If there is a God, why is there so much evil?'” … I continue to read, and line upon line alludes to Your goodness. I asked, and You begin to answer – and even Your beginning – it is Good. “All this good makes me grateful, and my own heart needs this – A filling of His great-fullness. Gratefulness is always to someone, and when I am grateful, isn’t it always evidence of God? – A filling of awe of His goodness.” I turned the page, and there it was – the ultimate expression – just what I began this prayer with – Your answer to me – “There are things that need no words. HIS LOVE clearly manifest in the everywhere problem of GOOD.”

WOW God! and I echo the prayer Ann pens at the bottom of the page – “… in a world that faces the very real problem of evil, may I face it everywhere today – the very real proof of good.” And Father, may I – in seeing it and hearing it and sensing it – may I then be given words that are fitting to proclaim it! Your goodness begs to be proclaimed!

As I drove to work, You continued to answer by opening my senses to the bulging river, green trees, the fresh air, the donkey and the kid (goat) – I love seeing them – it is the simple things that make me smile. And again, my soul echoes – You are Good!

A text from a loved one, desperate for peace – and in Your infinite goodness, you whisper a line from an old hymn – “Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children, In His arms He carries them all day long.”

[the above blog was originally posted on July 16, 2015, on https://mefromthensideout.wordpress.com/]

(quotes from “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp)

Reflection and application:

What are your thoughts on the goodness of God?

  • How have you seen it play out in your life?
    • If you struggle to define it, consider CeCe Winans’ song, Goodness of God, (one of my favorites) … “His mercies never fail us … He leads us through the fire … He is both Father and Friend ...”

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

‘Cause all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In darkest night You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God1 ~

  1. Source: LyricFind
    Songwriters: Ben Fielding / Brian Johnson / Edward Martin Cash / Jason Ingram / Jenn Johnson
    Goodness of God lyrics © Audiam, Inc, Bethel Music Publishing, Capitol CMG Publishing ↩︎

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Posted on by MaryEllen

Recently, I was blessed to be a part of something different – something life changing – something on the verge of uncomfortable but something so right. Four wonder-filled, worship-filled evenings where God was the focus of our prayers. Prayers were the purpose. Prayers for our city – prayers for the people of our city – prayers for our churches – prayers for the believers of our city and prayers for the lost of our city. Four nights of unifying with a diverse group of believers to approach the throne of the One True Living God, not because Scripture mandated it, not because I was guilted into it or because I wanted to meet a quota, but because God had so moved in my heart to make it a priority. God would have heard me at home in my closet just as surely as He heard me there in that place, but it was so much sweeter for those four evenings to join in prayer with other believers, to worship through song and to hear the testimonies of lives radically changed by God through prayer, and the Word boldly preached.

“Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care and bids me at my Father’s throne – make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief and oft escaped the tempter’s snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer.” 

Not all of the conference was comfortable – we were pushed outside of our boxes. Our training, or the standard, in corporate worship even in corporate prayer meetings, is to have someone praying and perhaps music playing in the background – but in the span of these four evenings there were times where we sat praying in perfect silence. In that silence I strained to hear the voice of God – entreating Him to hear me and to lead me in prayer. There were also moments where it was not at all quiet, and instead of one praying many joined in and prayed, a beautiful blend of voices lifting in harmony of hearts for a city and a people in need. Uncomfortable? Maybe. Spirit-filled and Spirit-led? Definitely!  I left there thankful to have been in that place – thankful, but yearning for more – thankful, but realizing God had just moved me towards a deeper prayer life – thankful, but aware that my life will never be the same again.

So now what? 

Now I find myself praying more and more for God to teach me to pray, not just the ABCs of prayer but what He wants – what matters to Him. I don’t just want to know that the Word says to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion, but I want to understand what that means and then to do it. We are told to approach God’s throne with confidence and boldness – oh, that I might learn to pray with boldness, with a passion that is fueled not by the need alone but by the knowledge of and belief in the God to whom I pray. Prayer is a big gift and God is a big God and to treat either as less than this, I believe, is verging on negligence of my faith and the resource – the divine resource – of God’s Spirit and His invitation to pray. I read a quote once that said “Worship-based prayer seeks the face of God before the hand of God. God’s face is the essence of who He is. God’s hand is the blessing of what He does. God’s face represents His person and presence. God’s hand expresses His provision for needs in our lives. I have learned that if all we ever do is seek God’s hand, we may miss His face: but if we seek His face, He will be glad to open His hand and satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts.” (Daniel Henderson)

I am no longer satisfied to simply seek His hand for the necessities or blessings of the day. I don’t want to be satisfied in just seeking His hand. I want to seek His face – for it is there I will find the relationship I so deeply need and want with Him. It is there my prayers will become worship-based and not seeker-based. Don’t get me wrong – I, like any other person, enjoy the blessings of His hand; but at the end of the day if I have to choose His presence over His blessing, I am learning that I would choose His presence – which in itself is the blessing.