Category: From the Insideout

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

The Importance of Praying

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living a Life to Glorify God / w1d3

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7 / SOAP Philippians 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Regardless of how convinced we are that living set apart from the world is the right way to live the commitment can be daunting. It takes courage to look different, sound different – to be different than the world around us. We may lack boldness and at times true conviction, or we may fear the mocking or desertion of others that often come with the choices we make that are different than the norm. This is is why prayer is essential. God invites us to bring Him all of our anxiety, all our cares, concerns, and fears (1 Peter 5:7). He tells us to ask for wisdom (James 1:5), and to call to Him for help (Ps 17:6; 120:1) and strength (1 Chron 16:11). And He says He has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). If you want to live set apart – simply tell God. Ask Him for His help, lean on Him for His strength, and watch expectantly for what happens in the days ahead. Trust Him, He is faithful and He will answer whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him – and we know when we live set apart from the world it pleases Him.

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

1 john 5:14-15
Today’s Prayer

Father, thank You that You hear us when we pray. Thank You for opening Your throne room of grace where we can bring You our anxieties, our fears, and concerns, our need for help and lacking of strength. Thank You for Your promise of wisdom and Your promise to hear and answer. We are most blessed to be Yours but it isn’t always easy to live set apart from the world – to look and sound different than those around us, to have to say no when we would sometimes rather say yes – but You have called us to live in the world but not of it. So we seek Your wisdom, Your strength and peace and help to be courageous. May Your Spirit quickly convict us when we are looking or sounding too much like the world so that our testimony will always be a reflection of Christ in us that brings You glory and lights the way for others to know You. – In Jesus’ name, amen and amen!

The More We Know

The following quote is from Gotquestions.org and address the question about what it means to Live in the world but not of the world. It is helpful in the quest to live set apart and why.

Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world—physically present—but not of it, not part of its values (John 17:14-15). As believers, we should be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living a holy, righteous life—to be set apart. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the insipid, corrupt mind that the world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). This is a daily activity and commitment.

Gotquestions.org / in the world but not of the world

The LGG Blog offers even more insight

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

The Importance of Praying

Posted on by

based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living a Life to Glorify God / w1d3

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7 / SOAP Philippians 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Regardless of how convinced we are that living set apart from the world is the right way to live the commitment can be daunting. It takes courage to look different, sound different – to be different than the world around us. We may lack boldness and at times true conviction, or we may fear the mocking or desertion of others that often come with the choices we make that are different than the norm. This is is why prayer is essential. God invites us to bring Him all of our anxiety, all our cares, concerns, and fears (1 Peter 5:7). He tells us to ask for wisdom (James 1:5), and to call to Him for help (Ps 17:6; 120:1) and strength (1 Chron 16:11). And He says He has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). If you want to live set apart – simply tell God. Ask Him for His help, lean on Him for His strength, and watch expectantly for what happens in the days ahead. Trust Him, He is faithful and He will answer whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him – and we know when we live set apart from the world it pleases Him.

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

1 john 5:14-15
Today’s Prayer

Father, thank You that You hear us when we pray. Thank You for opening Your throne room of grace where we can bring You our anxieties, our fears, and concerns, our need for help and lacking of strength. Thank You for Your promise of wisdom and Your promise to hear and answer. We are most blessed to be Yours but it isn’t always easy to live set apart from the world – to look and sound different than those around us, to have to say no when we would sometimes rather say yes – but You have called us to live in the world but not of it. So we seek Your wisdom, Your strength and peace and help to be courageous. May Your Spirit quickly convict us when we are looking or sounding too much like the world so that our testimony will always be a reflection of Christ in us that brings You glory and lights the way for others to know You. – In Jesus’ name, amen and amen!

The More We Know

The following quote is from Gotquestions.org and address the question about what it means to Live in the world but not of the world. It is helpful in the quest to live set apart and why.

Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world—physically present—but not of it, not part of its values (John 17:14-15). As believers, we should be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living a holy, righteous life—to be set apart. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the insipid, corrupt mind that the world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). This is a daily activity and commitment.

Gotquestions.org / in the world but not of the world

The LGG Blog offers even more insight

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Governed by God or the World?

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living a life for God’s Glory

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6 / SOAP Psalm 1:1-3

How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand in the pathway with sinners,
or sit in the assembly of scoffers.
2 Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands;
he meditates on his commands day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by flowing streams;
it yields its fruit at the proper time,
and its leaves never fall off.
He succeeds in everything he attempts.

Psalm 1:1-3

Are you more influenced by God or the world? Or, to phrase it as Bibleref.com puts it – are you “governed by God” or by your “evil passions”? Our focus passage reveals the life of one who chooses to walk in the ways of God but to fully appreciate the depth of how blessed this person is we must also explore verses four through six.

The Godly

governed by God

  • Blessed
  • Pleasure
  • Meditation
  • Strong/firm
  • Fruitful
  • Successful
  • follows after God – not the wicked
  • Does not “stand with sinners”
    • “those who choose to do wrong”
  • Is not joined “with scoffers”
    • “those who mock God, or the righteous, or oppose whatever is virtuous”

The Ungodly

governed by self/evil passions

  • Wicked
  • Sinners
  • Scoffers
  • Worthless
    • “the husks of grain that are tossed into the wind and blown away”
  • Under judgment
    • “sentenced to eternal punishment”
  • Excluded from the blessing
  • Facing destruction

Choosing to Live Under the Influence of God

The choice seems like a “no-brainer” but in reality we all deal with, or at the very least have battled, the desire to follow our own passions whether they are good or bad. God’s Word makes it clear, as seen here in this Psalm, that choosing God is the far greater choice, offering benefits in this life and in the one to come, as Paul wrote to TImothy in 1 TImothy 4:8. When we choose to live under the influence of God we choose immeasurable blessing but when we choose to live under the influence of our own evil passions we are headed for destruction.

As we saw in the previous post, meditation on God’s Word is part of living under God’s influence. His Word is actually what leads to the all that the Psalmist lists as the outcome of the godly life. For it is from His Word that we know His blessings and we find pleasure, strength, fruitfulness, and success when we follow after His Word. It is His Word that protects us from the sins that seek to entangle us and from the paths we should not follow or from sitting in opposition to God’s virtuous ways.

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Romans 8:6

Because meditation on God’s Word is central to the application of the Godly life it is important to what meditation means in this context. It is not an emptying of the mind but rather it is a filling of the mind with Scripture,1 It requires more than a quick 15-minutes a day. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying a quick read of the morning or before bed or even at lunch isn’t a wonderful and profitable thing but truly filling your mind with Scripture demands more than just quickly reading or listening to it. It means thinking about it, dwelling on it, learning more about God, self, and others from it, and practicing it in all of life – in Christian surroundings or in the darkness of the world. It means Sunday to Sunday, at work, at home, in the neighborhood, with friends or family, when your kids are around and when they’re not. It means morning , noon, and night living with an awareness of the Word and living out its wisdom.

Today’s Prayer

Father, help us to align our lives – our time, our company, our words, and our choices – with Your ways rather than the world’s. When we encounter the wicked surround us with Your protection but also cause Your grace and mercy to flow out from us toward them, as we remember that before You saved us – we too were numbered among them. When we are in the paths of sinners makes us lights and beacons of hope so that they might turn from their evil passions to Faith in Christ. When we find ourselves in the company of those who mock Your Word and ways may we be quick and lovingly bold with the Truth of Your Word and silence their scoffing. And Father, please guard us from attitudes of hate or unkindness toward those who follow their own passions rather than You – help us not to see ourselves as better than them but as blessed by You as the Psalmist so eloquently describes.

The More You Know

Walking in the Spirit or the Flesh

1Meditation defined: Worthwhile meditation does not require a person to empty his or her mind. Scripture does not support the idea of self-emptying in meditation—godly meditation means filling the mind with Scripture. To meditate on Scripture involves pondering what the Bible teaches about God’s character. It involves thinking deeply about what His Word teaches about ourselves and others. As we meditate, we cherish the promises and precepts we find in the Bible, we heed its commands, we confront our sins and confess them, and we conform our thoughts to God’s thoughts. Bibleref.org/Ps 1:2

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Making God’s Word A Priority

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living a Life for God’s Glory / w1d1

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9 / SOAP Joshua 1:8

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. – Joshua 1:8

The passage makes it clear that we cannot begin to live “Set-Apart” for Christ if we:

  • do not have a relationship with Him
  • are walking in weakness (on our own)
  • do not know and obey His Word
  • do not believe His promises

However, the passage also makes it clear how we can begin to live “Set-Apart” for Christ. God says that if we walk in His ways, “not swerving to the right or the left,” in other words not veering off His righteous path, we will prosper and know success (7). The question is how do we do this effectively while living in a world that pulls us in every direction? God makes it clear to Joshua in verse eight that the answer lies in knowing His Word, actually – he uses the phrase “meditate on it day and night.” The idea is to, as the NET version translates, “memorize” the Word – which of course means ‘to know it.’ David believed that doing this would help him not sin against God, (Ps 119:11). Paul taught the same principle to Timothy, when he encouraged him to know God’s Word so that he would be ready to use it correctly and not be swayed by false teaching, (2 Tim 2:15). If we are to obey God’s Word and correctly share God’s Word with others we must be more than familiar with it, we must know and progressively grow in our understanding of It – otherwise we will fall prey to ways that do not align with the Word of God.

I love the Old Testament passages that teach this so clearly, such as Psalm 119:9-11 and proverbs 4:20-22. These are two of the passages that reignited in me a pursuit of memorizing God’s Word more than three decades ago. As I find myself forgetting more and more these days – one of my frequent prayers has become for God to guard His Word that is hidden in my heart so that even if I forget everything and everyone else I know – I will never forget His Word – for it is my/our life-line, my/our peace and strength and hope – it is the light that guides me/us in God’s way – and it is my/our defense against sin.

Today’s Prayer

Father, without You – without Your promises or knowledge of Your faithfulness we have nothing and we are hopeless. However, with You and through You we have hope and strength and peace to live the lives You have called us to. We may not lead a nation, like Joshua – but You have called us to be salt and light – to be bold with the Gospel – to make disciples – to love as You loved and serve as Christ served. Help us to walk and talk with You daily and help us to know Your Word so that we can trust Your heart. Help us to be strong and brave so that we do not turn away from Your Word and Your calling to walk in all Your ways. – In Jesus’ Name, amen!

Reflections of the Journey

How does saturating our hearts and minds with God’s Word help us live a set apart life and remain anchored to truth?

What are some steps you can/will take to hiding God’s Word in your heart?

The More You Know

Today’s LGG Blog

Memorization tools and techniques:

If you do not know Jesus as your Savior I invite you to visit the following link

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Christmas, From the Insideout, God is good, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

The 12th Day of Christmas … 

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Originally posted January 2019

Day 12: Scripture – 1 John 4:14-15 / Name of Jesus – Savior / Ornament – The Cross

The Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  —

1 John 4:14-15

When the day is over, just before I crawl into bed, I write in my prayer journal. I write in it of the mornings as well, but the day’s end is reserved for Thank you prayers … Prayers that flow from reflection on the good and bad and mundane things of the day … Reflections that bring realization of God’s presence, protection, correction, provision and most often an awareness of His LOVE. It’s easy to thank God for all the good things He’s done or ways that I’ve witnessed His goodness; the challenge comes in seeing His goodness in the bad and mundane things of the day – but even then – when my focus is on Him thanksgiving flows free and pure. 

Occasionally, however, these bedtime prayers are not from the reflections of the day but reflections of a passage of Scripture or a lesson learned … Tonight’s prayer was an overflow of the 12th day of Christmas. On this final day the symbol we focus on is the CROSS and the name of Jesus is SAVIOR. 

On the 12th day of Christmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me … A Savior who is Christ the Lord. 

So, from tonight’s page in my journal, on this 12th and final day of Christmas, may you be encouraged to thank God for His LOVE …

Father, Thank You for LOVE even when I fail You. In love you sent YOUR ONLY Begotten Son to be my Savior – the Savior of all who believe and confess that Jesus is YOUR SON. Your’s is a love that hung on a cross that I might KNOW forgiveness and freedom. It is a love that sent YOUR SPIRIT to abide in me that I might abide in/with You. It is a love that redeems and pardons — and shows mercy and grace — a LOVE that never leaves. It is  a LOVE that comforts and heals and encourages and hears my prayers even when they are whispered from my bed or spoken in a car or thought in my mind and not journaled here on these pages. Thank you for Your LOVE Father — I LOVE YOU TOO! ❤️

MefromtheNsideout

*Christ, no longer on the cross –
yet, dare I never picture Him there
I may forget the cost
of this most treasured gift of God –
my Savior, Christ The Lord!

Me – from the Inside-Out 🦋
The More You Know

The Bible says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) If you do not know Jesus as your Savior I would love to introduce you to Him. Check out the following link and/or message me – we aren’t promised tomorrow, so why not today?

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Christmas, From the Insideout, God is good, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

The 11th-Day of Christmas

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Day 11: Scripture – John 6:35 / Name of Jesus – Bread of Life / Ornament: Loaf of Bread

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:35

On this 11th-day of Christmas, I am reminded how God in His goodness provides not just for our physical needs but even greater – He has provided the Spiritual Bread of Life – Jesus Christ! The Manna from Heaven that feeds our souls and gives us life. The bread of God that comes down out of Heaven and gives life to the world. So today I celebrate this Eternal – Life-Giving – GIFT who has secured my Spiritual Health with His blood. “Regular food is only good until we become hungry again – But His Word truly satisfies our deepest needs.” It satisfies like nothing else can when we are craving peace or comfort, and It fills us up when our strength is gone. It enriches us when we need wisdom and direction, and It overflows with goodness when we need to be reminded of God’s love. God’s Word is alive and active and It GIVES Light to our path – illuminating the darkness around us. May we be reminded of It often throughout the days of our lives; and may It flow through us that others might taste and see Its goodness!

The More You Know

If you would like to know more about The Bread of Life please visit Know These Truths

Posted in Bible study, Christmas, From the Insideout, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

The 10th-Day of Christmas

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Originally posted January 4, 2020

Scripture – 1 Timothy 6:15; Name of Jesus – King of kings and Lord of lords; Ornament – Crown

Jesus may have come as a baby in a manger, but make no mistake – God gave us a King! The King of kings and Lord of lords best describes His power and majesty. He not only has the power to save but to rule over all the earth. God placed all nations and kingdoms under Him! So on this 10th Day of Christmas, I worship Him as my Savior but also my Lord and King. I praise the Father for sending us a gift that saved us from the Kingdom of Darkness and its evil ruler! Satan has been crushed under the heel of my King and Savior, Jesus! Satan no longer has dominion over me for Jesus is my KING!

Posted in Bible study, Christmas, From the Insideout, God is good, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

On The Ninth Day of Christmas

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Originally posted January 3, 2023

Scripture – John 10:11; Name of Jesus – The Good Shepherd; Ornament – Shepherd Staff

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36

I love this picture that Scripture paints of our Savior. He saw me among the multitudes – and felt compassion for me – because I was distressed and downcast like a sheep without a shepherd. God in His goodness gave me Jesus, a shepherd to care for me and who willingly laid His life down for His sheep. I am so thankful for His rod and staff, they truly do comfort me. By them, I have known His protection and when I have strayed He has pulled me back to His path of righteousness. – Father, I am forever totally dependent on You and ever grateful for Your Gift of the Savior, my Good Shepherd.

Me – from the Insideout

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

John 10:11
Posted in Bible study, Christmas, From the Insideout, God is good, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

On the Eighth-Day of Christmas

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Originally posted January 2, 2021

Jesus, the Lamb of God
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:29

On the Eighth-Day of Christmas, my ‘True Love’ gave to me … A Lamb to take away my sins. That’s right, in God’s goodness He provided the Perfect Lamb, the Spotless Lamb – Jesus Christ. He did this so that my sins and those of the world might be forgiven. A lamb isn’t powerful like a lion, but this Lamb had all the power of heaven – for His blood was pure. He was the perfect and complete sacrifice – sent by the Father as a free gift of salvation to a lost and dying people whom He loved.

Me – from the Insideout

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Father, I celebrate Your Gift of Jesus Christ as the Lamb sacrificed for my sins. I praise You for the gift of His blood that cleanses me and makes me white as snow.

The More You Know

The only hope we have of Heaven is Jesus. If you don’t know Him or have questions about salvation I would love to help you. I invite you to visit my link, Know These Truths or email me at mryelnb@aol.com and reference “know these truths”.

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

The New Has Come!

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This is my life verse and a great reminder of TRUTH to start the first day of the New Year with! How wonderful is it to know that as believers, we can purpose to live every day of 2024 with the awareness that we belong to God – and are made new in Christ! The baggage of the past is gone … and while we may not know what 2024 holds – God does and He has given us everything we need to live a godly life regardless of what each day brings. His mercies will be new every morning … His grace will be all-sufficient … we will see that His power is made perfect in weakness … His love will never fail … His forgiveness is guaranteed … His peace will pass all understanding … His comfort will be present in troubles … when we listen we will hear His “still-small-voice”, and when we look – we will see His finger-prints … when we commit our words and thoughts to Him – He will make them pleasing and acceptable to Him – and He will use them and us as salt and light in this unsavory and dark world. May 2024 be a year blessed with an awareness of Him and of the New Creations we are in Him!