From the Insideout – Page 62 – Me From the Inside Out

Bible study, From the Insideout, In His Image, Journey Through The Word, The Attributes of God

Be Holy As He Is Holy

Posted on February 19, 2023March 11, 2026 by

W1D1 of the study: “Who Should I Be?”, by Mefromthenisdeout

Today’s Focus Scripture: Leviticus 19:2

“Speak to the whole congregation of the Israelites and tell them, ‘You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
Leviticus 19:2

In her book, “In His Image”, Jen Wilkin begins by making the point that we learn through repetition. She says, “by paying attention to what the Bible repeats, we gain an understanding of what it most wants us to learn and remember.” I can attest to the validity of this statement as I am a huge proponent of memorizing Scripture, which I have learned comes easiest if I – (a) write it down, (b) read it, and (c) repeat (say) it often. Jen, goes on to say, “We repeat what we want others to remember, and we learn what we hear repeated.” So it stands to reason that if we want to learn God’s will for our lives, or, better yet, “who He wants us to be” – we must ask the question, “Who should I be?” Then we must search the Scriptures repeatedly to find, not only the answer but the examples we are to repetitiously follow.

I love the wisdom Jen shares concerning the knowledge we gain from exploring the attributes of God in the Scripture. She recommends this second question, “How should the knowledge that God is _____________ change the way I live?”

As I mentioned in the previous post, there are many of God’s attributes that we cannot attain to, such as being infinite, self-existent, or eternal. These are traits that can only be true of God, and as Jen points out “when we strive to become like Him in any of these ways, we set ourselves up as His rival.” There are, however, a list of ten traits that we should strive toward, and they will be our focus of this study. These traits aren’t just good goals to have in life, they are the desire of God for our lives and a necessity to living the abundant life Jesus came to give us.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
John 10:10

Holy, Holy, Holy

At the very top of the list is God’s holiness, which is defined in Jen’s book as “the sum of all moral excellency”, having no “moral blemish or defilement”; and “carries the ideas of being set apart, sacred, separate, of possessing utter purity of character.” No other attribute is repeated more in connection to the name of God than holiness, and it is, as Exodus 15:11 points out, what sets Him apart form all other gods. As Isaiah and countless other believers have experienced, including myself – God’s holiness is also the very thing that makes us realize just how unholy and desperate we are for Him. Read Isaiah’s response after he saw, in a vision, seraphs standing over him, covering their faces and calling to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! His majestic splendor fills the entire earth!” He goes on to describe how powerful the vision was – to the point that the door frames shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

However, it’s Isaiah’s ultimate response that will help us understand the powerful effect of what even a glimpse of God’s true holiness can do to us. Following the first part of the vision Isaiah confesses how his own unholiness had been exposed by God’s holiness. It made him realize the very depth of his sin and the understanding that he, like us, deserved to die. Except for His grace and mercy we would have died but instead God made a way for His people to be holy just as He is Holy. Perhaps the greatest beauty is seen in the outcome of his vision following the confession of his sin. He describes it like this – “then one of the seraphs flew toward me. In his hand was a hot coal he had taken from the altar with tongs. ⁷He touched my mouth with it and said, “Look, this coal has touched your lips. Your evil is removed; your sin is forgiven.”

“Woe to me! I am destroyed, for my lips are contaminated by sin, and I live among people whose lips are contaminated by sin. My eyes have seen the king, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Isaiah 6:5

God’s will is not hidden from our eyes, it is made evident throughout His Word, which makes clear that we are to be Holy, and the extent to which He went to make our holiness possible. Jen writes it this way, “Holiness permeates the entire Christian calling. It lies at the very center of the gospel. We are not merely saved from depravity; we are saved to holiness. Conversion entails consecration” [to be made holy].”

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.
1 Corinthians 1:30 and Hebrews 10:10 NLT

My Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for Your Word and holiness that both exposes our sin and gives us hope of your redemption and cleansing power. Thank You for not just calling us to holiness but equipping us to that end. May we never lose sight of the depth of our sin so that we never lose sight of the depth of your mercy, love, and grace.

NOTE: Borrowing from the format of “In His Image”, at the end of each chapter you will find verses, questions, and a prayer prompt to help you remember and apply what you have read. Consider keeping a journal in which you copy or paraphrase each of the verses for meditation, noting what each adds to your understanding of the attribute covered in the chapter. Then journal your answers to the questions, as well as a prayer of response.

Verses for Meditation

Questions for Reflection

1. How have you regarded God’s will for your life primarily as “What to do” versus “Who to be”? Think of a current key decision you are facing. Are your prayer requests limited to specific outcomes? Do your prayers exclude a simple request to be sanctified (made holy)? How might you change your prayers about that key decision?

2. Describe a time in your life when you experienced an acute awareness of sin. What was the cause of your awareness? What was the result?

3. Think of the holiest person you have ever known. What was his or her motive for right behavior?

4. How should a desire to grow in holiness impact our relationship with God positively? How should it impact our relationships with others positively? Give a specific example of each.

Pray

Write a prayer to God asking him to show you your sin in contrast to his holiness. Ask him to build in you a hatred for all things unholy, so that you can better reflect his true nature. Thank him that you have been made positionally holy in

*all quotes are by Jen Wilkin as found in the book, “In His Image“

You’re going to want this book for yourself. Visit the link to sample and/or buy

Bible study, From the Insideout, In His Image, Quiet Time, The Attributes of God

Knowing God’s Character

Posted on February 19, 2023February 19, 2023 by

As I was praying about and looking for something to keep us in the Word between studies – The next one begins March 6 – I found a “Loved Bible Project” update in my inbox which included the attributes of God. The problem was there were thirty-one attributes on the list and I only had fourteen days to work with – but I came up with a plan and began to put it into motion trusting God had led me in this direction. As I began studying the various attributes on the list I found a nugget of gold in a book by Jen Wilkin, called “In His Image”. The book is described as “an invitation to become like the God we worship, to see His characteristics become true of us -” Exactly what I was looking for and I knew God was leading. Within five minutes the book was loaded on my Kindle and I was devouring every word.

A. W. Tozer famously said that “what we think about God is the most important and most formative thing about us.” However, C. S. Lewis begged to differ, making this statement, “How God thinks of us is not only more important, but infinitely more important. Indeed, how we think of Him is of no importance except in so far as it is related to how He thinks of us.” These are two distinct perspectives for sure, yet, as I read and reread the content, it appeared to me that they merge into one important truth, that being, what we know about and thus think about God does indeed form our choice of living a life for self or for Him. Likewise, it is in knowing how God thinks of us that will play the biggest part in how and what we think of Him. Knowing that we will one day “stand before Him and be inspected,” as Lewis wrote, will greatly “impact all the formative years of our lives”, as well as how our lives will impact all those we come in contact with.

what we know about and thus think about God does indeed form our choice of living a life for self or for Him. Likewise, it is in knowing how God thinks of us that will play the biggest part in how and what we think of Him.
MEfromtheinsideout

I think we would all agree that someone who is unkind or a liar or unfaithful will have a vastly different impact than one who is kind and marked by truth and faithfulness. When we know who God is, the God of grace, the One who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son to die in our place – we not only realize the utter importance of what He thinks of us but we cannot help but be moved to stand in awe of Him, thinking highly and reverently of Him and undoubtedly wanting to please Him in every way. If our thoughts and attitudes are not so moved, then I would venture to say – we have not truly understood, believed, or appreciated who God is, who we are, and what He thinks of us.

When our lives are shaped by knowing what God thinks of us and thus wanting to please Him we will no doubt find ourselves, as Jen points out, wanting to know God’s will for our life. This is a good thing – but the premise of her book and the purpose of me pursing this study isn’t to ask, “What should I do?” While this is the question that typically accompanies the desire to know His will, the better question, Jen points out, is “Who should I be?” As we will see moving forward through each of the attributes, the right and true answer to this necessary question is found only in knowing – really knowing – who God is, what He thinks of you, and what He desires from and for You.

With this is mind I hope and pray you will join me in this study and to know and understand these ten attributes of God. You might be wondering why just ten and not the original thirty-one I mentioned. The answer is this, there are certain attributes that only belong to God, such as His omniscience (all-knowing power), omnipotence (all-powerful), and omnipresent (always-present) attributes. The attributes we will look at are “those that describe the abundant life Jesus came to give us.” Jen explains that these are called “God’s communicable attributes, those of his traits that can become true of us, as well. God is holy, loving just, good, merciful, gracious, faithful, truthful, patient, and wise. When we talk about being ‘conformed to the image of Christ,’ this is the list we are describing.” There is much to be gained in the study of all of God’s attributes but I believe these ten attributes will teach us what it means to truly reflect God. Which according to Scripture is exactly what we were meant to do, Genesis 1:26, Genesis 2:7, Genesis 1:28, and more.

The image of God (Latin, imago dei) refers to the immaterial part of humanity. It sets human beings apart from the animal world, fits them for the dominion God intended them to have over the earth (Genesis 1:28), and enables them to commune with their Maker. It is a likeness mentally, morally, and socially.
For the full explanation visit https://www.gotquestions.org/image-of-God.html

So, who is it you should be? Want to find out? Then grab your Bible, a pen and paper, and join me tomorrow as we begin this ten-day journey to uncover not just who He is – but His will for your life and who He wants you to be.

Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Pray for Yourself

Posted on February 17, 2023February 15, 2023 by

Today’s Reading: Psalm 103:1-5; Psalm 91:1-4; SOAP: Psalm 103:1-5

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
²Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.
³He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
⁴He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
⁵He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Psalm 103:1-5

What a beautiful Psalm to remind us that our prayers should be filled with praise, acknowledging the greatness of the One to whom we pray. Read and listen, hear how David names and thanks God for the things He has done personally for him. Praising God like this comes from the heart – from within the very soul of a person – and it flows from a relationship built through time and trials and abiding with one another.

Look at the flow of David’s thoughts poured out into words. He remembers how God has poured Himself out – both to him and for him and through the praises he reaches a testimony of being renewed like an eagle. Notice how this prayer of praise – declares a wholeheartedness and an acknowledgement of God’s holiness. David expresses his own desire to not forget the good things God has done for him and then begins to name them … forgiveness, healing, redemption, love and mercy are the things he names but suddenly, it’s as though you can hear David become overwhelmed at the thought of all God has done for him as he exclaims that his whole life is FILLED with good things – following these words of praise it’s as though he exhales with the realization that because of all of these good things his strength has been renewed and he feels young and strong – like an eagle. One commentary explains that ‘exhale’ like this: “The eagle molts: it casts off its old feathers and grows new ones, thereby gaining a new lease on life. Regardless of the believer’s age, he finds the strength and vitality he needs to do the Lord’s will.”

The eagle molts: it casts off its old feathers and grows new ones, thereby gaining a new lease on life. Regardless of the believer’s age, he finds the strength and vitality he needs to do the Lord’s will.
BibleRef.com – Psalm 103:5

The rest of the Psalm is just as beautiful as he begins again to name and expound on the good acts and character of God. The final passage of the Psalm, verses 20-23, is a call by David to the LORD’s angels, armies, servants, and even his own soul to give praise to Yahweh!

It is clear and evident that praising God leads to more praises. Remembering and naming the things He has done sparks more and more praise to flow until there is an energy and excitement to ignite the fire of praise in everyone – clearly emphasizing the importance of prayer and the beautiful benefit of the outcome.

Be sure and read the final LGG Blog of this study on “The Importance of Prayer”.

Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Love Overflowing

Posted on February 16, 2023February 15, 2023 by

Today’s Reading: Matthew 16:18; Philippians 1:9-11; Revelation 2:4; SOAP: Philippians 1:9-11

⁹I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. ¹⁰For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. ¹¹May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:9-11

Paul’s prayer is for the love of the Philippians to overflow …. and that they will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

Why? Because he wants them to understand what really matters
Why? So that they may live pure and blameless lives

He also prays that they may always be filled filled with the fruit of their salvation

What is that fruit?
- Paul explains that it is the righteous character that Jesus produces in them
Why does the fruit of righteousness matter?
- Because it brings praise and glory to God …. and that is what really matters. We know this because we are told in Scripture that we were created by Him and for Him.

“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
Revelation 4:11

Paul’s prayer here for the Philippians is probably one of the most important prayers we can pray for each other as well as for ourselves. He’s praying about what really matters – not just that they might grow in love but in the knowledge and understanding of how to live and love like Jesus Christ. Paul knew that the more we understand about how Jesus lived the more like Him we will be. It’s hard to imagine living “pure and blameless lives” but that is the prayer and encouragement of Paul. – Not just because he believed it was possible but because Paul understood what really matters and he wanted the church to understand it as well – because He knows it will bring praise and glory to God. He explains the secret behind it – and that is Jesus Himself living in us – His Spirit doing the work and producing the fruit that bears witness that our faith is real – and that glorifies God.

Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, Uncategorized

Love One Another

Posted on February 15, 2023January 4, 2024 by

Today’s Reading: John 15:12-13; 1 Peter 4:8-10; SOAP: John 15:13

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. ¹³There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:12-13

Jesus takes love seriously, to the point that He gave a commandment concerning the issue. He not only tells the believers to love each other but he explains how they are to love each other – namely, the same way He has loved us. Just in case the people had forgotten or were not really alert – He went on to give them an example of the greatest love –> He compared it to laying down your life for your friends. Jesus isn’t telling us we have to literally die for our friends as He did – but rather that we have to give of ourselves – it’s more than saying the words, it’s acts of kindness and of grace … it’s forgiveness and compassion … it’s laying down my agenda for yours – it’s praying and hands-on help … even when these things don’t always come easy or seem desirable.

There’s one thing for sure – we can never outlove Jesus or God! But we can and should seek to love others just as Christ loved the church.

Father – thank You for Jesus. Jesus, thank you for laying down your life for us – Your friends. Thank you for showing us what real love is – the giving of self.

How are you loving others? Share some ideas in the comment bar below.

Don’t forget to read today’s LGG Blog Post – https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Love With Your Whole Being

Posted on February 14, 2023February 5, 2023 by

Today’s Reading: Matthew 22:34-38; 2 Peter 3:18

³⁴But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question Jesus again. ³⁵One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: ³⁶“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

³⁷Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment.
Matthew 22:34-38

When asked what the most important commandment is, Jesus answered with the Word of God. – He pointed those trying to trick Him and all who were listening to God and what they would recognize as coming from God through Moses.

““Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, … Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
‭‭
Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:4-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The same words God gave Moses to teach the people of Israel, Christ now gives to the people as the first and greatest commandment. Both the father and the son called the people, and by extension- all those who would believe in Christ, to remember that the LORD was their God and that they were to love Him with everything they had – heart, soul, mind, and strength – their whole being.

We could stop there and let that be the devotion, for we can never be reminded enough of this first and greatest commandment. However, as I read the title again in the devotional journal of our study I was left wondering why on earth they had titled it, “Praying for Your Children and the Next Generation.” So, now I’m staring at my SOAPed up passage, the highlighted words and the notes in the margin and I’m not seeing anything to do with prayer or the next generation – BUT – what I do see is the passage I jotted down from Deuteronomy and I went back to it and there, in the context of that passage, was the answer.

“These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, ²and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. ³Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.
⁴“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. ⁵And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. ⁶And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. ⁷Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ⁸Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. ⁹Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Clearly these commandments, that were eventually summed up into the one that Christ gave to the Pharisees, were meant not just for each of us individually but for us and our children, and their children, and all the generations to follow. So important were the words God had given to Moses that they were meant to be passed on to their children, written on their door posts, and spoken of day and night, at home or on the road. Surely if they are that important they are meant to be a consideration of our prayers … prayers that we would love the Lord our God with all of our being, prayers that we would be faithful to teach our children and grandchildren about the commandments and how Christ summed them up, and prayers that our children and all the generations to follow would know and love the LORD our God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Lest you find yourself even for a moment wondering how it could be that important – consider this reminder – only a few generations after Moses the people of Israel no longer acknowledge God as the LORD nor did they know the wonders He had done for them.

After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. 11 The Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight and served the images of Baal. 12 They abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the LORD. 13 They abandoned the LORD to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth.
Judges 2:10

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, this world we live in looks and sounds much like the description found in Judges chapter 2. In our country and around the world we see and hear people who have grown up not knowing You. They do not acknowledge You as Lord or remember the great things that you have done. They do evil in Your sight. Many who have grown up in the church have abandoned You and have gone after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. Change their hearts oh God, let them know You and Your love and may they be moved to love You with all of their being. Call Your people to live out Your command through Moses – to love You with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.Help us to commit ourselves wholeheartedly to this command that Jesus summed up as the greatest of them all. Keep us faithful to repeat them again and again to our children, to talk about them when we are at home and when we are on the road, when we are going to bed and when we are getting up. May they not just be written and kept in places where we can see them but may they be written and hidden in our hearts as a light to guide our feet and as a lamp for our paths.

Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

What Are You Wearing?

Posted on February 13, 2023February 13, 2023 by

Today’s Reading: colossians 3:12-17; SOAP – 3:12-13

¹²Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:12-13 NLT

When my daughters were in the first grade their teacher taught them a song that they often sang during their morning routine. If you were anywhere in the vicinity of the classroom when they were singing it you would hear – “what are you wearing, what are you wearing, what are you wearing today – today?” The chorus would be repeated two times – and as I remember, the students – or a student – would answer with words describing what they were wearing. I couldn’t hep but think of this classroom song as I began to contemplate this passage. So my question for you on this first day of our final week discussing “The Importance of Prayer” is this …. What are you wearing today?

Are you bathed in prayer and clothed in kindness, mercy, humility, gentleness, and patience? Or, are you depending on your own way and strength and clothed with the old tattered, unpleasant, raggedy clothes of harshness, haughtiness, impatience, and rudeness? Do you smell like the refuse of the world or the sweet and appealing love of Christ? Paul’s message to the Colossians was similar to the one he wrote to many of the other churches – in which he emphasized what they used to look like or act like compared to what they should look like and act like. His typical phrase was to “put off the old” and “put on the new”. In other words, don’t just say you’ve chosen to follow Jesus – look and live like you are a true follower of Jesus. Change the things you watch and listen to, consider the things your heart longs for, speak with words that encourage and build up rather than ones that tear down or offend. Be compassionate and understanding instead of harsh and demanding or intolerant. You get the picture -our attitude, actions, and words will either repel people or attract them. Jesus taught His followers that they were meant to be “lights on a hill” for the purpose of “attracting” others – with the idea that others would see the follower’s good deeds and give glory to God (Matthew 5:14-16). Paul’s teaching here in Colossians is very similar, live and love in a way that others will see a difference between you and the world and they will desire and seek after what you have. This is how we become a living testimony, a missionary where we live, work, and play.

No need to worry about the cost or the availability of the new and improved you. Through your faith in Jesus Christ the cost has been covered and God has supplied the new wardrobe through the Holy Spirit who lives in us (1 Cor 6:19). This is the same spirit who, according to Paul, produces the righteous fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, (Galatians 5:22-25). The decision is ours, just like we go to our closets choose what we will put on for the day – we must choose if we will live and clothe ourselves by the things of the Spirit or stick with the old nature of the flesh. So – what will you be wearing today?

Reflection: How does this fit in with our study, The Importance of Prayer? The answer is this – PRAY. Prayer is the light in your closest and the mirror on your wall – pray. Just like you can’t pick out your clothes in the dark and trust they will look good – without prayer, you can’t begin to trust that you will truly be kind or forgiving, as our verse teaches today. Ask God to help you live by the Spirit, look to Him for strength to be kind or to forgive what seems unforgivable. Ask Him to take control of what you say and to set a guard on your lips so that your words are not appalling or offensive but instead loving and appealing. Make a habit of looking in the mirror of His Word to see if what you’re wearing aligns with His Godly fashion and then wear it confidently – giving Him all the praise and glory.

²²But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. ²⁵Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 5:22-25

Don't forget to check out today's LGG Blog

Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Committed to Prayer – Heart, Mind, & Soul

Posted on February 11, 2023February 11, 2023 by

As Inspired by the love god greatly study, The Importance of Prayer-week 5

When we trust in Jesus Christ to be our savior we make a commitment to the Father who sent Him. The commitment involves laying down our own life and desires of the mortal flesh to follow after Christ in the new spiritual nature He has graced us with; or as Paul said, as the “New Person” we have become. Christ’s love now controls us, so we commit to love and obey and to serve Him only.

– Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. ¹⁵He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. … ¹⁷This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17

This past week’s focus in our study, “The Importance of Prayer”, has been focused on the various commitments of our prayer life, starting with the commitment to wait expectantly, which means trusting God to hear and to answer according to HIS WILL, (Psalm 5). This first commitment fed into all of the others, which included the commitment to being satisfied in and with God – not just an “ok, that will do” kind of satisfaction – but truly deep-down to the “soul-satisfied,” (Psalm 63). The commitment to trust Him and to be truly satisfied with Him – whose love is better than life – will, or should, naturally lead us to a commitment to praise Him – not just when or because life is ‘good’ – but because God is good (Psalm 100). Because life won’t always be good or easy, when we are committed to trusting God we will also be committed to cry out to Him for help and strength when life is stressful (Psalm 18), and equally committed to repent of our sins with a desire to maintain a pure heart and a right relationship with our God (Psalm 51).

While the word commitment and act of committing have raised fear in me since somewhere in my late 20’s and early 30’s, I am happy to say when it comes to committing to God, my life… my prayers … my trust … my fears … and my struggles … I have little to no issues. Why? Because I have found Him to be trustworthy and true. I have found Him to help me when I am weak, to provide for me in my needs, to direct me in my choices, and to sustain me by His power … and so much more! Our study this past week has been a refreshing reminder of the need and the joy and hope that come from being committed to a life of prayer. May the same be true for you as you make these commitments in your own walk of faith and prayer.

Links for “The Importance of Prayer” -week 5- are below

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/02/06/5678/

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/02/07/5686/

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/02/08/5704/

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Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Commit to a Pure Heart

Posted on February 10, 2023February 4, 2023 by

Read: Psalm 51; Soap: Psalm 51:10

Create for me a pure heart, O God.
Renew a resolute spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

Have mercy … wipe away … wash away … cleanse me … forgive me … cleanse me … grant me forgiveness … hide Your face from my sin … do not reject me … rescue me from the guilt … do not take your holy Spirit away … David, obviously convicted for his sin of adultery with Bathsheba, pleads with God throughout this prayer for forgiveness. He is contrite, truly sorry for the sins he has committed, and desperately wants God’s forgiveness. He realizes he doesn’t deserve what he requests but appeals to God’s great compassion.

It is equally important to note that David doesn’t just ask for forgiveness but he pleads for God to cleanse him, to wash him, to rescue him … He knows his heart has been deceptive and that he needs God to renew a right Spirit, one that would stand strong and firm, resolute, against the temptations he might face going forward. This is important to our application of this verse, because unless we realize the treachery of our sin we will continually walk in it, and rather than repentantly coming to God as David does here – we will flippantly utter the words while perhaps still walking in the sin.

Sin is a dangerous enemy for the Christian, so we must have a healthy respect for the impact it can have on our lives and the lives of others. It is important for us to deal with our sin daily so that it does not take hold of us … which I believe is why David prayed for God to give Him a pure – unadulterated-heart.

May we be committed to seek God for a heart that is pure and pleasing to Him – Amen!

Don’t forget to check out today’s LGG Blog

Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Committed to Seek His Strength

Posted on February 9, 2023February 4, 2023 by

Read: Psalm 18; Soap: Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried out to my God.
From his heavenly temple he heard my voice;
he listened to my cry for help.
Psalm 18:6

Why does David call out to God in His distress? Because he had a standing relationship with God. He knew that He could trust God. He knew God and had already experienced Him as a stronghold, a deliverer and refuge. David knew God as the one who saves and he trusted Him to be all these things and more. Sure enough, when David cried out – God not only heard him but he listened. The more we know about God and the more we experience with God, the more we will trust Him and seek Him for the strength we need.