Category: From the Insideout

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What Kind of Branch Are You?

Day 4 of “Jesus I Need You, part 1” A study by Thistlebend Ministries, as posted on Youversion

Scripture Reading: John 15:2; Isaiah 10:33-34, 11:1-5, 30:1-22, and ISAIAH 31

Hope in the Messiah

9 [a]Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.

2 [b]The people who walk in darkness

    will see a great light.

For those who live in a land of deep darkness,[c]

    a light will shine.

John 15:2 NET
Observations: What’s the Message?

The message in John 15:2 is straight from the mouth of Jesus and will seem very familiar if you read Abide, from day one of this study. In “Abide” we focused on verse five, where Christ is talking to the disciples and uses a story or metaphor actually, about them being the branches and Him being the life-giving vine. Today we’re backing up to the first part of that conversation, where Christ has not only introduced Himself as the Vine but His Father as the Gardener. This may seem incidental to our story but in light of verse two, our focus verse, and all that follows – I believe it holds great importance in the conversation as well as our application. Read the two verses together.

1I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.

John 15:1

Without the clarification of verse one we would not understand who is cutting off or pruning the branches, or for that matter why some are being cut off and what that means, as described in verse 2. In cases like this we put ourselves at risk for taking Scripture out of context. In light of this I dug a little deeper and found some helpful information at bibleref.com, It’s a little lengthy but quite helpful and interesting.

References to vines and vineyards are common in Scripture, picturing God as someone who plants and tends to the “vine” of His people. In this verse, there is a clear sense of expected growth. First mentioned is barrenness, then productivity, then abundance. In terms of our spiritual lives, this is how God expects us to progress. As part of that process, God removes and prunes the branches. While the analogy of the vine and branches is deep and important, it is like any other analogy in that it should not be taken out of context.

When Jesus refers to a “branch in me,” in this instance, the context does not imply those who are “saved.” Rather, focus is entirely on the analogy of a vine and branches. Some branches appear to be connected to the main body, but are not—those branches are dead and will never produce fruit. The vinedresser removes those branches, to allow room and resources for the living branches to accomplish their purpose. This relates to upcoming comments where Jesus refers to those who “abide” in Him (John 15:6).

In both the vine, and in our relationship to God, merely being “around” or “attached” to the concept of Christ is not enough. It is possible for a person to claim the name of Christ, and to associate with believers, and yet not have a life-giving connection to the “true vine” which is Jesus. Like a branch “in the vine” which produces no fruit, these are people who have attached themselves to the church, but are not connected to the Source of life. The One with ultimate knowledge and authority—God as the “vinedresser”—will eventually remove those false branches and discard them.

*What does John 15:2 mean? https://www.bibleref.com/John/15/John-15-2.html
Application: How Then Should We Live?

As followers of Christ we are not only meant to bear fruit, we are equipped for it, Galatians 5:22-26. We are meant to bring glory to the Father – our Gardener. We are meant to grow stronger and healthier and to be useful for Him (1 Peter 2:2 and Hebrews 5:14).

We can and should find strength and comfort in God as our Gardener. We would be wise to get to know Him more and more so that we know what pleases Him, Proverbs 4:20-22,. We need to remind ourselves throughout the pruning processes that we will undoubtedly endure during our life – that our Gardener makes no mistakes… He isn’t fickle… He loves greatly and faithfully… He sees the inside not just the outside…He is tender and compassionate… and He sees the beginning and the end.

Prayer: Response to the Word

Father, Master-Gardener, thank You for seeing the whole picture – for connecting us to “The Vine” so that we can draw breath and life and strength, and all that we need for the life You have called us to by grace through faith. Though it isn’t always pleasant, thank You for pruning us who belong to You and cutting away what does not belong so that we may grow stronger and healthier, producing even more fruit- and this for Your glory – AMEN!

Your Turn:

How connected are you to the Vine?

  • Is yours a life-giving connection or are you simply attached to the “concept” of Christ and His church?
  • How can you work on your connection to Christ, the Vine?
  • What kind of fruit are you producing?(see Galatians 5:22-23)
Want More?

Visit Thistlebend Ministries for their encouraging devotional – Be sure and check-out what comes after their devotional! It’s a great and profitable way to go deeper in the Word.

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Blot Out My Guilt

Day 3 of Jesus, I Need You – Part 1, a study of Thistlebend Ministries

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51 (focus verse 17) and Isaiah 6:1-13

The sacrifice God desires is a humble spirit—
O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.

Psalm 51:17
Observation: What’s the Message?

In Isaiah chapter six we see Isaiah receive his call and mission from God to speak His message to the people. He is poised and ready to serve but truly humbled by his own sin while in the presence of God’s great holiness. Through a graphic illustration we see that Isaiah’s ‘lips’ are made ready to deliver the message of judgment – as his sins are symbolically taken care of. In chapter 12 of Isaiah, instead of overwhelming sorrow for his sins we hear Isaiah testify that there will come a day of praise. Rather than preaching judgment, he talks of God’s compassion, salvation, and strength.

Psalm 51 is where my mind was drawn to as I heard David’s repentance and cry to God in true brokenness and contrition. Instead of offering Him a sacrifice1 for the sins he has committed, he offers God his heart. He calls upon God’s graciousness, love, and compassion – so that his sin and rebellion might be blotted out. You can hear the desperation in David’s voice, his shame in the presence of God for the guilt he feels and the sins he’s confessing. Don’t miss the beauty of transforming prayer – as David moves from lamenting his sin and asking God to blot out his guilt to asking God to open his lips so that he could now declare his praise. Clearly, David has realized what we know is true today – God does not desire our material sacrifices but rather the broken Spirit that David has shown. 

1A sacrifice is something offered as atonement to God for our sin. A payment to make right a wrong committed.
Application: How Then Should We Live?

We must understand and continually keep before us the severity of our sin. God leaves nothing to the imagination concerning His thoughts on sin – but through Paul’s words in Romans 6:23 and in Christ’s death on the cross – He makes it very clear that the penalty or payment for sin is death – but He makes it equally clear that His gift to those who believe is eternal life through His son!

Only when we understand the gravity of our sin will we feel undone like Isaiah or truly praise Him, like David. When we understand our sinfulness we will melt in the presence of God’s holiness and greatness. As we were warned yesterday we must not allow ourselves to become callous to sin.

Prayer: Response to The Word

Father, You are full of grace and mercy, slow to anger and abounding in love. According to Your great compassion You blot out our sins and give us cause to praise You time and time again! Hep me to not become callous to sin of any kind – but to realize quickly when I have fallen and humble myself before You in sorrow and repentance. Help me to remember what You want more than sacrifice is my love and obedience, and that You will not reject a broken and contrite heart when I have fallen short. – All praise and glory to the One who is full of grace and mercy and abounding in love! – Amen

Want More?

Go Deeper with Thistlebend’s devotional post –

Your Turn:
  • What’s your take away from today’s Scripture reading?
  • What do you think it means to have a broken spirit?

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Alienated From God

Day 2 of “Jesus I Need You, part 1” A study by Thistlebend Ministries, as posted on Youversion

Scripture Reading: Isaiah chapter 1 (focus verses 2-4); Ephesians 4:17-19

Listen, O heavens, pay attention, O earth!

For the Lord speaks:

“I raised children, I brought them up, but they have rebelled against me!

3 An ox recognizes its owner, a donkey recognizes where its owner puts its food;

but Israel does not recognize me, my people do not understand.”

4  Beware sinful nation, the people weighed down by evil deeds.

They are offspring who do wrong, children who do wicked things.

They have abandoned the Lord, and rejected the Holy One of Israel.

They are alienated from him.

Isaiah 1:2-4 NET
Observations: What’s the Message?

The message in Isaiah chapter one is from the LORD, Himself. He is obviously offended, angered, and grieved over how His children do not even recognize Him and how they have chosen to live. Their choices have alienated them from God. Verses two through four paint the main part of the picture but reading the entire chapter is to more fully understand the perspective and emotion of God.

Paul’s message in Ephesians chapter 4, specifically verse 17-32, is about living in holiness. While we are focusing on verses 17-19, it is worth reading, and quite helpful, to read the larger passage. In doing so we realize not only the danger of living an unholy life like the Israelites were in Isaiah’s time, but we also gain a comprehensive look at the choices we should make in order to not alienate ourselves from God.

Application: How Then Should We Live?

Paul answers this question quite well with his instructions, actually His insistence, that the Ephesians [Christ Followers, like us] should “no longer live as the Gentiles do”. The description here in these verses is that the Gentiles were alienated from the “life of God”, their hearts had grown hardened to sin which caused ignorance in their choices and a callousness to the way they lived. Basically, Paul is telling the believers to make better choices. He paints a vivd picture and exhorts them not to allow their hearts to grow hardened toward sin and rebel against God, or lose sight of Him or His Word, but that they should, as we saw in our previous lesson from John 15:5, abide closely and stay familiar with Christ and His ways.

– no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Because they are callous, they have given themselves over to indecency for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

A description of the Gentiles, as described by Paul in Ephesians 4:17-19 NET

One other application we can and should make from both messages – is to Encourage others in this way. I believe this is the same message we find in Hebrews 3:13, where the writer tells the believers to encourage each other daily for the specific reference to not allowing themselves to be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 

But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may 
become hardened by sin’s deception.  Hebrews 3:13  NET
Prayer: Response to the Word

Father, set a watch upon our hearts, that we not lose sight of You. Keep us ever hungering and thirsting for Your Word and living and loving like Jesus. Help us to encourage one another daily so that none of us become callous to sin and it’s deceitfulness. These things I pray in Jesus’ name and power – Amen an Amen!

Want More?

Visit Thistlebend Ministries for their encouraging devotional – Be sure and check-out what comes after their devotional! It’s a great and profitable way to go deeper in the Word.

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Jesus, I Need You

Scripture Reading: John 1:14-18; SOAP – John 15:5

Day 1 of “Jesus I Need You, part 1” A study by Thistlebend Ministries, as posted on Youversion

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5 NLT
Observation: Of the Teaching:

Christ’s teaching that He is the “vine” is a well known and wonderful illustration of our need to stay close to Him. However, because it is so familiar, it is easy to gloss over, which means we would be wise to ask the Lord for fresh eyes to look closely at what there is to learn even from the most familiar passages. Let’s dissect it and see what reminders or perhaps even some new insight the Spirit (John 14:26) might lead us to in this reading.

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 14:26

In John 15:5, the following observations can be made:

  1. I [Christ] am the vine
    • Christ is the source of life
    • He became human and “made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14)
  2. You [disciples/followers] are the branches
    • His followers are dependent on Him for life, strength, wisdom …
  3. Those [disciples/followers] who remain [abide/stay – meaning they are truly engaged with Jesus rather than just in it for appearance sake]
    • 2 Cor 5:17 says: Therefore if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation the old has gone the new is here
    • Gal 2:20 says: I have been crucified with Christ therefore I no longer live, the life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me
  4. And I [Christ] [abide/stay in them [disciples/followers]
  5. will produce [grow/develop] much fruit [evidence of new life]
    • Galatians 5:19-26 bears witness that followers of Christ will bear fruit when they live by the Spirit
  6. ‘but you [disciples/followers] cannot do this without me’
    • Paul emphasizes this truth in Philippians 4:13 with this antithesis – “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”
Application: How Then Should I Live?

Clearly, we are dependent on Jesus Christ and will only be healthy followers when we remain connected to Him – the Living Word. Abiding in Christ is both a privilege and a responsibility that is ours by Grace through Faith. It is vitally important that we realize this so that we do not neglect the responsibility nor forfeit the privilege by attempting to walk through this life in our own strength or according to our own desires.

LESS OF ME MORE OF CHRIST

This means we must SEEK and STRIVE to ABIDE in Christ and not be pulled away by the desires of the heart/flesh. We must be alert to the enemy’s tactics to steal, kill, and destroy. ABIDING IN CHRIST is our key weapon against our great enemy, the devil! The best formula for ABIDING is for there to be less of me and more of Christ. This happens when we saturate ourselves with Christ, the Word made flesh to dwell among us, John 1:14.

We must be alert to the enemy’s tactics to steal, kill, and destroy.

 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

John 10:10

Prayer: Response to the Word

Father, I praise You for sending Your only begotten Son – Jesus – The Living Word and Lover of my soul. So deep and lasting is His love that He gave His life for mine! Sadly, I so often crave other things more – forgive me for these times and work in me a discipline to never put anything before You – my Savior and my God. Thank You for Your faithfulness to love me, to forgive me, to abide in me, and to hear me when I call to You. Change my desires – lessen the hold this world and my flesh have on me. May there be less of me and more of You LORD -that Your glory may be known and seen in me! For Your glory, Amen –

Want more?

Visit Thistlebend Ministries for their encouraging devotional – Be sure and check-out what comes after their devotional! It’s a great and profitable way to go deeper in the Word.

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Jesus I Need You, Part 1

a study by Thistlebend Ministries, as posted on YouVersion Bible App Plans

Jesus is not an option for my life – He is the source of my life, my strength, and my access to God the Father. Without Him I can do nothing but through Him I can do all things (John 15:5 and Phil 4:13). To make Him an option is to put myself in a place where I can choose Him on some days or occasions and not others. This is a dangerous mindset for anyone but especially for the believer.

You see, as a believer we have become a new creation, according to Paul – the old has gone the new is here, (2 Cor 5:17)! Having been crucified with Christ we no longer live apart from Him. The life we now live – we live by faith in Him, the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us, (Gal 2:20). So you see – we NEED JESUS like we nee oxygen to breathe.

This is why I am inviting you to join me on this part of our journey through the Word. As we wait for the next trip with Love God Greatly to launch we will stroll through passages that remind us who Jesus is and why it is vitally important to stay connected to Him. invite a friend, a family member, a co-worker, or a neighbor and join me for this 12 day journey, Monday through Saturday for the next 2 weeks. I believe it will be just the stepping stones we need for our trip, “Choosing God Over the World”, with LGG – launching August 8, 2022. Trip-tickets [aka -Journals] are available through the Love God Greatly site.

https://lovegodgreatly.com/

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Reflections of Week 6, Beautifully Surrendered

Beautifully Surrendered, God’s Heart for His Daughters is a Love God Greatly Study

The women we’ve studied this week showed us that leaving a legacy of faith is important, not only for the lives of our own children but for the generations to come. From the mid-wives to the proverbs’ 31 woman we have seen that our faith has an impact on the lives of others. It became clear that it not only affects those close to us but the generations to come. This was especially evident in the lives of Lydia, Lois and Eunice, and excitingly evident in Mary Magdalene as she delivered perhaps the best news ever when she shared the news that Christ had risen, with her exclamation that she had seen the Lord!

.As with the other stories that we have read, they are certainly worthy of reading and sharing again and again. If for no other reason they will undoubtedly spark praise and joy in our own hearts as they refocus us not only on the greatness of our God but on the important role He has called us to play in His plan.

Leaving a legacy of faith may sound daunting and undoubtedly will not be without it’s challenges, but has as been pointed out this week – if we fail to do so, we put all of the generations coming behind us in certain danger of being like those in the day of Noah, whom the LORD saw and said that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. The LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved His heart. Or, like the days when it was said of the Israelites that, after Joshua’s generation died, they did not know the LORD or any of the things he had done for Israel.

After a while the people of Joshua’s generation died, and the next generation did not know the LORD or any of the things he had done for Israel.

Judges 2:10

This is why I have said many times during the course of our study: Consider these stories and their truths often so that you do not grow weary and lose heart. Fix your eyes on Him and not the circumstances of Your life – only then will we truly live the beautifully surrendered life that God desires for His daughters. As we saw again and again over the past six weeks, the choice is ours. May we choose well – so that Jesus may say of us, “they chose the best part”.

“Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:42 NET
Want More?

If you missed any of this week’s devotions from me you’ll find them at this link

If you missed any of the Love God Greatly Blogs for week 6 you’ll find them at these links:

https://lovegodgreatly.com/god-be-near/

https://lovegodgreatly.com/what-we-have-seen-and-heard/

Jesus, I Need You Part 1

6 Days

As I have been announcing, our next LGG Study will begin on August 8, until then I hope you’ll stay in the Word with me. On this leg of our journey we will follow the map of Scriptures laid out by Thistlebend Ministries, in their study, Jesus, I Need You. The study is intended to help us deepen our relationship with Jesus – and who doesn’t need to do that? You’ll need your Bible or your favorite Bible app, a notebook and pen. Hope to see and/or hear from you Monday, July 25.

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Women of Nobel Character: Fearing the Lord

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 31; SOAP: Proverbs 31:28-30

Her children have risen and called her blessed;

her husband also has praised her:

29 “Many daughters have done valiantly,

but you have surpassed them all!”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting.

A woman who fears the Lord—she makes herself praiseworthy.

Proverbs 31:28-30 NET

OBSERVATION: What’s the story?

Can i be honest? Ever since my divorce I have tuned this verse out. Once seeking to strive for it but now no longer feeling qualified because of lacking the title – “wife”. So when I saw it on this week’s schedule and sat down to reread it and then write a devotional – let me just say there was some resistance. However, God is good and His Spirit gentle and swiftly brought peace and gave wisdom to delve into the passage from a different angle. This involved some “Google Searches”, namely, “can an unmarried person have noble character?”. To my delight I wasn’t the only one that had googled such a question and I found a wonderful answer that pushed me to another look at the passage. The author, Lauren Oquist, wrote:

…if you read Proverbs 31 closely, none of the skills she has depend on her husband or kids. She has these skills because she exercises wisdom in everything she does.

The standards for a “virtuous wife” are the same standards for a virtuous woman — single or married.

Can I Be a Proverbs 31 Woman if I’m Single?
NOVEMBER 27, 2017 Lauren Oquist

She goes on to give a list of character traits that are seen in verse 13-25, including: trustworthy, hard worker, resourceful, Makes good use of her time, Good with money, generous, thinks ahead, and she’s wise. All worthy traits right, but here’s the quote that got me and freed me from the agony of hearing or coming across this passage again. (Don’t you just love the way the Spirit works?)

This is what will characterize us as a “Proverbs 31 Woman”: our fear of the Lord. Our genuine desire, from the core of who we are, to please Him.

Can I Be a Proverbs 31 Woman if I’m Single?
NOVEMBER 27, 2017, Lauren Oquist

I truly believe that even if I were still married this go-round with P31 and the beautiful devotion by Lauren Oquist would have still brought the relief and encouragement I now feel. Of course this means I will also be purposefully honing some of these traits again – so then there’s that – LOL!

Application: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

While fearing the LORD is the thing that characterizes us as being of ‘noble character’, or a Proverbs 31 woman, the character traits listed above are still important to our lifestyle. The good news is the stronger our “core desire to please Him” is, the easier – or perhaps I should say, the more natural, the traits will be.

PRAYER: RESPONSE to the Word

Father, thank You for hearing by prayer to guide me through this last and dreaded lesson. Your Spirit graciously did not let me lay it aside nor did He fail to open my eyes and mind to understand it better. Strengthen my core desire to please You and to be characterized as a “woman who fears the LORD – and makes herself praiseworthy.”

YOUR TURN:

What’s your take away from the Proverb 31 passage?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
  • Why is it important to live our lives focused on Jesus?
  • How does this one simple choice impact all areas of our lives?
Want More?

Don’t miss the Love God Greatly Blog Post

You’ll also want to read this

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Lois and Eunice: Passing on the Faith

Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 1:3-7; SOAP: 2 Timothy 1:5

I recall your sincere faith that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you.

2 Timothy 1:5 NET
OBSERVATION: What’s the Story?

This story has many facets we can learn from, all of which revolve around “the faith”. That is, the faith we place in Jesus Christ which cleanses us from sin, unites us with the Father, and fills us with His Spirit. First and foremost we read in verse five that Paul confirms Timothy’s faith as genuine, meaning Timothy is connected to God through faith in Christ and the Spirit God gave him (5). Paul and Timothy are connected through the faith, which is made clear by Paul’s reference to Timothy as his son. A term most likely used because Paul led Timothy to faith in Christ (2), Then we see that Timothy is connected to the faith through his relationship with his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, through their living faith (5). This is the facet that is the focus of our study today as we continue to look at living beautifully surrendered to God. Lois and Eunice, grandmother and mother, planted seeds of faith as Timothy grew up. I believe that it’s important to note again the importance of Paul’s confirmation that Timothy’s faith was sincere – in other words it isn’t just a family thing but a transformation of His own heart. While Timothy’s faith was greatly impacted by his mother and grandmother, relying on their faith would not be enough to save him.

HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

First of all, we must make sure our faith is genuine and not reliant upon someone else’s faith. Once this is settled, from our focus verse (5) it is clear to see that we are to live in such a way that our faith is obvious and active, like Lois and Eunice. This kind of faith passes on to our children and others for generations to come. However, we would be remiss to not also note and learn from the other facets in the passage. Namely, that we should not only encourage others in the faith as Paul is here with Timothy, to “rekindle” or “fan the flame” (6), but also we should stay in the habit of ‘fanning the flame” of our own faith. In other words to do things that strengthen our faith. In Timothy’s case it will be to serve others and preach the Word (2 Timothy). What about you? What has God called you to do with His gift of salvation? Whatever it is, step into it without fear for He has given you His Spirit of power, love, and self-control.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
PRAYER: RESPONSe to the word

Father, thank You for my own heritage of faith – passed on to me through my parents, my grandparents, and their parents before them. Thank you that You have, by Your Spirit – through Christ – made my faith genuine. Thank You for all the “Paul’s” You have placed in my life to encourage me to grow in my faith and to keep it burning bright. Thank You for the example of Lois and Eunice to live an active life of faith that is passed on from one generation to the next. I know of no greater desire of my heart than for my children and their children and all the children to come after them to know You and serve You all the days of their life. Let me live in such a way that my life fans the flames. – All glory and praise to You!

YOUR TURN:

What’s your take away from the story about Lois and Eunice?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Lois and Eunice were a grandmother and mother who had a great impact on the next generation as they passed their faith on to Timothy

  • Why is it important to be intentional about passing on our faith to the next generation?
What’s Next?

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Mary Magdalene: The First Woman

Day 3, Week 6 of Beautifully Surrendered, A Love God Greatly Study

Today’s Reading: John 20:11-18 SOAP – John 20:18

 Mary Magdalene came and informed the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what Jesus had said to her.

John 20:18 NLT
Observation: The Story
Who is this Mary?

Mary Magdalene is the woman from whom Jesus drove out seven demons. After this she became of His followers, and like many others she supported Him from her resource.

Sketchy Details

While John sketches details rather than elaborates, his details though lacking do match up with those of the other Gospel writers, Matthew 28:1–10, Mark 16:1–8, and Luke 24:1–12. One difference worth noting is the other writers all mention other women being with Mary when she went to the tomb, though in all accounts Mary Magdalene is mentioned first. It has been suggested that John leaves the other women unmentioned because Mary was the one who went to find Peter and the “beloved disciple”.

John’s sketch includes the following details about Mary:

She was at the tomb before daybreak and was the first to see that the stone had been rolled away.

She ran to tell Peter and the ‘beloved disciple’.

She stayed when the others left

She saw, and talked with, two angels who were in the tomb

She saw, and talked with, Jesus (though she did not recognize Him by His appearance)

She recognized who He was when He called her by name

She was given a message from Jesus to deliver to His disciples

She announced that she “had seen the Lord”

She didn’t tell her story but what He told her to say

I’m a detailed writer, clearly John wasn’t. His rendering is lacking in details or embellishments but what we know for certain is that Mary was focused on Jesus, so she went to the tomb. Finding the tomb empty did not shake her focus but she zeroed in on finding Him, according to John she was even fearful that someone had taken the body. We also see her unwavering focus kick-in when the Lord’s use of her name revealed to her who He really was.

How Then Should We live?

We should live focused on and passionate about Jesus, alert to where He is in our life, seeking Him if He “seems” distant, listening for His voice, and telling others what we have seen and heard.

Prayer Response:

Father, I can only imagine how Mary must have felt to find the tomb empty – to think someone had taken Him – her Savior and teacher … She needed and wanted Him back. Thank you that the tomb is empty and that we know where He is!

YOUR TURN:

What’s your take away from the story about Mary Magdalene?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Mary Magdalene proclaimed to the disciples what she had seen, our risen Lord.

  • Why is it important to tell others the incredible work we have witnessed Jesus do in our lives as well as the live of others?
WANT MORE?

Visit Love God Greatly for their Wednesday Blog

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Lydia: Planting a Church

Day 2, Week 6 of Beautifully Surrendered, A Love God Greatly Study

Today’s Reading: Acts 16:11-15 and 40; SOAP: verse 15

15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house.” And she persuaded us.

Acts 16:15 NET
Observation:

Lydia, is said to be the first known convert to Christianity in Europe. While Scripture introduces her as a God-fearing woman (v14), it wasn’t until listening to what Paul was saying, which would have most certainly been the Gospel message,1 that her heart responded in belief. Lest we think that Paul and his companions knew all the right words or amazing presentations, don’t miss that it was the Lord who opened her heart (v14). The general consensus of the commentators I read believed, that because there weren’t enough Jewish men to have a Synagogue, Paul and the others with him traveled to the shore where they found Lydia and a group of women praying. Because of this, and the fact that Paul had a vision that led him to Macedonia in the first place, – Lydia and her household were saved and baptized. Following her baptism, Luke writes, she “persuaded” them [the disciples] to stay in her house.

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. Ephesians 6:19

1 An example of what Paul would have been speaking to those listening to Him in Acts 16: 14

I believe it’s important to not miss the underlying fingerprints of God throughout the Scriptures, as seen here in the story of Lydia. I believe they are best captured by this statement from the writers of Gotquestions.org: 

God rerouted Paul and friends and also ensured that Lydia would be in the right place at the right time to encounter Paul and hear the good news of Jesus. And, as Lydia heard the gospel, God opened her heart so that she received the life-giving message. In this story, so full of divine intervention, we see the sovereignty of God in salvation; as Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them” (John 6:44). We also see the immediate bond that a new believer has with other believers in Christ—Lydia showed hospitality to those who brought the good news, and she wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.
   https://www.gotquestions.org/Lydia-in-the-Bible.html
For more insight into Lydia's story visit this link at Bibleref.com  https://www.bibleref.com/Acts/16/Acts-16-15.html
How Then Should We live?

There are many take-aways from this one little passage. Including but not limited to the underlying but obvious fingerprints of God or the disciples persistence in looking for a prayer gathering when there was no synagogue to be found. However, what stands out to me as worthy of imitating – is Lydia’s willingness to listen to what Paul was saying, her heart yielded to God, positioned to surrender and respond to the message He had sent. On top of that is her obedience to follow in believer’s baptism and to make sure her household had the same opportunity; equally worthy is her immediate desire and persuasiveness to open her home to other believers, both to the disciples and others – as is evident in verse 40.

Prayer Response

Father, as the old hymn says, “take my life and let it be ever only all for Thee”. Help me to be a faithful disciple of Your Word and an obedient daughter, following as and where You lead, my life and home always open to Your work in reaching the world – for Your glory and for the reputation of the Gospel.

YOUR TURN:

What’s your take away from the story of Lydia?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Lydia wasted no time in serving the church after she was saved.

  • How did her hospitality bless the early church?
  • What example was she setting to those around her?
Looking Ahead:

The next LGG study, “Choosing God Instead of the World”, will start August 8 …. I shared details with you over the weekend for the study – here’s more for your encouragement to join us for a six-week journey with Jacob and Joseph.

Our choices can be simplified into two categories: the things of God and the things of the world. Choosing the things of God is often challenging, but it yields the best long-term results. Choosing the world can be much easier and can appear to be the best way to avoid pain, but these choices often lead to our destruction. 

Choosing God Instead of the World studies the lives of two men, Jacob and Joseph, their families, and the choices they faced. Both Jacob and Joseph were given a specific promise from God, but they lived out their faith very differently. As we study their lives, we will see the importance of choosing the things of God and the way God rewards those who walk with Him. We will also discover how, even if God’s people often made a mess of things, His promises to them never failed.

excerpt from – https://lovegodgreatly.com/announcing-our-next-study-10/