Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

I WILL RISE UP AND GIVE YOU THANKS…

Scripture: Psalm 119:61-64 / SOAP verses 62-64

Evil people try to drag me into sin,
    but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
62 I rise at midnight to thank you
    for your just regulations.
63 I am a friend to anyone who fears you—
    anyone who obeys your commandments.
64 O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth;
    teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119:61-64 NLT

by WhitneyD | Jul 1, 2015 | 87 comments

The generator had been shut down hours before. Funny how many things you can hear in the middle of the night without the hum of electricity drowning out the sounds of the earth. I was twenty-one and wide awake in a foreign land, and God had met me there.

Of course he was there. He’s everywhere.

But somehow less noise, less stuff, less of me had helped me see him more clearly than I had in a very long time. 

To my shame, I had uttered a lot of telling words in the weeks leading up to the trip…

Words of doubt as I struggled to make solid plans for my future.

Words of envy as I saw others prospering around me while I floundered.

Words of strife as I worked hard to take one step forward, only to end up two steps back.

Words of emptiness as I secretly chased worldly acceptance over God’s ways.

Words of frustration as I questioned the lack of peace my life.

My heart had been so consumed with all that was going wrong that – sadly – I was stuck wallowing in the negative instead of joyfully pursuing God and his Word.

“I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.” ~ Psalm 119:59

But in the quiet of that night, when everything else had been stripped away, God’s Word came alive.

I was reminded that my future is in God’s hands (Jeremiah 29:11).

I rejoiced over the fact that God is for me, and that his ways are intended for my good (Romans 8:31-32).

Peace flooded my soul as I once again found delight in God’s commands (Psalm 119:35).

And instead of sleep evading me due to the usual stress and overthinking, I was kept awake by a profound gratefulness for God’s unmerited grace in my life.

It was high time that I uttered new words…

I used to resent how often my desperation drives me to the feet of Jesus, but now I know that very place is often where I find even more reasons to celebrate the goodness of God.

Why?

Because his grace is simply more beautiful in my need. 

When little ones won’t settle down for the night, I will rise up and give you thanks.

When relationships are strained, I will rise up and give you thanks.

When my health is compromised, I will rise up and give you thanks.

When my future is unknown, I will rise up and give you thanks.

When I am persecuted for my faith, I will rise up and give you thanks.

When nations turn their backs on you God, I will still rise up and give you thanks.

“Whatever else may happen in this world, whoever else may turn their back on you when the chips are down, of this you may be sure: he whose trust and hope and confidence is in the unfailing love of God will never be put to shame.” ~ Sam Storms

Father, because of your righteous laws and your steadfast love – no matter what trials come our way – we can rise up and give you thanks.

And just like that, thanksgiving turns night into day…

At His feet,

*LET’S TALK: What kinds of words are you uttering in your trials? Whatever is going on in your life right now, together, let’s flood heaven with prayers of thankfulness to God for his righteous laws and steadfast love. Would you share your prayer in the comments today?

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

No Excuses

based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w5d1

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-4 and SOAP: verse 3

I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence. 

2 Peter 1:3

How many times and different ways can I say it? This is one of my top ten encouraging verses and it has made such a difference in my walk with God. Why? Because He used it to stop my excuses. You know, the ones like “peace is not my virtue” as an excuse for losing your temper or not wanting to make an effort to live at peace with someone difficult to deal with. Or there’s the excuse of gluttony that sounds something like – “I just have no self-control when it comes to pizza (chocolate or a myriad of other vices). We’ve all got weaknesses when it comes to living a godly life – and for every weakness, there is almost always an excuse just waiting to be offered up. The thing is the excuses don’t hold any credibility in the light of Peter’s teaching and God’s gift. For, If God has called us to ‘it’ then He has equipped us for ‘it’ – whatever ‘it’ may be.

I love the following explanation by bibleref.com. Check it out and ask God to help you use the spiritual tools He has supplied through His divine power, which He gives to all of us who are in Christ.

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Live a godly life, a life of “moral excellence.” Let this verse be your mantra when tempted or weary of battling sin.

  • We must choose to apply the power, whether it is to do something or abstain from something.
    • i.e., do you struggle with listening to gossip or spreading it? Either way, God’s Word makes it clear that it does not align with His will/pleasure, (Romans 1:29b-32).
    • So we must be intentional about putting off the old (gossip) and putting on the new (encouragement, truth, love, …)—(Proverbs 21:23). Those who guard their tongues keep themselves from calamity. So we must guard our tongues and refrain from the sinful act of gossip. If we surrender our natural desires to the Lord, He will help us to remain righteous. May we all follow the Bible’s teaching on gossip by keeping our mouths shut unless it is necessary and appropriate to speak.2
  • We must rely on God’s divine power, given to us through the knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.
  • Let the promise be an anchor of hope and strength. God has given us everything we need, including the power we need for a godly life. This power enables us to overcome temptations or deal with any weaknesses we may have.
Question FOR THE JOURNEY

Where are you on your journey of spiritual growth? In what area do you need to take ground: surrender, knowing God’s Word, trusting in God’s timing, etc.?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, Spirit, and Son, we are weak without You. We are dependent, as always, on You, and we are encouraged to know that, in Your goodness, You have given us everything we need to live a godly life. Help us when we are weak to remember You are strong and able to keep us from all wrong. You have promised to show us a way of escape when we are tempted and have filled us with Your Spirit, equipping us to live lives of moral excellence! We pray and thank You in Jesus’ name – Amen –

THE MORE WE KNOW

For more insight visit be sure and visit https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

One Day

based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w4d4

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10-11 and SOAP: 10-11

And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him belongs the power forever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:10-11 NET

One day our suffering will end! Peter’s words are full of life, hope, and peace as he points out what will happen “after we have suffered”. Peter tells us that God, who has saved us by grace through faith and promised us eternity with Him – “will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us!” To fully appreciate the life, hope, and peace this promise is meant to bring let’s look beyond the words on the page.

Restore: Gotquestions.org explains that, “The Greek word for “restore” conveys the idea of making something whole again. Sin and suffering have left us broken, and we will not be fully restored this side of eternity. However, at the right time, God will restore all things, including us.1 Revelation 21:4 holds a promise of restoration, where the current world will pass away and God will bring about a new reality. The verse states, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

“Additionally,” gotquestions.org goes on to say, “God promises to confirm, strengthen, and establish us. He fully acknowledges that we are His, that He gifts us with strength, and that He will establish us, that is, He will keep us rooted. Through it all, “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

This isn’t a passage with instructions so much as hope and encouragement from a promise of God. So, how, then, do we apply this knowledge? I believe we take the knowledge to heart and rejoice in the hope that one day, our suffering will end, and God will wipe away our tears. Then, I believe we take hold of the promise and let it bring us hope and courage as we wait for our ‘suffering” to end. And – since Peter has told us that believers everywhere are suffering – I believe we are to share this promise with others so that they, too, can rejoice and look forward to this hope of eternity.

Question FOR THE JOURNEY

In your current season of life, how can you intentionally shift your focus from your pain to God’s promises of restoration and the joy of eternity with Him?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, one day You will wipe away all our tears and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain; but for now we still know times, even days of ongoing troubles – so I echo the prayer of the LGG team today and pray that you will anchor our hearts to the promises that our suffering is only momentary compared to the eternal glory You have set before us. Form us more into Your image during this season of suffering. Restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. In all things, may You be glorified. Amen

Posted in Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

You are Good

Originally posted July 16, 2015

Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 NLT

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Spirit, Wisdom

Wisdom & Understanding

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” Colossians 1:9

God is good. He has gifted us with prayer and His Spirit. Jesus taught His disciples that the Holy Spirit was an advocate whom the Father would send in His name, He would teach them all things and remind them of everything that Christ had told them. Here, Paul prays for the believers in Colossae to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will -through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. According to the writer of ourdailyverse.com, “filled with the knowledge of His will,” is a phrase that transcends mere understanding. It suggests a filling so complete that it overflows into every corner of our lives – guiding our actions, decisions, and interactions.

May the Spirit help us to not just know God’s will, but faithfully seek it – that we may “be so filled with His will that our lives become a testament to God’s wisdom and grace.” This daily walk of faith – this journey through life on earth is only possible with the Spirit – the One who empowers, guides, teaches, reminds, and makes known the will of God.

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

The Eternal Thread

I love all of Paul’s writings, but boy, this one gets me every time! His questions make us think and his answers are riveting illustrations of the matchless love of God that is ours through Christ Jesus. Read the questions and soak in the answers and I believe there will be a resounding hallelujah when you reach the climatic end.

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:31-39

Verse thirty-five popped up in an email devo that I received today. Oh, how I love the timing and the compassion of our God. Regardless of what I am facing in this life, now or in the days to come, nothing – not the hardship that comes with my mom’s dementia, or fears that come with the pressing decisions or the unknown trouble that may ensue – nor anything else in all of life can separate me from the love of Christ! What a promise of hope and strength! It is a wonderful thing to be reminded that the presence of trouble and hardship in our lives does not diminish His love in any way – nor does it indicate that God has forgotten us. For, as Paul writes: “Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.”

I am His and He is mine – forever and always. Knowing that God’s love runs so deep that He gave His only Son is my strength and hope in these challenging days of dementia and decisions – were it not for His love and faithfulness my perspective would be one of doom and gloom – instead it is one of hope and confidence that come from believing – and having experienced the truth that “nothing – absolutely nothing – is too difficult for God; and perhaps even better is the knowledge that nothing and no one can separate me from Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior and His enduring love

The following is the devotion that was shared by Ourdailyverse.com on 2/8/24

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Wait for the LORD

… Apart from Me you can do nothing (John 14:5b)

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

God is good to comfort and sustain His people day after day. I learned many years ago that I cannot do this life without Him, and I am reminded of this truth daily. This making of life-altering decisions for my mom when I know she doesn’t want to do it … this selling of her house – when I can’t see the end of the road … this walking by faith and not by sight demands fixing my eyes on God, His promises, the comfort and hope we find in His Word, and the life-giving strength we find in Christ our Savior.

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His words I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 ESV

When I remember Paul’s words to the Corinthians, I am encouraged that even when we are pressed in on every side by troubles – we are not crushed or when we are perplexed – we don’t have to be driven to despair. There is also great hope in knowing that when we are hunted down by the enemy or the fears that pursue us – we are never abandoned by God, and there is strength in knowing that while we may get knocked down, we are not destroyed – for God is on our side. – and when God is with us, nothing and no one can stand against us!

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT

Whether it is a day of life-altering decisions – like moving your parent out of their home or simply getting up and going to work … whether you’ve just lost your job or received a devastating diagnosis from your doctor … whatever your day holds, remember to watch in HOPE for the LORD and wait expectantly for God your Savior – for He is always with us, strengthening – comforting – guiding – providing – loving – and holding us up with His victorious right hand.

As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.

Micah 7:7 NLT

May we say with the Psalmist:

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:13-14 CSB

Father, thank You for the faithfulness of Your Word – I truly find blessed assurance in knowing that Your promises are yes and amen in Jesus Christ, my Savior, who conquered the powers of sin and the “dark and dread of this world”! The dread of aging and health problems that render us or our loved ones in difficult and troublesome situations – the fear of the unknown bids me to cry out for Your mercies, Your strength, and joy and abiding peace that Christ came to give. I trust in You – may I overflow with the peace and power of Your Holy Spirit – Amen, in Jesus’ name – amen! Whether it is a day of life-altering decisions – like moving your parent out of their home or simply getting up and going to work … whether you’ve just lost your job or received a devastating diagnosis from your doctor … whatever your day holds, remember to watch in HOPE for the LORD and wait expectantly for God your Savior – for He is always with us, strengthening – comforting – guiding – providing – loving – and holding us up with His victorious right hand.

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Trusting In His Goodness and Help

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and earth. Psalm121:2

There is a bend in the river at the end of the road where I live. It is a beautiful and calming sight to me when I leave home for the day and again when I return. However, when such a bend appears in my life – and I cannot see around it or through its murky waters there is not calm but doubt and fear that meet my eyes and plague my mind.

On yet another morning of realizing my need of the Father’s comfort, peace, and clarity – He met me early with these words of King David, perfect comfort and encouragement for the life choice before me now about where mom will live, a choice weighed down with its fears and doubts. One minute the path seems clear and certain and the next I’m trying to see around the river’s bend – and when I can’t – doubts come and the storm waters surge and rise around me. The ebb and flow are tiring – I’m growing frustrated with myself – but I keep moving forward believing that God opened this door, that for nearly a year I prayed He would open – “if it was His will and when it was His perfect time for my mom”.

When I think I’m going under
Part the waters, Lord
When I feel the waves around me
Calm the sea
When I cry for help, oh, hear me Lord
And hold out Your hand
Touch my life
Still the raging storm in me

Selah / Part the Waters Lord

I remember not just the prayer that I prayed -but the assurance or our faith and prayers in Jesus’ name that we find in 1 John 5:14-15,… “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him..” Believing God answers the prayers of His people – I fight the “what if” questions and I press forward through the open door. I seek His face, His strength, His guidance and His peace. I seek God’s help in every way – for I know as the Psalmist did: “My help comes from God, the Maker of Heaven and earth – the One who sees and knows and cares and stays forever with me. He is the God who loves not just me but my mother. He alone sees around the river’s bend, the beginning and the end, and He alone is my trustworthy provider and protecter, my reliable wisdom and guide. He is my hope in the surging waters of doubts and fears.

For I have tasted and seen the goodness of my God and I choose to trust in Him – today and always! 🦋

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

The 12th Day of Christmas … 

Originally posted January 2019

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. 

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 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?

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

The 11th-Day of Christmas

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