Category: LGG Study

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Praying for God’s Good Gifts

Matthew 6:5-14; 7:7-11

11 If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:11

I love to give gifts to my children, now 26 and 32 years old. Christmas is the best – they receive three gifts each and there is a budget. They supply me with a list of more than three items – since we all want it to be a surprise. Sometimes it’s compiled like a grocery list but more often it filters in through a text or in conversations. I wrap the gifts in boxes of various shapes and sizes all in an effort to disguise the contents. For instance, a pair of running shoes may be wrapped in a long cylinder box, while a watch may be in a tennis shoe box. Because of the limit they know that they won’t get everything they’ve asked for – this means they really have to think it out and ask carefully – they often prioritize but the top of the list may not be what is under the tree. Nonetheless, they are always delighted and I am always filled with joy at how pleased they are – even with those packages that are totally rogue – you know – the item you see and think, ‘hmmm? I really think she might like that, or this might be better for her …. and then you wrap it – all the while hoping and praying she sees the good in it and the love behind it.

I’m sure by now you’re wondering what in the world this out of the blue story has to do with our passage today. All I can tell you is that when I began to write this devotional – this is what came to mind. I was reminded of how God doesn’t always tell us how something will be. He does however allow us to talk to Him about our desires and needs and concerns. (1 Peter 5:7, Phil 4:6-7, James 1:4 and 5:14 …) In love, He hears and considers our requests (John 16:23-24). We ask, we seek, and we knock – as Jesus taught – and then at just the right time we receive what we asked for , or find what we were seeking, or we watch the door open. The similarities to our yearly adventure don’t stop there though. Just like with the girl’s presents what we receive doesn’t always look like what we asked for or sought, and when that door opens what’s on the other side isn’t necessarily what we had in mind. However, all of it is good because God is good and His gifts are always good. No, His answers to our prayers won’t always be what we hoped for or wanted but they are given with His sovereign knowledge that it is the best gift or answer for us. We can always know that He has given or answered out of love and with a good purpose – and that He makes no mistakes. And, if you look close enough with each answer you will find traces of His heart in the shape of grace, love, joy, peace, mercy, hope, provision, compassion and more. May we learn to trust these truths and in faith receive and use each gift or answer He gives – according to His glory and pleasure.

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Pray with Confidence

Read: Ephesians 3:1-13; SOAP: Ephesians 3:12

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 

Ephesians 3:12 (NLT)

Much like we discovered in looking at 1 John 5:13-15 praying with confidence is a privilege of our faith that God gives us through Jesus Christ. John wrote that when we (those who believe in Jesus) pray according to the will of God that we can pray with confidence – knowing that God will hear us and answer accordingly; and in today’s passage Paul teaches that because of the Gospel of Christ, God’s power to save, we can not only come confidently but boldly into the very presence of God. In both situations the privilege is attached to our belief in the son of God.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16 NET

Reflection question: Why do you think it’s important that we pray with confidence? (see James 1:6) Share your thoughts in the comment bar below –

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Faith Brings Joy and Hope

5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans 5:1-5

My daughter gave birth to her first child this weekend, my first grandchild. What a wonderful gift from God that has filled our family with rejoicing! As my mother said, “He’s the beginning of a new generation.” My father, who recently passed away, would have certainly been rejoicing over this little guy. He would have been rejoicing in the hope of him knowing the Lord and the hope of God using him for great things would have been at the top of his list.💜 It strikes me how fitting this is with today’s lesson about “rejoicing in hope”, specifically in the “Hope of God’s glory”. God’s glory, as defined by Bibleref.com, “is Himself and all that is His”. As God’s children, we have the great privilege of HOPE – not a hope that something may happen but of the expectation that it will happen. An expectation that comes from believing in Christ without seeing – and trusting in the promises associated with our faith. The hope of eternity, the hope of peace and grace and mercy, the hope of forgiveness! We rejoice in the HOPE of His love come down every Christmas, and in His death, burial and resurrection with baptisms and every communion we partake of. As God’s children we have HOPE and when we truly understand the foundation of our HOPE we will be moved to rejoice in the goodness of our God and all that is His – and this my friends – should have a great effect on how we pray.

Reflection Question: Why would or how might “rejoicing in the Hope of God’s glory” affect the way we pray?

Please share your thoughts below.

Don’t forget the Love God Greatly blog is available today at https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

Do you have questions or comments about today’s lesson? Would you like to know more about Jesus and the privilege of “rejoicing in the hope of God’s glory”? Simply use the comment bar below, I would love to tell you more about my God or introduce you to Him – if you’d like to know Him.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Pray to Abide in Christ (1.0)

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The Importance of Prayer, A Love God Greatly Study – w2d5
Read: John 15:1-8; SOAP: John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remain in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.

John 15:5

I believe it is important to grasp the whole vine and gardener analogy to truly appreciate and rightly apply the message of verse 5.

In verses 1-4

  • Jesus likens Himself to a vine and God to a gardener,
  • He says we are the branches.
  • Some branches will be “taken away” and some “will be pruned”.
    • It is vital that we stay focused on the analogy of the vine, branches, and gardener and remember that in a real life gardening scenario some branches are already dead because they were never truly attached and viable, so they are thrown out. This is in no way teaching that believers will be cut away from Jesus.
  • The disciples would have understood the statement, “You are already clean” as a message from Christ that they were among those with a true saving faith. (see John 13:1-11)
  • Jesus teaches in verse 4 that if they remain or stay in Him/connect to Him then – in turn – He remains in them and they will produce spiritual fruit.

In verse 5, Jesus expands on what He’s already stated about Him being the vine and now makes it clear that we are the branches. Of course, this is just an analogy. Jesus isn’t truly a vine nor are we branches but it is a good illustration of how Jesus is the source of life for all who believe in HIm. Much like us working in our gardens, throwing away all the things that are dead and pruning our growing and viable plants and then enjoying the beautiful new blooms/growth in the weeks and months to come – Jesus teaches, when the branches are pruned – they will bear more “fruit”, bearing evidence of God’s work in our lives. He also teaches, the one who remains (abides … stays) in Him bears much fruit. You see, our faith involves active participation and this produces much fruit. However, the ones who just hang close to the vine but do not actively participate or take nourishment from the vine (remember they were never truly connected to the vine) will be cut off and thrown into the fire. In the analogy. as the gardener, God knows which are which and tends to us (the branches) accordingly. Finally, don’t miss that it is a joint participation – requiring not only us abiding in Him but Him abiding in us – for apart from Him we can accomplish nothing.

Father – through Faith – I am attached to Jesus, and He abides in me. help me to produce fruit to Your glory.

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Happy New Year’s Eve! I can’t wait to begin our new study, The Importance of Prayer, now available for purchase and scheduled to begin on January 17. Until then, I hope you will continue to join me here for daily verses meant to equip, encourage, and empower us with the Word of God. I look forward to growing with you in our faith, sharing with You what God is teaching me, and hearing what you’re learning and what He’s doing in your life. I recently read an article, The Most Wonderful Books on Earth, that has been the inspiration for where we will begin and maintain our focus in 2022. I will explain more in the days to come but reading the article will help you understand my heart as we begin reading through Matthew together on Monday. In the meantime, I have a huge favor to ask of each of you. Will you please join me today, tomorrow, and Sunday, in praying for:

  1. The growth of our group: It’s not about numbers for me, but rather about reaching more women with the Word of God, equipping, encouraging, and empowering them to know His love, live in His ways, and leave a trail of salt and light everywhere they go. (How: pray for and share this site with others you know, or simply share the daily posts on any of your social media. Invite others to join the group)
  2. The growth of you: a. In your faith – we all need to grow in our understanding and obedience to the Word of God. The writer of Hebrews taught that it is by constant use of God’s Word that we learn to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:11-14) … b. In your commitment and participation (as much as is possible)- (How? Checking in daily for the day’s passage, devotion and/or blog; sharing your observation, application, or a question you might have; sharing a prayer request or a word of encouragement – you never know how your words might encourage someone else …)
  3. Finally, for me. Please ask God to help me as I lead us on these journeys through the Word – that I might plan, prepare, schedule and communicate well and in a timely manner. Pray for the wisdom I need, that I might correctly explain the Word (2 Tim 2:15). Pray also for strength, joy, peace, and praise to be abundant in and through me. (Eph 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has *created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago and by which He is glorified … Matt 5:16 -In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. *[see also, 2 Cor 5:17]

From the bottom of my heart I thank you in advance for your prayers and for being partners with me in this journey and quest to not only study the Word but to Love God Greatly. 💜

Me – From the Inside-out

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Read: Luke 1:46-55 and Psalm 113; SOAP: Psalm 113:1-2

Praise the Lord!

Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.

    Praise the name of the Lord!

Blessed be the name of the Lord

    now and forever.

Psalm 113:1-2

Reflection: It’s the last Friday of our Advent study, The greatest Gift Given, and it’s time to praise the Lord again. Is there something you can praise Him for today? Think back through the week – where did you see God’s fingerprints or hear HIs voice. What has He done that you know could only have been Him? Have you known peace in your heart or mind? Take some time to give God praise! Let’s end our study time together with some Praise for the Greatest Gift Ever!

I pray you have a wonderful Christmas celebration! Our Savior has arrived—the King of kings and Lord of lords! Our Redeemer has been born and we get to join with angels in heaven as we sing His praises. Before the gifts are opened, before the meals are shared, before the carols are sung, sing praise to God, for He alone is worthy.

Read the full devotional from the Love God Greatly Team

And don’t forget the blog

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Read: John 14:27-31; SOAP: John 14:27

Reflection: What does it mean that Christ has given you His peace? How is the peace that Christ gave us different than anything the world can offer?

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27

“In His great mercy and wisdom, God continues to give us good and perfect gifts, not just for today, but for our future.” Read today’s full devotional

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Peace of Mind

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 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:6-8

Paul taught the people of Philippi to not be anxious about anything. He encouraged them to talk to God about their concerns and needs, and to set their minds on things that are true and honorable, and right and pure, and lovely and admirable. They were told to think about things that are excellent and praiseworthy. It seems Paul had learned that the best way to put out the fires of anxiety is to change the focus of his mind. – Go ahead, give it a try – I promise it works!

Reflection: What do you think about when you become anxious? Is it a help or a hindrance to the peace we read about here in Philippians – peace that guards our hearts and minds?

Read today’s devotional to find out what we should do with all of our anxious thoughts –

Love God Greatly Devotional
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The Gift of Peace

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I invite and encourage you to join me for this final week of our study as we explore God’s gift of PEACE.

We will discover how to have peace in our hearts, minds, circumstances, and future – and then we will finish the study with a look at Mary’s song of praise. You won’t want to miss a single day!

And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Week 6 Challenge: In Philippians 4:6-8 Paul tells his readers the peace of Christ guards our hearts. Hows does meditating on things that are true , worthy of respect, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or praiseworthy guard our hearts and minds? This week, take time to evaluate your thoughts, making sure to focus on things that match this list.