Category: Quiet Time

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

Conquering and Consuming Fire

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Inspired by “The Importance of Prayer”, a Love God Greatly Study – w4d4

Read 1 Kings 18:20-39

Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long are you going to be paralyzed by indecision? If the Lord is the true God, then follow him, but if Baal is, follow him!” But the people did not say a word. 

1 Kings 18:21

I hope you’ll read the whole passage today to have a fuller picture and understanding of what Elijah was up against and how amazingly God responded to Elijah’s prayer for the people, God’s people, to renew their allegiance to God! It’s important to note, Elijah wasn’t concerned with the people thinking he was the greatest – his concern was for the people’s indecisiveness and he urged them to make their decision – God or Baal. When they wouldn’t respond the challenge was put forth.

 Elijah said to them: “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but there are 450 prophets of Baal. 23 Let them bring us two bulls. Let them choose one of the bulls for themselves, cut it up into pieces, and place it on the wood. But they must not set it on fire. I will do the same to the other bull and place it on the wood. But I will not set it on fire. 24 Then you will invoke the name of your god, and I will invoke the name of the Lord. The god who responds with fire will demonstrate that he is the true God.” All the people responded, “This will be a fair test.”

1 Kings 18:22-24

While the prophets of Baal did it their way calling upon the name of Baal and following their prescribed rituals, shouting louder and louder when he didn’t answer and then mutilating themselves, as was their custom. Yet, despite their frenzied behavior and efforts there was still no answer from Baal. So Elijah began his turn in the challenge, and he went to great lengths to set up the altar and prepare for what he expected the LORD to do. Then he did the strangest thing, instead of doing everything to assure the fire would start, he instructed the people to pour jugs of water on the offering and in the trench around where the offering lay. Seemingly crazy and definitely risky in the eyes of man but further proof of Elijah’s hope and trust in God. For this act insured that when the fire started it would be totally from the true, living, powerful LORD, the God of Elijah. Once everything was ready, Elijah prayed to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His request was for God’s glory and for the people to return to the true and living God – and God responded, meeting if not exceeding Elijah’s requests.

 Then fire from the Lord fell from the sky. It consumed the offering, the wood, the stones, and the dirt, and licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground and said, “The Lord is the true God! The Lord is the true God!”

1 Kings 18:38-39

Call to Action:

  • Pray believing
  • Pray for the sake of God’s glory and the rescue/redemption of God’s people
  • Prepare for the answer you’ve sought
  • Ask and expect God to answer and stand out of the way to watch Him work
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Waiting for God’s Answers

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Inspired by “The Importance of Prayer”, An LGG Study – w4d3

Scripture Reading: Lamentations 3:19-26; SOAP: 25-26

The Lord is good to those who trust in him,

to the one who seeks him.

26 It is good to wait patiently

for deliverance from the Lord.

Lamentations 3:25-26
Reviewing the Situation

Like with so much of Scripture it is easy to zoom in on the verses of hope and joy and the “good parts” of God’s story – but we can’t fully understand or appreciate these verses if we don’t know why the hope or joy or deliverance taste so sweet. Take for instance, Jeremiah’s words in verse 19 – he remembers the afflictions and wanderings, the bitterness and the awful conditions he had endured – the taste of it all was still fresh in his mind – but why? What had been happening that was so bitter and brought so much depression? We could go back through the history of God’s people to fully see and comprehend how things were as Jeremiah records, but for the purpose of today’s passage it will suffice to simply look back to the first of Lamentations. You see, the book of Lamentations begins with Jeremiah mourning over Jerusalem’s destruction – The Temple was destroyed, the people were defeated and taken captive and his sorrow ran deep. So deep was his sorrow that the entire book is saturated with it. Even chapter three still finds him expressing words of lament but with one difference – a glimmer of HOPE! So where did his hope come from in the midst of all the sorrow and devastation? Why, when God’s people were still waiting for deliverance, did he find reason to HOPE? This is what we must not miss in order to truly share in the hope Jeremiah speaks of as we find ourselves waiting for the Lord and His deliverance. Read what he writes in verses 19-21, notice the depth of his despair and then it’s like a light bulb goes on – and he declares, “But this I call to mind; therefore I have hope:

[I] Remember my impoverished and homeless condition,
which is a bitter poison.
20 I continually think about this,
and I am depressed.
21 But this I call to mind;
therefore I have hope:

Lamentations 3:19-21
What Does He Call to Mind? Why Does He Have Hope?

We don’t have to look far to find out. It happened just after remembering the days of his own impoverished and homeless condition – which could just as easily have led him away from the Lord. Instead, he purposefully “called to mind” the goodness of God which led him to HOPE in the LORD. He chose to remember God’s kindness, compassion, and faithfulness – and then he once again declares his hope in the LORD.

The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases;
his compassions never end.
23 They are fresh every morning;
your faithfulness is abundant!
24 “My portion [security, hope] is the Lord,” I have said to myself,
so I will put my hope in him.

Lamentations 3:22-24 NET

You see, what Jeremiah realized, and what we would be wise to learn from him, is that by remembering the “goodness of God” we will be led to hope and hope will move our heart, as it did his, from despair to ‘trusting in God, seeking Him, and waiting patiently for His deliverance.” It seems to me the key was in a change of focus – he went from “continually thinking about” his past and problems or misery to choosing to remember God’s goodness.

So, what are you waiting on today? Provision for a need? Wisdom for a decision? Healing? Whatever it is, fix your thoughts on the goodness of the Lord, determine to “call to mind” what He has done for you already and let those truths move you to HOPE, and from that hope may you ‘trust in him, seek him and wait patiently for His deliverance. In the meantime, rest and delight in knowing that His mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness is great!

Want more? Be sure and visit Love God Greatly for the Wednesday blog.

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time, She, Volume 2, The Importance of Prayer

Hannah’s Story

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God Remembers

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-20;

10 She was very upset as she prayed to the LORD, and she was weeping uncontrollably. 19 They got up early the next morning. Then they worshiped the Lord and returned to their home at Ramathaim. Elkanah was intimate with his wife Hannah, and the Lord called her to mind. 20 Then Hannah became pregnant.

1 Samuel 1:19-20

This is one of my most beloved passages of Scripture. Both because of how God’s power and tender-love are displayed; but also because of the way He used it to give me hope in my own days of infertility.

Hannah’s story, found in 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2, is best read in full, for the truest beauty can only be seen when you know it is about more than Hannah wanting a child. It’s about relationships, it’s about God’s power withheld and poured out. We see the unkindness and even hatefulness of others, and we witness the deep love and encouragement of a husband. It’s about the faithful act of worship, the emotions, prayers, faith, and hope of one whose heart is poured out before God; it’s about the watchful eyes and encouragement of a priest, the power of prayer, the timing of God, and the waiting – while still pressing on in life; and it’s about God remembering the words of His daughter and pouring out His blessing on her, and likewise, it’s about a daughter remembering and responding with a grateful heart and faithful obedience. It’s about then, and it’s about now – for ultimately, it is about us remembering and knowing, as Hannah did, just who our God is and what He can do when we humble ourselves before Him in faith – believing He is able.

Hannah was Elkanah’s wife. She was one of two wives. Scripture says that the first was Hannah and the second was Peninnah. Elkanah cared for Peninnah and their children, but Scripture makes it clear that he took special care of Hannah and loved her, even though the Lord had not enabled her to have children. Peninnah, however, did not treat Hannah with the same kindness as Elkanah. Instead, we are told that she was her rival, “an adversary who provoked her to the point of exasperation, just to irritate her, since the lORD had not enabled her to have children. This is how it would go year after year. As often as she went up to the LORD’S house, Peninnah would offend her in that way.

Some things we can learn

“As for Hannah, she was very distressed. She prayed to the Lord and was, in fact, weeping. She made a vow saying, “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you would truly look on the suffering of your servant, and would keep me in mind and not neglect your servant, and give your servant a male child, then I will dedicate him to the Lord all the days of his life. His hair will never be cut.” 1 Samuel 1:10-11

When Hannah made her vow to God, she did so with great respect and purpose. She did so in faith and reciprocated with commitment. Listen as she prays specifically, boldly, and with the commitment of a child she had not yet received. Look back to the earlier portion of the story where we read that she prayed often, and watch as she responds to the priest, humble but unashamed, and how she does not seek to hide her anguish from God. Do not miss how prayer and Eli’s encouragement brought about a visible and inward change.

Eli replied, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the request that you have asked of him.” She said, “May I, your servant, find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and got something to eat. Her face no longer looked sad. 19 They got up early the next morning. Then they worshiped the Lord and returned to their home at Ramathaim. Elkanah was intimate with his wife, Hannah, and the Lord called her to mind. 20 Then Hannah became pregnant…1 Samuel 1:17-20

It is important to see how Hannah went on with life, and when God sent the child she had asked Him for, she was neither forgetful nor oblivious, nor so caught up in life that she could not respond accordingly concerning the vow she had made to the Lord.

Scripture says that “When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine. 25 After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. 26 “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. 27 I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. 28 Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.

The Rest of the Story

If you continue reading through the book of Samuel, you will see that Hannah’s story doesn’t end with her leaving Samuel, her only child, at the Temple. As we read in the next chapter of 1 Samuel (chapter two),

“… But Samuel, though he was only a boy, served the Lord. He wore a linen garment like that of a priest. 19 Each year, his mother made a small coat for him and brought it to him when she came with her husband for the sacrifice. 20 Before they returned home, Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May the Lord give you other children to take the place of this one she gave to the Lord.”

1 Samuel 2:18-21

We can only imagine how difficult it must have been for Hannah to keep her commitment to leave this child she had longed for and prayed for behind, in the House of the Lord. Yet Scripture says that is exactly what she did, and in all of it, she was blessed by the Lord with other children to take the place of the one she had given to the Lord, just as Eli had prayed. She gave birth to two more sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, “the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:21), and He would go on to become the spiritual leader of Israel. As the prophet and judge of the nation, Samuel would anoint the nation’s first two kings, Saul and David. (emphasis adapted from gotquestions.org)

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer

Looking Back and then Ahead

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Week 4 Preview of Love God Greatly’s, The Importance of Prayer
Looking Back

Last year we looked at these same verses around this same time of year and here’s what I wrote that day in response:

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.

Looking Ahead

Sweet to look back on memories like this – sweeter still is the HOPE that is renewed by what God has done in the past that has demonstrated His love and faithfulness to His children.

Week 4 promises to be interesting, as we will journey through both the Old and New Testaments, covering some passages that reveal “How God Answers Prayers”. On Friday we will look at one of my favorite Ephesian passages, which proclaims that God is able to do more than we ask or even imagine – Talk about HOPE!

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20 NLT

I invite you to join me daily and pray that you will find the journey to be a source of delight and an encouragement to your soul. Jeremiah said it like this – “[God], Your Words were found and I ate them and Your words became to me a source of joy and the delight of my heart -” Jeremiah 15:16.

Want to join me on facebook for a bit more interactive study – join me here https://www.facebook.com/groups/2825151424418487/

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

Reflections

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I haven’t posted weekend reflections for a while now but decided I would this weekend. As I was typing them out, this passage from James came to mind – may it be a help and encouragement to you as we continue on this Journey through God’s Word –

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25 NLT

REFLECTIONS FROM WEEK 2 OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER –
  1. What do we learn when we see how Jesus took time out of His day to get away and pray?
  2. How to anger and unforgiveness hinder your prayers?
  3. How was the power of prayer exhibited in Acts 9:40? What does this teach us about the power of prayer?
  4. When we pray for ourselves and others, what is one thing we should pray for based on Ephesians 3:16?
  5. Why is it important to abide in Christ? How can we do this when we pray?

If you missed any of the posts for week 2 you can find them at the following links –

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/01/16/5497/
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/01/16/5508/
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/01/18/5517/
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/01/19/kneel-before-the-father/
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/01/20/pray-to-abide-in-christ-2-0/
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Pray to Abide in Christ (2.0)

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Inspired by a LGG Bible Study, “The Importance of Prayer”, w2d5

Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8; SOAP (5)

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

John 15:5 NET

Jesus is teaching His disciples that He is their source of life ; and He goes on to say that they [the disciples] are the branches. He doesn’t stop with that analogy though, but continues the lesson that gives them the key to being a healthy – thriving “branch”, which is to abide, or remain in Him. In the context of the analogy it might sound like this – ‘the one who remains attached to Me – and I remain in him – bears much fruit …” or the evidence of Christ in us – Galatians 5:22-25)

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

Galatians 5:22-25

As for the little clause, “and I in him“, is a given fact, for Christ said – “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20. And, of course, in John 14:18 He told them that He would send the Holy Spirit so that they would not be orphans, in other words He wouldn’t leave them alone. Jesus made it clear that He will always be with us – the choice is ours – to stay the course of a true disciple, remaining attached to Jesus, the “True Vine” – or not. Note the passage from Galatians defines those who “belong to Christ” [a true disciple] as having “nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there.” He then identifies the disciples who belong to Him as ones who live by the Spirit, and encourages them to follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of their lives.

Oh Father, may we choose well in our walk of faith, holding fast to the eternal life to which you have called us and about which we have declared before many witnesses in our churches and neighborhoods, at our jobs and to our families. Lord let us not falter but help us to faithfully keep in step with the Spirit – so that in all things we do and say – fruit will abound – disciples will multiply and You will be glorified! In the mighty name of Jesus – Amen!

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

Pray for Each Other

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The Importance of Prayer, Love God Greatly 2023, w1d5

Read: Romans 15:30 and Colossians 1:9-12; SOAP: Colossians 1:9

 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

Colossians 1:9-12

He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

Colossians 1:8
Devoted to Prayer

Paul’s devotion to prayer teaches us much about praying for others in this one little passage, even in just this one focus/soap verse. Starting with the very first word we learn that we are to pray with a purpose. “So”, or “For this reason”, as found in the NET is a word or phrase that indicates the need to look back in order to truly understand why Paul and Timothy haven’t stopped praying for the believers at Colossae. When we look back to verse 8, we find the answer is because they heard how the Colossian believer’s love for others, a love given to them by the Holy Spirit. When we share the common bond of love – in the Spirit, whom we have received through faith in Christ, we will be or should be drawn to pray for one another. If we look carefully at verse 9 we will see at least three other lessons worth noting and I believe implementing in our own prayer lives.

  • Pray with a purpose: “because of your love in the Spirit.” (8)
  • Pray with others: “we have not stopped praying for you” (9)
  • Pray faithfully: “We have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you“. (9)
  • Pray specifically and in accordance with God’s will: “We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.“(9)

9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Colossians 1:9

“I’ll pray for you” can easily become a trite statement, something we say as a Christian nicety but with very little or consistent follow through. However, I believe this passage, specifically verse 9, gives us cause to guard ourselves against the nicety of prayers and implement this example in our everyday prayer life. When we invest in the lives of other believers, like Paul teaches, we will make an impact not only in each other’s lives but in the way we live for God. We will be known to bear fruit and honor God, and we will develop and deepen a relationship with Him. We will find ourselves strengthened with His power, not lacking in endurance or patience, and filled with joy. Oh the blessing and privilege of praying for each other. May He find us faithful and may we find ourselves different because of it.

10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

Colossians 1:10-12

Reflection Questions:

  • Who are you praying for?
  • Do you pray with purpose and faithfulness?
  • Do you pray specifically and in accordance with God’s will?

Don’t forget today’s blog from Love God Greatly

https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

How can I pray for you? Please leave any prayer needs you have in the comment/reply box below.

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Praise the Name of the Lord

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The Importance of Prayer – A Love God Greatly Study, w1d4
Read Psalm 145 and SOAP Psalm 145:2-3

2I will praise you every day;
    yes, I will praise you forever.
3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
    No one can measure his greatness.

Psalm 145:2-3

For me, soaping this passage might look like the following –

Scripture: 2I will praise you every day;
    yes, I will praise you forever.
3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
    No one can measure his greatness. Psalm 145:2-3

Observation: 1. David makes it personal. He isn’t simply leading others to praise God – He is declaring his personal heart felt adoration for His God. 2. David is committed, pledging to praise God every day – forever. 3. David declares the Lord to be great and worthy of praise. 4. David is certain that no one can measure God’s greatness.

Application: If I am to emulate David, who was a ‘man after God’s own heart, I should seek to praise God forever and ever. I will declare His greatness, remember that He is “most” worthy of praise, and not allow anyone a greater place or tribute in my life – not because I’ve been told that He is great or because other people are praising Him but because I personally know that so great is He, His greatness cannot be measured.

Prayer: Father, thank you for David’s reminder that you are great and most worthy of praise. Help me to praise you throughout every day of my life, forever and forever. – Amen!

My SOAP

SOAPing Scripture is a beautiful and helpful technique of studying and understanding God’s Word. However, it is important, when doing so, to allow yourself the time and the joy of mining for other treasure. Or, as I like to say, to chase some ‘scripture squirrels’. So, naturally when my study for today – The Importance of Prayer by Love God Greatly – called for me to read Psalm 145 and SOAP only verses 2-3 – I ended up chasing down some squirrels.

As we discovered yesterday, praising God makes for a great time of worshipful prayer. This Psalm of David is an excellent example. He begins by lifting up, or exalting, the Lord in verse 1 and is still praising Him in verse 21. David declares in his own singular praise – I will exalt you, my God and King, and I will praise your name. Keep reading though and you will see that his praise leads to more praise, followed by an invitation or the expressed hope (4) for others to continue the praise – “Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.” Watch, then, as he purposes to meditate on some of the most beautiful characteristics and works of our God. According to David, when we think of God’s majestic, glorious splendor and His wonderful miracles we will proclaim His greatness. And because praise is contagious God’s awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue not just his own; David will proclaim God’s greatness, yet not just His greatness toward David, but an extensive resume’ of God’s character and previous works.

  •  He keeps His promises;
  •  He is gracious in all He does.
  • The Lord helps the fallen
  •  He lifts those bent beneath their loads.
  •  He gives them their food as they need it.
  • He satisfies the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
  • The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
  • He is filled with kindness.
  • The Lord is close to all who call on him,
  •  He grants the desires of those who fear him;
  • He hears their cries for help and rescues them.
  • The Lord protects all those who love him
  •  He destroys the wicked.

Look back with me to verses 5-13, and note that by proclaiming some simple yet profound truths of God, like His greatness and the fact that He is worthy of praise, David’s Psalm turns from the singular ‘I will’ statements to declaring that ‘everyone will’ and ‘they will’.

Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness.

Psalm 145:7

David knows what it is to benefit from or to see the Lord’s mercy and compassion or to experience His goodness. He knows how his own heart responds in praise to these things and surmises, based on his own experience, that because the Lord is merciful and compassionate and because the Lord is good to everyone, that His faithful followers will also cry out in praise. He says, they will speak of the Glory of God’s kingdom, they will tell about His mighty deeds and give examples of His power and talk about the majesty and glory of His reign.

… your faithful followers will praise you.
11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
    they will give examples of your power.
12 They will tell about your mighty deeds
    and about the majesty and glory of your reign.

Psalm 145:10b-12

David ends the Psalm with the same declaration that he opened with, the pledge that “I will praise the Lord.” He then entreats everyone on earth to do the same. May we follow David in this most worthy quest. May our eyes and hearts and minds be opened to see, to hear, and to experience God – and then may we respond with praise – not just silent or whispered praises to Him but bold and confident praise that will testify to His goodness, His mercies, His grace, love, and magnificent works. May our praise ignite more praise both in us and in all those who hear or see what He is doing.

I will praise the Lord,
    and may everyone on earth bless his holy name
    forever and ever.

Psalm 145:21

Me, from the inside out

Reflection: What is something you can praise the Lord for today? I invite you to be the spark and leave a comment below.

Posted in Advent, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The God Who Restores

THE KING WILL COME

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The God Who Restores, w4d1
TODAY’S READING: MICAH 5:2-4
Today’s SOAP: Micah 5:4

And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
Then his people will live there undisturbed,
for he will be highly honored around the world.

Micah 2:4 NET

Observations:

  • Jesus will take His place as the Shepherd of God’s people. (we are the flock the sheep of His pasture – see Psalm 100:3)
  • Jesus will do His work by God’s strength and authority.
  • [We], His people, will live securely because He reigns!

Application:

  • I have a good Shepherd.
  • His strength and authority belong to God.
  • Through Him, I can/will live securely – because Christ and His Kingdom will last forever.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, I don’t always understand Your Word – especially the prophecies – but what I do know and trust is Jesus is the Great Shepherd, my Shepherd – who rules and reigns and has made a way for me to live securely and forever with You! – I praise You for these truths in the name of Jesus – Amen!

TODAY’S REFLECTION:
  • How is God calling your heart to Him this week?
    me: In compassion He’s calling me to be still and know/remember that He is God – to keep my eyes on Him and not the circumstances or busyness of life
  • What is He doing in your life that displays His great mercy and love as well as His holiness?
    me: He is giving me strength for each new day and the peace that truly passes all understanding. He is graciously showing me mercy through His patience with me when I mess up, and forgiving me when I sin.
  • Your Turn: I invite you to share your soap and your reflections in the comment section or feel free to email me if you have questions.
Posted in Advent, Bible study, From the Insideout, Quiet Time, The God Who Restores

Shout for Joy

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The God Who Restores, A Love God Greatly Study – w3d2
Today’s Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20
SOAP: Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is in your midst;
he is a warrior who can deliver.
He takes great delight in you;
he renews you by his love;
he shouts for joy over you.”

Zephaniah 3:17 NET
Observations: The Day of Hope
Are these the things you believe about your God?
  • Do you know that He is in your midst, that He is with you?
  • Do you see Him as a mighty warrior who not only can but has delivered you from the power of sin and death?
  • Do you believe, despite what you know about yourself (and despite what He knows), that your God takes great delights in you?
  • Have you experienced the calming, renewing effect of His love in your life?
  • Can you hear Him rejoicing over you with singing?
Application: It’s all in the attitude

I’ve said it before but it bears repeating … What we believe will steer our attitude. We will either be shouting for joy at what God has promised that is yet to come and rejoicing over what He has already done – or, we will doubt who He is and miss all that He has for us while we wait here on earth – and possibly what He has promised those who belong to Him in the future. We must be intentional, write it down on paper or better yet, put it in the notes section of your phone. When doubt or fears arise and hope dwindles pull it out and read it as a mantra- Perhaps something like this …

God is my God and He is with me, my mighty Savior who takes delight in me, with gladness! I will remind myself often that it is in Him and because of His love that I find a calming peace and a renewal my spirit.

Me, from the inside-out
Prayer:

Father – how great is Your love! You dwell with me – my warrior who has saved me. I am Your daughter and You take great delight in me – even shouting for joy over me with song! I am forever grateful for your word and for Your messages and promises of hoped contained within it! –

Reflections:

What does Zephaniah 3:17 show us about God’s coming restoration? How can you find joy and proclaim His goodness today?