Category: The Gospel

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Quiet Time, She, Volume 2, The Gospel

The True Harlot Mother

Posted on by MaryEllen

Adapted from She, Volume 2/p83-84

Read: 1 Kings 3

If you’ve heard the story, you already know the outcome; if you haven’t, then you may be surprised at the King’s first suggestion and the vastly different reactions of the women. Whether the story is new to you or well-known, we must be careful not to brush it aside as irrelevant to us today. Our circumstances and life choices may never place us in the exact scenario of the two mothers, but throughout our lifetime, we will inevitably face difficult choices – choices that make us choose right from wrong, good or evil, love or hate, gain or loss – and in all of these, we must choose carefully. Our decisions must be made with a heart yielded and committed to God’s glory (the righteous choice), even if it means suffering great loss. After all, Jesus told His disciples (including us): whoever wanted to follow Him would need to deny themselves daily and take up their cross, which, as explained by one commentary1, means to: “accept the rejection of the world for turning to Jesus and following him. Discipleship involves a death that is like a crucifixion (Gal. 2: 20 and 6:14).” This is why Jesus went on to say: “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life because of me will save it” (Luke 9:24).

Solomon could not tell from their words which woman was telling the truth. Instead, he issued a shocking command: “Bring me a sword. . . . Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other”

(1 Kings 3:24–25). 
Reflection and Application
  • Leave a comment below with another example of someone willing to suffer great loss for God’s glory.
The More We Know

The chapter’s final verse notes the effect that Solomon’s unorthodox methods had on the kingdom: “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice” (1 Kings 3:28). Solomon’s wisdom had been given by God when Solomon requested it (verse 5). The account of Solomon’s handling of the case of the two prostitutes showed that he had indeed been granted wisdom from God. ~ (Got questions.org)

Dear reader, if you do not know Jesus… if you have never professed your faith in Him, I invite you to explore “Know These Truths” where you will discover the Way to everlasting life and an indescribable joy. It is available to all who believe.

Know These Truths
  1. Biblegateway.com sn Only Luke mentions taking up one’s cross daily. To bear the cross means to accept the rejection of the world for turning to Jesus and following him. Discipleship involves a death that is like a crucifixion; see Gal 6:14. ↩︎
Posted in Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Secure In Christ, The Gospel

In Christ Alone

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based on the LGG Study, Secure in Jesus, w1d3

Read: Ephesians 1:7-10; SOAP: 7-8

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. 

Ephesians 1:7-8 (NET) click here for KJV

Redemption, which is the forgiveness of sin, comes only through the blood of Jesus, and it only comes to those who believe in the name of Jesus. As today’s passage of our journey explains, it is not by our name or anything we have done. Instead, it is because God poured out His kindness and grace, and not begrudgingly, but out of His good pleasure, that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son. In Christ, God made a way for us to know Him and to receive forgiveness for our sins. Scripture is very clear that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. There is one redeemer, and He is Jesus Christ, our Lord.

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it. Redeemed by the blood of the lamb. Redeemed through His infinite mercies, His child, and forever, I am.

Hymn/Redeemed (scroll down for the full song)

Today’s journal entry by LGG points out that Paul isn’t writing about the classic “world’s version” of redemption. You know, the one

Friends, the story of God’s love and the story of Jesus on the cross are one and the same. And, as today’s journal entry points out, “It is the greatest story of redemption ever known. No matter where you are today, you can receive the redemption found through Jesus.” If you have not trusted Jesus as your savior, I plead with you to believe in Him today, to call upon the name above all other names, the only name under heaven by which we must/can be saved.

As today’s journal entry also points out, Paul’s letter about redemption, written to the Ephesians, wasn’t about the stories of redemption we read in books or see in movies. “in the secular world, redemption occurs when an individual accomplishes something or does something good. This is not so for those who are in Christ. We don’t have to do anything to receive redemption. We simply have to recognize our sin and trust in Jesus.” As Luke points out in Acts 4:12, “There is salvation in no one else.” Jesus alone is the one who secures our redemption.

We are not the heroes of the story. Jesus is. We are merely recipients of His lavish grace. And what’s more, Paul tells us that our redemption is part of God’s bigger plan for His creation. One day, Jesus will return as the forever king. When this happens, all who have placed their faith in Him will be united together under His leadership.

LGG/Secure in Christ Journal/p49
The More We Know

Want to know more about how to be saved and redeemed by the blood of the lamb? Please click and read Know These Truths below. Questions or want to talk about these truths and/or being a follower of Christ? Simply scroll down and leave me a message in the ‘reply’ box. This is the most important decision you will ever make and I’d love to talk with you about it.

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/

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

Grounded in the Word

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w5d5

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 2 Peter 1: 19-21 and SOAP: verses 20-21

Moreover, we possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing. You do well if you pay attention to this as you would to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination, 21 for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

2 Peter 1:20-21 NET

Peter continues the thoughts shared in the previous verses concerning his eyewitness account of Jesus’ transformation from His earthly appearance as a man into His eternal, glorious appearance as the Son of God! Now, Peter backs that up with a reminder of the tangible and reliable prophetic words of Scripture.

Like Peter, the prophets did not concoct the words or make up stories; they simply and faithfully spoke or wrote as the Spirit of God led them. – Thus, the Word is living and active, able to penetrate – even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and to judge the attitude of the heart. Likewise, it is trustworthy and true – a pure and powerful Holy light that we must pay attention to – even as a moth is drawn to the flame. – May we persistently run to the Truth, the Word of God, born by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

For by this Word, we are: 

given life Pro 4:20-22 … able to see where we are walking (Ps. 19:105) … comforted (2 Cor 1:3-4)

strengthened (Ps. 119:28) ,,, convicted (Heb. 4:12) … protected (Ps:119:11) … set free (Jn. 8:32)

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Ground yourself in the Word. Paul wrote to Timothy that we are to be students of the Word. The idea is that we need to know God’s Word, so we understand what He expects from us and what offends Him. When we know His Word, we will live in a way that receives His approval, and we will be able to correctly explain His Word of Truth to others so that they might hear the Gospel and be saved.. 

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 NLT
QUESTION FOR THE JOURNEY

How are you allowing the Holy Spirit to unveil the treasures of God’s Word in your heart?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Holy Spirit, the Father sent you as my Advocate, my helper— to teach me everything and remind me of everything Jesus taught or told His disciples when He walked on this earth as a man. Please help me open the Word faithfully and understand it so that I walk/live in a manner pleasing to the Father and correctly explain the Word of Truth to others. Help me to faithfully hide the Word in my heart so that I might not sin against You. Unveil the treasures of God’s Word in my heart and let them shine from me as light and flow from my tongue as encouragement and blessings to all around me. In Jesus’ sweet and mighty name, I pray – amen!

THE MORE WE KNOW

For more insight be sure and read today’s blog post by the Love God Greatly team

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Gospel, Triumphs over Trials

A Heavenly Perspective

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w3d4

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6; SOAP: 1 Peter 4:5-6

They will face a reckoning before Jesus Christ who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 Now it was for this very purpose that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh by human standards they may live spiritually by God’s standards.

1 Peter 4:5-6 NET

From the journal of Love God Greatly, Trials over Triumphs / p106

There is a profound reality that we, often conveniently, keep in the back of our minds: one day, we will all stand before the throne of God. That moment will be the most significant in our existence – a divine appointment where all people will be judged. For believers, this will be a time when we will be viewed, not by our sins, but through Christ’s atoning sacrifice and the faith and forgiveness we have found in Him (Romans 8:1). We will also receive the rewards for a life lived in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12). For unbelievers, it is a sobering reality of facing punishment for rejecting the free gift of salvation in Jesus.

Imagine standing there, in the presence of God, giving an account for every word, every action, and every thought of our lives. Peter’s words are not meant to paralyze us with fear but to ignite a holy urgency within us. He urges us to live our lives with a heavenly perspective, knowing that our time here is but a breath in light of eternity. We are to steward this life – every second of it – as a precious gift, intentionally living in ways that are honoring to God.

So, how are we spending our days? Are we investing in what is eternal – loving others, deepening our relationship with Jesus, and sharing the Gospel – or are we getting sidetracked by this world’s fleeting comforts and pursuits?

Peter emphasizes why the Gospel is preached. It stands as a beacon of hope, offering the promise of eternal life – a life with God and untouched by sickness, pain, or sin (John 17:3; Revelation 21:4). This message is the treasure we hold in our hearts and the very message the world desperately needs to hear.

Sweet friends, Jesus is returning, but His second coming will be vastly different from His first. He will not return as a helpless infant; He will come as a righteous Judge. In light of this impending reality, now is the critical time for us to share the Gospel – far and wide – with the precious days we have been given.

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Invest in what is eternal:

  • loving others
  • deepening our relationship with Jesus
  • sharing the Gospel
  • live by God’s standards
  • turn away from the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

This is not simply a list of sins to avoid but a list of addictions that entangle those who live for comfort and pleasure. Those who live for the will of God (like Christ)—with a willingness to experience physical suffering to accomplish it—set the course of their lives in a different direction.

Bibleref.com / 1 Peter 4:3
Question FOR THE JOURNEY

How can we shift our daily perspective to be more in line with eternity? What steps can you take to live a life that faithfully stewards the time you’ve been given in light of the coming judgment?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the life You have given me. Help me to live it with a constant awareness of eternity. Give me the strength and grace to live a life that is pleasing to You. Prepare my heart for that day when I will stand before You and give an account for my life. Let my life be an offering of love and gratitude to You—Amen.

THE MORE WE KNOW

1And yet, God is paying attention. Pleasure-seekers will stand before God and “give account” of their lives at the final judgment. God—More insight on 1 Peter 4:5

2More insight on 1 Peter 4:6

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time, The Armor of God, The Gospel

31 But God Bible Verses

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Genesis 8:1
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and domestic animals that were with him in the ark. God caused a wind to blow over the earth and the waters receded.

Genesis 31:42
In fact, if the God of my father had not been on my side—the God of Abraham and the fearsome God of Isaac—you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen your abuse and my hard work. That is why he appeared to you last night and rebuked you!”

Genesis 31:7
yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me.

Genesis 31:23-24
. . .he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him for seven days and followed close after him into the hill country of Gilead. 24 But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Genesis 48:21
Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers.

Genesis 50:20
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Deuteronomy 7:7-8
The LORD did not love you and choose you because you outnumbered other peoples; you were the smallest nation on earth. But the LORD loved you and wanted to keep the promise that he made to your ancestors. That is why he saved you by his great might and set you free from slavery to the king of Egypt.

1 Samuel 23:14
And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.

1 Kings 5:4
But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.

2 Chronicles 20:15
And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.

Psalm 49:14-15
Like sheep, they are led to the grave… But as for me, God will redeem my life.
    He will snatch me from the power of the grave.

Psalm 73:26
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.

Psalm 86:15
But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Hosea 1:7
Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will deliver them—not by bow or sword or war, not by horses and cavalry, but by the LORD their God.

Jonah 2:6
I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!

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

John 1:18
No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

Acts 2:24
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Acts 3:15
You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.

Acts 7:9
And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him

Acts 10:28
He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God  has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.

Acts 13:29-30
When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead . . .

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

1 Corinthians 2:10
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard . . . the things which God has prepared for those who love Him . . . But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:6
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able . . .

Galatians 1:15-16
You also heard how I was far ahead of other Jews in my age group in following the Jewish religion. I had become that fanatical for the traditions of my ancestors. But God, who appointed me before I was born and who called me by his kindness, was pleased to show me his Son. . .

Galatians 3:18
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

2 Timothy 2:9
. . .for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

Ephesians 2:1,3;4-5
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. . . and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved . . .

Don’t you love them? Oh how wonderful it is to know God has the final say and the victory over sickness and death and all the circumstances of our lives, over the enemy and all his flaming arrows. The battles will continue, they may be bearing down on us right now, but our God, the one true and living God, has the final say!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Gospel

The One

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-16:31; SOAP / Luke 15:4-7

“Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it?5 Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

Luke 15:4-7 NET
Ouch!

I don’t know about you but when I read today’s verses, especially the focus passage, there was much conviction and it left me realizing how very important this question is for Jesus’ followers.

“Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it?

Luke 15:4

We have been commissioned by Jesus to go and make disciples – to share Jesus and His Gospel message with the world – continuing His mission to “seek and save the lost”. To be clear we can not save the lost, only Christ can do that. However, we can till the ground, plant the seed, and water it so that it can take root and grow. We can study to know His word so that we are ready with and an answer for the hope that is within us, ready and useable to lead the lost to Jesus. We can pray boldly and wait expectantly, to rejoice with every lost person who repents.

Jesus and all of heaven rejoice over every lost person who repents. As His followers, we know what it was like to be lost, and we know the true joy of being found. May we continue to follow Him, especially as we seek the lost. Only Jesus can save, but we can rejoice over every sinner who is found.

LGG Team Member / w5d2 journal devo, P168
Response to God’s Word

Father, how very convicted I am after reading this passage and realizing how very little I actually look for one that is lost. I pray for those who are but I fear I’m too often preoccupied to leave the “99”. Forgive me and help me to be more observant and purposefully diligent to seek the lost and share with them Your Son and the salvation He came to bring. – Amen, in and for the name of Jesus –

Moved to Worship
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Gospel

Understanding Is Key

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 7:18-50; SOAP / Luke 7:47-50

 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Luke 7:47-50 NET
The Whole Picture
The Alabaster Jar

Have you ever come in on the end of movie and wondered what in the world was going on, or what those closing words meant? It’s like starting a book at the ending paragraph and reading “… and they lived happily ever after”, which leaves you wondering who “they” were and what led up to the “happily ever after.” Today’s focus passage, like much of Scripture, is the happily ever after but the story starts in verse thirty-six, where a Pharisee invited Jesus to have dinner with him. The story isn’t so much that Jesus went – but what happened at the dinner. A woman, described only as a sinner, learns that Jesus is going to have dinner at the Pharisees house and she decides not only to go but to take with her a costly jar of “perfumed oil”, which she uses – along with her tears and hair – to anoint the feet of Jesus.

Then when a woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus was dining at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfumed oil. 

Luke 7:37-38
She’s a Sinner

It’s a beautiful picture and event that Jesus turns into a teachable moment for the Pharisee and for all who were listening then or reading it now. Luke writes that when the Pharisee saw what the woman did, “He said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.‘” Jesus responds to Simon’s thought with a lesson on cancelled debts between two debtors, one who owed much and one who owed little. His point being, that when both debts were freely forgiven, the one whose debt was greater would have more “love” for the creditor. This story is followed by a more pointed lesson, as Jesus uses a comparison of how they had each treated Jesus from the time He entered Simon’s house.

Simon

Simon recognized Jesus as a teacher and nothing more. Unlike, Simon Peter, who compared or saw himself in the light of Jesus’ righteousness – Simon, the Pharisee, compares himself to the sinner and sees himself as righteous and worthy of Jesus’ being in his home – but the woman as unworthy to even touch Jesus. When he does compare himself with Jesus, it is to acknowledge that he could see the woman for who she was but Jesus couldn’t.

  • He gave Jesus no water for His feet
  • He gave Jesus no kiss of greeting
  • He did not anoint Jesus’ head with oil
The woman/Sinner

She knew about Jesus but didn’t let her sin hold her back from Him. She went to where He was. She saw Jesus for who He was and she treated Him as such. Her love bearing witness to her faith and the forgiveness she had known.

  • She wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her tears
  • She did not stop kissing Jesus’ feet
  • She anointed Jesus’ feet with perfumed oil
The Meaning

Jesus, then sums up the lesson and the comparison with the revelation that even though the woman’s sins were many – she was completely forgiven; and her love, poured out in tears and oil and the use of her hair, showed her understanding of this. However, while Jesus’ illustration pointed out the Pharisee, who was a strict and religious follower of the law, had sinned less, didn’t understand the depth and debt of his few sins, and placed no value on the forgiveness of the debt or the forgiver.

As the end of our focus passage reveals, those at the table did not truly understand who Jesus was, as they questioned his authority to forgive sins. You may remember this question being asked before in Luke 5:20-21, but it is a vital question we should all ask at some time:

  • Who do I believe Jesus is?
  • AND – Do I believe He can forgive sins, be they ‘big’ or ‘little’, many or few?

Don’t miss that the woman understood exactly who Jesus was and it showed, but it wasn’t the evidence of her love that saved her, rather it was the evidence of her faith – as Jesus tells her, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.”

Some Applications / Turning facts into action (or knowledge into wisdom)
  • The Apostle Paul says that we are to be honest in our evaluation of ourselves, measuring ourselves by the faith that we have been given – Romans 12:3-5.
  • In other words we are to see (judge/measure) ourselves in the light of Jesus not the light of others – Romans 12:1-2.
  • Seeing our sins, seeking, and finding forgiveness should promote, provoke, and reveal evidence of our love and appreciation for Jesus and what He has done for us

Response to God’s Word

Father, how deep Your love is for us, so vast beyond all measure – that You should forgive one, let alone the multitude of our sins. YET! in love, in kindness, compassion, abundant grace, and mercies that are NEW EVERY MORNING, You have forgiven much – and I am forever grateful! Thank You Father for the reminder to not judge others by their sins and to not think I am better or more righteous than another. May my love bear witness of who You are to me and what You have done for me – and may I respond to You accordingly!

Vital and Revealing Questions
  • Who do you say Jesus is?
  • Do you believe he can forgive your sins – big or little, many or few?
  • What do you believe saved you?
    • Your Faith
    • Strict/religious keeping of the God’s Word
Know These Truths