Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week 4, Friday Relying on the Helper

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Today’s Scripture – Psalm 19:10-11; Colossians 3:16-17 (SOAP: Colossians 3:16-17)

Psalm 19:10-11

They are more desirable than gold,
    even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
    a great reward for those who obey them.

Colossians 3:16-17

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

This is not solely up to you. If you are a believer you have the Holy Spirit living in you. He is your helper. He helps you understand truth and gives you a desire to live by that truth.

Read the complete blog/lesson at LGG

The way people in the early church remembered truths about God was through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Read the rest of the devotion at LGG
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week 4, Thursday The Sword of the Spirit

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Today’s Scripture – Ephesians 6:14-18; Psalm 33:4 (SOAP: Ephesians 6:14-18)

Ephesians 6:14-18

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Psalm 33:4

 For the word of the Lord holds true,
    and we can trust everything he does.

God’s word is necessary in fighting the schemes of Satan. 

Read the whole devotional at LGG
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week 4, Wednesday Cultural and Historical Background

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Today’s Scripture – Ps 19:10-11; Matthew 4:1-4 (SOAP: Matthew 4:4)

Psalm 19:10-11

They are more desirable than gold,
    even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
    a great reward for those who obey them.

Matthew 4:1-4 The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

3 During that time the devil[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Each book of the Bible was written in a specific place, in a specific period of time, by a specific author, to a specific people or person who were a part of a specific culture, with a specific intention. The Bible, and everything in it, is a part of history. Understanding some of the historical background can give us a more robust and well-rounded understanding of what we are studying.

Read the full lesson/blog at LGG

 There is amazing power in God’s Word in fighting the lies of the enemy. Jesus in His humanity, inspired by the Holy Spirit, spoke truth to overcome the fraudulent words of Satan.

Read Today’s Devotional at LGG
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week 4, Tuesday — Open My Eyes

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Today’s Scripture – Psalm 119:17-18; Luke 11:28 (SOAP: Psalm 119:17-18)

Psalm 119:17-18

 Be good to your servant,
    that I may live and obey your word.
18 Open my eyes to see
    the wonderful truths in your instructions.

Luke 11:28

Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

“In these verses we are reminded that we need the Word,”

read more at LGG
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week 4, Monday — Dealing With Hard Passages

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Today’s Scripture – Psalm 19:10-11; John 17:14-19 (SOAP: Psalm 19:10-11)

Psalm 19:10-11

 They are more desirable than gold,
    even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
    a great reward for those who obey them.

John 17:14-19

I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

Have you ever become discouraged with your Bible study because you have encountered some confusing passages? … We all have passages of Scripture that trip us up, but I hope that today’s words will be an encouragement to you. Let’s begin with some words of caution.

For the full blog/lesson Dealing with Hard Passages – Love God Greatly

One pound of pure gold is worth almost $20,000. Yet, God’s word is worth more to our souls.

https://lovegodgreatly.com/devotional-draw-near-w4d1/
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week 3, Friday — Interpretation

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Today’s Scripture – Psalm 19:7-9; Matthew 24:35 (SOAP: Matthew 24:35)

Psalm 19:7-9

The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
    reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
    bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
    giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
    lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
    each one is fair.

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

Lgg Blog/Lesson
LGg Devotional

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week3, Thursday – Every Word is Purified

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Today’s Scripture – Hebrews 4:12-13; Proverbs 30:5-6 (SOAP: Proverbs 30:5-6)

Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Proverbs 30:5-6

Every word of God proves true.
    He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.
6 Do not add to his words,
    or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

LGG Devotional

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week3 – Wednesday Literary Devices

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Today’s Scripture – Psalm 19:7-9; Isaiah 55:8-13 (SOAP: Isa. 55:8-11)

Psalm 19:7-9

The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
    reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
    bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
    giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
    lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
    each one is fair.

Isaiah 55:8-13

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
    “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways
    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
    and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
    producing seed for the farmer
    and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
12 You will live in joy and peace.
    The mountains and hills will burst into song,
    and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
    Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
    they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

LGG Blog/lesson

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week 3, Tuedsday Inspired by God

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Today’s Scripture – 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21 (SOAP: 2Timothy 3:16-17)

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

1 Peter 1:20-21

God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

Lgg Devotional

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week 3, Monday – The Law of the LORD is Perfect

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Today’s Scripture – Psalm 19:10-14; John 17:14-19 (SOAP: Ps. 19:10-11)

Psalm 19:7-9

The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
    reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
    bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
    giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
    lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
    each one is fair.

Jeremiah 15:16

When I discovered your words, I devoured them.
    They are my joy and my heart’s delight,
for I bear your name,
    O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.

LGg Blog
LGG Devotional