Tag: Bible study

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

Repentance: A Complete Change

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Firm Foundation, w4d5

Scripture
Acts 3:19-20; 2 Peter 3:9 / SOAP: Acts 3:19 and 2 Peter 3:9

 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 

Acts 3:19

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

2 Peter 3:9
Observation of the Journey

When we truly understand the weight and effect of our sins, there are no sweeter words than knowing that through repentance and turning to God, they are all wiped away. God doesn’t just push them aside; He throws them into the depths of the sea and remembers them against us no more! That’s worthy of some shouting and celebration! – Friend, in the quiet of the night or early morning light, or when you drive by a place or see a face that reminds you of some sin of your past – cast it down and remember this faithful and loving action of our God – Your sins have been wiped away. – they have been blotted out as though they never happened.1

Once again you will have compassion on us.
    You will trample our sins under your feet
    and throw them into the depths of the ocean!

Micah 7:19
Application: Living out the Journey

We could stop here, and it would be a powerful message, but let’s make sure that we truly understand the definition of ‘repentance.’ “Repent does not mean to apologize – it means to acknowledge your way is wrong and God’s way is right.” As Peter goes on to say, it involves turning back (or away from their sin); in other words, “It is a complete change in Your view of the world.” To fully appreciate the weight of Peter’s words here, it helps to understand that he is speaking to the people of Israel concerning their sin of turning Jesus over to be killed, a sin he said was of ignorance but a sin nonetheless and yet one that God would wipe away by their repentance.2

Repentance is a major theme in Jesus’ ministry, even now. In order to be saved, we must accept that our sins are wrong and that God provides the way we should live. This isn’t just an intellectual exercise; we need to allow the belief to change us, inside and out. That doesn’t mean we’ll never sin again. It means our goal is to hate sin as much as God does. True repentance is connected to a “godly grief” that we have rebelled against God (2 Corinthians 7:9).

Bibleref.com/Acts 3:19

Surely, I am not the only one who prays more and more frequently – “Come, Lord Jesus, come!” So today’s second passage was another sweet reminder that – He hasn’t forgotten us, nor is He being slow – He is simply yet profoundly patient, giving more time to the unsaved to come to repentance. It is all part of His plan and desire to “allow more people to place their trust in Christ and to enter into a relationship with Him.”

Repentance saves lives … changes everything … makes right … blots out/takes away … 🦋\

Prayer of Response to the Journey

Father, thank You for the reminder of the depth and utter importance of repentance, both its meaning and it’s blessing. As Isaiah wrote, I know my sins Lord, they are always before me – they taunt me at times and the enemy seeks to undo me with the memory of them – but You Lord, You continually remind me of Your promise that they have been thrown into the depths of the sea – they are as far away as the east is from the west – they have no power over me and I bless Your name for this truth of Your grace and mercy and loving kindness toward me, Your daughter. – Amen – in Jesus’ Name❤

️The More We Know

For more insight on today’s journey read the LGG Blog Post w3d5

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

Living Out Our Faith

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based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation, W4D4

SCRIPTURE FOR THE JOURNEY: HEBREWS 11:1-7/ROMANS 10:9-10/ SOAP: HEBREWS 11:1 AND ROMANS 10:9-10

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:1

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

Romans 10:9-10
Observations of the Journey

As we have already seen in this week’s journey, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is essential to our faith. He not only helps us understand God’s Word, but He empowers us to obey (live out) God’s Word. John emphasizes this in 1 John 3:24, where he taught: “The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.“

Day three of this week’s journey revealed a beautiful and powerful picture of God’s grace that was poured out at the cross so that we might be made right with God, be adopted as His own, made joint heirs with Christ, be empowered with His Spirit, and have a relationship with the Father by means of faith in the Son – it is a gift of God not by works. Nothing good we do can earn it, and nothing bad we do can render the gift invalid.

So, how do we live out a faith that requires no work?

Application: Living Out the Journey

Paul addresses the issue of living out our faith with the Philippians when he tells them to “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, [obeying God] with deep reverence and fear. For God (is working in you, giving you the desire and the power) to do what pleases him.1” That desire and power are from His Holy Spirit in us. Please note: Paul is not calling them to work for their salvation but rather to live it out, in other words, to put it into practice – or as James wrote.“being doers of the Word and not hearers only,”2 In other words the result of our faith and subsequent relationship with God should lead us to want obey/please God. We should want others to know that we belong to Him.

For the record, if salvation were granted according to our goodness, there would be no salvation. 🦋

I used to think I could right my wrongs (sins) – somehow securing my salvation – by being better/doing better or praying more. Somehow, I had come to think if I were good ‘enough,’ God would love me and keep loving me. It’s a story for another day – but I will tell you this – I was very relieved and overcome with joy to hear the truth that God never loved me because I was good – there was no amount of goodness that would have earned His love, there was nothing I could do to keep His love – He simply – yet profoundly loved me because He is love and because He is good. – John made this clear in his declaration that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes (note: not behaves) will be saved. We’re forgiven and made right before God – not because we obey or behave according to His Word – but simply because we have placed our faith in His Son. Hallelujah! – For the record, if salvation were granted according to our goodness, there would be no salvation – for as Paul wrote: “There is no one good – not even one!”3

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

(Romans 5:8)
Prayer of Response to the Journey

Father, thank You for Your invitation for us to place our faith in Jesus. Help us to live out the call of Christ and make Him and His ways the most important priority of our lives. May we live and love like Him, and may we be found serving and honoring You by laying down our earthly desires for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You for revealing the truth and Your love for me. May my love for You be seen in my faith and obedience – Amen!

But either Christ is our most important priority, above even our lives, or we’re putting something above God in our hearts

Bibleref.com/Luke 9:23
The More We Know
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Salvation: God’s Gift of Grace

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based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation, w4d3

Scripture and Observation of the Journey
Read: Ephesians 2:4-10;Titus 2:11/SOAP: Ephesians.2:8-9 and Titus 2:11

Warning: What you are about to read may be very familiar- please use caution when you are reading. Do not allow your mind to only ‘hear’ “blah, blah, blah, …” Ask God to give you a clear mind and heart to hear it as though for the first time – and with fresh and clear understanding and appreciation.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Ephesians 2:8-9

 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.

Titus 2:11

Friends, according to Scripture, we were once dead because of our disobedience and our many sins. We used to live in sin just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature, we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God (I love the “but God” statements of the Bible) is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much that even though we were dead because of our sins, he called us out from the grave of sin and shame and placed us in Christ Jesus and put His Spirit in us. He rescued us from the death we deserved and gave us His gift of salvation, rich and free!

Application: Living out the Journey

Salvation is not by works of the past, nor the present, nor the future. It is simply and yet profoundly a gift of God’s marvelous grace. His is a grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt, a grace that was poured out on Calvary’s mountain where Jesus was crucified and His blood was spilt. His is a grace that changed everything – setting prisoners free from chains of sin and death – replacing them with life and peace and hope in the promise of forgiveness and eternity with Him! This marvelous grace of our loving Lord opened salvation’s door not just to the Jew but to Gentiles and all who would call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ1.

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt

Marvelous Grace

Friends, Grace is a gift, the greatest and most powerfully loving gift we will ever receive. It is a gift to cherish and a gift to share. It is a free gift that can never be lost or taken away, and it is a gift that keeps on giving. Not only are we made right with God (saved/justified) by grace, but we are sanctified (made more like Christ) by grace, and one day, by God’s grace, we will appear with Christ in glory.2

To grow in grace is to mature as a Christian. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), and we mature and are sanctified by grace alone. We know that grace is a blessing that we don’t deserve. It is God’s grace that justifies us, sanctifies us, and eventually glorifies us in heaven. The sanctification process, becoming more like Christ, is synonymous with growing in grace.

gotquestions.org

Peter wrote that we should grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,3 which does not mean that we gain more grace from God but instead that we mature as Christians. Simply put, this means “training ourselves in godliness, which Paul told Timothy is much better than physical training – because it promises benefits in this life and in the life to come4.

So, how can we train for godliness and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ?

It should be noted: “To grow in grace does not mean gaining more grace from God. God’s grace never increases; it is infinite, it cannot be more, and according to the nature of God, it could never be less.”

gotquestions.org.

We grow in grace by a number of Spiritual disciplines, including:

  • Meditating on and Reading God’s Word – letting it “dwell in us richly” (Colossians 3:16)
    • to grow in grace is to grow in our understanding of what Jesus did and to grow in our appreciation of the grace we have been given.
    • The more we learn about Jesus, the more we will appreciate all He has done and the more we appreciate His love and sacrifice for us, the more we will perceive the never-ending grace of God.
  • Being devoted to prayer (Colossians 4:2) and keeping alert in it… knowing that our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:7-8)
  • Walking/keeping in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-26).
  • Abiding in/spending time with Christ (John 15:4-8).

The more we learn about Jesus, the more we will appreciate all He has done, and the more we appreciate His love and sacrifice for us, the more we will perceive the never-ending grace of God.

gotquestions.org

Prayer of Response to the Journey

Father, thank You for Your grace, the gift of Your Son who brought salvation to all people. By Your grace, Christ justifies us and sanctifies us – and He will one day return, and by His grace we will share in His glory! Help us to grow daily in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and to live out the blessings of Your grace -by showing love, grace, and mercy to all. Help us to do and to say what pleases You – obeying You – not as though we need to win or keep our salvation but simply to please You. For – hallelujah! Our salvation is a gift that can never be earned, lost, or taken away! Oh, how sweet is the reality of this amazing grace! – Amen!

Response of Worship to the Journey
The More We Know

For More Insight on the Journey, read today’s LGG Blog

If you don’t know Jesus or want to know more about Him, I invite you to read Know These Truths, a message of answers and hope –

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Fruit of the Light

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based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation w4d2

Scripture For the Journey
Read: Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 5:8-9/SOAP: Gal 5:22-23;Eph 5:9

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. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.


Galatians 5:22-26

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

Ephesians 5:8-9
Observations of the Journey

There are some Scriptures that are familiar to most believers – and I would venture to say that the passage about the fruit of the Spirit is familiar to most who are reading this post. If it isn’t, I will be so bold to say that it should be. Why? Because the truth represented in these verses can make a difference in how we are known. – Are we seen as Christ’s followers or as those who follow the ways of the world – or- perhaps, even worse selection – are we seen as a little of both?

Consider these words of Jesus to the church of Laodicea and decide which testimony would be the worst one. Jesus said, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” 1 In today’s passage from Ephesians 5:8-9, Paul explains it like this to the believers in Ephesus: “You were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. So, live like children of light- for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.”

The contrast between dark and light goes all the way back to Genesis and is used to compare evil and good. Our journey today reveals that “the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.” When we are living by the Spirit, our lives will reflect the glory of God rather than the evil of the world and our old nature. Paul makes it very clear that when we choose the way of the world and give free rein to our old sinful nature, it doesn’t end well. –  

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,2 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,3 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.4“
Galatians 5:19-21

None of these sins should describe the ongoing lifestyle of one who is free and forgiven in Christ and powered by the Holy Spirit.

Bibleref.com/Galatians 5:20

I shared a post on Sunday (on my Facebook page) that included a glance at the week ahead and a challenge concerning your/our testimonies. The jest of the post was the role our testimonies play, why they’re essential to our faith, and how it’s helpful to write them down. In the post, I shared a short and not-so-short example as well as prompts to help you with yours. If you haven’t seen the post – I encourage you to take a look at it later and find some time in the week ahead to jot down yours. .

Application: Living out the Journey

Today’s journey has reminded me that part of my testimony includes keeping one foot in the ‘church’ and one foot in the ‘world.’ – I became very good at it. I say this not with pride but as a reminder to everyone reading this post: It is up to us how we live. We can choose to walk faithfully in the light, or we can choose to tiptoe in the light and dabble in the darkness. However, I’m can tell you from experience that this is a very dangerous way to walk. It damages not only our testimony but likely will cause others to stumble or question the validity of our faith and/or the importance of our God and His ways. – “Worse still, the cause of Christ will be damaged as unbelievers scoff and sneer at us and blaspheme His name.”5

Friends, if we are living like children of the light, we will not be lukewarm. We will shine brightly with the “Light of Jesus,” we will be seen flowing with the “fruit of His Spirit,” who lives in us and empowers us to thrive in the ways of God, ways that reveal His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Don’t be fooled; without His power and direction and a commitment to live by the Spirit, we will readily yield to our old sinful nature and appear as though we are still in ‘darkness.’ When this happens, “the Christian life turns into a destructive and self-serving religious existence.” This is why we must learn how to ‘live by the Spirit.’ It is without question an essential part/requirement of a firm foundation.

Prayer of Response to the Journey

Father, thank You for saving me out of the darkness into glorious Light. Thank You for pursuing me in the wilderness and pulling me from the pit of destruction. Thank You for changing me from the inside out and teaching me to trust that You are working all things together (the past, present, and future) together for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose! Thank You for the reminder not only of the importance of being a faithful follower of Christ – but, as Paul said, of keeping in step with the Spirit. Show us how to stay in step and help us practice it well – so that our lives do not turn into destructive and self-serving religious existences – but instead, may they flourish by Your Spirit’s power and be beautiful testimonies of Your Presence in us. This is my hope and plea in Jesus’ Name – Amen!

Worship Response to the Journey

I’m sure there are so many other songs that could be sung in response to today’s journey, but this is the one that kept flowing through my mind – though I really thought it was “testimony,” and not “sanctuary” – actually both work in connection to our passages from yesterday and today.

The More We Know

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time

He’s Our Witness

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based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation, w4d1

Scripture and Observation of the Journey
Read/SOAP: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and Romans 8:15-17

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Romans 8:15-17

The focus of this week’s journey is the Holy Spirit and our salvation. Today’s particular focus is the ‘indwelling of the Holy Spirit.’ So, the question begs to be asked: What is the significance of God’s Spirit in us? I believe one of the best answers/explanations comes from Paul in Romans 8:16, where he writes: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is our witness that we belong to God. Paul actually says that without the Spirit, we do not belong to Christ (Rom 8:9).

The Spirit’s presence in our life is not only an identifying mark that we belong to God, but He is also God’s divine power at work in us. It is the Spirit’s power that enables us to live a godly life, a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Without the Spirit, we would be caught up in the corruption of this world and given over to our human desires.1

Application: Living out the Word of God

We must remember that God bought us at a high price – that is, with the blood of the Spotless Lamb, the only begotten Son of God. Scripture clearly explains that this means we no longer belong to ourselves, to live as we please – for we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit of God. He lives in us, so we are to live in a manner that honors and pleases God.

Christ died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:15-17

It is also helpful and necessary to remember that we were born with a sinful nature. However, praise God, as Paul explains in the passages of today’s journey – God, in love, gives His Holy Spirit to all who, through faith, believe in Christ. It is by His Spirit that we become God’s adopted children, not only placed in the family of Christ but also made joint heirs with Christ. In other words, for a believer, the Spirit changes everything – and He does so from the inside out.2

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

Ezekiel 36:26

But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Hebrews 8:10
Prayer of response to the Journey

Abba Father, my heart rejoices to know that I am Yours and You are mine. I praise You for Your Spirit in me – a Spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control.3 A Spirit who bears witness that I belong to You, who teaches me all things and reminds me of everything You have said4. According to Your Word, You have given me Your Spirit to fill my heart with Your love5; help me to love as You love. Thank You for teaching me to serve at Your pleasure, but oh, how sweet it is to know that You desired and made a way for our relationship to be one of Father and child and not simply Master and servant6. May the fruit of the Spirit be evident in my life. Help me to faithfully live by the Spirit, following His leading in every part of my life – that You might be glorified in me. – in the name of the Spirit and the Son, I come and pray – Amen!

The More We Know

For more insight on today’s journey, visit lovegodgreatly.com

  1. Galatians 5:22-26 and 2 Peter 1:3-4

    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. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Gal 5:22-26
     
    By his divine power, God has given us everything we need to live a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 ↩︎
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:15-17 … Christ died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
    So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! ↩︎
  3. 2 Timothy 1:7 … For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. ↩︎
  4. John 14:26 …  But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. ↩︎
  5. Romans 5:3-5 … 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. ↩︎
  6. Hebrews 12:5-11 … And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,“ My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
    Proverbs 3:11-12 … My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
    ↩︎

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

He’s Coming Again

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based on the LGG study, Firm Foundation w3d5

Scripture and Observation

Read/SOAP: Isaiah 25:8-9 and Revelation 1:7

He will swallow up death forever!
    The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.
He will remove forever all insults and mockery
    against his land and people.
    The Lord has spoken!

9 In that day the people will proclaim,
“This is our God!
    We trusted in him, and he saved us!
This is the Lord, in whom we trusted.
    Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”

Isaiah 25:8-9

I find Isaiah’s words to be dramatically beautiful. However, they led me to search for some commentaries as I wanted to make sure that I understood all the references, such as “He” and “Sovereign Lord.” When I checked out bibleref.com, I found another treasure of words to explain the words of Isaiah. The author writes:

This passage portrays an amazing moment of ultimate grace performed by the King Messiah. This moment occurs at the banquet which launches the Lord’s reign over all the earth. On Mount Zion, Isaiah describes the Lord as “swallowing up death,” the shroud that has been cast over all people since Adam sinned for the first time (Isaiah 25:6–7; Genesis 3:19).

Bible ref.com/Isa 25:8

I particularly love knowing that Jesus, “the King Messiah,” in an act of “ultimate grace,” swallows up death!” Friends, Jesus is coming again, which means death will not have the final say! Sickness, sadness, hurt, and sorrows will no longer be a part of our lives, for “All will be made new and right as we live in God’s perfect kingdom.1“

The LGG Journal entry for today, p 109, describes the Second Coming of Christ as a “beacon of hope for believers, lighting the way through the trials and tribulations of this world.” Isaiah’s prophecy points us to a time when we will forever be with our Savior. Surely, this is something we should wait for and look forward to with excitement and ‘readiness,’ not just to the kingdom Christ will establish but to be with Jesus, our Savior, “King Messiah.”

Living it Out: Application of our Journey

The foundation of our faith should be firmly rooted in the glorious truth that Jesus is coming again!🦋

Actually, the LGG Journal suggests that “Anticipating Christ’s return should influence our daily lives. Every moment carries eternal significance.” Why/how? Because “Our prayers, kingdom work, and evangelism are integral to God’s plan for that glorious day. As we yearn for His return, our actions and faithfulness are crucial in developing our perseverance until His coming.2“

Reflection for the Journey

Is your hope firmly rooted in the certainty of Jesus’ return?

Prayer for the Journey (inspired by today’s journal entry)

Jesus, thank You for your promise to return for us and to swallow up death!, Thank You for the hope of the new Kingdom, where sorrow and sickness will be no more and tears will be wiped away. Help us to be ready and eagerly anticipating that wonderful day! May we make every moment count for Your kingdom. As we wait, Lord, strengthen our faith and fill us with hope. – All of this for Your glory and our good –

  1. LGG Journal, Firm Foundation, p109 ↩︎
  2. LGG Journal, Firm Foundation, p109 ↩︎
The More We Know about the Journey

For more insight, be sure to check out today’s LGG Blog

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Lifted Up

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based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation w3d4

Scripture and Observation

Read: Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 4:10

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 

Acts 1:9

And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

Ephesians 4:10

While verse 9 is our focus verse today, verse 3 is the one that captured my attention. Luke writes, “During the forty days after Jesus suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.” – To borrow from some words by the group Mercy Me – “I can only imagine” what those days and conversations were like. I imagine they ranged from confusing to exciting and left them with questions. Yet those emotions must have paled in comparison to the thoughts and feelings they had when Jesus was taken up right before their eyes. Jesus, this one who had walked and talked with them for three years, training them how to live and love like Him, teaching them about the Father, and showing them how to die to self and live for God, is “lifted up” into a cloud while they were watching. Oh, what they must have felt and imagined when they could no longer see Him.

I can’t help but think how wonderful it would have been to hear those final explanations and instructions and to see His miraculous ascension. However, God has given us His Word, which beautifully illustrates not only the ascension but also where He went and why, shedding light and hope on the importance of His departure.

“This moment signifies the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the beginning of His heavenly reign. His ascension serves as His royal coronation, declaring HIm the King of Kings.”

LGG Journal, Firm Foundation p105

Because the ascension of Christ is so vital to the foundation of our faith – I have chased a few Scripture Squirrels and am sharing some helpful explanations from today’s LGG journal entry – I encourage you to take time to read them and consider the great blessing and outcome of the ascension of Jesus Christ

We know from Scripture that right now, the Lord Jesus is in heaven. The Scriptures frequently picture Him at the right hand of the Father-a position of honor and authority (Psalm 110:1; Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 8:1). Christ is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18), the giver of spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:7-8), and the One who fills all in all (Ephesians 4:9-10). Without Him, we can do nothing, but through Him, all things are possible!

Living it Out, the Application of the Journey

From His exalted position, Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit upon the church. This gift empowers us to live out our faith and continue His mission on earth. Although Jesus is not physically present with us, He remains spiritually present, continually advocating and interceding for us.

The ascension also brings us great comfort and hope as we navigate our earthly lives. We know where Jesus is. He will return to establish His Kingdom on earth and to judge the world. This assurance helps us to put the challenges and worries of this world into perspective. Jesus is preparing a place for us, just as He promised in John 14.

Jesus’ ascension compels us to live with an eternal perspective. We are urged to anticipate the day when we will be with Him in our heavenly home. This hope is not just a passive belief but a transformative force that can and should shape our lives, enabling us to live with joy for the future, a future that is bright and secure.

LGG Journal, Firm Foundation p105
Prayer of Response for the Journey

Father, thank You for all the days Jesus walked this earth and for all that He taught us and did for us. Jesus, thank You for Your ascension. Help me to live in the power of Your Spirit and with the hope of our future home with You. I take great comfort in knowing You are present with me and in Your sovereign reign. – In Jesus’ name, Amen

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

Resurrected with a Purpose

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Based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation, w3d3

Scripture and Observation

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 and Romans 6:9-10; SOAP: 1 Cor 15:3-4/Rom 6:9

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.

Romans 6:9

Our focus or question of the week is: “What Did Jesus Do?” – So far, we have answered the question with … He never sinned, He was crucified for our sins, and today’s answer/focus is: He was resurrected from the grave … and appeared to more than 500 of the brothers and sisters at one time. He also appeared to James and to all of the apostles, including Paul.

It would be easy to read these truths, celebrate the resurrection, and move on, but God’s call and my hope/goal of journeying through His Word (and taking others along with me on the journey) is more than just reading the words on the pages of Scripture. My hope is to understand the importance and meaning of the words. I believe that we are to learn how they apply to life and godliness and be able to share them correctly with others in everyday life*, both in conversation and in living and loving like Jesus, who is – as we have seen in recent journeys – the very Word of God.

Paul taught Timothy the importance of this in 2 Timothy 2:15, when he told him, and by extension all believers, to *Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

This is why we need to understand the importance of Jesus’ resurrection and His appearing before so many witnesses: let’s break it down …

  1. He was resurrected from the grave: This, like the other truths we have been looking at, is essential to our faith. Why though? Because if Christ is not raised, then our faith is useless, and we are still guilty of our sins.
  2. Friends, Jesus didn’t just walk out of the tomb – He appeared to more than 500 of the brothers and sisters at one time. He also appeared to James and to all of the apostles, including Paul. It may seem of little importance to know how many different people saw Jesus alive after He had been buried – but it is crucial to the testimony of His resurrection, and Paul knew this. – Bibleref.com explains it like this:

“Apparently, the truthfulness of the resurrection, or at least the resurrection of Christians, was being challenged or misunderstood by some in Corinth. Paul wants them to understand not only that the resurrection really took place, but that faith in that truth is essential in order to be saved.”

Bibleref.com/1 Corinthians 15;5


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.1

*2 Timothy 2:15

So, the question begs to be asked: “Why is the resurrection important to our faith?” Again, it is Paul who answers this most clearly – when he addresses the Corinthians about the matter in 1 Corinthians 15:12-23, saying:

But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless, and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

1 Corinthians 15:12-23
Prayer of Response to the Journey

Father, We believe in Jesus Christ, that He was given over to death for the sins of many and was raised to life so that those who believe might be born again and made right with You. We believe that on the third day, He rose again, triumphing over sin and death so that we would no longer be slaves to sin but live and walk in freedom with/for You here on this earth and with You forever when You return to take us home. As Paul taught the Corinthians, we believe the truth of His resurrection is of the utmost importance. As Paul shared this message in his travels and writings, may we both celebrate the truth and faithfully pass it on to those in our circles of influence.

The Gospel is the Truth that, according to Scripture we receive and believe; it is the faith on which we stand, the power of God unto salvation, and the message we have been entrusted with and called to share throughout the world. May it be of utmost importance to us, and may we faithfully and boldly pass it on to the world around us. 🦋

In recent days, we’ve walked through Scriptures that have pointed us to the importance of Jesus being sinless and of His death by crucifixion, and have, hopefully, come to understand that we are all sinners in need of a Savior who is blameless of any sin and willing to lay down His life for humanity- so that those who believe might have eternal life.2 If you missed any or all of the journey to this point please visit Firm Foundation

The More We Know

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Life through His Crucifixion

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based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation, w3d2

Scripture and Observation:

Read: Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 3:18

But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.

Isaiah 53:5

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

1 Peter 3:18

Peter writes about the reality of Isaiah’s prophecy. A reality that is very much to our benefit and is the incredible testimony of our God’s mercy, love, and grace. Christ was crucified, suffered, and died so that we could be healed from our sins and shame. Why? Because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory and the wages of those sins is death; but God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in HIm should not perish but have eternal life.

Without the suffering of Christ on the cross – pierced, crushed, and beaten – sinners/humanity – you and I would never know peace with God. You see, while Christ is sinless(righteous), we are sinful(unrighteous), which is why Peter wrote: “…the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God …”

Living Out the Journey: Application

The Love God Greatly journal entry for today explains that “The crucifixion was not just a tragic event; it was the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Jesus willingly laid down His life, bearing the weight of our sins. This selfless act of love satisfied the justice of God, who cannot overlook sin. By carrying our sins, He willingly took on the punishment that you and I both deserve. Jesus made it possible for us to receive forgiveness and be restored to a right relationship with God.”

Friends, our sin rendered us lifeless and hopeless and destined for death, but in love, God made a way for us to come back into a right relationship with Him and enjoy eternal life in His presence. May we return His love and enter into that relationship wholeheartedly. May our faith rest firm in the foundation of His death and resurrection, through which we have new hearts, peace, and healing. May we live not as the sinners we were but as the new creations we’ve become – covered in the righteousness of Christ and filled with His Holy Spirit.

Prayer for the Journey

Father God, thank You for the crucifixion – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Thank You for sending Jesus to take our place on a cross of sin and shame and suffering – that we might be healed and receive Your free gift of salvation by grace through faith that leads to eternal life. This is the hope and joy we cling to and give You praise – now and forever more – Amen!

The More We Know

The crucifixion also reveals the incredible depth of God’s love for us that He was willing to sacrifice His own Son to save us. This act of grace is the foundation of our faith and the assurance of our salvation.

Love God Greatly, Firm Foundation/p97

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Jesus lived A Sinless Life

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Firm Foundation, w3d1

Scripture for and Observation of the Journey

Read: Hebrews 4:14-16 and 1 Peter 2:21-25/SOAP: Hebrews 4:15 and 1 Peter 2:22

15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth.

1 Peter 2:22

Our focus this week comes in the form of a question: What did Jesus Do? We will explore five different answers throughout the week, the first of which is – He lived a sinless life. This truth can be said of no one else, nor can anyone claim it about themselves without making themselves out to be a liar or lacking in understanding of the truth of the Gospel,1 for we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8

If we have chosen to follow Jesus, then friends, we have chosen to strive to live an exemplary life. That life can only be well lived when it is lived by the power of His Spirit within us. The Spirit that Jesus told His early disciples would be their advocate, live within them, teach them everything, and remind them of everything Jesus had told them.

Paul speaks of the Spirit to the people of Galatia, teaching them to live by the Spirit so that they will not gratify the desires of the flesh. To the Colossians, Paul wrote, “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” – This brings us full circle to the second passage from today’s journey, where Peter makes it clear to his readers that no deceit was found in the mouth of our Savior.

Jesus’ sinless life serves as a powerful example for us. While we will never achieve sinlessness on this side of heaven., His example shows us the importance of striving for holiness and relying on God’s strength to resist temptation. Jesus’ life reminds us that we are not alone in this journey but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to guide us and daily work in us to become more like Christ.

Love God Greatly, Love God Greatly, Firm Foundation, p93

Do you want to live and love like Jesus? Take a cue from His exemplary life, strive for holiness, and rely on God’s strength. When you are tempted in any way – do not give in to sin, and – let no deceit be found in your mouth. Sound impossible or too difficult? Remember these words of Paul: “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, God will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
The More We Know
For more insight into today’s journey read today’s LGG Blog Post
Do you want to know more about Jesus and His sinless life?
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/