And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, 25 not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25
The Hope We Confess
Because Christ is who He is and since He did what He did, we – as believers, who by faith have had their hearts cleansed – should not only make a habit of drawing near to God – we should also “hold unwaveringly to the hope we confess – knowing the one who promised is trustworthy.
We must be intentional
taking the time to consider how we can encourage others. Note the clarification the author makes, we are to encourage each other specifically toward acts of love and good deeds.
be committed to the body of believers. Don’t stop or abandon regularly meeting together as a church community..
Be alert to “the day” that is coming and step up the encouragement as His return gets closer and closer
Response to God’s Word
Father, thank You for Jesus, our great High Priest, who made a way for us to draw near You with confidence. Help us to truly hold tightly to the HOPE we have in Christ and to think about how to not just speak nice words but speak true words of encouragement, specifically toward love and good deeds. Amen and Amen in Jesus Name!
Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.
1 Peter 4:8-10
Today’s SOAP From My Journal
How Deep Is Your Love?
How fervent [intense] is your love for others? Is it like a fountain flowing deep and wide? Is it boundless and free? Is it sincere, selfless, considerate, and forgiving? Does it readily make allowance for other’s faults – covering a multitude of sins? To be clear, as Bibleref.com explains, “This doesn’t mean that our acts of love for each other can earn God’s forgiveness. Nor does Peter mean to imply that we are paying our sins off through good works. – Rather, the idea that our love for each other covers a multitude of sins relates to our imperfection. Christians are not yet sinless. We are not perfect. We have set the course of our lives away from sin, but we still fail to obey sometimes. We make mistakes, even when we mean well. Love for each other includes forgiving each other, overlooking past hurts, and building each other up when we fall. It is difficult for sin and resentment to flourish in a communityrich in Christ-like love.
This is the kind of love Peter is talking about here in 1 Peter chapter 4. Actually he isn’t just talking about love, he is commanding them to love one another and to work hard at it. Keep in mind that Peter is writing to believers who have been suffering for Jesus’ sake. They have taken on the attitude of Christ and accepted the hardships as part of their purpose as His people.” (BibleRef.com) Here in the fourth chapter he is offering a more encouraging perspective by telling them their suffering is almost over. Loving like this won’t be easy – it includes being self-controlled and sober-minded. It means showing hospitality even when you’re tired and don’t want to, or using your gifts to serve others. I don’t know about you but this one is stepping all over my toes. But don’t run away yet – because Peter knows it’s going to be hard and he gives them the ‘secret’ weapon. Look at verse 11, after telling them to use their gifts to serve one another, he goes on to tell them to rely on God’s Word and the strength that He supplies. He knows when they do this that God will be glorified. But don’t miss verse 7 – and his encouragement to stay self-controlled and sober-minded because they are going to need to pray. Prayer is a big part of the church community.
7So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. … 11Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever servers, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11
So, how deep is your love? Is it a love that honors God? Is it selfless or self-focused? Is it unshakable even in times of suffering? Peter knew the believers would need God and each other in order to stand strong and not fall. His words are still true for us today because, like them, we are made for community and we are meant to love one another fervently. Because, as the earlier quote said, “Love for each other includes forgiving each other, overlooking past hurts, and building each other up when we fall.” In other words, our love for one another, is meant to cover a multitude of sins.
“It is difficult for sin and resentment to flourish in a communityrich in Christ-like love.”
For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there among them.”
Matthew 18:20
The Question and the Answer
Such a little verse with such a big message. You see, it’s not really a stand-alone-verse. Note how the verse starts with “For where …” That little word ‘for’ indicates that what follows goes with what came before …. meaning this little sentence is part of a larger conversation. In this case a conversation between Jesus and the “12”. The conversation started with a question from one of the disciples concerning who would be greatest in the Kingdom Jesus had been telling them about.
Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Matthew 18:1
We Don’t Do It alone
Jesus’ answer covers this but so much more, including a shepherd leaving his flock to find one lost sheep … the severity of being a stumbling blog … and restoring Christian relationships … then he concludes the extended lessons with our little sentence of assurance that where even two or three people are gathered in His name He [Jesus] is there with them. The Love God Greatly team explained it like this, “Our relationship with God is personal, and it is meant to be lived out in community where we can encourage one another, hold one another accountable, and support each other — and we don’t do it alone! Jesus promises that, when even just a few believers are gathered together in His name He is there.”
The Role and Importance of the Local Church
The LGG writer goes on to explain what the local church is. She includes its benefit to us, as well as how we might bless others by being involved in it. I would suggest reading and re-reading this quote, and then writing it down somewhere so when it gets hard to stay committed or be involved with your biblical community (church, small group, and even this online community of faith) you can read it again and remember the vital role it is meant to play in our lives.
When we gather with our biblical community, motivated by a desire to love God greatly and help others do the same. Jesus is there with us. That’s what the local church is: a gathering of likeminded people who love Jesus and have a desire to grow, teach, learn, encourage, and support each other while also providing accountability and connection. you were made for this type of community with the local church! What a blessing!
Not Made To Be Alone, study journal p117
Response to God’s Word
Father, thank You for the local body of Christ, at LMBC and all of the other churches represented within this group. We are blessed to be a part of the body of Christ and to gather freely and with the confidence that Jesus is there with us. I confess, yet again, that it is sometimes easier to be ‘an island’ than to gather with others, easier to hear the sermon through earbuds than in person – but I also understand this is not how you intended it – for we are not made to be alone. We are made for “community” with You with family and friends, and with the church, and I believe that includes small groups like Journey Through the Word. We are meant to gather – to pray, to worship, to serve, and to encourage one another – and this is a blessing. May we faithfully engage with the body of Christ – to Your glory and honor – Amen+
In the last two weeks we have journeyed through Scriptures that have shown us how we were created for community with God and with family and friends. This week, as we continue exploring how God did not create us to be alone, we will find that we were created for community with the local church. We will see how Jesus plays a part in that community, as well as the importance of fellowship, serving others, unity, and meeting together. I hope you’ll join me for the journey –
Me from the Inside-out 🦋
This one is a real challenge (pun intended – lol) but don’t let it deter you from rising to the challenge of connecting with or helping someone in your church.
In any given dictionary you will find humility defined something like this … “a modest or low view of one’s own importance, humbleness, the state of being humble.” Most of these definitions are followed by a sentence structured around the word in the hope of making the definition clear. However, there is no clearer illustration of humility than what we are reading in Philippians today, specifically verses 3-8. What I love about Paul – is he doesn’t simply instruct the believers to let their actions be motivated by or in humility but he includes the perfect illustration in the person and actions of Christ.
Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interest of others as well. you should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had., who though He existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:3-8
Christ-like Humility
To this day I still remember the first day that I read this passage with any real knowledge or understanding and it still makes the same aww-inspiring impact on me when I read it today. What a beautiful perspective it puts on the love and actions of Jesus Christ on our behalf. From the humble cradle in the animal stall to the garden prayer, and the nails, thorns, and cross Christ was the ‘poster-child’ for humility – and we are called to have that same attitude. His attitude was one that”
wasn’t motivated by selfish ambition or vanity but –
was – steeped in humility and therefore –
even though He was God in the flesh He didn’t demand to be treated like God – but instead
He emptied Himself of His rightful authority and took on the form of a servant
by looking like other men
by sharing in human nature and –
humbling Himself and becoming obedient to death on the cross
Putting Away
Thus – if we are going to have the same attitude as Christ, we must practice humility – namely, by putting away any selfish ambitions or vanity. We must treat one another better than we treat ourself. we must be truly concerned about others – for only then is there any hope for our attitude to mirror the servant heart of Christ.
Response to God’s Word
Father, I ask again today for an attitude like that of Christ – a servant’s heart, an obedient spirit that puts Your will above my own or anyone else’s. I know this is Your will for me and for all of Your children. In Jesus’ name and power – and in accordance with Your will – I pray, Amen!
Love God Greatly
Be sure and check-out Wednesday’s blog post from the Love God Greatly team –
Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you unity with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus,
Romans 15:5
Scripture and observation
You may want some steal-toe shoes on before reading this. Seriously, Paul makes it clear that we must live ‘counter-cultural’. In other words, we must not live to please self, instead we must take time to consider how what we do and say will impact our ‘neighbors’. The bottom-line here is that we must live like Jesus.
How Do We Do This?
Learn to Know How Christ Lived
How do we live like this in a world that preaches and teaches and makes it more than easy to live for self? How do we live like Christ? First of all we have to learn to know how Christ lived and then choose to follow His example.
Paul gives us a glimpse of these examples in the passage today, but, I believe, what he wrote to the Philippians in chapter 2 says it best …
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit any affection or mercy, 2 complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. 3 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 4 Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. 5 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,
6 who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. 8 He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death —even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:6-8
Live Counter-Cultural
This kind of living is not only counter-cultural, it is difficult to the nth-degree. If it weren’t for God it would be impossible – truthfully apart from God there is no way hope for true and abiding unity. However, we must remember – “nothing is impossible with God” (Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37) actually, Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:13 that – through Christ we can do all things, and Peter teaches us that we have been given everything we need for living a godly life, (2 Peter 1:3-4). So, while we may not want to put others above ourselves, or love others as Christ has loved us – it is clearly how we are called to live when we put our faith and hope in Jesus. On top of that, God has equipped us to do it so that we are without excuse.
Depend on God
As Paul did here in Romans, writing “to all those loved by God in Rome, called to be saints” – we must also do – and that is pray. Pray for, ask God often, and depend on God – for the unity both in individual and corporate setting, such as church, families, work places, and neighborhoods. Again, it is impossible without Him but “we have this confidence before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will (and without a doubt unity is His will) He hears us and if we know that He hears us we know we have whatever we ask.”
The Goal
I don’t know about you, but whenever I set out to do something difficult it helps to have a goal that matters. When I broke my ankle and had to go to therapy morning after morning it not only meant getting up super early and enduring the pain that came with the therapy, but my goal was to walk again, to drive again, and to be free of that cast/boot. That motivation kept me going even when I didn’t want to – even if it was painful or seemed pointless. Paul clarifies in verse 6, the reason for what he has taught and prayed for, saying: “so that together you may with one voice, glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ“. The Bible says we were created for His glory and specifically here, the goal in our unity is first and foremost God’s glory. What a good and trustworthy motivation it is then to lay aside any self-centeredness or lack of consideration for the good of others and commit ourselves to live and love like Christ despite what it costs us.
Response to God’s Word: Prayer
Father God, only through You can or will we truly enjoy unity in the circles of our lives. Help us to let the attitude of Christ dwell in us – that we might be like-minded, having the same love, being in one spirit and of one mind. Guard us from acting out of selfish ambition or conceit – instead help us to value others above ourselves so that we look not only to our own interests but to that of others. Help us to have the same mindset of Christ, who being in very nature God did not consider equality with You something to be used to His own advantage, but made Himself nothing by taking on the nature of a servant – made in human likeness and humbling Himself to obedience – even death on a cross. Father, I know this doesn’t come easy – but we have hope in the knowledge that nothing is impossible with You! May Your glory be our goal and motivation. In Jesus’ name – Amen!
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.”
Genesis 2:18
Today’s passage,“It is not good for the man to be alone“, is clearly the basis or the “poster verse” of our study. Day after day God pronounced what He had done as good but here He says: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” God wasn’t simply speaking things into creation and moving along, He was clearly paying attention to the day-to-day details of what He was creating. His creation was important to Him and He made right what was wrong.
While verse 18 is our focus/soap verse – it is good to read the entire passage to understand the detailed attention God gave to the situation. He tailor-made Eve for Adam, so that she would correspond specifically to him. Don’t miss the last words of the passage, “and they became a family.” This adds the second dimension to our community – first God, then family.
A Perfect Fit
Whether God saw that man was lonely or needed help or simply someone to talk to, God noticed something wasn’t right – and He made it right. Clearly, according to how God remedied the situation – man needed someone more like himself, someone who corresponded with him.
God Provides What His Children Need
I love knowing that as a believer I can trust God to see/know when something isn’t right and to take care of it in the way that is best for me. I can trust that :
He cares for me …
1 Peter 5:7 / Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.
He wants what is best for me …
Jeremiah 29:11 / For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.
He can and will do what it takes to make things right – as clearly seen in the Scriptures:
John 3:16 /For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Genesis 2:18 / The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.”
John 17: 3-4 / Now this is eternal life—that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
John 19:30 / When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Luke 24:1-12 / But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.” 9 After he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 As they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly two men in white clothing stood near them 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.”
Romans 8:34 /... Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.
John 14:1-4 / “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. And you know the way where I am going.”
Response to God’s Word
Father-God You are so good! As You did with Adam in the beginning You do with us now – You see and know when something isn’t right and You – in love, power, grace and mercy – make it right. There is no greater evidence of this than You sending Jesus to save us from our sins. From Adam’s flesh you created Eve because it was not good for man to be alone; and from a virgin You brought forth Your only begotten Son – a Savior -because sin had separated us from You, and You knew this was not good. So in unfathomable love and great power and amazing grace You made a companion who corresponds with us and one who now resides with us who have believed. Through Jesus we have been made right with You and now we are never alone. All praise and glory to You, in His name I pray and trust – Amen and amen!
Don’t forget the Monday, Wednesday, Friday blog posts from the LGG Team. They offer awesome insight and will enrich your time in the Word – just follow this link … https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/
As believers we are God’s children, this means we can rest in these words that He spoke to Israel through Moses. Read and re-read verses 10 and 13. I memorized verse 10 years ago and I cannot tell you the number of times I have lay awake at night or walked through a storm of life claiming this verse – praying it – thanking Him for it – writing it … and finding it to put my mind and heart at rest. It is the essence of standing on God’s promises.
As you see noted in the above SOAP, living in community with God has great benefits – namely hope, joy, and strength- and to reiterate yesterday’s focus the assurance of His promises – ones like He will never abandon us, or fail us … and He will help us, and when we are in danger or afraid – He will hold our hand like a father and hold us up with His victorious right hand – and we will know with certainty the truth of the observations you see below – we have nothing to fear when we live in community with our God – because He is with us, He takes hold of our right hand, He speaks ‘peace’ to us, and He reminds us He is helping us. This is a true picture of a stronghold – this is our GOD!
For years I would get caught up in the fearful circumstances of life and fixate on the fear rather than God – It was this verse and the promise it proclaims – that taught me and helped me to remember it every time fear encroached. When we make it a habit to remember the things God has promised or the things He has done we will be strengthened in our Spirit, we will sense His victorious right hand holding us up and helping us. We will begin to trust Him as our Protector and stand on/rest in His promises.
I don’t know about you but there is nothing that brings me more comfort and confidence than knowing that God is with me. This is exactly the message that God was sending His children through Moses. Yes, they were being called to go into the unknown and to do it without Moses but they were given assurance that God would not fail them or abandon them. They were told to be strong and courageous, not only because God would be with them but because He would hand their enemies over to them. On top of these two encouraging promises He appointed Joshua as their new leader and pledged the same promises to Him. –
A Prayer of Thanksgiving – Giving credit where credit is due
I don’t always read the devos from the LGG Journals – and never before I do my own journaling because I don’t want their take on the Word to influence what God might want to show me. However, as I was looking over my soap journal for today, an entry I made days ago, I was curious to see if they included any thoughts about – “apart from Him I can do nothing”, and boy did they! While this first one wasn’t the first one I read – it seems to highlight this week’s theme, “Created for Community With God”.
“The fruitfulness of our lives is a direct result of our connection to Jesus, not anything we can do. The love that we show to others, the joy we experience, the peace in our hearts, and the kindness that we share, it is all because of what God is doing in our lives, and He deserves the credit.“
Not Made To Be Alone, an LGG Study – p42
Nuggets of Gold
The following are more quotes from the LGG devotional for day 3, week 1 of Not Made To Be Alone. I encourage you to read these slowly and then read them again. May the truth of them penetrate and influence our minds and hearts as we proceed not only through this study but through life and living in community with God and others
“Community is not one-sided. … God is with us, not because He is obligated to do so as our Creator, but because He loves us.”
Ok, so this next one is my favorite and may become my new tag-line on my blog page as it highlights the reason I chose the name of the blog –
*** “When we live in community with God, we are changed from the inside out.”
This last one is some wonderful and encouraging advice – that I pray the Spirit will help us to recall every day. Check out what happens when we remain with Him and depend on Him –> out of a close relationship with Him flows life. 🦋
“As long as we remain in Christ, we will bear much fruit. We must choose, each day, to remain with Him and depend on Him. And when we do, He is there for us. We choose, through [love and obedience], to grow close to Him, and out of that relationship flows life. Being in community with God helps us rely less on ourselves and more on Him.”
This song was shared by a Journey Through the Word group member yesterday – seemed fitting for today’s post as well – may it lead you to worship and seek and reciprocate God’s abiding presence –
Me From the Inside Out 