Tag: Bible study

Posted in Advent, Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, The God Who Restores

THE ARRIVAL OF THE SON OF MAN

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Advent, Day 5: The God Who Restores

Today’s Reading: Luke 21:25-36; SOAP: Luke 21: 27-28

 Then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Observation – Precursors

As I read the first lines of the opening verses (25-26), leading up to the focus passage (27-28) – two things struck me – the first was how familiar or similar the events sounded to what we read and hear in the news today. The second was one word – “signs”. When I read that word – the passage of the wise men following a star that led them to Bethlehem where the Christ Child lay popped in my mind. It hit me, just as the wise men studied and watched – staying alert to the things that would reveal the one they were waiting on and knowing when to travel with their gifts for the “King” – we too can study and know the signs and wonder. No, we will not know the day or the hour – for not even Jesus knows this, but we can know He is coming and we can tell others about Him. We can, and should, stand (be alert) to what God has revealed in His Word, the precursors – so to speak.

Actually to come close to understanding and truly appreciating the focus passage, it helps greatly to read verses 8-26 , where you will read warnings about false prophets, the persecution of disciples, and the desolation of Jerusalem – before coming to the wonderful news that Jesus is coming again, in power and great glory!

The Focus Passage – verses 27-28

 Then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:27-28

I’ll be honest with you, I don’t truly or fully understand what this means and will not begin to explain it. However, what I do know is that –

  • Jesus is the Son of Man
  • He is coming again to complete the redemption of His people
  • He will be seen arriving in a cloud
    • Note: God’s presence is often accompanied by clouds. A cloud guided the Israelites by day (Exodus 13:21). God protected Moses from His glory with a cloud (Exodus 19:9). And God appeared during Jesus’ transfiguration in a cloud (Mark 9:7). God seems to use our literal heavens as a metaphor for the spiritual heavens in which He lives. Clouds, then, act as a kind of threshold between the realms. (Bibleref.com)
  • He will arrive in power and great glory
  • God’s word makes it clear that there will be signs
  • Those who remain should be paying attention
  • Standing, alert, with heads raised, and minds and hearts surrendered and ready for the redemption that is coming
Application :Intentional, alert, and ready

As for me… the application is just what is advised in verses 27-28 :

  • Look for the signs and wonders of God (be intentional with God’s Word, familiar with and focused on the promises of His return and the knowledge and hope He has given)
  • Stand up ( be alert)
  • Raise your heads – despite the events or the condition of the world around us, we know He is coming again and can live with that certainty rather than the hopelessness and panic of the world around us (be ready and help others be ready by making Him known)
Want more?

One of the greatest perks of purchasing the devotional journals for the LGG studies is that it helps spread God’s Word in every language. However, the devotion that follows each days Scripture reading is my second favorite perk. I found today’s especially helpful and wanted to share it with you. Hope you enjoy!

Before His death Jesus spoke of His return. He let His followers know that even though he would leave this earth for a time, He would return to power and great glory. He explained some of the signs that would happen before His return, alerting His people to them so they would be expectant of His coming.

During the Christmas season, we focus on the birth of Christ, which was His first coming. He has come and has delivered us from sin and death. But what Advent reminds us, year after year, is that we still live in brokenness and long for His second coming. It is this longing we remember during Advent as we look forward to His return.

The day of our redemption is drawing near. Advent is the season of intentionally waiting as we slow down our lives, our hearts, and our schedules to reset and remember what we are truly waiting for. The world tells us we need to attend parties, buy gifts, experience all the seasonal attractions, and wear all the ugly sweaters. What Jesus tells us is that we must watch, set aside time to pray, and be ready!

Jesus told His disciples not to allow their hearts to be so weighed down with the worries of life that His return comes as a surprise. Instead, we are to continually turn our eyes and hearts to Him, staying alert and ready for His return. We are to live with great purpose, as a light in our dark world. That may mean saying “no” to a few parties, activities, or gifts. It may mean laying down our expectations and yielding to God’s will. It may mean waking up early to spend time alone with Jesus and letting Him fill our longing hearts with His love and life. Whatever it may be, we can know that it is worth it. May we live expectant, faithful lives, always prepared for His return.

LGG, The God Who Restores, wk1/d5 devotion – p54

For even more visit Love God Greatly – You won’t want to miss this beautiful analogy!

Your Turn: Reflection

How can you live today to prepare for Christ’s return?

How will you set boundaries or guards this season to trade the busyness and urgency of the world for the peace of Christ?

Posted in Advent, Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, The God Who Restores

ALL THINGS NEW

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Advent Day 4: The God Who Restores

Today’s Reading: Revelation 21-22: SOAP: Revelation 22:13

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end! Revelation 22:13 NET

Observation and More

I find John’s opening words in chapter 21 captivating. So I hope you will indulge me for just a minute or two before we look at the focus verse. I mean how can we read and not address John’s descriptive word picture of, “a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and earth had ceased to exist.” If that isn’t enough to draw you in, surely the description of seeing the holy city and the new Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband” captures your attention. Then, as if you need any more enticement, you hear the voice of the “husband”, the one seated on the throne talking about God’s home being among humans and saying [God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more – or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former thing have ceased to exist. – Look,” He says, “I am making all things new!” Then John says, “[The One on the throne] also said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the one who is thirsty I will give water free of charge from the spring of the water of life.” Oh how beautiful and hope-filled are these words and all the ones which follow.

You Are On God’s Mind

Not too long after reading these captivating words this morning and soaping the focus verse, I was going through my email and opened one from a ‘blog’ I follow, written by Anne-Graham Lotz, the daughter of Billy Graham. This particular blog focused on a verse from Revelation 1:8 – which says:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8

I say it again and again, how sweet is the timing of our God?

Much like being caught up with John’s word picture of the new heaven and earth, I was taken up with Anne’s own word picture of the title, Alpha and Omega …, namely how it, as she wrote, “describes the eternal omniscience of Jesus Christ.” She went on to explain, “The alpha is the first letter and the omega is the last letter in the Greek alphabet. Through the alphabet all of our words, all of our wisdom, and all of our knowledge are expressed. Jesus is the beginning and end of the alphabet, the summation of all wisdom and knowledge.”

However, what filled my heart with joy was the way she described what the omniscience of Christ means to her personally? Anne wrote, “It means [we] have always been on His mind. Think of it: The most important Man in the universe has always been thinking of [us]! Wonder of wonders! [We] have never been out of His thoughts! Even as He hung on the cross, He was thinking of [us] by name! Dying for [us] by name! …” – The passage we read today and the passage Anne wrote about obviously correlate – and together prod my heart to ask – in response to Anne’s word picture , am I, as part of the church, always thinking about Him? Is He always in my thoughts, even when life is hard or when I’m in the middle of a mountain-top experience? And, in response to John’s word picture – how am I, as part of the bride of Christ, adorning myself for Him?

The Focus Verse

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end! Revelation 11:13

Jesus Christ, is:

  • The Alpha and the Omega
  • The first and the last
  • The beginning and the end
  • Jesus is eternal

There is no one like Him, no one who came before Him – no one who will come after Him. He was there in the beginning, when God spoke the world into place and when we were created.

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God-

John 1:1

Application: What does this mean to me?

I love how the prophecy doesn’t end with the beautifully enticing description of the City – but with a focus strictly on Jesus and His return! As wonderful as the ‘Eternal City’ will be – the reality and beauty of the Eternal King is to be our focus, always on our mind and forever our hope. When He is, we will adorn ourselves appropriately – with the fruit of His Spirit [Galatians 5:22-26]. We will be found living and loving like Him [John 13:34] , showing grace and mercy to others, making allowance for each others faults, and forgiving anyone who offends us [Colossians 3:12-13]; and above all, we will clothe ourselves with love and let the peace that comes from Christ rule in our hearts. The message about Christ, the Gospel, will fill our lives. We will teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives, sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts, and whatever we do or say, we will keep in mind that we are representative of the Lord Jesus, meant to bring glory to the Father, [Colossians 3:14-17].

Your Turn: Reflection

  • How are you adorning yourself for Christ?
  • What part does Christ play in your thoughts, in your life, in your consideration of all things?

Prayer: My Response to God’s Word

Father, You were there before time began – and it is a beautiful thing to know that Jesus was there with You; and to know that though He died for my sins, He has never ceased to exist! He is eternal and has given me eternal life. Oh, what victory we have in Jesus! The Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end – the One who was and is and always will be!I long to be forever in Your presence but until that time – until we are face to face, help me live and love like Jesus so the lost will see and hear and be saved, and You will receive the glory! In the Restoring and Majestic name of Jesus, who will make all things new – Amen!

Posted in Advent, Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, The God Who Restores

The Coming King

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Advent Day 3: The God Who Restores – An LGG Study

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 11-12; SOAP: Isaiah 11:10

At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic.

Isaiah 11:10 NET
Observations: The Root of Jesse and a signal flag
  • The root from Jesse represents the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He is the shoot, the bud, the root out of the stump of Jesse. (See verse 1 and Acts 13:22-23).
  • The Root, our Messiah, would be a banner or a “signal flag for the nations”.
  • He will be one who stands out and is sought after. (see: Luke 2:32; John 3:14-15, 12:32: Romans 15:12; and Revelation 5:5)
Application: How then should we live?

There are probably many more, but the applications that came to mind were –

  • Celebrate the birth, the life, and the death of Jesus, who came from the stump of Jesse.
  • Wait with confident expectation knowing that He will one day come again. In this we can trust and rejoice.
  • Keep the celebration for His first coming flowing and the anticipation growing for His second coming by staying grounded, rooted, and fixed on Him. This means faithfully dwelling in and living out His Word. Remember, it is living and active, a light to our feet, a weapon against sin and discouragement as we wait, and it is the power of God that leads to the salvation of all who believe!
Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, how great You are! Jesus what a beautiful gift You are, a signal flag of HOPE, assurance, and guidance as we wait for Your return. Holy Spirit, who rested upon Jesus and now lives in us, You fill us with POWER and HOPE as we wait for what is to come; and You stir us to celebrate and rejoice as we remember Bethlehem and the gift, Your gift, of the baby in the manger. Strengthen us as we wait, keep us faithfully living and loving like Jesus, and use us as salt and light in this dark world. Blessed be the name of the Lord, the God who restores! Thank You in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior – Amen!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Seeking the Peace of God

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Today’s Reading: Psalm 122; SOAP:Psalm 122:8-9
Observation: For the Sake of Jerusalem

I have often quoted and/or prayed the first words of this passage, “I was glad because they said to me, ‘We will go to the [House] of the Lord.'” Yet, in all honesty, I confess the rest of this passage is unfamiliar to me or at least does not jump out to me as often read or ever studied. Take time to soak up all nine verses, they are beautiful and have a message of hope for all who belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Read it, listen to the building excitement in David’s words in this “Psalm of Ascent”1, a call to worship, sang as the people of Israel traveled to Jerusalem. His obvious love for simply being in the city – comes out in the second verse when he declares: “Our feet are standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.” Be careful not to miss how he focuses on the features of the city. He’s caught up with the temple (House of God) (v1,5,9), the gates (v2), the thrones (v5), the walls (defenses) (v7), and fortresses (v7). They have an affect on his life and he believes, as his words reveal, on all who are inside the city.

All of this leads to a prayer for Jerusalem, a concern for her, and the people and the leaders within, to know peace inside her walls and to rest in the security of such a great fortress. He prays this not just because he loves the temple-city of His God but, as he says, for the sake, or the concern, for his brothers and neighbors – not only that they would know peace but that there would be no contention among them that would destroy the city or distract them from being in the temple of their God; and the concern seems equally spent on “seeking Jerusalem’s good through prayer”2 I love this imagery, the people having an effect on the House of God – where they dwell, where they gather to worship, and where legal decisions are made; but also the House of God – and all that goes on or is within her, from the gates to the thrones and the security she provides – having an effect on the people. In other words we affect the ‘church’ and the ‘church’ affects us.

Application: So what’s it all mean?

As is clearly stated, Jerusalem was a place meant for God’s people to gather, to worship, and to make legal decisions. The “tribes”3 of families go “up” to Jerusalem, where they are required to give thanks (v4) to the name of the LORD, their God.

As I read through this part of the passage, I landed on the people being ‘required to give thanks to the name of the LORD and realized another beautiful truth to apply here – while we may no longer live under the requirements of the law – if thanksgiving was important to God then, and clearly it was – would it not also be important to Him now? After all, we live under the freedom of His grace, (Rom 6:14-15), which He lavished on us through the life, death, and resurrection of His only begotten Son, (Eph 1:3-8).

As for the application of our focus verses (8-9), we have already noted: the Psalmist prays acknowledging his desire/concern for his brothers and friends to enjoy peace within the walls of Jerusalem and then for the good of the “temple of God” to prosper or do good. It seems to me that David is seeking the welfare of both the local and the corporate aspects of God’s people – which I believe is a good indication that we, as a community of faith, both locally and globally, should share this same focus and purpose in prayer – a focus so intent on being in the Presence of God that we seek the good of the church and its people.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
May those who love her prosper.
7 May there be peace inside your defenses,
and prosperity inside your fortresses.
8 For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors
I will say, “May there be peace in you.”
9 For the sake of the temple of the Lord our God
I will pray for you to prosper.

Psalm 122:6-9
Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, how good you were to place Your people within “tribes” – developing families of nations and ultimately, the community of faith/church – Your people both locally and globally. Help us/me, like David, to faithfully seek peace and [good] for Your people and for the good of Your [House]. May we be glorifying and honoring influencers in the church, and may its influence leave a lasting impression on us that is a light to all we come in contact with. may I/we always enter with thanksgiving, not because we are required to but because we realize the blessing, privilege, and power that are ours because we belong to You. In the name and power of Jesus, so let it be!

1Love God Greatly from the God who restores, devotion-Day 2 (p. 38)
2FOOTNOTE on verse 9, from HCSB study Bible: tn Heb “I will seek good for you.” The psalmist will seek Jerusalem’s “good” through prayer.

3″Tribes” is a reference to the 12 tribes of Israel. The twelve tribes of Israel came from the twelve sons of Israel. “Israel” is the name that God gave Jacob (Genesis 32:28). His twelve sons are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin (Genesis 35:23-26; Exodus 1:1–4; 1 Chronicles 2:1–2). When the tribes inherited the Promised Land, Levi’s descendants did not receive a territory for themselves (Joshua 13:14). Instead, they became priests and had several cities scattered throughout all of Israel. Joseph’s tribe was divided in two—Jacob had adopted Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, essentially giving Joseph a double portion for his faithfulness in saving the family from famine (Genesis 47:11–12). This means the tribes who received territory in the Promised Land were Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh. In some places in Scripture, the tribe of Ephraim is referred to as the tribe of Joseph (Numbers 1:32–33). – https://www.gotquestions.org/twelve-tribes-Israel.html

Your Turn: Reflections

Why/how are you praying for peace, prosperity, and security for God’s people today?

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Waiting for Deliverance

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Today’s Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5; SOAP: Isaiah 2:5
Observation: A prophecy about Israel’s future and ours

God gave Isaiah a message about Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah’s words would have been questionable at best and totally unbelievable at worst in the minds of his listeners – who had been warned of exile and destruction if they did not repent of their idolatrous ways. His words were nonetheless true and coming. Yes, the words were given to a nation about to go into exile because of their idolatrous ways – but Isaiah points them to a better day of hope and restoration.

From the book of Genesis forward throughout the Old Testament there was the promise of one who would crush the head of the serpent, and one who would save His people from their sins. Then there is the passage where Isaiah talks of how God was preparing a way where there seemed to be no way … or consider the words of the Apostle Matthew, when he said:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”

Matthew was connecting Jesus [Immanuel, God with us] to the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14, where he said:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Whether this prophecy of Isaiah is solely referring to the birth of Jesus is debatable among scholars but clearly God’s inspired word through Matthew attributes truth to this understanding.

While we look forward to the second coming of Christ, the people of Judah were given hope and would have been looking forward to the first coming – the first Advent – the coming of the Messiah.

Application: What can we learn from this?

Clearly Isaiah is giving hope but he is also giving them an instruction to not wait to follow the LORD but to live in His ways now. They would enjoy peace “now” if they submitted to Him and faithfully walked in His ways. The same is true for us in this world of chaos and idolatry that seems to hold no hope and demands us to wait – on what at times can appear to be an unbelievable promise – but is nonetheless the hope of our faith.

I love this quote from the LGG devotional and I think it best sums up for us what Isaiah was telling the people then – and can still speak hope to us today:

“That is the character of our God. No matter what we have done or how we (personally and corporately) have turned against Him, He is the God who restores. He sent His Son as the redeemer of our souls. He is the hope we have, the promise of restoration. When we walk in His guiding light, we see the future hope we have in Him.”

LGG Devotion, day 1 of 2022 Advent, The God who Restores
Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, while this is a message for the tribe of Judah in the days of Isaiah, Your prophet – I thank you for the hope it brings to all nations. For by faith, those who have believed in Your only begotten Son, will be among those who dwell in Your Kingdom. Blessed be Your glorious and gracious name! In the Name of the One in whom I have placed my hope and faith – Amen.

Your Turn: Reflections on the Word Read

Even though God promised to judge His people for their sin, He offered a glimpse into the future glory of Jerusalem.

  • What does this reveal about His character?
  • What does this mean about us, in our season of waiting?

(I invite you to share your thoughts/answers in the comment section …. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior please message me and let me share with you the greatest gift you will ever receive.)

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Commissioned

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Day 5, Week 6 of Come, Lord Jesus Come (A Love God Greatly Study) Disciples of All Nations

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20 (SOAP – Matthew 28:19-20)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NET

Observations and Application of the Great Commission:

Much like Paul gave Timothy his ‘charge’ or particular ‘ministry’ to do, Jesus gives His disciples a charge to carry out. He actually tasks them with much the same thing – the work of an evangelist, which is to spread the Gospel message. Like Timothy, we are to do the work of an evangelist, spreading the news that Jesus saves, discipling others, encouraging new believers to follow the Lord in baptism, and to obey everything that Christ commanded. We would also do well to remember to encourage others that Jesus is with us, even to the end of the age.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, You are good and Christ was good to walk with and transform the lives of so many disciples who followed Him. You continue to disciple and train us up today by Your Word and people. May we be faithful to Your commission, whether it is convenient or not – to be ready with an answer for the hope that is within us. Show us how to reach those here and in other countries. And as we go, open hearts and minds to the message of the cross and of our Christ!

more insight

https://lovegodgreatly.com/devotional-come-lord-jesus-come-w6d5/

Reflections: Your turn

Who in your life can you disciple?

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, LGG Study

The Work of an Evangelist

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Day 4, Week 6 of Come, Lord Jesus Come (A Love God Greatly Study) Do the Work God Has Called You To

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 (SOAP – 2 Timothy 4:5)

You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5 NET

Observations of Timothy’s Ministry:

  • Paul has outlined Timothy’s ministry for him, making sure Timothy understands the importance of what God has called him to do.
    • Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction. (v2)
  • Paul makes sure Timothy knows that people will be harder to reach and some will need to be pulled back toward the truth.
    •  For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (v3-4)
  • Timothy is then encouraged to stay faithful to his ministry, regardless of others turning away from the truth or even the temptation to turn away himself. (v5) He would need to …
    • be self-controlled
    • endure hardships
    • be faithful to spread the Gospel
    • fulfill what God had called him to do

Application: So What Does This Mean For Us?

Often when applying the Scriptures we have to see how a message to those in the New Testament church relates to us in the 21st century – but I believe this is one that applies across the centuries. Certainly we are living in a time like Paul described, where people no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They follow their own desires and look for teachers who tell them whatever they want to hear. They reject the truth and chase after myths. So as disciples of Christ, called to go and share the Gospel message and to make other disciples as we go, it seems we need the very same instructions Paul gave to Timothy. We must …

  • be self-controlled
  • endure hardships
  • be faithful to spread the Gospel
  • fulfill what God has called us to do

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, help us to be faithful to Your calling on our lives. Let us not neglect sharing the Gospel message nor all that we might need to do and say to help others NOT fall away. And please guard us from turning away ourselves. Instead, help us to endure hardships, to be self-controlled and alert, remembering our enemy – the devil – prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Help us to be ready with the message whether it is inconvenient or not – and help us to be patient with those who need to be reached. May we boldly follow Jesus’ example and serve You as You lead. – In Jesus’ name I pray – amen!

Reflections: Your turn

What is the mission God has called you to? What do you need to do to fulfill this mission?

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Children of the Light

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Day 3, Week 6 of Come, Lord Jesus Come (A Love God Greatly Study) Encourage Each Other

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (SOAP – 1 Thes. 5:9-11)

For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that whether we are alert or asleep we will come to life together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NET

Observations of God’s Plan:

We, believers, are “children of the day, or light” not of the night, or darkness. (5)

Faith, hope, and love should be our adornment – which will help us to be alert to His coming. (8)

Wrath is what we deserved but that was not God’s plan for us. His plan was salvation through Jesus Christ. (9)

Whether we are already dead or still alive we will be united with Him. (10)

Application: So What Does This Mean For Us?

As “children of the light”, who will one day “come to life together with [Jesus], we are to “encourage one another and build each other up in the faith.”

In view of [our] exemption from the day of the Lord, believers ought to encourage and edify one another. (bibleref.com @ context summary verse 6)

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, and for the salvation that is mine instead of the wrath I deserve. Help me to walk faithfully in the light, encourage others in the faith, and make Your gift of salvation known to the lost. – In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Reflections: Your turn

According to today’s passage, what did God destine Christians for? How does that encourage you today?

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, LGG Study

A Grace Filled Hope

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Day 2, Week 6 of Come, Lord Jesus Come (A Love God Greatly Study) Waiting for the Happy Fulfillment of Our Hope

Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-15 (SOAP – Titus 2:11-13)

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. 12 It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-13 NET

Observations of Grace

Grace is, as Ephesians 2:8 -9 says, a gift of God. His gift of grace appeared in the from of Jesus, God in the flesh, through whom He has brought us salvation through Jesus Christ.

His grace trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires –

It also trains us to live lives that are self-controlled, righteous, and godly in a world that is none of these.

For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works lest any man should boast.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son so that whoever believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Application: So What Does This Mean For Us?

This Scripture makes clear how we are to live while we wait for Jesus to appear, fulfilling our hope, we are to:

  • reject godless ways
  • worldly desires
  • live self-controlled godly lives

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for Your grace by which you have saved us and Your Spirit by which you train us to live godly lives, rejecting godless ways and worldly desires. Thank You for training us to live by faith as we wait on the return – the glorious appearing of Jesus

Reflections: Your turn

What would you say if someone ask you today why you have so much hope when you look to your future?

Extra Insight from LGG Team

https://lovegodgreatly.com/devotional-come-lord-jesus-come-w6d2/

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Being Intentional

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Day 1, Week 6 of Come, Lord Jesus Come (A Love God Greatly Study) Encourage as the Day Draws Near!

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25 (SOAP – Hebrews 10:24-25)

24 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 NET

Observations:

With the exception of one trusted translation, which says “and so”, in all of the translations I study from, this passage (19-25) opens with the word “[having] therefore“. When we are studying the Scriptures this is one of many key words that should cause us to look back to see what came before. In this case, the author has been writing an explanation concerning the Covenant God had made with His people that ensured them that, by faith in the work of Jesus on the cross, they had been given the promise of entering into God’s presence with confidence. (You’ll find it below and it’s worth the read)

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Hebrews 10:1-18

Our confidence, mentioned throughout the chapter, is explained best in verse 19, as coming from the blood of Jesus; and in verse 22, it is defined as belonging to those who by faith have assurance of salvation through the forgiveness of sins, once and for all, (11-18).

We can “hold unwaveringly to [this] hope” because God is trustworthy, (23).

It is important to understand these verses because they are the essence of why we can and should “spur one another on to love and good works”, which God created us in Christ1 Jesus to do2.

1So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NET

2For we are his creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them. Ephesians 2:10 NET

Our focus/SOAP passage (24-25) follows this promise of good news with instructions to think about, in other words be intentional in looking for ways to encourage “one another”, those belonging to the body of Christ, on to live out the love3 and good works God created us for. For this reason it is wise to not give up meeting together, especially as the day of Christ’s return draws closer. One side note on this observation is since we don’t know the day or hour we should make it a habit to encourage “one another” often, in a formal meeting or outside of a formal meeting, so that we will not stop living and loving3 as He created us to.

 3“I [Jesus] give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34  

3Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, [people of God], the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 13:29-31 NET

Application: So What Does This Mean For Us?

While this is a very familiar passage to me, as I’m sure it is to many who are reading this, I am convicted that this should be a passage we read often so that we don’t lose sight of why believers can and should have confidence in the work of Christ and the promised gift of salvation through our faith.

It is also a great reminder that we should be sharing the hope of our faith with others, but especially that we should encourage other believers often with this hope that is ours in Christ. Our salvation does not rest on our shoulders or our work but on the work of Jesus Christ4 and the grace of God5.

So, stand firm in the confidence that God has given us in Christ Jesus so that you do not stop showing love and doing good

(4) See Hebrews 10:1-18 above

(5) 8For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NET

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You so much for the confidence You have given us through Your grace and Your promises to those who have believed in Christ Jesus, Your Son! You are indeed a trustworthy God and we have the full assurance of Your forgiveness through our faith in Him. For You have said whoever believes is forgiven once and for all, and no longer being condemned we are saved through His blood and have both the confidence to draw near to You now and the guarantee of a place in Your presence – in Your kingdom yet to come. Help us to faithfully stand firm in this hope and encourage one another often with these truths that are ours through Christ. And may we not fail to share these truths with those who still have no hope until He comes again. – In Jesus’ powerful name – amen and amen!!

 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. John 3:16-17 NET

Reflections: Your turn

What are some ways you can encourage others in your life today?