Tag: Bible study

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Reflections of Week 3, Beautifully Surrendered

Beautifully Surrendered, God’s Heart for His Daughters is a Love God Greatly Study

As we read about Hannah, Anna, Rachel, Hagar, and The Woman at the Well this week we learned the need to stay surrendered to God in prayer. Prayer is the act of seeking God, and as Hanna learned, it requires that we keep our eyes on Him and not the people or situations of our lives. Continual prayer, as we saw in Anna, keeps our cares in God’s hands and not our own. Because Anna lived this way and wasn’t caught up with the cares of the world she was acutely aware when she was in the presence of the Long awaited Messiah and she was free to make Him known to others. While we heard Rachel call out to her husband for a child rather than God, we see that God still took notice of her and became the “hero of the story” for Rachel – who acknowledged with “Joseph”, the name of her firstborn, that she knew exactly who was responsible for making her a mother. When we see God work on our behalf it strengthens or perhaps awakens our belief in Him. Through Hagar we witnessed the beauty of knowing God sees us and how it plays such a vital part in our prayer life with Him as it gives us hope and strength and peace in our journey. Finally, it was was the woman at the well that reminded us to keep our eyes, not on our past(regrets or shame) but on what Jesus can do, has done, and will do for us who believe.

Living like this doesn’t mean we will not face struggles in our lives but rather that when we do we will pour out our souls to Him rather than live in anger, resentment, doubt, fear, shame, self-centeredness, or disbelief. Making our lives a lifestyle of prayer will lead us to the perfect peace as both Isaiah and Paul talked about in their writings when they said:

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You.

Isaiah 26:3

Don’t be worried about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for what He’s already done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

If you missed any of this week’s devotions from me you’ll find them at this link

If you missed any of the Love God Greatly Blogs for week 3 you’ll find them at these links:

https://lovegodgreatly.com/asking-for-the-impossible/

https://lovegodgreatly.com/the-dream-of-your-heart/

https://lovegodgreatly.com/believing-at-the-well/

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The Samaritan Woman: Believing at the Well

Day 5, Week 3 of Beautifully Surrendered, a Love God Greatly Study

Today’s Reading: John 4:1-30 (14-15)
4 But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”   John 4:14-15
My Observations:

Crucial to this encounter with the Samaritan woman is the word “whoever”. It is equally important to understand the importance of who Jesus was speaking to –

She was a woman and a Samaritan. He had five husbands and was living with one who was not her husband; because of her lifestyle she was a known outcast and considered ‘unclean’. Jesus’ ongoing answers and conversation seem to soften her attitude and many others are brought to meet Him.

your turn:

What’s your take away from the story of the Samaritan woman?

How then Shall We Live?

Jesus clearly asked water from this woman to engage her in conversation and offer her the living water he has to offer. From my understanding He did so at great risk to His reputation – considering, not only that she was a woman but her lifestyle and the fact that she was a Samaritan. In what He did He set the example of how we are to live as His witnesses.

  • Don’t be afraid to reach the “outcast” with the love of Jesus
  • Make “whoever” a part of our conversation with the ‘thirsty’
  • Give the word out like cups of cold water to those who are thirsty (in need of ‘eternal life’)
  • Tell others what we know about Jesus and where they can find Him
My Prayer Response:

Father, thank You for the examples of Jesus. Help us to live and love like Him. When we open our mouths fill us with the words that will help those who are “thirsty” receive the gift of eternal life. Help us to ‘see’ those who are seeking more and to engage with them regardless of how they respond, regardless of their status in life, and regardless of what others think.

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Hagar: The God Who Sees

Day 4, Week 3, Beautifully Surrendered: A Love God Greatly Study

Today’s Reading: Genesis 16 and 21:1-20 (SOAP – 16:13)
So Hagar named the Lord who spoke to her, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen one who sees me!”  Genesis 16:13  NET
My Observation:
Who Was Hagar?
  • Hagar was the Egyptian slave girl to Sarah
  • She became the slave wife to Abraham because of Sarah’s impatience for the child God had promised them
  • As a result of Sarah’s impatience Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, Abraham’s son
  • Through her plight she came to see God as El Roi, the God who sees ‘me’.
What We must not miss

It’s easy to read Hagar’s story and get lost in our thoughts or conversations and judgements about Sarah and Abraham actions … how they didn’t trust God … how they acted on their own … how Abraham could have taken a slave wife, and why in the world Sarah would give him another woman (cultural acceptance or not) … how Sarah complained about Hagar … and eventually insisted that Hagar and the child be sent away … and the list goes on – BUT we must not miss how God used it all! He used it not only to fulfill His promise of a child to Abraham and Sarah – BUT God revealed Himself to Hagar as El Roi – He was no longer just the God of her masters but He was the “One”, whom she saw and the “One” who saw her”. On top of that, He not only rescued Hagar and her son but He promised to be with her son as he grew. What a comfort Hagar must have found in this promise in the midst of her aloneness and desperation.

How Then Should We Live?

Sarah and Abraham offer good lessons in “trusting God”, not going ahead of Him, not forsaking His ways for our desires, and not playing God (trying to do or make happen what He promised). BUT GOD, through Hagar, reveals to us the importance of listening for and to Him, of being attentive to what He says, taking comfort in His Words, and seeing Him for who He really is. We must learn to listen for Him and to know Him as the God who sees us. He should not be just another god, like the gods Hagar would have known as an Egyptian. No, He must become personal to us so that, like Hagar, we will be able to say: “You are the God who sees me,”; and if we are wise we will mark the times (places, incidents, and ways we have seen or heard Him) just as she did when she said, “Here I have seen one who sees me!”. These markers or remembrances will become our testimonies of faith. Their memories will strengthen us when life presses in and perhaps be an encouragement to others we know along the way.

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

2 Corinthians 1:4
Your turn

What’s your take-away from Hagar’s story?

Prayer Response:

Blessed be Your Holy Name God! You are the God who sees me! You know my name! You hear me when I call. You see me when I’m hidden away or when I’m hurting or afraid. You hear me wherever I am! You are with me and You are always doing what you said You would do, and You are always working everything together fo the good of those who love You and are called according to your purpose. In this I trust and find my strength!

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Rachel: God Heard Her Cries

Day 3, Week 3 of Beautifully Surrendered, A Love God Greatly Study

Today’s Reading: Genesis 29:31-30:24 (SOAP – 30:22-24)
Then God took note of Rachel. He paid attention to her and enabled her to become pregnant. 23 She became pregnant and gave birth to a son. Then she said, “God has taken away my shame.” 24 She named him Joseph, saying, “May the Lord give me yet another son.”  Genesis 30:22-24
MY OBSERVATIONS:

What a saga! One sister (Rachel) loved by Jacob and the other (Leah) given to him in marriage by trickery.

The BibleReference.com commentary explains that the phrase “God took note of Rachel …” means that He looked with favorable consideration on her but not before…

  • He looked with compassion on Leah who was unloved and enabled her to become pregnant (verse 31).
  • the birth of 9 more sons, some given to Leah while others were given to Leah’s and Rachel’s servant girls.

“THEN… ” This one little word in Scripture is so often followed by some great news or event that it always catches my attention … and in this case – as with the story of Hannah – what follows “then” resonates with my heart. Years have passed, Rachel – though settling for children through her servant girl – has waited miserably and now finds herself, finally, pregnant because God has looked on her with “favorable consideration”. You see, it wasn’t that God had truly forgotten or not seen Rachel in all of this time – but rather that God is strategic and purposeful in all He does. As we saw with Hannah, and as I learned in my own life – God is the one who enables or withholds children being born. This is paramount in the story of Rachel and Leah and Mary and Elizabeth and every other woman in the Bible. Until we understand the truth of it we will forever struggle when we cannot see God’s hand in our lives. Trusting His heart is the essence of walking by faith and not by sight.

After the Then

Rachel gave birth to a son and she named him Joseph, which was to say – “May the LORD give me yet another son.” A greedy statement? I don’t think so, but rather believe it was Rachel’s acknowledgement of what she knew was God’s doing and her genuine desire for God’s favor to continue.

How Then Do We Live

I think an important take-away from this passage is to REMEMBER.

  • Remember – even when it seems God is ignoring us – He isn’t. What He is doing is working all things together for the good of His children.
  • It’s also important to pray big, Remembering and believing that there’s nothing God cannot do, literally! With God ALL things are possible.
  • Remember, God’s timing and power are good and purposeful.
Prayer Response

Father, I have waited before for a child. I have, like Rachel. longed for my womb to be open, and felt ignored when You said – no, month after month and year after year. I praise You that I can look back now and know You weren’t ignoring me, You were waiting for the right time. THEN … You answered. May we never lose sight of Your Timing Father, whether it’s a child or a job, a marriage, or healing, whatever it is we are longing for – pleading for – Father, help us to trust Your heart even though we can’t see Your hand.

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Hannah: Asking for the Impossible

Day 1, Week 3 of Beautifully Surrendered, A Love God Greatly Study

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 (SOAP – 1:27-28)
I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. 28 Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.   1 Samuel 1:27-28  NLT
My Observations:
Heart Resounding Similarities

Hannah’s story is near and dear to my heart, not just because of it’s beautiful example of prayer between a woman and her God but because I waited eight years for God to give me a child. In that eight years I experienced much of the heartache and distress that is described of Hannah. I battled bitterness of other’s pregnancies and anger with God for what He withheld. He won the battle though and in due time spoke words of encouragement and wisdom through my parents to not only trust in the Lord and His will and timing for my life but to learn to be content whether pregnant or not pregnant. The words were hurtful at first – I didn’t want to be content, I wanted to be pregnant. However, when I got home from that conversation those were the very words that drove me to my knees and moved me to “pour out my soul before the LORD” and cry out to Him from the depth of my pain and anguish. – Then the LORD called me to mind, and I became pregnant.

Hannah’s Prayer (1 Samuel 1:10-16
  • The source of Hannah’s prayer was from her soul not strong drink
  • The heart of Hannah’s prayer was her pain and anguish – driven by her desire for a child
  • Lost in the strengths of her faith, unaware that she was observed, and certainly not drunk on wine – Hannah prayed

She prayed boldly and specifically

  1. Poured out her suffering to the LORD
  2. Keep me in mind”
  3. Don’t “neglect Your servant”
  4. “Give your servant a male child”

She made a vow

  • “Then I will declare Him to the LORD all the days of His life
  • “His hair will never be cut”

As for Hannah, she was speaking in her mind. Only her lips were moving; her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was a drunkard.

1 Samuel 1:13 NET
Prayer’s Effect

Don’t miss the effect Hannah’s prayer had on her. From being very distressed – talking to God and encouragement from Eli, the priest, she went away changed, not only inwardly but outwardly.

So the woman went her way and got something to eat. Her face no longer looked sad.

1 Samuel 1:18 NET
Then …

I love when the Bible says “Then …” because it always means God is about to reveal something. In this case it was all that transpired after Hannah’s prayer and conversation with Eli.

  1. They worshiped the LORD and returned home
  2. Elkanah was intimate with Hannah
  3. “The LORD called her to mind”
  4. Hannah became pregnant
  5. She gave birth to a son
  6. When he was weened she took him up to the LORD’S house
  7. She shared with Eli God’s answer, her praise, and the response of her vow

For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me the request that I asked of him. 28 So I also dedicate him to the Lord. For all the days of his life he is dedicated to the Lord.” Then [Samuel] bowed down there in worship to the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:27-28 NET
Then …

Hannah’s prayers affected not only herself and her husband but don’t miss how even, at a very young age, they were already affecting Samuel – “THEN he,” [Samuel}, bowed down in worship to the LORD.” To see how her prayer affected many more through Samuel visit this link on the “Life of Samuel” from ‘GotQuestions.org’ – https://www.gotquestions.org/life-Samuel.html

How Then Do We Live?

If we learn anything from Hannah, let us learn that we can be real with God. She poured out her soul before Him, She didn’t try to hide her suffering, or deal with her pain and anguish on her own. She trusted God with her desire, not only in prayer but in life – giving back to God the very thing she asked for – that it [Samuel] might be used for His glory and not just her pleasure or fulfillment.

We can also learn to respond to God’s answers with praise – not kept to ourselves but revealed to others so that God’s goodness, His kindness, mercy, love, grace, power …. are displayed.

  • What’s your take away?
Prayer Response

Father, thank You for Hannah’s prayer and the way You have used it in my own life. Thank You for the glimpses of Your hand in the tapestry of Your people – woven together in Your Word for us to glean from. Help us to not become embittered with the disappointments or desires of our lives but to give them to You, boldly and specifically, from the heart and to trust You with the answers. And Father help us always to give You the praise and honor due Your name that others may hear and see and know of Your goodness to “keep us in mind” and the powerful and lasting effects of Your answers.

– All To Your Glory

Me – from the inside-out

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Ruth: Your God and My God

Thursday, Week 2 of Beautifully Surrender, A Love God Greatly Study

Today’s Reading: Ruth 1:1-18; SOAP: 1:16

 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

Ruth 1:1-18 NLT
My Observations:
But Ruth

There were cultural norms of the day that would have led Orpah and Ruth to stay with their mother-in-law, Naomi, even after their husbands had died and even though Naomi was leaving for her homeland. However, Naomi not only offered them an out, she encouraged them to return to their people and prayed that they would both be blessed with new husbands. While it took some convincing, Orpah finally conceded, kissed Naomi goodbye, and “returned to her people and her god”, BUT RUTH had made up her mind. She chose to devote herself not only to Naomi but to Naomi’s people and Naomi’s God.

If you read the rest of the story you will see that Ruth’s decision changed everything. You will see the fingerprints of God, a beautiful unfolding love story, a glimpse of things to come, and how Ruth became a part of God’s unfolding story.

How Then Should We LivE?

God has given us a clear-cut answer and demonstration of choosing His people and Him above comfort and familiarity. We should live as Ruth, who chose to go the way of Naomi and her God.

My Prayer Response:

Father, thank you for the example of Ruth who chose Your people and You rather than the familiar and comfortable. Help me to always choose You above anything and everyone – and may my example lead others to do the same. – In Jesus’ Name – Amen!

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Rahab: Strong and Brave

Wednesday, Week 2 of Beautifully Surrendered, A Love God Greatly Study

Today’s Reading: Joshua 2; James 2:14-26; SOAP: Hebrews 11:31

It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Hebrews 11:31 NLT
My Observation:

Like us, Rahab was saved by faith and escaped the destruction of the disobedient. Welcoming and hiding the spies, as we read in the Joshua account were demonstrations of her faith. Faith that she expressed in many ways but perhaps none more clearly than the acknowledgement of God being the “supreme God”, and of course the scarlet cord that she hung out her window in faith believing that she and her household would be spared.

No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.

Joshua 2:11

“I accept your terms,” she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window.

Joshua 2:21

Rahab’s position in life, as a prostitute, did not overshadow her faith or make her faith worthless. Regardless of who she was or what she had been, God honored and accepted her by her faith in Him, which is evident in the fact that her name is among those listed in the Scripture’s ‘Hall of Faith’ found in Hebrews 11.

In case you’re wondering how a prostitute ends up in the ‘Hall of Faith’ with Abraham and all the others, let’s take another look at the fuller picture of her faith from what we’ve read today.

  • She knew who the men were and whose they were when she welcomed them in.
  • She welcomed them in in spite of the fact that she spoke to them of how their hearts melted in fear of them.
  • She defied the local authority and risked their retaliation because she had heard and believed in their God – who He was and what He could do and had done.
  • She placed her faith, not in what she had seen nor her fear in what could happen to her — but in the GOD of these men.
  • She did so not only at her own risk but to her family’s
How Then Should We Live:
  • We are to walk/live by faith and not by sight or knowledge of what we’ve done or said or where we’ve been.
  • We should tell god’s stories — knowing they saved the life of Rahab and her family.
  • Go where God sends us, for others may be saved by our obedience and courage.
  • Fear God more than man.
My Prayer Response:

Father – prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, liars, thieves, and the ‘worst of the worst’ that we can imagine are all welcome at your table when, by faith, they believe in Your Son. Thank You for Your unconditional love through the blood and person of Jesus Christ – for by Him I am saved!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

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THE CANAANITE WOMAN: GREAT FAITH

Tuesday: Week 2 of Beautifully Surrendered, A Love God Greatly Study

TODAY’S READING: MATTHEW 15:21-28; SOAP: MATTHEW 15:28
My Observation:

We really need to look at the full picture to understand and appreciate what took place and what it means for us as Gentile believers.

The Woman
  • Though she was a Canaanite, the woman recognized Jesus for who He was, one who could have mercy on her, the Lord, the Son of David. (22)
  • She had a demon-possessed daughter.(22)
  • Even though Jesus did not answer her at first, even though the disciples begged Him to “send her away”, and even though Jesus finally told her “He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”(23-24) – She came and bowed down before Him, acknowledged Him again as Lord and again asked for help (25)
  • In rebuttal to Jesus’ response, one that could have been taken as offensively rude, she doesn’t rile at Him in anger but acknowledges His position as “master”. (27)
The Disciples:

Granted, among the crowds of people following Jesus, vying for His attention, pressing in for healing or some other miracle – being a disciple couldn’t have been easy. In this particular situation the woman had obviously gotten on their last nerve as they begged for Jesus to send her away. (23)

Jesus:

Jesus went from not responding to the women’s request, to a statement about why He was there, then to making the shocking statement that was less than flattering, and finally to commending her and acting on the woman’s “great faith”.

Note: Some have made the argument that Jesus was rude in not responding and others would argue that His comment about the ‘dogs’ was uncalled for – but the greater argument can and should be made that He was looking to see if the woman was a sincere believer or not since she was a Canaanite. A helpful commentary on this matter can be found at this Bible Reference link – https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/15/Matthew-15-26.html

What we must remember when Scripture raises questions like this - is who we know Jesus to be. He God in human form, there was no sin in Him - so He would never be rude or disrespectful to anyone and His reasons for everything He says and does will always be perfect and for the Father's glory. To believe less than this is to question the very foundation of our belief in God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.    - Me, from-the-insideout
How Then Should We Live?

It’s easy to approach God and ask for needs or health or even desires … but it’s the believing and persisting that is often missing. However, we are encouraged to be devoted to prayer, to pray without ceasing, to approach the throne of God boldly and with confidence, to keep on asking – to keep on seeking – and to keep on knocking … so even though she may have seemed annoying to the disciples – we must not take this to mean we should do any less. However, what struck me more than her persistence was the fact that her focus wasn’t on her daughter at the moment but squarely on Jesus, who He was, and what He could do. For this reason, I believe, a profitable take-away or application would be to pray believing, persist in praying, and focus on the Master rather than the request. I learned a long time ago – with many reminders since – that when we focus on our request we lose sight of Jesus and, like Peter on the water, our faith begins to sink beneath the waves of our desire.

My Prayer Response:

Father, in our praying help us stay focused on You and not on our requests/needs or desires. Help us to pray believing and persistently – knowing You are able. May we not waiver in our faith for in this You are glorified and we are blessed.

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Elizabeth: Nothing is Impossible

Monday, Week 2 of Beautifully Surrendered, A Love God Greatly Study
Today’s Reading: Luke 1:5-25; 39-45; SOAP: Luke 1:45

You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

Luke 1:45

My Observations:
The Back Story

To truly appreciate and rightly observe this one verse I believe it is best to read the entire passage. When we do this we read how Zechariah and Elizabeth were without children at a very old age. They had prayed for a child but none had been born to them because, as the Scripture says: “Elizabeth was barren”. That is, until their prayer had been heard and she became pregnant in her old age. While Zechariah doubted the incredible announcement, Elizabeth immediately believed and praised God for what He had done.

Elizabeth Understood

Perhaps because Elizabeth had herself received and believed the announcement of her own miracle baby she understood all the more how special Mary’s situation was and just how difficult it would have been for her to believe.

How Then Should We Live?

We should live believing that absolutely “nothing is impossible with God”. When we hear or see Him in action we would be wise to believe and not doubt. We would be equally wise to follow Elizabeth’s example and encourage others when we see the Lord working in their lives or when we see them expressing their faith in God!

My Prayer Response:

Father, help me to keep my eyes open to the faith of others and to be a voice of encouragement to those whose faith is evident both in times of plenty and times when the promised, the desired, or the needed seems impossible. Help me to be quick not only to believe but to encourage others with the evident truth that NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR YOU! In Jesus’ Name let me be an encourager. – AMEN!

My Worship Response:
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Reflections from Week 1 of Beautifully Surrendered

A Love God Greatly Bible Study about God’s Heart for His Daughters

From God's creation of Eve, Paul's introduction of Phoebe and instructions to on using our gifts, the promise that "ALL" are one in Christ, Jesus' concern for the widow at Nain, and the care He showed His mother even while hanging on the cross are all beautifully poignant reminders that women are loved, seen, and cherished by God. 

References: Gen 2:18-24; Rom 6:1-2; 1 Cor 12:12-26; Gal 3:24-29; Luke 7:11-17; John 19:20-30

If you missed any or all of the week’s study check out the Scripture references listed above and/or find the blogs and all the details and links at mefromthensideout.com or by clicking on the links above.

Week 2 Preview: Women of Great Faith

Now that we have laid the foundation of God’s love and concern for us as women we will press forward looking at how God has use and worked through the lives of women in Scripture. The first week we will focus on “Women of Great Faith”. Women like Elizabeth, Rahab, Ruth and others.

Our focus/memory verse is found in Luke 1:45 and is a beautiful statement of encouragement from Elizabeth to Mary. We will study the verse tomorrow and work on remembering it throughout the week.

Our challenge comes from the focus verse as well: Who in your life has shown great faith like the women we are reading about? Take time this week and reach out to her. Encourage her with your words, either spoken or written, and share how her faith has helped increase your faith.