Bible study, Devotion, From the Beginning to Forever, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Thanksgiving

The Promised Rescue

Posted on November 1, 2025March 11, 2026 by

Based on the Love God Greatly Study, From the Beginning to Forever/w5d5

Read: John 20:1-9 and Matthew 28:16-20/SOAP: Matthew 28:19-20

So the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20 NET or NKJV

Hey friends, today is the first day of November, which means Thanksgiving is just around the corner, with Christmas quickly following – BUT Easter is the highlight of today’s devotion and the main event of our FAITH – for great is the victory that overcame our sin! If you’re still journeying with me in this study, you won’t want to miss the beautiful and encouraging words from the Love God Greatly team that I’m sharing with you today.

“The Saturday of Easter weekend was one of the darkest days of human history. But then Sunday morning came. As the sun rose, the ground shook, and the stone that kept the tomb closed rolled back. Jesus had risen! The grave could not hold Him. Sin and death were defeated forever, winning our salvation. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest news ever. No longer do we have to stay in our sins or live without hope. Salvation and freedom are found through faith in Jesus. The rescue that was promised in Genesis 3:15 had been accomplished.” -From the Beginning to Forever, p163

Sisters, if you are not all kinds of excited and shouting hallelujah, please read that quote again – because it is the greatest message of hope there has ever been or ever will be! As believers, not only is it our hope in life and death, but we have been given the incredible task and privilege of sharing it with the world around us. Which, as today’s journal entry points out, “is not a commandment that we can opt in or out. It is one we are all meant to obey.”

Friends, please do not let this commandment unnerve you. It can be daunting for sure, but remember – when we share this message, we share the hope of eternal life with a lost and dying world.

What is our message of hope? JESUS LIVES!

Or, as the songwriter, Melody Green, wrote:

There is a redeemer
Jesus, God’s own son
Precious lamb of God, Messiah
Holy one

Jesus my redeemer
Name above all names
Precious lamb of God, Messiah
Hope, for sinners slain.

When I stand in glory
I will see his face
And there I’ll serve my king forever
In that holy place.

Thank you oh my father
For giving us your son
And leaving your spirit
‘Til the work on earth is done.

*There Is a Redeemer lyrics © Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publ., Birdwing Music, Ears To Hear Music, Ewi Incorporated

May this be our first of many things to give thanks for in the days and weeks to come.

Join me on Monday for the final week of this journey.

Dearest Reader, if you do not know Jesus, the hope of the promised rescue, I would love to introduce Him to you. You can start with the link, Know These Truths, and/or contact me at mryelnb@aol.com or m.black@lmbc.org

https://mefromthensideout.wordpress.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/

Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Secure In Christ

It’s the Right Thing

Posted on September 7, 2025September 7, 2025 by

based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/w6d1

Read: Ephesians 6:1-4; SOAP: verse 1

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. ²“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: ³If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

⁴Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1-4 NLT or KJV

Today, Paul zeros in on the parent/child relationships. As parents or grandparents, we are to instruct and encourage our children to obey. We are also to lead by example in our relationship with God – and others, in our actions, reactions, and speech. After all, the Scriptures teach us that obedience is the evidence of a loving relationship. I don’t know about you, but when I became a parent, it was an eye-opener to my relationship with God, or perhaps my lack thereof. It was a huge revelation to me that my Christianity wasn’t meant to be just about a religion, it was intended to be about a relationship established by faith an love with God the Father, Son, and Spirit. This was such a timely gift/revelation from God, as it enhanced all the lessons that come with learning to be a parent. From peace and patience to training and loving and giving of oneself, my parenting and relationships with my children were made sweeter because I was walking and growing in a loving relationship with the Triune God.

“If you love me, you will obey my commandments.”
John 14:15

Paul makes it clear to his readers that our relationships are fundamentally important, not only in our growth and oneness with God and others, but also in our call to be lights in this dark world. How we live as children of God, whether in the church body, in our marriages, or as children with our parents and/or parents with our children, how believers live and love matters. Why? Because how we live with others is to be a reflection of Jesus in us and us in Him (John 13:34).

We are to live and love in all situations and relationships like Jesus. Loving God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and loving others as ourselves are the two greatest commandments (Mark 12:29-31). There is no good excuse for anything less. Actually, anything less is a reflection of not loving God (1 John 4:7-21).

Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

Your Word is My Source of Hope

Posted on June 26, 2024June 22, 2024 by

Scripture: Psalm 119:113-120 / SOAP verses 113-115

I hate those with divided loyalties,
    but I love your instructions.
¹¹⁴You are my refuge and my shield;
    your word is my source of hope.
¹¹⁵Get out of my life, you evil-minded people,
    for I intend to obey the commands of my God.
¹¹⁶Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live!
    Do not let my hope be crushed.
¹¹⁷Sustain me, and I will be rescued;
    then I will meditate continually on your decrees.
¹¹⁸But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees.
    They are only fooling themselves.
¹¹⁹You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum;
    no wonder I love to obey your laws!
¹²⁰I tremble in fear of you;
    I stand in awe of your regulations.
Psalm 119:113-120 NLT

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
Matthew 16:23 NLT

Observations of Today’s Journey

When our loyalty is divided between God and the world/man, we are a hindrance to the Gospel and the work of God. Actually, according to Jesus, we are an instrument of the devil! For this reason, if for no other, we must search for God – seek His Word – and love His instructions. We must use His Word as a shield and refuge – a source of HOPE – ridding ourselves of evil-minded people and determining to choose obedience to God’s commands over the fear of man or the pleasures of this world.

It has become increasingly easy for Christians in the 21st century to have divided loyalties—defined by Jesus as setting our minds on the things of man rather than on the things of God, or as the New Living Translation puts it, “seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” We tend to view things as right or wrong from the standpoint of what seems fair to us or what has become acceptable in the world/culture around us – rather than what God has deemed right or wrong in His Word. This is a dangerous way for anyone to live, but certainly for the believer. – Look again at the words of the Psalmist for what awaits the wicked.

But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves. You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws! I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations.

Just in case you find yourself thinking – yeah, but believers aren’t held to a standard of obedience – please consider the words of Christ, who said in John 14:15 –

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”

If you still find yourself wanting to make excuses and defend your choices as modern-day acceptances, then think about these words of the Apostle Paul to the believers in Rome and in Galatia:

Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! ¹⁶Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Romans 6:15-16

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Still not convinced that God’s ways are always meant to supersede the ways or cultural norms of the world’s standard? Consider these words of Paul –

Living out today’s Journey through application

Let’s face it—it isn’t easy to live counterculturally, but it is God’s call upon our lives. Jesus said that if we want to follow Him, we must turn from our wicked ways, deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. We must join the Psalmist and guard against divided loyalties by keeping our eyes/minds on God and His Word, loving ‘it’ and Him more than the world and anything it has to offer us. We must be determined to live righteously rather than following the ways of what God sees and deems as wicked. We must remember that we are utterly dependent on Him (ps. 62:6-7). We must set His Word as our shield and refuge and look to Him to sustain us in our commitment to love Him by obeying His commands. We must heed the words of James, who said:

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8

Responding to the Journey Through Prayer

Father,

It has become increasingly easy for Christians in the 21st century to have divided loyalties—which Jesus said was setting our minds on the things of man rather than on the things of God, or as the New Living Translation puts it, “seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” We tend to view things as right or wrong from the standpoint of what seems fair to us or what has become acceptable in the world/culture around us – rather than what You have deemed right or wrong in Your Word. This is a dangerous way for anyone to live, but certainly for the believer. – I join the Psalmist in declaring that You are my source of HOPE! Help me to draw near to You continually, not letting my mind be divided between You and the world. Sustain me in my commitment to obey Your commands, and rid me of any evil-minded companions. May You find me faithfully living according to Your Word and standing firm against the things You have deemed evil. – My hope is in You, Lord! – Amen and Amen –

Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

Crying Out to God

Posted on June 18, 2024June 16, 2024 by

based on the LGG Study, Psalm 119 – Seek Him With ALL Your Heart / w4d3

Scripture: Psalm 119:86-88 / SOAP verse 86-88

All your commands are trustworthy.
    Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
⁸⁷They almost finished me off,
    but I refused to abandon your commandments.
⁸⁸In your unfailing love, spare my life;
    then I can continue to obey your laws.
Psalm 119:86-88 NLT

Today’s post is borrowed and shared from the original LGG Post for w4d3 of Psalm 119… May it be a rich blessing of encouragement and hope –

CRYING OUT TO GOD…

by Angela Perritt | Jul 8, 2015 | 38 comments

Seeking, longing, searching… this poor Psalmist is waiting on the Lord to deliver him from this affliction.

He is trying to remain strong, but he is growing weary, feeling as though he could faint. His eyes are tired from looking for glimpses of God.

Have you ever been there? I know I have.

The Psalmist knows that God loves him, but the questions are building in his mind: “How much longer, Lord?” “When will you comfort me?” (Psalm 119:82).

He is needing a break.

If his life was a football game, he’d be calling a time out.

Let’s just say that the path he is walking is no “walk in the park.” It may be the “straight and narrow,” but God never called it “easy.”

I love the honestly of this Psalmist. He’s just real with God. He’s over this affliction he has been going through, and he’s ready for God to move in and pronounce judgment over the men who have been causing him so much pain.

“Enough is enough,” you can almost hear him say.

“When will you punish my persecutors?” The question that has been taunting him in his mind finally breaks free (Psalm 119:84).

“How much more?”

God is building this man’s patience and faith.

As before, the Psalmist turns to God’s commands and declares them trustworthy… even in the midst of the unknown.

“Help me…” (vs. 86).

It’s not a fancy prayer, but it’s genuine and comes straight from the Psalmist’s heart. God will take simple and heartfelt prayers over fancy and routine any day.

And so we find our Psalmist friend waiting on the Lord to intervene. To be his Deliverer, his Redeemer, his Savior.

But in the waiting, he doesn’t lose hope. And neither should we.

I’m not sure why God is waiting so long to deliver this poor man from this difficult situation, but I do know this: God is good and what He does is good. And so we continue to seek the Lord, placing our trust and hope in Him.

One of the many beautiful aspects of being a Christian is that no matter how dark our life is right now, we always have heaven to look forward to.

Our best is yet to come.

And so like the Psalmist, we find ourselves in the waiting.

Waiting for God to move.

Waiting for “doors” to open.

Waiting for a break in our “storms.”

And in the waiting God is there.

Though we may feel like we are being torn down, He is building strength into us. As we dig into His Word and ponder Scripture – holding His promises closer to our hearts than ever before – we cling to His truth. What Satan may have tried to hurt us with, God uses to bring us closer to Him, strengthening us in our faith and increasing our capacity for greater patience.

Like the Psalmist, maybe you too feel weak, like you are ready to “tap out” of the battle. It’s just getting too hard.

Know this… you are not alone.

“Rest on His promises and rely on His love. When the Father allows His children to go into the furnace of affliction, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. He knows how long and how much. To walk by faith will bring unrest and weakness, but to meditate on the Word will bring peace and power.” –Warren W. Wiersbe

No matter what you are facing today, remember that God is strengthening you and purifying you for a greater purpose.

Keep your eyes focused on Him. He will not forsake you.

Let’s Talk: How is God using your time of “waiting” to strengthen you in your faith?

Love God Greatly!

Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Loving God

Posted on January 14, 2024March 11, 2026 by

based on the LGG study, Set Apart – Living a Life for God’s Glory / w2d1

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 / SOAP verses 37-38

Jesus said to him, “‘Lovethe Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment.
Matthew 22:37-38

How do we love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind? These three things represent the very core of our being and play a vital role in our relationship with and obedience to God – but how do we do it, and is it even possible?

Jesus’ concern was not the religious law but rather our love of God. In other words, it wasn’t obeying all of the laws that would bring us close to God, but rather, it was God’s love for us and our love for Him that would allow us to have a relationship with Him. Actually, Jesus illustrates this in John 14:15, where He said, “If you love Me, you will obey Me.” There’s a reason why He didn’t say, ‘If you obey Me, then you will love Me.’ You see, obedience flows from love. God’s love, as John 3:16 teaches, flowed through Jesus to us; when we receive His love, we will reciprocate it, and our love will flow to Him out from our hearts, souls, and minds through obedience, worship, and lives set apart for/to God. The more we understand the depth and richness of God’s love, the more our love for Him will grow and flow deeper, richer, and more freely every day.

We cannot love someone we don’t know, so knowing Him should be our first priority. Those who pursue God and His righteousness, who take seriously the command to love Him above all else, are those who are consumed with the things of God. They are eager to study God’s Word, eager to pray, eager to obey and honor God in all things, and eager to share Jesus Christ with others. It is through these spiritual disciplines that the love for God grows and matures to the glory of God.
Gotquestions.org

We must understand that God’s love for us and ours for Him is intended to involve our hearts, souls, and minds. It is not a trite surface type of love, and it must not merely be a rote response learned from the commands or training of a parent, teacher, or religion. Religious duty does not produce love in us. Instead, our love for God will prompt what may be considered a religious duty. For instance, we may be trained to pray before every meal. However, regardless of the training’s purpose, the words we pray are just empty words until they are met with the love and understanding of God’s goodness to provide our ‘daily bread.’ God desires – actually, as we read here – He commands that our love for Him flow naturally from our heart, soul, and mind. Please note that Jesus not only gives the command but accentuates its importance by saying, “All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

What practical steps can you take each day to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and love Him with all your heart?

The More We Know

IT”S IMPOSSIBLE

Be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog for more insight

Want to know God’s love for yourself? – Know These Truths

Bible study, LGG Study

Friendship: Week 5, Day 4 Thursday – Love Your Neighbor

Posted on July 8, 2021July 6, 2021 by

READ: MARK 12:30-31 AND GALATIANS 5:14-17; SOAP: GALATIANS 5:14

Mark 12:29-31 New Living Translation

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. ³⁰And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ ³¹The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Galatians 5:14-17 New Living Translation

For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Living by the Spirit’s Power

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. ¹⁷The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

The whole law can be summed up in a single commandment – want to understand how?
Read the LGG Devotional

REFLECTION QUESTION: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF? (HINT: IT IS NOT ABOUT LOVING YOURSELF FIRST.)

So, what’s your takeaway from today? Reply below

Bible study, LGG Study

The Gospel of Mark: Wk5, Tuesday – Where is Your Faith?

Posted on April 13, 2021April 12, 2021 by

Read: Mark 12:28-44; SOAP: Mark 12:43-44

The Most Important Commandment

One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

²⁹Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. ³⁰And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ ³¹The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

³²The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. ³³And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”

³⁴Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

Later, as Jesus was teaching the people in the Temple, he asked, “Why do the teachers of religious law claim that the Messiah is the son of David? ³⁶For David himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.

³⁷Since David himself called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with great delight.

³⁸Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. ³⁹And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. ⁴⁰Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.”

The Widow’s Offering

⁴¹Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. ⁴²Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. ⁴⁴For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

This woman offered everything she had to the Lord.
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