Tag: faith

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

In the Power of The Spirit

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Scripture Reading: Luke 4:14-30; SOAP / Luke 4:18–19

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and the regaining of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Luke 4:18-19 NET

In our most recent post, we read about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness by the devil. Today’s encounter picks up sometime after His encounter with the devil, and it made me stop and think and appreciate Luke’s writing even more and Jesus’ life on earth just a little differently than I have before. Today’s passage, revealing yet another Jesus encounter as God in the flesh, caught my attention. Here’s what captivated my mind – as though I had never read it before. Picture it with me, this young man is God in the flesh and yet we’ve seen word pictures of His birth announcement, His circumcision, His presentation to the LORD at the temple, His baptism, and, what I can only imagine, was a grueling temptation by the devil in the wilderness. This brings us to today’s word-picture of Jesus, God in the flesh, being led by the Spirit of God, dedicated to God, Father for His life’s purpose. We so often focus on the price Christ paid on the cross, and rightfully so; However, as I look at these other encounters He endured on our behalf my heart is moved even more at what it cost Him to leave His place with the Father to die for us. Going through rituals meant for sinners, enduring temptations, mockery, insults, and all that we will witness moving forward may appear to be easy for this man who was God – but let us not lose sight of the fact that He was a man, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law. He felt pain, cried tears, sweat great drops of blood, worked hard, faced temptations, comforted the hurting, dealt with hunger, and needs just like us and He knew from the beginning that He was born to suffer and die a horrendous death that He did not deserve to die.

Following the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus, “in the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee” and began to teach in the synagogues. This encounter finds Him in His hometown of Nazareth where He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He opened the scroll to a specific place and read, ironically – but not mistakenly, about Himself to the people – telling them that He was sent to:

  • proclaim good news to the poor
  • proclaim release to the captives
  • restore sight to the blind
  • set free those who are oppressed, and
  • to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
    • It might be helpful to stop here for a minute and explain what is meant by “the year of the Lord’s favor”. From what I read and understand, the statement describes not a particular year or literal time but a space of time that is characterized by God’s grace, redemption, and deliverance. In its original use by Isaiah it is said to specifically refer to the restoration of God’s people from Babylonian captivity. In it’s reference here in Luke 4:21 it is specific to Jesus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1-2 through the reading of the Scripture.*

The people would have been familiar with the passage as it was from the prophet Isaiah, a passage they no doubt had heard or read often. However, when He had rolled the scroll back up He said to them,

“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled, even as you heard it being read.”

Luke 4:20 NET

This subtle announcement led to more conversation and filled the crowd with rage. Despite their rage and plans to throw Him down the cliff, Jesus was able to pass through the crowd and go on His way.

A Response to God’s Word

Thank You Jesus, for coming to set me free from spiritual captivity, blindness, and oppression – for apart from You there would be no way for me to come to the Father. Thank You for Your willingness to suffer not just on the cross but in this world for sins you did not commit. Thank You for Your Spirit within me, so that I can carry on Your work living as Your witness, and answering Your call on my life to encourage, equip, and empower others with Your Word. praise Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Want more?

Be sure and visit Love God Greatly for today’s blog

*For more insight on “The year of the Lord’s favor, visit https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/the-year-of-the-lords-favor

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 3:1-4:13; SOAP – 3:21-22

Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. And while he was praying, the heavens opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight.”

Luke 3:21-22 NET
Taking It All In

The length of today’s passage is long for sure but the beauty of it is worth reading and helps to highlight the focus passage. Starting off with the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry, including Jesus’ own baptism as well as His genealogy, and culminating with the temptation He faced in the wilderness and how He handled it. The scene Luke paints is helpful to understanding that Jesus was baptized, most likely, during the height of John’s calling to prepare a way for the Lord; and it is a beautiful picture of the trinity as both the Father and the Holy Spirit appear on the scene of His baptism.

Zeroing in

Matthew and Mark give more detailed accounts of Jesus’ baptism while Luke condenses his version and zeros in on the simple fact that Jesus was baptized. His description does seem to hint at a time line for the baptism – which appears to most likely be during the height of John the Baptist’s ministry. Which explains his statement – “when all the people were baptized”. “All” is not a literal term here but rather a reference to John’s many followers. My favorite part of the passage is the Holy Spirit descending on Christ, like a dove, followed by God’s voice from Heaven with a personal message to His Son for all to hear – “You are my one dear Son; in You I take great delight.” A fitting confirmation at the start of Jesus’ own ministry (23) not only that He is who He says He is, but that He walks in obedience to God.

12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT

While our focus is on Jesus’ baptism, I believe it is vitally important to soak in the details of how He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He was tempted by the devil for 40 days. I love that Luke doesn’t just say that Jesus was tempted but that “He endured temptations”, confirming the words of Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, and giving us great hope that we can do the same. As important as it is to know that Jesus endured temptation, it is equally, if not more important to know how. Luke details three specific temptations, each of which Jesus overcame by using the Word of God. He knew what God had said and He used it as a weapon in the warfare of temptation. So important is this concept that we see it used in both the new and old testaments. It is referenced in the words of David when he said that He had hidden God’s Word in His heart that He might not sin against Him (Ps 119:11). We also find an example of it in Ephesians 6:17–18, where Paul describes the “Word of God” as a piece of the “armor of God”. Perhaps the greatest hope concerning the temptations that Jesus faced is the fact that when the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from [Jesus], a great example of James’ instructions and encouragement to “resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 NLT
How then should we live?

First of all, we should follow Jesus in baptism, as a sign of our faith and commitment to follow Him. Secondly we should use God’s Word as a weapon when we are tempted to sin, trusting that when we do this the devil will flee and we will be able to endure as Jesus did. To use God’s Word as a weapon we will have to know it – and have it ready as Paul told the Ephesians, putting it on as armor in order that we might stand firm.

My Response to the Word

Father, thank you for the life and examples of Jesus. How exciting to picture Him walking down into the waters to be baptized by John and then to see Your Spirit descend on Him and hear Your voice from heaven, declaring how pleased You were with Him. I thank You for the sweet memory of my own baptism and the choice I made to follow You. I pray for those who have not yet followed You in baptism, that they would be moved to do so. I praise You for the victorious example this passage gives us of Jesus being tempted by the devil, and how he overcame the temptations with the power of Your Word. May I/we be faithful to do the same so that we can stand firm, may we be alert and yielded to Your Spirit so that we will see and take the way of escape that He shows us. May we know and use Your Word as the powerful weapon that it is so that the devil will flee. This is my prayer in Jesus’ name and for Your eternal glory – amen!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Good News of Great Joy

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 2:1-52; SOAP – Luke 2:10-12

As inspired by Love God Greatly’s – He Sees, He Knows, He Cares – W1D4

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news[that brings great joy to all the people: 11 Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:10-12

Today’s larger passage, vv1-52 of Luke chapter 1, is familiar to all believers, and aside from John 3:16, it may be the most popular passage of the Bible. Before we zero in on verses 10-12, it is helpful to look at what comes before. Basically, God sets the stage, aligning all things with His perfect will and timing. From the ‘unexpected pregnancy’, to the census, the genealogy of Jesus, and heaven’s army joining the angel and filling the sky – God is clearly the orchestrator of all these events.

Many things jumped out to me – but the one thing that connected the dots back to the beginning of Luke chapter 1 was the other angelic messages. The first two announcing a shockingly unexpected birth yet to come and the third – found in our focus passage – announcing the birth of Jesus to lowly shepherds in the fields nearby. In today’s story, as well as the others, we hear the angel, speaking on the Lord’s behalf, saying, “don’t be afraid! However, there were some notably unique messages in this third announcement from the angel, namely that he appeared to a group and not just one person … he encouraged them to listen carefully, because the message was one of good news – not just for them – but for all the people. Perhaps the most exciting news came when he clarified that the good news was the arrival of the Savior of the world – but not just a Savior – He was their Savior! And then he told them where and how they would find the baby.

The shepherds believed the message and wasted no time in going in search of the baby – “So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. When they saw Him, they shared what the angel had told them about this child. And, not just that but they also returned to their fields glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, for everything happened just as the angel had said.“

How then should we live?

It is vitally important for us to live glorifying the Father, sharing the good news of great joy by telling others what He has done. We see this played out not only in the Shepherd’s response, but in the beautiful portrayal of Simeon’s and Anna’s lives and their words to Mary and Joseph, verses 25-38. We see it played out in the life and words of Jesus, delivered through the virgin Mary – just as the angel said. We see it played out in the life of John as he lived out his calling to prepare the way for The Lord. And we see it played out in the lives and writings of the apostles throughout the New Testament. May our legacy be that others saw and heard it played out in our lives as well.

My Prayer Response to the Word

Father, I can’t help but think of the words of the prophet Isaiah, who said, How lovely on the mountain are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says your God reigns. An angel brought good news of great joy to the shepherds as well as to Mary and Zechariah, and all of them made known what you had said and done. May this be true of Your people today Father. May we live obedient to Your Word and to the examples of Christ to be Your witnesses to the ends of the earth. For were we not chosen as a people for Your own possession, as Peter said, that we may proclaim the excellencies of Christ, who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light? Father help us to be faithful with the message so that others may share in the good news of great joy that is meant for all the people, for how will they believe if they do not hear? Thank You for Your intricate plans and timing and Your faithfulness to carry them out for us that we might know Your Son and share in the salvation He came and died to bring. Help us, as Mary did to treasure and ponder these things in our hearts – for from the the mouth comes the overflow of the heart! In Jesus’ most holy and powerful name! Amen –

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, LGG Study, Quiet Time

It’s All About Him

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:57-80; SOAP – Luke 1:68-71

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
because he has come to help and has redeemed his people.
69 For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies,
and from the hand of all who hate us.

Luke 1:68-71 NET

The Rest of the Story …

I was never a big radio listener but on occasion I would find myself caught up in a program by Paul Harvey, called “The Rest of the Story“. The stories would catch my attention but even if I wasn’t interested in the particular story of the day I would continue listening to the end just to hear him say, the now renown statement, “And now you know…the rest of the story.”

This statement and the sound of his voice came flooding back to my mind today as I was reading the rest of Zechariah’s story. If you remember on day one of our study we read how the angel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple and announced that Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, would become pregnant and give birth to a son. We also read that Zechariah had been struck mute because he didn’t believe what the angel had told him. Day two brought the news that, just as the angel had said, Elizabeth did become pregnant; and today’s passage reveals that the child was indeed a son. When the people came to circumcise the child, in obedience to the angelic instructions Elizabeth gave him the name John, instead of the customary name of his father. When the people questioned this, Zechariah, still unable to speak, confirmed the name that Elizabeth had spoken, by writing the name John for all to see. Miraculously, upon writing the name his speech returned – and all the people were amazed and “wondered what this child will be.” Scripture says, “Then, Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.”

He Turned All of His Words Into Praise

Zechariah could have used his words to describe what had happened in the Temple that day with the angel, he could have described what it was like to have not been able to talk, he could have done some new-dad baby-bragging, which no doubt he did at some point. However, in this moment, with this blessing he turned all of His words into praise of the Lord God of Israel and prophesying about the Messiah – “The Horn of Salvation”, whom His child, John, would make known to the world. Zechariah used his voice to make it known that God had done this to show mercy to their people and to remember His holy covenant made to Abraham. He reminded the people that because God was rescuing them from their enemies they could now and forever more serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness. Even when He turned tenderhearted attention to his infant child before him, his blessing continued to focus on God and Jesus, the Most High – the Lord who was coming to save His people from their sins, saying:

And you [John], will be called the prophet of the Most High For you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of our God’s tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And [John] kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day [Jesus] was revealed to Israel.

Luke 1:76-80

“And now you know…the rest of the story.“

Paul Harvey
My Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for the story of John, who made Jesus known to the world, as God called him to do. But I also thank you for Zechariah and Elizabeth, who You used to fulfill the prophecy from Isaiah 40:3 of “one who cries out, In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord” -. From the barren womb of Elizabeth, who was in her old age, you brought forth the messenger of our Lord. You silenced the tongue of Zechariah and then loosened it to make known the great things You were doing. You taught Zechariah, who doubted, to trust You in all things by showing him – and all of us through him – that “nothing is impossible with You”. Help me, like Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary – to use my words to praise You – to make known Your greatness. Help me to trust and not doubt, and to obey – even when i don’t understand what You are doing. Help me to live and talk in such a way that others see and hear what You have done so that others will experience and/or see Your mercy and rejoice with me- and may “the rest of my story” be a beautiful legacy of faith – to the glory of Your good and gracious name! Amen, In Jesus’ Name!

Posted in Bible study, He Sees He Knows He Cares

The power, the purpose, and the promise of God in action

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Suggested Reading: Luke 1:26-56; SOAP 1:48-49

because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant.
For from now on all generations will call me blessed, because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name;

Luke 1:48-49

If you have ever doubted what God can and will do, or should you ever doubt His promises in days to come – you only need to consider this story. The story is true, based on the history of God’s people and the incredible means by which He delivered His son, untainted by sin, into a world filled and dying from it. For from the barren womb of Elizabeth, in her “old age” and the virgin womb of Mary in her youth – God brought forth sons, one the messenger to prepare the way for the other, who would be the Savior of the world! This is the power, the purpose, and the promise of God in action. Surely, “Nothing” is, or ever will be, “impossible with God!”

Knowing God’s power and purpose to save a sin sick world, and seeing that He is a promise keeper of the ancient words He spoke since the foundations of the world – how then should we live? I believe we should live with hope that what God says He will do – He will indeed do. We should not be surprised by, nor doubt, what God can do or what He will do – instead, like Mary, we should listen to and explore what God says, and we should be sensitive and surrendered to His Presence and the work He does in and around us. We should be quick to worship Him and focus all the glory and honor on Him as both Elizabeth and Mary did. We should look for opportunities to point out His goodness and the great things He has done. We should not be puffed up about our position with God but remember that we are His humble servants, and honored by the fact that He looks on us with favor, choosing to give us His Son and to use us for His glory – to which end we should faithfully live.

Let us not miss the lesson found in the beauty of God’s intimate and relational nature, as we look at the larger passage and realize that God is faithful to intertwine our lives with others – so that we might rejoice with one another or encourage and lift each other up. Consider Elizabeth, suddenly pregnant in her old age, decades older than any other expectant mother around her – and her husband was now mute. It seems possible that she would have been feeling alone in her shockingly and unexpected pregnancy as she, undoubtedly, dealt with the natural fears or excitements every birth brings, and in her case, likely more so. Then – consider Mary, the young virgin – who – though having never slept with a man – now carried a child within her womb; and not just a child, but one who would be the Son of God. Clearly, these women needed each other. They needed someone who could understand and appreciate their unique situation, they needed encouragement – and renewed strength to face their future. So God, in His love and perfect timing brought them together – strengthening and assuring them of His presence with them and with their children. We would be wise to remember that He knows our needs as well and thus to embrace the relationships He offers us with other believers, through the bond of Christ.

My Response to God’s Word

Father, how very great You are, placing a child in the womb of a virgin and an old woman. Only You could do such greatness and with such purpose. Again, I see Your perfect timing and I witness the affect Your Presence has on us when I am attentive and yielded to You Spirit. As You found favor in Your servant Mary, find favor in me I pray. Use me to carry Your love to the world and to encourage others. Thank You for the eternal blessing of Your Son through whom nothing is impossible with You. All glory and honor to You, most good and faithful God!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, LGG Study, Quiet Time

What The LORD Has Done For Me

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Suggested Reading: Luke 1:1-25; SOAP – verse 25

“This is what the Lord has done for me at the time when he has been gracious to me, to take away my disgrace among people.”

Luke 1:25 NET

Do you ever pray and wonder if God is hearing you? Or perhaps you trust that He has heard you but find yourself questioning why He hasn’t answered or at the very least, why His answer was no. From the response of both Zechariah and Elizabeth in today’s story, I picture any or all three of these scenarios running through the minds of Zechariah and Elizabeth. I know they ran through mine every year for eight long years of praying and waiting for a child. I felt the disgrace among the people as more and more of my friends were pregnant while I grew more and more bewildered, hurt, and angry, and less and less hopeful. Then, like Elizabeth, I knew it was Him who had allowed the eventual pregnancy and I was overwhelmed with the graciousness of His gift, and all these years later (33 to be exact) I still see glimpses of what I am certain were and are purposes in His timing.

I was thankful that I read the larger passage, which admittedly I had skipped over since I had read it so many times before (why oh why do we do this? I mean, can we ever read His Words too much). In looking back to confirm who was speaking in verse 25 and what “this” they were referring to, I was blessed by the beautiful story yet again. I was thankful for the reminder that God hears our prayers (13), and of His perfect timing (v25), His grace towards His people (vv14-17) – both as a nation and personally (vv14, 25), and His purposes in every answer (vv13-17). Granted, Zechariah’s prayers that day would have surely been for the nation of Israel but God’s assurance is that His answer would include the child for which I am certain they had personally prayed for. I am equally certain by Zechariah’s initial response (v18), that any hope of this prayer being answered with a child was given up long ago because of their age.

Turning Knowledge into Wisdom

On the heals of the recent study of God’s attributes and the encouragement to turn knowledge (facts) into wisdom (application of facts), I found myself following up my reading today with the question, “How do I take these facts and make application?”

FACTS [KNOWLEDGE]
  • Zechariah and Elizabeth were godly people – faithful servants of God
  • They most likely had prayed for a child
  • They had remained childless into their ‘very old age’
  • They had given up hope of having a child
  • Elizabeth had dealt with disgrace because she was childless

Application of the facts [Wisdom]
  • Live as a faithful servant of God even when life doesn’t go as planned
  • Pray, and keep on praying and believing
  • Know that God doesn’t always say ‘yes’, but that His silence isn’t always a ‘no’
  • Keep hoping, don’t give up on God, He is able to do more than we ask or imagine
  • Recognize the answered prayers of God and acknowledge/praise Him for them
My Prayer Response to God

Father, “ancient words” are often easy to scan or to simply read and lay aside, as I was tempted to read only the SOAP verse You prodded me to look deeper, to see it with fresh eyes and a yielded heart to the Spirit’s teaching of these old but treasured words of truth and beauty. Words, that reminded and encouraged me that You hear the prayers of Your people, even when it would appear to our human understandings that You have not heard our cries. You always answer, your timing is always perfect, and Your actions are always purposeful- with the intention of carrying out Your will, which is good and pleasing and perfect – for the world and for Your people. For this I praise You – in and through the Name of Jesus, my Savior❣️ Amen!

Want More?

Be sure and visit LoveGodGreatly.com for today’s LGG Blog

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

“He Sees, He Knows, He Cares”

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An Invitation for The Journey

You are invited to join me for this six-week journey through the Book of Luke. We will be using the Love God Greatly study, He Sees, He Knows, He Cares, Our journey will take us through Luke’s writings of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Our destination: The Empty Tomb!

Introduction

The Gospel of Luke offers a unique perspective of the life of Christ. Luke did not meet Jesus in person, yet he followed Him. Luke was a physician, an intellectual who was passionate about sharing all he could about Jesus with his friend Theophilus. Luke teaches about the humanity of Jesus, the Sonship of Jesus, and the care, concern, and power of Jesus.

This Gospel highlights a variety of events from Jesus’ life. The first two chapters emphasize the Old Testament promises of the coming Messiah. Luke 3:1—4:13 demonstrates that Jesus was and is the Messiah. Verses 4:14—9:50 show Jesus’ power, His teaching, and the way He cares for those in need. The conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leadership is the main focus of the next section (9:51—19:44), as Luke focuses on what true discipleship looks like and the cost of following Jesus. The final section, 19:45—24:53, describes the Passion of Christ and the events surrounding His death and resurrection.

Tradition has credited Luke with the authorship of this Gospel. As the only Gentile author of a New Testament book, Luke was a companion of Paul on some of his missionary journeys. Luke is also credited with authoring the Book of Acts, and it is assumed that the two books were written around the same time. Since the Book of Acts records Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, some scholars estimate that Acts was written sometime after A.D. 62. This dates the Gospel of Luke between A.D. 64 and A.D. 66. 

The Gospel of Luke encourages us to love God greatly because of its unique portrayal of Jesus’ life and ministry. Luke provided details of Jesus’ life that allow us to see His humanity and deity, displaying His great compassion for His people and His power over evil. We also see what it looks like to be a true disciple of Jesus and His unceasing pursuit of the lost.


LGG Team

Help Wanted

My mission is to encourage, equip, and empower others with the Word of God. Will you help me by sharing this post/link with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family – both saved and unsaved. and invite them to join us for the journey as we move toward Easter focusing on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. My prayer is that the saved will be brought closer, the wanderers will find their way out of the wilderness, and the lost will be saved! ME – from the Inside-out 🦋

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, In His Image, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

To The Only Wise God

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Scripture Reading: Job 12:13-17 and 36:5; Psalm 147:5; Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 55:8-9; Daniel 2:20; Romans 11:33 and 16:25-27

According to the last chapter of “In His Image”, the last of the 10 attributes of God that we are to imitate is wisdom. As the author points out “wisdom is closely related to knowledge, but distinct from it.” They are so closely related that you may be wondering exactly what the difference is, my short take on it is this – Wisdom, is the application of knowledge, which is to “possess the facts”. Mrs. Wilkin goes on to point out the difference between human wisdom and God’s wisdom, saying – “The wisest human you know is capable of choosing wrongly, simply because he does not possess all the facts.” However, she explains, “Because God holds all knowledge, He is able to choose [the] perfect [outcome].” This means there is a difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom, which James, the brother of Jesus, explains in James 3:13-18. Wilkin states that “worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom are antithetical and adversarial” and summarizes the differences as such:

  • Worldly wisdom self-promotes. Godly wisdom elevates others.
  • Worldly wisdom seeks the highest place. Godly wisdom seeks the lowest place.
  • Worldly wisdom avoids the mirror of the Word. Godly wisdom submits to the mirror of the Word
  • Worldly wisdom trusts in earthly possessions. Godly wisdom trusts in treasures in heaven.
  • Worldly wisdom boasts. Godly wisdom is slow to speak.
  • Worldly wisdom says trials will crush you. Godly wisdom says trials will mature you.
  • Worldly wisdom says temptation is no big deal. Godly wisdom says temptation indulged leads to death.
  • Worldly wisdom says, “seeing is believing.” Godly wisdom says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”(John 20:29).
  • Worldly wisdom wields might. Godly wisdom works in meekness.

The bottom-line is this, “The worldly-wise place themselves in opposition to God, operating from their own perspective of what is best, a perspective that seeks only the best for them.”

If you find yourself wondering how to possess “Godly wisdom”, you’ll find the answer in James 1:5, where we are instructed to simply ask God, who will give it generously.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5

You see, God is the source of all wisdom. Job said, “With God are wisdom and might … [God] has counsel and understanding … With him are strength and sound wisdom.” (Job 12:13-17) This statement from Job introduces a third word into the mix of wisdom and knowledge, that being ‘understanding’, which has been defined by many to be the “comprehension of the facts”. I believe understanding is crucial to the mix – as it will, or should, help us better apply the facts in a more godly way – especially if we add prayer to the mix as well – which is a must for any reading of God’s Word. For how can we read and hope to comprehend the words of one whose thoughts and ways are so far above our own if we do not pray for understanding?

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 14:26

God has actually placed the source of understanding within every believer, through His gift of the Holy Spirit. Scripture says that the Spirit was given to teach us all things and remind us of everything that Christ said.  Being finite creatures who do not hold all knowledge nor retain everything we hear, see, or even understand, we will find ourselves constantly in need of a “sustaining supply of godly wisdom”, and we must not be afraid to ask, or slack in asking for it. In other words, don’t just read to be reading and checking off a list – read for knowledge, to know the facts, about Your Creator God and to become like Him (Colossians 3:10) … pray and read to understand …. and then ask Him for the wisdom to appropriately apply it to your life. He will hear and He will answer and we will be forever changed

Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions based on the knowledge available.

Jen Wilkin, In His Image -p 136

So, let’s ask the question that we started with two weeks ago, “Who should [we] be?” God’s Word instructs us in the way of wisdom so it is safe – and wise – to say that He wants us to be wise, not as the world is wise but as He is. So how can we be wise like God? – We open His Word – where pictures of His wisdom are sprinkled throughout the pages. Or as Wilkin writes, “We do so by declaring, as Solomon did, “Bring me a sword”. For, as the author of Hebrews wrote, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Wilkin goes on to write: “The Word of God gives us discernment into what is arguably the area we need it most: the thoughts and intentions of our own hearts. In seeing our own depravity, we develop a right reverence (fear) of the Lord. And wisdom begins to be formed in us. When God points out your sin, you are wise to turn from it. The most basic act of wisdom is repentance. Turning from sin trains us in how to hate it, in how to anticipate the temptation points, and in how to seek the Holy Spirit’s aid in finding the way of escape.”

One final quote in closing, “It is not coincidental that a lack of discernment and a neglected Bible are so often found in company. The Bible contains for us ancient worlds of wisdom, and it tells us also of the example of Christ, who became for us wisdom from God.” So, if we want to be wise – truly wise – we only have to turn our eyes upon Jesus – who became for us wisdom from God. In Him, what He did and said, are all of the perfect examples of who God wants us to be.

My Prayer Response:

Father, I give You praise for revealing wisdom to us in Your Word and in the example of Christ our Lord. show us if and where worldly wisdom control our thoughts, words, and actions. Show To the only wise God, my Father, be glory and majesty. Show us where we are are requesting knowledge instead of godly wisdom. Grant us wisdom and prod us to keep on asking for it – and help us to trust You to give it generously as You have promised, in Jesus’ name. Now, to the only wise God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, In His Image, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

Ancient Words Strong and True

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Scripture Reading: Numbers 23:19; Psalm 19:9 and 119:160; Isaiah 45:19; John 1:14, 8:31-32, and 17:17-19

God’s will is that you take your place among the community of believers as a truth bearer in a world full of lies. Honesty should characterize all of your dealings, great and small, so that when you are asked to give a reason for what you believe, your credibility is a foregone conclusion. And when you are asked, proclaim Christ as the way, the truth, and the life. Invite them to what is real.

In His Image, Jen Wilkin – p 130

Reasons for the Truth

As believers we are meant to know the truth of God and to be alert to the ‘false’ messenger [the father of lies, John 8:44] and the false messages of the world. In my understanding there are two primary reasons for this:

[We] learn to discern what is fake by studying what is real.

Jen Wilkin, In His Image – p129

The Truth As a Weapon and a Tool

Paul’s description of the armor of God, in Ephesians chapter six, includes the “Belt of Truth” (or the Word of God) and “The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Paul begins his reasoning and warning about the need for the armor, saying, “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God,” why? “So that [we might] be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” From this description we can see that the Word (or TRUTH) of God is used to hold us up against and to protect us from – the enemy’s schemes to steel, kill, and destroy the blessings of the life and liberty that God has granted us in Christ Jesus. Long before Jesus came in the flesh the power of God’s Truth was known as a weapon, as David wrote that he had “hidden God’s Word (TRUTH) in his heart so that he might not sin against [God].”

Not only can TRUTH be used as a weapon but it is also an important tool in our representation/presentation of God to the world. The words and actions we use should be filled to overflowing with the light and love of God so that others see and hear Him in us. David prayed that the words of his mouth and even the things he thought about would be pleasing to God, and – as we’ve mentioned before in this study, we are meant to be lights in this world SO THAT others will see God’s goodness in us and glorify Him in heaven. Our only hope of being this kind of “truth bearer” is to abide in Christ, the living Word of God. John 8:31-32 says that when we do this we will know the “truth” and be set free from the wickedness and captivity of this world and even from that of our “own deceitful hearts”, Psalm 119:9-11.

While the world, even the Christian sector of the world, focuses on or encourages individual truth, or “a fresh word”, Jen Wilkin writes,

Truth Passed Down

“We need our gathering times to remind us that the truth we are staking our lives on is a truth we share with every believer in our congregation. Moreover, it is a truth we share with every believer who has ever lived. it is an ancient truth that suffers no loss of integrity with the passage of time. In fact, the longer it endures, the more its witness is confirmed. – Every word of God is true and good, but not only that, none of them ever grow stale. The practice of asking God for a “fresh word,” a new truth personalized for us, has grown more and more popular – but it is not new truths we need; we need old truths recently forgotten. it is not personal truths we need, but rather shared truth preserved and passed down from one believing generation to the next, personalized to us in our current day. That shared truth is available within the pages of God’s Word to me and to all who believe.”

My Prayer Response

Father, lying can come so naturally. So often we craft our words to match the desired answer of our listener or to meet the results we desire. You know I used to struggle with this and I became very good at misrepresenting or shading the truth far too easily – or at the very least considered it far too naturally. As the author of the book said, we have an aptitude for speaking with the forked tongue of the Serpent. Oh how I praise You for Your transforming power and the Spirit’s continued and faithful conviction – and I pray that that You would continue to foster in me a hatred for dishonesty, a discernment for false teaching, and a love for the truth of Your Word. Thank You, Father for the freedom You have given me through Jesus Christ, The Way – The Truth – and The Life! In His Powerful and Merciful Name – Amen!

Questions for Reflection

Does honesty characterize all of your dealings, great and small, so that when you are asked to give a reason for what you believe, your credibility is a foregone conclusion? In other words, are you speaking the truth in all things? Do you embellish the truth in order to make something sound better? Or do you practice (and perhaps even defend) the art of lying in order to guard against trouble? Finally, are you abiding (staying) in the Word, the Truth of God? As we seek to be more like God these are important questions, even crucial questions, to determining how we are presenting or representing God to the world. May God give us grace and discernment and honesty in examining ourselves in the light of His Word. May our character align with His will and expressed truth.

But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.

Matthew 5:37 explained
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, In His Image, Journey Through The Word, The Attributes of God

God Most Faithful

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All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Thomas Chisholm, 1923
Today’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 23:19; Lamentations 3:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Today’s focus verse from Lamentations 3:22-23 is one of my favorites. It has, and still does, get me through many trials and worries of this life. It is a constant reminder that He is trustworthy – that regardless of the concerns and doubts this world offers us today, we never have to doubt God. He can be counted on.

God’s love is Faithful (trustworthy) – and because His love is faithful

  • His mercies never end
  • His[compassion] is new ever morning
  • His faithfulness is great
Faithfulness Remembered

When my husband of more than 26-years walked out the door many things crossed my mind. Shock, anger, hurt, fear and sorrow were at the top of the list. Sorrow quickly engulfed the shock, anger, and hurt but in the days that followed fear tried to become the dominator. This did not surprise me, as I had dealt with the crippling affect of fear for years. What did surprise me was the fact that with every crashing wave of fear came the reminder that God was faithful and would see me through. The wave of financial fear was met with examples of His past provisions and His current provisions still pouring in… the fear of ‘how will I survive this?’ was met with the reminder of His healing hand on my oldest daughter in her childhood battle with cancer… the concerns of his decision to leave and the crippling affect it could have on our daughters brought the reminder of how my youngest daughter, born with crippled feet, had known complete healing with no lasting effects… and even the wave of anger was doused with the reminder of how many times I had messed up and yet found Him faithful to forgive, slow to anger and abounding in “faithful love”. These reminders of God’s faithfulness kept fear at bay which kept despair and bitterness from taking root; and this allowed me, in the midst of it all, to minister to my daughters (then, 17 and 11) and to survive all of the things that come with the ugly reality of divorce. Perhaps the most beautiful reminder that God sent was the one that came with every wave of loneliness or feeling of abandonment. As I battled these emotions God would faithfully come along side of me – making me aware of His presence with me, a whisper from His Word, a call or a visit from a friend, or a card of love and encouragement -that He no doubt had prodded, would arrive and with each arrival was the refreshing refrain of the old hymn, “Great is Your faithfulness, Lord unto me.” How the reminders showed up was not as important or as memorable as the sweet and blessed realization that God was faithful.

He is faithful in the trial, in the temptations, in forgiveness, He will be faithful to the end, and He calls us to the same

God’s will for your life is that you be faithful as He is faithful. Faithful to Him. Faithful to others. Faithful in this moment. Faithful to the end. That when He wills, He also enables.

Jen Wilkin, In His Image – p106

My Response to God’s Word

Father, Your faithfulness is great! It surrounds me and holds me up. It is a sustaining grace of Your love and the hope of every tomorrow. Your love is faithful, Your presence is faithful, You are trustworthy and true to all You have said or promised. Your presence is dependable, Your comfort is sure, You go before me and come behind me, You are all around me and I have no reason to fear. Your ways are purposeful – meant to show me Your faithful love and truth. I praise You that I never have to doubt You but can rest forever in Your unfailing faithfulness. – All praise to You my Faithful God and Father, and to the Son and the Spirit who are equally faithful in all things. – Amen!

Join me on Monday, March 6 for the 6-week Love God Greatly Study, “He Sees, He knows, He Cares“. You’ll find everything you need for the study right here but the benefit of the journal is a helpful and lasting blessing and your purchase is used to stop Bible illiteracy! PURCHASE WOMEN’S JOURNAL

Questions for Reflection
  1. Who is the most faithful person you have every known? List several specific ways you witnessed that person’s faithfulness. How does his or her example point to the faithfulness of Christ?
  2. How have you known God’s faithfulness in trial? How did your time of trial produce perseverance?
  3. How have you known God’s faithfulness in temptations? How has he provided a way out in the past? What temptation (small or large) are you currently indulging? What wisdom does God’s Word offer as a way out?
  4. How should a desire to grow in faithfulness impact our relationship with God positively? How should it impact our relationships with others positively? Give a specific example of each.
Pray