Tag: faith

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

I Am Coming Soon

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Week 2, Day 5 of Come, Lord Jesus, Come – (A Love God Greatly Study)
Today’s Reading: Revelation 22:20-21 (SOAP: verse 12)

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.

Revelation 22:20-21
Beautiful Observations

Jesus, the one who testifies to these things John has written, confirms His impending return. This of course closes the New Testament much the same way that Malachi’s words closed the old, with a promise that Jesus, “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2) and the “bright morning star” (Rev. 22:16) is coming soon! To which John responds, and we often find ourselves echoing: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

For me those could have been the closing words, but what John says next is somehow more beautiful. For, what better prayer could there be than for God’s sustaining grace(s) to be with His people as they wait. 1Paul Tripp writes of six different types of grace and acknowledges that there are even more. Grace is grace though, right? Well, yes. However, within that one word there is a treasure trove of gifts. Gifts like forgiveness from sins, acceptance into His family, His forever presence, His glorious grace-gift of freedom from the bondage of sin, and the grace of our faith made complete2– no more sin or sorrow, when “Everything will be restored, and we will worship in the presence of this amazing God of grace.” Until then, there is the grace-gift of enablement, which comes to us through His divine power and gives us everything we need to live a godly life.3

  1. Phrases and quotes are from – https://www.paultripp.com/articles/posts/6-types-of-grace.
  2.  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4
  3. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4
So What Does This Mean for us?

It means that …

  • we can trust that He will return (2 Corinthians 1:20)
  • we serve a God of Grace(s) (1 Peter 5:10, and others)
  • by His grace we are forgiven (1 John 1:9) and of accepted into His family (1 John 3:1-2)
  • He is always present with us (John 14:16)
  • He has equipped us with His power and strength to do what He has called us to do (2 Peter 1:3-4)
  • We’ve been set free from the law of sin and death (Rom 6:14-15)
  • and that will one day our faith will be made complete (Phil 1:6)

So again, I echo a prayer of John’s – as we wait upon His faithful promise – “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all of His Holy People.” – And to this I say amen!

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you (and this by His Grace), will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6
Response to God’s Word

Father, God of Grace and mercy thank You for sending Jesus as a gift of salvation to all who believe. May those who have not yet believed – hear, believe, and be saved; and may those of us who have believed stand firm in our belief and faithful to Your calling, to make Christ known, as we wait on Your perfect timing and love. For we know that You have not forgotten, nor are You slow in keeping Your promise as some count slowness, but You, in Your goodness and love, are patient, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance! This is my prayer in Jesus’ Name – amen!

Your Turn: Reflections

What are you most excited about when you think of what life will be like when Jesus comes back?

Want More?

If you would like more of a reflection on our journey this week please visit the following devotional links from the team of Love God Greatly. – You’ll also find a sneak peek at our next study!

When the Seasons Change https://lovegodgreatly.com/when-the-seasons-change/

Stand Firm and Look Up https://lovegodgreatly.com/stand-firm-and-look-up/

Maranatha https://lovegodgreatly.com/maranatha-2/

Sneak Peek https://lovegodgreatly.com/announcing-our-next-study-12/

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

I Am Coming Soon

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Week 2, Day 4 of Come, Lord Jesus, Come – (A Love God Greatly Study)
Today’s Reading: Revelation 22:12-13 (SOAP: 12-13)

 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Revelation 22:12-13 NLT

Simple Observations and Findings

  • “SOON”: While we have covered this word before, I believe it is worth repeating for a fuller understanding or clarification. According to BibleRef.com, the word is from a Greek word that more accurately means “quickly”, and has more to do with ‘how’ He’s coming than ‘when’. His return will be sudden and unpredictable (Matthew 24:36)
  • “My reward is with me …” My best understanding of this is that Christ comes with the power to reward both the saved and the lost – according to the choices they have made. The lost, those whose deeds reveal their denial of Christ, will receive the “punishment” they deserve, the reward of God’s wrath. The Saved, those who have, by faith alone, trusted in Jesus Christ to save them from their sins, will receive their inheritance of eternal life, the reward of God’s grace.
    • For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Romans 1:18)
    • For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God not by works so that no one can boast.(Ephesians 2:8-9)
  • “pay each one according to what he has done.” What have you done? Have you chosen Jesus or have you chosen the world? We know that there is evil in our world, but we also see the “fruit of God’s grace in His people” throughout the world as well. Do your “deeds” identify you as one who is evil or do they reveal God’s grace? Whatever they reveal the one path leads to eternal punishment and the other to eternal life.
    • For all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23)
    • For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
  • “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Perhaps this one seems self-evident but I found it helpful to truly observe it and not just take it for the popular phrase that it is.
    • Jesus has always existed.
    • He’s eternal, no true beginning and no end.
    • He was with God in the beginning
    • He is God
      • He identifies Himself as the God of the Old Testament (Isa 41:4, 6, Isa 44:6, and 48:12)
    • He is the finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2; John 1:1, 14; Matthew 5:17; and Ephesians 2:8-9).
Response to God’s Word

Jesus, what a wonder You are! The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Not only will You reign forever but you will come back soon and pay each one according to their deeds. Send a revival through our land Father so that the lost will know life rather than the eternal punishment of death. Open their eyes and ears, their hearts and minds to the message so that they might believe and by faith be saved. Cause us to be alert to those around us who need to hear the message so that they might share in the inheritance of eternal life that You have promised to those who believe. We wait on You Jesus, we wait on You. –

Your Turn: Reflections
  • Knowing that you will one day be rewarded for how you lived your life, are you motivated or concerned? Why?

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

Come, Lord Jesus, Come

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I Am Coming Soon: Week 2, Day 3 (A Love God Greatly Study)

Today’s Reading: Revelation 3:10-11(SOAP verse 11)

“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.

Revelation 3:10-11 NLT

Observations Only

I am by no means an adept student when it comes to the book of Revelation. However, as is the practice of SOAPing Scripture I can make observations and pray for Him to give enlightenment through His Spirit who was sent to teach us and to remind us of everything Jesus said.

  • There is a “testing” (a great tribulation) that will come upon those who belong to the world.
  • The church of Philadelphia obeyed Christ’s command and persevered.
  • Christ will protect [them] from the great time of testing.
  • Christ encourages the believers that He is coming soon.
  • He encourages them to “Hold on to what [they have]”
    • They [we] have JESUS!
    • He is the Way, the Truth, and the life (John 14:6)
    • With Jesus on their side their crown is protected
      • because Jesus cannot be overcome for He has already overcome the enemy
  • He is [our] Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30)

So How Do We “Hold On”? (Application)

  • To endure, it seems we must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart – or as He said of Philadelphia – so you will “endure steadfastly
  • Like the Psalmist we must set the LORD always before us, keeping Him at our right hand so that we will not be shaken (Ps. Ps 16:8)

Response to the Word: (Prayer)

Father- Thank You for Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. The One who is the way, the truth, and the life. He is my righteousness, my crown, and joy! Help me (us) to hold on to Jesus – t be diligent in our faithfulness – to keep our eyes on Him who is our righteousness and salvation and eternal life! This is my prayer in Jesus’ Name –

Your Turn: Reflections

  • What do you believe Jesus means in Revelation 3:10-11?
  • Why do you believe this?
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, LGG Study

I will Come Back

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Come, Lord Jesus Come: Week 2 – Day 1 (A Love God Greatly Study)

Today’s Reading: 14:1-4 (SOAP verse 3)

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

John 14:1-4 NLT
Distressed

Do you ever let your heart get distressed, which according to the oxford language dictionary, means extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain? – Before you answer too quickly, let’s look at some other synonyms for the word, such as worried, fearful, troubled, sad, tortured, and miserable. Please note that all of these fit the conversation of our text, where Christ has been talking to His disciples, telling them that one of them would betray Him, Peter would deny Him, and then that He would be leaving them.

Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. 32 And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once. 33 Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. 

John 13; 31-33 NLT
Jesus’ Encouragement

Naturally, their hearts would have experienced at least one of these emotions. He was their friend and teacher whom they undoubtedly, trusted but had also come to depend on. No doubt their hearts would be distressed at the news that He was going away. Without question, fears, sorrow, anxiety, and pain would arise. Given time to dwell on it, their minds would become troubled, even tortured and miserable at the thought of it – and unable to think of anything else. So Jesus, knowing that they would have these emotions but not wanting them to dwell there, speaks out of love and compassion to encourage them. His encouragement is the promise that while they can’t go with Him now, He would be preparing a place for them and would return and take them with Him so they would always be together.

… I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 

John 14:2b-3 NLT

While some of the synonyms and the word itself are defined, in part, as extreme sorrow or pain, I do not believe that Jesus is asking or encouraging them to be happy, but rather, He is calling them to be brave. It would be near to impossible to wear a facade of happiness in the death of one so loved and important to them, but they must rise above all of the emotions and be brave enough to continue on in His mission. I dare say without this encouragement (repeated until they finally understood it), they would have wallowed in depression rather than bravely pressing on as He called them to. Easier said than done? Without question! However, don’t miss that in His opening words of this passage, He gave them the answer to the bravery they would need. “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God: also believe in me.” In other words, ‘you trust God; therefore you trust me,’ for they knew Him to be “God.” John made this clear in his unforgettable statement in the first verse of His gospel, which reads: “In the beginning the Word already existed! The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Their bravery, and ours, depends on knowing and trusting Jesus as God.

Jesus not only told them how they could be brave but just after telling them He was leaving them, He explained why they needed to be brave with these words, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Jesus had just called them to prove to or show the world that they were His disciples. Why? Because it would prove that they knew Him, which means they knew the way to the Father – which was the mission, showing the world the “WAY” to the Father.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

John 13:34-35 NLT

What This Means For Us

As believers, we are Jesus’ disciples waiting for His return. Therefore, we are called to the same bravery and should, despite these tumultuous times in which we live, not let our hearts be distressed – overcome with fears and anxiety or the torture and distraction that can come from waiting on Him. Instead, we should bravely press forward to carry out His Mission to make the Father. and the “Way” to the Father, known. For, to quote the words of Paul, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14

What do we know that we can share?

  • We know the WAY.
  • We know the love of Jesus and that it is meant to be imitated so that others will know Him too.
  • We know that He died, rose from the grave, lives with God in Heaven, and WILL COME AGAIN!
  • We know that when He returns, He will take believers to be with Him.
  • We know that we will forever be with Him, where He dwells.
  • We know that the “wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“ Romans 6:23
  • We know that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Joel 2:28)

Response to the Word:

Father, how very good You are to provide Jesus as the payment for the penalty of our sins. How awesome is His encouragement to the disciples that He is coming again and will take us to live with Him, where He dwells with You! We are blessed to be a part of this promise and look forward with HOPE to that day. We take strength from the HOPE in this dark and sinful world, where your Word is trampled on and Your ways mocked and ignored. We long to be with You Both, but we know Your agenda is that all would come to know You and that our agenda is to make You known. May we be found faithfully loving others as Jesus has loved us, proving to the world that we are His disciples and ultimately leading them to You. And in all of this, may You be praised and glorified as we wait on You! – AMEN!

Your Turn: Reflection Question

When Jesus was speaking about returning to Heaven, what did He say He was going to do there?

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

Come, Lord Jesus, Come

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A Love God Greatly Study: Preview for Week 1, In The Last Days

Our Verse for the Journey: Hebrews 10:24-25

For this journey our verse(s) come from week 6 of our study. I encourage you to write the verses down on a note card or even several cards so that you have one in your car, your kitchen, your bedroom, your desk at work …. wherever you frequently find yourself. Read it at least 3 times every day, and over the course of the 6-week journey, begin trying to remember the words or phrases without looking. Lean on the Spirit for help – after all, John 14:26 says that our advocate, the Holy Spirit, was given, not only to teach us all things but to REMIND us of all He said.

A Slight Change In Plans:

PREVIEW TODAY – AND – DAY 1 TOMORROW

[I regret this unavoidable change but have been wrapped up with a family emergency for the last 7 days and counting. Your prayers are appreciated for my family- and myself.]

I hope you enjoyed the first week of Come, Lord Jesus, Come. From words of encouragement to insight on the last days and reasons to hold on to the HOPE that we have in Christ – it’s just the beginning of what I believe will be a wonderful journey toward His return. If you haven’t read week one, I invite you to scroll back through the recent posts for this study, beginning October 2, 2022, and glean from them in preparation for week 2 which starts tomorrow.

Your Turn: What was your favorite day or most notable quote or Scripture that inspired you to hold on to the hope that is ours in Christ Jess.

Jesus was faithful in proclaiming His return, which is why in week 2 we will continually read the statement, “I will come” or “I am coming” … followed by the word back or soon. The words belong to Jesus and to every believer that hears them – they offer encouragement and hope. Look for them, soak them up so that you might cling to the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus, and then imitate Him by faithfully sharing them with others. In this He will be honored and others will share in our hope, and to God will be the glory!

Me, from the inside-out

WEEK 2 CHALLENGE: Jesus promised that He is coming back. This week, write out how this promise influences how you live.

  • Does it make you more intentional?
  • Dose it help you to have greater hope for the future?
  • Does it place more passion and urgency on your days as you know the time draws near?

Verse For the Journey: How are you doing with our verses from Hebrews 10:24-25? Remember, the Bible says we are “temporary residents and foreigners” and to “keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.” (1 Peter 2:11-12) To do this in any measure of obedience or success, we must know and hold fast to God’s Word.

Want to know more about Jesus? Please message me via the comment bar or email me at mryelnb@aol.com. I would love to share with you the reason for the hope that is within me, the hope I cling to when times are hard, or life is disappointing, or fears arise. There is no greater source of hope in all the world – of this, I am convinced.

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

The Last Hour

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(Love God Greatly: Come, Lord Jesus, Come – week 1, day 5)

Today’s Reading: 1 John 2:18-19 (SOAP: 18-19)

18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. 19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us. 1 John 2:18-19 NLT

John warns against the Antichrist*

John defines an antichrist as “he who denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22), does not confess Jesus (1 John 4:3), and does not confess Jesus as coming in the flesh (2 John 1:7). We find him here in verses 18-19 of 1 John 2 talking about how many have already appeared and that this indicates “the last hour has come”. In verse 19, John also gives us details of how we will know them. The details are both shocking and concerning. First, the shocking detail is we will know them because they were part of our churches. Which leads me to the concerning detail, they were a part of our churches. They were those thought to be brothers and sisters in Christ, most likely even leaders in the church. The encouraging news is that once they go out from us we will know them for what and who they are, antichrists, those who are against Christ and who deny the Father and the Son. Surely our concern should be for their souls. However, it seems the greater concern for the body is knowing that they may be among us. At the very least it is certainly a reminder and encouragement to know the Scriptures well and be alert to the teaching we receive and the conversations we have, so that we are not duped into believing or following false teachers, preachers, or – as John so aptly names them -antichrists. One other thought that strikes me as important is that because they dwell among us they know the things we teach and how we act and what is expected which means they may be difficult to distinguish.

*The term ‘antichrist’ here is not the same as the term “The Antichrist” found in the book of Revelation.

Response to the Word

Father, help us to stay alert, not only does our adversary, the devil, prowl around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, there may be antichrists among us. Perhaps it will be a teacher, a pastor, a friend, or a family member that we believe are true followers of Jesus Christ but who will sadly one day reveal themselves as being against Jesus and all that we believe. Oh give us eyes to see, minds that are alert, and hearts that are so filled with Your Word and awake to Your Spirit that we will not be deceived. Prod us to pray for these antichrists Father that their hearts will be changed while they dwell among us and they will turn to You and not against You. These things I pray in Jesus’ name and for Your glory!

Your Turn: Reflections

  • Is everyone who goes to church also going to heaven?
  • What does 1 John 2:18-19 say about this?
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

Come, Lord Jesus, Come

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A Love God Greatly Study: Preview for Week 1, In The Last Days

Our Verse for the Journey: Hebrews 10:24-25

For this journey our verse(s) come from week 6 of our study. I encourage you to write the verses down on a note card or even several cards so that you have one in your car, your kitchen, your bedroom, your desk at work …. wherever you frequently find yourself. Read it at least 3 times every day, and over the course of the 6-week journey, begin trying to remember the words or phrases without looking. Lean on the Spirit for help – after all, John 14:26 says that our advocate, the Holy Spirit, was given to teach us all things and to remind us of all He said.

Why?

I believe that it is important to hide Scripture away in our hearts, to be familiar with all of it, and to remember as much of it as we can. after all it promises benefits in this life and in the life to come. Such as …

  • It brings life to those who find them and healing to the whole body (Prov. 4:20-22)
  • It is a light to guide our path (Ps. 119:105)
  • It is a weapon against sin (Ps 119:11)
  • It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)
  • It trains us in righteousness and prepares us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  • It helps us stay pure (Ps 119:9)
  • It’s a way to know God and what He wants for His children (John 1:1) and expects from them (James 1:22)

Throughout every journey, we will read and sometimes reread many passages, the LGG Studies will promote a memory/focus verse each week, but I like to zero in on one verse that we look at throughout the entire study with the hope of knowing it by the end of the journey. Before you say “I can’t,” remember we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13), especially when it is something He wants us to do – and I promise you, without question, He wants us to be so familiar with His Word that it’s like we have it hidden in our heart. There are all sorts of creative ways to remember and become more and more familiar with His Word. I’ll be happy to share them with you throughout the weeks ahead.

Week 1 Challenge:

We know Jesus is coming back! Though we don’t know the exact day or time, we do know each day we are given is one day closer to His return. Keeping that truth in mind this week, set aside time to:

  • pray for the salvation of any of your unsaved family and friends.
  • Pray that God will use you in their lives to help them experience Him through you.
  • Pray that God will open their hearts and minds to His saving grace and for their need for it.
  • Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully through you and –
  • pray for these friends and family members to respond to God’s free gift of salvation.
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time
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So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1-4 ESV

In this portion of his letters to the Philippians believers Paul was encouraging them to live in unity with each other. So important was their unity that he equated it with completing his joy, as one who had mentored them in the faith. When believers are motivated by the same love, the love of Jesus Christ – when they are motivated by the same purpose or cause, salvation for those who are lost – when they are full of compassion and affection for each other …. when we think more about someone else more than we do ourselves – only then will there will be true joy in the midst of us all, and perhaps especially for those who are teaching or shepherding us in the faith. This type of unity won’t always be easy but Paul gives the perfect pattern for success as he encourages the believers to consider their attitude … namely, the same attitude of Christ (vs 5-8) who, though He was God, didn’t consider equality to God something to be grasped … instead He took on human flesh, and in the form of a servant He humbled Himself – even to the point to death on a cross +

Me, from the Inside-out💙

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Choosing God Instead of the World

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Wrap-up

I hope you have loved our journey through Genesis with Jacob and Joseph as much as I have. My prayer is you are walking away from it with new mentors of the faith and insight and motivation to choose God instead of the world. While we had many many focus verses and wonderful passages of history and instruction along the way may we be quick to remember the study memory verse as our greatest motivation – 

When we are intent on loving God, what the world has to offer us will be less and less appealing. - Me from the Insideout

Instead of writing out a review of where we’ve been and what we’ve hopefully seen and learned I have decided to wrap-up the study with this link someone shared with me half way through the study. Sometimes seeing something portrayed on the screen can be a wonderful tool for our memory. (this video does not belong to me, it has been borrowed and shared from Youtube.com)

If you do not know the God of Jacob and Joseph or if you have questions about how to know and trust Him please message me, I’d love to chat with you about the greatest love and relationship you will ever know. Check it out for yourself at the links below –

Join me tomorrow to see what’s next

Posted in Bible study, Choosing God Instead of the World, LGG Study

The Grand Finale

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WEEK 6, DAY 5 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:31, 3:4-6, 6:5-8, 18:22-25, (SOAP – Genesis 50:19-20)

But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.  NLT
OBSERVATION:

THE GENESIS SAGA:

Ah, the grand finale of Genesis. It was in our reading and devotional yesterday, and we are circling back to it today. Too much? I don’t think so. It bears great witness to Joseph’s character and to God’s sovereignty, both wonderful examples and encouragement to the Christian faith.

As we noted yesterday, following the death of their father, the brother’s treacherous act of selling Joseph into slavery comes back to haunt them, prompting them to fear Joseph’s revenge in the absence of their father. Joseph reassures his brothers that there will be no revenge – that is left in the hands of God. While what they did was intended to harm him God not only knew and allowed it but He used what they were doing for His good purpose. The purpose, as He points out, was to preserve the lives of many people, which they can clearly see has been accomplished.

Other Notable Observations:

  • God pronounced His creation – “very good!”
  • The man and woman fell prey to the serpent’s words and chose the fruit instead of God
  • The LORD regretted making humankind because their wickedness was so great
  • Noah found favor in the sight of the LORD
  • Abraham pleaded with God to not destroy the good with the evil
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

We must not let our sins of the past make us fearful of the present or future.

We must trust in God and His power to accomplish good purposes even out of evil actions.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word.

Father, thank You for the beautiful story of Jacob and Joseph and the cast of characters that have been a part of this study. A study that has focused us on choosing You instead of what the world offers and we so often desire. Thank You for Your sovereignty, Your Presence, and Omniscience that gives us hope – even in the things that seem hopeless. We live in a world that is rampant with evil but we are reminded that You are always at work to accomplish Your “good purposes – for Your Kingdom, Your people, and the world.” Fix our eyes on You so that we do not lose sight of Your calling on our lives to trust You in all things. – In His Name and power – Amen!

YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
  • In what ways have you seen God turn something intended by others to harm you into something good?