Tag: Family

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Beginning to Forever, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study

The Ark of Grace

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based on the LGG Study, From the Beginning to Forever/w1d4

Read Genesis 6:11-14 and 17-22 or KJV; SOAP: Genesis 8:1

Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. 12 God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. 13 So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!

14 “Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior.

“Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. 18 But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives. 19 Bring a pair of every kind of animal—a male and a female—into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. 20 Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. 21 And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.”

22 So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.

Genesis 6:11-14, 17-22 NLT

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede.

Genesis 8:1 NLT (KJV)

I recently went with a friend to the “Sights and Sounds” production of Noah, so it is very fresh in my mind, making today’s portion of the journey a bit more 3-D in my mind’s eye. Watching it play out on the big screen certainly made me realize, at least in some small way, the depth of courage, faith, and work it must have taken for Noah and his family to actually live through the reality of it…not to mention the fear and agony of knowing the earth would be destroyed and all life with it. The unknown factors, such as whether the boat would truly keep them safe, and what would happen afterwards, not to mention the thought of being trapped on an enclosed vessel for that long, would have been added concerns, at least for me. Reading the story on the pages of Scripture has never been less than a marvel, but seeing it portrayed in the theater, was an impressive revelation to Noah’s complete trust in God, his commitment to this strange call of God, and his family’s commitment to work with him and follow Noah’s lead despite the unknowns.

While the theatrical production embellished the story for effect, the reality is we only know the short version of what God tells us in His Word, where we see God’s utter disappointment in humans and what they had become and what they had done to His once tranquil and beautiful creation. Adam and Eve’s sinful choice to trade life for death had indeed brought about death and destruction, except for Noah and his family, because Noah had found grace in the eyes of the Lord. As I poured these words out on the pages of my journal, I couldn’t help but thank God for the grace He has shown to me/us, through the righteousness of Christ alone, and the salvation extended to all who abide in Him.

In the show about Noah, there were a few scenes where he would warn others about what was coming. He pleaded with them to listen, so that they would not perish. Whether or not this is how it actually happened, in the years it took to build the ark, possibly 120 years, Noah certainly had the time to “preach righteousness1” Gotquestions.org points out an interesting and convicting truth, saying: “In addition to Noah’s proclamations to the unbelieving world of his day was his “wordless preaching.” In the very construction of the ark, Noah bore witness to righteousness. Every hammer blow, every pounding of a nail was a call to repentance and a declaration that judgment was coming.

May our hearts be burdened for those who are lost and in danger of perishing. May God find us faithfully sharing His message of love and gift of grace, and bearing witness to righteousness – so that no one will perish.2

Friends, as Noah’s family entered into the Ark, trusting God to save them, we must enter into a relationship with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. When we do this, we receive the promise of eternal life, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, enabling us to abide (live in) Christ. Because of this act of love and grace, when this earth is again destroyed,3 those who are found “in” Christ will be saved from the destruction to live with God for eternity. 4

The More We Know

Jesus called out the fact that Noah’s contemporaries ignored the message that would have saved them. At the same time, the Lord warned us of making the same mistake: “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26–27).

The point of Peter referencing Noah and others like him in his second epistle is that, if God did not spare the ancient world who rejected Noah’s warnings, how much less can He be expected to spare those who dismiss His calls to repentance today?

Gotquestions.org

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Secure In Christ

Chosen in Christ

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Based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ, w1d2

Read: Ephesians 1;3-6; SOAP: verse 4

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

Ephesians 1:3-6

In yesterday’s journey, we learned that God radically transformed Paul’s life from a persecutor of Christians to an apostle of Jesus Christ. Today’s journey reveals how the transformation happens. Namely, all those who identify themselves as followers/disciples of Christ, which according to Luke 9:23 means that they have turned from their wicked ways and taken up their cross daily to follow Jesus, are gifted with “every spiritual blessing.”

Gifts of Redemption

According to gotquestions.org, these blessings are “gifts of redemption.” They are only available to those who identify themselves as followers/disciples of Christ. They include: “eternal life (Revelation 5:9-10), forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), righteousness (Romans 5:17), freedom from the law’s curse (Galatians 3:13), adoption into God’s family (Galatians 4:5), deliverance from sin’s bondage (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:14-18), peace with God (Colossians 1:18-20), and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). To be redeemed, then, is to be forgiven, holy, justified, free, adopted, and reconciled. See also Psalm 130:7-8; Luke 2:38; and Acts 20:28.”

An Act of Love

Paul sums these gifts up in verses 4- 5, beginning with how and why God chose to adopt us as His children. Today’s LGG journal entry explains it this way: “He did this out of His great love for you and for all who would trust in Jesus as their Savior. And it doesn’t stop there. He not only chose us to be part of His family and adopted us, but He has chosen to make us holy (set apart), blameless (fully forgiven), and has given us countless blessings… In Christ, we have access, freedom, purpose, family, and so much more… If you have trusted in Jesus, this is true of you! And while the best is yet to come in heaven, God has a purpose for you in the here and now. He has chosen you to become like Him. He wants you to be His holy and blameless child, loving others as He loves you.”

Our Response

Friends, as the journal entry goes on to say: “If God has chosen us to live in such a way, we can expect Him to accomplish His mighty work in us. We should pray daily to grow in holiness and love. And when the devil wants to plague us with temptation, fear, and doubt, it is vital to remember that we have been loved and chosen by God from before the creation of the universe.”

To know that I have been loved and chosen by God, not because of anything I have done, but before the creation of the universe, is one of the most wonderful, life-changing, calming truths I have ever known. Singer/songwriter Matthew West put the truth into a song, one that is embedded in my head and heart and has rescued me from many wrestling matches with the enemy. My favorite line is: “I don’t have to answer to any name that the enemy tries to call me ~ I don’t have to answer to any name but chosen child of God.”

You changed my name
You changed my name
From too far gone to saved by grace
And now I am forever changed
All because You changed my name
It’s all because You changed my name
And I don’t have to answer to any name that the enemy tries to call me
I don’t have to answer to any name but chosen child of God
Oh, I don’t have to answer to any name that the enemy tries to call me
I don’t have to answer to any name but chosen child of God.

Chorus/Chosen Child of God/Matthew West

Want to hear the full song? Just click the video below –

The More We Know

Find all the Adoption Truths and Process Below …

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/

Posted in Birthdays

Celebrating Sixty-Three

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This is the Day

Earlier this week, someone sweetly wished me an early happy birthday, followed by: “You’ll be thirty right?” I laughed at the comment but quickly and gladly claimed my real age. While I may wish my body felt like it did at the age of thirty, I have never minded celebrating another year of life. Celebrating sixty-three years of life is a blessing I embrace today. It is a gift of grace from God, given with a purpose and a plan for each day to carry out the works He prepared in advance for me to do (Eph 2:10). I don’t always do it well, and I have grown more and more weary of this world in the past year or two. I have whispered, ‘Come quickly, Lord Jesus,’ more than ever. Yet, with all my heart, I welcome each new day that He wakes me up to, saying with the Psalmist, “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

When I come to the end of one year, I typically do some reflecting before embarking on the next one; and invariably, this little children’s song comes to my mind 💜🎂

Hey, if you missed my post from yesterday … check out my first birthday present!

My First Present

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, For Such A Time As This, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Celebration

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From the Journal, For Such A Time As This, p185/by Love God Greatly

Read: Esther 9:11-22 and SOAP: Psalm 71:24

All day long my tongue will also tell about your justice,
for those who want to harm me will be embarrassed and ashamed.

Psalm 71:24

From the time I was a little girl, I have treasured the extended family gatherings. The food was wonderful, but the stories were the best part. Tales of those long gone, stories that brought both laughter and tears, and sometimes discussions about which way it really happened kept me drawn like a moth to a flame. Many of the stories remain etched in my mind, but the story of my dad’s leg getting infected with gangrene when he was a young boy is one of the top ten. It happened after a bike accident and became serious very quickly. While I don’t recall all of the details, I do remember this: someone in the family started a prayer chain for my father, and his leg, the doctor thought would have to come off, began to heal during the night, and eventually, except for the scar, recovered fully.

My grandmother’s story always included how they all celebrated then, and I can tell you that every time the story was told in my presence, there was testifying and rejoicing over God’s goodness and the power of prayer. I realize that the celebration of the Jews was on a much larger scale, namely their miraculous deliverance from the decreed annihilation, and the power they were given over their enemies, but the purpose of a yearly celebration brought about a time to tell the story again and again so that generation after generation would know the goodness and faithfulness of God. Oh, friends, may we daily look for the fingerprints of God in and around our lives and the lives of others, and may we be faithful to remember and quick to tell others what God has done.

Enjoy today’s journal entry by Love God Greatly –

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Sufficiency of Scripture

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based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation w5d5

Scripture: Read: 2 Timothy 3:14-15 and James 1:21-25 / SOAP 2 Timothy 3:15 and James 1:21

15 and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:15

So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:21

I grew up in a home where the Word was read, studied, and talked about, and we were taught to live it out. My dad and mom encouraged, equipped, and empowered us to know and follow Jesus So, it’s hard for me to imagine that not everyone’s home life was like this. Thinking about the reality of it always brings a deeper, fuller appreciation for the upbringing I had. Don’t get me wrong, we weren’t perfect – we all made our ‘mistakes,’ – but it was one of faith and family. So, as I read today’s passage on Timothy, my heart was moved by Paul’s reminder that “From infancy you have known the holy writings…” and filled with gratitude that my dad and mom faithfully took us to church where the Word – “which is able to save souls,” as James wrote – was read and taught and then incorporated into our daily lives.

So, I had two other paragraphs written but then read today’s journal entry and decided to leave the first and share what I believe is the best follow-up to the memory God prodded in my mind – and a beautiful lesson on the sufficiency of the Word of God. – I pray it is a blessing and one that you will share as God leads. 🦋

Observation and Application of the Journey

Into The Text and a prayer/by Love God Greatly

From a young age, we understand the importance of having a loving mentor. For Timothy, this mentor was the Bible, taught to him by his mother and grandmother. Through Timothy’s example, as recorded by the Apostle Paul, we see how the Scriptures can lead us to salvation, help us walk in faithfulness, and shape our faith.


The Bible is the living and active Word of God that provides wisdom and direction for every aspect of our lives. James 1:21 reminds us that when received with humility, the Word of God has the power to transform our lives and save our souls. It’s not just about reading the words but allowing God’s Word to take root in our hearts and change us from within.


The Bible serves as a mirror in our daily lives, highlighting areas where we need His grace. It’s through engaging with Scripture that we understand God’s character, His promises, and His instructions for living a life that honors Him.


The Bible is our steadfast anchor when we face life’s challenges and uncertainties. It offers comfort in times of sorrow, wisdom in moments of confusion, and strength when we feel weak. The Bible reminds us of God’s unchanging love and His faithful presence in our lives. As we immerse ourselves in the Word, we find that it equips, encourages, and transforms us, helping us grow and live out our faith boldly.


PRAYER
Dear Jesus, thank you for the completeness of your Word. Help me to depend entirely on the Bible for guidance, wisdom, and truth. Let your Word dwell abundantly in my heart, shaping me to be more like you. May I walk with confidence and peace, knowing that your Word provides everything I need for life and godliness. In your name, Amen.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone, Quiet Time

Not Made to Be Alone

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An Love God Greatly Study / Week 2 – Day 1

Today’s Reading: Genesis 2:18-24 / Soap: Genesis 2:18

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.”

Genesis 2:18

Today’s passage,“It is not good for the man to be alone“, is clearly the basis or the “poster verse” of our study. Day after day God pronounced what He had done as good but here He says: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” God wasn’t simply speaking things into creation and moving along, He was clearly paying attention to the day-to-day details of what He was creating. His creation was important to Him and He made right what was wrong.

While verse 18 is our focus/soap verse – it is good to read the entire passage to understand the detailed attention God gave to the situation. He tailor-made Eve for Adam, so that she would correspond specifically to him. Don’t miss the last words of the passage, “and they became a family.” This adds the second dimension to our community – first God, then family.

A Perfect Fit

Whether God saw that man was lonely or needed help or simply someone to talk to, God noticed something wasn’t right – and He made it right. Clearly, according to how God remedied the situation – man needed someone more like himself, someone who corresponded with him.

God Provides What His Children Need

I love knowing that as a believer I can trust God to see/know when something isn’t right and to take care of it in the way that is best for me. I can trust that :

  • He cares for me …
    • 1 Peter 5:7 / Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.
  • He wants what is best for me …
    • Jeremiah 29:11 /  For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.
  • He can and will do what it takes to make things right – as clearly seen in the Scriptures:
    • John 3:16 /  For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
    • Genesis 2:18 / The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.”
    • John 17: 3-4 /  Now this is eternal life—that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
    • John 19:30 / When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
    • Luke 24:1-12 / But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.” 9 After he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 As they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly two men in white clothing stood near them 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.”
    • Romans 8:34 /... Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.
    • John 14:1-4 / “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. And you know the way where I am going.”

Response to God’s Word

Father-God You are so good! As You did with Adam in the beginning You do with us now – You see and know when something isn’t right and You – in love, power, grace and mercy – make it right. There is no greater evidence of this than You sending Jesus to save us from our sins. From Adam’s flesh you created Eve because it was not good for man to be alone; and from a virgin You brought forth Your only begotten Son – a Savior -because sin had separated us from You, and You knew this was not good. So in unfathomable love and great power and amazing grace You made a companion who corresponds with us and one who now resides with us who have believed. Through Jesus we have been made right with You and now we are never alone. All praise and glory to You, in His name I pray and trust – Amen and amen!

Don’t forget the Monday, Wednesday, Friday blog posts from the LGG Team. They offer awesome insight and will enrich your time in the Word – just follow this link … https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

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, Uncategorized

The Importance of the Word

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 8:1-21; SOAP / Luke 8:21

But he replied to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Luke 8:21 NET

As I was reading back through my notes on verse 21 and thinking about how to put what I had journaled into words, the words from an old church camp song came flooding through my mind. I don’t remember all the words but it included several verses about not being able to get to heaven on roller skates, or in a rocking chair, or with a limousine. If I could add one verse to these after reading today’s passage, it would be “Oh you can’t get to heaven by who you know.” That’s the jest of today’s passage and Jesus’ response to His mother and brothers desire to see Him. Actually, the commentary I read said they were concerned for His health and wanted to take Him home to rest. However, being in the middle of a very important lesson for which a very large crowd had gathered no doubt influenced His answer. No disrespect was intended only the need for them and all who were listening to understand that, first and fore-most He was God’s son and thus it was those who were “hearing the Word of God and doing it” that bore the truer family-ties.

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Romans 10:17 NLT

More than once in sharing the Gospel with someone or in response to asking someone if they are a believer, I have received answers like – “Yeah, I’ve been baptized and go to church every Sunday”, or “I’ve always tried to live the good Christian life”, or “well, I don’t go to church any more but my mom and dad took me every week when I was growing up …” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that those who answered like that aren’t saved but we certainly can’t hang our hope of salvation on going to church or living a good Christian life. Salvation comes through faith alone in Christ alone, and as Paul wrote – faith comes through hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We are saved by grace through faith – not church, or baptism, our good works, our ‘knowledge’ of Jesus, or our earthly family ties.

It is worth noting and perhaps helpful to understand that Jesus’ response to His mother and brothers came shortly after His sharing the parable of the sower. A lesson on a sower and his seed and the responsibility of those who hear the Word to let it penetrate the heart and bring about good works. The lesson is the same for His mother and brothers. They cannot depend on who they are to Him but must respond to who He is to them.

Sandwiched in between the parable of the sower and and the response to his family came a brief statement about letting your light be seen. This follows the teaching on the seed that landed on the good soil – defined as “the ones who, after hearing the Word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance. One commentary explains it like this:

the meaning of Luke’s verses seems to be that listeners are to be like the good soil, accept the seed, and produce fruit (Luke 8:8). In the same way, people are to “enter” and “see the light,” working hard to understand the truth and application of Jesus’ teaching (Luke 8:18).

Bibleref.com on Luke 8:15-18
Some Application: Turning facts into action (or knowledge into wisdom)

I feel like I am constantly learning more about who Jesus is and who He has called me to be. So I loved seeing that even though Mary had the personal knowledge of who He was, backed up by the angelic announcement, she was still learning more about who He was, what it meant, and how to deal with it.

We don’t get to heaven because of who our family is or what they believe – but solely because of what we do with what we hear in the Gospel. For example Romans 3:23, 6:23; John 3:16, 6:47, and 13:34.

Response to God’s Word

Father, I have heard Your Word all of my life and I believe … You are Go, the Father-make of heaven and earth. I believe You so loved the world – me included – that You sent Your only son to live and die for me. I believe He lived a spotless life despite the pain and temptations He faced – He stayed TRUE to living out Your will for all to see. I believe He was born of the virgin Mary, and that He intercedes for me at the right hand of Your throne and is able to forgive my sins. I believe He left examples and instructions on how to live and that You have empowers me, as a believer, with the Holy Spirit so that I might live as You have called me to live – the same Spirit who teaches me all things and reminds me of everything You’ve said. He also convicts me of my sin and leads me to repentance. I believe in the Holy Spirit, and pray that I might be always yielded to His teaching, leading, and conviction toward repentance. In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen and Amen!

Want More?

Check out today’s blog at Love God Greatly

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

The Brothers Go Down to Egypt

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WEEK 5, DAY 1 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 42 (SOAP – 2 Corinthians 7:9-10)

Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.  2 Corinthians 7:9-10NLT
OBSERVATION:

THE GENESIS SAGA: The Brothers Bow Down

The famine was severe in the land of Canaan but Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt so he sent his sons, except for Benjamin, down to buy grain. Because Joseph was the ruler of the country, the one who sold grain to all the people, it was him that they appeared before with their request and him they bowed down to. Years had past but Joseph still recognized his brothers, however they did not recognize him, most likely because he would have been dressed like an Egyptian and addressed by his Egyptian name. Scripture says, he did not disclose his identity but acted like a stranger and treated them harshly. I imagine that the harshness was most likely in some ways his true emotions spilling out toward those who had betrayed him but perhaps also an attempt to keep his identity a secret not know knowing what they would do if they found out he was alive and well. He was undoubtedly curious too as to the condition of his father and other brother so he asked questions prompting the information. Unsatisfied with, or untrusting of, their answers – he sends all but one of them back to Canaan, keeping Simeon as a prisoner to be released upon their return with his brother Benjamin.

Back in Canaan they explained the events to their father but after much conversation and promises to protect him he refused to let Benjamin go.

Other Notable Observations:

  • Joseph originally had all of the brothers imprisoned for three days while he considered what to do.
  • Joseph had cried out to his brothers for mercy before they sold him into slavery.
  • At one point he turned away from them and wept because he had understood their language and their conversation about what they had done to Joseph. (They did not know Joseph had understood them because they were using an interpreter.)
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

In a previous letter Paul had rebuked the Corinthians for a particular sin. He had been concerned that his rebuke would have angered them but instead learned that they had repented – which is the best outcome to any rebuke. God intends for knowledge of our sins to make us sorrowful and lead us to repentance, which is to stop whatever worldly behavior we’re doing and choose instead to follow Him. Whether it is a repentance of the lost that leads to salvation or a repentance of the believer that leads to a right relationship with God – repentance is always best. This is what we saw with the brothers after their trip to Egypt – even before they knew that they had bowed before Joseph, they, specifically Reuben, realized the wrongness of their actions and the debt they owed.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word.

Father, help us to live with yielded and repentant hearts – In Jesus’ name, amen.

YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
  • How does sadness lead to repentance and salvation ?
  • Have you experienced the sadness of God?
  • Did it lead you to repentance?
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Safe and Secure In His Hands

Suggested Reading: John 10:22-42

27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.

John 10:27-28 HCSB
Cornered and questioned

Once again Jesus is questioned by the Jewish leaders, this time in Solomon’s Portico of the temple area. John tells us he was “surrounded” by them, likely making it harder for Him to escape this time, and according to verse 31 they were primed and ready to stone Him. They demanded that He tell them whether or not He was really the Christ, accusing Him of keeping them in suspense. If you’ve been reading along with us our journey through John you know that this is far from the truth. Jesus has told them exactly who He is, which is exactly how He responded. “I told you and you do not believe. The deeds I do in my Father’s name testify about me. But you refuse to believe because you are not my sheep.” Sheep always recognize the voice of their shepherd and since the Jewish leaders are refusing to believe Jesus, the Good Shepherd, it is clear they do not belong to Him.

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1;18
Safe and Secure

Jesus makes it clear to the Jewish leaders that the ones who listen to His voice and follow Him, those are His sheep. They know who He is and they trust Him. Because they belong to Him He gives them eternal life, not only allowing them to live forever but they will live forever as His – they are safe and secure from the predators who would seek to take them away from Him.

Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Psalm 100:3
Reflection We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. In ancient times, being a sheep in a pasture meant that you belonged to a family.   Unknown Source
Prayer

Father, thank you for receiving me through Christ Your Son. He knows me by name. I am a sheep in His pasture, a follower of His. His voice is in my ear and I seek to follow where He leads. Help me to not falter – help me to always hear His voice and may Your Word drown out all the other voices that vie for my attention! Thank you for the gift of eternal life through Him and for the promise that I am safe in His care – I will not perish or be snatched away! With hope in Jesus’ name – AMEN!

Posted in From the Insideout

Things I Learned from My Dad

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I was my daddy’s daughter, forever his little girl so when he passed from earth to heaven a part of me went with him. However, a part of him stayed here with me. You see, so early on in my childhood years that I don’t remember when – my daddy imparted his faith to me in every word and deed. He was not a perfect man – nor am I a perfect woman – but he had trusted in the Perfect Lamb and led me to do the same. Through all the years of his life I heard Him praise God in the good times and watched Him lean on God through the hard times – and he taught me to do the same. While I grieve, I do not grieve as one without hope because he taught me that Jesus died and was raised to life again, (1 Thessalonians 4:14) so that in joy or in sorrow I can truly say, “It is well with my soul”, a line from His favorite hymn by the same name.

The song was written by Horatio Spafford in 1873 and is still popular today. I have shared it below – borrowed from an online anonymous blogger who gives not only the song’s lyrics but the accompanying Scriptures. They are a perfect example and reference for the Faith that he passed on to me.

Verse 1:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

Isaiah 66:12 For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Psalm 42:7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 2:
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

1 Peter 1:18-19  knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

Verse 3:
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

1 Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

Colossians 2:13-14 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Hebrew 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

Verse 4:
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face ; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, “I am ; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Even so, it is well with my soul.

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ