Tag: gifts

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, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

Using our God-Given Gifts

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w1d5

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11 and SOAP: verses 10 and 11

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT

Today’s post is borrowed and shared from the LGG, Triumph over Trials edition, p110

As believers, we are living in anticipation of Christ’s return — a reality that should profoundly shape our lives. In this waiting, we are not called to be idle but to be motivated to love and serve the body of Christ intentionally, especially during times of testing and persecution. A united, loving Christian community shines brightly in a dark world, like a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14-16).

A united, loving Christian community shines brightly in a dark world, like a city on a hill

The command is clear: we must work at loving each other well. Love is not passive; it’s active. It’s not a feeling, but a choice we make every day. It’s seen in the meals prepared for a new mom, the earnest prayers for a struggling friend, and the open doors of our homes.

God has not left us empty-handed in this high calling. He has generously given each of us unique gifts designed to serve and build up the church and others (Romans 12:4-8). These gifts are not for our own glory but given to us by God, fashioned to stitch His people closer together and reflect His love to the watching world (Ephesians 4:11-12).

When we see a need within the church, our hearts should be stirred to meet it. Whether it is encouragement, financial help, prayer, or a listening ear — let’s move towards those needs, not away from them. In doing so, we are faithful stewards of God’s grace, dispensing it generously just as it has been lavished upon us.

As we help others and employ our God-given gifts in service, the world catches glimpses of Jesus in us. Our love becomes a radiant beacon, pointing to the One who first loved us (1 John 4:19). In our serving, God is glorified, and His kingdom is tangibly expressed through our hands and feet.

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
  • love and serve the body of Christ intentionally
    • watch for others who need help and seek to meet the need
  • work at loving each other well
  • know and use the gifts God has given you
    • use them for God’s glory and not your own
Question FOR THE JOURNEY

How can you use your God-given gifts to meet a need within your church community or Love God Greatly group this week? In what ways can you be more intentional about loving the body of Christ in anticipation of His return?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Dear Jesus, thank You for entrusting us with gifts to serve Your body. help us to love deeply and act decisively, especially when we see a need within our church family. May our lives, fueled by Your love, shine brightly and draw others to You. Amen.

THE MORE WE KNOW

Knowing that Christ could return at any time should affect our thinking.

Peter’s teaching on how Christians should love each other “strenuously”

For more insight on today’s passage visit lovegodgreatly.com/blog

Posted in Advent, Advent, Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Promised Messiah

Mission Accomplished

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Scriptures: Psalm 68:18-20; Luke 24:50-53; Ephesians 4:8-10 / SOAP: Eph 4:10

He, the very one who descended, is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.

Eph 4:10

If you know me well, you know that I am rarely at a loss for words, lol. Today however, is one of those days. However, my friends at lovegodgreatly.com did a wonderful job , as always, with their commentary on our soap passage today and I am delighted to share it with you here in the hope that it will bring clarity and an enjoyable addition to your study of God’s Word today. You will also want to check out their blog for today for even more insight into the passage. – love and blessings from – mefromthensideout

Today’s post is taken from the Journal for the Love God Greatly Advent Study, The Promised Messiah. You will find this study and all of the others at lovegodgreatly.com – It is a remarkable site of teaching and opportunity to grow in faith and understanding of God’s Word, with an emphasis and passion to spread the Word of God to every tribe and tongue. Please take a minute to check it out and be sure to like and follow them – and me, if you don’t mind 🙂

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Quiet Time

Perspective

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THE FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS FROM ANN VOSKAMP’S ONE THOUSAND GIFTS

There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things.
It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing.The moments will add up

If gratitude is an antidote for anxiety…
and giving thanks is a real cure for stress—
why relegate thanksgiving to a holiday *when giving thanks can revolutionize our whole lives?*

So I just keep doing this, recording the gifts, gather the moments of His grace like manna.

Because joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. – And if we are going to change our lives, we’re going to have to change the way we see.

This recording our gratitudes, this looking for blessings everywhere, this counting of gifts — this is what changes what we are looking for. *This is what changes our perspective.*

Thanksgiving is the lens God means for us to see joy all year round.

Because Thanksgiving is more than holiday—

So wherever you are, count your blessings, collect gifts, count it all joy.

Because it’s the brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful, who give thanks for it & discover joy even in the here and now —- they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world.

YOUR TURN: WHAT GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL THINGS ARE YOU FOCUSING ON TODAY? WHAT JOYS CAN YOU GIVE THANKS FOR AND BRING LIGHT TO THE WORLD AROUND YOU?
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Praying for God’s Good Gifts

Matthew 6:5-14; 7:7-11

11 If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:11

I love to give gifts to my children, now 26 and 32 years old. Christmas is the best – they receive three gifts each and there is a budget. They supply me with a list of more than three items – since we all want it to be a surprise. Sometimes it’s compiled like a grocery list but more often it filters in through a text or in conversations. I wrap the gifts in boxes of various shapes and sizes all in an effort to disguise the contents. For instance, a pair of running shoes may be wrapped in a long cylinder box, while a watch may be in a tennis shoe box. Because of the limit they know that they won’t get everything they’ve asked for – this means they really have to think it out and ask carefully – they often prioritize but the top of the list may not be what is under the tree. Nonetheless, they are always delighted and I am always filled with joy at how pleased they are – even with those packages that are totally rogue – you know – the item you see and think, ‘hmmm? I really think she might like that, or this might be better for her …. and then you wrap it – all the while hoping and praying she sees the good in it and the love behind it.

I’m sure by now you’re wondering what in the world this out of the blue story has to do with our passage today. All I can tell you is that when I began to write this devotional – this is what came to mind. I was reminded of how God doesn’t always tell us how something will be. He does however allow us to talk to Him about our desires and needs and concerns. (1 Peter 5:7, Phil 4:6-7, James 1:4 and 5:14 …) In love, He hears and considers our requests (John 16:23-24). We ask, we seek, and we knock – as Jesus taught – and then at just the right time we receive what we asked for , or find what we were seeking, or we watch the door open. The similarities to our yearly adventure don’t stop there though. Just like with the girl’s presents what we receive doesn’t always look like what we asked for or sought, and when that door opens what’s on the other side isn’t necessarily what we had in mind. However, all of it is good because God is good and His gifts are always good. No, His answers to our prayers won’t always be what we hoped for or wanted but they are given with His sovereign knowledge that it is the best gift or answer for us. We can always know that He has given or answered out of love and with a good purpose – and that He makes no mistakes. And, if you look close enough with each answer you will find traces of His heart in the shape of grace, love, joy, peace, mercy, hope, provision, compassion and more. May we learn to trust these truths and in faith receive and use each gift or answer He gives – according to His glory and pleasure.

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

God’s Love Endures

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From: The Greatest Gift Ever, A Love God Greatly Advent Study

Read and SOAP Psalm 136:26

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 136:26 NLT
Reflection Question:
  • How can you give thanks to God for His love today?

Reading through Psalm 136 today gives us twenty-six reasons to give thanks to the Lord!

Read the full devotional to find out more

Don’t forget to read today’s blog

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Using Your Gifts

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From the Greatest Gift, a Love God Greatly Advent Study

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:1, SOAP: 1 Peter 4:10-11

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11
Reflection Question:
  • What are some of the spiritual gifts God has given you?
  • How can we use our gifts to bless the body of Christ?

“The gifts our good God gives us are not items to unwrap under the Christmas tree, but elements of our personality and character that make us uniquely designed to advance His kingdom.”

Read the full devotional
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Every Perfect Gift

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From: The Greatest Gift Given, a Love God Greatly Study
Read: Luke 11:1-13 and SOAP: James 1:17

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

James 1:17

“God is good, and His character does not change when our circumstances change.” Read today’s full LGG Devotional – 

Visit LGG.com for today’s blog post

Reflection Question:

  • What does James 1:17 say about THE GIVER of every good, generous and perfect gift?
  • He is … From _________________ and he never _______________________

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Draw Near: Week 6, Wednesday The Why of Memorization

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Today’s Scripture: Psalm 19:14; Romans 10:5-17 (SOAP: Romans 10:17)

Salvation Is for Everyone

 For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. 6 But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). 7 And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” 8 In fact, it says,

“The message is very close at hand;
    it is on your lips and in your heart.”

And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 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? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. Romans 10:5-17

Do you remember who first shared the truth of the gospel with you? – Faith comes from hearing the message and someone has to go and share the message. Who can you talk to about Jesus today? 

Read the full devotional at LGG

We memorize a lot of things in our lives; recipes, song lyrics, movie lines, directions, even computer programs. We are adding more information to our minds on a regular basis. One thing many Christians seem to struggle with is memorizing Scripture. I believe the main reason for this is because we don’t see its importance.

Read the Reasons and Benefits …

You can read the rest of the LGG blog/lesson