Tag: God

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Ready or Not He Will Come

Posted on by
Scripture: Our Roadmap for the Journey: Matthew 24 / SoAp: 42–44


Therefore stay alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have been alert and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready; because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:42-44. NLT

Observation and Application from the Journey

Whether this was your first time or the one-hundredth time reading Jesus’ answer to His disciples questions: “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” there is a lot to take in. I encourage you to read every word and to search trusted commentaries, like bibleref.com1 and gotquestions.org,2 for help in understanding Jesus’ words. However, the bottom line will always come down to this truth: It isn’t a matter of if He will come but when He will come, and we are wise to live each day as if that day is today,(my paraphrase of vs44).

The one who is ready is the one who has believed on the name of the Jesus, for only those who have believed will be saved. In Jesus’ first parable of Matthew 24:45-51, these are the ones found faithfully serving the Master when He returns. All others will be destroyed (vs. 51).

Jesus has promised to return, and He is the ultimate Promise Keeper. What He has promised, He will do. So while we wait for His return, Jesus wants us to live our lives alert to His coming. This doesn’t mean that we live in fear but in expectation. We live our lives on mission, with a purpose, and focused on advancing His Kingdom with the days we’ve been given. When we live the way God instructs us to live, we don’t have to worry about when Jesus will come back.

From the LGG Journal: Come, Lord Jesus, Come / p158

The return of Christ is always presented in Scripture as a great motivation to action, not as a reason to cease from action. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul wraps up his teaching on the rapture by saying, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Paul concludes a lesson on Christ’s coming with these words: “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” To retreat and “hold the fort” was never Jesus’ intention for us. Instead, we work while we can. “Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4).

The apostles lived and served with the idea that Jesus could return within their lifetime; what if they had ceased from their labors and just “waited”? They would have been in disobedience to Christ’s command to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15), and the gospel would not have been spread. The apostles understood that Jesus’ imminent return meant they must busy themselves with God’s work. They lived life to the fullest, as if every day were their last. We, too, should view every day as a gift and use it to glorify God.3


We will experience tribulations in our lives, as people have all over the world through the years. No matter what we face: persecution, sickness, war, oppression, famine, or abuse, our hope is in Christ. We will endure suffering as believers in Christ, but our hope is not in being saved from suffering. Our hope is in the sacrifice of Christ, in His atoning work on the cross, and in His resurrection power that we have when we believe in Him. When we have placed our faith in Christ, our future, and our eternity, are secure in Him. He is our hope.

From the LGG Journal: Come, Lord Jesus, Come / p158
Prayer of Response to the Journey

borrowed from the Love God Greatly Journal p158 of Come, Lord Jesus, Come

Dear Lord, help me live my life alert and ready for Your return. Please use me powerfully in the lives of those who do not yet know You. Give me a heart for the lost. I pray for salvation for those who are far from You and for those who don’t believe they need You in their lives. Please use me for Your glory in these last days as I wait for Your return. Until that day, I pray, come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen

The More we Know: Side Trails of the Journey

Please check out today’s LGG Blog Post

  • If you believe in and follow Jesus as Your Lord will you help me share His message? Simply scroll down and share – or copy and paste the link to any your preferred social media
  • If you have not yet come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, I plead with you to click on and read “Know These Truths”. – Jesus is coming again, will you be ready?
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Calvary Covered It All

Posted on by

based on the LGG Study: Come, Lord Jesus, Come, w5d2 / art work by LGG

Scripture: Our Roadmap for the Journey – 1 John 2:28-3:3 / SOAP 2:28

 And now, little children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink away from him in shame when he comes back.

1 John 2:28. NET
Observations and Applications from the Journey

For those of us with a less than perfect past – after receiving Christ – standing before Him with confidence and not shrinking back in shame when He returns, may seem a bit daunting or even impossible. However, reading the fuller passage, specifically verses 28-29 and 3:3 – I found hope in John’s words. Specifically, John’s encouragement that those who live more and more like Christ in this world can look for the return of Christ with HOPE rather than shame and fear of the future judgment.

When we are walking close to Christ, life will be different. We will live different from the world, we will look and sound more like Christ than the world. Acts of kindness, gentleness, and patience will simply be part of who we are. Peace will overcome fears, Joy will overcome sorrows, love will overcome hate, and we will look forward with great anticipation to Jesus’ return.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..

Romans 8:1. NET

Living like Christ, walking in a close relationship with Him and the Father, builds our confidence that we truly belong to Him and that both our salvation and relationship are solid – meaning we have nothing to be ashamed of, because as Paul said, there is no condemnation for those who “are in Christ Jesus.”

This promised security doesn’t mean we are to sit back and chill while we wait. We are to be living out our faith by practicing righteousness, for then we will be light and salt to the world around us. Some will hate us for it but others will be drawn to the light and hopefully come to know the Savior like we do.

 So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17. NET
Prayer: A Response to our Journey

Father, may we heed John’s word and remain in Christ, practicing righteousness and living and loving others as Christ loves us. May we not waiver in our FAITH that Jesus, covered all of our sin and shame at calvary, When we are walking close to Christ, life will be different. Help us to faithfully live different from the world, to look and sound more like Christ than the world. When the world sees us may they see peace overcoming fears, joy overcoming sorrows, love overcoming hate, and may they see us looking forward to Jesus’ return with unwavering faith and hope. – In the Jesus’ name I pray – amen and amen.

The More We Know: Side Trails of the Journey

It should be noted that remaining, or “abiding in Christ as taught in 1 John 2:5–6, is synonymous with “knowing” Christ (verses 2 and 3). Later in the same chapter, John equates “remaining” in the Father and the Son with having the promise of eternal life (verses 24 and 25). Biblically, “abiding in,” “remaining in,” and “knowing” Christ are references to the same thing: salvation.” Quotes from Gotquestions.org1

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Be About the Master’s Business

Posted on by
Scripture for the Journey: Mark 13:32-37 / SOAP: 37

What I say to you I say to everyone: Stay alert!” Mark 13:37 NET

Observation and Application for the journey

Have you found yourself longing more and more for the return of Christ? Do local or social media about world events escalate anxious thoughts and heighten your desire for His return to be sooner rather than later? I know it has mine. Come, Lord Jesus, Come is certainly on my lips more frequently these days than ever before. Surprisingly, for me, the prayer isn’t provoked by fear of mounting dangers and disasters but by sorrow and weariness of what is the acceptable, if not expected and even demanded, ways of this world. But, to borrow a few words from the prophet Jeremiah: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope” – this world is not my home, I’m only passing through. I’m a stranger and alien here with a message of hope to share with others who do not know The Way, so they may go where I am going; and so those who know The Way may be equipped and encouraged to keep going in the right direction.

This isn’t a task given only to me; it is the assignment Jesus has given to each of His disciples. Yes, everyone who has trusted Him as their Savior has been commissioned to “go and make disciples,” introducing the Messiah to the lost and dying world around us. However, we must also remember that we are to encourage one another, a.k.a. other believers, daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of us may be hardened by sin and turn away from God.

The New Testament is filled with letters written by Paul and others to the various churches/believers who were struggling with various aspects of the Christian faith, some of whom were starting to walk contrary to the faith. Their messages were meant to help the believers understand the faith and to walk faithfully with God. Friends, I can testify to the importance of both the one who shares the WAY of hope and the one who encourages a wayward or struggling believer with the TRUTH, which is able to guide us back to God. Without the first, I would still be lost and dying in my sins; and without the second, I would still be out of fellowship with God, struggling in the pit of sin and despair – naming His Name but living like the world.

You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God

Hebrews 3:13 NLT

We do not know the day or hour, but we do know the WAY and the TRUTH – so let’s let our lights shine out in this dark world as we wait, staying alert and eagerly anticipating the day of His return.

“Get busy with the work God has given us by reaching the world and our neighbors with the gospel. At the same time, we do not store up our treasures here on earth because we know that this world will not last. Our days are precious and time is short, so we keep our eyes heavenward as our hands stay busy. We share Christ and the reason for our hope with those in our lives. We stand firm in God’s Word even in the midst of persecutions. We remember that no matter how dark our world gets, Jesus promised that He will be with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). – the LGG Journal entry for Come, Lord Jesus, Come p148

Prayer of Response to the Journey

Father, how good You have been to save us by Your grace1 and free us from the law of sin and death2; and to promise us an eternity with You in Heaven3. We are most blessed. So, help us to be about our Master’s business as we wait on His return, help us to stay alert – alert to those4 around us who have not placed their faith in You and will be condemned,5 and may we be ready with an answer for the hope that is within us. Help us also have eyes to see those believers who are struggling and lift them up both in prayer and through words of encouragement that lead them back to You. Remind them, Father, that they do not have to settle for just a place in Your heaven, but they have been given the gift of a relationship with You now. Mold us, make us, use us, Lord – as we wait. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

The More We Know

If you would like to know more about Heaven and how you can share in the hope of eternity please read Know These Truths.

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

Be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog Post at https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

As We Wait

Posted on by

based on the LGG Study: Come, Lord Jesus, Come / w4d2

Scripture/Today’s roadmap: Titus 2:11-15 / Soap: verse 13

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say. – Titus 2:11-15. NLT

What a great passage of Scripture to not only study – but to keep in mind as we wait for Jesus’ much anticipated and desired return. Remember, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and ‘training’ in righteousness. So that, the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good deed.” This means that what Paul is teaching to Titus through this letter is also important to us – namely that – as we wait, we are to live as the ‘New Creations’ we have been created to be, and encourage others with the same message.

As we wait … we are to live as the new creations we have been created to be – free, godly, self-controlled, hope-filled, committed/eager to do good; pleasing Him and boldly encouraging others to do the same.

from the Insideout 🦋

According to Ephesians 2;8, we are saved by grace through faith and not by works. So, when we read Paul’s words to Titus, that the grace of God has appeared bring salvation to all people, we understand that “the grace” is referring to Christ. We find validity in this truth, when we remember John’s well known and powerful message, that says, “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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him.”

At the top of my life-verses list is 2 Corinthians 5:17, which teaches that when anyone comes to Christ through FAITH they become a new creation,🦋 or as I like to say – they are changed from the inside out. Paul says, the old has gone the NEW has come.🦋 I love knowing that God replaced the old sinful nature with a NEW one, through the gift and presence of His Spirt – who fills us up from the inside out – training/teaching and reminding us of all that Jesus taught.1 2 When we live by the Spirit we will begin to act, talk, and think differently. We will look, sound, and react less and less like ourselves and more and more like Jesus; we will remember that the purpose of His death was not for our pleasure but rather to set us free and purify us for Himself; and this, as in all things Christ did, was so that God might be glorified (made-known).

The More We Know: Side-trails of the Journey

Our chief end is to glorify God…

https://www.gotquestions.org/glorify-God.html

What does it mean to glorify God?

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Encouraging Words of Hope

Posted on by

based on the LGG Study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come / w4d1 / Image by LGG

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 / SOAP: verse 16-18

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Observations and Applications of the Journey

I read and took this passage in as though it was my first time reading it. When in reality, I have read it and studied it and heard it taught many times; however, not with the same interest and understanding I found today. If you, or other you know, have any questions, concerns or possible misconceptions about the end times, then this is a great and helpful passage about what will happen when Christ returns to earth. My now colorful journal page from all of the highlights and markings and column notes is a story and a commentary in itself. I love when the Holy Spirit leads and prompts and excites my study time. I honestly felt as though I was a student of Paul, listening to his passion for the truth that he so urgently wanted his audience to hear and understand – and encourage others with.

This portion of Paul’s letter to the church (ie believers) at Thessalonica, as Bibleref.com explains, was meant to encourage those with concerns and misconceptions about the end times and what will happen when Christ returns to earth. For instance, he knew that some were (or at the very least – may have been concerned about those believers who had already died). He wanted them to understand that He wasn’t encouraging them to not grieve but rather to grieve with hope.

It also comforts our hearts, as some of us find ourselves grieving the passing of a loved one who was a believer in Christ. We cling to the promise that we will one day be reunited with them again. Our grieving isn’t forever’ it’s only temporary.

ComeLordJesusCome, p122

The HOPE he was talking about was no small thing. It is the same hope that we have as we wait for Christ to return – the HOPE of all who “are in Christ” – being caught up together – to meet the Lord in the air, and be with Him forever! Whoo! If that doesn’t excite you, I don’t know what will.

This incredible promise of Christ’s return helps us persevere in the trials we experience while we patiently long for His imminent return.

ComeLordJesusCome, p122

Today’s journey in Revelation, points us to the same conclusion of the entirety of the NT and for that matter of the Bible – we must encourage others with the TRUTH and HOPE of God’s Word. Today’s message from Paul is to encourage those in Christ that He is coming again and we will not only be taken up to be with Him, but we will be gathered together with those believers who have gone before us. – *While Paul’s is specifically writing this letter to believers, we must not neglect to reach the lost with the truth that they too can share in this hope by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ before He comes. 1

Prayer of Response to the Journey

Father, as Paul encouraged the members of the church in Thessalonica in his day, help me/us to encourage those where we live and work or communicate with through social media. May we be faithful to speak the truth that Jesus is coming again. Thank You for the reminder that when He does return, our momentary struggles will end. Thank you for all that we have to look forward to, as Your children – but let us not forget the fate of those who do not know You. Help us be active and bold in making You and Your promises known. – In Jesus’ name – Amen

The More We Know: Scripture hunts of the Journey

Bibleref.com has much to offer in clarifying some of the verses, such as those who are asleep and those who alive in Christ.

Raptured

The difference between the second coming and the rapture

A Loud Command

Caught up together

Eternal Joy and Pleasure

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Rapture of the Witnesses

Posted on by

From the LGG Study Journal, Come, Lord Jesus, Come / w3d5

Scripture: Revelation 11:1-14

My mind is slowly wrapping itself around the beauty and mystery of Revelation. However due to some scheduling conflicts time to blog in response to my journey through the Scripture today, just didn’t happen. However, in place of the blog I am sharing a pic of my study journal for today as well as the LGG Journal page – that is always helpful and adds clarity and a visual to the story unfolding before us

Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them: “Come up here!” So the two prophets went up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies stared at them.

INTO THE WORD

Yesterday we read about Jesus being taken up in front of the watching disciples, and today we read about the two witnesses who will be taken up in front of a watching world. Because of God’s love and mercy, these two prophets will spend three and a half years proclaiming God’s coming judgment upon the world and calling the nations to repent and turn to God.

After their allotted time is over, God will allow them to be overtaken and killed. Their bodies will be left out in the streets of Jerusalem for three and a half days for all the world to see. People from every tribe, language, and nation will be able to see their dead bodies lying there. Huge celebrations will occur all over the world in response to their death. But the celebrations will not last long. After three and a half days, God will miraculously raise them up with the same power He used to raise Jesus from the grave.

We see from our verses today the lengths to which God will go in order to call unbelievers to repentance. We’ve seen this from the prophets of the Old Testament, through the apostles in the New Testament, right up to these prophets at the end of time. People from all tribes, languages, and nations of the world will be without excuse. God will give them time to repent. The call of repentance from the prophets will be heard all over the world and yet many people will still continue to harden their hearts.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, we take time today to pray for salvation for those in our lives who have hardened their hearts toward Your truth and salvation. We pause and pray salvation over their lives right now. Please use us, empower us, and fill us with Your Holy Spirit to be witnesses to them. Use us now, on this day, for Your glory. Until You return we pray come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

Revelation 11:1-14 (from my personal journal)
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Taken Up but Coming Again

Posted on by

based on the LGG Study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come / w3d4

Scripture; Acts 1:1-11 and Hebrews 9:27-28/ SOAP: ACTS 1:11

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” ACTS 1:11. NET

Today’s journey may feel like we are circling the block – and in a way we are since it is nearly the same details from our previous post through Luke, chapter 24. Repetition in Scripture is always indicative of an important issue. -So, let’s check it out and see what we can learn and put into practice.

Lincoln came to play at Oma’s house this afternoon/evening – so I’m foregoing a personal blog for this wonderful and encouraging blog from the LGG Journal. I pray it is.a blessing

The More We Know: Side trails of the journey

Why and how do we tell our story? – you won’t want to miss these importan words from my pastor –

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Witnesses

Posted on by
Based on the LGG Study, Come, Lord Jesus, Com / w3d3
Scripture: Luke 24:44-53 / SOAP verse 51

Now during the blessing He departed and was taken up into heaven.

Gen. 24:51

“As Jesus was blessing and encouraging those around Him, He was taken into Heaven. What a powerful example to us. As we go about our days in the shadow of Jesus’ return, may we, too, be a blessing and encouragement to those around us until the very minute we see Jesus face-to-face.”

The LGG Journal, Come, Lord Jesus Come, p 96

Observations and Applications for the Journey

Well, one of my favorite verses is tucked in this chapter. While it isn’t our focus verse I believe it bears a lot of weight on any Bible reading we do. It is actually a prayer that I almost always pray before I begin to read God’s Word. The verse is verse 45, which says: “Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” So, naturally this one jumped out at me, Verse 48 was another one that stood out to me, “You are witnesses of these things.” In one sense it’s a verse filled with honor and is a distinguished blessing; yet, with the next breath it is a hefty responsibility. However, it is one He has equipped us for as we read in verse 49, where Jesus reminds them of the gift the Father had promised, which He describes as being clothed with power from on high – A.K.A. – the Holy Spirit.

It struck me as I was reading this that God has always called His people to work. From Adam and Eve in the garden, which Bibleref.com explains like this: “The Garden of Eden was a place of work and fulfillment. When God placed Adam in the garden, He gave the man a task: Adam was “to work [the garden] and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). What God had planted, Adam was to maintain. This task was in addition to Adam’s mandate to “be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:29). Mankind was blessed by God, given responsibility, and provided work that was meaningful, creative, and beneficial.” And the work assignments continue as we reach Jesus’ announcement to the disciples: “You are witnesses of these things.” Simply, yet profoundly stated by bibleref.com commentary: “Witnesses don’t just watch – they tell others the TRUTH.”

“Witnesses don’t just watch – they tell others the TRUTH.”

Bibleref.com

We may not have seen Him ascend into Heaven as the early disciples did – but surely as believers we know that He did. To do the work He has called us to requires that we keep in step with the Spirit, who will teach us all things and remind us of everything that that the Father and Son have said. Gal 5:22-26/John 14:26. Peter says that we have been equipped with everything we need for a godly life, and part of that life is the Savior’s call for His disciples to be witnesses. In our words, as well as in our lives/actions, I’m forever glad we haven’t been called to do it alone. Not only have we been filled with the Spirit but we have the examples of Jesus, the great disciple maker and the perfect evangelist.” –

Prayer – Our Heart’s Response to the journey

Father, may we live and love like Jesus – taking the message to all who will hear it, whether they are in our “backyard” or around the world. Help us to work, remembering the day is coming. Equip us with the TRUTH so that we are ready to witness – even as Your Son has called us to. In His name I pray – Amen!

MaryEllen 🦋

The More We Know: Side Trails for the Journey

Understanding the Scriptures

Witnesses

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Spirit

In a Whirlwind

Posted on by
Based on the LGG Study, Come, Lord Jesus, Com / w3d2
Scripture: 2 Kings 1:1-18; SOAP verse 11

As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses appeared. 2 Kings 2:11 NET

Observations and Applications for the Journey

Today, on our journey, we find ;the story of Elijah and Elisha, two of the most well-known prophets of Israel. Their impact led to revival among some of the Israelites during a dark stage of Israel’s history. You can read more about their story at Gotquestions.com. 1

There is much to be explored in these eighteen verses. For instance, Elisha’s character and his devotion to Elijah, or the miraculous parting of the Jordan river. I do encourage you to explore all of these and more in today’s, “The More We Know…” section; but for now we will focus on Elijah’s whirlwind departure, which included a fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses, as well as the first of many miracles by Elisha, following his master’s death. 2

Like Enoch, from our previous post, Elijah was taken up without seeing death. I love that Matthew Henry points out that Elijah was not meditating or praying but rather continuing to go where the Lord led Him. Actually, when it occurred he was walking along with Elisha, “instructing and encouraging him.” – when suddenly a fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses appeared and Elisha watched, no doubt stunned by what he was seeing, he cried out “My father, my father! The chariot and horsemen of Israel!” When he could no longer see Elijah, his sorrow was evident as he tore his clothes in two. Then, before returning to the Jordan he picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen off him as he was taken up. When he reached the Jordan, similar to what he had seen Elijah do before they crossed over, Elisha took the cloak and hit the water and Scripture says “it divided and Elisha crossed over.” Those who saw what happened said: “The Spirit that energized Elijah rests upon Elisha.”

Don’t you just love, and I hope appreciate – the majesty and the drama of God and His Word?

From Today’s LGG Journal Entry

This is a portion of today’s LGG journal entry that I thought you might enjoy and find helpful in the application. For while we may never be taken up by a whirlwind that includes a fiery carriage and fiery horses – there are some things we can learn to put into practice as we wait for the Jesus to come …

  • There have only been three people recorded in the Bible who have been taken up into heaven: Enoch, Elijah, and Jesus (after His resurrection). All three times the being “taken away,” “caught up,” or “raptured,” happened a little differently but had the same effect.
  • Elijah knew his time to leave Elisha had come, and even though he knew the day, he did not know the hour of his departure. We know Jesus is coming soon because He has made it clear in His Word. We do not know the day or the hour, but God has let us know that the day is approaching. In the waiting, we must continue to do the work God has placed before us. We can look at Elijah as an example of how to live our lives while we are in the season of anticipation.
  • What we see in Elijah’s life are three ways to live our lives now. First, we need to walk forward in faith and not be afraid of what the future holds. Second, like Elijah, we need to invest in the next generation. And third, like Elisha, we need to honor those who have mentored and gone before us. Doing all three will help us live intentionally and effectively with the time we have left.
Prayer – Our Heart’s Response to the journey

Father, The imagery of Your Word is beautiful and engaging. The promise of Your coming and the encouragement to be about Your work – the work You have placed before us. Help us to live by the example of Elijah, living our lives while we are in the season of waiting. Help us to walk forward in faith and not be afraid of what the future hold. Help us and show us how to invest in the next generation; and to honor those who have mentored and gone before us. Help us to live intentionally and effectively with the time we have left – In Jesus’ name,, Amen!

The More We Know: Side trails for the Journey

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Spirit

By Faith

Posted on by

based on the LGG Study: Come, Lord Jesus, Come / w3d1

Scripture: Genesis 5:21-24 and Hebrews 11:5 / SOAP: Hebrews 11:5

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 NET

Observations and Applications for the Journey

Several things caught my attention in our passages; not the least of which was the fact that Enoch1 was taken up so that he did not see death.2 I was also drawn in by the possibility that he was sixty-five when he began his walk with God, or at least started faithfully walking with God. Some translations, like the KJV and NET, record that “After he became the father of Methuselah at the age of 65, Enoch walked with God.” However, some, such as the NIV, do translate it as: “After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God -” Please note that my curiosity about this statement wasn’t doubting that older people can be saved, but that for some reason the Bible makes a distinction that “after” he became the father of Methuselah he walked (faithfully) with God. Whether Enoch was sixty-five or younger when he became a man of faith doesn’t really matter here, but knowing and having heard many say, ‘I’m too old to become a believer’ or ‘I’m too stuck in my ways…’, gives me/us hopeful encouragement to offer those who are older and have not yet received Christ.

The second thing that came to mind was the heartbreaking thought that God must look at our world and see the same thing (or worse) as He did in the days of Noah, who, by the way, was a descendant of Enoch. Consider for yourself the record in Genesis: “in the days of Noah, the Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind had become great on the earth. Every inclination of the thoughts of their minds was only evil all the time.” I don’t mean to change our focus from Enoch to Noah, but bear with me for a minute and consider not just what God saw but how it made Him feel, as the author of Genesis goes on to describe: “The Lord regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was highly offended.” So offended was He that the Lord said, “I will wipe humankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—everything from humankind to animals, including creatures that move on the ground and birds of the air, for I regret that I have made them.” But please do not miss the next words because they will forever bring hope to us and our lost and dying world: “Noah found favor in the sight of the LORD.”

“Noah found favor in the sight of the LORD.”

Genesis 6:8

So here we are in this world, much like, if not worse than, Noah’s day. Surely, few, if any, would disagree that we live in a world filled with wickedness, where every inclination of the thoughts of man’s mind always seems evil. Leaving no room to wonder why we are encouraged to search the Scriptures for hope and cry out – Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Friends, a strong and resilient faith, not just the faith that leads to salvation but the faith that keeps us standing in the midst of the storms and temptations of this life, is essential to our walk with God. This is especially true in a world filled with evil, like ours – enticing us toward ungodly living or striking fear in our hearts – and/or shaking our faith. This, at least in part, is the reason for Paul teaching the church of Ephesus and all other disciples who would read his letter to put on the armor of our faith, the armor of God.3 For we certainly do not have a chance of standing, let alone walking faithfully with God if we are not suited up with His armor – including, the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one who rules this dark world.4

Prayer – Our Heart’s Response to the journey

Father, Thank You for Your Word from beginning to end, from Genesis, where we read of Enoch and Noah and others of the faith, to Revelation, where we read of Your Son’s impending return. From beginning to end, it fills us with HOPE and imparts both saving and staying FAITH to our hearts and minds. Please help us live faithfully in this world of wickedness that is saturated with every evil inclination. Father, we can only stand firm with Your help and effectively do the work You have called us to do when we live and look like Jesus instead of the world. Help us, like Enoch, to walk faithfully with You, our God, until You call us home! – Amen! In the name of Jesus – the pioneer and example of our faith – so let it be!

Reflection on the Journey

How did Enoch’s life please God? What does this teach us about how we should live our lives?

The More We Know: Side trails for the Journey