Tag: God

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

Raised for a Purpose

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w1d4

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21 / SOAP: verses 20-21

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1 Peter 1:20-21 NET

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the lamb! Redeemed through His infinite mercy—His child—and forever—I am! These are the words that came to my mind as I was reading and studying this passage. I was hit with the stark reminder that our God, the Father of Jesus, set in motion a plan for Jesus to suffer and die for the sins of the world. Oh! What love that brought Jesus down to man – Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span – at Calvary!

We find Jesus throughout the Old Testament1, but as Peter points out – Jesus was not revealed or made visibly known, until “the last times.”1 According to Peter, God did this “for our sake.” It is because of Him that we can truly trust in God because Jesus’ death wasn’t the end – but God – just as He said He would – raised Jesus from the dead and made Him known so that our faith and hope would be – not just in Jesus – but in the ONE who raised Jesus from the dead. – Thus, it is written, “6 Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6)

The Father paid the ultimate price to redeem us, giving limitless value to lives that would have otherwise been futile and empty.

bibleref.com / 1 Peter 1:19
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)2

For true application, we must look at the full passage.

  • (17) “Live out” our life here on earth in reverence to God
    • Reverence is defined as “deep respect.” To live in reverence to God is to have and show deep respect for God.
      • align our will with His
      • live obediently to His commands.
        • live and love like Jesus
  • (18) “Understand” that before putting our faith in Jesus, our life was empty – leading to death. We were held captive to sin.
  • (19) “Remember we have been ransomed (redeemed) by the blood of Jesus!
    • Truly understanding this is life-changing!
  • (20) Remember, God loves us and made Jesus known to us – when the time was right
    • He did this for us
  • (21) Place our hope and trust in Him!
    • God wants us to trust Him and to find hope in Him not just because He sent Jesus to earth and ultimately to the cross – but because we know that He also raised Jesus from the grave! Consider these words of Paul:

And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.
20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

1 Corinthians 15:17-20
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, How great You are – that You sent Your Son to die that we might live and not die the death that was rightfully ours, the death our sins deserved. Mercifully, You revealed Jesus to us! Mercifully, You sent Him to the cross, and mercifully, You raised Him from the grave! How, oh how, can we not trust You? As we live out our lives on earth, let us live in reverence to You. Help us trust You in all things – and to remember Your truths and promises are Yes and amen in JESUS! – AMEN!

Music for the Journey
THE MORE WE KNOW

What does 1 Peter 1:20 mean?

The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross wasn’t improvised. God didn’t make it up in response to the unfolding events of history. Peter writes that Christ was known before the world was founded. As God, Jesus existed in eternity past as the one whose blood would cover the sins of all who receive salvation. Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and return to the Father were always God’s plan to save us. Always. Jesus was always the answer to the questions asked by the prophets and the angels investigating what the Holy Spirit’s Old Testament prophecies were pointing to (1 Peter 1:10–12).

Finally, in Peter’s lifetime and those of his readers—the beginning of what Peter calls the “last times”—God revealed the mystery. He showed Himself and His plan to the world by coming to earth as a baby, a man, God in flesh, the final sacrifice for sin. Why? For our sake. God’s great gift of mercy, and the timing of that gift in human history, demonstrates God’s great love for us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).

Bibleref.com/1 Peter 1:20
Without Him –

Without him, I could do nothing
Without him, I’d surely fail
Without him, I would be drifting
Like a ship a sail [Chorus]


Without him, I would be dying
Without him, I’d be enslaved
Without him, life would be hopeless
But with Jesus, thank God I’m saved [Chorus]

[Chorus]
Jesus
Oh Jesus
Do you know him today?
Do not turn him away
Oh Jesus
Oh Jesus
Without him, how lost I would be

Without Him I could do Nothing
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

A Call to Holy Living

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w1d3

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16 / SOAP: verses 14-16

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:14-16 NLT

Today’s SOAP calls us to focus on verses 14-16; however, I included verse 13 in the mix as well. because I love the encouragement Peter gives here!

  1. Prepare your mind for action and exercise self-control.
  2. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you … (ie. That is in God’s grace to us at the future coming of Jesus, the moment in which all the longings of our hearts will be fully satisfied. – Bibleref.com)

Friends, if we are not intentional with our thoughts, we will lose sight of the HOPE God has given us in and through Jesus! Faith and obedience require attention and determination; dare I say – they require work. This is why Paul told the Philippians to work out their salvation with reverence and awe. – Please understand that Paul is not telling us to work for our salvation. but rather to live it out. Or, as bibleref.com explains —“to practice, demonstrate, and exhibit—the salvation which believers have in Christ.”

So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, 13 for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.

Philippians 2:12-13 NLT

The world and our old nature will vie for our attention. So we must mentally prepare and be determined to stand firm in the Holy lifestyle God has called us to. This won’t be easy, which is likely why the Scriptures teach us to set our minds on things above, to fix them on God. If we don’t do this, our loyalty will be divided between God and the world, and we will be more likely to live by our old nature – the sinful nature that held us captive before we knew the TRUTH and placed our FAITH in Christ. This is crucial to the instructions Peter gives to “live obediently as God’s children.” For it is only through faith in Christ that the old nature passes away and the new nature is put on.

Paul said it like this: “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

– He even encouraged the Colossians to “put on their new nature and be renewed as they learned to know their Creator and to become like Him.” Colossians 3:10

Our new nature is obedient as opposed to our old rebellious nature. Because of this we are equipped to answer the call to “Be holy as He is holy.” As Peter will point out in his second letter, we are without excuse.

 I can pray this because – “His divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence. 4 Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire.”

2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

We will not be perfect this side of Heaven but we must set the goal and strive to attain Holy/righteous living. We do this by:

  • living by the Spirit and keeping in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-26
  • working hard to show yourselves approved a workman for the Lord – 2 Timothy 2:15
  • And doing everything as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, You have called us, as believers, to change our conduct to fit our identity. Help us to remember that when we placed our faith in Jesus we chose to identify with Him as Your sons and daughters. You have removed our sin-stained clothes and covered us with the righteousness of Jesus Christ! You have called us to live like Jesus – to be holy in all we do and say. Therefore, we shouldn’t be okay with our sins; we shouldn’t accept falling into the patterns of our old nature – Paul wrote that the new has come, and the old is gone! Help us to remember these truths and the strength of Your Spirit in us and by His power to live the holy lives You have called us to. Forgive us when we fall short, and pick us up with Your victorious right hand when we stumble or fall. – I pray this all in the name of Jesus, amen and amen –

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

isaiah 41:10 NLT
Music for the journey

I couldn’t find a version of this that I liked on YouTube – so I’m simply sharing the lyrics as encouragement for the call to be holy as God is holy –

  1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
    Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
    Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
    Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
  2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
    Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
    By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
    Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
  3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
    And run not before Him, whatever betide.
    In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
    And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
  4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
    Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
    Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
    Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

 William D. Longstaff

THE MORE WE KNOW

Be sure and check out today’s Love God Greatly blog post

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

Faith and Trials

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Trials and Triumphs / w1d2

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-12 / SOAP: 1 Peter 1:7

Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:7

When I read this passage, I often think of James’ words when he encouraged his audience to consider their troubles an opportunity for great joy. He reminded them that when their faith was tested, as followers of Christ, their endurance would have a chance to grow, and that when the believer’s endurance was fully developed, they would be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Both James and Peter teach us not to run from our trials but to embrace them, remembering and believing that God will use them to refine us, strengthen our faith, and perfect it, ultimately leading to His glory and honor. The Apostle Paul said it like this: “And when Christ who is your life is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.”

While we wait on our inheritance, Scripture and Peter clearly teach us that we “may have to suffer for a short time in various trials.” The patriarchs and prophets, as well as God’s people throughout the Old Testament and Jesus’s disciples, were not immune to trials; even Jesus Himself suffered trials and had His faith tested by Satan in the wilderness.1  However, Jesus kept His focus on the Father and boldly answered each temptation with the Word of God – and He walked out of the wilderness victorious over the temptation!

Now Peter reveals that these trials which cause us grief have a point. They exist for a reason. For the Christian believer, suffering always serves a purpose (Romans 5:3–4; James 1:2–4). Peter describes the benefit of these trials, which distress us but don’t prevent us from rejoicing: they test, purify, and prove our faith. When trials come, the believer makes a choice to continue to trust God, in and through the trial. God continues to provide. Our faith grows stronger.

Bibleref.com / 1 Peter 1:7
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

We can learn much from those who have gone before us, and who better to learn from than Jesus Himself? Frustrations, troubling situations, and every temptation that comes our way can either push us away from God or draw us closer to Him. If we focus on the trial, whatever it may be, we will surely fall. Yet, if we learn from Christ and focus on God, remembering and using His Word and promises to combat the trial, we too will be victorious – our faith strengthened and God glorified!

Copy David’s example in Psalm 119:11 and Hide God’s Word in your heart (or on your phone or notecards) so that you might not sin against Him. The Word of God—and He walked out of the wilderness victorious over the temptation!

Prayer for the Journey

Father, any given day can bring trials that range from small to seemingly impossible. Help us remember that as Your children, we are equipped by Your Spirit and Your Word and our Faith in Jesus Christ to overcome all the trials we face in this life. Thank You that, according to Your Word, every victory over our trials strengthens our faith for the next trial and ultimately brings glory to Your name, glory – glory that Peter and James say our faith allows us to both give and receive when Jesus is revealed! Help us heed James’s words and count our troubles as an opportunity for great joy. Help us remember that we can only do this when we keep our eyes fixed on You and Your promises, which are all yes and amen in Jesus! – Teach us to not only rejoice in the troubles that come but to watch expectantly for the triumph and rejoice and give glory to Your name when it comes! – In the mighty name of Jesus and the power of the Spirit, we boldly pray – amen and amen!

Peter says that our faith provides an opportunity to participate in giving and receiving praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. When Christ returns and all come to understand the truth, He will receive honor as the true Lord and King, and our faith in Him will be fully vindicated.

Bibleref.com / 1 Peter 1:7
Music for the Journey

An old but wonderful song – one of my favorites back in the day. I encourage you to read the words then listen and soak them in until they become the prayer of your day. – No matter what we may lose, may we always choose God’s refining fire💜

The Refiner’s Fire

There burns a fire with sacred heat
White hot with holy flame
And all who dare pass through its blaze
Will not emerge the same
Some as bronze, and some as silver
Some as gold, then with great skill
All are hammered by their sufferings
On the anvil of His will

Chorus:
The Refiner’s fire
Has now become my soul’s desire
Purged and cleansed and purified
That the Lord be glorified
He is consuming my soul
Refining me, making me whole
No matter what I may lose
I choose the Refiner’s fire

I’m learning now to trust His touch
To crave the fire’s embrace
For though my past with sin was etched
His mercies did erase
Each time His purging cleanses deeper
I’m not sure that I’ll survive
Yet the strength in growing weaker
Keeps my hungry soul alive

Chorus

THE MORE WE KNOW

1 Peter 1:7 explained

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

By His Great Mercy

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w1d1

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-5 / SOAP: 1 Peter 1:3-4

From Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing abroad (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia) who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ’s blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure!

New Birth to Joy and Holiness

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:1-5 NET

These opening words of 1 Peter always bring me delight and remind me of the hope that comes with the peace we have with God through the blood of Jesus Christ!

Before I truly understood the truths of grace and mercy, I lived in a constant state of ‘hide-n-seek’ with God – striving to please Him but “hiding” from Him when I chose my way over His. Then I would work harder to please Him, somehow believing this would make everything better and help maintain the way God looked at me and the quality of my place or inheritance in Heaven. However, God mercifully placed me in the path of someone who explained the truth of His grace and mercy, and my life was forever changed! It was infused with a ‘living HOPE!” My hope is not born of the little engine’s chant: “I think I can, I think I can,” but by the grace of God that sent Jesus to the cross and raised Him to life again!

Grace: The undeserved favor of God

Mercy: Withholding a negative consequence that is deserved

Our hope is not meant to be based on our lifestyle or determination but rather on the knowledge that our inheritance in Christ is totally dependent on the grace, mercy, and peace of our God and Savior—through our FAITH in Jesus Christ. For it is only by God’s grace that we are able to know peace with God through the blood of Jesus.

It’s one thing to hope we will be saved, to yearn for life after death. Jesus proved that this hope is not a fantasy. He died, then showed Himself alive to many witnesses. Our faith is not a wish for a better world. The reason for our hope in an eternity with the Father is that our Lord is alive. Because He lives, those who believe in Him will also be resurrected.

bibleref.com / 1 Peter 1:
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Do you strive and worry about what God thinks of you? Does your confidence ever waiver concerning the status or state of your inheritance in through Christ? If so, let this passage be a wake-up call or reminder to:

  • Live in peace with God.
  • Stop striving and worrying.
  • Maintain a confident and living hope in an eternity with the Father through your faith in Jesus Christ, His Son.

Ultimately, like Peter, our response should be praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Who, by His great mercy, gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! And by that resurrection not only a living hope but an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading – in other words – untainted by us. It is reserved, as Peter wrote, in heaven for us, and it is protected by God’s power through faith.

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, help us never lose sight of You and of Your power, love, grace, and mercy and the peace we know with You through Jesus Christ. How blessed we are to be Yours, set apart by the Spirit and sprinkled with the blood of Christ. All praise and glory belong to You. Help us to rest in You, to stop striving and worrying and instead to trust that Your promises are truly ‘yes and amen’ in Christ, our Lord. – In and by the name of Jesus I pray, amen

THE MORE WE KNOW
A Guarded Inheritance

God is guarding our inheritance, and He is guarding us from anything that might cause our inheritance—our eternal life with Him forever—to be lost. The Greek term used in this verse is phrouroumenous, a military term, also translated as “shielded,” “kept,” or “protected.”

bibleref.com / 1 Peter 1

In regards to 1 Peter 1-2

I love that God knows/sees the beginning from the end from before the foundations of the earth were laid (Eph 1:4). I love knowing the truth of Jeremiah 1:5, that God in His infinite power “formed” Jeremiah in his mother’s womb and chose him to be a prophet to the nations – before Jeremiah was even born! — Oh, the beauty of God’s grace we see in His “foreknowledge” – that He didn’t choose only the best of us” to be His, but He chose the prodigals, the adulterers, the murderers, the thieves, the greedy, poor and wayward … And to us, those who by faith would believe, He gave the right to become His adopted children – with full rights of His only begotten Son! Galatians 4:1-8

Music for the Journey
Posted in Advent, Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Lent, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Importance of the Resurrection

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Lent – A Season of Drawing Close to God / w6d5

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: John 20:1-18; and SOAP: 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.

1 Corinthians 15:3-5 NLT

I love that Paul simply identifies and shares what is the most important information to pass on. He starts with the three things – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus – one by one. Then he reminds his audience that these things, the hope on which our faith is built, happened just as they had been written about “in the Scriptures,” and were witnessed by many. The citing of Scripture and witnesses most likely was meant to emphasis and ensure the people that they do not have to depend on Paul’s word alone.

According to Bibleref.com, the truthfulness of the resurrection, or at least the resurrection of Christians, was being challenged or misunderstood by some in Corinth. Paul wants them to understand not only that the resurrection really took place, but that faith in that truth is essential in order to be saved.

For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

1 Corinthians 15:13-19 NLT
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Tell the story of Jesus, with your words or the Scriptures or by sharing the testimonies of other’s you have heard or seen God do a great work in. Share the truth of the cross and of Jesus’ love and sacrifice, and of the love of God that brought Him down to man, and of the grace that says, “whosoever, Jew or gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free – whosoever may come and enjoy a new life in Jesus – not only here in this world but in the Kingdom yet to come.

20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.
21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NLT
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, even after all these thousands of years later – the story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are still humbling and a bit overwhelming. Your gift of love come down, your sacrifice of Your only begotten Son, Your Word come true, Your detailed plan down to the witnesses before and after boggles my mind and yet fosters the hope of all my faith proclaims.

THE MORE WE KNOW

For more insight read today’s LGG Blog

Do you share in the hope of the resurrection? Do you want to?

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

“I Will Rise Again”

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Lent – A Season of Drawing Close to God / w6d4

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: Matthew 27:62-66 / SOAP: Matthew 27:66

62 The next day (which is after the day of preparation) the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while that deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give orders to secure the tomb until the third day. Otherwise his disciples may come and steal his body and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “Take a guard of soldiers. Go and make it as secure as you can. 66”So they went with the soldiers of the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

Matthew 27:62-66 NET

As I was reading this passage, it struck me a that Jesus wasted no words, in this case, “After three days I will rise again.” The words were shocking and memorable for sure but the fact that Jesus’ statement was remembered by the Pharisees and chief priests led to the sealing of the tomb. The sealing of the tomb gave credit to the fact that Christ did indeed rise up from that grave – just as He said He would.

My friends at Love God Greatly noticed the same thing and wrote a wonderful devotion about what I believe will be both enlightening and encouraging to your Easter celebration.

Very little is recorded about the Saturday between Jesus’ death and resurrection. It was a Sabbath day, so very little happened. There was no work, and people could not even travel far from their homes. The disciples may have stayed hidden, trying to process the events of the previous day and figure out what to do next.

However, the Jewish leaders remembered Jesus’ words and His promise to rise again. Though they didn’t believe Him, they understood the power of His impact and knew His followers were loyal. They had the Roman soldiers set guards over the tomb and secured it with a large stone.

What they didn’t know was what was coming. They sealed the tomb to keep the disciples from stealing the body, but what they didn’t expect was for Jesus to rise again. While they were sealing the tomb, Jesus was sealing the salvation of those who would put their faith in Him. He died, and stayed dead for a time so that he could defeat death once and for all.

Reflecting on these events allows us to examine how we respond when God seems silent. Saturday sits between the most horrific day in history and the most glorious. But nothing happened. When our life and circumstances sit between devastation and restoration, how do we respond? It is not easy to wait patiently for redemption, but we can be sure of this: The same God who raised Jesus from the dead is always working. No matter how long it takes, may we be followers of Jesus who remain steadfast even in the darkness, uncertainty, and silence. -p. 196 of the LGG Lent Journal –

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

There is much to be learned from the Pharisees and Chief Priests remembering the words of Jesus – namely that we should do the same. As was noted in the Love God Greatly devotional, they knew and understood the power of His impact. Because of this, they sought to do something about them.

Read the words and follow the teachings of Jesus –

Never lose sight of the power and the impact that the words of Jesus (and the words God inspired throughout the Scriptures) have on us and on others. For instance, remembering that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation – to everyone who believes should keep us from being ashamed to share God and His message of salvation (the hope of every man – who believes) and should encourage us to lay aside our timidness and eagerly use/share the Gospel and see God’s power at work. ( For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes... Romans 1:16)

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember the words and teaching of Jesus – so that you can be ready with an answer for the hope that is within you, (1 Peter 3:15). Remember, it was Jesus who said that the Holy Spirit was sent to teach us all things and to remind us of everything that Jesus taught, (John 14:26)

Speak/share the words and teachings of Jesus with others. I understand this can insight fear in us – fear that we won’t know what to say or how to say it (Remember though, God told Moses [who was afraid to speak] that He would teach him what to say, Ex 4:10-12). It can panic us because we may not remember what or where something was said- again, remember John 14:26 says that the Spirit will remind us; and in this day and age we have the beautiful tool of computerized browsers that will help us find specific verses or topics. We might also be afraid of how the other person will respond but remember the greater danger is they never hear and how can they be saved if they do not hear? (Rom 10:14-15) –

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, help us to be bold with Your Word. Help us to spend time in Your Word – to let the light of it shine in own lives and radiate out to others. Let us be forever alert to Your Spirit who was sent to teach us all things and to remind us of everything Jesus said. There are lost and dying people all around us and if they do not hear, if Your servants do not carry Your words to others then they will not hear and they will not be saved.

The More We Know

To live unashamed of the gospel means we …

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

A True Disciple – Love Says it All

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Lent – A Season of Drawing Close to God / w6d2

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: John chapter 13 / SOAP: John 13:34-35

34 “I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35 NET
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure if I was in the position of knowing my death was imminently soon that I would be getting up from the table to wash the dirty feet of others. However, this is exactly what Jesus did. Not only did He realize His death was near but He had inside information that He would be betrayed by one of His twelve disciples – but there Jesus was – removing His outer clothing and tying a towel around Himself, and then grabbing a basin of water He literally began to wash the feet of His disciples – and not just to wash them but to dry them with the towel He had tied around Himself. Their Lord and teacher stooped to the lowly position of a servant shortly before His death in order to show these disciples how they were to treat one another – more specifically, as He points out in verse thirty-four, how they were to love one another, “Just as he had loved them.”

Of all the things Jesus could have left them with – it was an instruction to love as He had loved them. Love would be the sign of a True Disciple of Jesus.

Me from the Inside-Out 🦋

Jesus could have spent the bulk of His time venting or teaching about the betrayal – how hurtful and wrong it was to Him and His ministry, but instead His focus remained on the way to love. The importance of surrendering to the task of a servant would be a crucial part of their witness when He was gone. For, as He explained to the disciples then – by living and loving in this way – others would identify them as the true disciples of Jesus and this would be key to their ministry of making more disciples that lived and loved like Jesus.

Reflection From the Journey

Do others know that You are a disciple of Jesus? Is it your intent for others to know

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, help us to live and love like Jesus – so that others will see and know that we belong to Him. Use us as instruments of Your Gospel so that more and more disciples will be born. You are not slow or forgetful in Your return but rather You are patient and full of mercy longing for as many people as possible to come to repentance and to place their trust in Christ. The additional time is an opportunity for more to be saved. May we faithfully work at this task in word and deed. Help us to work well while we wait for Your long awaited and greatly anticipated return. – In and for the glory of Father, Son, and Spirit – Amen

THE MORE WE KNOW

Understanding John 13 and Jesus’s motives and purpose

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

Not Shrinking Back

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Lent – A Season of Drawing Close to God / w6d1

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44 / SOAP: Luke 19:38 

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Luke 19:38 NET

Jesus has been preparing His disciples for this moment and all that will follow – (death, resurrection, His ascension, and the great commission) throughout His ministry, and even though He has now reached the road leading up to the Mount of Olives Jesus does not shrink back. He presses on and engages the disciples in what’s next, namely securing the colt on which He would make His triumphal entry.

While we call it a triumphal entry it is worth noting that Jesus does not enter as a conquering hero who has come to save the day but rather as the humble Savior and Son of God that He knew He was. He did not make arrangements for a great or impressive horse but rather a donkey, a colt that had never been ridden.

Our focus verse (38) is one of the most well known verses from this passage and the start of what would be a celebration by a great crowd of Jesus’ disciples. For the sake of his audience, Luke keeps his account of the event short but Matthew reveals the fuller picture and, I dare say, the version most of us are familiar with: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9). Mark and John share a quote similar to Matthew’s version, but as Bibleref.com points out, “Likely, different people are shouting different things, including praising God for the miracles they have seen Jesus perform,” as Luke indicates in chapter nineteen, verse thirty-seven, “but,” continues bibleref.com, “the gist is the same: Yahweh’s chosen king, in the line of David, is coming to take His rightful throne in Jerusalem.”

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Remember we are disciples of Christ and we are called to engage in the ‘great commission.”

Draw people’s attention to the Son of David – with a loud Hosanna or an invitation to church for Easter Sunday.

Press on through this week with eyes and thoughts on the cross and on the One who willingly lay down His life for His sheep.

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, as we, the disciples of Christ, enter this week leading up to Easter, a week referred to by many as holy, may we prepare not only our own hearts but may we make known the “Son of David”, whether with loud shouts of “Hosanna!” or simple invitations to our Easter services. May we not hesitate to engage ourselves with the work of the cross for the sake of the lost. May we remember that those who do not know our Savior will face a horrible eternity after death and may this inspire us to follow the example of Jesus and not shrink back or be silent in moving forward to the scene of the cross, the mourning of His death, and the rejoicing in His resurrection and ascension – without which there is no hope. – Father, this Easter may many hear and believe and along with us shout Hosanna to the Son of David!- Amen and Amen in Jesus’ Holy Name – Blessing and honor and glory be Yours both now and evermore 💜🦋

THE MORE WE KNOW

The Importance of the Pharisees Response (vs 39)

For more insight – please be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog Post

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

Trust His Heart

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Lent – A Season of Drawing Close to God / w5d5

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: Psalm 22  SOAP: Verse 19

But you, O Lord, do not remain far away.
You are my source of strength. Hurry and help me!

Psalm 22:19

Have you ever felt abandoned by God? You pray, but it feels as though He isn’t listening; you watch, but You do not see Him move on your behalf. That’s where David seems to be in this Psalm, at least at first – but oh, how I love it when David begins to remember and to remind God of how his ancestors had trusted in God and He had rescued them, how they had cried out to God and they were saved. I especially love that his ancestors had trusted in God and were not disappointed.

I love these reminders David brings up to God because I have found that when we find ourselves where David was, it’s the recalling of God’s faithfulness and goodness that begins our ascent from the pit of woes and feelings of desertion. It’s calling to mind who He is and what He’s done that leads us to remember to trust His heart even when we cannot see His hand at work in our lives. It is remembering and reminding Him that He is our source of strength that leads us to call to Him believing He is listening and will come to deliver, rescue and save us.

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

When we can’t see God’s hand we must remember who He is and what He has done in the lives of people throughout Scripture, in our lives and the lives of those around us.

When we cannot see His hand and we feel abandoned – we must trust His heart, His love that sent Jesus to the cross, and His promises to hear us when we call to Him.

When we cannot see His hand we must continue to trust that He will never leave us or forsake us.

When we cannot see His hand we must continue to trust that He is forever our source of strength.

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, thank you for teaching us in Your Word and by experience that when we cannot see You we can trust Your heart of love and acts of abundant goodness and complete faithfulness. We confess it isn’t always easy and we ask for help to pray as David did – recalling that not only are You good but You are our source of strength and You will always hear the prayers of Your children. –

THE MORE WE KNOW

I want to ask you to do me a favor, one that will bring a rich blessing to your heart and enhance your Easter celebration more than you can imagine. It is a quick and easy listen – though I will warn you I have listened to it about five times already and intend to listen to it again and again. I plead with you to listen all the way to the end – I promise you won’t regret it!

I listened to this a week ago and yet came to the Psalm yesterday in our study … You’ll understand once you’ve read our study verse and then listened to this short podcast when I say – only God!

The recording is from The Grove Podcast (one of my favorite). This episode was part of the 2023 Grove Conference and recently posted on The Grove Podcast on February 28, 2024 –

The Crimson Worm :: Brooke Ligertwood The Grove Podcast

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Lent, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Do You Believe This?

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Lent – A Season of Drawing Close to God / w5d3

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: John 11:1-44 / SOAP: verses 25-27

esus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, 26 and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

27 She replied, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who comes into the world.”

John 11:25-27

“Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.” This line of an old hymn came to my mind as I read and reread this passage. The world we live in brings physical death to everyone at some point. We cannot escape it this side of heaven for we live in a fallen world. Lazarus had become sick (3) and, as Jesus said, had “fallen asleep.”(11) – Jesus also said He was going to awaken Lazarus – and awaken him He did! – Four days he had lay dead in the grave but when Jesus called to Lazarus, His friend, he arose and walked out of the grave! (11, 17, and 44)

Jesus uses this death and life situation to introduce or identify Himself as “The resurrection and the life.” According to gotquestions.org, “When Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life,” He was claiming to be the source of both. There is no resurrection apart from Christ, and there is no eternal life apart from Christ. Beyond that, Jesus was also making a statement concerning His divine nature. He does more than give life; He is life, and therefore death has no ultimate power over Him. Jesus confers this spiritual life on those who believe in Him, so that they share His triumph over death (1 John 5:11-12). Believers in Jesus Christ will experience resurrection because, having the life Jesus gives, it is impossible for death to defeat them (1 Corinthians 15:53-57).”

Note that this life and power to defeat death does not belong to everyone but to those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Todays focus passage and the verses leading up to them reveal Martha’s deep faith in Jesus.

In verse 21-24, Martha professes her deep faith in the power of Jesus. Then Jesus proclaims Himself to be the resurrection and the life – a statement that is wonderfully explained by gotquestions.org:

Jesus’ statement that He is the resurrection and the life provides a godly perspective on several spiritual matters. Martha believed that the resurrection is an event; Jesus showed her (and us) that the resurrection is a Person. Martha’s knowledge of eternal life was an abstract idea; Jesus proved that knowledge of eternal life is a personal relationship. Martha thought victory over death was a future expectation; Jesus corrects her, showing that victory is a present reality.

gotquestions.org / I Am the resurrection and the life

Following this “I Am” statement to Martha, Jesus asks her a crucial question concerning her faith, saying – “Do you believe this?”

After presenting Himself as the resurrection and the life, and clarifying that “the one who believes in Him will live even if he dies,” Jesus asks Martha a crucial question concerning her faith, saying – “Do you believe this?”(John 11:26). This time Martha responds with a statement of faith in who Jesus is, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who was to come into the world” (verse 27).

I look at this and I can’t help but think how Jesus could have gone straight to the grave yet he addresses Martha’s pain first and does this by reminding her, not of what He could do but of who He was. He wanted her (and us) to understand that the resurrection is not an abstract idea but a Person and the catalyst of eternal life through a personal relationship with Him. For Martha, “victory over death was a future expectation,” as she stated in verse 24 – saying, “I know that he will come back to life again in the resurrection at the last day.” However, Jesus wanted her to see that “victory is a present reality” – when we believe in the one who is: “The Resurrection and the Life.”

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

Believe, not just in the power of Jesus, but in who Jesus is – “the Christ, the Son of God who comes into the world to seek and save the lost – in order that all who believe will have eternal life through Him

Make Christ known to those around you – be bold and faithful to share who He is and to ask the crucial question of faith – “Do you believe?”

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, may Martha’s faith be an inspiration that leads us to affirm our faith in You and in Your Son – both in His power and in who He is. May we, like Christ, identify and share Him as “the resurrection and the life,” clarifying that whoever believes in Him will live, even if he dies,” Then, Spirit – give us boldness to ask the crucial question of faith that Jesus asked Martha – “Do You believe this?”

THE MORE WE KNOW

“This sickness will not lead to death.”

For it is by grace that we have been saved through FAITH: Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:15-16; Acts 16:31; and Rom 10:9-10

For more insight read today’s blog post

If you (or someone you know) do not know Jesus or you have questions about what it means to believe in Jesus and be saved – I invite you to read “Know These Truths.” You will find answers and hope and the opportunity to have eternal life!

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