Tag: God

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Gospel

The One

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-16:31; SOAP / Luke 15:4-7

“Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it?5 Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

Luke 15:4-7 NET
Ouch!

I don’t know about you but when I read today’s verses, especially the focus passage, there was much conviction and it left me realizing how very important this question is for Jesus’ followers.

“Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it?

Luke 15:4

We have been commissioned by Jesus to go and make disciples – to share Jesus and His Gospel message with the world – continuing His mission to “seek and save the lost”. To be clear we can not save the lost, only Christ can do that. However, we can till the ground, plant the seed, and water it so that it can take root and grow. We can study to know His word so that we are ready with and an answer for the hope that is within us, ready and useable to lead the lost to Jesus. We can pray boldly and wait expectantly, to rejoice with every lost person who repents.

Jesus and all of heaven rejoice over every lost person who repents. As His followers, we know what it was like to be lost, and we know the true joy of being found. May we continue to follow Him, especially as we seek the lost. Only Jesus can save, but we can rejoice over every sinner who is found.

LGG Team Member / w5d2 journal devo, P168
Response to God’s Word

Father, how very convicted I am after reading this passage and realizing how very little I actually look for one that is lost. I pray for those who are but I fear I’m too often preoccupied to leave the “99”. Forgive me and help me to be more observant and purposefully diligent to seek the lost and share with them Your Son and the salvation He came to bring. – Amen, in and for the name of Jesus –

Moved to Worship
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Do Not Worry

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 11:14-13:9; SOAP / Luke 12:29-32

 29 So do not be overly concerned about what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not worry about such things. 30 For all the nations of the world pursue these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, pursue his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:29-32 NET

In today’s fuller passage of chapter 12, Jesus warns against greed, stressing that man’s life “does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, (15). Jesus then tells the parable of a rich fool. A story which He uses to teach that “life is more than material goods.” He emphasized that the greater importance is our relationship with God, (16-21). Then in our focus passage and surrounding verses (21-34), He warns against worry. He uses the specific example of worrying about what we will eat or wear, and has some great illustrations about how God provides for the birds and even clothes the flowers of the fields – so we can surely trust Him to care all the more for us, His children.

Then Jesus zeros in on the crux of the matter which is this: Our earthly treasures or possessions, those things that don’t last, don’t really matter to God. What matters to God and what He wants to matter most to us – is what we have invested and stored up for Him. Jesus said it this way, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but instead store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor destroy and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also .…” Of course we will be concerned about the things in our lives, like a car that needs to be repaired so we can get to work, or the rising cost of groceries but no increase in pay, or health issues and the myriad of other daily concerns – the issue isn’t that we shouldn’t be concerned but that we shouldn’t be consumed by the concerns. Rather, we should trust that God is taking care of our needs so that we can be about the work of His Kingdom.

Our earthly treasures or possessions, those things that don’t last, don’t really matter to God. What matters is what we have invested and stored up for Him.

Me from the Insideout

So how do we do this? How do we forego greed and letting our possessions and desires control us? How do we not worry about the daily cares of this world? According to the Scriptures, we pursue, or seek first, His Kingdom. This means Jesus and His mission become the driving force in our lives – and we lay everything else at His feet – whether work, play, plans, needs, or relationships. We must die to self and submit every area to His authority. We cannot hold even one part of our life back from His control if we intend to make Him King of our lives. As for combatting the worry, to paraphrase one of my favorite and life changing teachings of Paul: Rejoice in the Lord, pray about everything, tell God what you need, thank Him for what He’s already done (this part is vital), and finally think about the things of God.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! 5 Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! 6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.


Philippians 4:4-8 NET
Response to God’s Word

Our Father, who art in Heaven – Holy is Your Name. Your kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us our daily needs and guard us from the temptations of this world – May we not become so enamored or caught up with the earthly desires and joys that we miss out on the heavenly treasures that are ours in Christ Jesus. Help us to submit to His authority, to make Him King of our lives, so that we might continue His work on earth with the hope of bringing You glory – both now and forever more == Amen, in Jesus’ name

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Persistence

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-13; SOAP / Luke 11:9-10

“So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11:9-10 NET

In our most recent post we talked about what it would have been like to have walked and talked with Jesus as the disciples did. Today’s passage makes me think of what it must have been like to have heard Him pray. With out a doubt I would have made the same request that the disciple did, “Lord, teach us to pray”. Actually, over the past forty years or so, I have often prayed for Him to do just that. Oh, and how often I have looked back to the model prayer He answered the disciple with in our passage. We know it as the Lord’s prayer and I imagine many of you routinely use the prayer as your own, or perhaps, like me, you use its outline (Adoration… Confession… Thanksgiving… Supplication) as a standard for praying. However you use it we know that it is a good model for us because it came from Jesus as a direct answer to, “teach us to pray.”

While the prayer is not the focus passage for the day, I do believe the focus passage is an extension of Jesus’ lesson on how to pray. Following the words of the prayer, Jesus gives an illustration about two friends, one asking for help from another in the middle of the night. Jesus makes the point that “Because of the one man’s persistence the friend will get up and give him whatever he needs”, and He ties it in with a deeper lesson than just the words to the model prayer. Don’t just pray words, pray with persistence, persistence that comes from faith and faith that comes from the Word of God – by which we know Who He is and what He can do and what He has done before.

Read our passage again and notice how Jesus tells His disciples to ask, seek, and knock, promising results if they do – in other words pray and expect God to hear you and to answer. The answer may not always be what we wanted it to be – but it will be answered according to His time and His will and we will see His goodness.

Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for the gift of prayer and the encouragement to be persistent – the promise is that You hear and respond and this indeed is a promise and a blessing to be cherished! Help us to pray as Jesus taught us, honoring You with our hearts and words. Ma we seek Your kingdom and Your will above all else. May we bring to You our daily needs and seek Your forgiveness and protection from our sins and the temptations that would lead us into sin. You are a faithful and good good Father – and as Jesus prayed, we believe – Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever – Amen!

WORSHIP THROUGH MUSIC

The Lord’s Prayer

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

This Is The Way

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 10:25-42; SOAP / Luke 10:27

The expert answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 10:27 NET

To love the LORD with ALL of your being and others as yourself is the heartbeat of salvation. For if we do not love God with all of our being, how will we be able to love others? And if we do not love others, how then can the love of God be in us? I believe that today’s passage is proof of this. It was not unusual for the “experts in the religious law” to “test” or try to trap Jesus up with His words – but the tables were always turned because the answers Jesus gave were always lessons that pointed the listener closer to understanding the Gospel Jesus came to preach. I would venture to say that every believer, and likely the majority of unbelievers, are at least familiar with today’s passage, both the command to Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength and your neighbor as yourself – as well as – the subsequent story of the “good Samaritan.”

The “test” question put before Jesus was, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered the question with not just one, but two questions, saying, “What is written in the law?” and, “How do you understand it?” The expert answered the first with today’s focus verse, and received Jesus’ confirmation that he had answered correctly. However, instead of answering the second question, “the expert, wanting to justify himself,” then asks Jesus another question – saying, “who is my neighbor?”

So, you see, the story of the “good Samaritan” is not a separate entry or random thought in this passage, but the very thing Jesus knows will not only answer the experts question, “who is my neighbor?” but will also help point him, and anyone listening, to the truest example of loving God and others as the Word, or law, teaches.

Such love does not include seeing someone hurt or in need and passing by them as though you do not see them or can’t be bothered with them, or worse yet and perhaps more to the point, that they don’t deserve your help. Instead, the love Christ is referring to requires investing yourself in the person, loving them – helping them, not only with their pressing need , but any needs (spiritual, physical, or material) that may arise in the days to come. The expert of the law acknowledges this when he recognizes the “neighbor” would have been “the one who showed mercy to the injured man.” May we all hear and heed Jesus’ reply to the expert of the law, “Go and do the same.”

O the love that drew salvation’s plan!
O the grace that brought it down to man!
O the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary.
Refrain:
Mercy there was great and grace was free,
Pardon there was multiplied to me,
There my burdened soul found liberty–
At Calvary.


Source: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal #322
Response to God’s Word

Holy Father, You are worthy of all of our love – from every part of our being, and Jesus has called us to love others just like He has loved us – In love He gave up His life for ours. Holy Spirit help us to love like this – not holding on to our lives but giving them up for His sake, for in this we will be true followers of Christ – loving You, our God, with all of our being and others as ourselves! In Jesus’ Name and for Your glory – Amen

Want More?

Be sure and check out today’s Love God Greatly Blog

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

Open Our Eyes Lord –

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 9:51-10:24; SOAP / Luke 10:23-24

23 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Luke 10:23-24 NET
The Prophets, The Disciples, and Us

The Old Testament patriarchs and prophets had angels, burning bushes, and visions. They knew about the One to come and, as Luke points out, they longed to see and hear what these 12 Disciples and others with them were experiencing, but it did not happen in their day. The disciples in the New Testament Church were blessed to hear and see what Jesus taught and showed them. This is especially true of the 12, who were with Jesus the most. They were eyewitnesses day in and day out to Jesus’ life, His work, and more; they learned first-hand what it meant to truly be His followers. For all of the modern day conveniences, I sometimes find myself wishing I could have walked and talked with Jesus like the 12 did, or even be one of the many that followed – learning from Him as He taught or seeing even one of the miracles He performed. While we can’t turn back time and have Jesus with us in the flesh; however, as Jesus explained to the Disciples shortly before His ascension into Heaven – “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” We are blessed to have His Spirit with us which as Jesus explained is in a sense even better. His statement is explained by Bibleref.com and I believe is most helpful and relevant to our discussion today. “The Holy Spirit, the Helper, provides the ability for each Christian to have constant, personal, immediate, indwelling contact with God. Instead of relying on someone “outside” of themselves, believers in Christ can focus on the voice of God “inside” their hearts, as He dwells with them (John 14:17). That doesn’t make Christians infallible or all-knowing (Colossians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 13:5). It does mean that we have the advantage of His influence, so far as we’re willing to submit to it (1 Corinthians 2:14–16).

John explained that the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, was given to us by God to teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus said, (Jn 14:26). We must not take this gift lightly though, but rather – as the prophets and disciples did before us – we must be responsible with what He has given us, living by it and sharing it with others. Following Him in this way will come with challenges because the message of the cross is not understood or received well by everyone and it may upset some – actually Paul said it is foolishness to those who are perishing – but it is God’s power to us who are being saved (1 Cor 1:18). May we never take for granted Jesus’s presence nor His teaching but faithfully use it to encourage, equip, and empower others with the message and hope of Jesus.

Because we are privileged to know so much about Christ, we must be careful to follow Him

NIV New Life App – commentary
Response to God’s Word

Father – knowing Christ is indeed a blessing. To see Him for who He is and to hear His still small voice – through Your Spirit in me – is like nothing else in all the world. May I never forget or treat carelessly this gift from You but ponder it and treasure it in my heart even as Mary did. May I love it enough to share it with others and may I faithfully pray for their eyes and ears to be opened to understand and receive the message, that they too might share in the blessing of Your WORD for salvation comes through hearing and hearing through Your Word. – In Jesus’ Name – Amen!

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,

to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.

Maranatha Music
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

A Vital Question for Every Believer

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 9:18-50; SOAP / Luke 9:20

Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Luke 9:20 NET
The Two Questions

Today’s passage includes two questions that Jesus asked the disciples. The first was, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” The disciples replied that some thought He was “John the Baptist, others say Elijah; and still others that one of the prophets of long ago has risen.” Then Jesus asked the disciples – but who do You say that I am? There was only one answer to this question, and it was given by Peter, who said – “The Christ of God.” Both questions were important but the second one was vital – not because Jesus needed to know, for as we’ve seen in other passages He knew the hearts and minds (Luke 5:22) of those around Him. I believe He asked the question because He wanted them to enter into a relationship with Him and that meant it had to be personal. They still had much to learn about Him and from Him but they could not bank their beliefs on the beliefs of others. The disciples needed to know who Jesus was to them before they could truly share Him with others or do miracles in His name, (Luke 9:1).

Who Do You Say He Is?

Our Scripture reading today, and many of those we’ve looked at over the past three weeks and those still to come, are good reminders for us to have our own ‘statement of faith’. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated. You can borrow the words from your churches statement of faith. However you do it , the idea is to make your faith personal, so that you are ready with an answer for the HOPE that is within you, a declaration of “who you believe and say Jesus is”. Was He just a teacher or a prophet like Elijah? Or, is He the eternal, living Son of God, your Savior? What is it you believe? Do you believe He died for you … was dead … buried …. and rose again. Do you believe that His blood was sufficient for all of your sins – past, present, and future? Do you believe He can love the most evil and vilest offender? Do you believe once you are saved you are always saved and salvation through Christ allows you a relationship with God? What is it that you believe? It should be clarified that no true statement of faith can be made without the Word of God as its foundation.

My Statement of Faith

I believe that Jesus, born of the virgin Mary, is the son of God. I believe He was sent out of the love and the power of God to save the world from their sins, John 3:16. I believe that without Him I would be condemned unclean and destined for an eternal hell – but that with Him, through faith in Him, I am now a redeemed child of God*! I am forever forgiven because Christ gave up His life for mine, shedding His own blood for me. I believe He died on the cross in my place, was dead – buried – and raised to life on the third day. I believe that He walked again on the earth and then ascended into Heaven where He now sits at the right hand of God’s throne interceding with the Father – for me, and for all who are His. I believe that none of this is by works that I have done, ever will or even can do – but solely and profoundly by God’s grace alone – through faith alone.

*Romans 3:23, 5:8; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Ephesians 1:7; John 10:18

Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for loving the world so much that you gave Your only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life. Thank You for teaching us to be prepared with an answer for the hope that we have. Thank You for making us lights of this hope to the world around us so that ALL might share in the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Help us to stand firm and to faithfully shine as lights in this dark and often foreboding world – Amen, in Jesus’ name

Want More?

Be sure and check out today’s Love God Greatly Blog

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Trust and Obey

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Today’s Reading: Luke 9:1-17; SOAP / Luke 9;16-17

It’s Friday, from the pages of my journal. I pray it is an encouragement. You will also find some helpful study notes and the link to the LGG BLOG –>

  • Love God Greatly – Blog
  • For even more on this passage visit GotQuestions.Org – Where among other things, you will find this statement: “It is noteworthy that Jesus fed the people through the agency of His disciples. He could have simply snapped His fingers and caused everyone present to have a meal, but He didn’t. Instead, He “gave . . . to his disciples to distribute to the people” (Mark 6:41). In this way, the disciples had to trust the Lord for everything they distributed. They could only give as they received. Philip, Andrew, and the rest were put in a position of total dependence upon the Lord for the supply. God still uses people the same way today.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Wind and Waves

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Scripture Reading: Luke 8:22-56; SOAP / Luke 8:25

Then he said to them, “Where is your faith?” But they were afraid and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him!”

Luke 8:25 NET

Ok, so I’m not crazy about being on a boat and I definitely do not like the wind, and a windstorm quite honestly freaks me out a little. So don’t ask me what I would do in the situation the disciples find themselves in when Jesus suggested going to the other side of the lake and a “violent windstorm came down on the lake.” To make it worse “the boat started filling up with water and they were in danger.” I would love to say that I would have been the calm one, but I have learned from experience – ok, not on a lake but in my house; Yes, I realize that’s much safer than the situation the disciples were in – but I’m just sayin’, I would have been the first shaking Jesus awake, saying “Master, Master we are about to die!” Actually my cry typically comes from the words of a treasured hymn … “mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry – Keep me safe till the storm passes by…”. I would also be the first to tell you that He has the power to calm them because I’ve seen Him do it many times over. Even sweeter, is how He speaks over me and calms the storm of fear within my mind and heart. As I call out to Him, I hear this sweet refrain, “Peace, Peace wonderful peace coming down from the Father above – sweep over my spirit forever I pray in fathomless billows of love.”

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face
While the storm howls above me, and there’s no hiding place
‘Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry
Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Till the Storm Passes By

Whether it’s a true windstorm or a storm of life peace hasn’t always come easy for me. Fear was my nemesis for years and, left unchecked, it can still sneak up on me – but through the years He has trained me to look to Him. I have often heard Him whisper this very verse, making it personal as He did with them – “Where is your faith, MaryEllen, why are you shaken?” and others to follow, like Isa 41:10, “Do not be afraid for I am with you, do not be discouraged for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you, I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” The actual windstorms are usually accompanied by the words of Isa. 26:3, “I will keep in perfect peace all who trust in me, all whose thoughts are fixed on me.” I love to picture Him rebuking the wind and rains as He did for the disciples, and I can see their shocked faces as the noise and the rocking of the boat began to cease and they knew they were safe. I also know what it is like to feel that same safe feeling when the wind and rains still blow – because I know the One who controls them with the command of His voice. Though, I will tell you – while I may not say “who then is this?”, as the disciples did, His power to do so never ceases to amaze me and cause me to say or to remember – “He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him!”

It is worth noting that first Jesus spoke to the wind and waves and then to the disciples about their faith. He questions them on their faith, not simply because they were unnerved by the storm but because fear had consumed them. Second, it is worth repeating a similar question I asked in a previous post – Who do you say [Jesus] is and do you believe He can command “even” the winds and water?” I also love the awe and amazement that seemed to render them speechless. I find it encouraging that, like me, the disciples were continually seeing and learning who Jesus really was and what He could do.

May we all be encouraged to run to Jesus when the “storms” arise and rage. May we, exercise our faith and speak the words of Jesus over the storms that rage within and around us …and may we watch in awe and amazement at what He can and will do.

Father, Jesus, Spirit – I stand amazed at scenes like this – being reminded that even the winds and waves obey the Master. How often have I cried out to You just like this and stood speechless as the elements or struggles around me ceased? Perhaps, sweeter still, when the elements didn’t cease but the fears within subsided! Thank You for letting me – inviting me, even – to run to You – and for teaching me, in the midst of every “storm”, to trust You more and for deepening and strengthening the roots of my Faith through it all!

Through it all, through it all – oh I’ve learned to trust in Jesus and I’ve learned to trust in God …. Yes, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word

https://open.spotify.com/track/5zDIg5nO5TxvEnGUJBiw45?si=9FQrBSH6RPWnlwBNyCCYPQ

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

They Glorified God

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 7:1-17; SOAP / Luke 7:16

 Fear seized them all, and they began to glorify God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us!” and “God has come to help his people!”

Luke 7:16

There were two miracles in today’s passage. The first emphasizes the faith of a Centurion, the second the compassion of Jesus for a widow whose only son had died. While our focus verse is on the second miracle I can’t help but pause a minute to shine light on the first one as well. It excites and amazes me every time I read it. First of all that Jesus said of the Centurion, who was not a Jew (from the people of God) but a gentile, “… not even in Israel have I found such faith!” Second of all, that without even going to the home of the Centurion or being near his servant, Jesus healed him, not because of what a good man the people told Jesus the servant was – but because of the Centurion’s great faith.

“I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith!”

Luke 7:9

The focus verse is equally exciting and amazing, as we see Jesus raise a dead man to life. not because of any words of faith but from what appears to be Jesus’ compassion for a widowed mother whose only son had died. Unlike the other miracles we have seen, this isn’t about a someone seeking out Jesus and asking Him to heal or help. Instead , this one paints a picture of God’s sovereignty and perfect timing, as Jesus enters a town right when people are carrying the dead man out of town for the burial. Jesus stops the procession, tells the mother’s son to “get up! So the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” A man raised to life out of compassion, a miracle witnessed both by the crowd with Jesus and by the crowd accompanying the mother in the funeral procession. That’s pretty exciting stuff, right? Yet, it is what happens next that must not be missed. I mean it isn’t uncommon for fear to be aroused by this miracle – considering no one had ever seen someone raised from death to life – but this “fear” seems to provoke an awe at what Jesus had done, which led to the people “glorifying God,” as they realized Jesus must be “a” (inferring one of many) “great prophet,” not The Messiah, God had promised – but admittedly, “one” whom, “God had come to help.”

A Response to God’s Word

Father, may we let the acts You do – big or small, significant or seemingly insignificant – move us to glorify You. May we stop and stand in awe of You. May we also, like Jesus, stop and show compassion for those who are hurting or struggling around us – and this that – You, like in the story we read today, might be glorified for who You are!

Want More?

Check out Love God Greatly’s Blog

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

A Mountain Retreat

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Inspired by: He Sees, He Knows, He Cares / w2d5

Scripture Reading: Luke 6:12- 49; SOAP / Luke 6:12

Now it was during this time that Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent all night in prayer to God.

Luke 6:12 NET

I hope you enjoy this bit of a different view today – straight from inside the pages of my journal, the heart (my heart) of the study. Whether you journal on the pages of your Bibles, or in a notebook, or an LGG Journal, or on post-it-notes it doesn’t matter. I believe what matters is that you journal. One word or 50 – more or less … the amount isn’t the point the journaling is. It’s a place to capture your thoughts or questions or even the title of a song that came to mind. When you look back in your journal it will tell a story of what God was teaching you and so much more. In the weeks ahead my goal is to share more of these pages and give some pointers on journaling for those who are interested.

From INSIDE MY JOURNAL