Tag: God

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Secure In Christ

God’s Full Armor

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based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/w6d3

Read: Ephesians 6:10-12/SOAP: verse 12

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:10-12

Oh, how I love this passage! It is one of my top 10 favorite passages. I love when God gives us the “what to (be strengthened in the Lord), how to (by putting on the full armor of God), and the reason to (so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil)” do what is needful to live as He has called us to live. Perhaps the best part is knowing that we are not expected, nor should we try, to rely on our own strength to live as He has called us to live. Instead, we are trained and encouraged to depend on God’s power. Only then will we be able to overcome the battles and faithfully live out the real-world scenarios and warnings that Paul has given throughout his letter. His instructions have called us to love, obedience, and faithful living, to forgiving others, putting others first, and everything that comes with putting off the old nature and putting on the new. Because our new nature is from Christ (2 Cor 5:17), we are blessed to be able to put on God’s full armor, which Paul will elaborate on in the next section of this passage.

I love when God gives us the “what to (be strengthened in the Lord), how to (by putting on the full armor of God), and the reason to (so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil)” do what is needful to live as He has called us to live.

Me from the Inside Out🦋

Friends, to truly resist the devil as James warns us1, we must daily and deliberately put on and use every weapon God has made available to us. The devil, as Paul points out, is strategically scheming and purposefully coordinating plans to destroy the people of God and/or their obedience and good works. However, we have nothing to fear, for we can rest in and celebrate the truth that the enemy is no match for the power God has given us to “stand against2” the devil’s schemes!

Ephesians 6:12 clearly indicates that the conflict with Satan is spiritual, and therefore no tangible weapons can be effectively employed against him and his minions. We are not given a list of specific tactics Satan will use. However, the passage is quite clear that when we follow all the instructions faithfully, we will be able to stand, and we will have victory regardless of Satan’s strategy.

Gotquestions.org

I do not like being in the dark about things, which is why verse 12 is one of my favorites in this passage. While I may not know precisely how Satan will attack, I like that Paul tells us exactly who, what, and where the battle comes from. God has trained me, and continues to train me, that I need to stop seeing people as my enemy. For, as Paul so beautifully describes, this is not a physical battle but a spiritual one. The devil may use people3 or things as part of his attack, but our true enemy, according to God’s Word, is the devil/sin itself, and the only way to overcome him is to heed Paul’s ‘how to’ instructions daily. The armor is a great gift and accessory of our faith, and if we hope to stand firm against the schemes of the devil, we must never lay it aside or forget its incredible power.

The More We Know

Dear reader, only those who have believed in Jesus as their Savior have access to the full armor of God and the power to stand against the enemy. If you have not trusted in Christ, I would love to share Him with you. The Bible says that there is salvation in no one else! I encourage you to connect with me in the comment section and to visit the “Know These Truths“ link below.

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Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Secure In Christ

It’s All About The Attitude

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based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/w6d2

Read: Ephesians 6:5-9; SOAP: verse 7

Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling1, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ, 6 not like those who do their work only when someone is watching—as people-pleasers—but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart. 7 Obey with enthusiasm, as though serving the Lord and not people, 8 because you know that each person, whether slave or free, if he does something good, this will be rewarded by the Lord.

9 Masters, treat your slaves the same way, giving up the use of threats, because you know that both you and they have the same master in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Ephesians 6:5-9 NET (or KJV)

“Obey right away, all the way, and in a cheerful way.” This was one of the mantras my girls were taught by Mrs. Stanley, their first-grade teacher. She wanted them to learn that doing what they were told to do was about more than the action; it was about the attitude of their hearts. It also taught them that they had to listen to the instructions so that they would know what was expected of them. I couldn’t help but think about this little ditty as I considered Paul’s words in today’s journey.

“Obey right away, all the way, and in a cheerful way.”

While Paul specifically addresses ‘slaves’2 and ‘masters’ in today’s passage on the matter of obedience, he also explains the attitude they should have. As we have seen throughout our journey through Ephesians, this principle is true for all believers. Obedience is vital to having a right relationship with God and others. However, Paul makes it clear that attitude matters more than our ability or performance. He wants them to understand that these instructions are not about ‘people-pleasing’ but about serving the Lord from the heart. Friends, we should want to please the Lord, but to do so, we must understand what He expects from us. We must listen to and read His Word and then obey Him, “right away, all the way, and in a cheerful way”.

Godly actions are required by every believer regardless of our earthly status.

Bibleref.com

I understand that for some people, the word obedience is a challenging word because they don’t like being told what to do. If that’s you, allow me to offer you this encouraging perspective from Paul’s letter to the Colossians: “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” As believers in Christ, we are His representatives to the people we work for or with, live with or around, and/or serve or have authority over. Our attitudes and actions will either draw these people to God or push them away from Him. May God grace us with strength and peace to obey Him and those who have charge over us, not with grumbling and complaining, but with enthusiasm that flows from wanting to please Him.

 Hear ye the Master’s call, “Give Me thy best!”
For, be it great or small, that is His test.
Do then the best you can, not for reward,
Not for the praise of men, but for the Lord.

Hear ye the Master’s call, “Give me thy best”
Author: S. C. Kirk (1912)
The More We Know

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Secure In Christ

Live In The Light

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based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/w5d2

Read: Ephesians 5:6-14; SOAP: verse 8

Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be sharers with them, 8 for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. 13 But all things being exposed by the light are made visible. 14 For everything made visible is light, and for this reason it says:

“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”

Eph 5:6-14

We were all, at one time, children of the darkness. We may not like thinking about ourselves like this, but it is reality, and it is something we must not forget. Whether we were saved at a young age or in our older years, it is vital to our understanding and appreciation of God’s love through Christ that we understand we were born sinners. From the fall of man in the garden (Genesis 3:6), no child is born ‘good’ (Romans 3:10-11). Perhaps you know someone who isn’t saved but seems to live a good life. Their speech seems wholesome, their actions good, they may even go to church, but apart from the saving grace of God, they are a sinner condemned unclean (Romans 3:23). Which is why the Scriptures teach we must be born again, made new in Christ. (John 1:12-13),(2 Cor 5:17).

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!” 21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Friend, while we were born into sin’s curse, we are not without hope. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him would be saved (John 3:16). Jesus, the Son of God, is the hope and salvation of all who believe in His name (Romans 10:13). So that though we were, as Paul said, once in darkness, now we are light in the Lord and should live like the light. which Paul describes in verse 9 as being the evidence of Christ in us, or “fruit of the light” which will reflect Christ’s goodness, righteousness, and truth in us. Now, rather than participating in the deeds of darkness, we expose the darkness through the Light of Christ in us (John 8:12). 

When we live in the Light we expose the darkness –

This may be a kid’s rendition of the message Paul preached but it totally pulled me in and had me singing along and asking God to make it an everyday refrain of my life. So I’m sharing it with you, praying it encourages you as well. Sing along, and let it inspire you to make the message of Paul a brighter reality in your life today – and every day.

The More We Know

Today’s journal entry includes some very helpful insight/examples of ways we compromise with darkness today … too good not to share. May it be a blessing.

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Love, Secure In Christ, Thanksgiving

Imitators of God

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based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/w5d1

Read: Ephesians 5:1-5; SOAP: verses 1-2

Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children 2 and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. 4 Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting—all of which are out of character—but rather thanksgiving. 5 For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 5:1-5

Paul has been teaching/reminding the believers how to live the Christian life. Specifically, he has been teaching them not to live by the sinful nature as they used to before salvation, but to live by the Spirit, living and loving like Jesus. Specifically, here Paul says, they are to be kind to one another, they are to be compassionate and forgiving, “just as God in Christ” forgave them.

Living He loved me…dying He saved me…buried He carried my sins far away…rising He justified, freely forever…one day He’s coming…O glorious day! ~hymn/chorus, Glorious Day

As believers, we are to live and love like Jesus, or as Paul writes here, we are to be imitators of God. When we follow Christ, we choose to consistently live and love like Him. We are to purposefully practice His way of life, which Paul explains to the Ephesians was not only a life of love, but one of sacrifice that pleased God.

Paul leaves no ‘wiggle room’ for the believers. He not only makes it clear what imitating God looks like. He makes it very clear what it does not look like, namely, sexual impurity of any kind…greed…vulgar speech…foolish talk…and/or coarse joking. Paul says that all of these things are out of character for a believer/follower of Jesus and goes on to say that our words should instead be filled with gratitude/thanksgiving. – Please note the More We Know section for helpful explanations on this list of ‘things not to do’.

While verse five is not our focus today, I believe it is important to understand the meaning behind it. God makes it very clear in His Word that we cannot lose the gift of salvation that He has graciously given to all who believe in His Son, (Eph 2:8-9) However, as Paul rightly points out here, when/if we are still choosing to live, act, speak, think in the ways of the old sinful nature that once ruled us, we would be wise to ask ourselves why. As Scripture says, we cannot serve the true and living God and the gods and the pleasures of this world. We must choose “whom we will serve” – the true and living God or the gods of the world and the flesh.

As you take this choice into consideration, consider first the words of Paul to the believers in Rome. He makes it very clear that one leads to death and the other to life.  For if you live by the sinful nature, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. As you evaluate yourselves, be careful and honest in your evaluation. If you are living by the sinful nature ask God for help to turn from those practices and choose instead to walk in the power of His Spirit in you. Choose you this day whom you will serve; will that way lead to death or life and peace?

6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.

Romans 8:6-13

May God help us be careful in our evaluations of ourselves. May we make no excuses for any actions or words that are not pleasing to Him. May we put to death anything in us that leads us away from God, and may we be filled and living faithfully by His Spirit.

The More We Know

 But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind,or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.

Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting—all of which are out of character—but rather thanksgiving. 

Still living by the old sinful nature? Want to know the power and gift of life in the Spirit? Check out Know These Truths and let me introduce you to my Jesus, God’s gift of love and grace.

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

Live the New Life

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based on Love God Greatly’s study, Secure in Christ/w4d4

Read: Ephesians 4:17-24; SOAP: verse 24

So I say this, and insist in the Lord, that you no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. 19 Because they are callous, they have given themselves over to indecency for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn about Christ like this, 21 if indeed you heard about him and were taught in him, just as the truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught with reference to your former way of life to lay aside the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires, 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image—in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.

Ephesians 4:17-24

After telling the believers in Ephesus to practice, or live out and speak the truth to one another in love, and to use their gifts to build up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:14-16), Paul continues with his instructions/teaching. He insists that they quit living like they did before they came to know God through Christ. He paints a vivid picture of what they used to live like and then strongly encourages them to live like the new person Christ created them to be.

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 Cor 5:17

Paul has been with these believers for nearly three years, so he knows they have been taught the “truth” of Christian living. He knows they understand what it means to follow Jesus. They know that the followers of Jesus are to turn from their selfish ways and take up their cross daily to follow Him. They know they are not to hang on to their old life but to give it up for the new life Christ has called them to. Paul wrote to the church of Rome, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:1-2). Similarly, here, he reminds the Ephesians to be renewed in the spirit of their minds and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image. In other words, they (and thus all believers) are to live and love like Jesus, not the world. Specifically, their lives are to be characterized by righteous and holy living that comes from the truth.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 14:6

Friends, to live this new life as it is meant to be lived, we can not hold on to even a smidgen of our life before Christ. I tried that for years. In one ‘crowd’ I was the new, and in another ‘crowd’ I was the old. Sometimes, it was because I didn’t want to give up some of my old ways of life and/or desires; but other times it was because I didn’t want to be left out, and for a period of time it was because I was angry with God. Thankfully, He did not leave me but pursued me and rescued me from that double life to a life that is fully surrendered to Him. When I think of these scenarios and that season of my life, and how I allowed myself to chase after or get caught up with the ‘little gods’ of my life, I am reminded of some of the words He used to transform me. They were the words of Joshua to the people of God, when he said: “Choose you this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord” (Josh 24:15).

Today’s Reflection

Who have you chosen to serve? The true and living God or the gods…the people…the desires of this world? Does your life look like the new creation Christ created you to be – or the old? Tough questions, but ones worth asking and praying over.

The More We Know
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Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Secure In Christ

The Importance and Way of Unity

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based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/w4d1

Read: Ephesians 4:1-6; Matthew 5:14-16 and SOAP: Ephesians 4:2-3

 I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Eph 4:1-6

Friends, as believers, we must never forget that, like Paul, we have been called to live and love like Jesus (John 13:34; Luke 9:23-24). Knowing that Jesus was sinless and loved us even to death on the cross, it may be easy to think this is impossible and skip right over it. However, in Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus, He laid out four principles or characteristics to help them in their quest to accomplish God’s calling on their lives. Humility, gentleness, patience, and love are the chief characteristics, but he also tells them to “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”

Humility is defined by gotquestions.org as meekness, lowliness, and absence of self. Biblical humility is not simply an outward expression or show. Instead, it is an attitude of the heart. Between us and Christ/God, it is a heart change that reflects our understanding that we are utterly helpless and hopeless without Him. We are completely dependent on Jesus Christ for life here on earth and eternity in Heaven. Likewise, we are utterly dependent on Him for godliness, ie, living and loving like Jesus. (This attitude/mind-set is a game-changer.)

Gentleness, as one commentary says, “involves humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, restrained behavior toward others.” We cannot produce it in ourselves, for it is a fruit of the Spirit(Galatians 5:22-26). Gentleness has, by some, been mistaken for weakness. Yet, certainly, when we consider the opposites of gentleness, such as anger, a desire for revenge, and promoting oneself as better than others, we are able to see that gentleness requires great strength.

Every person is powerful. We can speak words that influence others; we can act in ways that help or hurt; and we can choose what influences will inform our words and actions. Gentleness constrains and channels that power. To be gentle is to recognize that God’s ways and thoughts are high above our own (Isaiah 55:9). It is to humbly realize that our worldviews are shaped by exposure to sin and the misinterpretation of experience. It is to accept God’s worldview, reflecting truth about the spiritual and the material worlds.

Gotquestions.org

Patience, in this passage, implies bearing with or putting up with one another (in love). Similar to gentleness and humility, it requires putting others above ourselves and living in the power of God’s Spirit. On the flip-side, In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul identifies patience as a by-product of love – so it appears you cannot have one without the other.

Particularly as it is used in the New Testament, “love” is not merely a feeling or an emotion. It means taking actions which benefit others. A feeling which doesn’t result in action is not biblical “love.”

Gotquestions.org

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. 6 It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor 13:4-7). These were the words Paul used to define love to the church of Corinth. Love was also the answer Jesus gave to the one who asked Him to name the greatest commandment. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind; the second is equally important, love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31). Thankfully, we don’t have to guess what Jesus meant when He told us to love. In John 13:34, John records what Jesus said this love is to look like when He introduced the “new commandment” to His disciples, saying: “I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” Again, I urge you not to set this aside as something you cannot do, and as an extra measure of encouragement, I remind you, as I have often reminded myself, that God has given us everything we need to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3-4).

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

2 Peter 1:3-4

Paul wraps up this list of characteristics by which we are to live out God’s calling on our lives with a final instruction (or perhaps reason) for living with all humility, gentleness, patience, and love. They are to practice these attributes… “making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” As we have been reminded throughout this journey through Ephesians, Jews and Gentiles were now united in Christ, and should live in peace with one another. As Bibleref.org puts it: “This unity ought to also take place “in the bond of peace.” Peace is another theme that Paul mentions multiple times in this letter (Ephesians 1:2; 2:14, 15, 17; 6:15, 23). Christ is our peace; He made peace, preached peace, gives unity in peace, and offers a gospel of peace. Peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and important for every believer (Romans 5:1).”

When we live and love like this, we fulfill another calling of God on our lives, which is to be lights in this dark world. May we remember that to maintain the light, we must faithfully practice the teachings of God through Paul to “live with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The love Jesus has for his followers cannot be duplicated by them in one sense, because it effects their salvation, since he lays down his life for them: It is an act of love that gives life to people. But in another sense, they can follow his example (recall to the end, 13:1; also 1 John 3:16; 4:16 and the interpretation of Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet). In this way Jesus’ disciples are to love one another: They are to follow his example of sacrificial service to one another, to death if necessary.

bibleref.com
The More We Know

For more insight, read today’s Love God Greatly’s post HERE

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

Exceedingly, Abundantly More…

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Read and SOAP: Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

Wow! How I love this verse! I frequently end prayers with it, or incorporate it in a prayer when I am pressed with worry. It’s been a go-to verse when I am encouraging others. I praise Him often for the truth of His omnipotent power, because the truth of it gives me strength to press on in trying or fearful situations. Seriously, it sparks joy in my soul, hope in my heart, and peace in my mind; the combination of which fills me with strength. According to Paul’s explanation here to the church of Ephesus, because the Spirit is working within us, God can do exceedingly, abundantly more than we ask or even imagine. As Paul wrote to his readers, “to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Knowledge of this truth can affect how we pray and react to the big and little concerns of our lives. However, understanding this truth on a personal level changes everything, and without question, it affects how we pray, react, and trust in any situation that dares to shake us.

If you’ve ever been blown away by an answer to prayer, then you’ve sampled the meaning of Ephesians 3:20. Paul was teaching his readers what he himself already knew, that it is impossible to petition God for too much because His capacity to give far exceeds the believer’s ability to ask or imagine. Our thoughts surpass our words, but God’s power to act surpasses it all. The apostle reiterated what the psalmist had proclaimed: “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5). No matter how extravagant we make our requests, God in His matchless power can give us more than we ask, and far beyond what our finite minds can imagine.

Gotquestions.org

Are there troubles in your life? Do you know someone who is sick or struggling to make ends meet?Is there a relationship you believe can never be repaired? Whatever you are facing, you can rest in the knowledge that God not only hears our prayers and cares about our ‘situations’, but He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or even imagine.

In the online Oxford dictionary, Immeasurable means: too large, extensive, or extreme to measure. The Bible Hub topical encyclopedia defines the word very similarly; it states, the term “immeasurable” refers to something that is beyond the capacity to be measured or quantified. In the context of the Bible, it often describes the infinite nature and attributes of God, His love, wisdom, and power, as well as the vastness of His creation and the depth of His grace and mercy.”

God’s means for accomplishing more than we can imagine comes through His strength. His work is done by the Holy Spirit’s power within us, rather than by our human strength. As Jesus taught His apostles, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38). Paul also refers to “power” throughout this letter (Ephesians 1:19, 21; 2:2; 3:7, 16; 6:12). Ephesians 3:7 described Paul as a minister “by the working of [God’s] power.” Paul’s readers, likewise, could minister by God’s power.

Hide me now under Your wing

cover me within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunder roars

I will soar with You above the storm

Father You are King over the flood

I will be still and know You are God

~ Find rest my soul in Christ alone

Know His power ~ in quietness and trust.

Still by Hillsong

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Secure In Christ

Unlimited Access

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based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/w3d3

Read: Ephesians 3:10-13 and Hebrews 4:14-16

The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access to God by way of Christ’s faithfulness. 13 For this reason I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Ephesians 3:10-13

Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

Hebrews 4:14-16

For me, the highlight of today’s readings was the portions on the bold and confident access we have to the throne of God, through Christ Jesus. I love that we do not have to worry about coming into His presence. We do not have to wonder if He will hear us or not. The throne room does not close; we have 24/7 access. As today’s journal entry points out, “We enter into His presence through prayer. Prayer is speaking and listening to God. The writer of Hebrews tells us to confidently approach the throne of grace because it is where we will be met with mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16).”

Through the blood of Jesus, we have unlimited access to God, the God who created the world and all that is on it, and the seas and all that is in them. We are not limited to morning prayers or evening prayers. We can come before Him 24/7, 365 days a year! To be clear, unlimited access doesn’t mean we will always get what we ask for. I have learned, perhaps I should say – I am constantly learning or being reminded – that we aren’t told to have bold confidence in the answer we seek, but in the true and living God, to whom we pray. This means we must trust He knows best and answers according to His perfect plan and purpose for our lives.

Friends, we are most blessed. Prayer like this is not just a gift; it is an immeasurable privilege and an opportunity for a close and intimate relationship with God. If you want to strengthen your faith and your relationship with God, start making prayer – not just part of your day but a way of life.

The More We Know

The revelation of God’s multifaceted wisdom wasn’t displayed to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms on a whim. It was not a secondary plan but was set in place from the beginning of time. The phrase “multifaceted wisdom” caught my attention and sent me chasing Scripture squirrels to understand what it really means. I hope you’ll take a minute to follow the link to Gotquestions.org for some wonderful insight and encouragement.

https://www.gotquestions.org/manifold-wisdom-of-God.html

For even more insight read today’s LGG BLOG

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

A Servant of the Gospel

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based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/ w3d2

Read: Ephesians 3:7-9; SOAP: verse 8

I became a servant of this gospel according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the exercise of his power. 8 To me—less than the least of all the saints—this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ 9 and to enlighten everyone about God’s secret plan—the mystery that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things.

Ephesians 3:7-9 NET or (KJV)

Oh, friends, that we might understand that we are “servants of the gospel.” Paul got it. He was well aware of His past life. He was a persecutor of Christians, not just persecuting their beliefs, but also seeking their arrest and imprisonment, and even death if they refused to deny Christ (Acts 26:10-11). That is, until he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus1. He was radically changed from the chief of all sinners, as he defined himself, into a minister sent to take the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles. His mission was to help them understand that God had made a way for them to be saved and numbered among the children of God. What a privilege and a challenge this must have been for Paul.

Our stories of salvation may not all be like Paul’s on the road to Damascus, with bright lights and temporary blindness. My Damascus Road was actually in a hospital room the night my first daughter was born.2 Friends, wherever we encounter Christ and put our faith in Him, we are saved by God’s grace and commissioned to “proclaim His grace and the ‘unfathomable riches of Christ'” to the world. May we be faithful, like Paul, to proclaim the message boldly, that everyone may be enlightened.

But God is greater than all of our shortcomings and failures. He can redeem anything and anyone. No one is too far gone or disqualified from His grace and service. This is why Paul writes that he is “less than the least of all the saints.” He knows what his life looked like before Christ, yet Jesus called him to His great mission. … Your resume doesn’t disqualify you. Instead, it qualifies you as a recipient of His grace to love watching world.

LGG Journal/p97

Do you remember what your life looked like before Christ? Do you understand the privilege of being called by Jesus to carry out His commission to share His message and love with others? If so, I invite you to share your story in the comments; if not, I invite you to visit the “Know these truths” link below.

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

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Secure In Christ

The Mystery of Christ

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based on the LGG study, Secure in Christ, w3d1

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

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before briefly  4 When reading this, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ 5 (which was not disclosed to people in former generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit), 6 namely, that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:1-6 NET or (KJV)

The third week of our journey picks up right where Paul left off. So the statement, “for this reason,..,”at the beginning of Ephesians chapter three, is a transition statement moving his readers from the teaching of salvation, grace, and Christ’s power to information on how to live as a follower of Christ. In other words, if we are to be a part of the whole building that Paul referenced in Ephesians 2:19-22, then we must know how to live like Christ and in unity with the rest of “the building,” the body of Christ.

Paul’s obvious desire, after being so radically changed by the gospel was to share the good news, build up the church, and challenge the believers to rightly seek after Christ. He even did this from a prison cell.1 As today’s journal entry points out, “Paul could have easily given into despair for his prison sentence, yet he chose to view himself as a prisoner for Christ. He looked at his circumstances as another opportunity to witness to those around him, pray for the churches he had founded, visited, or heard of, and to train up new believers.”

  • Paul identifies himself as “the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.”
  • He clarifies that he had been given the responsibility to share the Gospel (the message of God’s Grace) with them.
  • Paul shares the insight he was given into the mystery of Christ, which was that Jews and Gentiles now shared in the same promises of God in Christ Jesus. Specifically, the gift of salvation through the blood of Christ.
    • We share in the inheritance of Jesus Christ. (fellow heirs)
    • We belong to the same body (fellow members) (see also Rom 12:3-4).
    • We all share in the promises of God through/in Christ Jesus our Lord (fellow partakers).
      • It should be noted that in each of these points, the pronoun “we” refers to those who belong to God, through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 1:16).

Friends, the Gospel – namely, the mystery of Christ, “changes everything. I know it did for me and we can see from Paul’s letters that it radically changed him. The journal leaves us with this question: “Have you been so changed by the gospel of Jesus that you can’t help but share it with others?” -and these words of encouragement: “Let’s not waste our days but diligently seek to share Christ wherever we may be.”

Consider this beautiful and helpful reminder from last week’s journey through Ephesians chapter 2:

The Church is being built and joined together on the foundation of Jesus, the apostles, and prophets. This foundation will last no matter what circumstances are faced. This foundation is unshakable and cannot be moved.

Knowing that Christ is the head of the Church, what, then, is the Church? The Church is made up of believers of all nations, tribes, people, and languages. It will remain solid and sturdy even in eternity (Revelation 7:9).

Our belief in Jesus is aligning and joining each of us together so that we form the temple of God. Each believer, whether you know it or not, has a purpose to serve through his or her spiritual gift. These spiritual gifts are given for the purpose of serving God and bringing glory to His name (1 Peter 4:10-11).

Believers are joined together as part of God’s family by grace through faith, regardless of our past or present circumstances.

LoveGodGreatly.com/blog post/August 15, 2025

“So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men
but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you yourselves, as living stones,
are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood…”

(1 Peter 2:4)
The More We Know

Insightful Explanation of Ephesians 3:6

For more insight into today’s journey, read today’s LGG Blog Post –> HERE

Want to know how to share in the mystery of Christ? Click Here

https://mefromthensideout.wordpress.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
  1. Secure in Christ journal entry/p93 ↩︎