Tag: God

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

I Am Coming Soon

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Week 2, Day 5 of Come, Lord Jesus, Come – (A Love God Greatly Study)
Today’s Reading: Revelation 22:20-21 (SOAP: verse 12)

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.

Revelation 22:20-21
Beautiful Observations

Jesus, the one who testifies to these things John has written, confirms His impending return. This of course closes the New Testament much the same way that Malachi’s words closed the old, with a promise that Jesus, “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2) and the “bright morning star” (Rev. 22:16) is coming soon! To which John responds, and we often find ourselves echoing: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

For me those could have been the closing words, but what John says next is somehow more beautiful. For, what better prayer could there be than for God’s sustaining grace(s) to be with His people as they wait. 1Paul Tripp writes of six different types of grace and acknowledges that there are even more. Grace is grace though, right? Well, yes. However, within that one word there is a treasure trove of gifts. Gifts like forgiveness from sins, acceptance into His family, His forever presence, His glorious grace-gift of freedom from the bondage of sin, and the grace of our faith made complete2– no more sin or sorrow, when “Everything will be restored, and we will worship in the presence of this amazing God of grace.” Until then, there is the grace-gift of enablement, which comes to us through His divine power and gives us everything we need to live a godly life.3

  1. Phrases and quotes are from – https://www.paultripp.com/articles/posts/6-types-of-grace.
  2.  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4
  3. 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
So What Does This Mean for us?

It means that …

  • we can trust that He will return (2 Corinthians 1:20)
  • we serve a God of Grace(s) (1 Peter 5:10, and others)
  • by His grace we are forgiven (1 John 1:9) and of accepted into His family (1 John 3:1-2)
  • He is always present with us (John 14:16)
  • He has equipped us with His power and strength to do what He has called us to do (2 Peter 1:3-4)
  • We’ve been set free from the law of sin and death (Rom 6:14-15)
  • and that will one day our faith will be made complete (Phil 1:6)

So again, I echo a prayer of John’s – as we wait upon His faithful promise – “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all of His Holy People.” – And to this I say amen!

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you (and this by His Grace), will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6
Response to God’s Word

Father, God of Grace and mercy thank You for sending Jesus as a gift of salvation to all who believe. May those who have not yet believed – hear, believe, and be saved; and may those of us who have believed stand firm in our belief and faithful to Your calling, to make Christ known, as we wait on Your perfect timing and love. For we know that You have not forgotten, nor are You slow in keeping Your promise as some count slowness, but You, in Your goodness and love, are patient, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance! This is my prayer in Jesus’ Name – amen!

Your Turn: Reflections

What are you most excited about when you think of what life will be like when Jesus comes back?

Want More?

If you would like more of a reflection on our journey this week please visit the following devotional links from the team of Love God Greatly. – You’ll also find a sneak peek at our next study!

When the Seasons Change https://lovegodgreatly.com/when-the-seasons-change/

Stand Firm and Look Up https://lovegodgreatly.com/stand-firm-and-look-up/

Maranatha https://lovegodgreatly.com/maranatha-2/

Sneak Peek https://lovegodgreatly.com/announcing-our-next-study-12/

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

I Am Coming Soon

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Week 2, Day 4 of Come, Lord Jesus, Come – (A Love God Greatly Study)
Today’s Reading: Revelation 22:12-13 (SOAP: 12-13)

 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Revelation 22:12-13 NLT

Simple Observations and Findings

  • “SOON”: While we have covered this word before, I believe it is worth repeating for a fuller understanding or clarification. According to BibleRef.com, the word is from a Greek word that more accurately means “quickly”, and has more to do with ‘how’ He’s coming than ‘when’. His return will be sudden and unpredictable (Matthew 24:36)
  • “My reward is with me …” My best understanding of this is that Christ comes with the power to reward both the saved and the lost – according to the choices they have made. The lost, those whose deeds reveal their denial of Christ, will receive the “punishment” they deserve, the reward of God’s wrath. The Saved, those who have, by faith alone, trusted in Jesus Christ to save them from their sins, will receive their inheritance of eternal life, the reward of God’s grace.
    • For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Romans 1:18)
    • For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God not by works so that no one can boast.(Ephesians 2:8-9)
  • “pay each one according to what he has done.” What have you done? Have you chosen Jesus or have you chosen the world? We know that there is evil in our world, but we also see the “fruit of God’s grace in His people” throughout the world as well. Do your “deeds” identify you as one who is evil or do they reveal God’s grace? Whatever they reveal the one path leads to eternal punishment and the other to eternal life.
    • For all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23)
    • For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
  • “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Perhaps this one seems self-evident but I found it helpful to truly observe it and not just take it for the popular phrase that it is.
    • Jesus has always existed.
    • He’s eternal, no true beginning and no end.
    • He was with God in the beginning
    • He is God
      • He identifies Himself as the God of the Old Testament (Isa 41:4, 6, Isa 44:6, and 48:12)
    • He is the finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2; John 1:1, 14; Matthew 5:17; and Ephesians 2:8-9).
Response to God’s Word

Jesus, what a wonder You are! The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Not only will You reign forever but you will come back soon and pay each one according to their deeds. Send a revival through our land Father so that the lost will know life rather than the eternal punishment of death. Open their eyes and ears, their hearts and minds to the message so that they might believe and by faith be saved. Cause us to be alert to those around us who need to hear the message so that they might share in the inheritance of eternal life that You have promised to those who believe. We wait on You Jesus, we wait on You. –

Your Turn: Reflections
  • Knowing that you will one day be rewarded for how you lived your life, are you motivated or concerned? Why?

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

Come, Lord Jesus, Come

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I Am Coming Soon: Week 2, Day 3 (A Love God Greatly Study)

Today’s Reading: Revelation 3:10-11(SOAP verse 11)

“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.

Revelation 3:10-11 NLT

Observations Only

I am by no means an adept student when it comes to the book of Revelation. However, as is the practice of SOAPing Scripture I can make observations and pray for Him to give enlightenment through His Spirit who was sent to teach us and to remind us of everything Jesus said.

  • There is a “testing” (a great tribulation) that will come upon those who belong to the world.
  • The church of Philadelphia obeyed Christ’s command and persevered.
  • Christ will protect [them] from the great time of testing.
  • Christ encourages the believers that He is coming soon.
  • He encourages them to “Hold on to what [they have]”
    • They [we] have JESUS!
    • He is the Way, the Truth, and the life (John 14:6)
    • With Jesus on their side their crown is protected
      • because Jesus cannot be overcome for He has already overcome the enemy
  • He is [our] Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30)

So How Do We “Hold On”? (Application)

  • To endure, it seems we must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart – or as He said of Philadelphia – so you will “endure steadfastly
  • Like the Psalmist we must set the LORD always before us, keeping Him at our right hand so that we will not be shaken (Ps. Ps 16:8)

Response to the Word: (Prayer)

Father- Thank You for Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. The One who is the way, the truth, and the life. He is my righteousness, my crown, and joy! Help me (us) to hold on to Jesus – t be diligent in our faithfulness – to keep our eyes on Him who is our righteousness and salvation and eternal life! This is my prayer in Jesus’ Name –

Your Turn: Reflections

  • What do you believe Jesus means in Revelation 3:10-11?
  • Why do you believe this?
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, LGG Study

I Am Going Away and Coming Back Again

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Come, Lord Jesus, Come: Week 2, Day 2 (A Love God Greatly Study)

Today’s Reading: John 14:15-31(SOAP: 27-28)

 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am.”

John 14:27-28 NLT

Real and Lasting Hope Brings Peace

I love that Jesus, who is getting ready not just to die but hang on a cross for sins He did not commit, is so compassionately concerned about the effect of His leaving that He promises the disciples a gift. The gift is peace of mind and heart, so they will not need to be troubled or afraid. His is a peace that comes from more than just words, it is a peace that is distinctly different than the world offers because it comes with real and lasting hope in the promise that He is coming back!

A Repetitious Warning and A Personal Connection

Again, in conjunction with Jesus’ impending departure, He encourages the disciples not to be troubled [distressed] or afraid. The encouragement is always the same and meant to carry a lot of weight – “I am coming back.” I love reading this particular conversation in the NET which translates it with a much more personal tone, using the pronoun ‘you’ nine times in the two short verses. To me, this emphasizes that this was not an open message to just anyone but rather specifically for His disciples, which we are.

““Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am.”
‭‭

John‬ ‭14:27-28‬ ‭NET‬‬

What Does This Mean For Us?

The promise of His return and the promise of His peace being different than what we can find in the world means that…

  • I don’t have to be troubled or afraid.
  • I can choose peace over fear and distress.
  • I need to choose God/Christ over the world.
  • I can/will be glad that He is with the Father.
  • Because He is with the Father, I have the Spirit 24/7, 365 days of the year.
  • Because He gave His life for me, I can count on His promise to come back for me.

Response to the Word:

Father, How great You are! Even greater than we truly understand, for even Jesus says You are greater than Him. Not only have You given us the Spirit in Jesus’ absence, but Jesus offers us peace – indescribable and everlasting – so that as we wait for His return, we are not alone and have no need to fear or be distressed – but rather we can stand firm in the courage that comes from knowing He will return!

Your Turn: Reflection Question

How can we experience God’s peace in our lives?

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, LGG Study

I will Come Back

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Come, Lord Jesus Come: Week 2 – Day 1 (A Love God Greatly Study)

Today’s Reading: 14:1-4 (SOAP verse 3)

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

John 14:1-4 NLT
Distressed

Do you ever let your heart get distressed, which according to the oxford language dictionary, means extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain? – Before you answer too quickly, let’s look at some other synonyms for the word, such as worried, fearful, troubled, sad, tortured, and miserable. Please note that all of these fit the conversation of our text, where Christ has been talking to His disciples, telling them that one of them would betray Him, Peter would deny Him, and then that He would be leaving them.

Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. 32 And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once. 33 Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. 

John 13; 31-33 NLT
Jesus’ Encouragement

Naturally, their hearts would have experienced at least one of these emotions. He was their friend and teacher whom they undoubtedly, trusted but had also come to depend on. No doubt their hearts would be distressed at the news that He was going away. Without question, fears, sorrow, anxiety, and pain would arise. Given time to dwell on it, their minds would become troubled, even tortured and miserable at the thought of it – and unable to think of anything else. So Jesus, knowing that they would have these emotions but not wanting them to dwell there, speaks out of love and compassion to encourage them. His encouragement is the promise that while they can’t go with Him now, He would be preparing a place for them and would return and take them with Him so they would always be together.

… I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 

John 14:2b-3 NLT

While some of the synonyms and the word itself are defined, in part, as extreme sorrow or pain, I do not believe that Jesus is asking or encouraging them to be happy, but rather, He is calling them to be brave. It would be near to impossible to wear a facade of happiness in the death of one so loved and important to them, but they must rise above all of the emotions and be brave enough to continue on in His mission. I dare say without this encouragement (repeated until they finally understood it), they would have wallowed in depression rather than bravely pressing on as He called them to. Easier said than done? Without question! However, don’t miss that in His opening words of this passage, He gave them the answer to the bravery they would need. “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God: also believe in me.” In other words, ‘you trust God; therefore you trust me,’ for they knew Him to be “God.” John made this clear in his unforgettable statement in the first verse of His gospel, which reads: “In the beginning the Word already existed! The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Their bravery, and ours, depends on knowing and trusting Jesus as God.

Jesus not only told them how they could be brave but just after telling them He was leaving them, He explained why they needed to be brave with these words, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Jesus had just called them to prove to or show the world that they were His disciples. Why? Because it would prove that they knew Him, which means they knew the way to the Father – which was the mission, showing the world the “WAY” to the Father.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

John 13:34-35 NLT

What This Means For Us

As believers, we are Jesus’ disciples waiting for His return. Therefore, we are called to the same bravery and should, despite these tumultuous times in which we live, not let our hearts be distressed – overcome with fears and anxiety or the torture and distraction that can come from waiting on Him. Instead, we should bravely press forward to carry out His Mission to make the Father. and the “Way” to the Father, known. For, to quote the words of Paul, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14

What do we know that we can share?

  • We know the WAY.
  • We know the love of Jesus and that it is meant to be imitated so that others will know Him too.
  • We know that He died, rose from the grave, lives with God in Heaven, and WILL COME AGAIN!
  • We know that when He returns, He will take believers to be with Him.
  • We know that we will forever be with Him, where He dwells.
  • We know that the “wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“ Romans 6:23
  • We know that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Joel 2:28)

Response to the Word:

Father, how very good You are to provide Jesus as the payment for the penalty of our sins. How awesome is His encouragement to the disciples that He is coming again and will take us to live with Him, where He dwells with You! We are blessed to be a part of this promise and look forward with HOPE to that day. We take strength from the HOPE in this dark and sinful world, where your Word is trampled on and Your ways mocked and ignored. We long to be with You Both, but we know Your agenda is that all would come to know You and that our agenda is to make You known. May we be found faithfully loving others as Jesus has loved us, proving to the world that we are His disciples and ultimately leading them to You. And in all of this, may You be praised and glorified as we wait on You! – AMEN!

Your Turn: Reflection Question

When Jesus was speaking about returning to Heaven, what did He say He was going to do there?

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

Come, Lord Jesus, Come

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A Love God Greatly Study: Preview for Week 1, In The Last Days

Our Verse for the Journey: Hebrews 10:24-25

For this journey our verse(s) come from week 6 of our study. I encourage you to write the verses down on a note card or even several cards so that you have one in your car, your kitchen, your bedroom, your desk at work …. wherever you frequently find yourself. Read it at least 3 times every day, and over the course of the 6-week journey, begin trying to remember the words or phrases without looking. Lean on the Spirit for help – after all, John 14:26 says that our advocate, the Holy Spirit, was given, not only to teach us all things but to REMIND us of all He said.

A Slight Change In Plans:

PREVIEW TODAY – AND – DAY 1 TOMORROW

[I regret this unavoidable change but have been wrapped up with a family emergency for the last 7 days and counting. Your prayers are appreciated for my family- and myself.]

I hope you enjoyed the first week of Come, Lord Jesus, Come. From words of encouragement to insight on the last days and reasons to hold on to the HOPE that we have in Christ – it’s just the beginning of what I believe will be a wonderful journey toward His return. If you haven’t read week one, I invite you to scroll back through the recent posts for this study, beginning October 2, 2022, and glean from them in preparation for week 2 which starts tomorrow.

Your Turn: What was your favorite day or most notable quote or Scripture that inspired you to hold on to the hope that is ours in Christ Jess.

Jesus was faithful in proclaiming His return, which is why in week 2 we will continually read the statement, “I will come” or “I am coming” … followed by the word back or soon. The words belong to Jesus and to every believer that hears them – they offer encouragement and hope. Look for them, soak them up so that you might cling to the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus, and then imitate Him by faithfully sharing them with others. In this He will be honored and others will share in our hope, and to God will be the glory!

Me, from the inside-out

WEEK 2 CHALLENGE: Jesus promised that He is coming back. This week, write out how this promise influences how you live.

  • Does it make you more intentional?
  • Dose it help you to have greater hope for the future?
  • Does it place more passion and urgency on your days as you know the time draws near?

Verse For the Journey: How are you doing with our verses from Hebrews 10:24-25? Remember, the Bible says we are “temporary residents and foreigners” and to “keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.” (1 Peter 2:11-12) To do this in any measure of obedience or success, we must know and hold fast to God’s Word.

Want to know more about Jesus? Please message me via the comment bar or email me at mryelnb@aol.com. I would love to share with you the reason for the hope that is within me, the hope I cling to when times are hard, or life is disappointing, or fears arise. There is no greater source of hope in all the world – of this, I am convinced.

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

The Last Hour

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(Love God Greatly: Come, Lord Jesus, Come – week 1, day 5)

Today’s Reading: 1 John 2:18-19 (SOAP: 18-19)

18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. 19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us. 1 John 2:18-19 NLT

John warns against the Antichrist*

John defines an antichrist as “he who denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22), does not confess Jesus (1 John 4:3), and does not confess Jesus as coming in the flesh (2 John 1:7). We find him here in verses 18-19 of 1 John 2 talking about how many have already appeared and that this indicates “the last hour has come”. In verse 19, John also gives us details of how we will know them. The details are both shocking and concerning. First, the shocking detail is we will know them because they were part of our churches. Which leads me to the concerning detail, they were a part of our churches. They were those thought to be brothers and sisters in Christ, most likely even leaders in the church. The encouraging news is that once they go out from us we will know them for what and who they are, antichrists, those who are against Christ and who deny the Father and the Son. Surely our concern should be for their souls. However, it seems the greater concern for the body is knowing that they may be among us. At the very least it is certainly a reminder and encouragement to know the Scriptures well and be alert to the teaching we receive and the conversations we have, so that we are not duped into believing or following false teachers, preachers, or – as John so aptly names them -antichrists. One other thought that strikes me as important is that because they dwell among us they know the things we teach and how we act and what is expected which means they may be difficult to distinguish.

*The term ‘antichrist’ here is not the same as the term “The Antichrist” found in the book of Revelation.

Response to the Word

Father, help us to stay alert, not only does our adversary, the devil, prowl around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, there may be antichrists among us. Perhaps it will be a teacher, a pastor, a friend, or a family member that we believe are true followers of Jesus Christ but who will sadly one day reveal themselves as being against Jesus and all that we believe. Oh give us eyes to see, minds that are alert, and hearts that are so filled with Your Word and awake to Your Spirit that we will not be deceived. Prod us to pray for these antichrists Father that their hearts will be changed while they dwell among us and they will turn to You and not against You. These things I pray in Jesus’ name and for Your glory!

Your Turn: Reflections

  • Is everyone who goes to church also going to heaven?
  • What does 1 John 2:18-19 say about this?
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, From the Insideout, LGG Study

One Who Holds Evil Back

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Today’s Reading: 2 Thes 2:1-17 (SOAP: verses 7-8)

 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming. 2 Thes. 2:7-8

Considering the amount of evil and “lawlessness” that is in the world today, would it surprise you to know that God is restraining evil even now? Well, that is what this passage is saying. Until the Holy Spirit, the only one who can truly hold back sin, is removed there is a restraint in force. Bibleref.com explains it like this:

Currently, the restrainer holds back lawlessness, but he will be removed someday. When he is out of the way, lawless activities will culminate through the man of lawlessness. But who is the restrainer? Only the Holy Spirit has the power to hold back sin from becoming full blown. He does this through His convicting ministry. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). He will do so through Jesus’ followers, but at the rapture Jesus’ followers will be removed from the earth, and the earthly influence of Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, will be greatly diminished. While the Holy Spirit will still be on the earth, His unique sin-restraining ministry through saved believers will be gone: He will no longer convict the world of sin through believers. Therefore, lawlessness will reach an unprecedented manifestation.

https://www.bibleref.com/2-Thessalonians/2/2-Thessalonians-2-7.html

Paul warns the Thessalonians, as he has others, not to be easily shaken by false messages. He encourages them that the last days and the events that have been described will all happen in God’s timing and that the “lawless one” will be destroyed. We would be wise to hold on to this same encouragement from Paul. How much easier will it be to hold on the hope we have in Christ when we know that He is going to one day destroy His enemies.

Response to the Word

Father, again – help me – help us – not be shaken by false messages. And keep us faithfully living as salt and light in Jesus’ Name!

Your Turn:

Reflections
  • Based on 2 Thes 2:7-8, how will the Lord destroy the lawless one mentioned in these verses?
  • What does that show you about our Lord?
Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

In the Days of Noah

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Today’s Reading: Luke 17:26-37 (SOAP: verses 26-27) 

Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Luke 17: 26-27
The Flood Is Coming

When asked by one of the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus’ reply was that – “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.” (Luke 17:20-21 NLT) He continues the conversation with His disciples letting them know that there would false claims of the kingdom’s arrival and warned them not to follow those people. He then makes the comparison to the days of Noah so they would understand that just as the people in Noah’s day were living life as usual and totally caught off guard when the flood came – so it would be when the Son of Man comes.

If you go back and read the story of Noah, you will see that Noah doesn’t just wait for the flood waters to come but he follows the Lord’s instructions and he makes ready for the flood.

“When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous.”

Genesis 7:1
God’s Call To Us

God called Noah to build an ark and was specific in telling him when it was time to go into the ark as well as who and what to take aboard. God isn’t sending another flood but He is sending His Son for those that are His and He called us to be ready. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” is the command and the outcome, like Noah’s, is “[we] will be saved”. He also gave us another command that is not included or even eluded to in the account of Noah – and that is to tell others the good news so that they might believe and be saved, Mark 16:15. Jesus, Himself, set the example as He went about preaching “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near”. Scripture makes it clear that only those covered by the blood of Christ will be saved, and this salvation only happens by grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8-9. It is a gift of God to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Noah received a lot of detailed instructions as to the building of the ark and he completed it and was ready when the waters rose. What about you? Will you be ready when the Son of Man returns? Have you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ? Oh how I hope you have. If you haven’t please message me and let me share His message with You – so that when He returns or when death comes you will find favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Response to God’s Word

Father – rescue the perishing. Thank you for saving me and for the hope of eternity. Use me to tell others the good news so that they will be saved and have the hope of eternity through the blood of Jesus! In whose name I pray – Amen

Your Turn:
Reflections
  • How are the days of Noah similar to today?
  • How are they different?
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The God of All Comfort

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 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.  2 Corinthians 1:3-5  NLT

I believe to know that God is the “source of all comfort” is or should be a great encouragement and strength to every believer. Why? Because, as I have learned through troubles and trials of my own – and those of others – God is, without question, the ultimate comforter, and His Word is the greatest source of comfort. Whether we are suffering from an illness, finances, relationship, or some other life event – having a trusted comforter and/or counselor, as it is translated from the Greek word ( parakletos), is of great value. Think about it, the Creator and sustainer of the universe who knows all there is to know about us, the One who commands the winds and the waves to be still is ready, willing, and able to guide and comfort us. Seriously, could there be any truer source of comfort? All other sources, even the dearest of friends and family, will fall short in comparison. Don’t misunderstand me, God will undoubtedly use others to encourage and comfort us throughout life, in part that’s what this verse is about. From the time we are born to the time we die we will all have need of comfort, which is basically the encouragement and strength to keep going when life is difficult, sad, or overwhelming. However, as Paul told the Corinthians, even this comfort from others flows from God who has in time past comforted them. Paul was able to comfort because he had known God’s comfort in His own sufferings. He is one of the greatest mentors of my faith – not because I knew him or talked to him directly, but because he shared how he suffered, prayed, still suffered and yet boasted of God’s power and all-sufficient grace. The same is true for us as believers today. Because we have His Spirit, the comforter, in us we can comfort others out of the wealth of comfort we have received from Him in our own experiences. It is good to remember that there may be some who receive the comfort indirectly by remembering what they saw or heard about how God took us through a difficult time or how we praised Him even in the storm. Paul says, this in itself will be an overflowing source of comfort to those who are dealing with their own suffering.

So here’s the real challenge … How are we dealing with our suffering? Do others see us leaning on Jesus or full of panic and overcome by fear? Do they hear our praises when He delivers us through a particular trial or are they left to wonder how we came through it so well? Paul’s life is a great example, whether he was dealing with the health issues that plagued him or the persecution and imprissonments he endured, he never stopped sharing the Gospel, love, and power of Christ. Even when things didn’t go as he prayed they would go – he boasted of his weaknesses so that God’s all-sufficient grace and power would be made known.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT

Father, thank You for the troubles of this life that allow us to know Your comfort and that strengthen us in our faith. May we, like Paul, boast in You – even in the storms of life – that others will know You and Your all-sufficient grace and Your enduring compassion, comfort, and overwhelming peace. This I pray in Jesus’ Name – amen.