Tag: Gospel

Posted in Bible study, Journey Through The Word, She, Volume 1

Lydia, part 2

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Adapted from the study ‘She, volume 1, p 27-28

Read: Acts 16:11- 40

She is the first recorded convert in Europe

Our previous day’s journey focused on Lydia and how the Gospel she heard from Paul changed her life. Her life was no longer about a religion or religious acts – instead, it was now about a relationship with God, made possible through the grace of God and the saving work of Jesus Christ, His Son. This change in Lydia’s heart is a prime example that “there is”, as the study guide puts it, “a difference in knowing something, and actually believing, or placing your faith in it” (p 26).

After her heart was opened, she placed her faith in Jesus and never looked back. Scripture tells us that she (and her household)* were baptized … she then provided housing for Paul and those with him on more than one occasion. One commentary describes her as one who is “generous and passes on that generous spirit to the church that started in her home (Phil 4:15-16).

And as you Philippians know, at the beginning of my gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in this matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica on more than one occasion you sent something for my need.

Philippians 4:15-16

While Lydia’s name doesn’t appear often in Scripture, it is easy to see – from her salvation (believed to be the first in Europe)…to her public profession of faith through baptism…to her willingness to house Paul and the others…to opening her home so others could hear the message and grow in their faith…to laboring with Paul and others in spreading the Gospel … and using her income to help missionaries whom she often hosted in her home – why it is believed that “she had a great impact on the church.”

“She had a great impact on the church.”

She Volume 1, p 27

Lydia was not bashful but bold with her faith. As the writers of our study guide point out, “She must have told all that were in her household what the Lord had done for her” – for they were baptized with her. Lydia was so excited and passionate about her faith that she had to share it with those around her. What a beautiful picture she is of “the effects the Gospel can have on our lives.” Surely she is an inspiration to be active and open in our walk of faith, generous and purposeful in ministry, and ready and willing to share the Gospel, mindful that the person seated beside you week after week in church may need to hear the Gospel message of salvation.

Words of Encouragement: For Faith and Duty

Sharing the Gospel does not come easily for everyone. From our personalities to our understanding of the Gospel, and everything in between, there are many reasons or excuses we allow to hold us back. Perhaps we’re afraid we will say the wrong thing or offend someone – there are a myriad of other reasons we can offer, but there is one reason that should outweigh all of the reasons/excuses we can think of – and it is found in John 3:36: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Simply put, it is a choice between life and death. Trust me, I’m not making light of the ‘difficulty’ we have with this all-important commission. I still freeze up sometimes, and/or I make excuses that it’s not the right setting or timing … or I can’t remember what to say … and sometimes those things may be true, but I have found that if I just open my mouth – God will lead the way and the conversation. Sometimes it ends up being an invitation to church; other times it is putting the Gospel information in their hands; still others, it is actually sharing the Gospel, as Paul did with Lydia – and even then the outcome isn’t on us … for only God can open someone’s heart and mind to understand the message of salvation.

Consider this … When Moses was sent by God to speak with Pharaoh, Moses told God: “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words, neither formerly nor since you’ve been speaking to your servant, because my mouth and my tongue are clumsy.”  God heard Moses’ response and replied back: And Yahweh said to him: “Who made man’s mouth? Who makes him dumb or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now, go! And I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall speak.” Exodus 4:10-12

Friends, the battle belongs to the Lord! Just as God came down and spoke to Moses – leading Him to set His people free from slavery to Pharaoh – Jesus came down to set sinners free from their bondage to the law of sin and death. Like Moses, we have been commissioned to be the mouthpieces and the lights that lead them out – the hands and feet of Jesus, His love (the very message of the Gospel) in and to a lost and dying world.

Reflection/Application

What does Lydia inspire you to do? – share your answer, question, or comment in the comment section below – or jump over to my Journey Through the Word page

The More We Know

Need help sharing the Gospel? Check out this step-by-step plan of salvation from my church’s website. You can also message me for something to share with those who may need to hear the Gospel message.

Who Made Man’s Mouth?

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Thanksgiving

Let the Redeemed Say So…

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Today’s “Thankful” passage is part of a chain of verses that caught my attention this past weekend. I was originally led to verses 4-9. However, after reading the entire Psalm and realizing that it is a beautiful crescendo of words that are best read together, from the introduction of the Psalmist’s declaration of God’s enduring love, or “loyal love”, as one translation puts it — to the conclusion, where God’s wisdom allows us to understand His loving-kindness and we are led to praise Him all the more.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

Psalm 107:2-3 KJV

Sin’s Power Is Broken –

6 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:1-11 NLT

Friends, if you are a believer, it is so important to remember that we were once slaves to sin, and though freed from that slavery, we are still the target of our enemy, the devil. “He actively works to nullify the effect of the Word of God in people’s hearts (Matthew 13:3–4, 19), and he blinds the intellect of those who do not believe so they cannot understand the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4).1” The payment for our sin was death2, meaning we were desperately in need of a redeemer.3 God sent Jesus, our “Kinsman Redeemer,4” to pay the penalty we owed, so that we might not only live but have eternal life!5 His death on the cross broke the power of sin over all who put their faith in Jesus Christ.

While commentator, David Guzik, rightfully notes that, “We might be redeemed from the world, the flesh, the devil, or countless other snares. Here, the psalmist has in mind redemption from the hand of the enemy, probably connected with the exile of God’s people.” However, once we realize the detailed truth of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ, (outlined for us here and throughout God’s Word), would it not be the epitome of rudeness to be silent about such a great gift of His redeeming us from the power of sin and death? Oh, how little we must think of His great and unmerited gift of life, if we do not daily proclaim our redemption to Him with thanksgiving and to the people around us, that they might also be redeemed. After all, to declare our redemption is to make known the Gospel Message, of which we are ambassadors who are not to be ashamed, for the gospel message is God’s power to save.

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Romans 1:16

Friends, may we be faithful stewards of our words – both in praises to God and in sharing His redemptive plan with the world around us. – Or as the old chorus echoing through my mind says:

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so

I’m redeemed, I’m redeemed, Praise the Lord!

The More We Know

The word gospel means “good news,” which is the message of forgiveness for sin through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. It is essentially God’s rescue plan of redemption for those who will trust in His divine Son in order to be reconciled to a just and holy God.

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, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

Determined

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Psalm 119, Seeking Him With All Our Heart/ w2d1

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: Psalm 119:25-32/ SOAP 27-28, 30

I lie in the dust;
    revive me by your word.
26 I told you my plans, and you answered.
    Now teach me your decrees.
27 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
    and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 I weep with sorrow;
    encourage me by your word.
29 Keep me from lying to myself;
    give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
30 I have chosen to be faithful;
    I have determined to live by your regulations.
31 I cling to your laws.
    Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!
32 I will pursue your commands,
    for you expand my understanding.

Psalm 119:25-32 NLT

Regardless of the condition and plight of the Psalmist, he returns again and again to the importance of God’s Word. He realizes it isn’t enough to simply read it but that he needs to meditate (dwell/think) on it. The Psalmist knows that God’s Word will bring encouragement, and he is determined to faithfully live by the “regulations”1 of God.

Don’t miss that the Psalmist didn’t just dwell in or search the Word of God; he sought God Himself. The Psalmist had a relationship with God and called out to God when he needed help understanding the Word or when he needed encouragement. When he was in great sorrow, the Psalmist cried (literally wept) and reached out to God

Living the Journey (Application)

Have you ever found yourself just going through the motions of a relationship with God? I confess that for many years of my life, my relationship with God simply included attending church. Then there were seasons when a daily verse—found in a book or on a calendar or app—that took 5 minutes to read sufficed as a relationship builder. Other times, it was a devotion that took five minutes to read. All were great at the moment but left me floundering in the relationship department.

Just like our earthly relationships aren’t built or strengthened by five minutes a day, neither is a relationship with God. – Please understand, that I believe these methods are all beneficial stepping stones, but in and of themselves, they will not build a relationship, cause our light to burn brightly, or offer us protection from the fiery darts of our enemy, the devil.

The Word of God is meant to be read, meditated on, used as a road map, shared with others, and talked about morning, noon, and night – daily.

Consider the importance of God’s Word. According to Paul, it has the power to save (Rom 1:16-17),, and Solomon wrote that it offers life and health and peace (Prov 4:20-22; Jn 16:33). It is a light to guide our feet and a lamp for our path (Ps 119:105), and we would be wise to faithfully follow after It. Let’s –

  • choose to be faithful to the Word of God
  • be determined to live by it in all our ways

 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Romans 1:16-17 NLT
Prayer for the Journey

Yes, Father – Yes! Help us to follow faithfully after Your Word. Help us to be committed to keeping it, determined to live by it – so that You might be honored and glorified as we become healthy and strong in our faith, who walk by the light and power of Your Word! Cause us to shed light on the world around us – reaching others with the Gospel that has the power to save! – Hallelujah and amen!

Question FOR THE JOURNEY

Have you committed to living by the Word or to simply reading a daily verse and going about your day?

THE MORE WE KNOW

You’ll want to check out the LGG post for today’s passage – but before you go – take a minute to read the following.

Another prominent theme in Psalm 119 is the profound truth that the Word of God is all-sufficient. Psalm 119 is an expansion of Psalm 19:7–9: “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.” There are eight different terms referring to the Word of God throughout the psalm: law, testimonies, precepts, statues, commandments, judgments, word, and ordinances. In almost every verse, the Word of God is mentioned.

gotquestions.org
  1. Note the many ways the Psalmist refers to God’s Word in today’s passage: decrees … commandments … Word … instructions … regulations … law … commands ↩︎
Posted in Advent, Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Lent, LGG Study, Quiet Time

“I Will Rise Again”

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

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

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

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

Matthew 27:62-66 NET

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

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

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

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

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

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

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

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

Read the words and follow the teachings of Jesus –

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

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

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

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

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

The More We Know

To live unashamed of the gospel means we …

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

Jesus Our Peace

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based on the LGG Study, The Armor of God, w3d3

Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-18 / SOAP: verse 17

 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near

Ephesians 2:17 NET
Note the Difference

This peace is more than the peace we seek and know when we face a test tomorrow or a real and present battle today. This peace is what brings us near to God, giving us access to Him – the One who guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It doesn’t negate or change the peace that passes all understand that we seek in order to not worry, as Paul instructed, but rather it is the Peace that makes all other peace possible.

A Portrait of the Real and Lasting Peace of God

What a beautiful and encouraging passage of Scripture! Perhaps one of the most realistic portraits of Christ our Savior that is painted in – and with – the Word. Jesus as our peace, His blood pouring down as access for all who would believe – no longer just the Jews but now the Gentiles were included! Or as Paul writes in Colossians, “.It doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free.” We are brought near to God through Christ! Why? Because there was hostility [sin] between us and God. We were, as it is written, “enemies of God” who were reconciled to God by the death of his Son,”.

 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? 11 Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation. Read the rest of the story

 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Ephesians 2:17 NLT – I can’t help but think once again of the old hymn, “Peace peace wonderful peace – flowing down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray in fathomless billows of love.”

Think About It

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Romans 5:10
  • His act of love wasn’t just His death but His life – for He left Heaven’s splendor and lived the life of a man, actually of a servant, in a “man’s world”, full of sin and far different from from Heaven’s splendor – not so that He could experience life with flesh and blood but so “He could first preach the message of PEACE” (John 14:27, Matt 5:9) to all so that through Him we have access to both the Father and the Spirit – and as verse 15 says, so that there would be no more condemnation. (Romans 8:1).
Reflection on the Journey
  • What does it mean that He preached peace to those who were far off?
  • What does it mean that Jesus brought us near? (13)
Going Further:

Don’t forget to check out today’s LGG Blog

Posted in Bible study, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Armor of God

Shoes

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, The Armor of God, w3d1

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18 / SOAP: verse 15

 – by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace,

Ephesians 6:15

This verse is not meant to stand alone, so let’s look again at the ones that come before it. As you read, notice all of the instructions we are given for living out our faith well –

Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Clothe yourselves with (the full armor of God), so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.13 For this reason, (take up the full armor of God) so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, (and having done everything, to stand.) 14 Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace –

The Responsibility is Ours

As believers we have been saved by grace through faith, it is a free and forever gift of God. That being said we are given responsibilities as believers that we must strive for the rest of our Christian life. James said, “Faith without works is dead.” He encourages the believer to not just read or hear the Word but to live it out. Living out our faith doesn’t have to be a mystery, that is the purpose of His Word and the examples set before us in Christ and the other disciples and men and women of faith throughout Scripture

So far in our study we have been given the responsibility of “putting on” the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. In today’s soap verse we have been given the task of “fitting our feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace.” This is the third piece of armor we are called to wear in preparation for battle. We will spend the week learning more about this peace, what it is, and how to apply/wear it well. Remember we are to suit up in the “full armor” so that we can stand against the schemes of the devil (11,13), and not just stand but we are to stand firm (14).

Shoes

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

Ephesians 6:15

I love the way the New Living Translation and others translate verse 15 using the word “shoes”. I loved going barefoot as a child and still to this day I would rather have my shoes off than on, but I have learned that there are times where it is very helpful to wear my shoes. It is also helpful to wear the right shoes. For instance, I would not wear my snow boots on a sandy beach nor my beach shoes on a snow walk. I love my comfy slip on shoes but I know not to wear them on a three-mile walk. The same is true of the soldier who has his belt and and breastplate in place, he knows he has to have have his feet in the right shoes in order to use the other pieces of his armor well. Just like the shoes of the soldier make him ready for battle the “Gospel of peace” makes the believer ready for spiritual battle. We will look more intently at what this all means in the days to come – but for today suit up with the belt of TRUTH and the breastplate of righteousness – and don’t forget to fit your feet with the peace that comes from the Gospel, the Good News about Christ.

The gospel is, broadly speaking, the whole of Scripture; more narrowly, the gospel is the good news concerning Christ and the way of salvation.

gotquestions.org
Reflection on the Journey
  • What does Ephesians 6:15 teach us about the importance of having our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace?
  • What are some practical ways we can prepare ourselves to share the Gospel with others?
Going Further:

Be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog Post

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Let’s Rebuild

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based on the Love God Greatly study, From Broken to Restored / w1d4

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:9-20 / SOAP verse 18

Then I related to them how the good hand of my God was on me and what the king had said to me. Then they replied, “Let’s begin rebuilding right away!” So they readied themselves for this good project.

Nehemiah 2:18

Remember in our last reading the King of Persia gave Nehemiah the go ahead on traveling to Jerusalem to rebuild the city.

So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.”

Then I was terrified, 3 but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”

With a prayer to the God of heaven, 5 I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”

6 The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.

Nehemiah 2:2-6

In today’s passage (2:9-20) Nehemiah has arrived and inspected the walls, after which he made it known to the officials, the Jews, the priests, the nobles, and the workers what he had been doing. He urged them to join him in rebuilding the walls so that Jerusalem would no longer bear such disgrace and criticism. Nehemiah told them how God’s hand was on him and about the King’s approval for his mission. His encouragement to rebuild was meant with great and eager enthusiasm of the people. However, the enemies of the Jews were not quite as receptive. The beauty and example for us is that Nehemiah paid no attention to them but sought and followed God faithfully.

Nehemiah sought God and followed through with purpose and a plan to do it right – rather than bowing to the demands of man.

Consider This Application

We have all been given a calling. The work of the gospel is before us. As followers of Christ, we are to take the gospel to the world and make disciples of all nations. We are working with God to rebuild the brokenness that is in the world because of sin. When we bring the gospel into dark places, when we share the truth of who Jesus is with others, we are engaging in this good project. The planning and preparation have already been done, and, like Nehemiah rallied the people, Jesus calls us to join Him in this important work. may we be faithful to ready ourselves and engage in this good work!

Love God Greatly Devotion / From Broken to Restored / w1d4
Prayerful Response to God’s Word

Father, again I pray that You will help strengthen us to be fully engaged in mind, heart, and action. May we be dedicated to the calling to “take the gospel”, to be Your instruments of peace and light in the dark places of this world, to share the truth of who Jesus is with others, and work with You to “rebuild the brokenness that is in the world because of sin.” Jesus has called us to join Him, may we “faithfully prepare to engage in this good work!” – Amen and Amen!!

Posted in Bible study, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone, Quiet Time

The Impact of God’s People

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based on: Not Made to Be Alone, an Love God Greatly Study / w4d2

Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:13-16 / SOAP: 14-16

You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16
Be the light

God’s people are important to His process of calling others to Himself. Consider the words of Paul to the Romans, in chapter 10:13-14 – where he writes, “How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them?” And don’t forget the “great commission” of the [church] to be His hands and feet and the mouth pieces though whom He speaks.

Like a light in a dark room we are meant to help others see their way out of the darkness to God. So what we say and do is meant to draw attention, not to us, but to our deeds and words – which should reflect God in us and in return reflect honor and glory back to Him.

Response to God’s Word

Father let the words of our mouths and the actions we take or the countenances and responses we have reflect Your love in us and our love for You – so that in all things You receive the glory – Forever Amen+

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, She, Volume 2

Anna: Never Ceasing Prayer

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TODAY’S READING: Luke 2:36-50 (37-38)
She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
MY OBSERVATIONS:

Wow! How can one small passage pack such an amazing message? From the obvious to the somewhat obscure, this familiar passage held so much that jumped off the page as though I had never read it before in my life.

helpful background details
  • Anna was a prophetess (verse 36), which means she was a woman who proclaimed God’s WORD – speaking everything God gave her to speak – and boy, did He give her a lot to speak on this day.
  • As verse 36 tells us, Anna was the “daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher“, meaning she was a descendant of Jacob.
  • When verse 38 says, “At that moment”, it is referring to the time Mary and Joseph had come to the Temple to present Jesus to the LORD; setting Him apart to the LORD was fulfilling the law’s requirement for every firstborn male.
Anna

Anna spent her life at the Temple. She worshiped God through fasting and praying both night and day, clearly she was devoted to God. In 2022, my Pastor preached on ‘worship’ as part of a series titled “The 7 Habits of Deeply Spiritual People”. The first, and what I believe he called the core habit, is “worship”. He shared several definitions of worship, including:

  • “giving or showing someone their worth“
  • “the outpouring of a soul because we’re at rest with God“
  • “the occupation of the heart with God Himself”
  • and “a conscious passion to glorify God in everything because He alone is deserving”

Pastor Lemming made the point that this type of worship only happens when we see God for who He really is. Clearly, Anna saw God for who He really was, and because she did, she was able to see Jesus, even as a young child, for who He really was – the long-awaited Messiah! It was her surrender that fueled her awareness of who He was, which in turn fueled her mission to “speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem”.

Essential to Anna’s story and her worship is that she was a prayer warrior. She’s actually a great example of what Paul instructed the Colossians to be like in Colossians 4:2, when he said: “Be devoted to prayer.”

Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:2

Note again Anna’s reaction in verse 38, “At that moment, [Anna] came up to [Mary and Joseph, and Jesus] to give thanks to God and to speak about the child, [Jesus], to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” With a heart beautifully surrendered to God, Anna was positioned to see and be a part of God’s presence and work.

How Then Should We Live?

Surely we are to live beautifully surrendered like Anna, daily worshiping God. We may not be at the physical “temple” night and day as she was, but what hit me as I was reading and digesting the passage were the words of Paul to the Corinthians that – we, our physical bodies, are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us and was given to us by God. We are meant to worship God – showing Him His worth, recognizing His vast superiority, having a conscious passion to glorify Him in everything – “night and day”, just like Anna.

We are meant to proclaim Jesus just like Anna, for Jesus is the Gospel message, the very message that Paul said is the “power of God for salvation”.

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16 NET

We are to be devoted to prayer as she was; it should not be something we only do in the morning and evening or when we have a desperate need. We are meant to pray “without ceasing”, staying alert to the opportunities and needs throughout the day to call on or cry out praises to Him on our own behalf or for others.

Prayer Response

Father – what beautiful words and instruction from a Scripture passage so familiar and yet somehow so new. Help us to live like Anna – devoted to You in every way – worshiping You night and day, fixed on You, unceasing in prayer, and unashamed to proclaim Jesus! ~ In the name of Jesus, so let it be ~