Tag: Holy

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Beginning to Forever, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study

A Rescuer

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Based on the Love God Greatly Study, From the Beginning to Forever/w4d4

Read: 1 Kings 12:16-20 and Isaiah 53:1-9/ SOAP Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

As we continue our journey from The Beginning to the End, this one statement bears repeating: from the beginning of time, God’s plans included a “Rescuer”. He is described in Genesis 3:15 as the One who will crush the head of Satan. Satan, of course, is the enemy (the serpent) who approached Eve in the garden, tempting her to disobey (sin) God’s command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve knew the commandment, she repeated the commandment to the serpent, but she saw that the fruit was attractive and desirable for making one wise ~ and she ate it. From that time forward, ‘man’ has needed someone to rescue them…to save them from eternal separation from God. Because as Isaiah wrote, “Our sins have separated us from God.”1

“And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strikeb your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 3:15

If you are a human being, you needed rescuing. Jesus came to save you. He saves us from sin by forgiving our sins (Luke 19:10; Acts 10:42–43; 1 Timothy 1:15). He saves us from God’s righteous punishment by justifying us with His blood (Romans 5:9). He saves us from death by giving us eternal life. He saves us from the degradation of the world by separating, empowering, and sanctifying us (Titus 3:3–8). He saves us from the devil, who deceives the world (1 John 3:8). For all these reasons and more, Jesus is rightfully worshiped as the Savior of the world (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14).

gotquestions.org/What does it mean that Jesus is the Savior?

Salvation is more than just a one-and-done ‘religious experience’ you check off a list and move on. Friends, true salvation is the beginning of a life-giving/eternity-long relationship with the one true, Triune God (Father, Spirit, and Son). The Father gave the Son, the Son gave His life to rescue/save us, and the Spirit fills us with life and power to participate in the Divine Nature.

In most superhero movies, the hero must intervene in a dangerous situation to rescue a powerless victim. At the end, the victim might exclaim, with all the force of a well-worn cliché, “You’re my hero!” In this moment, the grateful person is acknowledging that the hero has, potentially with great sacrifice, rescued him or her from mortal danger. Christians mean much the same thing when they refer to Jesus as the Savior, but on a much grander scale. In the Bible, the word Savior simply means “someone who saves someone else.” In the Old Testament, God is frequently referred to as the Savior, rescuing His people from all kinds of danger (Deuteronomy 32:15; 1 Chronicles 16:35; Psalm 18:46; 38:22). What does Jesus rescue us from? And what does He rescue us for?

To understand Jesus’ role as Savior, we must understand our own desperate situation. Humans have sinned against God, rebelling, and voluntarily separating themselves from the God of life (Romans 3:23; 5:12). Sin produces death, and so everything in our world is now dying (Romans 6:23; James 1:15). Because God is holy, He will punish sin, leading to eternal separation from Him (Matthew 10:28). Without Jesus, humans are helplessly enslaved by sin and cannot ever achieve holiness on their own (Romans 3:9–20). We were born on a one-way track to hell, rightly condemned for our sin (Ephesians 2:1–3).

Read the full answer here: https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-is-the-Savior.html

I love this analogy, Jesus is my ‘super-hero’! For He has saved me from my sins and the death they deserved! He has rescued me from so many pits, wrong turns, the power of hell, the deception of the enemy, the desires of the sinful nature… the list is long, but the evidence is sure and certain and liberating, for I have been set free from the chains of sin and death and from the condemnation that sin brings.

He’s My Rescuer is one of my favorite songs by Rend Collective, and I couldn’t help but think of it as I was writing out my thoughts on today’s journey.

[Verse 1]
There is good news for the captive, good news for the shamed
There is good news for the one who walked away
There is good news for the doubter, the one religion failed
For the Good Lord has come to seek and save

[Chorus]
He’s our rescuer (Hey!)
He’s our rescuer (Hey!)
We are free from sin forevermore
Oh how sweet the sound (Hey!)
Oh how grace abounds (Hey!)
We will praise the Lord our rescuer

[Verse 2]
He is beauty for the blind man, riches for the poor
He is friendship for the one the world ignores
He is pasture for the weary, rest for those who strive
For the Good Lord is the way, the truth, the life
Yes the Good Lord is the way, the truth, the life

The More We Know

  1. Isaiah 59:2 ↩︎

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Our God Who Pursues, Quiet Time

A Plan to Restore

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Based on “Our God Who Pursues”/LGG Journalpw3d1

Read: Micah 1:1-9; Micah 2: 3-13 (SOAP/2:12-13)

Micah delivers a message of both judgment and hope. While it is easy to gravitate to the hope his words bring, we must not neglect or misunderstand the fact that the destruction and exile they face are a result of their sins. In case you are among those who, like the Israelites in Micah’s day, believe that God’s patience cannot be exhausted – hear the warning of Micah from the LORD: “My commands bring a reward for those who obey them.” However, Moses warned in Deuteronomy that disobedience brings destruction. Clearly, many, if not most of the people had been infected/wounded by sin and drawn away from obedience.

“While the judgment promised may be hard to read, it is also merited. The people wanted their own ways over God’s ways, so God was giving them over to what they wanted. This would end poorly for the people of Israel and Judah. By understanding the judgment promised, we can better appreciate the message of hope. ”

LGG Journal/p95 of Our God Who Pursues

I love that even though God’s Holy character stood firm against the disobedient, He pursued the faithful ‘remnant,’ and by His mercy made a way where there was no way.

“I will certainly gather all of you, O Jacob,
I will certainly assemble those Israelites who remain.
I will bring them together like sheep in a fold,
like a flock in the middle of a pasture;
they will be so numerous that they will make a lot of noise.
13 The one who can break through barriers will lead them out;
they will break out, pass through the gate, and leave.
Their king will advance before them;
the Lord himself will lead them.”
Micah 2:12-13


Keep in mind that God’s pursuit and deliverance of His people comes not out of obligation but from a heart and character full of mercy, love, and grace. As today’s journal entry points out, when we understand this truth, “It allows us to worship Him as we should. We must understand both God’s divine justice as well as His mercy and grace. It’s in light of these characteristics that we can stand forgiven and free through the cross of Jesus Christ. What an incredible God we serve.1”

A personal note from me🦋: Be careful to remember that sin (or a wound as some translate it) is infectious, and no one is immune. After a full winter of illnesses that spread throughout my immediate family, the word “infected” (also translated as “wound”) in 1:9 grabbed my attention. Though our viruses/illnesses were not incurable as Micah described the Samaritans’ to be, they were rough and spread quickly and retentively from family member to family member and among the places we work. Having it once did not ensure you would not get it again. From upper respiratory infections to the flu and the new strain of COVID following Christmas, to another bout with the flu and the coronavirus in January and February – it has been a ‘long, hard winter.’ – My point is this – sin is infectious and we must careful to stay alert that it not grab hold of us. (1 Peter 5:8-11) – One other point from this analogy is that just like the illnesses kept me from work and the reward of those days wages (so-to-speak), the sin that infiltrates our lives, if left unchecked, can separate us from fellowship with our God.

Prayer of Response

Father, thank You for making a way where there was no way. Through Your mercy, love, and grace in Christ Jesus, we have been set free from the law of sin and death. Help us to stay alert to the enemy, and please guard us from the infectious sins that we encounter in our daily lives so that nothing and no one will hinder us from fellowship with You and the freedom to truly worship You. May we be faithful in confessing our sins so that we might enjoy Your faithfulness in forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

The More We Know

For more insight, click the button below

love God Greatly Blog
  1. Our God Who Pursues, p95 ↩︎

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

Sanctification

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For a thing to be sanctified means it is set apart for a special use. 

based on the Love God Greatly Study, Firm Foundation, w5d2

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8(SOAP vs 3); Hebrews 10:14-18 (SOAP vs 10)

God’s will is for you to be holy(sanctified-KJV), so stay away from all sexual sin. 

1 Thessalonians 4:3

 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy(sanctified-KJV).

Hebrews 10:14
Observations from the Journey

Because today’s passages focus on the believer being holy/sanctified, let us understand holiness/sanctification as God’s Word defines it. To be holy/sanctified is to be set apart for God (Leviticus 20:7; 1 Peter 1:15). Yesterday’s journey revealed or reminded us that we can not be made right with God (declared righteous) apart from faith in Jesus Christ. The same is true of God’s call for believers to be holy/sanctified – it is not possible apart from faith in Jesus Christ.

It is helpful to start with the passage from Hebrews and the message about the “one offering” perfecting – those who are “made holy.” Remember, it used to be animal sacrifices repeated again and again that would temporarily cover the sins of the people.1 However, the blood of the animal never truly removed the sin. But God, in His loving mercy, made a way! Through the blood of Jesus, the sacrificial system was made complete. For the perfect, spotless blood of Jesus is sufficient to wipe away sins – not just temporarily but forever! Hallelujah and amen!

What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Oh precious is the flow
that makes me white as snow –
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Application: Living Out the Journey

When Paul closes out his instructions to the Thessalonians, he reminds them that God’s will is for them, as believers, to be sanctified, meaning to be “set apart for a special use2.” The example he gives with this instruction is for them to stay away from “sexual immorality,” a sin that undoubtedly was rampant in Thessalonica, a pagan culture steeped in sexual sin. However, we know from the totality of Scripture that sin of any kind, accepted or unaccepted by the culture we live in, is wrong and unacceptable in the eyes of our Holy God. To be set apart for God requires the believer to “keep away.” as Paul wrote, from all sins. Should we find ourselves wanting to make excuses for certain sins – let us understand that John explained sin to be anything that is contrary to God’s Word,3 and Paul was clear that the wages of sin is death,4 but he finished that statement with the clear and present promise that the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus – the perfected – solitary and all-sufficient offering – the spotless, sinless, Son of God – through whom (by faith) we are made holy and acceptable in God’s sight! – All glory and praise to God!

To be sanctified is to be “set apart.” Synonyms for sanctified are holy, consecrated, and hallowed. The Bible speaks of things being “sanctified,” such as Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:23) and gifts to the temple (Matthew 23:17); days, such as the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8); names, such as God’s (Matthew 6:9); and people, such as the Israelites (Leviticus 20:7–8) and Christians (Ephesians 5:26).

Gotquestions.org
Prayer of Response to the Journey

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – Thank You that through You I am made holy and set apart for You. Thank You for the reminder to walk faithfully in Your ways and stay away from all sin. Thank You for the blood that washed away my sins, the indwelling of Your Spirit that alerts me to sin and temptations and empowers me to turn away from them – even showing me the way of escape, as Paul wrote.5 Thank You, God, for the one offering that has perfected for all time those who are made holy, and for putting Your laws on my heart and inscribing them on my mind and remembering my sins against me no more! – I am most blessed and forever grateful! 💜

The More We Know

For a thing to be sanctified means it is set apart for a special use. 

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

PURE AND HOLY

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Psalm 119, Seeking Him With All Our Heart/ w1d2

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-11/ SOAP 9-11

How can a young person stay pure?
    By obeying your word.
10 I have tried hard to find you—
    don’t let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:1-8 NLT

I love the question-and-answer passages of Scripture like this one. The Psalmist follows up his declaration that those who obey God’s laws and seek Him with all of their hearts will be blessed – or joyful people, as some translations say. He had boldly declared that those who do not compromise with evil and only walk in the path of God, carefully keeping His commandments, so that their actions would consistently reflect the way of the Lord, would not have anything to be ashamed of when they compared their life with God’s commands – and then he ended verse eight with the pledge to not only learn God’s righteous regulation but to live by them, obeying His decrees. His pledge was accompanied by a request that God not give up on him – in other words, the Psalmist knew what he had declared wasn’t going to be easy and that He would need God’s patience, or a learning curve, so to speak.

I love the beauty of the Psalmist’s open candor with God and have learned much from him. I also love the follow-up question and answer portion that follows in the second part of the Psalm, which is our focus today.

Have you ever made a pledge to God that you were going to do something – tithe a certain amount, commit to a certain calling, give up a sinful habit, or live a certain way – only to realize the next morning or perhaps even the next minute – that you have no idea if or how you can follow-through on what you said? I certainly have – and by the words of the Psalmist, I believe this is exactly what he had done. Having just committed to living according to God’s decrees, he now is asking God how in the world he’s going to do it – how is he, or how can any of us “stay pure”? Though it seems to be a rhetorical question of sorts, as he immediately responds – “by living according to God’s Word,” This is equally a challenging and good question for us to consider.

How can we stay true to God, living a holy life? We can search for Him with all of our hearts, learning what is good and right in His sight and living according to those precepts. However, we must also realize that in and of ourselves, we cannot accomplish a pure and holy life. We must, like the Psalmist, call out to God to help us not sin, or ‘stray from His commands.’, which, as the Psalmist points out, requires that we have God’s Word “hidden in our hearts.” Simply put, we are to dwell in God’s Word enough to know it – perhaps not word for word – but enough to remember the teaching and expectations that He has laid out in it and made known to us. In this world full of distractions, wickedness, and opposition to our faith, we must be filled with the Word – we must never lose sight of it – nor turn from it.

It is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. 

James 4:17 ESV
Living the Journey (Application)

Follow the Psalmist’s example –

  • Have the desire and set the goal to “stay pure,” (live a holy life).
  • Seek God with ALL of you HEART
    • learn what He likes and doesn’t like, and strive for what He likes
  • hide as much of His Word in Your heart/mind as you can
    • read
    • listen
    • write
    • talk about
    • study
    • meditate
  • Ask God for help
    • I love the way the Psalmist asked: “Do not let me wander from Your commands.
Prayer for the Journey

Father, You have called Your children, through the words of Peter and others in Your Word, to live perfect lives, and You have made known to us how we can do this- even in a less-than-wholesome world. You have blessed us with the freedom to have and use Your Word freely – You have given us Your Spirit, who not only empowers us to live godly lives but also teaches and reminds us of Your Words. We are without excuse and beyond grateful for Your gifts of grace and Your promise that we can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength. – Hallelujah and Amen!

Question FOR THE JOURNEY

Do you have a plan in place for living pure and holy before God?

THE MORE WE KNOW

How can you have God’s Word hidden in your heart?

God’s Word is the agent of His Spirit used to cleanse the hearts of all who believe in Christ and are saved (Ephesians 5:25–27). And it is through keeping God’s Word securely planted in our hearts and living according to what it says that believers continue to walk in holiness (Psalm 37:31; 119:9).

gotquestions.org

 14 Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance, 15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, 16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:14-16

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

I Bless Your Name

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Today’s Prayer Prompt: Psalm 103:1-5

Father, You are Good! You forgive all my iniquities. You bring healing to my mind, my body, and my soul. You have redeemed my life from the pit. Father – You crown me with Your faithful love and compassion. You satisfy me with good things and I am renewed like the eagle who soars on the wind. My soul blesses You LORD – All that is within me blesses Your Holy Name!

I bless You LORD – my Father and my God – my Creator, Healer, and Sustainer of life and I do not – no, I will not forget ALL these benefits. They are unmerited favors – gifts from Your grace, poured out from Jesus, Your Son and my Savior+. Yes, oh yes! You are good and all that is within me blesses Your Holy Name!

Me-From the Inside Out🦋