Tag: Holy Spirit

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Stand Firm

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Based on the study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come – by Love God Greatly / w1d4 / Image by LGG

Scripture:2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 (7-8)

Now regarding the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to be with him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be easily shaken from your composure or disturbed by any kind of spirit or message or letter allegedly from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not arrive until the rebellion comes and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, and as a result he takes his seat in God’s temple, displaying himself as God. 5 Surely you recall that I used to tell you these things while I was still with you. 6 And so you know what holds him back, so that he will be revealed in his own time. 7 For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way, 8 and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of his arrival. 9 The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders, 10 and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved. 11 Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. 12 And so all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned.

Call to Stand Firm

13 But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.

Words of Warning

Today’s journey takes us down a path that is filled with more concerning, yet somewhat captivating, details of the last days. Seriously, I love to study God’s Word but have never been one to really delve into the study of or information about the end times Yet today, for some reason, this passage that I have read/studied before really and truly captivated my attention. Like Peter, in our previous journey, Paul warns the Church of Thessalonica to be alert to false teaching, specifically that they may receive news, allegedly from him saying that the day of the Lord had already come. He encourages the believers to let no one deceive them in any way. Paul makes it clear that that day will not come until the rebellion1 happens and the man of lawlessness2 is revealed.

See what I mean? Intrigue, danger, a possible forgery, deception and more, set the back drop for this portion of our journey. If you haven’t read the passage yet you may want to pause here and take some time to read, or even reread, the whole account.3

Words of Instruction and Encouragement Bring Hope

Paul subtly reminds the people that this isn’t the first time they’ve heard about this, and if they will recall what they have been taught they will realize the disturbing warning Paul has just issued, also comes with encouragement and the ultimate hope of the power and victory of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will destroy and wipe out the lawless one by the very breath of His mouth and by His promised return from heaven to earth! (if you were sitting here with me you would have just heard me shout hallelujah!) Oh the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus – clearly it explains why we dare to cry out: “Come, Lord Jesus, Come!”

and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of his arrival.

2 Thessalonians 2:8. NET
The More We Know

One of the other things that captivated my mind was the part the Holy Spirit plays in all of this, namely the power He has to keep sin from being full blown. So, when I saw that the LGG devotion for today revolved around this portion of the passage, I knew I had to share it with you.

The following was borrowed and shared from the LGG Journal for Come, Lord Jesus, Come / p46

I know it may not always feel like it, but God, through the power of the Holy Spirit and His church, is actively holding back evil in our day. Some days it may be hard to imagine our world getting any worse when we see the evil that already exists in it. But Satan is not free to do as he wills. God is still God, He is still in control, and He is actively working in ways we don’t even know about right now. Amazingly, God has chosen us, His imperfect church, and the work He is doing through us to be one of His most powerful weapons in pushing back the darkness in this world. We can all think of the many defects of the church, but we shouldn’t underestimate the healing impact the body of Christ has on the world today.


By His incredible grace, God is restraining much evil in this world. When God takes away His restraining power in the “Last Days,” evil will multiply in unimaginable ways. However, this increase of evil will be for only a short time.


These “Last Days” verses are not to scare you about the future. These are meant to help you understand the “whys” of the events that are allowed and, when these events start to take place, to help you understand that, in the end, good prevails. Jesus will triumph over the “lawless one,”
and His power will display His glory. Satan will never win. Do not lose heart when you see lawlessness increase and the present days getting darker and darker. A new day always emerges from the darkness of night.

P R AY E R

Dear Lord, thank You for how You are restraining the evil in our world. Thank You for the reminder that the presence of the church in our world matters. Help us to be united around Your Word and empowered by Your love. Help us to be Your hands and feet to a hurting world. Protect us and our families during these days and help us to be bold and brave, always bringing You glory. Until that day, come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Not My Own

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart / w4d5

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 / SOAP 19-20

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

If I’m totally honest, there is something a bit daunting about being told, “You do not belong to yourself.” Yet, knowing that my body belongs to God is equally exhilarating at the same time. It is exciting and encouraging to know that I am not on my own – The Spirit, God’s Spirit, lives in me and works on God’s behalf to teach me and help me live a well-guided, self-controlled, and empowered life. He fills me with the knowledge and understanding that I need and reminds me of everything Jesus has said. I know I can trust these promises of the faith because I have been purchased by God with the price of His only Son’s blood and He did this out of love and so that I might glorify Him with my body.

To keep the body from dishonorable ways in a world that promotes an “if it feels good do it” attitude can present numerous challenges and temptations to copy the behavior and customs of the world. Even members of the community of faith are known to share or make excuses for the world’s standards and now acceptable practices. But God’s Word teaches us to remember that we do not belong to ourselves, instead – we belong to Him and should live according to His standards and not the world’s.

Wisdom from the Journey

Remember God’s Spirit lives in me …

… to control me… to guide me … to comfort me … to empower me …

The Spirit possesses me by God’s will and for God’s glory –

Because He is in me I can do all things that God has called me to do …

Because He is in me I must honor God with my body … physically, spiritually, mentally

Because He is in me His the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control should be more and more evident in my life …

Reflection from Today’s Journey

What is one practical way you can treat your body as a temple?

The More We Know

we came to belong to God when we came to Him by faith in Jesus.

If we are truly in Christ, we are truly not our own.

Posted in Bible study, Christmas, From the Insideout, God is good, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

The Fourth Day of Christmas

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Originally posted on December 29, 2020

Scripture: John 4:10; Name of Jesus – The Giver of Living Water; Ornament – Water jug

On this Fourth Day of Christmas, I am reminded of Jesus’ words to the woman at the well – where He revealed Himself to her as the Giver of Living Water. The living water He was referring to was the Holy Spirit, a gift from the Father to every believer. A gift, that was only available through Him. In John 7:38, Jesus says, ” Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” He wasn’t concerned about her physical need for water but rather her spiritual need for a Savior. Do you know someone who needs the Living Water? Introduce them to Jesus, The miracle Baby in the manger, the Door to God, the Life Giving Vine, and The Giver of Living Water. Read the story – John 4:1-42 NLT – Jesus and the Samaritan Woman – Jesus – Bible Gateway – the woman didn’t even know she was thirsty but once Jesus introduced her to the Living Water her life and the lives of countless others were changed forever.

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

John 4:10
Posted in Advent, Advent, Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Promised Messiah

Salt and Light

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based on the Love God Greatly Advent study, The Promised Messiah / w4d4

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80 / SOAP verses 68-71

This is like a segment from the memorable Paul Harvey and his segments known as “The Rest of the Story.” Previously in Luke’s story we learned of an angel named Gabriel who appeared to a priest who was serving in the Temple, with an announcement that the priest and his wife, both very old, would have a son, whom they were to name John; and John would be the messenger for the coming Messiah. Which of course, is exactly where the story picks up today. Elizabeth gives birth to a son and she named him John. Their neighbors and relatives rejoiced with the miraculous birth but questioned the name she gave since it was not a family name. Zechariah, though still mute because of his disbelief in the angelic proclamation, confirms by writing on a tablet – “His name is John.” Scripture says that Zechariah immediately regained his speech and blessed God and then, filled with Holy Spirit, he prophesied, saying:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
69 He has sent us a mighty Savior
    from the royal line of his servant David,
70 just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.
71 Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.

Luke 1:68-71

I love this response and am quite convicted by them. Zechariah’s words, his first words spoken in months, weren’t a story about what had happened to him but they were about God. They were words of praise that would have brought to the people’s minds God’s long awaited promises to His people – promises of a messenger (Malachi 3:1), a savior (Isa 7:14 and 9:6; Micah 5:2), and of salvation from sin (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

“But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. . . . Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Gotquestions.org

I see several applications as I read through and study this passage. Certainly we learn the importance of believing and obeying God’s word. I also noticed and was reminded of the importance of keeping our minds on God, whether we are in the midst of hard times or celebratory ones. The ultimate example being how in all of the excitement of the birth of a son to a couple well beyond the years of having a child – the fulfillment of the angel’s message – and the return of his speech – Zechariah’s focus remained on God. Undoubtedly, this was a result of the the filling of the Holy Spirit – but let us remember, this is the same Spirit that fills us who have believed, the Spirit of whom Paul said bears within us the fruit of self-control. Both of these examples lead me to the third, you see – because Zechariah believed and obeyed God, evidenced in his naming the child John, Zechariah was given back the ability to speak and maintaining his focus on God, even in all of the excitement, his words poured forth a beautiful prophesy that pointed the people to God and what He had done and was yet to do. The combination of these examples led me to this ultimate application – when we obey God and keep our minds on Him – what pours forth from our lips will be about what He does or has done in the past – it stirs up thought and attention to who He is and what else He can and will do. Thus, we become the salt and light God has called us to be.

Reflection For the Journey

God undoubtedly saw Zechariah and Elizabeth in their years of pain and longing. He was merciful despite their mistakes and used both to encourage their community and make His name great. He is the same God today. What might He be working to restore in your life, even to your longing or momentary unbelief?

From the LGG devotion journal, p 134 / The Promised Messiah
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Uncategorized

Not Made To Be Alone

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A Love God Greatly Study

Introduction

This introduction is not my own. I borrowed it from the Love God Greatly Journal, and I’m guessing some version of it has been on their blog page, so you may have already seen it. However, if I was going to write an introduction meant just for our little group, one that would encourage each participant to be committed to and participate in this little community  – I couldn’t have written it better than this. When I started this group two or three years ago it was in part out of concern for those who couldn’t get out or didn’t have a group to be a part of. Years ago God called me to equip, encourage, and empower women with His Word and I have been trying to do just that since the day He called me. However, because of family responsibilities, health issues of my own, and the whole covid shut-down I was struggling with the commitment of the two in-person groups I led,. So this group became a God directed outlet of hope to help others to stay or be strengthened in their faith by spending time in God’s Word, both personally and also with an online group of women hungry for the same thing. My hope and prayer continues to be that our little community will develop into one where we share/discuss what we are learning or simply a favorite part of the day’s passage, and even praises and prayer requests. To quote the opening and closing words of the following introduction, “- I know this is hard. … but [ladies] we were not made to be alone; we were created for community.” 

I’m praying for each of you but I sure would love to know whose participating. It’s easy to let me know, simply share a comment or hit the like button after reading the introduction I can’t wait to see what God has for us in this study!

Week 1 Memory Verse: You can do this!
Week 1 Challenge: Enhance your study this week –
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Knowing the Spirit Intercedes

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Inspired by “The Importance of Prayer”, a Love God Greatly Study – w3d5

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:26-27; SOAP verse 27

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.

Romans 8:26-27 NET

I remember the first time I read this verse, well – at least the first time I read it with any understanding and appreciation for what it says. That day was more than three decades ago and even though I’ve experienced many seasons of stifled prayers since that time the truth is still as sweet and refreshing today as it was then. When emotions or tiredness or life bogs us down – we may want to pray but find that no words will come, or when words come but they are all jumbled up because mind and heart are a jumbled mess of trials or temptations and we just aren’t sure how to pray – this is the truth that allows us to sit quietly before God knowing His Spirit is at work on our behalf – by and for God’s will. That’s a powerful truth and a privilege of prayer that we must not miss. God, so wants to interact with us – and He so wants us to be confident and able to rest in Him that in His sovereign knowledge and provision He provided a means for us to pray even in our weakest moments, or greatest temptations, or deepest griefs. Whether we are so physically tired we can’t think, or so spiritually weak we don’t know if we even want to pray – God made a way. Not only does His Spirit teach us and remind us of everything He has said (Jn 14:26), He takes our groans, our unutterable words, our aches and pains of heart, mind, body, and soul and He delivers them to God on our behalf – and He does this because God willed it to be so. – Why? Because, as Peter wrote, God cares for us – (1 Peter 5:7). So, here I was studying this verse again – so familiar to me that I can say it in my sleep and claim it often in those moments of unformed words, which are all too-frequent now – yet I found myself once again making notes like I had never read or understood it before. I’m looking back at those notes now and here’s the one that jumped off the page at me – actually it’s been on my mind everyday for the last 6 days … “Just because we don’t know how or what to pray doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pray – We may be silenced by our emotions or distracted by our season of life but we can still sit quietly before Him – trusting Him to know our hearts and minds as His Spirit intercedes on our behalf.”

” Just because we don’t know how or what to pray doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pray – We may be silenced by our emotions or distracted by life but we can still sit quietly before Him – trusting Him to know our hearts and minds as His Spirit intercedes”

Me – fromtheNsideout

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

And – check back in here tomorrow for another Saturday Reflections

Posted in Advent, Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, The God Who Restores

A PRAYERFUL REFLECTION: WEEK 1

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The God Who Restores, An LGG Study

Father, Your Word makes it clear that all have sinned and fall short of Your glory, and having done so our payment should be death; but in this first week of advent You have reminded us that You are a loving, good, and gracious God, who has given all who believe in Your Son – life instead of death! And with that promise comes the hope of eternity with You in Your Kingdom – the New Jerusalem – yet to come! As we wait for our Redeemer’s return, may Your Spirit teach us and keep us faithful to pray for peace, prosperity, and security for Your people, both here and around the world – Thank You for the Love God Greatly ministry that not only enhances our relationship with You, but for the focus they place on reaching and transforming women with Your Word in every nation and tribe! You know me Father, You know my passion for all things Christmas – but the trees and lights and shopping, the hurry and busyness to get things done clamor for our attention daily. Help me/us to make sure to not allow – what can be the joys of the season – to distract me/us from the first advent – the coming of the Christ child – the reason for the season.

Thank You for the encouragement of Advent to focus and refocus our hearts on Your promises God. The promise we read of in week one, of peace and of no more tears or sorrow or pain and suffering, was one we can never hear enough. However, to those who are currently in challenging seasons of their lives, it was a particularly wonderful reminder and source of encouragement.

Jesus, help us to live today and every day, preparing for Your return. Help us to know what boundaries to set in order to be guarded from trading the peace You came to bring for the busyness of the season and the demands of every day life.

Holy Spirit – Prepare our hearts as we begin the second week of Advent. As Jesus did with His disciples, open our minds to understand The Word that we will read, and help us to grow by it, to live it out, and to share it for the glory of Your Holy and powerful Name! – Amen, so let it be!

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

Commissioned

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Day 5, Week 6 of Come, Lord Jesus Come (A Love God Greatly Study) Disciples of All Nations

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20 (SOAP – Matthew 28:19-20)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NET

Observations and Application of the Great Commission:

Much like Paul gave Timothy his ‘charge’ or particular ‘ministry’ to do, Jesus gives His disciples a charge to carry out. He actually tasks them with much the same thing – the work of an evangelist, which is to spread the Gospel message. Like Timothy, we are to do the work of an evangelist, spreading the news that Jesus saves, discipling others, encouraging new believers to follow the Lord in baptism, and to obey everything that Christ commanded. We would also do well to remember to encourage others that Jesus is with us, even to the end of the age.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, You are good and Christ was good to walk with and transform the lives of so many disciples who followed Him. You continue to disciple and train us up today by Your Word and people. May we be faithful to Your commission, whether it is convenient or not – to be ready with an answer for the hope that is within us. Show us how to reach those here and in other countries. And as we go, open hearts and minds to the message of the cross and of our Christ!

more insight

https://lovegodgreatly.com/devotional-come-lord-jesus-come-w6d5/

Reflections: Your turn

Who in your life can you disciple?

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Help in Weakness

Today’s Reading: Romans 8:18-39 (SOAP – 8: 26)

 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

Romans 8:26
The Holy Spirit and the Believer

Have you ever reached the point, either because of tiredness or emotions or even sin – that you just couldn’t or didn’t know how to pray? I have, more times than I can count, which is why I love the truth of this verse. Even more, I love that God has provided a way for us to always connect with Him, even to the point that He will provide the content of our conversation through the intercession of His Spirit. The Spirit plays many roles in the lives of believers and even in the lives of unbelievers, whom He convicts of their sin (Jn 16:8), Two of my other favorites are:

  • Ever feel like you can’t remember God’s Word? Well, the Spirit remembers and according to John 14:26, He has been sent to teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus said. I don’t know about you but I forget more and more these days – so I take great delight in this role of the Holy Spirit in my life
  • I also love that He is the reason that we are able to bear fruit of the new nature God has given us. Because of the Holy Spirit we are able to show love, have and spread joy, live in and know peace, be patient in trying circumstances, be kind and good, faithful and gentle, and practice self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

If you’d like to know even more about what the Holy Spirit does and what it means to “walk in the Spirit” visit gotquestions.org/Spirit-walk.html and dig deeper.

The One Who Intercedes

Paul has just finished writing about hope and how big of a part it plays in the believer’s life, from salvation to strength to carry us through times of suffering. Here, he continues that same thought line only this time he says, “In the same way as the “hope” works – the Spirit works to help us in our weakness. Whether physical or emotional or spiritual, like knowing how or what to pray for – the Spirit’s job is to intercede on our behalf and according to God’s will (27) – so it’s a win-win!

How then Shall we live?

Just as I/you live in “HOPE” of the promises of God through Christ – we need to live in the power of the Spirit for all of life’s needs. We need to trust that God has provided, through the Holy Spirit, all that we need to live a godly life. (2 Peter1:3-4). Perhaps Paul’s best instruction about the Spirit is found in chapter five of Galatians where we find these helpful and inspiring words: 

 But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!  22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.   Galatians 5:16-25
Prayer Prompt

Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you that He works in us, according to Your will. Just as You have taught us to put our hope in You, help us to live by Your Spirit and trust His guidance – in prayer, in relationships with others, in living out Your will and call upon our lives in this world. Thank you that He helps us in our weakness and empowers us to live the godly life. We are most blessed!