Tag: Jesus

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

No Longer Condemned

Posted on by

based on the LGG study, From Broken to Restored, w4d1

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-12; Hebrews 4:12 / SOAP: Romans 8:1-2

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:1-2

Let’s take a look at the overview of the passage from Nehemiah in order to fully appreciate the verses we are focusing on in Romans today. In Nehemiah we read:

  • All the people were eager to hear the book of the law (3)
  • When the book was opened all the people stood up (5)
  • When the priest blessed the LORD, all the people replied “Amen! Amen!” with lifted hands (6)
  • The people remained standing as they were being taught (7)
  • The people gained understanding from what was read (8)
    • Keep in mind what was read most likely would have pointed out their sin which, by the law, deserved death
  • The people were weeping but those who were reading and teaching the law instructed them not to mourn or weep (9)
  • They were reminded that the “joy of the LORD is your strength”
  • Again, before they departed, they were reminded “do not grieve”

Fast forward to Paul’s words in Romans 8:1-2, where he announces that there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ. Why? What’s different from the weeping and grief we saw in the people of Nehemiah’s day, at the reading of the ‘book of the law’? We find the answer in verse two of Romans eight –

For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:2

To this we should say, “Amen! and Amen!” with lifted hands, as the people did in the day of Nehemiah. For, this is is the gift of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ – that through Him alone we, who by faith have believed, are set free from the law of sin and death!! We no longer face the condemnation that that law pronounced – because Christ took it for us when He was condemned on the cross in our place. – Why? Because God so loved the world that He gave His only son so that whoever believed in Him would have everlasting life. You see, as John said, “Christ did not come into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:16-17)

As Hebrews 4:12 says, God’s Word is very much alive and active, able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart – but it also reminds us of the good news of the Gospel – Jesus died to set us free and because of this – those who believe in Christ are made alive and are no longer condemned!

May this be our message to the world around us – in word and in deed.

Making it Personal – Reflection

How do you respond when you read the Word of God? Do you feel guilt and shame, or are you able to repent and accept God’s grace and receive His forgiveness with joy?

Going Further

Be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog

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

The Proof is in the Details

Posted on by

based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w3d5

Scripture: Nehemiah 7:1-73; Acts 2:42-47 / SOAP Acts 2:46-47

Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts, 47 praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:46-47

*Note on the Nehemiah passage: When the wall was complete and they were preparing for reentry, Nehemiah set in motion a focus on God (1-2) and followed God’s lead (5) as to who could enter. The chapter is long and filled with nearly 73 verses of names and details, details that were recorded because they would one day prove the family line between David and Jesus, the Messiah. The occupants were Jews and they were chosen according to who could “prove their lineage” You can read more about this in today’s “Going Further” section.

As for our SOAP passage, Acts 2:46-47, the who or how of the gathering of the disciples was structured a little different than the lineage based structure of Nehemiah’s day. In the disciples’ case – while they were Jewish converts – their gatherings had little to do with the fact that they were Jews and everything to do with the fact that they were Jewish Jesus followers.

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Quiet Time

A Steadfast Hope

Posted on by

based on Love God Greatly’s study, From Broken to Restored / w3d4

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:15-19; Job 42;2; Psalm 37:22-24

“I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted;

Job 42:2

In all of his loss and pain, in all of his emotions and questions and conversations following the devastation that came upon him – Job still had his eyes and his mind on God! His ‘friends’ did not derail is faith, his wife’s challenge to “curse God and die” went unmet, and his questions to God revealed “valuable lessons about the sovereignty of God and his need to totally trust in the Lord.1” Today’s SOAP verse is an expression of conviction of Job’s steadfast hope in the one he knew held the future.

I don’t know about tomorrow – I just live from day to day
I don’t borrow from the sunshine – for its skies may turn to gray

I don’t worry o’er the future – for I know what Jesus said

and today I’ll walk beside Him – for He knows what lies ahead

Many things about tomorrow – I don’t seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow – and I know who holds my hand

The Petersons

1 https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Job.html

In the end Job is restored to health, happiness, and prosperity beyond his earlier state. This outcome certainly highlights the Psalmist’s words that the Lord grants success to the one whose behavior he finds commendable. Even if he trips, he will not fall headlong, for the LORD holds his hand. – May we, like Job, be found unwavering in our faith. May we be resolved to obey Him, to trust Him, and to submit to His will, whether we understand it or not.

Surely those favored by the Lord will possess the land, but those rejected by him will be wiped out. 23 The Lord grants success to the one whose behavior he finds commendable. 24 Even if he trips, he will not fall headlong, for the Lord holds his hand.

Psalm 37:22-24

Ah, what hope God’s Word offers those who are His – those who come to Him in Faith –

Making it Personal – Reflection: What has God place on your heart that seems too big to accomplish? What can you do today to be faithful to the important work He has given you?
Going Further

Summary of the Book of Job – https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Job.html

The following is a page out of the LGG Journal for this study. This is just one of the reasons I love having a journal for each study. They are are available in book form or via download at https://lovegodgreatly.com/

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

The Power of God’s Word

Posted on by

based on Love God Greatly, From Broken to Restored / w3d3

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:10-14; Psalm 119:9-16 / SOAP Psalm 119:10-11

With all my heart I seek you.
Do not allow me to stray from your commands.
In my heart I store up your words,
so I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:10-11

In the continuing story of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall, the enemy is proving to be relentless – using a variety of tactics. This required Nehemiah and those working on the wall to be continually on guard, and not just physically but mentally. Because of this guardedness – Nehemiah was able to “recognize” the attempted trick to get him away from the wall in our passage today. Verse twelve says that he recognized that the man he was talking to and the invitation/suggestion the man made was not from God. Nehemiah knew the man was trying to scare him and have him sin by entering the temple – because Nehemiah knew God’s law and teaching. He understood that there were rules about who could enter and how that was to happen.

In our SOAP verse today we see how this knowledge and guardedness plays out in the lives of believers still today. Note how the Psalmist both poses and answers a crucial question for those who belong to God and want to “maintain a pure life” as we have been called to do. The question: “How can a young person maintain a pure life?” The answer: “By guarding it according to God’s instructions, or commands as many translations say. The Psalmist then seems to clarify that these instructions/commands come from God’s Word, and that he hides these words in his heart in order that he might not sin against God. Don’t miss verse fifteen though, for here he gives the rest of the formula for being able to recognize whether something or someone is from God or not. He doesn’t just guard his heart, he doesn’t just remember God’s commands – he meditates on God’s Word and he focuses on God’s behavior. In other words the Psalmist was intentional – and we must be too.

He hides God’s words in his heart in order that he might not sin against God.

Psalm 119:11

We may not be able to commit to memory every word in the Bible but we can read it and listen to it taught – again and again and again … until we know His voice from the world’s (Jn. 10:27) and recognize godly behavior or requests from the ungodly ones. Keep in mind this is a lifelong growth of faith and pursuit of holiness but as these begin to happen life changes, decisions are different, love and grace and mercy are richer and fuller – both when received and given away. God’

Reflection on Today’s Journey

When you receive counsel or instruction, how can you make sure it aligns with God’s Word?

Going Further

Remember you can find more insight at LoveGodGreatly.com

How to memorize the Word of God https://www.savortheword.org/

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

Faithful

Posted on by

based on the Love God Greatly study, From Broken to Restored / w3d1

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:14-19; Luke 16:10-13 / SOAP Luke 16:10

“The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you haven’t been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches? 12 And if you haven’t been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

From a cupbearer1, who would have been in charge of “little,” to the governor, who would have been in charge of “much,” Nehemiah was faithful. He was trustworthy with the people’s needs and with what God had given him as governor. Nehemiah chose to honor God with a life of faithfulness and God blessed him for it.

God may not make us governors, but He has assigned to each of us places of service. May we be faithful with what He has given us, even if it seems small. It can be hard sometimes, especially when our ambitious nature craves the more important roles of position, honor, and influence. May we remember the words of our gracious Lord Jesus who says that God sees and is pleased even with the small acts of faithfulness that no one else might notice. May we serve exactly where God has placed us, with the people He has put around us. Whether He plans to keep us here or to use us in ways beyond what we can currently imagine, let’s stay faithful no matter what.

LGG Devotional excerpt / w3d1

1a person who serves wine, especially in a royal or noble household

Reflections on Today’s Journey

Nehemiah was faithful in small things, so God continued to give him more responsibility over His people. How important is the task you have been charged with? How can you be faithful, no matter how insignificant it may feel to you right now? [feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section]

Going Further

For more insight, check out today’s Love God Greatly Blog Post

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word

Project: Rebuild and Restore

Posted on by

based on the LGG Study, From Broken to Restored /w1d4

They will rebuild the perpetual ruins
and restore the places that were desolate;
they will reestablish the ruined cities,
the places that have been desolate since ancient times.

Isaiah 61:4

Don’t you just love reading/seeing the prophecies of the Scriptures fulfilled. Each one an encouragement that God’s promises are sure and certain and each one an assurance that Jesus is truly coming again!

Today’s Love God Greatly Devotional points out that more than three-hundred years passed between the promise God spoke through Isaiah and Nehemiah’s return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Actually, “when God made this promise, Jerusalem had not yet been destroyed.” However, they had been “warned” about the consequences of their disobedience. Yet, as the writer of the LGG devotion states, “God also promised that He would restore them, rebuilding what had been ruined and devastated.”

This is exactly what happens in Nehemiah 3. Gate after gate and section after section is rebuilt. Perhaps the most beautiful thing about the rebuilding for me, is that God allowed the people to participate in the rebuilding process. Seriously, go back and read the entire report. It’s worth reading every verse to see the personal involvement of God’s people – whether family units or priests, temple servants, goldsmiths, or inexperienced people – they came – one after another after another – and worked together to rebuild the walls.

Then I said to them, “You see the problem that we have—Jerusalem is desolate and its gates are burned. Come on! Let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that this reproach will not continue.” 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 2:17-18

If you look back to chapter two, specifically verse seventeen and eighteen, you will hear Nehemiah’s plea coupled with what I would call a cheer. After pointing out the problem they were facing was the desolation of Jerusalem he pleads for them to “come on.” He urges them, “let’s rebuild the wall;” and he cheers them on by assuring them that God’s hand was on Him. Read carefully and you will see that in large part their participation was due to the encouraging and passionate invitation of Nehemiah.

Going Further

Today’s going further is borrowed from the From Broken to Restored journal, w1d4. Read, reread, and then dwell on it for a bit. Let it soak in that no matter the season you are in – God is not only working in and on you but He invites you to join Him in the rebuilding process.

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

Let’s Rebuild

Posted on by

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, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

The Best You Can

Posted on by

based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w1d3

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8; SOAP / Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, 24 because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

While our SOAP verse comes from Colossians I couldn’t help but get caught up with pieces of the passage from Nehemiah. Namely, that Nehemiah sought God before seeking the King’s favor toward him; and that Nehemiah had a plan and a purpose – and God was with him.

Do then the best you can, not for reward – not for the praise of man – but for the LORD.

The instructions we find in verses twenty-three and twenty-four of Colossians chapter three are very similar to the instructions we find in Nehemiah. Paul teaches the people that when we are truly serving the Lord Jesus we will work enthusiastically for the LORD and not for the glory or pleasure of the people. We will look forward to our ‘inheritance’ as a sure and certain reward. Surely no reward or praise that man may give can be better than the inheritance of eternal life with our God.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

Going Further
Pause to Worship
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

Waiting is Difficult

Posted on by

Based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Ezra 1:1-4, 7:1-10; 2 Peter 3:8-13 / SOAP: 2 Peter 3:9-10

 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes, the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare.

2 Peter 3:9-10

Part of the back story of our study is that God allowed Jerusalem to be taken captive by Babylon because of their idolatry and disobedience. During this time many people were killed, the temple was destroyed, and Jerusalem was laid to waist. It’s easy to consider this ancient history of God’s people not relevant to us today but it is – not just concerning the history of God’s people but concerning the promises and faithfulness of our God. Commentators for gotquestions.org describe it as something that Christians should be familiar with, saying:

The seventy-year period of the Babylonian captivity is an important part of Israel’s history, and Christians should be familiar with it. Like many other Old Testament events, this historical account demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His people, His judgment of sin, and the surety of His promises.

gotquestions.org

In their devotional on today’s passages the LGG team wrote the following:

The Babylonians captured Jerusalem and took the people into exile by transporting them to Babylon, where they remained for seventy years. -Nehemiah was living in Persia, not having returned to Jerusalem like many others. However, God used Nehemiah and his connections to the king of Persia to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and to turn the hearts of the people of Judah back to Him.

From Broken to Restored / week1day1

Are you waiting on something? Whether it is God’s promised return or a job, marriage, a house, a child or perhaps God’s healing hand on you or someone you know – waiting is difficult. Seventy years must have seemed like forever for the Israelites, and whatever your wait is may seem like forever – but we must remember, God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him, those who have been called according to His purpose Whether it is the redemption of His people or the strengthening of their faith – God is not waisting the time.

Father God, thank You that You do not waste time – instead You use it for good … Your good, Your glory, the good of Your people, and to accomplish Your good and holy purpose. Thank You for the hope that is ours while we wait on You God, for we see and know the truth of Your promises and the depth of Your faithfulness! In Him we pray

Going Further

What was the Babylonian captivity/exile?

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

Wholehearted Engagement

Posted on by

based on the LGG Study, From Broken to Restored, w1d1

Today’s Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11 / SOAP: Psalm 37:3-5

Trust in the Lord and do what is right.
Settle in the land and maintain your integrity.
4 Then you will take delight in the Lord,
and he will answer your prayers.
5 Commit your future to the Lord.
Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.

Psalm 37:3-5

I love the profound yet simplistic passages like this. David, the Psalmist, uses the if this, then that process, which is very much how my brain works. He gives us four directives:

  1. Trust
  2.  Obey
  3.  Live, or as it means here – Abide ( which is defined by bibleref.com as – more than merely existing or surviving . It is wholehearted engagement! ) This wholehearted engagement most likely looks like what Moses taught in Deuteronomy 6:5 and what Jesus Himself said summed up all of the commandments in Luke 10:27, namely – “You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.”
  4.  The fourth and final directive is, “Commit your future to the LORD.”

These directives are summed-up in verse 5, repeating where he started in verse 3 – “Trust in the LORD.” It is worth noting that unless you trust the LORD, the second, third, and fourth directives are unlikely to be done. When we trust – all the rest will follow, and we will find ourselves delighting in the LORD and seeing Him working in our lives.

The Psalmist says when we choose to live like this, not only will we take delight in the LORD, but that the LORD will answer our prayers and act on our behalf. What great motivation to trust and obey, to wholeheartedly engage as a faithful follower of Christ, and to commit our future to the LORD.

Prayer / Response to God’s Word

Father, You are worthy of our trust and obedience . We want to more than merely exist or survive – we desire to be wholeheartedly engaged with You and in Your work. Help us to faithfully abide in Your Son and find our delight in You.

Going Further

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

Let’s Worship