Tag: Jesus

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

IN JESUS … I AM FORGIVEN!

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READ: EPHESIANS 1:7-8; 1 JOHN 1:9: SOAP: EPHESIANS 1:7

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Ephesians 1:7-8 NLT

Reflection Question: What does it mean that we are redeemed through the blood of Christ?

When we ask God to forgive our sins, He forgives fully and completely.

Read today’s LGG devotional
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In Jesus You Are… A New Creation

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Welcome to the first day of our NEW study, In Christ You Are …! For the next four weeks, in our journey through the Word, our goal will be understanding who we are in Christ. To find out what it’s all about check out the introduction here: Your Identity in Christ

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 AND COLOSSIANS 3:9-10; SOAP: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Here’s today’s devotional, including this week’s challenge and memory/focus verse 🙂

Devotional Link

Colossians 3:9-10 Nlt

Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Don’t forget: On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you will find a blog to go with this study at

Love God Greatly

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Friendship: Week 6, Day 4 — The Ultimate Sacrifice

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READ: JOHN 15:13, ROMANS 5:8, EPHESIANS 5:1-2; SOAP: JOHN 15:13

John 15:13 New Living Translation

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Jesus displayed the greatest love for us by laying down His life for our sake.

Read the full devotional

Reflection Question(s): Jesus laid down His life for His friends:

  • How does this action display His great love for us?
  • What does this show us about how He views us?

Romans 5:8 New Living Translation

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Ephesians 5:1-2 New Living Translation

Living in the Light

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

YOUR TURN: WHAT’S YOUR TAKEAWAY?

Reply below

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Friendship: Week 5, Day 3 Wednesday -To Save the Lost

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READ LUKE 15:1-10 AND 19:1-10; SOAP: LUKE 19:10

Luke 15:1-10 New Living Translation

Parable of the Lost Sheep

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

Luke 19:1-10 New Living Translation

Jesus and Zacchaeus

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Jesus came to seek and save us, the lost, as part of His entire redemptive project.

Read the full LGG devotional
And don’t miss today’s Blog Post at https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/
  • Reflection Question:
    • What was Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth?
    • How did He display His purposes through His actions with those considered ‘sinners’?

So, What’s your Wednesday takeaway? I invite you to share your thoughts

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Friendship: Week 5, Monday — Jesus, Friend of Sinners

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READ: JOHN 8:1-11; 1 TIMOTHY 1:15; LUKE 5:31-32 AND 7:34-35; SOAP: 1 TIMOTHY 1:15

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

11 “No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

John 8:1-11 NLT

Jesus was a friend to people who hurt His reputation and did not deserve His friendship –

read the rest of today’s devotional

Luke 5:31-32 New Living Translation

31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Luke 7:34-35 New Living Translation

34 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.”

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.

1 Timothy 1:15, NLT

REFLECTION QUESTION:
  • WHAT WAS JESUS’ ATTITUDE WHEN HE INTERACTED WITH SINNERS?
  • HOW DID HE LOVE THEM AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO LEAVE THEIR LIFE OF SIN?

AND DON’T FORGET TODAY’S LGG BLOG HTTPS://LOVEGODGREATLY.COM/LGG-BLOG

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Friendship: Week 1, Friday – Rooftop Ripping Friends

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READ: MARK 2:1-5; SOAP: MARK 2:4

Mark 2:1-5 New Living Translation

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

Be sure to check out today’s LGG blog and devotional

https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

https://lovegodgreatly.com/devotional-friendship-w1d5/

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Gospel of Mark: Week 6, Tuesday – Peter’s Denial

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Read: Mark 14:53-72; SOAP: Mark 14:61-62

Jesus before the Council

They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered. 54 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.

55 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council

were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any. 56 Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. 57 Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’” 59 But even then they didn’t get their stories straight!

60 Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 61 But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand[j] and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

63 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? 64 You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”

“Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!”

65 Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blind

Peter Denies Jesus

66 Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by 67 and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.[l]”

68 But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.[m]

69 When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” 70 But Peter denied it again.

A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”

71 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed the second time.

Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

Though convinced Jesus was the Christ, Peter denied Him, just as predicted. –

Find out why in today’s LGG devotional
WHAT’S YOUR TAKEAWAY FROM TODAY? Leave your response in the comment bar
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The Gospel of Mark: Week 6, Monday – Jesus the Messiah

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Read: Mark 14:22-52; SOAP: Mark 14:36-38

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

35 He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 36 “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

39 Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. 40 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.

41 When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

To understand the real reason for Jesus’ agony over what was to come 

read today’s devotional

Today’s reading includes other details you won’t want to miss

  • Peter’s denial predicted (27-31)
  • Judas’ betrayal (43-45)
  • Jesus’ arrest (46-52)

Jesus’ greatest act of love and sacrifice was about to change the world.  

Read today’s LGG Blog
REFLECTION QUESTION: WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT JESUS FROM HIS PRAYER IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE? (share your answer in the comment bar)
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The Gospel of Mark: Wk5, Monday -The Cornerstone

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Read: Mark 12;1-27; SOAP: Mark 12:10-11

Parable of the Evil Farmers

Then Jesus began teaching them with stories: “A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. 2 At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. 3 But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. 4 The owner then sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head. 5 The next servant he sent was killed. Others he sent were either beaten or killed, 6 until there was only one left—his son whom he loved dearly. The owner finally sent him, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

7 “But the tenant farmers said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ 8 So they grabbed him and murdered him and threw his body out of the vineyard.

9 “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others. 10 Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?

‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has now become the cornerstone.
11 This is the Lord’s doing,
    and it is wonderful to see.’”

12 The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away. Read the rest of the passage

Mark again posed the question, “Who is Jesus?” to his readers. This time, Jesus answered the question Himself.

Read His answer in today’s LGG devotional

Thoughts on The Cornerstone –

Read today’s LGG Blog Post

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The Gospel of Mark: Week 4 Thursday – Hosanna!

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Read: Mark 11:1-14; SOAP: Mark 11:9-10

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

11 As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”

4 The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 5 As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.

8 Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God!
    Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
10 Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
    Praise God in the highest heaven!”

11 So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

Hosanna comes from the Hebrew word yasha which means to be liberated, saved, or delivered.

Read the full devotional