Posted in LGG Study

Jesus Our Everything: Week 3, Day 4

Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 7:11-28 (S.O.A.P. Hebrews 7:25)

Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek

So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood—for on that basis[a] the people received the law—what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order? 12 For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come[b] as well. 13 Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to[c] a different tribe, and no one from that tribe[d] has ever officiated at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe. 15 And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent[e] but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For here is the testimony about him:[f] “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”[g] 18 On the one hand a former command is set aside[h] because it is weak and useless,[i] 19 for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 And since[j] this was not done without a sworn affirmation—for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation, 21 but Jesus[k] did so[l] with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’”[m]— 22 accordingly Jesus has become the guarantee[n] of a better covenant. 23 And the others[o] who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them[p] from continuing in office,[q] 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever. 25 So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need to do every day what those priests do, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this in offering himself once for all. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness,[r] but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.

Question of the Day: Why is Jesus able to save completely those who come to God through Him?

Posted in LGG Study

Jesus Our Everything: Week 3, Day 2

Question of the Day: What or Who is the anchor for our soul?

Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 6:13-20 (S.O.A.P. Hebrews 6:19-20)

God’s Promises Bring Hope

For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

14 “I will certainly bless you,
    and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”[a]

15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Posted in LGG Study

Jesus Our Everything: Week 3, Day 1

Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-12 and Galatians 6:9 (S.O.A.P. Hebrews 6:11-12 and Galatians 6:9)

For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, 6 and then have committed apostasy,[a] to renew them again to repentance, since[b] they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again[c] and holding him up to contempt. 7 For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on[d] it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is useless and about to be cursed;[e] its fate is to be burned. 9 But in your case, dear friends, even though we speak like this, we are convinced of better things relating to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints. 11 But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish,[f] but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.

9 So we must not grow weary[a] in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.[b] Galatians 6:9

Posted in LGG Study

Jesus Our Everything: Week 2, Day 4

Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-10; Matthew 26:36-46 (S.O.A.P. Hebrews 5:7-8; Matthew 26:39)

For every high priest is taken from among the people[a] and appointed[b] to represent them before God,[c] to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal compassionately with those who are ignorant and erring, since he also is subject to weakness, 3 and for this reason he is obligated to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 4 And no one assumes this honor[d] on his own initiative,[e] but only when called to it by God,[f] as in fact Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming high priest, but the one who glorified him was God,[g] who said to him, “You are my Son! Today I have fathered you,”[h]6 as also in another place God[i] says, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”[j]7 During his earthly life[k] Christ[l] offered[m] both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his devotion. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered.[n]9 And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 and he was designated[o] by God as high priest inthe order of Melchizedek.[p]

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and became anguished and distressed. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed,[a] “My Father, if possible,[b] let this cup[c] pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He[d] said to Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed,[e] “My Father, if this cup[f] cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done.” 43 He came again and found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open.[g]44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is approaching, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer[h] is approaching!”

Posted in LGG Study

Jesus Our Everything: Week 2

Question of the Day: Why should we encourage one another daily?

Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 3:7-19 (S.O.A.P. Hebrews 3: 12-14)

Exposition of Psalm 95: Hearing God’s Word in Faith

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,[a]

“Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks![b]
8 “Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness.
9 “There your fathers tested me and tried me,[c] and they saw my works for forty years.
10 “Therefore, I became provoked at that generation and said, ‘Their hearts are always wandering[d] and they have not known my ways.’
11 “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’”[e]

12 See to it,[f] brothers and sisters,[g] that none of you has[h] an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes[i] the living God.[j] 13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception. 14 For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence[k] firm until the end. 15 As it says,[l] “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks![m] Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”[n] 16 For which ones heard and rebelled? Was it not all who came out of Egypt under Moses’ leadership?[o] 17 And against whom was God[p] provoked for forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness?[q] 18 And to whom did he swear they would never enter into his rest, except those who were disobedient? 19 So[r] we see that they could not enter because of unbelief.

Posted in LGG Study

Jesus Our Everything

Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4 (S.O.A.P. Hebrews 1:3-4)

After God spoke long ago[a] in various portions[b] and in various ways[c] to our ancestors[d] through the prophets, 2 in these last days he has spoken to us in a son,[e] whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world.[f]3 The Son is[g] the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by his powerful word,[h] and so when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.[i]4 Thus he became[j] so far better than the angels as[k] he has inherited a name superior to theirs.

Posted in LGG Study

The Study of Hebrews, Jesus our everything begins Monday, September 28, 2020. Join me here for all the links and After Thoughts as we learn about Jesus and have our faith strengthened. SOAPing the Scriptures will enhance your understanding and leave you wanting more.  I truly hope you’ll join me because I believe doing this together we will be stronger for it.

The purpose of this group is to receive extra encouragement, fellowship and accountability with other women throughout our study sessions! To help maintain accountability, I’m hoping that you will share your thoughts/soaps daily or at least three times a week. Please be ready to share what God is teaching you, be transparent when sharing in our group, it will help us to build a unique bond in this wonderful online community. We will all benefit from what each member shares. In Acts 18:9 the Lord said to Paul “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent.” I believe these words are applicable for us today.

What to expect each week:

  • Sunday afternoon/evening–I will post the graphics for the Weekly Reading & SOAP Plan, the Weekly Prayer & Praise, and the Weekly Memory (focus) Verse.
  • Each morning, Monday thru Friday –I will post the graphic for the Daily SOAP, add my personal SOAP, and then ask that each of you add your own observation/application/thoughts or chime in and encourage someone else where this may be applicable.
  • Monday Mornings–I will post the Weekly Challenge.
  • First Monday of our study–I will post the graphic for our study Goals, and ask that we each set goals for ourselves and post them in the comment bar. We will revisit these goals midway through the study to check our progress. I realize that not all of you will fill comfortable with all of the steps but I hope you’ll still stick with the group and choose at least one of the steps so that we know you are with us.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you by facilitating this study and for sharing this journey in God’s Word with all of you.  Mary Ellen

If you’re new to Love God Greatly studies you can find their Statement of Belief at the following link.

Posted in Quiet Time

John 13:31-35

Today’s Scripture: John 13:31-35 (S.O.A.P. John 13:34-35)

Question of the Day: How can we love one another like Christ loved us?

31 When[a] Judas[b] had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him,[c] God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him right away.[d] 33 Children, I am still with you for a little while. You will look for me,[e] and just as I said to the Jewish religious leaders,[f] ‘Where I am going you cannot come,’[g] now I tell you the same.[h]

34 “I give you a new commandment—to love[i] one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.[j] 35 Everyone[k] will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”

Posted in Quiet Time

John 13:1-17

Today’s Scripture: John 13:1-17 (S.O.A.P. John 13:14-15)

Question of the Day: Why do you think Jesus chose to wash the feet of His disciples?

Washing the Disciples’ Feet – Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that his time[a] had come to depart[b] from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now loved them to the very end.[c] 2 The evening meal[d] was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart[e] of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray[f] Jesus.[g] 3 Because Jesus[h] knew that the Father had handed all things over to him,[i] and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 he got up from the meal, removed[j] his outer clothes,[k] took a towel and tied it around himself.[l] 5 He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself.[m]

Then he came to Simon Peter. Peter[n] said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash[o] my feet?” 7 Jesus replied,[p] “You do not understand[q] what I am doing now, but you will understand[r] after these things.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!”[s] Jesus replied,[t] “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”[u] 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, wash[v] not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus replied,[w] “The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet,[x] but is completely[y] clean.[z] And you disciples[aa] are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 (For Jesus[ab] knew the one who was going to betray him. For this reason he said, “Not every one of you is[ac] clean.”)[ad]

 So when Jesus[ae] had washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on, he took his place at the table[af] again and said to them, “Do you understand[ag] what I have done for you? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and do so correctly,[ah] for that is what I am.[ai] 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example[aj]—you should do just as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the solemn truth,[ak] the slave[al] is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger[am] greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you understand[an] these things, you will be blessed if you do them.