Tag: LGG

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

No Longer Condemned

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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

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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

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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

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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

Knowing When to Say No

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w3d2

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-9 / SOAP verse 10

The enemies were paying attention, and they were not happy with the news that the wall had been rebuilt. The wall made them feel threatened, so they asked to meet with Nehemiah. However, he was alert and on to their plan to stop the completion of the wall. For that reason, coupled with the fact that he believed they intended to do him harm,1 he replied with a resounding ‘no’ to their invitation, saying: “I am engaged in an important work, and I am unable to come down. Why should the work come to a halt when I leave it to come down to you.?” After answering this way four more times, Nehemiah received another message from Sanballat, obviously desperate and persistent, with an accusation that he and the Jews were plotting to make Nehemiah the King. Of course, it was a scare tactic attempting to stop the construction, but Nehemiah assured his accuser that the allegations were completely false.

1Nehemiah 6:2

Love God Greatly Devotion excerpt / w3d2

Reflections on Today’s Journey

It is easy for us to think that we aren’t doing anything worthwhile to anyone else, but today’s LGG devotion writer wrote: if you are working to advance God’s kingdom, to honor and glorify Him, or to serve and equip God’s people, you too have been given important work. She goes on to write, “Like Nehemiah, we must remain steadfast in the face of difficulty. No matter if attacks come, no matter how threatening they seem, we must stay faithful and committed, not distracted or deterred by what (or who) may be trying to stop us.

Borrowed in part from LGG Devotion

What kind of focus and determination was required of Nehemiah to respond this way to his enemies (see Nehemiah 6:3)? How can you have the same focus in your work for the kingdom?

Going Further

Consider this encouragement from today’s LGG Devotion Journal

God has given us all an important work: to make disciples of all nations. Whatever role He has given you in that task, stay engaged, stay faithful, and stay focused. Do not let the enemy distract you. You are engaged in important work, work worth your time, effort, and resources. Let’s keep doing this important work until it is finished.

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

Faithful

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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, Quiet Time

Staying Focused

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Welcome to week three! This week we will journey from the middle of Nehemiah, chapter 5, through the end of chapter seven – with some detours through portions of the Psalms, Job, and a couple of passages in the New Testament. God will be with us every step of the journey! -May He open our minds to understand the Scriptures, our eyes to see, and our ears to hear Him along the way. – Me [click the image for a better view]

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

Righteous Anger

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Based on the LGG Study, From Broken to Restored / w2d5

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:6-13 / SOAP: Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do what is right.
Promote justice*.
Give the oppressed reason to celebrate.
Take up the cause of the orphan.
Defend the rights of the widow.

Isaiah 1:17

Isaiah’s words are a perfect example of Nehemiah’s actions on behalf of the ‘oppressed’ people. So let’s take a look at Nehemiah 5:6-13 before jumping into the SOAP passage.

 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. 7 I considered these things carefully and then registered a complaint with the wealthy and the officials. I said to them, “Each one of you is seizing the collateral from your own countrymen!” Because of them I called for a great public assembly. 8 I said to them, “To the extent possible we have bought back our fellow Jews who had been sold to the Gentiles. But now you yourselves want to sell your own countrymen, so that we can then buy them back!” They were utterly silent, and could find nothing to say.

9 Then I said, “The thing that you are doing is wrong! Should you not conduct yourselves in the fear of our God in order to avoid the reproach of the Gentiles who are our enemies? 10 Even I and my relatives and my associates are lending them money and grain. But let us abandon this practice of seizing collateral! 11 This very day return to them their fields, their vineyards, their olive trees, and their houses, along with the interest that you are exacting from them on the money, the grain, the new wine, and the olive oil.”

12 They replied, “We will return these things, and we will no longer demand anything from them. We will do just as you say.” Then I called the priests and made the wealthy and the officials swear to do what had been promised. 13 I also shook out my garment, and I said, “In this way may God shake out from his house and his property every person who does not carry out this matter. In this way may he be shaken out and emptied!” All the assembly replied, “So be it!” and they praised the Lord. Then the people did as they had promised.

Nehemiah 5:6-13
  • *the underlined portions above are to emphasize the “slow” and calculated steps of how Nehemiah handled his anger well – and undoubtedly pleasing to God –

Nehemiah’s anger was a righteous anger, meaning he was angry at a situation and actions that were not pleasing to God. You see, rather than shutting down the complaints of the people, Nehemiah listened to their “outcry”. Then he followed through by addressing those responsible for the hardship that had been brought about the people’s protest.

Nehemiah wasn’t just angry,
he was angry at a situation and actions
that were not pleasing to God

Make no mistake, when we align our will with God’s, when we address situations and actions that are not pleasing to God, the result is good and God-honoring things Pay attention to how Nehemiah dealt with his “righteous anger” and then the result:

  • He pointed out the wrong they were doing – vs 7-8
  • He used God’s standard and not his own opinion as the guide – vs 9
  • He suggested a better/right way – vs 10-11
  • The Result: ‘wrong doers’ complied, turning from their wrong behavior to the godly way – vs 12

Admittedly, we do not have the same power and authority as Nehemiah did which means we may not experience the same result when we stand up for justice. However, we can do what is right, we can promote justice, and we can give the oppressed reason to celebrate – and we can trust God to use our behavior to make a difference in the lives of others – for His glory. (italicized portions borrowed from LGG Devotional, From Broken to Restored / w2d5)

Nehemiah instructed the people to do right, he promoted justice, and he gave the oppressed reason to celebrate by taking up the cause of those who had no rights or those who could not defend themselves. Now, read Isaiah’s words again and note the striking correlation to Nehemiah’s instructions.

Learn to do what is right.
Promote justice.*
Give the oppressed reason to celebrate.
Take up the cause of the orphan.
Defend the rights of the widow.

Isaiah 1:17

*To promote or stand up for justice means to encourage or stand up for what is morally right or acceptable according to God’s Word.

Examining Ourselves

How do you respond when you see injustice? How do Nehemiah’s actions encourage you to speak out against injustice?

Note: to speak out against injustice would be to speak out against others being treated unfairly – based on what is morally right or acceptable according to God’s Word.

Going Further
  • For more insight read today’s LGG Blog
  • I love when I see God’s Word corresponding or reminding me of other portions of His Word – so check out James 1:27 for a New Testament cross reference of today’s passage from Isaiah.
    • Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27
Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Be Gracious

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w2d4

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-5; Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Proverbs 3:27/ SOAP: Proverbs19:17

The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord,

and the Lord will repay him for his good deed.

Proverbs 19:17

So what does it mean to be gracious to the poor? According to some translations it is to “have pity on. The word pity is defined as compassion or expressing love. I remember reading one time that when we live like this, giving to the poor, it is like lending our money to the Lord. When we do this we can rest assured that He will repay us.

Going Further

The real meat of today is found in our continuing story from Nehemiah. In today’s portion we do not read anything about the building of the wall. I found this quite odd since our last encounter spoke of how they were continuing to work even under threat of the enemy. So why did it stop? We do not know for sure but it would appear that God’s people were fighting with each other.

They weren’t only fighting with each other, but they were having money problems. Sometimes these problems are our own doing and other times they happen because of unforeseen or uncontrollable circumstances. What we do and/or how we respond is crucial to the outcome. A famine, borrowed money, taxes, and indebtedness can turn our hearts to worry, anger, concern, grumbling, or and away from God’s work.

“The work stopped because because of strife among God’s people. The enemy could not stop the work of God by direct attack, but the work stopped when God’s people weren’t unified and working together. The group fought against one another. When God’s people fight one another they certainly are neither fighting the real enemy nor getting God’s work done.”

enduringword.com/Nehemiah5
Prayerful Response to God’s Word

Father, guard us from falling prey to the enemy – whether from within or without – don’t let our response stop the work You have called us to. Help us to be gracious, loving, and kind in all circumstances – Amen

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time
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ased on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w2d3

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:15-23 / SOAP: 1 Peter 5:8-11

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. 10 And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.11 To him belongs the power forever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:8-11

I love the books of 1 and 2 Peter and I love the connection pointed out today between them and Nehemiah.

Distractions and interruptions can cause us to stop things we’ve started leaving us feeling defeated and important projects/jobs unfinished. This could have been the case in Nehemiah’s situation but it wasn’t. Why? Because, despite the opposition and the way it made them feel they continued the work – while remaining alert and prepared for whatever came against them. Peter points out that our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. However, he also shares one of my favorite strategies against the enemy:

  • Be sober and alert!
  • Be prepared –
  • Resist him! – Much like the people in Nehemiah’s day – who came together when the threat of their enemy was prevalent. They did not cower, nor stop the rebuilding project – instead they became more and more alert and they stayed prepared for an attack – at all times.

So, let’s let the example of the “builders” encourage us in unity of purpose and conviction. Let’s resist the enemy and stand strong in our faith.

May God open our eyes and keep us alert to the enemy and may we be prepared to resist Him – after which, the “God of all grace”

Going Further

Be sure and check out today’s LGG blog post