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Grace Grace

Scripture Reading: Genesis 28:10-22; Genesis 28:15 (SOAP)
What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”  Genesis 28:15
Observation:

“Meanwhile Jacob left Beer Sheba and set out for Haran.” Isn’t it always in the “meanwhiles” of our lives that hope is most appreciated? Such is the case here with Jacob. Such a beautiful story of God introducing Himself to Jacob in a dream. God confirmed with Jacob the very thing His father had prayed over him would come to pass. The descendants and the lands and even more than Isaac asked or imagined … Jacob and his descendants would be the conduits of the blessings to all the families of the earth. God promised His presence and protection and to never leave him until all the promises had been fulfilled.

The beauty of the story doesn’t end with the promise of blessings that God speaks to Jacob but it culminates with Jacob’s response of worship and commitment to God.

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”

Genesis 28:18-22 ESV
Application: How Then Should We Live?

While we may not trick a family member out of their ‘birthright or deceive an aging father into thinking we are the one who rightfully deserves his blessing, or encounter God in a dream like Jacob did. We would be wise to listen and look for the daily blessings He lavishes on us that reveal His grace, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt, just like it did Jacob’s. When we see this clearly like Jacob did we will be much more likely to respond like he did – with worship of and commitment to God.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Thank you for words of hope God. Whether we are fleeing for protection from danger or looking to find a mate – a job – or something else – These words fill us with HOPE that reminds us You are there – in control. You are with us and in Your goodness, You go ahead of us, and You are faithful to Your promises! – To Your name be all glory and praise – Amen!

Your Turn:
  • What’s your take away from today’s reading?
  • How do you respond when God intervenes in your life?
  • Are you led to worship like Jacob was, or do you tend to explain His work as mere coincidence?
Want More?

Worship Him with a hymn acknowledging His grace

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The Blessing

Day 3, Week 1 of Choosing God Instead of the World, a love God Greatly Bible Study

Scripture Reading: Genesis 26:34-28:9; Romans 9:6-1; Genesis 28:3-4 (SOAP)
May God Almighty bless you and give you many children. And may your descendants multiply and become many nations! 4 May God pass on to you and your descendants the blessings he promised to Abraham. May you own this land where you are now living as a foreigner, for God gave this land to Abraham.”   Genesis 28:3-4  NLT
Observation:

Jacob had tricked Esau, his brother, out of his birthright and deceived his father, Isaac, into giving him the blessing that rightfully belonged to Esau, as the firstborn. which eventually led to the Covenant blessing that we find in chapter 28 and verse 4. In my human understanding I am blown away by Isaac’s prayer of blessing on his son even after all Jacob had done. In spite of the trickery, manipulation, and deception Isaac blessed Jacob with all of “the wealth and political power” that was his to give1 and ultimately he prayed for God to bless Jacob with the descendants and the land that had been promised to Abraham.1

Jacob will leave Isaac’s household with both Isaac’s blessing for wealth and political power and the covenant blessing of God with Abraham for multitudes of offspring and possession of the land.

1 Bibleref.com commentary on Genesis 28:4

In this ‘covenant blessing, Isaac acknowledges that God is in control. He recognizes God’s promises that Abraham’s descendants would be vast and acknowledges Jacob will be the one to possess the land promised to God’s people.

He prayed words that spoke of trusting God to be in control. Regardless of the way things appeared, Isaac trusted God to keep His promise. He kept his eyes on God and did not lose sight of the covenant He had made with Abraham.

Application: How Then Should We Live?

Trust God It’s not always easy, some might say it’s one of the most difficult parts of the Christian life – but it is none-the-less the example Scripture gives us – trust God, don’t lose sight of His promises. Trust Him even when things appear to have worked out wrong, trust Him when you’ve been wronged, and trust Him when you can’t see any hope that His promises will come true. In other words, when life and people disappoint us – we should still trust God.

I believe the key to trusting God is to keep our eyes on Him. The prophet Isaiah said, God would keep in perfect peace those who trust in Him, those who fix their thoughts on Him. In the New Testament, after giving instructions to not worry about anything but to pray about everything, Paul encouraged the believers to fix their thoughts on God – to think – not about things that had them worried or upset, but rather to think about things that are true and honorable, and right and pure, lovely and admirable, or excellent and worthy of praise. When these are the thoughts we dwell on, regardless of our circumstances, not only will we know God’s peace but our prayers will undoubtedly be less frantic and more like the Covenant blessing that Isaac was able to pray over his son. A prayer of hope and faith in His God and in the promise He had made of future blessing – even though his son’s actions had changed the expected path of God’s promise to Abraham.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for the reminder of Your complete control but even more how we are to respond in the midst of what doesn’t go the way we thought it was supposed to. Help me to keep my eyes on You and Your promises – and to pray accordingly. – Yes and amen!

Your Turn:
  • What’s your take away from today’s reading?
  • Do you believe God will provide for you without your help?
  • In what ways do you depend on your own strengths or cleverness instead of depending on God?
Want More?

Read today’s LGG Blog Post

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Famished

Day 2, Week 1 of Choosing God Instead of the World, a love God Greatly Bible Study

Scripture Reading: Genesis 25:27-34; 1 john 2:15-17(SOAP)
Do Not Love This World
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.  1 John 2:15-17
Observation:

Sight, sound, touch, hearing … our senses are catalyst for desires. From things we need to things we enjoy to things we’ve never tried but know someone else enjoys – from the time of the garden – our desires have been an issue. John’s warning about these desires is simple – they are not from God but from the world. He also reminds his readers that the world will one day come to an end while God’s kingdom and all who choose His will over the world’s- will live forever.

Seems like an easy choice, right? So why is it that, like Eve, we see something and it looks pleasing to the eye so we ignore what we know to be the right choice and go for the desirable? We all know the eyes aren’t the only culprits, all of the senses we have get involved and pull our attention in all sorts of directions that ultimately lead to desires and choices that may not line up with God’s will. Oh that we would consider John’s warning and check our desire against His Word before we take a bite of what the world is offering, which in Esau’s case was food versus his birthright.

He was famished, and most likely depleted of strength and energy to make the right choice or to care about anything other than his hunger. This is obvious by his reaction to Jacob’s proposition of the bowl of stew for Esau’s birthright. Esau certainly wasn’t about to die – he simply valued and desired the appetite of his flesh more than his birthright as Isaac’s oldest son.

Application: How Then Should We Live?

1 John 2:15-17 is a perfect companion, though an antithesis of sorts, to the example of Esau and Jacob that we find in the Genesis passage. John teaches his readers “[don’t] love the world or the things in the world”. So sure is he of this teaching that He declares the person who loves the world “does not have the love of the Father in Him”. He zeroes in on the “desires of the flesh”,  pointing out that “the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions” (NLT). These, John says, are not from the Father. BibleRef.com’s explanation of verse 17 says it best – concluding “John’s condemnation of worldly thinking. John notes that this world is temporary. The world is temporary for each person, since every person dies. The physical earth is also temporary, since God will make a new earth in the end (Revelation 21—22). As a result, the desires of this world are also temporary.” The bottom line to our question of application and how we should live is this, “Believers are to resist evil desires, following the example of Jesus” (Matthew 4:1–11).

My synopsis, Don’t allow ourselves to become so enamored with the desires, the teachings, the thinking, of this world that they overtake us– and change the focus of our faith and what’s important to God, our heavenly Father. Feed the Spiritual-self, actually saturate ourselves with the Word so we don’t fall prey to the desires of the flesh. Finally, value what the Father values so that we do not trade the will of the Father and “a life lived in fellowship with Him”, for the ways and things of the world. To be sure, “doing God’s will cannot save us, — We are saved by Christ’s sacrifice, when we put our – faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8–9). However, a natural outcome of salvation is a desire to do God’s will (Ephesians 2:10). This is a hallmark of the believer, and only the believer will live with God forever. — Doing God’s will or desires is to be the goal of the believer.”1

1quotes from Bibleref.com on 1 John 2:15-17

Having opened their eyes to the wrongness of loving the things of the world John drives the point home by making sure they understand the futility of choosing the world – since “this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever”.

MefromtheNsideout and 1 John 2:17 NLT
Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, the world offers us much to love and to choose from – they are readily available and accessible – guard us from temptations of thinking, acting, and talking or living like the world. Help us to be so saturated with Your Word and aware of Your Presence so that we don’t fall prey to the deceivers of this world. – In Jesus’ Name!

Your Turn:
  • What’s your take away from today’s reading?
  • What does it mean to choose the things of God?
  • Can you choose the things of God and the things of the world? Why or why not?

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You Are Mine

Scripture Reading: Genesis 25:19-26; Isaiah 43:1
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
    O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
    I have called you by name; you are mine.  Isaiah 43:1
Observation:

I love that our reading gives us a glimpse of Jacob’s story to go with our key verse. From the brief glimpse we learn not just that Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of Abraham, but I love that we also see that Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of Rebekah because she was childless. Not only did God answer Isaac’s prayer but He filled her womb with twins. We will look more at Jacob through the story in Genesis in the coming days but today we find a message delivered to “Jacob” by Isaiah the Prophet.

First let’s establish that Isaiah’s message is from God, then we should clarify who Isaiah is speaking to. While Isaiah references both Jacob and Israel, it is helpful to know that these names are now synonymous. This is because God had renamed Jacob Israel after he overcame his struggle with God (Gen 32:8). At some point the names also became the name of God’s people which can add some confusion when reading through certain passages. Suffice it to say for this passage, Isaiah’s use of the names are both in reference to the people.

A Message of Hope

So, here in Isaiah 43:1, God is delivering a message of hope through Isaiah to His people, the people He had chosen, or as stated here – those He had formed and called by name. A more in-depth reading of Isaiah 43 would reveal that God’s people would be scattered to other nations – thus the message of hope in verse one. God is telling them not to be afraid when troubles come because He would protect them, and as Isaiah goes on to say, God would gather them back together again.

*See also Isaiah 11:1-12

Application: How Then Should We Live?

While God sent this message specifically to the Jewish people, we can rest assured that it also applies to us who are believers in Jesus Christ. For according to Galatians 3:6-9, which we will look at on day five of our study, we are the children of Abraham, grafted in through our faith in Christ, (Rom 11:17).

In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 7The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. 8What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

Galatians 3:6-9

This is one of my favorite truths of Scripture, as I imagine it brings me the same hope it brought to those in Isaiah’s day, to know that He calls me by name and will protect me, therefore I do not need to be afraid. Such truth and hope speaks peace to the fears, troubles, and concerns of this life.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, what an awesome God you are and have always been and always will be! You love with an everlasting love, grafting us in to Your family so that we can claim Your promises that are yes and amen in Jesus Christ. Thank You that we do not have to be afraid, for we know you are with us and will protect us because You have called us by name – we are Yours! Amen and Amen! In Jesus Name –

Your Turn:

Find a journal and jot down your thoughts/answers. I believe you will find it a great enhancement to the study.

  • What’s your take away from today’s reading?
  • Why is our faith important to God?
  • Why is obedience to God’s commands important?
  • How are the two related?
Want More?

Read today’s Love God Greatly’s Blog

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Reflections of Week 6, Beautifully Surrendered

Beautifully Surrendered, God’s Heart for His Daughters is a Love God Greatly Study

The women we’ve studied this week showed us that leaving a legacy of faith is important, not only for the lives of our own children but for the generations to come. From the mid-wives to the proverbs’ 31 woman we have seen that our faith has an impact on the lives of others. It became clear that it not only affects those close to us but the generations to come. This was especially evident in the lives of Lydia, Lois and Eunice, and excitingly evident in Mary Magdalene as she delivered perhaps the best news ever when she shared the news that Christ had risen, with her exclamation that she had seen the Lord!

.As with the other stories that we have read, they are certainly worthy of reading and sharing again and again. If for no other reason they will undoubtedly spark praise and joy in our own hearts as they refocus us not only on the greatness of our God but on the important role He has called us to play in His plan.

Leaving a legacy of faith may sound daunting and undoubtedly will not be without it’s challenges, but has as been pointed out this week – if we fail to do so, we put all of the generations coming behind us in certain danger of being like those in the day of Noah, whom the LORD saw and said that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. The LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved His heart. Or, like the days when it was said of the Israelites that, after Joshua’s generation died, they did not know the LORD or any of the things he had done for Israel.

After a while the people of Joshua’s generation died, and the next generation did not know the LORD or any of the things he had done for Israel.

Judges 2:10

This is why I have said many times during the course of our study: Consider these stories and their truths often so that you do not grow weary and lose heart. Fix your eyes on Him and not the circumstances of Your life – only then will we truly live the beautifully surrendered life that God desires for His daughters. As we saw again and again over the past six weeks, the choice is ours. May we choose well – so that Jesus may say of us, “they chose the best part”.

“Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:42 NET
Want More?

If you missed any of this week’s devotions from me you’ll find them at this link

If you missed any of the Love God Greatly Blogs for week 6 you’ll find them at these links:

https://lovegodgreatly.com/god-be-near/

https://lovegodgreatly.com/what-we-have-seen-and-heard/

Jesus, I Need You Part 1

6 Days

As I have been announcing, our next LGG Study will begin on August 8, until then I hope you’ll stay in the Word with me. On this leg of our journey we will follow the map of Scriptures laid out by Thistlebend Ministries, in their study, Jesus, I Need You. The study is intended to help us deepen our relationship with Jesus – and who doesn’t need to do that? You’ll need your Bible or your favorite Bible app, a notebook and pen. Hope to see and/or hear from you Monday, July 25.

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Women of Nobel Character: Fearing the Lord

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 31; SOAP: Proverbs 31:28-30

Her children have risen and called her blessed;

her husband also has praised her:

29 “Many daughters have done valiantly,

but you have surpassed them all!”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting.

A woman who fears the Lord—she makes herself praiseworthy.

Proverbs 31:28-30 NET

OBSERVATION: What’s the story?

Can i be honest? Ever since my divorce I have tuned this verse out. Once seeking to strive for it but now no longer feeling qualified because of lacking the title – “wife”. So when I saw it on this week’s schedule and sat down to reread it and then write a devotional – let me just say there was some resistance. However, God is good and His Spirit gentle and swiftly brought peace and gave wisdom to delve into the passage from a different angle. This involved some “Google Searches”, namely, “can an unmarried person have noble character?”. To my delight I wasn’t the only one that had googled such a question and I found a wonderful answer that pushed me to another look at the passage. The author, Lauren Oquist, wrote:

…if you read Proverbs 31 closely, none of the skills she has depend on her husband or kids. She has these skills because she exercises wisdom in everything she does.

The standards for a “virtuous wife” are the same standards for a virtuous woman — single or married.

Can I Be a Proverbs 31 Woman if I’m Single?
NOVEMBER 27, 2017 Lauren Oquist

She goes on to give a list of character traits that are seen in verse 13-25, including: trustworthy, hard worker, resourceful, Makes good use of her time, Good with money, generous, thinks ahead, and she’s wise. All worthy traits right, but here’s the quote that got me and freed me from the agony of hearing or coming across this passage again. (Don’t you just love the way the Spirit works?)

This is what will characterize us as a “Proverbs 31 Woman”: our fear of the Lord. Our genuine desire, from the core of who we are, to please Him.

Can I Be a Proverbs 31 Woman if I’m Single?
NOVEMBER 27, 2017, Lauren Oquist

I truly believe that even if I were still married this go-round with P31 and the beautiful devotion by Lauren Oquist would have still brought the relief and encouragement I now feel. Of course this means I will also be purposefully honing some of these traits again – so then there’s that – LOL!

Application: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

While fearing the LORD is the thing that characterizes us as being of ‘noble character’, or a Proverbs 31 woman, the character traits listed above are still important to our lifestyle. The good news is the stronger our “core desire to please Him” is, the easier – or perhaps I should say, the more natural, the traits will be.

PRAYER: RESPONSE to the Word

Father, thank You for hearing by prayer to guide me through this last and dreaded lesson. Your Spirit graciously did not let me lay it aside nor did He fail to open my eyes and mind to understand it better. Strengthen my core desire to please You and to be characterized as a “woman who fears the LORD – and makes herself praiseworthy.”

YOUR TURN:

What’s your take away from the Proverb 31 passage?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
  • Why is it important to live our lives focused on Jesus?
  • How does this one simple choice impact all areas of our lives?
Want More?

Don’t miss the Love God Greatly Blog Post

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Lois and Eunice: Passing on the Faith

Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 1:3-7; SOAP: 2 Timothy 1:5

I recall your sincere faith that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you.

2 Timothy 1:5 NET
OBSERVATION: What’s the Story?

This story has many facets we can learn from, all of which revolve around “the faith”. That is, the faith we place in Jesus Christ which cleanses us from sin, unites us with the Father, and fills us with His Spirit. First and foremost we read in verse five that Paul confirms Timothy’s faith as genuine, meaning Timothy is connected to God through faith in Christ and the Spirit God gave him (5). Paul and Timothy are connected through the faith, which is made clear by Paul’s reference to Timothy as his son. A term most likely used because Paul led Timothy to faith in Christ (2), Then we see that Timothy is connected to the faith through his relationship with his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, through their living faith (5). This is the facet that is the focus of our study today as we continue to look at living beautifully surrendered to God. Lois and Eunice, grandmother and mother, planted seeds of faith as Timothy grew up. I believe that it’s important to note again the importance of Paul’s confirmation that Timothy’s faith was sincere – in other words it isn’t just a family thing but a transformation of His own heart. While Timothy’s faith was greatly impacted by his mother and grandmother, relying on their faith would not be enough to save him.

HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

First of all, we must make sure our faith is genuine and not reliant upon someone else’s faith. Once this is settled, from our focus verse (5) it is clear to see that we are to live in such a way that our faith is obvious and active, like Lois and Eunice. This kind of faith passes on to our children and others for generations to come. However, we would be remiss to not also note and learn from the other facets in the passage. Namely, that we should not only encourage others in the faith as Paul is here with Timothy, to “rekindle” or “fan the flame” (6), but also we should stay in the habit of ‘fanning the flame” of our own faith. In other words to do things that strengthen our faith. In Timothy’s case it will be to serve others and preach the Word (2 Timothy). What about you? What has God called you to do with His gift of salvation? Whatever it is, step into it without fear for He has given you His Spirit of power, love, and self-control.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
PRAYER: RESPONSe to the word

Father, thank You for my own heritage of faith – passed on to me through my parents, my grandparents, and their parents before them. Thank you that You have, by Your Spirit – through Christ – made my faith genuine. Thank You for all the “Paul’s” You have placed in my life to encourage me to grow in my faith and to keep it burning bright. Thank You for the example of Lois and Eunice to live an active life of faith that is passed on from one generation to the next. I know of no greater desire of my heart than for my children and their children and all the children to come after them to know You and serve You all the days of their life. Let me live in such a way that my life fans the flames. – All glory and praise to You!

YOUR TURN:

What’s your take away from the story about Lois and Eunice?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Lois and Eunice were a grandmother and mother who had a great impact on the next generation as they passed their faith on to Timothy

  • Why is it important to be intentional about passing on our faith to the next generation?
What’s Next?

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Mary Magdalene: The First Woman

Day 3, Week 6 of Beautifully Surrendered, A Love God Greatly Study

Today’s Reading: John 20:11-18 SOAP – John 20:18

 Mary Magdalene came and informed the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what Jesus had said to her.

John 20:18 NLT
Observation: The Story
Who is this Mary?

Mary Magdalene is the woman from whom Jesus drove out seven demons. After this she became of His followers, and like many others she supported Him from her resource.

Sketchy Details

While John sketches details rather than elaborates, his details though lacking do match up with those of the other Gospel writers, Matthew 28:1–10, Mark 16:1–8, and Luke 24:1–12. One difference worth noting is the other writers all mention other women being with Mary when she went to the tomb, though in all accounts Mary Magdalene is mentioned first. It has been suggested that John leaves the other women unmentioned because Mary was the one who went to find Peter and the “beloved disciple”.

John’s sketch includes the following details about Mary:

She was at the tomb before daybreak and was the first to see that the stone had been rolled away.

She ran to tell Peter and the ‘beloved disciple’.

She stayed when the others left

She saw, and talked with, two angels who were in the tomb

She saw, and talked with, Jesus (though she did not recognize Him by His appearance)

She recognized who He was when He called her by name

She was given a message from Jesus to deliver to His disciples

She announced that she “had seen the Lord”

She didn’t tell her story but what He told her to say

I’m a detailed writer, clearly John wasn’t. His rendering is lacking in details or embellishments but what we know for certain is that Mary was focused on Jesus, so she went to the tomb. Finding the tomb empty did not shake her focus but she zeroed in on finding Him, according to John she was even fearful that someone had taken the body. We also see her unwavering focus kick-in when the Lord’s use of her name revealed to her who He really was.

How Then Should We live?

We should live focused on and passionate about Jesus, alert to where He is in our life, seeking Him if He “seems” distant, listening for His voice, and telling others what we have seen and heard.

Prayer Response:

Father, I can only imagine how Mary must have felt to find the tomb empty – to think someone had taken Him – her Savior and teacher … She needed and wanted Him back. Thank you that the tomb is empty and that we know where He is!

YOUR TURN:

What’s your take away from the story about Mary Magdalene?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Mary Magdalene proclaimed to the disciples what she had seen, our risen Lord.

  • Why is it important to tell others the incredible work we have witnessed Jesus do in our lives as well as the live of others?
WANT MORE?

Visit Love God Greatly for their Wednesday Blog

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Lydia: Planting a Church

Day 2, Week 6 of Beautifully Surrendered, A Love God Greatly Study

Today’s Reading: Acts 16:11-15 and 40; SOAP: verse 15

15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house.” And she persuaded us.

Acts 16:15 NET
Observation:

Lydia, is said to be the first known convert to Christianity in Europe. While Scripture introduces her as a God-fearing woman (v14), it wasn’t until listening to what Paul was saying, which would have most certainly been the Gospel message,1 that her heart responded in belief. Lest we think that Paul and his companions knew all the right words or amazing presentations, don’t miss that it was the Lord who opened her heart (v14). The general consensus of the commentators I read believed, that because there weren’t enough Jewish men to have a Synagogue, Paul and the others with him traveled to the shore where they found Lydia and a group of women praying. Because of this, and the fact that Paul had a vision that led him to Macedonia in the first place, – Lydia and her household were saved and baptized. Following her baptism, Luke writes, she “persuaded” them [the disciples] to stay in her house.

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. Ephesians 6:19

1 An example of what Paul would have been speaking to those listening to Him in Acts 16: 14

I believe it’s important to not miss the underlying fingerprints of God throughout the Scriptures, as seen here in the story of Lydia. I believe they are best captured by this statement from the writers of Gotquestions.org: 

God rerouted Paul and friends and also ensured that Lydia would be in the right place at the right time to encounter Paul and hear the good news of Jesus. And, as Lydia heard the gospel, God opened her heart so that she received the life-giving message. In this story, so full of divine intervention, we see the sovereignty of God in salvation; as Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them” (John 6:44). We also see the immediate bond that a new believer has with other believers in Christ—Lydia showed hospitality to those who brought the good news, and she wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.
   https://www.gotquestions.org/Lydia-in-the-Bible.html
For more insight into Lydia's story visit this link at Bibleref.com  https://www.bibleref.com/Acts/16/Acts-16-15.html
How Then Should We live?

There are many take-aways from this one little passage. Including but not limited to the underlying but obvious fingerprints of God or the disciples persistence in looking for a prayer gathering when there was no synagogue to be found. However, what stands out to me as worthy of imitating – is Lydia’s willingness to listen to what Paul was saying, her heart yielded to God, positioned to surrender and respond to the message He had sent. On top of that is her obedience to follow in believer’s baptism and to make sure her household had the same opportunity; equally worthy is her immediate desire and persuasiveness to open her home to other believers, both to the disciples and others – as is evident in verse 40.

Prayer Response

Father, as the old hymn says, “take my life and let it be ever only all for Thee”. Help me to be a faithful disciple of Your Word and an obedient daughter, following as and where You lead, my life and home always open to Your work in reaching the world – for Your glory and for the reputation of the Gospel.

YOUR TURN:

What’s your take away from the story of Lydia?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Lydia wasted no time in serving the church after she was saved.

  • How did her hospitality bless the early church?
  • What example was she setting to those around her?
Looking Ahead:

The next LGG study, “Choosing God Instead of the World”, will start August 8 …. I shared details with you over the weekend for the study – here’s more for your encouragement to join us for a six-week journey with Jacob and Joseph.

Our choices can be simplified into two categories: the things of God and the things of the world. Choosing the things of God is often challenging, but it yields the best long-term results. Choosing the world can be much easier and can appear to be the best way to avoid pain, but these choices often lead to our destruction. 

Choosing God Instead of the World studies the lives of two men, Jacob and Joseph, their families, and the choices they faced. Both Jacob and Joseph were given a specific promise from God, but they lived out their faith very differently. As we study their lives, we will see the importance of choosing the things of God and the way God rewards those who walk with Him. We will also discover how, even if God’s people often made a mess of things, His promises to them never failed.

excerpt from – https://lovegodgreatly.com/announcing-our-next-study-10/

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Beautifully Surrendered: Looking Ahead to Week 6

A Love God Greatly Bible Study about God’s Heart for His Daughters

In the final week of our study (week 6), we will look at what it means to be “Women Leaving a Legacy”. We will build on knowing that God loves, sees, and cherishes women, and continue to focus on the fact that the acts of faith, prayer, and choosing praise and joy in all circumstances play a huge part in the surrender and sacrifice that are required of those who follow Jesus.

Our focus/memory verse is found in Psalm 145:4 – “One generation will praise Your deeds to another and tell about Your mighty acts!” Doing this should be part of our legacy as daughters of God. If we fail to praise Him for what He’s done or fail to tell others about His mighty acts – generations will rise up who do not know Him or what He can do and has promised to do. (see Judges chapter two).

This Week’s Challenge from the team at Love God Greatly:

We must pass our faith on to our children and the next generation, leaving a godly legacy for those who come behind us. Who in your life has lived out her faith well and inspired you to do the same? This week, make sure to share the difference she has made in your life. Who can you intentionally reach out to and invest in? There are many ways to leave a godly legacy behind, but they all start the same: choosing to take the first step.

Announcing Our Next Study!

by Melissa Fuller | Jul 5, 2022 |LGG Team Member

Our lives are a series of choices. We are constantly making choices, both good and bad, and all of our choices have consequences and outcomes. It can be overwhelming to question our choices or wonder if we are doing the right thing.

“Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” – Colossians 3:1

Our choices can be simplified into two categories: the things of God and the things of the world. Choosing the things of God is often challenging, but it yields the best long-term results. Choosing the world can be much easier and can appear to be the best way to avoid pain, but these choices often lead to our destruction.  Check back on Wednesday for more details .