Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Shame Breaker, Week 2-Friday The Shame of Brokenness

Today’s Scripture – 2 Samuel 9; Hebrews 4:15-16 (S.O.A.P. 2 Samuel 9:7-8; Hebrews 4:15-16)

David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth

One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked.

“Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”

So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. His name was Mephibosheth[a]; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.”

Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”

“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” Read the rest of the story

Hebrews 4:15-16

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Shame Breaker, WK2-Thursday Beauty In Brokenness

Today’s Scripture – Isaiah 50:7; 2 Cor. 4:10-12 (S.O.A.P. 2 Corinthians 4:10-12)

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

We are pressed on every side by trouble but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but NEVER ABANDONED by God. We get knocked down but we are not destroyed! 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

This was Paul’s testimony – considering Eternal Life for someone else worth danger and even the threat of death for himself – “So that the life of Jesus would be evident -“

Me – From the Insideout
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Shame Breaker, Wk2-Wednesday The Shame of Weakness

Today’s Scripture – Judges 6:11-18 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Phil. 1:20 (S.O.A.P. Judges 6:12; Phil 1:20)

Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”

13 “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” Read More

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 [a]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Philippians 1:20 Paul’s Life for Christ

For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.

After thoughts: Two different circumstances, both men in precariously dangerous and disturbing situations – both men familiar with the LORD but one doubtful and the other determined to trust. One walking by faith and the other by sight … Both, I dare say, a familiar reminder of a scenario from our own lives at some point. Both, good lessons for us in our walk of faith when … like Gideon, we can’t see what God is doing and we feel like He has let us down but know He’s asking us to trust Him in what He’s calling us to do – we must remember the angel’s words – “The LORD is with us. Or, when … like Paul, we find ourselves between the throes of life and death may we remember what God has done in the past and trust that He is with us – and honor Him with unshakable faith. – *Note the main difference between the two – Gideon’s eyes were on his circumstances and Paul knew his circumstances but his eyes were on what God had done/could do and His calling to be bold and live to honor Christ – whether in life or death.

Me – From the Insideout
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Shame Breaker, Wk2-Tuesday Our Pasts Are Forgiven

Today’s Scripture – Romans 8:1-2; Galatians 5:1 (S.O.A.P. Romans 8:1-2)

Romans 8:1-2 Life in the Spirit

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power[a] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[b] from the power of sin that leads to death.

Galatians 5:1 Freedom in Christ

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

After Thoughts … What a beautiful passage! He has loved us with an EVERLASTING LOVE. With UNFAILING LOVE He has drawn us to Himself Just like Israel, we were sinful, broken, ruined, but now that we belong to Jesus Christ we have been MADE into a NEW CREATION! The old is gone, the new is here and we have reason to sing and dance and celebrate!

ME – From the Insideout –

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Shame Breaker, Wk2-Monday The Shame of Past Decisions

Today’s Scripture – Ruth 1; Jeremiah 31:3-4 (S.O.A.P. Jeremiah 31:3-4)

Elimelech Moves His Family to Moab

In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there.

Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband.

Naomi and Ruth Return

Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland. With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah.

But on the way, … Read More

Jeremiah 31:3-4

Long ago the Lord said to Israel:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
    With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.
    You will again be happy
    and dance merrily with your tambourines.

Posted in From the Insideout, LGG Study

Shame Breaker, Week 1 – Friday The Shame of Not Being Enough

Today’s Scripture – Exodus 4:10-17; Psalm 103:7-9; Isaiah 41:10 (S.O.A.P. Ps 103:7-9; Isa 41:10)

Exodus 4:10-17

10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

14 Then the Lord became angry with Moses. “All right,” he said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. 15 Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. 16 Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say. 17 And take your shepherd’s staff with you, and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you.”

Psalm 103:7-9

He revealed his character to Moses
    and his deeds to the people of Israel.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us,
    nor remain angry forever.

Isaiah 41:10

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Posted in From the Insideout, LGG Study

The Shame of Not Being Enough

Based on the LGG Study Shame Breaker Week 1, Friday ( Psalm 103:7-9 )

While the LORD may not have shown His face to the people – He made sure they saw His character and knew what He was like. They learned through experience that He was … compassionate and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love, He wasn’t constantly looking to accuse them and when He did get angry He didn’t stay angry. The passage in Isaiah reveals even more of God’s character, as we see – He doesn’t want us to live in fear and discouragement – but to TRUST HIM in all things.

We can’t be satisfied with knowing who God is – We MUST get to know HIm – as we see Him in the Scriptures and watch Him in the lives of others but even more importantly, in our own lives. Why? Because knowing God’s character helps us to TRUST Him.💜 Me – from the Insideout

TODAY’S REFLECTION QUESTION: OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN THE BIBLE WE SEE PEOPLE DOUBTING THE CALLING GOD HAS ON THEIR LIVES, AND MOSES WAS NO DIFFERENT. WHAT DOES ISAIAH 41:10 REVEAL ABOUT GOD AND HIS CALL ON OUR LIVES?

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Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Shame Breaker, W1 – Thursday A God Who Redeems Shame

Shame causes fear – but we don’t have to be afraid because we have a God who removes our disgrace 💜 He has forevermore removed our shame through the blood of Jesus that we might walk in freedom not just from sin but from the shame and disgrace that oppress us and hinder us from being who He called us to be. My encouragement today is this – rather than focusing on our sin and shame let’s, as Paul said to the Philippians, think about things that are true and honorable – what greater truth is there than we are REDEEMED!– Cleansed of our sin and shame – restored and made whole! Yeah, let’s let this TRUTH cover the thoughts of our sin and shame!

REFLECTION QUESTION OF THE DAY: THE SHAME WE EXPERIENCE CAN MAKE US FEEL INTIMIDATED OR HUMILIATED. WHAT ENCOURAGEMENT DO WE FIND IN ISAIAH 54:4?

Today’s Scripture – Isaiah 54:1-4; (S.O.A.P. Isaiah 54:4)

Future Glory for Jerusalem

 “Sing, O childless woman,
    you who have never given birth!
Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem,
    you who have never been in labor.
For the desolate woman now has more children
    than the woman who lives with her husband,”
    says the Lord.
“Enlarge your house; build an addition.
    Spread out your home, and spare no expense!
For you will soon be bursting at the seams.
    Your descendants will occupy other nations
    and resettle the ruined cities.

“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.
    Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.
You will no longer remember the shame of your youth
    and the sorrows of widowhood.

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Shame Breaker, Week 1 Tuesday – God Removes Our Guilt

Today’s Scripture – Psalm 103:12-13 (S.O.A.P. Psalm 103:12-13)

He has removed our sins as far from us
    as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
    tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

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Posted in From the Insideout, LGG Study

Bridge to Shame Breaker Wk 2 December 31, 2020

One of the things I love about God is His Faithfulness. Trust is hard for me but with God I don’t have to worry about whether or not I can trust Him. It isn’t simply that there are verses that declare Him to be faithful; don’t get me wrong, since we walk by faith and not by sight this would be enough, but His actions bear witness to His Word. Or, as our verse says – “He ACTS in a faithful manner -“. Because He does I know that He is reliable. He is a dependable REFUGE. And, there is truly NO ONE on earth or in heaven like Him. No wonder David wrote in Psalm 16:8 – “I constantly trust in the LORD; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” As we head out of one very challenging year and into all the unforeseen of another – may David’s bold and confident statement become our mantra. May it define us and become our strength both day and night, on our mountain-tops and in our valleys. May it be a light of encouragement to those who are watching. When troubles come and they see that we aren’t shaken perhaps they will ask why – and may we be ready with an answer – like David – for the HOPE that is within us! The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me,  and my place of safety. Psalm 18:2

Me – from the Insideout

The one true God acts in a faithful manner;

the Lord’s promise is reliable.

He is a shield to all who take shelter in him.

31 Indeed, who is God besides the Lord?

Who is a protector besides our God?

Psalm 18:30-31

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 17 and 18; (S.O.A.P. Psalm 18:30-31)

Psalm 17 A prayer of David.

O Lord, hear my plea for justice.
    Listen to my cry for help.
Pay attention to my prayer,
    for it comes from honest lips.
Declare me innocent,
    for you see those who do right.

You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.
    You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.
    I am determined not to sin in what I say.
I have followed your commands,
    which keep me from following cruel and evil people.
My steps have stayed on your path;
    I have not wavered from following you.

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
    Bend down and listen as I pray. Read More

Psalm 18 For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord. He sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang:

I love you, Lord;
    you are my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
    my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and he saved me from my enemies.

The ropes of death entangled me;
    floods of destruction swept over me.
The grave[a] wrapped its ropes around me;
    death laid a trap in my path.
But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;
    yes, I prayed to my God for help.
He heard me from his sanctuary;
    my cry to him reached his ears. Read More