Sometimes, I feel like a broken record about the importance of building a relationship with God and staying connected to the body of Christ. I make no apologies though, because – I believe we are to encourage one another daily. I think our relationship with God and other believers is vitally important to our faith- even to the point of repetitive encouragement. Staying connected takes time and effort, and as Mrs. Morin suggests – the risk of love. Enjoy today’s shared treasure 🦋
This treasure caught my attention because the question asked and examined by Michele Morin is similar to the one I often use at the end of my time exploring God’s Word. I frequently use it in the application portion of our journeys: How then should we live? – I don’t know if I just started asking it or if I learned it from my dad or another teacher/preacher. Regardless, I found Morin’s use of the question, as well as her response and application, an excellent example. Hope you enjoy – 🦋
Originally posted on Living Our Days / Aug 27, 2023
Friends, this one may step on your toes; I know it did mine the first time I read it. But isn’t that, at least partly, why we journey through God’s Word – to clarify the areas of our walk of faith that need to be corrected or honed? I’m not saying that every encounter with God and His Word should result in a painful conviction – but I do believe that drawing near to Him is not meant to be a checklist kind of thing but rather a purposeful and heartfelt desire to spend time together. Whether it is seeking to understand Him, to know His ways, or to find comfort, strength, and wisdom in His presence, the chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, which is certainly upheld throughout the Scriptures, particularly in Ps. 145 and 1 Cor 10:31. Thus, the goal of our time with God should always be to lead us to a closer relationship with Him, motivated by love, which will in turn sharpen the righteous character of Christ in us, and put to death/quench the old sinful nature when it seeks to rear its ugly head – thus rendering disciples that live and love like Jesus. 🦋
Our next study, “Our God Who Pursues: Guiding Us Back to Him,” starts on March 3rd! Stay tuned for more details in the coming days – but for the remainder of February, we will be focusing on Love. Short and sweet treasures from some of my favorite bloggers and teachers/authors I follow. As always, I appreciate your feedback and welcome any questions. – 🦋
The first week of this two-week break between studies is from Michele Morin. I find myself encouraged by her words and her heart for God and her family. If you haven’t followed her from one of my past posts, I encourage you to do so. Today’s post is from five years back, during the season leading up to Easter – but it is fitting for everyday wisdom and living when our goal is to live and love like Jesus.
based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation, w6d2
Scripture: God’s Road Map for Our Journey
Read: Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25 / SOAP: Acts 2:42 and Hebrews 10:24-25
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
Acts 2:42
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25
I have probably mentioned far too often that while I love the fellowship of friends and family, I am just as easily, if not more so, a loner at heart. I could sit and study for hours; I love to read and write in the quiet of my room or office and I enjoy a good movie and a bowl of popcorn. I don’t even mind going to the theater by myself. Weird? Perhaps, but it’s me, and I’m okay with it. If you ask me, it is not just enjoyable – it is often the easier way of doing things. However, today’s journey is a bristling fresh reminder for me that while it might be easier and, at times, perfectly okay, God means for us to live in community with others.
If you’ve ever wondered what God thinks about the importance of Christian fellowship – these passages offer both evidence and reason for the need to make it a part of the building blocks of our firm foundation of faith. As Paul points out, Christian fellowship is beneficial to discipleship, encouragement in faith, and knowing and meeting the needs of others.
According to Ephesians 4:2-3 and other passages, we are called to serve each other in the church. Our journey passages today reveal that there are benefits when believers fellowship together. Whether it’s breaking bread, praying, or sharing with one another – or a myriad of other things that fall under the canopy of fellowship, these things foster unity and promote sharing and caring not only for others in the body but for reaching others with the Word.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
Ephesians 4:2-3
Clearly, we are to fellowship with one another. However, we must also take up the instructions of Hebrews 10:24-25 and live it out for the sake of the body of Christ. We must be intentional in thinking about how to spur one another on – specifically to love and good works – which basically means to live and love like Jesus. Don’t stop short of the final step in today’s journey – be connected to/with other believers. We might like to think of this as a suggestion by the author. Actually, the commentaries that I looked at say that it is a command; we only have to look back to the previous verse to see why it is so important – you see – one of the benefits of meeting together is the relationships that come from those gatherings. Which, as bibleref.com writes: “Relationships with other believers are one way to be encouraged to live out the faith we proclaim.” Without question, we will have other obligations in this life, be it family or work, home, ‘recreation,’ and/or rest, but we must be careful and sure not to make a habit of neglecting the fellowship of believers.
Father, thank You for Your Word that is used to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness. I confess that this one is not always easy for me, but I love You and seek to obey Your Holy Word so that I might live and walk in holiness and fulfill Your call on my life to equip, encourage, and empower women with Your Word. Thank You for the sisters who meet with me here – who encourage me and pray for me and share in my needs while also allowing me to share in theirs. We are richly blessed. Thank You that You have allowed this group to minister to those who are unable to meet in face-to-face gatherings – but as much as we are able, Lord God, help us to never abandon the habit of in-person meetings.
For me, the in-person meetings happen every day in the church office where I work, as well as Sunday mornings and other local gatherings. – What is it for you?
based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation / w6d1
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27.
God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Ephesians 1:22-23
Throughout this particular journey, centered around building a firm foundation on the truths of God’s Word, we have been searching for the key elements of our faith. Today’s treasure is the core belief that we are not only individual members of the body of Christ but together as a group as well. To not understand this is to put ourselves and the whole of the church in jeopardy.
When we work together as the body of Christ, we can have a greater impact. Each member, functioning in their God-given role, contributes to the health and effectiveness of the whole body. This collaborative effort, not only brings glory to God but also demonstrates His love and truth to the world.
LGG Journal: Firm Foundation, p171
This is what Paul is striving to help the Corinthians understand. He teaches them that while they have all been given spiritual gifts, not everyone’s gift is the same – and just as the various parts of our body aren’t meant to function alone – neither are our spiritual gifts. As the LGG Journal puts it: “We aren’t called to do it all, but we are all called to contribute in the ways He has equipped us.”God has a purpose not only for every believer but for every spiritual gift He gives. For this reason, as well as for His glory, believers must work together in order for the gifts God has given to work well and be effective for the cause of Christ.
If believers are willing to set aside their discontent about the role God has given to them in the church, and their arrogance about not needing other members of the body of Christ, they have the opportunity to thrive together to become what God
Bibleref.com/1 Corinthians 12:27
intended for the church to be.
As Paul taught the Corinthians, we are to set aside any discontent we have with the role God has given to us and others. We are to put away the idea that we don’t need the other members to succeed or that we don’t need to be a part of a local body of believers. We must understand that only together can we truly be what God intends for us to be – which is the Church, or the ‘body of Christ,’ “working together to reflect Him to the world.”1
The Love God Greatly team said it best in today’s journal entry:
When we come to faith in Jesus, we are not meant to live life in isolation or with a “Jesus-and-me” mentality. Instead, we are ushered into the family of God. Though this family is made up of all believers who have been saved by faith through all times, we also have access to the family of God here and now through the church.
LGG Journal: Firm Foundation, p171
God, I am so glad to be part of the body of Christ, both as an individual believer and as a member of the local church. It is easy for me to get caught up with the day to day and fail to function or see/remember the need to function within the body. So thank you for reminders from Your Word of the importance of the “body of Christ,” and the importance of each member being active and engaged with the others. Teach me to work in unity with others so that I can have a greater impact for Your kingdom.2 – In the name of Jesus, Who is the head of the body – Amen!
based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation w5d5
Scripture: Read: 2 Timothy 3:14-15 and James 1:21-25 / SOAP 2 Timothy 3:15 and James 1:21
15 and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15
So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls.
James 1:21
I grew up in a home where the Word was read, studied, and talked about, and we were taught to live it out. My dad and mom encouraged, equipped, and empowered us to know and follow Jesus So, it’s hard for me to imagine that not everyone’s home life was like this. Thinking about the reality of it always brings a deeper, fuller appreciation for the upbringing I had. Don’t get me wrong, we weren’t perfect – we all made our ‘mistakes,’ – but it was one of faith and family. So, as I read today’s passage on Timothy, my heart was moved by Paul’s reminder that “From infancy you have known the holy writings…” and filled with gratitude that my dad and mom faithfully took us to church where the Word – “which is able to save souls,” as James wrote – was read and taught and then incorporated into our daily lives.
So, I had two other paragraphs written but then read today’s journal entry and decided to leave the first and share what I believe is the best follow-up to the memory God prodded in my mind – and a beautiful lesson on the sufficiency of the Word of God. – I pray it is a blessing and one that you will share as God leads. 🦋
Into The Text and a prayer/by Love God Greatly
From a young age, we understand the importance of having a loving mentor. For Timothy, this mentor was the Bible, taught to him by his mother and grandmother. Through Timothy’s example, as recorded by the Apostle Paul, we see how the Scriptures can lead us to salvation, help us walk in faithfulness, and shape our faith.
The Bible is the living and active Word of God that provides wisdom and direction for every aspect of our lives. James 1:21 reminds us that when received with humility, the Word of God has the power to transform our lives and save our souls. It’s not just about reading the words but allowing God’s Word to take root in our hearts and change us from within.
The Bible serves as a mirror in our daily lives, highlighting areas where we need His grace. It’s through engaging with Scripture that we understand God’s character, His promises, and His instructions for living a life that honors Him.
The Bible is our steadfast anchor when we face life’s challenges and uncertainties. It offers comfort in times of sorrow, wisdom in moments of confusion, and strength when we feel weak. The Bible reminds us of God’s unchanging love and His faithful presence in our lives. As we immerse ourselves in the Word, we find that it equips, encourages, and transforms us, helping us grow and live out our faith boldly.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, thank you for the completeness of your Word. Help me to depend entirely on the Bible for guidance, wisdom, and truth. Let your Word dwell abundantly in my heart, shaping me to be more like you. May I walk with confidence and peace, knowing that your Word provides everything I need for life and godliness. In your name, Amen.
based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation w5d3
The law of the Lord is perfect
Psalm 19:7
and preserves one’s life.
The rules set down by the Lord are reliable
and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.
Every word of God is purified
Proverbs 30:5
he is like a shield for those who take refuge in him.
Knowing that God inspires every Scripture and that He makes no mistakes – it stands to reason that the Bible is without errors. It is entirely pure and true. It is the truth that is pointed out in our passages for today’s journey – passages that validate the statement that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. However, as qotquestions.org points out concerning the inerrancy of Scripture and its importance – “We’ve grown accustomed to being lied to, and many people seem comfortable with the false notion that the Bible, too, contains errors.”
Wait what? Is it possible that the Bible, the “inspired … breathed out Word of God, is flawed? – No, absolutely not.
While I believe it is true that, as a whole, we have grown accustomed to being lied to and sadly even to telling lies, but friends, we must not even entertain the thought that the Bible contains errors. For, if there is even one error in God’s Word then we cannot trust any of His Word. “It is either trustworthy or it is not.1”
The world is full of those who lie or cast doubt on God’s Word – pray against any doubts, be ready with an answer for the hope in You, and look for and remember the ways You have seen the truth of God in and around you through personal experiences and life situations. Build your life on the unshakable truth of God’s Word and stand firm on the firm foundation of your faith.
Please don’t settle for my posted opinion/belief or quoted words from trusted commentaries. Read/listen to the words of Jesus Himself, who identifies God’s Word as “truth” when He prayed His High Priestly Prayer, saying to the Father, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). As gotquestions.org explains, “In this verse, Jesus communicates two important facts: God’s Word is truth—God’s Word equals truth—and it’s by that truth that God sanctifies us, or sets us apart for holy service to Himself.”2
God is holy (Isaiah 6:3), and that quality makes it impossible for Him to lie. The holiness of God is His moral and ethical perfection, His absolute integrity that sets Him apart from all His creatures. God’s holiness is thus related to His transcendence. God does not conform to any standard of purity; He is the standard. God is absolutely holy with an infinite purity incapable of being changed. Because of His holiness, when God speaks, He will not and cannot lie. He never deceives; He never distorts or misrepresents what He says or does. Lying is against His nature.
gotquestions.org/
Because God cannot lie, God’s Word, the Bible, is completely trustworthy (1 Kings 8:56; Psalm 119:160). “Every word of God is flawless” (Proverbs 30:5).
Can God Lie?
Father, thank You for giving me Your perfect Word. Like You, It is faithful and true – it is my joy and peace and strength. It is my help in times of trouble. Help me to build my life on its truths. Use it to strengthen my faith and guide me as I seek to live according to Your Word. – In Jesus’ name – Amen
For more insight in today’s passages:
based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation / w5d3
Scripture: (Read and SOAP) 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21
Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:20-21
While I enjoyed spending time chasing the ‘Scripture squirrel’ that you’ll find below, I would be remiss if I didn’t zero in on today’s key element to a firm foundation of our faith – that being that “all Scripture” – every Word that is written in the Bible – is inspired by God. Consider these words from today’s LGG Journal entry to understand why I believe If we do not believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and treat it as such – we not only waste our time reading it, but we1 dishonor God and 2 do ourselves an injustice.
Application: Living out the Journey
We would do well to live out the Word of God, “aligning our lives with biblical truths.”1 Solomon explained to his son that he should pay attention to the words Solomon was sharing with/teaching him. He encouraged him to let them penetrate his heart and not let them out of his sight – saying that the words would bring life to those who find them and health to their whole body.2
When we are dedicated to God – we spend time with Him in His Word, and when this happens, we are being trained and prepared for righteous living. It also offers correction when we are wrong. As the writer of Hebrews puts it – “The Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword …” Why? Because it is inspired … given … and breathed out by the true and living creator God.3
ME🦋
The Scripture Squirrel I chased today:
I have used a variety of translations with today’s passage from 2 Timothy. to show that they are all nearly identical. This is especially true with the opening statement that All Scripture is inspired by God. I remember learning these two verses in high school in Mrs. Hall’s English class. She was one of my favorite teachers, fostering in me the love of words and the art of writing. She is also one of the reasons I worked on memorizing God’s Word, as it was a weekly requirement. We had to use the KJV then, so that is how I first learned these verses; however, since then, I have memorized it in the NIV translation, but I am now determined to work on the NET version – because of the one highlighted phrase below (See the NET bullet point).
There are not a lot of differences between the translations, as you can see. However, the NET is used in our study journals, and the words in verse seventeen captured my attention as Paul’s reasoning for the usefulness of God’s Word is translated as “that the person dedicated to God (or ‘the man/servant of God,”) may be capable and equipped for every good work.” All the other translations mean the same thing but there’s something about the way the NET defines “a man of God” as “the person dedicated to God…” – As I read the words in the journal, I jotted down these words in the margin: “When we are dedicated to God – we spend time with Him in His Word, and when this happens, we are being trained and prepared for righteous living. It also offers correction when we are wrong. As the writer of Hebrews puts it – “The Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword …” Why? Because it is inspired … given … and breathed out by the true and living creator God.3” – Friends, if we are dedicated to God and His inspired Word, we will forever be growing in faith and grace and deeper in love with Him.
Friends, if we are dedicated to God and His inspired Word, we will forever be growing in faith and grace and deeper in love with Him.
ME🦋
Dear Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Help me to understand its authority and read it daily. Use Your Word to teach, correct, and train me in righteousness. May it nourish my soul and transform my life as I seek to know You more deeply. In Your name – Amen.
For more insight, please be sure to read today’s LGG Blog
For a thing to be sanctified means it is set apart for a special use.
based on the Love God Greatly Study, Firm Foundation, w5d2
God’s will is for you to be holy(sanctified-KJV), so stay away from all sexual sin.
1 Thessalonians 4:3
For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy(sanctified-KJV).
Hebrews 10:14
Because today’s passages focus on the believer being holy/sanctified, let us understand holiness/sanctification as God’s Word defines it. To be holy/sanctified is to be set apart for God (Leviticus 20:7; 1 Peter 1:15). Yesterday’s journey revealed or reminded us that we can not be made right with God (declared righteous) apart from faith in Jesus Christ. The same is true of God’s call for believers to be holy/sanctified – it is not possible apart from faith in Jesus Christ.
It is helpful to start with the passage from Hebrews and the message about the “one offering” perfecting – those who are “made holy.” Remember, it used to be animal sacrifices repeated again and again that would temporarily cover the sins of the people.1 However, the blood of the animal never truly removed the sin. But God, in His loving mercy, made a way! Through the blood of Jesus, the sacrificial system was made complete. For the perfect, spotless blood of Jesus is sufficient to wipe away sins – not just temporarily but forever! Hallelujah and amen!
What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Oh precious is the flow
that makes me white as snow –
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
When Paul closes out his instructions to the Thessalonians, he reminds them that God’s will is for them, as believers, to be sanctified, meaning to be “set apart for a special use2.” The example he gives with this instruction is for them to stay away from “sexual immorality,” a sin that undoubtedly was rampant in Thessalonica, a pagan culture steeped in sexual sin. However, we know from the totality of Scripture that sin of any kind, accepted or unaccepted by the culture we live in, is wrong and unacceptable in the eyes of our Holy God. To be set apart for God requires the believer to “keep away.” as Paul wrote, from all sins. Should we find ourselves wanting to make excuses for certain sins – let us understand that John explained sin to be anything that is contrary to God’s Word,3 and Paul was clear that the wages of sin is death,4 but he finished that statement with the clear and present promise that the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus – the perfected – solitary and all-sufficient offering – the spotless, sinless, Son of God – through whom (by faith) we are made holy and acceptable in God’s sight! – All glory and praise to God!
To be sanctified is to be “set apart.” Synonyms for sanctified are holy, consecrated, and hallowed. The Bible speaks of things being “sanctified,” such as Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:23) and gifts to the temple (Matthew 23:17); days, such as the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8); names, such as God’s (Matthew 6:9); and people, such as the Israelites (Leviticus 20:7–8) and Christians (Ephesians 5:26).
Gotquestions.org
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – Thank You that through You I am made holy and set apart for You. Thank You for the reminder to walk faithfully in Your ways and stay away from all sin. Thank You for the blood that washed away my sins, the indwelling of Your Spirit that alerts me to sin and temptations and empowers me to turn away from them – even showing me the way of escape, as Paul wrote.5 Thank You, God, for the one offering that has perfected for all time those who are made holy, and for putting Your laws on my heart and inscribing them on my mind and remembering my sins against me no more! – I am most blessed and forever grateful! 💜
For a thing to be sanctified means it is set apart for a special use.
Me From the Inside Out 