Tag: Love

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

His Unfailing LOVE

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Scripture: Psalm 119:73-80 / SOAP verses 75-79

You made me; you created me.
    Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
    for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;
    you disciplined me because I needed it.
76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
    just as you promised me, your servant.
77 Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
    for your instructions are my delight.
78 Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
    meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
79 Let me be united with all who fear you,
    with those who know your laws.
80 May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
    then I will never be ashamed.

Psalm 119:73-80 NLT

Today’s Post is by Joy, a member of the LGG Team

We are in verses Psalm 119:73-80 today, and there is so much richness in these verses. I’m not going to be able to cover all of them, so I want to camp on just a few.

Verses 76-77 say this: “Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me that I may live. For your law is my delight.”

The Psalmist is crying out to God for His favor. As we saw in verse 75, he owned God’s justice for his affliction – which is a big deal – and is now asking God for His mercy.

God’s steadfast love is a comfort. It is THE comfort {verse 76}. As the Matthew Henry commentary says, “Gracious souls fetch all their comfort from a gracious God, as the fountain of all happiness and joy.”

I love the word comfort!

Then it goes on… “For your law is my delight.” God’s word becomes a delight- a comfort to our souls.

So let me ask you:

Where are you turning for comfort? Is it giving you lasting and true satisfaction? Or, as Dr. Phil would say, “How’s that workin’ for ya?”

My challenge for this week is this: Turn your heart back to the Lord and His steadfast love. Ask Him for His blessed mercy and experience His steadfast love as you read and meditate on His Word. 

With Love From Uganda,

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Week 4 Challenge:
Turn your heart back to the Lord and His steadfast love. Ask Him for His blessed mercy and experience His steadfast love as you read and meditate on His Word.

WK4MV

Week 4 Memory Verse

The More You Know

For the full post, including video and reading plan click here

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

REVIVE ME-

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Response to Week Two’s Journey
Scripture: PSALM 119:25-48

I lie in the dust;
    revive me by your word.
26 I told you my plans, and you answered.
    Now teach me your decrees.
27 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
    and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 I weep with sorrow;
    encourage me by your word.
29 Keep me from lying to myself;
    give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
30 I have chosen to be faithful;
    I have determined to live by your regulations.
31 I cling to your laws.
    Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!
32 I will pursue your commands,
    for you expand my understanding.

He

33 Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
    I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
    I will put them into practice with all my heart.
35 Make me walk along the path of your commands,
    for that is where my happiness is found.
36 Give me an eagerness for your laws
    rather than a love for money!
37 Turn my eyes from worthless things,
    and give me life through your word.[a]
38 Reassure me of your promise,
    made to those who fear you.
39 Help me abandon my shameful ways;
    for your regulations are good.
40 I long to obey your commandments!
    Renew my life with your goodness.

Waw

41 Lord, give me your unfailing love,
    the salvation that you promised me.
42 Then I can answer those who taunt me,
    for I trust in your word.
43 Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
    for your regulations are my only hope.
44 I will keep on obeying your instructions
    forever and ever.
45 I will walk in freedom,
    for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
46 I will speak to kings about your laws,
    and I will not be ashamed.
47 How I delight in your commands!
    How I love them!
48 I honor and love your commands.
    I meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 119:25-48 NLT

by Joy Forney | Jun 25, 2015 

Revive.

It stirs up strong feelings of desire for me. In Psalm 119:25,  it says, “My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to your Word.” In other versions, it uses words like “quicken” and “give me life,” but revive brings about a beautiful word picture.

Revive means making alive, keeping alive, and giving more life.

I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty good to me right about now!

Here in Uganda, we really have only two seasons: rainy and dry. But since the kids’ school schedule lines up with the US, we still call the school break “summer.” So we are on summer break. And there is no better time to sit before the Lord than when schedules are just a bit slower. So this summer, I am asking the Lord, “Revive Me! Revive me according to Your Word!”

Why do we need reviving?

In verse 37, David reminds us to “turn our eyes from looking at vanity.” I don’t know about you, but my eyes could use a turning back to His Word.

Two things in my life cause me to turn my eyes:

One is my own sin…

Chasing after things of this world that do not satisfy and turning to them rather than to God and His Word. Oh yes, these things are small – like certain television shows or engaging in gossip with a friend, but as the Ugandans say, “slowly by slowly” my eyes are turned toward the vanity of the world instead of loving and feeding on God’s Word.

Then there are the stories of the world’s vanity…

They bombard me, worry me, sicken me, and turn my focus away from trusting God. When I look at the world getting caught up in its own vanity, I get discouraged – rather than encouraged – by God’s story.

As Charles Spurgeon says, “We have nothing to do with this vain world! We are not citizens of this land!”

So let me ask you: Do you and I live this way? Do we live as citizens of another land? Or instead, do we keep our eyes turned toward the vanity of this world, telling ourselves that it is okay; it’s just a little bit; it’s no big deal? Yes, we are in the world, but we are not to be of it.

It is time to be revived, sisters! 

Let this be our prayer:

-Revive me according to Your Word. v.25

-Revive me in Your ways. v.37

-Revive me in Your righteousness. v.40

-May Your lovingkindness also come to me, O Lord. v.41

-I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. v.48

O Lord, we pray that you would revive us, your daughters. Thank you for Your Word, which is living and active. We are sorry for turning our eyes toward vanity. Forgive us, and turn our eyes back to You and Your Word. We want to love Your Word. Give us fervent love for Your Word. Give us love for Your commandments. Help us to meditate on Your statutes. Let this summer be a time of reviving our hearts. Amen.

I want to hear from you in the comments. What has been turning your eyes toward vanity? And are you going to join me and ask the Lord to be revived?

With love from Uganda,

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Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

PURE AND HOLY

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Psalm 119, Seeking Him With All Our Heart/ w1d2

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-11/ SOAP 9-11

How can a young person stay pure?
    By obeying your word.
10 I have tried hard to find you—
    don’t let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:1-8 NLT

I love the question-and-answer passages of Scripture like this one. The Psalmist follows up his declaration that those who obey God’s laws and seek Him with all of their hearts will be blessed – or joyful people, as some translations say. He had boldly declared that those who do not compromise with evil and only walk in the path of God, carefully keeping His commandments, so that their actions would consistently reflect the way of the Lord, would not have anything to be ashamed of when they compared their life with God’s commands – and then he ended verse eight with the pledge to not only learn God’s righteous regulation but to live by them, obeying His decrees. His pledge was accompanied by a request that God not give up on him – in other words, the Psalmist knew what he had declared wasn’t going to be easy and that He would need God’s patience, or a learning curve, so to speak.

I love the beauty of the Psalmist’s open candor with God and have learned much from him. I also love the follow-up question and answer portion that follows in the second part of the Psalm, which is our focus today.

Have you ever made a pledge to God that you were going to do something – tithe a certain amount, commit to a certain calling, give up a sinful habit, or live a certain way – only to realize the next morning or perhaps even the next minute – that you have no idea if or how you can follow-through on what you said? I certainly have – and by the words of the Psalmist, I believe this is exactly what he had done. Having just committed to living according to God’s decrees, he now is asking God how in the world he’s going to do it – how is he, or how can any of us “stay pure”? Though it seems to be a rhetorical question of sorts, as he immediately responds – “by living according to God’s Word,” This is equally a challenging and good question for us to consider.

How can we stay true to God, living a holy life? We can search for Him with all of our hearts, learning what is good and right in His sight and living according to those precepts. However, we must also realize that in and of ourselves, we cannot accomplish a pure and holy life. We must, like the Psalmist, call out to God to help us not sin, or ‘stray from His commands.’, which, as the Psalmist points out, requires that we have God’s Word “hidden in our hearts.” Simply put, we are to dwell in God’s Word enough to know it – perhaps not word for word – but enough to remember the teaching and expectations that He has laid out in it and made known to us. In this world full of distractions, wickedness, and opposition to our faith, we must be filled with the Word – we must never lose sight of it – nor turn from it.

It is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. 

James 4:17 ESV
Living the Journey (Application)

Follow the Psalmist’s example –

  • Have the desire and set the goal to “stay pure,” (live a holy life).
  • Seek God with ALL of you HEART
    • learn what He likes and doesn’t like, and strive for what He likes
  • hide as much of His Word in Your heart/mind as you can
    • read
    • listen
    • write
    • talk about
    • study
    • meditate
  • Ask God for help
    • I love the way the Psalmist asked: “Do not let me wander from Your commands.
Prayer for the Journey

Father, You have called Your children, through the words of Peter and others in Your Word, to live perfect lives, and You have made known to us how we can do this- even in a less-than-wholesome world. You have blessed us with the freedom to have and use Your Word freely – You have given us Your Spirit, who not only empowers us to live godly lives but also teaches and reminds us of Your Words. We are without excuse and beyond grateful for Your gifts of grace and Your promise that we can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength. – Hallelujah and Amen!

Question FOR THE JOURNEY

Do you have a plan in place for living pure and holy before God?

THE MORE WE KNOW

How can you have God’s Word hidden in your heart?

God’s Word is the agent of His Spirit used to cleanse the hearts of all who believe in Christ and are saved (Ephesians 5:25–27). And it is through keeping God’s Word securely planted in our hearts and living according to what it says that believers continue to walk in holiness (Psalm 37:31; 119:9).

gotquestions.org

 14 Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance, 15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, 16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:14-16

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Uncategorized

Joyful People

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Psalm 119, Seeking Him With All Our Heart/ w1d1

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: Psalm 119:1-8 / SOAP 1-2

Joyful are people of integrity,
    who follow the instructions of the Lord.
2 Joyful are those who obey his laws
    and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil,
    and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us
    to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently
    reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed
    when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations,
    I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees.
    Please don’t give up on me!

Psalm 119:1-8 NLT

While works are not part of our salvation (Eph 2:8-10), they should play a part in our faith (Phil 2:12). As we have discovered on many of our journeys, the Christian faith is not meant to be passive. If we want to enjoy the full and satisfying life that Christ came to bring, we must be active in our faith. The Psalmist paints a clear and beautiful picture of what this means.

As we will see throughout the Psalm, the full and satisfying life requires the Word of God. However, it’s not just to be carried in our hands, laid on a table in our homes, or downloaded on our phones but hidden in our hearts and minds and part of our speech and way of life.

Why aren’t all believers joyful? Because there is a key to being filled with the joy of the Lord. The Psalmist writes that joyful people are people of integrity, meaning they are honest and have strong moral principles. Joyful people are those who obediently follow the instructions of the Lord and obey His laws. They are the people who seek after God with all their hearts; they want to know Him and model their lives after Him.

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
  • live an active faith
  • search diligently for God with all of your heart
    • learn His righteous regulations
  • don’t compromise with evil
  • walk only in His paths
  • carefully keep God’s commandments
  • give Him thanks by living as you should
Question FOR THE JOURNEY
  • What is the best way to search for God?
    • How do we do this, specifically with all of our hearts?
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, help us – You are good and faithful. Your Word is TRUTH, and Your ways are upright. Help us to be like You. Help us to walk only in Your path and not compromise with evil. Let us live in such a way that we are not ashamed. Help us to thank You by living as we should – Holy and upright – as You have called us to. – In Jesus’ Name – amen!

THE MORE WE KNOW

What should we learn from Psalm 119?

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

The Hope of Rescue

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w6d1

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-10 and SOAP: 2 Peter 2:9

—if so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials, and to reserve the unrighteous for punishment at the day of judgment, 

2 Peter 2:9 NET

My commentary today is borrowed from bibleref.com, which I believe offers us a clear explanation of this important warning from Peter. The warning he gave is just as important today as it was in the early church – and should be taken seriously and not forgotten. I believe it should be talked about among believers and passed on to our children so that we are ready and alert to any false teachers among us. This is another reason to study God’s Word for ourselves, faithfully searching the Scriptures day after day and making an effort to hide it in our hearts.

And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

Acts 17:11 NLT

In 2 Peter chapter 2, Peter describes and harshly condemns the false teachers who had entered the church. He promises their destruction, which will be brought by God. Peter also shows the impact of their lies on those who might believe them.

Who are these false teachers? They were not strangers who showed up spouting false doctrine in a full frontal attack against the community of Christians. Instead, they came from within the church. They were sneaky. They “secretly” introduced their destructive heresies, or “lies about the truth.”

In verse nine, Peter finally concludes his long “if” statement by arriving at the “then.” This is his conclusion.

The point of this lengthy statement has been this: God’s judgment is coming. The false teachers in the church will be condemned and destroyed. This is not a question of “if” God will repay, only “when.” If God condemned the rebellious angels and the world of Noah’s day and Sodom and Gomorrah, then He won’t hold back in condemning those rebelling against Him now.

But there’s more to the sentence: If God saved Noah and Lot, men He declared to be righteous, He will also save those He declares to be righteous now. God knows how to do both. He knows how to rescue His people, the ones He declares to be godly, from trials. And He knows how to hold those who are ungodly to be punished for their rebellion on the coming day of His judgment.

The message is clear. We may be tempted to look at the world and think that those who oppose God are winning. It may seem that standing with God costs more than it’s worth. We must never forget that God is still paying attention. Destruction will come, and so will salvation. The faithfulness we demonstrate today will be vindicated, one day.

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Search the Word daily

  • to familiarize yourself with it
  • to help you know when someone is teaching something other than the truth
  • and to keep you from falling into sin
  • trust that God is in perfect control and knows how to rescue His people
  • trust that He will one day punish the rebellion of the ungodly
QUESTION FOR THE JOURNEY

How does knowing that God rescued Noah and Lot from their societies reassure you in your current circumstances?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, thank You for the reminder that You will rescue the godly from their trials! We live in an increasingly wicked world. We live among those who distort Your truth and seek to bring down Your people. Yet we have nothing to fear for You are in perfect control! You have not lost sight of the ungodly and You have not forgotten us who seek to follow after You -so we do not need to be discouraged or afraid for You are our God, You are always with us and You have promised to hold us up with Your victorious right hand and to one day punish the rebellion of the ungodly. We trust in You – in Your power and Your Word! Help us not to be lazy or idle in living out our faith in God, but always on the alert. Keep us faithful to study and live out Your Word, aware of Your presence and trusting in Your promises. – Amen in the mighty name of Jesus –

THE MORE WE KNOW

For further help understanding today’s passage, visit Bibleref.com/2 Peter chapter 2, where you will find a complete summary of the chapter and commentary on each verse.

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

One Day

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w4d4

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10-11 and SOAP: 10-11

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 5:10-11 NET

One day our suffering will end! Peter’s words are full of life, hope, and peace as he points out what will happen “after we have suffered”. Peter tells us that God, who has saved us by grace through faith and promised us eternity with Him – “will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us!” To fully appreciate the life, hope, and peace this promise is meant to bring let’s look beyond the words on the page.

Restore: Gotquestions.org explains that, “The Greek word for “restore” conveys the idea of making something whole again. Sin and suffering have left us broken, and we will not be fully restored this side of eternity. However, at the right time, God will restore all things, including us.1 Revelation 21:4 holds a promise of restoration, where the current world will pass away and God will bring about a new reality. The verse states, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

“Additionally,” gotquestions.org goes on to say, “God promises to confirm, strengthen, and establish us. He fully acknowledges that we are His, that He gifts us with strength, and that He will establish us, that is, He will keep us rooted. Through it all, “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

This isn’t a passage with instructions so much as hope and encouragement from a promise of God. So, how, then, do we apply this knowledge? I believe we take the knowledge to heart and rejoice in the hope that one day, our suffering will end, and God will wipe away our tears. Then, I believe we take hold of the promise and let it bring us hope and courage as we wait for our ‘suffering” to end. And – since Peter has told us that believers everywhere are suffering – I believe we are to share this promise with others so that they, too, can rejoice and look forward to this hope of eternity.

Question FOR THE JOURNEY

In your current season of life, how can you intentionally shift your focus from your pain to God’s promises of restoration and the joy of eternity with Him?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, one day You will wipe away all our tears and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain; but for now we still know times, even days of ongoing troubles – so I echo the prayer of the LGG team today and pray that you will anchor our hearts to the promises that our suffering is only momentary compared to the eternal glory You have set before us. Form us more into Your image during this season of suffering. Restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. In all things, may You be glorified. Amen

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

DON’T WORRY – TRUST GOD

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w4d2

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-7; SOAP: verses 6-7

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT

Do you remember the phrase – “Don’t worry, be happy … put a smile on your face.”? The phrase is from a song that became popular in the late eighties. Admittedly, I didn’t know it as a song but a simple, catchy phrase that everyone was using – myself included. I haven’t thought of that phrase in more years than I can remember but it popped into my mind as I was SOAPing today’s passage – but with a bit of a tweak: “Don’t worry, trust God, He’ll put a smile on your face.”

If you have been journeying with me through the Word for very long, you might remember that verse seven of 1 Peter 5 is one of my favorites. I’ve shared many times that it was a life-altering verse for me – to know that He cares enough NOT only to save me from my sins but to also take my cares – ALL my cares – on Himself.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”

C.S. Lewis

I confess it is really easy to make this a stand-alone verse, but studying it today with the whole passage—the Holy Spirit helped me see it with fresh eyes and an even deeper appreciation for the verse—as it is written in conjunction with Peter’s instructions to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. In other words, bringing God our cares is not only a privilege of getting rid of our anxieties but an act of humbling ourselves before Him – in a huge act of faith that says I can’t handle this but I know and trust that You can because You are in perfect control of all things. According to verse five, and my own experience through the years – this act of faith is met with God’s grace.

Humility doesn’t come naturally. So Peter tells us to put humility on, “covering our pride to promote each other above ourselves,” because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

adapted from bibleref.com/1 Peter 5:5
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
  • Humility doesn’t come naturally, so put it on daily like a piece of clothing.1
    • As used in Scripture, “humility” does not mean weakness or self-hatred. It means a proper appreciation of how we are, in relationship to God. It means strength under control.2
  • Keep your pride in check, remembering that God opposes the proud.
    • don’t be too proud to tell Him about the things that concern you
  • Love others as yourself (Jn 13:34, Mark 12:29-31)
  • Don’t worry3 – trust God and let Him put a smile on your face by casting all your anxieties (cares) on Him, because you trust He cares for you and is in perfect control
Question FOR THE JOURNEY

In what areas of your life are you struggling to release control and trust God? How can you practice humility this week by casting your burdens on Him?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, when I was a teenager, You used an elderly couple to share Peter’s words about giving You all of my cares because You care for me. You have used this verse to literally save me from crippling anxiety and I am forever grateful. I pray that those who are reading this today will be convicted to take hold of this awesome privilege You have given to Your children, for when we give You our cares and concerns Your grace washes over us filling us with peace and strength and joy. May we encourage one another daily with this truth so that we do not become burdened down by our cares and anxieties. Guard us from pride for we know that You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble. Humility doesn’t come naturally to us, so may Your Holy Spirit remind us daily to put it on as a piece of clothing, loving others more than ourselves and trusting You with all our cares. Help us not to worry but to be happy and may the world see the reflection of Your grace on our face.

Music for the Journey
THE MORE WE KNOW

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

Using our God-Given Gifts

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w1d5

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11 and SOAP: verses 10 and 11

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT

Today’s post is borrowed and shared from the LGG, Triumph over Trials edition, p110

As believers, we are living in anticipation of Christ’s return — a reality that should profoundly shape our lives. In this waiting, we are not called to be idle but to be motivated to love and serve the body of Christ intentionally, especially during times of testing and persecution. A united, loving Christian community shines brightly in a dark world, like a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14-16).

A united, loving Christian community shines brightly in a dark world, like a city on a hill

The command is clear: we must work at loving each other well. Love is not passive; it’s active. It’s not a feeling, but a choice we make every day. It’s seen in the meals prepared for a new mom, the earnest prayers for a struggling friend, and the open doors of our homes.

God has not left us empty-handed in this high calling. He has generously given each of us unique gifts designed to serve and build up the church and others (Romans 12:4-8). These gifts are not for our own glory but given to us by God, fashioned to stitch His people closer together and reflect His love to the watching world (Ephesians 4:11-12).

When we see a need within the church, our hearts should be stirred to meet it. Whether it is encouragement, financial help, prayer, or a listening ear — let’s move towards those needs, not away from them. In doing so, we are faithful stewards of God’s grace, dispensing it generously just as it has been lavished upon us.

As we help others and employ our God-given gifts in service, the world catches glimpses of Jesus in us. Our love becomes a radiant beacon, pointing to the One who first loved us (1 John 4:19). In our serving, God is glorified, and His kingdom is tangibly expressed through our hands and feet.

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
  • love and serve the body of Christ intentionally
    • watch for others who need help and seek to meet the need
  • work at loving each other well
  • know and use the gifts God has given you
    • use them for God’s glory and not your own
Question FOR THE JOURNEY

How can you use your God-given gifts to meet a need within your church community or Love God Greatly group this week? In what ways can you be more intentional about loving the body of Christ in anticipation of His return?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Dear Jesus, thank You for entrusting us with gifts to serve Your body. help us to love deeply and act decisively, especially when we see a need within our church family. May our lives, fueled by Your love, shine brightly and draw others to You. Amen.

THE MORE WE KNOW

Knowing that Christ could return at any time should affect our thinking.

Peter’s teaching on how Christians should love each other “strenuously”

For more insight on today’s passage visit lovegodgreatly.com/blog

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Gospel, Triumphs over Trials

A Heavenly Perspective

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w3d4

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6; SOAP: 1 Peter 4:5-6

They will face a reckoning before Jesus Christ who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 Now it was for this very purpose that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh by human standards they may live spiritually by God’s standards.

1 Peter 4:5-6 NET

From the journal of Love God Greatly, Trials over Triumphs / p106

There is a profound reality that we, often conveniently, keep in the back of our minds: one day, we will all stand before the throne of God. That moment will be the most significant in our existence – a divine appointment where all people will be judged. For believers, this will be a time when we will be viewed, not by our sins, but through Christ’s atoning sacrifice and the faith and forgiveness we have found in Him (Romans 8:1). We will also receive the rewards for a life lived in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12). For unbelievers, it is a sobering reality of facing punishment for rejecting the free gift of salvation in Jesus.

Imagine standing there, in the presence of God, giving an account for every word, every action, and every thought of our lives. Peter’s words are not meant to paralyze us with fear but to ignite a holy urgency within us. He urges us to live our lives with a heavenly perspective, knowing that our time here is but a breath in light of eternity. We are to steward this life – every second of it – as a precious gift, intentionally living in ways that are honoring to God.

So, how are we spending our days? Are we investing in what is eternal – loving others, deepening our relationship with Jesus, and sharing the Gospel – or are we getting sidetracked by this world’s fleeting comforts and pursuits?

Peter emphasizes why the Gospel is preached. It stands as a beacon of hope, offering the promise of eternal life – a life with God and untouched by sickness, pain, or sin (John 17:3; Revelation 21:4). This message is the treasure we hold in our hearts and the very message the world desperately needs to hear.

Sweet friends, Jesus is returning, but His second coming will be vastly different from His first. He will not return as a helpless infant; He will come as a righteous Judge. In light of this impending reality, now is the critical time for us to share the Gospel – far and wide – with the precious days we have been given.

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Invest in what is eternal:

  • loving others
  • deepening our relationship with Jesus
  • sharing the Gospel
  • live by God’s standards
  • turn away from the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

This is not simply a list of sins to avoid but a list of addictions that entangle those who live for comfort and pleasure. Those who live for the will of God (like Christ)—with a willingness to experience physical suffering to accomplish it—set the course of their lives in a different direction.

Bibleref.com / 1 Peter 4:3
Question FOR THE JOURNEY

How can we shift our daily perspective to be more in line with eternity? What steps can you take to live a life that faithfully stewards the time you’ve been given in light of the coming judgment?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the life You have given me. Help me to live it with a constant awareness of eternity. Give me the strength and grace to live a life that is pleasing to You. Prepare my heart for that day when I will stand before You and give an account for my life. Let my life be an offering of love and gratitude to You—Amen.

THE MORE WE KNOW

1And yet, God is paying attention. Pleasure-seekers will stand before God and “give account” of their lives at the final judgment. God—More insight on 1 Peter 4:5

2More insight on 1 Peter 4:6

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

Be Ready With an Answer

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w3d3

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-22 and SOAP: verses 15-16

 But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. 16 Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.

1 Peter 3:15-16 NET

Just prior to this passage, Peter wrote these words:  “But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.” – “But,” he goes on to say, “set Christ apart as Lord in your heart …” Peter understood the surprising ease of being terrified and/or shaken, he also knew the importance of being ready with an answer for the hope that believers possess through/in Christ. Peter had learned and was passing on to other believers the need to be intentional in their relationship with Christ and the role He played in their lives. Peter wanted them to understand the relationship is meant to be personal; it is multifaceted – for when we know Christ as our Savior – we also know Him as friend, brother, Redeemer, teacher, and as Peter suggests – “Lord”. On top of that, it is an ongoing, neverending, ever-evolving (deepening and root-growing) relationship in the good and in the difficult seasons of life – which, I imagine, is why Peter instructs us to “always be ready to give an answer for the hope we possess.”

Don’t miss the phrase at the end of verse fifteen, “the hope you possess.” What a hidden gem this is! A treasure that should stir hope in every believer, the reminder that Christ lives in us! Or, as the NET translation so beautifully puts it: “the hope you possess.” – We are assured of this throughout the Scriptures but one of my favorite references to this truth is found in 1 John 3:24, where we read:

Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

1 John 3:24 NET
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Set Christ apart (in your heart) as Lord—that is, intentionally make Him more important than anything or anyone else in your life. Be ready with an answer for the hope His Lordship brings to your life. Have a good attitude when presenting your answer, being careful that it doesn’t come across as smug or defensive but rather points others to Christ and quiets not only the accuser but also their accusations. – Suffering comes into everyone’s life, whether we are believers or not, however, when we have intentionally placed Christ on the throne of our heart when the crises come – be it a cancer diagnosis, marital problems, financial struggles, family feuds, aging parents, death, household disasters or other catastrophes – they may disrupt our lives and bring much sorrow but they will not – and cannot destroy us when we have set Christ apart as Lord of our life!

When we set apart Christ as Lord, it will change us. Peter says those who observe us will notice the difference. That difference is hope. Even in the midst of our suffering, our hopefulness should be apparent. So, Peter instructs us to be ready to answer the question our life should inspire: “How can you be so hopeful in such difficult circumstances?”

Bibleref.com1

Believe it or not – while setting apart Christ apart as Lord is important, being ready with an answer for the hope that is within us is also vital – since we have been called to not only know Christ but to make Him known. This is why Peter encourages us to be ready with an answer for the Hope that is within us. Hope that allows us to stand strong in the storms of life is meant to be shared- it is meant to change not just our lives but to impact the lives of those around us. Consider these words of encouragement from today’s LGG Journal entry:

When we walk through life with Christ enthroned in our hearts, our reactions to crises — like a destroyed home — become opportunities for testimonies. They make people stop and wonder, and that wonder cracks open the door for us to point them to Jesus our everlasting hope.”

Love God Greatly Journal Enthr / w3d3
Question FOR THE JOURNEY

How can you prepare your heart today so that your hope in Christ shines through in times of crisis?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father make us instruments of Your love and peace. Let us neither murmur nor complain when troubles are near but let us keep Jesus firmly established on the throne of our heart so that our struggles become opportunities for testimonies. May they be testimonies that make people stop and wonder, and may that wonder crack open the door for us to point others to Jesus, our everlasting hope. When the opportunity arises, let us speak of You with gentleness, love, and respect. Father, You are my true hope and comfort, and I want others to know this peace that You so freely give to all who trust in You – all who fix their eyes and thoughts on You. – Amen! (borrowed in part from the “Triumph and Trials, journal – p102

THE MORE WE KNOW

For more insight be sure to visit Lovegodgreatly.com for today’s blog post