Tag: Love

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Guard Your Heart

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living A Life For God’s Glory / w2d4

Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27 / SOAP verse 27

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23 NLT

This verse is in the treasure trove of verses I have long stored away in my heart, and when I read it this morning, it reminded me of a song I used to listen to by Steve Green. The song starts with words I sang as a child; maybe you remember them too – “Oh be careful little eyes what you see, oh be careful little eyes what you see. There’s a father up above, and he’s looking down in love, oh be careful little eyes what you see.” The words are a reminder to be careful with what we let our eyes see and to remember that our heavenly father looks not on the outward appearance of a man but on his heart. It is a reminder that will hopefully inspire us to maintain a pure heart before God. The chorus of the updated version of the song borrows the words Solomon spoke to his ‘son,’ “Guard your heart.” The singer warns the listener not to trade the heart for treasure or give it away, with the reminder that the payment for the ‘pleasure’ of the heart is a high price to pay. Friends, if we desire to remain pure before God, if we want to be light and salt for Him in this dark world, if we want to truly live “set apart”, please Him, and bring Him glory, as we were made to do – then we must, at all costs, guard our hearts.

Guard your Heart * Guard your Heart * Don’t trade it for treasure * Don’t give it away
Guard your Heart * Guard your Heart * As a payment for pleasure * It’s high price to pay
For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear * Guard your Heart

Guard Your Heart / Steve Green
Applicable to us

While Solomon wrote the Words to his “son”, we know that all Scripture is given by God and useful for training, rebuking, and correcting us in how we live. We also know that the New Testament is filled with passages that stress the importance of God’s Word in the lives of His children – and in the salvation of those who have not yet believed! So, without question, Solomon’s instructions are meant to be heard and followed by us as well. – (see “The More We Know” section)

So, What steps can we take to guard our hearts more intentionally? Our larger passage, Proverbs 4:20-27, provides excellent insight and words of wisdom to answer this question. I’ve included it here with the passage from my journal. The journal page is marked up and highlighted with the many ways and reasons Solomon suggested his “child” should and could maintain a guarded heart that is pure and turned away from evil, set apart for God. Pay close attention to the fact that having a guarded heart requires that God’s Word be an active and integral part of our lives. We must pay attention to His Word, listen to the things He has made known to us, and remember them. He warns of the need to keep the heart guarded and stresses that it is the source of life. It is the key to our words and thoughts, our desires, and our activities being acceptable to God. His Word is our source of help and strength in fixing our eyes on Him and turning away from the evil in this world. It is a necessary component of being set apart, and living a life that glorifies God.

~May we not just hear His Word but follow it faithfully.

Today’s Reflection

What is one step you can take to guard your heart more intentionally? Pray about it and ask God for His help – I promise He will hear and answer your prayer, 1 Jn 15:14-15; and your heart will not only be guarded but it will be more and more drawn to and set apart for Him.

The More We Know

The importance of God’s Word made known in the Scriptures:

  • Matt. 4:4
  • Luke 24:45
  • Jn 5:39
  • Jn 8:32
  • Jn 17:17
  • Acts 17:11
  • Rom 1:16

  • Romans 10:17
  • Ephesians 6:17
  • Colossians 3:16
  • 1 Thes. 2:13
  • Hebrews 4:12
  • James1:21-23
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Guard Your Heart

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living A Life For God’s Glory / w2d4

Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27 / SOAP verse 27

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23 NLT

This verse is in the treasure trove of verses I have long stored away in my heart, and when I read it this morning, it reminded me of a song I used to listen to by Steve Green. The song starts with words I sang as a child; maybe you remember them too – “Oh be careful little eyes what you see, oh be careful little eyes what you see. There’s a father up above, and he’s looking down in love, oh be careful little eyes what you see.” The words are a reminder to be careful what we let our eyes see and to remember that our heavenly father looks not on the outward appearance of a man but on his heart. It is a reminder that will hopefully inspire us to maintain a pure heart before God. The chorus of the updated version of the song borrows the words Solomon spoke to his ‘son,’ “Guard your heart.” The singer warns the listener not to trade the heart for treasure or give it away, with the reminder that the payment for the ‘pleasure’ of the heart is a high price to pay. Friends, if we desire to remain pure before God, if we want to be light and salt for Him in this dark world, if we want to truly live “set apart”, please Him, and bring Him glory, as we were made to do – then we must, at all costs, guard our hearts.

Guard your Heart * Guard your Heart * Don’t trade it for treasure * Don’t give it away
Guard your Heart * Guard your Heart * As a payment for pleasure * It’s high price to pay
For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear * Guard your Heart

Guard Your Heart / Steve Green
Applicable to us

While Solomon wrote the Words, we know all Scripture is given by God and useful for training, rebuking, and correcting us in how we live. We also know that the New Testament is filled with passages that stress the importance of God’s Word in the lives of His children – and in the salvation of those who have not yet believed! So, without question, Solomon’s instructions are meant to be heard and followed by us as well. – (see “The More We Know” section)

So, What steps can we take to guard our hearts more intentionally? Our larger passage, Proverbs 4:20-27, provides excellent insight and words of wisdom to answer this question. I’ve included it here with the passage from my journal. The journal page is marked up and highlighted with the many ways and reasons Solomon suggested his “child” should and could maintain a guarded heart that is pure and turned away from evil, set apart for God. Pay close attention to the fact that having a guarded heart requires that God’s Word be an active and integral part of our lives. We must pay attention to His Word, listen to the things He has made known to us, and remember them. He warns of the need to keep the heart guarded and stresses that it is the source of life. It is the key to our words and thoughts, our desires, and our activities being acceptable to God. His Word is our source of help and strength in fixing our eyes on Him and turning away from the evil in this world. It is a necessary component of being set apart, and living a life that glorifies God.

~May we not just hear His Word but follow it faithfully.

Today’s Reflection

What is one step you can take to guard your heart more intentionally? Pray about it and ask God for His help – I promise He will hear and answer your prayer, 1 Jn 15:14-15; and your heart will not only be guarded but it will be more and more set apart for Him.

The More We Know

The importance of God’s Word made known in the Scriptures:

  • Matt. 4:4
  • Luke 24:45
  • Jn 5:39
  • Jn 8:32
  • Jn 17:17
  • Acts 17:11
  • Rom 1:16

  • Romans 10:17
  • Ephesians 6:17
  • Colossians 3:16
  • 1 Thes. 2:13
  • Hebrews 4:12
  • James1:21-23
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Love One Another

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart, Living a Life for God’s Glory / w2d3

Scripture/SOAP: John 13:34-35

“I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35

According to BibleRef.com, ” – the gold standard for living out Christian belief, and the means by which believers are to distinguish themselves from non-believers, is expressed in their love for one another.”(emphasis added) This is important to understand as we read and commit to follow the command of Christ to love other believers as He has loved us. It is helpful to know that this wasn’t literally a new command but was, as best defined by the Greek word that He used for “new”, a command that He was renewing in their minds for the purpose of importance and a means to understand His hands-on illustration of washing their feet (John 13:2–5), which was the act of a lowly-servant not of a teacher or master. This act of kindness was a visible representation of His love for them through a servant’s heart, it was also meant to show them that their attitudes (they had been arguing and contending with one another) need adjusting and that as His disciples it was an example of what their role was to be.

For Jesus, it was the display of His humility and servanthood in forgiving sinners. For the disciples, the washing of their feet displayed a mindset in direct contrast to their heart attitude at that time. For us, washing feet is symbolic of our role in the body of Christ.

gotquestions.org

Jesus wanted His disciples1 to know that others were watching them and they would be known by their actions. As followers of Christ, they were to imitate Him – which meant living and loving like Him so that others would know the Father – just as He had lived with and loved them to show them the Father. He had come to make the way, the truth, and life known to men and that was what His disciples were/are to do in His stead.

The Greek term for “disciple” in the New Testament is mathetes, which basically means “student” or “learner.” But a disciple is also a “follower,” someone who adheres completely to the teachings of another, making them his rule of life and conduct. Jesus’ followers were called “disciples” long before they were ever called “Christians.” Their discipleship began with Jesus’ call and required them to exercise their will to follow Him (Matthew 9:9).1

The More We Know

Why did He wash their feet? – it’s important!

Be sure and visit the LGG Blog Page for more insight

1 What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Love Others

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart, living a life for God’s glory / w2d2

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9-21 / SOAP verses 9 and 10

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 

Romans 12:9-10 NLT

I love the New Living Translation of this passage. It was a conviction of my heart many years ago when I began using the NLT translation as my study Bible. I had heard the verse many times before in various other translations – but I never “heard or understood” it so clearly as when I read the words, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.” You see, to some degree I prided myself on being able to get along with people, to love everyone – even my ‘enemies’ or those who had offended or hurt me. However, when I read “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them” I was hit with the hard internal question of ‘whoa! Do I really love these people or have I just become good at dealing with them, giving the pretense of loving them?”

But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.

Matthew 5:44

How do you love the husband that walks out on you and your children after 26 years of marriage without a word? How do you love those who have persecuted you or lied to you or mistreated you or maligned your testimony, or those who have hurt your family? The answer to all of these came from the words of Christ echoing through my mind – “But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.” One thing I have learned from experience – you don’t do it in your own strength, it is only possible in and through the power of God. For me the first step was remembering that God loved me even when I was His enemy, when I turned away from Him He pursued me, and He has forgiven me and loved me without fail. His mercies are truly “new every morning.” If I’m still struggling to love – the Spirit is faithful to remind me (John 14:26) of Jesus’ command to “love others as He has loved us” – and how He loved us even unto death on the cross. It is God – His grace towards me and His love in me, that truly helps me to genuinely love “others”.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. … but I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

John 15:5 and Philippians 4:13

This is definitely one of those passages that gives validity to the saying that “being a Christian isn’t for sissies.” Following Christ takes work, as Jesus told a crowd that gathered around Him one day – it means “turning from selfish ways, taking up our cross daily, and following Him.” It means, as I have learned through the years, utterly depending on and trusting in Him in all of life and knowing that He alone has given us everything we need for the ‘godly life’ He has called us to. Which is why we find it written, “without Him we can do nothing … but through Him we can do all things.”
‘

We all know that we should love each other, but Paul’s instruction is that our love must be genuine or sincere. In other words, Christians are not called to fake an attitude of love for each other, but to find ways to express God’s love meaningfully, as an extension of God’s love for us and ours for Him.

Gotquestions.org

Reflection on Today’s Journey

How can you intentionally and genuinely demonstrate love and honor to those around you today, allowing God’s love to overflow through your actions and words? hit the comment tab to share your answer/thoughts.

The More We Know

What’s it all mean?

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Loving God

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based on the LGG study, Set Apart – Living a Life for God’s Glory / w2d1

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 / SOAP verses 37-38

 Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 

Matthew 22:37-38

How do we love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind? These three things represent the very core of our being and play a vital role in our relationship with and obedience to God – but how do we do it, and is it even possible?

Jesus’ concern was not the religious law but rather our love of God. In other words, it wasn’t obeying all of the laws that would bring us close to God, but rather, it was God’s love for us and our love for Him that would allow us to have a relationship with Him. Actually, Jesus illustrates this in John 14:15, where He said, “If you love Me, you will obey Me.” There’s a reason why He didn’t say, ‘If you obey Me, then you will love Me.’ You see, obedience flows from love. God’s love, as John 3:16 teaches, flowed through Jesus to us; when we receive His love, we will reciprocate it, and our love will flow to Him out from our hearts, souls, and minds through obedience, worship, and lives set apart for/to God. The more we understand the depth and richness of God’s love, the more our love for Him will grow and flow deeper, richer, and more freely every day.

We cannot love someone we don’t know, so knowing Him should be our first priority. Those who pursue God and His righteousness, who take seriously the command to love Him above all else, are those who are consumed with the things of God. They are eager to study God’s Word, eager to pray, eager to obey and honor God in all things, and eager to share Jesus Christ with others. It is through these spiritual disciplines that the love for God grows and matures to the glory of God.

Gotquestions.org

We must understand that God’s love for us and ours for Him is intended to involve our hearts, souls, and minds. It is not a trite surface type of love, and it must not merely be a rote response learned from the commands or training of a parent, teacher, or religion. Religious duty does not produce love in us. Instead, our love for God will prompt what may be considered a religious duty. For instance, we may be trained to pray before every meal. However, regardless of the training’s purpose, the words we pray are just empty words until they are met with the love and understanding of God’s goodness to provide our ‘daily bread.’ God desires – actually, as we read here – He commands that our love for Him flow naturally from our heart, soul, and mind. Please note that Jesus not only gives the command but accentuates its importance by saying, “All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

What practical steps can you take each day to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and love Him with all your heart?

The More We Know

IT”S IMPOSSIBLE

Be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog for more insight

Want to know God’s love for yourself? – Know These Truths

Posted in From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Seek First God’s Kingdom

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based on the LGG Study, “Set Apart, Living a Life for God’s Glory”

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34 / SOAP verse 33

But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Matthew 6:33

Do you ever worry about life’s needs and wants – and the money that can supply those things? I know I have, and at times, I still find myself falling back to those concerns and worries. Apparently, so did the people in Jesus’ day, which is why this portion of the Sermon on the Mount contains teachings by Jesus about issues like treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven (6:19-21)1-3 and about watching out for the desire of “the eye” (6:22)4. He also warned them that they could not serve two masters (6:24)5, in other words, they could not serve the desires of their heart and eyes and God. This is when Jesus pointed out their worries and cares about the things of this world, like clothes, food, and drink. He wanted them – and us – to know and to remember that God would take care of them and their needs – their greater concern and pursuit (and ours) should be God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. Actually, look at the verse again and pay careful attention to the fact that Jesus says, “Pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

To seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness means to live in that ongoing repentance from sin, and to lead the kind of sincere, from-the-heart, devoted-to-God lifestyles Jesus has been describing. In response, God will make provision for whatever it is we truly “need” in order to accomplish His will.

Bibleref.org / Matthew 6:24

The applicable message, then, for us, as disciples of Jesus or simply curious readers of His truths, is to know that it is God who cares for our needs, and we can and should trust Him to do this while we occupy ourselves with the pursuit of His Kingdom and righteousness.

Note that Jesus’ audience in Matthew chapter 6 included “His chosen disciples, committed followers, and simply curious listeners.”  Bibleref.com / chapter five context

The More We Know

1Treasures on earth

2Treasures in Heaven

3Where Your Treasure is

4(think about Eve and what happened when she saw the fruit)

5Two Masters

Be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog

Are you a disciple of Jesus or simply a curious reader of the blog? If you fall under the curious listener – welcome! I invite you to follow the link to Know These Truths, where you will find all you need to know about becoming a disciple of Jesus.

https://mefromthensideout.wordpress.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Love, Knowledge, Insight

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based on the LGG Study, “Set Apart – Living a Life for God’s Glory“

Scripture: Read Philippians 1:3-11 / SOAP verses 9-11

And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight 10 so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11
Paul’s Heart for the Philippians

Verses three through eight should be mentioned as they give an insight to Paul’s feelings about the people in the church at Philippi. His words are a testament to his thankfulness and joy in the people and their dedication to God and the Gospel. It is evident that they held a special place in his heart. No doubt, this affection led to – or at least played a part in – the prayer we read above, in verses nine through eleven.

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:3-8

It is a beautiful prayer to pray for any church body, ministry leader, missionary, or believer. Actually, we would be wise to pray this prayer of Paul’s for ourselves and everyone participating in this study, that we might know the success of being “set apart” and living a life that brings glory and praise to our God.

Paul’s Prayer

Living a life for God’s glory, if we are honest, is like swimming against the current of the ocean. It is difficult at best and often seemingly impossible in today’s world. We can feel like strangers and aliens or like misfits in a culture that, as my Pastor preached this morning, is totally evil. It doesn’t take long to realize that we need help to live a life that is truly “set apart” for/to God; and the only true help there is comes from praying to and walking with God – our help and strength and defense.

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 

Genesis 6:5

Paul’s prayer for the believers of Philippi is a beautiful prayer and a wonderful example for us to pray. It is evident that he understood the difficulty of living a life that is set apart for (ie. dedicated to) God and the Gospel mission. He knew that it requires an increasing amount of love for, knowledge of, and insight to God and His Word. He knew the importance of a sincere and blameless testimony, and of a fruitful life that comes through Jesus Christ. Paul understood and emphasized that the goal of a believer is to bring glory and praise to God, and he prayed to this end.

A Response of Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of prayer. Thank You for the power and the strength and the hope we know when we talk to You or spend time with you in Your Word. It is a gift that allows us a relationship with You and the ability to engage in the lives of others as we lift them up in prayer. Thank You for Paul’s example and insight the prayer gives us. As we journey through Your Word together or as we daily live out the life You have called us to – I pray Paul’s prayer back to You, that our love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that we can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to Your glory and praise. – In the name of Jesus – amen!

The More We Know

The 21 Most Effective Prayers of the Bible /by Dave Earley

A Closer Relationship to God Through Prayer

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Making God’s Word A Priority

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living a Life for God’s Glory / w1d1

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9 / SOAP Joshua 1:8

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. – Joshua 1:8

The passage makes it clear that we cannot begin to live “Set-Apart” for Christ if we:

  • do not have a relationship with Him
  • are walking in weakness (on our own)
  • do not know and obey His Word
  • do not believe His promises

However, the passage also makes it clear how we can begin to live “Set-Apart” for Christ. God says that if we walk in His ways, “not swerving to the right or the left,” in other words not veering off His righteous path, we will prosper and know success (7). The question is how do we do this effectively while living in a world that pulls us in every direction? God makes it clear to Joshua in verse eight that the answer lies in knowing His Word, actually – he uses the phrase “meditate on it day and night.” The idea is to, as the NET version translates, “memorize” the Word – which of course means ‘to know it.’ David believed that doing this would help him not sin against God, (Ps 119:11). Paul taught the same principle to Timothy, when he encouraged him to know God’s Word so that he would be ready to use it correctly and not be swayed by false teaching, (2 Tim 2:15). If we are to obey God’s Word and correctly share God’s Word with others we must be more than familiar with it, we must know and progressively grow in our understanding of It – otherwise we will fall prey to ways that do not align with the Word of God.

I love the Old Testament passages that teach this so clearly, such as Psalm 119:9-11 and proverbs 4:20-22. These are two of the passages that reignited in me a pursuit of memorizing God’s Word more than three decades ago. As I find myself forgetting more and more these days – one of my frequent prayers has become for God to guard His Word that is hidden in my heart so that even if I forget everything and everyone else I know – I will never forget His Word – for it is my/our life-line, my/our peace and strength and hope – it is the light that guides me/us in God’s way – and it is my/our defense against sin.

Today’s Prayer

Father, without You – without Your promises or knowledge of Your faithfulness we have nothing and we are hopeless. However, with You and through You we have hope and strength and peace to live the lives You have called us to. We may not lead a nation, like Joshua – but You have called us to be salt and light – to be bold with the Gospel – to make disciples – to love as You loved and serve as Christ served. Help us to walk and talk with You daily and help us to know Your Word so that we can trust Your heart. Help us to be strong and brave so that we do not turn away from Your Word and Your calling to walk in all Your ways. – In Jesus’ Name, amen!

Reflections of the Journey

How does saturating our hearts and minds with God’s Word help us live a set apart life and remain anchored to truth?

What are some steps you can/will take to hiding God’s Word in your heart?

The More You Know

Today’s LGG Blog

Memorization tools and techniques:

If you do not know Jesus as your Savior I invite you to visit the following link

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Christmas, From the Insideout, God is good, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

The 12th Day of Christmas … 

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Originally posted January 2019

Day 12: Scripture – 1 John 4:14-15 / Name of Jesus – Savior / Ornament – The Cross

The Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  —

1 John 4:14-15

When the day is over, just before I crawl into bed, I write in my prayer journal. I write in it of the mornings as well, but the day’s end is reserved for Thank you prayers … Prayers that flow from reflection on the good and bad and mundane things of the day … Reflections that bring realization of God’s presence, protection, correction, provision and most often an awareness of His LOVE. It’s easy to thank God for all the good things He’s done or ways that I’ve witnessed His goodness; the challenge comes in seeing His goodness in the bad and mundane things of the day – but even then – when my focus is on Him thanksgiving flows free and pure. 

Occasionally, however, these bedtime prayers are not from the reflections of the day but reflections of a passage of Scripture or a lesson learned … Tonight’s prayer was an overflow of the 12th day of Christmas. On this final day the symbol we focus on is the CROSS and the name of Jesus is SAVIOR. 

On the 12th day of Christmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me … A Savior who is Christ the Lord. 

So, from tonight’s page in my journal, on this 12th and final day of Christmas, may you be encouraged to thank God for His LOVE …

Father, Thank You for LOVE even when I fail You. In love you sent YOUR ONLY Begotten Son to be my Savior – the Savior of all who believe and confess that Jesus is YOUR SON. Your’s is a love that hung on a cross that I might KNOW forgiveness and freedom. It is a love that sent YOUR SPIRIT to abide in me that I might abide in/with You. It is a love that redeems and pardons — and shows mercy and grace — a LOVE that never leaves. It is  a LOVE that comforts and heals and encourages and hears my prayers even when they are whispered from my bed or spoken in a car or thought in my mind and not journaled here on these pages. Thank you for Your LOVE Father — I LOVE YOU TOO! ❤️

MefromtheNsideout

*Christ, no longer on the cross –
yet, dare I never picture Him there
I may forget the cost
of this most treasured gift of God –
my Savior, Christ The Lord!

Me – from the Inside-Out 🦋
The More You Know

The Bible says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) If you do not know Jesus as your Savior I would love to introduce you to Him. Check out the following link and/or message me – we aren’t promised tomorrow, so why not today?

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

Salt and Light

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based on the Love God Greatly Advent study, The Promised Messiah / w4d4

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80 / SOAP verses 68-71

This is like a segment from the memorable Paul Harvey and his segments known as “The Rest of the Story.” Previously in Luke’s story we learned of an angel named Gabriel who appeared to a priest who was serving in the Temple, with an announcement that the priest and his wife, both very old, would have a son, whom they were to name John; and John would be the messenger for the coming Messiah. Which of course, is exactly where the story picks up today. Elizabeth gives birth to a son and she named him John. Their neighbors and relatives rejoiced with the miraculous birth but questioned the name she gave since it was not a family name. Zechariah, though still mute because of his disbelief in the angelic proclamation, confirms by writing on a tablet – “His name is John.” Scripture says that Zechariah immediately regained his speech and blessed God and then, filled with Holy Spirit, he prophesied, saying:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
69 He has sent us a mighty Savior
    from the royal line of his servant David,
70 just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.
71 Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.

Luke 1:68-71

I love this response and am quite convicted by them. Zechariah’s words, his first words spoken in months, weren’t a story about what had happened to him but they were about God. They were words of praise that would have brought to the people’s minds God’s long awaited promises to His people – promises of a messenger (Malachi 3:1), a savior (Isa 7:14 and 9:6; Micah 5:2), and of salvation from sin (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

“But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. . . . Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Gotquestions.org

I see several applications as I read through and study this passage. Certainly we learn the importance of believing and obeying God’s word. I also noticed and was reminded of the importance of keeping our minds on God, whether we are in the midst of hard times or celebratory ones. The ultimate example being how in all of the excitement of the birth of a son to a couple well beyond the years of having a child – the fulfillment of the angel’s message – and the return of his speech – Zechariah’s focus remained on God. Undoubtedly, this was a result of the the filling of the Holy Spirit – but let us remember, this is the same Spirit that fills us who have believed, the Spirit of whom Paul said bears within us the fruit of self-control. Both of these examples lead me to the third, you see – because Zechariah believed and obeyed God, evidenced in his naming the child John, Zechariah was given back the ability to speak and maintaining his focus on God, even in all of the excitement, his words poured forth a beautiful prophesy that pointed the people to God and what He had done and was yet to do. The combination of these examples led me to this ultimate application – when we obey God and keep our minds on Him – what pours forth from our lips will be about what He does or has done in the past – it stirs up thought and attention to who He is and what else He can and will do. Thus, we become the salt and light God has called us to be.

Reflection For the Journey

God undoubtedly saw Zechariah and Elizabeth in their years of pain and longing. He was merciful despite their mistakes and used both to encourage their community and make His name great. He is the same God today. What might He be working to restore in your life, even to your longing or momentary unbelief?

From the LGG devotion journal, p 134 / The Promised Messiah