Tag: Love

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, In His Image, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

To The Only Wise God

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Scripture Reading: Job 12:13-17 and 36:5; Psalm 147:5; Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 55:8-9; Daniel 2:20; Romans 11:33 and 16:25-27

According to the last chapter of “In His Image”, the last of the 10 attributes of God that we are to imitate is wisdom. As the author points out “wisdom is closely related to knowledge, but distinct from it.” They are so closely related that you may be wondering exactly what the difference is, my short take on it is this – Wisdom, is the application of knowledge, which is to “possess the facts”. Mrs. Wilkin goes on to point out the difference between human wisdom and God’s wisdom, saying – “The wisest human you know is capable of choosing wrongly, simply because he does not possess all the facts.” However, she explains, “Because God holds all knowledge, He is able to choose [the] perfect [outcome].” This means there is a difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom, which James, the brother of Jesus, explains in James 3:13-18. Wilkin states that “worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom are antithetical and adversarial” and summarizes the differences as such:

  • Worldly wisdom self-promotes. Godly wisdom elevates others.
  • Worldly wisdom seeks the highest place. Godly wisdom seeks the lowest place.
  • Worldly wisdom avoids the mirror of the Word. Godly wisdom submits to the mirror of the Word
  • Worldly wisdom trusts in earthly possessions. Godly wisdom trusts in treasures in heaven.
  • Worldly wisdom boasts. Godly wisdom is slow to speak.
  • Worldly wisdom says trials will crush you. Godly wisdom says trials will mature you.
  • Worldly wisdom says temptation is no big deal. Godly wisdom says temptation indulged leads to death.
  • Worldly wisdom says, “seeing is believing.” Godly wisdom says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”(John 20:29).
  • Worldly wisdom wields might. Godly wisdom works in meekness.

The bottom-line is this, “The worldly-wise place themselves in opposition to God, operating from their own perspective of what is best, a perspective that seeks only the best for them.”

If you find yourself wondering how to possess “Godly wisdom”, you’ll find the answer in James 1:5, where we are instructed to simply ask God, who will give it generously.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5

You see, God is the source of all wisdom. Job said, “With God are wisdom and might … [God] has counsel and understanding … With him are strength and sound wisdom.” (Job 12:13-17) This statement from Job introduces a third word into the mix of wisdom and knowledge, that being ‘understanding’, which has been defined by many to be the “comprehension of the facts”. I believe understanding is crucial to the mix – as it will, or should, help us better apply the facts in a more godly way – especially if we add prayer to the mix as well – which is a must for any reading of God’s Word. For how can we read and hope to comprehend the words of one whose thoughts and ways are so far above our own if we do not pray for understanding?

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 14:26

God has actually placed the source of understanding within every believer, through His gift of the Holy Spirit. Scripture says that the Spirit was given to teach us all things and remind us of everything that Christ said.  Being finite creatures who do not hold all knowledge nor retain everything we hear, see, or even understand, we will find ourselves constantly in need of a “sustaining supply of godly wisdom”, and we must not be afraid to ask, or slack in asking for it. In other words, don’t just read to be reading and checking off a list – read for knowledge, to know the facts, about Your Creator God and to become like Him (Colossians 3:10) … pray and read to understand …. and then ask Him for the wisdom to appropriately apply it to your life. He will hear and He will answer and we will be forever changed

Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions based on the knowledge available.

Jen Wilkin, In His Image -p 136

So, let’s ask the question that we started with two weeks ago, “Who should [we] be?” God’s Word instructs us in the way of wisdom so it is safe – and wise – to say that He wants us to be wise, not as the world is wise but as He is. So how can we be wise like God? – We open His Word – where pictures of His wisdom are sprinkled throughout the pages. Or as Wilkin writes, “We do so by declaring, as Solomon did, “Bring me a sword”. For, as the author of Hebrews wrote, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Wilkin goes on to write: “The Word of God gives us discernment into what is arguably the area we need it most: the thoughts and intentions of our own hearts. In seeing our own depravity, we develop a right reverence (fear) of the Lord. And wisdom begins to be formed in us. When God points out your sin, you are wise to turn from it. The most basic act of wisdom is repentance. Turning from sin trains us in how to hate it, in how to anticipate the temptation points, and in how to seek the Holy Spirit’s aid in finding the way of escape.”

One final quote in closing, “It is not coincidental that a lack of discernment and a neglected Bible are so often found in company. The Bible contains for us ancient worlds of wisdom, and it tells us also of the example of Christ, who became for us wisdom from God.” So, if we want to be wise – truly wise – we only have to turn our eyes upon Jesus – who became for us wisdom from God. In Him, what He did and said, are all of the perfect examples of who God wants us to be.

My Prayer Response:

Father, I give You praise for revealing wisdom to us in Your Word and in the example of Christ our Lord. show us if and where worldly wisdom control our thoughts, words, and actions. Show To the only wise God, my Father, be glory and majesty. Show us where we are are requesting knowledge instead of godly wisdom. Grant us wisdom and prod us to keep on asking for it – and help us to trust You to give it generously as You have promised, in Jesus’ name. Now, to the only wise God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, In His Image, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

Ancient Words Strong and True

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Scripture Reading: Numbers 23:19; Psalm 19:9 and 119:160; Isaiah 45:19; John 1:14, 8:31-32, and 17:17-19

God’s will is that you take your place among the community of believers as a truth bearer in a world full of lies. Honesty should characterize all of your dealings, great and small, so that when you are asked to give a reason for what you believe, your credibility is a foregone conclusion. And when you are asked, proclaim Christ as the way, the truth, and the life. Invite them to what is real.

In His Image, Jen Wilkin – p 130

Reasons for the Truth

As believers we are meant to know the truth of God and to be alert to the ‘false’ messenger [the father of lies, John 8:44] and the false messages of the world. In my understanding there are two primary reasons for this:

[We] learn to discern what is fake by studying what is real.

Jen Wilkin, In His Image – p129

The Truth As a Weapon and a Tool

Paul’s description of the armor of God, in Ephesians chapter six, includes the “Belt of Truth” (or the Word of God) and “The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Paul begins his reasoning and warning about the need for the armor, saying, “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God,” why? “So that [we might] be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” From this description we can see that the Word (or TRUTH) of God is used to hold us up against and to protect us from – the enemy’s schemes to steel, kill, and destroy the blessings of the life and liberty that God has granted us in Christ Jesus. Long before Jesus came in the flesh the power of God’s Truth was known as a weapon, as David wrote that he had “hidden God’s Word (TRUTH) in his heart so that he might not sin against [God].”

Not only can TRUTH be used as a weapon but it is also an important tool in our representation/presentation of God to the world. The words and actions we use should be filled to overflowing with the light and love of God so that others see and hear Him in us. David prayed that the words of his mouth and even the things he thought about would be pleasing to God, and – as we’ve mentioned before in this study, we are meant to be lights in this world SO THAT others will see God’s goodness in us and glorify Him in heaven. Our only hope of being this kind of “truth bearer” is to abide in Christ, the living Word of God. John 8:31-32 says that when we do this we will know the “truth” and be set free from the wickedness and captivity of this world and even from that of our “own deceitful hearts”, Psalm 119:9-11.

While the world, even the Christian sector of the world, focuses on or encourages individual truth, or “a fresh word”, Jen Wilkin writes,

Truth Passed Down

“We need our gathering times to remind us that the truth we are staking our lives on is a truth we share with every believer in our congregation. Moreover, it is a truth we share with every believer who has ever lived. it is an ancient truth that suffers no loss of integrity with the passage of time. In fact, the longer it endures, the more its witness is confirmed. – Every word of God is true and good, but not only that, none of them ever grow stale. The practice of asking God for a “fresh word,” a new truth personalized for us, has grown more and more popular – but it is not new truths we need; we need old truths recently forgotten. it is not personal truths we need, but rather shared truth preserved and passed down from one believing generation to the next, personalized to us in our current day. That shared truth is available within the pages of God’s Word to me and to all who believe.”

My Prayer Response

Father, lying can come so naturally. So often we craft our words to match the desired answer of our listener or to meet the results we desire. You know I used to struggle with this and I became very good at misrepresenting or shading the truth far too easily – or at the very least considered it far too naturally. As the author of the book said, we have an aptitude for speaking with the forked tongue of the Serpent. Oh how I praise You for Your transforming power and the Spirit’s continued and faithful conviction – and I pray that that You would continue to foster in me a hatred for dishonesty, a discernment for false teaching, and a love for the truth of Your Word. Thank You, Father for the freedom You have given me through Jesus Christ, The Way – The Truth – and The Life! In His Powerful and Merciful Name – Amen!

Questions for Reflection

Does honesty characterize all of your dealings, great and small, so that when you are asked to give a reason for what you believe, your credibility is a foregone conclusion? In other words, are you speaking the truth in all things? Do you embellish the truth in order to make something sound better? Or do you practice (and perhaps even defend) the art of lying in order to guard against trouble? Finally, are you abiding (staying) in the Word, the Truth of God? As we seek to be more like God these are important questions, even crucial questions, to determining how we are presenting or representing God to the world. May God give us grace and discernment and honesty in examining ourselves in the light of His Word. May our character align with His will and expressed truth.

But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.

Matthew 5:37 explained
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, In His Image, Journey Through The Word, The Attributes of God

God Most Faithful

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All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Thomas Chisholm, 1923
Today’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 23:19; Lamentations 3:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Today’s focus verse from Lamentations 3:22-23 is one of my favorites. It has, and still does, get me through many trials and worries of this life. It is a constant reminder that He is trustworthy – that regardless of the concerns and doubts this world offers us today, we never have to doubt God. He can be counted on.

God’s love is Faithful (trustworthy) – and because His love is faithful

  • His mercies never end
  • His[compassion] is new ever morning
  • His faithfulness is great
Faithfulness Remembered

When my husband of more than 26-years walked out the door many things crossed my mind. Shock, anger, hurt, fear and sorrow were at the top of the list. Sorrow quickly engulfed the shock, anger, and hurt but in the days that followed fear tried to become the dominator. This did not surprise me, as I had dealt with the crippling affect of fear for years. What did surprise me was the fact that with every crashing wave of fear came the reminder that God was faithful and would see me through. The wave of financial fear was met with examples of His past provisions and His current provisions still pouring in… the fear of ‘how will I survive this?’ was met with the reminder of His healing hand on my oldest daughter in her childhood battle with cancer… the concerns of his decision to leave and the crippling affect it could have on our daughters brought the reminder of how my youngest daughter, born with crippled feet, had known complete healing with no lasting effects… and even the wave of anger was doused with the reminder of how many times I had messed up and yet found Him faithful to forgive, slow to anger and abounding in “faithful love”. These reminders of God’s faithfulness kept fear at bay which kept despair and bitterness from taking root; and this allowed me, in the midst of it all, to minister to my daughters (then, 17 and 11) and to survive all of the things that come with the ugly reality of divorce. Perhaps the most beautiful reminder that God sent was the one that came with every wave of loneliness or feeling of abandonment. As I battled these emotions God would faithfully come along side of me – making me aware of His presence with me, a whisper from His Word, a call or a visit from a friend, or a card of love and encouragement -that He no doubt had prodded, would arrive and with each arrival was the refreshing refrain of the old hymn, “Great is Your faithfulness, Lord unto me.” How the reminders showed up was not as important or as memorable as the sweet and blessed realization that God was faithful.

He is faithful in the trial, in the temptations, in forgiveness, He will be faithful to the end, and He calls us to the same

God’s will for your life is that you be faithful as He is faithful. Faithful to Him. Faithful to others. Faithful in this moment. Faithful to the end. That when He wills, He also enables.

Jen Wilkin, In His Image – p106

My Response to God’s Word

Father, Your faithfulness is great! It surrounds me and holds me up. It is a sustaining grace of Your love and the hope of every tomorrow. Your love is faithful, Your presence is faithful, You are trustworthy and true to all You have said or promised. Your presence is dependable, Your comfort is sure, You go before me and come behind me, You are all around me and I have no reason to fear. Your ways are purposeful – meant to show me Your faithful love and truth. I praise You that I never have to doubt You but can rest forever in Your unfailing faithfulness. – All praise to You my Faithful God and Father, and to the Son and the Spirit who are equally faithful in all things. – Amen!

Join me on Monday, March 6 for the 6-week Love God Greatly Study, “He Sees, He knows, He Cares“. You’ll find everything you need for the study right here but the benefit of the journal is a helpful and lasting blessing and your purchase is used to stop Bible illiteracy! PURCHASE WOMEN’S JOURNAL

Questions for Reflection
  1. Who is the most faithful person you have every known? List several specific ways you witnessed that person’s faithfulness. How does his or her example point to the faithfulness of Christ?
  2. How have you known God’s faithfulness in trial? How did your time of trial produce perseverance?
  3. How have you known God’s faithfulness in temptations? How has he provided a way out in the past? What temptation (small or large) are you currently indulging? What wisdom does God’s Word offer as a way out?
  4. How should a desire to grow in faithfulness impact our relationship with God positively? How should it impact our relationships with others positively? Give a specific example of each.
Pray
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, In His Image, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time, The Attributes of God

AGAPE, God Most Loving

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W1D2 of the study: “Who Should I Be?”, by; Mefromthensideout

Today’s Focus Scripture: Psalm 86:15 and 1 John 4:7-8

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God.
You are patient and demonstrate great loyal love and faithfulness.

Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and knows God. 8 The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Psalm 86:15 and 1 John 4:7-8 NLT

Agape is the word used to describe the love of God and it, as all of the other attributes we will study, are a requirement for holiness. The more detailed definition is that “agape is an act of the will, an intelligent, purposeful attitude of esteem and devotion; a selfless, purposeful, outgoing attitude that desires to do good to the one loved.” In other words, as Jen Wilkin goes on to write, “agape does not merely feel, it acts. It is the word Paul uses in Romans 5:8 to describe why God sent His Son, and it is the word Jesus uses in 1 John 4:7 and 8 to teach His disciples to love their enemies – even those who hate them. It is also the term used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, one of my favorite love passages and an absolutely beautiful example of God’s agape/love.

Agape is patient and kind; agape does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Agape bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Agape never ends.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

In our first focus verse today (Romans 5:8), the Psalmist writes a wonderful description of Agape, [God’s love] – pointing out that God is compassionate, merciful, patient, and has demonstrated not only a great loyal love but faithfulness.

In the second of the focus verses (1 John 4:7-8), we are given instructions as believers, those who know God’s love [agape], to love others. So serious is the instruction that there is clarification that if we aren’t loving we do not know God – because God is love.

And as we see in the 1 Corinthians passage, verses 4-8, agape is indeed a very purposeful, act of the will to love, a selfless, purposeful, outgoing attitude that desires to do good to the one loved. Actually if we back up to read verses 1-3 of chapter 13 we see the effects of not having agape [God’s love]. Jen writes this commentary on the passage, “If I seek to be holy without agape, I add nothing. I am nothing. I gain nothing.” In other words, we can go through all of the motions of loving others through the gifts God has given us, we can even use our resources to help the poor or give our life on the behalf of another, but if we do so without a heart of love for God [agape] and those we serve – then it amounts to nothing. All of the words, or God given gifts and knowledge, even our faith and gifts of sacrifice without love would be of no real value.

Paul describes the love he’s talking about. It’s not a love of swollen feelings that may come and go. It’s not the love of flowery or eloquent words. This is God’s love—from the Greek agape—often described as “unconditional love” by Christians. It is unconditional in the sense that it does not depend on the one being loved, but on the commitment of the one acting

Bibleref.com on 1 Corinthians13:1-3

Loving like God loves is not an easy calling. Actually, it is quite costly. Consider John 13:15 where it is said, “No one has greater love than this – that one lays down his life for his friends.” Jen says it like this, “The costliness of agape is evident in the cross.” Jesus points this out to those wishing to follow Him – when He says to do so means “turning from their selfish ways, taking up their cross daily, and following Him.” (Luke 9:23). In other words, love as Christ loves the Church – even if it costs us – and it will. When we choose to follow Christ and to live and love by God’s standards it will cost us. Jen gives a list of the cost and effect in her book, saying, “it costs us our pride, our comfort, our self-will, our self-sufficiency. At times, it costs us amicable relationships with family, our expectation of safety, and more.” But she goes on to say, “in laying these aside, we learn the worthiness of the object of our love in a deeper way. We find increasing freedom, and as we mature, we resolve to love God no matter what it costs us.” Christ gave a new command to us in John 13:34, where He said, “Love one another, just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” Loving our neighbor comes with a costs as well, “our preferences, our time, our financial resources, our entitlement, our stereotypes. At times, it costs us our popularity, respect, and more. But in laying these aside, we learn the brokenness of the object of our love in a deeper way. We find increasing empathy, and as we mature, we resolve to love our neighbor no matter what it costs us. This is the kind of love that marks believers as distinct from the world.”

God’s will for us is not hidden from our eyes, as we have seen in His word, He wants us to be people who love Him, with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to love others as we do ourselves. Paul said it like this – “Don’t just pretend to love others, really love them”, (Romans 12:9). And as we saw in John 13:34, He wants us to love as He has loved us. In Jen’s application of the attribute of love, she encourages her readers, “When faced with a decision, ask yourself: Which choice enables me to grow in agape for God and others? And then choose according to His will.”

My Response to God’s Word

Father, Thank you for your agape, a love like no other – a love that moved You to act on our behalf, to send your only Son to a world clothed in sin and worthy of death, not the abundant life You have given all who believe. Your love is selfless, purposeful, with an outgoing attitude that desires to do good to us even though we do not deserve it. How utterly great is Your love and character! Help me to love like You Father. To love as Jesus loved us, to act in love according to the love You have shown me. Father let my life be characterized by Your holiness and love – a reflection that will bring You glory, honor, and praise. Help me to turn from my selfish ways, to take up my cross daily and follow You – no matter the costs. – In Jesus’ name – Amen!

NOTE: Borrowing from the format of “In His Image”, at the end of each chapter you will find verses, questions, and a prayer prompt to help you remember and apply what you have read. Consider keeping a journal in which you copy or paraphrase each of the verses for meditation, noting what each adds to your understanding of the attribute covered in the chapter. Then journal your answers to the questions, as well as a prayer of response.

Verses for Meditation

Zephaniah 3:17

John 15:13

Romans 5:8

Questions for Reflection

1. Why do you think the idea that “God is love” is so popular with the world? How doour human notions of what love is pollute the way we think about this phrase, even as believers?

2. Think of the most loving person you have ever known. How did he or she demonstrate love? Which of the four types of love (eros, philia, storge, or agape) was most evident?

3. What person (or kind of person) are you most likely to categorize as “unlovable”? What is it about that person’s personality type or behavior that makes him or her unlovable in terms of earthly love? What would it cost you to love that person as you have been loved?

4. How should a desire to grow in agape impact our relationship with God positively? How should it impact our relationships with others positively? Give a specific example of each.

Pray

Write a prayer to God asking him to show you where your love for him has been conditional. Ask him to show you who you have wrongly viewed as “unlovable.” Ask him to give you clear opportunities to demonstrate costly love for others. Thank him that his love for you is irrevocable and unconditional.

Check out the book “In His Image”

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, In His Image, Quiet Time, The Attributes of God

Knowing God’s Character

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As I was praying about and looking for something to keep us in the Word between studies – The next one begins March 6 – I found a “Loved Bible Project” update in my inbox which included the attributes of God. The problem was there were thirty-one attributes on the list and I only had fourteen days to work with – but I came up with a plan and began to put it into motion trusting God had led me in this direction. As I began studying the various attributes on the list I found a nugget of gold in a book by Jen Wilkin, called “In His Image”. The book is described as “an invitation to become like the God we worship, to see His characteristics become true of us -” Exactly what I was looking for and I knew God was leading. Within five minutes the book was loaded on my Kindle and I was devouring every word.

A. W. Tozer famously said that “what we think about God is the most important and most formative thing about us.” However, C. S. Lewis begged to differ, making this statement, “How God thinks of us is not only more important, but infinitely more important. Indeed, how we think of Him is of no importance except in so far as it is related to how He thinks of us.” These are two distinct perspectives for sure, yet, as I read and reread the content, it appeared to me that they merge into one important truth, that being, what we know about and thus think about God does indeed form our choice of living a life for self or for Him. Likewise, it is in knowing how God thinks of us that will play the biggest part in how and what we think of Him. Knowing that we will one day “stand before Him and be inspected,” as Lewis wrote, will greatly “impact all the formative years of our lives”, as well as how our lives will impact all those we come in contact with.

what we know about and thus think about God does indeed form our choice of living a life for self or for Him. Likewise, it is in knowing how God thinks of us that will play the biggest part in how and what we think of Him.

MEfromtheinsideout

I think we would all agree that someone who is unkind or a liar or unfaithful will have a vastly different impact than one who is kind and marked by truth and faithfulness. When we know who God is, the God of grace, the One who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son to die in our place – we not only realize the utter importance of what He thinks of us but we cannot help but be moved to stand in awe of Him, thinking highly and reverently of Him and undoubtedly wanting to please Him in every way. If our thoughts and attitudes are not so moved, then I would venture to say – we have not truly understood, believed, or appreciated who God is, who we are, and what He thinks of us.

When our lives are shaped by knowing what God thinks of us and thus wanting to please Him we will no doubt find ourselves, as Jen points out, wanting to know God’s will for our life. This is a good thing – but the premise of her book and the purpose of me pursing this study isn’t to ask, “What should I do?” While this is the question that typically accompanies the desire to know His will, the better question, Jen points out, is “Who should I be?” As we will see moving forward through each of the attributes, the right and true answer to this necessary question is found only in knowing – really knowing – who God is, what He thinks of you, and what He desires from and for You.

With this is mind I hope and pray you will join me in this study and to know and understand these ten attributes of God. You might be wondering why just ten and not the original thirty-one I mentioned. The answer is this, there are certain attributes that only belong to God, such as His omniscience (all-knowing power), omnipotence (all-powerful), and omnipresent (always-present) attributes. The attributes we will look at are “those that describe the abundant life Jesus came to give us.” Jen explains that these are called “God’s communicable attributes, those of his traits that can become true of us, as well. God is holy, loving just, good, merciful, gracious, faithful, truthful, patient, and wise. When we talk about being ‘conformed to the image of Christ,’ this is the list we are describing.” There is much to be gained in the study of all of God’s attributes but I believe these ten attributes will teach us what it means to truly reflect God. Which according to Scripture is exactly what we were meant to do, Genesis 1:26, Genesis 2:7, Genesis 1:28, and more.

The image of God (Latin, imago dei) refers to the immaterial part of humanity. It sets human beings apart from the animal world, fits them for the dominion God intended them to have over the earth (Genesis 1:28), and enables them to commune with their Maker. It is a likeness mentally, morally, and socially.

For the full explanation visit https://www.gotquestions.org/image-of-God.html

So, who is it you should be? Want to find out? Then grab your Bible, a pen and paper, and join me tomorrow as we begin this ten-day journey to uncover not just who He is – but His will for your life and who He wants you to be.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Love Overflowing

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Today’s Reading: Matthew 16:18; Philippians 1:9-11; Revelation 2:4; SOAP: Philippians 1:9-11

9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 1:9-11

Paul’s prayer is for the love of the Philippians to overflow …. and that they will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

  • Why? Because he wants them to understand what really matters
  • Why? So that they may live pure and blameless lives

He also prays that they may always be filled filled with the fruit of their salvation

  • What is that fruit?
    • Paul explains that it is the righteous character that Jesus produces in them
  • Why does the fruit of righteousness matter?
    • Because it brings praise and glory to God …. and that is what really matters. We know this because we are told in Scripture that we were created by Him and for Him.

“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
    to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
    and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Revelation 4:11

Paul’s prayer here for the Philippians is probably one of the most important prayers we can pray for each other as well as for ourselves. He’s praying about what really matters – not just that they might grow in love but in the knowledge and understanding of how to live and love like Jesus Christ. Paul knew that the more we understand about how Jesus lived the more like Him we will be. It’s hard to imagine living “pure and blameless lives” but that is the prayer and encouragement of Paul. – Not just because he believed it was possible but because Paul understood what really matters and he wanted the church to understand it as well – because He knows it will bring praise and glory to God. He explains the secret behind it – and that is Jesus Himself living in us – His Spirit doing the work and producing the fruit that bears witness that our faith is real – and that glorifies God.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, Uncategorized

Love One Another

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Today’s Reading: John 15:12-13; 1 Peter 4:8-10; SOAP: John 15:13

 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:12-13

Jesus takes love seriously, to the point that He gave a commandment concerning the issue. He not only tells the believers to love each other but he explains how they are to love each other – namely, the same way He has loved us. Just in case the people had forgotten or were not really alert – He went on to give them an example of the greatest love –> He compared it to laying down your life for your friends. Jesus isn’t telling us we have to literally die for our friends as He did – but rather that we have to give of ourselves – it’s more than saying the words, it’s acts of kindness and of grace … it’s forgiveness and compassion … it’s laying down my agenda for yours – it’s praying and hands-on help … even when these things don’t always come easy or seem desirable.

There’s one thing for sure – we can never outlove Jesus or God! But we can and should seek to love others just as Christ loved the church.

Father – thank You for Jesus. Jesus, thank you for laying down your life for us – Your friends. Thank you for showing us what real love is – the giving of self.

How are you loving others? Share some ideas in the comment bar below.

Don’t forget to read today’s LGG Blog Post – https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Love With Your Whole Being

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Today’s Reading: Matthew 22:34-38; 2 Peter 3:18

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question Jesus again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

Matthew 22:34-38

When asked what the most important commandment is, Jesus answered with the Word of God. – He pointed those trying to trick Him and all who were listening to God and what they would recognize as coming from God through Moses.

““Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, … Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
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Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:4-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The same words God gave Moses to teach the people of Israel, Christ now gives to the people as the first and greatest commandment. Both the father and the son called the people, and by extension- all those who would believe in Christ, to remember that the LORD was their God and that they were to love Him with everything they had – heart, soul, mind, and strength – their whole being.

We could stop there and let that be the devotion, for we can never be reminded enough of this first and greatest commandment. However, as I read the title again in the devotional journal of our study I was left wondering why on earth they had titled it, “Praying for Your Children and the Next Generation.” So, now I’m staring at my SOAPed up passage, the highlighted words and the notes in the margin and I’m not seeing anything to do with prayer or the next generation – BUT – what I do see is the passage I jotted down from Deuteronomy and I went back to it and there, in the context of that passage, was the answer.

“These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, 2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. 3 Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.
4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Clearly these commandments, that were eventually summed up into the one that Christ gave to the Pharisees, were meant not just for each of us individually but for us and our children, and their children, and all the generations to follow. So important were the words God had given to Moses that they were meant to be passed on to their children, written on their door posts, and spoken of day and night, at home or on the road. Surely if they are that important they are meant to be a consideration of our prayers … prayers that we would love the Lord our God with all of our being, prayers that we would be faithful to teach our children and grandchildren about the commandments and how Christ summed them up, and prayers that our children and all the generations to follow would know and love the LORD our God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Lest you find yourself even for a moment wondering how it could be that important – consider this reminder – only a few generations after Moses the people of Israel no longer acknowledge God as the LORD nor did they know the wonders He had done for them.

After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. 11 The Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight and served the images of Baal. 12 They abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the LORD. 13 They abandoned the LORD to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth.

Judges 2:10
Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, this world we live in looks and sounds much like the description found in Judges chapter 2. In our country and around the world we see and hear people who have grown up not knowing You. They do not acknowledge You as Lord or remember the great things that you have done. They do evil in Your sight. Many who have grown up in the church have abandoned You and have gone after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. Change their hearts oh God, let them know You and Your love and may they be moved to love You with all of their being. Call Your people to live out Your command through Moses – to love You with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Help us to commit ourselves wholeheartedly to this command that Jesus summed up as the greatest of them all. Keep us faithful to repeat them again and again to our children, to talk about them when we are at home and when we are on the road, when we are going to bed and when we are getting up. May they not just be written and kept in places where we can see them but may they be written and hidden in our hearts as a light to guide our feet and as a lamp for our paths.   

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Committed to Prayer – Heart, Mind, & Soul

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As Inspired by the love god greatly study, The Importance of Prayer-week 5

When we trust in Jesus Christ to be our savior we make a commitment to the Father who sent Him. The commitment involves laying down our own life and desires of the mortal flesh to follow after Christ in the new spiritual nature He has graced us with; or as Paul said, as the “New Person” we have become. Christ’s love now controls us, so we commit to love and obey and to serve Him only.

– Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. … 17This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17

This past week’s focus in our study, “The Importance of Prayer”, has been focused on the various commitments of our prayer life, starting with the commitment to wait expectantly, which means trusting God to hear and to answer according to HIS WILL, (Psalm 5). This first commitment fed into all of the others, which included the commitment to being satisfied in and with God – not just an “ok, that will do” kind of satisfaction – but truly deep-down to the “soul-satisfied,” (Psalm 63). The commitment to trust Him and to be truly satisfied with Him – whose love is better than life – will, or should, naturally lead us to a commitment to praise Him – not just when or because life is ‘good’ – but because God is good (Psalm 100). Because life won’t always be good or easy, when we are committed to trusting God we will also be committed to cry out to Him for help and strength when life is stressful (Psalm 18), and equally committed to repent of our sins with a desire to maintain a pure heart and a right relationship with our God (Psalm 51).

While the word commitment and act of committing have raised fear in me since somewhere in my late 20’s and early 30’s, I am happy to say when it comes to committing to God, my life… my prayers … my trust … my fears … and my struggles … I have little to no issues. Why? Because I have found Him to be trustworthy and true. I have found Him to help me when I am weak, to provide for me in my needs, to direct me in my choices, and to sustain me by His power … and so much more! Our study this past week has been a refreshing reminder of the need and the joy and hope that come from being committed to a life of prayer. May the same be true for you as you make these commitments in your own walk of faith and prayer.

Links for “The Importance of Prayer” -week 5- are below
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/02/06/5678/
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/02/07/5686/
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/02/08/5704/
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/02/09/5722/
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/02/10/5729/
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Committed to Praise

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Read: Psalm 100; SOAP: Psalm 100:4-5

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.
Give him thanks. Praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good.
His loyal love endures, and he is faithful through all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5

It’s easy to praise God when everything is going great in our lives or when something good happens … a prayer is answered … someone is healed … someone is saved … you get the job you wanted … a baby is born …. God provides for a need … However, what about the times when everything seems to be going wrong? What about when someone you love is sick … you don’t have enough to pay the bills … the doctor just gave you bad news … your car needs repairs that are expensive … what then? Do you still praise Him or do you get lost in the sorrow, the worry, the concerns, frustrations, fears … ? We all know the right “Sunday School” answer – we praise Him – even in the storms of life – right? But – How? How, when the walls are closing in and everything seems hopeless? This passage is how … or at least a stepping stone of encouragement. We make a habit of shouting out praises to the Lord … We determine to worship Him with joy, to enter His presence with joyful singing. We acknowledge that the Lord is God and pronounce every morning that He is good. We enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. We give Him thanks and praise His name! Why? Certainly not because everything is perfect or because it’s always easy – for life isn’t always easy and neither people nor life’s circumstances are perfect. We commit to praising Him because, as David acknowledges here – “the Lord is good. His loyal love endures, and He is faithful though all generations. So when life has you down – when complaining or whining seem the best or only option left – PRAISE HIM ANYWAY! Recall His past acts of kindness and goodness … remember the way He has helped you or provided in the past … For when your relationship with God is based on these truths and not dependent on your circumstances you will stay yielded to a lifestyle of PRAISE.

Don’t forget today’s LGG Blog