Tag: Not Made to Be Alone

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone, Quiet Time

It’s A Gift

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based on, Not Made To Be Alone, a Love God Greatly study / w4d3

Today’s Reading: Zechariah 4:8-10 / SOAP: 9-10

 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies said, ‘Exercise true judgment and show brotherhood and compassion to each other. 10 You must not oppress the widow, the orphan, the resident foreigner, or the poor, nor should anyone secretly plot evil against his fellow citizen.


Zechariah 7:9-10
Love Like God

I love the way the LGG devotion for today describes this text. The writer opens by explaining that the name Zechariah means, “Yahweh Remembers.” And she goes on to explain that the message of Zechariah is one of hope, namely that “God would remember His people. He is always with us no matter the circumstances” of our life. The writer breaks this down even further with these examples – “heartache, unexpected pain, or long-term suffering.” She writes, “God remembers us. He shows us compassion when we need it most, serving as the perfect example so that we, who are created in His image, can reflect that care to others.” In other words – love like God.

Compassion

One of my favorite verses is found in Lamentations chapter three, where we read that God’s compassions, or His mercies as some translations define it, are new every morning. Jeremiah says they never end, they are fresh every morning and speak of the abundance of God’s faithfulness.

The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases;
his compassions never end.
23 They are fresh every morning;
your faithfulness is abundant!
24 “My portion is the Lord,” I have said to myself,
so I will put my hope in him.

Lamentations 3:22-24

This was made even sweeter to me today as I read the LGG devotion and their explanation and commentary on the word “compassion”. The word “comes from two Latin words that mean ‘to suffer with’. The writer clarifies, “It is not just sympathy, but empathy.” But I especially love this next comment, “It is walking with someone else as they go through a difficult time, the same way God shows compassion to us by promising to never leave us or abandon us.” Isn’t that beautiful? What a great illustration of how we can encourage and show compassion to others in not only our biblical communities but our family and friend communities as well. As the writer made a point to say, “it is a gift to have a group of like-minded believers [church/biblical community] who will not simply feel sad for us but will choose to walk through life with us.”

Who is Included?

Clearly, from the passage today, we are to care for the widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor and weak – those who need us most – seems to be the idea. As the devotional writer put it, “No one in need of help should be ignored, overlooked, or forgotten.” We don’t get to pick and choose – for as the author says, “Everyone — from our sister to a stranger — is deserving of compassion.”

Our verse from the previous post reminded us that we are meant to be the lights of God to the world/communities around us. In a ‘me, me, me’ culture, I believe reflecting Him to the world through our love and compassion to those in need will be a very bright light.

Response to God’s Word

“May we be women who are good stewards of the gifts, time, and resources God has given us as we show those precious people God has placed in our lives that they are seen, known, and loved.”

borrowed from the LGG devotion from w4d3
More …

Don’t miss today’s LGG’s Blog Post

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone

Prioritizing

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based on Not Made To Be Alone, an LGG Study / w4d1

Today’s Reading: Matthew 22:34-40 / SOAP 37-39

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. 39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:37-39
Who and What’s Important?

Life isn’t about us. It is about God and loving others more than anything or anyone else. It is about obedience that flows from “TRUE” and unadulterated love for God and others. Jesus makes it crystal clear what priorities we are to place on self in His response to a question about which commandment was the greatest. Jesus exemplified this love for the Father in His ‘garden prayer to the Father’ when He prayed, “Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done.” And of course there is no greater example of His love for others than His selfless LOVE made evident by Him laying down His life for us on a sinner’s cross of shame.

Loving God and loving others is of the greatest importance to God

The Standard

Note the emphasis on the importance of these two commandments as written in our passage today–

  • One is the greatest
  • the second is like it
  • both involve love
  • both involve/require dying to self – laying self down
    • ie – loving like Jesus
      • – but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father – John 14:31
      • So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34

More …

Don’t forget to visit LoveGodGreatly.com their Monday Blog Post

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone

Encouraging Others

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Based on Not Made to Be Alone, a Love God Greatly Study / w3d5

Today’s Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25 / SOAP: Verses 24-25

And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, 25 not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.


Hebrews 10:24-25
The Hope We Confess

Because Christ is who He is and since He did what He did, we – as believers, who by faith have had their hearts cleansed – should not only make a habit of drawing near to God – we should also “hold unwaveringly to the hope we confess – knowing the one who promised is trustworthy.

We must be intentional
  • taking the time to consider how we can encourage others. Note the clarification the author makes, we are to encourage each other specifically toward acts of love and good deeds.
  • be committed to the body of believers. Don’t stop or abandon regularly meeting together as a church community..
  • Be alert to “the day” that is coming and step up the encouragement as His return gets closer and closer
Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for Jesus, our great High Priest, who made a way for us to draw near You with confidence. Help us to truly hold tightly to the HOPE we have in Christ and to think about how to not just speak nice words but speak true words of encouragement, specifically toward love and good deeds. Amen and Amen in Jesus Name!

Want More?

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Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone

Love that Covers a Multitude of Sins

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Based on the Love God Greatly study, Not Made to Be Alone

Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 4:7-11 / SOAP 8-10

Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

1 Peter 4:8-10
Today’s SOAP From My Journal
How Deep Is Your Love?

How fervent [intense] is your love for others? Is it like a fountain flowing deep and wide? Is it boundless and free? Is it sincere, selfless, considerate, and forgiving? Does it readily make allowance for other’s faults – covering a multitude of sins? To be clear, as Bibleref.com explains, “This doesn’t mean that our acts of love for each other can earn God’s forgiveness. Nor does Peter mean to imply that we are paying our sins off through good works. – Rather, the idea that our love for each other covers a multitude of sins relates to our imperfection. Christians are not yet sinless. We are not perfect. We have set the course of our lives away from sin, but we still fail to obey sometimes. We make mistakes, even when we mean well. Love for each other includes forgiving each other, overlooking past hurts, and building each other up when we fall. It is difficult for sin and resentment to flourish in a community rich in Christ-like love.

This is the kind of love Peter is talking about here in 1 Peter chapter 4. Actually he isn’t just talking about love, he is commanding them to love one another and to work hard at it. Keep in mind that Peter is writing to believers who have been suffering for Jesus’ sake. They have taken on the attitude of Christ and accepted the hardships as part of their purpose as His people.” (BibleRef.com) Here in the fourth chapter he is offering a more encouraging perspective by telling them their suffering is almost over. Loving like this won’t be easy – it includes being self-controlled and sober-minded. It means showing hospitality even when you’re tired and don’t want to, or using your gifts to serve others. I don’t know about you but this one is stepping all over my toes. But don’t run away yet – because Peter knows it’s going to be hard and he gives them the ‘secret’ weapon. Look at verse 11, after telling them to use their gifts to serve one another, he goes on to tell them to rely on God’s Word and the strength that He supplies. He knows when they do this that God will be glorified. But don’t miss verse 7 – and his encouragement to stay self-controlled and sober-minded because they are going to need to pray. Prayer is a big part of the church community.

7So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. … 11Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever servers, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:11

So, how deep is your love? Is it a love that honors God? Is it selfless or self-focused? Is it unshakable even in times of suffering? Peter knew the believers would need God and each other in order to stand strong and not fall. His words are still true for us today because, like them, we are made for community and we are meant to love one another fervently. Because, as the earlier quote said, “Love for each other includes forgiving each other, overlooking past hurts, and building each other up when we fall.” In other words, our love for one another, is meant to cover a multitude of sins.

“It is difficult for sin and resentment to flourish in a community rich in Christ-like love.”

Bibleref.com, 1 Peter 4:8

Don’t forget to visit lovegodgreatly.com today for the Wednesday blog post.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone, Quiet Time

Created for Community With the Local Church

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From the Love God Greatly study – Not Made to be Alone

Week 3 Preview

In the last two weeks we have journeyed through Scriptures that have shown us how we were created for community with God and with family and friends. This week, as we continue exploring how God did not create us to be alone, we will find that we were created for community with the local church. We will see how Jesus plays a part in that community, as well as the importance of fellowship, serving others, unity, and meeting together. I hope you’ll join me for the journey –

Me from the Inside-out 🦋

This one is a real challenge (pun intended – lol) but don’t let it deter you from rising to the challenge of connecting with or helping someone in your church.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone, Quiet Time

Christ Our Example

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Today’s Reading: Philippians 2:1-11 / SOAP: Philippians 2:3-5

Understanding Humility

In any given dictionary you will find humility defined something like this … “a modest or low view of one’s own importance, humbleness, the state of being humble.” Most of these definitions are followed by a sentence structured around the word in the hope of making the definition clear. However, there is no clearer illustration of humility than what we are reading in Philippians today, specifically verses 3-8. What I love about Paul – is he doesn’t simply instruct the believers to let their actions be motivated by or in humility but he includes the perfect illustration in the person and actions of Christ.

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interest of others as well. you should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had., who though He existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:3-8

Christ-like Humility

To this day I still remember the first day that I read this passage with any real knowledge or understanding and it still makes the same aww-inspiring impact on me when I read it today. What a beautiful perspective it puts on the love and actions of Jesus Christ on our behalf. From the humble cradle in the animal stall to the garden prayer, and the nails, thorns, and cross Christ was the ‘poster-child’ for humility – and we are called to have that same attitude. His attitude was one that”

  • wasn’t motivated by selfish ambition or vanity but –
  • was – steeped in humility and therefore –
  • even though He was God in the flesh He didn’t demand to be treated like God – but instead
  • He emptied Himself of His rightful authority and took on the form of a servant
    • by looking like other men
    • by sharing in human nature and –
    • humbling Himself and becoming obedient to death on the cross

Putting Away

Thus – if we are going to have the same attitude as Christ, we must practice humility – namely, by putting away any selfish ambitions or vanity. We must treat one another better than we treat ourself. we must be truly concerned about others – for only then is there any hope for our attitude to mirror the servant heart of Christ.

Response to God’s Word

Father, I ask again today for an attitude like that of Christ – a servant’s heart, an obedient spirit that puts Your will above my own or anyone else’s. I know this is Your will for me and for all of Your children. In Jesus’ name and power – and in accordance with Your will – I pray, Amen!

Love God Greatly

Be sure and check-out Wednesday’s blog post from the Love God Greatly team –

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone, Quiet Time

Living Like Jesus

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Today’s Reading: Romans 15:1-6 / SOAP: Romans 15:5

Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you unity with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, 

Romans 15:5
Scripture and observation

You may want some steal-toe shoes on before reading this. Seriously, Paul makes it clear that we must live ‘counter-cultural’. In other words, we must not live to please self, instead we must take time to consider how what we do and say will impact our ‘neighbors’. The bottom-line here is that we must live like Jesus.

How Do We Do This?

Learn to Know How Christ Lived

How do we live like this in a world that preaches and teaches and makes it more than easy to live for self? How do we live like Christ? First of all we have to learn to know how Christ lived and then choose to follow His example.

Paul gives us a glimpse of these examples in the passage today, but, I believe, what he wrote to the Philippians in chapter 2 says it best …

 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit any affection or mercy, 2 complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. 3 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 4 Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. 5 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,

6  who though he existed in the form of God
did not regard equality with God
as something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself
by taking on the form of a slave,
by looking like other men,
and by sharing in human nature.
8 He humbled himself,
by becoming obedient to the point of death
—even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:6-8
Live Counter-Cultural

This kind of living is not only counter-cultural, it is difficult to the nth-degree. If it weren’t for God it would be impossible – truthfully apart from God there is no way hope for true and abiding unity. However, we must remember – “nothing is impossible with God” (Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37) actually, Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:13 that – through Christ we can do all things, and Peter teaches us that we have been given everything we need for living a godly life, (2 Peter 1:3-4). So, while we may not want to put others above ourselves, or love others as Christ has loved us – it is clearly how we are called to live when we put our faith and hope in Jesus. On top of that, God has equipped us to do it so that we are without excuse.

Depend on God

As Paul did here in Romans, writing “to all those loved by God in Rome, called to be saints” – we must also do – and that is pray. Pray for, ask God often, and depend on God – for the unity both in individual and corporate setting, such as church, families, work places, and neighborhoods. Again, it is impossible without Him but “we have this confidence before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will (and without a doubt unity is His will) He hears us and if we know that He hears us we know we have whatever we ask.”

The Goal

I don’t know about you, but whenever I set out to do something difficult it helps to have a goal that matters. When I broke my ankle and had to go to therapy morning after morning it not only meant getting up super early and enduring the pain that came with the therapy, but my goal was to walk again, to drive again, and to be free of that cast/boot. That motivation kept me going even when I didn’t want to – even if it was painful or seemed pointless. Paul clarifies in verse 6, the reason for what he has taught and prayed for, saying: “so that together you may with one voice, glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ“. The Bible says we were created for His glory and specifically here, the goal in our unity is first and foremost God’s glory. What a good and trustworthy motivation it is then to lay aside any self-centeredness or lack of consideration for the good of others and commit ourselves to live and love like Christ despite what it costs us.

Response to God’s Word: Prayer

Father God, only through You can or will we truly enjoy unity in the circles of our lives. Help us to let the attitude of Christ dwell in us – that we might be like-minded, having the same love, being in one spirit and of one mind. Guard us from acting out of selfish ambition or conceit – instead help us to value others above ourselves so that we look not only to our own interests but to that of others. Help us to have the same mindset of Christ, who being in very nature God did not consider equality with You something to be used to His own advantage, but made Himself nothing by taking on the nature of a servant – made in human likeness and humbling Himself to obedience – even death on a cross. Father, I know this doesn’t come easy – but we have hope in the knowledge that nothing is impossible with You! May Your glory be our goal and motivation. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone, Quiet Time

He Created Them

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Today’s Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27; SOAP / Genesis 1:27

26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth and over all the creatures that move on the earth.” 27 God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:26-27 NET
Not Made To Be Alone

Re-read the Scripture passage today, paying special attention to all of the plural pronouns. As He begins this portion of the creation process – the creation of man – He converses with the other parts of the trinity, saying – “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air … God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” Note – God makes it clear that the full trinity is present – He is not alone, the creatures are not alone, and man is not alone for it says, “he created ‘them’ in his image, male and female he created ‘them’.

In His Image

It is clear by this passage that we are created by God. It is also clear and important to understand that we are made in His image. If we look back at verse 26 – which I think is necessary to fully understand and appreciate verse 27 – we see that God doesn’t just say “let us make man in our image, but He goes on to say – “after our likeness,” – why? He immediately makes this clear, “So they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth and over all the creatures that move on the earth.” I found the clearest explanation for being made in His image at bibleref.com, which says –

“…this verse raises the question of what it means to be made in God’s image, or in His likeness. Without question, this statement does not mean that God created humans to resemble Him physically (John 4:24 [where we read that God is Spirit]). Rather, this seems to support the idea that God endowed humans with a certain kind of awareness, one which animals and birds and fish were not given. In other words, humans would possess the capacity for reason, morality, language, personality, and purpose. In particular, the ability to use morality and spirituality are unique to human beings among God’s creations on earth. Like God, we would possess the capacity to experience and understand love, truth, and beauty.

Humans are made in God’s image in another way: as a model, or a representative. God is the Maker, and all of creation belongs to Him. He is Lord over it. However, in the moment of creation, God gives mankind the responsibility to rule over all other life He has made on the earth. In that sense, humans would stand as God’s image, God’s representatives, on earth as we rule over and manage all the rest of His creation.

https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/1/Genesis-1-26.html
Applying This Knowledge

So, how in the world do we apply the knowledge that we are made in His image?

  • We embrace it, allowing ourselves – even applying ourselves to experience and understand love, truth, and beauty in the relationships, and various places and positions God has placed us in.
  • And, we bear His image, living as His representatives here on earth. Perhaps this is best explained by what Paul told the Colossians – “.whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus,…” He had just explained what this looked like – namely, ”
    • “clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”
Response to God’s Word

Father, help us to live out Your plan for us to bear Your image – to somehow serve as Your representatives here on earth, to rule over and manage all the rest of Your creation. Your image is larger than life but You have created us in that image and to bear it. You have empowered us to do so by Your Spirit in us. May we rise daily to do so in Jesus’ name. For, as Paul wrote, we have been crucified with Christ – we no longer live but He lives in us. The life we now live in the flesh we live by faith in Your Son, who loved us and gave Himself for us. Help us to love like Him, to serve like Him, to obey like Him – laying down our will for Yours – that You might be well pleased with us as You were with Him. It is in His name that I pray and for Your eternal glory and praise – amen and amen.

Memos

If you missed yesterday’s introduction to the new study I encourage you to take a minute to look back and read through it. It is both informative and encouraging as it gives us a glimpse of what we will be striving for.

Don’t forget every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you can dive a little deeper by reading the blogs by the Love God Greatly Team. You’ll find them at https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/