Tag: prayer

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Fear of the LORD

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 1:7

For the next two weeks we will journey through the first 4 chapters of Proverbs. The book was written by King Solomon, son of David. It is typically described as a book of wise sayings – rather than large passages of information or stories. It covers a wide range of topics but there are four key terms:

  • Learning- getting information for immediate use, such as a phone number
  • Knowledge – information kept for long term use
  • wisdom – being able to act on knowledge
  • and understanding – being able to, or even having the responsibility to pass on something learned, retained, and wisely used

Our SOAP verse today, verse 7, is actually said to have be the cornerstone for the entire book so let’s give it some special attention and set the stage for the study.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. The word fear here doesn’t mean to stand trembling before Him but rather to have a great reverence for God – who He is, what He expects and what He can do.

True knowledge, according to Solomon, cannot exist without a fear or deep healthy reverence for God. “The implication is not that knowledge can’t be obtained apart from God but that knowledge is out of place apart from a ‘fear’ of God.”

However, just because “the fear of the LORD” is to be top priority in my life does not mean it is ok to set aside “wise instruction or the discipline of the instruction”. Solomon says those who do so are fools.

Living like this requires studying God – spending time with Him, learning to know His power, love, and expectations – and then living by this knowledge.

Father, thank You for teaching me to have a healthy reverence for who You are and what You expect from Your children. Help us to live accordingly so that in all thing and at all time You will be glorified – In Jesus’ Name, Ame!n!!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Commit to a Pure Heart

Read: Psalm 51; Soap: Psalm 51:10

Create for me a pure heart, O God.
Renew a resolute spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Have mercy … wipe away … wash away … cleanse me … forgive me … cleanse me … grant me forgiveness … hide Your face from my sin … do not reject me … rescue me from the guilt … do not take your holy Spirit away … David, obviously convicted for his sin of adultery with Bathsheba, pleads with God throughout this prayer for forgiveness. He is contrite, truly sorry for the sins he has committed, and desperately wants God’s forgiveness. He realizes he doesn’t deserve what he requests but appeals to God’s great compassion.

It is equally important to note that David doesn’t just ask for forgiveness but he pleads for God to cleanse him, to wash him, to rescue him … He knows his heart has been deceptive and that he needs God to renew a right Spirit, one that would stand strong and firm, resolute, against the temptations he might face going forward. This is important to our application of this verse, because unless we realize the treachery of our sin we will continually walk in it, and rather than repentantly coming to God as David does here – we will flippantly utter the words while perhaps still walking in the sin.

Sin is a dangerous enemy for the Christian, so we must have a healthy respect for the impact it can have on our lives and the lives of others. It is important for us to deal with our sin daily so that it does not take hold of us … which I believe is why David prayed for God to give Him a pure – unadulterated-heart.

May we be committed to seek God for a heart that is pure and pleasing to Him – Amen!

Don’t forget to check out today’s LGG Blog

Posted in From the Insideout

Fear was My Captor

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Fear was my nemesis for years, and still can be if I’m not careful and alert to its cunning ways. Fear of health issues, not that they would “hurt” me but of how they would effect my family … Fear of death, not of dying but of leaving my children without a mother. Fear of people, not of physical harm but of hurtful opinions, words, or actions. Fear of self, of failing others or disappointing God, fear of my past and of the future … you name it – I probably feared it. Fear is a captor like no other! It’s personal and crippling, even deadly if we don’t find the keys that loosen the captor’s grip.

I wasn’t an anxious child growing up. Don’t get me wrong – my brothers knew how to sneak up behind me and scare me. Snakes and spiders scared me but not life or people. I grew up in a safe small town where I was allowed to run and play in the neighborhood, ride my bike, or walk blocks to my friend’s house, school, piano practice, the library or the pool with friends or by myself. Long before cell phones came along I often walked alone and unafraid. Somewhere along the way, after I was grown and married, that changed and fear entered my life and eventually took hold of me.

God’s promises, love, and presence rescued me from fear’s tight grip.

I can look back now and see the fingerprints of God. He knew one day fear would become my captor and He began to prepare me for that day. All those years going to church – God had a plan. Sunday school lessons and Bible drills – God had a plan. My high school years in a Christian school where memorizing Scripture (thanks to Mrs. Hall) played a big part – God had a plan. Scripture memory resurfaced in my life years later with a friend from church who asked me to be her “memory partner” – God had a plan. How do I know He had a plan? Because, the Scriptures and many of the verses I had read or put to memory became keys that would one day unlock the captor’s hold on me. One of those verses, the first to loosen the chains, came from the prophet Isaiah, who wrote: You (God) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You 💜 (Isaiah 26:3). The second key was just as powerful – Don’t be anxious about any thing but by prayer and petition present your request to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus … Philippians 4:6-7 🙌 God had been weaponizing me for the day of battle, preparing me to stand firm with the belt of truth securely in place.

What about you?

Is the grip of fear tightening around you? Perhaps it already has you bound by its fingers of anxiety, distress, and desperation … hurry to God’s Word – listen for His voice – hear Him say: “Do not be afraid for I am with you, do not be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isa 41:10). Look at the blood stained cross and the empty tomb, recall the depth of His love and the reality of His promises and rest in Him regardless of what fear is telling you – “Be still and know that He is God” (Isa 46.10).

Me from the InsideOut 💕

Other keys: prayer … walking … a trusted friend … helping or serving others … learning trigger points … an awareness of the enemy, he’s real and he’s armed and dangerous! … Scripture/Gospel centered music … an Arsenal of Scripture combatting fear (start with Philippians 4:4-8) – written on cards or memorized and hidden in your heart …

Want more help on conquering fear checkout this devotional by David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.org/magazine/daily-devotional?date=2022-02-12&tid=email_edevo-wknd-021222

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Praying for God’s Good Gifts

Matthew 6:5-14; 7:7-11

11 If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:11

I love to give gifts to my children, now 26 and 32 years old. Christmas is the best – they receive three gifts each and there is a budget. They supply me with a list of more than three items – since we all want it to be a surprise. Sometimes it’s compiled like a grocery list but more often it filters in through a text or in conversations. I wrap the gifts in boxes of various shapes and sizes all in an effort to disguise the contents. For instance, a pair of running shoes may be wrapped in a long cylinder box, while a watch may be in a tennis shoe box. Because of the limit they know that they won’t get everything they’ve asked for – this means they really have to think it out and ask carefully – they often prioritize but the top of the list may not be what is under the tree. Nonetheless, they are always delighted and I am always filled with joy at how pleased they are – even with those packages that are totally rogue – you know – the item you see and think, ‘hmmm? I really think she might like that, or this might be better for her …. and then you wrap it – all the while hoping and praying she sees the good in it and the love behind it.

I’m sure by now you’re wondering what in the world this out of the blue story has to do with our passage today. All I can tell you is that when I began to write this devotional – this is what came to mind. I was reminded of how God doesn’t always tell us how something will be. He does however allow us to talk to Him about our desires and needs and concerns. (1 Peter 5:7, Phil 4:6-7, James 1:4 and 5:14 …) In love, He hears and considers our requests (John 16:23-24). We ask, we seek, and we knock – as Jesus taught – and then at just the right time we receive what we asked for , or find what we were seeking, or we watch the door open. The similarities to our yearly adventure don’t stop there though. Just like with the girl’s presents what we receive doesn’t always look like what we asked for or sought, and when that door opens what’s on the other side isn’t necessarily what we had in mind. However, all of it is good because God is good and His gifts are always good. No, His answers to our prayers won’t always be what we hoped for or wanted but they are given with His sovereign knowledge that it is the best gift or answer for us. We can always know that He has given or answered out of love and with a good purpose – and that He makes no mistakes. And, if you look close enough with each answer you will find traces of His heart in the shape of grace, love, joy, peace, mercy, hope, provision, compassion and more. May we learn to trust these truths and in faith receive and use each gift or answer He gives – according to His glory and pleasure.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Pray with Confidence

Read: Ephesians 3:1-13; SOAP: Ephesians 3:12

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 

Ephesians 3:12 (NLT)

Much like we discovered in looking at 1 John 5:13-15 praying with confidence is a privilege of our faith that God gives us through Jesus Christ. John wrote that when we (those who believe in Jesus) pray according to the will of God that we can pray with confidence – knowing that God will hear us and answer accordingly; and in today’s passage Paul teaches that because of the Gospel of Christ, God’s power to save, we can not only come confidently but boldly into the very presence of God. In both situations the privilege is attached to our belief in the son of God.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16 NET

Reflection question: Why do you think it’s important that we pray with confidence? (see James 1:6) Share your thoughts in the comment bar below –

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Pray to Abide in Christ (1.0)

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The Importance of Prayer, A Love God Greatly Study – w2d5
Read: John 15:1-8; SOAP: John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remain in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.

John 15:5

I believe it is important to grasp the whole vine and gardener analogy to truly appreciate and rightly apply the message of verse 5.

In verses 1-4

  • Jesus likens Himself to a vine and God to a gardener,
  • He says we are the branches.
  • Some branches will be “taken away” and some “will be pruned”.
    • It is vital that we stay focused on the analogy of the vine, branches, and gardener and remember that in a real life gardening scenario some branches are already dead because they were never truly attached and viable, so they are thrown out. This is in no way teaching that believers will be cut away from Jesus.
  • The disciples would have understood the statement, “You are already clean” as a message from Christ that they were among those with a true saving faith. (see John 13:1-11)
  • Jesus teaches in verse 4 that if they remain or stay in Him/connect to Him then – in turn – He remains in them and they will produce spiritual fruit.

In verse 5, Jesus expands on what He’s already stated about Him being the vine and now makes it clear that we are the branches. Of course, this is just an analogy. Jesus isn’t truly a vine nor are we branches but it is a good illustration of how Jesus is the source of life for all who believe in HIm. Much like us working in our gardens, throwing away all the things that are dead and pruning our growing and viable plants and then enjoying the beautiful new blooms/growth in the weeks and months to come – Jesus teaches, when the branches are pruned – they will bear more “fruit”, bearing evidence of God’s work in our lives. He also teaches, the one who remains (abides … stays) in Him bears much fruit. You see, our faith involves active participation and this produces much fruit. However, the ones who just hang close to the vine but do not actively participate or take nourishment from the vine (remember they were never truly connected to the vine) will be cut off and thrown into the fire. In the analogy. as the gardener, God knows which are which and tends to us (the branches) accordingly. Finally, don’t miss that it is a joint participation – requiring not only us abiding in Him but Him abiding in us – for apart from Him we can accomplish nothing.

Father – through Faith – I am attached to Jesus, and He abides in me. help me to produce fruit to Your glory.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout

Combatting Anxiety

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Paul didn’t just tell believers not to be anxious about anything – he taught them ‘how to’ not be anxious about anything. He knew, most likely from experience, that anxiousness would be a part of their life. Remember in that day, to do what they were called to do as disciples of Christ often led them to imprisonment or worse. However, it wasn’t just the big stuff that he focused on – he told them, “Do not be anxious about anything“. What I love about Paul is that often when he told the people ‘what not to do’ he followed it up with ‘what to do’. Instead of stopping with “don’t be anxious” he continued, “but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Paul gave them a remedy for their anxiousness. His remedy was to pray. However, he broke it down using three essential elements and one specific focus. The essential elements were prayers, petitions, and the giving of thanks. The focal point was to be God.

“Do not be anxious about ANYTHING but in EVERY SITUATION by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Philippians 4:6

To better understand and implement the remedy let’s look at the elements first. Prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. Some, including myself at one point, would say aren’t prayers and petitions, and even thanksgiving all the same thing? While, for many years I would have said yes I have come to understand the answer is truly no, they aren’t. I have learned that prayer can be very broad, such as ‘Father, help so and so’, or ‘I need such and such’, and of course the eventual and often obligatory ‘thank you for everything’ – or it can be personal (real) and relational (involving more than self) and heartfelt (attentive and faith driven). I believe the latter of the two choices is the remedy Paul spoke of. Why? Because it is when we pray relational prayers our postures change from a focus of ‘me’ to a focus of God. We’re no longer simply praying words but we are, as Paul instructs, presenting our requests to someone, and that someone is God. Once our prayers move to relational, in my experience, they also convert to heartfelt. When this happens our focus shifts from self to God, from concerns to God, from worries to God, from fears and jealousies and a myriad of other things to God. This in itself begins to calm my anxieties, but it’s the giving of thanks that really changes things. You see, when we are thanking God we are reminded of His faithfulness, not only in the present but often we will recall what He’s done in the past which tends to bring our focus full-throttle on God and results in a calming hope of what He can and will do in the future. Lest we question the validity of Paul’s teaching let’s consider and rest in what God said through the prophet Isaiah centuries before –

God will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all those whose thoughts are fixed on Him

Isaiah 26:3

So, does this mean if we pray we will never be anxious? The answer I have found is no. However, I can promise you when our anxious thoughts are truly given to God we will not stay in a state of anxiety. Instead, as Paul goes on to say, “you will experience a peace that passes all understanding and guards your hearts and minds as you live in Christ.” May we faithfully live in Him in 2022, may we become women who are devoted to prayer – with an attitude of thanksgiving being able to boast of His peace rather than wallow in our anxious thoughts.

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Colossians 4:2
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Happy New Year’s Eve! I can’t wait to begin our new study, The Importance of Prayer, now available for purchase and scheduled to begin on January 17. Until then, I hope you will continue to join me here for daily verses meant to equip, encourage, and empower us with the Word of God. I look forward to growing with you in our faith, sharing with You what God is teaching me, and hearing what you’re learning and what He’s doing in your life. I recently read an article, The Most Wonderful Books on Earth, that has been the inspiration for where we will begin and maintain our focus in 2022. I will explain more in the days to come but reading the article will help you understand my heart as we begin reading through Matthew together on Monday. In the meantime, I have a huge favor to ask of each of you. Will you please join me today, tomorrow, and Sunday, in praying for:

  1. The growth of our group: It’s not about numbers for me, but rather about reaching more women with the Word of God, equipping, encouraging, and empowering them to know His love, live in His ways, and leave a trail of salt and light everywhere they go. (How: pray for and share this site with others you know, or simply share the daily posts on any of your social media. Invite others to join the group)
  2. The growth of you: a. In your faith – we all need to grow in our understanding and obedience to the Word of God. The writer of Hebrews taught that it is by constant use of God’s Word that we learn to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:11-14) … b. In your commitment and participation (as much as is possible)- (How? Checking in daily for the day’s passage, devotion and/or blog; sharing your observation, application, or a question you might have; sharing a prayer request or a word of encouragement – you never know how your words might encourage someone else …)
  3. Finally, for me. Please ask God to help me as I lead us on these journeys through the Word – that I might plan, prepare, schedule and communicate well and in a timely manner. Pray for the wisdom I need, that I might correctly explain the Word (2 Tim 2:15). Pray also for strength, joy, peace, and praise to be abundant in and through me. (Eph 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has *created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago and by which He is glorified … Matt 5:16 -In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. *[see also, 2 Cor 5:17]

From the bottom of my heart I thank you in advance for your prayers and for being partners with me in this journey and quest to not only study the Word but to Love God Greatly. 💜

Me – From the Inside-out

Posted in God is good

Simply and Profoundly Good

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Taste and see that the Lord is good.
    Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Psalm 34:8

Father, You are good! My mind never doubts this sustaining TRUTH. You are simply and yet profoundly good. My heart rejoices in Your goodness to sustain, to love and teach, and to build up those who now belong to You. In Your goodness You brought us in and have transformed us from strangers and from enemies to members of Your family, not simply or haphazardly brought in but carefully joined together in Christ.

 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2: 19-22

In your goodness You protect and strengthen, You comfort and encourage, and You fill us and guard us with a peace that passes all understanding. Surely, as the Psalmist wrote, You guide us on paths of righteousness for Your namesake. However, I have learned that even when we walk through the valleys that seem dark and lonely and covered with the daunting shadows of sorrow, discouragement, and fear – in Your goodness You are also there. I find You quietly dispelling the shadows with the gentle reminder from your Spirit that we have no cause for fear or discouragement, for in Your goodness You will strengthen us and You will help us. You will hold us up with Your victorious right hand.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

My mind is riddled with a series of questions that beg to be asked. Why do You love us who were Your enemies? Why have you made us part of Your family and continue to build us up into Your Holy Temple? Why do You lead us and show us the right way to go or dispel the shadows in the valleys? The only answer that comes is this: You are simply and profoundly good! Even if I had not tasted and seen Your goodness for myself – You, proclaimed Yourself to Moses as – “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth”, Exodus 34:6.

Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

Psalm 34:5-7 NKJV

One final question lingers – what is my response? To which I gladly and humbly answer – relying once again on Your goodness … Answer graciously this prayer my God – that I might convey the truth , reality, and depth of Your goodness in my thoughts, both written and spoken, and in my life lived out, so that others might truly know and forever share in Your goodness through Christ Jesus my Lord – Your good and perfect gift of salvation to all who believe.

“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

How great is the goodness
    you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
    blessing them before the watching world.

Psalm 31:19 NLT

Want to know more about the goodness of God, salvation through Christ, eternal life, or how to get through the valleys? Reply below or message me at mryelnb@aol.com –

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout

Pursuing Joy through Prayer

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The link shared below is something I found both encouraging and helpful. I wanted to share it with the hope that it will also encourage you to spend some quality time with God. I will preface it with this … prayer can also be spontaneous which Scripture supports in Colossians 4:2, where it tells us to pray continually or devote yourselves to prayer as some translations say, painting a picture, not of praying once a day, but praying throughout the day.

However, as Pastor John teaches in this devotional, Plan for Prayer, prayer is also meant to be a time planned or set aside to spend purposefully with God – for the specific purpose of praying. I will also add – we should set aside time to spend in His Word – the two can be combined but neither should be neglected or we cheat ourselves out of one of the greatest privileges of our salvation – a personal relationship 💗 with the True and Living God💜 . This includes entering into His presence boldly and with confidence both to talk to and to hear from God (Ephesians 3:12 and Hebrews 4:16 [14-16]), knowing that we have been brought near through the blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:13 [11-18]), and believing He wants us to understand His Word and know His will for us (Luke 24:45, Romans 12:2, and 2 Timothy 2:15) – May this add strength and encouragement to your day and blessings to your weekend 😊

This is a segment of “Solid Joys” from Desiring God, a site I follow by John Piper

Plan for Prayer