Tag: prayer

Posted in From the Insideout, LGG Study

A Response to Hosea 6:1-3

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“Come, return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now He will heal us. He has injured us; now He will bandage our wounds. In just a short time He will restore us, so that we may live in His presence. Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of the dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” 💜

Hosea 6:1-3

I’m currently doing a Bible study called Faithful Love which focuses on the book of Hosea. Hosea is actually one of my favorite books of the Old Testament and I have read and studied it often. However, perhaps because it’s been a while since I’ve studied it or maybe because I’m using the SOAP method, this time things are hitting me differently. One of these things is Hosea’s prayer in chapter 6. I don’t remember noticing before what great words of wisdom Hosea prayed over the people in verses1-3. Over the past three weeks, as I’ve read and studied through the first five chapters which describe God’s people chasing after other gods, God’s anger with His people for their idolatry, and their refusal to return to Him – it has been quite easy, or at least tempting, to convince myself that I do not have idols or practice idolatry. Of course, according to the definition of idolatry, this would mean that I never devote myself to anything more than God.

The definition of idolatry, according to Webster, is “the worship of idols or excessive devotion to, or reverence for some person or thing.” An idol is anything that replaces the one, true God. 

What is the definition of idolatry? | GotQuestions.org

However, in reality, I have felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to at least consider a few things – people, pleasures, foods, time, etc.. – that I sometimes, if not often or regularly, tend to place before God. So, on the day when my Bible Study time included this passage from Hosea along with Lamentations 3:22-24, and 1 Peter 5:6-7, it was a heads-up, an eye-opening reminder to not be fooled. Just because we’ve dressed our idols up in the 21st century, allowing them to become commonplace – so much so that many are widely accepted in homes and communities and even churches – doesn’t mean they are any less of an idol. Maybe this doesn’t hit you the same way that it hits me – maybe you have all possibilities of idolatry under control – but if I’m honest – I don’t. I have – through the 58 years of my life -struggled from time to time with the issue. So, I find myself thankful that, like Israel, even when I have turned to other “gods” – I am, by God’s grace and mercy, invited to return to the Lord with the assurance that He will respond. James said it like this in chapter 4, verse 8 –  “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”

The testimony of Scripture is that God alone is worthy of worship. Idol worship robs God of the glory that is rightfully His, and that is something He will not tolerate (Isaiah 42:8). Idolatry extends beyond the worship of idols and images and false gods. Our modern idols are many and varied. Even for those who do not bow physically before a statue, idolatry is a matter of the heart—pride, self-centeredness, greed, gluttony, a love for possessions, and ultimately rebellion against God. Is it any wonder that God hates it?

What is the definition of idolatry? | GotQuestions.org

“Whoring after other gods” seems like a harsh and awful statement – but it is nonetheless what God said His people were doing in Hosea’s day, what James warned against in the New Testament, and sadly what I know I have been guilty of at times. However, as the author of Lamentations pointed out, God’s love is Faithful and His mercies are new every morning. This has been one of my life verses since I was 28 years old and I’m still clinging to it today. The thought of it fills me with hope – for I know because of God’s great love I am not consumed! Instead, I am invited into His presence. I’m given the gift of His Word and His Spirit and entreated to know Him more, and I have learned that knowledge is power – in this case – power against sin, as indicated by David in Psalm 119:11 where he wrote, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

One thing I have realized in my fight against idolatry, if I am busy pressing forward to know God more, I am less likely to turn away to other ‘gods’.

fromtheNsideout

His Word isn’t just power against sin though, it is also the knowledge of what pleases God and it offers us the power to see sin, turn from it, and do what is right. Consider the words of Paul to Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Oh, how I pray for faithfulness to Him – a faithfulness that imitates His faithful love to me, leads me closer to Him, keeps me mindful of what is right to do, and quickly repentant of any sin. May I heed the words of Hosea and be quick and faithful to turn back to God and press on to know Him more and more. Why? Because of Hosea’s words in chapter four –

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge … and a people without understanding will come to ruin”.

Hosea 4:6 and 16

I invite you to journey through the word with me every Monday through Friday, right here at MefromtheNsideout

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Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Faithful Love: Week 2 Preview

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Faithful Love started off with a bang. If you weren’t familiar with the book of Hosea, you may have been surprised by God’s call on Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute, and to have children with her. You may have also found it surprising or even disheartening to read that he would no longer show mercy to Israel – and perhaps like me, you found hope in our Friday’s SOAP verse to learn that edict would not last forever. Whatever your thoughts, I hope you’re ready to dive into week 2 tomorrow, and I really hope you will take a minute to share whether you were surprised, disheartened, encouraged, or left with questions – or your overall takeaway from week one. I’m dying to know! 

PRAYER FOCUS: LET’S SPEND TIME PRAYING FOR OUR COUNTRY EVERY DAY THIS WEEK.

Week 2 Challenge: Are there any areas of your life that you have not surrendered in obedience to God? Take some time in prayer, asking God to show you the reason you’re clinging to old ways and to help you relinquish control.

Memory/Focus Verse: Psalm 47:8

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

The Gospel of Mark: Week 6, Monday – Jesus the Messiah

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Read: Mark 14:22-52; SOAP: Mark 14:36-38

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

35 He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 36 “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

39 Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. 40 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.

41 When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

To understand the real reason for Jesus’ agony over what was to come 

read today’s devotional

Today’s reading includes other details you won’t want to miss

  • Peter’s denial predicted (27-31)
  • Judas’ betrayal (43-45)
  • Jesus’ arrest (46-52)

Jesus’ greatest act of love and sacrifice was about to change the world.  

Read today’s LGG Blog
REFLECTION QUESTION: WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT JESUS FROM HIS PRAYER IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE? (share your answer in the comment bar)
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

The Gospel of Mark: Wk4, Friday Praying With Power

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Read: Mark 11:15-33; SOAP: Mark 11:24-25

Jesus Clears the Temple

When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

19 That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city.

20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”

22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

The Authority of Jesus Challenged – Read how

Prayer is powerful. Our faith is powerful. God works mightily through us when we pray. 

Read the rest of the devotional

 As Oswald Chambers so wisely said, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work, prayer is the greater work.”  

The rest of today’s LGG Blog
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study
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“Truly this man was God’s Son.” –Mark 15:39

When we face challenges and difficulties in life, we need comfort. When we are unsure where to turn, we need hope. When we face our mortality, we need a Savior. When we doubt our faith, we need assurance.

Jesus is our comfort, our hope, our Savior, and our assurance. He is the long-awaited Messiah, the One all of history waited for and is waiting for. He is God’s Son. He is the Christ. 

The Gospel of Mark is a powerful account of the life of Jesus. It displays the character of Jesus on every page, from His willingness to suffer and serve to His power and deity miraculously displayed. With every scene the author asks, “Where is your faith?” As we read and study the Gospel of Mark we can’t help but ask ourselves if our faith is in Jesus or in ourselves. 

The Gospel of Mark is a Bible study on the Gospel of Mark. As we spend six weeks studying this important account of Jesus’ life, may we ask the all-important question: “Where is your faith?” There are two dramatic confessions of who Jesus is throughout this Gospel. As we study this book together, we hope to answer the question of who Jesus is the same way Peter did: “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29). If you long to have incredible faith in who Jesus is and what He can do, this is the Bible study for you!

JOIN ME here M-F for this six week study where you will find Scripture and corresponding content for The Gospel of Mark. I hope you will find it a place to learn more about our Savior and grow your faith in Him. Comments and questions are welcome – adapted from LGG Introduction, by Melissa Fuller

Week 1 Memory/Focus Verse
Posted in Prayer Starters

Trust God’s Wisdom

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Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it,
but folly leads to the discipline of fools.

Proverbs 16:22 NET

This morning’s prayer starter by Criswell Freeman was absolutely perfect and such a needed reminder and source of encouragement for what we are facing in the world and in our individual lives. I have chosen to share it in its entirety. I have included a few definitions of some of the words in the proverb – since I found them helpful for myself. I pray it is a blessing to all who read it and that You will seek, know, and choose God’s wisdom, peace, comfort, and guidance every day.

*Insight: wisdom, knowledge, understanding

*Discipline: 2A branch of knowledge, learning, or practice

*Folly: a foolish act, idea, or practice

Microsoft Bing dictionary

“Where will you place your trust today? Will you trust in the wisdom of fallible men and women, or will you place your faith in God’s perfect wisdom? When you decide whom to trust, you will then know how best to respond to the challenges of the coming day.

Are you tired? Discouraged? Fearful? Be comforted and trust God. Are you worried or anxious? Be confident in God’s power and trust His holy Word. Are you confused? Listen to the quiet voice of your heavenly Father. He is not a God of confusion. Talk with Him; listen to Him; TRUST Him. He is steadfast, and He is your Protector, now and forever.” Criswell Freeman Prayers to Start Your Day, #67, p65

Dear Lord, You are my Teacher, Help me to learn from Your wisdom. And then, let me show others what it means to be a kind, generous, loving Christian. Amen.

Criswell Freeman- Prayers to Start Your Day, #67, p65
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

We Depend on our God

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Prayer is an amazing weapon of warfare for the Christian, whether we are on the actual battlefield or on our knees at home – or for that matter in a car or at the sink doing dishes. It has been said in some commentaries that this prayer may have been prompted by David’s battle against the Ammonites in 2 Samuel 10. Whatever the battle and the circumstances – before David and his men strategized and fought the fight his people were praying. They prayed for protection and help. They asked for God to remember David’s sacrifices and grant him the success he desired – and they believed God would deliver. Their prayer bears witness to their expectation –

“Then we will shout for joy over your victory; we will rejoice in the name of our God. -”

Psalm 20:5

Not to go all grammar lesson – but don’t miss the plural pronouns in verse-5, “we will shout for joy”, “we will rejoice’, “of our God”. They prayed as a community of faith and it became an encouragement to David. David seems to remember God’s promises of victory and rest from his enemies and responds with an affirmation of his people’s confidence – with a statement of assurance that God will deliver. We can’t miss the reason – and if you will – the lesson he conveys for such confidence. It’s one of my favorite go-to-passages, a life-line so many times in both the big and the small battles of my life[1}. Perhaps, just as they were leaving for battle – maybe, just when the courage of his men was waning – David declares that their victory will come, not because they are stronger or their “weapons” mightier but because they depend on God.

Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we depend on the LORD our God[1]. They will fall down but we will stand firm. The LORD will deliver the king; He will answer us when we call to Him for help!

Psalm 20:7-9

What about you? Do you depend on “chariots and horses’, ie ‘money and power’, ‘home and possessions’, ‘friends and family’? Or do you depend on God? Are you praying for our leaders and others – expectantly? Are we preparing to shout for joy when He gives the victory – ready to give Him the honor due His name? These can be daunting questions but if we want to walk in confidence, if we want to be an encouragement to others we must remember wars aren’t just won by the warriors on the battlefields but by those who pray. This is how we gain the victory and find ourselves standing firm when the battle ceases!

Me – from the Insideout

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Bridge to Shame Breaker: Tuesday, Week 2

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Have you ever found yourself praying a prayer like David’s in Psalm 13? He was so distraught that he felt as though God was ignoring him. The first of his prayer in Psalm 13 exhibited worry, suffering, fear, and even pride … BUT then he seems to remember his trust isn’t in man or in the events of his life – his confidence and his expectant hope are in the LORD, His God – and he speaks this truth over the anguish of his heart and mind. David said: “BUT I TRUST” … and a prayer of agony, frustration, and distress turned into a prayer of praise and worship! Has God given you a reason to trust Him? Write it down – speak the reason(s) out loud. Has God rescued you before from impending trouble? Has He given you a reason to sing praise to His name? Have you seen and tasted His goodness? Set your mind on these things and proclaim your trust in Your God – the proclamation may not change the circumstances but it will definitely change your attitude and focus when troubles do arise. God’s TRUTH infuses us with Hope and Confidence and changes agony to praise and worship. Me – From the Insideout

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 13-14 (S.O.A.P. Psalm 13:5-6)

Psalm 13 For the choir director: A psalm of David.

O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
    How long will you look the other way?
2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
    with sorrow in my heart every day?
    How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
    Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
    Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

BUT I trust in your unfailing love.
    I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord
    because he is good to me.

Psalm 14 For the choir director: A psalm of David.

Only fools say in their hearts,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
    not one of them does good!

2 The Lord looks down from heaven
    on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
    if anyone seeks God.
3 But no, all have turned away;
    all have become corrupt.[a]
No one does good,
    not a single one!

4 Will those who do evil never learn?
    They eat up my people like bread
    and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.
5 Terror will grip them,
    for God is with those who obey him.
6 The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
    but the Lord will protect his people.

7 Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?
    When the Lord restores his people,
    Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Everlasting Covenant: Week 2 David’s Descendants

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Question of the Day: Did God Fulfill the Davidic Covenant? How so?

Today’s Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:18-29; Revelation 22:16 (S.O.A.P. 2 Samuel 7:28-29)

David’s Prayer of Thanks

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,

“Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And now, Sovereign Lord, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign Lord?[a]

20 “What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is really like, Sovereign Lord. 21 Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known to your servant.

22 “How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! 23 What other nation on earth is like your people Israel? What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from slavery to be your own people? You made a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You performed awesome miracles and drove out the nations and gods that stood in their way.[b] 24 You made Israel your very own people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God.

25 “And now, O Lord God, I am your servant; do as you have promised concerning me and my family. Confirm it as a promise that will last forever. 26 And may your name be honored forever so that everyone will say, ‘The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is God over Israel!’ And may the house of your servant David continue before you forever.

27 “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, God of Israel, I have been bold enough to pray this prayer to you because you have revealed all this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you—a dynasty of kings!’ 28 For you are God, O Sovereign Lord. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 And now, may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you have spoken, and when you grant a blessing to your servant, O Sovereign Lord, it is an eternal blessing!”

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne.[a] I am the bright morning star.”

LGG Blog
Question of the Day Answer
Let’s Worship

Posted in Bible study, Quiet Time

Psalm 40:11-17

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O Lord, you do not withhold your compassion from me. May your loyal love and faithfulness continually protect me! 12 For innumerable dangers surround me. My sins overtake me
so I am unable to see; they outnumber the hairs of my head so my strength fails me. 13 Please be willing, O Lord, to rescue me! O Lord, hurry and help me! 14 May those who are trying to snatch away my life be totally embarrassed and ashamed. May those who want to harm me be turned back and ashamed. 15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be humiliated and disgraced. 16 May all those who seek you be happy and rejoice in you. May those who love to experience your deliverance say continually, “May the Lord be praised!” 17 I am oppressed and needy. May the Lord pay attention to me. You are my helper and my deliverer. O my God, do not delay.

Psalm 40:11-17

Have you ever heard of “Praying God’s Word back to Him”? It’s where you take what You know of God, His character, His Words, His actions, His expressed thoughts and will, what pleases and displeases Him … and you let this knowledge guide your prayers. In some situations it may be praying His exact Words back to Him. Take for example a prayer of repentance/forgiveness – Father, You have said “Do not lie”, please forgive me for lying. However, praying God’s Word back to Him can also flow – not as a direct quote – but rather out of what we have learned from His Word or our experiences with God. I believe, this Psalm is a wonderful example – not only of this type of prayer but of the benefit that comes from it.

We only have to look back at the preceding verses of this Psalm to know that the Psalmist obviously knew God was compassionate and that His love and faithfulness were unfailing – and – he prayed accordingly. How was this beneficial? Because –

  • In his desperation he knew He could depend on God (11)
  • Depending on God’s compassion, love and faithfulness, kept him from losing hope in the midst of a frighteningly overwhelming situation (12-15)
  • It set his eyes on God and even turned His thoughts and prayers to the needs of others (16)
  • Finally, it gave him resolve to trust completely, the One he knew as his helper and deliverer (17)

As one who has suffered from panic attacks, and has watched others in the throes of them, I see the Psalmist overtaken by distress that leads to panic – that leads to desperate thoughts – but who survived. Because, for every thought of panic and distress he called out to God based on knowledge and experience of who He was and what He could do. Doing this didn’t change the fact that he was “oppressed and needy” nor did it give him an assurance of when God would act – but it did offer him an inner-calm and confidence to say –

… You are my helper and my deliverer –

Psalm 40:17