Tag: Promises of God

Posted in Bible study, Christ is All I Need, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Spirit, The Gospel

Put To Death…

Posted on by MaryEllen

Today’s Road Map for the Journey

Colossians 3:5-11 (SOAP: 3:5a); Romans 8:1-6

 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Colossians 3:5 NLT

‘So’ is the first word of our passage today, this means we need to look back or remember what ‘so’ refers to. In this case, it hinges on the fact that we died to self, and our real life is now hidden with Christ in God, and one day we will be revealed with Him in glory. Nothing new? Right? Our journey has been pinpointing this truth/instruction for days now, but today the depth and importance of the instruction is taken to a different level with just one word: DEATH. It’s the fourth word in the NLT, NKJV, and NET translations, and in the KJV it is MORTIFY, which, according to BibleHub.com commentary, means “put to death”. Paul wasn’t being dramatic here; he was letting them know how serious the instruction was. He knew that to let these things- sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and idolatry remain in our lives not only conflicts with the life Christ has called us to, but they would bring harm to the body of Christ. Or, as he wrote to the Church of Rome, “those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit… Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:5, 12-14)

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

Romans 8:5-8

Friends, Paul isn’t teaching us to merely set aside ‘these things’ for a day, month, or even a year. He is telling us, actually warning us with great urgency, to do away with them or with anything that distracts us from God (a.k.a. things above).

Because we have been hidden with Christ in God, we are no longer condemned for our sin – but forgiven and set free from sin’s power over us. Not only is this a great cause for believers to rejoice, but it is wonderful inspiration to put to death any sins still lurking in our lives. The Christian faith has standards; those standards aren’t set by man but by the Word of God and the life of Jesus Christ. If we want to walk by faith, these are the standards we must follow, not deviating to the right or to the left … but faithfully and quickly putting to death anything in our lives that does not align with God’s will. This life isn’t for sissies, but it is the only way that leads to life and health and peace. One final word of encouragement, especially for those who may be thinking the life of faith is too demanding, or that you can’t put to death the sins that have power over you … God didn’t call us without equipping us; instead, as Peter wrote, God has given us (believers) everything we need for life and godliness. He has done this not through our power or goodness but through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given His very great and precious promises so that through them we can participate in His divine nature, having escaped the corruption of this world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

3 I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence. 4 Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire.

2 Peter 1:3-4

Reflection and Application

  • Is there anything in your life that you should put to death?
  • How do we put our sins to death?

Response of Worship

Response of Prayer

Thank You for the teachings of Paul, for His instructions that point us away from self and to life in the Spirit. Thank you for Your divine power that has given us everything we need to live a life of godliness. Thank You for Your promise that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and for all of Your promises that are ours in Christ Jesus. We are most blessed and forever grateful. Help us to faithfully put to death all that is of the flesh and to walk in the power and guidance of Your Spirit in us. We are Yours, set apart for You ~ Amen and Amen 💜❤️💙✝️

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Beginning to Forever, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study

Believing God Even When …

Posted on by

based on the Love God Greatly Study, From the Beginning to Forever/w2d2

Read: Genesis 15; SOAP: verses 5-6

Have you ever doubted God’s Word or promises? Have you ever found yourself thinking you need to help God out? Have you ever grown tired of waiting for God to work something out or to do what you thought should be done…or expected Him to do? Have you ever manipulated situations to move things along in the ‘right’ or ‘quicker’ direction/outcome?

Well, I know I could answer yes to all of the above. I’m guessing, from the number of conversations I’ve had with others, that most of you could answer yes as well, at least to some of them. Waiting isn’t easy…trusting isn’t easy (at least not always). ..but God is always working things together for our good. He always hears, always cares, always knows/does what’s best, and He is always right on time. He is always able, always trustworthy, and never needs our help… But friends, we always need His – and we are wise to seek Him, which, if you notice, is precisely what Abram did.

As Abram waited for God to deliver on His promises to give him a son, even though He was 75 years old and Sarai, his wife, was barren. It wasn’t easy. Abram could not see how it was going to work out, but instead of giving up or turning away from God, he not only trusted God but he also sought Him. I love how Bibleref.com explains it: “Abram takes the opportunity to ask his hard question to the source of his hope.” The commentary goes on to explain, “Sometimes asking a hard question in prayer is the most faithful step a believer can take. Acknowledging our own limitations to God, while asking for His wisdom, is a much better approach than suffering in silence or ignorance. At times, admitting that we cannot understand God’s plan is part of submitting ourselves to it. As we’ll see through Abram’s example,” and as I have found to be true in my own life, “God is always fully faithful to keep His Word.”

One of the most beautiful things I’ve learned from the times of waiting, or stretching my faith to believe the impossible, or, like Abram, wondering how the seemingly impossible would or could even happen, is that God is a very personal God who is intimately involved in our lives. He lovingly, compassionately takes the time to listen and to assure us (and reassure us) that He can do what He says He will do. It is in the waiting and the watching – and the walking by faith instead of ‘sight’, that our trust in and relationship with God is strengthened and grown.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

Friends, may we learn to turn to the Lord when doubts arise. May we lay the doubt at His feet and trust that He is faithfully carrying out His promises and perfect plan.

 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Philippians 4:6
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Secure In Christ

The Mystery of Christ

Posted on by

based on the LGG study, Secure in Christ, w3d1

Read: Ephesians 3:1-6: SOAP: verse 6

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before briefly  4 When reading this, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ 5 (which was not disclosed to people in former generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit), 6 namely, that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:1-6 NET or (KJV)

The third week of our journey picks up right where Paul left off. So the statement, “for this reason,..,”at the beginning of Ephesians chapter three, is a transition statement moving his readers from the teaching of salvation, grace, and Christ’s power to information on how to live as a follower of Christ. In other words, if we are to be a part of the whole building that Paul referenced in Ephesians 2:19-22, then we must know how to live like Christ and in unity with the rest of “the building,” the body of Christ.

Paul’s obvious desire, after being so radically changed by the gospel was to share the good news, build up the church, and challenge the believers to rightly seek after Christ. He even did this from a prison cell.1 As today’s journal entry points out, “Paul could have easily given into despair for his prison sentence, yet he chose to view himself as a prisoner for Christ. He looked at his circumstances as another opportunity to witness to those around him, pray for the churches he had founded, visited, or heard of, and to train up new believers.”

  • Paul identifies himself as “the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.”
  • He clarifies that he had been given the responsibility to share the Gospel (the message of God’s Grace) with them.
  • Paul shares the insight he was given into the mystery of Christ, which was that Jews and Gentiles now shared in the same promises of God in Christ Jesus. Specifically, the gift of salvation through the blood of Christ.
    • We share in the inheritance of Jesus Christ. (fellow heirs)
    • We belong to the same body (fellow members) (see also Rom 12:3-4).
    • We all share in the promises of God through/in Christ Jesus our Lord (fellow partakers).
      • It should be noted that in each of these points, the pronoun “we” refers to those who belong to God, through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 1:16).

Friends, the Gospel – namely, the mystery of Christ, “changes everything. I know it did for me and we can see from Paul’s letters that it radically changed him. The journal leaves us with this question: “Have you been so changed by the gospel of Jesus that you can’t help but share it with others?” -and these words of encouragement: “Let’s not waste our days but diligently seek to share Christ wherever we may be.”

Consider this beautiful and helpful reminder from last week’s journey through Ephesians chapter 2:

The Church is being built and joined together on the foundation of Jesus, the apostles, and prophets. This foundation will last no matter what circumstances are faced. This foundation is unshakable and cannot be moved.

Knowing that Christ is the head of the Church, what, then, is the Church? The Church is made up of believers of all nations, tribes, people, and languages. It will remain solid and sturdy even in eternity (Revelation 7:9).

Our belief in Jesus is aligning and joining each of us together so that we form the temple of God. Each believer, whether you know it or not, has a purpose to serve through his or her spiritual gift. These spiritual gifts are given for the purpose of serving God and bringing glory to His name (1 Peter 4:10-11).

Believers are joined together as part of God’s family by grace through faith, regardless of our past or present circumstances.

LoveGodGreatly.com/blog post/August 15, 2025

“So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men
but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you yourselves, as living stones,
are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood…”

(1 Peter 2:4)
The More We Know

Insightful Explanation of Ephesians 3:6

For more insight into today’s journey, read today’s LGG Blog Post –> HERE

Want to know how to share in the mystery of Christ? Click Here

https://mefromthensideout.wordpress.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
  1. Secure in Christ journal entry/p93 ↩︎
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Faithful Love: Week 1, Friday Children of the Living God

Posted on by
READ: HOSEA 1:8-2:1; EZEKIEL 37:20-28; SOAP: HOSEA 1:10

Hosea 1:8-2:1

After Gomer had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she again became pregnant and gave birth to a second son. 9 And the Lord said, “Name him Lo-ammi—‘Not my people’—for Israel is not my people, and I am not their God.

10“Yet the time will come when Israel’s people will be like the sands of the seashore—too many to count! Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said, ‘You are children of the living God.’ 11 Then the people of Judah and Israel will unite together. They will choose one leader for themselves, and they will return from exile together. What a day that will be—the day of Jezreel—when God will again plant his people in his land.

2“In that day you will call your brothers Ammi—‘My people.’ And you will call your sisters Ruhamah—‘The ones I love.’

New Living Translation

God is not like us. When He makes a promise, we can be sure He will keep it until it is fulfilled. – 

To find out how – Read Today’s LGG devotional

Reflection Question: What promises does God make at the end of Hosea 1? What do these promises tell us about the heart of God?

Want to receive more MefromtheNsideout blogs and devotionals? Subscribe above (your email will not be shared with any other source)