I cannot wait for this study to begin!!! I need the daily refreshment (the giving of fresh mental or spiritual/physical strength or energy) of this Hope in my life –
Check this out … and please share and invite a friend because everyone needs a hope that will not disappoint
A hope that allows us to live every day with joy and peace, no matter our circumstances.
“Hope is the confidence to wait on God when we cannot see the future.”
“Endurance is continuing to place our hope in the goodness of God when our circumstances tell us to give up.”
“And faith is the assurance that our hope will not disappoint us because the One who holds our hope is trustworthy.”
Join me here daily for links and blogs on the daily readings.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
But Jesus Met them There
Following the resurrection o f Christ, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a severe earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were shaken and became like dead men because they were so afraid of him. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he was lying. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you!” 8 So they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 But Jesus met them, saying, “Greetings!” They came to him, held on to his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.”” —
This is where today’s passage picks up. With Judas gone there were now only 11 disciples in Jesus’ inner circle and they did just what He had instructed. They went to Galilee where they saw Him just as Jesus said they would. Jesus told the disciples that He had been given all authority in heaven and on earth – and by that authority He commissioned them to go and make disciples of all nations -[signifying every people group on earth], to baptize the new disciples, and to teach them. – not just who God was and what He had done – butobedience to the commands He had given and to remember that He would always be with them.
Hands-on discipleship
A disciple is one who becomes like their master by living in a servant relationship to their master …
BibleRef.com
It’s important to note that Jesus had been the teacher up to this point, and to remember that His teaching involved mentoring, training, explaining, and modeling matters of faith. As His disciples, this is what we have been called to do as well. Whether one on one or in group settings – Jesus’ hands-on discipleship program was vital to the spread of the Gospel then and now – to all nations, tribes, and tongues.
Consider This …
Faithful followers multiply followers.
So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Acts 6:7
Response to God’s Word
Father, may we be faithful followers – obedient to Your Word, lights to the communities we’re a part of, voices in the wilderness, hands and feet that love and serve like Jesus did – drawing others to You. Embolden us to ‘go’, ‘to make disciples’, and lead/encourage baptism. Grant us the words to teach but also a lifestyle that models Christ-likenesss; and may we never forget that You are with us always for this is both strength and joy. – To Your glory, I pray – Amen and Amen!
Want More?
Don’t forget to visit LoveGodGreatly.Com for today’s blog [comments] on today’s passage.
Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.
Romans 12:9-10
Outdo one another
We talk so much about loving others that the ‘lesson’ can sometimes become old or stale and easy to brush off. But today’s passage isn’t just about loving others or even how we show love, instead it focuses on making sure our love is devoted, mutual, and eager to honor the other – or as one translation puts it – “Outdo one another in showing honor”. These other translations are helpful as well.
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. NIV
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, NASB
Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. CSB
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. NLT
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; KJV
To truly love like verse ten teaches, we must first heed Paul’s words in verse nine of chapter twelve, that says, let your love be without hypocrisy. In other words, their love – like ours – is to be ‘genuine’. Only this genuine love will translate into the love that Jesus described in Mark chapter twelve as the second greatest commandment, which is loving your neighbor (or those from your community of faith) as yourself. When this is the love we possess/share we will be able to fulfill Paul’s teaching of being devoted to one another in love, sharing a mutual love, and eagerly honoring (greatly valuing) each other.
Don’t just pretend to love other. Really love them –
Romans 12:9 NLT
The impact of Real love
When we “love really” we will fall into step with the rest of Paul’s instructions. We will be enthusiastic in spirit and serve the Lord. We willrejoice in hope, endure in suffering, and persist in prayer. We will contribute to the needs of the saints and pursue hospitality. We will bless those who persecute us. We will rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. We will live in harmony with one another and we won’t be haughty but associate with the lowly. We will not be conceited. We will not repay anyone evil for evil but consider what is good before all people. If possible, so far as it depends on us, we will live peaceably with all people. We will not avenge ourselves but give place to God’s wrath, because we know vengeance belongs to the Lord. Instead, when our enemy is hungry we will feed him, if he is thirsty we will give him drink, and we will not be overcome by evil, but we will overcome evil with good.
“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.”
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Be the light
God’s people are important to His process of calling others to Himself. Consider the words of Paul to the Romans, in chapter 10:13-14 – where he writes, “How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them?” And don’t forget the “great commission” of the [church] to be His hands and feet and the mouth pieces though whom He speaks.
Like a light in a dark room we are meant to help others see their way out of the darkness to God. So what we say and do is meant to draw attention, not to us, but to our deeds and words – which should reflect God in us and in return reflect honor and glory back to Him.
Response to God’s Word
Father let the words of our mouths and the actions we take or the countenances and responses we have reflect Your love in us and our love for You – so that in all things You receive the glory – Forever Amen+
Jesus said to him, “‘Lovethe 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
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!
For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there among them.”
Matthew 18:20
The Question and the Answer
Such a little verse with such a big message. You see, it’s not really a stand-alone-verse. Note how the verse starts with “For where …” That little word ‘for’ indicates that what follows goes with what came before …. meaning this little sentence is part of a larger conversation. In this case a conversation between Jesus and the “12”. The conversation started with a question from one of the disciples concerning who would be greatest in the Kingdom Jesus had been telling them about.
Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Matthew 18:1
We Don’t Do It alone
Jesus’ answer covers this but so much more, including a shepherd leaving his flock to find one lost sheep … the severity of being a stumbling blog … and restoring Christian relationships … then he concludes the extended lessons with our little sentence of assurance that where even two or three people are gathered in His name He [Jesus] is there with them. The Love God Greatly team explained it like this, “Our relationship with God is personal, and it is meant to be lived out in community where we can encourage one another, hold one another accountable, and support each other — and we don’t do it alone! Jesus promises that, when even just a few believers are gathered together in His name He is there.”
The Role and Importance of the Local Church
The LGG writer goes on to explain what the local church is. She includes its benefit to us, as well as how we might bless others by being involved in it. I would suggest reading and re-reading this quote, and then writing it down somewhere so when it gets hard to stay committed or be involved with your biblical community (church, small group, and even this online community of faith) you can read it again and remember the vital role it is meant to play in our lives.
When we gather with our biblical community, motivated by a desire to love God greatly and help others do the same. Jesus is there with us. That’s what the local church is: a gathering of likeminded people who love Jesus and have a desire to grow, teach, learn, encourage, and support each other while also providing accountability and connection. you were made for this type of community with the local church! What a blessing!
Not Made To Be Alone, study journal p117
Response to God’s Word
Father, thank You for the local body of Christ, at LMBC and all of the other churches represented within this group. We are blessed to be a part of the body of Christ and to gather freely and with the confidence that Jesus is there with us. I confess, yet again, that it is sometimes easier to be ‘an island’ than to gather with others, easier to hear the sermon through earbuds than in person – but I also understand this is not how you intended it – for we are not made to be alone. We are made for “community” with You with family and friends, and with the church, and I believe that includes small groups like Journey Through the Word. We are meant to gather – to pray, to worship, to serve, and to encourage one another – and this is a blessing. May we faithfully engage with the body of Christ – to Your glory and honor – Amen+
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!
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.”
Genesis 2:18
Today’s passage,“It is not good for the man to be alone“, is clearly the basis or the “poster verse” of our study. Day after day God pronounced what He had done as good but here He says: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” God wasn’t simply speaking things into creation and moving along, He was clearly paying attention to the day-to-day details of what He was creating. His creation was important to Him and He made right what was wrong.
While verse 18 is our focus/soap verse – it is good to read the entire passage to understand the detailed attention God gave to the situation. He tailor-made Eve for Adam, so that she would correspond specifically to him. Don’t miss the last words of the passage, “and they became a family.” This adds the second dimension to our community – first God, then family.
A Perfect Fit
Whether God saw that man was lonely or needed help or simply someone to talk to, God noticed something wasn’t right – and He made it right. Clearly, according to how God remedied the situation – man needed someone more like himself, someone who corresponded with him.
God Provides What His Children Need
I love knowing that as a believer I can trust God to see/know when something isn’t right and to take care of it in the way that is best for me. I can trust that :
He cares for me …
1 Peter 5:7 / Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.
He wants what is best for me …
Jeremiah 29:11 / For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.
He can and will do what it takes to make things right – as clearly seen in the Scriptures:
John 3:16 /For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Genesis 2:18 / The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.”
John 17: 3-4 / Now this is eternal life—that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
John 19:30 / When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Luke 24:1-12 / But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.” 9 After he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 As they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly two men in white clothing stood near them 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.”
Romans 8:34 /... Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.
John 14:1-4 / “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. And you know the way where I am going.”
Response to God’s Word
Father-God You are so good! As You did with Adam in the beginning You do with us now – You see and know when something isn’t right and You – in love, power, grace and mercy – make it right. There is no greater evidence of this than You sending Jesus to save us from our sins. From Adam’s flesh you created Eve because it was not good for man to be alone; and from a virgin You brought forth Your only begotten Son – a Savior -because sin had separated us from You, and You knew this was not good. So in unfathomable love and great power and amazing grace You made a companion who corresponds with us and one who now resides with us who have believed. Through Jesus we have been made right with You and now we are never alone. All praise and glory to You, in His name I pray and trust – Amen and amen!
Don’t forget the Monday, Wednesday, Friday blog posts from the LGG Team. They offer awesome insight and will enrich your time in the Word – just follow this link … https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/
Me From the Inside Out 