Tag: Spirit

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Armor of God

Don’t Let Your Guard Down

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based on the LGG Study, The Arrmor of God / w6d1

Scripture: Ephesians 6;10-18 / SOAP verses 17-18

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Ephesians 6:17-18

Hopefully, after six weeks of starting Mondays with this passage, we have all become more familiar with the wisdom, truth, and help it offers us – so that we will not let down our guard. May we keep the armor of God on 24/7, 365 days of the year – ready to help us stand firm and resist the devil’s schemes.

Let’s not forget the necessity of suiting up daily with the whole armor of God. Let’s make it a daily practice to put on…

  • the Belt of Truth
  • the Breast Plate of Righteousness – and
  • the Shoes of Peace

May we faithfully…

  • Take up the Shield of Faith – and
  • Put on the Helmet of Salvation and
  • take the Sword of the of the Spirit

And don’t forget to …

  • pray at all times… for all believers everywhere

We will study the final piece of our armor this week, which is the sword of the Spirit – defined by Paul as the Word of God. Then, we will, at Paul’s suggestion, cover it all with prayer and an alertness. Remember this armor belongs to God and we will not be successful using any of it without first seeking His strength and power as Paul instructed us in the beginning of our study.

“Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”

Colossians 4:2
Did You Know?

I found a fascinating note about the Sword of the Spirit that helped me understand just how powerful this offensive weapon really is. When I picture a “sword” I pictured a long sheath like sword, however, according to BIbileref.com the sword Paul describes is a short-bladed sword, easy to carry and draw quickly in combat. It is meant to kill and defeat the enemy during attack.

God’s Word is able and meant to be used like this in our spiritual battles. Christ Himself sets the example for us as we read in Matthew 4:1-11, where we find three examples of Jesus using the Word of God to defeat the enemy. I encourage you to read how He did it and not to miss the ending when the devil left him alone. May we be quick to follow His lead by being prepared with the Word whenever the enemy strikes.

Our Secret Weapon

When Jesus told His disciples He would be leaving them He also told them about another that would come and be with them so that they could carry on the work of the Father. Here in our passage today, Paul tells them to “pray in the Spirit,” the One that Christ said would be their helper.

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and will remind us of everything [Christ] has told us.
John 14:26

Reflecting on the Journey

What is the importance of praying at all times?

Response to God’s Word

Father, hide Your Word in our hearts that we might stand firm in the battles with temptation and all of the devil’s schemes. May we be sensitive to Your Spirit and powerful in Your might. Help us to remember that the battle belongs to You and You have empowered us with all that we need to stand firm. Remind us to stay devoted to prayer not only for ourselves but for the body of Christ and as the enemy wages war against Your people. May we not be detoured by his tactics and lose sight of the call to spread the Gospel. In Jesus’ Name – Amen!

Going Further on the Journey

Don’t forget to check out today’s Love God Greatly Blog Post

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Armor of God

Greater is He that is in You

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based on the LGG Study, The Armor of God, w1d5

Scripture: 1 John 4:4-6 / SOAP: verse 6

We are from God; the person who knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.

1 John 4:6

This passage, particularly verse 4, always reminds me of the song, “Greater is He that is in Me” or at least of the first verse, which highlights the Ephesian passage we studied earlier in our previous posts; and the chorus, which is actually patterned after verse 4 of today’s passage from 1 John. Read them, sing them if you know the tune (if not you might want to look it up), I sing the song often when I find myself challenged or up against the enemy and it truly helps.

Verse One:

Satan’s like a roaring lion roaming to and fro’

Seeing whom he may devour, the Bible tells us so

Many souls have been his prey to fall in some weak hour

But God has promised us today His overcoming power.

Chorus:

Greater is He that is in me

Greater is He that is in me

Greater is He that is in me

than He that is in the world.

https://lyricstranslate.com

Because we are God’s children His Spirit lives in us and gives us understanding of the Scriptures. This understanding empowers us who are saved or being saved but it seems like mere foolishness to those who are not saved. This is helpful knowledge as we face a myriad of tactics by the enemy and his armies, tactics that require us to be alert and ready. Being ready and alert with the truth we will be able to identify “the spirit of deceit”; and as John describes here, we will recognize those who belong to God and possess the Spirit of truth and those who do not.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

The Spirit God Gave

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Today’s Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

In Paul’s day, it was Timothy that seemed to need the encouragement that God didn’t want him to live in fear of doing the work He was called to do. Instead, Paul reminded Timothy, that the Spirit God had given them, and all believers, was one that filled them with power, love, and self-discipline. In other words, Timothy had no reason to be timid for he had been empowered to live out His calling. The same is true for us today.

My first remembered experience with this verse was at VBS, not one that I attended but one I was co-leading. I was tired and stressed from some personal things going on in my life, I wasn’t feeling prepared, and definitely not strong enough to lead, love, and deal with all that goes into VBS as I had committed to do. Today’s verse “just happened to be” the theme verse for the week. God knew that just like Timothy, I needed to remember that while I might be nervous and feel too weak to lead, He had given me His Spirit – equipping me with not only the power to lead, but with love for the kids and all involved, as well as the discipline to stay committed and focused on Him, and boldly share the Gospel with the children. And, as a bonus, He daily renewed my strength and filled me with immeasurable joy when I was able to personally lead one of the children to the Lord. 

Check out today's inspiration @ 'our daily verse'
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Uncategorized

Not Made To Be Alone

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A Love God Greatly Study

Introduction

This introduction is not my own. I borrowed it from the Love God Greatly Journal, and I’m guessing some version of it has been on their blog page, so you may have already seen it. However, if I was going to write an introduction meant just for our little group, one that would encourage each participant to be committed to and participate in this little community  – I couldn’t have written it better than this. When I started this group two or three years ago it was in part out of concern for those who couldn’t get out or didn’t have a group to be a part of. Years ago God called me to equip, encourage, and empower women with His Word and I have been trying to do just that since the day He called me. However, because of family responsibilities, health issues of my own, and the whole covid shut-down I was struggling with the commitment of the two in-person groups I led,. So this group became a God directed outlet of hope to help others to stay or be strengthened in their faith by spending time in God’s Word, both personally and also with an online group of women hungry for the same thing. My hope and prayer continues to be that our little community will develop into one where we share/discuss what we are learning or simply a favorite part of the day’s passage, and even praises and prayer requests. To quote the opening and closing words of the following introduction, “- I know this is hard. … but [ladies] we were not made to be alone; we were created for community.” 

I’m praying for each of you but I sure would love to know whose participating. It’s easy to let me know, simply share a comment or hit the like button after reading the introduction I can’t wait to see what God has for us in this study!

Week 1 Memory Verse: You can do this!
Week 1 Challenge: Enhance your study this week –
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

One In The Spirit

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 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Ephesians 4:3

We live in a world that is ‘self-driven’. The ‘I have to have the best’, ‘be the best’, and ‘be better than her’ attitude is prevalent. Not only do we expect better than the best from ourselves we demand it from others, and we have little to no tolerance for those who do not measure up. While there is nothing wrong with being motivated and wanting to ‘do your best’, or even expecting others to do their best – Paul teaches us here and throughout his writings, that we are to be God-driven rather than ‘self-driven’. His words to “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit,” are preceded by the wisdom of how to do this, wisdom that basically teaches putting others first. He teaches humbleness, gentleness, patience, and making allowance for other’s faults – and he bases it on our love – which, according to Jesus’ teaching, is supposed to mirror His love for us, (john 13:34) – and His love was anything but selfish and self-driven. Where this love is absent, self will be prevalent and there will be no true unity. This is why Paul doesn’t suggest that we do this on our own but instead says to “make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”

It strikes me as I’m writing and glancing back up at verse 1, where Paul begs the believers to lead a life worthy of someone who is called by God – that we are not just called to salvation but rather to live out that salvation. To love as Jesus loved, to be His hands and feet to the world, to go and make disciples, to edify and encourage others, to lift up the weak, and pray for the sick, and so much more. God’s calling is not easy but He made it all possible by giving us His Spirit – who not only binds us together with peace and in love but empowers, teaches, and guides us to do all that God has called us to do, even live at peace with other believers who we may not see eye to eye with.

Are you having trouble living at peace with someone or a group of someones? The Spirit of God is your answer – your strength and hope of overcoming the barriers to the unified peace God has called us to. May we heed Paul’s words and “because of [our love] make every effort to keep ourselves united in the Spirit, binding ourselves together with peace“. In this, God will be glorified and we will know His peace.

Response to God’s Word

Father as the old hymn says, “bind us together – with cords that cannot be broken – bind us together in love” – In Jesus’ name I pray, amen and amen!

Notes from the insideout journal –
Posted in From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time, Uncategorized

Peace in the Stillness

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He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

The day I gave birth to Annie, my first daughter, was filled with excitement. Seventeen days past her April Fools due date we were finally going to meet this child I had waited on and prayed for, for eight long years. From the early morning ultra-sound to the late-afternoon delivery the day was filled with excitement and wonderment, and the room and hallway filled with family and a posse of friends from our new church. After the excitement of the day – when the room stood empty – friends and family gone …new dad home to rest … baby girl wheeled back to the nursery for TLC from the nurses ..and me – alone. Alone to absorb all that had happened, to embrace the reality that I was a mother, that God – after all these years – had not only heard my prayers for a child but had answered them. I reached for my Bible on the nightstand beside me and there was peace in the stillness of the room – peace in the knowledge that I was not alone. While there isn’t time or space here to explain all that transpired between me and God in the beauty of the stillness – I can tell you that it was in those still and quiet moments that He awakened my soul; and while I didn’t know it at the time – He started me on a path that would lead me to understand the truest meaning of ‘Be still and know that I Am God’. A statement which is best defined in the context of our verse today as “cease striving”.

Actually, He had started me on the path just about a year before Annie was born. Long story short, I had worked for years trying to make God happy enough with me that He would give me a child. When the prayer went unanswered despair and poor choices would inevitably follow and then the days of striving to be good enough would begin again. This was a cycle that continued for years – That is, until my mom shared Philippians 4:11-13 with me, a passage that teaches contentedness in whatever circumstances we are in. In need or in plenty, well-fed or hungry… and yes pregnant or not – God wanted me to be content – not just with my circumstances but with Him and His will for my life. Which is exactly what I committed to do. Don’t get me wrong, it did not stop the prayers for a child but it changed the way I prayed and the response to the monthly answer. And now here I sat, talking with God, in a hospital room waiting for the nurse to bring me my baby girl! I could have never seen then what would come through this child and the years ahead of us but through it all – and to this day – I have learned (and continue to learn) with much practice – to:

  • “be still and know that He is God”
  • rest, knowing He is in control
  • stop, and remember His will is always better than my desires
  • cease striving to get what I want … and instead
  • surrender to His will
  • let go of frustration and disappointment ~ and
  • trust His way and perfect timing

 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.


Philippians 4:11-13

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

What Are You Wearing?

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Today’s Reading: colossians 3:12-17; SOAP – 3:12-13

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Colossians 3:12-13 NLT

When my daughters were in the first grade their teacher taught them a song that they often sang during their morning routine. If you were anywhere in the vicinity of the classroom when they were singing it you would hear – “what are you wearing, what are you wearing, what are you wearing today – today?” The chorus would be repeated two times – and as I remember, the students – or a student – would answer with words describing what they were wearing. I couldn’t hep but think of this classroom song as I began to contemplate this passage. So my question for you on this first day of our final week discussing “The Importance of Prayer” is this …. What are you wearing today?

Are you bathed in prayer and clothed in kindness, mercy, humility, gentleness, and patience? Or, are you depending on your own way and strength and clothed with the old tattered, unpleasant, raggedy clothes of harshness, haughtiness, impatience, and rudeness? Do you smell like the refuse of the world or the sweet and appealing love of Christ? Paul’s message to the Colossians was similar to the one he wrote to many of the other churches – in which he emphasized what they used to look like or act like compared to what they should look like and act like. His typical phrase was to “put off the old” and “put on the new”. In other words, don’t just say you’ve chosen to follow Jesus – look and live like you are a true follower of Jesus. Change the things you watch and listen to, consider the things your heart longs for, speak with words that encourage and build up rather than ones that tear down or offend. Be compassionate and understanding instead of harsh and demanding or intolerant. You get the picture -our attitude, actions, and words will either repel people or attract them. Jesus taught His followers that they were meant to be “lights on a hill” for the purpose of “attracting” others – with the idea that others would see the follower’s good deeds and give glory to God (Matthew 5:14-16). Paul’s teaching here in Colossians is very similar, live and love in a way that others will see a difference between you and the world and they will desire and seek after what you have. This is how we become a living testimony, a missionary where we live, work, and play.

No need to worry about the cost or the availability of the new and improved you. Through your faith in Jesus Christ the cost has been covered and God has supplied the new wardrobe through the Holy Spirit who lives in us (1 Cor 6:19). This is the same spirit who, according to Paul, produces the righteous fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, (Galatians 5:22-25). The decision is ours, just like we go to our closets choose what we will put on for the day – we must choose if we will live and clothe ourselves by the things of the Spirit or stick with the old nature of the flesh. So – what will you be wearing today?

Reflection: How does this fit in with our study, The Importance of Prayer? The answer is this – PRAY. Prayer is the light in your closest and the mirror on your wall – pray. Just like you can’t pick out your clothes in the dark and trust they will look good – without prayer, you can’t begin to trust that you will truly be kind or forgiving, as our verse teaches today. Ask God to help you live by the Spirit, look to Him for strength to be kind or to forgive what seems unforgivable. Ask Him to take control of what you say and to set a guard on your lips so that your words are not appalling or offensive but instead loving and appealing. Make a habit of looking in the mirror of His Word to see if what you’re wearing aligns with His Godly fashion and then wear it confidently – giving Him all the praise and glory.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Galatians 5:22-25

Don't forget to check out today's LGG Blog
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

All You Can Ask or Think

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Inspired by “The Importance of Prayer”, an LGG Study – w4d5
Read John 1:16 and Ephesians 3:20-21

16 For we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another.

20 Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think,

John 1:16/Ephesians 3:20

Verse 20 is actually the closure to Paul’s prayer, which you can read in verses 14-19, where Paul prays specifically for the benefit of the Gentiles (v1), that they would know the power that comes from the Spirit living in them, that because of their faith Christ would dwell in their hearts where the roots of their faith would grow deep and strong, that they would be able to comprehend the magnitude of God’s love through Christ, and “be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God Himself.”

When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles[… When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 [I pray] that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Ephesians 3:1, 14-19 NLT

At the end of Paul’s prayer (v20) he declares that God is able to do more than we ask or even imagine. He knows that the strength believers have – comes not from themselves but from the Spirit God has placed within them – and, because of this, he moves forward in verse 21, with a call that God be glorified in the church and in Christ Jesus. So confident is Paul in what God can do that he commits all he asked of God to God for the glory of God.

to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:21

We have been invited to approach God’s throne boldly and with confidence (Hebrews 4:16), – and yet, so often it seems we come shyly before Him praying timidly. According to 1 John 5:14, we are able to ask anything according to His will and know that He will hear us. So, what is it you need to pray about? Pray for it – pray according to His will, pray with confidence, pray boldly, pray believing, and pray faithfully – and then watch expectantly to see what God does.

He’s a big, all-powerful, all-knowing, always-present God so let’s not limit Him. Let’s pray BIG prayers in Jesus’ Name. Yes, His answer may not look like what we envisioned but His vision is perfect and His ways are perfect and much better than we can conceive – and He is poised and prepared to do more than we ask or even imagine!

As John so beautifully put it in John 1:16, from God’s fullness [believers] have received “one gracious gift after another. which is best defined as “grace upon grace”. Knowing this led me back to read Ephesians 3:19 again, “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Do you see it? Bear with me for a minute and allow me this paraphrased version – “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the [grace] that comes from God.” In other words, Jesus is the full expression of God’s love for us, He, Jesus, is the grace of God poured out on us – for is it not by grace that we have been saved through faith? He cannot give us anything greater than Christ – nothing we ask is too difficult for Him – so I say again, don’t limit God! Pray big prayers, pray according to His will, pray with confidence, pray boldly, pray believing, and pray faithfully – and then watch expectantly to see what God does.

For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith…

Ephesians 2:8
Call to Action:

Does a doctor’s appointment have you concerned? Pray for peace to quiet the fear.

Is there a “river” you need to cross that seems impossible? Ask Him to part the waters or to show you the way around it.

Is there a “storm” brewing around you? Ask Him to silence the winds and waves.

Is a friend in trouble? Ask God to rescue them.

Don’t just ask – BELIEVE HE IS ABLE – not just able to do what you’ve asked – but exceedingly more than you’ve asked or even imagined!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Pray to Abide in Christ (2.0)

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Inspired by a LGG Bible Study, “The Importance of Prayer”, w2d5

Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8; SOAP (5)

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

John 15:5 NET

Jesus is teaching His disciples that He is their source of life ; and He goes on to say that they [the disciples] are the branches. He doesn’t stop with that analogy though, but continues the lesson that gives them the key to being a healthy – thriving “branch”, which is to abide, or remain in Him. In the context of the analogy it might sound like this – ‘the one who remains attached to Me – and I remain in him – bears much fruit …” or the evidence of Christ in us – Galatians 5:22-25)

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. \

Galatians 5:22-25

As for the little clause, “and I in him“, is a given fact, for Christ said – “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20. And, of course, in John 14:18 He told them that He would send the Holy Spirit so that they would not be orphans, in other words He wouldn’t leave them alone. Jesus made it clear that He will always be with us – the choice is ours – to stay the course of a true disciple, remaining attached to Jesus, the “True Vine” – or not. Note the passage from Galatians defines those who “belong to Christ” [a true disciple] as having “nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there.” He then identifies the disciples who belong to Him as ones who live by the Spirit, and encourages them to follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of their lives.

Oh Father, may we choose well in our walk of faith, holding fast to the eternal life to which you have called us and about which we have declared before many witnesses in our churches and neighborhoods, at our jobs and to our families. Lord let us not falter but help us to faithfully keep in step with the Spirit – so that in all things we do and say – fruit will abound – disciples will multiply and You will be glorified! In the mighty name of Jesus – Amen!