Tag: triumph over trial

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

A Powerful Testimony

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Not Just a Story

based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w5d4

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 2 Peter1:16-18 and SOAP: verse 18

For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power and return of our Lord Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory: “This is my dear Son, in whom I am delighted.”  18When this voice was conveyed from heaven, we ourselves heard it, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

2 Peter 1:16-18

Today’s post is borrowed and shared from the Love God Greatly journal entry, p 158/Trials over Triumphs

When Peter speaks here of the transfiguration of Jesus, it’s not some second-hand account. He was there. He witnessed the majestic white robes and heard God’s voice (Matthew 17:1-13). It’s a firsthand account from someone who was included in this heavenly encounter. When Peter shares his memories of being with Jesus during that miraculous transfiguration, it’s as if he’s inviting us to sit down with him and hear a personal story. In those days, stories were heartbeats passed from one believer to another, and Peter’s close relationship with Jesus placed him in a unique position of trust. As he talks about the transfiguration, it’s not just for historical record. It’s an intimate reminder of Jesus’ divine nature, shared with the warmth of a dear friend recalling a cherished memory. Peter’s eyewitness testimony, which has been written down and recorded for the generations of Christians who followed him, is a heartfelt embrace, reassuring us of the deep truths we hold dear in our faith.

Why would Peter include this event in his letter? Because the transfiguration wasn’t just a miraculous display of Jesus’ glory, it was a testament to core doctrines of our Christian faith. First, it affirms that Jesus is the Son of God. If any Christian teacher denies the deity of Jesus, then that teacher is a false teacher.


Furthermore, this event gives weight to the sacrifice Jesus made for us. The cross wasn’t just a historical event. It was the manifestation of love in its purest form, Jesus sacrificing Himself for our sins.


The transfiguration also showcased a glimpse of God’s magnificent kingdom. It was a foretaste of what awaits us – a beautiful and real kingdom built on love, grace, and eternal glory.


Lastly, intertwined in this heavenly event lies the lesson of suffering and glory. Just as Jesus went through immense suffering only to be glorified later, we will also face trials in our lives. But remember not to fear. On the other side of those trials awaits unimaginable glory.

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

What have you seen Jesus do for you or watched Him do in the lives of others? What should you do with the story? Whether it’s something you experienced or something you witnessed, it is your testimony, and it is meant to be shared. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

Thoughts to consider: What might happen if you share it? What if you don’t share it? Why haven’t you shared it? How might you share it? – Pray for God to help you answer these questions and to direct you in ways and opportunities to share the story.

QUESTION FOR THE JOURNEY

As you reflect on Peter’s intimate account of the transfiguration, how does his firsthand experience deepen your understanding and appreciation of Jesus and the reality of heaven?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY


Dear Lord Jesus, as we reflect on the transfiguration, may Peter’s testimony not only affirm our faith but also draw us closer to You, revealing the depth of Your love and Your awesome majesty. Strengthen our resolve to walk faithfully with You every day. Amen.

THE MORE WE KNOW

More insight on 2 Peter 1:18

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

No Excuses

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w5d1

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-4 and SOAP: verse 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. 

2 Peter 1:3

How many times and different ways can I say it? This is one of my top ten encouraging verses and it has made such a difference in my walk with God. Why? Because He used it to stop my excuses. You know, the ones like “peace is not my virtue” as an excuse for losing your temper or not wanting to make an effort to live at peace with someone difficult to deal with. Or there’s the excuse of gluttony that sounds something like – “I just have no self-control when it comes to pizza (chocolate or a myriad of other vices). We’ve all got weaknesses when it comes to living a godly life – and for every weakness, there is almost always an excuse just waiting to be offered up. The thing is the excuses don’t hold any credibility in the light of Peter’s teaching and God’s gift. For, If God has called us to ‘it’ then He has equipped us for ‘it’ – whatever ‘it’ may be.

I love the following explanation by bibleref.com. Check it out and ask God to help you use the spiritual tools He has supplied through His divine power, which He gives to all of us who are in Christ.

We are fully equipped. But we have a choice about whether or not we’ll really use those spiritual tools. This requires effort on our part.

How are we equipped? It didn’t happen naturally. We weren’t born with it. We didn’t earn it through hard work or good behavior. For those in Christ, God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. Like salvation, all of this was ours when we came to know God (through faith in Christ). As Peter will make clear, knowing God, the source of all life, is the only path to being fully equipped to live as God calls us to do.

And how does He call us? By His own glory and goodness, meaning “moral excellence.” Jesus sets the standard for what is good and glorious, calls for us to follow, and fully equips us to make the journey. 1

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Live a godly life, a life of “moral excellence.” Let this verse be your mantra when tempted or weary of battling sin.

  • We must choose to apply the power, whether it is to do something or abstain from something.
    • i.e., do you struggle with listening to gossip or spreading it? Either way, God’s Word makes it clear that it does not align with His will/pleasure, (Romans 1:29b-32).
    • So we must be intentional about putting off the old (gossip) and putting on the new (encouragement, truth, love, …)—(Proverbs 21:23). Those who guard their tongues keep themselves from calamity. So we must guard our tongues and refrain from the sinful act of gossip. If we surrender our natural desires to the Lord, He will help us to remain righteous. May we all follow the Bible’s teaching on gossip by keeping our mouths shut unless it is necessary and appropriate to speak.2
  • We must rely on God’s divine power, given to us through the knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.
  • Let the promise be an anchor of hope and strength. God has given us everything we need, including the power we need for a godly life. This power enables us to overcome temptations or deal with any weaknesses we may have.
Question FOR THE JOURNEY

Where are you on your journey of spiritual growth? In what area do you need to take ground: surrender, knowing God’s Word, trusting in God’s timing, etc.?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, Spirit, and Son, we are weak without You. We are dependent, as always, on You, and we are encouraged to know that, in Your goodness, You have given us everything we need to live a godly life. Help us when we are weak to remember You are strong and able to keep us from all wrong. You have promised to show us a way of escape when we are tempted and have filled us with Your Spirit, equipping us to live lives of moral excellence! We pray and thank You in Jesus’ name – Amen –

THE MORE WE KNOW

For more insight visit be sure and visit https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials
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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w4d5

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:12-14 and SOAP: verse 12

Through Silvanus, whom I know to be a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

1 Peter 5:12 NET

It is obvious from much of this first letter that Peter’s “encouragement” is provoked by the suffering (persecution) he knew believers were facing. Peter understood how weary the struggles and suffering can make us, so he cheered them on so that they would not grow weary in doing good. This is a great example of encouragement or building others up in the faith.

According to Peter, the whole point of his letter was to encourage the people, especially knowing the persecution and suffering they had been facing, to stay committed to their profession of faith—faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ—which, as Peter reminds them, is the “true grace of God.”

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Stand firm in God’s grace, which is His undeserved favor, namely through Jesus Christ – God’s only begotten son.

Build each other up (1 Thes. 5:11). Encourage others whom you know are struggling so that they don’t grow weary and lose heart.

Side note: Don’t miss that Peter didn’t work alone. He partnered with Silvanus to do the work God had called him to do. Whether he wrote the words as Peter dictated or simply delivered them to the people – Silvanus is a picture of partnering with others in the work of the cross. Look for others to include in work God has called you to or simply to walk along side of and encourage.

Question FOR THE JOURNEY

Who in your life could be uplifted by hearing your testimony? How can you step out in boldness this week to share your story of God’s grace and encourage a sister in Christ?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, thank you for the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the message of salvation, the hope of eternity. Help us to be faithful stewards of it so that, like Silvanus, we might be known as faithful sisters or brothers. Help us to faithfully encourage others and testify to Your true and present grace, who is Jesus Christ. Then I pray You will help us to stand fast in it.

THE MORE WE KNOW

But encourage one another daily as long as it is called today, so that none of you may become hardened by sins deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

For more insight be sure and visit lovegodgreatly.com for today’s blog post