Immanuel.
This is a beautiful name. A name that causes us to sing and rejoice because it tells us that GOD is with us!
So many people during the time of Jesus had no idea that when they were looking upon Him they were looking into the face of God. That the hands who handed them a drink were omnipotent hands, and the words that He spoke were words of salvation. And as Mary held her baby she had no idea what pain the God-man would take on Himself because of love – love for His people.
Immanuel – God WITH us!
The various names and titles that God has are not empty names, but names that are filled with meaning. “Immanuel” is one of the names the depth of which we can never reach.
We often take comfort in the fact that God is with us when we are afraid or anxious. This is a good thing. But God is not just some spirit who follows us around or hovers in the same room that we are in. His presence is much more amazing – much more personal.
God took on flesh and made His home among people He had created. His coming had a very beautiful and sobering purpose. He came to die. His death would ensure a bond between Christ the Savior and the sinners He came to save.
We call it the great exchange. Sin was exchanged for righteousness, death for life, hate for love, enmity for friendship, and emptiness for the presence of God.
Immanuel – God with US!
You, dear believer, have been crucified with Christ! It is no longer you who live, but Christ now lives in you!
Immanuel means God is with YOU! He will never leave you or forsake you, and He has made His home in you. And He is in you because He loves you!
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…. (Gal 2:20)
Looking to Jesus,
We can’t think of a better way to start! Won’t you share this image and invite your friends to us for this incredible 8 week study starting January 11th!
This Bible Study has been amazing! Thank you for all you ladies do to make these possible. I am sorry to see this one come to an end, but definitely looking forward to the next study.
I hope each one of you have a very Merry Christmas! ❤
I AGREE! I pray for you all a very blessed Christmas and I look forward to a new year of study with ‘Love God Greatly’ in God’s precious holy Word. Amen!
Rachelle, we are so happy you were blessed by this study. We pray that you have grown closer to Him and understand who He is on a much deeper level. We are all looking forward to kicking off 2016 with the Prayer Study. It will set the tone and our focus for the new year. So glad your going to be joining us. Sheila, LGG Encourager
I am so glad this study has been a blessing to you and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas as well!!
I have enjoyed this bible study so much. Thank you.
Oh Susan it blesses us to hear you enjoyed this study. Thank you for being a part of it and we pray you join us for the next study on Prayer. 🙂 Sheila, LGG Encourager
This Bible study is my personal favorite. It has really touched me and left a huge impression on me about just how all-powerful God is. Thank you for all the studies. Merry Christmas!
Yay! We love hearing how this study changed your life. It has been a huge help to me in dealing with somethings in my life. Don’t you just love how God brings us what we need and He truly showed us all His depth and largeness during this study. And Merry Christmas to you as well, friend! Sheila, LGG Encourager
It has been one of my favorites as well. I love studying the character and names of God. It never fails to leave me in awe of how amazing and huge God is.
I have had a very difficult year. It seemed as thought the storms of life turned into a hurricane and by the time this study started I was just trying to survive until the end of the year. Hoping 2016 would be better. This study has breathed comfort to my soul. There were days when I thought it had been written just for me. God has spoken through this study to encourage me. Thank you for being willing to be His vessel.
Sweet Lacey it overwhelms me when God does this for us. He brings just what we need and even though this ministry spans all around the world He brought YOU what you needed. He cared about what you were going through and led you where you needed to be. I want to pray for you.
Father I lift Lacey to You and thank you that You led her to this study. Although it is coming to an end take all the seeds that have been planted in her heart and make her stronger. Build her up and help her to stand next to You, her Strong Tower, knowing that no matter what she has faced You are with her. I speak to the storms in her life right now and say “peace be still to the wind and the waves”. Father I declare right now victory is the word for Lacey as she move into 2016….victory Lord, show her what it means to live and dwell in the victory You provided for her. That all though circumstances may come she is fighting from victory not for it. Remind her throughout the new year that this is her word…..VICTORY!!!! And we thank you now for all the battles that will be won for her and for all the victories she will celebrate in the new year. In Jesus name. Amen Sheila, LGG Encourager
Amen.
And Thankyou for this study, and all the work you all have put into this. Looking forward to starting the study in Jan.
Lacey’s journey echoes many of my thoughts as I began this study. I had lost hope and was living a defeated life. Through this wonderful study, I’ve been reminded that I serve the Great I Am, and He is in control.
Thank you for your obedience and I prayed your prayer for Lacey for myself. You have been a blessing.
My family has also been through some very difficult issues this year but I have also found much comfort in this study. It is so good to know that God is with us at all times .. We can give it all over to Him. Thank you, Jesus!
Can’t wait for the new study. In the meantime, I’m loving this one….as always! Thank you!
WONDERFUL!!!!! We are so glad you have been blessed Marsha. Praying you stick around and join us for the study on Prayer in January. It is going to be a good one. Oh anytime this many women gather together around His word it is amazing! Sheila, LGG Encourager
Jesus is with you every movement
https://www.jesusshines.com/jesus-is-with-you-every-movement/
Thank you for this wonderful focus on the names of God! It’s been a very meaningful time for me and has given me a strong desire to share these truths with others…especially those that don’t know Him as Savior!
Tina what a blessing! Us learning during these studies is but just one part. It is when we go and pour out and share what we have learned that it truly comes alive in us. Oh my sister you will be blessed and made quite rich each and every time you share and give away what He has spoken to your heart. Much love, Sheila LGG Encourager
This current study has been such a blessing for me as I travel through my dark valley.
I’ve been humbled by the prayers I have felt from my new family and friends.
I CANNOT wait for the next study.
I love you ALL, especially you, Martha
Victoria, we love hearing from all our ladies and how God has worked through this ministry to change all of your lives. Thank you for taking the time to share with us. We love and appreciate all His daughters. We love that you are ready to ROCK on the next study. It will be an amazing way to begin the year. Be blessed and we pray that as you walk through this valley you remember that that is just what it is….a valley and He is faithful to walk with us through it all and lead us out the other side. Sheila, LGG Encourager
Victoria…
I love you my dear! You are in my daily prayers and I look forward to this next study as well. <3
Blessings,
Martha
I’m excited for the next study! 🙂 Will it also be available in a book to purchase on Amazon? I truly enjoyed that format for daily study.
Gabrielle they are working on them right now and YES they will be available on Amazon! Don’t you just love these journals? I cant imagine not using them 🙂 Merry Christmas! Sheila LGG Encourager
Yes! It is being worked on as we speak! So you will have the choice of either downloading it for free or purchasing it in book form.
My favorite part of what you wrote today is that God is not some spirit that follows us around. I think a lot of people think that. He’s some eternal Santa, he’s knows if you’ve been bad or good. That’s so not the point! Christ literally dwells within us, and his love sees the light of day when we choose to live in ways that are in accordance with His word. If we love or neighbor and our enemy, if we pick up those who are down, Christ lives this very moment in a very real way. We are all the Christ if we choose to be. Love what you wrote, God bless this ministry!
Oh Kelly you blessed me in what you wrote…it is a choice to live for Him. We love hearing from you. Thank you for taking the time to share how He ministered to you through Jen’s heart. Her words brought such depth to all our heart this morning. Sheila, LGG Encourager
I just want to say Thank you for all the bible studies. My 9 month old has been in the hospital after having his 2 open heart surgery. The studies help keep me strong in this tough time my family is Going through. I love today’s study.
Andrea, we pray everything was successful and that even in this dark time you were able to draw nearer to God and know that even in the darkest of times He is with you. Love to you my sister! Sheila, LGG Encourager
Oh Andrea, I am so sorry that your little one has had to have these surgeries. I also pray that it was a success and that you would feel peace and joy during this time.
Thank you! The doctors think he will be here during Christmas. Please pray he’s home before.
This has been an amazing study. Am definitely looking foward to the one beginning January 11th.
Wishing you all at LGG a very Merry Christmas!
This has been a wonderful study.
Merry Christmas to all.
I have been using God’s name Immanuel all week. When I have been stressed, I have been calling on Jesus to lean in for a hug. When I needed wisdom and counsel, I have called on God to help. I closed on a home today and even called on God to help me plan on what to do with closet,cabinet space, and an awkward storage space across from the guest bathroom, and He answered! I LOVE that He is so near to us. I love that I can lean in to Jesus for a hug when I need one. Praise and glory to His precious name! God bless you all for this study! Now I can’t wait for the next one!
Jen, this is so timely and softly spoken to my heart. I can just Selah through each statement. Also, this is my first time commenting and first study with you ladies. I was visiting a church Gateway Community and they had in their bulletin LGG and so I took to Google. I had never heard of LGG. It was too late to join, but these weekly inspirational writings is just enough. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
I am new to this site and am hoping to find peace and a new connection with God. I am wondering when the next unit that starts Jan 11 will be available for download? I want to be ready. Thank you.
Welcome, Mary! The LGG Leaders usually have the study materials ready for download about a week before the study starts. If you sign up on the website to get the blogposts sent to your email, you’ll be sure to see the announcements!
I have to admit this is going to be the best Christmas ever. I have not had the Christmas blues like in the past . I have kept my focus on the LORD. For a while I had gotten myself overloaded with too many online Bible studies. While they are all good , just keeping up got overwhelming. I had to let some go . As a result I really got a special blessing from this study as it caused me to focus on what really mattered —my relationship with God and getting to know Him better.
Reminding me of a quote from James Hudson Taylor .”.when we work we work , but when we pray God works.” When God has His rightful spot in our lives we better watch out He is going to knock our socks off when He displays His presence in our lives. He really knows how to bring delight in to our lives. With the status of our country and world we need to stay close to Him like never before. To GOD be the glory great things He is doing .