THE WITH-NESS OF OUR GOD
by Jan Loyd
Now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, WestBow Press, and others:
The WITH-ness of Our God: Relationship in Every Dimension by Jan Loyd.
I was so blessed when I read the study that Jan Loyd has written on the “WITH-ness of our God." It came at a time when I was weary in my spirit. I was so refreshed with the heart of the study, which is that God wants to be with us. Jan helps the learner to discover so clearly that God not only wants to be with us but He is always for us and lives in us as believers. In her study, she helps the student of Scripture capture the message of the spiritual rest that we can only have in Jesus Christ. I wholeheartedly encourage all believers to do this study. You WILL BE BLESSED!
Dr. Wayne Barber (now with his Lord in glory!)
Senior Pastor, Woodland Park Baptist Church
Former teacher, Precept Ministries Chattanooga, TN
A Christian devotional based upon prepositional relationships found in the Bible.
Loyd, an educator, begins this book by sharing her lifelong love of grammar—an interest that led her to look carefully at the specific grammatical constructions of the Bible and their implications for Christians. This leads to an exploration of prepositional phrases used in Scripture. This seemingly banal project turns out to be filled with insights about the relationship between God and the faithful. The author’s primary example is “with,” as in the phrase “God is with us,” and she looks at the three Greek words which could be translated as “with” and how they differ from one another. She then goes on to analyze a number of other prepositions in the same manner, focusing especially on key lines, such as, “If God is for us, who is against us?” and “You are in Christ Jesus.” Loyd designs each of her nine chapters as a one-week devotional tool. She begins by laying out a grammatical concept and focusing on a key verse, then moves on to seven days’ worth of reflections, including study and discussion questions. Her prose style is solid though certainly informal and even folksy at times. She often uses examples from her own daily life to back up her points; for instance, in one case, she related an imperfect birthday cake she baked to Jesus, “who came to earth and put up with a broken, imperfect life for my sake.” At another point, she contrasts an old, threadbare nightgown with the comfort of life with Christ. Loyd is well-read within the evangelical canon, quoting authors as diverse as early-20th-century Scottish Baptist minister Oswald Chambers and present-day Christian pastor and broadcaster Tony Evans. She also ably explains the basics of Christian theology, placing substitutionary atonement within the context of “Christ died for me.”
An ingenious and insightful approach to Scripture.
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Do you realize that the Triune God offers us a relationship that encompasses every dimension, every direction, every angle, every aspect, every nuance, every everything, and every everyplace? That’s right, our God longs that we know the reality of His loving Presence totally cocooning us in His Son by faith.
To explore this awesome truth, we go to the Holy Scriptures, to some small words that we could quickly gloss over. Don't let these little words fool you. These words, called prepositions, are power-packed with truth for our minds, hearts, and lives.
Lest you fear that you must know grammar to do this study, please put that fear to rest. In each chapter, the author explores one of the prepositions in some key passages of Scripture. Then the reader is guided through seven days of study and reflection on the truths unveiled.
So please join us in this journey through the unfathomable treasures of the Scriptures as we catch a fresh glimpse at our relationship with the Living God…all through some verbal treasures called prepositions.
This incredible book by Jan Loyd is not a quick read…it is not a fluffy feel-good book…it is a powerful interactive book that pulled me into the truth of God’s word. To glean the fruit available within its pages, I needed to take my time in order to engage in meditation, reflection, journaling, application, and worship. This is such a powerful book because the author has built into its structure the opportunities for individual growth and personal experience – it is a text, a workbook with prompts and study questions, and a doorway to capturing my thoughts on paper.
Jan does a masterful job of interweaving personal experiences, song lyrics, and metaphors with rich Bible studies and deep dives into solid theology. The book takes the reader from making biscuits and chocolate orange cake; to a walk in the vineyard and enjoying an ocean sunrise; to the life, salvation, sanctification and redemption found in Christ. Don’t miss this spiritual journey.
I have a little plastic, blue boat on my office desk…once you read this book you will want one too. As I begin to walk the Appalachian Trail this summer, I plan to join Jan’s Sunrise Club and I am putting a few handwritten notes from this book regarding courage and St. Patrick’s Breastplate in my backpack. Jan’s insights will provide me (and you) with powerful truth in times of loneliness and adversity.
Little words like prepositions will never be the same after an encounter with this book. These powerful words of motion, movement, and rest communicate the truth of the gospel with such significance. Jan’s insights provide wonderful windows of nuance into familiar passages of scripture. I highly recommend this book for a personal read, a group study, or a Sunday school class…but before you pick up this book, be ready to be pulled into the exciting reality of God’s word.
David Rough, Ed.D.
Academic Dean
Dayton Christian School System
OVERVIEW of our Study
There is a spiritual logic to the order in which we explore these gems. So let’s look at an overview of this journey together by means of our prepositions:
In chapter 1, we look at prepositions in general -- what they are and how they are used in Scripture. We do that by exploring two beloved psalms and our own favorite passages.
After this general look, we delve into the key prepositions for our study in chapters 2 through 9.
The first key preposition is with. In chapter 2, we discover the three levels of with-ness expressed in the three major Greek prepositions. This is so significant and encourages our walk with our Lord, Emmanuel, God-with-us!
Next, we meditate on the monumental truth wrapped up in the preposition for – Christ died for us, on our behalf, in our place. The implications of the cross of Christ are staggering! That’s in chapter 3.
Then in chapter 4, we revisit in-depth one of the Greek prepositions for with. This one expresses “life union with the risen Christ.” So we spend time studying and rejoicing in Him who is our Life indeed!
In chapters 5 and 6, we look at the rest preposition in. There are two chapters because of the two aspects of union with Christ: “in Christ” and “Christ in me.”
This is holy ground and truly life-changing. Many of us say that when we truly began to get it, it was like being born again, again! The security and the benefits of being in Christ are astounding. And then the intimacy and enabling of Christ in me – oh my!
Chapter 7 brings us to the motion preposition from, out of. We see how our doing comes out of His life-giving doing when we walk by faith and surrender.
Chapters 8 and 9 explore two crucial aspects of our relationship with our Lord: faith (to, toward) and prayer (into). Looking at these mysteries as invitations can simplify our walk as believers in this world.
And finally, the short conclusion, A Final Word, pulls it all together as we come full circle.
Table of CONTENTS:
Chapter 1 Prepositional Truth
Chapter 2 The WITH-ness of our God: the Really Good News
Chapter 3 Christ FOR Us: Paid in Full!
Chapter 4 The WITH-ness of God Revisited: Life Union WITH Christ
Chapter 5 IN Christ: the bottle IN the Ocean
Chapter 6 Christ IN Me: the Ocean IN the bottle
Chapter 7 Living OUT OF Christ: Life Outflowing
Chapter 8 Come TO Me: His Invitation to Faith
Chapter 9 Come INTO my Boat: My Invitation in Prayer
What OTHERS are saying...
In The With-ness of our God, Jan expresses so aptly the real meaning in those small words in the Scriptures. It is Jesus walking with us no matter how old, no matter our situation or our personality type. As God opens opportunities for me to share and speak in small groups, I have been able to pass on many of the pearls from this book. Read and be prepared to be encouraged! It was one of my top reads in 2016!
Dee Anne Rearick
Missionary to Papua New Guinea
Former Teacher/Librarian of MK
We have been blessed by Jan's book, and her deep commitment to explore the depths of these 'prepositions.’ What a gift to the body of Christ! Jan's humble approach in this work will not only touch your heart, but I predict will help transport you (by His Spirit) to a remarkable place of meditation and devotion to God's Word for you and yours! When you and I find ourselves in those blessed places, we are often given, by His grace, moments of insight and understanding that are not only refreshing, but are also pieces of our continuing transformation. Please join me in thanking the Holy Spirit for His leading in the inspiration and development of this book. God bless you, Jan, and thanks!
Pastor Jim DeJonghe
Soul Winners for Jesus Christ
Dayton, Ohio
God used the truths in this study to open up a deeper understanding of what I have been given in the person of Jesus Christ, and how that understanding works itself out experientially in my daily life. Jan takes deep spiritual truths and makes them very personal and accessible to those whose hearts yearn for the deeper things of God. Let this study lead you to the richest treasure of all that we already possess--Christ Himself, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Kathe Bricker
Women’s Bible Study leader
Patterson Park Church, Dayton, Ohio
This study changed the way I read and study Scripture. Jan shows how these seemingly insignificant words we call prepositions are relevant and packed with meaning. She takes her love for grammar and combines it with wisdom, insight, and experience to bring God's Truth to life in an easy to understand way.
Shirley Wharton
friend, student, and sister in Christ.
Printable RESOURCES:
LEADERS GUIDE_with suggestions for home schools
Preposition IN -- Envelope Activity
Preposition INTO -- Inviting into your "boat"
Prayer -- the Place of Invitation
CHECK BACK again soon for other resources
