Strength

Brave Day 12
Choose His Brave: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!

We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!
Dig In!

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s Journey Post? Check out Choose His Brave!

Job 42:1-4 English Standard Version (ESV)

Then Job answered the Lord and said:
2 “I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
6 therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.”

The Questions

1) Verse 1 says that Job “answered” the LORD. What is this passage a response to?

2) Who is Job quoting in verses 3 and 4, and what do these verses mean?

3) What does Job mean by “now my eye sees you”?

4) What is Job’s response to God?

The Findings for Intention

1) The book of Job tells the story of Job being afflicted by Satan and losing everything—his wealth and possessions, his children, even his health. Though Job knows that he has done nothing wrong, he gets terrible advice from some friends, and starts to question God. Then beginning in chapter 38, the LORD speaks to Job with four chapters of rhetorical questions and challenges that put Job in his place—God is God, and Job is not. The verses we’re studying today are Job’s response to what God has just said.

2) If you look at a print version of the Bible, or on esvbible.org, there are tiny letters scattered throughout the verses that indicate cross references—other places in the Bible that are similar or somehow connected to the verse you’re reading. Cross references to these quotes show us that Job is quoting what God said to him in 38:2-3 and 40:7. Job is acknowledging that God knows infinitely more than him, and that he was foolish to question God.

3) We know that God is spirit (he doesn’t have a body), and no one has ever seen God. So this verse is not to be taken literally. When Job says that before, he had heard God, but now he sees Him, he is indicating that his understanding of God has grown and deepened and become clearer.

4) Job’s response to the infinite power, knowledge, and holiness of God is repentance and humility. “Despising” himself here means that he is humble before God, not that he is in some kind of self-loathing depression

The Everyday Application

1) Sometimes, we all need a reminder that God is God and we are not. Read Job chapters 38-41 just to drive that truth home. Ask Him to reveal areas in your life where you may be holding on to control, or maybe you’re frustrated because you can see that you don’t have the control you wish you had. Recognizing this and acknowledging God for who He is, like Job did, brings freedom and peace deeper than we can comprehend. Our God is so gracious!

2) We can rest in the knowledge that God is infinite, and we are finite. Though we want to have all the answers, it is enough to know that God sees the big picture and we can trust in His infinite knowledge and goodness toward us. Nothing we walk through is without purpose. There is no pain, no frustration, no hurt, and no loss outside of God’s ability to use it. The Almighty wastes nothing and takes every situation to turn our hearts ever more so towards His own that we might see how priceless and treasured He is! We are desperate without Him and everything is meaningless without His presence!

3) What circumstances in my life have caused me, like Job, to see God more clearly? Don’t skip to the next question – take a minute now to think or write down some areas you’re thinking about right now. How has God shown you more of Himself through those situations? Maybe you haven’t seen Him before in those dark moments, but He was there, waiting and holding you, shaping you to see Him and trust Him.

4) God, I acknowledge that you are the Creator, and I am the creation; you are the Potter, I am the clay. I repent of the foolishness that makes me think I am wiser than you. Please remind me of your infinite power, knowledge, and glory when I am tempted to forget.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!

I Can Do That!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read through it (always more than a verse or two).
3) Write down your questions as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God in your everyday!

The Community!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Brave Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

The Tools!

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

The Why!

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Brave!

Brave Day 9
When Jesus Didn’t Feel Brave: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!

We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!
Dig In!

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s Journey Post? Check out When Jesus Didn’t Feel Brave!

Ephesians 6:10-20 English Standard Version (ESV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

The Questions

1) According to these verses, what is really behind our struggles?

2) What is “the evil day” in verse 13?

3) How do the different pieces of the armor of God help us?

The Findings for Intention

1) When Paul says, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,” it means that our struggle isn’t physical. It is spiritual. That’s not to say that there aren’t real physical aspects to our struggles—illnesses, financial troubles, relational troubles, and the like are all very real. But Paul is saying that behind all those physical troubles is a spiritual battle for our souls. The real enemy isn’t the face of the struggle, but the Evil One behind it, Satan. Will we give in to lies that lead to anger and despair? Or will we trust that God will strengthen us to fight for truth and joy in the midst of these battles?

2) Paul tells us to take up the armor of God so we can stand firm in the evil day. Is he talking about the end of the world, or some other specific future day? If we look at a cross reference, we go back just a few verses to Ephesians 5:15-16, which says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Paul is talking about the current days—the ones the Ephesian believers lived in, just like the days we currently live in. We live in a world that is totally messed up by sin, and we need to put on the armor of God every day. Again, our battle isn’t what we see, it’s really against what we can’t see; it’s truth vs lies and the only Victor is Christ Jesus!

3) Our spiritual armor is made up of truth, righteousness, the readiness of the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. These protect us from lies, from the consequences of an unrighteous life, from hopelessness, and give us the tools to fight back against the Devil’s schemes. There is so much to unpack from this passage when it comes to the meaning of the pieces of armor that this short study doesn’t have time to cover it all. I highly recommend that you spend some extra time meditating on these verses today, or read some of the commentaries found at studylight.org to gain further insight.

The Everyday Application

1) What are my current struggles? What are the spiritual struggles hiding behind them? Knowing that our battles are spiritual can bring meaning to them and give us hope.

2) Although our present times have many reasons for hope, these days are evil, and will be until Christ returns. Is standing firm in my faith a focus for me? Do I see an urgency to walking wisely and making the best use of time?

3) Remember that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), and that he has told us how to arm ourselves to stand firm against the devil’s schemes. Be strengthened, be brave!

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!

I Can Do That!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read through it (always more than a verse or two).
3) Write down your questions as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God in your everyday!

The Community!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Brave Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

The Tools!

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

The Why!

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Brave!

Brave Day 6
Victorious Bravery

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 2:1-10
Ephesians 3
Hebrews 10:19-25
Deuteronomy 31:1-8

attachment-1-11I was coming off of a very long weekend of intense marriage strengthening exercises (AKA: hours of conflict). It was Monday and we had worked through our issues and were holding hands again with fingers interlocked, but our hearts were still shaking. I sat watching my son working in physical therapy when Brave walked in the door.

She was white haired with shuffling steps and thin, wrinkled skin wrapped around bones that were at least 9 decades old. Her smile was wide, despite her timid steps…because she grasped the hand intertwined with hers. I nearly dissolved in tears at the duo. They may as well have been waltzing on a ballroom floor, their intimacy was so obvious, their connection so deep.
She was his princess and He was her Charming.
They laughed together and made little jokes. He helped her to a seat and she straightened his shirt. I couldn’t help but wonder how many long weekends of “intense marriage strengthening exercises” they had walked through on their journey to “here”.
How many times had their eyes shone with anger instead of satisfied love?
What had their first decade together been marked by when He was handsome and Her skin was pristine? And, did it really matter now?
All those struggles,
all those hurt feelings,
all those times they surely had felt it wasn’t worth it…
and here they stood, hearts knit together and conflict overcome. Victory.

As I watched the pair and thought about my own marriage, it occurred to me that it wasn’t about the current conflict, but rather the end result and finishing well. When this sweet couple were in their 30’s or 40’s or 50’s, they had no way to see where they would be or how rich their relationship would grow.
They simply believed it would be worth it and so they pressed on.
That is the essence of brave.
They saw an end by faith.
They chose being brave over walking out.

As Christ-followers our bravery is rooted even deeper.
Our hope is sure.
We pursue Christ in every area, not because we are so steadfast or honorable or worthy, but because the hope of Jesus is enough.

This abiding hope isn’t some pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking,
bravery is ours because it has already been won.
Paul passionately portrays Christ’s unfathomable love in Ephesians 2 by describing the sacrifice He chose for us so that we may be
saved by grace,
raised with Christ, and
seated with Him in the heavenly realms.
This is a little technical, but bear with me 🙂 All of those verbs are past tense: saved, raised, seated – no question.

In God’s timeline of salvation (surrendering control to Him),
sanctification (God working in you), and
glorification (when we will be redeemed fully in Heaven), the assurance of these events for genuine Christ-followers is
so certain that it’s already been done.

Once you cross the line of faith, victory is solidly yours to own and wrap up in and bank on.
In life,
in conflict,
in loss,
in illness,
in tragedy,
in death,
victory is ours and by it,
bravery is available in quantities we can’t even begin to imagine.

That kind of bravery is the fuel
for lasting marriages,
for overcoming abuse,
for freedom from addiction,
for life where death has reigned,
for healing in relationships,
for integrity in place of fear.

It’s the same bravery that was stamped across the life of Joshua as he assumed leadership from the legendary Moses, for Solomon as he undertook building the temple, and for God’s people as they crossed into the Promised Land.
“Be strong and courageous, do not tremble or be afraid, for the Lord your God is with you.” (Josh 1:9)
God spoke it over His people and His chosen leaders countless times.
And He still speaks it over us.

Be brave; The Great I Am is with you. (Deut 31:6)
Be steadfast; your hope is sure. (Heb 10:23)
Be bold; Christ holds your eternity. (Eph 3:17-19)

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Brave Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies in Brave!

Brave Day 5
Asking For Light

1 Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 16:13-20
Luke 22
John 21:15-19
Acts 2

image“I am so tired of this!”  My voice rang out harsh, exasperated.  Pain flickered across my husband’s face as I stormed into the other room.

Again.

I closed the door and stood motionless in the center of our bedroom.  Memories spilled across my senses, and my breath caught in my chest.  My mind and heart knew that our infant daughter was gone, but my body seemed slow to accept that reality.  The gentle pulse of the ceiling fan pulled me back to the present.  My throat, choked with anger only moments before, was suddenly empty save the hollow ache of loss.  My clenched fists loosened and my arms began to throb with now familiar pangs of emptiness. I dropped my head in shame.

Yet again, I was driving away my partner, my lover, my friend.  Rather than brave the crippling pain that crept over me at the most unexpected times, I chose denial of my true emotions and a less painful one (anger) instead.  Not anger at God, but anger, nonetheless.  Our future together, once so clear and hopeful, seemed obscured by a dense fog.  I loved my husband, but I just couldn’t seem to see past my grief.  At a time when bravery, truth, and love were most needed, I faltered.

Long ago, a similar scene enfolded.

“I don’t know what you are talking about!”  Even as the words flew across his lips, a wave of nausea washed over him.  He had done it.

Again.

He glanced up, and the Man across the courtyard caught his gaze.  Time seemed to stop, and the voices around him faded as his ears registered the distant echo of a rooster’s crow.  Sad, gentle eyes locked with his own. Seeing all.  Forgiving all. The pull of regret was strong, and as the sobs began to rise, he turned to run.

Simon Peter, the Zealot. He desired knowledge, wisdom, and to passionately follow Christ.  He was fervent, driven, and human.  He wanted to keep the One he loved safe, to the point of harming another, even when he knew that Jesus was destined to die by divine plan.  And then, when he most wanted to prove loyal, brave and true, he faltered.

I can relate.  Can you?
Peter denied Jesus, the One he loved, the Son of God.
Three times.

And yet, Jesus proclaimed that on Peter He would build His church. He was and is God Incarnate, which means He is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (all-present), and omnipotent (all-powerful).  Jesus knew that Peter would fail Him, but He also knew that Peter’s better days were coming.  

He knew that the power of Holy Spirit is real and when He descended, His influence was unstoppable. He knew that through Holy Spirit, men and women can be changed, redeemed, restored, reshaped and rebuilt. Not just Peter, but you and me.

He knew that through the redemptive power of Holy Spirit, the same man that had faltered, that had denied Him in His darkest hours, would later boldly proclaim that Jesus was the Christ.  

Peter, once weak and fearful, was completely and totally changed. Rather than holding on to the shame he so easily could have worn in the aftermath of his denials, he chose instead to shed it for divine forgiveness and grace. Transformed by the power of Holy Spirit, he was fearless in the face of the very men that crucified Jesus.
And not only fearless, but bold.
Brave.
Proclaiming truth in love to crowds of people.

Thousands accepted Christ in the wake of Holy Spirit’s transformation of Peter…and His power is no different today than it was then.

Recognizing in myself a denial not completely unlike Peter’s, I knelt beside our bed. The wooden floor scraped my knees and my hands trembled.  Voice cracking, I began to plead.  “Jesus. I’m so sorry.  Please forgive me. I don’t know where to go from here. This pain is…unspeakable. I know You are here, and I know You are good. But I can’t find You right now. We need You, I need You.”

Bravery can look like many things, but at its core, bravery proclaims Truth with Grace, whether to a friend, to our marriage, to our children, to a stranger, or to ourselves. Bravery faces our darkness and asks for powerful Light to free and fuel us.

And while it may not be our natural inclination, we can take heart that through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, bravery is ours, too.  Jesus’s sacrifice paved the way for us to be convicted, wrecked, redeemed, and restored, that we might face whatever lies in front of us with the supernatural bravery that comes only through Him.

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
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Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Brave Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Brave!

Brave Day 4
The World Was Not Worthy of Them: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!

We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!

Dig In!

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s Journey Post? Check out The World Was Not Worthy of Them!

Matthew 16:24-28 English Standard Version (ESV)

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

The Questions

1) What did “take up his cross” mean to Jesus’ original audience?

2) What does it mean to “forfeit” one’s soul?

3) What event is verse 27 talking about? What event is verse 28 talking about?

The Findings for Intention

1) You may have heard the phrase “my cross to bear,” meaning some burden that a person feels they have to carry in their life—but this is a modern expression. Jesus lived in first-century Israel, which was ruled by the Romans. The form of execution that the Romans used for the worst criminals was crucifixion on a cross. The criminals would be forced to carry their own cross up to the hill where they would be executed. When Jesus said “take up your cross and follow me,” his listeners would have thought of nothing but the instrument of execution. It was a call for total surrender, even being willing to die to follow Christ.

2) Christ is telling us that we must deny ourselves (forfeit the pursuit of our desires) and take up our cross (be so committed as to be willing to die) in order to follow him. But those who don’t deny themselves (those who try to save their lives) will ultimately lose their life—forfeit their souls. The word translated “forfeit” means to injure or lose, and since the context is about salvation and judgment, we know that this forfeit is for eternity. Rejecting Christ carries such a high cost! Denying ourselves gives such a precious reward.

3) Although these two verses are back to back, they are not talking about the same event. Verse 27 talks about the final judgment that will happen in the end times. But verse 28 refers to something that happened during the lifetime of those who were listening. Seeing “the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” refers to seeing the resurrected Christ.

The Everyday Application

1) First-century Christians knew that following Christ could very likely lead to their death. As comfortable American Christians, we sometimes hide behind the safety of our country’s protections, to the point that in reality, we value our safety more than we value Christ. Or our routine. Or our stuff. Or our pride.
Examine your heart. Is there something risky God has been calling you to do (or to allow your children to do) that you have said no to out of fear? Although wisdom is necessary in every situation, physical safety is not as important as following God.

2) This passage can serve as a warning to those who have not chosen to put their trust in Christ. Worldly gains are nothing if your soul is not secure for eternity! Have you trusted that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins, so that you can have a right relationship with God? If so, is your life markedly different? Are you sharing what you’ve been given with others?

3) Christ offered a warning of judgment, but in the next sentence, he predicted the coming of his kingdom. Praise you, Father, for not leaving us stuck in our sinfulness, but for making a way for us to live with you for eternity! Our challenge is to take both words of Christ seriously and let our life choices be directed by the truth of them. Sin is serious. Yours, mine, and the people we see in everyday life. It separates us from God for eternity. But Hope Can Be Ours In Jesus! Own them both, carry them both. This is the very essence of Truth and Grace!

I Can Do That!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read through it (always more than a verse or two).
3) Write down your questions as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God in your everyday!

The Community!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Beauty Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

The Tools!

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

The Why!

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Brave!

Brave Day 1
Practicing Bravery

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Timothy 1:6-7
1 Timothy 4:7-8
Psalm 18:29-39

practicing-bravery-moPublic speaking.


There it is.  My biggest weakness, dread, challenge, fear, fill-in-the-blank.  I feel a bit nauseated to even type the words.

It’s funny.  And by funny, I mean irritating.  I have no problem or hesitation when leading countless others into times of worship – I actually look forward to and love it!  Perform in plays or musicals?  No problem.  Sing for a panel of judges?  I might feel a few butterflies, but nothing major.  I’ll power through.

Stick me in front of five or more people and tell me to talk about something, however, even something I’m passionate about, and I begin to feel light-headed.

I fiddle with my shirt.  Papers.  Anything within reach.  I twirl my hair.  Begin to stammer.  I repeat my words, knowing as I speak them that I sound foolish…but I can’t seem to stop myself.  My neck flushes and I feel my cheeks burning.  My palms grow clammy, my forehead begins to perspire and my heart threatens to gallop right up my throat and out of my mouth…soon to be followed by the contents of my stomach.  I know full well that absolutely nothing is going to harm me, that my worth is not determined by how eloquent or smooth my speech may or may not be, and that people do this all the time.  Some people actually enjoy it!  I know all of this, yet I have experienced these feelings every single time I have ever faced this task.

Maybe you struggle with heights.  Spiders.  A room full of (albeit friendly) strangers. The prospect of a new relationship.  Being alone.  Darkness.  The thought of losing someone close to you.  Debilitating illness.  The prospect of death.
Maybe it is something I haven’t mentioned.  

It’s the thing that creeps into your subconscious when you least expect it.  You’ll recognize it when your heartbeat accelerates and your breath becomes a little more shallow.

There it is.  That’s the one.

We all face things that give us the opportunity to choose fear in this life.  That’s a given.

But we do not have to be defined by our initial physical, mental and emotional responses in the face of those fears.

We know that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.   We can and should pray for help in facing fear, in dealing with our reactions and for boldness, but we (and I am absolutely talking to myself here) are not helpless.  Just as soldiers train for battle, we are capable of practicing bravery by intentionally training ourselves to be godly.

So…what does that look like?  How do we go about training ourselves to be godly?

We spend quality time with the One we most want to emulate.
Time in prayer, communicating with Him.
Time just listening for Him.
Time in worship.

We feed ourselves a steady diet of truth by spending time in His Word, daily.
We acknowledge and spend time with Holy Spirit, and practice our listening skills by exercising spiritual discernment in every area of our lives.

I will be the first to admit that I have never gone out of my way to accept a public speaking engagement…in fact, if there has been a way out (any way out), I have always taken it.  Does that resonate with you?

Rather than cowering in the face of our fears, maybe it’s time you and I begin to practice bravery by training ourselves to be godly and putting our faith into practice.

Holy Spirit, give us the discernment we need to recognize the spirit of fear and the boldness we need to apply the Word to our reactions and actions in the heat of the moment.  Help us train ourselves to be godly, and instill in us a desire to serve You through our thoughts, words and actions.
Give us the will to persevere when we are stretched.

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Brave Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies in Brave!

Beauty Day 11
Unfading Beauty of Legacy

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Proverbs 31:10-31
1 Peter 3:3-4
1 Samuel 16:7

attachment-1-8I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

Seven years ago I typed up these lyrics from Nichole Nordeman’s song, “Legacy” and glued it onto some cardstock before hanging it on a mobile I created to represent “me”.  This mobile was shaped like a ring and had several other cardstock pieces hanging from it. One had a picture of my dream home, another a picture of what I wanted to be when I grew up, as well as an array of other interesting things. But this one specific square had a front and a back. On the front were the above lyrics and on the back was a picture of me and my dance instructor. Below our picture, I described how inspiring she was in my life, how she was a wife and a mama but most of all loved Jesus, and I wrote that I wanted to be like her one day.
I will always remember this special lady in my life as a classic beauty, but also as a woman who left a legacy in the life of every single person she has interacted with.

I think we all know a few women like her.
Women who will forever be marked in our minds as someone who
passionately loved God and furiously loved others.
In fact, the faces of these women are probably popping up in your thoughts as you read!

Legacy leavers.
Wave starters.
Prayer warriors.
Gift givers.
Joy producers.
Anointed worshipers.
Ripple-causing women who are making a tremendous impact on this world.

Just as noticeable as their love and legacy is that they are marked with an indescribable beauty. Not your typical “People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Woman” beauty.
But a beauty that is a completely undeniable, unsurpassable, breath-catching and peaceful.
You look at her face, and beyond wrinkles or blemishes, gray hair or red, cute clothes or faded old ones, her face is covered in peace.
Joy highlights her cheeks.
Grace lines her smile.
Deep kindness shines from her eyes.
Gentleness and love exude from her.

These legacy leavers are beautiful women.
But the kind of beauty they possess will never fade.

Peter tells us that our beauty shouldn’t come from the embellishments that we put on ourselves, our hair, nice clothing or jewelry. Our beauty shouldn’t be found in our number 670 lipstick shade, or our perfectly highlighted and blown out locks, boutique clothes or tiffany wedding bands. And while none of that is bad, Peter’s point is that our true beauty should be our inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. God, through Peter, reminds us that these gems are of great worth in His sight.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised!” -Proverbs 31:30

One day, if granted the blessing of long life, we will all have faces lined with wrinkles and hair peppered with grey. Our lipstick won’t look the same on our thinning lips and our leggings won’t look quite the same on our matured bodies. If we continue to place our identity in our fleeting beauty, we may find ourselves madly disappointed in the future. However, if we focus on being women who leave a legacy and honor God with our lives, no matter our earthly age, choosing instead to place our identity in being God-fearing and gentle women, we will never have to worry about a beauty that fades.

Wave starters.
Prayer warriors.
Gift givers.
Joy producers.
Anointed worshipers.
Beautiful, God-honoring and legacy leaving women.
These will never go out of fashion!

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Beauty Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies in Beauty!

The GT Weekend – Beauty Week 2

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The GT Weekend

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer, rest your soul in reflective journaling, and spend time worshiping the Creator who longs for intimacy with each of us!

Journal With Us!

Journal Prompts

1) On the days you judge yourself so harshly on appearance, on your “fat” days, your “use extra makeup to cover up that giant pimple” days, your “wear big sunglasses to hide the bags” days, what is one truth from Scripture you can declare to be encouraged?
Ex. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Ps. 139:14)
I am made in the likeness of God. (Genesis 1:27)
I am worth Jesus dying for. (Romans 5:8)

2) What attributes do you dress yourself with? Take an honest minute to jot down how your attitude, countenance, and demeanor could be described. Which of these would you like to change out if you could? Write down a truth you can cling to instead! Comment back here and let us know which truth you are choosing instead of the lie?

3) How are you allowing the word of Christ to dwell in you richly? Ask one friend this week to keep you accountable to being in the word every day this week. We desperately need each other, Sisters, because we all struggle with beauty! 

Worship In Song

Music Video: Christy Nockels’s “For Your Splendor”

Pour Out Your Heart

Lord as I think of the ways I dress myself, let it be a reflection of who I am in You. Father I praise you for saving me and redeeming me back to Yourself! You have pursued me and drawn me to Your side, thank you for Your love. Pour out Your compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and love into my life. Give me confidence to wear those boldly that I might proclaim Your love to others.

God, I offer my life to You and Your word. I give you access to every part of who I am. Let my soul be a dwelling place for You and Your word. I choose to allow Your living and active word dwell richly in me as I continue following hard after You. Draw me ever closer to You as I seek Your face daily in Your word.

Pray With Us!

In everything, with praise and thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God!
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Send your prayer request to prayer@gracefullytruthful.com
We are committed to praying over and walking with you!

Journey With Us

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What were your thoughts from the GT Weekend?
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Beauty Day 8
For the Beauty of Love

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 13
Galatians 5:13-14
Mark 12:30-31

attachment-1-5Hot, fresh tears stung my eyes as the four walls of the dressing room seemed to close in on me. As quickly as I put the shirt on, I ripped it off of my body, practically throwing it at my mom on the other side of the door. If the shirt wasn’t too tight, it was too short, too low, too sheer, or just plain ugly. I had been here a thousand times before, but the tears still came every time. Trying to dress my uniquely-shaped body left me overwhelmed and exhausted. My grandma always told me that “Pretty is as pretty does”, but I wanted to feel beautiful on the outside.

That was long ago, and while the desire to feel beautiful on the outside hasn’t left, I have learned so much about beauty flowing from the love in our hearts.

Love.

As passionate lovers of Jesus, we are called to love God and love others.
What does this love for others even look like?
This love…
It’s patient.
It’s kind.
It doesn’t envy.
It doesn’t boast.
It isn’t arrogant.
It’s not rude.
It isn’t easily angered.
It isn’t selfish.
It isn’t irritable.
It isn’t resentful.

When we learn to love as Jesus loved (because, after all, He is love), then we strive to be patient and kind, to not envy or boast, to knock out our arrogance and rudeness, we pray away anger and selfishness, and practice not being irritable or resentful.

But unlike the hottest new trend, the cutest skinny jeans, or latest graphic mom t-shirt, we can’t just wake up one morning, decide we want to look beautiful on the inside, and instantly love everyone.

That kind of beauty takes time.

And while we strive to be more like Christ, that inward beauty comes naturally. It shows in everything we do, from the way we approach situations, to the way we react to bad news; from the way we treat the slow cashier, to the way we dress.

Yes, even the way we dress.

Ponder that for a minute.

When we love others,
we become beautiful on the inside,
which flows to the outside,
and comes across even in the way we clothe ourselves.

Think of the ten attributes of love mentioned above.
How many of those attributes do we as women struggle with when we get dressed every morning?
When love fills us to overflowing, there is no room to be envious of the body our friend’s sister has.
With love, there is no room to boastfully dress for others by trying to show off our fleek style. Dressed in love, there is no room to arrogantly show off the features of our body that we love the most or feel the most proud of.

We will never perfectly “wear” these attributes of love.
But because of our love for Jesus,
and our desire to love others because of Jesus,
we should never be content with where we are.

Like finding pleasure in shopping for new threads, our passion to reflect Christ should take up closet space in our hearts. When we lean into His love, we reflect Him clearer, which makes our hearts more beautiful. The more beautiful our hearts become, the more that beauty will overflow into our outward appearance!

Our love for Jesus directly reflects our beauty!
Our love for Jesus directly reflects how we dress!
That is beautiful, and that…that is love.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Safe Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies in Beauty!