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Sola Day 12 Soli Deo Gloria: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Soli Deo Gloria!

The Questions

1) How does verse 31 relate to the phrase “Soli Deo Gloria”?

2) Based on the context, what will be a by-product of doing “everything for the glory of God”?

3) What will be the end result of living a life that glorifies God and seeks the benefit of others?

1 Corinthians 10:31-32

“31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.”

Original Intent

1) How does verse 31 relate to the phrase “Soli Deo Gloria”?
A movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe gave rise to what is now called the “Protestant Reformation”. The phrase Soli Deo Gloria was one of the important doctrines emphasized among the Reformers, along with the other four solas. The “Five Solas” are five Latin phrases (or mottos) that arose during this time to summarize the Reformers’ convictions about the fundamentals and essential priorities of Christianity. Through these statements, they emphasized the subtle, but not so subtle, discrepancies between themselves and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church at the time. Breaking down this one specific phrase, we relate it to what Paul was saying here in 1 Corinthians. 1) The Latin word soli is translated into the English word “alone” or “only”, (it is the root of our English word solitary); 2) the phrase Deo Gloria means “the glory of God.” Putting this phrase together into English translates as: “to the glory of God alone.” In the Greek, the end of the verse (τι ποιεῖτε, πάντα εἰς δόξαν θεοῦ ποιεῖτε.) translates into “all things to the glory of God do.” Within the context of this passage, Paul was telling the Corinthian church the purpose of their lives was not to satisfy or glorify themselves, but to be satisfied in and to glorify God. 

2) Based on the context, what will be a by-product of doing “everything for the glory of God”?
In verse 32, Paul says in doing everything we do as unto God and for His glory (instead of ourselves), we will be aware of what is offensive to our brothers and sisters in Christ. He is not talking about offending the legalism in others. Meaning, we are intended to use our freedom in Christ to lovingly serve each other, not puff ourselves up. We know this because of what he says is other passages (Galatians 5:11-15 ). If our motive and goal is the glory of God in our lives, we will walk in the way Jesus did. Everything He said and did was for God’s glory. (John 12:27-28, John 17:1-5 ) Nothing Jesus said or did was with a hidden agenda or motive. As the Son, Christ’s oneness with God the Father was evident in His sincere devotion to bring the Father the glory He deserved. In Philippians 2 Paul tells us Jesus always brought glory to the Father and for us to have this same attitude! “Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus …” This is a by-product of living a life to the glory of God.

3) What will be the end result of living a life that glorifies God and seeks the benefit of others?
If we took the first part of verse 33 out of context, we might tend to accuse Paul of being a “man pleaser”. That is why it is so important for us to dig into the scriptures – verses within chapters within books. An overall look at Paul’s writing tells us he lived and preached with a single-minded passion and devotion to Christ alone. And that passion drove his mission. He tried to put into practice what he taught about Christ’s sacrificial life and death by putting the wellbeing of others first. Paul did not want any of his own attitudes or actions, even those which would be considered morally indifferent, to create barriers between himself and those he desired to see receive the gracious message of the gospel. Paul wanted the Corinthian Christians to be delivered from anything that kept them from walking fully in their salvation or from growing spiritually. (Colossians 1:24-27) In the following chapter, Paul went on to say that as long as he imitated Christ, they could use his life as an example of how to live. (11:1) Their spiritual salvation and growth was of utmost importance. That is why Paul lived fully and solely for God’s glory. (Romans 1:5)

Everyday Application

1) How does verse 31 relate to the phrase “Soli Deo Gloria”?
Pastor David Platt said, “God should be God-centered. Who else should He center around? There is nothing greater than Him, nothing more delightful than Him, nothing more glorious than Him, nothing more worthy of exaltation than Him. He is God! If He were to exalt anything or anyone else above Himself, He would not be the God worthy of all exaltation.” Soli Deo Gloria is the single reason for every one of the other solas. (Five Solas – TGC Course ) Only by the grace of God do we put our in faith in the Christ who is revealed in the Scriptures and Who is our only hope of eternal salvation. So, whatever we say or think or do, in all of life, we filter it through the glory of God. As our words and thoughts and actions are set in light of His glory, we are able to proceed in freedom. Then we give Him even more glory for the grace we have received to desire to live that way. (Titus 2:11-14 )

2) Based on the context, what will be a by-product of doing “everything for the glory of God”?
Using himself as an example, Paul refers to the characteristics and teachings that were known to the Corinthians. They knew of Paul’s life and the gospel he preached. (Acts 18:8) His lifelong pursuit was to glorify Christ in all things. Paul was not afraid to proclaim the exclusivity of Christ by which we must be saved, and for that he suffered greatly. (Acts 26:19-23) But here, he was cautious not to alarm the prejudices of the Corinthians who were hearing his message. With the sole purpose of bringing glory to God, Paul saw no reason to needlessly provoke those who might oppose his message. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23) We should all practice such living, to the glory and fame of God.  As followers of Jesus, we appeal to those around us, without pretense or self-promotion, by our own example of faithful living. By living consistently for the glory of God, we long for others to be moved toward the gospel because of our lives of self-denial and holiness, by the way we walk and talk, and by our genuine love for them.

3) What will be the end result of living a life that glorifies God and seeks the benefit of others?
Soli Deo Gloria has everything to do with our salvation in Christ. When the Reformers boldly proclaimed that our salvation was “to the glory of God alone,” they highlighted the grace of God. When we share the gospel of grace, that our salvation is not based on our works (Ephesians 2:4-9), we are declaring the glory of the Lord “so that no one can boast”.  Living a life that glorifies God preaches the gospel with actions as we confess it with words. When we point to God alone as worthy of worship, we will denounce all human pride and boasting and will live our lives for the sake of others’ salvation.
“God has saved us for His glory among the nations, so let us live for God’s glory among the nations. The spread of God’s global glory is not just for missionaries, and it’s not just another program in the church. Global mission is the purpose of your life. Everything you have been given in your life – your breath, your salvation, your family, your gifts, your resources, your position – everything you have, you’ve been given for this reason: the spread of God’s global glory.” (Pastor David Platt)

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
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!

Digging Deeper Community

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Why Dig Deeper?

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.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

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. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? 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 :-))

Memorize It!

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Neighbor Day 11 The Neighbor Who Wounds

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 10:25-37
Luke 9:51-53
Luke 4:14-30

Neighbor, Day 11

“The one who showed mercy…” 

I read “wounded” and my heart reels.

I know wounded.
I know slowly retreating to care for the deep cuts and sharp blows I’ve endured.
I know sprinting away from the lashes against me.
I know wounds so deep they begin to look healed on the outside, but still throb and gape.
I know wounded, friend.

I bet you do, too.
But no one knows wounded quite like our Jesus. 

In Luke 10, Jesus tells a fictional story about a Jewish traveler attacked by robbers and left for dead.

Wounded. 

Two men passed by the nearly lifeless body, a priest and a Levite, both religious and both the same race as the wounded man, but they didn’t stop.
They saw him, and they chose to look away.

Wounded. 

Then a Samaritan man enters the scene.
The original audience of the story possessed the context to understand this Samaritan man was wounded, too. But, like so many of us, his wounds weren’t visible.

At the time Jesus told this parable, Samaritans and Jews had a long-standing rivalry, spanning hundreds of years. Due to the mixed Assyrian and Jewish genealogy of Samaritans, Jews resented Samaritans’ “impure blood line” and often treated them like trash.

We know from a true story in Scripture that Jews and Samaritans never interacted with one another (John 4:9), and even Jesus wasn’t received by Samaritans when He was heading into Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51-53)

We don’t know the kind of ridicule this Samaritan endured from Jews, but undoubtedly, the hatred seething from the Jewish community cut him deeply.

Wounded.

Yet, we see the Samaritan man, wounded by the Jews, breaking barriers of racism by caring for the physically wounded Jewish man.

We’ve all been wounded.
Maybe, like the Jewish man, we’ve been physically and emotionally wounded from abuse.
Maybe, like the Jewish man, we’ve been spiritually wounded by “religion” and people in leadership positions who’ve told us we’re too dirty and too damaged to be worth helping.
Maybe, like the Samaritan, we’ve been wounded by society, or racial and economic barriers.
Or maybe we’ve been wounded by something else….
friends, family, business deals, jobs, the government. 

But Jesus?
He was wounded by it all. 

He took on the sins of the world when He suffered on the cross,
eventually dying from the extreme torture He endured.
He was wounded physically and emotionally.

He was wounded by the religion bearing the same name as His nationality,
and He – who IS God – was killed by the religious people who claimed to worship God.

Jesus knows wounded, friend.

He knows the sharp pains piercing our hearts by betrayal. (Luke 22:3-6)
He knows the hurt embedded in us when grief becomes part of our story. (John 11:32-36)
He knows the rejection of people who have loved us and known us for our entire lives. (Luke 4:14-30)

Jesus knows wounded.

Because Jesus knew wounded so well, because He allowed Himself to be wounded beyond recognition, so badly He eventually died …

We don’t have to live a wounded life.
We have hope.

So, what do we do about the people who hurt us?
What do we do with this story about a wounded man loving another wounded man?
How do we love those who have wounded us?

Mercy.
Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. 

The Samaritan had every excuse to ignore the beaten man on the side of the road. This Jewish man had spent his entire life scoffing and scorning Samaritans, believing they were a lesser people, unwanted by God. And even if he didn’t believe it, his people did.

No one would’ve been surprised if the Samaritan kept walking.

But mercy.

Mercy isn’t just the Samaritan’s compassion, but the forgiveness he displayed toward a man he could’ve left for dead.

Mercy is the forgiveness God offers to us, even though we deserve death.

Mercy is hard, isn’t it?
I get a knot in my stomach just thinking about loving the people who inflicted my deepest wounds.

Friends, I cannot go on without emphasizing that forgiveness and even love are completely possible while still maintaining strong boundaries.

Sometimes, you can love someone best by enforcing boundaries, and forgiveness does not mean boundaries must be removed or even lowered. Abusive and toxic relationships can cause some of our deepest wounds, and we can forgive abusers while still protecting ourselves.

I want to be “the one who showed mercy”. (Luke 10:37)
I want to live ready to show compassion and offer forgiveness to people who have wounded me. I want to love my neighbors, even the ones who have wounded me.

Merciful love is going to take all of me, and all of you.
It’s going to take all of our strength.
But it’s worth the struggle because of
Jesus, the One who showed us mercy.
If He can be merciful to us, surely, with His strength, we can extend mercy to others.

We, too, can be . . . the ones who show mercy. 

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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 Neighbor 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 Neighbor!

Neighbor Day 6 Seeing Beyond The Service

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 7:36-50
Colossians 3:23-24
Isaiah 43:1-4

Neighbor, Day 6

I currently spend my working hours at the front desk of a doctor’s office. I am the voice answering the phone and seeking to assist the person on the other end. I am the one who schedules the next appointment and wishes individuals a good day as they leave. I am the face welcoming them to the office as they arrive for appointments.

For the most part, I love my job, because I am able to serve patients and my fellow staff members from my role at the front desk. The position enables me to be a blessing in a scenario where anxiety may be high and tensions may be mounting. My ability to multitask, function in a fast-paced environment, and think quickly on my feet increases the effectiveness of my service.

I prayed a great deal during the interview process for this job. Was this the job for me? It was not a logical choice in light of my degrees or the jobs I had previously held, but I knew I wanted a place where I could serve the Lord and those around me while also healing from the previous toxic work environment I had left.

Repeatedly, I sensed the Lord confirming this job choice. Several years later, I have discovered multiple reasons for my presence in the office, including the chance to write this Journey Study on loving the neighbor who provides a service!

For clarification, everyone, regardless of job title, provides a service: the stay-at-home mom, the CEO, the custodian. We all have the invitation to serve wherever we are with a mindset of working unto the Lord.

In the last several months, I have heard Beth Moore and Christine Caine reference the story in Luke 7 of Jesus asking Simon if he sees the woman before Him. Both highlighted the reality of Simon not truly seeing the woman, in contrast to the Lord seeing her, knowing her, and loving her.

The Lord demonstrated an intentionality Simon sorely lacked. Simon was blinded by the woman’s reputation and (in his eyes) inappropriate display of wastefulness. Yet, the Lord saw her as His precious child, looking past her sordid history and culturally unacceptable display of worship to the heart behind them.

We are invited to do the same.
To pursue intention.
To truly see the people before us and invite Christ’s love to guide our interactions.

Now, if you are like me, you could use some examples of what intentionality might look like. Below are a few suggestions of ways to truly see those providing a service.

Names are significant.

More often than not, people in the service industry wear name tags. While this is a useful tool in getting their attention, it is also an excellent reminder they are unique individuals. Throughout Scripture, the Lord highlights the importance of names. (Genesis 17:3-16) Therefore, when possible, use the name of the person with whom you are interacting.

We can honor individuals with our awareness of their dignity as human beings, rather than simply valuing them for the service they are providing. I am always surprised when people use my name when interacting with me, and I feel the interchange took place between two people, rather than simply patient to staff.

Express gratitude.

Regardless of the service being rendered, express gratitude to the individual providing it. This creates value for that role and honors the person at the same time.

Let’s remember in order to complete their jobs, even people performing what might be considered the most menial of tasks still carry a level of authority and access higher than our own. For example, a server at a restaurant has access to the kitchen. Let’s recognize and acknowledge, with gratitude, workers are walking in the authority granted to them in order to meet our needs.

Learn from examples of excellence.

For a season of life, the Lord consistently drew my attention to examples of excellence. More often than not, these demonstrations were observed in the service industry. I observed people doing their jobs with high levels of integrity, attention to detail, and positive, uplifting attitudes. Each person challenged me to do the same. I remember truly seeing those individuals in a deeper way as they taught me to live my life better.

The Lord created us to fellowship with others. While it may be easy to do this with those with whom we have a deep connection, we also may fellowship with those who provide a service when we truly see them.

The Lord is a good author, and our neighbors in the service industry are living His beautiful stories.
Let’s celebrate them and love them well! 

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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 Neighbor 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 Neighbor!

GT Weekend! ~ Hallel Week 3

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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!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) To the Jewish disciples who sat around Jesus at the Passover meal, the Messiah had come for them. For the Jews. For God’s chosen people. Throughout His time on earth with them, Jesus had taught them it wasn’t about their lineage as Jews that granted them access to God, it was their hearts. Their inner selves required a re-birth and a new beginning available only through the Holy Spirit. But this idea of Christ coming only for Jews still held fast. He had healed Gentiles. He had blessed the faith of Gentiles, but still the disciples held so tightly to the belief of Christ being for them, as God’s special people, it left no room for others. Soon, when Christ would rise again, and when the Holy Spirit would descend upon these men at the day of Pentecost, they would understand the reality that Jesus Christ came to offer salvation to all! It may be easy for us to verbalize this truth, but take time to ask the Lord where you have inadvertently put up fences, deciding that someone is too far gone for the gospel. Maybe there’s someone who you deem too broken or too sinful to welcome the salvation of Christ. Remember, Jesus came for ALL!

2) Even though the disciples were awash in tidal waves of fear and uncertainty as they left the Upper Room following that final Passover meal with Jesus, there were anchoring truths to which they could cling. They had seen Jesus heal the broken. He was healer. They had witnessed Him calm the seas. He held all authority. They had been with Him as He wept over loss. He was human. They had heard Him teach over and over, touch over and over, sit in the middle of mess over and over. They knew He was love, and His love was God’s love, which endured forever. True, the times were dark, but God’s character had never once shifted; His love endured forever. What have been your anchors during difficulty in the past? What new things have you learned about God and His heart in recent times to help carry you through the next season of doubt and darkness? Take a minute to write these down, as many come to mind. Dwell on these. Praise God for His character and heart of love that endures forever!

3) Surely the closing words of the Hallel psalms were confusing for the disciples. How could they proclaim what the Lord had done in the wake of His death and seeming abandonment? Maybe you’ve experienced something similar in your own life. How can you proclaim the Lord’s goodness when death steals a loved one, when divorce breaks marriage, when sickness steals away the vibrancy you or a loved one once experienced. But Death did not have the final word for Jesus! He returned in victory, conquering death and bringing abundant life that would never end. He won for us what we could never accomplish on our own! His life won our victory. His ascension opened the doorway for the Spirit to descend on us with power to proclaim His gospel and His goodness. His coming return reminds us He is faithful and He is sovereign. The whole of the Hallel beckons us to keep trusting His heart even when we don’t understand. He is faithful! Write down your own declarations of truth and repeat them to yourself often this weekend. Face life with the assurance of Life winning over Death!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Psalm 118:5-6 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

I called to the Lord in distress;
the Lord answered me
and put me in a spacious place.
The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid.
What can a mere mortal do to me?

Prayer Journal
It seems the reasons to run and be afraid and allow anxiety to overtake me are endless. Everywhere I turn there are more reasons to live in fear. Except for one. When I turn to You, Father, peace awaits. Courage is given. Purpose motivates me to love others well because You have loved me deeply. What can man, or a virus, or death, do to me? You, the sovereign ruler over all, hold my heart and my life. When I hide myself within the truths of Your love, fear flees. This is the spacious place for me to land. As I continue facing distress in real life, Lord, remind me, Spirit, to keep trusting You. Here, I will have no fear!

Worship Through Community

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Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Hallel Day 15 Form Death To Life

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 118:17-29
Psalm 24:1-10
Matthew 26:36-56
Luke 20:9-18

Hallel, Day 15

I will not die, but I will live
and proclaim what the Lord has done.
The Lord disciplined me severely,
but did not give me over to death.

The words came flooding like so much mockery as the events of the previous hours replayed again and again, unbidden, in my mind. These were words my lips had sung hours before in swirls of confusion beneath the dark sky of Gethsemane. It was the same garden, the same piles of rocks, the same swath of olive branches where I had sat with these brothers of mine for countless hours over the last three years.

Here, I’d heard Jesus teaching the masses.
Here, I’d heard been confronted with truth.
Here, we had learned to pray.
And mere hours go, here is where my brothers and I had fallen asleep while…….
the sobs gathered with overwhelming force in my throat, choking me, as I called to mind my failings.

I ran aimlessly through the now empty garden.
I could not hold back the screams of agony.
Falling to the ground, my fists pummeled the soft earth, and I wished for death.

Here, just hours ago, I had watched Jesus heal a soldier’s ear from Peter’s reckless sword.
Here, I had been jolted awake from Jesus’ emotion-filled plea to please, please pray with Him. But I didn’t. I just couldn’t stay awake.

My hands reached up and grabbed at nearby olive branches in self-loathing and anger, plucking new leaves into my balled-up fists.

Softly, the words came again.
I will not die, but I will live
and proclaim what the Lord has done.

Proclaim?!
I scoffed!
Proclaim what??
That Yahweh had parted the Red Sea?
So what…
That He brought us out of exile?
That was centuries ago….
None of it was relevant now.
Our Messiah is… dead.

Anger overtook me again as my fingers dug into the dirt.

Open the gates of righteousness for me;
I will enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the Lord’s gate;
the righteous will enter through it.

The melody came like whispers.
As if Jesus Himself were singing the words, and my mind easily recalled the lusty sound of His voice, fraught with emotion, as He had sung those words while leading us here last night.

This is the Lord’s gate;
the righteous will enter through it.

What did any of this mean anymore in light of all the new happenings.
In light of death….
The only understanding hitting me hard on repeat was the knowing that I was not righteous. I was not righteous. I was not righteous. Too many sins, like the dirt pressed beneath my fingernails, my sin colored everything.
I knew the truth, I was not righteous.

Not like Jesus. Certainly not like Jesus. He was innocent. Holy. Pure.
And again, the tears flowed with the blatant injustice of it all.
Holiness murdered. Messiah dead. Hope gone…..

I will give thanks to you
because you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
This came from the Lord;
it is wondrous in our sight.

My lungs held their air as the words seemed to wrap around me, insisting I gaze at them longer. My body trembled, but something about those words I hadn’t recognized before. I turned my head as if to hear the words sung again in Jesus’ voice. Was there a deeper message in these age-old lyrics?

You…have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
This came from the Lord;

They were jagged pieces of a puzzle, but like a hazy fog gathering around me, realization was slowly creeping over me.
Salvation.
The stone the builders rejected….
This came from the Lord.

I inhaled sharply, suddenly remembering I had forgotten to breath, and my mind raced to the day Jesus had spoken those very words.
We were all gathered around Him in Jerusalem, walking around the breathtaking edifice of Herod’s Temple. He had told a strange parable, as most of them were, about the owner of a vineyard who, while out of the country, had sent a servant to gather fruit. But the tenants of the vineyard, whom the owner had left in charge, beat up the servant and sent him back empty handed. Three times the owner sent a servant, and three times the tenants abused the servants. Finally, the owner sent His own beloved Son, saying surely, the tenants will respect my son. But they didn’t. Instead they killed him. Then Jesus had quoted this portion of the Hallel, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”.

Soft rain began mixing with my tears as I lifted my face to the heavens.
Christ was the cornerstone.
Christ was the rejected son, killed by the ones intended to care for the Father’s people.
Salvation.
This came from the Lord.

“There must be more to the story, Jesus”, I felt my lips move, and peace began easing my clenched muscles.
I didn’t have the answers, but, here, as before, in this Garden, I was being confronted with truth.

The Lord is God and has given us light.

Yes, Lord, You are the giver of Light.
Jesus, He is Your light of the world.
But, God, they crucified Him!
My questions still hung in the air
His answer came with power as the words to the end of the Hallel opened my heart, “Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar…”

Jesus.
The bound sacrifice.
The cross was the altar.
Death traded for life!

I still had questions to be sure, but as I rose, dropping the olive branches to the dirt by my sandaled feet, I felt washed. I felt peace.
No, I didn’t know the answers. Christ was still in the grave, but there was more to the story, I knew it would be so because God has always, always been faithful, and always would be.

Yes, He parted the Red Sea.
Yes, it still mattered.
Yes, He set us free from slavery.
Because He has always brought Life out of Death.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks.
You are my God; I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
His faithful love endures forever!

—–
As is the case with each of our first-person narratives at Gracefully Truthful, these stories of Hallel have been imaginative creativity based in the truth of Scripture. We don’t know what the disciples’ exact actions or personal internal wrestlings were after the final Passover meal, the betrayal, the denial, the flogging, and finally the crucifixion of their Lord, Jesus Christ. But, here in the Garden, we hope you find small pieces of your own journey with Jesus, and you, like the disciples, discover He is indeed faithful and true, as He always brings Life out of Death!

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Hallel Day 14 Love That Frees: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Love That Frees!

The Questions

1) How does the Lord help when I am being pushed hard and the enemy tries to make me fall?

2) How can the Lord be my strength and my song?

3) What does it mean that the Lord’s right hand performs valiantly?

Psalm 118:1-16

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”

5 I called to the Lord in distress;
the Lord answered me
and put me in a spacious place.
6 The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid.
What can a mere mortal do to me?
7 The Lord is my helper,
Therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humanity.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in nobles.

10 All the nations surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.
11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.
12 They surrounded me like bees;
they were extinguished like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.
13 They pushed me hard to make me fall,
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.

15 There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly!
16 The Lord’s right hand is raised.
The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly!”

Original Intent

1) How does the Lord help when I am being pushed hard and the enemy tries to make me fall?
In Psalm 118, David recounts the ways his enemies have tried to harm him and how the Lord has delivered him each time. In Psalm 118:13, David declares, “They pushed me hard to make me fall, but the Lord helped me.” Author John Gill explains how David could be referencing Saul, who tried to kill David many times.  He also points out that the reference describes Christ and “His many enemies.” One such enemy of Christ was Judas, who lifted up his heel against Him, and betrayed Him into the hands of His enemies; or how the devil thrust sore at Christ by Herod in His infancy, who sought to take away His life; and by the Scribes and Pharisees, who attempted it in different ways, and finally got Him nailed to the cross.”  Others also see Psalm 118 as a Messianic chapter, noting that “When Jesus quoted Psalm 118, He was referring to Himself, just as He spoke of other passages in the same psalm as applying to Himself” (Jewsforjesus.com.)  God shows himself as David’s Savior, helping him escape his enemies.  Similarly, Psalm 118 foreshadows the coming Messiah, who will deliver everyone from their difficulties and sins.

2) How can the Lord be my strength and my song?
Psalm 118 is a Hallel, or hallelujah praise, traditionally recited at Passover. All four Gospels record that as Jesus entered Jerusalem in the days leading up to Passover, crowds gathered, acclaiming Jesus as the one “who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Jewsforjesus.com) As author G. Campbell Morgan explains, we are not sure of the author of Psalm 118.  Morgan surmises, “though this was likely David’s psalm, it was also Jesus’ psalm.” This is pre-eminently the triumph song of the Christ, He the ideal Servant, He the perfect Priest, He the Leader of the people. How much all these words meant to Him as He sang them on that night in the upper room.” Author Alexander Maclaren also cites that this psalm is about the Messiah.  He writes that, “Quoting Miriam’s song (Exodus 15:2), the singer knew not only that God could bring strength and a song, but that Yahweh Himself became their strength and the song of those who put their trust in Him.  Going even further, the palmist understood that Yahweh had become his salvation.  Yahweh is these things for His people.”  If we put our trust in God, He becomes our strength and our song; He is our salvation.

3) What does it mean that the Lord’s right hand performs valiantly?
In Psalm 118:15-16, the phrase “the Lord’s right hand performs valiantly” is repeated twice.  According to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, the word “hand” “represents the ownership, power, or control that its possessor (either an individual or a people) exercises.” It goes on to say that in particular the right hand of God is “understood as a place of salvation, refuge, and protection.”  Author April Motl explains, “when Scripture uses the image of God’s right hand, it is meant to be a picture of the pinnacle of strength and ability. In passages that specifies God’s right hand, strength is a key focus.” Indeed, the Scriptures are filled with verses that mention God’s right hand (at least 166 references!). For instance, in Psalm 108:6 David pleads with God to save him with His right hand.  In Psalm 44:3, the psalmist says he conquered the land because of the Lord’s right hand.  David describes not only the strength shown by God’s right hand, but also how it performs valiantly, or, according to author John Gill “acts powerfully. This is repeated for the confirmation of it, and to show how much the righteous were affected with it, and how desirous they were of glorifying it.” Our God is not only a strong God who acts with power, but He is our strength as well (Psalm 118:14). We are blessed to find not only our protection, but also our strength, in Him.

Everyday Application

1) How does the Lord help when I am being pushed hard and the enemy tries to make me fall?
Do you ever have days when it seems like the whole world is making a concerted effort to take you down?  Your own daily stresses (like the dishwasher leaking, the dog puking on the carpet, or your kid being bullied), combined with worries about your friends (your pals divorcing, your neighbor with depression), and the ongoing conflicts in the nation (inequalities, injustices and fast-spreading viruses) make you feel like you’re going down for the count. It is true that our enemy, the devil, wants to take us out.  The Bible tells us he is “prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” (I Peter 5:8) The Lord faithfully helps us when we are being pushed around by the enemy. The Bible tells us the One who is in us is greater than the devil. (1 John 4:4) God also encourages us in His word by saying, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10) Our God promises to be with us and strengthen us no matter what we are facing.  We might get a little bruised and battered, but we are promised victory in the Lord!

2) How can the Lord be my strength and my song?
I have read plenty of verses telling me God is my strength. The Bible tells us God is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1), the strength of our life (Psalm 27:1), and that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).  However, the idea that God is my song is not as familiar to me. I have heard songs based on Isaiah 12:2 and Psalm 118:14, but I’ve never contemplated what it means for the Lord to be my song.  Author Alexander Maclaren explains, “When the Lord is our song, it means He is our joy and our happiness. We find our purpose and life in Him, and He never disappoints.” Author Joseph Benson connects the idea of strength and song by saying that since God gives us strength, He is “the just object of my praise.”  The idea is that God in His grace and mercy gives me strength, and that makes me want to sing His praises!  It works the other way around as well, for the Bible tells us, “the joy of the Lord is my strength!”. (Nehemiah 8:10) Whether God gives me strength that makes me sing, or His joy gives me strength, the Lord provides me with the strength I need to make it through each day.

3) What does it mean that the Lord’s right hand performs valiantly?
One winter day when I was a little girl, my younger sister and I were walking the two blocks home from school on a snowy day.  Following us was a big, 5th grade bully, so we were moving fast.  In our haste, my little sister lost her red rubber snow boot, and the bully quickly pounced on it and began tossing it over our heads to her pal.  We just booked it home, leaving the boot in their clutches. Later my mom walked us back to retrieve the snow boot they had left lying in the snow, and I felt ashamed that I had not protected my sister from the boot-thieving bully. At times, I still feel helpless all these years later when I can’t do anything in my own power to free myself or a loved one from anxiety, physical pain or relationship struggles.  Today, I know I am not really helpless and I don’t have to run. I know the “Lord’s right hand performs valiantly.” (Psalm 118:1) I cannot do much to fight against the enemy on my own, but I am learning I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) When I rely on God to help me with my struggles, He delivers me (Psalm 34:19) With the Lord on my side, I don’t have anything to fear. (Psalm 118:6) God says that through Him, I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37) Sometimes I still feel like that little girl, quaking in her snow boots before the big bully, but the truth is that God fights my battles for me and I have no need to fear!

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
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!

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Hallel Week Three!
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Why Dig Deeper?

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.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

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. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? 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 :-))

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The GT Weekend! ~ Hallel 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!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) The disciples were undoubtedly filled with fear and confusion unlike anything they had experienced before as they sat with the Lord Jesus in the Upper Room, doing familiar actions, singing familiar hymns, but everything was different in deep ways. When have you felt something similar? Maybe it was a family tragedy. Maybe it was finding yourself caught in the quicksand of a relationship spinning out of control. Maybe it was discovering a serious health issue or uncovering a painful deception. For the disciples, Jesus was turning their worldview upside down, doing the very thing they expected to be the end of them and of Him. But His purposes were far above theirs, and as they kept walking forward in faith, trusting Him even when they couldn’t understand, they would see how He would turn death into life. Remarkable! This portion of the Hallel called for the disciples to bless the Lord, despite their dire circumstances. Where is the Lord calling you to do the same? Commit to blessing the Lord, praising Him, and choosing to trust Him regardless of your situation.

2) That last Passover with the disciples was fraught with intentional forethought that had begun centuries before by the very same God who now sat at the table with 12 men. Unfathomable!! Jesus Himself even said He had long waited for this moment with anticipation. Finally, the fulfillment of so much was unfolding! Jesus was about to make things new. He was taking an Old Testament understanding of the covenant and allowing it to give birth to a New Covenant. One where animal sacrifices would be overtaken by the perfect sacrifice for sin across all of time and covering all of sin, God Himself. Yes, the price was far beyond our ability to even begin to comprehend. Yes, the darkness of those three days in the grave would leave the disciples spinning with uncertainty and fear. BUT. All would be made new as Christ’s victorious life was given in exchange for our sin! Take time to journal your thoughts on this act of incredible love and mercy that far exceeds our ability to express. Sit. Worship. Adore. Lift hallelujah for the Lord of Life and Love!

3) Sarah made it clear in yesterday’s Journey Study that Christ had come with clear purpose, to be the Passover Lamb. Every year, Jews were required to slay a lamb with spot or blemish to cover over their sins, making atonement to the Most Holy God. Though Scripture teaches that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin (Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22), it also teaches it is impossible for the blood of animals to effectively take away sin. (Hebrews 10:4) A perfect sacrifice was needed. One that was so effective it didn’t need to be repeated every year. Christ was perfect as He lived out our human life, wrapped in human flesh, but did it all without even one sin. Then He, who deserved no punishment, chose to take our death and separation from God upon Himself. He was the sacrificial lamb given on our behalf. Are you relying on your own good works to give you access to a good standing with God when only one, perfect sacrifice will be accepted? Choose to be covered by the blood of the Lamb, and spend your every breath praising Him for this radical gift of love!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Psalm 115:9-11 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.
House of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.

Prayer Journal
Trust. Help. Shield. Trust. Help. Shield. Lord, how often I look to the strength of my own hands or to my own ingenuity or even, oh Lord, to other people of influence in my life in order to solve my problems. Father, remind me of these three powerful words and turn my heart back to being fully focused on You alone. Teach me not to wander. Pursue me, and may I quickly learn to return. May I choose to trust You over and over for every situation, big or small. You alone are my help and my shield, oh Lord my God!

Worship Through Community

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Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Hallel Day 8 Finding Him Faithful

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 116:1-11
Matthew 26:1-29
Isaiah 53:1-12
Psalm 127:1-14

Hallel, Day 8

“Go into the city to a certain man,” He said, “and tell him,
‘The Teacher says: My time is near; I am celebrating the Passover
at your place with my disciples.’”
(Matthew 26:18)

The disciples took this message and sought out the man.
As they walked, they pondered Jesus’ statement.

“What do you think He meant by ‘My time is near?’”

“Peter, He confirmed to you He is the Son of God.
What does He mean?”

“Guys, a few days ago He said the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified after the Passover. Can that really happen to Jesus?”

The men fell into a contemplative silence as they walked and only the sounds of their sandals on the path filled the air. The questions recently voiced still echoed in their minds and they sorted through what they knew of God to try to answer them.

How could Jesus, the Son of God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be crucified?
The Lord had already proven His faithfulness to His people over and over again.
How could He abandon His very son?

The Lord heard Abraham’s cry for an heir in his old age. (Genesis 15:1-6)
He heard Sarah’s laughter and filled her womb. (Genesis 18:9-15)
He changed Israel’s name and made him a mighty nation. (Genesis 32:28)
He brought that nation out of captivity and fed them in the wilderness. (Exodus 16:1-16)

How could the God who demonstrated such compassion to an obstinate group of people allow His own son to be killed? 

Their questions unanswered, the disciples gained access to the upper room and prepared the Passover meal. Jesus soon reclined among them and confirmed their fears when He announced one of them would betray Him.
Death now rose to the forefront of their minds.
Jesus continued, saying what was written about Him would soon come to pass.

Tonight was Passover, every detail rooted in reminding its participants of the faithfulness of God. Every traditional food item had carefully been chosen, filled with symbolism of slavery and freedom found only because of Yahweh, the faithful God who had rescued them long ago.

The bread, the cup, the lamb, the hymns.
Every part was sacred.

“The ropes of death were wrapped around me,
and the torments of Sheol overcame me;
I encountered trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
‘Lord, save me!’”
(Hallel Psalm 116:3-4)

How could the Israelites cry out to God to be rescued from the cords of Sheol while Jesus would face those very bindings Himself?

The Son of God, destined to be bound by the cords of death? Unto what purpose?
Could the words of Isaiah 53 be true? By His bloody stripes, would His people be set free?

Could death truly be defeated?

As Jesus broke the bread and gave His disciples the wine, He said,
“For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-27)

A new covenant?
“Behold, I am making all things new”…
Isaiah 43:19

Each disciple held the cup in his hands for a moment and stared into the red depths.
“Poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins,” Jesus said (Matthew 26:28).
For their sins.
Each and every one of their sins,
for the Lord knows the thoughts and intentions of each heart.
A few hands became unsteady as they passed the cup to the next man.

“The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is compassionate.”
Hallel Psalm 116:5

Blood poured out for them.
The Lord’s rescue from death for them.
Their humanity and helplessness washed over them.
Struck with the sudden awareness Jesus knew all of their sins, they grappled with the perfect Son of God’s promise to pour out His blood to cover those sins.

“I was helpless, and he saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
For you, Lord, rescued me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.”
Hallel Psalm 116:6-8

Men may say truly living is to experience everything they possibly can under the sun, but in the solemnness of that moment with Christ, the disciples understood so much more existed. No physical entertainment could make them feel as known or valued.

They were staring into the eyes of the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
Because of this man, human flesh enveloping the full deity of God, the faithfulness of the divine Yahweh would be seen
and known
and experienced
by everyone willing to welcome Him.

“I will walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.”
Hallel Psalm 116:9

A low hum began as one of the disciples began singing the traditional Hallel hymns. Eventually all the men were singing, and a sweet, yet heavy presence, filled the space. They were encountering the Faithful One in a way they never had before as He prepared to give them the fullness of life through His own death.

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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 Hallel 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 Hallel!

Hallel Day 6 We Will Bless

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 115:9-18
John 13:21-38
Genesis 15:1-6
Revelation 19:4-10

Hallel, Day 6

“O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.

O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.

You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.”
(Psalm 115:9-11)

Our ears tingled as the somber song spilled over lips and filled the heavy air, reminding us to trust in Yahweh. Our bellies were full, but rather than the comfortable sated feeling we expected, every nerve reverberated with a tension we couldn’t quite explain.

Only moments ago, Judas had run from the room, practically upsetting the whole table in the process. There was a significance to be found there, but it was clear no one understood what it could be. Every word we sang resonated in our trembling hearts as minds spun to process what Yeshua had said.

What He was saying. 

“Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in himself and will glorify Him at once. Children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for Me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 

I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
(John 13:31-35)

Confusion reigned and dark eyes sought each other’s gaze in silent query.
What does He mean? Where is He going? Why did Judas flee so suddenly?

Our song continued.

“The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.

He will bless those who fear the Lord,
The small together with the great.”
(Psalm 115:12-13)

Simon Peter was first to ask the thought weighing on each of our spirits as we reclined around the room and listened to Teacher. “Lord, where are You going?”

Yeshua replied, but His words sparked more questions.
“Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”

The following exchange left us reluctant to ask anything more as we considered what we heard.

Peter would deny him thrice?
Simon Peter?
Peter, who leapt out into the stormy sea when he saw Yeshua walking on water?
Peter, who wanted to erect tabernacles to Yeshua, Moses and Elijah in Caesarea Philippi, the very epicenter of paganism in the land?
Peter, who only moments ago had boasted to our Lord that He might wash his head and hands, as well as his feet?  

Cold, unspeakable dread coiled in each belly as He continued to speak things which confounded us. What could Yeshua mean?  What was coming?

Our customary Hallel rang out again.

“May the Lord give you increase,
You and your children.
May you be blessed of the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.”
(Psalm 115:14-15)

And as He always did, He answered our thoughts as though they had been spoken aloud. His piercing, gentle gaze fell on one, then another.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 

You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 

I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me.
On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me.”
(John 14:27-31)

Night had fallen; the absence of the sun was fitting. As we made ready to leave together, we could not escape the sense of finality echoing in our footsteps. Yeshua’s indescribable voice was kind as He spoke about abiding in the vine, but His eyes held great sadness.

“The heavens are the heavens of the Lord,
But the earth He has given to the sons of men.
The dead do not praise the Lord,
Nor do any who go down into silence;
But as for us, we will bless the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Praise the Lord!”
(Psalm 115:16-18)

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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 Hallel 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 Hallel!