God’s Word

Sola Day 15 My Reformation

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 12:1-8 
Romans 10:14-15
Psalm 119:1-16

Sola, Day 15

Last fall, I began reading a biography on Martin Luther (and friends, by “read” I mean “listen to” because I’m a single mama to three little girls and … multitasking). I read about Luther proclaiming “Sola” truths, contradicting the Roman Catholic Church, and igniting a movement that would change history.

The reformation was monumental in church history, shaping even our churches today. Likewise, we each have the opportunity to undergo our own “mini-reformation” as we study Scripture and build our lives on the Solas of biblical faith.

How do we approach our “reformations”?
We ask vital questions about each Sola and see where we stand.
We examine whether we reject or accept the teachings of Scripture.

Let’s check-in with one another.
I will be honest as I answer, and I ask you to give yourself permission for complete honesty as well. No condemnation. Let’s just recognize where our hearts still need reformation.

Sola Scriptura: By Scripture Alone
The Bible is the sole infallible source of authority and the Word of God, and shall not be added to or taken from. It was written by men, but inspired by the Holy Spirit, and all truths we need for our spiritual lives are found in the Bible alone. 

Are we allowing the Bible to be our main source of wisdom and authority?
Do we seek wisdom elsewhere, first and most?
Whose words dictate what is right or wise?

Many books are written by Christians, but many who claim that title believe their own version of “God” rather than the God of the Bible, or they may twist truth just a bit so it makes us feel happier. Only by deeply knowing God’s Word are we able to discern genuine Scriptural truth.

So I ask, do we place more weight on Christian books or the Bible?
I’m in the middle of a wonderful book called “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.”
It’s phenomenal and I can’t recommend it enough!
But if I’m honest, some days, I’ve prioritized this book above the Bible.

How about you?
What’s your honest answer?

Sola Fide: By Faith Alone
We are saved through faith alone. We are neither covered by another’s faith, nor can we bargain our way to salvation. God will accept no bribe, because all we can offer are appearances of righteousness. The only acceptable offering to God is humble, honest faith, which is itself a gift from God.

If grace is God freely extending salvation by His hand, faith alone is our hand reaching out to touch His, accepting His gift.

Sola Fida enraged the Catholic church as it condemned their common practice of requiring penance and purchasing indulgences to reduce their punishment for sin.

Instead, Luther dared assert that even our very best efforts are sin-stained worthlessness before our utterly holy God. Only Jesus’ propitiatory death could pay the life-debt of our sins, and only our faith in Him connects us to the power of His resurrection to bring forgiveness for our sins.

So let’s do a little faith check-in, sisters.
Do you find yourself bargaining with God?

I’ve seen incredible growth in my faith over the last few years, but I’ve also been praying some big, hard, monumental prayers, and when it comes to these prayers? That faith waivers. I want to be sure my trust is in God alone, not in something feeble I try to offer Him as an exchange for what I want.

Have you ever attempted to manipulate God?

Sola Gratia: By Grace Alone
We are saved through God’s grace alone. There is nothing we could ever do to save ourselves.
Grace is God, who paid everything for our redemption, offering salvation to us for free. We cannot earn it. 

Sometimes, we do “good things” because we are trying to earn God’s favor. We believe by praying a certain way, or giving a certain amount, we somehow earn the smile of God.

I most often get caught in this trap with people; I equate the number of people who like me to the amount of grace God extends. It sounds silly as I type, but I said I’d be honest.

How about you?

Solus Christus: Through Christ Alone
Salvation is through Jesus Christ alone. There is no one else who can save. Jesus is fully God and fully man. 

Do you believe this?

The temptation is to give some authority to our own opinion or others in the Church? What if we modify the Jesus of the Bible to make Him more appealing or more tolerant? My temptation is to make Jesus less jealous for my heart than He actually is. I will choose to turn to books, music, or mind-numbing activities before turning to Christ.

How are you tempted to water down the Jesus of the Bible?

Soli Deo Gloria: For the Glory of God Alone
The work of salvation was done by God alone, therefore He alone receives glory. Any good fruit my life bears is due entirely to Christ’s lifeblood flowing within my veins.

But is it?
Or are we focused on our own glory?

When I lead worship, write Journey studies, or prepare a meal for friends, is it for my own glory, or for Him? Sometime last year, I did a heart-check on this topic and realized just how off I was. As I shared with a friend how part of me was engaging in these activities for self-glorifying reasons, she encouraged me to keep ministering, serving, and loving while asking God to transform my heart. Let’s ask for a heart like Jesus, who was focused completely on His Father receiving all glory.

How about you?

Sisters, it’s been a challenging three weeks on this study!
Let’s be encouraged by the growth we’ve experienced, but let’s also leave here challenged to live out the truths we’ve unpacked, allowing them to continue to reform our hearts just like they did Martin Luther and the Church of old.

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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!

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Sola Day 1 I Am A Hussite!

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 1:16-25
2 Timothy 1:8-18
Philippians 1:12-26

Sola, Day 1

I remember the first time I became enthralled with church history. The door was flung wide to the past with the words, “Let’s explore those on whose shoulders we stand.”

Curiosity gripped me, along with conviction.

Regrettably, I hadn’t considered anyone’s shoulders I had been privileged to stand on, aside from the biblical characters of the early church like Peter, Paul, and Silas. I hadn’t given much thought at all to how we, as the church, came to be today.

As I began reading a short book on church history, my curiosity for these brave men and women intensified. What became abundantly clear the more I studied was how regular and ordinary these people were. Yet, they moved through history with radical boldness fueled by the matchless power of the God who loves His Bride, the Church, and would protect her and fight for her at all cost.

Ordinary names.
Regular people.
Radical faith.
Extraordinary God.

Over the course of this 3-week Journey Theme, Sola, our intentions are to peek behind the curtains of history to see the face and faith of Luther the Reformer to understand why he fought so valiantly to identify and protect the five Solas. In so doing, we are praying a similar fire be lit in our own hearts as was present with Luther and countless other Christ-followers like him. Come with us, feel the shoulders on whom we stand, then turn and look in the mirror and ask what legacy we are building for the Church!

Luther’s monument in Worms, Germany (pronounced “verms”) literally stands on 4 pillars which represent the shoulders of 4 pre-reformers who cleared the way with their faith, their lives, and even their deaths, for Martin Luther to take his stand for the Church.

Peter Waldo (~1140-1218) was an unlikely reformer. A wealthy, confident, socialite in Lyons, France, had everything he wanted, but eventually, through life circumstances, became increasingly concerned on how to be saved. The Roman Catholic church held great power at this time, but there was little to no access to read the Scripture for oneself. Waldo was intent on doing exactly this, so hired two translators to copy Scripture from Latin to French so he could read it himself.
God’s Words pierced his heart.
Waldo repented of his love of self, gave up his wealth, and committed the rest of his life to translating Scripture from Latin to French so everyone in Europe could access truth for themselves. The more he studied Scripture, the more convicted he became that Catholic doctrine and practices weren’t aligned with God’s Word. Waldo was excommunicated from the Catholic church, but his efforts to re-take the solid ground of Scripture paved the way for Luther just over 300 years later.

John Wycliffe (1330-1384), often referred to as the Morning Star of the Reformation, had reform woven through every fabric of his being. Like Waldo, over 100 years prior, the more Wycliffe studied his Bible, the more he realized how far off course the Church had veered when it came to truth. An anchor was needed. A light must shine out like a lighthouse to call the Church back to the unshakeable truth of God’s Word. Once aflame with the passion of God’s conviction, Wycliffe would not be silenced. He outed the Catholic Church for the papacy, finding absolutely no support in Scripture for the role of the Pope. He argued passionately for Scripture’s authority of the Church, not the other way around. Finally, his most important preparation for the Reformation coming 200 years later centered around the widespread translation of the Latin Bible into English that everyone could read Scripture for themselves.

Thirty-one years later in 1415, at the Council of Constance, the deceased Wycliffe was declared a heretic. His body was exhumed, his bones were burned, and his ashes dumped into the River Swift. At this same Council, our third pre-reformer took his stand.

Jan Hus (1369-1415), whose last name means “goose” in Czech, was born in modern-day Czech Republic and his zeal for studying Scripture colored everything he did. Again, just like the other men we are studying today, what set him apart was not his bravado, his intelligence, or his position, rather it was simply his commitment to studying Scripture and applying it to real, everyday life. He refused to simply learn, Hus staked his life on the claims of the Bible. Hus witnessed the abuse of power by Roman Catholic popes. He saw the Church attempt to hold authority over Scripture, deciding their own truth along the way. He was reviled by it.
When given the opportunity to recant before the Council of Constance, Jan Hus declared with a power from the Holy Spirit living within him, “What I taught with my lips, I will now seal with my blood.” He did exactly that and was ordered to be burned at the stake. After his death sentence was given, Hus made his famous proclamation, “You may roast the goose, but a hundred years from now a swan will arise whose singing you will not be able to silence.” Hammer in hand, Luther nailed his 95-Theses to Wittenberg’s church door 102 years later. The swan had arrived, standing on the shoulders of the goose.

Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498), a fiery Italian friar, was incredibly intelligent with a keen talent for public speaking. He quickly rose in popularity as a public preacher after spending a good portion of his early years studying Scripture and committing it to memory. Savonarola passionately called for moral reform and blatantly condemned the Roman Catholic church for their abuse of Scripture. Savonarola’s zeal won him a death sentence by hanging and burning, but the sparks he lit with his passion would encourage Luther a mere 30 years later.

On April 17, 1521, much like Hus at the Council of Constance in 1415, Luther was called in at the Diet of Worms and ordered to recant his stance on the authority of Scripture and against the Roman Catholic Church. Luther asked for one day to consider, only to return the following day with these words,

“Your serene emperor and you illustrious princes and gracious lords, you demand a clear and direct answer; here it is, plain and unvarnished—I cannot and I will not recant.
My conscience is captive to the Word of God.
Here I stand. I can do no other.
God help me. Amen.”

Three months prior to his ultimate statement of deference to Scripture, Luther had declared during a debate with Johann Eck, the sharpest Roman Catholic debater,
“I Am A Hussite”.
Luther’s declaration to fully associate himself as standing on the shoulders of Jan Hus won him the title “heretic” and moved him to the Diet at Worms.

Graciously, God spared Luther’s life from burning or hanging for his unashamed stance on truth and he went on to continue encouraging the Church to return to Scripture, read it for themselves, and anchor herself on the teachings of God’s Word, centered around the Five Solas.

See, truth matters.
Each of these men had lived in a world where truth had become irrelevant and authority was glibly handed off to a select few, along with power and prestige. Here, the Church raced wildly towards preaching a powerless gospel that could save none while offering empty, meaningless tokens of self-righteousness in place of the all-sufficient saving sacrifice of Christ Jesus.

Today?
Truth?
What is truth?
It’s whatever we make it, isn’t it?
Relevant to circumstance.
And, I’d certainly better not impose my truth onto your truth.
How intolerant.

Just be good, right? (AKA self-righteous)
But as long as it’s your definition of good, and it doesn’t infringe on my definition.
God loves everyone, right? If there even is a God.
Sin?
Hell?
Not real, right?

Sisters, it’s time to stand strong again on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. It’s time to read our Bibles and abandon everything else for the sake of holding unswervingly to Scripture.

Maybe we need the five Solas more than we realize…

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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 Sola Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Neighbor Day 13 Wounded One

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 7:36-50
Luke 10:25-37
Romans 5:6-11

Neighbor, Day 13

“Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity”

These words from Hillsong’s “Hosanna” echoed from the walls of a small school cafeteria full of people seeking Jesus one bright, Palm Sunday morning.

God was already working in my heart before those words even left my mouth as I sang along.

The morning before, I’d run through my normal Saturday routine and headed to a nearby coffee shop to join some of the best women I know as we dove into God’s Word.

I happened to arrive a little early, so I ordered my breakfast and had a seat to kill some time.

Opening Facebook for what I thought would be a mindless scroll, I ran across an article about a 5-year-old boy who was thrown from the 3rd floor of the Mall of America by a random man. There wasn’t much information available, because authorities still were unclear on many details. Normally, I would read the article, think something like, “Oh that’s so sad” and move on, but for some reason, I was prompted to delve further.

I looked up several different articles and then unwittingly dove into the comments section on Facebook. People were commenting with prayers for the young boy and his family, for healing and peace and comfort. I was heartened to see the support pouring out for this family in their time of crisis.

Yet, what really struck me were the comments about the young man who’d allegedly thrown the boy. Comments abounded regarding what an evil person he was, and vengefully suggesting people violently take matters into their own hands. As I read, I felt convicted to pray for the accused man. So, throughout the rest of the day, I prayed.

The next morning, as our setup team for our little plant church gathered for prayer, I continued to feel burdened to pray for everyone involved in the tragedy. As I shared about how this man was God’s creation and needed healing and Jesus just as much as any of us, tears flowed uncontrollably from my eyes. The depth of my reaction surprised me, but I knew it was a sign of the Holy Spirit working within me.

The rest of the morning I was a mess, crying during prayer and as I spoke with others, all outward signs of God breaking my heart for what breaks His. Opening up my eyes to the things unseen. Showing me how to love like He has loved me.

Jesus spoke often on forgiveness and its power to completely change a person’s life; the parable of the man who was forgiven much in Luke 7 is an amazing example. If you’ve ever been subject to debt, imagine how grateful you would feel if it was completely paid at no expense to you. 

What if extravagant forgiveness was shown to the young man from the Mall Of America incident? What if, instead of all of those hateful, vengeful remarks, the comments were filled with words of compassion and forgiveness for this man? Imagine how his life might have changed.

None of us deserves forgiveness. Regardless of the ranking system we humans have erroneously developed for sin, all sin deserves God’s wrath. And yet through the death and resurrection of Jesus, forgiveness is ours. All of our debts, past present, and future are paid.

That man at the Mall of America could be any of us, one snap or mental health breakdown from wreaking havoc on another life, community, or ourselves.

So, before we are quick to condemn today, let’s ask ourselves if that person could use forgiveness.
If they could use love and an encouraging word instead of ridicule and condemnation.
If they need Jesus.
Because don’t we all?

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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!

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Sketched VI Day 8 Danielle

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 8:1-11
Ephesians 4:17-32
Zechariah 8:1-23

Sketched VI, Day 8

I grew up in the Kansas City, KS, metro area and was raised by my mom and stepdad as my mom and biological father had divorced when I was three.  My dad suffered from substance abuse and depression, and was physically and emotionally abusive, and also adulterous. However, once my mom remarried, my home life was safe, Christ-centered, very strict and structured.

My sister and I were enrolled in a Christian school during our elementary years. I made very close friends, had wonderful Sunday school teachers at church, where we attended weekly, and my parents lovingly taught us about Christ and our need for a Savior.

I gave my heart to Jesus when I was five years old. I still remember reading the prayer of salvation with my mom and little sister, found within a small paper booklet, and was so excited to have Jesus living in my heart! I have fond memories and was very happy for most of my early childhood days.

Around 12 years old, my stress level increased.
I started attending public school and lost contact with my biological father all together. Up until that time he had been fairly regular with our bi-weekly visits. I also became overly aware of how different I was growing up in an upper middle class, basically all-white community as a bi-racial youth. With all of these personal stressors spinning uncontrollably inside, I became highly anxious and easily worked up, all of which I took out on my parents.

In high school, I hung out with “popular kids” and dated older guys. I played club soccer year-around in addition to four years of varsity, and traveled for college showcases.
My need for perfectionism, approval, and obsessive tendencies began here.

Although I was very busy, I still made time to party, drink alcohol, and sneak out and smoke. My grades were excellent and I excelled at my sport, so my parents had no idea of my “weekend self”.  I was committed to this double life.

But the shame and guilt I carried as I walked into church each week eventually led me to stop attending youth group and push away my wonderful, God-loving friends.
I no longer fit in. 

My collegiate years were much the same with a hyper-focus on getting all A’s, while also intent on being the best party and sorority girl.
This was what I was good at, being the “fun friend.”
My double life was in high-gear and I made no attempt to refocus my life on Christ as Sundays were spent recovering from the weekend.
In my freshman year of college, I began dating my now-husband, Ben. After college, Ben was drafted and my double-life habits continued.
I was the best at my job, but also the best party girl.

With Ben gone, I was too lonely and full of shame every weekend, laying around feeling sick from partying, to face the truth.
I needed Christ, or I would never be happy.
Ever.

Which I knew!
Believe me, those parents who raised me in the church would constantly remind me, pray for me, and beg God to change my hardened heart.

Fast forward.

Ben and I married, and years later I became pregnant with Hart, my oldest.
Having a son completely broke me, bringing me to my knees.
I wanted my child to know Christ and be raised in a house full of His love like I had been.

For years, I had slammed the door on the Holy Spirit.
I screamed at myself to make better decisions, to get back into church, to repent.
At last, I turned back.
And I was restored! 
Finally.

My first Bible study was with my mom over phone and email, as we still lived states apart.
I began PRAYING to be more loving to my spouse and to crave reading God’s Word.

Slowly through the work of God’s renewing Holy Spirit, I began climbing out of the body I was had been living in, and hating. I was morphing into the woman He always wanted me to be; Christ was making me new! I was connected with Him, deeply loved, and learning to find my worth in God instead of my own performance.

God wonderfully took the YEARS I’d wasted living in sin and completely washed them away.  He freed me from the shame of my lifestyle, the guilt of my decisions, and the sense that I could never go back to Christ because I was too far from Him.
He freed me fearing of what people (“friends”) would think about me for changing core aspects of me. I realize now He will use the rest of my life to keep remaking me and influencing others for His glory!

My life is an on-going, amazing testimony of His gracious hand.
Although I wasted much, the best is yet to come! 

When jealousy pops up for those who have been in communion with Christ or serving Him since their youth, I’m reminded that God wastes nothing, even when I wasted much while chasing worthless idols and focusing on myself.

My decision to follow Christ has blessed every part of my life; it is made all the sweeter as I enjoy His pleasures in stark contrast to the darkness I thought would satisfy me.
Through fellowshipping with other believers, Ben and I have been baptized and blessed with a wonderful support system.

God used the hardest valleys to make me stronger and grow my faith. I know God has had His hands on every part of my very imperfect story.

You know that person who FINALLY finds Christ as an adult?
That person who is on fire and can’t fully even explain it most times?
That’s me!
I can’t wait to see what else Jesus has in store for this restored, remade sinner!

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

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 Sketched VI 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 Sketched VI!

Worship V Day 4 How Deep The Father’s Love: 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 How Deep The Father’s Love!

The Questions

1) Who are the persons referred to as “Every family in heaven and on earth” in verse 15?

2) In this intercessory prayer, what purposes is Paul praying for the Ephesian believers?

3) How are these lofty purposes realized?

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16 I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Original Intent

1) Who are the persons referred to as “Every family in heaven and on earth” in verse 15?   
The concept of family is extremely important in the Bible, both physically and theologically. Jesus makes it very clear that in the kingdom of Heaven, the most important family connection is spiritual, not physical. In Matthew 12:46-50, He uses “family language” to describe the connection God intended for Believers to share with each other and the Lord. “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother…”
Of course, we understand “family” as a group of persons sharing a common father. Jesus directed His prayers to God the Father and He taught us to do the same. It is to “our Father God” Paul directs his prayers on behalf of those who are members of the family in Christ. Those who have received the “Spirit of His Son“ evidenced by calling Him “Abba! Father!”. (Galatians 4:6)
The family referenced in verse 15, therefore, are all those who are a new creation in Christ. This family is The Global Church consisting of all who call upon the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. This family is drawn from “every nation, tribe, people, and language”. (Revelation 7:9) A defining characteristic of this spiritual family is love one for another which John writes, “A new command I give you, love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples if you love one another.”

2) In this intercessory prayer, what purposes is Paul praying for the Ephesian believers?
Paul prays for the church to know, in a deeply intimate and experiential way, the vast love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge. He prays this on their behalf in order for them to be fulfilled and overflowing with all the fullness of God. This deep knowing of Christ’s love is at the pinnacle of Paul’s prayer. Before this peak, Paul first prays for the Ephesians to be strengthened in their deep “heart” places within through the Holy Spirit. This strengthening leads to an ever-increasing faith for everyday living, which produces this pinnacle lens through which we are able to grasp in continuously greater degrees the vast richness of Christ’s love. (Ephesians 3:18)
Paul couches this precious exposition in the context of harmonious unity. This experience of Christ’s love explodes when the Global Church (all believers) live and grow together, going steadily deeper into understanding who Christ is through the Holy Spirit’s revealing power.

3) How are these lofty purposes realized?
In verses 14-19, Paul points to the source of a believer’s growth being the strength-imparting Spirit of Christ who dwells within every Christ-follow as teacher (John 14:26), comforter, and counselor (John 14:16). The Holy Spirit enables believers to flourish in an ever increasing, never complete, realization of the love of God the Father. The pathway of growth is discovered through prayer, faith, and submission to God’s revelation found in Scripture. The more we are willing to go deeper in trusting the Spirit of God living and active within us, the more we will discover, with awe and wonder, the glorious riches of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord! None of Paul’s prayed for purposes are possible apart from the work of God the Spirit; we cannot do it on our own strength or determination. He works in the believer’s heart and, in the process of our growth, obedience, and humble submission, He brings glory in the Church and to all generations for the sake of His Name! (verses 20-21)

Everyday Application

1) Who are the persons referred to as “Every family in heaven and on earth” in verse 15?   
The physical family is the most important building block in human society and should be nurtured and protected. When we are born again in Jesus, we are birthed into a spiritual family and are adopted as God’s children and He is our Father. (Romans 8:15)
The spiritual family is not bound or described by ethnicity, gender, or social standing. As Paul says, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed , and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29)

2) In this intercessory prayer, what purposes is Paul praying for the Ephesian believers?
New Testament scholar and author of several commentaries, William Hendriksen, writes, “God is glorious in all His attributes, His power, His infinite Love, His mercy, His grace, His wisdom (…) Paul prays that all of God’s attributes be richly applied to those who are followers of Jesus Christ”. Hendriksen emphasizes how God’s character is embedded, nurtured, and grown to flourish within the heart of every believer through the work of the Holy Spirit when a person chooses to accept Christ as Lord of their life.
Just as Paul prayed for the Ephesians, so should we pray for one another within this family called Church as brothers and sisters, all children of our Father God. To know Christ deeply and experience His love, we begin with simple faith. Faith to receive Christ, faith to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit as He leads us deeper, and faith to continue leaning into the character of this God who calls us Beloved.
Let the Spirit of Christ transform in glorious ways!
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) Be made new! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old has passed away; behold the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

3) How are these lofty purposes realized?
EASY! Well, probably not easy, but the process is simple and uncomplicated; the choice rests on us whether we will follow or not.
We begin with the knowledge that God’s Word, the Bible, is what we hang on to daily for wisdom and guidance and is the means by which the Holy Spirit transforms us and makes us new. The psalmist writes, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) This Word of God is for real, everyday life!
In verse 14, Paul notes, “I bend my knees to the Father”.  It is in honor to be welcomed into the presence of the Almighty God! Submission and worship to God the Father is the heart attitude allowing us to draw close to Him through faith. The more we give ourselves over to studying His Word and listening to the Spirit, the deeper faith will root our lives. As we lean into the Father, He grows our understanding of just how deep, high, wide, and long is His love for us as His children. His love is limitless!
Don’t let another day pass before becoming more intentional in your faith walk with God. Whether you have never asked Jesus to be your Lord, or if you’ve been trusting Him more every day for the last 80 years, keep on growing! There is more the Lord wants you to discover about His love! Read His Word. Pray continuously, all day in all situations. Worship God as Father, Son, and Spirit, praising Him for His plan to grow us, root us, and delight to show us His love! “Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children; walk in love just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with How Deep The Father’s Love!

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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This is Worship V Week One!
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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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Awaken Day 15 Soul Song

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119
Psalm 34:8-10
Isaiah 55:10-11
Psalm 150

Awaken, Day 15

God awakened me to the life-giving nature of His Word during a low season physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  My journey to wholeness and healing involved a combination of common graces such as food, exercise, medication, friendships, counseling, and sleep. However, the foundational truth God showed me is that His Word is my very life.

Far from being a band-aid, His Word became a soul-companion
walking with me through challenge, pain, difficulty,
temptation, joy, blessing, and doubt.

Index cards of truth were stashed in my purse,
providing a quick intake of truth while waiting in the check-out line.
Songs of truth were kept in the car for long drives, defending my mind against preoccupation with lies or despair.
Settling into a daily reading plan of His Word with purpose and intention was transforming into a lifeline, and not just something to check off.
Reading the Scriptures and thoughtfully meditating on them made me want more.
I tasted and saw through His Word, that God is good, (Psalm 34:8).

The author of Psalm 119 takes us along his own journey of tasting and seeing (verse 103), in his tribute to God’s Word.  He wants us to understand that to encounter the One true God, we must turn to His own Words for life.

HIS WORD IS TRUTH
The psalmist uses all kinds of language throughout the chapter to affirm his position on God’s Word. However, when verse 160 comes around toward the end, it acts much like a thesis declaring, “The sum of Your Word is truth”.

God’s Word is the standard and plumb line (Isaiah 28:17). It tells me what is true, and brings clarity when I’m foggy, tempted, confused or simply ignorant. In a complimentary way, Psalm 107 gives a dramatic look at the war being waged in the heart of one seeking out truth in the wrong places. When the people finally “cried to the Lord in their trouble”, “He sent out his word and healed them” (verse 19-20).

HIS WORD IS PROTECTION
The instructions of God are guardrails on a dangerously high bridge, like boundaries on a forest trail and bright lines on a busy highway. The psalmist pleads in verses 9-11, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Verse 133 similarly says, “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me”

I’m so grateful for the psalmist’s example!
He’s honest about our frail human nature easily lured away and deceived by sin. Obeying God’s Word is not a badge for the pious – no! It’s a weapon for the one who understands their capacity to sin, and clings to the Word to guard her heart (verse 176)!

HIS WORD GIVES HOPE
Consider how the psalmist conveys hope in God’s Word:
“Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” (verses 49-50)

“If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction” (verse 92)

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” (verse 114)

God intends our suffering to drive us to Him, His Word, and lean on His promises.
Psalm 143 exemplifies how David’s suffering sent him running to God and clinging to the promises in His Word. Our suffering may come by evil hands or hearts, but affliction teaches and points us to the unwavering character of God (119:71).

Humility Asks for Help
Knowing the value of God’s Word is critical, but a humble position is prerequisite to even this.  Over and over the psalmist asks for help to see, understand and keep God’s law.  Yes, he declares trust in and belief that God’s Word is perfect, yet in the same breath,
he asks for help to keep believing and following it.
Plenty of times! (verses: 12, 17, 27, 34, 36-37, 43, 66, 73,117, 135,169).
This carries the same posture of the father in Mark 9:24 who says, “I believe, help my unbelief!”

How comforting it is to know that we can
firmly declare truth while acknowledging we have not arrived at perfection.
We do not yet fully believe all we should,
and we need His constant help to keep believing and walking in God’s ways.

When we rightly see ourselves in great need, and see God for who He is, Majestic King, Compassionate Shepherd, and Mighty Lord, we will respond with praise and exaltation.
We see a beautiful example of this in the completion of the Psalms in chapters 146-150, (written for the dedication of the second temple.)

Just as the author of Psalm 119 consistently declares,
let us also taste and see God’s Word as our very life.
Not for a badge, but for a vision of who God is and what is true.
This will propel our hearts and lives to cry out,
“Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
praise Him according to His excellent greatness!” (Psalm 150:2)

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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 Awaken Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Awaken!

Incorruptible Day 3 Worth It

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Peter 1:3-9
Ruth 1:6-22
James 1:2-3
Matthew 5:10-12

Incorruptible, Day 3

This Christian walk is challenging.
It’s scary and sometimes down right crazy.

I remember when my parents told me we were leaving our home country and moving to the US. I was shocked, terrified and downright upset.

How could my parents take me from the life I knew,
and the family I loved, to go to a strange place?
A place where I had no friends or family?

I remember asking them why and their answer will forever stay in my mind,
“We are Christians and we need to leave the comfortable life
we have been living to study God’s word.”

When we arrived, I remember feeling like an outsider, unable to understand the dialogue.
I remember being picked on and people telling me that I was an alien.
Kids made fun of my Bahamian lunches and my accent.
They also poked fun at the fact that I was a product of a mixed-race couple.

Why would my parents bring me to a place like this?
A place where we were outcasts and denied the “joys of life”?

They had a greater hope.
A hope that what Christ had to offer in the long term,
was greater than the temporal struggles.
This hope was worth their endurance.

The lesson I was learning from my parents, was the same one Peter taught.
He encouraged believers to endure through intense persecution in order that the testing their faith would reap heavenly reward and inexpressible joy.
Peter wrote described our hope in Christ as being greater
because our reward is heavenly not worldly.

During this time in history, there were a lot of people facing legal and social backlash from their communities for following Christ.
The cost to follow was Jesus was extremely high.
Yet, Peter reminded them, though their earthly rewards were slim to none, they could trust in the truth that they had an incorruptible inheritance.
The eternal reward freely given to those who call Jesus Lord surpasses anything Peter’s brothers and sisters or you and I could receive on this earth whether in material possessions or relational gain.

Today, believers are ridiculed and mocked for claiming the name of Christ,
yet we are told to endure.

Why?
Because the living hope of Jesus is worth our endurance

God has given us this truth in His Word.
“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

Around 1300 BC, a woman named Ruth steadfastly endured in the face of heartache
because of eternal hope.
Ruth chose to return to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law after losing her husband.
She was a foreigner in a new place, yet she said to her mother-in-law,
“Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.”

Ruth faced poverty because of her ethnicity,
yet God was faithful to provide.

Through physical eyes she had nothing,
but through spiritual eyes she was blessed beyond measure.
Eventually, she became the great grandmother of King David through whom the Eternal King Jesus would be born.

She clung to a greater hope. She endured. She was blessed.

Christians are spiritual foreigners in this world, just as my family and Ruth were physical foreigners. The United States wasn’t my home, Bethlehem wasn’t Ruth’s,
and this temporal world is not ours.
Heaven is.

We are called to be set apart;
to be in the world but not of the world.

Just as my cultural differences where very obvious to the people around me,
the differences in believers’ lives should also be exceedingly obvious.

James says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)

While I lived in Virginia, I saw God’s miraculous hand of protection and provision.
When we did not know where our next meal was coming from,
boxes of food would show up on our door step.
When we had no money to pay my school fees,
we received notifications that the fees had been paid by anonymous donors.
My faith was tested and it grew.

Being a foreigner was difficult, but the spiritual benefits were so much greater.
Eternal hope was worth the endurance.

In my life now, those gifts that God blessed me with during difficult times
are the gifts I rely on in the good times, how sweet is that?
He takes us through the fire and we come out pure!
Sisters, this is a truth we must embed in our hearts!

We must remember as believers, as Sisters in Jesus,
that we don’t need to move to another country to be considered foreigners.
If we claim the name of Jesus, we are spiritual foreigners.
We will suffer and face trials for naming that Name.
Yet, be reminded: suffering for His name is considered sweet suffering, because the rewards it produces are much greater than gold.

So, Ladies let’s cling to greater hope!
Let’s endure!
Together!

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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 Incorruptible 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 Incorruptible!

Pause 2, Day 1 Follow The Light

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Pause 2, Day 1

We picked our way down a narrow footpath,
the golden beam of the flashlight bobbing ahead of us a few paces.
It illuminated the dirt path just enough for me to take my next few steps and catch the glint of critters’ eyes in the underbrush.

I focused my attention on the footfall of my guide and tightly clutched my yellow flashlight,
for it was my lifeline, lighting my path through the dark woods.

I stepped carefully forward on the path before me and recalled the words of the psalmist:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

God’s word is a lamp, just like my trusty flashlight. It lights my path enough for the next few steps.
But why?
Why would God hand me a flashlight rather than a floodlight?
It would certainly be easier for me if He emailed me a list each day, or handed me a portfolio for the year to come.

But suppose the Almighty God valued relationship 
over facts, “to do lists”, and manufactured obedience?
Suppose what He wanted most was for our hearts to trust His?

Trust is developed through relationship.
Deeper relationship is developed through deeper trust.
A floodlight would illuminate the pathway, making it simple to get from “Point A” to “Point B”.
It would be efficient, would require very little trust, and very little relationship.
A flashlight, however, requires both trust and relationship.
To stay on track, flashlight in hand, I must stay close to my guide and follow the light.  

I stay close to my guide, carefully watching His footfall, listening to His breathing and for the sound of His voice; we begin walking in rhythm without even trying.
We begin enjoying the journey together.  

Whether your journey today is dark and ominous or carefree and delightful,
God’s Word is the intended light for our path. 

As we Pause from our regular rhythm of Journey Studies at Gracefully Truthful,
we invite you pause with us.
Linger with His Word.
Readjust your eyes to His light and re-center the trajectory of your everyday life and relationships
to the gentle cadence of His whispers.  

When we bare our souls, wrestle with truth and its application to our real-life situations,
something holy and beautiful is born,
and we learn how to follow the light.  

Yes, trust, Sisters.
Even when we hear nothing but the crunch of His footfall and steady rhythm of His holy breath.
Yes, trust, Sisters.
Even when we see nothing but the golden glow of truth illuminating the path
and His silhouette proceeding, beckoning us onward.

We step forward in faith to follow the light.
As we do, we will find ourselves falling into His rhythm and gasping in awe
as we share the coolness of the night with the Ancient of Days.

Pause.
Linger.
Light is here!

Today's Challenge

1) Read Psalm 119:97-105 and Psalm 119:27-59 and answer these 3 questions in your journal:
a) What do these verses tell me about God and His character?
b) What do these verses tell me about others and the world around me?
c) What do these verses tell me about me and my heart?

2) Close your time by praying for these truths to take root in your heart and for the Holy Spirit to remind you and teach you more about these things today.

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Psalm 119:97-105

How I love your instruction!
It is my meditation all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are always with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers
because your decrees are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the elders
because I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
to follow your word.
102 I have not turned from your judgments,
for you yourself have instructed me.
103 How sweet your word is to my taste—
sweeter than honey in my mouth.
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every false way.
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet
and a light on my path.

Psalm 119:27-59

Help me understand
the meaning of your precepts
so that I can meditate on your wonders.
28 I am weary from grief;
strengthen me through your word.
29 Keep me from the way of deceit
and graciously give me your instruction.
30 I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set your ordinances before me.
31 I cling to your decrees;
Lord, do not put me to shame.
32 I pursue the way of your commands,
for you broaden my understanding. 

33 Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your statutes,
and I will always keep them.
34 Help me understand your instruction,
and I will obey it
and follow it with all my heart.
35 Help me stay on the path of your commands,
for I take pleasure in it.
36 Turn my heart to your decrees
and not to dishonest profit.
37 Turn my eyes
from looking at what is worthless;
give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm what you said to your servant,
for it produces reverence for you.
39 Turn away the disgrace I dread;
indeed, your judgments are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
Give me life through your righteousness. 

41 Let your faithful love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, as you promised.
42 Then I can answer the one who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take the word of truth from my mouth,
for I hope in your judgments.
44 I will always obey your instruction,
forever and ever.
45 I will walk freely in an open place
because I study your precepts.
46 I will speak of your decrees before kings
and not be ashamed.
47 I delight in your commands,
which I love.
48 I will lift up my hands to your commands,
which I love,
and will meditate on your statutes. 

49 Remember your word to your servant;
you have given me hope through it.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction:
Your promise has given me life.
51 The arrogant constantly ridicule me,
but I do not turn away from your instruction.
52 Lord, I remember your judgments from long ago
and find comfort.
53 Rage seizes me because of the wicked
who reject your instruction.
54 Your statutes are the theme of my song
during my earthly life.
55 Lord, I remember your name in the night,
and I obey your instruction.
56 This is my practice:
I obey your precepts. 

57 The Lord is my portion;
I have promised to keep your words.
58 I have sought your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I thought about my ways
and turned my steps back to your decrees.

How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 2 weeks, we will provide you with a simple challenge. Each challenge is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.

3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!

4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.

5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!

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 Pause 2 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 Pause 2!

Dwell Day 1 Resting In His Promises

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119:1-12
Psalm 119:33-38 
Psalm 119:169-176

Dwell, Day 1

I am not a morning person.
I’m also not a night person.
Anybody else a middle-of-the-day person like me? 

Regardless of my three-cup-of-coffee, loving-the-lunch-time-grind, kinda’ gal,
I intentionally choose quiet, early mornings.
Why?
Time with the Lord before the craziness of the day begins.

I’ve come to cling to these times in the morning when the house is silent, everyone is asleep, and I get to welcome the presence of God into my living room. On days when I choose to sleep in or don’t get that precious time as a kick-starter, it throws me off.

I need
that time; just He and I.

Taking time to sit, meditate, and dwell on Scripture allows the Holy Spirit to speak to us all throughout the beautiful tapestry of the Bible. Consistent time devoted to reading and studying Scripture will equip us to live in purity, victory, and intimacy with God.

As we flip through the Psalms, we watch a transformation happen with the authors. They walk through highs and lows,
poor decisions and the results thereof,
as well as victories and celebrations.
The Psalmists knew the power of God’s word.

The author of Psalm 119 beautifully proclaims truths of God and His character.
With elegant strokes, the psalmist paints an
elaborate picture of the
priceless treasure
that is dwelling daily in God’s Word.
It gives us instructions on how to live a prosperous life devoted to the Lord.

“I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”
Psalm 119:11

Hiding His word in our heart looks a lot like memorizing Scripture and thinking on it throughout the day. As we memorize more Scripture, hiding it in our hearts, the Holy Spirit will use those verses to remind us of solid truth in desperate moments when we need to hear God.
When we daily put into practice what God’s Word teaches us,
we will soon move from memorizing words on a page
to forming life-changing habits in our everyday life!

In these real-life-moments, those small choices to spend time in His Word
shape our future.

For example, I’ve hidden Psalm 141:3 in my heart:
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

The Holy Spirit often reminds me of His ways when that person cuts me off on the highway, is rude to our children in the grocery, or posts that comment on social media.
Ask me how many times I’ve prayed that prayer!   

This daily discipline of studying and dwelling in God’s Word
is crucial for rich, intimate, growing life with God! 

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your word.”
Psalm 119:9

David was called “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14),
not because he was perfect,
but because he was repentant in his heart.
He longed for the things of God.
He knew the power of God’s word.
He knew that abiding by God’s laws were the pathway of real life.

“Be good to Your servant while I live, that I may obey Your word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.”
Psalm 119:17-18

When we pray, let’s pray God would open our eyes to see as He sees.
His perspective.
His path.
His truth.

“Teach me, Lord, the way of Your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep Your law and obey it with all of my heart.”
Psalm 119:33-34

Lord, we pray for understanding!
When life doesn’t seem to make sense, teach us to choose to yield to Your wisdom and understanding above our own.

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
Psalm 119:50

We can rest in God’s promises all the days of our lives because His word says He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
Therefore, when we find promises from Him in His word,
we can rest assured they are true.

David, shepherd, king, psalmist, and follower of God,
clung to the power of God’s Word.
He “meditated on it day and night.” Psalm 1:2 

For some, morning isn’t the most ideal time to spend with Jesus. If this is you, try making time in the afternoon or evening to get away with God, even if it’s only for a few minutes.  God longs to be found by His children!

Another option is to post notes throughout your house reminding you to pray or memorize Scripture as you’re doing dishes, folding laundry, or getting ready in the morning.

That’s the beautiful thing about a relationship with God: it can happen anywhere!
Let’s be women who cling to Jesus.
Women who dwell deeply with Him through His Word.
Women who rely fully on His faithful, sustaining strength to get us through each day.
Women who rest in His promises!

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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 Dwell 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 Dwell!