purpose

Creed Day 10 Holy Spirit

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 1:1-2
John 14:15-26
John 16:5-15
Romans 8:1-17
Acts 2:1-21

My first cognitive experience with Holy Spirit involved the well-loved children’s church hero, Gospel Bill (also known as Bill Gunter, US Marshal) and the little town of Dry Gulch…but not in the manner you might think.

The little church I grew up in (along with pretty much every other church in the late 80’s and early 90’s) loved the Christian television series put on by Willie George Ministries. The shows were kind of hokey sometimes, but the messages were solid and the heart behind them was clear. I was 9 (going on 19), and was so excited to join my private school counterparts for a week of Dry Gulch camp. The bus ride to Oklahoma was long and full of pre-teen drama, antics, annoying songs, and laughter. One bus breakdown and several long hours later, we finally arrived! We were quickly bustled off to our cabins to meet our pretty counselors and new BFF’s for the week, and we settled into the rhythms that any former summer camp-goer would recognize.

That week’s focus was all about Holy Spirit (or “Holy Ghost” as they called Him.) Our chapels, cabin meetings, prayer focuses, projects… Everything all revolved around Him. I knew something of Holy Spirit from sermons and classes at church, but He had never really felt real to me up to that point. One day, I remember hearing the speaker talk about praying in the Spirit and how we don’t always know what is going on, but that we must take notice, listen to Him and respond to His lead every time He is working in us. I don’t really remember the exact words or even any Scripture references the speaker gave, but later that afternoon, I felt an overwhelming urge to pray. I didn’t know why or for whom I was praying, but the urgency left me breathless and weeping. It felt as though I were pleading for someone’s very life. The other girls who were in my cabin at the moment were understandably worried and called for our counselors. The gravity of whatever was happening was apparent, and soon all present joined me in prayer for some time. Eventually, I felt a vivid sense of release from Holy Spirit, and we resumed our schedule for the day.

A day or so later, I learned that during the hour my cabin mates and I were urgently praying, my dad had been in a head on car collision in another state. The tiny Toyota he was driving at the time was completely demolished. One glance at that crushed little car would convince anyone that he shouldn’t have survived. He suffered nearly a dozen broken bones, including a broken neck, but God spared him.

The incredible reality and gravity of that experience left me with no doubt about Holy Spirit’s presence, power and purpose in our lives, but He is not always the easiest to describe. As we explore our Creed, let’s examine our own understanding and expectation of who Holy Spirit is, what He does and what He can do.

So who is Holy Spirit? What does He do, exactly?
He is fully God. He is Triune, three in one, with Father and Son, Jesus.
He is our Comforter. He quiets us when our lives seem tumultuous and we feel tossed about.
He is our Truthsayer. He opens our hearts and spirits to understand the Word.
He is our Teacher. He reveals all things to us.
He is our Memory-keeper. He reminds us of Jesus’ words and God’s promises.
He is our Convicter. He alone sparks conviction in the hearts of men and women.
He is the Spirit of Adoption. Through Him we become children of God and co-heirs with Christ.
He is our Freedom. He breaks us free from the desires of the flesh.
He guides us in all truth.
He speaks to us on God’s authority.
He glorifies Jesus in all He does.
He enables us to set our minds on life and peace.
He lives in us.
He shoulders our weakness and is our strength.
He intercedes for us when we don’t know how or what to pray.
He brings forth good fruit in our lives.

Does He live in every person?
No. We are not born with Holy Spirit inside us. When we confess our sinful nature, acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Savior, and repent of our sins, Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside us. This is the only way a person can receive Him. He is far more than an internal compass between right and wrong, although He does convict us when we sin.

What about children who accept Christ? Does He dwell in them, too?Yes, absolutely! The full and complete Holy Spirit indwells every single Christian, regardless of age, race, gender or any other factor. Every person in whom He dwells has access to all of Him. The 8 year old little boy in the pew next to you who accepted Christ yesterday has every bit as much of Holy Spirit in Him as the octogenarian who has given her life to Jesus every day for the past 80+ years. This forgiveness and adoption of each one, fully and completely, is the miracle of salvation.

If He is part of the Triune God, why is Holy Spirit basically nonexistent until the New Testament?
The short answer is…well, He isn’t. In fact, He is present from the very start.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2, NLT, emphasis mine)

Before the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, Holy Spirit functioned in a completely different manner than He does now. Prior to Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, Holy Spirit did not dwell within every believer. He would rest on certain individuals for a time, in order to bring about a specific purpose… but His indwelt Presence was not automatic for every person.
This is why the riveting picture we see painted in Acts is vitally important to our creed.

Until that moment in time, Holy Spirit’s personal Presence was far more the exception than the rule.
When He came like a rushing wind on the disciples at Antioch, He obliterated every preconception we had about Him.

Just as the King of Kings chose to come as a baby, confusing all who expected a warrior King, Holy Spirit chose to break the “mold” we had seen demonstrated throughout history. Rather than resting on a select few, He chose to become equally accessible to each and every one of us, both then and now.

If we have accepted Christ, the same Holy Spirit whose power:

flooded the upper room full of believers and gave them a miraculous ability to speak other languages,
produced tongues of fire suspended over their heads in midair,
defeated the grave and brought Jesus back to life

DWELLS IN US.

You and me, friend. And His power NEVER diminishes.

Okay, so what does that mean for me? How does/can His presence within me affect my daily life?
Well, that means that when we surrender our hearts, minds and lives to Holy Spirit’s sovereignty (He is part of the Godhead, three-in-one, remember?), we are releasing our grip on our lives and allowing Holy Spirit to move through us as He desires.

Sometimes that looks like paying for a stranger’s coffee when prompted. Sometimes that looks like denying ourselves something we want in favor of giving where He nudges. Sometimes that looks like swallowing our doubt or fear and boldly sharing the word of knowledge He impresses on our hearts. Sometimes that looks like praying in the Spirit for reasons unknown. And sometimes, that looks like walking in our identity, accepting the authority He gives us and healing hurt and broken people in His Name.

As we reflect over our Creed and what we believe about Holy Spirit today, perhaps we should also examine how we are walking out the identity we have in Him. Are we declaring His sovereignty in our lives and hearts each day and owning the authority He gives us, or are we choosing to ignore His leading when we start to feel uncomfortable?

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Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Creed Week Two! 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?
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Creed Day 2 Salvation & Justification: Digging Deeper

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

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

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s
Journey Study?
Check out Salvation & Justification!

Romans 5:1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Questions

1) Why does chapter five start with therefore? What has Paul said in the previous verses or chapter that he is referring to in this chapter?

2) What does it mean to be “justified by faith”?

3) What does the word peace mean in this verse?

The Findings for Intention

1) Why does chapter five start with therefore? What has Paul said in the previous verses or chapter that he is referring to in this chapter?
It is important to remember this was a letter written to a group of people. It did not have chapter breaks and verses in its original form. Paul has given an argument in the previous verses. He stated in the previous chapter that having a steadfast belief in God and all that He did/does, counts us as righteous! We are no longer under the penalty of sin. Paul is saying because of this truth, because we have been justified by our faith, by our belief, we have peace with God through Jesus.

2) What does it mean to be “justified by faith”?
Justified means that the cost of our sin was death, but when we believe in Jesus, (ie: put our faith in Him), Jesus pays the cost and we are no longer owe a sinner’s debt. Rather, having a new life, we are free from that penalty. We are no longer separated and apart from God, but rather it is “just as if I” never sinned.

3) What does the word peace mean in this verse?
It is simple to use resources like www.studylight.org to find the original translation of a word. “Peace” in this verse means, “the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.”

The Everyday Application

1) Why does chapter five start with therefore? What has Paul said in the previous verses or chapter that he is referring to in this chapter?
Therefore, since we do have faith, we have peace. A life apart from God, with little to no belief or faith in anything other than this world, gives no comfort or direction. The peace found in a rightness with the Lord gives hope and purpose. We can trust that Jesus’ words are true, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

2) What does it mean to be “justified by faith”?
The most important decision that anyone will ever make is to follow Christ. Apart from Christ, we are lost in sin and darkness. Apart from Christ we are on the hook for a debt we cannot afford in our humanity, let alone pay in full. God pursues us with the ransom paid, but we have to be willing to accept. We must make the choice to put our faith in Him. Justification comes when we realize we need Jesus and we cannot save ourselves.

3) What does the word peace mean in this verse?
Peace seems so elusive. It is something that so many long for, yet few find because they are looking in all the wrong places. True peace comes not with the absence of physical war but when we are spiritually right with God and relent to His control of our lives. There are times when God seems silent and peace seems fleeting, but as believers, we have full assurance that “we are more than conquerors” and “nothing can separate us from the love of God.” Romans 8:37-39

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I Can Do That!

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

The Community!

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

The Tools!

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

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

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

The Why!

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

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

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

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

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

Borders Day 7
Seeing Hungry Souls: Digging Deeper

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

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

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s
Journey Study?
Check out Seeing Hungry Souls!

Colossians 3:1-4 English Standard Version (ESV)

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The Questions

1) Who is the command in verse 1 directed to?

2) What is the command that is given in these verses?

3) What is the reason behind the command?

4) What is the future result?

The Findings for Intention

1) Who is the command in verse 1 directed to?
The phrase “you have been raised with Christ” tells us to whom this passage is directed. Those who have been raised with Christ are those who have put their faith in Jesus as their Savior. This command is directed at believers.

2) What is the command that is given in these verses?
The command is to “seek the things that are above” and “set your mind on things that are above.” The idea here is to be heavenly minded—to think about the eternal, rather than the temporal (earthly things). The things of this world will pass away, and only the Word of God and the souls of people will endure. Therefore, Paul urges believers not to be caught up in the temporary, earthly things.

3) What is the reason behind the command?
The word “for” at the beginning of verse 3 indicated that Paul is about to give a reason for the command in the previous verses. Paul says that “you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” This means that a Christian has died to sin, died to her former way of living that was controlled by a sinful nature. She is now secure in her reconciled relationship to God, through the work of Jesus Christ. This changes everything, including what we focus on.

4) What is the future result?
Verse 4 is talking about the future, when Christ returns at His second coming. When Christ appears, believers will also appear with Him, in our sinless, glorified state. This is the unbelievable future that we have to look forward to!

The Everyday Application

1) Who is the command in verse 1 directed to?
So many promises and commands in the Bible are given, not to everyone, but to believers. It is worth examining your heart to determine if this is really you. Have you truly trusted in Christ alone for your salvation? Have you confessed your need for someone to save you from your sins, and have you professed that Jesus, through his death and resurrection, has done all the work that is needed to satisfy God’s wrath and bring you into right relationship with Him? If not, do not delay, but give your heart to Him!

2) What is the command that is given in these verses?
What does it look like to set your minds on things above? Think about what things consume your thoughts. Are they temporal or lasting? Of course, some of our time and attention must be given to the mundane—that’s just how life works. But we should remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6, where he told us not to worry about what we will eat or what we will wear, but to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first. Pray and ask God to help you discern what earthly things you are setting your mind on, and ask Him to help you shift your focus to things above.

3) What is the reason behind the command?
Dear Christian, you must remember who you are! Remember, you are a sinner who has been redeemed! You are hidden with Christ in God, and this changes everything. As your new identity sinks deep into your soul, you are changed from the inside out, and you are able to carry out the command to set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.

4) What is the future result?
The nature of life in a fallen world means that we will stumble and falter, even in our best efforts to be true to how God has called us to live. But there is hope, unfading hope. Our identity as God’s child is secure, and our future in Him is secure. We can know that one day, when Christ returns or calls us home, we will be freed from the presence of sin and will be with Christ in glory. Hallelujah!

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

I Can Do That!

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

The Community!

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

The Tools!

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

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

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

The Why!

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

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

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

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

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

The GT Weekend – Flourishing Week 1

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The GT Weekend

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

Journal With Us!

Journal Prompts

1. We are to love others out of the overflow of our love for God. Often though, we run on empty, working frantically to show how well we love others while we ignore God. Spend some time thinking about your priorities and examine if they need readjusted.

2. How do you share the Gospel with others? Being filled with the Spirit is essential. Ask the Lord for opportunities to intentionally share with those around you His truth. Pray for specific people!

3. Think back over the last month. What was your first response to an intense situation-either positive or negative? God wants to have an intimate, two-way conversation with us about all the big and little things. Write to us at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com to tell us how we can be praying to encourage you as you step out in faith with prayer in the middle of your everyday!

Worship In Song

Music Video: Meredith Andrews’ “Spirit of the Living God”

Pour Out Your Heart

Lord, I praise You for Your love. You are a kind, loving Creator and long to have an intimate relationship with me. I’m so unworthy and thank you for Jesus who has redeemed me back to You. I run to Your outstretched arms today. Hold me close to Your side as I rest in You.

Father, I want to be a good representative of Your kingdom. Show me this day who is open to things of You so I can engage them in spiritual conversation. Spirit move in my heart to be more sensitive to Your gentle whisper. Draw my friend Alice* close to You. Stir in my heart conversations to have with You, my almighty King of Kings. Let me lean into praying with confidence as I put my trust completely, wholly into You!

*Name changed for privacy

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

Journey With Us

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Flourishing Day 3
Beautiful Mystery

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Read His Words Before Ours!

I Timothy 2
Psalm 42
Psalm 88

Right now I have a 5-year-old son at home. Age 4 is definitely my favorite age (aside from that incredible newborn stage that lasts way too short), but year 5 is pretty sweet too. He asks a million questions and then thinks of one more. He’s a professional at getting out of chores, and thinks of things that make me scratch my head in amazement. His eyes light up with wonder, and he always, always has something to say. Usually several “somethings”, and quite comically, he will begin his conversations like this, “I have 4 things I want say, wait, 5 things. First of all…. Second of all…”, and on down the line he will go.

Paul had quite a lot of things to pass on to Timothy, his “son in the faith”, especially as Paul is knowingly near the end of his life. His passion and emotion are heavy in these tender letters to young Timothy, but here in chapter 2, Paul gets straight to the point:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.

And add a dramatic pause here….
As we work our way through the letters to Timothy, we hope to pick up some good Scripture study habits along the way. One of which is to remember that the Bible was originally written without chapter breaks, verse markings, or sometimes even paragraphs. In the original languages, some sentences would span 2 or 3 paragraphs! Bearing this in mind, study God’s Word as fluid and cohesive; constantly look backward and forward from where you are reading to get the full, contextual idea.

And continuing…..
“First of all, then”….Stop!
What? We’re only 4 words into chapter 2, and we are already calling time-out?!
Yes!
What’s “then” referring to? Back up and look so we can get the full picture.

Verses 18-19 of chapter 1 tell us that whatever Paul is about ready to tell Timothy, he’s passing it on because of Timothy’s faith, and because of all that Paul and the community of believers have seen in Timothy as they have discipled him. Paul is getting ready to give Timothy the necessary tools to “fight the good fight” of following Jesus.

And, onward….what’s the most crucial tenant of fighting the good fight, Pastor Paul?
Bible reading? Community group life? Scripture memory? Serving the community? Sharing the gospel? Moving to Africa?
Prayer, Timothy, it’s prayer. Prayer and thanksgiving.

It’s not a church program, it’s not how to build small groups, it isn’t even your outreach strategy, it’s prayer. Prayer is Paul’s “first of all”.

I haven’t always had a good relationship with prayer, to be honest. There are so many mysteries about it, so many things that don’t add up. I would pray about stuff earnestly, desperately, passionately, with deep, unswerving faith, and nothing would happen that I could see. Of course, there were times I would pray and what I’d prayed for did actually happen. Was it a fluke? Random chance? Why this time and not that other time? What’s the point? Doesn’t God know all and hear all anyways?

The more I wrestled with prayer, the more I realized I had been asking the wrong questions. The point really wasn’t about prayer “working”; it was about the relationship “growing”.

Prayer’s main purpose is to grow depth and intimacy with the Father by creating an ongoing conversation between Creator and created.

If God desires our unity with Himself, doesn’t it make sense that He opens up prayer as the means to accomplish that? In our over-communicative age of text, email, snapchat, FaceTime, and social media outlets, we are grasping desperately to fill a void given to us by our Maker. We were created for meaningful communication with Yahweh!

When prayer becomes nothing more than a list of wants, or even needs,
we’ve missed the point entirely.

My husband and I cherish the times we “date” our children. Time carved out for one-on-one love and attention. Sure, sometimes we spend a little money and buy a gift, or dinner, but these gifts we buy, they’re really just tools to help our children see how much we love them. Sometimes we take them hiking, or window shopping and don’t spend a dime, but each investment is an opportunity to talk about what’s important to them, what they worry about, or ways we can be better parents to them. Our heart for them is to build a strong enough relationship that they trust us beyond a shadow of a doubt, knowing that we will always be in their corner, working for their ultimate good.

The same is true for God. Prayer is His invitation to do far more than a request submission form; it’s an arms-around-you hug while you walk through life. It’s confidence. It’s a stretched out hand to hold yours. It’s intimacy. It’s depth. It’s an offer to delight in both knowing and being known.
While at the same time, it’s a direct access pass to an audience with the all-powerful Creator….who is in your corner, fighting for you.

And it comes first.
Paul teaches that prayer is the “first of all”, because through communication, God shapes our hearts to be more like His. He gives us a passion for His will, He allows our hearts to break for others with God-sized compassion, and it’s the crucial component to becoming like Him.

Worried for a friend? Pray.
Hurting emotionally? Pray.
Wrapped in fear? Pray.
Confused in a relationship? Pray.
Sick? Lonely? Thankful? Ecstatic? PRAY!

And as you pray, entering into a deeper relationship with God, be thankful for the freedom to come, hold tightly to His hand and be known and loved.

Next time life comes at you with a long list, fight back with your “first of all” and pray!

P.S. If you read all of 1 Timothy 2 (and we really hope you did!), and you’re stuck on those verses about women and clothing and hair and what all of that has to do with prayer and worship, come back tomorrow to Dig Deeper!

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
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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 Flourishing 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 Flourishing!

Flourishing Day 2
The Goal of Love: Digging Deeper

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

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

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s
Journey Study?
Check out The Goal of Love!

1 Corinthians 13 English Standard Version (ESV)

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The Questions

1) What are the results of doing things apart from love according to v. 1-3?

2) What are the words used to describe love in this passage?

3) What does Paul mean in v.9-12, that we only partially know and see dimly?

4) What ultimately do we discover about love from v. 8 and v. 13?

The Findings for Intention

1) What are the results of doing things apart from love, according to v. 1-3?
In the chapter just before this Paul has explained gifts that are to be used by the body of Christ for the edification and building up of the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately, the Corinthians are missing the mark because in this first part of 1 Corinthians 13, we see Paul clearly tell the church that without love, their gifts mean nothing. The things they are trying to accomplish through the use of their gifts are null and void and have the opposite affect. Speaking without love, sounds like a clanging cymbal. Prophecies and knowledge without love mean nothing. Service and giving are useless without love as the primary motivation.

2) What are the words used to describe love in this passage?
Love is patient, kind, and rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

3) What does Paul mean in v.9-12, that we only partially know and see dimly?
We cannot understand fully God’s love for us until we meet Him face to face. Paul tells them we know “in part” and we tell others of what we know. As we mature we gain greater knowledge of the Lord and when He returns we will be able to fully grasp His love.

4) What ultimately do we discover about love from v. 8 and v. 13?
Paul expresses in both verses that God’s love never fails. It is both eternal and ever present.

The Everyday Application

1) What are the results of doing things apart from love, according to v. 1-3?
There is no accident with Scripture. On the heels of explaining gifts to Corinthian church, Paul has to explain to them love and how gifts should be used in conjunction with the love. The absence of love makes the Christian life useless. Love is both the foundation and motivation for how we are to speak, how we are to think, and how we are to act.

2) What are the words used to describe love in this passage?
Paul describes love first and foremost as patient and kind. The word patient in this context means, “long suffering”. With that in mind, we see in v. 7, that love bears all, believes all, hopes all, and endures all. Love is not easy and in the midst of a “do what makes me feel good” world, loving others as God loves us is the primary function of the Church. It does not come naturally, nor does it come easily. Love is a choice that we make every day to show a glimpse of God to others.

3) What does Paul mean in v.9-12, that we only partially know and see dimly?
God revealed Himself perfectly in the Garden of Eden and man was in perfect fellowship and communion with God. When sin entered the world, a plan was set in motion to fix what humanity messed up. Christ was the fix to the problem and our hope lies in the full restoration and knowledge that will come when He returns for His people. Until then, we see only dim glimpses of what is to come and groan with creation (Romans 8:19) for the day we will fully see and understand.

4) What ultimately do we discover about love from v. 8 and v. 13?
Above all else-LOVE! God’s love for us in sending Christ, His Son, conquered death and sin once and for all. God longs to redeem His people and in His love He offers restoration and a relationship that requires obedience. His love for us should motivate us to love others. His love never fails and if every action and thought is filtered through that, His goal is accomplished.

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I Can Do That!

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

The Community!

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

The Tools!

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

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

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

The Why!

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

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

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

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
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Inheritance Day 15
Kingdom Now

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 28:16-20
Hebrews 13:1-17
Ephesians 3:14-20 

Hey there, Love. I need to preface today’s Journey by saying…if you are looking for a post that will pat you on the back and encourage you to “keep on keepin’ on”, you should probably click on through to something else. This is some fully-based-in-love, fully-faith-building, fully high-challenge material and we all need to hear it, so I hope you stick around.

Still with us? Good!

This Journey theme has revolved around many different intricacies that make up our inheritance in Christ. Today, we’re turning the page to talk about our inheritance in His Kingdom.

Right here. Right now.

We know from Jesus’ own words that His Holy Spirit resides in us and has authority in our lives when we accept Christ as our Savior. With that supernatural indwelling, we know that fruits will be present…joy, patience, kindness, et al. We also know that we have the same, full Holy Spirit in us that indwelt the apostles and disciples of the New Testament.
If we believe what we say we believe, then we also expect God to show up as we live out His bold, extravagant love to those around us. Despite what we claim as true, there’s often a disconnect between that knowledge and the actual, real-world application of that inheritance of love in our daily life.

Here’s the thing: we serve a miracle-working God.

The God Who caused bread to rain out of thin air.
Who turned water to wine.
Who walked across a sea without sinking.
Who saved three men bound in a fiery furnace from even a singed hair.
Who made the lame to walk.
Who spoke life into a dead man.

But He is also a God who still works miracles today.

Right here. Right now.

Through us, His people. The same Holy Spirit that empowered the apostles and disciples to heal in the name of Jesus indwells us, you and me, today. Part of our inheritance in Christ is to be Christ to those He sends to us by loving them and boldly acting in faith when Holy Spirit leads us to do so.

Sometimes, that looks like paying for a meal anonymously, loving a friend by watching her kids so she can shower or drink a hot cup of coffee, inviting someone to services on Sunday, or sharing a word of knowledge with someone in need. And sometimes, it looks like grasping the authority He has given us by praying expectantly for someone’s healing in faith.

A few years ago, my father-in-law came to a fundraising walk-a-thon I was participating in and pulled his car up next to me. We chatted about the weather briefly, and I asked if he wanted to walk with us. He told me he couldn’t because his back was hurting too much. While he explained his pain, I felt a nudge in my spirit to pray for healing. I quickly pushed it aside, because to be perfectly transparent, HELLO. I did not want to look like an idiot if nothing happened! As we talked for a few moments more, my spirit began to feel so heavy. I knew I was supposed to pray for him, so I finally asked him if he would mind stepping out of the car. I didn’t really know what to say, but recognized that it wasn’t about me, anyway. I shakily said a quick internal prayer along the lines of, “Okay, God, it’s your show. Don’t let me get in the way,” laid my hands on his back and began to pray, commanding healing of his back in Jesus’ name.

And you know what? God wanted to heal his back, regardless of my confidence or comfort level that day.

So HE DID.

Right there. Right then.

My father-in-law’s pain completely dissipated, didn’t return, and he was totally blown away by God’s love. I was super-nervous and totally unsure of myself, but it was never about me. God definitely could have healed his back without me, but because I (eventually) listened to Holy Spirit’s leading, I was privileged to witness God’s healing power, and my faith increased exponentially!

Loves, I know.

It’s scary. It’s big. It’s out of our God-box and comfort zone, for sure. And the enemy is quick to point out just how scary and uncomfortable such a thing can be.

What if nothing happens? What will they think? What are they going to tell others about me? What if it’s just my own mind and not the Holy Spirit leading me?
What if, what if, what if?

I get it.

But what if God wants to heal that person’s arm or foot or pinkie finger to show them just how much He loves them and He wants to use US to do it? Are we willing to say no to that?

Can you imagine what this world would look like if we were willing to set aside our fear and doubts, push aside the veil the enemy casts, and just believe and act in faith?

If we never make ourselves available to Holy Spirit’s leading, what portion of our inheritance are we forsaking?

I don’t know about you, but I want to see this world absolutely wrecked by His love.
I want to see more people healed of cancer,
more broken bones restored,
more backs healed,
and more people drawn into life in the Kingdom through the love and obedience of God’s people bringing His Kingdom HERE!

Father, Your power is beyond our comprehension. We love you and long to fulfill the purpose You have for us. You said in Your word that when we ask for more of Your Holy Spirit, You will give it. We ask for more, Lord. Increase our faith. Increase our love. Help us walk in our full inheritance to bring Your Kingdom here and now. We believe You are Who You say You are!

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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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Inheritance Day 13
The God Box

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Isaiah 41:8-10
Hebrews 13:1-5
Ephesians 3:14-19
John 1:9-14 

Emmanuel. God with us. Three simple words filled with infinite power, meaning and purpose.

God, our Creator, Savior, our Peace and only Rest. The First and Last, Beginning and the End.
He. Who laid the foundations of the earth and speaks boundaries to the seas.
He. Who walks the recesses of the deep and commands the morning light.
He. Who knew no sin, yet loved each of us enough to willingly accept the separation of death in order to afford us life eternal.
HE. Dwells with us…in every season.

He dwells with us…
when illness or physical difficulties cloud our physical reality.
when we lose sight of our purpose and identity.
when our children choose differently than we would hope.
when our marriage enters foreign or frightening territory.
when we face friction in our friendships or family relationships.
when we struggle to keep our footing in the natural…and spiritual realms.

I am always amazed that the moments when we find ourselves immersed in the most uncomfortable and painful places are also the moments our spiritual inheritance becomes most obvious. We would not be able to walk through adversity with love, joy, peace, or any of the other spiritual fruits without owning our spiritual birthright and claiming our inheritance in Jesus. He upholds us and we draw on the supernatural peace and strength that only Holy Spirit can give us.

But what about when things are going okay for us on the surface? What about when our seas seem steady and the tempest appears distant?

He dwells with us when…
when everyone is healthy.
when we know our purpose.
when our children are walking with Jesus.
when our marriage feels strong.
when we are comfortable.
when we feel secure in our situation and comfortable in our Christianity.

But are we supposed to be comfortable in our Christianity? If we are all being transparent here, I think we will all agree that sometimes we become so accustomed to our life rhythms and checklists that we start to trade a little of our wonder for…complacency. When our lives are humming along at a pace we desire and we feel good, we start to put God into a little Sunday-and-Wednesday God-box of our own invention. We forget that He dwells with us always. We think we can pull Him out when we “need” Him…but as things continue at the pace we like, those times become fewer and farther between. We don’t always even realize what we are doing as we begin to take credit in our lives, accepting accolades that belong to Him. Sometimes it’s because we are so busy that we don’t want to open the door to an in-depth conversation. Sometimes it’s because we are just busy or tired and it’s easier to take the credit to keep the day rolling. Sometimes it’s because we don’t want to be “that Christian” who always brings God into every conversation.

Is any of this sounding familiar?

When we are comfortable, we sometimes forget that our inheritance dictates that our lives are not about us anymore…they are about Him. Loves, don’t misunderstand me here. I’m not saying that we have to preach at every person we encounter…but we do need to recognize the opportunities He grants us to sow into the lives of others in love. Listen, there is nothing wrong with enjoying what God has given us. He literally loves us more than life. He loves to give us good gifts. But when we fail to walk with Him in our inheritance, we are turning away from His best for us and others.

He dwells with us to change our lives and empower us to change this earthly reality through our love, our actions and by bringing Kingdom encounters to others through His Holy Spirit. When we fail to acknowledge His authority and kingship in our hearts and to invite Him into every area of our lives each day, we are effectively squelching His Holy Spirit.

Father, help us to recognize the behaviors and attitudes we cultivate that take precedence in our hearts over You. You are worthy of all praise and recognition. You are God, there is no other. Forgive us for our weakness and show us how we can become better vessels for Your Holy Spirit today. We give every area of our life to You and ask You to move here.

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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 Inheritance 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 Inheritance!

Inheritance Day 11
The Trap of Complacency

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Isaiah 65:17-25
Isaiah 66:22-23
2 Peter 3:8-18
Revelations 21:1-7 

My three year old is fascinated by all things Heaven…but he is especially curious about the new bodies we will receive. Every day, he peppers me with questions like “Mama, will my new body have bigger muscles than this one? I really hope so! Maybe I will be strong like a hero, or like Goliath!” and “Mama, do you think I will have the same hair on my head in my new body, or do you think maybe I will be like Uncle Nick?” or “Mama, I really hope I look kinda’ the same in my new body…otherwise how will you know who I am? What if I look totally different? How will you find me?”

Some days, his thoughts about God and Heaven pour out in running monologues to the tune of “Mama, why can’t we just be in Heaven with God right now? Why do we have to wait? I want to see Him. I have a LOT of questions for Him! I want to know why He made bugs! We don’t really like bugs, but He made them anyway. I want Him to tell me why! And why does He have to be invisible? I want to be able to see Him when I talk to Him. Right now, not later. And why did He say if we have faith like a mustard seed, we could move a mountain? Was He being serious? Because I think I have more faith than that. And also why can’t I walk on water like Jesus?”

His questions make my head spin most days, but his passionate curiosity and relentless pursuit of the knowledge of the holy also make me pause to consider how easily I get caught up in my day-to-day routine and fail to pursue that same knowledge relentlessly. Sometimes, we all fall into the trap of complacency. We know where we are going and we know Who we follow, so we start to feel comfortable filling our days with errands and tasks…chores and routines. Rather than pursuing Him passionately and seeking to know more about Him and His plan for us, we fall into a rut. We start banking on our future inheritance rather than owning it in the now.

We know that this earth is temporary because God has told us numerous times throughout the Bible. Time and again throughout Scripture, He reiterates that this earth will pass away and the new will replace the old…but what does that mean for us, practically? Do we hold fast to that promise of “one day” without changing how we live in the here and now? Or do we allow that knowledge to shape our daily routines and lives, choosing a faith that acts on the promises He has made to us? And if we do choose change, how on earth do we go about walking in an inheritance we can’t see, touch, or feel? And what, exactly, does faith in His promise of a new heaven and new earth look like?

Change starts with our acknowledgement that what He has promised is true. This earth will pass away, along with everything in it. The temporal things we hold dear will disintegrate into dust.

Our schedules. Our belongings. Our name brands. Our fill-in-your-blank.

Don’t get me wrong…it isn’t a sin to have belongings or ambition. It becomes a sin when we turn a blind eye to our laid off neighbor while purchasing the new pair of heels we’ve been eyeing for weeks. It becomes sin when we avoid the eye contact we know will encourage an in depth conversation with our hurting friend because we just don’t feel up to the emotional drain. It becomes a sin when we pack our days and nights so full of activities and to-dos that we don’t leave room for Holy Spirit to lead us into encounters with the lost world around us. It becomes a sin when we are more willing to carve out time to catch up on our favorite show than to carve out time to catch up with our Father.

It becomes a sin when we place our schedules, belongings, brand names, social status, relationships or fill-in-your-blank in a place of higher priority than His Kingdom.

The first step to walking in the inheritance He has promised us is to recognize that this world is temporary. The only things that will last are the things of His Kingdom and the souls of every person. We were each appointed our roles in life for a very specific purpose, and when we begin to understand that walking in our inheritance means living out His Kingdom here and now, we will begin to effect real change and be a light that draws others to Him. Each of us were created with an indwelling hunger that only a relationship with Jesus can satiate. When we begin to live Kingdom and others-centered lives and build real relationship with those around us, we create space for Him to call them through our love.

Father, Your design and purpose for us is hard to comprehend sometimes. Most times. Thank you for this world and those You’ve placed in our circles. Show us how to live a life that demonstrates the eternal inheritance You have given us. Help us to recognize our choices and behaviors that do not line up with Your plan and purpose. We love You more than any other.

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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 Inheritance 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 Inheritance!