Author: Rachel Jones

Waiting Day 7 Look, Listen and Wait: 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 Look, Listen and Wait!

The Questions

1) Why would God hide His face from David? (verse 1)

2) Why does David ask God to restore brightness to his eyes? (verse 3)

3) How had the Lord treated David generously? (verse 6)

Psalm 13

1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long will I store up anxious concerns within me,
agony in my mind every day?
How long will my enemy dominate me?

3 Consider me and answer, Lord my God.
Restore brightness to my eyes;
otherwise, I will sleep in death.
4 My enemy will say, “I have triumphed over him,”
and my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your faithful love;
my heart will rejoice in your deliverance.
6 I will sing to the Lord
because he has treated me generously.

Original Intent

1) Why would God hide His face from David? (verse 1)
Psalm 13 is a lament of David, probably written while running away or hiding from Saul, the jealous King who sought to kill God’s chosen leader. (1 Samuel 21) David felt like God was far from him, hiding His face from him, since God wasn’t providing the deliverance and victory he had asked and waited for. Author David Guzik suggests, “No doubt, David had faced worse circumstances but had faced them more bravely when he had sensed the presence of God with him. Yet now, feeling distant from God, it did not take much to send David into despair.” Instead of delivering David from his troubles, God allowed David to wait, seek, and trust in His provision. According to author David C Egner, “When God withholds His hand, He wants us to look to His heart. In other words, He wants us to learn more about His goodness and His love, and to trust Him to do what is best.” Sometimes, God lets us wait so we can exercise our faith in Him. He wants us to trust in His promises and His Word even when our circumstances seem in opposition to God’s promises. The Lord longs to show us mercy and compassion, and promises we will be happy (blessed) when we wait on Him. (Isaiah 30:18) We can be like David and turn our lament into praise (Psalm 13:6) when we choose to patiently wait on God and remind ourselves of His faithfulness in every situation. (Psalm 119:90) At times, it may feel like God’s face is hidden, but He is always near to us (Psalm 145:18) even when He asks us to wait.

2) Why does David ask God to restore brightness to his eyes? (verse 3)
When David asks God to “Restore brightness to my eyes; otherwise, I will sleep in death” (verse 3), he could be asking God for several things. Author Albert Barnes suggests David alludes to “his exhaustion, arising from trouble and despair, as if he were about to die.” David was physically weary from being on the run from King Saul who was trying to kill him. (1 Samuel 19) The brightness had gone out of his eyes due to him searching tirelessly for God to interrupt his circumstances. He was watching for physical deliverance from the Lord while also watching out for his enemy, and his eyes were dimmed and weary as a result. He wanted his eyes to be revived by seeing God deliver him. David Guzik asserts that David also requested spiritual enlightenment because “David had the wisdom to know that though he felt powerful feelings, he wasn’t seeing reality. His vision was clouded and dark, so he cried out to God, “Enlighten my eyes.’” David knew that though his circumstances looked bad, he ultimately needed to see through the lens of God’s beloved, chosen and anointed King (1 Samuel 16) and not through the eyes of a hunted fugitive. He wanted God to restore brightness to his eyes and hope to his heart.

3) How had the Lord treated David generously? (verse 6)
In verse 6, David writes of the future when he will sing to the Lord because He has dealt generously with him. His current situation is nothing to sing about. He is being hunted down by an angry enemy! But David trusts in the faithful love of God and in His deliverance. He is so confident in God’s coming generosity and rescue from his dire straits that he willfully chooses to rejoice now. Because he has already trusted God’s faithful love, David is now free to rejoice! “But I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance.” (verse 5) Author David C. McCasland notes, “In every struggle—mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual—our challenge is to move from the fear of being overwhelmed to the confidence that God has overcome.” David makes this movement from wondering where God is, to rejoicing in the deliverance he knows is coming. He goes so far as to call God generous for the deliverance He will provide. David believes God is faithful and trustworthy because He has delivered David generously in the past. David knows that though it feels like God is nowhere to be found, He is actually with David, preparing to act generously toward him. Psalm 84:11 tells us that God “is a sun and shield. The Lord grants favor and honor; he does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.” David believes what he knows to be true about his generous, faithful God instead of the feelings invoked by his fearful situation. We can follow David’s example and trust that God will not withhold good from those who follow Him, regardless of our feelings or situation.

Everyday Application

1) Why would God hide His face from David? (verse 1)
A friend once asked how she could feel close to God again. The Scriptures seemed lifeless and every sermon seemed flat. Her devotional time was fruitless and her prayer time felt empty. She believed God was ignoring her. I encouraged her to keep seeking the Lord, but I wish I had known to direct her to David’s example in Psalm 13. David thought God was hiding His face from him, and he wondered how long God would forget him. (verse 1) According to author James Montgomery Boice, “The fact that we feel abandoned itself means that we really know God is there. To be abandoned you need somebody to be abandoned by. Because we are Christians and have been taught by God in the Scriptures, we know that God still loves us and will be faithful to us, regardless of our feelings.” David’s knowledge of God led him to recall God’s faithfulness. Soon, David’s lament about his circumstances became a plea for God to intervene. (Psalm 13:3) He stopped dwelling on the fear and despair he felt and focused on the God who saves. (Psalm 68:20) When David called out to God, he remembered His faithful God could be trusted. (verse 5) After all, God had already delivered David from a lion, a bear, and a giant. (1 Samuel 17:37) David knew that the God who saved him before could save him again. He was so confident in God’s faithfulness that his heart began to rejoice! (verse 5) His situation hadn’t changed, but his focus had. Instead of wondering why God had forgotten him, David remembered God was his refuge and his deliverer. He no longer saw God as the one hiding His face from him, but rather as the One who could be trusted in all things.

2) Why does David ask God to restore brightness to his eyes? (verse 3)
When asked how he is doing, one friend of mine always cheerfully answers, “I’m living the dream!” Another friend responds to my query with a lilting, “I am blessed and highly favored!” They remind me of the psalmist David, who writes passionately and honestly about his feelings in his songs to the Lord. While many of David’s psalms are praises to God, as seen in Psalm 8 and Psalm 145, David expresses his feelings of despair in Psalm 13:3 when he asks God to restore brightness to his eyes so he does not sleep in death. David is physically and emotionally exhausted from being chased by his enemy, and he lets God know that his eyes are failing and death seems near. He is frustrated that following God has led him to hiding out and fighting for his life. I have never been in such physical danger as David, but I have felt his frustration of doing all the right things only to see my situation get worse. It is hard to remember God’s goodness when our eyes are clouded by difficult circumstances. I want God to remove the obstacles for me, and sometimes He does. But many times, He simply tells me not to fear because He is God and He is with me to strengthen me, help me, and hold on to me. (Isaiah 41:10) If you feel like your eyes and your hope are dim today, call out to God to restore brightness to your eyes and hope to your heart. Even if He does not immediately change your situation, He will give you the strength to endure and peace to comfort you until you rejoice, like David did, in God’s deliverance. (verse 5)

3) How had the Lord treated David generously? (verse 6)
My mom used her sewing machine a lot when I was growing up to make clothes for my sister and I, to make clothes for our dolls, and to make gifts and crafts to sell and give away. So, it was a big deal when her sewing machine broke beyond repair. We didn’t have the money to get a new one, so we prayed for one. I colored a picture of a new machine and hung it above her sewing table as a reminder of what God was going to give her. I don’t remember how it happened (I think someone gifted us their old machine) but it wasn’t long before there was another sewing machine whirring away in the sewing room. I was happy, but not surprised. I was used to God providing when we prayed. I grew up believing God would provide all our needs (Philippians 4:19) and He did, though maybe not in the way I expected or in the time frame I had in mind. Like David, I knew God to be a generous God. (Psalm 13:6) Even in his fear and the chaos of his life on the run, David knew that when he called on God, God would come through. Author Marvin Williams states, “We all go through dark nights of the soul when we wonder if God has abandoned us. As with David, our aching can give way to joy when we approach God honestly, plead for help, and reaffirm our trust in a God whose love for us will never waver or change.” David had some close calls that made him question if God really had his back, but in every situation David was able to recall the goodness and faithfulness of God and the generous treatment he found at God’s hands.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Look, Listen and Wait!

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

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Waiting Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Alive Day 12 For The Good: 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 For The Good!

The Questions

1) How are we called according to God’s purpose? (verse 28)

2) What does it mean to be “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son”? (verse 29)

3) How are we called, justified, and glorified by God? (verse 30)

Romans 8:28-30

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Original Intent

1) How are we called according to God’s purpose? (verse 28)
First, we must understand what it means to be called by God, then we must consider what Scripture tells us about His purposes. The Greek word for called is “κλητός”, meaning to be invited as if to a banquet. God’s purpose for those who are called is answered in the next verse, “to be conformed to the image of His Son”. (verse 29) To respond to God’s call and live out His purpose means to believe in God and obey His command to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19) God’s plan for us is to know Him and make Him known. (Galatians 1:15-16) Anyone who responds to God’s invitational call accepts His purpose to both deepen their relationship with Him (Jeremiah 33:3) and share the love of God with others (Matthew 28:19). Author Albert Barnes suggests that being called according to God’s purpose “Implies that God had a plan, purpose, or intention in regard to all who became Christians. They are not saved by chance or hap-hazard. God does not convert people without design; and His designs are not new, but eternal.” God desires everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), so this means we are all called to accept the message of the Gospel and fulfill His purposes. When we surrender to God and accept His purposes, we can be sure He is working everything together for our good and His glory. Whatever happens, He uses it for our eventual benefit and the expansion of His kingdom, even if we see no apparent good at the time. We can rest assured His plans are good, even when our circumstances suggest otherwise, if we accept the invitational call to follow Him.

2) What does it mean to be “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son”? (verse 29)
The Bible tells us God created us in His image. (Genesis 1:27) When Adam and Eve sinned and humans were separated from God (Genesis 3), the Divine plan was for Jesus to reunite us with God by coming to earth, fully human and fully God, to take our sins and show us how to live in right relationship with the Lord. God wants us to be like Jesus; He is the model of how to live life for God’s glory. In Romans 8:29, Paul writes, “For those [God] foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” God’s plan before the beginning of time was for humans to be conformed to God’s image. God tells us that those who trust in Jesus should “walk just as he walked”. (1 John 2:6) We have the example of the humble, loving life of Jesus to teach us how God designed us to live. God sent His Son not only to save our lives for eternity, but also show us how to live today. He gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us to follow Jesus’ example, which is impossible to do on our own. (Galatians 5:22-23) Not only do we have the life of Jesus to pattern our lives after, but we have the Holy Spirit to help us be more like Jesus.

3) How are we called, justified, and glorified by God? (verse 30)
Romans 8:30 includes what some scholars call the Golden Chain of Salvation, the “inviolable order in which our Creator saves His people” (Ligonier.org) The first link in the chain occurs in verse 29, which says that God foreknew those He would save. Author Adam Clarke explains that foreknow means to “design before, or at the first forming of the scheme to bestow the favour and privilege of being God’s people upon any set of men.” The second link in the Golden Chain is predestine, which author J.D. Watson describes as “God’s marking out a destiny befitting His foreknown people.” God decided ahead of time that He would make a way of salvation for His people. Predestination sets up the next two links: being called, or invited to be saved, and being justified, where God declares us righteous in Christ. We are called by God because He wants no one to perish. He calls every human to follow Him. If we repent of our sins and believe in Jesus, we can be saved. God justifies us through the blood of Christ Jesus, His Son, Who gave His life so we could stand blameless before God. The last link of the Golden Chain is being glorified by God. This can refer to going to heaven, but author N.T. Wright suggests, “Our glory in the present is focused as we stand in prayer at the place where the world and the church are in pain . . . so that the gospel may be seen at work in power through our praying as well as our preaching.” We are glorified by God in that Christ lives in us. His presence and His glory dwell within each person who trusts in Christ and shines from each person as they demonstrate His love.

Everyday Application

1) How are we called according to God’s purpose? (verse 28)
Something that frustrates many Christians is trying to discern God’s will for their lives. People want God’s crystal-clear direction about every decision. Should they marry, should they move, should they change jobs? While we are commanded to pray about all things and ask for God’s leading regarding decisions, following God is much more about making wise decisions with the information He provides through His Word and His people. (check out our Journey Theme “Follow” for more on this!) When it comes to knowing God’s will, the Bible reveals much about His purposes for us. When we lean into these principles, we will be following Him. Romans 8:28 references those who “love God and are called according to God’s purpose.” His purpose in being conformed to Jesus is for us to love God and share His love with others like Jesus. Author W.E. Vine explains that “them that are called and them that love God, are to one another as cause and effect. Those who love God are necessarily those who are called. The call . . . produces the response of love to Him who calls.” We love God because He first loved us and drew us to Him. (1 John 4:19) When we love Him, we want to share His love with others, which is one of God’s purposes for us as we are shaped to reflect Him to the world around us. (John 13:34) When we follow the express purposes of God as found in His Word, we can know for certain we are following His will for our lives. As we live this out, we can ask Him for wisdom to know more specific things He wants for us. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” We can rejoice that God shares His plans and purposes with us!

2) What does it mean to be “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son”? (verse 29)
Do you ever cringe when you see Christians doing a shabby job of representing Christ? Surely you have seen the guy who left the waiter a Gospel tract as a tip instead of cash, or the lady with the I LOVE Jesus bumper sticker cutting folks off in traffic. Jesus provides us an example of how to live humbly and righteously with love and mercy, but sometimes we don’t do a good job of following in His footsteps. Learning to be more like Jesus is part of God’s plan for our lives. Romans 8:29 tells us God predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. His Word is given to us, in part, to teach us how to live like Jesus. Author Howard Hendricks asserts, “The Bible was not written to satisfy your curiosity, but to make you conform to Christ’s image. Not to make you a smarter sinner, but to make you like the Saviour. Not to fill your head with a collection of biblical facts, but to transform your life.” Because Jesus is the Word, the Word has the power to change us into God’s image. John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:1, 4) From the beginning, Jesus has been the Life that is the Light to illuminate the path for all people to know God and be restored to Him. God’s plan is for us to be more like Jesus, and He wants us to represent Him wherever we go, including restaurants, the freeway, at church, our neighborhoods, and our social media profiles. He wants us to be loving and kind so people see Jesus when they look at us.

3) How are we called, justified, and glorified by God? (verse 30)
It has always fascinated me to read God’s Word regarding His plans for His people even before they were born. In Jeremiah 1:5, God tells the prophet, “I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born . . .” In Psalm 139:16, the psalmist writes, “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.” To know that God has a plan for us before we are born is incredible! His plan for everyone includes salvation through His Son, Jesus. This plan is described in Romans 8:30, where Paul tells us God has called us, justified us, and glorified us. This is God’s plan for salvation for us. He calls each one of us to come to a genuinely saving knowledge of Christ through repentance (turning away from) our sin and accepting His free gift of salvation. He tells us in John 3:16, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” It is the blood of Jesus that justifies us by washing away our sin and making us righteous before God. When we are saved through Christ Jesus, we can be glorified by living in Heaven with Jesus when our life on earth is done. We are also glorified because Christ lives within us here on earth, teaching us how to be more like Him through the power of His Holy Spirit. (1 John 2:27) It is comforting and empowering to know that God has a plan for each one of us that extends from before we are born until after we pass into Heaven.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with For The Good!

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

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Alive Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Alive Day 4 Mindset: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

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 Mindset!

The Questions

1) What does it mean to live according to the flesh? (verse 5)

2) How can I live according to the Spirit? (verse 5)

3) Why can’t those in the flesh please God? (verse 8)

Romans 8:5-9

For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. 6 Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him.

Original Intent

1) What does it mean to live according to the flesh? (verse 5)
Paul describes unsaved people when he discusses those who live according to the flesh. They have their minds set on the things of sinful flesh. (Romans 8:5) The word set implies making a choice to live a certain way. When we set our minds to live according to the flesh, we choose to live in a way that gratifies our desires, heedless of others and in opposition to God’s will. Sarx, the Greek term for flesh, “describes the outlook orientated toward self, is prone to sin, is opposed to God and . . . pursues its own ends in self-sufficient, independence from God” (Preceptaustin.org) To live according to the flesh means we do what we want, even if the outcomes are eventually devastating. We live for the passion of the moment. We have no regard for anything but our own will and pleasure. This is our default nature. All people are born with this natural mindset focused on sin and self-love. John Piper describes the flesh as the “proud and unsubmissive root of depravity in every human heart which exalts itself subtly through proud, self-reliant morality, or flaunts itself blatantly through self-assertive, authority-despising immorality.” Paul cautions in verse 6 that living with our minds set on the flesh is death. “The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so.” (verse 7) Living according to the flesh means to live in hostility towards God, unable to submit to His law. Trusting in God and choosing to receive His saving grace (Ephesians 2:8) moves us off the path of death and onto the way of life in God’s Spirit. (John 5:24) If you recognize yourself as being held back by this mindset of the flesh, you can live free starting now by calling on Jesus (Romans 10:13) and accepting His gift of salvation.

2) How can I live according to the Spirit? (verse 5)
Paul says if the Spirit of God lives in us, then we live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-18), which means we have a mindset of life and peace. (Romans 8:5-9) The Greek word used for life in this passage, zoe, means “the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which alone belongs to God the Giver of life. This is life as God originally intended it to be lived” (Preceptaustion.org) When we live empowered by the Spirit of God, we have access to the full, abundant life of God. The word peace, from the Greek, eirene, means “to bind together that which has been separated, [for example] the believing sinner, bound together with God and His life after having been separated by sin. It is that inward harmony and tranquility that results from yielding to God.” (Precept) Living life in the Spirit brings a bond of peace from having been reconciled to God. When we live according to the Spirit, we let go of our own selfish desires and let the Holy Spirit of God empower us with life and peace. We make choices based on God’s will and strengthened by His Spirit. (Ephesians 3:16) This isn’t something we can do on our own power. Left to our own devices, we will act based on selfish motives. (Romans 7:18) When the Spirit is guiding us, equips us to choose God’s plan and follow His steps toward an abundant, peace filled life.

3) Why can’t those in the flesh please God? (verse 8)
Romans 8:8 tells us that those who are in the flesh cannot please God. There is no good deed or kind act that someone living according to the flesh can possibly do to please the Lord and earn His divine favor. William MacDonald explains, “There is nothing an unsaved person can do to please God —no good works, no religious observances, no sacrificial services, absolutely nothing. First, he must take … receive Christ by a definite act of faith. Only then can He win God’s smile of approval.” Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith, it is impossible to please God since the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Pleasing God requires us to have faith in Him, showing Him we have recognized our own inability to earn right standing and have understood how kindly He loves us by taking the punishment of sin on Himself. Because God is holy, our sin separates us from Him. (Isaiah 59:2) Those who live in the flesh are sinful, choosing their own way over God’s way. Saving faith requires us to forsake our sins and trust God’s will and His ways over our own. We can try everything in our power to please Him, but it is only by putting our faith in Him that we can be saved and brought into His presence.

Everyday Application

1) What does it mean to live according to the flesh? (verse 5)
I heard the news with disgust; a respected Bible teacher was discovered to be a sex-offender. There was so much heartbreak for the abused, for his family and colleagues, and his followers. Here was someone who professed to live by the Spirit of God, but actually lived a secret life in disobedience to God as he followed the desires of his flesh. The Bible tells us the temptation of the flesh can be very strong, even for those saved by God’s grace. Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40) If we don’t surrender to the Spirit of God at work within us, we will choose fleshly desires. Charles Ellicott explains that for those living by the flesh, “Their whole mental and moral activity is set upon nothing else but the gratification of these cravings of sense.” Jesus promises believers in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that “God is faithful; He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” Those who have been redeemed by God have the ability to withstand temptation because God helps them. God understands our weaknesses because He has been tempted in every way we have; He gives us grace to come before Him and seek His help. (Hebrews 4:15-16) When we are tempted to return to a life lived according to the flesh, God provides the grace and power we need to continue living according to His will.

2) How can I live according to the Spirit? (verse 5)
When I look up the word peace in the dictionary, I expect to find a picture of my friend, James. No matter what curveball life throws at him, he is never shaken. He was orphaned at a young age, faced racism, job instability, and cancer, to name some of his struggles. Yet, never have I seen him doubt God or waver in his faith. In fact, every encounter with him brings me peace because he is at peace with God and trusts Him in every trial he faces. James’ life displays the evidence of a life lived with God. When we live by the Spirit (Romans 8:5), the Bible promises there will be evidence of the Spirit’s fruitful life in us. We call this the fruit of the Spirit, and we read about it in Galatians 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” If we are living by the Spirit’s life, people will recognize His life in us by the fruit He produces in our lives. They will notice our patience with the customer yelling at us at work or the joy we have in the midst of hard times. When people encounter the Spirit at work in us when we surrender to Him, they will notice the love and goodness of God on display in our lives. When my friend James is in the room, everyone comes to him for a hug and encouragement because they are drawn to the precious peace spilling out from his Spirit-led life. I want to be like James, sharing the fruit of the Spirit with everyone around me.

3) Why can’t those in the flesh please God? (verse 8)
I read a play where the main character felt so guilty for all of the bad things she had done in her life that she went on a mad spree, stuffing everything she owned in a Salvation Army donation box. She hoped her contribution to a good cause would undo all the bad she had done, or at least make her feel better. Sometimes we try this same tactic with God. We know the sins we commit aren’t pleasing to Him, so we try to work our way into His good graces by volunteering, donating, and sacrificing just to please Him. But it doesn’t work like this with God! Our sin is much too offensive and even our attempts at goodness are “filthy rags” in God’s perfect eyes. (Isaiah 64:6) God’s heart desires us to trust in His Son, Jesus, and allow Him to direct our lives. His ways are perfectly fitted to experiencing joy and purpose. Having faith in Him is the only way to please Him. Our works can do nothing; salvation is only by His hand, not ours. (Ephesians 2:9) He tells us in 2 Timothy 1:9 that “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” There is nothing we can do to earn His salvation. It is His free gift to us. (Ephesians 2:8) We can’t please Him unless we have forsaken our sins, coming to Him to be washed clean of our sin. (Ephesians 1:7) He has done the work; all we must do to receive this gift is repent of our sins and embrace His redeeming love. He may lead us to donate our possessions or do good things as we live out His purposes for us, but it will be our obedience prompted by our faith in Him that pleases Him.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Mindset!

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

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Alive Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Fruitful Day 12 Cultivating Faithfulness: 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 Cultivating Faithfulness!

The Questions

1) Why would the Israelites prefer to die or return to the land of their captivity rather than venture into the Promised Land? (verse 4)

2) Why were Joshua and Caleb so eager to go into the Promised Land when everyone else was so fearful? (verses 6-9)

3) Why did the glory of the Lord appear at the tent of meeting when the Israelites threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb? (verse 10)

Numbers 14:1-10

Then the whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. 2 All the Israelites complained about Moses and Aaron, and the whole community told them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.” 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down in front of the whole assembly of the Israelite community. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite community, “The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. 9 Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!” 10 While the whole community threatened to stone them, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.

Original Intent

1) Why would the Israelites prefer to die or return to the land of their captivity rather than venture into the Promised Land? (verse 4)
The Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt into the freedom of the Promised Land highlights God‘s faithfulness at every turn. The Lord empowered Moses to demand Pharaoh’s release of Israel (Exodus 5:1), God parted the Red Sea so they could cross over safely when the Egyptians pursued them (Exodus 14:21), He sent food from heaven in the desert (Exodus 16), and ensured their shoes didn’t wear out (Deuteronomy 29:5). God provided in many miraculous ways; He faithfully kept His covenant with Israel to protect and treasure them if they obeyed Him. (Exodus 19:5) Even with such a rich history of provision and protection by God, the Israelites despaired when they heard the intimidating report of Canaan. They preferred to return to a life of bondage rather than trust God to defeat their enemies in the Promised Land. According to author David Guzik, “This was pure rebellion. They said they didn’t want God’s plan, God’s leaders, or God’s land. They believed they knew better than God.” The pride and rebellion of the Israelites caused them to see God’s blessing as a curse and despise the gift God promised them. To modern readers, their lack of faith and gratitude seem outrageous, but may we also be guilty of the same? Any time we refuse to embrace what God has for us because it seems too difficult or too painful, we are committing the same sin of rebellion as the Israelites when they refused the Promised Land. We can be thankful God is merciful and forgiving, and we can ask Him for grace to follow His plans, trusting in His steadfast love and unwavering faithfulness to help us obey Him.

2) Why were Joshua and Caleb so eager to go into the Promised Land when everyone else was so fearful? (verses 6-9)
In Numbers 14:1-10, the Israelites are bemoaning their fate because the long-awaited Promised Land of Canaan is filled with formidable foes they are afraid to face. Only Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb want to enter and claim the land as God commanded. Joshua and Caleb had spied out the land and were eager to lay claim to God’s promise. They had faith in God, believing that He would give the Israelites the land He had promised them. If God promised it, then it would happen, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the promise. Author G. Campbell Morgan notes that Joshua and Caleb “had clear apprehension of the goodness of the land; they were by no means blind to the formidable nature of the difficulties that stood between them and possession. But they saw God. They started with that vision, and saw everything else in its light.” Where the other spies saw the strength and number of the land’s inhabitants, Joshua and Caleb saw the land flowing with milk and honey, just as God promised. If the promise of an excellent land had proved true, so would His promise to give them the land also be true and trustworthy. Joshua and Caleb’s belief in God’s faithfulness was stronger than any fear caused by the strength and number of their adversaries. May we also see God first and view everything else through that lens, just as Joshua and Caleb did.

3) Why did the glory of the Lord appear at the tent of meeting when the Israelites threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb? (verse 10)
When the Israelites reached the Promised Land they were dismayed to find its inhabitants were numerous and strong. They began blaming God for their miserable circumstances, even declaring that returning to slavery would be better than dying in battle. After hearing their incessant complaints, God had heard enough from the rebellious Israelites and decided to act. Numbers 14:10 tells us, “The glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.” The glory of the Lord had appeared to the congregation before as a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire to guide them through the wilderness. (Exodus 13:21) It was a visible reminder of God’s presence and activity. At this particular display of glory, God intended to dispel their whining and rebellion and reward those who believed in His Word and in His power. He stepped in just as the Israelites prepared to kill Joshua and Caleb. Author Joseph Benson points out, “When they reflected upon God, His glory appeared, not to silence their blasphemies: but when they threatened Caleb and Joshua, they touched the apple of His eye, and His glory appeared immediately. Those who faithfully expose themselves for God are sure of His special protection.” Israel’s rebellion ran so deep, God knew they wouldn’t choose faith over their fears. (Numbers 14:11) Moses interceded for Israel, God honored his prayers and decreed that from the nation, only Caleb and Joshua would be permitted to enter the Promised Land one day. (Numbers 14:30) God’s glory came down so His faithful servants would be spared and rewarded for their trust in Him, while also bringing consequence on Israel’s rebellion.

Everyday Application

1) Why would the Israelites prefer to die or return to the land of their captivity rather than venture into the Promised Land? (verse 4)
Have you ever seen a little kid so excited to go swimming but also too frightened to jump in the water? She knows Dad is right there to catch her. She knows all the other kids are splashing around in the water with no problems. Everything indicates it’s safe and enjoyable, but she just can’t overcome her fears and take the plunge. The Israelites in the Bible were a bit like this. They had longed to enter the Promised Land of Canaan for many years, but when they finally got there, after years of captivity in a foreign land, they were too scared of the inhabitants to lay claim to the land God promised them. When it came to choosing between fearing what they saw with their eyes or trusting the Unseen God, they chose their fears. The Lord promised to be with them and give them the land, but they chose to believe the fearful tales and not the covenant of their faithful God. Sometimes staying inside the pain we know is more comfortable than the unknown pain we are sure to endure on the way to our own Promised Land. This debilitating fear is why we stay in jobs and situations we don’t like, or sometimes even in relationships that are damaging. We fear the enormity of changes we would need to make, the unknowns of potential outcomes, and the pain we may encounter along the way. But God wants us to focus on His faithfulness and not our fears in every situation. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18) He wants us to trust Him, even when our circumstances inspire fear. (Philippians 4:4-7) Isaiah 12:2 tells us, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.” God promises to be our salvation and our strength in our tough times. The path will sometimes be frightening and difficult, but He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8) When we choose to surrender our lives to God, trusting Him for our rescue from sin, He promises to never leave or forsake us; we will never be alone!

2) Why were Joshua and Caleb so eager to go into the Promised Land when everyone else was so fearful? (verses 6-9)
In elementary school, my class learned a dance routine to a rock song for P.E. class, but my parents disapproved of the lyrics. So, I sat in the nurse’s office during P.E. for a month while my classmates rocked out in the gym. Missing my favorite class was bad enough, but dealing with my classmates’ teasing was awful. I didn’t make things worse by trying to explain my parents’ position. Instead, I played the martyr and became the poor kid with the kooky parents who hated rock n’ roll. I couldn’t imagine trying to defend my family’s moral objections to the song lyrics. Knowing how hard it is to go against the crowd helps my perspective on Joshua and Caleb’s plight. In verses 6-9, the two men stand firmly against the entire nation of Israel who didn’t want to enter Canaan. Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes, indicating their intense distress at the peoples’ distrust in God and disbelief in His promises. This wasn’t about their feelings of being “outcasts”, but about Israel’s heart-rejection of the God who had proven Himself faithful. They pleadingly reminded the people of God’s constant presence and ability to protect them and defeat their enemies if they trusted Him. Joshua and Caleb were full of faith in God’s faithfulness. The people, however, were not inspired by the exhortation from Joshua and Caleb. In fact, they were so angry with their unpopular message they picked up rocks to stone them! Only God’s intervention kept the two men safe. Forty years later, after most of the crowd got their wish and died before entering the Promised Land, Joshua and Caleb were found faithful and allowed to enter Canaan (Numbers 14:30) and enjoy God’s gift. May the Lord help us all to be as faithful and trusting as Joshua and Caleb!

3) Why did the glory of the Lord appear at the tent of meeting when the Israelites threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb? (verse 10)
There are many references to glory in church literature and Scripture. Sometimes glory means God’s presence (Exodus 24:16), a reference to Heaven (Psalm 73:24), or any place where God resides (1 Peter 5:10). It can also be used to mean radiant, divine beauty (Isaiah 6:3), or sometimes praise and adoration to God (Revelation 14:7). When God’s glory appeared to the Israelites in verse 10, glory references God’s presence. Here the glory of the Lord “refers to the reality of the LORD’s presence in a manifestation of his power and splendor. It showed to all that God was a living God. The appearance of the glory indicated blessing for the obedient, but disaster for the disobedient” (Preceptaustin.org) When God’s glory came to the Israelites, not only did God save Joshua and Caleb, but He allowed Moses to act on behalf of the shameful Israelites by interceding for them through prayer. Because of Moses’ prayer, God saved Israel from sudden destruction. They still received the punishment of never entering the Promised Land, but they experienced the power and mercy of being visited by God’s glory. It is awe-inspiring to think the Holy Perfect God would visit His people with His glory, yet the Scriptures are filled with such visits from the Lord. When God revealed Himself just in time to save Joshua and Caleb from being stoned to death by the angry mob of Israelites, He showed Himself to be Omnipotent (all-powerful) and Merciful. When God’s glory arrives, nothing remains the same. Nahum 1:5 tells us, “The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt; the earth trembles at His presence—the world and all who live in it.” We want to invite God’s presence to shake and shape our lives as we glorify His Name and seek to obey His commands through whole-life surrender.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Cultivating Faithfulness!

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

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fruitful Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Fruitful Day 4 Lasting Joy: 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 Lasting Joy!

The Questions

1) How can God be the psalmist’s “portion and cup of blessing?” (verse 5)

2) What does it mean for “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”? (verse 6)

3) What does abundant joy look like? (verse 11)

Psalm 16

Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you.
2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good besides you.”
3 As for the holy people who are in the land,
they are the noble ones.
All my delight is in them.
4 The sorrows of those who take another god
for themselves will multiply;
I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
and I will not speak their names with my lips.

5 Lord, you are my portion
and my cup of blessing;
you hold my future.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me
in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I will bless the Lord who counsels me—
even at night when my thoughts trouble me.
8 I always let the Lord guide me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad
and my whole being rejoices;
my body also rests securely.
10 For you will not abandon me to Sheol;
you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.
11 You reveal the path of life to me;
in your presence is abundant joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures.

Original Intent

1) How can God be the psalmist’s “portion and cup of blessing?” (verse 5)
Psalm 16 is a thankful prayer to the Mighty God from David, the youngest son and lowly shepherd-turned-king of Israel. David declares, “Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future.” (Psalm 16:5) Author Joseph Benson describes David’s allusion of “portion” and “cup” to “the ancient manner (…) in feasts, in which each had his portion of meat and of wine allotted to him.” In this case, David is pleased to have Jehovah as His portion because to have God is to have the source of all things. Author David Guzik notes, “God said to the priests in the days of Moses: ‘I am your portion and your inheritance.’ (Numbers 18:20) David understood this was a promise (…) to all who would trust God to be the portion of their inheritance.” To have the Lord as one’s portion was to have everything one needed. If David could choose from any potential portion, he would choose the Lord only His cup is full of blessings. Author Charles Ellicott cites Psalm 11:6 to demonstrate that the figure of cup “had already become a synonym for “condition in life””. David was thanking God that his condition in life was blessed because he trusted in the Lord God. The same is true for us today, if God is the Lord of our lives. No matter what we need or what we face, God as our portion is more than enough for us. His cup of blessing is all we need or could ever want.

2) What does it mean for “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”? (verse 6)
David understood God was the Author of his life and he described his joy by saying, “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”. (Psalm 16:6) Author Charles Ellicott explains, “The allusion is to the ‘measuring cords’ by which allotments of land were measured, and they are said to ‘fall’ possibly because after the measurement the portions were distributed by ‘lot.’” (Joshua 17:5; Micah 2:5) In ancient times, land was measured and divided among inheritors by casting lots (similar in concept to modern dice) to determine who would receive which portion of land. Author David Guzik notes that “David was the youngest son [who] could expect no inheritance from his family; yet he took joy and comfort in the fact that God was the portion of his inheritance . . . The lines that marked out his inheritance had fallen to him in pleasant places.” David rejoiced that God had given him a blessed life with God as his inheritance. The Lord, in His goodness, had provided fellowship with God Himself as the pleasant boundary lines marking David’s life. David knew this was better than inheriting the choicest fields or the largest estate for a life lived with God meant rich joy! He declared, “You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.” (Psalm 16:11) When we invite God to be Lord of our lives, we also experience the same good inheritance David celebrated. We rejoice because God made a place for us with Him. Our boundary lines couldn’t have fallen more wonderfully!

3) What does abundant joy look like? (verse 11)
In Psalm 16:11, David declared to the Lord, “In your presence is abundant joy”. He did not follow up with descriptors to embellish his meaning, instead, his description of abundant joy preceded his declaration. The entire chapter describes what it looks like to have abundant joy because it describes life in God’s presence. David writes of God’s presence as a refuge. (Psalm 16:1) He also described the joyless, sorrowful life of those outside God’s presence. (Psalm 16:4) David discovered the unspeakable, all-satisfying joy of choosing God as his portion, cup, and inheritance. (verses 9-11) God counseled David when he had troubling thoughts and guided him (verses 7-8), which was part of the joy of being in God’s presence. David’s confidence came from knowing he would never be shaken if he remained with God; what great joy! (verse 8) Because God was with him, David had confidence in the Lord; this confident, experiential knowing of God made his heart happy and brought him peace. (verse 9) David knew God would neither let him waste away nor abandon him. (verse 10) He was joyful in knowing God would lead him where he should go; again, what peace! (verse 11) Not only did David experience the joy of God’s presence on earth, but he was confident in experiencing eternal pleasures at God’s right hand. (verse 11) Author Alexander Maclaren suggests, “First, life here may be God’s presence with us, to make us steadfast. And secondly, if so, life hereafter will be our presence with God to make us glad.” For David, and us, abundant joy comes from being in God’s presence and realizing He is our All. He provides for our needs and cares for every issue we face. Thank You, Lord, for the joy of Your presence!

Everyday Application

1) How can God be the psalmist’s “portion and cup of blessing?” (verse 5)
As little kids, we would always bicker about who got the bigger piece of cake or who rode in the front seat. With my own kids, I learned someone will always complain about the sibling who received the “better” triangle of PB&J sandwich. Why are we so often dissatisfied with what we have, comparing it to everyone else’s and finding it lacking? David did just the opposite. He took one look at the portion given to him in God Himself and rejoiced! He knew that those who served other gods would have sorrows multiplied (Psalm 16:4), but those who served God had a pleasant “portion and cup of blessing” (verse 5) David realized that God was supremely the best he could possibly receive. It wasn’t about his circumstances, which varied from his life being hunted down to being celebrated as King. His blessing was found in the Lord God. In Him alone was found everything! Author John Piper asserts, “Nothing satisfies — nothing nourishes and sustains — the way [God] does. He is my greatest good. My treasure of all treasures. My highest pleasure. My chosen portion of sirloin. My cup of finest wine.” It is so easy to look at someone and envy what they have or feel disappointment in what you have by comparison. However, if we recognize, like David, that God’s Kingdom is more than the temporary, finite things we see, we can appreciate the Lord as our portion. He is our inheritance! (Ephesians 1:3, 11) Because of the “cup of blessing” we have from God, we have the counsel, guidance, protection and provision of the Almighty God at every moment of our everyday lives! Our portion is Him who holds everything together (Colossians 1:17), knows everything (1 John 3:20), and loves us without end (Psalm 100:5). When we have all of this in abundance, we have need of nothing else. In fact, we have so much that, instead of envying others, we can share our “cup of blessing” with everyone by sharing Jesus with them!

2) What does it mean for “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”? (verse 6)
My friend owns some farm land, and often finds his neighbors subtly encroaching on his property. One put up a fence a few feet over the boundary line, and one built a little shed on a shared dirt roadway. If things get contentious, a surveyor comes out to prove the boundary line, so he can get his land back. I think of my friend when David writes about “boundary lines” in Psalm 16:6. For David, however, there was no arguing or contention. He was not scheming to get more or lamenting his lack. He was pleased with the Lord’s boundary lines, His blessings and providence. Keep in mind that David’s life was neither easy nor trouble free. In fact, his life was often filled with military battles, personal conflicts, and sadness so deep it would qualify as depression today. Despite his hardships, David rejoiced in God being on his side. (Psalm 56:9) He could turn to God when his soul was troubled (Psalm 16:7); he confidently knew he would not be shaken when God was for him. (Psalm 16:8) With this deep trust in God, His peace prevails. David said his whole body could rest securely knowing God was in control. (Psalm 16:9) David also experienced joy and gladness from remaining inside God’s boundary lines and not pushing beyond. (Psalm 16:9) My prayer is for each of us to fully recognize the blessing it is to have boundary lines from the Lord that fall in pleasant places regardless of circumstances. God Himself is our good inheritance. I hope we live like David did, completely aware that God is for us, He is blessing us and providing for us daily, no matter our circumstances.

3) What does abundant joy look like? (verse 11)
People spend a lot of time, money, and energy pursuing joy. We try new fads and buy pricey gadgets we hope will bring happiness. We explore new hobbies, build bigger houses, purchase fancier cars, and adopt pets. Whatever promises to fulfill our longing for joy, we pursue it. This looks different for each of us. C.S. Lewis wrote, “I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for Joy.” None of these pursuits are bad or wrong in themselves, but they won’t bring us lasting joy to satisfy our deep longings. True joy only comes from God. In verse 11, David tells the Lord, “In Your presence is abundant joy.” In Psalm 43:4, the psalmist calls God his “greatest joy”. Romans 15:13 says God fills us with joy. Jesus tells us if we keep His commands and remain in His love, His joy will be in us and our joy will be complete. (John 15:9-11) Sometimes we get frustrated because knowing God and being in His presence doesn’t mean that we are exempt from sorrow. How can our joy be complete if we still feel sadness? Author John Piper says, “fullness of joy in this life does not [mean] that all competing emotions are excluded. We rejoice, and we weep, even simultaneously. But in the resurrection, this won’t be the case anymore.” We experience joy here on earth even while we still experience painful emotions, but when we are eternally in God’s presence everything changes. With God, there will be no more tears. (Revelation 21:4) We can experience the joy of the Lord even now, on earth, and live in joy forever with God in Heaven. This joy doesn’t require purchasing the latest, greatest gadget, we simply accept it as a free gift from God (Romans 3:24) when we put our trust in Him.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Lasting Joy!

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

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fruitful Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Terrain Day 14 The Island Of Patmos: 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 The Island Of Patmos!

The Questions

1) How is perseverance through persecution clear evidence that God counts us worthy of His Kingdom? (verse 5) 


2) Why is it just for God to “repay with affliction those who afflict you”? (verse 6) 


3) What does it mean to “pay the penalty of destruction from the Lord’s presence and from His glorious strength”? (verse 9) 

2 Thessalonians 1:4-12

Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God’s churches—about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring. 5 It is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering, 6 since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, 8 when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength 10 on that day when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Original Intent

1) How is perseverance through persecution clear evidence that God counts us worthy of His Kingdom? (verse 5)
Paul was pleased with the Thessalonian believers because they continued to remain faithful to the Lord through the trials they suffered because of Christ. Many converts were former Jews, “which angered the Jews and caused them to resort to violence and mob activity”. (Bible.org) Even amid persecution, the new Christians held to their faith, which Paul called “clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering”. (2 Thessalonians 1:5) The wording here can make it sound like these Christians were worthy of God’s Kingdom because of their suffering, but that isn’t accurate. People can’t do anything to make themselves worthy of God’s Kingdom. We can only gain Heaven through Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. (Titus 3:5-7) Suffering for God’s Kingdom, though, shows love for God and faith in His Word and His promises. It is a mark of genuine, saving faith in Christ. It is easy to fold under pressure, and enduring the face of persecution demonstrates authentic faith; it pleases the Lord when His children endure. Author Steve Lewis asserts, “Something about the Thessalonians was a plain indication . . . that God does indeed judge righteously. The indicator was not the trials themselves, but their response to the trials. Their perseverance and faith provided solid proof that God was at work within them, enabling them to behave in ways that were opposite to their natural desires.” The fact that the Thessalonian believers allowed Christ to empower them proved they belonged to Him, had His Spirit within them, and were truly part of His Kingdom. Author David Guzik suggests “Paul’s prayer was that the worthiness of Jesus may be accounted to the Thessalonian Christians.” Paul was pleased to know the Thessalonians stood strong in their faith in Christ and His power at work in them.

2) Why is it just for God to “repay with affliction those who afflict you”? (verse 6)
In verses 6-7, Paul encourages the persecuted church by writing, “it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us.” This resonates with many because it doesn’t seem fair when someone is mistreated for no good reason and the perpetrator goes unpunished. Everything in us cries out for justice! Acting justly is a crucial component for believers in accurately reflecting God’s character. (Micah 6:8) However, God does not want us to exact justice for ourselves. (Matthew 5:38-39) He tells us vengeance is His alone. (Deuteronomy 32:35) God instructs us to seek justice and show mercy; because He is Righteous and Just, He must let justice be served. Author David Guzik explains how “God’s judgment is based on the great spiritual principle that it is a righteous thing with God to repay those who do evil. Since God is righteous, He will repay all evil, and it will all be judged and accounted for either at the cross or in hell.” The Scriptures tell us God is a jealous and avenging God (Nahum 1:2) and that God will judge everyone according to what they have done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10) The wicked will face the wrath of God, but Christians are righteous through Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30) because He sanctified us through His death on the cross, which cleansed us from our sins. He took the punishment of sin on Himself, fulfilling the justice of God. We can rejoice because, unlike those who don’t have faith in Christ, God’s wrath is turned away from us because Jesus’ blood makes us righteous before God.

3) What does it mean to “pay the penalty of destruction from the Lord’s presence and from His glorious strength”? (verse 9)
Paul describes what will happen to those who persecute God’s people in verses 9-10 when he writes, “They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength on that day when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at by all those who have believed . . .” While Paul does mention “flaming fire” in verse 8, the greatest penalty for the wicked is being cut off from the gracious, good presence of the Lord. Author David Spence Jones explains, “As the presence of the glorified Jesus will constitute the happiness of heaven, so banishment from His presence will constitute the misery of hell, because the soul is then cut off from the source of all good and of all holiness.” In the beginning, before sin entered the world, God walked with humans in the Garden of Eden, communing with them in perfect harmony. After their sin, Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden, never to walk in perfection with the Lord again. (Genesis 3:4-24) Their sin separated them from the presence of their Holy God. Being deprived of God’s presence is disastrous because it is only in His presence we can find fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11) The persecutors of the saints were also cut off from the glorious strength of the Lord, for it is the joy of the Lord that is our own strength for believers. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Everyday Application

1) How is perseverance through persecution clear evidence that God counts us worthy of His Kingdom? (verse 5)
I coordinate children’s church volunteers, and I quickly recognize those who will stick and those who will hand in their nametags before they even get smudged with finger paint. The ones who stay endure toddler tantrums, diaper blow-outs, eye-rolling tweens, and difficult parents because they love serving the Lord. They believe sharing the Good News of Jesus with kids is essentia. Their willingness to serve, despite the challenges, blesses the Lord and plays an integral part in growing God’s Kingdom. Truly following Jesus always means struggle and suffering. Depending on location in the world and your dynamics, that suffering looks different. Sometimes it’s loving on hard-to-love kids, being rejected by your friends, or choosing the unpopular decision to follow Jesus first. For many believers around the world, following Jesus means literally putting their lives at risk because of their faith. This was the case for the believers in Thessalonica. In 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5, Paul wrote, “Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God’s churches—about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring.  It is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering.” Paul lauded the believers for walking out their faith in trying times. Author David Guzik observes that “Where suffering is coupled with righteous endurance, God’s work is done. The fires of persecution and tribulation were like the purifying fires of a refiner, burning away the dross from the gold, bringing forth a pure, precious metal.” When Christians experience difficult things and come through on the other side with their faith intact, they mature and develop the characteristics God desires in His Kingdom people. May we seek the Lord’s grace, wisdom, and strength to endure hard times so we can grow in our faith and fulfill the role God has for us in His Kingdom. 

2) Why is it just for God to “repay with affliction those who afflict you”? (verse 6)

Have you ever fumed at someone speeding past you at a ridiculous rate on the highway only to rejoice a few miles later to see an officer giving a speeding ticket? Something in our nature hates to see wrongdoers get off without penalty. It is satisfying to know that justice has been served. It seems easy to agree with Paul in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 when he writes, “it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us.” It is fitting for the Righteous God to enact justice on sinners, but it can be very tempting for us to take matters into our own hands. God is very clear that making wrongdoers pay is His job, not ours. Jesus tells us in Romans 12:19-20, “do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. ” Not only does God tell us not to avenge ourselves, He tells us to treat our enemies with love. We are to show kindness and let Him repay the evildoers. Treating those who afflict me with love and letting God handle the justice is not as natural as cheering on the punishment I think they deserve, but it is what God requires. It’s a helpful perspective to remember that, in view of God’s supreme holiness, we are all sinful and rebellious. (Romans 3:23) My prayer is that seeking justice and loving mercy becomes easier as we humble ourselves before God and allow Him to be the Righteous Judge over every situation in our lives.  


3) What does it mean to “pay the penalty of destruction from the Lord’s presence and from His glorious strength”? (verse 9) 

Being a Mom means having “superpowers” such as Finder of Lost Things and Healer of Boo-Boos. But the best “superpower” is that Mom’s presence can instantly make things better. Kids sleep better and worry less when Mom’s around. A mother’s presence brings incredible peace to her children! The Lord’s presence blesses His children in infinitely greater fashion. Zephaniah 3:17 declares, “The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in His love. He will delight in you with singing.” In God’s presence, we experience His salvation and the delight of His love. In John 15:5-6, Jesus remarks, “I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. . .” Jesus tells us that if we stay in His presence, we are productive and alive. Without His presence, we are like useless, withered branches. Paul describes the loss of God’s presence in verse 9, when he notes that those who persecute the Church will “pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength.” Eternal destruction is described as being apart from God forever. Author David Guzik explains how the phrase, “From the presence of the Lord”, sums up the Bible’s teaching on hell. Nothing more needs said of its horrors, other than hell will be completely devoid of God’s good presence and every kind aspect of His character. Only His unrelenting holy justice remains. Just as being in God’s presence is a blessing, being apart from Him is punishment. We delight and take comfort in God’s presence, and we suffer when our sin separates us from the Lord. Anyone who finds themselves deprived of the Lord’s presence need only repent and turn from their sins to experience refreshing from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19-20) We serve a mighty and merciful God!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Island Of Patmos!

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

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Terrain Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Terrain Day 4 Moses & Mt Sinai: 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 Moses & Mt Sinai!

The Questions

1) Why did the Lord come in a dense cloud? (verse 9)

2) Why did the people need to consecrate themselves before the visitation from the Lord? (verses 10-11)

3) Why did Moses need to climb Mt. Sinai continually to communicate with God? (verses 18-25)

Exodus 19:1-25

In the third month from the very day the Israelites left the land of Egypt, they came to the Sinai Wilderness. 2 They traveled from Rephidim, came to the Sinai Wilderness, and camped in the wilderness. Israel camped there in front of the mountain. 3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, 6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.” 7 After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 Then all the people responded together, “We will do all that the Lord has spoken.” So Moses brought the people’s words back to the Lord. 9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always believe you.” Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord, 10 and the Lord told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes 11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death. 13 No hand may touch him; instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows and not live, whether animal or human. When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.” 14 Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with women.” 16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud blast from a ram’s horn, so that all the people in the camp shuddered. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai at the top of the mountain. Then the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up. 21 The Lord directed Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the Lord; otherwise many of them will die. 22 Even the priests who come near the Lord must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out in anger against them.” 23 Moses responded to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, since you warned us: Put a boundary around the mountain and consecrate it.” 24 And the Lord replied to him, “Go down and come back with Aaron. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out in anger against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

Original Intent

1) Why did the Lord come in a dense cloud? (verse 9)
Exodus 19:9 describes the Lord God appearing before His people in the form of a cloud so they could see and hear the Lord for themselves, instead of only relying on Moses’ personal experience with Yahweh. It could be that God chose to appear like this before His people to provide a “clear indication to the people that Moses was God’s man to speak for Him”. (Preceptaustin.org) God had previously made His presence known to His people by a cloud when He led them out of Egypt. (Exodus 13:21) There are also other Old Testament instances of God using a cloud to convey His presence including Exodus 16:10, Leviticus 16:2, Psalm 18:11, and Psalm 97:2. God used a physical cloud to represent His magnificent presence in a visible form; of course, His overwhelming glory cannot be contained in a simple cloud. Author Charles Ellicott explains, “It is absolutely necessary that He should be closely veiled when He draws near to men, for otherwise they could not endure for a moment the brightness of His presence.” Ezekiel 10:4 describes the brightness of God’s glory, and Habakkuk 3:4 describes the Lord’s brilliance as flashing light rays. After Moses received the Ten Commandments and left God’s presence, his face shone so brightly he wore a veil before the people because the Lord’s glory reflected so strongly on his countenance. (Exodus 34:29) The brilliance of being in the presence of the Lord’s glory is awe-inspiring. His presence is Holy, and the unrighteous cannot stand in His full glory. The Lord graciously appeared to His followers as a dense cloud so they could witness Him without being overcome by His glory.

2) Why did the people need to consecrate themselves before the visitation from the Lord? (verses 10-11)
God instructed Israel to consecrate and purify themselves for three days prior to His visitation at Mt. Sinai. (verses 10-11) The instructions covered physical steps like washing their clothes and abstaining from sex. Author David Guzik explains, “In this situation, God wanted the people to demonstrate their desire for purity by putting on clean clothes and restraining desires . . .” God’s people were to show they wanted to be holy by making preparations on the outside that reflected the purity they were to have in their hearts. God desire for them to purpose to be holy before Him. Author Warren Wiersbe explains how, in Bible days, people “couldn’t take showers daily, and only the wealthy had stores of extra garments. That’s why bathing and changing clothes often marked a new beginning.” Author Charles Ellicott suggests, “The real essential preparation for approach to God is inward sanctification; but no external command can secure this. Moses was therefore instructed to issue directions for outward purification; and it was left to the spiritual insight of the people to perceive and recognize that such purity symbolized and required internal purification as its counterpart.” God called His people to make a covenant with Him to obey His commands and become His treasured, chosen people, a holy nation. (verses 5-6) This agreement with God brought with it a visitation from God and renewed commitment to live holy before Him. Consecrating themselves was the first step the people of God would make in entering this covenant with their God.

3) Why did Moses need to climb Mt. Sinai continually to communicate with God? (verses 18-25)
When Moses assembled the Israelites at the base of Mount Sinai for a visitation from the Lord (verse 17), it was not his first encounter with God at that location. When God commanded Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:4) to free His people from the Egyptians, it happened at Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb). God told Moses He would bring the Israelites back to Mt. Sinai to worship God. (Exodus 3:12) When Moses led Israel to hear from God, the Lord descended in a cloud. As Moses ascended the heights to commune with God, there was thunder and lightning. Author David Guzik notes, “It took courage for Moses to go up in the midst of all the thunder, lightning, earthquakes, fire, and smoke. Yet Moses knew God not only in terms of this awesome power, but also in terms of His gracious kindness.” Moses went back and forth up the mountain to take the Word of the Lord to the people and carry back their response to God. We see that Moses “fulfills his role as an intermediary or mediator acting in a very real sense like a priest between Israel and Jehovah ( Preceptaustin.org.) The Lord was gracious and loving to share the plans of His covenant with His chosen people, and Moses humbly and courageously acted as God’s mediator.

Everyday Application

1) Why did the Lord come in a dense cloud? (verse 9)
As a child, I dreamed about having a horse of my own. I wanted a tawny, cream-colored pony so I could feed her apples and sugar cubes while brushing her long mane. When I actually got close to a real horse, though, I changed my mind. The sheer size and strength of the beast intimidated me, and those big teeth and unpredictable head movements soon had me setting my sights on a puppy instead. Thinking about the presence of God can have a similar effect. We sing and pray about wanting to be in God’s presence. We ask Him to show us His glory, but we can’t actually fathom how holy and awesome His presence and glory are in fullness. When God shows up in the Bible, people fall on their faces in reverence (2 Chronicles 7:3) or worship (Exodus 34:8). Being in God’s presence was an overwhelming visceral experience. Today, those responses to God’s presence are still appropriate, but one way God’s glory comes to us now is in the person of Jesus. Author David Wilkerson asserts, “God wrapped up everything of His nature and character in Jesus. And any revelation of His glory to us now is meant to change us into an expression of Christ!” 2 Corinthians 4:6 says God’s glory lives in us and shines in our hearts because of Jesus. While we humbly stand in awe of God’s glory and presence, we are also called to become more like Jesus as we share the power of His glory with the world.

2) Why did the people need to consecrate themselves before the visitation from the Lord? (verses 10-11)
Most of us love the idea of a fresh start. We make New Year’s resolutions and begin dieting on the next Monday because we want to start anew. We can learn from the mistakes of the past and move forward into a new phase. A new beginning is part of what is conveyed in the idea of consecration found in Exodus 19:10-11. Part of consecration meant washing clothes and cleaning bodies, but it was also a symbolic indication of new things to come. Consecration continues today through the internal washing of our souls by the power of the Holy Spirit when we confess Christ as our personal Savior and repent from our sinful rebellion against God. The prophet Ezekiel prophesied that one day, God would “sprinkle clean water on you (Israel) and you will be clean. (…) I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes…”. (Ezekiel 36:25-27) This prophecy was fulfilled when God sent His Holy Spirit to indwell every believer after Jesus returned to Heaven. (Hebrews 1:3) When anyone repents of sin, asks God’s forgiveness, the Spirit of God comes to live within them to consecrate them, making them new! The Spirit frees us from the slavery of sin and its choices, waking us up to be holy just as God is holy. He IS our consecration because we are totally incapable of “being holy just as He is holy” on our own power. Only Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) His blood consecrates us and removes our sin before God. (1 John 1:9) Then His Spirit fills us, marking us as His own in a far deeper way than outwardly washing skin or clothing. Once we have the Holy Spirit inside of us, we can always start anew in following Him more closely even though we sin. When we choose daily confession and true heart-repentance, we are submitting to the Spirit’s work in us!

3) Why did Moses need to climb Mt. Sinai continually to communicate with God? (verses 18-25)
Because God is holy and separate from all unclean things, He needed Moses to act as His intermediary between Himself and His people. Now, however, we are under a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6) and Jesus has made a way for all people to reach the Father through His death on the cross. (Hebrews 2:9) Because Jesus’ blood has cleansed us from all unrighteousness, we can come to the Father as though we are holy and blameless once we repent from our sin and accept His forgiveness over us. (Colossians 1:22) We no longer need someone like Moses to represent us before God, because Christ Jesus made a way for us to come to the Father through Him by the Holy Spirit. If you’re feeling far from God, consider whether you have repented of your sin, turned away from it, and accepted His gift to live within you through His Spirit. If you’re confident you have His Spirit consecrating your life and marking you as holy, lean into knowing His word, dwelling upon its truth, and regularly speaking with the Lord as your personal Savior!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Moses & Mt Sinai!

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

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Terrain Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

If Day 7 Triune God: 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 Triune God!

The Questions

1) Why did Jesus say, “Because I live, you will live too?” (verse 19)

2) What does Jesus mean when He says, “I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you?” (verse 20)

3) How does the Holy Spirit teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus taught? (verse 26)

John 14:18-26

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. 21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me. 25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus say, “Because I live, you will live too?” (verse 19)
In John 14:19 Jesus tells His disciples, “In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live too.” Jesus was referencing His resurrection and the eternal life He gives to those who accept Him as their Savior. Though His followers will die one day, each one will live forever in Heaven with Jesus because they chose to fully rely on His sacrifice on the cross to pay the debt owed for their sins. Romans 6:23 tells us the “wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Because Jesus died, but now lives again, all who trust in Him can live forever just as the original disciples are even now! This life Jesus promises, however, is not only eternal life. His followers can live an empowered life while on earth as well with new perspective and purpose. Author Matthew Henry explains, “The life of Christians is bound up in the life of Christ; as sure and as long as He lives, those that by faith are united to Him shall live also; they shall live spiritually, a divine life in communion with God. This life is hidden with Christ; if the head and root live, the members and branches live also.” Because Jesus lives, Christians are alive in Him, learning and growing in Christ, praying to Him and hearing from His Word precisely because He Lives! Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that He came so we could have “abundant life”. We can live this abundant life now today because of Jesus’ work on the cross to put to death our sin nature and wake us up to real life inside of His life! Let’s purpose to live fully today in surrender to His Spirit at work within us, thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice and aware of His power working in and through us.

2) What does Jesus mean when He says, “I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you?” (verse 20)
Jesus’ words in John 14:20 sound a bit like a tongue twister, “I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you.” Jesus can authoritatively say He is in the Father because God Himself is three persons, known as the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is not just the Son of God; He is God. The Bible tells us Jesus only does what He sees the Father doing, and only speaks what the Father says (John 5:19-23). Father, Son, and Spirit are separate Beings while also the exact same God. The Holy Spirit only speaks what He hears God the Father say (John 16:13-15); three Beings, but only One God. When Jesus tells the disciples, “You are in Me,” He refers to the fact that Christians are a new creation, now alive in Christ, and free to live in unity and communion with God, just as the 3 distinct Beings are 1 God. Author, James Burton Coffman, explains, “The identification of believers with Christ is revealed in this verse to be exactly the same as the identification of Christ with God. God is in Christ; Christ is in God; Christ is in Christians; and Christians are in Christ.” Christians have given God control of their lives and hearts. His Spirit dwells within them, leading them and guiding them into deeper unity with Himself. (John 14:26) When we surrender our hearts and our lives to God, we experience the love of the Father (1 John 3:1), relationship with Jesus (John 15:4-5), and freedom and guidance from the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17).

3) How does the Holy Spirit teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus taught? (verse 26)
Just before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus taught the disciples about the Father God and their relationship to the Father because of their relationship with Jesus. He explained that, though He would not always walk with them on earth, God the Father would send them a Helper to continue teaching and reminding them of the things they learned through Jesus. He told them, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26 The Holy Spirit, given to us by the Father, dwells in each Christian and empowers each one to follow the teachings of Jesus. As author David Guzik explains, “The disciples would not only see Jesus by the Spirit, they would also continue to live in Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit. Their dependence on the life of Jesus would not end when He departed; it would continue in greater measure through the Holy Spirit.” We can do the things set out in Scripture, not in our own strength, but through the help of God’s Spirit. When we try, in our own strength, to obey God and keep His commands, we end up failing. (Romans 7:18-19)  But when we are weak, God is strong (2 Corinthians 12:8), and enables us to remember and carry out the plans of the Lord. The Holy Spirit gives us power through His presence and enables us to display His fruitful work (Galatians 5:22-23) in our daily lives.

Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus say, “Because I live, you will live too?” (verse 19)
One year, my family received a fabulous deal on all-inclusive passes to a giant theme park.  Everything was included in park tickets, hotel rooms, meals, and transportation. We went to dinner with some friends at the park, and as their eyes popped out of their heads when the pricey bill arrived, we just flashed our park pass and the meal was free! Living life with God is a lot like having that all-inclusive pass to the amusement park. Everything we need for life and godliness is accessible in Christ. (2 Peter 1:3) Jesus tells us in John 14:19, “Because I live, you will live too.” Because Jesus is alive, we have life in Him. Charles Spurgeon notes, “A man is saved because Christ died for him, he continues saved because Christ lives for him. The sole reason why the spiritual life abides is because Jesus lives.”  Jesus not only gives us abundant life on earth (1 Timothy 6:18-19), but this life also extends into eternal life in Heaven (1 John 5:11). Life with Jesus also gives us full access to the Father. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we can come boldly to God’s throne of grace and receive mercy in times of trouble. (Hebrews 4:16) In fact, Jesus is the only way we can get to Father God because only He lived our human life perfectly for us. Jesus tells His followers that no one comes to the Father except through Him. If we know Jesus, then we know the Father (John 14:6) We can rejoice in the full access we have to the Father through Jesus’, His Son!

2) What does Jesus mean when He says, “I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you?” (verse 20)
The Triune Godhead is made of Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit; all are co-equal as God. Jesus told His disciples, “I am in my Father, you are in Me, and I am in you.” (John 14:20) His words declared that Jesus and the Father are both different parts of the same Godhead. Jesus also promised the disciples that the Father would send them the Holy Spirit, another member of the Trinity, to teach and guide them. (John 14:26) Author, R.C. Sproul, explains, “The three persons are not distinguished by different divine attributes, for They share the same attributes. Instead, they are distinguished by Their relation one to another. We confess that the Father is unbegotten and that the Son is eternally begotten of the Father . . . We confess that the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son.”  The three Persons of the Trinity are the same in Their characteristics, but differ at times in the expression of those characteristics and in the roles They play. Each Person of the Trinity is equally important and equally God. As Christians, we are blessed to have a relationship with God in three Persons, and experience the blessing of God’s Triune nature.

3) How does the Holy Spirit teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus taught? (verse 26)
My church wanted to get involved in a summer camp for foster kids, so a small team went through rigorous hands-on training and learned the contents of a ginormous training manual. When we brought our first kids to camp, however, no one had time to look up the section on runaway campers as we were scampering in all directions to keep a kid from making it to the highway. Knowing what to do and putting it in action were two different things! Christians are blessed because not only does God give us a “training manual” in the form of the Bible, but He also gives us the Holy Spirit to help us live out His Word in real-time. Jesus taught that God sent the Holy Spirit to instruct us and remind us of Jesus’ teachings. (John 14:26) God revealed in Nehemiah 9:20 that His Spirit was sent to instruct us, and Scripture also tells us that God’s anointing teaches us about all things. (1 John 2:27)  We also learn in Luke 12:12 that the Holy Spirit can teach us what to say even while we are being called upon to make an answer. God’s Holy Spirit dwells in us, instructing us what to do, and even telling us what to say when needed. Referring to John 16:12-14, author R.A. Torrey asserts, “It is His (the Holy Spirit’s) work above all else to reveal Jesus Christ and to glorify Him. His whole teaching centres in Christ. From one point of view or the other, He is always bringing us to Jesus Christ.” As Christians, it is our heart’s desire to know God more and to know Him better. What a comfort to know that God sent His Holy Spirit to bring us into deeper knowledge of His Son!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Triune God!

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

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is If Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

If Day 2 One God?: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

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 One God?!

The Questions

1) How is Jesus the “firstborn over all creation”? (verse 15)

2) What does it mean that God is “before all things, and by Him all things hold together”? (verse 17)

3) What does it mean that Jesus is the “beginning, the firstborn from the dead”? (verse 18)

Colossians 1:13-22

He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. 14 In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. 18 He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. 22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him…

Original Intent

1) How is Jesus the “firstborn over all creation”? (verse 15)
Colossians 1:15 states Jesus is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” The use of the term firstborn has been problematic for some readers. It would seem to indicate that Jesus was created first, implying He is a created being, similar to an angel, and not co-existent with God before time began. According to author Arthur Peake, “there have been some false doctrines who assert that “angelic mediators usurped the place and functions of the Son in nature and grace.” Author David Guzik explains, “The Greek word for firstborn, prototokos, “can describe either priority in time or supremacy in rank. As Paul used it here, he probably had both ideas in mind, with Jesus being before all created things and Jesus being of a supremely different order than all created things.” Calling Jesus firstborn in the original language was a way to describe Him as being above all, not born or created first. There are several other Scriptural instances of the term firstborn to indicate exalted state or rank, including God telling Pharaoh that Israel is His firstborn son (Exodus 4:22) and God calling David, Jesse’s youngest son, His firstborn, “greatest of the kings of the earth.” (Psalm 89:27) Author William Barclay also points out that the word firstborn is “a title of the Messiah.” The Bible tells us clearly that Jesus is God, not just an angel or some other marvelously created being. Colossians 2:9 declares, “the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ.” We can be secure in knowing that the Jesus who came to save us (John 14:6) is the same God who created all things (Colossians 1:16).

2) What does it mean that God is “before all things, and by Him all things hold together”? (verse 17)
We read in Colossians 1:17 that God “is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.” If God is before all things, then He existed before creation. We read the truth of this in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Before the beginning, there was God. The “beginning” was when time began! Author and researcher Ken Ham explains that before the creation, there was “God existing from everlasting to everlasting—God existing in eternity.” God was there, before all things, being “I AM” (Isaiah 48:12) He also holds all things together. Author Albert Barnes states that God keeps all things “in the present state; their existence, order, and arrangement are continued by His power. If unsupported by Him, they would fall into disorder, or sink back to nothing.” Hebrews 1:3 makes a similar statement, that God “is sustaining all things by His powerful word.” As author James Coffman puts it, “Not only did Jesus Christ create the universe, He sustains, upholds, and supports it!” God is the Author of all things and the maintainer of all things. Without Him, we would have nothing, and without Him, nothing we do have would hold together. We are divinely blessed that not only did God create everything, but He also continues to support everything He made.

3) What does it mean that Jesus is the “beginning, the firstborn from the dead”? (verse 18) 
When Paul called Jesus “the beginning, the firstborn from the dead” in Colossians 1:18, he was referencing Christ’s resurrection. Calling Jesus the “firstborn” was a way to say that He was pre-eminent, the highest of those ever to come back from the dead. He obviously didn’t mean he was the first to come back from the dead, because Jesus Himself had raised Lazarus from the dead in John 11:42-44. Author Don Stewart explains, “Jesus was the first person in time to come back from the dead never to die again. In addition, He is preeminent over the dead and death itself. Jesus said that He has the keys, or the authority, to death and Hades.” Paul alludes to Jesus’ resurrection, but He also refers to a beginning, a new age, ushered in by the resurrection. R. C. Sproul explains that people redeemed by Jesus “now experience a taste of the power of the age to come through the ability to resist sin by the Holy Spirit. This future age will arrive in its fullness when all are raised from the dead, and our union with Christ assures us that we will then be raised unto eternal life just as He was.” The resurrection of Jesus points to the day when all Christians will have eternal life with Christ. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

Everyday Application

1) How is Jesus the “firstborn over all creation”? (verse 15)
When Paul called Jesus “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,” (Colossians 1:15), he was declaring Christ’s supremacy over all things God (as Father, Son, and Spirit) had created. It was part of his teaching about the power and purpose of Jesus on earth. Jesus is our Creator, and He desires to help His creatures. Paul reminds us that Jesus is not just a great moral leader created by God, as some false teachings suggest, but that He is Almighty God Himself, one part of the triune Godhead. Author R.C. Sproul says of Jesus, “We are called not simply to follow His guidelines but to throw ourselves at His feet in adoration and praise. Consequently, if we want others to have a proper view of the Messiah, then we need to be careful and always speak of Him as God incarnate, who rules over all.” This is why Paul declares Jesus to be pre-eminent over all things. Paul’s message to anyone who will listen is that the omnipotent God, because of His great love for us, came to earth as our Redeemer and covered our sins. (Colossians 1:14) It is astonishing to realize that the God over all creation longs to be in relationship with the finite, sinful beings He created and for them to each be reconciled back to Him! (Colossians 1:22)

2) What does it mean that God is “before all things, and by Him all things hold together”? (verse 17)
My friend taught at a school where the longtime secretary retired at the end of the school year. The next school year was quite chaotic for my friend because folks in the office didn’t seem to know what to do, or when to do it. The teachers received last minute requests to submit paperwork, schedules were revised multiple times, and annual events were forgotten or cobbled together at the eleventh hour. When the secretary who held the office together retired, everything fell apart! I think of this situation when I read Colossians 1:17, stating that God “is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.” Not only did God create everything, but He holds it all together in ways we don’t even suspect or understand.  If He suddenly stopped holding things together, nothing would be the same and everything would come crashing down. David Guzik describes Jesus as “the personal sustainer of all creation.” Not only does He hold all things together, but the verse also says He is before all things. I have sometimes wondered about that time before creation, before God spoke the world into being. Author Adam Clarke calls Jesus “the unoriginated and eternal God.” He is outside of time as we understand it. R.C. Sproul proclaims that God’s “Eternality goes in the other direction as well. There will never be a time in the future when God will cease to be. His being remains self-existent for all eternity.” It is both awe-inspiring and comforting to know that the eternal God is the One sustaining all creation, including you and me and all whom we hold dear.

3) What does it mean that Jesus is the “beginning, the firstborn from the dead”? (verse 18) 
I bought a book for my friend about the names of God because he liked to pray using the various names given to God in the Bible. The cover featured Immanuel, which means “God with us,” Jehovah Jireh, “God provides,” Prince of Peace, and Light of the World, among others. Nowhere on the cover did I see the name Firstborn From the Dead, though that is one of the names of Jesus in Colossians 1:18. It doesn’t sound as dazzling as Alpha and Omega, but the meaning behind it is just as powerful. The name firstborn indicates that Jesus is above all and over all, and in this case, it means He has power over death. He is the only one to come back from the dead and not die again. Author Scott Hubbard explains, “Only Jesus, the second Adam, has gone from dust to dust to glory. Jesus is the first human to have a heart that will never stop beating, lungs that will never stop breathing, legs that will never stop walking, eyes that will never stop seeing.” When Jesus rose from the dead, He conquered death (Romans 6:9) and sin (1 Peter 2:24) Because of His victory over death, we have the opportunity to live forever with Him in Heaven when we repent of our sins and accept His forgiveness (John 3:16) While Firstborn From the Dead might not sound like a great name, it conveys the best news ever shared…Jesus died to set us free from sin!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with One God?!

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

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is If Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.