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Adoption

Worship XII Day 5 O Holy Night: Digging Deeper

November 24, 2023 by Melodye Reeves Leave a Comment

Worship XII Day 5 O Holy Night: Digging Deeper

Melodye Reeves

November 24, 2023

Adoption,Adoration,Believe,Glory,God,Gospel,Holiness,Holy Spirit,Joy,Worship

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "O Holy Night"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Colossians 3:11-16

11 In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.

14 Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What does it mean to be “in Christ”, the One who “is all and in all? (verse 11)

The believer’s life “in Christ” was a recurring theme in the theology of the apostle Paul. (GotQuestions.org) Due to the original Greek text having no sentence break spanning verses 9-11, “in Christ” is supplied in our English Bibles for clarity.

It was so important to Paul for his mostly-Gentile (non-Jew) audience to understand the universality of the gospel message (Romans 10:11-13), as well as the supremacy of Christ (Colossians 1:17), he uses the word “all” 32 times and speaks of Jesus’ centrality 27 times in this brief epistle. The apostle’s compelling passion flowed from his conviction that God, in Jesus, had come to earth to reconcile all humanity to Himself. (Ephesians 2:4-7) Though Christ’s appearing as a baby was greatly removed from the glory and honor given Him in Colossians 1:15-20, the birth of the infant Jesus to parents of meager means would ultimately provide an eternal reconciliation to God for all who would receive Him.

On that holy night, when the Christ-child was placed in His mother’s arms, it was just the beginning of Mary’s many personal reflections of Who Jesus really was as the God Man. (Luke 1:28-29, Luke 2:16-19, Luke 2:33-35, Luke 2:46-51) Years after Messiah’s appearing, the apostle Paul would come face to face with Jesus in a much more dramatic way than the simplicity surrounding His birth. (Acts 26:12-18)

This encounter would drive him to spend his life declaring the worth of becoming united with an all-sufficient Christ. The best news of Paul’s message was quite radical to those who heard it; none were excluded from the invitation of reconciliation with the God of the universe! (Acts 15:17) Jesus came to receive everyone.

In modern terms, verse 11 marvelously states every Jew or non-Jew, every person who kept the law or not, every foreigner, every free person or slave, every uncivilized and uncultured person that exists has access to Jesus.

The Everyday Application

1) What does it mean to be “in Christ”, the One who “is all and in all? (verse 11)

“Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease.”

IN HIM, the slave is our brother!
IN HIM, no one has the upper hand or the higher position or the closer connection.
IN CHRIST, everything has become completely and perfectly leveled for all people in all places for all time. Our salvation has brought us together as brothers and sisters in Jesus, and it frees us from bondage of sin that divides us and holds us captive.

The prophet, Isaiah, brought the good news to those who would hear it. (Isaiah 61:1-3) My Sister in Christ, I want you to know we are not enslaved by a label someone has given us.

We are free to love each other with no boundaries. I may have never met you face to face, but if you are in Christ, you are my sister because of Jesus. I also want you to know you won’t be left out when the gifts are distributed.

There is no “bad list” that includes where you’re from or something you’ve done that would deny you access to the good grace of Jesus. In Christ we have been given gifts of wisdom, forgiveness, faith, hope, understanding, endurance, strength, and righteousness. (Colossians 1:3-14) But the best gift of all is Jesus Himself.

We all come to Him from the very same place despite our nationality, our culture, our income level, our appearance, and even our past. In HIM, our sweet Lord Jesus, we have become forever family. Let’s fall on our knees and worship Him!

The Original Intent

2) How does our relationship with Christ change our relationships with others? (verses 12-14)

When Paul was changed by Jesus, he developed a deep kindred connection with believers near and far. Most of the Colossian believers had never met Paul in person, yet in his pleas and prayers, along with the prayers of his companions, we feel his longing and desire to know their friends in Colossae were thriving in Christ. (Colossians 1:3-14, Colossians 1:27-29)

Jesus broke down many barriers among the people in His day. He loved those others dismissed. (Luke 13:10-17) He loved those others ignored. (Mark 10:13-16) He loved those others hated. (Mark 2:14-17) Paul had adopted this kind of attitude from Jesus and extended it toward others, and he wanted all believers to experience this kind of love with each other. (Philippians 1:8-10)

Paul had experienced the grace of God so deeply, he could not keep from extending grace to others. (1 Timothy 1:12-16) Jesus’ life and death were much more than an example for us, but they weren’t less than one. The characteristics in verses 12-14 were personified in Jesus.

Paul encouraged the believers at Philippi to remember Jesus and follow His example in love, fellowship, affection and mercy. He goes on to remind them of Jesus’ humility and sacrifice. He tells them to “adopt the same attitude of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 2:1-11) Ultimately, we are to love others with the kind of love Jesus demonstrated on the cross when He forgave us. (Romans 5:8)

Paul makes sure we understand where the strength lies to live this kind of life. In verse 12 he says “Therefore, since Christ is all and in all, … and since in Christ we’re unified,” we have His power within us to forgive and love like He did!

The Everyday Application

2) How does our relationship with Christ change our relationships with others? (verses 12-14)

“Truly He taught us to love one another.” The Lord of all creation has been showing us the way of love since the first man and woman rebelled against Him and He held out grace, forgiveness, and the Hope of reconciliation.

“It was the first Gospel sermon, preached by God Himself, not in words but in symbol and action. It was a setting forth of the way by which a sinful creature could return unto and approach his holy Creator. . . . It was a blessed illustration of substitution—the innocent dying in the stead of the guilty.” (“Gleanings In Genesis” by Arthur Pink)

My sweet Sister, if Christmas is anything at all it is this: IN CHRIST JESUS, we have been filled with such sacrificial love that we should overflow with love toward others.

Many of the songs we sing during this season reflect that truth. I’ve sung songs that mention how Love has come down at Christmas. Some talk of the miracle of Love that was born. As believers, we embrace one another with the Love we receive from Jesus.

Have you noticed we seem to “see” each other a little more clearly this time of year? Maybe we just have more accessible opportunities to give to those in need. I’m thankful for the many services in our communities providing food and gifts for those we call “less fortunate.” But let’s all remember this: IN Jesus, we are all called to love and serve our brothers and sisters …all year long.

Together, let’s fall on our knees and worship Him and let our lives prove the authenticity of that worship!

The Original Intent

3) How does Christ’s peace “rule” in our hearts? (verse 15)

It’s important to determine what kind of peace Paul is writing about in verse 15. In Colossians 1:19-20, Paul tells the believers God was pleased to reconcile them to Himself. The Greek word used in verse 20 is apokatallassō, meaning “the act of restoring a relationship to harmony”. (blueletterbible)

The purpose of Christ’s death was to bring all created things into a harmonious relationship with God. Jesus established a relationship of peace between God and His world through His sacrificial death on our behalf. Paul reiterates this in Ephesians 2:14-18 as he speaks of peace and reconciliation to God and with each other.

Although not completely different, the peace Jesus speaks of in John 14:27 is a residing peace within us personally, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.” This is a peace that characterizes Christ Himself and is kindly imparted to His people.

Returning to our phrase in its context, it seems Paul isn’t referencing a specific kind of individual peace, rather we should exhibit peace with each other since we are in Christ together. We notice this is likely the case as he is encouraging them “in one body,” meaning the church. (Colossians 1:18)

The meaning of the word “rule” conveys the responsibility of an umpire in an athletic game to render decisions about the plays, penalties, and scoring, with his final declaration of the winner. (preceptaustin.org) Paul is calling on the believers to conduct themselves in relation to one another in ways that will most effectively sustain the “peace of Christ”.

Paul repeats it in his letter to the Ephesians. (Ephesians 4:1-6) As we allow the peace of Christ to “rule” in our hearts, wisdom’s peace then directs our hearts toward humility, love and unity. (James 3:13-18)

The Everyday Application

3) How does Christ’s peace “rule” in our hearts? (verse 15)

“His law is love and His gospel is peace.” Without Jesus, we are all in the same situation, living without hope or life. It is Christ who brings us peace with God and peace with one another! (Ephesians 2:12-14)

In 1847, when Placide Cappeau wrote these lyrics, he offered an invitation to us to step into the Christmas story. Friend, I hope you feel the glorious weightiness of what Jesus did entering humanity WITH us. Love for one another and peace with another is ours in Christ. Jesus said the whole law can be summed up in one word: Love. (Galatians 5:13-14)

Jesus’ call to freedom, peace, and love reflects His mission. Jesus invites us to join Him in His mission of rescue and restoration. Just as the law of love supersedes all the rest, the peace of Christ rules our every thought, word and action. The gospel of Jesus brings love and unity to those who receive it.

During this season, we will likely experience everything from normal brokenness in humanity to encounters with irritating people and provoking circumstances. We will experience disappointments and emotions common to all image bearers of God. But in Christ, we can learn to steward our negative reactions and learn to respond as redemptively as possible.

Maybe someone in your circle needs you to “overlook an offense” this year (Proverbs 19:11), or embrace them with unexpected acceptance. This doesn’t mean we ignore deep conflict or sweep it under the rug, but it’s possible there’s someone in your life who needs extra grace this year.

And you have it to give. Do it! And let’s all fall on our knees and worship Him.

The Original Intent

4) In what ways are we to “admonish” one another during this season in which we celebrate the coming of Christ? (verse 16)

The Greek word translated “admonishing” (noutheteō) means “to give counsel about … a course of conduct.” Paul uses the same word in verse 16 as he does in chapter 1, “We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28)

Our admonishments to one another aren’t meant to stir angry or opposing feelings in others, though that may occur. The goal is worship! Paul says in verse 16 we are to let the word of Christ in us be used to admonish each other to sing songs. Not everyone will be gifted by the Spirit to be a public teacher of God’s word, but all can engage in the work of teaching by confessing the Word to one another through “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.”

In Ephesians 5:17-19, the CSB (Christian Standard Version) uses the word “speaking” to communicate the same idea. It seems the apostle is instructing the believers to confess the Word of God to one another, even in their songs. The “word of Christ” likely refers to ALL biblical revelation concerning Jesus, meaning the gospel. (Colossians 1:3-6) Continuing his theme of community, Paul wants them to learn God’s revealed Word so they can corporately instruct one another about Him from their hearts.

Based on Colossians 1:15-20, Paul’s life embodied his instruction. Is this passage a hymn? Is it a poem? Is it a confession? YES! Paul could not contain his deep affection and appreciation for Jesus, his Creator and Savior. He confessed Him in his songs, in his preaching, and his living. It was this confession that led him to live a life of thankfulness. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

The Everyday Application

4) In what ways are we to “admonish” one another during this season in which we celebrate the coming of Christ? (verse 16)

“Sweet hymns of joy, in grateful chorus raise we, let all within us praise His holy name.” Let all that is within us praise HIM. Self-centered admonishing is never the will of the Lord. We are to encourage others in a way that assists them to look and see God’s glory.

To do this involves prayer, love, and patience as we lead others to an awareness of who God is and what He’s done for us. As we do this, we are teaching each other to confess everyday thankfulness. Our songs can be a vehicle for declaring the gospel, which is the good news of Jesus.

This is the season of JOY. Not the “falalalala” kind of jolly, but the wonder of Emmanuel for God in the flesh has come to us. We can gather together and sing our praises to God and confess our joy to one another.

Sisters, I admonish you to sing for joy this season. Together in Christ, let’s allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts and cause us to be thankful people. Let’s allow the word of Christ to dwell among us and cause us to be thankful people.

But mostly, let’s fall on our knees and hear the angel voices. Oh night divine when Christ was born!

“But the angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord!” (Luke 2:10-11)

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christmas. worship,Colossians,hope
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Thank You for coming to bring hope and healing! Lord Jesus, You proclaim liberty, You replace ashes with beauty and despair with joy. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Because of what You did, we can experience true freedom from sin and shame, freedom only You can give. Empower us as we seek to help others grasp and experience this wonderful truth.

Help us never lose our sense of wonder as we consider all You have done.

“Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name.”
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Posted in: Adoption, Adoration, Believe, Glory, God, Gospel, Holiness, Holy Spirit, Joy, Worship Tagged: christmas. worship, Colossians, hope

Mission Day 4 Heart Of Mission: Digging Deeper

May 11, 2023 by Rachel Jones 1 Comment

Mission Day 4 Heart Of Mission: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

May 11, 2023

Accepted,Adoption,Called,Fruitfulness,Glory,Healing,Heart

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Heart Of Mission"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 12:9-13

Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. 11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What does it look like to love without hypocrisy? (verse 9)

When Paul tells Christians to “Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good” (verse 9), he is exhorting them to let their love be true and genuine. According to Preceptaustin.org, “in classical Greek drama, the “hypokrites” was the play actor who projected an image but hid his true identity behind a mask.”

To love without hypocrisy is to love in truth with authenticity, with no pretense or artifice. Ann Voskamp suggests, “Those in the church often wear masks like we have it all together, and in wearing masks what really gets masked is Christ. When Christ gets masked, there is no communion and we experience life of starvation, emaciation. We look like hypocrites because we are.”

Genuine love does not pretend to be something it is not to look better or be impressive. This inauthentic, selfish love leads to hurt and disappointment. Hypocrisy creates a false security and an expectation in the recipient only ends in sorrow. John Piper asserts, “The command to love without hypocrisy is really a command to know Christ and love Christ and find your satisfaction in Christ so that you do not crave the praise of men anymore.”

Authentic love mirrors God back to those we love. More than just words, authentic love, follows through on commitments and takes action. (1 John 3:18) Paul teaches us to pour out this genuine love, which is unselfish and puts others first. (1 Corinthians 13:5)

Christians can love one another without hypocrisy by keeping their word and honoring their promises. (1 John 2:5) When Christians demonstrate love in this way, they build trust (1 Corinthians 13:6) and lead others to follow the One who is love. (1 John 4:16)

The Everyday Application

1) What does it look like to love without hypocrisy? (verse 9)

One of the joys of working with young children is witnessing their unfiltered and startlingly forthright emotional expressions. They don’t try to hide their excitement like older kids. They squeal with delight when a soap bubble lands on their finger, or they shriek in despair when their balloon floats out of reach.

They also don’t sugar coat the truth like adults. Little kids call it like they see it. Their frankness can be brash, “Why did you cut your hair to look like that, Miss Rachel?!?”. But when they show you love, you know it’s genuine. They love without hypocrisy as Christ urges His Bride, the Church, to live out because this is how He loves us.

Christ-followers cannot make disciples unless they follow Christ in how He loves. (John 13:34) This means they can’t be fake or misleading, even when the truth is difficult. Like Christ, His followers are to embrace genuine love and reflect the Truth of God. (2 Corinthians 3:18) John Piper notes, “Hypocrisy is all about falsehood, concealment, deceit, cloaking, misleading, hiding. Hypocrisy is the opposite of loving the truth. So it is the opposite of love.”

To love without hypocrisy, we must hate lies and deception. (2 Thessalonians 2:10) We may need to confront uncomfortable issues we would rather gloss over or ignore. We might want to pretend like we don’t have any problems, but loving others in truth requires transparency about the heart-changing work Jesus is doing in our own lives. (Philippians 1:6)

When we love without pretense, choosing to love without hypocrisy, we are imitating Christ’s love for us!

The Original Intent

2) How can Christians take the lead in honoring one another? (verse 10)

Romans 12:10 admonishes Christians to “Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.” This particular Greek word for honor only appears this single time in the Scriptures and means “to go before as a guide. Honor is the honor due from each to all . . . leading the way in showing the honor that is due.” (Precept Austin)

Not only are we to love deeply, but we are to go beyond this by taking the initiative to outdo each other in showing love and honor due to all who are adopted children of God. We accomplish this when we seek out good deeds to perform for others. (Galatians 6:10) We honor our brothers and sisters in Christ when we celebrate their victories, support their endeavors, and acknowledge their attributes and contributions. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

This humble honoring of one another is the opposite of the culture’s mindset, which seeks accolades for ourselves. Paul encourages us to prioritize the needs of others above our own because it does not come naturally. (Philippians 2:3-4) In a “me-first” world, having an “others-first” attitude stands out. In fact, it’s this love for one another that tells the world we are Christ-followers. (John 13:35)

It requires practice in leaning into the Spirit’s work in us, but we can aim to outdo one another in showing honor to our brothers and sisters in Christ through our kind words and selfless deeds through the power of the Holy Spirit as we submit to His rule and reign!

The Everyday Application

2) How can Christians take the lead in honoring one another? (verse 10)

There are heartwarming stories circulating the internet about special students joining school sports teams as the team manager so they can experience team camaraderie even though they may not have the athletic skills needed to play. The whole team works together on one special night of the year, maybe homecoming or senior night or the last game of the season, to help that special student take part in a portion of the game. They coordinate events so the student can make a basket, score a goal, or run the ball. They go to great lengths, even coordinating with the opponent, so the special student gets to experience glory on the playing field at least once in the season.

These players and coaches go above and beyond to honor kids who contribute support and encouragement to the team off the field. I think of these stirring anecdotes of purposeful kindness when I hear Paul’s admonition to the church to “Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.” (Romans 12:10)

Paul wants Christians to set each other up for success in much the same way these teams seek out opportunities to give victory to their team members living with special needs. They go out of their way to demonstrate care, value, and celebration. (Hebrews 10:24) This may involve giving up the limelight ourselves to shine the focus on our brothers and sisters. It will likely include putting the needs and concerns of others ahead of our own. (1 Peter 4:8-10)

It means being intentional, planning ahead, and sacrificing as needed to assure that others feel honored and loved, even at our own expense. Lord, show us what steps we can take today to honor our brothers and sisters in the faith so we can build team unity!

The Original Intent

3) How can we be patient in affliction? (verse 12)

The Apostle Paul instructs his readers to “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) Paul wants the Church to realize they will need hope, patience, and prayer to live as Christ-followers. Being patient can be difficult enough in good circumstances, but Paul wants Christians to be patient even when times are hard.

How can we remain patient when everything around us is going wrong? Rob Morgan asserts, “Rejoicing in hope enables us to be patient in affliction. Patience is hope in different clothing. It’s the ability to wait calmly as the Lord works everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.” We can be patient because we confidently know God is in control of all things (Deuteronomy 31:8) and He is working everything out for our ultimate good and His glory. (Romans 8:28-29)

We can be patient no matter what is going on around us because we know God is always good (Psalm 34:8) and we can trust His Word and His Ways (Psalm 33:4).

Instead of panicking and letting our worry turn into ranting and wailing, we can recall God’s love and faithfulness and wait patiently for the Lord to perform His will in our lives. Liz Curtis Hjggs suggests, “We can be patient in affliction by not complaining and by giving thanks for the good things we do have. We don’t grumble or murmur but look for ways to honor God in our circumstances.”

When we focus on God’s ability to provide the strength we need, we recognize the grace He gives to help us patiently endure and overcome the afflictions that arise in this world. (John 16:33)

The Everyday Application

3) How can we be patient in affliction? (verse 12)

When my first pregnancy ended in miscarriage, I spent the entire 9 months that I would have been pregnant to grieve my loss, learn more about pregnancy, and get physically healthier. During that time God healed my heart (Psalm 147:3) through dreams, journaling, worship, His Word, and the hugs and wisdom of other miscarriage sufferers.

It was an uncomfortable process, but it was one I needed to journey through patiently as the Lord healed my heart and prepared me to experience a new pregnancy. While everyone’s healing journey looks different, for me, this time of waiting was an example of what Paul exhorted his readers to do in Romans 12:12; be “patient in affliction.” Instead of rushing through the process, choosing patience allowed me to discover impactful lessons God had for me in that difficult time.

My biggest take away was that God was present with me in the pain, holding me and sustaining me. (Isaiah 40:11) Ann Voskamp notes, “We may not understand the purpose or the point in our suffering, but whatever it is, it must be so important, and so profound, that Jesus Himself is willing to go through that suffering with us.”

Being patient in the turmoil helped me learn that even if I never understood the “why” of my painful circumstances, I understood that God was always with me and that I could always depend on Him. (Philippians 4:19)

Hurrying through the pain to get to the promise would have caused me to miss His revelation, and it is this deeper knowing of Him that demonstrated that nothing can separate me from God’s love and care. (Romans 8:35-39) He has faithfully sustained me in every crisis large and small since then.

Tags :
care,family,honor,love,others,selfless
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Mission Day 3
Journey Study

The Lord is faithful and sovereign. (2 Thessalonians 3:3, Jeremiah 32:17) He loves people and His plans will come to pass.

I truly believe if I miss the prompts of the Lord and/or refuse to participate in His mission field, the Lord is big enough to bring about His purposes another way. The timing and method may be different, but it will come to pass.

However, I will miss out on being a part of it.
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Posted in: Accepted, Adoption, Called, Fruitfulness, Glory, Healing, Heart Tagged: care, family, honor, love, others, selfless

Alive Day 7 Adopted: Digging Deeper

September 21, 2021 by Shannon Vicker Leave a Comment

Alive Day 7 Adopted: Digging Deeper

Shannon Vicker

September 21, 2021

Adoption,Christ,Cross,Digging Deeper,God,Sacrifice,Sin,Suffering

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Adopted"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 8:14-17

14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What is the spirit of slavery? (verse 15)

Slavery is a concept Paul’s readers would have known and understood as it was commonplace in their everyday lives from household slaves to business slaves.

In Acts 16, Luke records the story of Paul’s interaction with a slave girl, setting her free from demons. (Acts 16:16-24) Paul’s Roman audience, a mix of both Jews and Gentiles, knew the history of Jews enslaved in Egypt for 400 years as told in the Torah, which is a Jewish holy text, comprising the first 5 books of what we know as the “Old Testament” in our Bibles. You can read of Jewish slavery in the book of Exodus. Slavery also existed in the Old Testament when a poor person would sell themselves to another person in order to pay a debt they owed. (Leviticus 25:39)

However, God included clear commands in Leviticus instructing slave owners not to force these slaves into labor, but instead to view them as hired workers who would be released in the Year of Jubilee. (Leviticus 25:40-41)

Paul is using this base knowledge with his audience to explain their condition as sinners. They were slaves of the debt they owed God because of their sin against Him.

The Everyday Application

1) What is the spirit of slavery? (verse 15)

The type of slavery Paul referenced in this passage was not slavery we think of in western culture today. It was selling yourself as a hired hand to pay a debt, knowing you would one day be released, free of your debt, in the Year of Jubilee, which God had instituted. God outlined specifically how slaves were to be treated in Leviticus 25.

Paul uses the term “spirit of slavery” to convey our position before the God of Justice without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. We are sinners bound to the debt we owe as sinners, which is death. (Romans 6:23)

Each one of us rightfully deserves death and punishment for our sin and it’s fundamentally imperative we do not forget what we deserve.

The Original Intent

2) What is the Spirit of adoption? (verse 15)

In Roman culture, an adopted person lost all rights in his old family and gained all the rights of a legitimate child in his new family. He became a full heir to his new father’s estate, while forfeiting all ties to his past.

Paul uses this imagery to convey what happens spiritually when an individual accepts Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, which paid the debt of all sin. (1 John 2:2) This person has lost all ties, ownership, rights, and connection to the previous “family”, ruled by Sin and Death, they become adopted by God as members of His family. Through Jesus, God as Father, gives the person who fully surrenders themself to Him, the “right to become a child of God”. (John 1:12)

This is the only way to be accepted by God and be given an inheritance of eternal life instead of the rightfully earned condemnation of eternal separation from Him. (John 14:6, Ephesians 1:3-12) Children of God no longer belong to the world and its slavery to sin, instead they are welcomed in to God’s family as co-heirs with Christ, the Son. (verse 17)

The Everyday Application

2) What is the Spirit of adoption? (verse 15)

The day we accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin we become co-heirs with Christ (verse 17). We are no longer bound by our sin but instead welcomed into God’s family. The ownership chains of sin and slavery have been removed, we are officially declared “dead to sin”. (Romans 6:11)

He becomes our Abba, meaning Father, and, just as an ancient Roman son would become an heir to their father’s estate, so we become an heir to our Father’s inheritance. We are fully adopted into the family of God, our penalty of death is paid through Jesus’ death for us and we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to live within us, promising us our final inheritance is yet to come in eternity with our Father. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

We are given the gift of a restored relationship with our Father, that was once broken because of our own sinfulness!

The Original Intent

3) What does it mean to suffer with Christ? (verse 17)

Roman crucifixion was one of the worst forms of death, if not the worst form of punitive punishment, ever invented. It was grotesquely brutal and Paul’s audience knew it full well. Likely, some in his audience had even witnessed it firsthand or had heard the horrendous cries of anguish accompanying such a torturous death.

The prophet Isaiah conveys the suffering of Jesus’ horrible death in Isaiah 52:13-53:12, hundreds of years before crucifixion was even invented by the Romans. The recipients of Paul’s letter also knew there was a price for choosing to follow Christ, meaning many of these early believers would face persecution or death for their faith.

Paul knew the persecution was growing more intense for the Church and he wrote to remind the believers that the price of following Jesus was known, expected, and shared among all true followers of Christ, but that reward was coming! (Luke 14:26-27, verse 18) They must be willing to suffer with Christ as part of their adoption. “…if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” (verse 17)

However, there is the comfort in knowing nothing they would endure would compare to the suffering of Jesus as He bore the punishment for our sin. (1 Peter 2:24) Praise God, no believer will ever be alone after trusting Christ for salvation for God will always be present through the Holy Spirit!

The Everyday Application

3) What does it mean to suffer with Christ? (verse 17)

In modern western culture, the concept of suffering and persecution as a believer for their faith is foreign. However, believers around the world are currently persecuted for their faith in Jesus, many in torturous ways or through death.

If the Lord has currently blessed your life, keeping you from facing the same type of persecution other brothers and sisters in the faith face, I urge you to please use the freedom you’ve been given to share Christ! Regardless of where we live, or what the cost of following Jesus looks like for us specifically, we must not forget we are all called to a higher standard as a child of God. We are to be set apart from the world, which will inevitably make us “stick out”, often bringing on forms of suffering.

Paul calls his readers not to be conformed to the world’s pattern of sin, but instead to be transformed by His Spirit (Romans 12:2); this leads to suffering. (John 15:18-21) We are called to love and serve like Jesus and this will come at a cost. The world hated Jesus, and it will hate all who follow Him as well. Jesus Himself calls believers to pick up their cross (Matthew 16:24-28), deny self, and follow Him.

Each of us will pay a different price for our faith in Jesus, but we can be sure following Him won’t be suffering free. However, we can cling to the truths Paul wrote of to encourage the early believers. Jesus experienced worse than we can ever imagine, we are never alone, and the final battle for our souls has already been won.

We can say with strength as the psalmist did, “The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me?” (Psalm 118:6) We are able to endure whatever lies before us because of the One who has gone before us!

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Father, You know I love you. You also know the level of overwhelmed I feel right now, Lord. I know You’ve been faithful to preserve me before, and I know You will continue.

But, Abba? No matter how hard I try and pray and organize and squeeze in time, there is just not enough. I’m empty. I can’t keep this up. I can’t do everyone’s job. I keep praying, throwing myself on You, but the hours of work aren’t disappearing and my time narrows. How do I manage all this AND be un-burdened?

Daughter, come to Me. (Matthew 11:28-30)
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Posted in: Adoption, Christ, Cross, Digging Deeper, God, Sacrifice, Sin, Suffering Tagged: Abba, adopted, alive, Child of God, command, debt, father, Heir, Jubilee, right, slave, slavery, spirit, surrender

Alive Day 6 Adopted

September 20, 2021 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

Alive Day 6 Adopted

Rebecca Adams

September 20, 2021

Adoption,Beloved,God,Holy Spirit,Love

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 1:12-13
Ephesians 1:3-10
Titus 1:1-3
Romans 8:14-17
Hosea 1:10-11

For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:14-17)

Father, You know I love you.
You also know the level of overwhelmed I feel right now, Lord.
I know You’ve been faithful to preserve me before, and I know You will continue.

But, Abba?
No matter how hard I try and pray and organize and squeeze in time, there is just not enough. I’m empty. I can’t keep this up. I can’t do everyone’s job. I keep praying, throwing myself on You, but the hours of work aren’t disappearing and my time narrows. How do I manage all this AND be un-burdened?

Daughter, come to Me. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Yes, I know. My coming to You has been pretty lacking. My quiet time has been, well, lack luster. I feel so far from You, Lord. I can’t muster up anything.

I died for this.
For your feelings of alone. For your sense of being abandoned. For your inability to follow Me on your own power. I died so those lies could be defeated, holding no weight.

What other lies did You die to defeat, Jesus?
I really need some anchors for my flailing feet right now. My marriage, friendships, kids, grieving places, failing areas, the places I’m hurting, the places I’ve hurt others… I keep running rickshaw over all of them. I hate that I’m doing it, but I just can’t seem to stop.

I died for you.
Full stop, my heart. Lord, I know this…but, do I?

I died for you to be mine, my Own, my Beloved One.
I died so you would never need to cling to fear, and could instead run from it, filled to overflowing by the fullness of truth and grace found only in relationship with Me.
(Colossians 2:9-10, John 1:14)

Only in Me. (John 14:6-7)
No other Father will love you like this.
(John 10:30, John 15:15-16)
Never will I disown. Never will I forget you. I cannot, for I am perfectly faithful.
I Am here.
(Isaiah 49:15-16, 2 Timothy 2:13)

All the riches of eternity are ours to share because you are Mine and I am yours.
(Ephesians 1:3-4)
That’s adoption.

And when you don’t feel close, when the mountains loom larger than life,
when the walls are closing in, and you feel crushed beneath it all,
remember adoption has hemmed you in on all sides behind and before.
(2 Corinthians 4:8-10, Psalm 139:5)
Once you are Mine, you cannot escape My hand. (John 10:28-29)
I am your shelter, your shield, your very great reward.
(Genesis 15:1)
The boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places for you,
(Psalm 16:5-6)
and though others abandon you, I will never forsake you.
(Psalm 27:9-10)

You’re adopted.

You are my enough, Yahweh. (Psalm 121)
Who am I to call into question the lavish love of a God who sacrificed Himself for me when I hated Him, loathed Him, spurred Him? (Romans 5:8)

God, who has the highest right to be offended and every right
to disown all of us as hell-bent rebels, chose us.
Never will He UNchoose us. He cannot.

“To all who received Him, He gave them the right to be His children, to those who believe in His Name.” (John 1:11-12, emphasis mine)

Sisters, with all urgency, we must not miss this!
Only those who respond to His warm welcome of adoption are finalized as His own.
Only then are the spiritual “papers” signed and His Spirit comes to dwell within us as His down-payment to prove His promise that He will one day complete the good work He has begun in us by welcoming us Home. (Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:15-16, John 14:16-17)

He has paid the price of our adoption by spilling His own blood in humble sacrifice, the response is ours to give, accepted only by faith in Him. (1 Peter 1:18-19, Hebrews 11:6)

He is willing to become ours, will we become His?

The God who crafted each freckle on your cheek, each pivot of your naval, and every fleck of color in your eye, has already chosen to offer adoption since before time began. (Titus 1:2-3)

This God, who simply could not let us drown in the demise of our deathly, sin-loving ways without offering His perfect love to us, is holding out the adoption papers. (John 1:12-13) He desires us to understand that to be adopted by Him is far more than belonging, it’s to embraced by love on purpose.

His adoption is a love story lived out in every thread of our lives, woven behind and before, above and beneath, as we explore again and again, how magnificent it is to be known and loved, chosen, and adored.

This is adoption.

What will you do with this grand love?

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Abba,adopted,alive,Come to Me,eternity,father,Lacking,Mine,quiet,Riches,Urgency
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Paul uses the term “spirit of slavery” to convey our position before the God of Justice without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. We are sinners bound to the debt we owe as sinners, which is death. (Romans 6:23)

Each one of us rightfully deserves death and punishment for our sin and it’s fundamentally imperative we do not forget what we deserve.
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Posted in: Adoption, Beloved, God, Holy Spirit, Love Tagged: Abba, adopted, alive, Come to Me, eternity, father, Lacking, Mine, quiet, Riches, Urgency

Enough Day 6 Fallen Kings

April 5, 2021 by Merry Ohler Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Samuel 8:19-22
1 Samuel 13:6-15
1 Samuel 16:4-13
2 Samuel 12:1-10
John 4:1-15

Enough, Day 6

“But MOO-ooom, I WANT it!” My toddler’s cheeks flushed with the heat of emotion. He knew what he wanted, and he wanted it RIGHT NOW.

I can relate. Maybe you can, too.

Countless times, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted or needed. I may not have articulated myself the same way he did, but the heart posture and desire have been identical. I know myself. I know what I need. I certainly know what I want, and when I want it.

Ahh, the self life. Like it or not, we’re born with it. It’s fully ours, from the moment our heart begins beating. Self-focus and self-service feel right because it’s in alignment with our flesh. We are born with the intense, driving desire to serve ourselves.

The Israelites weren’t so different from us as they, too, were born with a sin nature. They were born slaves to self, just as we were. In their desperation to make up for the incredible lack they felt, they demanded a leader. A King. A tangible leader to follow; one who’d care for them, inspire them, and check all the boxes they thought would make them feel satisfied, safe, and happy.

But the need they ached to fill with King Saul was a void only God Himself could fill.

Yet, God gave them what they so desperately clamored for: a King. And not without a measure of divine help; Scripture tells us when Saul was anointed by Samuel, God put a new spirit within him. (1 Samuel 10:10) Saul was strong, and handsome. In other words, he checked all the boxes. The Israelites couldn’t have found anyone who seemed a better fit for a king.

But he wasn’t enough. 

Saul was human. He was a man, and when he fell, the Israelites were left in even worse shape than before his reign.

Next, God appointed young David, the lowly shepherd, to be Israel’s king. David was truly a man after God’s heart. The youngest of many brothers, he was relegated to caring for sheep in the fields. During his time in the fields, he learned to play the lyre, and experienced many incredible feats as he kept the sheep in his care safe. Eventually, he began to play for King Saul, and spent time in his courts. David experienced his fair share of rejection, but the Israelites loved him dearly. God loved him dearly, too. Even when David sinned, he remained soft to the Spirit of God. He accomplished much for the Lord, and God blessed Him.

But he wasn’t enough, either.

David was also a man, and like any human being, he sinned. While he did repent, he was completely incapable of meeting the incredible need the Israelites felt.

The hunger for hope.
The longing for leadership.

They knew what they thought they wanted, but they didn’t know what they needed.

But God did.
He knew all along.
He created them, so of course He knew they needed…

To be seen and known.
To be heard. And held.
To be washed clean of every spot, every blemish.
To be forgiven, set free, adopted, and transformed.

Just like any good father, He sees us, just like He saw the Israelites. He sees us, exactly as we are. He sees all the people and things we use to seek solace.

He knows these imitations will never be enough.

Beloved, where are you today? Are you hurting, tired and angry, longing for more but unable to find the thing that makes you feel complete? Do you long to plunge deep in His refreshing presence? Do you wonder what it might feel like to be completely unfettered by the sin which has entangled you? Do you crave belonging, community, and purpose?

Beloved, truth?
You will never be enough.
You’ll never attain enough, or acquire enough, learn enough or do enough.
The Israelites felt all the same things, and looked to their earthly leaders for fulfillment, but their kings fell . . . never enough.

Could anyone ever be enough to reconnect us to the God who sees us, knows and is exactly what we need, and longs to share Himself with us?

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Posted in: Adoption, Blessed, Follow, Forgiven, Freedom, God, Holy Spirit, Love, Sin, Transformation, Truth Tagged: desire, enough, Fallen, God's Heart, Heard, Held, King David, King Saul, Kings, known, Seen, Self-Focused, Self-Service

Follow Day 10 Transformed Follower

January 15, 2021 by Parker Overby Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Acts 9:1-9, 17-25
Jeremiah 17:9-10
Romans 6:1-11
Acts 3:19-20

Follow, Day 10

Saul is walking along the road to Damascus, on a journey with the goal of persecuting those who follow the teachings of Jesus, claiming they are part of “The Way.”
In this place of unadulterated hatred, Saul has a radical encounter with God.

God speaks, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Saul is completely blinded, asking, “Who are you, Lord?” (Acts 9:4-5)

He is given instruction to head into the city of Damascus. Although physically blind, disoriented, and unsure where this path would lead, he knows the Lord is directing him. Days later, Saul is approached by Ananias, who was sent by God to pray over Saul, to help him “regain [his] sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit”. (Acts 9:17-18) His name is changed to Paul, symbolizing the death of his past and the freedom of his future in Christ. He speaks boldly, claiming Jesus is the Messiah.

In Paul’s conversion story, we see a complete transformation from the life he was living before Christ to the life he is living knowing Christ. After salvation and adoption into the family of God, Paul’s purpose is radically altered.  He spends the rest of his days preaching and teaching to the Gentiles of the Jesus he once loathed.

Paul rejects the power of sin over him, living into his new identity with total surrender.
“For I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
(Galatians 2:20)

How many of us live beneath the truth and promise we are utterly new creations if we have truly surrendered to Christ’s transformation?

When we come to face our reflection, we do not often see ourselves as beloved daughters of the Most High God. Instead, we focus on all the areas where we do not measure up, desperately striving to be better.

One of the biggest implications of the truth that we are a new creation is that there is no room for shame in the presence of God. The Lord has redeemed us; all of our past, present, and future sins were fully and finally paid for on the cross by the sinless son of God. Hebrews 10:10 declares, “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.” Not only were our sins forgiven on the cross, but all of the favor and merit of Jesus was placed upon us.

The reality of sin still exists and wreaks destruction in our lives and in our hearts. Yet as believers, we are not identified as sinners; rather, we are given the identity of saints and coheirs with Christ. These two realities can be held in tandem, that we are still inclined to turn our affections to directions other than the Lord, but the sin in our hearts does not have the final word on who we are.

We are instructed to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33) and to keep “our eyes on Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:2) This is good news and there is freedom here! The Lord pursues us and is constantly welcoming us back to Himself, reminding us of His goodness and grace.

The Lord is gracious to show us our sin and to redirect our attention. I have experienced this process in my own life, year after year. The Lord has faithfully used mentors to beautifully model how to live in the reality that we still sin, yet are called saints and daughters. When I have brought sin struggles to some of the women in my life, they have met me with incredible grace, which I believe reflects the grace of God and has brought much healing to my life.

He has been so near on this journey, constantly refining me in the fire to look more like Jesus. I truly desire to walk in a way that honors Him, but I know even in my weakness He is glorified. (2 Corinthians 12:9) He beckons me to His heart, showing me His plans are higher than my own.

“Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Psalm 34:14

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Posted in: Adoption, Christ, Follow, Freedom, Future, God, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Journey, Paul, Power, Promises, Purpose, Redeemed, Salvation, Saul, Sin, Truth Tagged: Beloved Daughters, Family of God, favor, goodness, Hatred, New Creations, Refining, transformed

Calling Day 2 Into Inheritance: Digging Deeper

October 6, 2020 by Melodye Reeves 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 Into Inheritance!

The Questions

1) What important truths do we miss if we rush through the greeting of the writer? (verses 1-2)

2) What significance does the theme of “blessing” in verse 3 have on the rest of the passage?

3) In the context of this whole letter to the church at Ephesus, why does Paul begin chapter 1 by repeating the phrase “in Him” so often?

4) How is the Holy Spirit a down payment of our inheritance as saints? (verses 13-14)

Ephesians 1:1-14

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the right time – to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him. 11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory. 13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Original Intent

1) What important truths do we miss if we rush through the greeting of the writer? (verses 1-2) Rebecca writes in yesterday’s Journey Study regarding Paul’s introduction, “in just the first 14 verses, we, the Church, every saved-from-sin-rescued-from-death believer, are hereby declared…”
What a wonderful word description and declaration for the Church! In his greeting, Paul identifies three important aspects of this letter: 1) he identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by God’s will; 2) he identifies the Ephesian recipients (both Jew & Gentile, 2:11-13) as the saints of Jesus Christ; 3) he identifies that his message is from God. This declaration of identity is then fully enlarged in the following verses. We do not skim the greeting because its significance is essential to our understanding of the remaining verses. Once we know the writer (Paul), the audience (Christian Jews & Gentiles in Ephesus), the message (grace & peace), and the original author (God), we can appreciate Paul’s enthusiasm in the following verses. As blessed saints, we are showered with grace and peace from God. For those who are in Christ, this grace and peace is lavished on us through endless blessings from the One and Only God of blessing.

2) What significance does the theme of “blessing” in verse 3 have on the rest of the passage?
Simply stated, it is everything. The word “blessing” is a translation of the Greek word eulogy, and it means “to speak well of.” All these verses (3-14) are focused on Paul’s charge to the Church to bless the Father. We declare God blessed by praising Him “with worshipping love.” (HCG Moule, A Commentary on Ephesians) It is essential to note that this passage comprises one long sentence in Greek. (enduringword.com) It appears that Paul is writing from such an overwhelmed condition that he hardly takes a breath between thoughts. It is as if Paul breaks out in a song of praise that he does not quite know how to end! When he considers all the spiritual blessings he has received from God, he cannot contain his worship. Pastor John Piper helps us understand what Paul is expressing, “When God blesses men they are helped and strengthened and made better off than they were before; but when men bless God He is not helped or strengthened or made better off. Rather, it is an exclamation and expression of gratitude and admiration.” The faithful saints of God, including Paul, bless Him by recognizing His glory and goodness which were demonstrated in the way He has blessed the believer with every spiritual blessing. Wow!

3) In the context of this whole letter to the church at Ephesus, why does Paul begin chapter 1 by repeating the phrase “in Him” so often?
Every believer has available to him or her certain, eternal spiritual resources. All those who are in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, are on the receiving end of God’s blessings.  What does Paul mean when he writes we have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.”? (verse 3) It has been expressed like this, “Contrary to some beliefs, [blessings] are not some mysterious power or cosmic connection reserved for a select few. They are the key benefits of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.” (Primary Source Unavailable) Although some Bible translations (NIV, ESV) leave out the two expressions from the original Greek  (“in him” and “into him” in verses 5 and 10), likely because they appear unnecessarily repetitive, I agree with New Testament Professor Kenneth Berding, “Union with Christ (‘in-Christ-ness’) is crucial to Paul’s thought and is repeatedly snuck in by Paul. Union with Christ can be viewed as a web that extends into the rest of Paul’s theology and holds it together. Perhaps Paul isn’t simply being redundant. It could be he is being intentionally repetitive, even in-your-face repetitive, because the idea of being united with Christ is so significant to him.” (The Good Book blog, Talbot School of Theology)
(2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

4) How is the Holy Spirit a down payment of our inheritance as saints? (verses 13-14)
Of all the spiritual blessings listed in the previous verses, perhaps the blessing of the Holy Spirit is the one that best ties them all together. When we become the daughters of God through Christ, He places His stamp of ownership on us, promising us a never-ending guarantee of salvation. Union with Christ means: We are chosen (verse 4), we are adopted (verse 5), we are accepted (verse 6), we are redeemed (verse 7), and we are forgiven (verse 8). It also means we gain wisdom (verse 9) and a guaranteed inheritance (verse 11). God reveals the genuineness of the believer’s relationship with Him as the Holy Spirit testifies through our lives when they look more and more like Christ. This guarantee, this assurance, acts as “the down payment of our inheritance.” It is God who holds us fast. It is our union with Jesus Christ the Son, by the power of His Holy Spirit, that we are kept safe until the day Jesus returns for us and brings us into His eternal kingdom. This is all done to the praise, and for the glory, of God. We return full circle to verse 3, “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!”

Everyday Application

1) What important truths do we miss if we rush through the greeting of the writer? (verses 1-2) “Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), by the will of God [that is, by His purpose and choice],To the saints (God’s people) who are at Ephesus and are faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (AMP (amplified) Version) Oh, friend, do you see the good news Paul was greeting the church at Ephesus with? As a chosen representative of the Messiah, by God’s choosing and for God’s purposes, he proclaimed grace and peace to them and upon them. It is this ‘grace and peace’ that is always available to all the people of God who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:27-30) It is this ‘grace and peace’ that brings spiritual blessings too numerous to count and too wonderful to fathom!
“Grace and peace, oh how can this be?
Let songs of gratefulness ever rise, never cease.
Loved by God and called as a saint, my heart is satisfied in the riches of Christ.
Oh, what an amazing mystery that Your grace has come to me!” (Grace &Peace by Sovereign Grace Worship)

2) What significance does the theme of “blessing” in verse 3 have on the rest of the passage?
If you follow any sort of social media, most likely you have seen it: Hashtag “blessed.” (#blessed) Though I have never personally used the hashtag sentiment, I would be less than honest if I did not admit my own tendency to equate the good things in my life as being a reward for my good works. It is way too tempting these days to post pictures of parties, or décor, or gatherings, or vacations as a way of picturing my blessings for all to see. After all, I really AM #blessed. Dear sister, testifying of our blessings is certainly not the problem. Paul was so overwhelmed by his blessings he created the longest run-on sentence in the New Testament. James reminds us that every good thing the believer has is indeed a blessing from God. (James 1:17) The problem lies with confusing the spiritual with the material. Too often, we allow our perspective to be hindered by the obstacle of discontentment. It simply does not matter if we are rich or poor, healthy or sick, powerful or weak by the world’s standards. Paul reminds us we are all #BLESSED in Jesus!

3) In the context of this whole letter to the church at Ephesus, why does Paul begin chapter 1 by repeating the phrase “in Him” so often?
John Stott says, “The expressions ‘in Christ,’ ‘in the Lord,’ and ‘in Him’ occur 164 times in the letters of Paul alone. To be ‘in Christ’ does not mean to be inside Christ, as tools are in a box or our clothes in a closet, but to be organically united to Christ, as a limb is in the body or a branch is in the tree. It is this personal relationship with Christ that is the distinctive mark of His authentic followers. What distinguishes the true followers of Jesus from false pretenders is neither their creed, nor their code of ethics, nor their ceremonies, nor their culture, but Christ. What is often mistakenly called ‘Christianity’ is, in essence, neither a religion nor a system, but a person, Jesus of Nazareth.”
In Christ, we are blessed with “every blessing”. We have them all within our reach. Read through these verses again as a prayer, and thank God for blessing you beyond what you could ever ask or imagine. Close your prayer in intercession (praying for others) and doxology (praising God for His blessings). (Ephesians 3:14-21)

4) How is the Holy Spirit a down payment of our inheritance as saints? (verses 13-14)
The Greek word for “down payment” is used only in the New Testament in regards to the Holy Spirit. He is our only down payment of coming glory; nothing else is provided or needed. (biblehub.com) The saints of God have an assurance that there will come a time when we will take possession of our full inheritance. John Calvin wrote, “We do not have the full enjoyment of it at present. Seeing that the Holy Spirit reigns in our hearts, we have something for which to give praise even in the midst of all our temptations. [So] we should rejoice, mourn, grieve, give thanks, be content, wait.” (Ephesians Sermon, 1558—59). When we fully grasp in our hearts the inheritance that awaits us, we are better able to sincerely give God praise even during trials. No matter what you are facing, friend, I believe Paul would remind you we have God’s guarantee of eternal glory, through His Holy Spirit that dwells with us. The God who validates our relationship with Him by His own Spirit, will absolutely keep us until the big reveal. That will be the day He testifies of our redemption and takes final and forever possession of His inheritance – US! (Romans 8:16 1 John 3:1-3)

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

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 Calling 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.

Posted in: Accepted, Adoption, Called, Forgiven, God, Grace, Holy Spirit, Inheritance, Jesus, Peace, Power, Praise, Redeemed, Relationship, Salvation Tagged: blessing, calling, chosen, glory, goodness, identity, Lavish, Lavished, Message, One and Only

Sketched VIII Day 3 Zacchaeus

August 26, 2020 by Merry Ohler Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Exodus 22:1-4
Leviticus 6:1-7
Luke 19:1-10
Luke 15:1-7

Sketched VIII, Day 3

The crowds were thick on the day I first met Yeshua Maschiach.
Jesus, the Messiah.
I craned my neck this way and that, but I couldn’t even catch a glimpse of Him.

To be honest, I didn’t understand why we were all pressing in to see this mysterious man from Nazareth. Sure, I’d heard the murmurs whisper through the town, but the stories I’d heard…
The King we had all been waiting for…the ones the prophets foretold…a carpenter?
Well, it just didn’t seem very likely.

I tried to squeeze between two burly men in front of me, but they didn’t budge an inch. Pfft.
Exasperated, I exhaled noisily.
One of them glanced over his shoulder and down at me, and I felt ire begin to rise in my chest as he chuckled under his breath.
I crossed my arms and caught his gaze boldly, daring him to speak. He turned forward again, and the moment slipped away.

What am I even doing here? I wondered, silently. Just then, my gaze drifted across a nearby sycamore tree.
Why, I could climb up there in no time, I realized.
Swiftly, I strode to the trunk and began to climb. Higher and higher, until finally, I found a somewhat comfortable spot to rest and watch. I peered through a wide opening and scanned the people below until I spied the source of all the ruckus.

He moved with a fluid, uncommon grace that somehow felt completely out of place, while also exactly right. Dozens of people surrounded him, but He seemed…unshaken. It was almost as though He walked in a bubble. Set apart, but also fully present. I watched His face as He interacted with those closest to Him. His eyes were warm; His expression compassionate. Goosebumps rippled through my skin. This man loves. He loves each one. EVERY one. 

I sat up straight at the thought. Might it all be true? Something like fear and wild hope tangled in my chest and started up my throat. Could He really be the Messiah we’ve been waiting for? Blood rushed in my ears, and my heart skipped and thrummed at the thought.

“Zacchaeus.”
The syllables were uttered at barely more than a whisper, but everything in me came to sudden, total silence.

He was speaking to me. But, how could He even see me?
I leaned forward to peer through the opening again, but He was nowhere to be seen. He must be right below me.

“Hurry and come down here, because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”
His voice pierced through my internal dialogue and drew me with more than a command. Before my mind had even processed the words, my hands and feet propelled me from my vantage point and plopped me right at the feet of the very man everyone was desperate to see.

I stood quickly, brushed off a few stray leaves, and straightened to my full height as my gaze traveled up to meet His. His face was broad and kind, and His dark eyes warmer than I had first surmised. His mouth hinted at a curve as we stood there, inspecting one another. Surely, He couldn’t be serious. This man? Stay at MY house? 

He nodded, almost imperceptibly, and my heart swelled nearly to bursting. Joy blazed through every inch of my body, and I nearly shouted at Him. “YES, my Lord! Come to my house!” He could stay anywhere, but He chose ME. I don’t have quite the words to explain what happened inside me in that instant, but I knew I’d never be the same again. Even as the realization registered in me, murmurs of disgust and disappointment rippled through those standing all around us.

“He’s going to stay with a sinful man!” one woman hissed.
“Doesn’t he know who Zacchaeus IS?” another queried.

Tears filled my eyes. They were right. But I couldn’t allow this moment to pass. I wouldn’t.
I blinked a couple of times, then squared my shoulders and raised my eyes to meet his.

“Look, I’ll give half my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.” Please, Lord. Please choose me, still.

Yeshua stepped forward and rested a rough, tanned hand on my shoulder. An expression I couldn’t quite define crossed His strong profile, and He turned and spoke to those gathered. “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

And my friends? That’s exactly what He did. I was lost. I didn’t even know I was lost until I encountered Jesus, but when He called my name, I was utterly, irrevocably changed. He could have chosen anyone. There were dozens of others present who were more righteous and less sinful. But He chose me. And when I realized Who He was, I chose Him, too. 

I gave away half of everything I owned, and I was a rich man. Half of my livestock, my riches. Half of my land, my clothing, my belongings. I returned four times what I stole from others.

I climbed a tree that day to see the man everyone claimed was the Messiah. I never expected my whole life to change in that instant. I never expected Him to pay for my sin and shame on another tree, along with everyone else’s, too. But He did. And I know He would do it all again.

For me. For you.

I am Zacchaeus.

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Posted in: Accepted, Adoption, Broken, Called, Faith, Forgiven, Freedom, Fullness, Gospel, Jesus, Joy, Pursue, Redeemed, Redemption Tagged: hope, made new, redemption, rescue, sinner, Zacchaeus

Sketched VII Day 9 Born Again: Digging Deeper

March 19, 2020 by Merry Ohler 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 Born Again!

The Questions

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?

John 3:1-21

1 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2  This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him. 3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 ”How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit,  he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. 8  The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9  “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus. 10  “Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. 11 “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 22 But anyone who lives byJ the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Original Intent

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses when he was speaking to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?
Jesus is Emmanuel, God With Us. He is and always has been the God Who meets us where we are, and in his interaction with Nicodemus, we see this illustrated clearly. Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the highest Jewish council in the first century. The Sanhedrin was comprised of 71 individuals, which included 69 common members and was presided over by the high priest. The 69 common members were divided into three courts of 23 members, and Moses was actually considered the 70th common member. The Sanhedrin served as the highest court of the Jews, and they even appointed members to lower courts throughout the land. Their decisions were honored by Jews regardless of where they resided. If a lower court decision were to be appealed, it would be sent before the Sanhedrin for review…not unlike a first century Supreme Court. Every member of the Sanhedrin was well versed in the Law, as well as the history of Moses. They would have been well versed in all 613 laws, as well as any religious customs their culture had adopted as rules. Nicodemus undoubtedly knew the Law backwards and forwards, as was required of his position and title. The story of Moses lifting the snake in the wilderness would have been as familiar to Nicodemus as the back of his hand. Because he was after Nicodemus’s heart, as he always is, Jesus spoke to him in the language he would immediately recognize and understand.

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?
Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus about the new life God extends to every believer when they submit their life to Him and accept the deity, death, and resurrection of Jesus and salvation through Him alone. While conversing with Nicodemus, Jesus mentioned being born of water and the spirit. The phrase “born of water” likely refers to what Nicodemus would have recognized as familiar: spiritual cleansing by water. This is clearly referenced numerous times throughout the Old Testament. (Numbers 19:17-19; Psalm 51:2, 7; Ezekiel 36:25) The phrase “born of the Spirit” refers to the spiritual birth each person receives when they experience salvation and their sin nature is crucified with Christ. When we accept the gift of salvation, we are transferred into the kingdom of God and begin to be transformed into the likeness of Christ! As we allow Him to do the work necessary in our spirit, our soul and flesh fall into alignment and we begin to become more and more like Jesus. Praise God!

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?
Jesus was fully God and fully man. He knew His verbal exchange with Nicodemus that night would echo throughout the Jewish man’s mind, heart and life, as well as through the pages of Scripture for all time. This conversation was anything but casual. Jesus took this important moment to explain the miraculous spiritual transformation every believer can experience in their life. He had not yet been crucified, but being God, He knew the end of the story. Jesus wanted Nicodemus, and everyone who would read this passage of Scripture, to know what God had been telling the Jews since the first Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden: no one is able to become righteous in their own strength. Instead, spiritual salvation and transformation are required. In this passage, Jesus is explaining what it takes to enter the kingdom of God: the spiritual transformation which would be made possible only by His own death and resurrection.

Everyday Application

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses when he was speaking to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?
In the exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus that night, we see the nature of God illustrated clearly, and we are encouraged to follow suit. Jesus could have spoken to Nicodemus in a parable, or through an angel, or through any supernatural or natural way he desired. However, he knew Nicodemus intimately. He chose to meet Nicodemus where he was and speak to him using the language and medium He knew Nicodemus would understand. As born again Christians, we are charged to fulfill the great commission, and in this interaction Jesus shows us the best way: by meeting people where they are and speaking truth to them in the way Holy Spirit leads. Doesn’t it make sense that He would encourage us to come alongside others as we share the good news of the gospel? Grab hold of the freedom we see Jesus extend to us here!

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?
God never changes, and He has been telling us the same truth since the beginning: we are incapable of saving ourselves. No human could ever fulfill the law or become righteous on their own; we all need someone sinless to stand in the gap for us because all have sinned. God is holy, and He can not contradict Himself. As much as He loved His creation, He could not remain in intimate relationship with them once sin had entered the picture because sin deserves punishment and God is just. But, God also knew His creation would foul things up and sin (over and over), and He had already designed a different outcome. Enter Jesus. God sent His only begotten son to atone for our sins, so we could enter into a right relationship with Him. When we accept this gift of salvation, we are also recipients of spiritual birth! Our sin debt was paid for once and for all by the precious blood of Jesus Christ when He defeated death and hell, and rose from the grave three days later. This ultimate sacrifice made it possible for us to be born of water and the Spirit!

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?
From the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and accept the salvation and new life He alone can give us, we become part of God’s family through the spirit of adoption. But that’s not all. We experience an immediate transfer into the kingdom of God, but this is only the beginning! As we grow in our faith and spiritual maturity, God is gracious to transform us from the inside out, renewing our mind to become like Jesus. Freedom is truly ours as we find there is absolutely nothing we can do to manufacture this incredible spiritual transformation on our own; instead, we are tasked to let Him do his work in us. We can fight it, sure. We can struggle, and resist. And the Lord will honor our desires. He will never force us to change, but if we will submit every area of our lives to him, He will go about the holy work of redeeming us and using us for His glory!

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

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 Sketched VII 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.

Posted in: Adoption, Digging Deeper, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Kingdom, Salvation, Scripture, Sin, Sketched Tagged: Again, Born, Emmanuel, Fully God, Fully Man, God with us, Moses, spirit, water
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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14