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Another Day 14 Gentle & Lowly Lifestyle: Digging Deeper

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Another Day 14 Gentle & Lowly Lifestyle: Digging Deeper

Natalie Smith

March 23, 2023

Adoring,Affectionate,Beloved,Comfort,Know,Life,Love

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 "Gentle & Lowly Lifestyle"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 139:1-7

1 LORD, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
you understand my thoughts from far away.
3 You observe my travels and my rest; you are aware of all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD.
5 You have encircled me;
you have placed your hand on me.
6 This wondrous knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty;
I am unable to reach it.
7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why is it important to recognize the depths of God’s knowledge of me? (verses 1-4)

These verses were written by King David of the Old Testament. There is a deep relational tone in its lines like an intimate You-and-me connection between God and David. From the human perspective, there is such a great emphasis on being deeply known it takes the old phrase, “you know me better than I know myself” to a whole new level of literality.

God, literally, is aware of our thoughts before we have processed them ourselves. He not only knows what they will be, but he “understands” them (verse 2) and “knows all about it” (verse 4). He sees our heart attitudes and complex emotions before we have formulated or even recognized them ourselves.

To be known and understood to this depth can be beautiful, healing, and comforting or quite the contrast. Do we know the ONE who knows us so well? The answer to this ties closely with either the beauty or terror that may arise in our hearts.

Secondly, but actually more importantly, is the YOU emphasis of these verses which shifts the focus on WHOM King and psalmist David is speaking about. David points the eyes of hearts unmistakably upon the LORD, Creator of all things. (Genesis 1-2)

Theologians use the big words of omniscience (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful) and omnipresent (present in all places) to describe the LORD who is utterly outside our understanding. In my mind, these words help me focus on God’s rule, reign, and personhood as high and above all other authorities as the king He is.

These truths are meant to radically shape our perspective on God, but we must not forget Scripture also teaches this same LORD is intimate, close, and personal. He is intentional in His relationship with each of us as evidenced by His active searching of our inmost being. (verse 1) The LORD God keeps watch over all we do because He cares intimately, with perfect love, for His creation. (Matthew 6:33)

The Everyday Application

1) Why is it important to recognize the depths of God’s knowledge of me? (verses 1-4)

The Enduring Word Commentary notes that having an All-Powerful Being know your deepest thoughts and every move would either be fearfully uncomfortable or wondrously comforting. If you learn someone unknown seems to know everything about you, it would leave us feeling unsettled and fearful. Who is this person? What is their intent?

Conversely, consider a child in the presence of their parent; she roams free, safe, and happily within their given boundaries as their needs are anticipated and satisfied by their parent. If a parent disappears, a young child will desperately search for their parent as the source of their stability and sustenance.

Perhaps you’ve experienced the rest and refreshment found in the presence of a friend with whom we share everything freely because we know our worst selves are safe in their love. This type of close relationship often stirs up gratitude, security, and great joy.

It was this beauty David wrote in Psalm 139 as he reflected on the Lord who had remained steadfast and faithful all the days of his life. From his youth, David learned to trust the Lord as he fought off lions and bears (1 Samuel 17:34-37) and was stirred to worship the One who knew him best and loved him most. (Psalm 84:10-12)

May we grow in deeply knowing the One who knows us so well! For the Lord is near to those who draw close to Him through repentance of our sins. (James 4:8-10) What intimacy awaits those who feel lonely, fearful, and depressed when they come to the Lord to confess their sin and enjoy the pleasure of relationship with Him because of His forgiveness and mercy! What sweet connection awaits if only we would pour ourselves over His Scripture and meditate on His character day and night that we might deeply know Him! (Joshua 1:8)

The Original Intent

2) What does it mean for the Lord to have encircled someone? (verse 5)

As the original Hebrew phrasing is not a clear, direct translation to English, different translators have used differing English phrases for the Hebrew term translated “encircling me” in the CSB (Christian Standard Bible).

The ESV (English Standard Version) translates the Hebrew as “hem me in, behind and before” and New King James uses “hedged me in.” Studying different translations can provide us with a wider understanding as we study God’s Word.

According to Bibleref.com, David is using words to paint a picture of God setting up a boundary of protection around what is precious to Him. While God created all people with intentionality (verse 6), Scripture provides several examples of God securing the righteous, meaning those who trustingly look to Him with the steps of their daily lives. (Psalm 7:9-11)

When reading the book of Job, we find great sadness brought upon him by Satan, but it was never beyond God’s orders of allowance. Through every suffering, not even Satan could move beyond the boundaries of protection placed on Job by the Lord God. (Job 1:12)

The Everyday Application

2) What does it mean for the Lord to have encircled someone? (verse 5)

I sat mulling over a friend’s child who is having unusual health symptoms. Google searches can quickly pull up anything from mild to life-threatening causes. When some of these mild causes are ruled out, it’s easy to let panic of the scary causes arise in the heart. Every night my daughter fears a “bad guy” breaking into our house.

Though I encourage her that the Lord guards us and we can take our fears to Him, the questions linger. What if this sweet child is really sick? What if someone breaks into our house? What if our fears become real? How do I trust the Lord if it seems this “encirclement” of protection has been penetrated?

I cannot say I know how to live faithfully in these situations, but I can know the Sovereign God has proven Himself loving without fail. When I remember that Scripture teaches the hard reality that the wages of my sin equates to death (Romans 6:23), my perspective is re-oriented.

I rightly earn death and destruction because of my choice to sin. Every day, every relationship, every gift evidences a good, kind, merciful God bestowing gifts I don’t deserve! (James 1:17) The greatest evidence of His vast love is His offer of complete forgiveness for every sin, because He paid the price of death in full for us with His own life. (Romans 3:23-24)

Repentance from sin and trust in His mercy provides access to this fullness, even in the face of suffering. God does allow suffering, but nothing passes through His hedge of encirclement without Him using it “to bring good to those who love God.” (Romans 8:28) May our hearts be tethered close to the Lord that when suffering comes, we are anchored to the One who rules over the storm. (John 16:33)

The Original Intent

3) How does the Lord’s omniscience and omnipresence help me to love others? (verses 6-7)

Only a God who is, “too wondrous” and higher than we can understand is truly worth our time, energy, and worship. Too often we look to limited power – ourselves or other people – to fix our problems.

David’s life is full of situations bigger than him, both figuratively and quite literally (i.e. Goliath versus teenage boy with a slingshot). Still, David found rest repeatedly in knowing a God who is all powerful and yet always intimately near. (Psalm 62) Even as David is being chased by King Saul, he does not draw his sword against the Lord’s anointed, but rests in God’s all-knowing purposes. (1 Samuel 24:5-7)

David reminds himself in the depths of fear and struggle that nothing escapes the Lord’s eye, even that of “Sheol” or the grave. (verse 8) He had no need to take matters into his own hand, or bring about his own sense of justice because he trusted the God who held him steady and safe; David had chosen to deeply know the Lord God. He was free to act in accordance with God’s commands and rest in the Lord’s hands.

Consider the Lord’s words to the one who trusts Him, “Because he has his heart set on Me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows My name. When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor.” (Psalm 91:14-15)

The Everyday Application

3) How does the Lord’s omniscience and omnipresence help me to love others? (verses 6-7)

Confidence is, “the state of feeling certain of something.” Having confidence in our abilities is a good thing. It’s important to develop skills and know our limits. Yet, who provided our bodies, minds, and abilities? Who can handle that which we know is too great or heavy for us? Even in my strong points, things go wrong and I slip; who will catch me then? Scripture reminds us the Lord upholds us all our striving. (Isaiah 41:10)

David, author of many psalms and shepherd boy, knew this well. He took great concern for the people of Israel as they cowered before the threats of giant Goliath. Though he was concerned for his people, he was further concerned that enemies would defy the Lord in threatening the Lord’s people. (1 Samuel 17:26)

When we read David’s brave testimonies, it may initially sound as though he is confident in himself, “Whenever a lion or a bear came…I went after it, struck it down…” But in the end, David clarifies, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:34-37)

David practiced trusting the Lord as he fought off wild animals, shepherded sheep, and composed songs. The more he trusted, the braver he became in the strength and surety of the Lord. When he stood against Goliath, His confidence was in the Lord’s omniscience and holy purposes because he had practiced trusting His ways.

Only in this resting place of confidence in the Lord was David able to fight for others and treat those against him with patience and grace. Like David, I need to trade my fears and desire to control for the steadfast faithfulness of having full confidence in the Lord.

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Another Day 13
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We cannot authentically love what we do not deeply know.

I was enamored with my husband from Day 1. But it wasn’t until over two decades had passed and we walked dark pathways that I had an inkling of what love meant.

I was head over heels in love with my firstborn the moment I saw those 2 pink lines on the pregnancy test. But my love for her multiplied with every day I spent with her, knowing her, arguing with her, and learning from her.

Love grew strong, fierce, and authentic in the days, years, and decades of learning to know.

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Surrender Day 7 Spilling Our Treasure: Digging Deeper

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Surrender Day 7 Spilling Our Treasure: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

January 31, 2023

Adoring,Forgiven,Gift,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 "Spilling Our Treasure"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 7:36-50

36 Then one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume 38 and stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—she’s a sinner!”

40 Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

He said, “Say it, teacher.”

41 “A creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.”

“You have judged correctly,” he told him. 44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in. 46 You didn’t anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. 47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 Those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why would the woman give so extravagantly to Jesus? (verses 37-38)

Luke 7:37-38 describes a woman, probably a prostitute, according to Bible student Charles Ellicott, who approached Jesus to wash His feet with her tears, dry them with her hair, and anoint them with perfume. The foot washing itself was an act of service and honor, and the perfume was an extravagance that proved her love and devotion to Jesus.

Rod Mattoon explains, “Alabaster jars of perfume were so valuable in the first century they were often purchased as investments. This box may have been extremely expensive, as costly as one year’s wages.” Though the woman sought out Jesus when she heard he was at Simon’s house, we are unsure exactly how she knew about Jesus. Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer points out, “The woman through the influence of Jesus (it is unknown how; perhaps only by hearing His preaching and by observation of His entire ministry) had attained to repentance and faith, and thereby to moral renewal”.

This woman left a life of sin behind her when she came to Jesus, and she wanted to thank Him for the freedom that came with His forgiveness. (John 8:36) Her freedom from sin and oppression was worth more to her than the cost of the perfume in the alabaster box. (Romans 6:22) Humbling herself by washing and kissing Jesus’ feet was a way to show Him how much she loved her Savior. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

Liz Curtis Higgs suggests “We’ve called her silent adulation worship. What she really poured all over his feet was love. Her tears, her hair, her kisses, her perfume. Love, love, love, love.” This nameless woman’s unspeakable joy of salvation poured forth in lavish gifts of worship to the One who loved her so much that He would pay for her sins. (Titus 2:14)

The Everyday Application

1) Why would the woman give so extravagantly to Jesus? (verses 37-38)

Have you seen those stories of celebrities visiting sick or underprivileged kids, or kids who have accomplished some great feat or act of service? These kids receive extravagant gifts, visits to concerts or sporting events, and videos and selfies to memorialize the moment. These sweet accounts give me all the feels! But I rarely see stories about celebrities lavishing swag on “bad” kids; the bullies, the addicts, the misfits and losers. But this is exactly what Jesus does in Luke 7:37-38.

He treats one of the “bad girls” of the Bible with love and honor, forgiving her sins and accepting her worship, even though it was offensive to their Pharisee host, Simon. The woman couldn’t keep herself from worshipping Jesus, because He had freed her from her sins and she had to express her joy!

The religious leaders still regarded Jesus with caution, doubting His claims, and treated Him with more suspicion than respect. This woman of ill-repute honored Jesus in ways his host failed, by washing His feet. She used this humble deed as an act of worship (Romans 12:1) by pouring out tears and wiping them with her hair, though unbound hair in public was not acceptable per religious laws (F.F. Bruce). Nor could she hold back from pouring out expensive perfume on his feet, indicating her Lord was worthy of all her worship.

Lawrence Richards writes, “That was an act of love; an expression of gratitude. Her ‘many sins’ had been purged, and her tears were tears of joy.” Let’s follow this woman’s example of extravagant worship to the One who has given us everything and is worthy of everything we have. (Revelation 5:12)

The Original Intent

2) Why did Jesus point out the difference between how the woman treated Him and how the Pharisee treated Him? (verses 44-46)

In verses 44-46, Jesus pointed out how differently Simon the Pharisee treated Him than a prostitute who heard Jesus was at Simon’s house and came to see Him. Jesus asked Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in. You didn’t anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume.” (verses 44-46)

Matthew Williams explains there were certain rules about visiting someone’s home in Bible times. “In Jesus’ day, three rituals were common: a kiss of greeting, washing of feet, and anointing with oil. . . Simon has set up Jesus for social shame. No Pharisee who liked Jesus would have done this.” Simon already held Jesus in contempt, but the Pharisee was shocked when the sinful woman entered his home and Jesus allowed her to touch Him. He even made a barbed comment that if Jesus was a prophet He should know all about the kind of woman who was washing His feet. (Luke 7:39)

Jesus made it a point to show Simon that this sinner loved Him better than Simon. He wanted Simon to consider that the woman’s sins were not the most important thing about her, and that Simon’s education and traditions did not make him better than the sinful woman. Jesus wanted to emphasize that forgiving sinful people was the very reason He came to earth from Heaven. (1 Timothy 1:15) Jesus did not want to distance Himself from sinners; He wanted to befriend them and bring them into God’s family. (Luke 19:10)

The Everyday Application

2) Why did Jesus point out the difference between how the woman treated Him and how the Pharisee treated Him? (verses 44-46)

Everyone loves the story of an underdog who defies the odds and comes out on top. From Little Orphan Annie to Rocky Balboa, people love to cheer on those who are looked down on and misused by others. Reading about the unnamed woman who washes Jesus’ feet is reminiscent of just such a tale as the unwelcome woman defies the religious elite, Simon, when she approaches Jesus at Simon’s home. Simon thinks that Jesus’ attentiveness to the woman and her gift is inappropriate, but Jesus points out that this sinful woman has behaved better than His self-righteous host. (Luke 7:44-46)

Jared C. Wilson notes how Simon “grumbles inwardly, not just because he doubts Christ’s holiness in allowing this scandalous scene, but because he considers himself to have higher standards than Jesus has.” Jesus wanted Simon and the onlookers to recognize that He “accepted her worship, covered her with dignity, and regaled her with forgiveness.” (Ifgathering.com)

Simon the Pharisee thought he was better than this woman with a sinful past and that he was more righteous than Jesus, who associated with her. Jesus wanted Simon to know that His forgiveness made scarlet sins as white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18) In pointing out the disparity between their treatment of Jesus, Christ emphasized that all people are sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23), including the woman from the street and the sanctimonious Pharisee.

Jesus pointed out how her worship, while it made the establishment uncomfortable, was more acceptable than Simon’s pious hypocrisy. Jesus lovingly forgives everyone who comes to Him in true repentance (Ephesians 1:7), and He loves the praise and adoration of those who worship Him. (Hebrews 13:15-16)

The Original Intent

3) What does it mean that the one who is forgiven little, loves little? (verse 47)

When a promiscuous woman came to Simon the Pharisee’s house and washed Jesus’ feet, Jesus explained why He considered this an act of worship by telling Simon, “Her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” (verse 47)

Jesus declared this woman’s sins, every single one, to be forgiven. David Guzik points out, “She wasn’t forgiven because of her great love; her great love was evidence that she had been forgiven, probably privately on a prior occasion and now publicly.” Simon had not shown Jesus even the common kindness of foot washing, and Jesus was associating this “little love” with Simon’s lack of awareness of his own need for forgiveness.

Kelly Barbrey notes, “In reality, both the woman and Simon are ‘debtors’ in need of forgiveness. The biggest difference, however, is the passion and awareness with which the woman confesses and the faith she has in Jesus’ forgiveness. Simon is similar to the debtor who owed the smaller sum. (Luke 7:41-42)

In denial of his own shortcomings, he haughtily looks down his nose at the woman who seems to have accumulated a lifetime of transgressions.” Simon didn’t believe he needed to be forgiven of anything because of his perceived superiority. After all, he was a Pharisee, one who studied and taught the law and the Scriptures. He thought he could learn nothing from a prostitute and a traveling teacher.

Jesus wanted Simon to see that God’s forgiveness was the great equalizer, making everyone who called on Jesus a child of God (John 1:12), blameless in His sight (Colossians 1:22), and desirous of sharing the love that had been lavished upon them.

The Everyday Application

3) What does it mean that the one who is forgiven little, loves little? (verse 47)

My friend made some disastrous choices that alienated his family. He recognized he was on a path to ruin and sought God’s forgiveness and restoration. Since then, he has lived like a man with a new lease on life. He is joyful in serving and compassionate with others who need God’s forgiveness. Even when consequences from bad choices continue to surface, he is humbly grateful for God’s forgiveness.

He reminds me of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet in Luke 7:47 of whom Jesus said, “her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” My friend loves much because he knows how much God has forgiven him. He appreciates what God saved him from and what God has graciously allowed him to do, despite his past mistakes. Dave Roper explains that “Sin can make us more appreciative of God’s forgiveness and can lead us to a deeper, more extravagant love for Him than we could otherwise attain.”

Those who don’t seek God’s forgiveness don’t have the same perspective and can only “love little.” Vance Havner suggests that today, “Few alabaster boxes are broken in tearful joy over forgiveness. Sin has been glossed over; men do not regard themselves sinners and consequently feel no burden of guilt and, of course, no relief in His pardon.”

When you realize your need for God’s forgiveness, the comfort and love you experience is overwhelming; this joy is yours every time you come to Him. Christ never responds to our repentance with, “You again?” He never says, “You had enough chances.” In fact, Jesus urges us to ask Him for forgiveness when we pray (Matthew 6:12).

Anytime your sins cause you to turn away from God in shame, remember He is waiting to forgive you and love you. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

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Surrender Day 6
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How are we able to give generously out of our poverty?
Luke 21:1-4 encourages us with the faith of a penniless widow who gave her last two coins to God.
Such generosity in surrender of our earthly treasure requires a belief that all we have belongs to God. He is our why for He will sustain us in plenty or in want.
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The GT Weekend! ~ Worship X Week 3

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Know what’s good about tomorrow? It’s a new day! A clean slate. It’s even better when you know your new day comes with new mercies from God. On Monday we took a deep dive into Psalm 103 and a dip into Deuteronomy. We learned how to use Psalm 103 as a tool for pausing and focusing on the Lord’s benefits of compassion, faithful love, patience, forgiveness and renewal to name a few. Pause now and write out a prayer to the Lord for each of His benefits He brings to mind. Choose one to focus on and journal how you see it manifested in your life over this weekend. The Lord is so good to us, but how easily we forget He is constantly at work and we are reaping the benefits! We must never forget the goodness in our lives is from the Lord. Write a list of the good things you’ve recognized in your life during this Worship Journey. Praise the Lord for each of them individually. Explore Worship Nine for more on authentic adoration and “real life” worship.

2) “Is it really just noise? Or is it praises to the Lord?” Our Wednesday Journey Study answers this question. We took a walk through several Psalms, which show us how all creation responds to God’s works, which includes us as we praise God for justice and victory. Our praise, however, isn’t just intended for our words, but with instruments and songs. Our praise should be continual, in our words and in our actions. Let everything in us praise Him! Watch this worship video, https://youtu.be/2phNjrdWE28 paying close attention to the words plucked straight from Scripture. When you are done, journal how it makes you feel about praise and worship. How can you raise the level of your own worship to the Lord?

3)  On Friday, Carol wrapped up the study for us by digging deep into the third verse of Great is Thy Faithfulness. From this highly beloved hymn, we uncovered that we’ve received pardon for our sin through Jesus, our Prince of Peace. He grants us not just peace, but enduring peace. We have the presence of God with us! After all, the Holy Spirit lives in us! It is He who guides us and provides strength and hope. Our God is indeed faithful! No matter our life circumstances, we have nothing to fear. God is always right there with us, sustaining and guiding us. Read through some of the Journeys from Fruitful and journal how you see the fruitfulness of God’s faithfulness in your life. Select one of those journeys and commit to praying thanks for the next week for that aspect of His faithfulness in your life. If you want a real challenge, pray through each one!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Isaiah 40:28-29 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never becomes faint or weary; there is no limit to his understanding. He gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless.

Prayer Journal
O Lord, My Lord, You are the most excellent God. Lord, as I have read through this Journey, I have been convicted. I do not praise You enough. Everything good in me and everything I have is because of You. There are so many things I take for granted that I should be praising You for every day. Just like Your mercies are new every morning, so my praise should be new and lifted up to You every morning. Lord praise is due You. Let me ever praise You and appreciate all Your benefits because You are worthy.

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Worship X Day 11 From Eternity To Eternity

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 103
Deuteronomy 6:10-12
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Psalm 25:8-11
Isaiah 40:28-31

Worship X, Day 11

Day 1
As I sit to write today’s Journey Study, physical and emotional tiredness are my companions. Thankfully, tomorrow is a new day and His mercies are new every morning.

“[Your mercies] are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:23)
His promise allows me to let the events of the day drain away while focusing on the truth found in His Word.

The truth in Psalm 103 is a solid reminder while my body is ready for rest and a new day, His mercies for today are still active.

“My soul, bless the LORD,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
My soul, bless the LORD,
and do not forget all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:1-2)
Tiredness begins to melt away as my focus shifts from myself to the truth of the Lord. The tension in my shoulders eases as I ponder His benefits.

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.” (Psalm 103:8)
Thank You, Lord, for Your compassion, grace, and slowness to anger. I am so undeserving of those, especially today when I failed to extend the same to my husband. Please forgive me.

“He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve
or repaid us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:10)
Thank You for Your forgiveness, for not repaying me according to what I deserve.

“He satisfies you with good things;
Your youth is renewed like the eagle.” (Psalm 103:5)
Thank You for renewing my youth and my strength, so I can “run and not become weary [. . .] walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31) when I wait on You. This, too, is one of Your mercies for today. Help me wait on You and experience Your energizing presence.

Lord, You have poured out so many benefits, yet how often do we fail to thank You for all the ways You demonstrate Your love towards us?

I’m not sure I actually want to answer that question.
But I can choose to make tomorrow and each subsequent day different.

Day 2
I set alarms today on my phone. Four of them.
When they sounded throughout my day, I intended to pause and focus on the Lord and the truth of Psalm 103.

When the first alarm rang, I remembered my conviction, paused to say a quick thank You for my current blessings, and continued on with my day.

A short while later I snapped at my husband in conversation and the words of Psalm 103:2 wafted through my mind, “do not forget all His benefits.”

Ugh. My fleshly heart rebelled at the gentle conviction of the Lord through His Word.

My study of this verse revealed connections to Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 6:12 reminded the Israelites, in the midst of their materiel bounty,
“[B]e careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.”

Two chapters later, Deuteronomy 8:11 reiterates,
“Be careful that you don’t forget the LORD your God by failing to keep his commands, ordinances, and statutes that I am giving you today.”

Understanding began to dawn. I’d said thank you to the Lord for His benefits to me with the first alarm, but quickly forgot Him by failing to follow His commands to show His mercies to others.

With the next alarm, my heart posture stretched a bit deeper.

Thank You, God, for forgiving me. Please help me to demonstrate my love for my husband and respect him with my words and tone.

This encounter with the Lord didn’t fade into the background of my day. Much like the eased tension of the previous night, my emotional and physical reactions softened. I sensed the Holy Spirit within me, helping me as I surrendered more fully to Him.

The third alarm was set for late afternoon. Reflecting on the impactful second alarm, I felt anticipation growing. What would You speak to me during this moment of encounter, Lord?

As I waited for late afternoon to arrive, the words of Psalm 103:17 lovingly wrapped themselves around my heart.
“But from eternity to eternity
The LORD’s faithful love is toward those who fear Him[.]”

Psalm 25:10 echoes,
“All the LORD’s ways show faithful love and truth
To those who keep his covenant and decrees.”
He is faithful to us now, and promises His faithfulness will extend to eternity.

This brought such hope to my heart; no matter the circumstances awaiting us in this lifetime,
if we seek the Lord, He will faithfully walk with us.

We can thank Him for the hard times with confidence.
We can rejoice in today.
We can praise Him for all of His benefits.

In the Lord’s divine multiplication, when we praise Him
from the depths of who we are
for who He is, He is honored and we are helped.
He is worthy of worship now and for eternity!

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The GT Weekend! ~ Advent Week 1

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Most people don’t think of kings as servants. The Jews surely were looking for a king with authority and powerful army to rescue them from Roman oppression. This was their idea of the promised Messiah. Monday’s Journey Study showed us how Jesus, the true Messiah, came, not as a Roman-conquering-king, but as a humble servant. Indeed, He was and is, a king, in fact the King of Kings, but he didn’t come to defeat the Romans. He came to defeat the darkness of sin and death. He was the infant Messiah born to bring Truth and Light into the world. Journal about your salvation experience as if you were telling a friend about it. Share how Jesus is your light, and how He came to conquer your sin. Scripture teaches us to be Christlike, what are some ways you can practice humility as He modeled? Ponder how viewing Jesus as a humble servant changes your perspective of Advent as you prepare for Christmas. How can you better anticipate the light and truth ushered in by the birth of Jesus because of what you’ve learned about Him in Scripture? If you feel ambitious this weekend, revisit Week Three from the Journey Theme, If as it digs into Jesus as Victorious King.

2) In Deuteronomy 28:1-26, Moses lays out the benefits of obedience to God and the consequences of disobedience. Our midweek Journey Study pointed out that the Israelites seemed to choose sin instead of obedience. Have you ever judged them as you read the Old Testament? I’m guilty of it. But don’t we do the same thing? Think back on times when you have chosen sin over obedience. Did the consequences echo those described in Deuteronomy 28:15-26? You can also visit Glimmers Day 6 Journey Study for more on the sin cycle and Jesus as our rescuer. Prophets were sent to help the people know, and hopefully obey, God’s Word. One thing they consistently presented was the prophecy of the coming Messiah. From Hosea to Malachi, Jesus is consistently mentioned as the solution to sin and death. On this side of the birth of Jesus, we lose some of the awe and wonder of who the Messiah was and is. Pick one or more of the minor prophets and record how their prophetic work helps you recapture the true sense of who Jesus is. What is one thing you can do each day to lean into the wonder of the coming Messiah?

3) Can you imagine doing the same thing over and over in order to be forgiven, but knowing that forgiveness would never be permanent? That’s exactly what the Israelites had been doing with sacrifices. As Lesley showed us on Friday, the Messiah would be a once-for-all sacrifice granting permanent forgiveness. How does meditating on this reality help you understand the depths of the Messiah’s love for you? Being the ultimate final sacrifice means defeating sin and death’s darkness. What shoots the darkness? Light. Jesus was, and is, that eternally powerful light. Because Jesus, our Messiah, is God, no darkness can eclipse Him and therefore, when we have accepted Him as our Savior, the darkness cannot overcome us either. Jesus came, and His light conquered the darkness. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” Who knows this world is still full of darkness? Record some areas you are personally aware of that need the light of Jesus. Write a prayer asking Jesus to shine His light there. How can you be part of shining that light?

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Isaiah 9:6-7 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.  He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.

Prayer Journal
Father God, as this Advent season begins, help me to feel the anticipation the Israelites felt, waiting for the Messiah. But having the benefit of knowing how He arrived, and how His birth was ultimately the source of my salvation, may I also anticipate His return. God, I am always baffled as to why You love me enough to send Jesus to take on a human body so that He could reconcile me to You. I am eternally grateful for Jesus, and I pray that I can avoid the sin cycle the Israelites followed. Instead, help me to choose obedience. Help me anticipate Jesus’ return and all that will mean for myself and the Church. While I wait, help me shine the light of Jesus on others so that they too can leave darkness behind.

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

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He Day 6 Yahweh Jireh

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 22:10-18
Matthew 6:5-8
Matthew 6:25-34
Ephesians 3:20-21

He, Day 6

I have never felt more “unseen” than in my first few years of motherhood. With my husband coaching late night games and my son often rising before dawn, I spent most mornings wondering how I was going to make it through another fourteen hour day alone with the kids.

Those were difficult, yet fruitful years, as I leaned into my desperate need for God. I needed Him for strength, grace, peace, and joy, and He provided me all of those and more. During those long, lonely days, I came to know Him as Yahweh Jireh, “The Lord Who Provides.”

Abraham was the first to call God by this name. He did so just after an enormous test of faith, when God asked him to sacrifice his one and only son, the son born of God’s promise to make Abraham a great nation. 

In Genesis 22, we watch as Abraham binds his son, Isaac, and lays him on an altar. Abraham raises his arm, fully prepared to use the knife he holds, only to hear the Lord call out and stay his hand. As Abraham looks up, he sees a ram caught in a thicket of thorns. It is God’s provision, a substitute sacrifice to stand in Isaac’s place. Abraham’s son no longer needed to die, God had Abraham’s full attention. 

Yahweh Jireh can be defined as both “The Lord Perceives” and “The Lord Provides.” These definitions may seem at odds, but as we will see, they are really two steps in a single action.

A great example of this is found in Numbers 11:4-23. In this passage, the nation of Israel is grumbling against their leader, Moses, and ultimately against the Lord. They are tired of the manna God has provided them and desperate for meat. They are so desperate, in fact, they begin to long for the land of their captivity, Egypt. 

The Lord hears their complaints and His righteous anger is aroused. He declares He will provide them meat; in fact, He will provide them so with much meat they will be sick of it. He informs Moses He will send them quail for a month.

Moses seems indignant and replies, “I am in the middle of a people with six hundred thousand foot soldiers, yet you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat, and they will eat for a month.’ If flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?” (Numbers 11:21-22)

The Lord responds, “Is the Lord’s arm weak? Now you will see whether or not what I have promised will happen for you.” (Numbers 11:23)

The Lord makes it clear He will be the one to provide for Israel, not Moses, and indeed He does. Not only does He perceive both the Israelites’ “need” and its origin in attitudes of ungratefulness, but He provides remedies for both.

If we fast forward to the New Testament, we see another instance where Yahweh Jireh perceives and provides. In John 6, Jesus is wrapping up a full day’s teaching alongside the sea of Galilee, when He looks up at the gathering crowd. Moved with compassion, He looks over at Philip and asks, “Where will we buy bread so that these people can eat?”. (John 6:5)

I imagine Philip’s pulse quickened at the question, his mind reeling with the impracticality of finding, much less affording, enough bread to feed the thousands before him. 

“Two hundred denarii [nearly a year’s wages] worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little,” Philip responds, despairingly. (John 6:7)

But Jesus never intended for Philip to purchase bread. The text tells us before Jesus asked the question, He had determined a solution. He would provide the food and He would do it through the meager offering a small boy’s lunch: five loaves of bread and two fish.

In both of these instances, God perceives a need and determines He will meet it.
Both times, man perceives the need and despairs.

Are you in a place of despair? 

Do you find yourself surrounded by overwhelming problems and unmet needs? Be encouraged! There is nothing, not a moment, of our lives that goes by unobserved by Yahweh Jireh. Unlike an uninterested bystander, the Lord not only perceives our needs, He moves on our behalf to meet them. 

Nowhere is this more true than in our need for a savior. Just as God provided a ram to stand in the place of Abraham’s son, He provided Jesus to stand in ours. 

Our salvation is a need we couldn’t possibly satisfy on our own;
our sin is a debt we could never repay.
Thanks be to Christ, we no longer have to. 

His death ensured our forgiveness;
His righteousness became our own.

Whatever you are in need of today, bring it before Yahweh Jireh. He has met our greatest need through salvation. How much more can we trust Him with the rest?

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Neighbor Day 15 When Unloved

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Leviticus 19:17-18
Matthew 5:33-48
Luke 10:1-16
Romans 13:8-14

Neighbor, Day 15

The Command
Love your neighbor as yourself. 

Most of us have repeated the words countless times, so they roll off the tongue easily. But what does it really mean? Human nature urges us to draw the boundary line so we know what’s expected. We want to know exactly who we should consider our neighbors…and whether we consciously realize it or not, who we can exclude.

Let’s dig in a little deeper.

The Context
In this story, the title, citizenship and position of the people involved didn’t matter at all. 

Jesus was showing the disciples God was not at all interested in labels that appeal to mankind; rather, His focus was heart posture. When Jesus told His disciples the parable of the good Samaritan, He didn’t hesitate to jump knee-deep into the hypocrisy of the age and point out the wrong heart motives hidden behind titles of priest and Levite.

Jesus was a master storyteller. Every word He spoke held great intention and profound revelation. He knew that because of their heritage, those listening would be predisposed to connect with the priest, or the Levite, and prejudiced against the Samaritan.

Make no mistake; His purposeful vagueness with regard to the man who was beaten and robbed was by design as well. Because it didn’t matter who he was or where he was from. Jesus was making the point that their neighbor, and ours, is anyone and everyone in need. 

The Questions
But what about those who don’t return our love?
What about those who will not love us the way we desire to be loved? 

Dear friend. This may be a hard word to receive, but it’s absolutely vital that we grasp it. Those very questions are rooted in the great deception of our current age: that our faith is about us and how we feel. For the people in the back, I’ll say it again.

Our faith is not and can not ever be based on our feelings.

There never has been and never will be another human who will ever be able to fulfill in us the needs that God alone can fill.

As tempting as it may be to seek approval and fulfillment from those around us, our salvation can only ever be founded on Scripture alone, by faith alone, by grace alone, through Christ alone, and to the glory of God alone. This is the true gospel. The moment we begin to believe it is acceptable for our faith to be dictated by our feelings is the moment we begin to settle for a false gospel: the gospel of self.

Friends, we can not allow this to be so. The gospel message has never been about us beyond the salvation, freedom and whole heart, whole mind, whole life transformation Christ Jesus works in us when we submit ourselves to His hands.

In short, it doesn’t really matter how we feel. 

Woo. Talk about counter-cultural. But the gospel has never been about fitting in or being comfortable, has it? Jesus himself assured us that to answer His call and follow Him required us to pick up our cross and die to self.

But what about those who harm us?
Jesus said to love them.

But what about those who persecute us? What about our enemies?
Jesus said to love them.

But what about when our spouse doesn’t show love or communicate the way we need? What if we have grown apart, or are simply incompatible?
Jesus said to love them.

The Call
We are each called to yield to the work of the cross as God performs the outworking of our faith, and to live and love the gospel out in every aspect of our lives. From the moment we accept the gift of salvation, we receive the impartation and installment of Holy Spirit inside us. This is something we can take absolutely no credit for, because none of it is possible in our own strength. Our part is only to submit to what He is doing and recognize all glory belongs to God alone!

However, as we go about our daily lives, there is an enemy who actively works to destroy, distort, and disengage us from the transformation Jesus desires to work in us. How does he do this? By introducing a thought pattern rooted in lies.

So what is the lie here?

You deserve to be treated the way you want to be treated. 

Friend, the enemy loves to woo us with thoughts and ideas which glorify our feelings, ourselves, our needs, and our desires. He wants nothing more than to see us so completely wrapped up in ourselves and what we think and feel and need, that we miss what God has to say about anything. He’s sneaky, and a masterful liar, and Scripture tells us he prowls around like a lion, searching for anyone to devour. This lie is a prime example of how he works. He takes a tiny bit of truth, or even a big chunk of truth, and distorts it into something we want to hear.
Close enough to sound right, but just enough off course we miss the message. 

The Truth
Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Do you catch the difference between the two statements, Love?
The lie is all about what serves us.
The truth is all about what serves others.

Because the Jesus we follow and submit to was a servant to all.
When we look at His life on earth, we can’t escape the fact the King of Kings chose humility and servanthood over control.
He chose righteousness over self-righteousness.
He chose holiness over being heavy-handed.

This is the truth, and cost, of our calling: we are called to love and serve all people.
Regardless of how they respond to and treat us.
No caveats; no excuses.

We are called to love!

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

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Glimmers Day 15 Hope For Life (because of death): 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 Hope For Life (because of death)!

The Questions

1) What does joy mean?

2) What does it mean to love as He has loved us?

3) How do we produce fruit?

John 15:9-17

9 “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

11 “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

12 “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

17 “This is what I command you: Love one another.

Original Intent

1) What does joy mean?
Before looking further into this text, readers must understand John is recording a teaching of Jesus to His disciples. The Greek word John used here is ‘chara’ which translates to joy or gladness. Often times when we think of the word joy we think of happiness. According to dictionary.com, joy literally means “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying”. Jesus tells His audience that the joy in them is complete and the same joy Jesus Himself has. However, it is not a feeling of happiness that comes and goes based on circumstances. It is a joy or delight that is constant because the joy of the Lord never ends.

2) What does it mean to love as He has loved us?
The word love can mean a variety of different things in Scripture depending on the context. In these verses, specifically verse 12, Jesus used the Greek word ‘agape’ which we would equate with unconditional love. He is commanding His readers to love just as He loved, which, by the way, is absolutely impossible unless His love is alive inside of us. His love is a self-sacrificing love, demanding nothing in return for Him to give it, that was ultimately displayed when Christ gave up His life on the Cross to rescue humanity from Sin. This isn’t a surface level love. This deep love is the same love Jesus is calling His readers to sacrificially and unconditionally live out to others. Jesus is not necessarily telling His readers they must physically die for someone else, but He is telling them they must love in a way that crucifies their own selfishness.

3) How do we produce fruit?
The idea of producing fruit refers back to what Jesus taught in John 15:1-8. These verses draw on an analogy of a vine growing in a vineyard. Jesus teaches that without being connected to the vine a branch cannot grow and produce fruit. Jesus is that vine and Christ-following believers are the branches. Jesus then tells His disciples they have been chosen and appointed to produce fruit. By ‘chosen’, God means ‘purposefully intended’. His designed purposeful intention for His children is for us to ‘bear fruit’. A believer’s relationship with Jesus allows this fruit to grow. Fruit only comes as the disciple draws near to Jesus, asking Him to grow us. (verse 16)

Everyday Application

1) What does joy mean?
We know the joy John is referring to is not a fleeting feeling because this joy is from the Lord.  As believers, we have access to this same joy through the Holy Spirit who shares Jesus with us. This joy is unfailing and unending. Regardless of the storm we may be walking through, we can find joy in our lives as believers because the Spirit of God dwells within us. This joy flows from an ongoing relationship with Jesus. As we remain in fellowship with Him, His joy continues to be our joy.

2) What does it mean to love as He has loved us?
Just as the original readers were called to love with an unconditional, self-sacrificing love so are we. The meaning hasn’t changed since Jesus originally spoke the words.  We are called to love others by willingly setting ourselves and our comforts aside. We are to live out a humble and sacrificial love by serving others before ourselves. Jesus didn’t limit this love to people we like or who are similar to us. He simply commands us to love one another as He loved us. We are called to love everyone in the same manner. As believers, we are called to set aside differences and to see people as Jesus Himself sees them and be willing to step out and love them wherever and whoever they are. In each situation God puts in our path, this love may be fleshed out differently each time, however, the one constant will be us setting aside ourselves and giving of ourselves regardless of the situation, expecting nothing in return.

3) How do we produce fruit?
Once we enter into relationship with Jesus by acknowledging that He is Lord and Savior (and we are not!) and inviting Him into our lives as Lord, we are then connected to Him as the vine, the Source for growth. We become His branches to produce fruit that glorifies Him. As believers, this fruit will not look the same as another believer’s. We are to draw near to Him and ask Him to grow us as He sees fit. As we do, fruit is produced. This fruit comes through answered prayers, through loving as He calls us to love, and living a life connected to the Father through Jesus by daily disciplines like Scripture reading and prayer. Fruit is simply the overflow of our relationship with the Father. We cannot expect to produce fruit and grow deep with Him if we are not investing in our relationship with Him on a regular and consistent basis.

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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Glimmers Day 13 Hope In The Manger: 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 Hope In A Manger!

The Questions

1) What is this registration and why is it important?

2) Who is this baby lying in a manger?

3) What do we learn from shepherds being the first to learn of this baby’s birth?

Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!

15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

Original Intent

1) What is this registration and why is it important?
The registration Luke writes about is a census for tax purposes. The Roman Emperor called for this census, requiring everyone to travel back to their hometown.  Joseph came from the line of David and therefore he and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem (the City of David). Mary was nine months pregnant and about to deliver her son, which is important because through this specific travelling, God places Mary and Joseph exactly where they needed to be in order for prophecies regarding Jesus’ birth to be fulfilled. Micah 5:2 declares the Messiah will come out of Bethlehem. 2 Samuel 7:12-13 says the Messiah will come from the line of David. Through this census, God shows the Israelites, who would have known these prophecies, this baby is the baby who has been promised.

2) Who is this baby lying in a manger?
In the narrative of Christ’s birth Luke never mentions the name of the baby born. In verse 11 Luke does tell readers the baby is “The Messiah, the Lord”, but He is not specifically named. Luke provides other basic details of the birth and tells of the announcement to the shepherds and their visit to the manger, but never His name. We must look further in the narrative to discover ‘this baby’ is Jesus. In Luke 2:21 Jesus is named on His eighth day according to Jewish custom. This baby is the long-awaited Messiah God had been promising to His people for generations. After 400 years of silence from God, He is finally heard from again in the form of a baby crying in a manger.

3) What do we learn from shepherds being the first to learn of this baby’s birth?
After 400 years of silence a baby cries and God is heard again. However, God first announced this miracle to shepherds in a field. God chooses a group of people who are probably the most unlikely group imaginable to announce His Son’s birth.
Luke doesn’t provide much information about these shepherds, but we know the angels visit them and they are afraid. Their fear quickly changes to action as they visit and worship this baby in a manger. Immediately, they left their sheep traveling to find this baby, their Messiah, and worship Him.

Everyday Application

1) What is this registration and why is it important?
This registration (census) is the means by which God divinely moved Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in order to fulfill the prophecies that told of the Messiah’s coming. God will take any steps necessary in order to accomplish His will. From the beginning, God knew humanity would need a Savior, a Messiah (a promised coming deliverer). God foretold of Christ’s coming so when He arrived, the Israelites would recognize Him as the One who had been Promised. I am certain this trip was anything but comfortable for Mary, yet God took her on it to accomplish His plan. For believers today, God spares no expense to fulfill His ultimate plan and purpose in our lives. We can rest assured knowing that God will use all situations and circumstances we journey through to accomplish His ultimate plan of restoring humanity to Himself just as He did with Mary.

2) Who is this baby lying in a manger?
This baby lying in the manger is the long-awaited Messiah God promised to His people for generations. Today, believers are God’s people, therefore this is the Messiah or Savior we need. Jesus is the answer to sin, He is the answer God promised at the fall to redeem His creation to Himself. This baby is God Himself who chose to put on human flesh for us. We cannot leave Him in the manger though. This baby grew up, lived a perfect life, performed many miracles, and then chose to take on the punishment for every sin of every person taking them to the Cross and bearing the consequence for those sins… death. He then conquered Death and the grave providing redemption from our sin and eternal hope for all who place their trust in Him alone. If we leave Jesus as a baby in the manger, we fail to see the entire picture of who this baby truly is… our everyday Savior!

3) What do we learn from shepherds being the first to learn of this baby’s birth?
The most unlikely group of people first heard of the birth of the Messiah. One would probably expect God to announce His Son to the royal or religious leaders, but instead He chooses to announce His Son’s birth to shepherds in a field. This isn’t a massive amount of people but a few lowly shepherds. Jesus didn’t come only for the rich and royal or the religious leaders, but for all. No matter who we are, where we come from, or what we have done, the gift of Jesus’ birth is for us. The shepherds immediately leave their sheep to seek out Jesus and worship Him. This is the response God is looking for. He came for all, but simply wants those who are willing to set aside everything and worship Him. He will accept you into His family no matter who your circumstance or your past baggage, as long as you are willing to open your life to Him to full worship through surrender!

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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