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Training Day 4 Lovely Conversation: 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 Lovely Conversation!

The Questions

1) What are the markers of prayers God does not accept? (verse 5)

2) What are the markers of prayers God does accept? (verses 6-7)

3) Why can we be confident our prayers will be received? (verse 8)

Matthew 6:5-8

“Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 When you pray, don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. 8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.

Original Intent

1) What are the markers of prayers God does not accept? (verse 5)
The most striking word the Lord Jesus chose for instruction and conviction of His hearers on how not to pray is the Greek word for hypocrites, transliterated phonetically as “hypokrínomai”. Trending at the time of Jesus’ teaching were the wildly popular Greek theatre troupes. With relatively nearby theatres across the Sea of Galilee in Tiberias and in Sepphoris, north of Nazareth, and, of course, the Roman theatre, stage acting and masks were just beginning to make their mark on culture. Of course, masks were required to depict one actor taking on a character role that wasn’t his real self in everyday life. This was hypokrínomai in action. The root word is defined by “taking up another’s statements in reference to what one has decided for one’s self; to feign, impersonate, and pretend.” One has decided who he is in himself, but then takes on another’s statements, impersonating their life, ideals, and beliefs as if they were their own. Jesus took the popular Greek trend and, flipping it on its head, applied it to the most elite of the Jewish sect, Scribes and Pharisees. (Matthew 23:13) Right there in the public streets, He called the religious ones spectacle actors for they were just as much putting on a show as Greek performers. They spoke loudly not out of bold confidence in relationship with God, but to be heard and seen. The whole point wasn’t to be heard and known by God, but by the onlooker, and perhaps, God would notice also and be astounded by their overt muchness. (verse 7)

2) What are the markers of prayers God does accept? (verses 6-7)
Arrogant, brassy, self- flaunting prayers are met with God’s rejection, but Jesus didn’t come to condemn, instead, He came to show us the fullest way of deep life. (John 10:10) Jesus loved using relevant topics and trends to teach people about the spiritual realm, for this was His purpose, to make the Father known. (John 17:26) With a little imagination, you can see Jesus walking village streets, nodding towards the loud, babbling scribe whom everyone took for granted, as His disciples began seeing their world through a different lens. His purpose was first to correct their perspective, and second to align their hearts toward full reliance on God. Jesus points out the babbler as an example of how not to pray, but then with a softer tone and invitational voice as if  sharing the sweetest of secrets, begins to describe how to really pray in such a way as to be received, “Go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (verse 6) Prayers weren’t for the sight and sound of the many, but for the ears of the One who, remarkably, already knows all and sees all, for here, relationship flourishes in the context of singularly focused adoration. There are no distractions in a closed private room, which wouldn’t even have boasted a window. The slow, emphatic details of His teaching make us wonder if Jesus’ voice caught in His throat as He taught them of the tender act of praying to the Father in quiet worship, neither bothered by what others thought, nor consumed by self-love. What Lovely Conversation prayer truly is!

3) Why can we be confident our prayers will be received? (verse 8)
Most often in His common personal prayers, Jesus demonstrates His relationship by calling out, “Father”. Take a minute to read John 17, picturing Jesus in the Upper Room with His disciples having shared His final meal with His beloved ones just hours before His betrayal. He prays aloud in deepest of sweet intimacies to His Father. As you read, count the number of instances Jesus prays, “Father”, intonating intimate relationship. There is no need to address the Father as “God” for the two Beings are co-equal in divine title of God with the Holy Spirit, yet the title of Father reflects such rich depth and astounding shared beauty and adoring love. (John 5:20) Matthew’s record of Jesus’ teaching on prayer sets up a clear distinction, “…they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.” (verses 7-8) Puffed up arrogant pray-ers think they will be heard by God for their words, because of what they can do, but those who pray with genuine love for God are confident their prayers will be received because their Father already knows.

Everyday Application

1) What are the markers of prayers God does not accept? (verse 5)
Paul writes to the Corinthians, whose culture had become even more embedded with the popularity of stage performances and hypokrínomai, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it.” (1 Corinthians 8:1-2) With this unmasking of heart motivations to display the stark distinction between “show off knowledge” and genuine, affirming love, Paul cuts to the quick of Jesus’ teaching. The religious elite felt they were truly special, garnishing the applause of men, and surely God, by their loud speech, many words, and ornate garments, but they were merely puffing themselves up, proving they actually understood nothing. Paul continues with the antidote, “But if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.” (1 Corinthians 8:3) Arrogant, puffed-up hearts are not always easy to recognize in ourselves, but regardless of our self-perception, the Lord clearly sees our hearts; we cannot put in a mask for Him! (1 Samuel 16:7) We can be assured that prayers marked with arrogant, self-exaltation, and inflated views of ourselves and our understanding will not be received by God. While we all would love to say we steer clear of these kinds of prayers, it’s easier to be arrogant than we would like to admit. As I reflected on this (in prayer!), the Spirit revealed how my attempt to humbly surrender to His ways tonight wasn’t genuine surrender; I was secretly holding onto my ways as superior. I was wearing a mask and thinking I could sneak past the God who sees all and knows all. Thankfully, Paul’s words remind me of the right heart-motivation in prayer, simply loving God for Who He is. When I pray with love for God instead of self, He aligns my heart with His own!

2) What are the markers of prayers God does accept? (verses 6-7)
Single focused worship is hard when there are a hundred distractions on all sides. I’m mama to 7 Treasures who live on earth (1 sweet love already worshipping in glory!); finding quiet time without distraction to pray is laughable. Someone is always asking for a snack, calling or texting me, building a fort, complaining about not having more food, or bragging about the giant mess of food they created in my once-clean kitchen. Even when I manage to bar the door of my bedroom, toss out electronic devices as bribes, and lock the bathroom door, and lock the closet door to sit in the dark, a hundred distracting thoughts plague me still. Did I start the washer? Was I supposed to make that dentist appointment today? Do we have ingredients for dinner? It requires discipline and consistent practice to follow the command of single-focused worship by closing the door on all other competing loves. Whether we close ourselves within a physical room, are making dinner in a noisy kitchen, or stuck in busy traffic, we always have the opportunity to enter the secret place with God and pray deeply. The more we practice shutting out distractions, the easier it becomes to relish deep communion with God no matter what’s happening around us. Anyone can begin practicing now in this very moment; what’s holding you back?

3) Why can we be confident our prayers will be received? (verse 8)
It’s like the little boy, waking up sleepy-eyed from his nap, toddling to his mama, and stretching out his short arms in request for the snuggling hug he desires. Mama will give the hug for she knows his wanting desire. Mama will give the hug for she values the relationship with her son. His love is fixed on her, and she responds with gracious warm love because she knows him. So it is when we approach our deeply personal Father in Heaven with hearts bent on adoring love for Him and trust of His love already outstretched for us, as evidenced by the invitation to even call Him Father. (Luke 11:13) Responding to His disciples’ request to be schooled in authentic prayer (Luke 11:1), Jesus begins in the same way He Himself has always begun His prayers, warmly inviting His disciples to do the same. It’s as if He grins with delight, His eyes warm with richness, and says, “You want to come in? To share with the Father as you’ve seen me do? (Revelation 3:20) Come then, come, and don’t be shy, call Him, ‘Father’, for He will adopt you through Me (Romans 8:15-16) when I lay down my life for you, paying the penalty for your sins that have always kept you separated from Him. (John 10:17-18) Come, share the Father with Me as co-heirs alongside Me. (Romans 8:17, Revelation 3:21)” Such richness is far beyond our reckoning! Yet, Scripture teaches its truth over and over. So, come, won’t you? Call Him, Father, and enter the Lovely Conversation!

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

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 Training 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.

Worship IX Day 4 Trust & Obedience: 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 Trust & Obedience!

The Questions

1) How could God let exile happen? (verses 1-2)

2) Why is it significant that Daniel records Nebuchadnezzar putting God’s vessels “in the treasury of his god”? (verse 2)

3) How can we fight against an idolatrous culture? (verses 3-8)

Daniel 1:1-8

In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. 2 The Lord handed King Jehoiakim of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels from the house of God. Nebuchadnezzar carried them to the land of Babylon, to the house of his god, and put the vessels in the treasury of his god.

3 The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility—4 young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. 5 The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to attend the king. 6 Among them, from the Judahites, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief eunuch gave them names; he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah, Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah.

8 Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself.

Original Intent

1) How could God let exile happen? (verses 1-2)
Finally, after years of prophecy, and countless opportunities to repent, the Lord God brings about His righteous, just, loving, discipline upon His beloved, chosen people, Israel. It was the “third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim” (verse 1) when God divinely appointed King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to lay siege to Jerusalem and so capture Judah, bringing into captivity. The prophet Jeremiah had spent years (Jeremiah 1:1-3) spreading the very unpopular message from God that He would allow His people to be captured and exiled by a foreign, godless ruler. The Lord said of His people, “You live in a world of deception. In their deception they refuse to know Me. This is the Lord’s declaration.” (Jeremiah 9:6, emphasis mine) No doubt about it, according to Daniel’s preserved and inspired words of God, it was indeed the Lord who handed over the Southern Kingdom of Israel, known as Judah, to be carried off into exile. “The Lord handed King Jehoiakim over…”. (verse 2) It wasn’t Nebuchadnezzar’s ideas and purposes, it was the Lord God’s intentional design to fulfill His purposes. Rebellion from God and His holy ways brings consequence from the Lord because He simply loves us too much to leave us where we are in our state of rebellion. The Lord states through Jeremiah, “Should I not punish them for these things? This is the Lord’s declaration. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?” (Jeremiah 9:9) The obvious answer to this rhetorical question is yes! How could a just God continue to allow injustices against Him? How could a loving God continue to permit such deep rebellion against those who are called by His name to be a people for His divine purposes? Praise God for His discipline and conviction! How dangerous to harden our hearts and continue pressing against Him!

2) Why is it significant that Daniel records Nebuchadnezzar putting God’s vessels “in the treasury of his god”? (verse 2)
God’s chosen people were carried off to exile for 70 years in a foreign land and everything about their culture was left in ruins. The epicenter of their life as God’s people, the temple, was utterly demolished. Even the holy articles, which had been dedicated specifically for God’s purposes in worship, were stolen away for defilement in the house of Nebuchadnezzar’s false god. The prophet Samuel records of this looting, “He (King Nebuchadnezzar) also carried off from there all the treasures of the Lord’s temple and the treasures of the king’s palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that King Solomon of Israel had made for the Lord’s sanctuary, just as the Lord had predicted.” (2 Kings 24:13) The sobering reality was that Israel’s rebellious rejection of the One True God, opened the door for the enemy, Satan, to use Israel for idolatrous purposes. What a picture it gave the Jewish people to know that their “holy articles” were being used for idol worship. What a fitting mirror the Lord provided. His people, His holy people, had rebelled against Him by worshipping idols and given themselves over to enemy purposes.

3) How can we fight against an idolatrous culture? (verses 3-8)
The Babylonians were quick to assimilate the exiles into their idolatrous culture. The Jews were given Babylonians names and were forced into new traditions, language, religious rituals, and food offered to idols. Much of the newness ran in direct opposition to how God had called Israel to live because He had crafted them as a nation “set apart” for Him to reflect His holiness. (Exodus 19:5-6) Even their names were meant to honor false idols. The new culture should have repulsed the Judahites at every turn because it was now unavoidable to realize how they had been living in blatant defilement of the Holy God. Of all the young men taken as captives and selected to serve the king, only Daniel felt convicted and emboldened to stand against what he knew was a dishonor to Yahweh. BUT, just as sin has rippling effects, so do actions taken solidly against the enemy. What started with one brave request from Daniel to not eat food offered to idols, also encouraged his three friends to also stand against the cultural flood washing over them. Daniel and his friends stood firm and the Lord blessed them with strength, vitality, wisdom, and favor with the king. (Daniel 1:17-20)

Everyday Application

1) How could God let exile happen? (verses 1-2)
The Lord’s words through Jeremiah, which would become reality for Daniel and his peers, should make us all shake in awareness of our own sinful rebellion against God. Jeremiah’s words were written to Judah, not us. There is no pending capture from another powerful nation coming for us divinely prophesied in Jeremiah and Daniel. However, the warning about sin and its consequence is still meant for our hearts in this moment. Our sin, every single one, is a blatant offense to a righteous and blameless God. Every selfish thought, lustful look, “white lie”, and angry action (yes, even those hand motions) make us “unholy”, therefore unfit to be in God’s presence. Which means we cannot “go to Heaven when we die”. We don’t “get God’s favor” because we did something nice. In fact, no amount of “good things” we do will compensate for even a single sin. (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:23) Wow, that’s bad news! Just as God warned Judah that His justice would come, so can we be assured His justice will come for us when we die. (Matthew 12:36, Romans 6:23) God cannot become unjust and ignore our sin. (2 Corinthians 5:10) BUT. Neither can He be unloving. (1 John 4:16) His extravagant love paid the price for our rebellion, which is a curse by God and eternal death. Jesus, God Himself, paid this price when He died on the cross. (Galatians 3:3) Precisely because Jesus IS God, He was raised to life by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:11) and conquered death for us that we might have His righteousness in exchange for our filth of sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Astounding!! THIS is good news! Acknowledging our rebellion against God, asking forgiveness, then proving we have been made new by being baptized and following Jesus for the rest of our lives is God’s invitation for us. Will we harden our hearts, like Judah did, and be carried off by our rebellion, or will we repent and come home to be with Him? (John 14:23)

2) Why is it significant that Daniel records Nebuchadnezzar putting God’s vessels “in the treasury of his god”? (verse 2)
The rippling effects of rebellion often include innocent bystanders. The enemy of our souls, Satan, is always strategizing to steal, kill, and destroy all good things. (John 10:10) When sin, or the effects of sin in our fallen world, destroy things, people, or relationships it can feel like God is nowhere to be found. We feel as if God has either lost control, doesn’t care, or never really had control in the first place. Each of these fears and emotional thoughts must be sifted through the unchanging truth of Scripture. If God can ordain a worm to consume a plant and not even a sparrow dies without Him knowing, and allowing, that death, then God has never once been absent. (Jonah 4:7, Matthew 10:29) There are no small coincidences, and no major incidences, beyond the intimate involvement of a sovereign, infinitely loving God. All things are held together through Him. (Colossians 1:17) The psalmist sings the truth, “You are good, and You do what is good…” (Psalm 119:68, emphasis mine) The New Testament preacher, Paul, famously penned, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) If God only does good things. If all things are under His complete control. Then, despite sin’s damaging effects on our world and our lives, anything evil can be redeemed for good things in us to bring God glory. Spend time praying over the broken and absent things in your life, asking God to teach you to trust Him, to wait on His timing, and keep obeying while you worship.

3) How can we fight against an idolatrous culture? (verses 3-8)
The enemy will use any means possible to accomplish his purposes of death to all things good and holy and set apart for God. (1 Peter 5:8) Just think of a few things that are honoring to God and designed for good, then think of the many ways those things are attacked and marred by sin. Marriages given over to strife, abuse, abandonment, and divorce. Friendships sabotaged by selfishness, haughty spirits, and gossip. Even something as simple as food can become a weapon of gluttony in the enemy’s hand. Make a short list of the God-honoring things in your life. How are they most often threatened by sin’s destructive defilement? The sweet assurance of Christ and His victory reminds us that we are not helpless bystanders in the ravages of the enemy. Paul reminded Timothy, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.” (2 Timothy 1:7) The apostle Peter encouraged believers who were fighting against enemy threats and defilement of holiness by saying, “Resist him (the devil), firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:8) When we remember that we are not alone in this fight against the enemy, we are encouraged to stand firm and take up the battle gear God has supplied. (Ephesians 6:11-18) Before going to bed tonight, read through the armor of God in Ephesians 6, and prayerfully take your bold stand against the enemy! God used Daniel’s determination to not be defiled for eternally good purposes, even within a secular and unbelieving nation. What might the Lord do with your determined heart to refuse to bow to cultural popularity and instead stand firm on truth?

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

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 Worship IX 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.

Pause V Day 10 New Life

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Pause V, Day 10

What’s so great about eternity? If you believe in Jesus, the answer is living in Heaven with Him forever. We know that death is not the final word.

But what about Lazarus in John 11? He was a friend of Jesus who got sick and died.

Jesus could have saved him, but He waited three days before leaving for Bethany to see him. It seemed like death had the final say.

But Jesus had other plans.
Plans for new life.
Jesus proclaimed to Martha, Lazarus’ sister,

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Martha believed, not because she understood what was happening, but because she trusted Jesus as Messiah. (John 11:27) We too need to trust Him to bring new life where we see only death.

On that day, He brought new life to Lazarus, resurrecting him from the dead with the words, “Lazarus, come out.” (John 11:43) With this sign finished, Jesus began to speak more frequently of another death which would lead to new life and resurrection, His own.
Even Mary pointed to it with the anointing at Bethany. (John 12:1-7)

Ponder how the resurrection of Jesus brings new life to you, now and in eternity. How can we, like Mary, express our deep gratitude for Him and faith in Him?

Today's Invitation

1) Read John 11 and 12, then re-read John 12:23-26 out loud today twice. Slowly. Linger over those words that stick out to you, slowing and listening as God’s Spirit speaks to your heart! Write out verse 26 on a notecard and place it somewhere you won’t miss its message. Take time to memorize it over the weekend!

2) This weekend, we have a new hand-crafted Spotify playlist! Put this playlist on repeat this weekend and be reminded of the rich truths God has shown you this week in Pause! Know that we prayed for you as we prepared this study!

3) Memorize John 12:25-26

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John 11

Now a man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”

8 “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”

9 “Aren’t there twelve hours in a day?” Jesus answered. “If anyone walks during the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks during the night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him.”

11 He said this, and then he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”

12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”

13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep. 14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. 15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”

16 Then Thomas (called “Twin”) said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go too so that we may die with him.”

17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away). 19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.

20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.”

28 Having said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

29 As soon as Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Jesus had not yet come into the village but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 The Jews who were with her in the house consoling her saw that Mary got up quickly and went out. They followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to cry there.

32 As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died!”

33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked.

“Lord,” they told him, “come and see.”

35 Jesus wept.

36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Couldn’t he who opened the blind man’s eyes also have kept this man from dying?”

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 “Remove the stone,” Jesus said.

Martha, the dead man’s sister, told him, “Lord, there is already a stench because he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you heard me. 42 I know that you always hear me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so that they may believe you sent me.” 43 After he said this, he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.”

45 Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what he did believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and were saying, “What are we going to do since this man is doing many signs? 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

49 One of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! 50 You’re not considering that it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God. 53 So from that day on they plotted to kill him.

54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews but departed from there to the countryside near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and he stayed there with the disciples.

55 Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the country to purify themselves before the Passover. 56 They were looking for Jesus and asking one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? He won’t come to the festival, will he?” 57 The chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it so that they could arrest Him.

John 12

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of perfume, pure and expensive nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.

7 Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of my burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

12 The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting:

“Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord —the King of Israel!”

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written:

15 Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.

16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

17 Meanwhile, the crowd, which had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify. 18 This is also why the crowd met him, because they heard he had done this sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You see? You’ve accomplished nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”

20 Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

27 “Now my soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”

30 Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for me, but for you. 31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he was about to die.

34 Then the crowd replied to him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah will remain forever. So how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

35 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.

37 Even though he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said:

Lord, who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

39 This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said:

40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.

41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke about him.

42 Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than praise from God.

44 Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in me believes not in me, but in him who sent me. 45 And the one who sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and doesn’t keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and doesn’t receive my sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own, but the Father himself who sent me has given me a command to say everything I have said. 50 I know that his command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.”

How Does “Pause” Work?
1.Each day, Monday through Friday, for 3 weeks, we will provide you with an invitation to get away with the Savior. Each one is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies
in Pause V!

Alive Day 13 Dearly Loved

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 1
Genesis 22:1-19
Psalm 44:17-22
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Romans 8:31-36

Alive, Day 13

“What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
Because of you
we are being put to death all day long;
we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Romans 8:31-36)

When I became a believer, I selected a life verse (a passage of Scripture I especially wanted my life to embody) reflecting my limited understanding of the Gospel as I felt I had to “live up” to a standard of “gospel” in order to keep God’s favor:

“Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27a)

As I grew in my understanding and the Lord unpacked the legalism I carried, He gave me Romans 8 as my new life passage. This shift has been monumental in my understanding of who God is, how I interact with Him, and how He cares for me. I pray that as we walk through this chapter today, you will allow Him to lead you deeper in relationship with Him! 

Verse 31: Is any enemy greater than our ally, our God?

The Creator of the entire world has called us unto Himself. He is Elohim, the only One who has ever created something from nothing. He has given us an eternal inheritance as His children and conformed us to the image of His Son. Nothing in the earth, physical or spiritual, is more powerful than our Great God. No one can remove what He has so graciously given.

Verse 32: Having given us THE greatest gift, Jesus, would God then withhold anything we need for a transformed life?

In Genesis, Abraham was willing to give up his precious son, Isaac, with unshakable faith in and love for God; how much more astounding is God’s sacrifice of His own perfect Son, Jesus, because of His love for us? Out of that same love, He promises to equip us, carry us, and sustain us until we reach our eternal home.

This doesn’t mean, “If I pray to win the lottery, God must give it to me.” Our Heavenly Father has so much more than money or other temporal items to give us, if we embrace His gift of a Spirit-led life!

Verses 33-34: Who is qualified to justify, judge, save, and intercede before God for us?

A joy of mine is using Scripture to interpret Scripture, for the Lord’s letters to us are consistent and true! In 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, I found a similar theme: only the One who sets the standard for righteousness can justify, judge, and save.

God gave the law to demonstrate our need for a Savior.
Jesus, fully God and fully Man, came to fulfill the law.
Therefore, we can have right relationship
with God
through Jesus.

Jesus is sitting next to the Father, speaking to Him on behalf of you and me (also known as interceding). Because Jesus bore the wrath of God in His death and then showed ultimate victory over Satan’s limited power in His resurrection, we can have new life! Only the One who designed this plan of redemption can justify or condemn. 

Verse 35: Can anything separate us from God’s love?

Isn’t it kind of the Lord to set these verses in this order?
He affirms our adoption.
He offers us everything we need for a God-filled, Spirit-led life.
He justifies us.
And now in verse 35, He reminds us nothing can steal any of those gifts.
Sometimes, when we walk through a serious trial, we wonder if God has left us alone.
Take heart, my sisters, He hasn’t left. Nothing can separate us from His perfect love. 

Verse 36: Does ridicule or persecution or suffering mean God has abandoned me?

At first glance, this might seem like a strange reference! However, King David was writing of Israel’s hardships. He was lamenting that Israel had walked away from God and was experiencing His judgement. The enemies of Israel were mocking and taunting them; they were “being put to death all day long.” And yet, throughout all their hardships, the Lord God cared for His people by continuing to redeem them.

We can take heart in our current sufferings, for the Lord God will not abandon us, but will redeem us! Our sufferings do not change the realities and truths of God’s love for us. We can rest in His promises and walk forward confidently in His love! 

Lord, as we study this passage verse by verse, show us Your heart. We want to build on these foundational truths so when we fall, we land on Your truth. Would You make clear Your desire for relationship, and show us Your great love? Let us respond to You with humility and a longing to know You. You are our good God and we praise Your holy name! 

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

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

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Alive!

Alive Day 6 Adopted

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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

Alive, Day 6

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

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

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Alive!

Sketched IX Day 3 A New Work

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 5:1-11
Matthew 17:1-13
Isaiah 42:1-4
Galatians 2:18-21

Sketched IX, Day 3

It’s been nearly a week since Jesus taught us in detail about the cost of following Him, but the words still roll in my head, keeping me awake at night and popping up unbidden as we move through crowds ministering to them.

“Take up your cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)

Death.
That’s all I can think about.

A cross signifies one thing, cruel death.
There is no way to escape torture when a cross is involved.
None.

Cross victims press against nail-pierced feet to slide their raw back upwards against shredded wood attempting to catch a breath as their wrists are nailed on either side, outstretched in agony. Eventually, exhaustion overtakes the condemned man and their futile exercise for oxygen is over, resulting in suffocation. It’s cruel, but it is the price to pay for those who dare break Roman law. I’ve seen it before, the crucifixion parade outside the city as thieves and murderers are led away for gruesome justice. It’s bloody and agonizing, the screams of men as naked flesh is grotesquely pierced, but it is effective in making its point: don’t run against Rome.

I shook my head again, attempting to clear the horrific scenes playing out in my mind. I just don’t understand! Why did Jesus tie these two ideas together, following Him and taking up a cross. It makes no sense! To follow, I must be alive. So, why must I also die? And not simply die, but die a cruel death.

Why does following Him cost so much?!

The turmoil inside me continues churning, never lessening, and I grab a fistful of olive branches in my frustration as I take one more step forward up the narrow, well-worn path on the side of Mount Tabor.

“Hey! Come on, Peter!” James’ indignant voice complains behind me as the olive branch swipes his face. “What’s wrong with you lately, man?”

I glance back, ruefully apologizing for the errant branch thrashing. Does James understand? I lift my eyes forward to catch John following closely to Jesus on the path ahead; the two are conversing, and then I hear John’s laughter ripple out. I grin in spite of my war inside, as John’s laughter invites everyone into its embrace. I can’t stop myself from wondering, does John understand? I furrow my brow and increase my pace, ignoring James’ question. Chest heaving and brow sweating, I catch up to John and Jesus at Tabor’s summit. A quip about my meaty muscles weighing me down compared to John’s lean, young frame is on my lips, but it dies instantly as I follow John’s aghast gaze.

Jesus! Jesus! He’s…

Suddenly, the brilliance of light envelopes everything in sight. The radiance is utterly beyond description as Jesus’ face shines like He swallowed the sun, His ordinary garments now aglow with uncanny light. James gasps and I follow his finger, seeing the unbelievable!

Moses and Elijah are here as well! I may not have everything figured out, but as Moses representing Law and Elijah representing Prophets stand here with Jesus, it’s all becoming clear! They are all the same! Law, Prophet, and Jesus!

Bursting with my revelation, I run unhindered towards the three men bathed in light. “Jesus! Jesus!” I shout. “Lord! It’s so good for us to be here! I’ve got it figured out! We will build three tents for you all and honor you all equally!” (Matthew 17:3-4, paraphrase)

Instantly, a thick, heavy cloud overshadows all of us, striking deep fear into our hearts. Moses and Elijah vanish. Terror-stricken, James, John, and myself are rendered immovable and speechless as a voice boomed, “This is my Son, the Chosen One, listen to Him.” (Luke 9:35)

Cowering and mute, the three of us fall face down in the heart-stopping glory of Yahweh’s voice. Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the cloud of glory vanished, replaced by natural Judean sunlight that makes me sweat again. Stuttering as I examine the common dirt clinging to Jesus’ feet and toenails before me, I realize I haven’t been breathing and gulp in air as Jesus reaches down to touch my shoulder. His voice, astounding in its common, ordinary sound, tenderly speaks, “Get up; don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 17:7)

With lightning-fast clarity, Jesus’ words prompt a memory of the very first time I followed Him. He had looked at me then too, my nets bursting with an enormous catch of fish flopping everywhere. Crowds had gathered and men were agape at the plunder I’d caught, but Jesus had His eyes fixed on mine, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people.” (Luke 5:10)
And so my following began.

Death.
Don’t be afraid.
Follow.

Though it would cost me everything, even my very life and all the pleasures and materials I had once loved, I was to crucify those daily, torturously even, and be left in the wake of the life of Yahweh so I could follow Him freely, without any hindrance.

He knew.
He knew of my internal battle, and He was making me new in the midst of it.
He was showing me Who He was, as God of all.

For Him, no, in Him, I will crucify my old self, and live to follow Him daily in the newness of abundant life. Jesus, the Great I Am, was worth it.
He is the Beloved Son, the Only One worthy of my life.

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

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

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

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

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched IX!

The GT Weekend! ~ Ready 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) Have you ever thought about what your struggles are meant to signify to you and those around you? If you had to guess, pick a few of your recent times of difficulty and think out loud as to what they might mean. On Monday, Rebekah challenged us through Scripture’s teaching that our trials are evidence of God’s coming judgement and coming glory. It certainly doesn’t seem likely when we think about this from our human perspective! If we slow down and surrender our struggles to the vantage point of the Almighty, and apply the truth of His Words, we can see the glimmers of coming Hope. We grieve and ache and weep because all is not well here in our world, but the Lord God designed us for perfect existence without pain. He is the Redeeming God who delights to make all things new and bring beauty from ashes. Do you believe this? Spend some time reading 2 Thessalonians this weekend, looking for how the first century believers were encouraged in their faith even in the midst of intense struggle. How can this encourage you?

2) It’s only 17 verses. I timed it and it takes about 55 seconds to read. Sisters, this is worth it! Go, right now, and read the 17 verses of truth-soaked-grace of 2 Thessalonians 2. What sticks out to you? Which parts sear your heart with urgency? Which words bring comfort or quicken your being with aching for hope to come? Where are you believing lies from the enemy of your soul? (verses 9-10) Who do you know who is trapped by the deception of the Lawless One whose desire is to keep all of us blinded to the coming glory and goodness of the Only True God? Sit with this question for a few minutes, close your eyes, and ask the Lord to show you those friends or family members who are trapped by lies that are keeping them from seeing truth. See those faces? Hear those names? Know their stories? Pray for these, Sister, pray for them!! Bring them to the Father, weep over them, beg for their eyes to be open and for them to hear and respond as the Spirit of the Living God calls out to awaken them from death to life. Is your name among those being deceived? Have you trusted Jesus to pay the blood-price earned by your sin and rebellion against Him? What’s holding you back? Are you ready to spend eternity with the God who loves you?!

3) Paul writes his letters to the churches in Thessalonica with fierce love and a passionate call to stand strong and live Ready “in the now” for the coming return of Christ. If you haven’t spent the very few minutes it takes to read his short letters, go read up! (1 and 2 Thessalonians) Now, he fervently concludes by reminding the church that God is indeed faithful, He IS coming back for His beloved people. We can be made Ready for all that is to come by deeply dwelling in His Word and leaning into His power, which He unleashes in us by the Holy Spirit to draw other people into relationship with Himself through us! Are you actively engaged with His power for this eternal kingdom purpose? Think about the common, everyday pieces of your day. The dish washing, the children watching, the friend-calling, and the meal making. Suppose it is in the mediocre and mundane that we are to glimpse to coming glory of the Father who is crafting an eternity with us that is beyond description? How might this reality shift the way you approach your everyday tasks? How can you begin changing your perspective to see the eternal in the ordinary this week?

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 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

Prayer Journal
Lord Jesus Christ, You are my solid Hope. You are present now in this moment, flooding every aspect of my life just as fully whether I am aware of You or not. Every trial is seen and known, and Your Hope shoots through every tear that falls and every ache of my human heart. Your strength is for my everyday moments. Jesus, I praise You for this tender grace. Lord Jesus, lift my eyes from mu busy lists, from the pain around me, from the brokenness, and remind me Your Hope is not only present, but is also coming. These struggles are momentary and fleeting, regardless of how permanent they feel. More so, this unshakeable Hope is solid, able to support the full weight of my ache to be whole and new. Oh Christ, may I make it my aim, with eyes transfixed on Your glorious coming Hope, to share this life and love with those around me. Strengthen me to lift my eyes off myself and use my circumstances to point to You, the One who makes me Ready now for all the indescribable richness to come! Come, Lord Jesus, come, and until you do, make me ready to tell everyone about You!

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Ready Day 13 Gathered Together

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Thessalonians 2
Psalm 18
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Ready, Day 13

There’s nothing quite like having something taken away to make you realize how much you love that something. The idea of gathering together feels different for all of us around the globe in the wake of Covid-19.

Most churches closed their physical doors for a time. When they did re-open, masks and social distancing made us all acutely aware that gathering together had significantly changed. My dear friend in Scotland cannot even sing aloud with her church when they finally do gather in person.

The early church multiplied quickly, spreading across provinces and countries like wildfire. Jesus had come as God in the flesh to point our sin-wrecked hearts back to Him (Romans 5:6-11), He ascended to rule and reign with Father God at His right hand (Romans 8:34), and now He was building His other-worldly kingdom through His beloved ones, those who called out to Him as Savior. (Acts 2:41-47)

The work was the Lord’s.
The people were His.
The Church was His Beautiful Bride, His very great reward.

As precious as the early church was, they faced struggle, persecution, loss, and distance just like we do today.

Because Christ’s Church spans oceans, deserts, forests, rivers, and plains, it can be hard to remember we are all integrally connected to one another.

The sister in Nigeria who faces a government in disarray and ruled by those bent on destroying Christians is as much a part of me as the skin that covers my bones.

The brother in India who spends his days entering villages closed to the gospel in order to have even one conversation with a person of peace willing to hear about Jesus is as deeply intertwined with me as my lungs that inhale and exhale.

We are the Body of Christ, His Church.

My best friend and her family live as far around the world as possible without beginning to return the other direction. While we grieve our distance, knowing I can’t watch her kids for a date night and she can’t sit on my couch eating late night ice cream, the Spirit of God binds us together in such sweet intimacy, it’s almost like we share the same air.

The Holy Spirit reminds one of us to pray specifically, fervently, for the other, and the Lord brings us together. My heart yearns for her physical arms and for flesh and blood fingers to wipe away tears, but in the Spirit of the God in whom we share, we are gathered together.

It’s with this gut-level yearning Paul draws the members of the Thessalonian church into his embracing words of encouragement. Though aching for their physical closeness, Paul intimately whispers of the richest of all secrets.

Soon, brothers and sisters, soon, we will all be gathered together with Jesus Christ Himself!
Soon, we will stand face to face with one another, every tribe, every nation, every race, and every language gathered together.

We will be one and that gathering will be flooded with the magnificent glory of the Lord Jesus. We will touch hands, hug shoulders, laugh and dance in freedom, and oh, we will worship, how we will worship as One Gloriously Beautiful Bride of Christ!

Soon, but not yet.

It’s not a secret thing, this gathering together with our Lord Jesus; all who draw breath will know, unmistakably, our King has indeed finally come to bring His people home.

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the archangel’s voice,
and with the trumpet of God,
and the dead in Christ will rise first. 

Then we who are still alive, who are left,
will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air,
and so we will always be with the Lord.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Satan will be allowed to wreck his havoc in the now, tormenting souls and deceiving them into thinking they have it all, but they have nothing.

“He (Satan) opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God. (…) working every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders to serving the lie (…) with wicked deception among those who are perishing.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4, 9-10)

Those who believe Satan’s lies will perish because “they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

In light of our coming reality of gathering in person,
Paul urges us to lean in to God’s Kingdom work.

Who do you know who “refuses to love the truth and so be saved?”
Are you actively praying for them and for an opportunity to share truth with them?

“…from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14-15)

Would you consider yourself a “lover of truth”
that you might be “gathered together” when Jesus returns in glory?
What are the evidences of your claim?

God has a purposeful call on our lives to trust Him,
to be sanctified (made more like Him by the Holy Spirit) by Him,
to tell others about His Hope,
and to trust that, regardless of struggle and distance now,
one day, He will gather us all HOME!

Let’s be Ready for His Return!

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Enough Day 12 Humble King: 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 Humble King!

The Questions

1) What is the attitude of Jesus? (verse 5)

 

2) How did He demonstrate that attitude? (verses 6-8)

 

3) What is the fruit of this attitude? (verses 9-11)

Philippians 2:5-11

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.
7 Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
9 For this reason God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
11 and every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Original Intent

1) What is the attitude of Jesus? (verse 5)
Verse 8 in Philippians 2 says Jesus’ attitude is humble and obedient. Jesus is co-equal in the fullness of deity and divinity with God the Father and God the Spirit. God’s singular essence is expressed in three different persons, Father, Son, and Spirit. In Philippians 2, we are told that Jesus didn’t view His equality as something to be exploited. The Greek word for “exploited” is “harpagmos”, meaning to seize or prize something so as to hold onto it. Picture a mighty warrior armed for battle. He has a sword at his side, but he doesn’t choose to seize (or exploit) it for his own benefit or protection. This is a similar concept for Jesus as He came to earth. He chose not to seize all the power and status available to Him as God the Son, even though it was His. As He “emptied Himself”, He did not become “less God”, rather He chose not to seize His status so He could humbly become not just human, but the likeness of a servant. Jesus is both 100% God while also 100% human. When we look at the heart of Christ’s humility, we see its roots are embedded in fullness and security. Jesus knew His identity as God. When we look at the heart of obedience, it is love. In John 14:15 Jesus tells His followers, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” Love leads to humble obedience.

2) How did He demonstrate that attitude? (verses 6-8)
As Christ emptied Himself, that is, chose not to use His full power and authority as God the Son while on earth, He clothed Himself in the humble form of humanity. He took on the role of servant to the world He created. This posture is not new for God. As we read the entire Bible, we see God calling Himself the helper of Israel, or the helper of a person. He bends toward His creation, entering into our struggles and our reality to help us. In studying Philippians 2, we see the depths and lengths to which Jesus expressed God’s humility. He not only came as a man, but as a servant who would die a convicted criminal’s death on the cross. He died for those who would receive His sacrifice and for those who would reject Him. John 3:16 says, “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.” 1 Peter 3:18 adds, “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit.”
1 John 2:2 says, “He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.” He gave His life as an offering for all. This self-sacrifice is the highest form of both humility and obedience. He loves so deeply that His generosity is boundless as He gives up Himself for us, His beloved.

3) What is the fruit of this attitude? (verses 9-11)
In Hebrews 12:2 we are told Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame for the joy set before Him. What was this joy? You. Me. Our salvation. He humbled Himself so we might not perish, be brought near to God, and made alive by His Spirit. This is His joyful reward! We are the joy set before Him! The restoration of all things that had been wrecked by sin was and is His motivation. The fruit of His humility and obedience is that He is exalted above all names, that every knee will bow on heaven and on earth and every tongue confess the truth that He is Lord. The fruit of Jesus’ humility is our salvation and restored relationship with God. One day, the whole of creation will declare this truth in due time.

Everyday Application

1) What is the attitude of Jesus? (verse 5)
We are to take on the attitude of Jesus who demonstrated humble obedience, rooted in love and security, willing to self-sacrifice for those who receive us and those who don’t. We can try to muster up this attitude, but Jesus warns us that without Him, we can do nothing. (John 15:5) We are meant to abide in His love so that we are able to bear Christ’s fruit.  (John 15:9) The type of Christ-like humility and obedience we are called toward is utterly beyond us if we attempt to dredge it up without His presence, power, and love as the source of our motivation and capability. When we abide in Christ, and are rooted and grounded in His love (Ephesians 3:17), we have security in our identity as His beloved children (Ephesians 1:5-13) and are capable of humbling ourselves as He did because He has changed our heart desire to follow the God we trust and love, just as Jesus did.

2) How did He demonstrate that attitude? (verses 6-8)
Jesus demonstrated His humility by choosing to come to earth as a servant and by ultimately going to the cross. We are invited by Him to follow His example and deny ourselves, for the love of Him and others, as we take up our cross and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24) The meaning of this invitation and exhortation should drive the way we walk through everyday life. To pick up our cross, is to imply that we will not hesitate to cheerfully and willingly bear persecutions, troubles, distresses just as our Savior did. Jesus bore the cross; He took it up and laid Himself upon it in all humility. He did not do this stoically or easily, but He did it willingly and with great humility and love. When we follow Jesus, we ultimately become the type of people who are also willing to die to ourselves as we follow Him. Those who follow Jesus are to consider others as more important than themselves (Philippians 2:3), choosing to live sacrificially because they are filled with the kind of love that pours out freely.

3) What is the fruit of this attitude? (verses 9-11)
The fruit of Jesus’ humble, loving obedience is our restoration to God and also the rightful exaltation of Him above all else. For us, the fruit is surprisingly similar. In James 4:10 we are told to humble ourselves before the Lord and He will exalt us. He lifts us when we bow to Him. When we do not insist on our own way (1 Corinthians 13:15) we bend as Jesus did, making room for God’s way. The fruit of our bending is a character more formed to the likeness of Jesus and it can even have the extended fruit of reaching others for Jesus. Many turn away from Jesus because of the pride of His people. Jesus chided the pharisees for this sin over and over. (Matthew 23, Luke 11:37-54, Mark 12:35-40, Luke 20:45-47) When a Christian has the attitude of Jesus, however, one of humble servitude, combined with obedient love, people who don’t yet know Jesus will see something unique and be drawn to Him through what they see of Him alive in us. (John 13:35)

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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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