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Shofar Day 11 Dear Believers In Philadelphia

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Shofar Day 11 Dear Believers In Philadelphia

Rhonda Darville

February 2, 2026

Alive,Called,church,Grace,Holiness

Read His Words Before Ours!

Revelation 3:7-11
Isaiah 22:15-25
Matthew 25:14-30
Psalm 23
2 Timothy 4:7-8

Letters written in the past invite us into an exciting journey of discovery! Even better, letters contained in the Bible serve as important sources of revelation of God, both to their original readers and to us today.  

In the biblical book of Revelation, we find 7 letters written to 7 different churches. Today, we’ll dig into the letter written to the church at Philadelphia. (Revelation 3:7-11)

This beautiful letter is significant in multiple ways. As an amateur linguist, I love words and their meanings! Let’s begin by looking at the meaning of the church’s name. Philadelphia means brotherly love or the one who loves as a brother; today, we’ll see how believers in Philadelphia hold fast to their love for God! Philadelphia was also the youngest of the seven churches and was placed for missionary work to counter the Hellenistic culture in ancient Greece.

The writer of the letter is called “the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, who closes and no one will open.” (Revelation 3:7)

Upon further examination, we learn these letters contain the words of Jesus; here, He is describing His character. His title of the “Holy One, the true one,” (Revelation 3:7) speaks to the very essence of who He is, not just what He does. (Hebrews 7:26-28, John 14:5-7) Furthermore, holiness and truth are aspects of the Holy Trinity and we are reminded that Jesus was the Word (Greek: logos) made flesh. (John 1:1-5) Jesus is God, come to earth for a time in human form. 

The “one who has the key of David” reinforces this idea, speaking to Jesus’ earthly identity from the line of King David. (Revelation 3:7) This moniker reveals Jesus’ divine and messianic authority. Also, the language of Revelation 3:7 is foreshadowed in Isaiah 22:15-25, when God transfers authority to a righteous leader, transcending human authority or power. Jesus’ heavenly authority and sovereignty are supreme, encompassing the power to govern and rule without interference. 

This may be hard for us to grasp in our world of self-appointed leaders and governmental power that seems limitless. As a missionary, I have needed to apply to countries such as the USA, Africa, Italy, and Malta for visas. I had to follow the guidelines provided, or my visa would be denied or revoked. 

Even within the Church, powers of welcome or exclusion seem to be held by fallible humans; yet in this passage, we see Jesus possessing the ultimate authority to His kingdom. I can personally attest, from the last thirty plus years of serving Christ in ministry, that this has proven true. Wow!! 

Daughters of God, sit up and take notice because that same authority works on our behalf! As we faithfully follow Him, He works on our behalf, opening and closing doors for His honor and glory and our good. We, like the church at Philadelphia, have unhindered access to every evangelistic opportunity God has ordained for us. 

Next, the church in Philadelphia is described as possessing little power but great faithfulness. (Revelation 3:8) This speaks to their reliance on God. When we are weak, He is strong (2 Corinthians 2:9-10); it is an acknowledgement we can do nothing apart from the Almighty. 

The letter to Philadelphia continues with Jesus promising protection for the believers, both from hypocritical enemies within the church and larger societal upheaval. (Revelation 3:9-10) 

I am reminded of Psalm 23:5: 
“You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; 
my cup overflows.”

Jesus, in His ultimate and righteous authority, would deal with their enemies. 

Finally, Jesus exhorts believers in Philadelphia, “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown.” (Revelation 3:11)

This shofar call is to hold fast. Do not depart from the solid foundation on which the church of Philadelphia is built, for Jesus is returning soon. 

Like the church at Philadelphia, we are also told to hold fast to our firm foundation, Christ alone. Do not grow weary, sisters, knowing our strength comes from Christ and He covers our ministry opportunities with His power and authority. There will be trials, but Jesus will keep us. If we hold fast to the anchor that is Jesus Christ, we will be crowned with victory. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Like the church at Philadelphia, we must daily renew our love of and obedience to the Scripture and the example of Jesus Christ. Our actions must be in accordance with the Word of God. As we seek to honor the shofar call, may we hold fast to our love for God and one another, enduring the trials we face with full assurance His strength will carry us through. This is my prayer for myself and for you, dear friend. Amen!

“Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches[!]”
(Revelation 3:13)

Tags :
Jesus,King,obey,Revelation,shofar
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Shofar, Day 12
Digging Deeper

Even though theologians interpret these verses in different ways regarding how the end times will impact Christians, I find it comforting that Jesus prepares the Church for the trials that will come in daily life (John 16:33) and during the Great Tribulation.

Scripture is very clear, no matter what we face on earth, we never face it alone. (Joshua 1:9) In every situation, God is our Strength and our Shelter. (Psalm 46:1-2)
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Slain Day 3 Blandina

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Slain Day 3 Blandina

Sara Cissell

April 16, 2025

Called,Enemies,Fear,Hero,Resurrection,Struggle,Suffering

Read His Words Before Ours!

Revelation 2:8-11
John 15:1-17
Matthew 11:25-30
Genesis 1

A friend of mine recently passed away. In the midst of grief, however, joy does arise when I think of him in heaven with Christ. I have no doubt Jesus welcomed him with joy and the confirmation of a life well-lived. 

My friend is not known beyond the circles in which he traveled, but I know his desire to live for Christ will live on as we reflect on his humble servanthood and carry his example with us. 

My friend died at a much younger age than anyone would have expected, especially since we often think of a life well-lived as including many decades of walking with Christ. Our Lord constructed time (Genesis 1) and lives beyond its constraints. Therefore, our definition of a life well-lived should reflect the mindset expressed in this quote:

“The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.” ~William James, philosopher

As we enter the Easter season, we are focusing on believers who gave their lives in the pursuit of Christ. 

Today, I am honored and humbled to focus on Blandina, a young slave girl who was martyred in Lyons in 177 AD. Christians were under incredible persecution from the Roman empire at that time, persecution so intense the only options were denying Christ or enduring torture culminating in death. 

Blandina is known today, not because she was one of the first martyrs or even one of the most politically significant ones. In fact, she was only a young slave girl, one characterized as “weak in body.” (The Gospel Coalition) Yet, Blandina did not cower in the face of torture nor deny her Lord. Rather, she endured torture beyond what anyone thought her body capable of handling. 

Her name made it into the history books because she withstood torture device after torture device and, through it all, encouraged her fellow Christians to not lose heart. Blandina experienced significant pain and traumatizing experiences, yet one historian noted that the more she endured, the stronger she seemed to become. Only God could have imbued this frail girl with strength to not falter in her faith.  (Revelation 2:8-11)

Because of her example, Christ-followers in her day saw the example of a life spent on that which would outlast her breaths on earth. 

We are invited to witness her faith and be challenged to live out our own with all the courage. 

Many of us will not experience martyrdom or anything remotely close to all Blandina went through, but we will be placed in positions of either choosing Christ or choosing the world. 

A choice for the one is a denial of the other. 

Are we mentally and spiritually prepared to choose Christ regardless of the outcome?

Could we truly walk in Blandina’s footsteps with such unwavering faith? 

Blandina was no gladiator; she was neither physically fit nor prepared to fight. Her strength stemmed from within, from her connection to Christ. (John 15:5) Faith enabled her victory. 

Matthew 11:25-30 may seem like an odd choice for connecting to Blandina’s story, as “easy” and “light” do not describe her last days. However, her life highlighted how the Lord carries the weight in our relationship with Him. He strengthened Blandina and encouraged her just as she, in turn, encouraged those around her. 

Several years ago, I lived through one of the hardest, most intense seasons of my life, a season filled with spiritual warfare, doubt, darkness, and a serious lack of hope that the season would ever end. During that time, the Word came alive in a way I had never realized possible, largely because I had never needed it so desperately. During this season, I learned to “remain in [Christ]” in new and deeper ways. (John 15:4)

As I reflected on that season shortly after circumstances changed, I realized that deep within me, at my core relationship with Christ, I felt the strongest in Him I had ever felt while walking through the dark. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, I felt like I had been hit by a truck, but I recognized the power of the Holy Spirit was dwelling richly within me regardless. 

It is this indwelling power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to answer Christ’s call in John 15: “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” 
(John 15:12-14)

Whether we, like Blandina, are led to literally lay down our lives for Christ, or whether we are called to sacrificial love in a relationally difficult season, we are empowered and strengthened as we abide in Christ. 

I have not felt the persecution Blandina suffered, but I have needed to choose where I put my hope and accept the consequences of my choice. 

During my hard season, I repeatedly ran to Jesus and His Word, certainly not perfectly, but desperately, consistently, and humbly. The Lord proved He is faithful, powerful, and sufficient for all my needs. 

That season shifted my perspective to a more heavenly one. Heaven is our home, and living for Christ will always be worth it, even if our journey takes us down paths we never wanted to walk. 

It has been challenging to realize how an easy life can often hinder my spiritual growth. My desperation to hear the Lord’s voice lessens, and I allow a myriad of other things muffle His Words. Social media, busyness of life, relationship challenges, and so many other things begin to take precedence in my calendar, and my ability to discern true kingdom work fades. 

Blandina demonstrated a life spent on something that will outlast her breath. I challenge and encourage us to pattern our days to do the same. 

Tags :
hope,life,martyr,reward,worship
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Slain, Day 4
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Jesus, who came to earth as an infant born to a humble carpenter’s family (Luke 2:12) and who slept under the stars during his years of ministry (Luke 21:37), assured His followers that they were choosing better by choosing to walk in His ways (John 15:5).

Though they were not rich in material things, Jesus’ followers were rich in spiritual blessings.
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The GT Weekend! ~ Run, Week 3

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The GT Weekend! ~ Run, Week 3

Katelyn Palmer

March 22, 2025

Brave,Called,Courage,Forgiven,Freedom

Rest your soul through reflective journaling,
praying Scripture,
and worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

His Words Before Ours

1 Timothy 4:7-10

But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. For this reason, we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Read More Of His Words

Reflective Prayer

Dear Yahweh, Who are we that You, the Creator of the universe, would love us so fully and so richly that You would sacrificed Your only Son to save the world so You might have a relationship with us?!

When we experience the saving power of Your love, we cannot help but cling to You and let Your Spirit take hold of us. You have sealed every true believer with Your Holy Spirit within as a sign of our adoption and as a promise of the future redemption You have promised to Your adopted children. (Ephesians 5:13-14) With Your grace, Lord, we find ourselves with the opportunity to commit ourselves to You, to trust in Your name, and reflect Your love to those around us. (Psalm 37:3-6) Let us not be agitated by the evildoers of this world who appear to flourish but in truth will wither quickly. (verses 1-9)

Strengthen and embolden our pursuit of godliness. (2 Peter 1:5-10, 1 Timothy 4:7-10) Teach us to abound in Your love and grow in understanding of Your will, Lord, allowing us to experience the fullness of relationship with You.

In Your Son’s name I pray, Amen.
Pray Scripture

Worship Through Song

Reflection One

When we prioritize a deep relationship with Christ, we avoid the pitfalls of legalism, which is a strict adherence to the letter of the law. Galatians 5:1-6 warn us against such beliefs, reminding us that while we wait for the full manifestation of a relationship with God in Heavenly Glory, we are called to live free, adhering to the Law of Love in Jesus.

In fact, verse 14 says we can fulfill the whole law by loving the Lord and loving our neighbor as ourselves. The important distinction between following the law and being led by the Spirit, is our connection with Christ. Our only path to righteousness is through Jesus, whereby nullifying any attempts at righteousness through our own power, be it by the law or another dead-end path. (Romans 3:21-29, 2 Peter 1:3-4)

Look instead to walk with the Spirit of God as He leads us when we abide in relationship with Christ by studying His Word, worshipping, and praying. As we seek this relationship, the Spirit blossoms His fruit in our lives! (Galatians 5:24-25, Psalm 37:3-6) Prioritize training in godliness since it holds promise for this life and the next! (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

When we choose to walk with the Holy Spirit, God transforms our hearts and minds, allowing His righteousness to shine through us like the dawn. (Psalm 37:6) As we run with the Spirit, we become an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:11-16), attracting others to the light of Christ within us!
Monday & Tuesday

Reflection Two

On Wednesday, we heard from Farah regarding commands and disciplines that align us with the Lord and lead to a rich and fruitful life. She walked us through 1 Timothy 6:11-20, illustrating foundations of genuine living that would see us turn from the pursuit of money while still being good stewards of wealth when we attain it (verses 17-19). Instead, we are to pursue the riches of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. (verse 11)

Verses 20 and 21 also remind us to watch our speech, act in accordance with Jesus’ teaching, and guard against false teaching while holding tight to the truth and grace of the gospel of our Savior. Farah further guides us on our journey to a deeper relationship with Christ by focusing our attention on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

In these few verses, God’s will for us as believers is explicit. We are meant to practice gratitude in everything, including our suffering, rejoice always, as the hardships in this life hold lessons and bring us closer always to Jesus, and pray constantly. A healthy prayer life centers us on Jesus, align our hearts with His, and builds a strong dependence on Christ for every need!
Wednesday & Thursday

Reflection Three

Friday, we were blessed with two studies delving into the richness we find in relationship with Christ. Gloria noted two aspects essential for running toward Christ.

First, our divine purpose in life is centered on loving and serving God above all else, and through that love and servitude, we love others as He loves us. It’s crucial we remember to place Jesus at the center of our lives, because His love serves all. Second, Gloria reminded that true intimacy with Christ means accepting and celebrating both the power of His resurrection and sharing in His suffering.

How that last part makes my breath catch! Jesus suffered at the hands of this world, so why would the world celebrate His followers? While Jesus warned us many times of the suffering we would endure in this life, He did not leave us without the hope and peace we find in Him as the conqueror of this world. (John 16:33)

Lois urged us to follow His example, recognizing that sacrifice was the root of His mode of living. When we deny ourselves and follow Jesus to the cross, we experience the power of spiritual freedom through His resurrection and grow in communion with the Triune God.
2-for-1 Friday

This Week's Journeys

Remade Day 15
The Remade Life

January 20, 2017 No Comments

We’ve talked a lot during this Journey Theme about what it means to live this redeemed life that Jesus has so richly given us, but what does the “box top” look like? What does my everyday look like as I’m chasing after this God who longs to continuously remake me

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Remade Day 14
The Law of Love: Digging Deeper

January 19, 2017 No Comments

The pharisees asked a lot of questions, but they didn’t truly want to know Jesus’s heart. When we study the Bible or look for answers to our questions, let’s not go looking for evidence to support our pre-determined ideas, rather let’s seek to understand the original intent of the Scriptures,

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Remade Day 13
The Law of Love

January 18, 2017 No Comments

If we really are living out and doing exactly what Jesus tells us are the two most important commandments, then everything else He tells us to do will fall into place… because, by living out these commandments, we are allowing transformation.
When our minds are transformed, then our actions

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Remade Day 12
No Going Back: Digging Deeper

January 17, 2017 No Comments

Are you stuck in the past, attached and grasping for things leading to death, or are you clinging onto and sinking into the things of life? God is a good God, even on days when our past stops us in our tracks or a situation cements our feet. Be reminded

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Remade Day 11
No Going Back

January 16, 2017 No Comments

As fun as it is to “remember when”, there’s danger there too. Either we can romanticize the past and wish for it all over again, or we begin to drown in its sorrows and become perpetually stuck in its cycle. God wants neither for us!

God told Lot’s family

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The GT Weekend – Remade Week Two

January 14, 2017 No Comments

Lord, You have provided perfectly for us. You have given us a means for relationship with You through Jesus. You’ve given the Holy Spirit to keep us walking in step with You, yet I still think I can hide the real me from Your face. Father, forgive me for putting

Read More »

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endurance,reward,treasure
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Run Day 15 Run For The Treasure: Digging Deeper

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Run Day 15 Run For The Treasure: Digging Deeper

Lois Robbins

March 21, 2025

Brave,Called,Discipline,Fear,Gospel

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 "Run For The Treasure"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philippians 3:7-12

But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ —the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, 11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Paul had an absolute confidence in his relationship with Jesus Christ….WHY? (verses 7-8)

Paul used his past to emphasize the magnitude of God’s grace in his life, and he started by pointing to what, from a human standpoint, made him appear to be the best of the best. His snapshot of his past achievements pointed to his prestigious Jewish birth, his education, his training as a Pharisee of the strictest sect, and his zeal for God’s Law. (Acts 22:1-5)

Paul’s zeal as a Pharisee led him to relentlessly persecute the Jesus-movement known as “The Way”. His burning zeal for God consumed him, but when Paul met Christ, he wrote off all his attributes as nothing but bad debt. Radical!

The very things he believed to be his glory were totally useless in his new life of following Jesus. Paul, formerly Saul, went from breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples to belonging to this same Lord! His former way of living life was meaningless in comparison.

Saul was persecuting Jesus’ followers (and thereby Jesus Himself) because he believed he was right. He was firmly persuaded that Jesus could not be the Messiah sent to rescue God’s people. But for all his confidence and zeal, Saul was sincerely wrong.

Radically, when Paul understood the truth and his blinded eyes were open to Jesus’ identity as the True Son of God, he shirked everything he had once claimed so confidently as his righteousness. Now, Paul staked his entire eternity on Christ alone. (1 Corinthians 2:2)

The Lord chose Saul to be His instrument to proclaim this gospel truth to all people. Saul was moved from darkness to light, and when he found solid footing, he understood how meaningless his life was without Christ. In Jesus, Paul found joy, peace, purpose, and a new identity rooted in the merciful grace of God in Jesus Christ.

The Everyday Application

1) Paul had an absolute confidence in his relationship with Jesus Christ….WHY? (verses 7-8)

Shame and honor are central concepts in many cultures today, even leading families to kill or disown those who shame the family. No one likes to be shamed and lose face with others.

Paul was a faithful, zealous servant of the Lord Jesus, who used his zeal in a way that honored Christ and his new identity as a Christ-follower. We too can learn much about living to please Jesus by studying his example and the source of his confidence. While no one wants to bear shame, we do desire to be confident.

In spite of much suffering for sharing the gospel, Paul remained devoted to Jesus after his transformation. So radical was the shift, Paul’s new identity grew dramatically in confidence. So great was the love of God to rescue him, a rebellious sinner, that he was unashamed to preach boldly that Christ was the only true Savior.

Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed…”. (2 Timothy 1:12) Despite all he had learned from boyhood, and was so confidently defending before he met Jesus, Paul now knew Jesus Himself. Knowing Jesus changed everything about Paul. He had not been convinced he was previously wrong through a scholarly debate, rather, Paul had simply come to know Christ. This confidence is why he preached Christ with every chance he had, despite persecution.

 
If Paul was not ashamed to suffer for Jesus, neither should we be ashamed in our walk with Christ today. If we find ourselves wavering in confidence, it should signal to us that we need to better know our Savior through His word and in community with other believers.

Authentic faith is not revealed in intellect of biblical doctrine alone, but in a true love for God Himself as revealed through His Word!

The Original Intent

2) Are there spiritual benefits for all who live in an authentic relationship with Jesus? (verse 9)

Paul’s conversion to Christ brought him suffering, pain, and eventually death, still, Paul faithfully lived out the call of Jesus even though it cost him everything. Paul was obedient to the cause of Christ because he had come to understand that Christ was worth all.

It was impossible for Paul to consider turning back to the worthless way he had once lived and try again to win the prize for which he had once fought so relentlessly. In fact, he called all these things dung compared to Christ!

“I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8)

To be convinced of discarding all he had worked a lifetime to acquire and live in a different direction, while being persecuted and threatened with death, the return on his investment must be immense! And so it is!

Once receiving Christ as our Savior by acknowledging our sinful nature and realizing we can do nothing without Him, the benefits the Lord gives are eternal. (Ephesians 1:3)

We are assured of eternal salvation, which is impossible to lose. (John 10:28-30)

We are free to enjoy Gods unconditional, eternal love for God chose us, loves us, and adopts us His children. (Ephesians 1:4-5) 

We have a new life as a new creation, which will be enjoyed forever. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We have the privilege of prayer, an all-access door to God. We can confidently and freely talk to our Father about anything. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Paul experienced all of these and so much more. Though trials of this earthly life abound, the Lord God is near, only a prayer away.

The Everyday Application

2) Are there spiritual benefits for all who live in an authentic relationship with Jesus? (verse 9)

Peter once asked Jesus, “See, we have left everything and followed You. So what will there be for us?”. (Matthew 19:27) Today, we may say, “We’ve given up a lot to be Christians, is it worth it?!”

Maybe we’ve given up, careers, relationships, jobs, status, pride, or “pet sins”. Surrender can feel heavy, and it’s reasonable to wonder, “Is there a reward? If so, is it worth this sacrifice?”.

When we run into doubts and discouragement, rather than allow the enemy feed us lies, we can run to truth in Scripture. (Psalm 25:4-5) God’s Word assures us our labors for the Lord are not in vain. Our efforts will be rewarded if our motive was right when sacrificing for Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Jesus responded to Peter that everyone who has sacrificed for Him will inherit more. (Matthew 19:29) When you choose to reject gossip, when you give generously, when you love with patience, when you set yourself aside as Jesus did, you are sacrificing for Christ and not one bit is lost on Jesus. He sees it all and He will reward it all with more.

Those rewards, along with innumerable more we can’t begin to imagine, are yet to come in Glory (1 Corinthians 2:9), but He also provides spiritual benefits in this life. Peace, forgiveness, and constant access to God through prayer are only a few.

In Philippians 4:19, Paul encourages, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” 

Having our needs met by God may not look as we’d imagine, but remember, God’s ways are higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Step out boldly and share the gospel, following Jesus is worth everything!

Yes, the road is guaranteed to be difficult (John 16:33), but it can be faced with the all-surpassing peace of Christ! (Philippians 4:7) 

The Original Intent

3) What is the ultimate treasure, the driving desire, to run the “race” set before us? (verses 10-12)

It wasn’t Paul’s aim to know about Christ, but rather to personally know Him as Savior, Lord, King, and Friend. To know Christ is to know the power of His resurrection that brings eternal life. (John 17:3)

Exploring the resurrection of Christ profoundly impacts at least three vital aspects of how we view life, death, and eternity:

First, because Christ rose from the dead with a physical body, and He intends to raise up our physical bodies, we understand the importance of our physical bodies now as God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) where He sanctifies us, and that we will have perfected physical bodies in Glory. (1 Corinthians 15:35-40) 

Second, Christ’s resurrection is the “firstfruit proof” that we, who die in Jesus by trusting Him for spiritual life while we physically live, will be raised to eternal life just as Christ was.  (1 Corinthians 15:20, Romans 8:11) Because He lives, we shall live also. His victory is our victory. (1 Corinthians 15:51-55)

Third, Christ’s resurrection is the evidence of our living Hope. Our safety in life or death is that the Author of Life is our Sovereign Lord. (Romans 14:7-9) Christ is our only hope, but He is also our Living Hope, providing us with the everlasting, constant presence of the Risen Savior for those who place their trust in Christ Jesus. (1 Peter 1:3-4) All who trust Jesus are held safe and secure with incorruptible Hope because Christ proved His power and authority over the grave once and for all!

The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee that this life is worth the living, death is NOT the end of life, and there is a world beyond; nothing in life or in death can separate us from Him. (Romans 8:31-39)

The Everyday Application

3) What is the ultimate treasure, the driving desire, to run the “race” set before us? (verses 10-12)

Just as Paul’s love and passion for Jesus Christ would carry him through earthly trials, sufferings, pain, persecution and death, we must follow his example of truly knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Just as knowing Christ means knowing the power of His resurrection, Scripture also tells us that the gateway of knowing Christ is knowing the “fellowship of His sufferings”. (verse 10)

Paul declares that when a Christian suffers, he is sharing in the suffering of Christ. To suffer for Jesus is not a penalty, but rather a privilege! When we suffer, we are dying to ourselves and the old way of living. When we put to death our old patterns, we are waking up to resurrection life!

We share the way He walked when we love and follow Him. (John 14:15) We share the cross He bore when we daily commit to slaying the desires of the flesh and putting on Christ instead, even if that means suffering. (Colossians 3:5-10) We share the life He lives forevermore when, one day, our mortality will be exchanged for immortality and we will never die again! (1 Corinthians 15:53-54)

Jesus gave His life for us; Paul was willing to give his life for Jesus and others, so we, as those who wear Christ’s name, must do the same.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, if anyone wants to follow after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

When saying yes to Jesus, we partner with Him, sharing God’s word to reach the lost. It truly is WORTH IT ALL. So, RUN ON, Sister, towards the goal of Christ that we may win the prize which God has called us to in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)

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faith,gospel,hope,reward,Run,share
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Run, Day 15
Journey Study

Sometimes, what the world values as success actually hinders our spiritual growth.

As Christ-followers, we are called to evaluate our priorities and willingly release anything that impedes our relationship with Christ as we run toward Him. (1 Timothy 6:17-21)

God’s Word reminds us that true fulfillment comes from aligning our desires with God's will.
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Run Day 11 For Life!

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Run Day 11 For Life!

Rebekah Hargraves

March 17, 2025

Anchored,Called,Captivating,Faith,Fervent,Follow,Forgiven,Freedom

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 37:9-11
John 16:31-33
1 Timothy 4:6-10
Galatians 5:16-23
Ephesians 1:13-14

My childhood pastor announced my birth from the baptistry the Sunday I was born. 
I was in church several times a week from my earliest days. 
I was heavily involved in mission trips, children’s and youth choirs, church musicals, and Bible drill. 

My teen years and early twenties were characterized by a long season of legalism: I wrongly believed righteousness and God-honoring living to be a product of my own striving for moral perfection. Needless to say, the end result was exhaustion, pride, and a very wrong, very burdensome view of God. 

Eventually, I came to understand the crux of the Christian walk is simply to be deeply connected in relationship to the Lord, and we can live in Christ’s victory over sin when we walk by the Spirit of God.

Fast forward to now, and I am relieved my ability to live righteously is not ultimately dependent upon me at all. Rather, my call is to simply walk by the Spirit, inviting Him to produce His fruit in me. (Galatians 5:16-23) 

As such, if I want to run the Christian race well, if I want to practice God’s ways, if I want to grow in righteousness and in the sanctification process, then I must be in close relationship with the Lord. This means spending time in His Word, communicating and listening to Him through prayer, and going through life at His pace. Apart from an authentic relationship with Jesus by the Spirit, all our human attempts at righteousness will be meaningless and empty.

This meaninglessness is exactly what I experienced during my years of legalism. I was busy following “pointless and silly myths” (1 Timothy 4:7) of man-made tradition and rules, rather than being nourished by the good news of the gospel itself. (verse 6) The sobering reality was that I was actually woefully ill-equipped to run the race set before me, because I didn’t have a right understanding of the race itself. 

As I have journeyed out of the blinding bondage of legalism, I’ve learned my ability to run well is dependent upon the level of intimacy in relationship I share with my Savior on a daily basis. The benefits of which are beyond anything I can imagine, both for this life and the next; Matthew 24:13 reminds us, “The one who endures to the end will be saved.”

1 Timothy 4:8-10 tells us, “For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”   

This does not mean we labor and strive in our own power to produce our own righteousness. It does mean we will labor and strive, but we can endure because we have placed our hope in the living God, our Savior.  As Jesus tells us, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)

Ephesians 1:13-14 shows us Christ is the connective guarantee for our righteousness now in everyday life, as well as the perfected righteousness that will be permanent in eternity when we dwell with Him: 
“In Him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.”

And so, dear sisters, we “labor and strive” in this life, while seeking to pursue and prioritize the kind of beautiful relationship with the Lord that naturally results in the eternal fruit of righteousness in us. We spend time in His Word, in prayer, and in surrounding ourselves with the encouragement of the saints as we run together towards the prize that awaits us in Heaven.

“For evildoers will be destroyed,
but those who put their hope in the Lord
will inherit the land.

A little while, and the wicked person will be no more;
though you look for him, he will not be there.

But the humble will inherit the land
and will enjoy abundant prosperity.”
(Psalm 37:9-11)

 

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endurance,forgiven,freedom,hope,perseverance,reward
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Run, Day 12
Digging Deeper

Having personally experienced the heaviness of the Law, Paul encouraged believers with the amazing truth that Jesus has freed us from the bondage of the Law and has saved us through grace, not works.

Instead of lives dictated by the heavy Law, believers are now freed to “walk in the Spirit” resulting in rejection of sin so “to carry out the desire of the flesh.” (verse 16)
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March 3 - March 21, 2025 - Journey Theme #137

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Run Day 8 Fitted With Truth

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Run Day 8 Fitted With Truth

Meribeth Schierbeek

March 12, 2025

Anchored,Called,Fervent,Grace,Truth,Wisdom

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Timothy 2:5-7
1 Corinthians 9:24-2
Philippians 2:13-16
1 Peter 2:9-12
1 Kings 19:9-18

As we begin to run our race today, let’s start in God’s Word; grab your Bible or read along below. God’s words are powerful to change us!

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.  For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” (1 Timothy 2:5-7, emphasis mine)

“Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown.  So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-26, emphasis mine)

Many of us would never sign up for a marathon, yet we all run a spiritual race every day.

You might have noticed I emphasized a few words in the Bible verses above. I want to draw your attention to the word “ALL”; Christ died for all, and we all run a spiritual race. As you and I follow Jesus today, we are avid runners, athletes. Yes, those of us in wheelchairs, those of us who struggle to run ¼ mile without stopping, and those of us who have run marathon after marathon. Recognizing we are all spiritual athletes, our next logical question becomes, how will we run our races?

As we run, we will also trip and fall, we will grow weary, we will go through times of running in vain . . . every single one of us.

Throughout the Bible, we see people whose races reflect their own humanity in a broken world. Consider the Hebrew prophet, Elijah, in 1 Kings 19:9-18. God finds Elijah in a cave, lonely, demoralized, and exhausted from his run. God listens to him, and then meets Elijah in the midst of his struggle. Take a minute to read these 9 verses; what happens next? Do you see yourself reflected in this story?

I can certainly relate to the idea of struggling as we run our races. There was a time in my life when I began to focus on others around me, rather than on the road ahead. Joshua 1:7 reminds me to remain devoted to God’s instruction, not turning right or left; yet I began listening to voices criticizing my physical appearance and lifestyle. Soon, my focus was no longer on running my race in the grace of God through Christ, but rather on the size of my body. The focus of my race became myself, rather than God. 

But thanks to our mediator, Jesus, we can get up after a fall. (Proverbs 24:16, 1 Timothy 2:5) God pursued my heart through His Word and the community of believers, reminding me, “I am here and I will not leave you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Present with us as we run, God gives us everything we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) Today’s anchor passage, 1 Timothy 2:5-7, reveals how Jesus gave His very self as a ransom for us! Because of His sacrifice on our behalf and resurrected victory over the power of sin and death, we are free to run our race with confidence before God! Sisters, this is the breathtakingly beautiful good news of the gospel! 

When we hold tight to the truth of the gospel, we run with intention and purpose, our feet shod with the gospel peace (Ephesians 6:14-15) and our eyes fixed on the One whose mercy has rescued and redeemed us. 

We no longer run in vain…
toward the empty promises of security offered by humankind.
Rather, we can release our fear of the world as we hold tight to the gospel truth of our eternal future, safe and secure in the hands of our Father.

We no longer run in vain…
in desperate pursuit of the fickle approval of others.
Rather, we can abandon insecure people-pleasing, assured of the gospel truth of God’s incomprehensible, endless love for us.

We no longer run in vain…
attempting to prove our own moral goodness and thereby justifying our participation in the race.
Rather, we can let the burden of striving slip from our shoulders, freed by the gospel truth of God’s mercy and forgiveness through Jesus.

Running physically may change your body.
Running spiritually will change your heart.

How can we practically train ourselves to run by holding tightly to the truth of the gospel? 

Read God’s Word daily.* 
Talk with Him in prayer as we run.**
Preach the good news of the gospel to ourselves when we grow weary.
Share the gospel of peace with those around us. 
With our faith built on the solid foundation of the gospel of truth, may we all run the race set before us with confidence and peace!

*Interested in daily Bible reading but not sure how to begin? You’re not alone! Check out https://www.thebiblerecap.com/ for an accessible daily reading plan!

**Ready for a deep dive into prayer? Join pastor and teacher Tim Keller in his book, Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, for a comprehensive approach to the subject and practice of prayer!

Tags :
endurance,grace,mission,purpose,Truth
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Run, Day 9
Digging Deeper

How many times have we rejected a direction or answer from God because it was so far from what we had pictured or decided it should be?

In the case of Paul preaching salvation to the Gentiles, I am very glad the Jews were wrong about salvation being exclusive to them! Otherwise all of us Christians, aka Gentiles, would be lost.
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March 3 - March 21, 2025 - Journey Theme #137

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The GT Weekend! ~ Come, Week 2

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The GT Weekend! ~ Come, Week 2

Katelyn Palmer

February 22, 2025

Adoration,Called,Dwell,Glory,Made New,Praise,Prayer

Rest your soul through reflective journaling,
praying Scripture,
and worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

His Words Before Ours

Isaiah 1:16-19

Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil. Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.

“Come, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.
Read More Of His Words

Reflective Prayer

You, Yahweh, are the King above all else. (Psalm 95:3) Everything we see is Your creation, O Lord our Maker! (Psalm 95:4-6) We are the people of Your pasture, sheep under Your care. (verse 7)

Lord, You have called each of us into Your flock to come and follow You. (Mark 8:34-38) You call us to rest in Your presence and let our weary hearts find relief. (Matthew 11:28-30). I pray that my heart, and the hearts of my sisters joining me all over the world to learn more about You, would be emboldened by Your call to come and follow just as Your first disciples were. (Matthew 4:20) You are a kind God, full of mercy and grace who lavishes His children with love and compassion. (Isaiah 54:8) We need only to trust and obey Your loving commands, then we will eat the fruit of Your blessings! (Isaiah 1:19)

Teach us to love with our actions (1 John 3:18) and so demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. (Galatians 5:22-26) Let it be as John wrote, “The one who says he remains in Him [Jesus] should walk just as he walked.” (1 John 2:6)

We are Your ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20-21), called to worship (Psalm 66:1-4) and to share the name of our Creator with others. (Hebrews 13:14-17, Philippians 1:18-20) May our Hearts be filled with joy as we worship You and love others! <br.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Lord. Amen!
Pray Scripture

Worship Through Song

Reflection One

This week, we began our studies by looking at Jesus’ first invitations to follow Him, extended to His would-be disciples Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. (Luke 5:2-11) Lesley connected these winsome welcomes to Jesus’ invitation for all to come and follow Him. (Mark 8:34-38)

In this grand invitation to all of us, Jesus tells us we must deny ourselves, that is, our flesh, by daily taking up a cross (cruel form of death) to crucify our fleshly desires so we might live out Christ’s call. (Luke 9:23)

“Taking up the cross” references Jesus’ death by crucifixion. None survived the torturous death of Roman crucifixion, and Jesus’ point is that our desires to live for self must be daily killed. Just as Jesus submitted to the Father’s will by His crucifixion in order to save us, so we must submit to the cross as well, daily living to follow Jesus.

We are to follow Him in His example of righteousness and humble, extravagant love. By living in love (John 19) and submitting to the Father as He did (Luke 22:39-43), His resurrection life lives in us!

The reward of following Jesus is revealed in Mark 8:35. Jesus tells us that denying our flesh and losing our lives for Jesus’ sake is actually to gain it! After all, what good is it to gain the world yet lose our soul?! (Mark 8:36)
Monday & Tuesday

Reflection Two

Song of Solomon 2:10-13 reflects the promise of hope that lies within Jesus Christ. The husband, who is speaking to the wife, invites her to come away with him. (verses 10 and 13) In Matthew 11:28, Jesus beckons us to him, as well.

The husband describes a scene of new life, refreshment, and relief from the cold of winter. (verses 11-13) Jesus calls out the weary and burdened, those who have fought through their own winters of sorts, offering rest. (Matthew 11:28)

He promises an easy yoke and light burden (Matthew 11:29-30), which cannot be offered by the world; it cannot be offered by winter, but rather by spring. The husband has painted a vision reminiscent of the Promised Land, where milk and honey flowed, and the land was fertile with blessing. (Exodus 3:8)

Spiritually, Jesus is our Promised Land. He is our path to eternal life with God and He holds within Him the promise of no more pain, sorrow, or death, and instead, rich blessing and abundant life. (Revelation 21:3-4)

Song of Solomon paints a picture of the kind of rest, relief, and refreshment we can only find in Jesus Christ. Greater still, Jesus has called us to Himself because He wants to give us these things. So, as the husband urges his wife, I urge you, too, to “arise…come away” (Song of Solomon 2:10-13) and find “rest for your soul” (Matthew 11:29) with the One who hand-crafted you!
Wednesday & Thursday

Reflection Three

In finishing Week One of Journey Into Come, we studied Psalm 95 and Isaiah 1:16-20. Michelle explored how these passages call us to worship and invite us into relationship with Yahweh. The call to worship in Psalm 95 points to the greatness of God by identifying who He is and what belongs to Him (hint: it’s everything!).

It is clear the psalmist understands the majesty of the Lord and has appropriately exalted Him above everything. The psalmist reminds us God is our maker, and the land and sea are His. (Psalm 95:4-6) This introduces us to God the Creator.

Verse 7 calls us “the people of His pasture,” which introduces us to God as our Shepherd. Verses 8-11 reference the exodus from Egypt into the Promised Land with a warning against hard hearts and straying from God, which depict God as Warrior, Redeemer, and Judge.

The Psalmist encourages us to know the God we serve and understand our insignificance in comparison to His omniscience, inevitably resulting in fervent praise. When we flip the pages of our Bible to Isaiah, we are called to cleanse ourselves and learn to live righteously. (Isaiah 1:16-17)

While we can learn to do what is good by studying Scripture, Yahweh knew we could not cleanse ourselves before Him. This is why He invites us to settle our sin together. (verse 18) Yahweh acknowledges our uncleanliness, but then He cleanses us, making us “white as snow” and “like wool.” (verse 18)
2-for-1 Friday

This Week's Journeys

Remade Day 15
The Remade Life

January 20, 2017 No Comments

We’ve talked a lot during this Journey Theme about what it means to live this redeemed life that Jesus has so richly given us, but what does the “box top” look like? What does my everyday look like as I’m chasing after this God who longs to continuously remake me

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Remade Day 14
The Law of Love: Digging Deeper

January 19, 2017 No Comments

The pharisees asked a lot of questions, but they didn’t truly want to know Jesus’s heart. When we study the Bible or look for answers to our questions, let’s not go looking for evidence to support our pre-determined ideas, rather let’s seek to understand the original intent of the Scriptures,

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Remade Day 13
The Law of Love

January 18, 2017 No Comments

If we really are living out and doing exactly what Jesus tells us are the two most important commandments, then everything else He tells us to do will fall into place… because, by living out these commandments, we are allowing transformation.
When our minds are transformed, then our actions

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Remade Day 12
No Going Back: Digging Deeper

January 17, 2017 No Comments

Are you stuck in the past, attached and grasping for things leading to death, or are you clinging onto and sinking into the things of life? God is a good God, even on days when our past stops us in our tracks or a situation cements our feet. Be reminded

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Remade Day 11
No Going Back

January 16, 2017 No Comments

As fun as it is to “remember when”, there’s danger there too. Either we can romanticize the past and wish for it all over again, or we begin to drown in its sorrows and become perpetually stuck in its cycle. God wants neither for us!

God told Lot’s family

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The GT Weekend – Remade Week Two

January 14, 2017 No Comments

Lord, You have provided perfectly for us. You have given us a means for relationship with You through Jesus. You’ve given the Holy Spirit to keep us walking in step with You, yet I still think I can hide the real me from Your face. Father, forgive me for putting

Read More »

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Tags :
humility,love,spirit,Truth,worship
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Come Day 8 Come To Relate

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Come Day 8 Come To Relate

Rebekah Hargraves

February 19, 2025

Accepted,Affectionate,bride,Broken,Called,Captivating,Family,gentle,Groom,Heaven,Hope,Jealous,Journey,Love,Mercy,Relationship

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 116:5-9
Song of Solomon 2:10-13
Matthew 11:28-30

When I discovered the topic of our next study here at Gracefully Truthful, I immediately saw the hand of God all over it. You see, the Lord has had me on a journey since the Advent season of 2023, a journey of becoming aware of the tender invitations He extends to me. I read a handful of Advent books at the end of last year, and in every one, the word “invitation” kept popping up. That, my friends, is no coincidence. 

Though I have walked with the Lord for the vast majority of my life, only in recent months have I considered my relationship with Him as a series of gracious invitations. In light of the specific invitation we are discussing today, this realization is both a gift and a balm to my soul. 

I tend to be hyper-focused on my to-do list, always hurrying from one thing to the next, and subconsciously taking on the burdensome belief that everything depends upon me. So when I read these words of invitation from Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30, I am instantly stopped in my tracks:

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Though I had read those words many times, I learned something striking about this passage in the following excerpt from John Mark Comer’s excellent book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry:

“Jesus was a rabbi (Hebrew, meaning ‘teacher’). Yes, He was more – the Messiah and the embodiment of God Himself. I deeply believe that. But if you had been a first-century Jew and Jesus showed up in your synagogue one Sabbath morning, the odds are, the category you would have put him in was that of a rabbi or a traveling sage. 

“And like every rabbi in his day, Jesus had a yoke. Not a literal yoke; He was a teacher not a farmer. A yoke was a common idiom in the first century for a rabbi’s way of reading the Torah. But it was also more: it was the rabbi’s set of teachings on how to be human. His way to shoulder the (at times crippling) weight of life- marriage, divorce, prayer, money, conflict resolution, government- all of it. It’s an odd image for those of us who don’t live in an agrarian society. But imagine two oxen yoked together to pull a cart or plow a field. A yoke is how you shoulder a load. What made Jesus unique wasn’t that He had a yoke; all rabbis had a yoke. It was that He had an *easy* yoke.”

These words stopped me in my tracks as I was reading. Jesus desires for us to live, as one Bible translation puts it, “freely and lightly.” Yes, we will face hardship in this life, but He wants us to live with an inner peace and lightness from Him, even in the midst of hardship. This means, then, there is no place for the heavy bondage of legalism, the soul-crushing pace of hustle and hurry, the life-draining idol of comparison, or the guilt and shame-inducing fearful lies of the enemy.

Imagine if we all lived with THAT kind of freedom. The amazing grace and beauty of the gospel is that we can, if we follow the way of Jesus! 

This brings me to the beautiful words of Song of Solomon 2:10-13, a passage which begins with the same invitation as Matthew 11,  the invitation to “come”.

“My love calls to me:
Arise, my darling.
Come away, my beautiful one.
For now the winter is past;
the rain has ended and gone away.
The blossoms appear in the countryside.
The time of singing has come,
and the turtledove’s cooing is heard in our land.
The fig tree ripens its figs;
the blossoming vines give off their fragrance.
Arise, my darling.
Come away, my beautiful one.”

When placed alongside Jesus’ words in Matthew 11, this passage teaches us, with deep beauty and impact, about the nature of God’s invitation; it is all about relationship. We are invited and called to walk in step with Him, delighting in His presence, and feeling calmed and comforted by His love. 

Instead of striving, we now trust. 
Instead of rushing, we now slow down. 
Instead of thinking everything is on our shoulders, we realize, actually, He carries everything for us. 

What a beautiful relief!

Now, as I ponder my daily to-dos and encounter the events of each day, I am able to feel a soul-deep peace, for my Savior’s yoke is easy, and His burden truly is light.

“Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.”
(Psalm 116:7)

Tags :
come,invitation,relate,relationship,welcome
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Come, Day 9
Digging Deeper

David Mathis declares, “True humility is not the denigrating of humanity, but God’s image shining in its fullness . . . To humble ourselves is to come ever closer, step by step, to the bliss and full flourishing for which we were made.”

When we are humble, the light of God shines through us. What a blessing that God walks with us on each step of our journey to Christ-like humility! (Proverbs 3:34)
Dig Deeper!

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Prayer is central to our ministry as believers in Jesus as we carry eachother’s burdens and intercede for one another. Our team is honored to share the work of praying alongside you!

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Explore This Journey Theme!
Feb 10 - Feb 28, 2025 - Journey Theme #136

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Pause VIII, Day 9 A Collect For A World Too Broken

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Pause VIII ~ Day Nine

New To The Journey? Start Here!

His Words Before Ours

Mark 14:32-36
Galatians 4:4-7
John 11:28-36
Acts 3:19-21
Psalm 6

I’m about to share a significantly unoriginal thought. 

(How’s that for an open?)

Nonetheless, the first time I encountered this concept in a random Instagram post I can’t track down, it resonated with me, so I’d like to share it with you, too. 

Those of us who live in developed nations, with ready access to the internet and worldwide news, can easily find ourselves inundated with staggering amounts of reports on the horrific, gutting, soul-crushing suffering happening throughout the world on a daily basis. 

This tidal wave of suffering, of oppression, of cruelty and injustice, can easily drown our capacity to respond in a meaningful way; we are simply overwhelmed by the enormity of an entire world broken.

Perhaps, the author of the post postulated, we aren’t meant to carry the weight of the world’s suffering. (Perhaps, I’d add, only one Person, one God-man, could carry such a burden.)

While simultaneous awareness of suffering in countless locations across the world is a fairly recent phenomenon, the brokenness itself is as old as humanity. I’ve spent the last 2 years reading through the Bible chronologically, and one of my big take-aways has been the dumpster fire that is humanity, right from the beginning. 

The world has been broken, and will continue to be broken, until Jesus brings full restoration. This collect is for those moments when we’re frozen, overwhelmed into inertia, by the enormity of the suffering in our own lives, in our local communities, and across the world. 

My hope for this collect is to begin a conversation with God about how to live in a Christ-like way in our world, responding to its brokenness with empathy, compassion, and justice.

A Collect for a World Too Broken
Abba Father,
whose Beloved Son wept with His suffering image-bearers:
when we stagger under the immensity of the world’s brokenness, comfort us with Your presence in our lament,
that we might labor for Your compassionate justice in this world while waiting in hope for Your full restoration of all things,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Today’s Collect Components
Address: Abba Father,
Doctrine: whose Beloved Son wept with His suffering image-bearers:
Petition: when we stagger under the immensity of the world’s brokenness, comfort us with Your presence in our lament,
Aspiration: that we might labor for Your compassionate justice in this world while waiting in hope for Your full restoration of all things,
Mediation: through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Meditate & Reflect

1) First, let’s bring the brokenness weighing on our hearts to God. Grab your journal and lament such suffering. (What does it mean to lament? Check out Pause VIII, Day 5 to learn more!)

2) Next, re-read John 11:28-36, and reflect on Jesus’ response to suffering and loss. How can we emulate His compassion and empathy? What action might He be leading you to take?

3) Finally, check out Hosea 12:5-6. Our love for our neighbors must motivate us to seek justice on their behalf; how might God be leading us to pursue loving justice for those affected by the world’s brokenness? What action might He be leading you to take?

Worship

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