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Character

Another Day 12 Loving Devotion: Digging Deeper

March 21, 2023 by Rachel Jones Leave a Comment

Another Day 12 Loving Devotion: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

March 21, 2023

Affectionate,Captivating,Character,Christ,church,Clothed,Community

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 "Loving Devotion"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Thessalonians 5:12-28

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Don’t stifle the Spirit. 20 Don’t despise prophecies, 21 but test all things. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will do it. 25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us also. 26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers and sisters. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) How are we instructed to recognize and regard our Christian leaders? (verses 12-13)

In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul urges them to “give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) God desires the church to regard their leaders very highly in love because of the work they do to teach, nurture, and lead His people.

Nearly all churches in America recognize their pastors during October for Pastor Appreciation month. Pastors receive gift cards, baked treats, cash, flowers, and other tangible rewards as appreciation for their service. Pastors love being valued in this way, but the church should honor their leaders through encouragement and prayer on a consistent basis. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

The work our leaders do on the daily is what keeps our churches growing and thriving. Pastors teach us the Scriptures and instruct us how to live out Christ’s teaching in our daily lives. They pray for our health and well-being, they counsel us in family matters and relationship struggles, and they challenge us when we need to hear God’s truth applied to our lives. Author and pastor’s wife, Kristen Wetherell, suggests “Your encouragement will both deepen [your pastor’s] confidence in the power of God’s Word and also increase his desire to faithfully read, enjoy, study, communicate, and apply it. You will help him press on in ministry when the going gets tough, whether personally, culturally, or within the church.”

Let’s commit to encouraging and praying for our pastors with regularity (1 Timothy 5:17) for in doing so we minister to the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).

The Everyday Application

1) How are we instructed to recognize and regard our Christian leaders? (verses 12-13)

Somewhere in my box of “treasures” languishing in the basement is a note I received during my junior year of high school. I was assisting in a first grade class where one little boy needed some extra help with reading. A few days into our work together he slipped me a note that melted my heart. In clumsy, backwards letters he let me know how much he appreciated my help and the time and attention I gave him. I have worked with kids most days since then, in some capacity or another, and those letters, cards, pictures and gifts of encouragement have never lost their power to recharge my batteries or refocus my vision.

Knowing I’m making a difference for my students gives me the strength to face the hard days that seem like swimming through peanut butter. Under the Spirit’s leading, Paul instructed the Church to recognize and highly regard our leaders. Charles Ellicott explains, “The bond which binds the Christian community to their directors is not to be one of ‘recognition’ and obedience only but of holy affection above all.”

Paul knew the dedication of leaders to the care and nurturing of their churches was labor intensive and sacrificial, patterned after the example of Jesus. (Mark 10:45) He exhorted the church to do more than acknowledge and say thanks, though they should do that as well. He wanted them to act in love, sharing their blessings with church leaders as a way to honor the work of God done through them. (Galatians 6:6)

Follow Paul’s suggestion and reach out to your church leaders with love and encouragement, let them know the work they do is impacting your life.

The Original Intent

2) Why is it important for Christ-followers to be at peace among themselves? (verse 13)

Paul charged the believers in Thessalonica to “be at peace among yourselves” as he taught the church how to engage with one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:13) A.S. Patterson asserts, “Social peace among true Christians is highly important, both for their own mutual improvement and personal comfort, and for the recommendation of religion to the world; and it is to be maintained by the cultivation both of unanimity of sentiment and of kindliness of feeling”.

When there is disharmony among Christians, it sends a negative message about the church to the world. Feuding between Christians makes it seem the truths they share about Jesus are ineffective. Christians are meant to be identified by their love (John 13:35); discord detracts from the winsome beauty of Jesus’ love. Disunity makes it difficult to see Christ in our lives when we are not living at peace with one another. (1 Corinthians 3:3)

Since living in peace is so important to the Lord, Christians ought to focus on the things they have in common and let God guide them through their differences with a heart committed to loving devotion toward each other. (2 Timothy 3:17)

Jeremy Ham explains, “Since there is one faith, there will be unity in this faith, so we should be like-minded. Whenever Christians have conflicts, we should remember that we all are pressing and working toward the same goal.” We must walk out what we preach, living in peace under the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

The Everyday Application

2) Why is it important for Christ-followers to be at peace among themselves? (verse 13)

When my son was in 2nd grade our state allowed homeschoolers to attend online school for free, so we took advantage of the program. He was in virtual class with kids of different races and religions. One student was Rastafarian, others Muslim, some were Jewish, others Christian and Catholic. From all over our state, these kids and their backgrounds were as different as they could be, but our families were unified by the common goal of learning at home and curating the learning environment we found most beneficial for our children.

The Body of Christ could benefit by remembering the common goals we all have, to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7) and make Him known in the world (Acts 20:24). Paul admonished readers to “be at peace among yourselves” in 1 Thessalonians 5:13. He knew divisive issues would arise, pitting believers against one another and dimming the light of our testimony as we point others to Jesus. (Matthew 5:16)

Christ desires us to live in peace together, despite our differences and contentions, so we will draw others to know Him as He truly is. (Mark 16:15) John Piper notes, “The gospel creates peace with God. And the gospel creates lovers of humble peace and workers for peace.” When Christians pursue peace among themselves, they bring glory to God and cause others to want the peace they have found.

The Original Intent

3) What does it look like to always pursue what is good for one another and for all? (verse 15)

In 1 Thessalonians 5:15, Paul exhorted readers to “See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.“ Instead of retaliating or looking for payback when bad things happen, the Lord teaches believers to actively pursue things that are good for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

To pursue what is good for each other means we are not looking out for our own best interests ahead of others (Philippians 2:3-4) while working for the good of our fellow believers. (Galatians 6:10) Pursuing what is good for all involves treating other people the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12) with a willingness to be last instead of first (Matthew 20:16).

Loving devotion to one another means surrendering our presumed “right” to have the last word about everything. It means speaking the truth in love instead of turning a blind eye to keep the peace. (Ephesians 4:15) Pursuing what is good for each other doesn’t mean we always agree, but it means we can disagree with respect and love. (Romans 14)

The Everyday Application

3) What does it look like to always pursue what is good for one another and for all? (verse 15)

I admire moms and dads who are purposeful in their parenting. They plan ahead and budget time for teachable moments. This means they allow their kids to actively help cook a meal or fold the laundry even if it takes 3 times longer than if they shooed the kids out of the room and finished the tasks themselves. These parents know it is best for the child and, eventually, the whole family for their children to learn life skills like cooking and cleaning at an early age. Purposeful parents consider what is best for their children in the long run and value those goals over immediate convenience.

The Apostle Paul championed purposefully pursuing good towards others when he wrote verse 15, “See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.“ Paul desired to mimic Christ’s heart-desire for His people to always be about the business of doing what is good for all, even when it’s tempting to be retributive for personal injustices.

The way to live peaceably is to put others first and treat them honorably, even when they don’t deserve it. (Romans 12:10-14) When we give a gentle answer rather than quarreling, we squelch anger and promote peace. (Proverbs 15:1) It can be difficult to put others’ needs above our own (1 Corinthian 10:24), but we can ask the Lord to help us pursue good for each other so we can live together peacefully and show the world God’s love in action. (John 15:12)

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care,family,humility,kindness,preference
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Journey Study

Have you ever been in the shoes of Zacchaeus? On the receiving end of extravagant love despite who you are and what you’ve done?

Perhaps you’ve heard the voice of someone who loves you and looks your way and says, “I want to spend some time with you today!” This is the Jesus kind of love. This is “One-Another” kind of love. This is the lifestyle love we are called to exhibit in our everyday lives as believers.

I know for a fact Zacchaeus’ life changed that day by the words in Luke…”hurrying down and receiving Him joyfully.”
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Posted in: Affectionate, Captivating, Character, Christ, church, Clothed, Community Tagged: care, family, humility, kindness, preference

Another Day 11 Loving Devotion

March 20, 2023 by Meribeth Schierbeek Leave a Comment

Another Day 11 Loving Devotion

Meribeth Schierbeek

March 20, 2023

Accepted,Adoration,Character,Christ,church

Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 12:9-21
Psalm 139:1-7
Luke 19:1-10
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

What a beautiful title!
Loving devotion!

Where might your mind go as you ponder these two words?

I love when my husband devotes time to me. Last night, as we were winding down from the day and he was scrolling the TV channels, he stopped, looked across the room at me, and asked what I was looking at. I shared quickly, thinking it was just a simple query. 

But he put the remote down, and asked me to say more, drawing out what I enjoyed about the topic I was researching. It was a sweet gift to feel the devotion, be seen in that moment and feel his love in a meaningful way through the gift of conversation.

Does this happen every night? Not a chance… sometimes we are just tired by the end of the day, and all we have is our presence.

What are some ways you feel known and loved? 
Who turns towards you with devotion? 
How can we express our gratitude and devotion in return?

Beyond our human relationships, what does it look like to lovingly devote our lives to worshiping Jesus and loving and serving His people? How do we live as Romans 12:10 instructs, “Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another”?

I don’t know about you, but I like the real-life narrative of Zacchaeus. Take a minute to reread his story in Luke 19:1-10.

What did you notice about Jesus?
What did you notice about Zacchaeus?

If you’re new to the Bible, let me share the significance of Zacchaeus’ job as a tax collector. Men in this role were generally dishonest, self-gratifying collectors who lined their own pockets by cheating their fellow Jews! They were installed by Roman occupiers who cared nothing about integrity as long as Rome got its due, plus more. As such, tax collectors were often considered traitors and among the worst in Jewish society. 

Yet, the Holy Spirit draws Zacchaeus’ interest onto Christ, and Jesus calls the much-despised Zacchaeus by name and pursues a relationship with him! (Luke 19:5) Jesus demonstrates how to love people on the path with us, and we get to leave their response to the Lord.

I loved Jesus’ words in the ESV (English Standard Version) translation I’m reading, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down for I MUST stay at your house today” and Zacchaeus responds by… hurrying down and receiving him joyfully!

Have you ever been in the shoes of Zacchaeus? On the receiving end of extravagant love despite who you are and what you’ve done? Perhaps you’ve heard the voice of someone who loves you and looks your way and says, “I want to spend some time with you today!” This is the Jesus kind of love. This is “One-Another” kind of love. This is the lifestyle love we are called to exhibit in our everyday lives as believers. 

I know for a fact Zacchaeus’s life changed that day by the words in Luke…”hurrying down and receiving Him joyfully.” 

Our life with Jesus is one of fellowship with Jesus, and it begins with the same simple act Zacchaeus demonstrated in genuine, joyful humility: receiving Jesus with joy. Jesus Christ, as God the Son, left His place in heaven and came as a baby to live and sacrifice Himself as an atonement (an offering on behalf of someone else) for us. Our wretchedness caused by our sin nature leaves us and Zacchaeus looking like twins, and still, Jesus calls each of us by name to humble ourselves at the cross where His death covers every sin with His own blood. Have you received His offered embrace by confessing your sin and receiving His righteousness? Here, in this beautiful place of welcome, we get to share Christ’s invitation first for ourselves and then with anyone at any time.

Sometimes, like Jesus on the path to somewhere else, our opportunity to share comes at inconvenient times, while other times it might feel like it fits perfectly in our timing. Either way, the embrace of Jesus is meant to be shared and we are meant to readily hold it out.

Are we actively receiving the loving devotion of our Father?
Are we bringing it into our everyday world?

If you haven’t read #HisWordsBeforeOurs in Psalm 139:1-7, go back and do it! In order to love others as God loves us it helps to know more about God and how He loves us.

What goes through your mind as you read those seven verses?
How is the Lord lovingly devoted to you?
How might this reality shape your everyday life as you serve and love those God puts in your path?

Just as Zacchaeus was, so have we been seen and loved by Jesus!
What will we do with this extravagant, embracing, invitational love?
I pray it will fuel us to exhibit genuine, authentic loving devotion to our Savior as His Spirit enables us to bring truth and love to a hurting world!

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Christ,church,family,love,One Another
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Digging Deeper

What intimacy awaits those who feel lonely, fearful, and depressed.

What sweet connection awaits us if only we would pour ourselves over His Scripture and meditate on His character day and night.
Dig Deeper!

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Posted in: Accepted, Adoration, Character, Christ, church Tagged: Christ, church, family, love, One Another

The GT Weekend! ~ Another, Week 2

March 18, 2023 by Katelyn Palmer Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend! ~ Another, Week 2

Katelyn Palmer

March 18, 2023

Affectionate,Character,Christ,church,Clothed,Community

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

This Week's Journeys

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday's DD

Pray His Words Back To Him!

Philippians 2:5-11

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death - even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name…
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

My Lord, Yahweh, You have convicted my spirit heavily as I studied the concepts of humility and submission. Thank You for offering the perfect example in Christ to model my life after. Thank You also for the encouragement of Your loving chastisement each time I fall victim to my pride and stubbornness.

Over the next week, please open my eyes to the areas of my life where humility and submission are scarce and offer me the wisdom to strengthen those areas. (Psalm 139:23) I am not yet a finished work of Your hands, but I know one day You will complete the good works you have started in me. (Philippians 1:6)

Until then, I will strive to serve those You have placed in my life with a humble heart and lean into all opportunities of growth with an eager spirit, using Your Son as my example. I wish for Your heart to guide my own; teach me to rest in Your promises, Lord.
In Jesus’ name that I pray, Amen.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

The image of an ax and the act of its sharpening is used throughout the Bible in both the Old and the New Testaments. It is a powerful image and quite pertinent to living out our faith as we follow Jesus.

An ax dulls after just a few uses and a dull ax is both inefficient and requires more strength. In keeping with His wisdom, God highlighted this very fact in Ecclesiastes 10:10. One way God sharpens us is through other people. (Proverbs 27:17)

Just as it is important to grind into the edge of the ax when sharpening it, we must lean into the grind of being honed with a humble heart. It can be uncomfortable, painful even, but with each stroke of the file we become more like Jesus and we reflect God’s light to those around us.

Who is God using to sharpen you? Have you leaned into the process or fought it? When the Spirit convicts us of fighting against spiritual growth, we can accept His reprimand with gratitude because it means we are hearing the Spirit!

We can be encouraged to draw near to Him as He aligns our hearts with God’s will in the future.

JOURNAL TWO

Jesus taught us by practical example how to live a righteous life pleasing to the Lord, but the most important thing He taught us is how to love.

Just before His death, Jesus left His disciples with this, “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” (John 13:34) In Paul’s letters to the church of Corinth, he clearly expounds upon what loving one another looks like in real, everyday life. He details the attributes of love, as well as what love does not look like. (1 Corinthians 13)

Take time this week to study 1 Corinthians 13, read a few studies from GT’s Journey Into Kaleidoscope, and consider where you see evidence of love in your life and where it could use some cultivating.

I struggle with putting my desire to be right over my duty to love others. Somewhere along the way, I started associating being right with my self-worth, which led to me selfishly and sinfully putting myself over Jesus’ command in John 13. Love begins with a thought, just like its counterpart hate.

This is why we must spend time wrapped up in God’s loving Word, so we are ensuring our thoughts, and consequently our actions, are stemming from truth and love!

JOURNAL THREE

Plato said art imitates life. Biblically, this idea is fleshed out with the imagery of  Jesus as the Bread of Life (John 6:35) and us as His work of art. (Ephesians 2:10, Isaiah 64:8) We are instructed to live as Jesus lived (1 John 2:6), starting with humility and submission.

Through Jesus’ many examples of submission to His Father, we find encouragement in our own pursuit of submission to His will. We may find ourselves asking God why He favors the humble and submissive spirit. We need only look as far as Isaiah 66:1-2, which reminds us we have nothing to offer God that isn’t already His.

However, He gives us the choice to follow Him, which means our submission is the greatest gift we can offer the Creator of Everything.

What is the result of submission? There are many blessings found in submission, but a few notable benefits are the grace lavished on those with a submissive spirit (1 Peter 5:5), protection from the enemy (James 4:7), and the ability to spread the gospel in perhaps the most powerful way…by humble example! (Philippians 1:27-28) When we live a life worthy of the Gospel, others take note and His good news of forgiveness and restoration spreads!
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care,family,genuine,humility,love,Submission
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Posted in: Affectionate, Character, Christ, church, Clothed, Community Tagged: care, family, genuine, humility, love, Submission

Another Day 6 Helping Hands

March 13, 2023 by Sara Cissell Leave a Comment

Another Day 6 Helping Hands

Sara Cissell

March 13, 2023

Character,Christ,church,Faith,gentle

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 10:1-18
Matthew 20:20-28
John 13:2-20
Proverbs 27:17
Proverbs 3:34

Have you ever seen a grindstone wheel used to sharpen axes? Picture a circular stone, mounted on a frame and axle. The edge of the ax would be placed against the turning stone; the pressure of the ax on the stone and the texture of the stone itself would sharpen the ax blade. 

This process enabled the ax to function to its highest potential and saved its owner much time and energy when using it. Sharpening was imperative to the lifespan of the ax. 

Sharpening is imperative to our lifespans as well. 
“Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
That’s right, our interactions with others sharpen us. 

Serving others with humility is one of the most significant ways we can leverage a situation to sharpen us into becoming more like Christ. In fact, Jesus demonstrated this reality time and time again in His ministry. 

Jesus had every right to expect others to serve Him. Not only was He perfectly sinless during His years on earth, He carried with Him all authority as Lord. (Matthew 28:18) He literally could command angels, and how did this God Man treat His disciples?           

He washed their feet. (John 13:2-20)
Jesus filled one of the lowliest cultural roles as He willingly, humbly served His very human disciples. 

Jesus, being fully God (John 10:30), had no need to be sharpened by humbling Himself. However, He modeled humble service because this is His character and He desires to see His heart flourishing in us. 

“Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
who, existing in the form of God, 
did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.
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,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient,
to the point of death–
even to death on a cross.”
(Philippians 2:5-8)

Serving with humility creates a softness of heart that allows us to be shaped into the likeness of Jesus, and the Lord gives many opportunities to practice humility in everyday life.

Patience with personalities, going the extra mile, serving others regardless of social standing, gender, race, active listening, and the list is endless. Basically, in all real-life scenarios choose “humility, consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

For clarity, let’s also consider what an attitude of humility does not look like. 

Serving with the assumption of an expected response, especially one benefitting ourselves. This is a business exchange, and potentially even manipulation, while covering up the gross sin of self-serving. 

Serving someone with the mindset he or she is less than or “lower” than us, unworthy of our presence, or any other thought in which we are exalted as higher than the other. This is the sin of arrogance. (1 Peter 5:5-6)

Serving with impatience and a communicated sense that another person is an inconvenience. This demonstrates a lack of value for the other person, revealing the sin of pride. Remember, we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” by the God who crafted each of us in His image. (Psalm 139:13-16)

These non-examples make me cringe because I can easily pinpoint times when I have done all of them. The sweet, and usually pointed, conviction of the Holy Spirit has helped me recognize those moments. When I ask for forgiveness and allow my heart and thoughts to reflect the love of the Lord, I am sharpened and become more like Christ. 

Serving others with humility is not for the faint of heart, nor is it to be confused with abandoning healthy boundaries. We interact with others imperfectly, and healthy boundaries are needed in relationships. If you’re a believer in Jesus, having repented from your sins and trusted Christ for your eternal rescue, asking Him to be Lord of your life, the key to discernment here is listening. Listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit who lives within you to guide you as you seek to love others with humble service. If you’ve never surrendered your whole life to Jesus, it’s just impossible to truly serve with Christ’s humility in real life. Come to Jesus now, with the humble awareness that you need a Rescuer from your sin. Ask Him to make you new, forgive your sin, and put His Spirit inside you to begin cultivating your heart to love like Him!

Jesus set the example for serving others during His years on the earth. We have been given our time here to become more like Him and invite others to experience His goodness in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) May we humble ourselves to experience the fullness of the sharpening process, for His glory. 

Tags :
church,humility,Jesus,kindness,love,serving
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Steadfast Day 3 Not In Vain
March 29, 2023
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Another Day 7
Digging Deeper

The pastor, despite his leadership role and busy demands, stooped low to save face for the man temporarily until the heart of the matter could be discussed. The pastor stooped down to clean the nursery bathrooms and vacuum the sanctuary for several weeks allowing the hired man received the check. An act of grace and humility for the gift of spiritual growth before coming to a resolution. Are we willing to take on the difficult and dirty for the spiritual benefit of one another?
Dig Deeper!

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March 6 - March 24, 2023 - Journey Theme #115

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Posted in: Character, Christ, church, Faith, gentle Tagged: church, humility, Jesus, kindness, love, serving

The GT Weekend! ~ Another, Week 1

March 11, 2023 by Katelyn Palmer Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend! ~ Another, Week 1

Katelyn Palmer

March 11, 2023

Blessed,Character,Christ,church,Family,Fellowship

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

This Week's Journeys

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday's DD

Pray His Words Back To Him!

Colossians 3:12-15

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.”
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Dear Yahweh, this week has been full of rich reminders that You are the embodiment of love and, as we are created in Your image, we too are meant to embody Your love. Please soften our hearts and tame our tongues so that we may “keep [them] from evil and [our] lips from deceitful speech”. (Psalm 34:13)

Help us humbly slow down and “give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes”. (Romans 12:17) Let Your holy peace rule our hearts, Lord, and give us the strength and wisdom to heed Your call in Colossians 3:12-15.

Above all, You instruct us to “put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity,” (Colossians 3:14) and the perfect representation of our Creator, the God of Peace. (Romans 16:20) With Your instruction on our hearts this week, please guide our steps and our thoughts, Lord, as we seek love and peace in this broken world. By Your grace and in Your Son’s name I pray, Amen.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

Love. Our Creator, the Lord of the Heavens, the God of Peace, He is love.

He created us in love and then appointed us to lovingly care for the rest of His Creation. His commandment to love and care for one another, especially those within the Body of Christ, perfectly aligns with the commandment to care for all of creation. Understanding what that looks like practically can be difficult, but like the faithful king He is, Jesus provides the answers we seek.

In Matthew 5, Jesus commands us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and extend a gentle hand to our friends and enemies alike. (Matthew 5:43-48) A peacemaker seeks resolution with those she has grievances with, armed with a forgiving heart like Jesus. (Colossians 3:13)

As we move into a new week, we must ask ourselves if we have any idling grievances, and if so, how can we initiate conflict resolution with those with whom unity is broken. Christ urges us to seek harmony (Psalm 133, Romans 12:18–20) and use our gifts to promote the unity of the Church. (Romans 12:4-8)

When our differences begin to cloud our duty to serve Christ, we must see the Lord standing behind them and remember He is the One to whom we are truly submitting.

JOURNAL TWO

God gives us the choice to follow Him and He is clear what that entails, full surrender to His good Father heart of kind love. His ways may not make sense to us as He calls us to place others before ourselves and choose humble love over self-assertion and getting ahead. But these are the ways of a gentle Father who loves to love and commands us to do the same.

Therefore, just as we must willingly accept His invitation to salvation, we must willingly accept the responsibility that comes with carrying out a life of humble, committed love to one another. This truth should act as the foundation for all our actions.

Pause to prayerfully consider when you are most likely to fall into the temptation of elevating self over tender care for others. Bring these to the Lord and allow Him to shift your heart as you read His Word. While we live in a broken world full of things trying to undermine us, Paul’s phrasing in Romans 12:18 leaves no room for misinterpretation, “as far as it depends on you.” We are in control of our choices and we hold accountability and responsibility for every action we choose. 

Let’s choose unity for the sake of Christ’s Beloved Bride, the Church!

JOURNAL THREE

We live in a world readily promoting “me first”, “my rights”, “my truth”, and “my feelings and desires” above all else.

In contrast, those who have been redeemed by Christ, are indwelt by God’s Spirit, and are being transformed by the renewing of our minds have a stirring within us as we consider the world’s perspective. The world’s attitude runs completely counter to the Spirit of God within those who have trusted Christ as Savior.

Believers in Jesus have been blessed with the Spirit of Truth, by which the Lord God shapes us to reflect Him! (1 Corinthians 2:12-15, John 6:44). The entire New Testament tells us it’s not about me. It’s about God and in our pursuit of God, our life is meant to love them. (Matthew 22:37-39) Them refers to everyone else.

If we use Christ’s life on earth to be our example for our thoughts, actions, and attitudes then we understand we are designed to use our lives to serve others. Submission, then, is focused on the Lord and obedience to His will follows with joyful delight!

Selfless obedience can look like forgoing your desires or airing your opinion in order to promote unity among those around you, especially when with those who are weaker in faith. (Romans 14) Obedience to the Lord doesn’t always result in immediate happiness, but it will result in ultimate joy for His glory!
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Posted in: Blessed, Character, Christ, church, Family, Fellowship Tagged: Christ, compassion, faith, family, fellowship

Another Day 5 Not About Me

March 10, 2023 by Kaitlyn Wright Leave a Comment

Another Day 5 Not About Me

Kaitlyn Wright

March 10, 2023

Character,Christ,church,Community,gentle

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philippians 2:2-8
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
John 14:15-17
1 Peter 5:5-9
Proverbs 3:34

Have you witnessed the misapplication of Scripture by children? 

As children squabble over who gets the first pick of seats in the van, an adult says, “Kids, the Bible says the first shall be last and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 20:16) Then the children proceed to squabble over who gets in last.  Facepalm. 

Similarly, we might read Philippians 2:2-8 and misapply the core concept of living in humility with one another as brothers and sisters in Jesus.

True humility is challenging to understand, let alone learn to authentically cultivate in real life. To help us stay away from misapplying humility, manipulating it into something it isn’t, or sidestepping it altogether, the apostle and preacher Paul points us to perfect humility lived out, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

“[M]ake my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. 

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God,  did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 
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, 
he humbled himself by becoming obedient 
to the point of death—even to death on a cross.” 
(Philippians 2:2-8)

It is no small charge for Christians to have the same thinking, the same love, being united in spirit, and intent on one purpose. The magnitude of this command underscores the absolute necessity of the Holy Spirit living inside believers to empower and equip us to reflect the unity of the godhead as Father, Son, and Spirit.

As Christians, our utmost aim is to magnify Christ, but in living out this mission, differing theological positions arise.

Humility is not indifference to core doctrine for the sake of unity. Our belief in the gospel, the Trinity, and the authority of God’s Word are foundational tenets of our faith, separating Christianity from all other religions.

Instead, humility is considering the best of others, willingly overlooking minor theological issues in order to be unified in Christ.

What does this look like?
In short, Jesus.
Which is exactly why Paul points our gaze quickly to Christ as he discusses God’s command to live in humility with one another in His family.

Christ, who left the splendor of Glory
to put on flesh,
live among humanity,
and die a tortured death
for the joy set before Him of gaining us to be with Him for eternity,
embodied humility!
 
This setting aside of Himself for an undeserving “another”,
and sacrificing Himself, even His will (Luke 22:42),
with utmost kindness and tenderness,
is humility. 

Applying this breathtaking humility while living in community with “one another in Jesus” is paramount in following Christ. While we stand united on foundational doctrines of our faith, humility compels us to extend grace to one another when we differ on minor theological issues, such as eschatology (end-times theology) or matters of eating and drinking. 

We humbly acknowledge our salvation is due not to our intelligence or superior logical consistency, but always and only to the abundant grace and wisdom of Christ. We are the weak and foolish of this world (1 Corinthians 1:26-31) through whom He has chosen to showcase His redemptive grace. Our salvation and sanctification bring glory to God (not us!) as we come to know Him more deeply and reflect Him more clearly.
When we remember we are all equal in both sin and sonship, the necessity of humility becomes glaringly obvious. 

As we together grow in our knowledge of and love for Christ, we also grow in our obedience to Him. John 14:15 explains that obedience is how we love God.
“If you love Me, you will keep my commands.”
Just as Christ humbled Himself through obedience to God (Philipians 2:8),
believers humble ourselves through obedience to Christ. 

So as we “clothe ourselves in humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5), we seek to make much of Christ by submitting to Him in obedience and following His example by serving one another with humility, for God “gives grace to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34) 

Cultivating true humility comes from trusting Christ alone through His gospel, knowing His Word deeply (Colossians 3:16), and submitting to the Lordship of the Holy Spirit within us to make us like Christ (Romans 8:29).

Humility helps us recognize we don’t know all the answers,
but together, we can pursue the One who does. (Jeremiahs 33:3)

We can’t obey Him perfectly,
but together, He is building us to reflect Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)

We can’t love one another as we ought,
but together, we can grow in knowing His perfect love that casts out all fear and self-seeking arrogance. (Philippians 1:9, 1 John 4:18-19) 

Humility first sprouts when we admit we are sinners in need of a Savior.
When we rightly understand our position in Christ,
we will live as humble servants,
dedicating our lives, thoughts, actions, and attitudes
to Him who gave His life for us;
the ultimate showcase of true humility.


As Christ gave Himself up for us, so are we to give ourselves up for one another.
For some believers throughout the world, humility might entail giving up their lives; for all believers, humility entails giving up our comfort and acceptance in this world by sharing the Gospel of Christ to those around us.

With peace and joy, let us submit to Christ and serve one another in love and humility to make much of Christ! 

 

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church,family,Gentle,humility,kind
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Digging Deeper

We are meant to focus on loving God and loving others which results in harmony (Luke 10:27), but distracting disagreements cause fractures and divisions within our church families. The Lord intends our everyday lives as believers to be marked by humbly serving one another, considering one another’s needs superior to our own, and refusing the distraction of disunity.
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Posted in: Character, Christ, church, Community, gentle Tagged: church, family, Gentle, humility, kind

Another Day 4 Willing Responsibility: Digging Deeper

March 9, 2023 by Multiple Authors Leave a Comment

Another Day 4 Willing Responsibility: Digging Deeper

Multiple Authors

March 9, 2023

Captivating,Character,Christ,Clothed,Faith,Family,Fellowship

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 "Willing Responsibility"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Colossians 3:12-17

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What did Paul mean by “bearing with one another”? (verse 13)

Paul’s letter to the Colossians was written as an encouraging exhortation and was delivered in response to reports of false teaching which had infiltrated the church in Colossae. These errant teachings were fostering a number of errors while sowing discord among believers in Jesus. 

While Paul had not personally visited the church at Colossae, he labored over the fruit growing there and was compelled to respond to false teaching and affirm the deity of Jesus Christ. Because these known Christ-followers were Paul’s family in Christ! Just prior to this passage in Colossians 3:5-11, Paul exhorted the believers at Colossae to turn from their old ways, listing a number of behaviors that were consistent with their old way of living before repenting of their sin and surrendering to Jesus. 

Next, Paul encouraged Christians in the Colossian church to “put on” the markings of their new life in Christ. The primary signs Paul listed as identifiers of their new lives included compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love. Paul wrote that these attributes were all unto a purpose: bearing with one another, forgiving one another, and achieving harmony. 

Paul wrote specifically to Christians in this epistle, and this passage held special regard to their personal interactions with one another in God’s family. He wasn’t writing about their response to unbelievers, or to relationships external to the fellowship of believers. Paul wrote specifically about human relationships between individual believers within the local church setting, and the crux of his exhortation to the Colossians in this passage is direct: be patient with each other. 

The Everyday Application

1) What did Paul mean by “bearing with one another”? (verse 13)

The “bearing with one another” Paul had penned while under the Holy Spirit’s breath (2 Timothy 3:16), is only possible when a believer is surrendered to the work of the Spirit’s leading within them. It’s simply impossible to achieve this divine work under human powers and motivation.

When I consider the “how” of living everyday life under this teaching, I think of an action that is often difficult for me, slowing with humility. Often, my agendas and lists that must be accomplished cause me to rush faster and faster, making it easy to overlook the many ways I could instead choose to slow down and bear another’s burden alongside them instead of rushing ahead of them, or even tooling around behind them.

I think of the things I’d rather overlook or are unimportant to me but are critical to my fellow brother or sister. My child struggling to tie their shoes, my friend who continually battles issues irrelevant to me, the neighbor who could use a meal. “Bearing with” means slowing down to place another’s needs and challenges on the same level as my own. I could choose to zip around their need, justifying that it’s not mine to worry about, or I could remember that, as brothers and sisters in Jesus, we are “each part of the other.” (Romans 12:5)

Whatever challenges, hurts, brings joy, or causes celebration for another Christ-follower should cause the same responses within me if I’m truly “bearing with” them. A chilled, callous, or critical response to my brother or sister should send warning flags to my soul, reminding me to return again to the Spirit’s work in me to soften my heart with a genuine desire to slow down and “bear with” my fellow ones in the Family of God.

The Original Intent

2) Why was Paul exhorting and instructing the believers in Colossae in this way? 

The false teachings Paul referenced in his letter to the Colossians were tinged with both Greek and Jewish beliefs, which indicates the Colossian church was likely filled with a mixture of both Greek and Jewish believers. Having never visited the church at Colossae, his friend and fellow co-laborer in the gospel, Epaphras, kept him abreast of what was happening; through him, Paul heard about the false teaching. 

This was a church of new believers who had put their faith in Jesus Christ and were actively experiencing the mystery and miraculous work of sanctification. Paul’s encouragement to “take off” their old ways and “put on” their new life in Christ is evidence they were growing in their walk and needed continued discipling and teaching. Although Paul was not personally acquainted with them, he held spiritual authority as an apostle and sent this epistle to further disciple them in the way of Jesus Christ. 

The Everyday Application

2) Why was Paul exhorting and instructing the believers in Colossae in this way?

The Colossian church was filled with people who had put their faith in Jesus Christ, and who were learning how to walk His way. Just like any believer, they were growing, learning and being changed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and just like any believer, they were imperfect.

False teaching had infiltrated the church and was undoubtedly stirring up plenty of opportunity for disagreements and disunity. Paul recognized the need for spiritual guidance, encouragement and exhortation, and with Timothy, he wrote to the Colossians. He expressed the importance of the call to be patient with each other and allow their new lives in Christ to transform the way the believers interacted with one another.

We need this same encouragement, don’t we? There is no shortage of issues believers disagree over; from denomination to denomination, yes, but also from one believer to the next. It’s easy to talk about essential beliefs, but many times we are quick to distance ourselves from believers whose nonessential beliefs do not match our own. Paul’s words in Colossians are for us today.

We are called to “put on” the clothing of life in Christ, and to operate with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, love and peace in our interactions and relationships with others in the body of Christ. 

The Original Intent

3) What did Paul mean by “admonishing one another in all wisdom”? How  does this instruction correspond with the encouragement to bear with one another? (verse 16)

The Greek word for “admonishing” in this verse could also be translated as “warn, rebuke, advise or instruct.” The Greek word used for “wisdom” might also be translated as “insight, learnedness or skill”.

Paul prefaced his exhortation by directing the Colossians to “let the word of Christ dwell in them richly”. Paul emphasized it was only by being immersed in Scripture that they would be able to wisely instruct one another. Paul called the Colossian believers to be patient with one another, and to live together in harmony by the power and love of Jesus Christ, being taught by His Word.

Paul intended them to live their lives drenched in the word of Christ and His Gospel message, sharpening one another in Christ through the wisdom He gave.

Paul laid out for us a clear picture of healthy, godly accountability in the context of the local church. There was no “top down” structure outlined here, just hand-in-hand and alongside one another. Paul didn’t write about one or a few believers holding all the rest accountable to some manmade standard. Nor did he write about believers doing whatever they wished, holding fast to their old way of life and continuing in sin.

Instead, Paul painted a beautiful picture. A call for every believer to deliberately operate in what might be called a high challenge sweet spot. Every believer intentionally steeped in the word of Christ. Every believer turning from sin and instead operating in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace and thankfulness. Every believer choosing to live in vulnerability and be held accountable to the word of Christ by other believers. Every believer holding one another in the local body accountable to the word of Christ in return. Every believer, together.

The Everyday Application

3) What did Paul mean by “admonishing one another in all wisdom”? How  does this instruction correspond with the encouragement to bear with one another? (verse 16)

The Greek word for “admonish”, which most commonly is understood to be “caution, warn, or exhort” is intentionally rooted in another Greek word meaning “gentle bolstering”. When these two definitions converge, we likely end up with an understanding much different than the imagery we first conjured up when hearing “admonish”.

Perhaps you drew pictures of a shaking finger, a hand slap, shaming, condescending tone, or punishment.

But imagine feeling flustered in cooking. Attempt after attempt ends you with burnt meals, dirty piles of dishes, and frustration. Enter a seasoned “mama chef” who chats with you in your kitchen, encourages you as you add your flavors, dices the vegetables alongside you with ease, gently correcting your knife position as she tells stories, and listens to your woes with a tender heart. The meal is savored, the cleanup is shared, and you gained more culinary skills in an hour of “gentle, bolstering exhortation” than you had learned in the last 18 months.

This is the beautiful pairing of Christ’s call to admonish one another in all wisdom while also bearing with one another. In the heart of God, these two commands fit together like perfectly fitted puzzle pieces, revealing deeper layers of God’s extravagant love.

When we live like this, we reflect the beauty of “one another love” that strengthens unity and builds a family! Spend time praying right now and ask the Lord who He intends you to admonish and bear with this week!

*This Digging Deeper Study was co-authored by Merry Ohler and Rebecca Adams

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Journey Study

This life in Christ is not for the faint of heart.

We are utterly incapable of fulfilling this call in our own strength, but we are now in Christ if we have repented of our sins and accepted His gift of salvation and forgiveness! Thank God! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Through Him, we are able to respond in obedience.
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Posted in: Captivating, Character, Christ, Clothed, Faith, Family, Fellowship Tagged: Clothed, early church, family, love, real life

The GT Weekend! ~ Surrender Week 3

February 11, 2023 by Carol Graft Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend! ~ Surrender Week 3

Carol Graft

February 11, 2023

bride,Character,Community,GT Weekend,Suffering

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

This Week's Journeys

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday's DD

Pray His Words Back To Him!

Acts 4:32-37

32 Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. 33 With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. 34 For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Lord, You are Holy above all we can ask or think. You are more than faithful to provide what we need, when we need it. Help me to hold fast to what is true about You and Your work despite my circumstances. Help me resist the urge to control and give way to frantic fear.

Equip me to live with one mind and one accord with fellow believers as we urge each other to trust You. Give us willing hearts to surrender in full. I pray that our everyday surrender will make us ready to live generously as Your Spirit leads us. Help us to trust you as Provider when we don’t immediately see the provision but we see the need. As we give and share with open hands, shape our hearts so we are actively living from a place of desiring to give You glory. Use our actions to draw others closer to You. 
In Jesus name, Amen!

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

Brenda’s Journey Study, together with Stacy’s Digging Deeper Study, beautifully remind us just what surrender looks like in real life.

Do you ever recognize yourself grasping at control, only to end up more frustrated and frantic? Comparing and contrasting true surrender with self-sufficiency helps us understand how one brings freedom and one births only anxiousness and struggle. Freedom and peace are available to each of us if we are willing to trust the Almighty God who loves us; the choice is ours.

Brenda’s examples from Scripture really highlight God’s faithful character to finish His good work in us, which provides us with strong encouragement! It’s not easy to be convicted of sin, but it is necessary to welcome the full life God desires for us. We must hold to the truths of God’s Word that He is indeed, and always will be, our Sustainer, Supplier, and Satisfier.

Full surrender to Christ won’t mean our lives will be strife-free, but it does mean we will be held in God’s hands and He will faithfully bring about His glory and our good!

JOURNAL TWO

Using the unlikely story of Hosea and Gomer, Amy paints a wonderful picture of what godly surrender in relationships look like. She first demonstrates how, not only is the biblical narrative a depiction of God and Israel, but it’s also a portrayal of God and us.

Humans are sinful creatures by nature and it’s easy for us to neglect keeping God foremost in our hearts, minds, and lives. Then Amy flips things and shows us that, like Hosea, we each long for pure relationships. We were created for rich and meaningful, healthy connections, but also like Hosea, we tend to go about things our own way.

We need to learn to surrender and trust God for our desires, not just in romance and marriage, but in friendships and co-worker partnerships as well.

Let’s choose together to surrender our ideals to God and trust He will give us better than we could possibly do on our own.

JOURNAL THREE

In yesterday’s Journey Study, Mandy transparently shared how her struggle with chronic illness, after decades of health, has reminded her to surrender in full to Jesus.

The call to surrender sounds painful and challenging as she shared her story! Have you walked similar pathways? When our life seems to be headed in a fine direction and our plans are made only to be sidelined by significant challenges, whether chronic illness or something else, our perspective changes.

Often, the temptation is to become embittered at God or angry at others, casting blame and wrapped ever tighter in pain. Thankfully, when we surrender to the Lord Jesus, as Mandy exemplified, there is still blessing and Kingdom work to accomplish.

Even if we don’t understand all of God’s reasons or have satisfactory answers to our “why” questions, we can be confident that in surrender of our hearts and lives, God will be faithful to work in and through us to accomplish His good and eternal work!
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pain,peace,relationships,surrender,unity
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Posted in: bride, Character, Community, GT Weekend, Suffering Tagged: pain, peace, relationships, surrender, unity

The GT Weekend! ~ Sketched X Week 2

July 23, 2022 by Carol Graft Leave a Comment

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) Giving us a bit of Joseph’s story from Genesis, Sarah pointed out how his story shares similarities with Moses’ life. Neither of these men felt ready to speak on the behalf of others, but God equipped them fulfill His plans in His way. I completely relate to feeling unequipped. As I write, I’m preparing for a conference where my words will be critiqued as part of a focus group. Impostor syndrome and fear rises up strong inside and I need truth to anchor me and the Spirit to equip me. I am comforted in knowing that long before I began penning these very words, God knew I would need the reminder of His constant presence through the narratives of Moses and Pharaoh. How wonderful to be so fully known by the God of the Universe! While Joseph may have felt he had no voice and was incapable and forgotten, He was given protection and favor from the Lord. Where have you seen the Lord give you favor and protection even if it didn’t come in the same way you expected? Even in the midst of struggle, Joseph grew in his awareness of being given Divine gifts to be used for God’s glory. What a great reminder! Even when we don’t see God working in our lives, we can choose to trust His work! What specific struggle are you facing that you need to lean into the truths God is specifically providing for you? How do you feel knowing He is providing for you with loving intentionality?

2) Pharaoh didn’t know the Lord God, but still, Yahweh gave him a dream in order to lead Pharaoh to know Him. Through someone outside the people God had chosen for Himself, God continued to build His plan of redemption. God’s invitation for wholeness and forgiveness is for all people. Everyone who is currently a believer in Jesus was, at one point, rebelling against the Lord. Every believer in Jesus who currently walks in deep faith with the Lord was, at one point, wading in the shallow waters of unbelief and wrestling with doubt. We each have a faith journey and the Lord is intent on pursuing every heart that we might turn to Him and experience the blessing of redemption and the abundance of life He offers. We only see a small portion of Pharaoh’s faith journey and we don’t know if he ever surrendered himself to Yahweh, but we do know the Lord used him and invited him to know Him more deeply. Where have you seen the Lord do the same in your life? Who has He used to get your attention? What has been your response? What would it look like for you to grow in trusting Him and His design for your life?

3) Rebekah provided us with another snapshot of Joseph’s life in yesterday’s Journey Study. Because of the Lord’s goodness, years of slavery and imprisonment eventually gave way to Joseph holding the position of Pharaoh’s right-hand man. Pharaoh trusted Joseph implicitly with nearly everything in his kingdom. Even when it came to interpreting Pharaoh’s own dreams, he trusted Joseph and his faith in the One True God. While Pharaoh may not have ultimately worshipped Jehovah, Pharaoh knew Joseph’s faith to be genuine and he trusted his relationship with God and he proved it by believing Joseph’s interpretations. Through all the betrayal and harsh realities in his life Joseph kept his eyes on God, even if he wrestled with doubt along the way. How often do we question God’s plans for our lives or even His active presence? When have you felt forgotten by God?  Whether we are in a pit or a prison, whether our suffering is the result of another’s actions or our own, we still have the option to choose God’s steadfast character or reject Him. Joseph’s long wait as slave and prisoner grew his faith and prepared him to save an entire nation through his reliance on the Lord. If we choose to surrender to the Lord, He will use our suffering to prepare, refine, and redeem us for His future work. Only God knows those plans and we must trust even when we can’t see Him.

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 Psalm 105:10-12 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

When they were few in number,
very few indeed,
and resident aliens in Canaan
wandering from nation to nation
and from one kingdom to another,
he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their behalf:
“Do not touch my anointed ones,
or harm my prophets.”

Prayer Journal
Lord, Your word shows us that throughout history, it didn’t matter whether Your people were large or small in number, Your love and protection held fast. We know too, that we don’t need to be one of Your prophets, have an extra special anointing, or a particular platform to earn Your attention; You lovingly pursue each of us.

We are surrounded by armies we can’t see and are protected from our enemies by Your hand of love. You still hold us despite our erring ways. You still walk beside and before us even in hard times, desiring to show us more of Your heart and love for us in our everyday lives. We know that without You in our lives our situations would be impossible. Because You are present with us and call us Your own children, You have equipped us by Your Spirit to extend your love and faithfulness to others. Make us effective in this work of reflecting Your love to others! We praise You for being kind and good at all times!

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Posted in: Character, Discipline, Enemies, Faith, Faithfulness, Grace, GT Weekend Tagged: comfort, hope, joy, peace, Savior, suffering, trial
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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14