Digging Deeper

Another Day 15 Service With Love: Digging Deeper

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Another Day 15 Service With Love: Digging Deeper

Rebecca Adams

March 24, 2023

Borders,Busy,church,Community,Digging Deeper,Faithfulness,Fervent,Forgiven,Freedom

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 "Purposeful Pace"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Peter 4:7-11

The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
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The Original Intent

1) Why is prayer included in this list of actions? (verse 7)

The phrase, “The end of all things is near”, and ones similar to it like, “The Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:8), or “The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5) are found frequently in both Old and New Testaments. They express urgency and the necessity of working for the Lord while it is still called “today”. (John 9:4)

When an author uses one of these phrases, it accompanies a specific call to action for believers, those who have already been granted the assurance of their certain rescue when Christ returns to judge the world.

Make no mistake, all these Christians have sinned grievously against the Holy God, but the difference between them and everyone else, is they have acknowledged their sin, confessed it to God Himself, and accepted His complete forgiveness of their sin. (1 John 1:9) In place of sin and eternal distance from God, the Lord gives His own Holy Spirit to dwell eternally inside the soul of all who call on Him with genuine faith, effectively drawing them into close, intimate relationship with Himself. (Romans 10:9)

Each call to action in connection with these phrases is meant to align the believer more closely with the Lord in preparation for the increasingly intense battle against evil as we move ever closer to the Day of Eternal Judgment.

James calls believers to “strengthen your hearts” (James 5:8) while Paul says, “wake up from sleep” and “put on the armor of light”. (Romans 13:11-12) Considering the workings of the enemy on all sides, the accompanying allure of sin (1 Peter 4:2-3), and the quickening Day of the Lord,

Peter calls believers to pray. Other actions follow, but Peter places prayer at the top of the list, honing in on that special, intimate relationship between Warrior God and adopted, forgiven child.

The Everyday Application

1) Why is prayer included in this list of actions? (verse 7)

We often relegate prayer to a last resort. Our words reflect what our hearts truly believe when we say things like, “All we can do is pray”, “There’s nothing we can do except pray”, or “We’ve tried everything else, we might as well pray.”

To the Lord, prayer comes first because the power source of our battle isn’t found in the things we can do, the brilliance with which we devise a plan, or our ability to take control, but in our complete reliance on the God of All Victory. He holds all power.

Even the final “battle” between God and Satan at the end of time won’t be a battle. The Lord will speak to silence Satan once and for all, and it will be over. The God who spoke creation into existence, holds galaxies by His breath, and knits our DNA into every cell, is more than able to thwart every attack, calm every storm, heal every disease, and bind up every broken heart, but it all begins and ends in relationship with Him.

We look around and see un-answered prayer and begin to doubt whether “prayer” works, but we forget it isn’t the “prayer”, but the ONE we talk with in prayer who holds our hearts.

Amazingly, when we grow familiar with bringing everything to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, His desires become ours. (Philippians 4:4-7) Fear dissipates, peace embraces, and shockingly, it no longer matters as much that we “get our way” and “make prayer work” because we have the better, we have God Himself.

Don’t believe me? Try it! Pursue God for who He is, not for what He can do for you. Talk with Him, about everything. You’ll soon discover why Peter places prayer at the very top of his “call to action” list for believers!

The Original Intent

2) What is the motivation for the believer’s call to action in these verses? (verse 8)

We’re studying these few verses from Peter’s letter to the dispersed, persecuted believers of the early church, but context is everything, no matter what portion of Scripture you’re reading.

Reading context and slowing down for right understanding safeguards us from the danger of mis-applying God’s Words to our lives and completely misunderstanding the kind of God He is. Context matters! Study God’s Word, ladies, but do it well!

Backing up in this chapter, we find we are in the middle of Peter’s discussion. Verses 1-6 describe the evil in the world, which accurately reflects the evil naturally growing in our hearts. Human beings are vile creatures, lusting after ourselves and our own desires. Full of idolatry (that is, worshipping anything other than God alone), we actively rebel against the Holy God, choosing our own ways and desiring our own control, wishing to be our own “gods”.

All true believers will recoil at evil because the Spirit of the Holy God lives within them, calling them to be holy as God is holy. (1 Peter 1:16) His Spirit changes a believer’s appetite! (verse 4) It’s a good thing for our appetite and attitude toward sin to shift, causing us to desire righteousness as we honor the Father who adopted us and calls us His own.

The danger, however, because we still feel the pull of our old nature to sin, is to judge, condemn, and revile the people who are lost in the disease of sin just as we once were. The powerful antidote here is genuine love like Christ’s, not just for their physical needs, but for their souls! (verse 8)

The Everyday Application

2) What is the motivation for the believer’s call to action in these verses? (verse 8)

Peter reminds the believers in verse 5, “They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.” This is meant to remind the scattered believers who are in danger because of un-believers, that they too will stand at the coming Judgment Seat. Believers are covered in the righteousness of Christ, but those who continue to reject Christ, will earn their just reward without any rescue and will be sentenced to continue the path they have chosen all their lives on earth, rebellion and separation from God.

The punishment is now far worse for eternity, for no mercies and graces from the Lord will be experienced in Hell as they were on earth. No kindness, no acts of love, only the eternal awful wrath of God against sin.

This reminder should motivate every single believer to become more passionately serious about genuinely loving their neighbor across the street, at the grocery store, and around the world. This reminder of all humanity’s default destination for eternity, should quickly break down the arrogant barriers we’ve erected to think we are somehow better than any other sinner on the planet.

All people desperately need the Love of Jesus “that covers a multitude of sins”. We do, they do.

Let’s get busy and love well by showing them His love in practical ways and by verbally sharing who Jesus is and how He loved them enough to take their place and die their death, so they could live forever inside the life of forgiveness and righteousness!

The Original Intent

3) What is the target goal for this collection of actions? (verse 11)

“Be hospitable without complaint” (verse 9) reminds us to open our hearts and hands and homes with all generosity. The lack of complaining evidences how this generosity flows from a heart that knows exactly how much she has been forgiven of and how much Christ’s love has covered her sins.

When complaints rise up in hard relationships, stress, or hurt, remember Peter’s call to action that’s backed by the love of a Savior who gave Himself, humbly, for us to not only be forgiven for eternity, but be wrapped in peace and comfort by His constant presence on earth.

It’s hard to complain when we remember how loved we are, and it’s hard to love well when stinginess fills our hearts. The Lord has given every single believer gifts through the Holy Spirit for that Christian to actively live out in everyday life. Perhaps it’s singing, leading others to worship, easily understanding difficult biblical truths, being a good friend, making people feel welcome, cooking delicious meals, folding laundry, running a well-maintained home, or making flowers flourish.

Whatever your specific set of gifts, we are all called to live hospitably (read: openly generous) without complaint. Why? Peter tells us this glorifies God, meaning it reflects His character to the world around us.

When we take seriously each of these action steps, intentionally incorporating them into our everyday lives through the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit, we impact the world by showing them what kind of God would love them enough to save them from eternal separation from His goodness.

The Everyday Application

3) What is the target goal for this collection of actions? (verse 11)

Remember these verses we are studying are in the middle of Peter’s discourse? Let’s not forget the closing section. Though it sounds beautiful and like our authentic love would be well-received, welcomed, and embraced by the people we are trying to love and serve with the Spirit’s power, Peter tells us otherwise. He tells us to prepare to be reviled for loving people well in the Name of Christ. (1 Peter 4:12, 14)

People love their evil ways, otherwise they wouldn’t be stuck doing them instead of enjoying the full life offered by Christ. Evil revolts against holiness, including holy love. While some will soften when we love them like Jesus, and we pray they will embrace Christ as their own personal Savior, expect pushback along the way.

Peter says, “don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you […].” (verse 12) Suffering for doing good doesn’t sound pleasant, but Peter reminds us it’s infinitely better than suffering for doing evil, which is why Christ came and sacrificed Himself, so He could take our suffering for evil upon Himself. (verses 15-16)

Remember that Peter is writing this letter to persecuted Christ-followers, and he is urging them to keep following because, though it is hard, the goal of bringing glory to the Lord Jesus, who holds all rule and reign over all things and will one day bring us Home to dwell with Him forever is worth it.

Together, let’s set our hearts to fervent prayer, upon loving well as Christ loves us, and on living for the Lord’s glory and not our own. When we suffer for following Jesus, let’s remind each other as Peter does to “trust [ourselves] to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.” (1 Peter 4:19)

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Another Day 15
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Jesus taught, “You [true believer in Jesus!) are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Because “light carrying” is so important, He instructed, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Be a shiny sheep, serving others, showing them Jesus and giving Him glory? Yes, please!
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Philemon Day 14 Abundant Expectation: Digging Deeper

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Philemon Day 14 Abundant Expectation: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

March 2, 2023

Affectionate,Christ,church,Community,Digging Deeper,Faith,Freedom

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 "Abundant Expectation"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philemon 1:21-22

Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 Meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, since I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why was Paul confident of Philemon’s obedience? (verse 21)

Philemon from Colossae was a personal friend of Paul’s who converted to Christianity through Paul’s ministry, possibly during his time in Ephesus. (thegospelcoalition.org) Philemon led a church from his home in Colossae (Philemon 2) and Paul knew Philemon was a sincere believer in Jesus who desired to follow the Way of Christ and fulfill His commands.

Based on this understanding, Paul was confident in asking Philemon to carry out anything, even something difficult; he was certain of Philemon’s obedience based on his character. (Philemon 21)

The original Greek word for obedience suggests an “obedience of love, as to a father and benefactor.” Paul relied on his strong friendship with Philemon to ensure his suggestions would be adopted. Dr. Thomas Constable asserts that Paul also used the strong term obedience because it “indirectly reminded Philemon of [Paul’s] apostolic authority.” Paul may have been subtly reminding Philemon that not only was he Philemon’s friend and brother in Christ, but he was also his spiritual father.

Paul trusted that Philemon’s respect and friendship with him and his love for the Lord would cause Philemon to recognize the will of the Lord and would result in his active response. Albert Barnes suggests “It is evident from the Epistle that Paul regarded him as a sincere Christian; as a man of strict integrity; as one who could be depended on to do right.” Paul was confident that someone who assisted him so well in ministry and who loved the Lord like Philemon did (1 John 5:3) would not hesitate to follow through on Paul’s suggestions once he realized they aligned with the precepts set out by God.

The Everyday Application

1) Why was Paul confident of Philemon’s obedience? (verse 21)

In verse 21, Paul told Philemon he was confident in Philemon’s obedience to his promptings about how to treat a fellow Christian. (Philemon 16) Paul appealed to Philemon’s love of Paul and love of God to convince him to follow Paul’s prescription for harmony with his brother. Justin Taylor asserts, “Building a love-based rhetorical masterpiece, Paul writes in such a way that Philemon will not be forced to grudgingly concede but will gladly comply of his own accord. Paul frames his appeal so that it’s an offer that Philemon will want to accept.”

Paul knew that Philemon, as a devoted follower of Christ, would choose to follow God’s teaching and love his fellow Christians with the love of God. (John 13:34-35) Paul believed Philemon, shared the same dedication and love for the Lord that Paul had (Philippians 3:7-8), and this convinced him Philemon would do what he himself would do, which was follow the Lord’s will.

It reminds me of the confidence faithful marriage partners have in each other. They each believe their spouse will obey the commitments made to loyalty and faithfulness on their wedding day. Because they both hold their marriage vows as sacred, they are confident in each other’s obedience to those vows. Similarly, Paul and Philemon both valued the grace and freedom found in Christ (Romans 6:14), so Paul believed Philemon valued obedience to God’s Word and submission to His Spirit. (Luke 11:28)

The Original Intent

2) Why does Paul expect Philemon to do more than Paul instructs? (verse 21)

In his personal letter to Philemon and company, Paul asked Philemon to treat an escaped slave and recent convert to Christianity as a brother in Christ. He even wrote that he knew Philemon “would do even more than I say.” (Philemon 21) Paul believed that anyone as committed to the cause of Christ as Philemon was would not be content to live out minimum expectations.

Philemon understood the grace of Jesus (Ephesians 2:8) in his own life, and Paul believed this would inspire him to extend grace to others (Matthew 7:12). Paul also knew Philemon followed Paul’s own good example of life in Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1-2), which went beyond fulfilling duty and extended to giving and living sacrificially to bring God glory and make His name known (Romans 12:1).

In writing to Philemon, Paul kindly urged his friend to show the escaped slave, Onesimus, grace and forgiveness and welcome him as a brother in Christ. Stephen Cole claims Paul wanted “mercy to triumph over raw justice. He also wanted to leave the door open for Philemon to free his slave. . . “ Paul did not ask more than reconciliation as brothers in Christ, but he expected that Philemon would follow the teachings and practices of Jesus that would lead him to free Onesimus and perhaps enable Onesimus to return to Paul as a ministry helper. (Philemon 13). Paul believed Philemon would not only comply with his recommendations but go above and beyond to accomplish the will of God.

I pray we would also desire to attune our own hearts to the heart of God, ready to go beyond doing just what is expected in order to fulfill God’s deep purposes for our lives.

The Everyday Application

2) Why does Paul expect Philemon to do more than Paul instructs? (verse 21)

Most of the truly good educators I know work well beyond the 7:00 to 3:00 workday set out in their contracts. They are not required to do more to fulfill their duties, nor are they paid more money if they choose to spend time working off the clock. Still, I see teachers grading papers on weekends, calling parents in the evenings, tutoring kids before school, and spending their own money on supplies and materials. They choose to do more than expected because of love for their students and their commitment to their profession.

Paul knew his friend, Philemon, was the same way. Philemon’s love for God and dedication to the cause of Christ was strong, and Paul relied on this to motivate Philemon to comply with his request. Paul suggested Philemon forgive and accept his escaped slave, Onesimus, back as his brother in Christ after Onesimus was converted by Paul. (Philemon 21) Paul was only asking for acceptance, but he seemed to expect Philemon would go beyond acceptance and free his slave.

Chuck Swindoll suggests the letter to Philemon reveals “that lofty doctrines such as the love of God, forgiveness in Christ, or the inherent dignity of humanity have real and pertinent impact in everyday life. The book of Philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers.” Paul showed Philemon how he could put the love of God into practice by treating his slave as a brother in Christ. (Galatians 5:14)

Paul wanted Philemon not only to recognize his slave as his equal in the eyes of Jesus, but to go beyond what the Roman law required by forgiving him and setting him free.

The Original Intent

3) How will the prayers of the saints restore Paul to his friends? (verse 22)

The apostle Paul relied heavily on the prayers of his friends. In verse 22, he wrote, “I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.” He believed in the power of prayer and knew God allowed the prayers of the saints to move His hand (1 Chronicles 5:20) and accomplish His will (1 John 5:14). He made a similar request in Romans 15:30, where he asked the church “to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.”

He also proclaimed the effectiveness of prayer in Philippians 1:19 and 2 Corinthians 1:11. David Edmond Hiebert writes that Paul “believed in prayer as a mighty working force in the spiritual universe. As such he sought and valued the prayers of others on his behalf, and he himself faithfully exercised such intercession for the saints.” Paul understood that, through prayer, people could cooperate with God’s plan.

When believers saw their prayers answered, they were encouraged and their faith was strengthened. Paul believed that with his friends in Colossae praying for his release from prison, he could soon expect to visit them.

While Scripture and history do not tell us if Paul ever visited Philemon and the church in his home, we do know he was released from prison for a time, as he mentions visiting various places after he was known to be imprisoned. (1 Timothy 1:3, 2 Timothy 4:20, Titus 1:5)

Paul was confident God would hear and answer the prayers of the saints for his release, and God honored his faith and persistence. We can have this same confidence that God hears our prayers (1 John 5:14) and answers them (Matthew 21:22). We can rejoice that the power of prayer in our lives is real and effective!

The Everyday Application

3) How will the prayers of the saints restore Paul to his friends? (verse 22)

Some people view prayer like they view a wish or a hope, as a nice but benign gesture. But, believers who practice praying deeply to the God they have come to know and trust, understand the undeniable power of prayer.

Andrew Murray believed “Prayer opens the way for God Himself to do His work in us and through us. Let our chief work as God’s messengers be intercession; in it we secure the presence and power of God to go with us.” Scripture declares that prayer changes situations by inviting the presence of God to work and move through faith. In Matthew 18:19-20 we are told, “If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.”

Paul believed in the power of prayer so much that he regularly asked fellow Christians to pray for him. In verse 22, he asked Philemon to “prepare a guest room for me, since I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.” He wrote to Philemon while under house arrest, but he trusted the prayers of the saints would move the hand of God to free him from his chains.

Paul did not trust in the prayers being prayed, but in the One leading His people to pray. (Hebrews 4:16) Paul knew God used the prayers of His people to perform His will, and he lived out this firm belief. (John 15:7-8)

Like Paul, let’s pray for our friends and ask believing friends to pray for us, inviting God to work in every situation we face.

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Philemon Day 13
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Pack your bags, Philemon! Paul is taking you on a guilt trip.

That’s how I used to view this compact Bible book. On the surface, Paul begins with a bold appeal to Philemon to do what is right (verse 8) and ends with confidence Philemon will exceed his expectations (verse 21).

Even though Paul assures Philemon he doesn’t want him to act out of obligation (verse 14), my readings left me thinking Paul had backed Philemon into a corner, pressuring him to obey (verse 16).

Yet even as we focus ONLY on verses 21-22 today, we can appreciate the DEPTH and richness of Scripture.
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Philemon Day 9 A Sheep Called Useful: Digging Deeper

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Philemon Day 9 A Sheep Called Useful: Digging Deeper

Natalie Smith

February 23, 2023

Affectionate,Beloved,church,Digging Deeper,Family,Forgiven,Freedom

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 "Purposeful Pace"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philemon 1:11-13

11 Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back to you—I am sending my very own heart. 13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What kind of useful purpose is Paul intending regarding Onesimus? (verse 11)

In Philemon, we follow both the relational pragmatics of Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus as well as their spiritual ties as fellow believers in Jesus.

There isn’t a clear example of what Paul intends when he references Onesimus as once “useless.” Other translations use the word “profitable”, perhaps signifying a connection with his effectiveness as Philemon’s former slave. Whatever Paul had in mind specifically, Onesimus had become useless to Philemon pragmatically because he had run away. He was no longer present to work for Philemon and had likely proven himself an untrustworthy worker.

In reading Paul’s letter, we understand Onesimus was not a fellow believer when he fled Philemon’s house. Therefore, he was also an unhelpful worker in sharing the work of the Christian faith.

But in Christ, one who was formerly rendered useless with nothing to offer others becomes useful because of Jesus. Paul makes it clear that at some point Paul discipled Onesimus in the faith of Christ as Savior and Lord. Onesimus’ growth through studying Scripture and learning to follow Christ transforms him into a spiritually useful and profitable fellow co-worker in the faith.

As far as we know, his physical wealth or social status had not changed from runaway slave, but his core identity had been made new. With Christ inside Him, Onesimus could now offer encouragement and service to other Christians; now he could even be rendered profitable to his old master.

Because of Paul’s Christian relation with each man, Paul vouches for Philemon’s new identity, which makes him a spiritual brother to both Paul and Philemon. Now, all three men could serve Christ together because the Spirit of God within them had regenerated them from sinful, self-seeking and preserving ways, to new identities transformed to mirror the humble servant heart of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Everyday Application

1) What kind of useful purpose is Paul intending regarding Onesimus? (verse 11)

As we grow in life and take on responsibilities or chase goals, life quickly becomes full. So full, it becomes difficult to rightly prioritize. Perhaps, like me, you feel like you’re running constantly behind the ball.

When I consider my own usefulness, it feels as if I am pulled in so many directions, I am not really useful to anyone. My messy home with half-accomplished tasks. My Bible study partly addressed. My children receiving partial attention while my work receives another portion. Oh, and adding to the disarray, my long list of half-dones and lofty hopes of wishful accomplishment. I have not run away like Onesimus, but I frequently find myself failing someone.

But Christ has a different goal. His mission is for the truth of the Gospel to move forward and build His kingdom through transformed hearts as old identities are given new life. Christ redeems, renews, and rebirths all who surrender themselves fully to Him.

Onesimus was once referred to as useless to those around him, but in Christ, he became useful. He suddenly had a new vision of work to surrender himself. We are not given a timeline of events, but it appears, from Paul’s language, that some focused time has been spent discipling Onesimus.

If I desire to be useful to the Lord, am I training myself as Onesimus did with Paul? Am I diligently studying God’s word and being equipped for every good work of speaking truth? (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Am I practicing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that I might glorify God and edify my children? True usefulness always comes from the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s purpose in everyday, ordinary life. Let’s commit together to seek His ways as we plan our days! (Psalm 90:12)

The Original Intent

2) Why doesn’t Paul keep Onesimus with him as he wishes? Isn’t Onesimus currently free? (verse 12)

Backing up for context to verses 8-9, Paul explains he is not shy to tell Philemon how to best handle the situation he is facing. Paul is an apostle and teacher of many early Christians and churches. Regardless of his authority, Paul demonstrates humility by stepping aside to allow the Holy Spirit grow Philemon. Paul states, “I appeal to you, instead, on the basis of love.” (verse 9)

Paul has discipled Philemon and Onesimus separately (verse 10 and 19), and from Paul’s language, he seems to be guiding each party towards steps of reconciliation. Paul does not condone or turn a blind eye to slavery, rather, Paul sees the need and opportunity for Christians to be unified in every situation. (2 Corinthians 5:18)

Culturally, Philemon had the right to deal with Onesimus harshly for running away as his slave. However, as a Christian himself, and even more so now that Onesimus had become a believer in Jesus, Philemon is called to a different standard in the way he treats even those in a slave status. (Ephesians 6:5-9)

Paul was patient and careful in his approach, not hastily sending Onesimus back to Philemon. But he also recognized the importance of Onesimus’ return in order for both parties to reconcile and grow in faith, humility, and the forgiveness process of which God calls His people.

The Everyday Application

2) Why doesn’t Paul keep Onesimus with him as he wishes? Isn’t Onesimus currently free? (verse 12)

Living in a world of technology, it’s easy to speak third party on anything as if we have authority. Facebook and other forums let us hear and share a multitude of opinions of what should be done in politics within moments. Being made in God’s image, people have a good and strong desire for things to be fair or “right.” But as sinners, we often have skewed viewpoints on true justice.

When I read about Paul requesting Philemon’s forgiveness towards Onesimus, rather than demanding and commanding it, I am struck by the great patience Paul exhibited in his love for people. While Paul clearly has his own thoughts on how things should be handled, he humbled himself and trusted God to work in His people and spiritually grow both parties. It must have taken great courage for Onesimus to act out of integrity and return to Philemon.

Doing life with other people and building relationships comes with unique and sticky situations. Paul’s example displays the work of discipleship happening in his own life by the powerful teaching of the Holy Spirit active within him. He held his tongue, allowing others to work out their faith and relationship with the Lord and each other. Am I willing to push aside my desire for quick responses so I can love others with patient endurance just as Christ demonstrates toward me?

The Original Intent

3) How can Onesimus take Philemon’s place in serving Paul? (verse 13)

Paul writes of Onesimus to Philemon, “I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place.” (verse 13) Other translations may use wording such as “on your behalf” or “in your stead.” Paul wrote four foundational letters for the church while imprisoned in Rome under house arrest. (GotQuestions.com) Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and this personal letter to Philemon were all penned while confined and limited in his mobility. Likely, he met and discipled Onesimus during this time.

At some point prior to this imprisonment, Paul and Philemon had become friends and, furthermore, brothers in the Lord. Paul seems to know Philemon’s heart is concerned for Paul’s well-being and work for the Gospel. Paul is also aware that Philemon is unable to come to him personally in Rome. As indicated in verse 2, Philemon was at least hosting, if not the elder of a church meeting in his home. As the local shepherd (think pastor), Philemon was responsible for the spiritual care of many fellow believers. Perhaps other unknown circumstances are also keeping him from visiting and encouraging Paul in person.

Whatever the reasons, one of Paul’s many points in leading Philemon to the right heart and mindset of forgiveness is the usefulness of Onesimus to both Paul and Philemon. If Onesimus is free from his slave ties, or perhaps pending punishments for running away, he has the availability to assist with in-person, spiritual encouragement to Paul during his difficult hours. Onesimus is free to do what Philemon cannot at this time, but what Philemon desires to do in his heart.

The Everyday Application

3) How can Onesimus take Philemon’s place in serving Paul? (verse 13)

Years ago, I remember expressing concern to a wise lady for God’s plans over the life of a friend. Why would it seem God is keeping good things from this friend who is faithful? My wise friend reminded me that, as Creator of the world, God loves people most of all. Those close to me whom I love deeply God loves deeper still. (Ephesians 3:18-19)

As a Christian brother and friend of Paul, Philemon surely identified with these struggles. Why must Paul, such a servant of Christ and the church, be imprisoned? What heartache to be kept himself from visiting and encouraging Paul personally! Which brings me to another quote of wisdom from an older lady to follow God with open hands. God is the provider of all things. (Philippians 4:19)

The Lord is the one who can give and take away based on His deep knowledge and purposes to save the lost. (Job 1:21; 1 Peter 3:18) While relationships with anyone in our life are important, there is a unique bond and refreshment brought through the Holy Spirit dwelling in God’s people and binding them together. (Philippians 2:1-2)

The people of God’s kingdom are all over the world and the Lord can use any one of them to profit us with His comfort and encouragement by His Spirit dwelling inside them. Are we willing to be that source of encouragement to fellow brothers and sisters as the Lord leads us?!

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Philemon Day 8
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Time passes.

Suddenly, she hears her name. Not her death-names, but her true name. Her shepherd-name.

She opens her eyes . . . and there he is. Her shepherd, emanating light into the darkness, crouching before her. (John 8:12)

His body is more broken and bloodied than hers, yet he lives. (Luke 24:1-8)

Gentle as a whisper, he gathers her to his chest.

“Sweet lamb,” he murmurs, “I’ve made a way back. Do you want to come home?”
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Philemon Day 5 For Glory: Digging Deeper

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Philemon Day 5 For Glory: Digging Deeper

Shannon Vicker

February 17, 2023

Digging Deeper,Encourage,Faith,Family

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 "For Glory"
Why Dig Deeper?

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Philemon 1:6-7

6 I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ. 7 For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Who is the one praying in these verses and who is he praying for? (verse 6)

Backing up to the beginning of this letter, verse 1 leaves no possibility to mistake the author’s identity as the apostle Paul. Along with Timothy, his “true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2), Paul is writing from prison to fellow Christ-followers, Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus along with the believers meeting in their home. (verse 2)

Philemon is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament outside of this epistle. However, we know he was a believer and can assume he knew Paul based upon his greeting in the epistle. While Paul mentions two others by name and the house church, Philemon is the main audience of Paul’s words.

We also know these words were not meant to stay solely with Philemon, but to be shared with the believers in the house church. The principles of Paul’s message went beyond one person to the larger church body in Colossae. (Colossians 4:9, 17) 

The Everyday Application

1) Who is the one praying in these verses and who is he praying for? (verse 6)

While Paul wrote these words primarily to Philemon, he never intended his epistle to stop there. In his greeting, Paul intentionally included those who regularly gathered in the house church to make clear he intended his message to be heard and received by them as well.

As believers today, centuries removed from Paul’s first intended audience, we can be assured his message applies to us as well. Letters from apostles were carried from city to city to encourage, teach, train, and rebuke the global church as a whole. We are simply part of the still-growing Body of Believers known as Church, albeit two thousand years later.

Because all of Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), and God timelessly never changes (Malachi 3:6), neither does His message. (Psalm 33:11) We must always approach Scripture with ears ready to hear and hearts humbly ready to accept the word of the Lord He desires to plant within us. (James 1:21-22)

Paul’s words, timely and relevant for Philemon and the church in Colossae, are equally timely and relevant for us; let’s read it that way!

The Original Intent

2) Why does Paul pray for Philemon? (verse 6)

Prayer and Paul are commonly seen together in his letters, in fact, Paul frequently began his letters by praying for those he was addressing. (Philippians 1:3, Colossians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:3)

Although the idea of praying for the recipients of his letter is not unique to this particular letter, the specificities of this prayer are unique. Praying for fellow believers in other churches was something Paul did regularly in the course of his everyday life.

To Paul, prayer was like breathing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and as he did, it was often filled with intercessory prayers for fellow believers like this one for Philemon and believers living alongside him. In this letter, Paul prays specifically that Philemon’s “participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ.” (verse 6)

This idea of putting faith into action and becoming effective for kingdom work is something Paul knows Philemon will need if he is to follow through with the appeal Paul will make in the rest of his letter.

Following Christ is hard, it costs our pride, and Paul knows that for Philemon to continue to be effective for sharing the gospel in real life his “participation in the faith” and “knowing every good thing” about Christ through His Word will be essential. 

The Everyday Application

2) Why does Paul pray for Philemon? (verse 6)

This repetition of praying for other believers is a lesson every believer can grow more consistent and deeper in, regardless of how long we have been following Jesus. Not only did Paul privately go before the Lord on behalf of other believers, but he often wrote out those prayers as a testimony and encouragement to those for whom he prayed. (Colossians 1:9-10)

Paul prays for Philemon to be effective in his faith and to have knowledge of the goodness the Lord Jesus’s glory was bringing about in Paul and Timothy. Paul does not shy away from sharing his prayers, which sets an example for every Christ-follower’s prayer life!

First, we are called to pray for others; it’s expected for every believer to be praying for other brothers and sisters.

Second, there is something sacred in sharing those prayers with those for whom you’ve prayed. Sometimes we will blithely say “I’ll pray for you”, but never follow through. Neither must we be guilty of the opposite, praying for someone and never encouraging them by letting them know of your prayers on their behalf. It’s certainly not required to share every prayer you pray, but we should follow the Spirit’s lead to share our prayers when He prompts us. Together, let’s be obedient to bless and comfort others through our written-out or spoken-aloud prayers over others. There is a blessing in reading the words of another believer lifted up for you in prayer.

Third, we are to pray specifically. Know the needs for the ones you pray, and pray using that understanding as you carry them to the Lord in prayer. Let’s begin following Paul’s example of how to pray!

The Original Intent

3) How have the hearts of the saints been refreshed? (verse 7)

The refreshment Paul speaks of directly connects his thought to the words at the beginning of verse 7 regarding “joy and encouragement from your (Philemon’s) love”. Expositor’s Bible Commentary defines this love as “The “love” which gives Paul such “great joy and consolation” is not love directed to himself, but to others; and the reason why it gladdened the Apostle was because it had “refreshed the hearts” of sorrowful and needy saints in Colossae.”

Philemon has refreshed and encouraged others in the love he has shown and it was exactly what the believers needed. In turn, this genuine love encouraged Paul’s heart as well. So we find this truth at work in the spiritual realm, the more we pour out the love of Christ, the more His Spirit encourages and brings joy to His people!

The Everyday Application

3) How have the hearts of the saints been refreshed? (verse 7)

Expositor’s Bible Commentary says, “No man can ever tell how far the blessing of his trivial acts of kindness, or other pieces of Christian conduct, may travel. They may benefit one in material fashion, but the fragrance may reach many others. Philemon little dreamed that his small charity to some suffering brother in Colossae would find its way across the sea and bring a waft of coolness and refreshing into the hot prison house.” 

As I pondered this quote, it led me to dwell on acts of kindness bestowed on me. They have been a refreshing blessing to me, but many times they prod me to share even more kindly and generously to others. When I share with others how someone’s kindness affected me, they are also stirred up to live with kind generosity. The rippling effects of kind love cannot be calculated!

Philemon refreshed the saints through his acts of kindness, which should encourage all who claim to love Jesus to follow Philemon’s example. We never know when a simple act of kindness will refresh those who were directly impacted as well as those who have witnessed the kindness. There is something refreshing in being reminded kindness still exists in our broken world and it goes a long way in lifting the hearts of those who experience it.

Together, let’s find simple ways to express the simple gift of kindness to those around us. 

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Philemon Day 10 Journey Study

As we practice tuning the ears of our hearts to know His voice through His Word, we will be drawn deeper into worship, which naturally leads to a life fully surrendered to the Love of Christ. Working like an ever-deepening spiral, the more we know Him, the more we will worshipfully surrender, the more our faith grows, and by the Spirit’s work, our effectiveness for the Lord increases exponentially.

This surrendered life resulting in effective faith, deeply refreshes the hearts of our “fellow ones”, brothers and sisters in Jesus. Joy floods and encouragement abounds from this rich well of surrendered following of the Lord Jesus.
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Surrender Day 15 A New Life: Digging Deeper

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Surrender Day 15 A New Life: Digging Deeper

Multiple Authors

February 10, 2023

Christ,Digging Deeper,Excuses,Forgiven,Trust,Truth

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 "A New Life"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Mark 8:34-38

34 Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it. 36 For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life? 37 What can anyone give in exchange for his life? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
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The Original Intent

1) What is the wider context of this passage?

When studying Scripture, it’s helpful to investigate the author’s purpose through a wide-angle lens of his writings to better understand his intent and audience. The gospel author, Mark, shines a spotlight on pivotal moments of Jesus’ life to underscore both His humanity and His divinity. Jesus is the “Son of Man” as well as the “Promised Messiah”.

In chapter 8, we see the very human need for food and sight. Jesus uses these common experiences, and their painful lack thereof as experienced by the blind man and the hungry crowds, to showcase His divine authority over all things. In pointed contrast, Jesus’ recorded exchange between Himself and the Pharisees who repeatedly rejected the truth of Jesus’ identity, is used to demonstrate their spiritual blind eyes who refuse to see the Christ standing face-to-face with them.

In contrast to the learned Pharisees, the fisherman, Peter, has discovered the truth for himself. When Jesus asks His disciples who they believe Him to be, emboldened Peter announces, “You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8:29)

On the heels of Peter’s declaration of Christ as the long-awaited promised Messiah King, Jesus “began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things and be rejected (…), be killed, and rise after three days.” (Mark 8:31)

Passionately, Peter denies his King should die! (Mark 8:32) Just as presumed political victory was within his sight, Peter angrily throws in the towel and, in essence, insists Jesus’ willing death to be outrageous.

Unknowingly, Peter’s vehemence opens the door for Jesus to explain that following Him, truly trusting in Him as the Son of Man and God the Son, will inevitably result in the price tag of suffering and death.

The Everyday Application

1) What is the wider context of this passage?

God didn’t manifest Himself in the way Peter expected, or the Pharisees, or the crowds. If we’re honest, we have our own expectations of who God is, how He should act, and what rescue looks like.

Christ consistently confronted Peter, the crowds, and Pharisees, pushing back on their expectations and providing them with truth instead. Their response makes all the difference. The Pharisees insisted Jesus’ representation of Himself as the “I AM” God was absolutely ludicrous. They rejected Him and paid the price of eternity apart from Him. The simple fisherman, though passionately protesting at several points along his journey, kept pressing into who Jesus claimed Himself to be. Peter chose belief while the Pharisees chose rejection.

Each of us face the same wrestling match as we investigate the claims of Jesus. Will we, like Peter, name Christ as our Lord and surrender everything, even our lives? Or, like the Pharisees, will we hold onto our pretentious ideas of an idyllic “god” made in our own image, reject the God of the Bible, and spend eternity dead and separated from the God of Love?

Jesus calls us to look beyond the miracles and open our once-blind-eyes to “see” the relationship He wants with us. He invites us to “see” our desperate need for a Savior. When we choose Christ, we choose the richest of all inheritances for He offers abundant eternal life after death and His sweet presence in this temporary life.

Let’s not become distracted like the crowds who sought the Miracle Worker, but ignored the Savior of our souls.

The Original Intent

2) What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? (verse 34)

To understand this phrase, which lands as so strange to our modern ears, it is essential we return to the first audience and understand what came to their mind’s eye. In New Testament times, the cruelest punishment for crimes against Rome was the grotesque torture of crucifixion. It was intended to send an inescapable message, “Don’t Mess With Rome”.

Crucifixion was humiliating, shameful, and cruel. Naked criminals carried their own death tool upon their shoulders as they were paraded through the city to its outskirts so all could see their shame and be assured Rome held all authority. Eventually, crucifixion victims died, not of the nails piercing their flesh as the whole weight of their bodies hung suspended by iron posts, but of asphyxiation. The only way they could grasp another breath was to push up on the nails in their feet so their lungs could expand. When they became too exhausted to do this, they suffocated. This whole process could span several horrific days of torture if they were not badly whipped beforehand as Jesus was.  

As gruesome and inhumane as this was, we must also remember it was not simply their bodies that could not be hidden, it was the guilt of their crime. It was not merely a cross they carried, it was their shame and sin. What a horrific portrait of our own consequence of sin! We won’t be crucified for our sin, but unless we accept Jesus’ paid-in-full gift for the debt we owe, we will experience an eternity even more grim and full of despair than a criminal heading to Golgotha.

The Everyday Application

2) What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? (verse 34)

In the 21st century, the term “carry your cross” is considerably watered down from how the first century audience understood its meaning. Perhaps we’ve heard this phrase and understood the modern context to be a minor annoyance or even used as a snarky sarcastic comeback. In the eyes of Christ, however, His intended meaning never lessened.

If you want to be a follower of Christ there will be obstacles, burdens, and situations you must endure, even heavy, painful things. Because that’s what death brings. Crucifixion meant death without exception; there were no survivors. This is the mentality Christ would have His followers embrace in order to follow Him. Death to our old way of living, death to our lusts, passions, and idols. (Colossians 3:5) Death to anything that lures us away from loving Him first and most and best. This is the cost of following Christ, it’s the cost of surrender.

This surrender could mean walking away from a promotion because you understand the work would run counter to your integrity. It could cost you finances as the Lord calls you to support that missionary instead of fund your vacation. Surrender to Jesus costs us making family and sports an idol.

Whatever it costs you, fellow Christ-follower, you can have this confidence: it’s worth it and the reward will be great! The rescue of our eternal souls is guaranteed (verse 35), and in the meantime while we live out a life of surrender on earth, we are granted the full riches of Christ’s constant presence, His joy, peace, guidance, and every other spiritual blessing. (Ephesians 1:3)

The Original Intent

3) What do the “for whoever” and “for what” statements signify in verses 35, 36, and 38?

The heart of every hearer was laid bare that day as Jesus spoke truth to those gathered around Him. His audience was full of long-time devoted Jews who had studied the Torah (the first 5 books of the Old Testament) and were waiting and waiting for God’s Promised Messiah, revealed through the prophets, to rescue them from Rome’s political tyranny.

Jesus’ audience that day fully believed they could earn favor with God by keeping His commands and offering the right sacrifices when they didn’t. Ritual could rescue while they loved their lusts.

But Jesus refused to allow them the false comfort of continuing to believe this outrageous lie. The self-love life only ends in one place, eternal death, which is evidenced by the concluding words of Jesus’ “for…” statements.

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it.”
Loss of true-real-abundant life and all perceived power to control anything.

“For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life?”
Loss of one’s soul for eternity.

“For whoever is ashamed of Me (…) the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels”
Loss of relationship with the Only One who is able to save both body and soul and grant abundant riches of life in this world and the next.

All self-loves will result in a guaranteed forfeiting of soul.
The antidote?
Full, Genuine Surrender to Christ alone.

The Everyday Application

3) What do the “for whoever” and “for what” statements signify in verses 35, 36, and 38?

Christ is pursuing our hearts, and Mark’s gospel is laid out to emphasize this reality with each story he tells of Jesus. Christ reveals the true heart motives of His listeners as He engages with them and points them to the truth that will free them if they embrace it in true surrender. Each of these 3 “for…” statements are immediately followed by statements of self-focused living; lives reflecting a lack of surrender and a poor understanding of truth.

“For whoever wants to save his life...”
We want to save our lives, and retain all control.

“For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world..?.”
We do want to gain and keep on gaining in every area of life.

“For whoever is ashamed of Me…”
We don’t want to suffer or be associated with suffering; we want to avoid pain or loss.

Each statement is meant to reveal a blind spot of the self-loving life. If we honestly study ourselves and our desires for any length of time, we come face to face with the reality that we quite zealously love ourselves, our plans, our desires, and our blueprints for how our lives should go. We may also notice a complete lack of surrender in these self-loves.

The 21st century is full of opportunities to prosper on our own merit. While we might earn wealth, higher social standing, or even good works for God’s Kingdom, none of this will pay off the debt of sin we owe to a Holy God. Christ, the Only One Worthy to pay the punishment for our sin, died to give us eternal life. In Him, we find access to rich communion with the God of the Universe!

*Written by Carol Graft & Rebecca Adams

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Surrender Day 15
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My life is not my own. It belongs to God to do with as He pleases. I wonder now, how much was I really depending on God in those “good” times? After losing everything, we learned we hadn’t really been trusting God until we had nothing to lean on BUT HIM.

The Apostle Paul knew how to trust God for everything, how to be content with much or little. (Philippians 4:11-12) He considered the things in this life as garbage, compared to knowing Christ. (Philippians 3:7-11) Garbage, really?
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Surrender Day 12 Our All For His Use: Digging Deeper

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Surrender Day 12 Our All For His Use: Digging Deeper

Stacy Winkler

February 7, 2023

Courage,Digging Deeper,Faith,Freedom,Hope

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
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This DD Connects With "Our All For His Use"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Kings 17:8-24

8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.” 10 So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering wood. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup and let me drink.” 11 As she went to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.”

12 But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I don’t have anything baked—only a handful of flour in the jar and a bit of oil in the jug. Just now, I am gathering a couple of sticks in order to go prepare it for myself and my son so we can eat it and die.”

13 Then Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, 14 for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.’”

15 So she proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. 16 The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil jug did not run dry, according to the word of the Lord he had spoken through Elijah.

17 After this, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. His illness got worse until he stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “Man of God, what do you have against me? Have you come to call attention to my iniquity so that my son is put to death?”

19 But Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him from her arms, brought him up to the upstairs room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord and said, “Lord my God, have you also brought tragedy on the widow I am staying with by killing her son?” 21 Then he stretched himself out over the boy three times. He cried out to the Lord and said, “Lord my God, please let this boy’s life come into him again!”

22 So the Lord listened to Elijah, and the boy’s life came into him again, and he lived. 23 Then Elijah took the boy, brought him down from the upstairs room into the house, and gave him to his mother. Elijah said, “Look, your son is alive.”

24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know you are a man of God and the Lord’s word from your mouth is true.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Who was Elijah and how did he end up in Zarephath asking a widow for the last of her food? (verses 8-11)

During this time, Israel was a divided kingdom between north (Israel) and south (Judah). The northern kingdom was ruled by the wicked, idol-worshipper, King Ahab, and his notoriously evil wife, Queen Jezebel. (1 Kings 16:29-33, 1 Kings 17:1) God sent the prophet Elijah to speak judgment over Israel in the form of a drought for her persistent rebellion against God as a people. They eagerly followed the vile example of idol worship set by Ahab and Jezebel.

After he prophesied the drought, Elijah traveled to Zarephath in obedience to God and in spite of the danger. Why was it dangerous? Zarephath was a town belonging to Sidon, Jezebel’s homeland where her father was king. (verses 8-10) In Zarephath he found a widow whom God had commanded to provide for him. ( verse 8) However, the drought Elijah had prophesied also affected Sidon. And, with drought, came famine.

Although the text clearly states in verse 9 that God had commanded the widow to provide for Elijah, when he asked for food, she hesitated. (verse 12) Give the last of her food to a foreign man rather than her only son? Elijah’s God had told her to provide, but could she really trust him? Why should she? Yet, she did the unimaginable; she agreed to trust the foreign prophet’s God, and made a small loaf of bread for him with all the food she had instead of feeding her son. (verse 15)

She surrendered what little she had in obedience to the God of Israel. With stunning amazement, we watch the Lord accept her surrender and replace her hopelessness with hope. The flour jar and the oil jug never ran empty during the famine. (verse 16) Elijah ate. Her son ate. She ate. And they lived.

The Everyday Application

1) Who was Elijah and how did he end up in Zarephath asking a widow for the last of her food? (verses 8-11)

We all long for hope. Even in the darkest of days, hope for a better future motivates us to continue. How much more so for the one who has trusted Christ with their soul! Our hope is not merely wishful thinking but absolutely certain as we look forward to the eternal perfect life with God!

What can we learn from this destitute, defeated widow whose future was hopeless? In spite of her efforts, she knew death was near for her and her son. Elijah’s response is comforting, “Don’t be afraid… for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.’” (verses 13-14)

Were these hollow words to her, or did they remind her of the command God had already given? In faith, she surrendered what little she had to Elijah’s God and God provided hope, not as part of some mystical deal, but as a deliberate act to display His providence.

God calls us to join the widow in surrendering our fear and what little we have so He can demonstrate His goodness and embrace us with Hope. We cannot conjure up Hope on our own. We cannot control Hope by pretending we control our situation.

The Author of Hope longs to fill us with joy and peace as we trust Him so we may overflow with hope for others to see. (Romans 15:13) We must surrender our control to the only One who truly has control, even in the darkest of times. He alone gives us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. (1 Peter 1:4) Who is our Living Hope? Jesus Himself.

The Original Intent

2) Why did God allow the widow’s son to die? (verses 17-24)

The Gentile widow recognized her sin before the Almighty God of Israel. She believed the payment for her sin was the life of her only son. (verses 17-18) Once again she was filled with hopelessness. How could God allow her son to live through the famine only to die because of her sin?

Not only was the grief overwhelming to her mama’s heart, but, as a Gentile widow, she had little hope of survival without a son to provide for her, leaving her with only a few undesirable options (like selling her body or becoming homeless). Elijah took the boy, prayed, stretched over him three times, and prayed again. “So the Lord listened to Elijah, and the boy’s life came into him again, and he lived.” (verses 19-22) He presented the son to his mother and she said to Elijah, “Now I know you are a man of God and the Lord’s word from your mouth is true.” (verses 23-24)

Through the death of her son, God called this Gentile woman to surrender herself as He revealed His sovereignty, love, and care for her. As God revealed Himself, she responded with surrendered belief in the God of Israel! God also desires to reveal His sovereignty, care, and love to us. (1 Timothy 1:17, Romans 11:33-36, John 3:16-17)

Where have you seen evidence of these around you? Have you believed Him at His Word that your sin payment was made at the cross of Jesus on your behalf? He has offered to cleanse us from our sins so we can stand before our glorious God with utmost hope and the fullness of life. (Ephesians 1:7-9) Whether it’s your soul, relationships, finances, or fears, the call is the same, surrender to Him and believe!

The Everyday Application

2) Why did God allow the widow’s son to die? (verses 17-24)

Honestly, while I can speculate why the Lord allowed her son to die, I don’t know. Perhaps we can glean some understanding from a story in the New Testament as Scripture itself helps us understand Scripture. Do you recall when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead? (John 11:1-45)

In her book, Jesus Through the Eyes of Women, Rebecca McLaughlin writes of this event. Lazarus was sick and his sisters, Mary and Martha, sent Jesus a message saying “Lord, the one you love is sick.” (John 11:3) Then John tells us, “Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” (John 11:5-7). Wait. What? Jesus loved them, Lazarus was seriously ill, and Jesus didn’t immediately pack His things and go to Bethany?

John reveals why Jesus waited. First, Lazarus’ death and ultimate resurrection would bring glory to God. (John 11:4) Second, Jesus waited so His disciples would believe. (John 11:15) Rebecca McLaughlin writes, “He (Jesus) stayed away because He did care.

The best thing he could give these siblings, whom he profoundly loved, was not immediate answer to their prayers, but revelation of Himself.” God wants to reveal His glory and power so we can confidently know the words from His mouth are true. (verse 24) This is why Paul wrote that he “consider(ed) everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:8) Reach out and “touch the hem of His robe” for ultimate healing and peace! (Luke 8:43-48)

He wants to reveal Himself to us through prayer and the study of His word. Surrendering our lives daily to God is not natural for us, but as we know Him more, we understand that surrender to the sovereign King is the only pathway to gaining our Living Hope. 

The Original Intent

3) What does this passage tell us about God? (verses 8-10, 15-16)
In this Old Testament narrative we watch God daily provide the widow with enough ingredients to bake bread for Elijah, her son, and herself, saving them all from starvation. (verses 15-16) When we look closely at the widow, understanding her background and culture, we see more clearly the God who loved her and us. She was an unbelieving Gentile woman, probably descended from the wicked line of Cain. (verses 8-10) She was just one widow among many in her village, yet God saw her and knew her when she didn’t know Him. God saw her hopelessness, and through His unending grace and sovereignty, He miraculously provided daily food for the length of the drought and famine.

Deeper still, through the resurrection of her dead son, this foreign widow came to believe through genuine faith in the God of Israel. (verses 22-24) God sees. God knows. God provides. God desires for you to know him more. As you grow in your knowledge of him and his truths, you will also grow in your desire to surrender yourself, believe in Him, and trust in Him.

The Everyday Application

3) What does this passage tell us about God? (verses 8-10, 15-16)
Both of these miracles point directly to Jesus. First, we see God’s provision in the bread. The widow baked bread so they could sustain their physical bodies. (verses 15-17) Jesus said that whoever would come to Him and believe in Him would never hunger or thirst again. (John 6:35)

Physically? No. However, when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are spiritually filled and satisfied through the Holy Spirit in a deeper way than food could ever fill us. (John 14:15-17) This does not guarantee an easy life, but the Holy Spirit within us brings us peace in the midst of suffering. (1 Peter 1:3-9, 1 Peter 4:12-14) Jesus is the better bread because He is the living bread who sustains us eternally.

The power God demonstrated through Jesus’ resurrection provides us with all we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) Sit and eat. Meditate on who He is. Enjoy His fullness and provision. As for the second miracle, Elijah prayed, bowed over the son three times, and prayed again, bringing the son back to life with God’s power. (verses 20-22)

However, at Lazarus’ resurrection Jesus merely spoke and Lazarus was restored to life. (John 11:41-44) For Lazarus and the boy, their resurrections were temporary; they each experienced death as we all will. Only Jesus’ resurrection of His own dead body by the power of God is strong enough to offer eternal life to all who would receive Him as their personal resurrection and life. (John 1:12-13, John 11:25-26)

Jesus is the better Elijah. If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you, too, have been raised from your spiritual death into life. If not, surrender your heart and your life to Him. Allow him to raise your heart from the dead and fill you with Living Bread. Study His Word, pray, and you, too, will find hope in your surrendering.

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Surrendering our will to His will, knowing He is sovereign over all, and His ways are higher is how we begin to exchange our frail, limited self-sufficiency for His unending sufficiency. When we reach the end of ourselves, we find He is more than enough. (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

When we were enslaved to our sins, He came to bring us spiritual freedom and new life. (Romans 6:6-11) Through His death and resurrection, He has gifted to us what we could never supply for ourselves: redemption.
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Surrender Day 4 Pride Or Intimacy?: Digging Deeper

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Surrender Day 4 Pride Or Intimacy?: Digging Deeper

Dr. Leslie Umstattd

January 26, 2023

Digging Deeper,Mercy,Pride,Restored

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 "Pride Or Intimacy?"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 10:25-37

25 Then an expert in the law stood up to test him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the law?” he asked him. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,” and “your neighbor as yourself.”

28 “You’ve answered correctly,” he told him. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 Jesus took up the question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. 34 He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him. When I come back I’ll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.’

36 “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

37 “The one who showed mercy to him,” he said. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Who is the expert Luke references in this passage? (verses 25, 36-37)

In the 1st century, “experts in the law” were those who spent their lives studying the Mosaic Law, which referred to the Torah. You can find the Torah in your modern Bible when you read the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

These “experts of the Law” were generally scribes and Jewish religious leaders known as Pharisees. Commonly, they were known as “people of the Book”. The word “expert” in this passage, however, could also be translated as “lawyer” meaning those who were interpreters of the Mosaic Law for the people. (studylight.org) They were viewed as experts in knowing what Mosaic Law said and how it should be lived out.

The Everyday Application

1) Who is the expert Luke references in this passage? (verses 25, 36-37)

During biblical times a separation existed that precluded the average person from really knowing or studying Scripture in the way you and I are able today.

Access to God’s Word was extremely limited, especially for women. Only men could study the Torah, and only the “experts” had the full-time job of studying and reading. They were the “bridge” between God’s Word and His people. Today we have the ability to join in community as we study God’s Word for ourselves.

Most people in western cultures have Bibles in their homes and on their mobile devices; we are free to personally study the Word of God on a daily basis. We have the ability to become experts in Scriptural teachings and the direction God provides for our daily lives. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Anyone can study God’s Word and grow in knowing God and His character and His purpose for us, but if you’ve recognized yourself as a sinner, repented of that sin to Christ who died to pay the penalty of your sin, and surrendered your life to Jesus, you also have the Holy Spirit living in you.

The Spirit makes Scripture come alive to teach, correct, and remind us to walk in Truth. By studying God’s Word under the power of the Holy Spirit we become experts in knowing what He desires. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

The Original Intent

2) Why did the experts in Jesus’ day want to test Him? (verse 25)

Jesus repeatedly confronted the scribes and Pharisees in His teaching, calling on the people to listen to their teachings but not to follow the actions of their lives. (Matthew 23)

Jesus recognized the Pharisees and scribes as hypocrites for making faith in God about a religious endeavor full of outward appearances rather than an inward heart change. Jesus taught about true faith in God while the scribes and Pharisees taught a false-gospel, running in opposition to saving faith. This involved public criticism from Jesus, which threatened their power and their pride. (Luke 11:37-54)  

Additionally, Jesus claimed to be the “I Am” God of the Jewish faith. (John 8:58) The Pharisees were blind to this truth and called this teaching heretical and Jesus a blasphemer worthy of death by stoning. (John 8:59) Each of these factors gave the law experts plenty of motivation to trap Jesus and put him to death.

The Everyday Application

2) Why did the experts in Jesus’ day want to test Him? (verse 25)

Just like the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day, in our own pride, we want to test Jesus. We can easily feel threatened when anyone pushes against us and challenges our self-decided belief system, even if it carries marks of biblical Christianity. We want to justify our actions and question Him. (Luke 10:29)

Allowing the Bible’s teachings to make us uncomfortable and become convicted in our sin isn’t popular. (Hebrews 4:12-13) Adapting Scriptural teachings to fit our current feelings or desires is much more palatable. However, the truth remains that our inclination towards sinfulness leads to spiritual death.

The only antidote is a relationship with Jesus, which necessitates repentance of our sin and active rejection of them. Only when we find ourselves submitting to Him rather than testing of Him, can we discover true freedom from the pride of sin. Here we find real life and the free gift of eternity with God. (Romans 6:15-23)

The Original Intent

3) Why did Jesus choose a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan to tell His parable? (verses 31-33)

During the 1st century, a priest and a Levite were viewed as the upper class of society to a Jewish audience. They were considered religious leaders, righteous followers of God, pure in their ethnic descent, and those set apart by God to do His will. They would have been the natural choice to emulate.

The Samaritans, however, were the outcast of society especially to a Jewish audience because of their ethnicity. They were not fully Jewish, rather they were a mixed race representing part Jewish and part Gentile. Their bi-racial conflict was fueled by an additional underlying conflict between Jews and Gentile Samaritans stemming back hundreds of years to the division of the Jewish Kingdom into a Northern Kingdom of Israel and a Southern Kingdom of Judah. (1 Kings 11:29-37)

Though Samaritans wanted to claim God’s special blessing meant for the Jews upon themselves, their bloodline was so muddied with Gentiles that those of pure Jewish descent refused to recognize Samaritans as Jewish. They held all Samaritans with great disdain for Samaritans, even hating them. (John 4:1-26)

Under Jewish law, a Samaritan would have been considered unclean, therefore not permitted to be within proximity of Jews. In Jesus’ story, the Samaritan who helped the helpless and showed mercy regardless of who the man was would have been radically counterculture to a Jewish audience, especially to a Jewish religious leader.

The Everyday Application

3) Why did Jesus choose a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan to tell His parable? (verses 31-33)

In both the original Jewish context as well as our own today, Jesus’ purpose in telling this parable moved far beyond four men and a story. Jesus was addressing major cultural issues of His day that had no place in the body of Christ, either then or now.

Surrendering self means surrendering all of yourself to the Cross of Christ, regardless of personal opinion or prejudice. In Jesus’ story, the Samaritan thought nothing of helping and showing mercy to a neighbor in need. Jesus’ desire is that in our everyday life we walk by the Spirit of God who empowers us to extend the mercy of Christ to those around us.

In our fleshly lusts there is plentiful evidence of jealousy, strife, pride, envy, and anger, but in the Spirit of God we find love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness. (Galatians 5:16-26) Moment by moment, we get to decide if we will live for self or surrender ourselves for the purposes of God!

The Original Intent

4) What command is Jesus giving in this passage? (verse 37)

Not all places in Scripture are as plain in its directive as this one, but the command from Jesus is clear in verse 37, “Go and do the same”. Jesus instructs the expert of the law, and the broader Jewish audience, to show mercy like the Samaritan.

In reading the story and studying the broader perspective and history behind the cultural divide between these two people groups, it becomes evident that Jesus is pointing to the scribe to swallow his pride and show mercy to all neighbors God puts in his path.

As much as Jesus is pointing to the example of the Samaritan, he is also pointing to the non-example of the priest and Levite in this story as “what not to do” in claiming to follow Christ. The thrust of Jesus’ point emphasizes that the Samaritan, though dismissed by culture and society by the self-righteous Jews, was the true follower of God’s ways. (Luke 10:36-37)

The Everyday Application

4) What command is Jesus giving in this passage? (verse 37)

Jesus desires us to love as He loved, and by His Spirit living within all who genuinely trust Him for salvation, He compels us to choose love. (2 Corinthians 5:14)

In order to be truly effective at loving others as Christ loves us, we must set aside our own agendas and pride, submitting to His Spirit’s leadership in us. (1 John 4:7-21)

The definition of neighbor was how the conversation began between Jesus and the scribe. Jesus’ answer widely included all persons, putting no disclaimer on His definition of “neighbor”. God so loved the world that He gave His son; it’s His example of self-sacrificing, generous love we follow when we surrender to Him completely.  (John 3:16)

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Surrender Day 3
Journey Study

I’m quick-witted and hot-blooded; I know how to spin up a razor-sharp defense.

But things had changed. I had encountered Jesus and was growing to be more like Him.

Through that process, I learned I no longer had the right to use my wit as a weapon. Nor could I nurse my wounded pride. I surrendered those the day I chose Christ as my savior. And so did you.

Pride has no place in the gospel. Surrendering our pride is essential to experiencing intimacy with Christ.
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Sketched X Day 9 Dreams & Designs: Digging deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Dreams & Designs!

The Questions

1) Why is the timing in these verses recorded and how is it emphasized in the narrative? (verses 1-14)

2) What is the reader to learn about God and His revelations from this passage? (verses 15-27)

3) Why would the author record Joseph’s statement regarding the Lord’s determination of His plans? What does this reveal about Joseph’s faith? (verse 32)

Genesis 41:1-32

At the end of two years Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the Nile, 2 when seven healthy-looking, well-fed cows came up from the Nile and began to graze among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside those cows along the bank of the Nile. 4 The sickly, thin cows ate the healthy, well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. 5 He fell asleep and dreamed a second time: Seven heads of grain, plump and good, came up on one stalk. 6 After them, seven heads of grain, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven plump, full ones. Then Pharaoh woke up, and it was only a dream.
8 When morning came, he was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
|9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I remember my faults. 10 Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and he put me and the chief baker in the custody of the captain of the guards. 11 He and I had dreams on the same night; each dream had its own meaning. 12 Now a young Hebrew, a slave of the captain of the guards, was with us there. We told him our dreams, he interpreted our dreams for us, and each had its own interpretation. 13 It turned out just the way he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged.”
14 Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and they quickly brought him from the dungeon. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to Pharaoh.
15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it.
16 “I am not able to,” Joseph answered Pharaoh. “It is God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”
17 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, 18 when seven well-fed, healthy-looking cows came up from the Nile and grazed among the reeds. 19 After them, seven other cows—weak, very sickly, and thin—came up. I’ve never seen such sickly ones as these in all the land of Egypt. 20 Then the thin, sickly cows ate the first seven well-fed cows. 21 When they had devoured them, you could not tell that they had devoured them; their appearance was as bad as it had been before. Then I woke up. 22 In my dream I also saw seven heads of grain, full and good, coming up on one stalk. 23 After them, seven heads of grain—withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind—sprouted up. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven good ones. I told this to the magicians, but no one can tell me what it means.”

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years. The dreams mean the same thing. 27 The seven thin, sickly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind are seven years of famine.

28 “It is just as I told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt. 30 After them, seven years of famine will take place, and all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten. The famine will devastate the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered because of the famine that follows it, for the famine will be very severe. 32 Since the dream was given twice to Pharaoh, it means that the matter has been determined by God, and he will carry it out soon.

Original Intent

1) Why is the timing in these verses recorded and how is it emphasized in the narrative? (verses 1-14)
Immediately before the introductory sentence of chapter 41, “At the end of two years […]”, we read the closing sentence of chapter 40 which provides significant context, “Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.” While imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, Joseph interpreted the dreams of two fellow prisoners. Joseph pleaded with the Cupbearer to remember Joseph and his unjust treatment when he was returned to his previous royal position, but the Cupbearer forgot him, and so Joseph stayed in prison for two more years. The author (Moses) also included the small words “the end” to emphasize completion of a term. The Lord God is never in a rush. Though Joseph had surely pleaded with God for freedom from injustice many times in the 2+years he’d been imprisoned, the Lord would answer Joseph’s prayer at just the right time. The series of events, though certainly chaotic and without reason to Joseph, was carefully arranged and allowed by the Lord. The famine was coming, the good years were coming, and the Lord would use Joseph to position him at just the right time in order to save not only his family, but also allow for the flourishing of a new, budding nation of Israel. The Lord loved Joseph, and Israel, too much to allow Joseph’s shortsighted pleadings to short-circuit Joseph’s coming redemption and Israel’s growth. More markers of time passage are included in this passage to emphasize the preciseness of the Lord’s arrangement. “When morning came” (verse 8) speaking of Pharaoh’s passage of time and “today” (verse 9) speaking of the Cupbearer’s negligent forgetfulness and “then” (verse 14) speaking of Pharaoh’s conclusion to send for Joseph all underscore the reality that nothing in this narrative was happenstance. God used every single detail to bring about the next steps in His plan of redemption.

2) What is the reader to learn about God and His revelations from this passage? (verses 15-27)
God is not aloof, far-off, and neither has He posted a “Do Not Disturb” sign on His door. He wants to be known; He wants humanity to seek Him, follow His ways, and learn to trust Him. Though He, as sovereign Lord of the Universe, is absolutely not required to give dreams to people, He does, precisely because He wants to be known. The Lord is also a God of clarity, not mystique, deception, or confusion. God provided dreams to Pharaoh, a man who did not worship the Lord God in any fashion, in order to make Himself known to Pharaoh, but also to demonstrate to Pharaoh His character of orderliness and understanding. Pharaoh didn’t understand the meanings, but that didn’t negate that clear meanings were both intended and would be provided by the Lord. The Lord raised up the “dream expert” in His own time, and in His own way, after He had allowed Joseph time to wrestle with his faith for many years and land in a place of trust in the Almighty. Through the man of God’s own choosing, what had appeared confusing at first, was plainly revealed. In the same way, Jesus, to whom Joseph points us, would one day make very clear what seemed hidden to the Jews. He would shine clarifying light on the Old Testament and show how Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled every promising hope hidden in its pages. (1 Corinthians 2:7-8) While the Lord provided a clear interpretation to the dreams, we mustn’t miss there was only one correct interpretation, and everyone knew it, even the pagans. The magicians and wise men in all of Egypt, on hearing the dreams, knew they couldn’t correctly interpret it, for the Lord was holding its meaning. (verse 8) Only the man the Lord had chosen to interpret would have the correct interpretation.

3) Why would the author record Joseph’s statement regarding the Lord’s determination of His plans? What does this reveal about Joseph’s faith? (verse 32)
Joseph was given dreams and their interpretation from the Lord since he was a youth, but now as he stood before Pharaoh, his faith had grown and deepened in ways he couldn’t have fathomed all those years ago when he’d received his first dream. Joseph’s first dreams promised a coming time when his own brothers would bow down to him, but the timing of this dream’s realization, and the picture of what its actualization looked like in real life were likely radically different from Joseph’s first thoughts. Would he be king? Would he move from his father’s house into the lap of luxury? Would his dream make him powerful enough to silence his brothers once and for all? Maybe the “dream expert” spent many hours wondering how his dream would play out and when. In his thoughts, how easily could he cast aside that it was Yahweh, the Lord of All, who had given the dreams and would bring them about in His time? Did Joseph fall for the deception that these dreams were his destiny and it was up to him to make it happen? Perhaps pride puffed him up for years before the Lord began to bring him low, and lovingly teach Joseph how the Lord’s dreams weren’t about Joseph, but about the Lord God. The provision would be the Lord’s, just as the dreams were. The interpretation belonged to the Lord, just as Joseph did. The timing was the Lord’s, not Joseph’s to control. The fulfillment of the dreams rested solely on the Lord. Joseph emphasized how determined the Lord was to bring about the fulfillment of Pharaoh’s dreams because it was a lesson he had well-learned in his time of training with the Lord.

Everyday Application

1) Why is the timing in these verses recorded and how is it emphasized in the narrative? (verses 1-14)
It’s interesting to study what people choose to put down on paper, to record, to keep, and be re-read at a later time. It reveals quite a bit about what was important to them and who they are as a person. Old journals are particularly interesting, especially after a person has passed away. We wonder, who were they really between themselves and the page? How much more curious ought we be when approaching Scripture?! This is God’s own Words revealed to us about His heart and purpose for His people. More so, it’s living and active and effective as it teaches us applicable truth for our everyday moments in the middle of our own century! (Hebrews 4:12) Whether you’re an avid journal-keeper or not, what might you choose to record about your life in this season? What are your views of the Lord and His timing? Do you believe you are commander of your own destiny or does the Lord have any rule in your life? How do the words recorded in Joseph’s narrative land inside you? Do they compel you to worship the Lord for His kind goodness and constant presence or do you sense yourself pressing against Him in your soul? Regardless of where you are in your faith journey, be comforted by the truth that even the fact that you’re reading this today, at this moment, isn’t random. The Lord has a purpose for you just as He did for Joseph. As we learn to trust Him more and more, we discover not only our purpose, but also the grand love of the Lord as He thoughtfully pursues us with goodness and mercy. (Psalm 23:6)

2) What is the reader to learn about God and His revelations from this passage? (verses 15-27)
In today’s culture of dreams and visions and “prophetic words”, it can be easy to miss the main reason the Lord has given revelation of Himself through dreams and visions. If we move so fast into interpretation, seek what it could mean, or draw out the course of our lives, or rush to determine a “promise” from a dream, we have missed the Lord’s emphasis. He wants us to know Him for who He is as the Lord of All; everything else flows from this. When it comes to interpreting dreams or Scripture itself, we must remember what the pagans knew so well. The Lord has one correct interpretation to the original intent. We would be wise to consider the warning the Lord gave to the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, “The prophet who has only a dream should recount the dream, but the one who has my word should speak my word truthfully, for what is straw compared to grain?”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “Is not my word like fire”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and like a hammer that pulverizes rock? Therefore, take note! I am against the prophets”—the Lord’s declaration—“who steal my words from each other. I am against the prophets”—the Lord’s declaration—“who use their own tongues to make a declaration. I am against those who prophesy false dreams”—the Lord’s declaration—“telling them and leading my people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people”—this is the Lord’s declaration.” (Jeremiah 23:28-32) Let’s exercise a holy awe and caution when reaching for interpreting dreams; let’s hold fast to the Word of the Lord as our foundation!

3) Why would the author record Joseph’s statement regarding the Lord’s determination of His plans? What does this reveal about Joseph’s faith? (verse 32)
The Lord never wastes suffering for those who have entrusted themselves wholly to Him. (1 Peter 5:10-11) He uses it to shape us into the image of Jesus, so we can more beautifully reflect Him to the world around us. (Romans 8:29) We cannot reflect a God of love if we have not learned to trust Him. Neither can we reflect His kind, humble goodness if we are trapped inside our own pride. Joseph began his faith journey with the Lord full of youthful arrogance and pride. Instead of causing us to look down on him, we ought to be so richly comforted! The Lord called Joseph and gave him the gift of dreams and interpretation. Over time and through hard suffering, the Lord would finish His work and place Joseph in just the right place to use His gift at just the right time that the Lord had pre-ordained. (James 1:2-4) The same is true for each of us. (Philippians 1:6) When we surrender ourselves to Jesus, His Spirit gives us gifts we are to use for the benefit of believers and for the strengthening of the Church. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) Our pride will puff us up when we look at our gift, but when we lean into the lessons the Lord teaches us about Himself in our suffering, we learn what it looks like to love like Jesus! (1 Corinthians 8:1)

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Sketched X Day 2 Family Tree: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Family Tree!

The Questions

1) What do we learn about God’s plans from this passage?

2) How does God use what we see as impossible or dire circumstances to work out His plans and purposes?

3) How can we respond to this knowledge about God’s overarching and intimate involvement in all our experiences?

Genesis 45:7-8

God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.  8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Original Intent

1) What do we learn about God’s plans from this passage?
This passage in Genesis comes after Joseph is already well established in Egypt. He had been nearly murdered by his brothers, sold into slavery, risen up in power under Potiphar only to be falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, then sent to prison, given authority in prison, but left there, seemingly forgotten. Then, at the right time, Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret a dream. The outcome of that exchange resulted in Joseph’s elevation to lord over Pharaoh’s household; he became second in command only to Pharaoh over all of Egypt. Joseph’s reflection in Genesis 50:19-20 reflects God’s purpose in the overall story and timing of every aspect of Joseph’s long journey. Joseph said to his brothers who had plotted his death, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.”

2) How does God use what we see as impossible or dire circumstances to work out His plans and purposes?
When we look at the full narrative of Joseph’s life, it’s obvious how God used all the circumstances that led up to Joseph’s high position in Egypt to both prepare Joseph (by humbling him and teaching him to depend upon God) and use him to bless a nation. If we divided Joseph’s story into segments, they would appear fruitless and perhaps could be seen as evidence of God abandoning someone who was faithful. Joseph acted rightly in the house of Potiphar yet was accused of adultery and unjustly imprisoned. Only looking at this scene could lead us to discount God’s faithfulness and “prove” God had abandoned Joseph. If we zoom in on Joseph’s years of being forgotten in prison after he accurately interpreted a dream and he pleaded to be remembered, we may feel God is unjust because Joseph’s circumstances were unfair. But when we see the whole of Joseph’s story we discover the ultimate, very good outcome of Joseph’s life. Even Joseph’s own lips attest of God’s supreme sovereign faithfulness. The Lord used every circumstance of Joseph’s life to position Joseph in just the right place, at just the right time so that only Joseph’s family would be saved, but the nation of Israel would flourish.

3) How can we respond to this knowledge about God’s overarching and intimate involvement in all our experiences?
Joseph’s life journey was fraught with trouble, persecution, injustice, and hardship; it seemed to never end and was surely pocked with disbelief and doubt along the way. But the Lord’s love was relentless to not only finish His work for Israel but to also finish His work in Joseph’s heart. Joseph didn’t always trust the Lord steadfastly, but at the close of his narrative, he testifies of the good plans of the Lord. God developed Joseph’s faith through suffering. Joseph trusted God more fully as he grew in knowledge of God and His faithful character. Perhaps the greatest example of this truth is the cross of Christ, which would surely have been the greatest tragedy in all of history as it threatened to kill the Author of Life. But God in His love and sovereign authority used the cruelty of death to bring about our own salvation and reconciliation to God that was once an impossible gulf to span because of our sin’s heavy debt. If we could see Christ’s death through the eyes of the eleven remaining disciples during the first days after the crucifixion we would see utter tragedy and defeat. But the cross was a pathway and a means, not an end. Through the supreme suffering of Jesus, God reconciled the ungodly (all of us) to Himself, and made a way where there was no way so we could be called sons and daughters of God. (2 Corinthians 6:18) When we witness God turning the greatest tragedy into the greatest gain, we can trust God more fully with every hardship we endure. He is the same God now as He was at the cross. He is the God who went to the cross for us; such lavish love! (Romans 8:32)

Everyday Application

1) What do we learn about God’s plans from this passage?
God’s plans for His people, both individually and corporately, involve a far deeper and broader scope than we can see or fathom.  His plans are laid to work good for many even though they involve the temporary suffering of one or more people to achieve His ultimate blessing. Jeremiah 29:11 conveys this essential principle of God moving on behalf of His people as He spoke through the prophet to the nation of Israel who faced exile and captivity, “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” God is light, and in Him is no darkness whatsoever. (1 John 1:5) He is not the author of evil. (Job 34:12) He has no pleasure in wickedness. (Psalm 5:4) God has allowed evil in the world because He permitted humanity’s freedom of choice, and we chose sin, and will always choose sin when we act out of our sin nature. Even this gift of freedom to choose, like everything else God does, flows from His character essence of absolute love. (1 John 4:16) His will is good and perfect toward all His creation, emanating from His heart of love. This love is perfect, true, and trustworthy which is why we can rejoice in our sufferings and endure hardship. We confidently know and attest to the reality that God is working all things together for the good of those He loves and those who are called according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28)

2) How does God use what we see as impossible or dire circumstances to work out His plans and purposes?
God’s plans allow for suffering, which can make us squirm in our theological seats, but because of His goodness, our suffering is never in vain when we surrender our lives to His authority. (Hebrews 12:7) When we remember God’s character and we recall that He is incapable of sin or evil, we can view our circumstances in a new light. We can remember that God is constantly at work to do His good pleasure in the hearts and lives of His followers. (Philippians 2:13) He is working all things together according to His plans for good and He will graciously bless us and make us more like Himself in the process. (Romans 8:29) In light of this reality, the author of Hebrews encourages, “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees.” (Hebrews 12:11-12) His plans are firm and unwavering, flowing from His heart. (Psalm 33:11) What He plans, He will do. “The Lord of heavenly forces has promised: As I intended, so it will be; and as I have planned, so it will happen.” (Isaiah 14:24)

3) How can we respond to this knowledge about God’s overarching and intimate involvement in all our experiences?
We are prone to wander and drift, doubt and mistrust for we are each just as human as Joseph. We remain strong in our faith when things are going well and we sense God’s presence in our lives, but when God feels far, or our circumstances try us, our weak flesh easily doubts God’s goodness, care, love, and faithfulness. When we remember how God provided for Joseph, or for the Israelites in the desert for forty years, we cannot miss His constant presence and perpetual work even if it seems slow and too long to us. He never abandoned despite Israel’s rebellion and faithlessness for abandonment goes against His character. (2 Timothy 2:13) He is Emmanuel, God with us. (Matthew 1:23) He is not a God who is far, but a God who is near. This truth allows us to drop our anxieties. (Philippians 4:4-5) So many places in His word He echoes the truth of His nearness, His care, and His provision. In the short run, it may appear we have been overcome or that life is hopeless and we are helpless, but that is never the whole picture for all who have trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. “We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Let’s choose to remember God’s presence, His purposes, His goodness, His past actions on our behalf and in history so we can endure trials by keeping our eyes set upon His love. (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5)

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.