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She Day 15 A She For The Kingdom

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She Day 15 A She For The Kingdom

Marietta Taylor

November 17, 2023

Courage,Daughter,Encourage,Equipped,Faith,Humility,Identity,Kingdom,Legacy

Read His Words Before Ours!

Exodus 1:15-21
Luke 8:1-3
Acts 16:11-15
Jeremiah 31

“Why have you done this and let the boys live?”
(Exodus 1:18)

How dare the midwives, Puah and Shiphrah, defy Pharaoh’s command and not kill the Hebrew babies when they delivered them! Didn’t they realize he was king and therefore must operate in complete obedience to him? Had they no fear of the repercussions of their disobedience?

While they acknowledged Pharaoh as ruler, they submitted to one higher than him. God was their ultimate king. It was Him they honored, refusing to allow these babies’ blood to cry out to the Lord from the ground as Abel’s had done centuries earlier. (Genesis 4:1-16) They operated with the wisdom found in Job 28:28 “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom.”  Instead of bowing to tyranny, they embraced courage and strength to show God as The One and Only God.

Had they been in modern times, Matthew 10:28 might have guided them, “Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Did Pharaoh punish them? Amazingly, he did not. Instead, their loving Father in heaven rewarded them. Not only did He prevent punishment, “Since the midwives feared God, He gave them families.” (Exodus 1:21)

God also blessed His beloved people by making them multiply and become numerous, (Exodus 1:20) in direct opposition to Pharaoh’s desire.
God loved His people and used the obedience of Shiphrah and Puah to put it on display.

Why is Jesus consorting with these women, who were once filled with evil spirits and sicknesses? (Luke 8:1-3)

Having women with “tainted” pasts in His close circle broke all social norms and Jewish tradition.

Can you imagine the looks and whispers?

Despite social norms, traditions, and opinions of others, these women provided tangible support for Jesus’ ministry. (Luke 8:3)

Joanna’s husband, Chuza, managed Herod’s estate; the same Herod who beheaded John the Baptist. (Mark 6:14) Joanna’s allegiance lay not with the Romans who ruled Israel on earth, but with the God who claimed Israel as His people and served as their True King. (Jeremiah 31:1) As she worshiped Yahweh, so she now worshiped Jesus, God in the flesh.

Despite Joanna’s connection with those who hated Jesus, her worship didn’t go unnoticed by the God who loved her first. (1 John 4:19) He gave her co-workers in ministry so she was not alone. And He rewarded her with the sweetest of privileges…

On Resurrection morning, the women went to Jesus’ tomb to prepare His body, but “…found
the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” (Luke 24:2-3)

And then…

 “…suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes”, proclaiming, “He is not here, but He has risen!”

“Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest.  Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things.”

 It makes my heart leap to think, these women, whom society had shunned and discarded, saw angels and were the first witnesses to the empty tomb, the evidence of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Bless the Lord!

He sees the broken and unwanted and calls them His own, using them for His glory and the good of His kingdom while lavishly demonstrating His love and care for them. What a God we serve!

“If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.”
(Acts 16:15)  

Lydia’s resume would read like this: God-fearing woman from Thyatira working in a male dominated industry selling luxury (purple) cloth. First female convert to Christianity. Baptized by Paul. (Acts 16:11-15) Home is a church and work base for Paul’s ministry in Asia. (Acts 16:40)

Lydia had no official leadership titles.
But she didn’t need them.
She was a God-fearing believer. Her capacity and willingness to lead and serve was born not from desire for accolades but from her love for and willingness to follow and obey God.

We’re never told specific “rewards” for Lydia. However, based on watching her in Scripture, I believe the Lord may have rewarded her with success in a mostly male industry alongside the abundantly satisfying joy of simply serving the God she had come to know and love by serving the Church.

Sister in the faith, Co-laborer for Christ, Ministry Partner and most importantly, Friend and Encourager

This description fits, none other than the President of Gracefully Truthful (GT), Rebecca Adams. She’s a homeschooling mom raising seven kids and awaiting the day to reunite with her eighth Treasure who preceded her to Heaven. She’s been married for over 20 years. She’s on staff at her local church. She founded GT and currently serves as the President of our board of directors.

But the role I hold most dear to my heart is as friend and encourager. We share some of the same life struggles. And we pray fervently for, and with, each other over those challenges, right alongside those of this ministry and the lives it touches.

Not only does she encourage me, she does the same for countless other women, serving as a mentor for many. She loves the Lord and His Word and she openly and lavishly shares that with others.

I wish each of you could know her personally, but you can “know her” through her writings at GT. You can see the depth of her faith and her joy in serving the Lord and His people.

You.

Culture would tell you to serve your own wants and purposes, but…
Looking at these “Shes”, it’s evident serving God should be our purpose.

It will look different for each of us, but as we submit to His plans for our lives,
He will guide and reward us for our obedience. And He’ll faithfully bring others alongside us for the journey to encourage us. As She, let’s commit to living His way!

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Brave,follow,kingdom,mission,purpose,she,Woman
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She Day 15
Digging Deeper

Take the next few weeks and go on your own adventure through God’s narrative of beginnings! Read Genesis and Exodus, then fast forward to Jeremiah and Ezekiel, but read them chronologically (here’s a chapter guide for timeline reading!).

While many are reading narratives of Jesus’ birth leading up to Christmas, read the history of the people Christ came to save! See the devastation of their rebellion, and ours, that brought such a radical, unheard of gift like God Himself wrapped in flesh.

I guarantee that these four books will bring a fresh understanding of Christmas like never before!
Dig Deeper!

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Oct 30 - Nov 17, 2023 - Journey Theme #124

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She Day 8 Is She My Neighbor?

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She Day 8 Is She My Neighbor?

Marietta Taylor

November 8, 2023

Courage,Equipped,Excuses,Faith,Family,gentle,Neighbor

Read His Words Before Ours!

Proverbs 3:27-35
Matthew 22:34-40
Matthew 25:31-46
1 John 4:7-21

 “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.” (Luke 10:27)

Jesus, in Matthew 22:37-40, states that these are the two greatest commandments. All other teachings, laws, and regulations could be neatly summed up into these two commands. Simple, right? Yes, unless you are trying to wiggle your way out of it and then you ask:

“And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

SHE is your neighbor and my neighbor. The woman across the street I wave at but never move the conversation past “hello”. The young mother you see struggling with her toddlers in the church parking lot each week, but you offer nothing more than a kind “I remember those days” smile as you rush to get to your seat. The clerk at the grocery store who smiles at everyone though I know she’s having terrible back pain lately because she shared it with me last week. The difficult co-worker who is like sandpaper to you but is going through a rough patch and could use an ear or a shoulder and you let her know you’re there for her. They are all our neighbor.

There is a verse that tells us to not just hear God’s instructions, but also do what the Word says. (James 1:22) So let’s see what God says about being a SHE and a neighbor. Proverbs 3:27-35 offers good instruction, which, if we followed it, what good neighbors we would be and have.

  • Don’t withhold good from others (verse 27)
  • Help your neighbor now if you can. Why wait? (verse 28)
  • Don’t do harm to your neighbor (verse 29)
  • Don’t tell lies about your neighbor (verse 30)
  • Don’t envy those doing ungodly things (verse 31-32)

The end result of this obedience?

“He mocks those who mock but gives grace to the humble. The wise will inherit honor, but He holds up fools to dishonor.” (Proverbs 3:34-35, emphasis mine)

Elsewhere in the Word we see other instructions such as, if you are kind to your neighbor, you will be happy (Proverbs 14:21) and “ Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10) 

Jeremiah 29:7 talks about pursuing the well-being of your city, “Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.” We can apply that wisdom to our neighborhood and places of employment. Neighbors are all around us.

In fact, Jesus talks about them in Matthew 25:31-46. While this passage is written about Jesus’ return, it also speaks to how we should conduct ourselves as Christians in relation to others. The “goats” saw others in need and did not help, even if it would have been easy to do so. The “sheep” helped others, even when it cost them something. (if you’re confused by “sheep” and “goats”, go read #HisWordsBeforeMine in Matthew!)

What I love about this parable is how personal Jesus makes it. To the sheep he says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me”. (Matthew 25:40) To the goats He says, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.” (Matthew 25:45) How each group responded to their neighbors, was a reflection of how they lived out their faith. Jesus counted kindness toward others as kindness toward Himself and indifference to others as an offense to Him.

There are other passages as well. Spend a little time reading and praying over these:

Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 27:10, Proverbs 17:17, Galatians 5:14, 1 Peter 4:9-11, 1 Corinthians 10:24, and Ephesians 4:25.

We see throughout Scripture how we should operate with God’s wisdom. And wouldn’t you know, in the Bible, wisdom is personified as a woman. This should make it easier to apply that wisdom to every She we encounter. She, Wisdom, issues many warnings about the consequences of ignoring her, but she ends her beseeching with, “But whoever listens to me will live securely and be undisturbed by the dread of danger.” (Proverbs 1:33)

The one binding thread you notice in all instruction about neighbors is one word. Love.  I think 1 John 4:7-21 best speaks to why this is true. Let’s walk through it, Neighbor.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7) 

“Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10)

“No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is made complete in us.” (1 John 4:12)

 “God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in Him.” (1 John 4:16)

“And we have this command from Him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.” (1 John 4:21)

In his human-ness do you think it was easy for Jesus to be persecuted during His ministry and then willing give His life for us so He could be resurrected for our salvation? Reading the record of His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, I think not. His was the greatest and most extravagant sacrifice. One we certainly do not deserve, but He gave it anyway.

How can we then, choose not love our neighbor, whether it’s easy or hard? How can we not do our best for whoever the She is that God places in our path? Sisters, Neighbors, if you love God, then love your neighbor. Pour out God’s love on her in whatever way you can. And if she doesn’t yet know Jesus, pray your actions will lead her to be a She for Jesus through your faithful “doing” of the Word.

Is She my neighbor? Absolutely yes. Now go love her in Jesus’ name.

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She Day 9
Digging Deeper

As neighbors, we seek out the unreachable, the downcast and, as the Spirit prompts, live open-handed lives for the purpose of intentionally loving and serving others as ambassadors for Christ who bear His Name.
(2 Corinthians 5:20)
Dig Deeper!

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She Day 7 Caught & Taught: Digging Deeper

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She Day 7 Caught & Taught: Digging Deeper

Stacy Winkler

November 7, 2023

bride,Called,Captivating,Daughter,Encourage,Equipped,Family,Gift

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 "Caught & Taught"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Titus 2:1-14

1 But you are to proclaim things consistent with sound teaching. 2 Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. 3 In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered.

6 In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled 7 in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. 8 Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.

9 Slaves are to submit to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back 10 or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What is the overarching theme of Titus? (verse 14)

As we study any passage in the Bible, theme and context is always important to understand. Titus, a letter written by Paul* to both Titus and probably the local churches (note the phrase “all of you” in Titus 3:15) on the island of Crete, gives instruction, exhortation, and encouragement.

Paul had left Titus on Crete to set up the churches by appointing elders and instructing various groups on how to walk out their faith. He tells them they are redeemed and forgiven by the perfect and complete act of Jesus’ death on the cross but growing from this new life is an eagerness to do good works fueled by the Spirit now residing in the believers. (verse 14)

If you read the three chapters of Titus (which I encourage! #HisWordsBeforeOurs), “good works” are mentioned seven times, so clearly this is a major theme in the letter. (Titus 1:16, Titus 2:7, Titus 2:14, Titus 3:1, Titus 3:8, and Titus 3:14) Paul begins by reminding them that “knowledge of the truth … leads to godliness.” (Titus 1:1) He also speaks of believers living in a “sensible, righteous, and godly way.”(Titus 2:12)

Thus, as churches are being set up, those in leadership roles, whether official or unofficial, should continually learn about God, which would then lead them to do good works. It was not good works leading to faithfulness, but a Spirit-filled heart leading to good works. (Titus 3:4-7)

*Some scholars believe Paul was not the writer of Titus. However, it is difficult to embrace this when God’s Word explicitly states Paul as the author. The topic might be an interesting rabbit trail to follow, but it is beyond the scope of today’s Digging Deeper Study.

The Everyday Application

1) What is the overarching theme of Titus? (verse 14)

When you read through Paul’s writings, there is one thing you can be sure about. Paul did not waver on grace. He believed salvation comes only through grace alone by faith alone in Christ alone. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 3:11, 1 Timothy 2:5)

What God did through Jesus at the cross is sufficient to bring us into right standing with God “while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (verse 13) However, Paul’s writings also emphasize the importance of holy living. He never taught the heresy that grace + godly living equals salvation. Rather, he taught that out of a grace-filled heart flows a desire to live a godly life. (Ephesians 2:1-10, Romans 10:9-10)

Jesus redeemed all believers from lawlessness and cleansed us to make for Himself His own people who are “eager to do good works.” (verse 14) Living in godliness is a supernatural outgrowth and result of the believer growing in knowledge and understanding of God through studying God’s word and praying to the Author of the Word. (Titus 1:1) This is not a call to perfection, otherwise we would not need grace. It is a call to reveal to the world around us the heart change inside of us. As Jen Wilkin repeated in her study of 1 Peter, “Let your actions shout the gospel!” 

The Original Intent

2) How is an “older woman” defined in this passage? Who does she teach and how does she teach? (verses 3-5)

In context of the letter, older women were those who had a mature and active relationship with God and had experienced life events that younger women either were in the midst of experiencing or had not yet experienced, such as marriage and raising children. It is interesting that Paul addressed the character and behavior of older women first, telling Titus that their actions were to be an example to the younger women. Implied in this is that the behavior of the older women was directly linked to their relationship with God.

In fact, just a few verses later, Paul tells Titus to be “an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching” to the younger men. (verse 7) While not a direct instruction for the older women, this was a good word for all the leaders of the social groups within the churches on Crete. Again, their good behavior was not for the sake of keeping the law; this divinely led behavior was borne out of their relationship with Jesus Christ. (Titus 3:8)

Paul instructs them to “teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women….” (verses 3-4) This teaching was to be both verbal and by example. Their actions, and the examples they set for the younger women, were crucial to back up what they taught.

What better way to teach love for a husband and children than to see it lived out by a trusted mentor? 

The Everyday Application

2) How is an “older woman” defined in this passage? Who does she teach and how does she teach? (verses 3-5)

The older woman in Titus 2 is usually thought to be one who is older in age, but that may not always be the case. I didn’t marry until I was 34 and I had my first child at 37. There were plenty of younger women in my life who were mature in their faith and had already walked the road of those early childhood years. They encouraged me as they taught and showed me how to love God through wisely loving my children and husband. (verses 3-5) When I messed up (which I felt like I did a lot), they loved me through the feelings of failure and insecurity, pointing me to God.

Now I am living through the joyful and painful season of my children preparing to leave home. God, in his goodness, has given me several faithful women who are filled with wisdom and encouragement, and who strengthen me as I walk (and stumble) through this season. It is important to verbally teach in these relationships, but it is vital to live out what you believe in these relationships.

As I write this, I am convicted because I need to be in a relationship with a younger woman. Are you in a season where you find yourself longing for a woman who will “teach what is good” and encourage you to love your husband and your children? (verses 3-4) Pray and ask God to show you a woman who could mentor you.

Are you able to offer a woman a mentoring relationship? Do you have an active and faithful relationship with God that leads you to reflect the qualifications given in verse 3? Pray and ask God to show you a woman to mentor. 

The Original Intent

3) What does the passage tell us about God and how should we respond? (verse 11-14)

Biblical scholars have traditionally placed God’s known attributes into two categories: incommunicable attributes and communicable attributes. God’s incommunicable attributes are only God’s and cannot be reflected by people. These include the attributes of being all-knowing, all-powerful, and sovereign. Conversely, God’s communicable attributes, such as love, mercy, and goodness, are attributes humans can live out, however imperfectly, allowing us to reflect a crack of God’s glory through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Returning to Titus, Paul writes that Jesus gave Himself for us to redeem us and cleanse us as His own and to make us a people eager for good works. (verse 14) His goodness and lovingkindness took Him to the cross to make us a people for His own possession. (Titus 3:4-5, John 10:11, John 10:14) When we understand what God has done for us, and that He Himself has made us eager for good works, then we begin to comprehend the deep goodness of our Creator and Savior.

Throughout Titus, Paul emphasized that true believers will do good works to reflect the goodness of God. A Christian may not have the gift of teaching, but through her desire to do good works, she is providing a living example of the goodness of God Himself to all those around her. In turn, they themselves can “see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8)

The Everyday Application

3) What does the passage tell us about God and how should we respond? (verse 11-14)

Through Jesus’ act of goodness, humility, and love, the grace of God appeared and brought us salvation. (verse 11) His grace, lavished upon us, instructs us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way. (verse 12, Ephesians 1:6) God is good and we do good works to reflect His goodness back to Him and to the world around us.

Do we always do the good thing? No, because sometimes we choose our flesh over obedience. However, we should be more eager for good works now than we were five years ago because our growing knowledge of the truth supernaturally leads us to godliness, and because God’s Spirit is moving in us and growing us to be more and more like His Son. (Titus 1:1, John 14:26, 2 Thessalonians 2:13)

He has changed our hearts from stone to flesh and written His commandments on our hearts. (Jeremiah 31:33) God has put His Spirit within us to cause us to walk in His statutes. (Ezekiel 36:27) This opens an amazing avenue for us to demonstrate God’s good character and tell about Him to a tired, broken, and unbelieving world, whether it is to a neighbor, a grocery store clerk, a co-worker, or a friend.

In this way we are all teachers, regardless of our gifting. You may not have the spiritual gift of standing before a group of women and teaching a Bible study, but because you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you have much to offer anyone who is traveling a path you have already walked and needs to know the love of God.

Teach, dear sisters, in whatever circumstances to which the Spirit brings you. As Paul wrote, “Adorn your teaching of God our Savior in everything.” (verse 10b)

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She Day 6
Journey Study

“More is caught than taught. You can teach your kids what you know, but you reproduce what you are.”
John Maxwell

The truth in this quote. . . How does it impact you?
What comes to mind when you read it?
Does a sense of responsibility rise up within you?
Do its words cause stress or bring hope?
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The GT Weekend! ~ She, Week 1

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The GT Weekend! ~ She, Week 1

Carol Graft

November 4, 2023

Alive,Equipped,Follow,Friend,Gift,Guidance,Identity,Life

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

This Week's Journeys

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
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Friday's DD

Pray His Words Back To Him!

Psalm 37:23-27

23 A person’s steps are established by the Lord, and he takes pleasure in his way. 24 Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord supports him with his hand.

25 I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread. 26 He is always generous, always lending, and his children are a blessing.

27 Turn away from evil, do what is good, and settle permanently.
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Lord, I know I am Yours, lovingly grafted into Your family that I might learn to know You, listen for the rhythms of Your heart, and then live out a reflection of You in every role You’ve given me.

I know that no matter my past or my plans for the future, or the frustration I may feel in relation to the roles of wife, mother, and grandmother, You hold me securely. You orchestrate details so I will learn to trust Your goodness. You intend to teach me how to live out these beautiful roles within the unique set of circumstances and relationships You have entrusted to me.

When I stumble and sin in those relationships, remind me to run quickly back to You instead of wallowing in shame or attempting to “fix” my grievances apart from You. Your Word reminds me You are the lifter of my head and You sustain me. (Psalm 3:3-5)

You are present with me as I work to live out the roles You’ve given in ways that honor You. Each day, You provide new mercies not just for me, but for my household, for my children’s children, for my neighbors, for the young hearts I mentor, and all who watch my life while I am unaware. Let my legacy be one of faithfulness to You. Shine through me, Lord Jesus, even now!

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

Think of those who have brought you the bouquet of friendship in your life. Perhaps their presence brightened a dark season before shifting elsewhere or maybe they remained for decades to sweeten your path. Pause to consider five qualities that marked them specifically, making them a good friend who loved you well.

Because we are made in God’s image, whatever we find that is good, pure, lovely, and delightful in humanity and creation, can be spoken of infinitely more so when describing the Lord. (Philippians 4:8-9) Have you considered the Lord God as your friend?

What is your heart response to that question? Do you lean in with curiosity, hunger for greater depth, or inwardly shudder at the thought of being “friends” with the God of the universe? Take that heart response to the Lord and talk with Him about it, listening for His reply. Since that’s what friends do, talk with each other!

Return to those qualities that endeared you to your most wonderful friends and consider how much more precious and perfect they are when found in the heart of God! Doesn’t that offer of friendship by His Spirit stir your heart to want deeper friendship with Him?! There is none like Him! And only He can build us up to hold out the loveliest friendship to others, even those we may initially feel don’t deserve the gift. Oh goodness, do we see the gospel there?! (*written by Rebecca Adams)

JOURNAL TWO

On Wednesday, Brenda observed motherhood to be with purpose and for a purpose, meaning this role of “She” was intentionally designed by a loving Creator for reaching a specific goal and fulfilling a specific need.

Down through the ages, mothers have carried an incredibly critical role in raising up the next generation, not simply by childbirth, but by teaching, training, and imparting values to the generation coming behind her. From the Garden of Eden, part of Eve’s purpose in mothering was to lead the way in training up the lineage from whom would eventually come the One who would crush Satan’s head. (Genesis 3:15, Matthew 1:1-17)

Glancing at the mother of Jesus, we find a woman whose faith crowned her with being “highly favored” by the Lord (Luke 1:28) as He chose her to teach and train infant Jesus through toddlerhood, elementary, and awkward teenage years until He set out on His Father’s purpose. As you consider your mother, or those who mother-mentored you, how did she help equip you to live out your purpose today?

I know, sister, some of us had challenging, complex, or perhaps no relationship at all with our mothers. Bring these griefs to the Lord who can bring comfort and healing! Consider how you might show honor to your mother or a mother-like-mentor this week! The mothering role, purposefully fitted for She, is one we each are responsible to consider how we can purposefully live out, even if we don’t have children of our own.

JOURNAL THREE

Brenda’s Journey Study encouraged my heart as I considered the She role of grandmother. I didn’t know my grandmothers well, and, as far as I know, they didn’t live a life founded in faith. Regardless of our grandmothers’ faith, we are their living legacies!

While grandmothers may exhibit some of the characteristics of mothers, they bring something more to the table of legacy and depth, especially if their foundation is Christ. Perhaps you’ve experienced or witnessed the grandmother phenomenon where the older woman seems to carry more weight in conversation and her words and values are embraced while a mother’s may not be received in the same way.

Grandmothers, you are called to leverage this gift to continue building the Kingdom of God! Be bold to speak truth, to share Christ, and leave a legacy that will shine brilliantly after you’re gone!

We don’t all become grandmothers, and even if we do, it may not be in the time or manner we expect, which is why I appreciated Brenda’s transparency of becoming a grandmother. Even though it wasn’t how she had planned, she trusted that God knew all the details long before they happened and was lovingly present with her all along the way.

The Bible insists that grandmothering is not a role to be dismissed. I pray I will fill this role in the way God intends as I live out being a grandmother who longs to leave a legacy that lasts! To all my grandmothering friends, live boldly in your season; you are encouraging many more than you know!
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Sketched XI Day 15 Faith Made Sight: Digging Deeper

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Sketched XI Day 15 Faith Made Sight: Digging Deeper

Rebecca Adams

July 7, 2023

Alive,Equipped,Faith,Fellowship,Gift

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 "Faith Made Sight"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Kings 2:1-14

The time had come for the Lord to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal, 2 and Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord is sending me on to Bethel.”

But Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?” He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; the Lord is sending me to Jericho.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.

5 Then the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?” He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

6 Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord is sending me to the Jordan.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.

7 Fifty men from the sons of the prophets came and stood observing them at a distance while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water, which parted to the right and left. Then the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken from you.” So Elisha answered, “Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit.” 10 Elijah replied, “You have asked for something difficult. If you see me being taken from you, you will have it. If not, you won’t.”

11 As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in the whirlwind. 12 As Elisha watched, he kept crying out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!”

When he could see him no longer, he took hold of his own clothes, tore them in two, 13 picked up the mantle that had fallen off Elijah, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the mantle Elijah had dropped, and he struck the water. “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” he asked. He struck the water himself, and it parted to the right and the left, and Elisha crossed over.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What is significant about the opening words of this scene? (verse 1)

We would be wise to repeat these 4 syllables from Elijah’s home-going story and remember, it is the Lord who holds our time. He knows what time it is in your life, Sister, and there isn’t one thing you can do to change that reality. He knows your story with every detail backwards and forwards from the end to the beginning. (Isaiah 46:10)

Nehemiah experienced mockery around work as he found himself in the middle of a project far too big for him. His brood of scoffers sent him messages to taunt him so that he would be intimidated and cease obeying the Lord. (Nehemiah 6:9) Join Moses in asking the Lord to “teach us to number our days carefully that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” (Psalm 90:12)

Only when we begin with the Lord, and finish with Him, can we say with Moses, “Establish for us the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17) and Nehemiah, “But now, my God, strengthen my hands” (Nehemiah 6:9). The Lord is the true source of efficacy and endurance of our work and our days.

Since He knows the true status of our remaining time, we would be wise to do our work within the confines of a vibrant relationship with Him where we can hear His voice to go where He sends, say yes when He prods, and say no to moving where He is not leading.

The Lord gave Elijah exactly the time on earth he needed to finish the work He gave him and to learn to trust the Lord implicitly. Let’s determine to use our hours and minutes to do the same. Let’s make it our goal to know Him and follow Him in worship as we enter each minute of our normal, everyday lives.

The Everyday Application

1) What is significant about the opening words of this scene? (verse 1)

“The time had come…” are easy words to gloss over, but these mere 4 syllables in English are rich with jewels for us to plumb their depths and carry around with us in our everyday lives. How often are we hurried? Okay, I heard you laughing from here! Every minute! Every day!

How often do you feel pulled in more directions than you feel able to satisfy? How often do you wonder, “Am I doing enough? Does what I do matter?” Perhaps you’ve heard these words pass your lips a time or two, “Let’s go! I’m late!” Frustration follows, and annoyance brings extra baggage of rudeness, mockery, and shaming if not for ourselves, to the people around us.

Time matters, but we often move through it feeling we are controlled by its ever-pressing movement that mocks, “Faster! You’re not enough yet! You aren’t going to finish!” It’s easy to believe that if we fill more things and chase a little faster, we will win some kind of brilliant prize like best mother, most faithful Christ-follower, or most helpful servant leader. All of these are lies.

What if our goal was to know and trust the Lord in each situation, offering the whole of our lives, including our time, as an act of worship instead of our goal being to accomplish such and such? How much freer might we live and talk and laugh and engage?

Verse 11 provides such a sweet glimpse into Elijah’s departure. They both knew the Lord would take him that day, but they didn’t know when. Instead of panicking, they “continued walking and talking” just as they had done hundreds of times before.

“The time had come…”. Use these four words as a reminder to re-align your view of time with the Lord’s perspective, then choose to simply “walk and talk” with Him!

The Original Intent

2) What can we learn from Elisha’s repeated phrase, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you”? (verses 2, 4, and 6)

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened in the narrative had Elisha “obeyed” and stayed when Elijah instructed him to stay. Truthfully, when I consider the depth of relationship the two shared and the intimacy of master and disciple, I think it was likely Elijah was quite confident Elisha would follow him regardless of his instruction. Following Elijah was what Elisha had been training to do all this time as the Lord prepared him to take on Elijah’s role as prophet to Israel. In fact, Elisha would do even more than Elijah had during his ministry! (more on that in question 3!)

Would Elisha have received the double portion of Elijah’s spirit had he chosen in these last hours to cease following his teacher? (verse 9) For certain, Elisha would have missed the intimate sharing of these last minutes and hours with his teacher. He would have forgone watching the Lord’s whirlwind carry Elijah home. He would have missed the inaugural moment of his ministry when he crossed the Jordan River on dry ground as Elijah had (verse 8), as Joshua had (Joshua 3), and before them, as Moses had split the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21).

All of these events were accomplished through the Spirit of the Lord resting upon these individuals who had long before these moments decided they were “all in” for persistent, consistent, determined following of the Lord.

Like them, we will all encounter crossroads when we can choose to walk away from the Lord’s ways, missing out on the good things He wants to show us about Himself. Keep following, Sister! It’s always worth it!

The Everyday Application

2) What can we learn from Elisha’s repeated phrase, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you”? (verses 2, 4, and 6)

Others in Scripture have used a similar phrase at specific crossroads in their journeys. Though Naomi gave Ruth plenty of reasons to turn back to her people, Ruth adamantly insisted, “Where you go, I will go, wherever you live, I will live, your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die.” (Ruth 1:16-17) Ruth’s insistence landed her a place in the genealogy of Jesus Christ Himself. What if she hadn’t been so determined?

Consider Moses who, when faced with the Lord’s statement that He simply would not continue traversing the wilderness with the Israelites, passionately declared, “If Your presence doesn’t go, […] don’t make us go up from here.” (Exodus 33:15) Can you imagine if Moses responded with, “Don’t come, Lord, I’ll do this on my own!”

One more profound story comes from the New Testament disciple, Peter. Following Christ’s death and resurrection, Jesus appears on the beach to His remaining eleven disciples in one of my very favorite scenes of Jesus’ on-earth life. Jesus thrice asks a repentant Peter, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:17) Each time, Peter insists with all the more fervor, “Lord, yes!” Finally, the Lord rewards Peter’s insistent following with the commissioning blessing that would provide the early church a rock on which to be built, “Feed My sheep”, came Jesus’ instruction to Peter for the Church. (John 21:17)

Let’s be Christ-followers who adamantly refuse to go forward without the Lord. Let’s be like Ruth, Moses, Peter, and Elisha who all concluded, “No way am I turning my back on the God I have come to know.”

What might the Lord God do in and through us for His kingdom, and the maturity of our own hearts, if we determine to follow our Teacher as His disciple?!

The Original Intent

3) What hints of Jesus can we see in verses 8-14?

Pulling back the layers and sitting deeply with an Old Testament passage while allowing the New Testament realities to illuminate its words so I can see the Savior in its pages is one of my special joys of studying Scripture!

If you’ve been a Bible student for a while, read these 14 verses and write down the connections you see, then tell me about it in the comments below; I’d love to learn from you! If you’re newer to Scripture study, read the New Testament linked passages a few times through, praying as you go for the Spirit to teach you deeper things about Himself! It’s the very best adventure to embark on!

Aside from the purposeful connection to Moses and Joshua, two very significant leaders in Israel’s history, through the parting of the river’s waters, the Jordan River also played an important role in Jesus’ earthly ministry. Elijah’s ministry was ending, and his final miracle was parting the Jordan, but Jesus’ first step into ministry began as he was baptized in the same Jordan River. (Matthew 3:13-17)

Jesus even helped His followers understand the connective bridge between Elijah’s work as a prophet to point Israel to God and John the Baptist’s work as a forerunner of Christ. The last prophet before Jesus was Malachi, through whom God spoke the closing words of His prophecy, “Look, I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.” (Malachi 4:5)

This pre-Messiah forerunner would be John the Baptist! (Luke 1:11-17)

The Everyday Application

3) What hints of Jesus can we see in verses 8-14?

Before Elijah is taken up into Heaven he asks Elisha what he could do for him, to which Elisha makes the “difficult” ask for a “double portion” of the Spirit which was given by God to Elijah enabling him to prophesy. (2 Kings 2:9-10)

Fast forward to the New Testament and Jesus’ last meal with His disciples. His death was hours away and He would be leaving them soon. Jesus comforts His grieving, confused disciples by telling them 1) He would send the Comforter to be with them (the Holy Spirit, John 16:7) 2) They would do even greater works than Christ because of the Spirit in them. (John 14:12)

Elisha carried out his prophetic ministry with even more miracles than Elijah, so too, Christ-followers everywhere have access to the same Spirit through whom Jesus said we would do even more than He had!

Finally, Elijah was carried up by a whirlwind (verses 2 and 11) and Jesus was “taken up as they were watching” (Acts 1:9) into the clouds and out of sight. Elisha looked up until he couldn’t see Elijah anymore (verse 12), and then proceeded to return across the Jordan and begin his prophetic ministry.

Similarly, the disciples stood staring up into Heaven after Jesus’ had gone, but at the angels’ prodding, they returned to Jerusalem as Jesus had asked so they could await the coming Holy Spirit before beginning their ministry to launch the Church! (Acts 1:10-11)

Elijah was a foreshadowing of Jesus in many ways. His life was used as a beacon to not only point people to God who lived in his timeline, but, generations later, we too can look at Elijah’s life and see Jesus.

What do other people think when they spend time in relationship with you in your timeline? Do they see Jesus?!

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“Are you…scared?” he hesitantly queried. I think for a moment. I’ve known fear; I’ve experienced doubt; I’ve faced the threat of death. This time, though, it’s different. I feel…peace. Inexplicable peace laced with expectant joy as I consider the faithfulness of my God.

“I have faced fear and doubt often in my time walking with the Lord, but I have learned that when Yahweh says He will provide, He provides.” His eyes are on mine now, and I notice his shoulders straighten, as though my testimony bolstered him.
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Confidence Day 14 Confidence In Love: Digging Deeper

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Confidence Day 14 Confidence In Love: Digging Deeper

Debbie Collin

May 4, 2023

Alive,Equipped,Excuses,Faith,Glory,Gospel,Grace

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 "Confidence In Love"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 John 4:7-12

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What is the significance of the phrase “God is love”? (verses 7-8)

The ancient Greek language had a few words for love to differentiate between types of love: passionate love (eros), brotherly love (philia), and family love (storge). But John writes “God is love” using the Greek word, “ἀγάπη”, agape, which is a selfless, unconditional love. The Greek and Roman deities of love were not viewed this way. Aphrodite could be vain, and Venus could be unpredictable. Eros and Cupid were associated with passion and desire, which were seen as sometimes irrational. 

John uses this phrase to give us confidence in God’s character of love. It is not only selfless and unconditional, but also unchanging and steadfast. As the psalmist wrote, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)

The Everyday Application

1) What is the significance of the phrase “God is love”? (verses 7-8)

Think about the last time you heard or read about love. Maybe it was on social media, on a podcast, or in a book. I saw a movie trailer recently that told a story about a woman going on a journey to find her one true love. (I don’t have to watch the movie to know that she will find him, and they will live happily ever after!)

Our society’s view of “love” promises happiness and insta-worthy moments, but sometimes relationships fall short of the intimacy, faithfulness, and acceptance we really crave.

But, God’s selfless, unconditional, perfect love is not like human love. “Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

We can trust He will never fall short in any way.

The Original Intent

2) How has God’s love been revealed and what does this tell us about our identity? (verses 9-10)

Verse 9 is an echo of a familiar verse that the apostle John recorded in His gospel, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Let’s dig a little deeper into John’s gospel to find out more. 

John used the phrase “the disciple whom Jesus loved” to refer to himself five times. (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, and 21:20) How did John know he was loved and that Jesus was “the atoning sacrifice for our sins”? (verse 10)

A few of the miracles John witnessed and wrote about were feeding over 5,000 people with a few fish and loaves (John 6:1-14),  Jesus walking on water (John 5:15-25), Jesus healing a man born blind (John 9:1-41), and Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46).

Through these signs and many others, plus an intimate, close relationship with Jesus, John experienced divine love (agape) that gave him confidence in His identity as a beloved disciple of Christ.

The Everyday Application

2) How has God’s love been revealed and what does this tell us about our identity? (verses 9-10)

There are two things God’s revealed love tells us about our identity. Bad news first: we are sinners. All of us. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Our punishment for sin is, unfortunately, death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

But, here’s the good news: “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) GOD LOVES US! Our identity is LOVED BY GOD. “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)

I can’t write it more confidently than the author of Ephesians. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

If you have never declared Jesus as Lord, I invite you to consider how great God’s love is for you and receive His gift of eternal life of salvation.

The Original Intent

3) How does this passage deepen our understanding of the command to “love one another”?  (verses 11-12)

“If we love one another, God remains in us (μένει, “abides”) and His love is made complete in us.” (verse 12) When John writes to the early Christian community using the Greek word for abiding, he is emphasizing the presence of God among believers who loved one another. It also stresses that God’s presence wasn’t temporary, but an ongoing reality for them.  What an encouraging word for a group of people undergoing persecution and adversity!

This emphasis on loving one another would have been particularly relevant in early Christian churches that were made up of people from diverse social and economic backgrounds. The call to love one another would have been a powerful statement against the divisions of the larger society. “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

The Everyday Application

3) How does this passage deepen our understanding of the command to “love one another”?  (verses 11-12)

Let’s think about this phrase from verse 11: “If God loved us in this way”. God’s love, demonstrated by sending His son, is sacrificial, unconditional, and forgiving. John reminds us in these verses that we are compelled to love one another by God’s own example.

It’s easy, though, to read these verses and not recognize how very important they are to Christian community and fellowship. It’s much easier to love people who we feel are deserving of love. But, here’s the thing: we are not deserving of God’s love. “Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (verse 10)

Without a doubt, tangible expressions of God’s love make a difference in relationships and in the lives of others around us. We can be confident in His love for us and for others!

Here are a few starting points for practice:
1. Serve one another through love. (Galatians 5:13)
2. Bear with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)
3. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another. (Ephesians 4:32)
4. Welcome one another. (Romans 15:7)
5. Encourage one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

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We long to love, we long to be loved, and when love is lost, our hearts feel the pain deeply.

We also know what a lack of love looks like. We see it on the news every day. There is hate and division, war and oppression, selfishness and the pain it produces everywhere we dare to look. Without love, evil thrives.
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Confidence Day 1 Confidence In Testimony

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Confidence Day 1 Confidence In Testimony

Lesley Crawford

April 17, 2023

Bold,Courage,Equipped,Holy Spirit

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 John 1:1-4
1 John 5:5-13
Acts 1:4-8
1 Peter 3:13-17
Psalm 107:1-3

Each year, I’m privileged to work with a group of Christian teenagers at an event preparing them for leadership and service. One of my favourite parts of the event occurs when they are invited to share a story of God’s work in their lives.

For many, this is a daunting prospect. Some are sharing for the first time and are hesitant, others bring stories not easy to share, and some simply feel their stories are “boring” and doubt anyone will want to listen. However, without exception, each one of their stories is encouraging and faith-building. I’ve likely heard over a hundred of these testimonies, but I never fail to be interested and encouraged as I hear of God’s work in their lives.

I don’t know how you feel about sharing your story, but let me encourage you as I encourage young people each year: have confidence God will use your story. 

Whether it’s an account of faithful people who pointed you to Jesus all your life or whether yours is the tale of a more dramatic discovery of Christ later in life, if you know God, you have a story to tell and your story is powerful.

We see the power of personal testimony in the opening words of John’s letter. (1 John 1:1-4)

As a follower of Jesus during His earthly ministry, John writes from his own experiences to proclaim who Jesus is as the One who was with the Father and was then revealed. Christ is the eternal One who existed from the beginning, the One who is Life itself. 

For those who are familiar with this truth, it can be easy to overlook how momentous this claim is: the eternal One – God – can be known and has chosen to reveal Himself. Yet, John’s personal experience with Jesus offers a compelling reason to believe his words.

John is careful to emphasise he is not merely writing what he has heard second-hand about Jesus. He is sharing “what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands[.]” (1 John 1:1) John was with Jesus for three years as He travelled, healing and teaching as He went. He witnessed Jesus’ miracles and was present at His crucifixion. He writes of what he has personally seen and experienced, and, in addition to his letters, we have his Gospel – a carefully-compiled account of the life of Jesus and the signs pointing to His true identity. (see the Bible book of John)

The testimony of the other Gospels, written by other eye-witnesses, support John’s words, but in 1 John 5, he points to three other witnesses: water, blood, and the Spirit.

Water refers to Jesus’ baptism. The gospel writers tell us not only was Jesus identified by John the Baptist as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” (John 1:29) but God the Father Himself spoke, identifying Jesus as “my beloved Son[.]” (Luke 3:22) As well as revealing Jesus’ divinity, His baptism also points to His humanity. He was not baptised because of sins He had committed, but to identify with humanity.

The second witness – blood – refers to Jesus’ death on the cross while also pointing to both the divine and the human aspects of Jesus. Only as a human being could He die, but events surrounding His death show His identity as God. The temple curtain was torn in two, providing access into God’s presence (Matthew 27:50-51) and the centurion soldier at the foot of Jesus’ cross declared, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54) 

Then we come to the third witness – the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the Spirit convicts people and leads them to saving faith in Jesus. Therefore, we can take comfort as we think about sharing our testimonies of what God has done. The work of salvation is the Holy Spirit’s, and the outcome is His responsibility, but often He chooses to use us and our stories as part of that work.

Just like the first disciples, we have been commissioned as God’s witnesses to share what He has done in our lives. Also like them, we are equipped for this task by the Holy Spirit. We have God’s promise of His presence in us and His power working through us. (Acts 1:8)

So, let’s speak out and share our stories as God leads, confident in His power.

Our stories display God’s love, mercy, faithfulness and power in ways others can understand and relate with, proving God is not confined to the past, but He is real and active today. 

Storytelling brings truth to life in a memorable and accessible way which is difficult to argue against, and every story is unique. We are called to be ready, to be prepared to explain to “anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15)

The results of our sharing can be significant and bring great joy. It may even play a part in others entering into fellowship with the Father and Son, and together with us as believers. (1 John 1:3-4)

“Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.” (Psalm 107:2 NLT)

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Not only did Jesus conquer sin on the cross, but He also conquered death by rising from the dead and making a way for us to no longer be condemned to spiritual death, but to live forever with Him.
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The GT Weekend! ~ Steadfast Week 1

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The GT Weekend! ~ Steadfast Week 1

Carol Graft

April 1, 2023

Christ,Equipped,Faith,Jesus,Paul,Resurrection

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Luke 24:36-38

36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts?”
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Prayer Journal Entry

Lord, when we read about You actually appearing in the flesh to Your disciples and so many  more, over 500!, following your physical resurrection from the dead, I’m astounded with awe! It gives me pause to wonder, “How would I react?”

I’d like to think that I would not doubt or question the sight of You. For how I have longed to see You as Your first disciples did, especially on my hard days and dark seasons. One day, Lord, one day I’ll be welcomed Home because of Your resurrection! Because You conquered death, and my faith hangs on You, I will also conquer death.

Until that day, when I’ll see you face to face and worship at Your feet, give me eyes to see You moving in the midst of my every day. In my hard circumstances and my joyous ones, give me an ear to hear your words of wisdom and a heart to quickly obey.

I desire a deep, abiding relationship with You just as Your first followers had when you walked the Earth. Draw me close, Jesus, through Your Spirit! Amen.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

On Monday, Sarah pointed to the essential foundation Pauls’ words built in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 when he described “of first importance” how Christ died for our sins, was buried, and raised on the third day.

This is our foundation for both Eternal Hope of life after death as well as Living Hope in the midst of every circumstance on earth. Christ is our resurrected Savior! “…Because of His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope…” (1 Peter 1:3)

Sarah also asks questions that have been asked throughout millennia. Perhaps you’ve wrestled with God’s identity and purposes, His promises, His timing, and His presence in our lives. God’s Word reveals Him, and His Spirit teaches us to trust His faithful, steadfast character.

We can take the truth of Peter’s words from the Lord and hold fast, “The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you…” (1 Peter 5:10)

We can declare these truths over ourselves, personalizing His Word in us. His Words discipline us to keep our eyes on the prize of Jesus and the coming reward of an eternity with Him for all who trust Him as Lord and Savior.

JOURNAL TWO

Like reading the preface of a book, understanding the background of biblical characters helps us grasp the workings of God in their lives.

Lesley evidenced this as she helped us enter the life of Paul and his ministry beginnings. We seem to think Paul was the apostle of all apostles because of his numerous writings and successful church plants. We forget he began as an enemy to the church. After the dramatic meetup with God on the road to Damascus, he spent a few years studying God with new understanding and growing in his faith.

Looking back through the Scripture, the Torah, the psalms and the prophets (what we term the Old Testament), Paul grew in dependent faith on the Lord Jesus. Paul studied not with his former eyes of a Pharisee, but through the lens of his new relationship with the Christ.

Paul neither became the “super apostle” nor changed the early church overnight, and neither will we. Steadfast growth requires discipline to study God’s Word and a willingness to keep on surrendering our ways to the Lord one small step at a time. As the Lord shepherds our hearts, just as He did for Paul, we will see Him shaping us to be more like Jesus!

JOURNAL THREE

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

These comforting words were evidenced in Friday’s Journey Study depiction of Christ as the very same God who authored humanity’s redemption beginning to end. Our rebellion as human beings against the Lord God has never lacked in fervor from the Garden of Eden to the 21st century. Neither has our need for a resurrected Savior ever lessened.

Melodye unpacked the fundamentally essential component of the physical, literal resurrection of Christ’s dead body back to life from the grave. Without this piece, not one of us has any hope for life after death!

We don’t generally like to ponder the end of life. But for the person who has surrendered full control to the God of the Universe and placed their Hope on this God whose power raised Christ from the dead, death is the beginning of the consummated Hope we’ve longed for!

When you think about your death, what emotions surface? Trace the roots of those emotions to their source and be curious about what drives them. Do you find Hope or Fear? Why?

Spend time this weekend considering what you personally believe about the biblical account of Christ’s resurrection and why, or if, it matters.
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courage,Easter,faith,hope,resurrection,Truth
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Steadfast Day 3 Not In Vain

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Steadfast Day 3 Not In Vain

Lesley Crawford

March 29, 2023

Believe,Christ,Discipleship,Equipped,Freedom,Glory

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 15:8-11
Galatians 1:11-20
Acts 9:1-20
Isaiah 55:6-11

Often, progress in the Christian life can seem slow. Sometimes it can feel as if we’re pushing forward, trying to do the right thing day by day, without really getting anywhere.

It can be tempting to look at the lives of Jesus’ followers in the Bible and think the process of spiritual growth was different for them, especially when it comes to someone like Paul.

Paul has the honour of being designated an apostle. An apostle is a messenger, someone sent on a mission, commissioned to represent another. In Biblical terms, the word usually refers to Jesus’ twelve disciples who knew Him and were taught by Him personally.

Paul’s situation is slightly different, though. When Jesus was living on earth, Paul was not one of His followers. In fact, following Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Paul (or Saul, as he was also known) was one of the fiercest opponents and most relentless persecutors of those who tried to spread the Good News of Jesus. 

But everything changed when, on the way to Damascus to arrest the Christians who had travelled there, Paul encountered Jesus for himself. (Acts 9:1-20) Blinded by a dazzling light, Paul heard Jesus’ voice speaking to him personally, and he was appointed to preach about Jesus to the Gentiles.

It was such a powerful calling that Paul described himself as “one born at the wrong time.” (1 Corinthians 15:8) Although he did not know Jesus in the same way the other apostles, there was no question he had encountered Jesus in a very personal way.

Paul was clear he was called by God and “not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead[.]” (Galatians 1:1)

Despite Paul’s dishonourable past, when we consider his life after he encountered Jesus, it can be tempting to think of him as some kind of super-apostle. He spread the Gospel far and wide, establishing many churches; he wrote thirteen letters which are included in the New Testament; he saw countless lives transformed. His life seems to be full of excitement and success.

However, Paul understood his calling and his accomplishments were not because of his own worthiness. In fact, he clearly knew he was unworthy. “For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:9) He knew the credit for all he achieved must go to God. “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain[.]” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Paul’s dramatic conversion story didn’t mean every aspect of his growth in faith happened quickly. He still had a lot of learning and growing to do along the way.

After Paul’s conversion, he spent three years in Arabia. The Bible doesn’t provide details, but it is likely he spent significant time with God, studying the Old Testament Scriptures in the light of his new relationship with Jesus. 

He wrote later, “[T]he gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12) Only after this three-year period did he go to Jerusalem to meet with Peter and James and begin his ministry.

Throughout his life, Paul worked hard (1 Corinthians 15:10) and endured much hardship. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27) There were times he doubted himself and needed reassurance from others. (Galatians 2:1-2)

It was not always easy for Paul to follow Jesus, but he was clear that, just as he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus by God’s grace, it was God’s grace that also sustained him and empowered him in his work. 

May this be an encouragement to us on days when our progress seems slow. 
Just as Paul was not transformed into a super-apostle overnight, neither will we be. 
Just like Paul, we have God’s grace to help us and sustain us as we keep moving forward, and all our little baby steps forward can add up to a great distance over time.

“Your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

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Steadfast Day 4
Digging Deeper

God extended incredible grace to Paul, one of the worst sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), so that His redemptive power would be displayed, and Paul used that lavish grace to change his life around.

He became one of the most faithful Christians of all time, dedicating his life to sharing the Gospel. Paul allowed God’s grace to empower his life, ensuring that God’s grace was not given in vain.
Dig Deeper!

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