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Slain Day 1 This Is How We Conquer

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Slain Day 1 This Is How We Conquer

Gloria Ponman

April 13, 2025

Anchored,Equipped,Faith,Heaven,Hope,Perfect,Rescue

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 15:1-11
Philippians 1:12-14
Luke 8:19-21
James 1:22-25
Psalm 46

This Is How We Conquer
Life without Christ is no life at all. For me, He is more than a Savior; He is my heartbeat, the core of my existence. Christ has guided me, drawn me closer when I strayed, and shaped me into the woman I am today. Without Him, my story would have been tragic; with Him, it is a testimony of grace and transformation.  

This Easter, we remember those who paid the ultimate price for their faith; martyrs who chose death rather than deny the One who first loved them. (1 John 4:19) Their stories are a mirror, reflecting the cost of following Christ. For some, the price was their lives; for us, it might be daily sacrifices declaring, “Christ is worth it all!”

A Story of Martyrdom: Polycarp of Smyrna  
Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John, was a bishop of Smyrna in the 2nd century. When persecution swept through the early church, Polycarp was arrested and commanded to renounce Christ. His response has echoed through history:

“Eighty-six years I have served Him,
and He has done me no wrong.
How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”

Despite threats and torture, he stood firm, declaring Christ’s worth even in the face of death. Polycarp was burned at the stake, his faith a light in the darkness of persecution.  

His life embodies Christ’s instruction, “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” (John 15:5) 

After a lifetime of experiencing the sweetness of abiding in Christ, Polycarp knew “God is our refuge and strength, a friend who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid [.]” (Psalm 46:1-2) 

Securely rooted in Christ, Polycarp’s faith withstood intense suffering unto death. Centuries later, his testimony continues to bear fruit and glorify God. (John 15:8) Christ laid down His life for us, and Polycarp followed in His footsteps. For Polycarp, as for us, the gain of Christ far outweighed the loss of life itself.  

Renouncing the World  
While I may not face martyrdom, I have been called to make decisions testifying to the worth of Christ. As a young woman, I ended a relationship with a man who could offer me worldly comfort but demanded what I could not give, a compromise on my purity. I have had every reason to stray, especially during seasons of lack and abandonment, but Christ held me steady. Knowing who I am in Him gave me the strength to resist the allure of fleeting pleasures.  

Like Polycarp, I have also faced the fire of surrender. God called me to marry a full-time pastor, a man without a salary or material wealth. People questioned how we would survive, but I chose to trust the One who provides. Through challenges and trials, Christ has remained faithful, showing me He alone is my source.  

Daily Crucifixion  
To be crucified with Christ daily means denying oneself for His sake. (Galatians 2:20, Matthew 16:24-26) In marriage, I’ve learned to prioritize the needs of my family above my own. There were seasons when I sacrificed personal desires, like new clothes or hair treatments, to ensure my children were cared for. As a pastor’s wife, I’ve given my time, finances, and energy to people in need, trusting God would refill what I poured out.  

One of the greatest sacrifices has been learning to forgive. I naturally hold on to offenses, meditating on them until they linger in my heart. But Christ has shown me that forgiveness is not optional, but is a reflection of His grace. Letting go of hurt has been one of the hardest yet most freeing aspects of my walk with Him.  

Sacrificial Living  
The call to follow Christ is a call to give, not just when it’s convenient but especially when it costs. As a mother and a pastor’s wife, I have found joy in sacrificial living. I’ve given my time to mentor young women, lead Bible studies, and pray for others. There have been moments when I wanted to give up, to close the WhatsApp group I run for women because I wasn’t receiving the encouragement I needed. Yet God reminded me this ministry isn’t about me, it’s about Him and His Kingdom.  

“This Is How We Conquer…”  
Polycarp’s story reminds us the cost of following Christ is worth it because the gain of Christ is eternal. While we may not all be called to die for our faith, we are all called to live for it, to daily crucify our flesh and bear the marks of Christ in our lives.  

For me, this means loosening the bonds of pride, unforgiveness, and selfishness. It means trusting God to provide when resources are tight, forgiving when I am hurt, and choosing obedience when it is inconvenient.  

Christ gave all for us. How can we give Him less? This Easter, let us remember the martyrs who laid down their lives for the One who laid down His. Let us join them, not necessarily in death but in daily surrender, carrying our cross and declaring with our lives, “Christ is worth it all.” 

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Easter,eternity,hope,life,mission,purpose
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Slain, Day 2
Digging Deeper

The pruning by the Father, our Gardener, is the good work of making us spiritually beautiful, a sweet-smelling aroma that rises to God.

This becomes especially important as the trials come. As we develop into more mature believers, we grow in spiritual health that has been produced by the pruning.

That health gives way to courage that is contagious in the face of suffering.
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Run Day 12 For Life!: Digging Deeper

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Run Day 12 For Life!: Digging Deeper

Beloveth McKnight-Miles

March 18, 2025

Believe,Enough,Equipped,Holy Spirit,Humility,Identity

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 Life!"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Galatians 5:16-23

16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) How do I walk in the Spirit? (verse 16)

During the time of the Apostle Paul, Judaism had become so crammed with misinterpretations and manmade religious requirements that even Jesus Christ intentionally became a lawbreaker. (Matthew 8:2-3, Matthew 12:11-13, Mark 2:23-24, 27)

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

Instead of lives dictated by the heavy Law, believers are now freed to “walk in the Spirit” resulting in rejection of sin so “to carry out the desire of the flesh.” (verse 16)

Believers in Jesus “walk in the Spirit” when they follow the example of Christ as revealed in His Word, which requires us to be deliberate and spontaneous.

We are “deliberate” by intentionally choosing a daily regimen of prayer and study of God’s Word, which strengthens our relationship with Jesus. By deliberate intentionality in prayer and Scripture, we learn to trust Christ and become familiar with the Voice of the Spirit who leads us to surrender to Him. This leading gives us the opportunity to cultivate obedience and do as He says. (James 1:22-25)

The “spontaneous” aspect of walking in the Spirit is the fun part because it’s not a matter of human effort and calculation. It’s simply the existence of our faith exhibited by our practiced openness and willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to supernaturally move through us in everyday life. As our minds are renewed by meditating on God’s Word, the Spirit empowers us to live a life of godliness. 

Through deliberate prayer, which is relational connection to God, and intentional study of His Word, blended with willing obedience to the spontaneous prompting of the Spirit, God produces a lifestyle of walking according to the Spirit in believers’ everyday lives!

The Everyday Application

1) How do I walk in the Spirit? (verse 16)

I liken the spiritual journey of “walking in the Spirit” to shampooing a carpet. Amidst the consistent, humble, and mundane toil of sweeping and fetching and tossing water, our souls gradually become a cleaner version of themselves.

This revelation came to me on the birthday I was gifted a carpet cleaner with a built-in stain remover. Knowing any amount of dirt my two toddlers might tramp onto my lovely tan carpet would certainly show, I resolved to shampoo the carpet weekly.

With determination, I strategically attacked every inch of the carpet with my new cleaner. Alas, my hope was soon ruined with each stroke as the stubborn spots winked and toyed at me, refusing to be washed away.

Defeated, I sauntered to the bathroom to pour out the used water, chiding myself along the way for my gullibility, thinking a woman with a domestic machine could match a professional cleaning service. That’s when I noticed a steady stream of sullied water cascading from the container. With curiosity brimming, I refilled the water chamber and worked again at the stained carpets. It wasn’t until the third round of dumping dirty evidence that I could finally see a difference. 

In gazing at the finished product through spiritual eyes, I contemplated the realization that the Holy Spirit works in my life the same gradual manner with each passing day. Slowly, the Spirit transforms my sullied, sin-loving self into a woman of faith and substance, relying on Christ instead of my ability.

Each week as I shampooed the carpet, slowly drawing out stains, I was reassured of the spiritual truth that even when I couldn’t sense it, God’s Spirit was working in my life producing His character in me and shaping me ever more into the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29)

The Original Intent

2) How should I respond to personal sins and failures? (verses 19-21)

Paul prescribes in verse 16 a lifestyle of walking in the Spirit as an antidote to the human tug-of-war of the human flesh opposing the Spirit’s leadership. But let’s get something straight before we continue: No one is sinless. Even Christians sin, but Christians aren’t sinners.

We have been declared righteous when we confess our identity as sinner to Christ, and accept His righteous covering over us when we come to Him in faith. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Because of Jesus’ payment for our sin, we no longer have the condemning verdict of “guilty” hanging over us (Romans 8:1); instead, we are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17) and are being conformed to the likeness of Christ by the work of the Spirit (Romans 8:29).

Jesus taught His disciples to ask forgiveness of their sins through prayer. (Matthew 6:12, 1 John 1:8-9) A life of walking in the Spirit isn’t the product of perfection, but rather humble progression in becoming like Christ. This happens when we submit to the rule of the Spirit at work in us.

In verses 19-21, Paul’s warning of damnation concerns the blatant, willful, ongoing “practice” of “works of the flesh” resulting from habitual and unrestrained actions, not the unintentional “sin” resulting from human error and blunder.

Nevertheless, God’s love, operating through His mercy and grace, will cover all sins when we come in true humble repentance. When a Christian sins, their first response should be to run back to the Father in prayer, asking forgiveness. Scripture resoundingly declares that the Holy Spirit at work in the life of a Christian who is actively walking in the Spirit, is powerful enough to eradicate demonic addictions and enslaving sins. (Acts 3:19) As easily as God saved you, He will deliver you for God’s presence in you is stronger than anything in this world. (1 John 4:4)

The Everyday Application

2) How should I respond to personal sins and failures? (verses 19-21)

Progress in sanctification is accomplished by the Spirit’s power and believer’s willingness to submit to God’s Word, thereby renewing their mind. Before coming to Jesus and being indwelt by the Spirit of God, a person’s heart and mind thinks only of the world and fleshly ways. (Romans 8:5) Our minds must be renewed in order to become like Christ. (Romans 12:2)

It’s critical to understand that a Christian’s first response to sin is always intended to be prayer, asking forgiveness from sin and the Spirit’s help to overcome sinful patterns. God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we come to Him in faith; this is in His character and He will do no less. He meets us with “new mercies,” giving us a fresh start as He continues to teach us diligence and steadfastness, regenerating us to be like Christ. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

When we pray to Father for forgiveness and help, He responds with cleansing and deliverance. (Psalm 34:17-18) Through the power of His Holy Spirit, God our Father is committed to performing a complete work in us. (Philippians 1:6)

In the process of sanctification, we must also understand that we require supernatural, divine power to transform us. We cannot rely on our human ability. From sister to sister, I want to comfort you with three wise jewels from God’s Word as you persevere through the hard work of spiritual growth.

Cease any dwelling on past sins and embrace the promise of a new start God’s grace has given you. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Maintain focus on Jesus for when we do, His peace fills and covers us. (Romans 5:1)

Rest on God’s unchanging character. Our God is so powerful and methodical that He uses even our failures to strengthen our relationship with Him when we turn back and repent. (Romans 8:28-29)

The Original Intent

3) What must I do to produce the fruits of the Spirit in my life? (verses 22 and 23)

In the daily surrender of believers, the fruit of the Spirit will be produced naturally and effortlessly by the work of the Spirit. So Rejoice!!! The Holy Spirit is already transforming you into the likeness of Christ whether you feel it not. (Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 12:2)

Everywhere the Spirit works, He leaves evidence of fruit; usually it grows slowly over long periods of time as we consistently surrender ourselves to Him. The more familiar we are with the fruit He produces, the easier we can begin to recognize its presence. Below are some practical proofs of the subtle signs of the quiet workings of God in a surrendered life.

– Have you experienced peace and joy even during trouble?

– Has your hunger for spiritual growth increased?

– Can you detect an increased love and care for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and a desire to fellowship and worship together?

– In hindsight, can you see evidence of the Lord working in your life? 

– Have your personal goals been modified or even replaced to align more fully with God’s purposes?

– Have you gained courage to do greater things for the Lord in areas where fear once held you?

– Are you learning to better appreciate the little blessings of life and praise the Father for these mercies?

– Do you note a sense of remorse instead of apathy when you sin?

– Have you learned to forgive yourself and not gravitate to condemning thoughts of past mistakes as you cling to the promises of the gospel?

– Have you noticed an increase of patience and kindness along with other fruits described in Galatians?

– Has your clarity of Scripture become sharper as you read His Word?

Be encouraged! The Spirit is at work as we continuously surrender to His loving reign!

The Everyday Application

3) What must I do to produce the fruits of the Spirit in my life? (verses 22 and 23)

You probably already know this, but it doesn’t mean you feel it, so let me reiterate:

GOD IS WORKING IN YOU!

The Word of God is so divine that we can mine prized gems from even small passages and phrases. By the turn of the century, one such obscure phrase, “Beauty for Ashes”, taken from Isaiah 61:3 became the standard moniker donning many written expressions of art and community events that focused on hope and healing of the human soul. 

Isaiah 61:1-9 paints a beautiful picture of restoration and peace for the children of Israel. Through the prophetic words of Isaiah, God promised to exchange Israel’s sufferings (ashes) for new life (beauty).

God’s method of gracious blessing is the same today, but it is wondrously extended beyond the Jew to also the Gentile! (Romans 1:16) All who call on the Name of the Lord become His children! (Romans 8:14) In exchange for walking in the Spirit, our hearts are transformed with the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

You cannot manufacture the production of the fruit of the Spirit, so using your mind or your will to produce fruit is futile. The fruit is a by-product of a life lived in surrendered openness and obedience to the Holy Spirit.

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freedom,hope,life,Nearness
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Run, Day 12
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Eventually, I came to understand the crux of the Christian walk is simply to be deeply connected in relationship to the Lord, and we can live in Christ’s victory over sin when we walk by the Spirit of God.

Fast forward to now, and I am relieved my ability to live righteously is not ultimately dependent upon me at all.

Rather, my call is to simply walk by the Spirit, inviting Him to produce His fruit in me. (Galatians 5:16-23)
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Run Day 9 Fitted With Truth: Digging Deeper

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Run Day 9 Fitted With Truth: Digging Deeper

Marietta Taylor

March 13, 2025

Anchored,Encourage,Equipped,Hope,Ignite,Power,Purpose

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 "Fitted With Truth"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Timothy 2:5-7

5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

7 For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Is there more than one way to be saved and redeemed from sin? (verse 5)

In verse 1, Paul says it pleases God when we pray and offer thanksgiving for “all”, including kings. Then he connects “all” to something else that pleases God, for “everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (verses 3-4) What is this truth?

Verse 5 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus”. One God. One mediator. One way to redemption. One man bridging the gap between sinful man and Holy God. This truth would have been difficult for the Romans to accept.

Romans worshiped many gods, so the idea of one God was foreign, and seemed a little “less than”. In their culture, people chose to worship a god based on what they needed or wanted; whatever fit their whim of the moment, that’s the god they worshipped.

In fact, “After his assassination in 27 BCE, Julius Caesar was soon proclaimed divine and accepted among the gods of the state, officially allowing for the initiation of his worship. Later in the first century CE, this type of Emperor Cult gradually developed in the whole Roman Empire.” (workingpreacher.com) Romans also worshiped their emperor as divinity, but Paul and Timothy both knew the one God, the Triune God, Elohim. He is the only God.

The Romans also believed there were many mediators, but Paul confirmed there was only one mediator, the man Jesus. He is uniquely qualified for this role because He is fully man and fully God. (One God)

Colossians 1:19-20 says, “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.” In Jesus’ own words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

The Everyday Application

1) Is there more than one way to be saved and redeemed from sin? (verse 5)

Recently, I attended a women’s conference where the keynote speakers unpacked the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus:
“The Bread of Life” (John 6:35),
“The Light of the World” (John 8:12),
“The Door of the Sheep” (John 10:7, 9),
“The Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25),
“The Good Shepherd” (John 10:11, 14),
“The True Vine” (John 15:1, 5)
These are statements 1-5 and 7. Statement 6 is our focus in this passage.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Three separate statements intimately intertwined.

“I Am The Way” identifies Jesus as the only way to God, and only pathway for our redemption from sin. There is no detour or alternate route. Only Jesus.

“I Am The Truth” is summed up by Psalm 119:160. “The entirety of Your word is truth, each of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” (emphasis mine)

“I Am The Life” neatly ties everything together as evidenced in John 1.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:4) (emphasis mine)

I love the way Blake Long sums this up, “The only salvation you’ll get outside of Christ is a phony salvation. It’s made up. It doesn’t exist. Salvation only is through Jesus, for “there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Only the Son of God can save you. (Theology & Life) There is one path, one way to heaven, salvation and eternity with God. Nothing fancy or complicated. Just Jesus.

The Original Intent

2) How is Jesus the testimony of salvation? (verse 6)

“Biblical salvation refers to our deliverance from the consequence of sin and therefore involves the removal of sin. We are saved from both the power and penalty of sin.” (GotQuestions.org) Jesus gave His life to save us all from the consequences of sin so we could be redeemed and reconciled with God.

In the Old Testament, blood from an animal sacrifice was designated by God as part of the Mosaic Covenant. Thinking on Scripture says, “The animal sacrificial system under the Mosaic Law taught that God is holy, man is sinful, and that God was willing to judge an innocent creature as a substitute in place of the sinner. The animal that shed its blood gave up its life in place of the one who had offended God, and it was only through the shed blood that atonement was made. A life for a life.” All Jewish people were familiar with this, but what about Romans?

“To persuade the gods to favor the requests, a worshipper might make offerings of food or wine, or would carry out a ritual sacrifice of an animal before eating it.” (PBS) No atonement for sin or restoration of relationship.

When Jesus gave His blood sacrifice, His life on the cross, it was for one time, not continual like under Mosaic Law. “But this Man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:12-14)

By this one sacrifice, Jesus testified of God’s promise, “I will put my laws on their hearts and write them on their minds, and I will never again remember their sins and their lawless acts.” (Hebrews 10:16-17)

God intends for all to be saved if they are willing to believe in Jesus and His blood sacrifice offered in their place.

The Everyday Application

2) How is Jesus the testimony of salvation? (verse 6)

In court cases, witnesses provide their knowledge and testify about events that occurred. They are vetted to ensure they are reliable and truthful. Verse 6 says Jesus is “a testimony at the proper time”. God had promised a Savior.

The prophet Isaiah spoke hundreds of years before Jesus, “But He was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6) In 739-631 BC, God promised us Jesus, the ransom for all.

In God’s due time, about seven hundred years or so, God made good on His promise. Jesus went to the cross, bore our sins, lay in the tomb for three days and then resurrected Himself to conquer sin and death on our behalf.

Barclay’s Study Bible tells this story:
“There was a man who lost a son in the war. He had lived a most careless and even a godless life; but his son’s death brought him face to face with God as never before. He became a changed man. One day he was standing before the local war memorial, looking at his son’s name upon it. And very gently he said: “I guess he had to go down to lift me up.” That is what Jesus did; it cost his life and death to tell men of the love of God and to bring men home to him.”

God did not need to vet any witnesses, though many could testify to the death and the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus Himself was and is all the testimony we need. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s promise. He is the salvation.

The Original Intent

3) Why was Paul preaching salvation to Gentiles? (verse 7)

When Paul embarked on his missionary journeys, he always entered a city and began teaching in the synagogues with his Jewish brethren. Many opposed him however, while Gentiles readily received and believed his teaching about Christ and salvation. (Acts 13:48-52) Jews often incited violence against Paul. (Acts 14:19-20, Acts 17:1-9)

After many incidents such as in Acts 18:5-8, “because of continued rejection by Jews, Paul began to emphasize his ministry to the Gentiles.” (Enduring Word) Peter had been given a special commission to preach the gospel to the Jews, but God gave Paul a special call to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. (Romans 11:13)

According to ccel.org, Paul “preaches the gospel to the Gentiles, not only with pure affection, but also with an upright and fearless conscience; because he does nothing but by the command of God.”

Jesus’ command to His disciples at the end of His earthly ministry was “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Though Paul was not present when Jesus gave this command, he still adhered to it because it is God’s plan for His people, the Jews and His adopted children, the Gentiles. (Galatians 4:4-6)

Paul was doing what pleased God. He was making sure the Gentiles had an opportunity to be saved. He was making disciples, just as God had instructed him.

The Everyday Application

3) Why was Paul preaching salvation to Gentiles? (verse 7)

Theologian Albert Barnes informs, “The Jews had supposed that salvation was designed exclusively for their nation, and denied that it could be extended to others, unless they became Jews. According to them, salvation was not provided for, or offered to pagans as such, but only on condition that they became Jews.” (studylight.org) Thereby, when Paul was teaching salvation through Jesus alone, they rejected it, because it was not the way they had imagined.

How many times have we rejected a direction or answer from God because it was so far from what we had pictured or decided it should be? In the case of Paul preaching salvation to the Gentiles, I am very glad the Jews were wrong about salvation being exclusive to them! Otherwise all Gentiles, including me and probably you if you aren’t a Jew, would be lost.

The Jews of Jesus’ day missed something though. God always had “all people” in mind.

“I am the Lord. I have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will hold you by your hand. I will watch over you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, in order to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those sitting in darkness from the prison house.” (Isaiah 42:6-8)

Praise the Lord that Paul chose obedience to God over his own understanding and popular teachings as a Pharisee. Through his preaching, the gospel was spread to Gentiles. One life, fitted with truth, changed millions.

If you’ve been fitted for truth by taking on Christ’s forgiving atonement for your sin, you too are commissioned to share Jesus. Run with boldness, Sister!

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gospel,grace,hope,share,Truth
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Run, Day 8
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We no longer run in vain…
attempting to prove our own moral goodness and thereby justifying our participation in the race.

Rather, we can let the burden of striving slip from our shoulders, freed by the gospel truth of God’s mercy and forgiveness through Jesus.
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The GT Weekend! ~ Sketched XII, Week 2

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The GT Weekend! ~ Sketched XII, Week 2

Katelyn Palmer

April 27, 2024

Believe,Christ,Courage,Equipped,Faith,Grace,GT Weekend

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

This Week's Journeys

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday's DD

Pray His Words Back To Him!

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

“When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.”
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Yahweh, Thank you for the reminder of what it means to be a woman who follows You. Thank you for helping us visualize and connect with the attributes that make up a noble woman (Proverbs 31) in a way that resonates with our daily lives because of the examples of Your daughters! Open our eyes to opportunities to practice surrendering to the Spirit’s lead while He strengthens these qualities within us; put Your love on display in us, Lord!

Keep our paths straight and train our eyes to gaze on You so we don’t fall into temptation or get derailed by pride. (Proverbs 4:20-27)

Lord, when we find ourselves with questions, remind us we can bring them to You in worship. (Philippians 4:6-7) You will never abandon us, and You will provide understanding when we seek Your face. (Proverbs 2:1-10) Help our unbelief move to solid faith like the father in Mark 9:14-29.

Upon Your rebuke, soften our hearts so we don’t miss the very answers we have been seeking. And, Lord, in our times of confidence, keep us from boasting, rather, let us have mercy on those who waver and come alongside those who are stumbling just as Jesus does for us. (Jude 1:20-25)

God the Father, above all, let our hearts be fixed on You so our path may be straight according to Your will. (Proverbs 16:9) In Your Son Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

 

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

Sometimes we are the outcast looking in, and other times, whether we want to recognize it or not, we are the ones casting others out and bringing them low. It is the Lord’s heart of justice that fuels Him to come to the low, the shamed, and broken, offering to elevate them to esteem and glory in His Name and through His adoption.

One glance at His chosen twelve disciples confirms this to be true. In broadening our glance, we see the women Jesus elevated to the sought-after place of “disciple”, the children whom adults saw as a distraction from real work, but Jesus drew into His lap and lifted up before all people. Christ’s justice was to come alongside the lowly and bring them home to His heart.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:10)

Levi’s cardboard story demonstrates the justice of the Lord as He moves the lowly, repentant in heart to a place of honor beside Him. But it’s not just Levi. It’s me and my fellow believing brothers and sisters around the world who have humbled their hearts before the God of All, only to find themselves raised up to dwell with Christ!

It’s our call, as those who wear the Name of Jesus, to weave His justice into the actions and words of our everyday lives. Who is low among us? Who are the broken and outcast? Who can we elevate by bringing them to Jesus?
*Written by Rebecca Adams
JOURNAL TWO

Pride has a way of sneaking into our lives, disguised as faux-righteousness based on our works instead of Christ’s, unquestioning faith in the wrong idol, and judgement of others’ misfortune while elevating ourselves. Bri’s rendition of Judas’ last moments clearly illustrate this reality.

While we can place our faith without question or fear in Jesus, we must constantly be vigilant that we are in fact placing our faith in Jesus, rather than an illusion of Him or our interpretation of Him that isn’t supported by the whole of Scripture.

Paul warns against false teaching that feeds into what we wish to hear rather than solid truth. (2 Timothy 4:3-5) Wise warnings also come from Proverbs 4:23, “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of all life.” Our hearts determine what we value and worship. Proverbs 4:26 instructs us to “carefully consider the path for [our] feet.” We are meant to question the things of this world, checking if our perceptions align with the Truth of God’s Word.

We capture a glimpse of what this might look like through Thomas’ eyes. Throughout this Sketched study, Bri alternates between Judas’ and Thomas’ perspectives. Thomas spends his time questioning the beliefs he carried into his ministry with Jesus, analyzing how Jesus had confounded these beliefs and clarified them, bringing truth. When Jesus was crucified, Thomas was devastated, but he allows his fear of getting hurt again keep him from believing the Messiah is faithful, until he sees the Messiah resurrected! (John 20:19-29)
JOURNAL THREE

Gracefully Truthful has carefully studied and researched what it means to be a biblical woman (Journey Into She); yesterday’s Sketched Study pairs with this theme as it emphasizes the fruit of living out a biblical womanhood worldview.

Suzanna depicts the power of open arms and genuine kindness through her encounter with Mary and the other women worshiping Jesus around her. Mary didn’t speak a word, yet Suzanna felt changed by and connected to Mary through her comforting actions. Often, we try to fill the silence of someone’s suffering with words, even when there is nothing to say; we could learn to comfort more deeply!

Carol’s personification of the Church reminds us that Christ calls us to unity in the strength and security of God’s invitation for redemption made available to the hungry, weary and thirsty. As Christ’s Body, we are meant to actively look for those who are hungry for Jesus so we can extend His offer of hope!

Joanna demonstrated incredible bravery and sacrifice to serve Jesus, going against her husband, Chuza, who managed Herod’s household and would have been a strong opponent against Jesus. She risked her safety and her marriage to serve Jesus, but, of course, she would be rewarded eternally for her adoring worship.

It is a beautiful sight when women step into their divine role and gently touch the lives around them, straightening the paths of friends and strangers as God’s Spirit flows through them to build His Kingdom!
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faith,redemption,stories,trust,worship
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Wordless Day 10

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Wordless Welcome Letter & Invitation

Wordless ~ Day Ten

His Words

Lamentations 1:12
Lamentations 2:12
Lamentations 3:34-36
Lamentations 4:12
Psalm 119:89-96

Journal
Questions

1) How can I relate with this suffering?
Bring that to the Lord in prayer.

2) What truth do I need to hold onto today?
Write it on a sticky note and put it somewhere you’ll see it, or mark your skin with a note in ink!

3) Name one thing you will praise the Lord for today on repeat. Write it down and set alarms on your phone to remind you to praise Him!

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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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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!
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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)
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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
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“More is caught than taught. You can teach your kids what you know, but you reproduce what you are.”
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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
Friday
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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Oct 30 - Nov 17, 2023 - Journey Theme #124
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