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The GT Weekend! ~ Sacrifice Week 2

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The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Have you ever felt unqualified or unworthy to do something? Monday’s Journey relays just such a time in Abraham’s life. Can you imagine entering a blood covenant with Almighty God? Abraham questioned his ability to hold up his end of the deal. But he had nothing to fear because God already knew he wouldn’t be able to. God alone walked the blood path, swearing by Himself, both parts of the covenant. How can we relate to this? Someone else also fulfilled a blood covenant on our behalf. His name? Jesus. He shed His blood on the cross at Calvary to pay our price of redemption once and for all. We can never repay either of these sacrifices, nor does God expect it of us. Read through some of the Hallel journeys. Pray about how these truths make you feel. Record your praises to the Lord for His sacrifice. Who can you tell about this sacrificial blood covenant that offers us eternity with the same God who walked the blood path of the Abrahamic Covenant? Go, share and celebrate our great God!

2) Single. For some reason this word has taken on negative connotations over the years. To be single is undesirable. To have a single job is not wise because we need a side hustle. To eat a single serving size of something is unnecessarily depriving ourselves. On and on the negativity goes, but Sarah showed us that being singly devoted in love to the Lord is desirable. To place Him first is wise and beneficial. Abraham demonstrated this kind of single devotion by his willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac, the promised child from whom nations would come. How could he do this? It flowed from the relationship he had developed with God over the years. In this relationship, God had taken first place in Abraham’s life, which made obedience a no-brainer. Journal some ways you can develop a deeper relationship with the Lord. Ask the Lord to direct you in relationship building with Him. For help training yourself in this area, check out the Training Journey Theme. Which of the areas in Training would most help you deepen your relationship with God?

3) Friday’s Journey took us to Mount Sinai where Moses first encountered I AM. Here, he received his calling to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, but Mount Sinai was also the place where, after being rescued from slavery, the Israelites rejected God and worshiped a golden calf in His place. How could they, right?! But don’t we do the same? Reflect on things you spend more time on than God. What about those things that have a more significant role in your life than God? List those idols. How can you remove those idols from your life? Reflect on how Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice to free us from our slavery to sin. Pray for the Lord to help you live focused on HIs sacrifice and its significance to your life, both temporal and eternal. Visit the Journey Theme, Kneel for a deeper dive into the type of fervent prayer necessary to live fully for the Lord.

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Hebrews 6:13-20 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself:  I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you.  And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because He has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Prayer Journal
Lord thank You for the way You love me. I frequently wonder why You love me so lavishly. I’m so unworthy of such a pure and complete love. Yet, despite my unworthiness, You still sent Jesus to make the greatest sacrifice in the name of love. This sacrifice guarantees I will spend eternity in heaven with You. Lord, I confess I don’t always live like I’m redeemed by the blood of Jesus, by Your love for me. I have idols, and I am ashamed I still choose to love them. Please empower me to tear down the high places in my heart, destroy my idols and devote myself to You and You alone. Lord, You are worthy of this! I trust You to help me remove everything that takes up space in my heart that belongs to You. I cannot wait to live solely for You Lord!

Worship Through Community

Can we pray for you? Reach Out! We’d love to pray for and with you!
Send us an email at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com

Build community, be transparent, and encourage others:
Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Wilderness Day 6 For The Long Haul

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Exodus 33:12-23
Deuteronomy 29:1-15
Matthew 26:36-44

Wilderness, Day 6

When we journey to a new place, we don’t plan on traveling for 40 years, encountering hardship after hardship.

Yet, that’s exactly what happened to the people of Israel.
God delivered them from bondage in Egypt (Exodus 13:17-22), and they began their journey to the land He’d promised.
Then they spent 40 years in the wilderness.

Their wilderness wanderings were marked with struggle and pain and sin . . . and by miracle after miracle, if only the people could recognize them.

Their first wilderness encounter with the God Who Saves is at the edge of the Red Sea. (Exodus 14:5-14) Barely out of Egypt, camped between equally insurmountable obstacles of desert and sea, Israel hears the sound of distant thunder. Turning their eyes from the pillar of cloud embodying God’s presence to the horizon, they see Pharaoh’s army swarming toward them. Panic and horror sweep through the camp, and the people swiftly turn against Moses, the man appointed by God to lead Israel.

But God.
Miracle #1- God parts the sea and holds back the waves so Israel could walk to the other side. (Exodus 14:15-22)
Miracle #1.5- As the Egyptian army attempts to cross, the sea crashes back to its original position and their pursuers drown. (Exodus 14:23-28)

Exhilarated by God’s rescue, Israel turns her face to the Promised Land. According to today’s maps, their journey should have only taken 7-10 days.

Even on this relatively short journey, resources and rations were finite and began to dwindle. When we walk in the wilderness, it’s easy to focus on what is lacking (can you relate?), and so the people turned to grumbling.

But God.
Miracle #2 – Even in the wilderness, there are oases, places of rest and refreshment. God led Israel to Marah, a place of water. Though the water was bitter, God miraculously caused it to become sweet. (Exodus 15:22-25)

Miracle #3 – After a brief stop in Marah, Israel set up camp in Elim, which held 12 springs, with the implication that one had been prepared for each of Israel’s tribes. (Exodus 15:27)

How would you have reacted to this bounty of clean, cool, fresh water after being in the wilderness for about six weeks? Sadly, the Israelites don’t see God’s leading. Instead, they focus on what they lack, even in the midst of God’s miraculous provision. They think their former life of bondage would have been better. (Exodus 16:2-3)

Before we judge too harshly, let’s realize we often do the same. When struggling through a wilderness season, it’s easy to imagine the past season as immensely better than the present . . . even if it was a season of bondage.

But God.
Miracle #4 – Though Israel quickly forgot His faithfulness, rescue, and provision, God still saw them and heard their complaints. Daily, He fed them, giving quail in the evening and manna (a wafer-like bread) in the day. (Exodus 16:4-23) Some people wanted more, deciding they didn’t trust God to provide again tomorrow, so they tried to stock up. However, manna was meant for just one day, and the extra spoiled. How often have we missed God’s perfectly timed provisions because we focus on future worry?
For God does indeed still show up, Sisters, even in our barren and desolate seasons.

Israel continues to grumble and complain, leaning on their own understanding and erecting idols (Exodus 32), yet God holds them.
God faithfully led His ungrateful, rebellious children right up to the Promised Land (Canaan), but, overwhelmed with fear of its inhabitants, they refused to enter. (Numbers 14) They chose disobedience over God’s ideas, and it cost them an entire generation.

Thus began the 40-year road trip.
And the story repeats, over and over.
God miraculously provides, protects, and empowers Israel as He leads them through the wilderness, from victory in battle to shoes and clothes that don’t wear out. (Deuteronomy 29:5) Yet, time and again, His faithfulness and provision are quickly forgotten as His people choose sin and self.

Sometimes, we may realize our own wilderness is due, at least in part, to our sin and our choice to follow our way instead of God’s. This realization is always painful. Yet God, in His faithful love, remains with us just as He was with Israel.

While we may not wander in an actual desert, wilderness seasons remain part of our lives. My prayer is to not miss God in the midst of them. And not be so stubborn (yes, even when I am feeling desolate and empty) that my attitude causes me to stay in the wilderness for what seems like a generation.

How should we respond when finding ourselves in the wilderness?

Look for God-moments in the midst of what feels like aimless wandering. He’s active, don’t miss Him!
Focus on intentionally looking for His hand, for He will keep us from falling into despair.
Lean into Scripture, for even Jesus, God Himself made manifest, relied on Scripture in His wilderness. (Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 26:36-44)
Cling to the certain knowledge that Emmanuel, our God-with-us, is present every step of our wilderness, providing for us, rescuing us, and leading us home.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Wilderness Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Wilderness!

The GT Weekend! ~ Build Week 2

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The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) In Monday’s Journey Study, we considered Nehemiah’s approach to leadership. Rather than lording it over those he led, he genuinely cared for them and sought their good. He also displayed integrity in refusing to accept special privileges. We are not all leaders who carry responsibilities like Nehemiah, but all of us have influence over others and responsibility for them in some way. Perhaps our influence colors the workplace, our church, or within our families. List the situations where you have leadership or influence and take time to consider your approach to these responsibilities, asking God to highlight any areas He would like to build up in you. As Monday’s study reminded us, “Whatever position of leadership we may occupy where God has placed us, we are His ambassadors.” Pray, asking God to help you display His care, wisdom and integrity to help you lead in a way that honours Him.

2) As he and the people worked to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, Nehemiah persevered through many challenges like mocking, threats, and accusations. In all of this, he kept his focus on God, never allowing the obstacles or opposition to distract or deter him from the task to which God had called him. What situations are you facing just now where you need to persevere? Make a list of these, being sure to include the ways you feel especially overwhelmed or challenged, and prayerfully bring these to God. Note down anything that threatens to distract you or tempts you to give up and ask specifically for God to give His courage and determination to persevere in the tasks He’s given. Are there specific Bible verses or promises of God that encourage you to keep going? Consider choosing one or two to write out and put in places where you will see them regularly as a reminder to focus on God. For example, you could stick them on your mirror or beside the sink, or you could use them as a lockscreen for your phone.

3) Nehemiah led the people in restoring the walls of Jerusalem, but they also needed spiritual restoration. Their heart’s need was to turn back to God, seek Him, and live in a way that honoured Him. In the same way, each of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and we need the restoration only accessible through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Take time to ponder this reality and to write a prayer to God as you reflect. You may want to confess specific sins He brings to mind and ask His forgiveness, or you may want to declare praise for the restoration He is bringing. Carol’s Digging Deeper Study reminded us that, as we await God’s final restoration, we can find daily restoration and renewal, as well as hope and joy, through God’s Word. How have you been encouraged by God’s Word in the book of Nehemiah over the last two weeks of this Journey Theme? Look back and note some encouragements, lessons, or things you want to remember or put into action, then place them by your bed or your phone where you will regularly be reminded!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Romans 5:1-4 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

Prayer Journal
Father, thank You for the truth of your Word. Thank You for the hope, encouragement, and renewal it brings. Please help me to be faithful in turning to You to receive restoration so I may live in a way that honours You and reflects Your character to others. Please help me to lead well in the areas where You have given me influence on others. I desire to honor You by leading with integrity, compassion, and wisdom. Reveal to me the areas of my life and leadership where You want to bring change, shaping me to better reflect You. Where there are challenges, help me to persevere. I praise You this isn’t something you call me to do in my own strength; You promise to supply all that is needed as I fix my gaze on You. Help me to hold to the promises of your Word and the truth of the Gospel so I might be sustained by You, even when difficulties arise.

Worship Through Community

Can we pray for you? Reach Out! We’d love to pray for and with you!
Send us an email at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com

Build community, be transparent, and encourage others:
Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

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Build Day 8 Building Perseverance

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Nehemiah 6:1-7:73
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Romans 5:1-5

Build, Day 8

Ice cream cone in hand, the woman walked to the nearest park bench. As she sat, her dog planted himself in front of her with a laser-sharp focus on the sweet treat.

The woman ate her ice cream at a contented pace and appeared to enjoy watching the activity around her: young families caravanning by with their bikes and strollers, other dog-walkers out for a leisurely stroll, and rambunctious squirrels playing tag amidst the trees.

Her dog, however, paid little attention to his surroundings. The occasional shifting of his ears indicated his awareness, but his focus never strayed more than a moment from the yummy goodness in his owner’s hand. She rewarded his calm patience with the last bite of the cone.

Just like that, the spell was broken. All evidence of the cone licked clean, the dog looked around him, taking in the activity and sniffing his surroundings.

The entire interaction was quite mesmerizing to observe, and served as a prime example of Nehemiah’s focus on building the wall.

Nehemiah possessed a similar focus and determination. He, too, could have become distracted by the efforts of Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and those others opposing the rebuilding of the wall. However, he kept his focus on the Lord and His glory. (Nehemiah 6:1-4)

Such focus required intentionality and a great deal of faith. His enemies sought to cause Nehemiah to give up on completing the wall. They constructed false narratives about Nehemiah planning to declare himself as king. (Nehemiah 6:5-9) If he’d attempted to clear himself of these accusations, Nehemiah’s energy and time invested in the wall would have been derailed.

When he persisted in building, the tactic changed.
False prophets began to warn Nehemiah of those coming to kill him. (Nehemiah 6:10-14) Nehemiah could have hidden in fear and declined his leadership role in order to save himself. However, much like the dog focused on the ice cream cone, Nehemiah kept his eyes and ears trained on the Lord. He listened for the Lord, did not hear the Lord confirming the warnings as true, and proceeded to lead the Israelites in rebuilding the wall.

Nehemiah showed great perseverance throughout his leadership of the rebuilding project. Successful perseverance is predicated on knowing the what and the why of a goal. Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was a large-scale what, and the why rested solely on the promises and character of the Lord. Nehemiah’s responses reflected his understanding of these concepts, and displayed a conscious choice to trust the Lord’s faithfulness.

Additionally, Nehemiah did not build the walls alone, and others followed his demonstration of the same faith-filled perseverance. Without all Israelites working together, the rebuilding would have taken longer or may never have even been completed. As the wall took shape, the team then needed to continue persisting in their faith by guarding it effectively.

The Lord’s focus and perseverance are also interwoven deeply throughout the story. He provided Nehemiah with favor, supplies, leadership grace, humility, wisdom, and courage. All of these, in turn, blessed the people whom Nehemiah led and displayed surrender to the Lord’s plan to rebuild the wall.

Evidence of the Lord’s faithfulness didn’t stop there! He prompted Nehemiah to gather the people according to genealogies. These names and numbers, listed in chapter 7, show the ongoing fulfillment of promises the Lord made to Abraham regarding his descendants being more numerous than the sand of the sea. (Genesis 22:17-18) Talk about a long-term example of perseverance!

The Lord’s perseverance and faithfulness continue to endure long past the close of Nehemiah’s story. His faithfulness is displayed today as He is near to each of us, waiting for us to lean into Him and His building plans for our lives. We are invited to persevere with Him as He builds His kingdom in and through us. While the context of our individual needs for His presence to pursue us varies, the foundation for our perseverance is the same: Jesus.

How has the Lord spoken to you in your current scenario? Are there specific verses, promises, or elements of His character you can focus on to empower your obedience?

The Lord has great rewards for our perseverance, rewards which may not be experienced for some time, or even in this lifetime. However, they are coming! (James 1:2-4) We may experience ridicule, misunderstanding, exhaustion, and many other challenges in our journeys, much like Nehemiah. For those who surrender to the Master Builder, Jesus, every trial will be accompanied with the joy of knowing obedience honors the Lord and His work carries an eternal impact.

Dear sisters, the effort and probable pain of perseverance is always worth it when Christ is the laser-focus of our life’s purpose. May we keep our gaze unswervingly on Him.
He sees it all and will reward our faith and trust in Him.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
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Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Build Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Build!

Waiting Day 8 The Anticipated Gift

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 2:21-38
Isaiah 55:8-11
Psalm 62:1-12
Psalm 25:1-22

Waiting, Day 8

Oh, the very goodness and faithfulness of the Lord!
Check in on how your heart responds to that phrase.

Celebratory? Enthused? Encouraged?
Or, perhaps, this Journey Study comes to you in a season where that sentence feels so very far from the truth. A season of waiting…maybe more accurately, painful waiting.

A season where more questions fall from your lips than victory cheers.
Where are You, Lord?
Why did You give this to me?
Why did You take this away?

Regardless of heart motives, I’m so thankful our “why” questions are embraced by God; He faithfully draws us close in our questioning. Still, nowhere in Scripture does He promise to reply in the manner we might hope.

Yet, even in this space of unknowns, we can praise the God who carries us through our uncertain seasons of waiting as He actively works to soothe our fears and cultivate our faith. His strength is endless, His power limitless, and His pen authors the best stories every single time.

Waiting is a vital part of any story.
How we choose to wait often determines the level of joy contained throughout our journey and, in many cases, it impacts the story’s end. Such was the case for Anna and Simeon, two faithful saints of the Lord who demonstrated faith-filled waiting. Though the waiting period yawned before them, they fixed their gaze on the unchanging Yahweh, Lord of All. They daily sought His presence, choosing to dwell with Him instead of the land of fear and doubt.

Anna and Simeon waited for the long-ago-promised Messiah. Finally, on a seemingly ordinary day, as they sat again in the Lord’s presence at the temple, their faith was turned into sight as they beheld the infant face of Christ Jesus. They beheld the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord God wrapped in wrinkly days-old skin.

Precisely because they had spent their waiting in worship,
they were familiar with the Spirit’s pressing.
Finally, here was the goal of their faithful waiting.

Though the whole nation of Israel had waited centuries, they missed the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise. They neither welcomed the wee Christ, nor did they worship as He performed miracles and declared Himself to be the Messiah. Israel waited, just as Simeon and Anna had, but the difference was their “how”.

Israel sought a king they could control; one who would fulfill their expectations.
The humble in heart welcomed the King they already worshipping while they waited.

Like Israel, like Simeon and Anna, we each can choose how we wait in our seasons of mystery, pain, and seeming endlessness. Will we focus our hearts more on receiving the promise or on worshipping the Promise Keeper?

Though I have much to still learn about waiting well, over many seasons of waiting, the Lord has faithfully taught my heart to worship in the waiting; He has shown me the joy to be discovered if we wait on Him.

I had been single for several years and sensed the Lord leading me to a specific man as my future husband. In a story that would take far longer than I could recount here, the Lord walked me through years of listening and obeying; these became my praise to Him. I continued praying for this man, and many fellow Christians prayed alongside me, until finally I asked the Lord for a clear answer the next time the two of us interacted. When I saw him again, I mentioned an interest in getting coffee, but he didn’t set up a date. As we turned to go, he exited through one door, and I turned towards a glass one, but realized too late that it was a pull exit instead of a push door. I walked full force into the see-through glass, but instead of feeling humiliation at my clumsiness and grief over losing this man, laughter bubbled out. After years of waiting and praying, I found myself filled with joy and laughter.

I had waited well, and the evidence was the Lord’s joy showing up against all odds. The outcome wasn’t what I had envisioned, but the Lord had given me the same gift He had given to Anna and Simeon and all who waited for the Messiah with humility, Himself.

In that specific season I had learned to know His voice better and lay my plans at His feet. I wonder how often Anna or Simeon doubted the Lord would show Himself to them as they waited, yet still, they came to Him each day at the temple, expectantly waiting with open hands to receive whatever He had for them.
These were sacrifices of praise.

I’m now married, with a little one on the way, to a man the Lord had been preparing for me all along. As I feel tiny kicks inside, I am reminded again that the Lord writes the best stories. His storyline taught my heart to trust and worship Him regardless of plot twists. He was faithful to Simeon, Anna, and even to Israel, though they rejected Him, and He continues to be faithful to all who humbly seek Him.

Delight yourself in the Promise Keeper, Sister.
Learn the rhythm of worshipping while you wait and joyfully discover His faithful goodness that will never fail!

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
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Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Waiting Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Waiting!

Ready Day 8 Living Ready

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
1 Peter 3:13-22
Ephesians 6:10-20

Ready, Day 8

I am notorious for waiting until a deadline is looming before I actively work on a project. I may ponder my approach to the work for quite some time, but I start it early.

I have always been this way: school assignments, work tasks, writing projects. I find my creative juices flow better as the deadline approaches. The upcoming finish line helps me focus and plan my time accordingly. I have found success in my methodology.

This deadline approach, however, is most definitely not for everyone! I’m sorry if reading the first few paragraphs caused you stress. Fortunately, I recognize there is value in learning to approach tasks with a more immediate timeline.

My system has worked so well for me that I’ve failed to comprehend what it would be like to be proactive from the start of a project. As if the Lord knew I could benefit from experiencing that perspective, He introduced me to my now-husband who, as you may have guessed, is the exact opposite of me. The deadline for a project is weeks away? Great, let’s start working after lunch.

We’re still navigating our unique differences in this arena, but I’m thankful I’m able to see how we balance each other out, and how I’ve grown from that. Our story also gifted me helpful insight into how I may more effectively live ready.

Living ready is a daily process, one in which initiative and deadline coexist.

Today is what I have. Because death is my ultimate deadline, I cannot live like I have countless days left. While I’m certain of my eternity in heaven with Jesus, my earthly tomorrow is not guaranteed.

I may live for several more decades with innumerable experiences
and immeasurable moments to share the love of the Lord.
Or today may be my last.

Just pondering this convicts me. How did I spend my time today? Did I live by the instruction the Lord gave me in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6, treating today as an opportunity to draw closer to the Lord and shine for Him??

Not consciously, no.

It’s evening as I write this. Had this been my last day on earth, though successful by earthly standards, I would be disappointed in how I lived it. I see room for growth in my daily connection with the Lord. His gentle conviction highlights my lack of interactions with Him throughout the day. It reminds me of Psalm 119:36 which says, “turn my heart to Your decrees”. I’m invited to “take up the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13) so I can start and finish my days stronger.

I have experienced seasons in which Christ is my first waking thought.  I’ve discovered the beauty of quickly confessing sin and watching the Lord enable me to sin less by drawing me closer to Him. Submitting and surrendering to the Lord’s plan and guidance has never failed me. It hasn’t always made life easy, but I’ve never regretted obeying His leading.

I’ve also traversed seasons where “living ready” presented challenges, such as prayer and time in the Word not coming easily. I admit I find myself in such a season now. Much change over the last year has shattered routines, including my consistent time with the Lord.

Perhaps you can relate, Sister? In the Lord’s presence, take a moment to consider your daily routine. Ask Him to show you when and how He might be drawing you closer to His heart, or nudging you to share Him with another. (1 Peter 3:15) Let’s seek the Lord for greater awareness of His Spirit moving in our lives, and a tender heart to respond in readiness.

Writing this journey reminds me of the great need to live ready: expectant to encounter the Lord, ready to share the gospel in word and deed, ready to walk out the day with the Lord for His glory.

Oh Lord, help.
I acknowledge that my heart feels dry and I am scraping the bottom of my emotional energy tank. I know You are the source of life and, apart from You, I can do nothing. Would you please draw me to You? I long to obey and meet with You.

As I put forth the effort to find You, I’m claiming the promise that You will be found by me when I search for You with all of my heart. (Jeremiah 29:13-14) Help me approach You with initiative in the morning and live my life as though evening is my deadline. Help me delight in Your presence and rest in Your arms as I move throughout the day.

More of You, Lord, more of You.
To You be the glory.
AMEN.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
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Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Ready Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Ready!

Nations Day 15 Praying For The Nations

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Revelation 7:9-17
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
Titus 2:11-3:8

Nations, Day 15

“When we meet someone from a different culture, race, or social class
who has received the same grace (of Christ), we see someone who has been through
the same life-and-death experience.

In Christ, we have both spiritually died and been raised to new life. And because of this common experience of rescue, we now share an identity marker even more indelible than the ties that bind us to our family, our race, or our culture.”
Tim Keller, Center Church: Doing Balanced Gospel Centered Ministry In Your City

I grew up in the church.
But my eyes focused on myself and how “good” I was because I was associated with the church.

Then I hated the church.
Finding hypocrisy everywhere, I spurned God and loathed the “false cover” of “church”.

Then, I became passionate about my local church.
In discovering the heart of God, I loved church, for it was His Body. Still, my eyes saw only the inside of a building.

Gradually, the Lord brought friends into my life who challenged me about my ethnocentric way of viewing life and church. I didn’t even see the peoples and nations around the globe, let alone how they were represented in my own community.

Graciously, the Lord shattered my view of church and began replacing it with His own.

The Black family down the street whose son loves to play monster trucks with my boys. The Muslim couple who walks my neighborhood streets. The Buddhist shop owner who schedules my daughter’s nail appointments. The Indian man and his family who makes the most delicious chicken pulao. They each have names, families, stories and a hole that only Christ can fill.

Sisters, the Nations are at my front door and yours.

For far too long, my response has been to focus on the work being done inside the four walls of the building I call “church”, when really, I, with you, with my Nigerian sister, with my Indian brother, with my Malay friend, are the Church.

So I urge you, please, beg the Lord to expand your view of His beautiful Church, then step up and in and love the Nations as you courageously hold out the unshakeable Hope of Jesus Christ to all people.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.” (Titus 2:11)

For three weeks, we have read the stories of women just like you who are passionate about sharing Jesus in their cultures. I plead with you now to not let these stories simply pass you by. Instead, let’s ask the Lord God to stir our hearts to pray for the Nations.

Pray for Sarah and the local churches in Nigeria.
Turn the tide of darkness back on itself, Lord God. Bring revival among the wives, daughters, and young women of Jos. Silence those who place their hope in witchcraft, using Enemy tools as an excuse to remain in darkness. (Pray 1 Peter 2:9-10 for Nigeria)

Pray for Marietta and the Black community.
Give our Black brothers and sisters endurance and boldness to keep fighting for righteousness. Lord Jesus, stir us all to deep, radical, transformative love. Remind us that none who follow You can innocently stand by as injustice continues unmitigated. (Pray Isaiah 30:18 for the oppressed)

Pray for the persecuted believers in Malaysia.
Lord Jesus, embolden the believers in Malaysia to hold fast to truth and invest deeply in relationship with their Muslim friends and neighbors. Encourage them and feed them from Your truth. Remind them they are not alone and the cost of following You is worth it! (Pray Deuteronomy 10:18-21 for Malaysia)

Pray for Lesley and the people of Scotland.
Lord God, bring boldness where fear threatens. Shine the light of Truth on these believers as they face the reality of living within a nearly “unreached people group” for the gospel. Raise up ordinary men, women, and children to speak truth in love. (Pray 2 Thessalonians 1:3-8 for Scotland)

Pray for Christine and the churches in Australia.
Being submerged in a culture that runs so counter to You, we pray Your Spirit would make every believer’s life to blaze with the brilliance of Your glory.  We ask for the believers to be bound together as they urge one another to seek out the sick and lost with love and Hope. (Pray Matthew 25:35 for Australia)

Pray for Anna and the believers in Switzerland and Sweden.
Lord Jesus, You love all people of all nations and races. Press this truth upon those who love and follow You in Sweden and Switzerland. May they view their unique place in the world as a means of sharing how You bring all of us together in Yourself. Anchor them in truth. (Pray Isaiah 42:5-7 for Switzerland and Sweden)

Pray for Laurie and the orphaned in Zambia.
Jesus, give Your wisdom to those who love You and who love the people of Zambia. Give them clarity in knowing how to communicate the full satisfaction that comes from trusting You alone. Stir hearts to embrace You as the One True God above all others. (Pray Isaiah 45:5-7 for Zambia)

Pray for Janna and church planters across North America.
Father, the work of planting your gospel seed and shepherding Your flock is long and difficult. Encourage those You have called to lead Your church in North America. Embolden them to study Your Word and train others to tenaciously hold to truth as they seek Your face. (Pray Titus 2:11-15 for North America)

Lord, may each one of us seek to know You more deeply and love Your Church more tenderly as we bring Your hope to the nations!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Nations Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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The GT Weekend! ~ Worship VIII Week 2

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The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Brianna shared an intensely profound thought on Monday that deserves slow savoring, “The intent of theology, our study of God and His nature, is to expand our heart, enlighten our minds, and grow our love and devotion toward God.” Think of all the reasons someone, maybe even you, might choose to study God. For many, myself included, it can be about appearance or self-proclaimed righteousness. There’s little else as enticing as the idea of making yourself feel good about impressing others, even more so if there’s a chance you could impress God. Others might at first begin pursuing God because others around us are doing the same, and we don’t want to stick out as awkward or shallow. Or maybe, we once loved Him passionately, but somewhere along the way, studying Him became rote, more like a checkbox than an act of adoration. Pray with me, will you Sister? Pray with me for the Spirit to convict our hearts, yours and mine, to bring about true revival so we may lay aside all that hinders our worship and grow deep in our love and devotion towards this God who loves us so magnificently!

2) It’s easy to find our hearts questioning God, isn’t it? Give yourself permission to take a few minutes and explore the corners of your heart without judgment or self-condemnation. Which scenarios in life have brought up your most intense questions or emotions towards God? What motivated your wonderings? What was the undercurrent emotion of your questions? Don’t back away from the emotion stirring in your now as you recall those events. Perhaps, as you look back, you don’t feel you’ve ever really questioned God. Did you ever feel you had the freedom to actually question Him? As Sarah shared on Wednesday about the questions she’s asked the Lord, she reminded us of an unchanging truth, the Lord never changes. He is both the center and the sustainer of all things. His magnitude is unmatchable. There is none like Him. He is not only big enough to handle our questioning, but is also kind, humble, and lowly enough to answer us with tender compassion. If His embrace is strong and sure, what questions will you bring?

3) Raise your hand if you’ve felt overwhelmed in the last 48 hours. Oh, you’re laughing? Last 24? Raising your eyebrows and smirking, I see? Fine, fine, last 10 minutes? There we go, now we all confidently assert we are on the same page of freaking out thinking of all the things. Hold your breath, I’m going to flip the coin. When were you last overwhelmed with the glory of Christ our Savior? A quiet fills the space here between us, doesn’t it? Some of you are smiling, remembering the sweet satisfaction of a holy moment in the not-so-distant past where we encountered the living God that marked you. Some eyes are glazing over as you work to control the outward eyeroll. Others are realizing it has been years since we felt our souls tremble in the presence of the Living God. Wherever you land, let this be a personal invitation to you to go farther than you are. Go deeper. Explore the God who loves intimate connection with you. Explain your doubts, your hurt, your distance, or your love for knowing Him. Lay it out, and ask for Him to make Himself known to you. Listen in, He wants to overwhelm You with the fullness of Himself!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Isaiah 42:8 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

I am the Lord. That is My name,
and I will not give My glory to another
or My praise to idols.

Prayer Journal
There is none like You, O Lord remind me today, over and over, if this life-giving refrain. There is none like You. When I look into someone else’s eyes, remind me of Your image stamped upon their hand-crafted soul and my I be in awe, there is none like You. When I connect with someone I love, let me stop to consider how much I love the sound of their voice, and remind me again with fresh wonder, there is none like You! You who gave Yourself in unthinkable sacrifice so I could hear Your voice, be known, and know You. Surely, there is none like You! As I move into next in my day whether it’s errands, or picking up children, or making a meal, or calling a friend, let worship reframe my everyday, common moments. May my heart, my face, my voice, my embrace, my eyes, all reflect the glory of the One who chose to love me and dwell within me. Oh Lord my God, there is none like You!

Worship Through Community

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Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Worship VII Day 11 Held Fast

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Timothy 1:8-14
Psalm 91
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Hebrews 6:17-20
Jude 1:24-25

Worship VII, Day 11

When asked in 2015, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” I’m certain no one answered correctly! In Kansas City, we started with a Super Bowl Championship parade; joy was in the air and life was GOOD.

A few weeks later, Covid-19 entered the US; life turned upside-down.
Stay-at-home orders were issued.
#InThisTogether began trending.

Despite the hashtag’s slogan, however, stress and uncertainty quickly gave way to anger and division on our streets over racial inequality. The deaths of Ahmaud, Breonna, and George sparked protests against racial injustice and emotions raced even higher.

Adding to the tumult, investigations continue uncovering horrific atrocities against children.

Not to mention, it’s an election year in the United States.

Yep, pretty sure NO ONE could have predicted 2020’s events.
NO ONE except God.

As unsettling as 2020 has been so far, NOTHING has surprised God.  Our family word is KAIROS, referring to how God’s timing is SO different from ours.  As finite humans with limited knowledge, we are unable to “fathom what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

To illustrate this mystery, consider a beautiful tapestry.  Merely surveying the BACK of the tapestry reveals only a tangle of thread and knots. Amidst the mess, the weaver continues the work, knowing the end result will be stunning.

GOD is a master weaver.

2020 is part of His plan.
In fact, all of history is His Story unfolding.
None of it is beyond His weaver’s fingers.
We can trust Him!

In the midst of chaos and confusion, HE remains steadfast, faithful, and GOOD.
We must cling to this truth!

Sitting in the middle of the unknown, it’s tempting to feel overwhelmed or defeated. Instead, let’s focus on truth: God is still at work.

In researching the hymn, He Will Hold Me Fast, I was blown away by God’s Almighty ability to weave the threads together.

In the early 1900s, the traveling evangelist, R.A. Torrey, was sharing the gospel. In 1902, in Australia, Robert Harkness joined his team as a pianist. Ironically, he agreed to be an accompanist at revival meetings BEFORE trusting Jesus as his personal Savior. He actually tried to mess up the music but failed. Due to the grace shown him by Torrey, he accepted Christ into his life.

The team traveled Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, India, and the British Isles while sharing Jesus. In London, they connected with the then-famous song writer, Ada Habershon, who joined their team. Ada would pen hymns lyrics while Robert expertly put them to music.

In 1906, a Canadian man spoke with Robert, expressing his fear of being unable to “hold out” in the midst of difficulty. Harkness wrote to Ada in England and requested lyrics speaking to this man’s struggle.

While Torrey preached to a crowd of 4,000 in Philadelphia, Harkness took out the slips of paper with Ada’s newly penned words for “He Will Hold Me Fast”, putting them to a melody then and there.

The music was captivating, and the song’s message stuck.
Over a hundred years later, we still sing Ada’s lyrics set to Robert’s melodies.
Incredibly, these words from 1906 intertwine perfectly with the experiences of 2020!

This is God at work, weaving a beautiful tapestry!

I got goosebumps reading testimonies of the impact Ada’s words have had over the years, even some from Kansas City.  Consider studying this history for yourself and pray God reminds you He is the same today just as He was then. (Hebrews 13:8)

Do you fear you also cannot “hold out”?

Maybe you need to be reminded we don’t need to depend on OUR strength, but in Jesus!  We can REST in Him, depending FULLY on HIS wisdom, power, joy, hope, peace, courage, and love.

Do you feel weak or weary?
Can you sense fear creeping in?
You are NOT alone.
Christ will hold you fast.

Do you question where your path will take you?
Do you question God’s love and goodness?
Do you doubt His sovereignty?
Do you wonder if He TRULY cares about you and the details of YOUR life?
You are NOT alone.
Christ will hold you fast.

Do doubt, cynicism, and anger seem to be crowding out grace and compassion?
Does showing love to others feel exhausting?
You are NOT alone.
Christ will hold you fast.

Do you feel control slipping away?
Are you longing for Jesus to come back, wondering why He hasn’t yet?
Are you worried you might lose hope before He does?
You are NOT alone.
Christ will hold you fast.

Recently, the song, Another In The Fire, reminded me again that even in the FIRE, we are not alone.  Jesus stands with us just as He did with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

God parted the Red Sea.
He provided manna in the wilderness.
He shot water from a rock.
He closed lions’ mouths.
He defeated a giant through one boy’s faith.
Time and time again throughout history, He made His presence and power known as He wove His tapestry.

Then, He came to actually DWELL among us.
Jesus left heaven and was born humbly in Bethlehem.
His presence and power were felt in fresh BIG ways.

Jesus made the lame walk, the deaf hear, the blind see, and brought the dead back to life.
Then, one day, He Himself died, paying the penalty for our sin.
Three days later, He rose again, forever conquering Death and offering eternal life and forgiveness to all who trust Him!
He can indeed hold us fast!

No thread of history can unravel God’s plan, including 2020 and the struggles in your life! We can trust JESUS remains constant, knowing He will forever hold us fast!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship VII Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Worship VII!