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The GT Weekend! ~ Worship XII, Week 1

November 25, 2023 by Katelyn Palmer Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend! ~ Worship XII, Week 1

Katelyn Palmer

November 25, 2023

Adoration,Forgiven,Freedom,Gift,Gospel,GT Weekend,Praise,Relationship

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

This Week's Journeys

Pray His Words Back To Him!

Psalm 145:8-13

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and great in faithful love.
The Lord is good to everyone;
His compassion rests on all He has made.

All you have made will thank you, Lord;
the faithful will bless you.
They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom
and will declare Your might,
informing all people of Your mighty acts and of the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;
Your rule is for all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all His words
and gracious in all His actions.”

Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Yahweh, this season I’ve been wading through, for what seems like far too long, has wearied me to my core.

Sometimes worship feels hard.

In those difficult moments, I forget that worship doesn’t follow my feelings, but rather my feelings follow my worship of the King of my heart. As I pray to you now, I want nothing more than to melt into Your warmth and let my mind, heart, and soul be utterly consumed with loving You who perfectly loves me in this moment!

I am grateful for the beautiful examples of worship and the inspired lessons that were laid before us this week. They are a welcome and needed reminder of the joy that comes with simply praising Your name, the great I AM; Your character, Jehovah Tsidkenu; Your love, Jehovah Shalom, Your mercy, Jehovah Rapha.

I pray that in the coming weeks as we continue studying Christmas worship, Jehovah Nissi, that You will go before us, lighting our path (Psalm 119:105) and revealing to us Your perfect pathways of righteousness. As we outwardly face the next challenge, the next test, the next season, I ask for Your love to warm our souls, infusing us with the strength of the Holy Spirit, and reminding us our victory has already been won.

In Your Son’s name I pray this, Amen.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

There is something hauntingly beautiful about “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” particularly Aaron Shust’s version, which uses the original Latin. This lends a distinct note of ancient elegance and perfection, a combination reflecting our Lord.

As we study the well-known lyrics of both this song and “O Little Bethlehem,” we are reminded again of the glorious weightiness of Jesus’ birth so long ago. This time, however, pay close attention to the scenes before us. It is in the thick of the night, not the bright light of noon, that Jesus was born.

God is, and always will be, the Light Who breaks up Darkness. (John 8:12, Psalm 18:28, Revelation 21:23)

Ladies, just as Yahweh flooded the streets of Bethlehem with an everlasting light, that light now lives in each of us who call Christ our own personal Lord and Savior by casting our sin upon Him and receiving His welcoming adoption as Daughters of the Most High God!

Let that be your source of joy today.

Pull from the light of the Holy Spirit and reflect it back to God and the world around you, for He is the beautiful God who loves You enough to draw near. Jesus tore through the darkness of death not with a flaming sword or words of fire, but with the gentle, humble, pure light of a baby (Luke 2:11-14) whose birth signaled a coming Death to end all death and the conquering of sin for eternity!

JOURNAL TWO

When we allow the lyrics of “Silent Night” to settle inside our hearts, it’s like wrapping ourselves in a blanket of serenity and security, much like the swaddled baby Jesus lying in His manger. That is how God’s love feels. The heavenly peace in which baby Jesus slept is the same heavenly peace with which God blesses us when we abide in Him (abide is to “remain in;” see John 15:5).

His peace offers utter contentment regardless of our situation or surroundings. (Philippians 4:7)

His peace is rooted in confident love that overflows in such a way we can’t help but share with those around us. (Galatians 5:22-23)

His peace provides assurance of His work in us to make us whole despite our broken bodies and broken world. (1 John 4:10-13)

His peace points us toward the Eternal Hope of remaining in His presence without the pull of sin and brokenness around us. (Romans 5:1-5)

When you feel yourself growing overwhelmed or swallowed by doubt, lift your face to God and praise Him (Lamentations 3:20-23), for this is the doorway to His peace. (Philippians 4:4-9)

Choose worship. (Psalm 5:11-12)
He cares about your pain and wellbeing. (Psalm 31:7)

JOURNAL THREE

“O Holy Night” is a song of hope; even the stars are bright with hope as they point the shepherds to Jesus. Upon Jesus’ birth, souls are awakened to the hope of the Savior’s rescue. The voices of the angels inspire hope as they sing of the living Lord.

What if it isn’t the song giving us hope? If we look deeper, we realize it isn’t words on sheet music bringing us hope; it’s both what, or rather who, the song is about and what singing the song is… an act of Worship.

Godly worship turns our faces to the Lord and realigns our hearts with His. When we remind ourselves of His overwhelming love and goodness (Psalm 145:3), our entire perspective shifts.

We see that His wholeness has overcome our brokenness; His light has overcome our darkness; His eternity has swallowed our mortality, and we understand that regardless of our circumstance, God is always present and near.

When we allow His incessant presence to be our anchor, we experience hope for the future not just in this life, but for eternity.

What is your favorite way to worship Jesus? Maybe a paintbrush on canvas or wet clay between your hands? Opening your home as a welcome mat for the gospel? Allowing encouragement to be interwoven with your conversations?

No matter what form your worship takes, rest assured that our God is a creative and compassionate God whose love and hope will certainly flow through your active offering!

Tags :

Christmas,gospel,hope,light,peace

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Worship XII Day 4 Silent Night; Holy Night: Digging Deeper

November 23, 2023 by Merry Ohler Leave a Comment

Worship XII Day 4 Silent Night; Holy Night: Digging Deeper

Merry Ohler

November 23, 2023

Adoring,Brave,Covenant,Forgiven,Grace

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 12:49-53

I came to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how it consumes me until it is finished! 51 Do you think that I came here to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

52 From now on, five in one household will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.

Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) If God is loving (John 3:16), and Jesus is God (Matthew 1:23), why did Christ say He wished the world were “set ablaze”? (verse 49)

Context matters tremendously when studying Scripture! Prior to Christ’s statement in Luke 12 that He wished the world were already ablaze, He exhorted His disciples to have no fear, to be bold in acknowledging Him before men, and to recognize the brevity of life.

He told them not to be anxious about anything in their lives, neither food, nor their bodies, or their clothing. He reminded them that God cared for the ravens and provided for them, then went on to tell the disciples they should be faithful, ready servants at all times. (Go read chapter 12 in full; #HisWordsBeforeOurs)

When Peter asked if what Christ said was just for the disciples, or for the crowds (verse 41), Jesus responded with a question to illustrate the measure of a faithful servant in God’s eyes. It was on the heels of all this that Jesus issued His shocking statement and claim that He wished the world were already ablaze, and that He came to bring division, not peace.

For greater understanding, we must see that throughout the Jewish people’s history, God frequently encountered His people through fire.

Fire was present when God made the covenant with Abraham and promised his offspring the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates. (Genesis 15:12-21) When God spoke to Moses, He did so through a burning bush. (Exodus 3:2-4) He led the Israelites through the wilderness with a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21) and descended on Mount Sinai in fire (Exodus 19:16-25)

The disciples, and Jewish crowds around them, would have been familiar with encountering God through fire. Their initial understanding would not have been that Jesus desired the fiery destruction of the world, but that His words conveyed a meeting with their holy God.

The Everyday Application

1) If God is loving (John 3:16), and Jesus is God (Matthew 1:23), why did Christ say He wished the world were “set ablaze”? (verse 49)

When I read seemingly contradictory statements in Scripture, it can be tempting to turn to a different passage, or write something off as beyond my limited human understanding in order to bypass uncomfortable feelings. Sometimes, it is challenging to sit with a passage or verse for an extended period of time and wrestle through it in prayer with the Lord to seek a fuller understanding.

As I was thinking about the gentle, lullaby-like lyrics to Silent Night, this passage of Scripture returned to mind over and over. Jesus’ words in Luke 12:49-53 were spoken with the authority of the Lord of all creation.

While His birth was the next step in the fulfillment of God’s plan, His arrival was anything but quiet.

Christ came to meet with God’s created people. Where we sinned (and sin still), Christ came to make the way of reconciliation. Just as Yahweh came to meet with Moses on the mountain in a blaze, just as He led the Israelites through the wilderness in a column of fire, so came the Lord to meet with His people through Jesus.

Time after time, the one true God came to meet with His created people and make a way. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, came as a defenseless baby. A God-man, born to live, then to die, and come back to life again, so that all who repent of their sin and put their trust in Him may have eternal life, and life abundant. Praise God, Christ the Savior is born!

The Original Intent

2) If Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6) and the source of all peace (Ephesians 2:14-22), how is this consistent with His declaration that He came to bring division? (verses 51-53)

When Christ walked the earth in human form, family life was vastly different from what many of us consider normal. Multiple generations frequently lived together, and the nuclear family was not a reality. Instead of a husband and wife and their children, a family unit extended from a father and mother to their children, their children’s spouses and their children’s children.

Tradition and religion went hand in hand. The tradition and religion of the parents were carried out by everyone in their household. When Jesus spoke about the division that would occur between those who would repent of their sin and put their trust in Him, and those who would reject Christ, the relational rift He described would have been shocking.

The specific language of those in deep, close family relationship landed exactly as He intended. The division He spoke of was not something He desired to force upon people, but would instead be fulfilled by humanity’s free will: the willing choice some would make to reject salvation in Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace, as Isaiah 9:6 states. He is the source of all peace, just as Ephesians 2:14-22 indicates.

Jesus Christ knew that all mankind would not choose to accept the salvation of peace He came to give, and that there would be many who would reject Him and His offer of peace with God. He knew the present, past, and future, because Jesus is God.

He could confidently assert that He would bring division, because He knew what the future would hold as He held out forgiveness to the world (John 3:16), but only a few would choose the narrow pathway of Life (Matthew 7:14).

He knew that some people, even His own Jewish people, would choose to embrace sin and stay apart from Him, rather than repent and embrace Him and the salvation He offered as Prince of Peace.

The Everyday Application

2) If Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6) and the source of all peace (Ephesians 2:14-22), how is this consistent with His declaration that He came to bring division? (verses 51-53)

Birthed into the chaos of a world in utter darkness, Jesus brought peace because He Himself IS divine peace. He did not come to keep peace, but to provide Himself to all those who would receive Him.

When I read the account of Christ’s birth and life, the accounts of His interactions with the disciples and His interactions with people He ministered to, His gentleness can sometimes soften the reality that Jesus Christ is Reigning Lord of all creation.

The reports of His life, death, and resurrection are powerful and real, but in my humanity, I often focus on just one part of Who He is and fail to consider and meditate on the fact that “Baby Jesus” was also Lord of all creation from His birth. (Colossians 1:15-17)

Further, I am convicted there are times when I still do not live as though He is my Lord. When challenging circumstances threaten my comfort, when shocking news is delivered to those I love, or when an outcome is not what I hope for, I’m forced to examine whether my trust is shaken, or whether I have truly determined that Jesus is my Lord in all situations.

Sometimes, by the grace of God, I am rock steady and securely surrendered to His absolute Lordship of my life and of all things. Sometimes, however, my frail flesh rears its ugly head, and I rail against the things He’s permitted to touch me and those I love.

Regardless of my faithfulness, Jesus Christ is faithful, and He is Lord of all. Strengthen my faith, Lord. Thank You, Jesus!

The Original Intent

3) In what way do Christ’s words in this passage point to the good news of the Gospel and the peace made available to us through Him?

Jesus Christ was and is the long-awaited Messiah. Israel’s promised Savior fulfilled prophecies and promises handed down to the Jewish people throughout the course of their history.

The very Son of God was physically present and speaking to those around Him, describing what He knew would come to pass as Jews and Gentiles alike repented and put their trust in Him alone. Those around Him may not have understood the full implications of what He was saying in the moment, but the truth of His statements remained. The salvation He came to bring was not political or economical, as the Jewish people expected their promised Savior would bring.

Instead of leading a revolution against the enemies of the Jews, Jesus came heralding a heavenly kingdom completely different from the physical world. (Luke 17:20-21) He called people to repentance, love-in-action, and humility, not rebellion and war. (Matthew 5:3-10)

Though there would be those who would reject Him, there would also be those who accepted Christ and His gospel. While Jesus desired all to repent of their sin and come to Him (1 Timothy 2:3-4), division between those who would accept His salvation and those who would reject it was inevitable.

The Everyday Application

3) In what way do Christ’s words in this passage point to the good news of the Gospel and the peace made available to us through Him?

The outward practices of the religious leaders at the time Jesus spoke these words were not so different from the things I sometimes find myself doing today.

There is no shortage of needs and opportunities to help others, but no matter how I serve, if my motivation is “doing for doing’s sake”, or only because it’s what I think I “should” do, or for the vain purpose of others noticing what I’ve done and then think well of me, I’ve fallen into the same sinful trap as the religious leaders of Jesus’ day.

Christ didn’t come to offer us a salvation of works-righteousness or a checklist of indulgences to be paid or earned. The peace and wholeness He offers is complete in and of itself because of Who He is.

It is freely available to all who will repent of their sins and put their trust in the finished work He completed when He died the death we sinners deserve on the cross and was then raised to bodily life. Glory to God in the highest, Jesus Christ was born!

Tags :

Christmas,cross,hope,quiet,still

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Worship XII, Day 3
Journey Study

Silent Night
Holy night . . .
It was a night like no other, a holy night. God, the Father, sent His Son to this earth as a baby, to bring peace and salvation to all humankind. The Messiah was swaddled and placed in a manger, housed in a stable. (Luke 2:4-7)

Let’s just stop right there. Don’t you wish all stories were this sweet?

Anyone for warm, fuzzy slippers or a soft, comfy blanket?

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Known Day 8 Jehovah Tsidkenu

July 19, 2023 by Rebekah Hargraves Leave a Comment

Known Day 8 Jehovah Tsidkenu

Rebekah Hargraves

July 19, 2023

Covenant,Cross,Fellowship,Forgiven,Gospel

Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 3
Romans 3:10-18
Jeremiah 33:14-16
2 Corinthians 5:16-21

I often say knowing the character of God is of paramount importance to trusting God – after all, we can’t trust someone we don’t know! One of my favorite ways of getting to know God is by studying His names. Through learning about the various names of God, we are able to receive a rich glimpse into Who God is by seeing His character in action.

The name we are looking at today is particularly near and dear to my own heart.
Jehovah Tsidkenu means “The Lord Our Righteousness.”

This name is a balm to my soul when I hear it. In my teens and early 20s, I went through a multi-year-long season of legalism. If you know anything about legalism, you know it weighs us down with the burdensome belief we need to work and perform and “do” enough good, holy, and right things to earn righteousness for ourselves.

This is an exhausting, debilitating, overwhelming way to live, and it
actually does not result in righteousness.
Those trapped by legalism end up on a hamster wheel, a vicious cycle, weighing us down while never producing any good fruit.

Thanks to the good news of the gospel, we don’t need to live this way!
The Lord Himself is our Righteousness, and there is nothing at all we need to (or even can!) work towards or earn apart from Him.

When humanity’s initial righteousness was lost in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), Jehovah Tsidkenu already had a plan to restore righteousness to His children. (Genesis 3:14-16)
Our God is just that gracious!

He looked down from heaven and saw plainly there was “no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10) Yet, out of His unending love for us, God planned to send Jesus to save His people from their sins and to impute to them His own righteousness. (Jeremiah 33:14-16) In fact, early church preacher and teacher, Paul, writes in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” He is a gift to us, our cover and our Savior. Is that not incredible?

The Lord truly is our righteousness;
when we place saving faith in Christ and God the Father then looks at us,
He sees only the righteousness of His Son!
Talk about amazing grace!

Jesus, the prophesied-about King, the Son of God with no wrong, dishonesty, or unfairness in Him, chose to be treated unfairly for our sakes, so we might have His righteousness as our own, imputed to us through no work of ours, but rather through faith.
That’s a load off right there!

Having God as our Provider and Source of righteousness changes everything.
For me, I went from being a stressed-out, shame-filled, guilt-ridden shell of myself to a person experiencing freedom for the first time, at rest and with peace in my heart. I finally understood I was accepted by God, seen as righteous, and was separated from my sin as far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12-13) I didn’t need to strive anymore, pull myself up by my bootstraps, be enough on my own, or try my best. I could cease my striving, let my burden of condemnation go (Romans 8:1-2), and relish the grace of my Savior.

You might be wondering now, though, about the issue of obedience.
Where does obedience fit in?

We know we don’t need to be perfect or strive or be enough on our own because of Jehovah Tsidkenu, we know salvation is by grace through faith and righteousness is a gift.

What of Scripture’s talk of obedience?

Fundamentally, this asks how we should respond
to a God who provides our righteousness.

This, my friends, is specifically where obedience comes in.
This is a radically different question than,
“How much good must I do to be ‘good enough’ for a holy God?”

As Christ-followers of a good God who knows what is best for us,
we want to obey Him and follow His Word.
We want to live lives characterized by adherence to His ways.
The key is that our obedience now comes from a place of gratitude for what God has already done on our behalf, not an fool-hardy attempt to earn His favor or our salvation.
Our response to this good God who gave us the gift of His righteousness should be obedience to His commands from a grateful heart of delightful love.

Should we obey God? Absolutely!
But not because we are trying to earn anything.
My friends, the Lord, Jehovah Tsidkenu, is our righteousness. Period.
And praise God for this good news!

Tags :

Christ,gospel,peace,righteousness,Trinity

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Known Day 9
Digging Deeper

By His resurrection, Jesus restored the Kingdom of God to the whole world. (2 Timothy 2:8-11)

God’s promise includes all who put their hope in Him. In Christ, we become a branch of the Branch! (John 15:4-5)

He brings about a kingdom for us filled with righteousness and justice. Friend, this promise of the LORD is for you and for me! Sing with me: Hallelujah to the Righteous Branch!!

Dig Deeper!

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Authentically living out a life of worship to the God who rescued us from darkness requires accountability and intentionality. Join a GT POD and take the next step in your faith journey!

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Known Day 2 Abba: Digging Deeper

July 11, 2023 by Merry Ohler Leave a Comment

Known Day 2 Abba: Digging Deeper

Merry Ohler

July 11, 2023

Anchored,Forgiven,Freedom,Hope,Inheritance,Know

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Read His Words Before Ours!

Jeremiah 31:16-20

16 This is what the Lord says: Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for the reward for your work will come—this is the Lord’s declaration—and your children will return from the enemy’s land. 17 There is hope for your future—this is the Lord’s declaration—and your children will return to their own territory.

18 I have surely heard Ephraim moaning, “You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined like an untrained calf. 18 Take me back, so that I can return, for you, Lord, are my God. 19 After my return, I felt regret; after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.” 20 Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to me, a delightful child? Whenever I speak against him, I certainly still think about him. Therefore, my inner being yearns for him; I will truly have compassion on him. This is the Lord’s declaration.

Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Who is Ephraim and why is he grieving? (verses 18 and 20)

Ephraim was the younger of Joseph’s sons born to him in Egypt (Genesis 41:50-52) and was eventually established as the powerful Northern tribe of Israelites referred to as “Israel” or “Ephraim” while the Southern kingdom was known as “Judah”. (Genesis 48:3-23)

Although Ephraim and Manasseh were technically Jacob’s grandsons by Joseph when Jacob was near death he blessed them as his own sons, and God honored his blessing. In this prophecy, God was not referring specifically to Joseph’s son, Ephraim, but instead to the powerful Northern tribe by the same name, who had strayed from the Lord’s way and protection. This is reminiscent of how God referred to the enslaved people of Israel as His son in Exodus 4:22-23.

God instructed Moses to tell Pharaoh that Israel was His “first-born son,” and to release him in order to serve God. The name Israel was used by God to personify the Israelites who were freed from Egypt and wandered the desert. In a similar fashion, God revealed through Jeremiah that the tribe of Ephraim recognized their sin and were repentant toward the LORD, seeking His forgiveness and acceptance.

They mourned their sinful state, acknowledging the right discipline they received and recognized they were at the mercy of God. Further, God acknowledged and reiterated His steadfast love for His chosen people, even though they had sinned, and claimed them again as His own beloved children.

When read with correct historical, biblical, and cultural context, the message Jeremiah delivered in verses 16-20 about the tribe of Ephraim’s repentance and God’s response brings to mind the parable of the prodigal son Jesus told in Luke 15:11-32.

The Everyday Application

1) Who is Ephraim and why is he grieving? (verses 18 and 20)

I’ll never forget when I accidentally punched my little sister in the eye. A boy had taught me how to do a “fake punch” after church, and I was eager to show off my new skill. I never intended to harm her at all, but when I reeled back to show her my new trick, I completely misjudged the moment I needed to stop swinging to carry out the “fake” part of the punch.

The sound of my fist colliding with her face was nauseating, and trumped only by her shrill, heartbreaking wail. My regret and remorse were instantaneous. I hadn’t meant to hurt her at all, but there was nothing I could do to take back my actions; the damage was done. I felt awful, and from the way I cried, you might have thought I was the one who was punched.

My sister’s injury may have been the result of an accident, but I knew I had been playing in a careless way. The regret and remorse I felt were heavy, and I fervently wished I could take back what I had done. This is how the wayward tribe of Ephraim is described with repentant hearts, weeping and grieving over their sin.

We experience feelings of regret and remorse when we turn from our sin and turn instead toward our Heavenly Father. In His kindness, He does not place condemnation on us when we experience those convicting feelings, but instead forgives us and invites us immediately to walk rightly with Him again. (Romans 8:1-4, 1 John 1:8-10, Ephesians 1:3-10)

Scripture shows us that we all sin. (Romans 3:23-24, Romans 3:9-18, 1 John 1:5-10) No human is exempt, not even one. When we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us and bring us back into right relationship with Him through the blood of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 1:16-19, Colossians 1:13-14, Matthew 26:26-29)

The Original Intent

2) Verse 20 describes Ephraim as a precious son and delightful child while verse 19 describes the disgrace of his youth. Do these verses contradict each other?

The blessing of Ephraim as one of Jacob’s own sons transferred to the tribe that grew from his lineage; Ephraim was a child of promise. God’s choice of words in verses 19 and 20 show His love and care for the tribe of Ephraim as His own child. In all of this passage, His words about Ephraim are only ever loving, forgiving and kind.

The verses leading up to verses 19 and 20 outline the tribe of Ephraim’s own words of regret, remorse, and shame, but the Lord’s response is to remind the listener of the tribe’s special place in His heart. He even mentions that when He disciplines or speaks against them, it is for their good; His heart is still soft toward them.

The complete other-ness of God’s nature is brilliantly displayed in the truth we see revealed in this exchange: God is holy and will not tolerate sin. (Psalm 97:2-5, Leviticus 11:44-45, Isaiah 6:1-4)

God also loves. (1 John 4:16-19, Zephaniah 3:17, Ephesians 2:4-5) In His love, He disciplines His children. (Hebrews 12:3-13, Revelation 3:17-20, Job 5:17-18)

In this passage, we see Ephraim responded rightly to the conviction of sin and repented toward the LORD, and the LORD affirmed He would be true to His character. He would forgive and restore, bringing the tribe of Ephraim back into right standing with Him, proving His mercy and compassion yet again.

The Everyday Application

2) Verse 20 describes Ephraim as a precious son and delightful child while verse 19 describes the disgrace of his youth. Do these verses contradict each other?

When we read the Bible, it can be easy to get caught up in the language or immediate details and assume we understand the gist of it, while losing sight of what the text actually says. We must constantly remind ourselves that as we read, we should be asking a series of questions, like: Where does this fit into the overarching narrative of the Bible? Who is writing? Who was this person writing to? What would the original hearers or readers have plainly understood? What does this passage say about God? How does this point toward Jesus? What does it say about mankind?

During my first pass of this passage, it seemed that God was conflicted about Ephraim, describing the tribe as both an untrained calf and disgrace, while also espousing fatherly love for them. However, when I slowed down to dig in deeper, I realized my original take was way off base.

The narrative we see in this passage is instead a beautiful picture of the Lord encouraging His people. We’ve all experienced the shame, regret, and remorse that flood us when the Holy Spirit convicts us of a particularly protected, hidden sin.

Just like Ephraim, I’ve cried out to the Lord. “Abba, thank you. Your discipline led me to repentance, and I’m thankful…but also why is this still an issue with me? I just can’t seem to get _______ right. I don’t deserve your mercy or grace, but Lord, help me. I want to do what You desire.”

Just like with Ephraim, Abba’s response to His repentant child is immediately forgiving, fatherly, and true to His heart character!

The Original Intent

3) Why did the LORD use the specific language about His “inner being” yearning for Ephraim? (verse 20)

The language God used in His communication to Jeremiah reveals clear proof of God’s affection for and desire for relationship with His people. He has always loved and wanted His Creation to respond to Him rightly, and to choose Him over love of Self.

The emotions evident in His words here are compelling evidence of His father-heart, portrayed later toward His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and all those who would repent of their sin and put their trust in Him. (Matthew 3:13-17, John 3:14-21, Romans 8:12-17)

The God of the Old Testament IS the same God of the New Testament; He is unchanging. (Malachi 3:5-6, Psalm 102:23-27, Hebrews 13:5-8)

Over and over throughout history, God communicated the depths of His holy, steadfast love for His people through word pictures reminiscent of the deepest human relationships. He spoke in terms of father and child, evoking the picture of deep, protecting, and guiding love. (Jeremiah 31:20, Proverbs 3:11-12, Exodus 4:21-23)

He spoke in terms of bridegroom and bride, stirring thoughts of new love, deep affection, desire, and eagerness. (Isaiah 62:4-5, Ezekiel 16:8-14, Luke 5:33-35)

He spoke in terms of husband and wife, drawing out images of dedicated devotion, commitment, and covenant. (Isaiah 54:4-7, Hosea 2:2-7, Ephesians 5:25-33)

Throughout all of Scripture, from the first Creation-weighted words, until the final pages promising the eventual guaranteed return and revelation of the person of Jesus Christ, God consistently conveys His love for and desire for relationship with His people.

The Everyday Application

3) Why did the LORD use the specific language about His “inner being” yearning for Ephraim? (verse 20)

Relationships are often challenging to describe, mostly because there are just so many different types of relationships. We are all born into certain relationships; from our very beginning we are someone’s daughter or son, grandchild, niece or nephew, sibling, cousin, etc.

These relationships exist because of biology, or legal relationship as appointed by law. Some relationships exist due to proximity, such as neighbors or coworkers. There are also those relationships we seek out and choose. Regardless of the descriptor or title of a given relationship, the gamut of intimacy is vastly different from one relationship to the next.

We may have a dear aunt we love and care for, but we only spend six hours a year in the same amount of space. At the same time, we may have a friend we’ve only known for a few months, but we spend over 15 hours together each week, talking about faith, personal struggles and other deep topics.

Scripture leaves nothing to the imagination: God desires a deep, intimate relationship with us. He knows us, and He knows what we are like.

He knows that when we sin and repent, we may be prone to despair and grieve, but that doesn’t stop Him from immediately restoring us to walk with Him.

He loves us with a perfect, Fatherly love, and He desires people who will choose Him, and choose to be in deep relationship with Him in return!

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We are God’s chosen, treasured possession. And as His holy and beloved people, we show our love for Him by obeying Him and pursuing Him with single-minded devotion. (Deuteronomy 14:1-2)

It is comforting to have my heavenly Father ever by my side. When I feel alone, unloved, not so special, or passed over, Abba reminds me I am always loved, special, and never passed over.

Beloved ones, come to your Father who loves you to the end of time. Who meets you wherever you are, delighting in, remembering, and forgiving you.

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Worship XI Day 13 Qof & Resh

June 14, 2023 by Sara Cissell Leave a Comment

Worship XI Day 13 Qof & Resh

Sara Cissell

June 14, 2023

Deep,Enough,Forgiven,Freedom,Fruitfulness,Fullness,Holy Spirit

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119:145-160
Isaiah 43:1-4
Romans 8:28-29

“I think earth, if chosen instead of Heaven, will turn out to have been, all along, only a region in Hell; and earth, if put second to Heaven, to have been from the beginning a part of Heaven itself.” –C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce

This quote from C.S. Lewis brings to mind my last year of college. Praise God that Heaven awaits me, and my eternity will not carry the pain of that year. To this day, I reflect on the thoughts and emotions of that season, and my stomach rolls.

The vividness of my memories has not diminished, but the lens of truth through which I view them has shifted, thank the Lord!

What would a personal hell on earth look like for you?

For me, during my senior year pursuing an elementary education degree, I was told by authority figures I would never be a good teacher. Miscommunications, spiritual warfare, my lack of confidence, and personality differences all were at play. For years, I’d worked toward my degree, and as the journey neared the finish line, I received deep criticism rather than encouragement.

For a people-pleasing perfectionist with a strong desire to be part of a team, the slow and bitter rejection and injustice of my senior year created physical, mental, and social torture. I lost weight. I battled fear. I understood how the devil could make the lie of suicide solving all problems so very palatable when life clenched a stranglehold on hope. I cried myself to sleep most nights.

I was miserable.
I was also desperate for the Lord in ways I had never been before.

Many nights, as tears streamed down my face, I clutched my Bible to my chest. John 1:1 says the Word was with God and the Word was God. In those moments, I was literally holding Him close.

During that year, I was devoted to reading the Word and expecting the Lord to speak to me. Countless times, I started my Bible reading time begging for the Lord to bring His Word to life. I knew how desperately I needed His voice of authority covering me.

My heart-cry echoed the psalmist’s words:

Qof
“I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD.
I will obey your statutes.
I call to you; save me,
and I will keep your decrees.
I rise before dawn and cry out for help;
I put my hope in your word.
I am awake through each watch of the night
To meditate on your promise.
In keeping with your faithful love, hear my voice.
LORD, give me life in keeping with your justice.”
(Psalm 119:145-149)

He proved faithful. He provided His manna for the day, and I left nothing behind for the next day. (Exodus 16:31-35)

By the time I graduated and became a certified teacher, I was no longer the same person. Much healing still needed to take place, but I walked away from my college years with much more than a degree.

It has been years (*cough* decades) since that year of struggle, and in preparation for this Journey Study, I pulled out my journals from that long-ago season.

What I found made me weep and fall face down before my King.

10/22/03 “Lord, I am struggling. I feel weighed down, overwhelmed, and lost. I cannot carry this burden. I can’t. I lay my stress, concern, anger, hurt, shame, and defeat at Your feet. I want Your peace and Your joy. I need Your strength alone, Lord. My strength is so weak, unbelievably weak, and yet I still try to do it on my own. Forgive me.”

11/8/03 “God, I need You desperately. I want You to use me, grow me, keep me humble. Lord, I do not know how to deal with this year. What is its purpose, Lord? Please help me obey and remove my pride. Please, Holy Spirit, teach me. Turn this struggle into a growing and refining time.”

11/12/03 “Lord God, You are awesome. This has been the hardest week thus far of this semester. I praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and amazing grace.”

12/10/03 “Lord, increase my faith that You are in control. Turn this negative experience into a positive one. God, use this experience to make me a better teacher, person, and Christian. Thank you, Father, for the growth I have experienced this semester. I have learned how to cling to You in a new way. Glory be unto Your name!!”

As I read through countless journal entries, prayers of thankfulness filled my heart. The Lord has faithfully answered those prayers. Clinging to His Word, His promises and His precepts, have brought about good fruit in my life.

Resh
“Consider how I love Your precepts;
Lord, give me life according to Your faithful love.
The entirety of Your word is truth,
each of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”
(Psalm 119:159-160)

He used that prolonged, hard season to uproot what could not remain in my life. He provided time for my heart and mind to begin to consistently search for Him and His perspective, to bring about a humility resulting in fertile heart ground, and to teach me to trust His voice of authority over all others.

In essence, He took a year that felt like hell and planted seeds that drew me closer to Heaven.

I declare with the psalmist,
Your compassions are many, Lord;
give me life according to Your judgments.
(Psalm 119:156)

For indeed, He HAS!

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Bible,embrace,hope,love,Truth

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But God doesn’t connect to humanity because He needs something from us. He draws near out of the abundance of who HE is.

The psalmist understood something important: he had an ongoing relationship with His creator because of God’s coming near! The psalmist continually called out to God from his heart. Through the day and the night, he walked with God by obeying His word, putting hope in His word and meditating on His word.

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Worship XI Day 12 Pe & Tsade: Digging Deeper

June 13, 2023 by Mandy Farmer Leave a Comment

Worship XI Day 12 Pe & Tsade: Digging Deeper

Mandy Farmer

June 13, 2023

Adoring,Faithfulness,Forgiven,Freedom,Fruitfulness

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119:129-136

פ Pe
129 Your decrees are wondrous; therefore I obey them. 130 The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. 131 I open my mouth and pant because I long for Your commands. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your practice toward those who love Your name. 133 Make my steps steady through Your promise; don’t let any sin dominate me. 134 Redeem me from human oppression, and I will keep your precepts. 135 Make Your face shine on Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. 136 My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow Your instruction.

Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What is the overall theme of the octave “Pe”? (verses 129-136)

This passage discusses the 17^th octave under the Hebrew letter “Pe” equivalent to the letter P in English. Charles Spurgeon’s book, The Golden Alphabet, describes several qualities of God’s Word using the letter P: precious, practical, profitable, and powerful.

Scholars suggest David used this poetry to teach the alphabet to his son, Solomon, emphasizing the importance of God’s Word. David, a man after God’s own heart, turned to the Word of God for personal guidance and became more deeply steeped in the Word for himself.

Likewise, Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, learned from his father’s mistakes and sought to raise his own children in the wise ways of the Lord.

The Everyday Application

1) What is the overall theme of the octave “Pe”? (verses 129-136)

The themes in this octave strongly connect with me and my everyday life. Just before chronic illness struck, I participated in a study on Psalm 119. I had been reluctant to study or even read this chapter because of its length, but my study caused my love for the Word of the Lord to grow.

Like Spurgeon, I found it to become increasingly precious to me. It has practicality, which makes it most profitable to real life.

I am so thankful for the power that His Word gives to me daily. Will you delve into this octave with me today?

The Original Intent

2) How was God’s Word precious and practical? (verses 129, 131, 133)

David and Solomon found great delight in God’s Word, recognizing that the more they delved into it, the more precious and wonderful it became. This love for God’s Word cultivated a desire within them to please God. The Word taught them the character of God and deepened their relationship with Him.

This relationship fostered an unparalleled love that continued to grow as they knew Him more deeply. Tony Miano (Cross Encounters Ministry) explained, “Reading, meditating on, memorizing, and engaging with God’s Word can restore a Christian’s weary heart (Psalm 23:3) and refresh his troubled or distracted mind (Romans 12:1-2).” It is no surprise God’s Word is so valuable and cherished!

Likely, David was not a physically imposing figure. He achieved extraordinary feats beyond his natural capabilities by trusting in God’s guidance. In his writing, David frequently acknowledged God’s hand in directing his steps. (Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 31:14-15)

Similarly, Solomon also acknowledged God’s guidance in several Proverbs, emphasizing that while we may make plans, ultimately, the Lord determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 19:21, Proverbs 20:24)

The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, also testified to God’s role in teaching His followers how to live righteously and as He directs our paths. Isaiah’s passage concludes by affirming that when we immerse ourselves in the Word, we can trust that God will direct our steps. (Isaiah 48:17)

The Everyday Application

2) How was God’s Word precious and practical? (verses 129, 131, 133)

In another psalm, David declared, “They (God’s ordinances) are more desirable than gold- than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:10-11) Doesn’t this make your mouth water? It makes ME want the Lord like the country song says, “I like it, I love it, I want some more of it!” Verse 131 says David longed to be in the Word. He ached to get alone with God.

Soaking up God’s Word each morning has become a habit I cannot afford to break. On the few days I might not read His Word, I can feel the loss throughout the day. Finally, I stop what I am doing to read and spend time with my Lord. He brings refreshment and renewal!

His Word inspires wonder in my heart and soul, pointing me to so many amazing things about His character, His creation, and my purpose. I am speechless at how often His Spirit places just the right Scriptures in front of my eyes at just at the right time. Later, His Word comes up again with an entirely different focus. I never want to get away from the sweet goodness of His Word; it is alive and powerful!

Oh! How precious is His Word to me!
Is God’s Word precious to you? How or why?

I was taught to memorize Scripture at an early age and I’m thankful I now have His Words ready in my mind for when troubles arise. This happens often! His Word gives light to every situation.

My husband purchased a motion sensor light which he attached to my cane so that in the night when I rise, I can see where I am going. As soon as I reach out and grab my cane, the light comes on, lighting my path. God’s Word is like this if we have it memorized! When in the dark of a trial, all we need to do is reach out and His Word lights our way!

What practical things do you find in the Word of God? I’d love to hear about them!

The Original Intent

3) How is God’s Word profitable? (verse 134)

Though David benefited from Scripture’s multi-faceted teaching through his life, the greatest benefit of God’s Word to David was redemption and restoration from sin.

David failed the Lord’s righteous standard miserably in his sin with Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11-12) When the prophet Nathan confronted David with his sin through the word of the Lord, David repented in his heart, confessed his sin, and God restored him. Though David still suffered consequences of his sin, the Word of the Lord proved profitable to his restored relationship with the Righteous Lord. Following his sin and redemption, David held all the more tightly to God and His Instruction as demonstrated by his insistent, careful teaching of his son, Solomon.

Solomon also saw the benefits of knowing and following God’s Word. God blessed him beyond all men because he sought the Lord’s wisdom first. (1 Kings 3:10-14, Matthew 6:33) Sadly, in later years, his wealth and power distracted him, causing his life to fall apart as he worshipped worldly power rather than fixing his life on the ways of the Lord where true power resides.

The Scriptures do not specifically say Solomon repented, but in reading his later wisdom books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, one can surmise he likely repented. Solomon admonished, “Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty.God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, New Living Translation)

Even in our sin, God is patient and ready to forgive if we repent. (1 John 1:9) Solomon wrote, “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up.” (Proverbs 24:16) Years later, the prophet Jeremiah said, “God’s mercies are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Yes! Every morning, we can wake with a fresh start! The past is past; a new day has dawned with fresh mercies from the Lord!

The Everyday Application

3) How is God’s Word profitable? (verse 134)

God’s Word gives us knowledge of His Truth. It convicts of sin, showing us the way of salvation through Jesus, holding out the invitation over and over until we confess our sin, repent, and believe Him. His profitable Word causes us to grow and mature in the grace and knowledge of Christ, so His fruit can mark our lives.

Those who haven’t trusted Jesus and don’t follow seek Him through His Word by the power of the Spirit living within them, cannot understand these benefits. The parable of the sower and soil types in Matthew 13:1-9 explains how Truth is hidden from those who don’t believe.

In the same way, meditation and memorization of the Scripture is profitable to us. Without it, where would we be? Lost in the dark, groping around with no hope because we aren’t leaning into the Source of truth and wisdom in the very Word of the Lord!

Without immersing ourselves in God’s Word, we would have no light, no guide, and no map to point us onto the path of Life. This is why the Spirit of God within every believer, urges them to read Scripture.

I am so thankful for His graciousness towards me when He keeps picking me up, forgiving me, and encouraging me to press onward in knowing Him through His Word.

Isn’t it wonderful how we can read the Bible many times, and yet, we read it another time and a fresh light of understanding dawns?! Sometimes, a verse will jump out and I will say, “Where did that verse come from? I have never noticed it before.” Understanding just keeps coming again and again. His Word REALLY is living and active! (Hebrews 4:12)

The Original Intent

4) How is power found in God’s Word? (verses 134-135)

God tells us through the prophet Isaiah, “So my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” (Isaiah 55:11) Isaiah wrote this many years after David and Solomon, but they both knew and recognized its truth. God’s word does not return void to Him, yielding nothing; the fruitful work God intends to accomplish by His Word will be done!

God’s prophet, Samuel, anointed David as King over Israel long before it came to fruition, but this manifestation of God’s Word set David apart for a noble purpose. (1 Samuel 16:1-13) The Word consecrated David and gave him purpose and hope while he suffered trails and waited for the Lord’s perfectly timed faithfulness.

David declared it was God’s power which rescued him from the lion and the bear, and that same power would rescue him from the hand of Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:37) David leaned on the truths he had learned from these events and others as he faced his enemies with the power of the Lord and His Word.

King Solomon could have asked God for anything, but, in humility, he asked the Lord for wisdom and to act obediently according to it. This request pleased the Lord and God gave him wisdom beyond anyone in the world. (1 Kings 3:4-15)

Later in life, he wrote many Proverbs and the Book of Ecclesiastes, which are now life-giving for each of us. These words are God-breathed and strengthen His people even today.

The Everyday Application

4) How is power found in God’s Word? (verses 134-135)

Oh, yes, His Word is powerful! More powerful than a two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God is powerful even to comfort us in distress, it convicts people of sin, and I have found that quoting Scripture is the best way to send the devil packing!

Jesus used Scripture to defeat Satan’s temptations in the wilderness. He quoted Scripture every time the Devil came to Him with another temptation tactic. (Matthew 4:1-11) Satan, the Father of Lies, cannot fight against Truth; he has no rebuttal for God’s powerful Word.

God’s Word keeps me in tune and prepared to fight off evil. This is also why the apostles devoted themselves to prayer and the Word of God. (Acts 6:4) It’s the fuel behind Paul’s bold words, ”For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

The Word of God also has the power to break our hearts for the lost. I relate to the psalmist when he said, “My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow Your instruction.” (verse 137)

I wonder what would happen if we breathed in the Word. What if we lived it out and proclaimed it when we are troubled by the world? I think it would make a lasting difference! Let’s claim the power of God’s truth in His Word!

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Confession,forgiveness,love,mercy,praise,worship

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God, I feel like my heart is breaking and I am completely helpless. I can hardly bear to watch the news. How can people hurt each other so?

Can’t they see that hate only makes things worse? It seems like evil is thriving, while the Godly wilt. (Ecclesiastes 7:15) Where do I go with all the pain in my heart?

The unanswered prayers, the unhealed sickness, those grieving without comfort. (Psalm 13:1–2) God, are You still here?

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Worship XI Day 5 He, Vav, Zayin

June 2, 2023 by Amy Krigbaum Leave a Comment

Worship XI Day 5 He, Vav, Zayin

Amy Krigbaum

June 2, 2023

Adoring,Forgiven,Freedom,Identity,Worship

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119:33-56
John 8:30-38
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 37:23-34

When I read today’s portion of Psalm 119, I saw much of my life mirrored in these few verses: joy and pain, loss and rescue.

“Remember your word to your servant; You have given me hope through it.
This is my comfort in my affliction:
Your promise has given me life.”
(Psalm 119:49-50)

As Psalm 119 proclaims, through the ups and downs of my life, God has surrounded me with His faithful love and salvation. (verse 41) Like many of you, I have wrestled with obedience to God’s words, wrestled with my sin, wrestled with the truth of God’s love and the completeness of His rescue. Today, as I share some of my story, I hope God uses my experiences to encourage you in your own journey.

Growing up in a Christian home with a loving family and attending a Christian school, I heard the message of salvation through Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection early in life. I joyously received Jesus as my Savior at age 6 and began the complicated journey of following Jesus in a broken world. Soon, I found myself entangled in a faith consisting of deep truth laced with lies . . .

I was told God loved me, but only when I perfectly obeyed Him.
I was told God’s Word contained guidance and instruction for my life, but one mistake could ruin my life and relationship with God.
I was told God longed for relationship with me, but only as long as I dressed the “right” way, acted the “right” way, spoke the “right” way . . . and I quickly learned shame and condemnation were the punishment for stumbling into the “wrong” way.

So, I tried my hardest to be perfect.

I tried to behave perfectly at school and church, then let my humanity loose in the safety of my home (parents, is this familiar?). I even claimed, “I did not sin,” anxious to shift from feeling tolerated by God to embraced by Him.

For MANY years, I walked a very lonely road in my relationship with God. Truth was hard to find…because I didn’t know what truth was. (John 8:30-38) I lived with depression and anxiety, but adamantly denied both, since I believed they were sinful.

Instead of working through these struggles, I tried harder.
Harder to be happy.
Harder to make the right decisions in hopes I wasn’t ruining my life.

But all my striving just made things worse.
I believed I was saved, but my relationship with God was full of hurt and despair.
I see now, Satan was using sticky, stifling lies masquerading as truth to strangle my heart. I attributed Satan’s accusations and condemnations to God, and thus, God’s Word became twisted in my heart.

Instead of finding pleasure in the path of His commands (Psalm 119:35), I found the crushing weight of shame too heavy to neither carry nor shed.
Instead of unfurling into new life in His ways (Psalm 119:37), my spirit withered under the disapproval I imagined God radiated to me.
Eventually, exhausted and battered by years of constantly falling short and feeling alone in my struggles to master holy living, I sought biblical counseling. For the first few months, I continued to cling to the lies I’d labeled as truth, because letting go was too painful.

Until.
One day, I encountered an image of Jesus tenderly holding one of His children.

In that moment, I saw myself in Jesus’ arms.
I didn’t need to earn His love;
I didn’t need to work out my sanctification on my own.
All I needed was Jesus to open His arms and let me cry.

Even though I was a 35 year-old adult, I was also a little child who needed her Father’s tender love and I was receiving it!

For the first time in a very long time, Scriptures that had been twisted and weaponized against my spirit broke loose from the lies, and the truth of God’s Word began to saturate my heart.

“‘Comfort, comfort, my people,’
says your God [. . .]
He protects his flock like a shepherd;
He gathers his lambs in his arms
and carries them in the folds of his garment.”
(Isaiah 40:1, 11)

When I read through this passage in Psalm 119, I go back to that day when God reached down and I took His hand. I can see He wanted to give me His truth and set me free!

He (verses 33-40) and Vav (verses 41-48) speak of being in His law and His commands. Today, rather than feeling cold hardness behind His commands, I delight in His presence and walk in freedom because His law is LOVE.

“A person’s steps are established by the LORD,
And he takes pleasure in his way.
Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed,
Because the LORD supports him with his hand.”
(Psalm 37:23-24)

Zayin (verses. 49-56) speaks of the hope we have in God. Though I had lost my hope for many years, today, my hope in Christ rings with the joy of His salvation!

Tags :

forgiven,freedom,Happy,perfect,Sin,worship

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Dig deeply into His word. If you are not actively studying the Bible, do so on your own or with a group of believers.

Pray. Study. His word is life-giving, life-changing, and God-breathed.

Dig Deeper!

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Mission Day 10 The Light Of Mission: Digging Deeper

May 19, 2023 by Debbie Collin Leave a Comment

Mission Day 10 The Light Of Mission: Digging Deeper

Debbie Collin

May 19, 2023

Family,Forgiven,Fruitfulness,Gospel,Heaven

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

14 For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.

Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Paul writes, “the love of Christ compels us”. How does this kind of motivation differ from others? (verse 14)

One way to dig deeper into an author’s meaning is to study what their writings in other biblical books. Let’s look at other letters from Paul!

In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, “I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” (Romans 10:2) Paul was referring to the Jews who passionately, but tragically, followed their traditions without a true understanding of God. Their “devotion” for God led them to violence and hate even to the point of persecuting Christians in the early church.

How can Paul testify about this? He had first-hand experience as a persecutor! “For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it.I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.” (Galatians 1:13-14)

But, in this passage, Paul says “the love of Christ compels us”. The Greek here could mean two different things (and perhaps both!). It could mean Christ’s love shown on the cross for us (Romans 5:8) and/or it could mean our love for Christ. Either way, Paul uses this to describe how our motivation changes when we become a “new creation” in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The Everyday Application

1) Paul writes, “the love of Christ compels us”. How does this kind of motivation differ from others? (verse 14)

Think about the last time you bought someone a gift. If it was for a coworker, you might have felt an obligation to contribute to a group gift. If it was for a loved one in your life, you may have spent weeks determining the perfect gift.

Which scenario do you enjoy more? Obligation or love?

Most of us would probably say we want to love Christ (Matthew 22:36-40), but how many of us would say we are compelled by love like Paul’s passion represents? If we are really honest with ourselves, our answer might be that we want to love Christ like Paul’s example, but, there’s a going on for us.

Maybe you feel as if you don’t have enough time or energy to get involved with one more thing. Extravagant love feels too heavy. Let’s keep digging!

The Original Intent

2) What does it mean to no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ? (verse 15)

Paul wrote in the letter to the Galatians describing how his old self had died and a new creation was birthed by the Spirit of God, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Again, he reiterates this same reality he had experienced when teaching and encouraging the Colossian believers, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:3-4)

Paul’s words describe the transformation made evident in genuine Christ-follower’s lives as they are marked by the very presence of Christ.

How is this radical transformation made known to others? Love.

Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

The Everyday Application

2) What does it mean to no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ? (verse 15)

Let’s take a moment to adjust our mindset. Often, when we approach anything connected to the Christian life or ministry, we view it as an item on a “to do” list. The “list” of performances seem to get longer when adding in prayer time, worship, Bible study, or fasting!

Living for Christ, according to the Bible, is not behavioral modification, rather, it is an identity. As we live a life that honors Christ, His love will be reflected to the world around us because of His own Spirit at work in us! (Matthew 5:16) Developing our identity in Christ takes time, but it’s worth it! The first step is to pray and ask God’s help and wisdom! (James 1:5) Bring to the Lord an honest, humble heart that asks how we can best reflect Christ as we live out our roles as women.

Whether you are mom, sister, daughter, wife, friend, co-worker or something else, you were made to reflect the kind of love Jesus evidenced when He sacrificed Himself on the cross for us to pay the penalty for sin we never could. As we seek to love like Jesus with humble hearts, the Holy Spirit will guide us to see Jesus more clearly through Scripture and experience Him more deeply as we study His Word with other believers and worship Him together.

The Original Intent

3) How does this passage deepen our understanding of a right motivation to share the gospel? (verses 14-15)

Paul reminds us in this passage that the love of Christ, shown through His death and resurrection as He paid the death penalty for us, is the key to His mission. “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

It is Christ’s sacrificial example that motivated Paul to offer his own life as a sacrifice for the gospel. Paul wrote, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us,made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.” (Ephesians 2:4-5) God’s great love brought Paul from death to life, and His love is still holding out that same offer to each of us.

Paul suffered beatings, imprisonment, hunger, and danger for the gospel; for the love of Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 11:16-27) He did this so others would “comprehend… what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love” and find salvation in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 3:18)

Jesus’ love on display fueled Paul; what fuels you?

The Everyday Application

3) How does this passage deepen our understanding of a right motivation to share the gospel? (verses 14-15)

In verse 14, Paul writes, “the love of Christ compels us”. Let’s pause for a moment and consider the depth of this kind of love. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) That’s amazing love! We live in a world that is starving and desperate for love and forgiveness like only Jesus offers. When we surrender to His Spirit, His own love is made manifest in us!

How has the love of Christ made a difference in your life? Pray and give thanks! Ask Him how you can use your story to encourage someone in your life.

“Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” (Ephesians 6:19)

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eternal life,gospel,hope,teach

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When we consider His example of mission, it is striking that He genuinely cared about others. He was never motivated by a desire to prove Himself. He had real compassion for those who were struggling and lost. (Matthew 9:36)

As we look to Him, we can embrace His compassion for us, which allows His compassion for others to flow through us, reaching the point where, as early preacher and teacher Paul puts it, “the love of Christ compels us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)

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Confidence Day 15 Confidence In Identity: Digging Deeper

May 5, 2023 by Melodye Reeves Leave a Comment

Confidence Day 15 Confidence In Identity: Digging Deeper

Melodye Reeves

May 5, 2023

Believe,Beloved,Confession,Faith,Family,Fellowship,Forgiven,Freedom

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 John 5:18-21

18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin, but the one who is born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true one. We are in the true one—that is, in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Does verse 18 teach that believers no longer sin nor are tempted?

Using the current vernacular within religious circles, a ‘believer’ is someone who has become convinced of Jesus’ testimony and deity. 1) They have believed what Jesus said about Himself and 2) they have received forgiveness for their sins through His death and resurrection. (John 1:11-13) “Everyone who has been born of God“ refers to believers.

The previous verses give us context that John is writing this letter for believers. [Sidenote: The sentence structure of verse 18 is debated. Some translators believe “the one” in the middle of the verse refers to Jesus; see verse 20. The ambiguous wording in the original Greek doesn’t change John’s point.]

John is writing to remind and assure the believer about the eternal salvation that comes with personally knowing Jesus. (1 John 4:13-17) In identifying with Christ, a person becomes motivated to submit to the Father just as He did. (Philippians 2:5-13)

John is not saying that a believer becomes sinless or perfect, and he is aware that questions may arise about sin in the life of a believer. He addresses these by stating that sin will be part of our lives until we are completely remade. (1 John 1:8-2:6 1 John 5:16-17) Although sin remains part of the human condition, even for true believers, there will be an aversion to sin when Christ comes into our lives. At the moment of reconciliation to God, God’s Spirit moves in and begins to fill places that were previously occupied with sinful motives.

We could say it this way: Our salvation is currently in the works. (Philippians 1:6) John’s emphasis was not on the sins we are sure to commit, but on the Christ whose power helps us say ‘no’ to sin. (1 John 4:4, Colossians 3:1-3) The gift of eternal life is not dependent on our perfection. (John 10:28)

The Everyday Application

1) Does verse 18 teach that believers no longer sin nor are tempted?

The apostle Paul has a testimony for us: “The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature [flesh].

I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it … I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power [law] within me that is at war with my mind.

This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me?!” (Romans 7:14-24, NLT)

Oh Sister, do I know this struggle! Don’t you? But thanks be to God, we are NOT left in this condition! (Romans 7:25) The process of sanctification (less sin rule, more Spirit reign) occurs as we walk with Jesus through the knowledge of His word and through prayer.

Submission to the Father’s will begins to feel more like home than sin does. The habitual practice of sin will noticeably diminish as we identify ourselves with Christ. It is in this process we find comfort and assurance. (1 John 3:24, Galatians 5:16-26)

The Original Intent

2) Do all believers live always and only for God while the whole world lives always and only for the evil one [Satan]? (verse 19)

The answer to this question is a complicated Yes. Since humans should be slow to use terms with a high degree of certitude, words such as ‘always and only’ are largely reserved for God. The reality, though, is nothing can keep a true believer away from spending eternity with God. We are sealed in Him forever. (Ephesians 1:11-14)

A believer’s new identity is established through Christ’s righteousness, not our own goodness. We are finally and ultimately covered by His blood which secures our destiny. (1 John 1:7) Yet with this being our sure future, we will struggle in our humanity until our earthly life is finished. Paul knew this struggle with sin all too well. (Romans 7:14-25)

So even though we are “for God” it’s a complicated yes. The world, on the other hand, is ruled by Satan. In the New Testament, “world” most often refers to the humans who inhabit the earth and live apart from God’s purposes. (Greek kósmos; preceptaustin.org) Knowing the world refers to a world system ruled by Satan, believers recognize we are not obligated to live the world’s way.

As we are being transformed into Christlikeness (taking on His identity), our worldly affections lessen. After someone is saved, sin shifts from affecting their eternity with God to bringing awareness of their humanity and dependence on Him for spiritual growth. God deals with our sin differently once we have repented and trusted in Christ’s finished work. (John 17:1-4)

Though holiness is the aim of the believer, we will still sin. Falling short of God’s standard turns our gaze to the mercy of God. Though none deserve to be identified with Christ, we are “of God” because He is gracious and good. (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

The Everyday Application

2) Do all believers live always and only for God while the whole world lives always and only for the evil one [Satan]? (verse 19)

It’s hard to deny the reality of John’s teaching in this letter. (1 John) Whether we want to think about it or not, the people we pass everyday are either of God or of the evil one. (verse 19) The great news is that it is not up to us to be good enough to receive the grace of God and enter into His forever kingdom. God has given us eternal life through Jesus, His Son. (1 John 5:1)

It is HIS goodness that brings us into a forever relationship with our Father God. John wasn’t attempting to confuse the readers. He wanted to assure them! Dear Sister, are you experiencing doubt because you struggle with God’s plan for your life? Do you read and study His word only to be more confused and discouraged?

I want you to hear this word from John: You can know you are of God and in Christ Jesus as you depend on the Spirit of God to provide peace. The new nature we have compels us to live in righteousness. We may stumble into sin at times, but we won’t stay there because we can’t survive there. The enemy of our souls, the evil one, wants nothing more than to keep you weighed down with guilt and shame over your sin. He does not want us to regularly practice what John says in 1 John 1:9. I encourage you to do it anyway! The sooner we come to God with our sin, the sooner we gain relief.

His mercy drenches us with peace. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit access to every area of our lives. When we see evidences of Jesus, we are reminded that we live in a different world now.

The Original Intent

3) If we know “we are in the true One”, what is the basis for such confidence? (verse 20)

If someone were to read the five chapters in 1 John in segments rather than as a whole, the topic of obedience would possibly stand out. The subject is woven throughout the paragraphs of the letter. However, reading the entire book at one time (as if you were reading a letter) reveals something about John’s purpose.

Obedience is evidence of salvation, but the motivation for obedience is even more important to consider. John wanted the reader to have assurance of their relationship with God based on their continual practice of abiding in Him. So much so, he uses a form of the word “know” approximately 40 times. There was something going on behind the scenes in the lives of these believers that caused John to write to them and urge them to remain confident. (1 John 2:24-26, 1 John 3:5-7)

If anyone can inspire confidence about Jesus, it’s John. He had seen and heard and touched Him! (1 John 1:1-4) His joy would be complete if they too recognized Jesus and were walking in fellowship with Him. The basis for his confidence was everything he had witnessed up-close and personal with Jesus. Consider Luke 5:1-11, Luke 8:40-56, Luke 9:28-36, John 20:1-9 and last but definitely not least Luke 24:36-40.

John had come to know something: Jesus was the “True One” and His real life was the reason John wrote with certainty. A forever truth is that eternal life is promised to everyone who believes in the Son of God. Remaining in the love of God results in genuine obedience and even more so, deep assurance.

The Everyday Application

3) If we know “we are in the true One”, what is the basis for such confidence? (verse 20)

Satan knows enough to know that when we confess our sin, God will forgive us. The lie of the evil one has never changed, “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1) I want you to KNOW, Friend, He will forgive those who come to Him.

Tim Keller said God has obligated Himself to forgive us if we ask. He would be acting unjustly if He didn’t. “We do not have to make ourselves suffer in order to merit forgiveness. We simply receive the forgiveness earned by Christ. 1 John 1:9 says God forgives us because He is ‘just.’ This is a remarkable statement! It would be unjust of God to ever deny us forgiveness, because Jesus earned our acceptance! In religion we earn forgiveness with our repentance, but in the gospel we just receive it.” (All Life is Repentance, Tim Keller)

When we are in “the True One” we have confidence that God will not hold our sin against us. We are confident because our identity is now in Christ. Author Paul David Tripp encourages believers to “stop looking at yourself in carnival mirrors.” A carnival mirror distorts who we really are. It can be funny except when it isn’t!

Our image is misleading when we see only our sin, or ourselves from a worldly view, or if the devil is whispering other lies in our ears. Sister, beloved in Christ, we are not “beloved” because of who we are or what we do. Even our obedience falls short of His glory. (Titus 3:4-7)

We are “beloved” because we are in Christ. That’s it. That is why, with all confidence, we can declare to our doubt and fear, “You are Lies!” We know the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so we may know the True One.

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assurance,believer,Belong,family,forgiven,hope,salvation

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Are you sure? I admit I’ve asked this question more times than is necessary.

There’s something about someone’s certainty that elicits doubt in me. (And I realize where that comes from! Hint: Genesis 3:1) But the apostle John had come to confidently know what he knew about Jesus, and he wrote a message of assurance to his friends.

Due to my skeptical lens, I missed the beauty of his epistle when I first read it years ago. The word “if” – appearing more than 20 times in the CSB translation – led me to a misunderstanding of John’s intent. Maybe it’s just me, but that’s not usually a word of certainty in my conversations. It’s a conditional word. Oh friend, I’m so thankful John had something else in mind!

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