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gentle

Known Day 3 Christos

July 12, 2023 by Katelyn Palmer Leave a Comment

Known Day 3 Christos

Katelyn Palmer

July 12, 2023

Alive,Fullness,gentle,God,Identity,Jesus

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 10:11-18
Revelation 19:11-16
Hebrews 1:1-14

Titles are telling.
Sr. Jr. Sir. Madam. PHD. Mrs. Master. Dr. CEO.
A few simple letters before a name can tell us who is in charge, a person’s qualifications, their relationship status, or their generational rank.

Your name and title matter. When someone misspells or mispronounces your name, a little flag goes up inside, waving around saying, “Hey! You don’t know me.”

More than a few letters, God’s titles and names preserved in Scripture reveal much about His character, His heart, His purposes, and His person.

To skip His name, is to miss out on truly knowing Him.

Christos is Greek for “anointed” and is the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew word Mashiach, meaning Messiah. It is also the origin of the English word Christ, which identifies Jesus as the one sent from God to be King and Savior. 

From the beginning of Creation in the Old Testament to the glorious return of the Lord Jesus in Revelation, God consistently points us to the Sovereign Savior who would come to earth as the wholly divine, wholly human, Jesus Christ.
Here is God as Christos in action!

Genesis 3:15 is the first foretelling of an Anointed Messiah.
“I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your (Satan) head, and you will strike His heel.”
The Christos.
The Mashiach.
He would conquer sin and death by killing it once and for all.

Psalm 22:16-18 and Isaiah 53:5-6 each prophesy in detail of Jesus’ future death that would pay the sin-debt we owed. (John 20:25, Matthew 27:32-50)

In Noah’s ark we see refuge from God’s holy judgment discovered only in Jesus. (Genesis 6:17-18, 1 Peter 3:18-22)

Joseph pictures Christ as he is unjustly persecuted yet raised to a position of honor. (Genesis 37; Genesis 41:37-45)

Abraham is called to sacrifice his son just as Jesus would be sacrificed on the cross. Isaac even carried the wood for the burnt offering like our savior carried His cross. (Genesis 22:1-14)

Moses, born into poverty, called to intercede on behalf of his people as he leads them by God’s hand out of bondage (Exodus 2:1-10; Exodus 3:4-22), also pictures Jesus.
Every story speaks of the promised coming of Christos.

Through the brilliant lens of Scripture, we come to understand the title of Christos more fully. Jesus is…
Anointed as Savior of the world (Luke 2:11, 1 John 2:2)
Conqueror of sin and death (Isaiah 25:8, John 1:29, John 3:14-15)
Mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 9:14-15)

The Promised Mashiach of the Old Testament is the Reigning Christos of the New Testament!

It’s breathtaking to see a prophecy fulfilled, let alone hundreds of them in a singular person of Christ, but lest we misunderstand His name, we must remember He is no mere man, no angelic being, no greatly glorified, almost God-man, but the full manifestation of God Almighty in flesh.

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:3)

Prior to Jesus’ physical arrival as a baby in Bethlehem, there are many Christophanies (an appearance or non-physical manifestation of Christ). One way we can spot these is through the designation of “the” Angel of the Lord, rather than “an” angel of the Lord as we read Old Testament passages. When reading, look for these distinctions between The Angel of the Lord and other created angels:
         1) The angel is identified as divine (Genesis 16:11-14; Exodus 3:1-6)
         2) The angel accepts worship (Joshua 5:13-15; Numbers 22:31; Judges 13:19-22)
         3) The angel speaks as God (Genesis 16:10; Genesis 22:15-18)

In understanding Christos, we are compelled to rightly respond to His distinct title as Promised Anointed Messiah who fulfilled every prophecy and rules and reigns today at the right hand of God.

We should respond to a Sovereign Savior with
Godly fear or awe,
obedience,
surrender,
deep gratitude and joy,
and adoring worship. 

Proverbs 1:7 tells us the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
Godly fear is a reverence of God’s majesty, perfect righteousness, and sovereign grace. 

Obedience is a natural result of godly fear. (Philippians 2:12)
When we witness the majesty of our Lord, we recognize our own littleness; we are humbled that we might become holy as He is holy! (1 Peter 1:15)

In his book, “The Sovereignty of God,” A.W. Pink addresses the attitude of surrender we should all have toward God, “A true recognition of God’s sovereignty will avow God’s perfect right to do with us as He wills.” One unmistakable example of complete surrender to God’s will is found in 1 Samuel 3:11-18 when Samuel tells Eli the high priest that God will strike down his two sons for cursing Him. Eli responds in surrender, “‘He is the Lord. Let him do what he thinks is good.’”

Deep gratitude and joy is discovered as we intentionally choose worship while exercising our faith. A tested and steadfast faith (James 1:2-4) will give thanks for all things (Ephesians 5:20) and “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4).

We should offer adoring worship to the Creator of everything, the One who is sovereign over all, including us! A.W. Pink says it exquisitely once more, “The mere fact that God’s will itself is irresistible and irreversible fills me with fear, but once I realize that God wills only that which is good my heart is made to rejoice.”

When we correctly position our eyes on Christos, our Sovereign Savior, we are removed of our own selves and filled with a reverent fear of the Lord, which leads to complete obedience and surrender, upon which we are able to worship the King with deep gratitude and a joyful soul!

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Christ,God,Jesus,rescue,salvation,Savior,Trinity
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Jesus knows each one of us by name. He calls us and gently leads us individually the way we need to go. He takes time with each one of us and knows everything about us.

I am so grateful that Jesus knows my name. He knows my actions and detects when something isn’t right, because He is faithfully watching over my every step.
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Posted in: Alive, Fullness, gentle, God, Identity, Jesus Tagged: Christ, God, Jesus, rescue, salvation, Savior, Trinity

Sketched XI Day 13 Unpopular Justice

July 5, 2023 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

Sketched XI Day 13 Unpopular Justice

Rebecca Adams

July 5, 2023

Encourage,gentle,Impatient,Preparing,Relationship

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Kings 21
Philippians 3:18-21
Deuteronomy 32:1-9
Romans 2:1-16

The fire blazed in the hearth as I sat with my brother, Elisha, whom the Lord had given me. He would take my place when my ministry to Israel ended. His friendship encouraged my heart as if the Lord Himself was walking beside me.

Following my runaway cave experience when I was nearly consumed by the black waves of depression, the Lord gave me the gift I didn’t know I needed, a brother in partnership for this ministry, Elisha.

We had just finished our evening meal together, swapping stories of the afternoon, laughing, and prodding for the other’s thoughts around Ahab’s latest ridiculous antics. Reflective quiet engulfed us for a few moments before Elisha broke, “It’s so frustrating!”. His comment was laced with disgust as he gripped his mug of water.

“Ahab saw the Lord’s fire on Carmel. He saw the Lord send rain. His own chariot wheels got stuck in the mud the Lord made!”, Elisha’s voice emboldened emphatically with each point. Elisha paused, and his burdened eyes wandered to the window, watching the movement of fellow Israelites preparing for evening.
I waited. I knew there was more he wanted to say.

“They are the ones who pay the heaviest price for Ahab’s rebellion”, he voice was thick with emotion as he jutted his head in the direction of our people outside our walls.

The truth of his words settled around us both.
True, God had proven Himself as
Sovereign,
Enough,
Omnipotent,
Truthful, and
Jealous.
He had Revealed Himself to mere humanity and proven He would Sustain those who trusted Him.
But where was Yahweh’s justice?

The question eked into the corners of my heart despite my best attempts to thwart it. Inside, my flourishing faith fought against my doubt-soaked question that begged an answer.
My faith fought back my doubts with truths I had come to know.
“No, the Lord is good.
The Lord is faithful.
The Lord sees all.
The Lord knows all.
The Lord sees Ahab.
He will bring justice.
We just need to wait.”
 
“How long will we wait, Elijah?”, the question jolted me.
It was as if my brother had been made privy to the wrestling of my heart.
I caught his gaze, knowing the Lord desired truth in the inmost places (Psalm 51:6),
“I don’t know, Brother. But I know He’s worth waiting for.”

A child’s cries and mother’s call carried through the window, seeming to draw out our hearts even more with the ache for justice. Will the Lord hear their cries for mercy? Will the Lord save them from plunging headlong into greater rebellion as Ahab recklessly led them astray again and again?

In a moment, time seemed to freeze and my heart soared with the joy of intimacy and the trembled in awe as again I heard the voice of the Lord penetrate me through to my bones and marrow, “Get up and go to meet King Ahab of Israel, who is in Samaria. He’s in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you murdered and also taken possession?’ Then tell him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where the dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, the dogs will also lick up your blood!’” (1 Kings 21:18-19)

Just as quickly as it came, the Voice left. I looked up to see Elisha’s eyes locked intently on mine, “What has Yahweh said, Elijah?”, he queried.

“We are to go to Ahab. He will be in Naboth’s vineyard. He has murdered Naboth and stolen his vineyard.” I stood quickly, but the younger man was already ahead of me grabbing our water skins, packs, and walking sticks.

“What else, brother? Something else is inside you from the Lord, isn’t it?”. I was taken aback by Elisha’s sensitive awareness of the moving of the Lord. It was a good reminder to me of the Lord’s wise choice in providing Elisha as my successor. He would do well in listening and obeying the voice of the Lord. (1 Kings 19:19-21)

I gripped my staff more tightly and thrust myself through the door’s opening. It was no small matter to speak of the justice of Yahweh, especially regarding the death of the Lord’s appointed ruler.

“Ahab’s death is near”, I finally managed to speak after several minutes of heavy, silent walking.

Elisha’s arm stopped my forward momentum as he turned hard eyes on me,
“It will be dishonorable, won’t it?”.

I closed my eyes against the scene the Lord had given me of dog’s licking up Ahab’s blood. (1 Kings 21:19) He was intended to be Israel’s king, leading us to worship Yahweh, but instead his death would be a mockery just as his life had been.

The righteous justice of the Holy One of Israel was about to be carried out not only to Ahab, but also to his Queen Jezebel who had incited him to wholly devote himself to vile wickedness.
(1 Kings 21:23-25)

Our casual conversation over bread and meat earlier came rushing back with immediacy.
We both longed for justice.
But did we really understand that the Lord’s justice meant
recognizing we were all sinners? (Romans 3:23)
Every heart rebelled, including mine and Elisha’s.

No, not all of us murdered and thieved and led an entire nation astray as the royal couple had, but Elisha and I both knew our hearts were still tempted away from trusting the Lord. We still grew impetuous and angry, impatient for the Lord to carry out justice.

Warmth of understanding swept over me and I could not stop the tears racing down my cheeks,
“It is the kindness of the Lord to delay His justice, Elisha.
But the time for Ahab’s repentance is about to expire.”
The king lived as an enemy to Yahweh and his just punishment was nearly here.

The fact that the Lord’s Justice was coming, stirred up urgency in me to plead with all of Israel to turn back to the Lord while there was still time to repent. (Philippians 3:18-19, Romans 2:4)

I stepped forward with renewed urgency to follow the Lord’s word exactly as He had spoken it,
“Come, Elisha, let’s worship the Lord together
by obeying His commands
while it’s still called today.”
(Hebrews 3:15)

Tags :
hope,Journey,justice,relationship,reliance,trust
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The Son was struck not by the rod of Moses, but by the Father’s rod of wrath concerning sin. It is our unchanging Rock who perfectly completed the work of redemption and satisfied the justice of God. (Romans 9:30-33 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

Sweet Sister, as a result of this, we have been given, not the promised land of Israel but a promised life with God! God's love lasts forever!!
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Posted in: Encourage, gentle, Impatient, Preparing, Relationship Tagged: hope, Journey, justice, relationship, reliance, trust

Worship XI Day 15 Shin & Tav: Digging Deeper

June 16, 2023 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

Worship XI Day 15 Shin & Tav: Digging Deeper

Rebecca Adams

June 16, 2023

Attention,Captivating,Covenant,Freedom,Fullness,gentle

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

This DD Connects With "Shin & Tav"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119:161-176

שׁ Shin
161 Princes have persecuted me without cause, but my heart fears only your word. 162 I rejoice over your promise like one who finds vast treasure. 163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your instruction. 164 I praise you seven times a day for your righteous judgments. 165 Abundant peace belongs to those who love your instruction; nothing makes them stumble. 166 Lord, I hope for your salvation and carry out your commands. 167 I obey your decrees and love them greatly. 168 I obey your precepts and decrees, for all my ways are before you.

ת Tav
169 Let my cry reach you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word. 170 Let my plea reach you; rescue me according to your promise. 171 My lips pour out praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172 My tongue sings about your promise, for all your commands are righteous. 173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I long for your salvation, Lord, and your instruction is my delight. 175 Let me live, and I will praise you; may your judgments help me. 176 I wander like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commands.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What is to be consumed in “Shin”? (verses 161-168)

The Hebrew letter “Shin” denotes “consuming, devouring, or eating” as the shape of its letter “resembles flames of fire and teeth”. (Tanya Remkiv)

Unique from the other octets of Psalm 119, Shin records no specific prayerful pleas whatsoever. In the absence of requests, we glimpse the beauty left in the wake of our desires being consumed by the God who is Himself Satisfaction and Delight.

Shin is marked by the quiet, calm, yet firmly decided insistent knowing and shared intimacy with the One for whom every octet has been written.

Listen for this sweetness in the psalmist’s carefully chosen words, “…My heart fears only Your Word.” (verse 161) “I rejoice over Your promise like one who finds vast delight.” (verse 162) “I love Your instruction.” (verse 163) “I praise You seven times a day.” (verse 164)

Go read the remaining 4 verses of this octet and see the pattern the psalmist models of quiet, decided delight! Fear, anger, anxiety, pride, the desire for control, insistence on one’s own way, complaint, and all other forms of self that actively fight against perfectly satisfying love have been consumed and drowned out by the Lord’s ways, wisdom, and good presence.

Praise, rejoicing, adoration, peace, and delight have taken their place; there is secret joy here!

The Everyday Application

1) What is to be consumed in “Shin”? (verses 161-168)

In reflecting on these delightful verses of praise, I recognize four responses in myself.

1) I feel drawn in to the intimacy found between the psalmist and the Satisfying Savior.

2) I feel encouraged and urged forward to continue seeking the depths of relationship available to me in the Lord.

3)
I’m convicted to use my prayers not only for pleading and interceding, but also for praising and rejoicing.

4) I’m reminded of the pure delight and peace found in simply basking in knowing and trusting the goodness of the Lord.

One of my favorite verses in the psalter is little known and rarely quoted, but it speaks volumes of the relationship that is readily accessible to all who would give themselves to knowing the Lord God through His Word. “I do not get involved with things too great or too wondrous for me. Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like a weaned child.” (Psalm 131:1-2)

This level of depth in trusting relationship with the Lord does not come overnight or by reading snippet verses on social media or even regularly attending church or listening to excellent biblical podcasts. It is only slowly discovered over time of intentioned pursuit of the Holy One by meeting regularly, daily, yes, but moment by moment, in the secret place of the soul known only to the Holy Creator and the Beloved Creation.

Have you met Him here? He’s waiting to be known and consume your fears, your sin, your vile things, and draw you into blissful satisfaction that knows no bounds!

The Original Intent

2) What is the theme of “Tav”? (verses 169-176)

“
Let my cry reach You, Lord; give me understanding according to your word. Let my plea reach You; rescue me according to Your promise.” (verses 169-170) Do you hear the psalmist’s urgent fervor in his pleading? Do you feel his desperate longing for the One he has learned to love and trust with all that is within him?

Read his plea again until you’ve connected with his prayer in a way that mirrors some part of your own desperation. Have you ever felt as if your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling? Have you ever begged the Lord for His ear and attention while sobbing on the floor or screaming at the sky or with shoulders shaking and fists clenched? The psalms are filled with moments of raw honesty when the one praying is pleading for justice, begging to be seen, grasping at Hope that the Lord will be faithful to answer, but this is not the theme of this octet.

It isn’t desperation that drives the author’s words, it’s trusting dependence. The author knows exactly what is on the other side of the door on which he bangs, and he can’t wait for it to open because of the deep love he has found in knowing the Lord God.

There is none who satisfies, as the previous octet declares, but there is none other in all creation on whom the psalmist would rather lean for utter dependence in every season the Lord God, His Word, and His wise ways. On the heels of his pleas, “Let my cry reach You… Let my plea reach You…”, (verses 169-170) the author can’t stop the grin spreading across his face or the joy shooting from his hands, “My lips pour out praise… My tongue sings…”. (verses 171-172)

The Lord and His ways have proven a faithful anchor and steady harbor in which to moor his life and he chooses praise and worship for the gracious goodness of the steadfast Lord.

The Everyday Application

2) What is the theme of “Tav”? (verses 169-176)

Where does your heart lean when you think of the Lord? How have you seen Him prove faithful, steady, and true? When was the last time you banged in His “door” just to shout His praise and declare His goodness and pour out your heartfelt praise? When was the last time you shared His praise on whatever platform the Lord has given you whether it’s social media, friendships, or simply standing in line at the check out stand?

Jerry Bridges is quoted as saying, “And yet who of us are fit to praise, except those whom God has taught? The ‘new song’ ill accords with the old heart.” The psalmist spent 176 verses declaring what he had been taught by the Lord’s Word, commands, statutes, precepts, and ways. The end result was a giddy tongue that delighted in singing of spontaneous praise that could not be held back.

Herein is rich encouragement for each of us regardless of where we are in our faith journey. If you’re looking for more joy and delight, no matter how much you have or have not already experienced, the answer is found in allowing the Lord to teach you more of His ways.

How to begin? By reading His Word! (Psalm 119:9) Want an excellent place to start? Try Psalms! Read 1 to 150 and then start again!

The Original Intent

3) What tension exists in the final verse of the psalm? (verse 176)

Have you ever felt caught between “both and” or the often difficult and murky “time between”? For me, I most often find myself in the “now and not yet” where I often cry out “I believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

This tension was also the dwelling place for the psalmist of 119, and as he closed his alphabet song intended to teach and train and remind himself and his son of truth, he grew reflective of this reality.

He had penned 175 verses declaring the kind, gracious goodness of the Lord and His ways, but also spoke frequently of his own passionate desire to follow those ways and be forever marked by them. He often boldly declared how much he loved the Lord and His wisdom while others spurned God. (verse 161)

Yet, in the very last verse, in keeping with the Tav theme of utter dependence, the psalmist states, “I wander like a lost sheep.” He recognized his own very desperate need for a shepherd God.

No amount of love for God, no matter how great or impassioned, could keep him from straying from the Lord. He was human. He erred. He wandered. Though claiming a love that would outlast all others, he knew in his heart, he was still prone to wander.

His final plea is stunning, “seek Your servant”. He cast himself wholly upon the Person of God. Not even God’s laws could seek him out and bring him home to the heart of God, only the Shepherd could seek what was lost.

Turning full circle, knowing with confidence that he would surely wander, but would certainly be sought after and brought home, he penned his final words in light of his assured reinstatement and continued growth in deepening relationship with the Holy One, “for I do not forget Your commands.”

The Everyday Application

3) What tension exists in the final verse of the psalm? (verse 176)

Doesn’t this raw, tender testimony give you hope and comfort?! It surely does for me, because, sisters, I know I’m a wanderer.

Oh, I’ve learned there is nothing sweeter or better than my Jesus. I will trust Him for all my days and want nothing more than to sit and know Him more and more; He is that precious. But, like the psalmist, I also wrestle grievously.

With doubt. With fear. With lust for (perceived) control, or (my version of) perfection, or worshiping my schedule, or my children’s wants, or the stability of my marriage relationship or 100 other idols that deserve absolutely nothing compared to the Lord God. Still, I know I will wander, chasing them down only to be left empty handed, disappointed, and frustrated.

How encouraging it is to know my status with the Lord, and the stability of our relationship doesn’t heave and sway based on my ability to follow all the magnificent, wonderful ways of the Lord I truly love so much.

The Lord knows I will leave Him. He also knows I will long to be back at His side, but not as much as He longs for me to be more fully His. He loves me enough to chase me down, not recklessly mind you, for nothing the Lord does is reckless, but with a passionate pursuit that refuses to relinquish His relationship with me.

With Yahweh, Sisters, breathe this gracious truth in with me, I am safe. You are safe.

Every single time I’ve wandered away and the Lord has brought me home, I’ve sung His praises all the louder and decided a little more firmly that He alone is worthy of my worship and, like the psalmist, I’m intent to “not forget Your commands”!

Tags :
forgiveness,joy,peace,prayer,rejoicing,relationship
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August 7, 2023
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Journey Study

Faithful and dedicated servant.
A wandering sheep needing rescue, understanding, and assistance.

Which one am I?
Both.

Though redeemed, my flesh still wins some battles. This makes me grateful for God’s Word, which is “profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
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May 29 - June 16, 2023 - Journey Theme #119

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Posted in: Attention, Captivating, Covenant, Freedom, Fullness, gentle Tagged: forgiveness, joy, peace, prayer, rejoicing, relationship

Worship XI Day 5 He, Vav, Zayin: Digging Deeper

June 2, 2023 by Stacy Winkler Leave a Comment

Worship XI Day 5 He, Vav, Zayin: Digging Deeper

Stacy Winkler

June 2, 2023

Adoring,Confession,gentle,Gospel,Grace,Scripture

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

This DD Connects With "He, Vav, Zayin"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119:33-56

ה He
33 Teach me, LORD, the meaning of your statutes, and I will always keep them. 34 Help me understand your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart, 35 Help me stay on the path of your commands, for I take pleasure in it. 36 Turn my heart to your decrees and not to dishonest profit.e 37 Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in your ways. 38 Confirm what you said to your servant, for it produces reverence for you. 39 Turn away the disgrace I dread; indeed, your judgments are good. 40 How I long for your precepts! Give me life through your righteousness.

ו Vav
41 Let your faithful love come to me, LORD, your salvation, as you promised. 42 Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. 43 Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. 44 I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever. 45 I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts. 46 I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. 47 I delight in your commands, which I love. 48 I will lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and will meditate on your statutes.

ז Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant; you have given me hope through it. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction; Your promise has given me life. 51 The arrogant constantly ridicule me, but I do not turn away from your instruction. 52 LORD, I remember your judgments from long ago and find comfort. 53 Fury seizes me because of the wicked who reject your instruction. 54 Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life. 55 LORD, I remember your name in the night, and I obey your instruction. 56 This is my practice: I obey your precepts.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) How does the psalmist develop the structure of the “He” section? (verses 33-40)

Psalm 119 is a beautifully structured poem focused on God’s law and His Word. It is poetically architected into 22 eight-verse sections, each section titled with a letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The verses in every eight-verse section begin with the Hebrew letter that the section is titled.

Thus, in the section He, each verse begins with the Hebraic letter He. It is also categorized as a Law Psalm. According to the in-house study at The Village Church in Texas led by Jen Wilkin*, the Law Psalms “teach us to celebrate the gift of the Word of God…. They also call for obedience. God’s law is beautiful to the believer because it is a reflection of God’s character…. The Law psalms give us language for delighting in the Word of God, the Bible.”

In the He section, seven of the eight verses are prayers asking God to act, followed by how the psalmist will respond. When the psalmist makes a request of God, God’s response will help him in doing what he has said is his responsibility. He asks God to teach him the meaning of His statutes and help him understand the Lord’s instruction. Why? So that he will be obedient to God’s word both in his heart and actions. (verses 33-34)

He asks for help to “stay on the path of His commands.” Why? Because “He takes pleasure in it.” (verse 35) Can you imagine praying such prayers? These are bold requests for a deep understanding of God’s words.

The psalmist knows the blessing that flows from God’s answers will help him obey and delight in God’s word and will give him life. (verse 40)

*“Psalms: The Prayers of God’s People” written by Jen Wilkin, Elizabeth Woodson, Jenni Hamm, Nathan Campbell, and Krystall Brummitt (not currently available)

The Everyday Application

1) How does the psalmist develop the structure of the “He” section? (verses 33-40)

Psalm 119 gives us language to pray using God’s own words. There are eight basic words used in the full psalm to reference Scripture: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, word, God’s ways/path, and rules/judgements/ordinance. Thus, when the psalmist declares that God’s judgments are good, he is proclaiming the goodness of God’s word. (verse 39)

When he says he longs for God’s precepts, he is saying that he desires and clings to God’s word. (verse 40) These are statements of worship and faithfulness to God. Why not try using God’s words as your prayer to Him? “Teach me, Lord, the meaning of Your Scriptures. As I learn about Your words and more fully understand them, I will keep them because I know You more.” (based on verse 33)

“Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways and, ultimately, in You.” (based on verse 37)

Take a closer look at verse 40. Could this be a small peek into the gospel? As Christians we know that life only comes through our acceptance of God’s Son, Jesus, as our Lord and Savior. Jesus’ righteousness is given to us and, thus, Life is given to us. (verse 40)

Praise God for the life we receive through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and righteousness!

The Original Intent

2) How does the “Vav” section reveal the psalmist’s heart? (verses 41-48)

Dr. Jim Hamilton, Elder and Senior Pastor of Kenwood Baptist Church preached through Psalm 119 in 2017. During his sermon entitled, “You Afflicted Me in Faithfulness”, he summarized sections Gimel, Dalet, He, and Vav as the psalmist’s three-fold cry.

He pleads for 1) God to keep His promise that one day a King from David’s line would reign forever, 2) God’s enemies to be defeated, 3) God’s people to freely live in righteousness without taunts, jeers, or persecution. Has your heart felt like that?

Of course, the psalmist could only look to the future knowing the Messianic King would come according to God’s faithfulness. (verse 38) We have the beautiful advantage of knowing the Messiah King is Jesus, but just like the psalmist, we also look forward with confident assurance to His return and reign as King. In many ways, the prayers in the Vav section reveal our hearts, too, as we await His coming again.

The psalmist prayed for God’s faithful love to be revealed in this future salvation He had already promised. (verse 41) The psalmist longs for the future King, but while he waits for and puts his hope in the future King, he tells God that He will study, delight in, love, and meditate on God’s words because those words reveal God Himself to the psalmist. (verses 45, 47, 48)

The Everyday Application

2) How does the “Vav” section reveal the psalmist’s heart? (verses 41-48)

In the Vav section we see the psalmist’s hope in, delight in, and love for God’s word. (verses 43, 47, 48) He recognized that flowing from his hope, delight, and love will be obedience. (verse 44)

As God reveals Himself to us through the Bible, we grow in our love for Him. Sustaining obedience as a habit of life is a response to what God reveals to us in His word. This response is both supernatural from God and a choice made by us. The psalmist said he studied God’s precepts and meditated on his statutes. (verses 45 and 48)

The more we know God, the more we love Him. We get to know Him more through the study and meditation of His word.

Pray this portion of the psalm to our faithful God. 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. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Allow God to work in your heart and mind as He changes you from the inside out.

The Original Intent

3) How are we to handle affliction according to the “Zayin” section? (verses 49-56)

In the He and Vav sections of Psalm 119, we see hope and trust in God and His promise in the future He holds for His people. However, the psalmist was realistic about the times in which he lived. He believed in the future coming King, but he lived in a world of pain and affliction where arrogant people ridiculed him and wicked people rejected the one true God. (verses 50, 51, 53)

Yet, in reading the Zayin section, we see hope, comfort, life, and remembrance. Note the first two verses and the continuation of the promise of the reign of the coming King from the previous verses. (verses 49-50)

Indeed, the promise of the King, whom we now know to be Jesus Himself, gave the psalmist hope and life in the midst of earthly affliction. (verses 51, 53) The psalmist was resolved, he would not turn away from God’s word but found life in it. (verse 50) He also declared God’s word as the theme of the song of his earthly life, because he knew God’s word intimately, therefore knowing God Himself. (verse 54)

The New Testament expresses this idea using the terminology of walking in a manner worthy of God. (Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, Philippians 1:27, Ephesians 4:1) Thus, in spite of the afflictions around him, he hopes in and obeys God’s word as the habit of his life. (verse 56) 

The Everyday Application

3) How are we to handle affliction according to the “Zayin” section? (verses 49-56)

As I shared earlier we know the psalmist’s hope in a Messianic King is Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. Although He is King, the earthly reign we look forward to is the hope we have of things to come. (Titus 2:13) We live in the “now but not yet”, where people reject God and the Bible as well as reject us for believing in the one true God and His Son, Jesus.

Praying the Zayin section would be a way of bringing our afflictions to God while recognizing His sovereignty in both our present and our future. Remember, take hope, and be comforted in the promise of the coming King! A time will come when evil and affliction will no longer exist, and we will live free from the presence of sin, even though we currently experience afflictions and trials. (verses 49-50, 1 Peter 1:3-7)

Pray you will not turn away from God’s instructions. (verse 51) Make God the theme of your life through His Word. (verse 54) When you are frightened and anxious, as we often are during sleepless nights, remember the name of the Lord and all of His promises, they are assuredly yea and amen. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Pray that obedience becomes the practiced pattern of your life. Worship God through His Word in the here and now. “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

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Posted in: Adoring, Confession, gentle, Gospel, Grace, Scripture Tagged: Community, hope, scripture, study, Truth

Confidence Day 4 Confidence In Fellowship: Digging Deeper

April 20, 2023 by Rachel Jones Leave a Comment

Confidence Day 4 Confidence In Fellowship: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

April 20, 2023

Community,Faith,Family,Forgiven,gentle

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

This DD Connects With "Confidence In Fellowship"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 John 1:6-9

6 If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. 7 If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What does it mean to walk in darkness, outside of fellowship with God? (verse 6)

The Apostle John instructs his readers in 1 John 1:6, if we “have fellowship with [God] and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.” John explains that if we are walking in darkness by sinning then we can’t be in fellowship with God.

As author Albert Barnes asserts, “We are deceived if we think that we can have fellowship with God, and yet live in the practice of sin. As God is pure, so must we be, if we would be His friends.” When we live a lifestyle of following our own lusts and worldly passions, we are walking in darkness and out of step with God.

John Piper suggests, “Everyone who loves the world more than God is in the dark.” God is the light of the world (John 8:12); when we sin, we are walking in darkness, outside His will and His plan. Light and darkness can have no fellowship with one another. (2 Corinthians 6:14)

When we walk in the darkness of sin, we are outside of God’s presence, cut off from fellowship with Him. When we personally accept the truth of God’s love and sacrifice, God’s Light dispels the darkness of sin allowing believers to never dwell hopelessly in darkness again.

Joyce Meyer suggests ways to help us walk in the light, “Do not tolerate unconfessed sin. Meditate upon the Word of God. Spend time in prayer talking to God and letting Him talk to you. Share your faith in Christ with others. Obey the commandments of God.” We can be confident that, when we accept Jesus as our Savior, He teaches and equips us to walk with Him as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)

The Everyday Application

1) What does it mean to walk in darkness, outside of fellowship with God? (verse 6)

I have been a Christian since childhood, which means I have avoided many pitfalls and problems that occur for people who don’t know God’s Word and study His ways. Still, sin has lured me away from God’s way with its temptations in big and small ways. In my college years, I rebelliously insisted on following my own way. I continually ended up hurt and disappointed, asking God to forgive me, and then going out and making the same mistakes and unhealthy choices again. (Romans 7:19)

Eventually, I felt the estrangement from God caused by. I responded by repenting and turning back to God, submitting my will to the Lord and allowing Him to break the cycle I couldn’t. (1 Corinthians 15:57) My struggle against sin emphasizes the truth of the Apostle John’s words in 1 John 1:6. If we “have fellowship with [God] and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.”

David Guzik notes, “John speaks of a walk in darkness, indicating a pattern of living. This does not speak of an occasional lapse, but of a lifestyle of darkness.”

I had been lying to myself, trying to claim fellowship with God while continuing to pursue things I knew were outside of God’s gracious plan for my life. God continued to draw me to Himself, offering me kindness that led me to repentance (Romans 2:4) causing me to turn from darkness to light (Acts 26:18).

I learned that walking in darkness meant being out of fellowship with God; it was this feeling of separation that caused me to run back to the light of God. (James 4:8)

The Original Intent

2) Why does walking in the light give us fellowship with one another? (verse 7)

1 John 1:7 informs us, “If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” When we walk in such a way to reflect God’s Light, we “walk in a generally obedient life, without harboring known sin or resisting the conviction of the Holy Spirit on a particular point.” (David Guzik)

We walk in God’s light by following His Word and obeying His commands, which is impossible to do without studying His Word regularly and fellowshipping with other believers. This unity with God allows us to share in rich fellowship with others who have also been saved by His grace because it puts us on parallel paths of pursuing God and His will for our lives. God designed us to live in fellowship as His Church, The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), serving Him together.

He gave every believer different gifts and talents that complement one another and work together to fulfill His purposes within His family called Church. (1 Peter 4:10) When we are walking in Christ’s light, we are able to function as He intended while being changed into His image by His Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Albert Barnes says, “As we all partake of his (God’s) feelings and views, we shall resemble each other. Loving the same God, embracing the same views of religion, and living for the same ends, we shall of course have much that is common to us all, and thus shall have fellowship with each other.”

Pursuing God together brings us closer to one another as we serve and worship God in one accord.

The Everyday Application

2) Why does walking in the light give us fellowship with one another? (verse 7)

There are many benefits to living in a digital world, especially for the youngest generation who has never known a world without internet or hand-held computers. We have access to academic courses and meetings online; we can pay for groceries with a tap of our phone and transfer money or shop with a few keystrokes. The platforms and devices I am just getting comfortable with are now obsolete to a younger generation as they move on to newer and better.

One drawback I see for these young people growing up in a virtual age is their lack of community. They have online groups and friends, but they struggle with making connections and building relationships in real life. They may be linked to hundreds of people around the globe, but they report feeling lonely and isolated as they yearn for meaningful relationships in their lives.

The Apostle John was familiar with the importance of this kind of fellowship in the lives of believers. He wrote, “If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.” (1 John 1:7) John taught that doing life together as Christians by sharing the pathway of Light provided needed fellowship for believers. (Galatians 6:10)

God wants His followers to meet together and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:23), go to church together, share meals together, and pray together (Acts 2:42). God even says that it is by our love for one another that people will know we are His disciples. (John 13:35) God provides us with the blessing of fellowship with other believers when we serve Him together, helping us become more like Him as we carry out His will.

When we reflect His light back to Him, we encourage fellow believers and draw in those who are still stumbling in darkness. Let’s walk in the Light!

The Original Intent

3) Why are we deceived if we say we have no sin? (verse 8)

1 John 1:8 declares, “If we say, “We have no sin we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), people have been born into sin.

We like to think that if we do good deeds or don’t commit any “big” sins like murder that we are basically without sin. God says this isn’t so! The truth is that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23)

The Apostle John wanted his readers to realize that denying our sinfulness harms us. God wants us to confess our sins to Him (Proverbs 28:13) not try to convince ourselves and others we don’t sin. (Ecclesiastes 7:20)

John Piper suggests, “The mark of the saint is not sinless-ness but sin-consciousness! The evidence of indwelling truth is the exposure of error. The dawning of God’s light in the heart is the revelation of remaining darkness. In this life we never get beyond the awareness of remaining sin.”

God wants us to recognize our sin so we can turn from it. Then He will wipe our sin away and refresh us in His presence. (Acts 3:19-20) John Trapp writes, “No man was ever kept out of God’s kingdom for his confessed badness; many are for their supposed goodness.”

We don’t need to deny our sinfulness or justify our sinful actions. God invites us to come to Him as we are (Revelation 22:17), confessing our sins and accepting His grace and forgiveness. (Ephesians 1:7)

The Everyday Application

3) Why are we deceived if we say we have no sin? (verse 8)

When I was young, a kind old man, Mr. Charlie, lived across the street from my Grandma. His wife yelled at us if our ball rolled into their yard, but Mr. Charlie laughed with us and waved as we zoomed past on our bikes. After his wife died, Grandma would send us to his house on holidays with a plate of food, and he always smiled kindly and joked with us as we handed over turkey, potatoes, and pie.

When my Dad tried to talk to him about Jesus, Mr. Charlie explained how some unkind church deacons had soured him on religion. He reasoned he had always been a good person without the help of God or church, so he had no need of religion in his life.

Mr. Charlie had done what the Apostle John warned against in 1 John 1:8. He convinced himself he had no sin, and therefore had no need of a Savior.

This is a lie our culture teaches us that comes straight from our enemy, Satan, that people are inherently good. Praise God Scripture tells us the truth! Humans are born with a sinful nature and there’s no escaping it on our own accord. (Psalm 51:5)

We try to tell ourselves we are good, or at least not so very bad, and have no need of salvation or the rescue of a righteous God. But God says there is no one righteous. (Romans 3:10) All of us are in need of a Savior. (Colossians 1:21-22)

David Guzik says, “We need to realize the victory and forgiveness that comes from saying, I am a sinner – even a great sinner – but I have a Savior who cleanses me from all sin.” We can rejoice that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), and when we confess our sin, Christ forgives us (1 John 1:9).

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Unconfessed sin places a barrier between us and God. “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God”. (3 John 1:11)

We’ll call it “un–fellowship”. The antidote of confession cleans us, breaks down barriers, and closes the distance between us and God. Praise!

Along with confession, we must walk in truth. (3 John 1:4, Galatians 4:19) We know the truth by knowing God’s Word.
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Posted in: Community, Faith, Family, Forgiven, gentle Tagged: Community, confidence, fellowship, repentance, Truth

Another Day 13 Gentle & Lowly Lifestyle

March 22, 2023 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

Another Day 13 Gentle & Lowly Lifestyle

Rebecca Adams

March 22, 2023

gentle,Grace,Humility,Love,Relationship

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Isaiah 46:1-5
Psalm 139:1-7
Revelation 3:19-21
Matthew 11:25-30

We cannot authentically love what we do not deeply know.

I was enamored with my husband from Day 1.
But it wasn’t until over two decades had passed and we walked dark pathways that I had an inkling of what love meant.

I was head over heels in love with my firstborn the moment I saw those 2 pink lines on the pregnancy test.
But my love for her multiplied with every day I spent with her, knowing her, arguing with her, and learning from her.

Love grew strong, fierce, and authentic in the days, years, and decades of learning to know.

Intimate familiarity changes everything.
Misconceptions flee, doubts dissolve, and the brilliance of authentic love shoots through like daybreak when we commit to deeply know another.

Who is this God who has called us to live together in the humble fabric of gentle love, seeking the other’s good, and partnering with them for peace and unity? (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)

He is precisely who He has called us to be as we love One Another as brothers and sisters in the family He calls His Bride, the Church.

He is constantly humble toward us. (Philippians 2:7)
Perpetually extending us peace. (Colossians 3:15)
Continuously
seeing the unseen. (Matthew 9:36)
Ceaselessly
helping the helpless. (Psalm 116:6)
Patiently
hemming us within His love on all sides. (Psalm 139:5)
Modeling
submission to the law of Love. (John 13:34)
Steadfastly
convicting us with kindness. (Romans 2:4)
Endlessly lowering Himself to bear our burdens.
(Psalm 68:19)

He desires us.
He wants us.
Not just to be “His”, another “child” in His family to do His purpose,
but to both know Him and be lovingly known.

Is there anything as precious as being deeply known and authentically loved?

When the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of His own heart posture toward us,
He chose the words “gentle” and “lowly”.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30, ESV)

He spoke these words while describing what it means to know the Almighty God,
whom Christ perfectly represented.
To know Christ, is to know God Himself.
(Hebrews 1:3)

Hundreds of years before Jesus spoke these words, King David penned his understanding of the great I AM as the God who “day after day… bears our burdens.” (Psalm 68:19)

Daily.
Bears.
OUR.
Burdens.

Can we just say that again?

On the DAILY, sisters.
Love Himself,
who reigns in the heavenlies,
holds all power,
possesses all wisdom,
and is present in all places
stoops low to DAILY lift our burdens.

Forever the gentle and lowly of heart lowers Himself to shoulder-level with us only to rise and carry the weight upon Himself.

The weight of our hard things, our broken things, our wounded things, and infinitely greater, this is the God who stooped to the cross, naked and shamed, to bear the weight of the sin of the world. (1 John 2:2)

Do you see those precious words that next cross Jesus’ lips following His nondescript characterization of His heart?
“My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Not only does He carry our burden for us, and our sin for eternity if we will entrust our wretchedness to Him, but He gives life in return! In His humility, He teaches us to shoulder up next to Him, the wholly divine God, that we might learn His easy rhythms of life.

As several of our authors have noted in this Journey theme, it’s impossible for us to live out these One Another commands if we have not first submitted to the Spirit of God living inside of us. This is holy work; it’s His work, and we cannot muster or manufacture it ourselves.
But neither…
Can we live out these richly beautiful, life-giving commands if we do not intimately know the heart of the God in whom they perfectly abide.

We cannot authentically love what we do not deeply know.

Consider the Lord’s own words through His prophet Isaiah to His beloved people.
Come, know Him!

“Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. (false gods)
[…] The images [they] carry are loaded,
as a burden for the weary animal.
The gods cower; they crouch together;
they (false gods) are not able to rescue the burden,[…] “Listen to Me (true God),
[…You] who have been sustained from the womb,
carried along since birth.
I will be the same until your old age,
and I will bear you up when you turn gray.
I have made you, and I will carry you;
I will bear and rescue you.”
(Isaiah 46:1-4)

If you do not know the Lord as a gentle and lowly, burden-bearing God, then come on into His heart. Feast with Him, see His smile, hear His laughter, and confidently grow in authentically loving this God for being precisely who He claims to be in the pages of His Word.

To know Him, is to love Him!
And the proof of our love is made manifest when we stoop low with humble gentleness to lovingly carry another’s burdens just as Christ has done, and is doing right now, for us!

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May we grow in deeply knowing the One who knows us so well! For the Lord is near to those who draw close to Him through repentance of our sins. (James 4:8-10)

What intimacy awaits those who feel lonely, fearful, and depressed when they come to the Lord to confess their sin and enjoy the pleasure of relationship with Him because of His forgiveness and mercy!

What sweet connection awaits if only we would pour ourselves over His Scripture and meditate on His character day and night that we might deeply know Him! (Joshua 1:8)
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Posted in: gentle, Grace, Humility, Love, Relationship Tagged: burden, church, family, humble, kind, service, tender

Another Day 7 Helping Hands: Digging Deeper

March 14, 2023 by Natalie Smith Leave a Comment

Another Day 7 Helping Hands: Digging Deeper

Natalie Smith

March 14, 2023

church,Community,Family,gentle,Heart

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

This DD Connects With "Helping Hands"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 13:5-20

Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who asked him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I’m doing you don’t realize now, but afterward you will understand.”

8 “You will never wash my feet,” Peter said. Jesus replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” 10 “One who has bathed,” Jesus told him, “doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For he knew who would betray him. This is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you. 16 “Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

18 “I’m not speaking about all of you; I know those I have chosen. But the Scripture must be fulfilled: The one who eats my bread has raised his heel against me.19 I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am he. 20 Truly I tell you, whoever receives anyone I send receives me, and the one who receives me receives him who sent me.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why would Jesus emphasize washing Peter’s feet, but refuse to wash all of him? Does Jesus not need to cleanse every part of a sinner for us to be right with God? (verses 8-10)

When I read these verses of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, I see a truly humble servant.Yet, when reading verses 8-10, deeper spiritual teachings seem to exist. It’s important to consider that both Enduring Word Commentary and Matthew Henry, biblical theologian, note that Jesus didn’t wash His disciples’ feet to illustrate how we are saved from our sins and made clean by the forgiveness only God can offer. Salvation wasn’t the point of Christ’ stooping to wash unsandaled feet.

The tension between Jesus’ washing and Peter’s remarks point toward spiritual growth and a demonstration of how to live the Christian life rather than a picture of how one is saved from sin. The disciples were already eating (John 13:2-4), but nobody had volunteered to cleanse feet, nor had a hired servant handled this distasteful task.

They sat on the floor with pillows, as was common at the time, with the stench of the outside road sitting with them at the table. Having planned the evening and knowing this situation would arise, Jesus chose the role of a lowly servant to demonstrate in an exceedingly personal manner what it was to love others as God loves them.

This was uncomfortable for Peter! Christ was His Lord, not his foot slave! Initially, he refuses. But Jesus stressed the importance of receiving His service by stating, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with Me.” (verse 7) Confused, Peter goes to the other extreme, asking to be bathed in whole. (verse 9) When Jesus responds practically that only his feet are dirty, Peter discovers he must be humble in heart in order to truly receive humility’s love. Only through Jesus’ great humility does Peter wrestle with his own deep seeded pride. It takes humility to receive humility.

The Everyday Application

1) Why would Jesus emphasize washing Peter’s feet, but refuse to wash all of him? Does Jesus not need to cleanse every part of a sinner for us to be right with God? (verses 8-10)

Jesus said His disciples were already clean except Judas Iscariot (verse 10), meaning they had already repented of their sin and trusted Christ to be exactly Who He claimed to be as God. They had been washed clean (forgiven of all sin) through faith. (Titus 3:5) Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an example of how His people were to love others with humility and how all must be humbled by the depths of their sin in order to receive humble love.

We cannot save one another by serving them, but we can point them to the love of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Both the humility in giving and receiving servant-love is a refining fire used by the Lord to make us more like Him!

Before we married, my husband served in youth ministry; together we envisioned wonderful ways to care for others in ministry. Instead, as we moved into life and marriage, we ran into broken down cars, basement floods, and other stressors we couldn’t finagle alone.

The families we envisioned serving were keeping us afloat with their humble service. They loaned us their cars and brought shop-vacs to quickly remove water. When we had two small children and I became suddenly sick, ladies literally picked up their dinner plates and came to our house to babysit.

We deserved none of these gifts, and it was uncomfortable to receive such love from the ones we were supposed to be serving. For years, it seemed others were helping us more than we could offer in return. We can never repay the service of those loving church members who acted like family, but through the humility of receiving, the Lord has shown us how to better give. Serving is not sustained in our own strength, but in His strength.

The Original Intent

2) How does Jesus’ command to wash each other’s feet apply to the Church at large? (verse 14)

Jesus, always intentional, began the process of washing feet noting that His disciples did not understand now, but would later understand His purposes. (verse 7) Allowing Jesus to wash their feet required much on both sides. Jesus stooped low to do the job no one else was willing to do, while the disciples surrendered in obedience. 

 Both sides practiced humility, patience, and endurance with the careful and involved process of cleansing and cleaning up. Multiple times throughout Scripture, and even during this last meal (Luke 22:24), Jesus’ disciples had discussed who was the greatest among themselves. (Luke 9:46) But here in chapter 13, Jesus strongly emphasizes His call of spiritual growth through humility, which is a requirement for following Him with our lives.

Jesus called out the disciples’ pride and mis-focus on being “better” than one another. He instructs that none is greater than their masters or teachers, which was Christ. (verses 16-17) The disciples readily called Jesus their Lord and Leader, which underscored the reality that Jesus called them to also stoop to the lowliest tasks. In fact, the disciples are actually commanded, not to necessarily physically wash feet, but to willingly stoop to the lowest of positions for the benefit of fellow disciples of Christ.

The Everyday Application

2) How does Jesus’ command to wash each other’s feet apply to the Church at large? (verse 14)

It is not unheard of to attend a wedding, youth group service, or other church gathering where the act of foot washing is part of the service. It’s meant as a lovely portrayal of their heart’s intention to humbly serve one another. But what about the day in and out experiences of doing life within the church? When Jesus commanded His disciples to “wash another’s feet” He did not mean serving to end when the feet were physically clean. Rather, Jesus referenced the heart’s need to let go of pride for the benefit of our Christian family.

I have the gift of knowing a sweet story of a local pastor and church member; I hope their story encourages you like it does me! A long-time, faithful church member took on the church’s janitorial needs as a paid second job. After months of cleanliness, people suddenly began noticing problems. There were unkempt bathrooms, crumbs and dirt remaining on the floor after gatherings, and the like.

The attentive pastor noticed something amiss, and instead of approaching the situation with business-like efficiency of firing the worker, he chose to lean into spiritual growth for himself and his friend. Despite his leadership role and busy demands, the pastor stooped low to save face for the man until the heart of the matter could be discussed. Unannounced, the pastor cleaned the nursery bathrooms and vacuumed the sanctuary for several weeks allowing the hired man to receive payment.

This pastor chose humble grace-filled service for his brother, demonstrating his submission to Christ’s lordship as more important than his own authority as pastor. Are we willing to take on the difficult and dirty for the spiritual benefit of one another?

The Original Intent

3) Did Jesus invite Judas into His discipleship circle for the purpose of Christ’s betrayal? (verse 18)

Backing up in this passage, which is an important practice when studying the Bible, we read that Jesus, “knew His hour had come to depart out of this world (…)” and that Jesus “loved His own to the end”. (John 13:1) As both God and man, Jesus knew His purpose. He knew when to keep his head down and do daily life, when to start teaching and displaying miracles, and when to withdraw with His closest disciples.

Jesus knew which chosen disciples would follow Him in faith and which one would move His mission forward at the time of betrayal because of his choice to reject Jesus. (John 6:64)

Judas had every opportunity to know Jesus as Messiah and Lord just as each of the other disciples did. Judas traveled with Jesus, witnessed His healings and mercies, and sat in on quiet conversations where Jesus as He explained parables. Still, Judas did not repent and his heart was hard set against God.

Scripture warns of a time when God turns us over to our heart desires if we continue rebelling against Him, making it known that what we want most is to be our own “god”. (Romans 1:21-24, Ephesians 4:19) Verse 2 tells us the devil put betrayal into Judas’s heart, which describes a moment of being turned over to Judas’ true heart-desire to keep rejecting Him.Jesus knew the heart of Judas from the beginning, still He invited Judas along, allowed him to manage the money, and even included him in the washing of feet before sending him on his way to betrayal. Jesus tells us that allowing this deceit was not in vain, but rather that Scripture was fulfilled, and further evidence was provided His disciples of His divinity as the All-Knowing God. (verse 18-19) He was more than a good teacher and example of humble service, Christ is God and Savior!

The Everyday Application

3) Did Jesus invite Judas into His discipleship circle for the purpose of Christ’s betrayal? (verse 18)

God, as being perfectly good, does not create evil, but He still has control over it, as He is all-powerful. Humans are responsible for sin and the Devil causes much deceit and evil through our human fleshly desires to love sin. (gotquestions.org) Still, God is sovereign and able to use what is already present because of sin to move His plans forward for the good of His people and the accomplishment of His purposes. (Romans 8:28)

Judas-like people are present in both our families and churches. These are people who have learned to mimic the outward fruit of what Christianity “looks like”, but their hearts are far from their actions. Such masqueraders cause much pain. How can someone be so close, and yet, so far from the Lord?

As a child, I incorrectly thought if Jesus would perform a miracle for my dad, he would surely love Jesus. Years later, I realized Scripture addresses my mis-understanding. The Bible describes multitudes experiencing the miracles of Jesus, and then following Him merely for the physical benefits. (John 6:26) Jesus calls out this heart-attitude saying, “You have seen me and yet do not believe.” (John 6:36) The God of all truth is not deceived by outward appearance. (1 Samuel 16:7)

How is one truly saved? Scripture teaches it is the Lord who calls us to Himself and He perfectly knows our hearts. “I know those I have chosen.” (John 13:18) “[The disciples] did not choose [Jesus], but He chose [them]” (John 15:16). It also says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts (…)” (Hebrews 3:15) and “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) Call on the Lord, repent of your sin and confess Him as Lord!

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Serving with the assumption of an expected response, especially one benefitting ourselves. This is a business exchange, and potentially even manipulation, while covering up the gross sin of self-serving.

Serving someone with the mindset he or she is less than or “lower” than us, unworthy of our presence, or any other thought in which we are exalted as higher than the other. This is the sin of arrogance. (1 Peter 5:5-6)
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Posted in: church, Community, Family, gentle, Heart Tagged: church, family, humility, Jesus, love, servant

Another Day 6 Helping Hands

March 13, 2023 by Sara Cissell Leave a Comment

Another Day 6 Helping Hands

Sara Cissell

March 13, 2023

Character,Christ,church,Faith,gentle

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 10:1-18
Matthew 20:20-28
John 13:2-20
Proverbs 27:17
Proverbs 3:34

Have you ever seen a grindstone wheel used to sharpen axes? Picture a circular stone, mounted on a frame and axle. The edge of the ax would be placed against the turning stone; the pressure of the ax on the stone and the texture of the stone itself would sharpen the ax blade. 

This process enabled the ax to function to its highest potential and saved its owner much time and energy when using it. Sharpening was imperative to the lifespan of the ax. 

Sharpening is imperative to our lifespans as well. 
“Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
That’s right, our interactions with others sharpen us. 

Serving others with humility is one of the most significant ways we can leverage a situation to sharpen us into becoming more like Christ. In fact, Jesus demonstrated this reality time and time again in His ministry. 

Jesus had every right to expect others to serve Him. Not only was He perfectly sinless during His years on earth, He carried with Him all authority as Lord. (Matthew 28:18) He literally could command angels, and how did this God Man treat His disciples?           

He washed their feet. (John 13:2-20)
Jesus filled one of the lowliest cultural roles as He willingly, humbly served His very human disciples. 

Jesus, being fully God (John 10:30), had no need to be sharpened by humbling Himself. However, He modeled humble service because this is His character and He desires to see His heart flourishing in us. 

“Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
who, existing in the form of God, 
did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.
Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient,
to the point of death–
even to death on a cross.”
(Philippians 2:5-8)

Serving with humility creates a softness of heart that allows us to be shaped into the likeness of Jesus, and the Lord gives many opportunities to practice humility in everyday life.

Patience with personalities, going the extra mile, serving others regardless of social standing, gender, race, active listening, and the list is endless. Basically, in all real-life scenarios choose “humility, consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

For clarity, let’s also consider what an attitude of humility does not look like. 

Serving with the assumption of an expected response, especially one benefitting ourselves. This is a business exchange, and potentially even manipulation, while covering up the gross sin of self-serving. 

Serving someone with the mindset he or she is less than or “lower” than us, unworthy of our presence, or any other thought in which we are exalted as higher than the other. This is the sin of arrogance. (1 Peter 5:5-6)

Serving with impatience and a communicated sense that another person is an inconvenience. This demonstrates a lack of value for the other person, revealing the sin of pride. Remember, we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” by the God who crafted each of us in His image. (Psalm 139:13-16)

These non-examples make me cringe because I can easily pinpoint times when I have done all of them. The sweet, and usually pointed, conviction of the Holy Spirit has helped me recognize those moments. When I ask for forgiveness and allow my heart and thoughts to reflect the love of the Lord, I am sharpened and become more like Christ. 

Serving others with humility is not for the faint of heart, nor is it to be confused with abandoning healthy boundaries. We interact with others imperfectly, and healthy boundaries are needed in relationships. If you’re a believer in Jesus, having repented from your sins and trusted Christ for your eternal rescue, asking Him to be Lord of your life, the key to discernment here is listening. Listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit who lives within you to guide you as you seek to love others with humble service. If you’ve never surrendered your whole life to Jesus, it’s just impossible to truly serve with Christ’s humility in real life. Come to Jesus now, with the humble awareness that you need a Rescuer from your sin. Ask Him to make you new, forgive your sin, and put His Spirit inside you to begin cultivating your heart to love like Him!

Jesus set the example for serving others during His years on the earth. We have been given our time here to become more like Him and invite others to experience His goodness in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) May we humble ourselves to experience the fullness of the sharpening process, for His glory. 

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The pastor, despite his leadership role and busy demands, stooped low to save face for the man temporarily until the heart of the matter could be discussed. The pastor stooped down to clean the nursery bathrooms and vacuum the sanctuary for several weeks allowing the hired man received the check. An act of grace and humility for the gift of spiritual growth before coming to a resolution. Are we willing to take on the difficult and dirty for the spiritual benefit of one another?
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Posted in: Character, Christ, church, Faith, gentle Tagged: church, humility, Jesus, kindness, love, serving

Another Day 5 Not About Me: Digging Deeper

March 10, 2023 by Rachel Jones Leave a Comment

Another Day 5 Not About Me: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

March 10, 2023

Fellowship,gentle,Humility,Joy

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

This DD Connects With "Not About Me"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philippians 2:2-8

Make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why would it bring Paul joy for Christians to be united in spirit and intent on one purpose? (verse 2)

Paul told the church in Philippi to “Make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” (Philippians 2:2) Albert Barnes explains, “The word used here does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means a union of soul; or an acting together as if but one soul actuated them.” Paul didn’t just intend for Christians to get along; he wanted them to act and work in unison as one Body, that is, Christ’s.

Charles Ellicott describes Paul’s desire for believers to be of one mind, “living in one another, each sinking his individuality in the enthusiasm of a common love.” Paul knew that when Christians act in one accord they can be powerful ambassadors for Jesus because they are rightly reflecting God’s own heart of unity. (Romans 15:5) Paul wanted Christians to unite around their love and service for one another because of the Lord Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

William Barclay asserts, “the fact that we are all in Christ should keep us in unity. No man can walk in disunity with his fellow-men and in unity with Christ.” When differences arise amongst Christians, the divisions distract us from the cause of Christ. (Titus 3:9-11)

Paul wanted better for his readers; he wanted them to experience the joy he knew from walking in unity. Chuck Swindoll writes that Paul understood “true joy comes only through humble faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ, joining ourselves in harmony with His followers, and serving others in the name of Christ.” This joy is something we can experience today as we unite our hearts and minds with our fellow believers in service and devotion to Jesus.

The Everyday Application

1) Why would it bring Paul joy for Christians to be united in spirit and intent on one purpose? (verse 2)

I joined a few Jane Austen enthusiast groups online and enjoyed the lively discussions of Austen’s novels and all things Jane-related. It was lovely to discover so many like-minded virtual friends, but I was not anticipating the heated arguments that Janeites could get into! There were countless disagreements over film adaptations, parallel novels, modern retellings, prequels and sequels. How could readers who devotedly loved one British author and her six novels argue so violently over insignificant details?

Unfortunately, this kind of discord finds its way into our local churches as well, spreading the sickness of disunity. We are meant to focus on loving God and loving others which results in harmony (Luke 10:27), but distracting disagreements cause fractures and divisions within our church families.

The Lord intends our everyday lives as believers to be marked by humbly serving one another, considering one another’s needs superior to our own, and refusing the distraction of disunity. While this doesn’t require us to do everything in lock-step, it does entail a humble willingness to choose unity over our own way.

God gives each of us different gifts and talents for the purpose of bringing Him glory and making Him known to others by how we operate in those gifts, each gift fitting together with one another. (Romans 12:6) Some of us write, others sing, some teach, others paint, dance, serve, or make meals, but each of us contribute to God’s design for unity. Together, we paint the picture of Church that God intended.

Our methods and our instruments are not all the same, but our aim is united as we share the Hope of Jesus with the world. (Galatians 1:15-16) We can serve Him together in that goal, even if we don’t employ the same methods or even agree on everything. (Romans 14)

The Original Intent

2) What is implied by the command to adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus? (verse 5)

In describing God’s design for how the Philippian believers were to treat one another, Paul emphasized they were to “adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)

Although Jesus was perfect (1 Peter 2:22), all knowing, and all powerful (1 John 3:20), He always acted in humility. He didn’t start conversations talking about His exploits and successes. He focused on elevating others and humbly serving them. (1 Peter 5:7) He saw their hurts, slowed to engage them and bring them healing. (1 Peter 2:24) He could have played the “God card” and skipped all the miseries of life in a fallen world, but He chose to become flesh (John 1:14) to save us from our sins (Luke 19:10).

Theodore Epp writes, “Even though Christ was God Himself and had the right to display His attributes, He willingly gave up this right in order to come to earth to be the Saviour of the world (…) Jesus Christ voluntarily took a lower position because of His love for us. And this is the same kind of attitude that should characterize those of us who know Jesus Christ as Saviour.”

Jesus was humble, and full of love and compassion for others. He didn’t prioritize status, money, or tradition; humble, servant-like love trumped everything. He cared about bringing people to His Father, and this is the attitude we should emulate.

Like Jesus, we should love and serve our friends, neighbors, and the difficult-to-love, so they may choose a relationship with the God who loves them and gave His life for them.

The Everyday Application

2) What is implied by the command to adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus? (verse 5)

My American Government teacher, Mrs. Newhart, was tough but fair and brought out the best in her students. She did a cheer for her classes before each test because she believed academics should be encouraged as much as sports. The multiple sclerosis that confined her to a wheel chair did not alter her enthusiasm for life or for teaching. Her positive attitude inspired her students and helped us believe we could do big things when we worked hard and persevered. Having a great role model to follow was impactful for all of her students.

The Apostle Paul desired something similarly impactful in Philippians 2:5 when he told the church to “adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus”. He wanted believers to follow the example of Jesus in how they treated one another. According to Joseph Benson, Paul’s admonition included “the mind and heart, the understanding, will, and affections. Let your judgment and estimation of things, your choice, desire, intention, determination, and subsequent practice, be like those in [Jesus]”.

It was the humility of Jesus that Paul was cheerfully urging to his readers. Paul wanted those who professed love for Jesus to act like Jesus, pouring themselves out for those around them with humble gentleness and care. (Galatians 5:13). Christ Jesus’ attitude was humble to the core. Paul knew if believers adopted this same attitude, they would live in harmony and draw many people to Jesus. (Acts 4:32)

The Original Intent

3) How did Christ assume the form of a servant? (verse 7)

The Apostle Paul described Jesus as fully divine God who “emptied Himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity.” (Philippians 2:7) Although Jesus was fully God, He became God incarnate (fully human while also fully God) to serve us by taking on our sins and sacrificing Himself for us. (1 Peter 2:24)

Keith Krell asserts, “Jesus Christ practiced self-denial and self-sacrifice for our sake and became ‘God-in-a-bod!’ What an astounding, unfathomable thought. Jesus left the glory and splendor of heaven and came to dwell on earth to serve others. He understood the way up is down.” The moment Christ came to earth, He took on the role of a servant. (Matthew 20:28)

Kevin Deyoung states that Christ’s service was “Not just service broadly conceived as blessing people with his care and compassion, but service in the best way possible, and in the way only Jesus could fulfill, service through suffering on a cross.” Although He was God Himself, He humbly took on human form so He could take our sins upon Himself and save us from death and Hell we deserve because of our sinful offenses against the perfectly holy God. (Romans 8:3-4)

John Piper explains that Jesus, “the Word, takes on flesh that He might have flesh with which to die. And in giving his flesh for the world, the world can have life because now sins can be forgiven, righteousness can be provided, a substitute is there.” Jesus came in the flesh to save us by serving us. He taught us how to serve, not so we could serve Him (Mark 10:45), but so we could serve others in His name. (John 13:14)

The Everyday Application

3) How did Christ assume the form of a servant? (verse 7)

I recently watched a history program that followed a famous British actress as she uncovered the story of her great uncle, a British airman in World War II. Research revealed he had been a bomber shot down over Germany. She learned that the pilot of his plane held the controls steady at 17,000 feet so his crew could parachute out, knowing that the near stall-out would likely mean death for himself as his aircraft would certainly crash. The actress marveled at the heroic, selfless act of the pilot that allowed his team the chance to escape with their lives.

I thought of this story as I read Paul’s words about Jesus in Philippians 2:7-8, “He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.” Jesus came to earth as a servant to all humans, knowing that the best way He could serve us was to die for our sins, taking our place so we could stand blameless before God. (1 Peter 3:18)

Jesus is God’s plan for humanity’s salvation; He is the only way people can come to God. (John 14:6) Almighty God came to earth and took on the form of man, His own creation, so He could shed His own blood to cover our sins. (Ephesians 1:7) His sacrifice effectively paid the penalty of death we deserve, it’s up to us whether we will accept or reject His offer of full forgiveness when we truly repent of our sin and trust His payment for us.

If we accept His gift of rescue from sin and eternal death, He continues to serve us as our Advocate (1 John 2:1), our Intercessor (Romans 8:34), and our Friend (John 15:15).

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As Christians, our utmost aim is to magnify Christ, but in living out this mission, differing theological positions arise. Humility is not indifference to core doctrine for the sake of unity. Our belief in the gospel, the Trinity, and the authority of God’s Word are foundational tenets of our faith, separating Christianity from all other religions. Instead, humility is considering the best of others, willingly overlooking minor theological issues in order to be unified in Christ. What does this look like? In short, Jesus. Which is exactly why Paul points our gaze quickly to Christ as he discusses God’s command to live in humility with one another in His family.
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Posted in: Fellowship, gentle, Humility, Joy Tagged: family, humility, love, serving, unity
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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14