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Gospel

The GT Weekend! ~ Sacrifice Week 3

April 16, 2022 by Marietta Taylor Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Sarah kicked off our final week of Sacrifice with a powerful story about forgiveness. She demonstrated how the forgiveness we receive from Jesus can lead to personal forgiveness toward others. As she walked us through the Bible, unpacking the path from animal sacrifice to the sacrifice of our Savior on our behalf, how did you personally connect to the purpose of sacrifice? Journal your thoughts and prayers on how this sacrificial thread has affected your life. Looking at Ephesians 2, which is where we find our memory verse, we can see clearly that without the sacrifice of the cross, we would be eternally lost. God’s love for us is so great that Christ paid the highest price to win us to freedom, peace, and belonging. With whom can you share this great truth? Write down their name and share your story with them, giving them a glimpse into the gospel. Check out the Journey Theme, Gospel, to help ground you understanding “the Gospel in one verse” in John 3:16.

2) One of my favorite worship songs is “Mercy Seat”, which describes how believers in Jesus have freedom to run to the mercy seat and find God’s presence, grace, and mercy. In the Old Testament, the “mercy seat” was a physical part of the Ark of the Covenant, the place where God would “meet” with His people. In the New Testament, that physical mercy seat has been replaced by the constant spiritual presence of God’s Spirit living within all who place their faith in Him. Jesus has made one sacrifice for all sin, replacing the Old Testament’s animal sacrificial system. Because of His sacrifice, we who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior have victory over sin and death as well as the constant presence of God’s Spirit within us. The mercy seat dwells in us! Write a prayer of praise and thanks for the daily ability to access the mercy seat. Journal how God’s mercy has impacted you. Choose a second person and share your journal entry with them. Invite them to either share their own story of God’s mercy or to gain access by praying to the Lord Jesus as Carol led us at the close of her Journey Study, “One Sacrifice”.

3) On home renovation shows everyone gets excited about demo day as the old is torn down to make way for something new and better. Our spiritual Demo Day is no different. To be made new and become more Christlike, the old must go. This means leaving behind our old sinful ways and surrendering our lives to God’s transformative plans. Lori encouraged us to pray a simple, but sometimes scary, prayer of surrender “God, break my heart for what breaks Yours.” Did you do it? If not, write it in your journal, pray it aloud and keep track of what God does with your prayer of faith. It’s not easy to walk the road of surrender, but we’re reminded in Paul’s letter to the Galatians that it is an important and necessary road we must walk. So let’s do that! As we conclude our Journey Into Sacrifice, do a quick review of the entire study and journal about which day impacted you most and why. How can you more effectively live out what you learned from that day? How can you sacrifice your time to bring others awareness of the greatest sacrifice ever made as Jesus gave His life on the cross?

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Ephesians 4:20-24 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

But that is not how you came to know Christ, assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, to take off, your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on, the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.

Prayer Journal
Lord today I pray a simple prayer, “Break my heart for what breaks Yours”. There is no way, Lord, for me to surrender my life to You in this way and not be changed. I will not be able to hold onto my old selfish, sinful ways if I am giving every part of my life over to You. Let me see and respond to others the way You do. Help me respond to situations the way You would. Transform my heart to be more like Yours. May it be so Lord for Your glory.

Worship Through Community

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

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

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

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Posted in: Forgiven, Gospel, Grace, GT Weekend, Mercy, Peace, Sacrifice, Sin Tagged: forgiveness, GT Weekend, hope, remade, sacrifice

Training Day 12 Hungry For More: Digging Deeper

February 8, 2022 by Abby Harrough Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Hungry For More!

The Questions

1) What is biblical fasting and what is its purpose? (verse 1)

2) Why was there great mourning among the Jewish people? (verse 3)

3) What role did fasting play in saving the Jews? (verse 16)

Esther 4

When Mordecai learned all that had occurred, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, went into the middle of the city, and cried loudly and bitterly. 2 He went only as far as the King’s Gate, since the law prohibited anyone wearing a sackcloth from entering the King’s Gate. 3 There was great mourning among the Jewish people in every province where the king’s command and edict reached. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4 Esther’s female servants and her eunuchs came and reported the news to her, and the queen was overcome with fear. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear so that he would take off his sackcloth, but he did not accept them. 5 Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who attended her, and dispatched him to Mordecai to learn what he was doing and why. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square in front of the King’s Gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened as well as the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay the royal treasury for the slaughter of the Jews.

8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa ordering their destruction, so that Hathach might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and command her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead with him personally for her people. 9 Hathach came and repeated Mordecai’s response to Esther.

10 Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to tell Mordecai, 11 “All the royal officials and the people of the royal provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard and who has not been summoned—the death penalty—unless the king extends the gold scepter, allowing that person to live. I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the last thirty days.” 12 Esther’s response was reported to Mordecai.

13 Mordecai told the messenger to reply to Esther, “Don’t think that you will escape the fate of all the Jews because you are in the king’s palace. 14 If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.”

15 Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went and did everything Esther had commanded him.

Original Intent

1) What is biblical fasting and what is its purpose? (verse 1)
True biblical fasting is both a heart and body posture of seeking God above all else. We do away with the comforts of food or drink in order to display our desperate need, seek repentance for sin, or ask God’s guidance. In his fasting, Mordecai also wept and lamented. Is there a difference between the two? Lament is to be mournful or regretful, but in biblical settings the intonation is that the lament is directed in prayer to God. To weep is to cry aloud. Both actions denote deep, anguished grief, especially when combined together. Mordecai’s response to learning of the genocide of his people was to fast, weep, and lament in prayer. (verse 3) Many people who were mourning went a step further and wore sackcloth, functional garments made of coarse material from either goat or camel hair. God instructed the Israelites to wear sackcloth when repenting. “On that day the Lord God of Armies called for weeping, for wailing, for shaven heads, and for the wearing of sackcloth.” (Isaiah 22:12) The uncomfortable fabric would have been a reminder of brokenness resulting from sin. Ashes were a sign of self-humiliation and mourning. Others would notice the sackcloth garment, see the ashes, and hear the laments. These outward signs were intended to usher in repentance as participants publicly declared the internal state of their heart for either humility in asking guidance or sorrow over sin.

2) Why was there great mourning among the Jewish people? (verse 3)
King Xerxes had a servant, Haman, who was elevated to a seat of honor higher than any of the other king’s nobles. (Esther 3:1) Everyone knelt to give him honor at the king’s gate except one man, Mordecai. (Esther 3:2) This infuriated Haman and irked his pride. (Esther 3:5) On learning of Mordecai’s Jewish heritage, Haman loathed the Jews even more; incited by Mordecai’s refusal to bow in Haman’s presence, Haman “planned to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews”. (Esther 3:6) In effort to preserve his own arrogance, Haman plotted the extermination of an entire people group, effectively eradicating the race he hated. Through trickery, Haman involved the king and gained his approval. (Esther 3:8-9) Within days, the king sealed an edict with his signet ring condemning all Jews to death. (Esther 3:10-13) This horrific legalization of mass genocide was the reason Mordecai and all his people came before the Lord in fasting, weeping, and lament.

3) What role did fasting play in saving the Jews? (verse 16)
Esther commanded Mordecai to commission the Jewish people to fast and pray for three days. (Esther 4:16) Esther also included herself and her maidservant in the fast as well. (Esther 4:16) Fasting is a biblical discipline intended to petition the Lord for His assistance, often on behalf of another. (Isaiah 58:6-8) We are to practice this with intentionality. In the Old Testament law given to Israel, God declared, “This is to be a permanent statute for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month you are to practice self-denial and do no work, both the native and the alien who resides among you.” (Leviticus 16:29)  Fasting is a sacrifice and, as such, we recognize it will be uncommon and uncomfortable but not unrecognized by our Lord. (Matthew 6:16-18) Esther was willing to go to the king on behalf of the Jews, but only after she had fasted and prayed. Fasting demonstrates both a humble heart and willing submission to the authority of the Lord God. In recognition that all things are sustained and upheld by God (Colossians 1:16-17), fasting with prayer displays a pleading for mercy.

Everyday Application

1) What is biblical fasting and what is its purpose? (verse 1)
Mordecai was in anguish at Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews because of their ethnicity and beliefs. Division between cultures and races is evidenced throughout the Old Testament between Jews and any other population outside the tribes of Israel. The best example of this division, and Jesus’ loving, invitational response to know Him, is displayed in the dialogue between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. “A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said to her, because His disciples had gone into town to buy food. “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” she asked him. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.” (John 4:7-9) Jesus invited a relationship across cultural-racial boundaries because God’s heart is love towards all people to know Him as the God who rescues from sin and condemnation. When we fast as Mordecai did for his people, we are bearing up the burden of reconciliation and bringing it to the Lord who loves to bring unity. Mordecai was heartbroken for his people and desired their preservation, so his response was to bring his burden to the Lord through fasting, weeping, and lamenting. Jesus came for the sins of the entire world (John 3:16), therefore we should be concerned for the salvation of our world. Lamenting over our division through fasting and prayer as Mordecai exemplified is the place to begin. God would have us preach the gospel to all the nations. (Mark 13:10)

2) Why was there great mourning among the Jewish people? (verse 3)
The Jews were to be annihilated because of the selfish ambitions of one man, Haman. (Esther 3:1-6) Haman was “filled with rage” because Mordecai would not pay him the respect he thought he deserved. It’s easy to read this account and condemn Haman for such arrogance, but what happens to us when we don’t get our way or are wronged by another? Surges of anger? Feelings of indignation?  Perhaps even disgust? The rest of Esther’s narrative shows us that Haman grew so angry he not only plotted the destruction of an entire nation of people, but also constructed towering gallows on which to personally hang Mordecai. (Esther 5:14) Anger and rage burn inside us until we make poor judgments. (James 1:14-15) The Bible reminds us not to sin when we are angry and not to let the sun go down on the anger we feel. (Ephesians 4:26-27) Scripture also reminds us that God has final judgment on all actions. (Psalm 50:6, Psalm 75:6-8) In light of God and His righteous judgment, consider the comfort of Psalm 54:7, “For He has rescued me from every trouble, and my eye has looked down on my enemies. God is our refuge and strength, but he is also our defender!” God offers rescue to all who trust entirely upon Him! He removes our sin “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12) and gives His own righteousness to us in exchange for our great sinfulness. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

3) What role did fasting play in saving the Jews? (verse 16)
When the Holy Spirit prompts us to fast we need to examine the reason. Have we sinned and are seeking forgiveness? Is there a decision to be made? Is there a certain calamity our family, employer, or nation is facing? When called to fast, how will we prepare our hearts? Will our focus be on reflecting God’s glory or on obtaining our desires? (John 14:13) When Mordecai learned all that had occurred, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, went into the middle of the city, and cried loudly and bitterly. (Esther 4:1) How will you respond to the discipline of fasting? If you are in another’s presence, can you lament? If there is a party or event planned can you dress in sackcloth? Should you fast from food in the presence of others? Although these might seem legalistic, they each have their importance in the picture of fasting. These are questions you must take to God in prayer. Jesus fasted before entering His earthly ministry. (Matthew 4:2) The prophetess, Anna, fasted in the temple as a routine discipline of her faith. (Luke 2:37) Esther fasted before petitioning the king. (Esther 4:16) Seek your own posture of fasting and allow God to direct the type of fast you will offer as a sacrifice to Him.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Hungry For More!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Training Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up
to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Posted in: Deep, Digging Deeper, Forgiven, God, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Purpose, Relationship Tagged: Esther, fasting, Great Mourning, grief, heart, hungry, Mordecai, training, Weep

Training Day 2 In My Name: Digging Deeper

January 25, 2022 by Marietta Taylor Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out In My Name!

The Questions

1) Why was God displeased with the people? (verse 4)

2) How does God define “true religion”? (verse 7)

3) What does verse 11 say are the benefits of doing things God’s way?

4) How can we experience God’s joy? (verse 14)

Isaiah 58

“Cry out loudly, don’t hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Tell my people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 They seek me day after day and delight to know my ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not abandon the justice of their God. They ask me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.”

3 “Why have we fasted, but you have not seen? We have denied ourselves, but you haven’t noticed!” “Look, you do as you please on the day of your fast, and oppress all your workers. 4 You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today, hoping to make your voice heard on high. 5 Will the fast I choose be like this: A day for a person to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 Isn’t this the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to ignore your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will appear like the dawn, and your recovery will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard. 9 At that time, when you call, the Lord will answer; when you cry out, he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you get rid of the yoke among you, the finger-pointing and malicious speaking, 10 and if you offer yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.11 The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never runs dry. 12 Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the foundations laid long ago; you will be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live. 13 “If you keep from desecrating the Sabbath, from doing whatever you want on my holy day; if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, seeking your own pleasure, or talking business; 14 then you will delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride over the heights of the land, and let you enjoy the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Original Intent

1) Why was God displeased with the people? (verse 4)
Isaiah 58 begins with God rebuking His people through the prophet Isaiah regarding their worship. (verse 1) While that seems odd on the surface, God had a valid reason. The people appeared to love the Lord and keep His laws and expect “righteous judgments” as a result of their relationship with Him (verse 2), but they acted surprised when God actually rebuked them (verse 3). The Lord, however, had His facts straight. Though Israel was worshiping the Lord with their mouths, other times they used their mouths and hands for evil. (verse 4) Previously, in Isaiah 29:13, the Lord noted how the people gave lip service to Him but their hearts were far from Him. According to Bible Study Courses, “The LORD makes clear that He does not consider the mere offering of the formalities of religious observance—no matter how sincerely they may be offered—as acceptable worship, if they are not accompanied by obedience in all areas of life.” God wanted acceptable worship, where their hearts and actions lined up daily with His commands. What He got instead was legalism and posturing.

2) How does God define “true religion”? (verse 7)
After admonishing the people for their inauthentic worship, God provided His definition of “true religion” or truly faithful living. Flee wickedness and free the oppressed. (verse 6) Feed the hungry and provide for the poor and homeless. (verse 7) This definition is echoed in James 1:27, “Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” This stands in stark contrast to the Israelites’ behavior. Enduring Word Commentary explains God’s directions this way, “Getting right with God begins by stopping the evil we do towards others. Getting right with God continues by doing loving things for other people.” This was how the Israelites could show God they were living an authentic life of faith, by fasting from evil deeds and living in a loving community such as we see in Acts 2:42-47.

3) What does verse 11 say are the benefits of doing things God’s way?
All of the benefits God offered His people were contingent on their obedience. If the people adhered to practicing true, authentic, acceptable worship in word and deed, God would reward them. According to The Global Study Bible, “The right kind of worship brings God’s presence and blessing.” (verse 9) Not only that, but the Lord would also hear them, unlike false gods. If the people fed the hungry and helped the afflicted, the adversity and darkness they faced would be replaced by prosperity and light. (Bible Study Tools) God was willing to bless them if they walked in faithful obedience, pouring out His blessings like a gardener waters his precious garden. (verse 11) Instead of feeling down and dejected, they would be refreshed and sustained by the Lord.

4) How can we experience God’s joy? (verse 14)
In the final verses of chapter 58, Isaiah related to the people the pathway to experiencing God’s joy in their lives. They hadn’t received this benefit in quite some time because they were disobedient and disingenuous. Perhaps they even forgot how good it felt to delight in the Lord’s intimate joy over them. Isaiah’s reminder from the Lord was clear, if they observed the Sabbath with true intentions and reverence, they would be rewarded. (verse 13) Observing the Sabbath wasn’t a checklist item God wanted them to perform, rather, the Sabbath was created as a space for them to enjoy God and His presence without distraction. This last reminder from Isaiah reveals God’s heart desire for a rich relationship with His people. It’s this heart posture of humble enjoyment of God that He loves to cultivate by providing us with His good gifts! (Matthew 7:11) StudyLight.org says, “… if we framed our life in obedience to God, we should be His delight, and, on the other hand, He would be our delight.” Faithful obedience and right intentions were what God was looking for so He could reward the Israelites with His joy.

Everyday Application

1) Why was God displeased with the people? (verse 4)
Just like the Israelites went through the motions of worship while living in a way contrary to true adoration, so too do we today. We judge, we argue our point to the detriment of friendships and family relationships, we’re unkind to others, and we spend more time doing other things than deepening our relationship with the Lord. A quick survey of our social media timelines confirms many of these sins. In The ESV Study Bible, under the Global Message of Isaiah, it states, “The glory and goodness of God is reflected in and through His people, by their words and by their actions.” How are our words and actions living up to this? If our daily lives are not reflecting Christ, then God is as disappointed in our heart position as He was with the Israelites’. We should take inventory and make changes in our heart attitudes, so we please God and avoid His harsh rebuke. Let’s respond to the Spirit’s conviction and live out Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”

2) How does God define “true religion”? (verse 7)
Micah 6:8 is a favorite verse of mine, “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Though it frequently convicts me, it is a good summary of what God communicated to the Israelites, and ultimately to us, in Isaiah 58:7. If we want concrete examples of what it looks like, Jesus modeled the definition of true religion for us throughout the Gospel accounts. John Piper lays out some beautiful examples in a 2019 commencement address, “Over and over in the Gospels it says, Jesus cared, He felt compassion on the harassed crowds (Matthew 9:36), and on the sick (Matthew 14:14), and on the hungry (Matthew 15:32), and on the blind (Matthew 20:34), and on the leper (Mark 1:41), and on the demon-possessed (Mark 9:22), and on the bereaved (Luke 7:13).” Living truly devoted lives to God is evidenced by loving Him and loving others. Jesus never looked for a reward. He just acted, loved, and walked humbly with Father God. The definition in Isaiah, echoes in Micah, and is lived out in the Gospel accounts. It’s the same one God expects us to adhere to in our everyday lives. It’s the one we should embrace and fully integrate into our lives because we love God that much.

3) What does verse 11 say are the benefits of doing things God’s way?
We don’t love God because of His benefits. Neither does He love us based on our works. We love God because He first chose to set His love on us, even when we were sinners. (1 John 4:19, Romans 5:8) When we evidence our true love for God by our works (James 2:18), it deepens our relationship with Him and opens the door for Him to shower us with His benefits. Throughout Scripture He reminds us of how living life the way He prescribes will result in blessings beyond measure. The thing we need to hang onto is that He doesn’t expect us to do this on our own. He says in Isaiah 58:11 that He will lead, satisfy, and strengthen us to follow and obey Him. Today He does that through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who helps remake us into people God can and does bless. Why would we pass up God’s help to receive His blessings? I know I don’t intend to, and I’m guessing you don’t either since you’re here studying with us. God pours out His love on us first, and we become more like Him by His Spirit who teaches us to be loving and humble in our ways as we reflect His generous love to the world around us.

4) How can we experience God’s joy? (verse 14)
Today God is still looking for our faithful obedience and right intentions. Charles Spurgeon said, “The ways of worldly conformity and unholiness cannot bring good to us or ours. It will go well with us when we go well before God. If integrity does not make us prosper, knavery will not. That which gives pleasure to God will bring pleasure to us.” When we cultivate our relationship with God through prayer, reading and meditating on His Word, and following His commands, we experience His pleasure and His joy; these are the richest of all gifts He could give! Psalm 37:4 instructs us to “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.”. If your heart’s desire is to experience God’s joy then revel in Psalm 16:11, “In Your presence is abundant joy; at Your right hand are eternal pleasures.”

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with In My Name!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Training Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up
to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Posted in: Blessed, Community, Digging Deeper, God, Gospel, Jesus, Joy, Obedience, Worship Tagged: authentic, Faithful Living, My Name, training, True Religion

Kneel Day 9 Believing The Best Of God: Digging Deeper

January 13, 2022 by Melodye Reeves Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Believing The Best Of God!

The Questions

1) To whom should the believer demonstrate graciousness (gentleness)? (verse 5)

2) Why should the believer demonstrate graciousness? (verse 5)

3) What does Paul encourage believers to use as a defense against worry? (verse 6)

4) What will be the result of our obedience to pray about everything? (verse 7)

Philippians 4:5-7

5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. the Lord.

Original Intent

1) To whom should the believer demonstrate graciousness (gentleness)? (verse 5)
This isn’t a trick question! But it is a weighty one, isn’t it? Most of us want some sort of clarification for the commanding statement in Paul’s letter. Maybe the original readers did too. Anytime we read a word as inclusive as “everyone”, we typically begin to look for parentheses to offer some sort of exception. Much to our chagrin, there is no clause excluding certain people or situations. The believer is to let our “graciousness be known to everyone.” The Greek word (epieikes) used in this verse conveys that our attitude toward others, all the others, is to be gentle, equitable and patient. Digging into the context of the verse helps us understand Paul’s instructions regarding relationships. In verses 2-3, he encourages two women in the church to strive toward unity, implying there are far-reaching gospel implications in their pursuit of reconciliation. Their discord could drastically affect how others are hearing and receiving the peace of Christ. He writes that these women had “contended for the gospel at my side”. (verse 3) They were faithful servants with Paul in the work of sharing Jesus. Whatever had caused the disagreement wasn’t nearly as important as the commonality they shared in Christ and their goal of telling others about the freedom and peace He brings. It was essential that the gospel (What is the gospel?) they proclaimed not be hindered by their disunity. This message regarding unity and humility wasn’t only for these two women. It was for all believers at the church in Philippi. Graciousness was to be demonstrated by every believer and toward everyone who witnessed their interactions.

2) Why should the believer demonstrate graciousness? (verse 5)
The graciousness we are to show to all people is painted with a broad brush. Our human tendency may be to flinch at the command to treat everyone with grace. It means that our kindness and patience is not just toward those we love or find desirable. Our heart-motivation is key to genuineness! We do this because “the Lord is near.” (verse 5) Sandwiched between the more well-known and oft-quoted “rejoice-in-the-Lord-always” and “be-anxious-for-nothing” verses is this treasure. “Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” When the believer lives with the awareness of Jesus’ daily presence and His pending return (Hebrews 9:27-28), it becomes easier and more significant to rejoice in the Lord and show gentleness to all people. Since we know Jesus will settle every wrong when He returns, we carry our personal struggles and conflicts to Him because we can trust Him to make things right in our sin-stricken world. James tells us that receiving God’s grace and giving His grace are linked. (James 1:19-27) Our time with Jesus in prayer and in the Word is evidenced by our graciousness. When we exhibit the humility of Christ, we season the gospel in a way that adds flavor. We adorn it. Our graciousness gives credibility to our gospel message of grace. When Paul wrote to his disciple Titus, he reminded him to encourage all the believers in sound doctrine and motivate them toward gracious living. (Titus 2:1-14) The Lord is near. He is with us now through His Spirit and His bodily return is forthcoming. Therefore, we live in such a way as to preach the gospel with our lives as well as our words.

3) What does Paul encourage believers to use as a defense against worry? (verse 6)
Paul tells the believers at Philippi to reject worry and instead “present your requests to God.” Though we may never fully grasp how our prayers and God’s will work together, the Bible makes it clear we are to pray. The Greek gnōrizesthō means “to make known, declare, know, discover.” We are to make known to God our worries. Yes, He does know everything, but Scripture repeatedly tells us to confess our sins, to confess our needs, and to confess our desires. We do this by bending our hearts in prayer and taking a humble posture toward God’s purposes. We do not come to Him asking humbly because God is reluctant to answer, but because He is the sovereign Lord of all. He deserves our humble hearted response. (2 Corinthians 9:7-15) We make our requests known to God because He commands us to do so. Had a Syrian woman with a demon-influenced daughter not been bold enough to approach Christ with her request, she would have missed the opportunity to demonstrate her faith in His power to heal. (Mark 7:24-30) Had a blind beggar not cried out to Jesus for mercy, those in the crowd wouldn’t have witnessed Jesus’ power to give sight to the blind. (Luke 18:35-43) God says we often go through life without answers to our prayers because we do not ask, or we ask with the wrong motives. (James 4:2-3) Prayer is the means of defeating the enemy of our souls who constantly presses against our peace. (Ephesians 6:18-19) We can take our thoughts captive by replacing big fears and little worries with pleas to our good Father. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) We acknowledge the presence of our great high priest, and are then able to approach God boldly with our requests. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

4) What will be the result of our obedience to pray about everything? (verse 7)
This promise is AMAZING! Who would not desire to have this kind of peace? “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Praying from a thankful heart is the key to unlocking the door of peace. If something completely fills a space, the only way another item can fully fit is to switch the items. Paul wanted his readers to understand they could not simply sideline worry without making an adjustment in their minds. Replacing worry with its antidote was imperative! Praying about everything serves as a kind of guard in our hearts. It fills the space that worry might occupy. Nothing that produces angst can get past the guard of peace. Colossians 3:15 tells us the peace of Christ is to serve as a ruling umpire in our hearts and minds. The way we fill up on peace is by praying for it. As we pray, God provides peace to us that we are unable to fully explain. I love how Bethany wrote, “Paul assumed God was good at giving good things. If what he was praying about was a good gift, he assumed it came from God…If Paul was petitioning God for something, he assumed what God had already given and was going to give was good, too…In everything, God’s good provision meant that prayer could coincide with thankfulness.” God takes our obedience of replacing worry with prayer and provides the good gift of peace to us. A supernatural peace only He can give.

Everyday Application

1) To whom should the believer demonstrate graciousness (gentleness)? (verse 5)
We read in the New Testament that the apostle Paul was a mentor to several young men in the faith. I’m especially struck by some of his final instructions to his dear “son” Timothy. He told him to pursue, among other things, gentleness! (1 Timothy 1:2 6:11) He mentions this along with “righteousness, godliness, faith, love and endurance.” My sweet sister, even those of us who may have studied these verses many times, let’s not miss this. Our gentle disposition is an integral part of demonstrating the power of God in our lives. We find the strength to radiate this beautiful grace only through the power of the Spirit. Galatians 5 tells us the fruit of the Spirit include the characteristic of gentleness. (Galatians 5:22-23) Oh that I would exude graciousness when everyone is expecting fretfulness! I long to get up from my knees with an energy to conquer my worry and fears evidenced by a gentleness that mimics Christ. In the power of our Lord and Savior, I have the provision I need to do exactly this.

2) Why should the believer demonstrate graciousness? (verse 5)
We demonstrate graciousness because God is good and full of grace! I believe one of the greatest testimonies of a woman of prayer is her Spirit-induced ability to maintain kindness to everyone in the midst of conflict. What a beautiful gospel picture we are proclaiming when a peaceful spirit oozes from us. I love picturing Jesus’ dear friend, Mary, sitting at His feet, enthralled in His presence. (Luke 10:38-42) Why was her sister Martha fretting? Because she hadn’t learned where rest comes from. She had missed the way to be at her absolute best. I don’t think Jesus was scolding her for attempting to check off her To Do list. Rather, I think He was reminding her there is only one authentic way to peace – remembering Jesus’ nearness and presenting our worries to Him. I think if Mary were here today, she would joyfully join singing with us:
Come find what this world cannot offer.
Come and find your joy here complete.
Taste the living water, never thirst again,
rest here in His wondrous peace.
Come and find your hope now in Jesus.
He is all He said He would be.
Grace is overflowing from the Savior’s heart.
Rest here in His wondrous peace.
Oh the goodness, the goodness of Jesus!
Satisfied, He is all that I need.
May it be, come what may, that I rest all my days in the goodness of Jesus.
(The Goodness of Jesus by CityAlight)

3) What does Paul encourage believers to use as a defense against worry? (verse 6)
Paul’s instruction here is more than a soft word of encouragement. It’s possible that in our attempts to not offend others, we sometimes don’t emphasize the wealth that is found in our obedience to this command, “Don’t worry about anything.” Let’s face it, sweet friends, this isn’t written like a suggestion, is it? Paul is urging his Philippian friends to live at peace with another and within themselves through the command of rejecting worry. I’m so thankful he does not leave us hanging though; Paul continues by telling them to pray about everything. Well, my goodness. We are to be gracious to everyone, not worry about anything and pray about everything. I’m beginning to feel my skepticism rise within me. This feels impossible! And you probably know what’s coming next. It IS impossible! When Jesus used hyperbole in Matthew 19:23-26 to teach His disciples that riches were a hurdle for some to enter God’s kingdom, they were astonished. But He looked at them and stated a dramatic reality: “With God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) We are able to graciously interact with others. We are able to face difficulties and conflict with inner peace. We are able to maintain a thankful heart. We are able to do these because God has given us access to Himself through prayer. It doesn’t even need to be eloquent or long. It just needs to be sincere.
Lord, I believe You are who You say You are. You are able to do anything. But in my humanity, I’m weak and frail. I fret and flounder. Lord, help my unbelief and replace my worry with worship. Amen.

4) What will be the result of our obedience to pray about everything? (verse 7)
We pray because Jesus taught us and showed us it was essential to pray. It would seem to us if anyone did not need to pray, it would have been Jesus. After all, He was God in flesh. But as Bethany reminded us in her Journey Study, “Paul assumed God wanted to hear it all.” This assumption was borne out of hours spent in prayer to God for His glory to be shown through himself and others. Jesus prayed not only for something, but out of something. He prayed because of His already-established relationship with the Father. He came to His Father through prayer as an obedient, faithful, and loving Son. For the believer, prayer should be like breathing, easier to do than to not do. Yet we know many things keep us from approaching God. Unconfessed sin, distractions, doubt, and even plain old forgetfulness crowd out our intimacy with God. Friend, I’m committing anew to let “everything” mean “everything.” I’m expectant and hopeful to watch my powerful, faithful, and loving Father work in ways that will astound me and bring me unexplainable peace. “For this reason, I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. I pray that he may grant you [and me], according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through His Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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Posted in: Christ, Digging Deeper, Faith, Freedom, God, Gospel, Grace, Holy Spirit, Humility, Jesus, Love, Obedience, Peace, Power, Relationship, Unity Tagged: Believing, faithful, Gentle, graciousness, kneel, The Best

Kneel Day 8 Believing The Best Of God

January 12, 2022 by Bethany McIlrath Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philippians 4:5-7
Psalm 139
Colossians 1:3-14
Ephesians 3:14-21

Kneel, Day 8

Have you ever told someone a story, only to have them remind you they were there? Sometimes, while we’re talking, we forget to whom we are speaking: of course we remember their identity at a basic level, but we might also assume something of them inaccurately . . . like their presence or absence on a particular occasion!

The same thing happens in prayer.

We might pray, “Father,” and then speak, assuming God is distant, cold, and uninvolved. There are times when we tell Him all about a problem and how to solve it, grateful He knows every detail, but forgetting He also has power over every detail.

While there are many powerful insights to glean from the apostle Paul’s many prayers as recorded in the Bible, I am most often struck by Paul’s assumptions, or beliefs, about God as he prays.

“[I]n everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6, emphasis mine)

Everything.

Paul believed God wants to hear it all. In Psalm 139, the psalmist reveals God knows us intimately, even knowing our thoughts before they reach our tongues. If He’s aware of everything anyway, why not share everything with Him?

Paul’s prayer life demonstrates this reality. A quick perusal of all prayers recorded by Paul in the Bible show his prayers cover a wide variety of topics. Similarly, all the spheres of our lives – physical, social, emotional, work, etc – are fair game for prayer.

For example:
Paul prayed for healing and relief from suffering. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)
He prayed for God to make him fit for his work and to enable him to share the gospel well. (Ephesians 6:19-20)
He thanked God for the fellow believers God placed in his life. (Philippians 1:3-6)
He prayed for others’ spiritual lives. (Colossians 1:3-14)

When we read Paul’s prayers for other believers, we also find Paul believed God wants us to know Him better. 

To the Ephesians, Paul wrote, “I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)

Similar words are echoed throughout his letters, as Paul prayed for other believers to be filled with ever-increasing knowledge of Christ, to be one in the Lord, to keep growing in God. Through his prayers, we learn Paul fervently believed God delights in filling us with His fullness, and He wants us to know His love.

Another hallmark of Paul’s recorded prayers is thanksgiving; gratitude is closely tied to the Biblical command to pray.
For example, let’s revisit Philippians 4:6 (emphasis mine): “[I]n everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Paul believed God was good at giving good things. If Paul was praying about a good gift, he assumed it came from God, which he lived out time and again, in thanking God for the very people to whom he was writing. If Paul was petitioning God for something, he believed God’s answer would be for his good. He thanked Jesus for strengthening him and working through him, even though Paul was a sinner. (1 Timothy 1:12-14) In everything, God’s good provision meant prayer could coincide with thankfulness.

I don’t know about you, but reading Paul’s prayers convicts me that too often, I believe less of God than I should when I pray. Afraid of being demanding, or getting it wrong, I don’t pray about everything. Concerned with things of the world or not being spiritual enough, I pray as if I should already know God thoroughly, and not as though He wants me to know Him more and more. And it’s easy to fall into the trap of praying, especially petitioning, without thanks!

But one of Paul’s go-to prayers, which marks many introductions and conclusions in his letters, offers encouragement, “Grace and peace to you.“ (1 Corinthians 1:3)
Today, as we engage with God in prayer, believing the best of God, we can also pray assuming we will experience His grace and peace as we learn.
Thanks be to God!

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Posted in: Fullness, Giving, God, Good, Gospel, Grace, Healing, Love, Power, Prayer, Strength, Suffering, Thankfulness Tagged: belief, Believing, Delights, father, gratitude, kneel, rooted, The Best

Kneel Day 6 On Our Behalf

January 10, 2022 by Sarah Afan Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 8:32-34
Hebrews 4:14-16
Ephesians 1:20-23
Acts 7:54-60
Hebrews 10:19-23

Kneel, Day 6

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived,
Jesus did for us. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
He died for our sins (Matthew 27),
rose from the dead (Matthew 28),
and ascended to Heaven (Luke 24:50-53).
He is sitting at the right hand of the Father far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given. Everything is subjected under His feet and He is appointed over everything for the Church. (Ephesians 1:20-21)
What a place of glory and assurance for those who believe in Him!

He assured us He has gone to prepare a place for us in Heaven; eventually, He will come and take us to be with Him. (John 14:2-3) But while we wait for His return, we are not free from the challenges of a broken world, including pain, loss, and persecution. When faced with such sufferings, it’s easy for us to lose sight of Christ’s victory, and become discouraged.

Scripture assures us Jesus is making intercession for us (praying on our behalf). He is a great high priest who has passed through the heavens; He empathizes with our weaknesses and is able to help us in times of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16) He understands our experiences, because He also lived in the world in human form, faced struggles, and overcame. Now, having conquered sin and death, with everything subjected under His feet, and sitting at the Father’s right hand, He is able to help us.

When believers first began to spread the Good News, they faced intense persecution. One man, Stephen, was stoned by the Jews for preaching about Jesus. As he was dying, he had a vision of Jesus standing at the Father’s right hand. (Acts 7:55-56) While Scripture often describes Jesus sitting, Stephen saw Him standing. What does His posture signify? I see it as a symbol of Jesus actively interceding for Stephen before the Father in his greatest moment of need and sacrifice, possibly reminding the Father of the ransom He paid for Stephen. It could also have been an assurance of heavenly welcome for Stephen.

Like Stephen, we are assured no one can condemn us, because the only One who has that power is Jesus, and He instead intercedes for us before the Father. He helps us when we are tempted, and advocates for us when we sin. Despite pressure from the world, Scripture assures us He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear; He will always make a way out for us to follow in obedience. (1 Corinthians 10:13) If we lose sight of His grace and yield to temptation by sinning, He is our advocate before the Father. He is the righteous One, the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 2:1-2) If we confess our sins, He forgives us. (1 John 1:9)

Reconciled with God through Jesus, we can approach the Father in confidence.
“[L]et us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith [. . . holding] fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, since He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:22-23)

Furthermore, we hold an assurance that He hears our prayers:

“This is the confidence we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15, emphasis mine)

Did you catch the qualifier, sisters?

According to His will.

Our faith in Jesus does not guarantee an affirmative answer to any and every request. We must remain in Him and put His will above ours, learning to align our wills and prayers with the Father’s heart and plan. Jesus explained, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) Similarly, Scripture tells us that when we ask with wrong motives, such as to satisfy our pleasures, we do not receive what we asked for. (James 4:2-3)

In my personal walk with God, prayer has been paramount. But not long ago, I realized why so many of my prayers were not answered as I wanted. I held on to “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7), while neglecting “If you remain in me and my words remain in you[.]” (John 15:7) It dawned on me that I must keep a close relationship with Jesus by studying and meditating on His Word always, just as God instructed Israel’s leader, Joshua, so long ago. I realized that my relationship with Jesus is what counts in the place of prayer.

Now, the pattern of my prayer has changed. I see prayer as an opportunity to worship and thank God, and not just asking Him to “give me-give me.” He has clothed me with His righteousness; I owe Him thanksgiving without end. Whatever need I have, I tell Him, and trust in His Word. While I have confidence He answers me, I submit to His perfect will over mine. I must testify that the result has been tremendous!

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

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

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Posted in: church, Forgiven, Gospel, Grace, Jesus, Prayer, Promises, Sacrifice, Scripture, Worship Tagged: Authority, Behalf, believers, faithful, glory, kneel

Pause V Day 14 Paid In Full

November 11, 2021 by Marietta Taylor Leave a Comment

Pause V, Day 14

Betrayed. Arrested. Denied. Questioned. Beaten. Crucified. Buried.

These words capture the last moments of the human life of Jesus. Sure doesn’t sound triumphant does it?

Still, true to God’s nature, what we see with human eyes isn’t what happens in the spiritual realm. In those last moments, Jesus was conquering sin. Not His own, because He had none, but ours.

All throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus spoke of what would happen to Him. In today’s reading, the foretelling begins unfolding. But knowing something will happen and experiencing it feels different as it surely did for His disciples. Knowing Jesus was Messiah and watching Him live that out as the Sacrificial Lamb who would take away the sin of the world through His atoning death was not what the disciples or anyone else had imagined. (John 1:29) Anyone, that is, besides Jesus.

While Pilate could find no reason to crucify Jesus, the religious leaders insisted they had more than enough evidence.

“We have a law,” the Jews replied to Pilate, “and according to that law He ought to die, because He made himself the Son of God.”

They sent the Messiah they’d been looking for to the cross because He proclaimed to be the Messiah.

It feels like we should be upset over this. But in that moment where Jesus said it was finished and breathed His last breath, our debt of sin was wiped out. Paid. In. Full.

I cannot be grateful enough. Sisters, we should be praising God every day for the way He uses even the foolish and greedy, like the Jewish religious leaders, to achieve His will. We are free from the chains of sin. Praise Him!

Today's Invitation

1) Be a scribe and copy the precious words of Scripture down word for word. Make space in your journal to write down all of John 19:28-30 today. As you copy, lookup a cross reference or two as you come to them (they are the small letters next to certain words in your study Bible or online at www.biblia.com).

2) Take time to read through the other Gospel accounts of the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Copy down onto notecards the verse or verses about His death that most move you.  s and place in prominent spots in your home so you can memorize them in the coming days. Share them with someone and why they touched your heart.

3) Memorize John 17:23

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John 18

After Jesus had said these things, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas took a company of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4 Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Who is it that you’re seeking?”

5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.

“I Am He,” Jesus told them.

Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with them. 6 When Jesus told them, “I Am He,” they stepped back and fell to the ground.

7 Then he asked them again, “Who is it that you’re seeking?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

8 “I told you I Am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you’re looking for me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the words he had said: “I have not lost one of those you have given me.”

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?”

12 Then the company of soldiers, the commander, and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13 First they led him to Annas, since he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better for one man to die for the people.

15 Simon Peter was following Jesus, as was another disciple. That disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest; so he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. 16 But Peter remained standing outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper and brought Peter in.

17 Then the servant girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?”

“I am not,” he said.

18 Now the servants and the officials had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold. They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself.

19 The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.

20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered him. “I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather, and I haven’t spoken anything in secret. 21 Why do you question me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.”

22 When he had said these things, one of the officials standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”

23 “If I have spoken wrongly,” Jesus answered him, “give evidence about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself.
They said to him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it and said, “I am not.”

26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?”
27 Peter denied it again. Immediately a rooster crowed.

28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

29 So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?”

30 They answered him, “If this man weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.”

31 Pilate told them, “You take him and judge him according to your law.”

“It’s not legal for us to put anyone to death,” the Jews declared. 32 They said this so that Jesus’s words might be fulfilled indicating what kind of death he was going to die.

33 Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus,
and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?”

35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”

36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus.
“If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate.

After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him. 39 You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”

40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.

 

John 19

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers also twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and clothed him in a purple robe. 3 And they kept coming up to him and saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” and were slapping his face.

4 Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing him out to you to let you know I find no grounds for charging him.” 5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

6 When the chief priests and the temple servants saw him,
they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”

Pilate responded, “Take him and crucify him yourselves,
since I find no grounds for charging him.”

7 “We have a law,” the Jews replied to him, “and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”

8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever. 9 He went back into the headquarters and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?”

11 “You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

12 From that moment Pilate kept trying to release him.
But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”

13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. He sat down on the judge’s seat in a place called the Stone Pavement (but in Aramaic, Gabbatha). 14 It was the preparation day for the Passover, and it was about noon.
Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!”

15 They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”

“We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.

16 Then he handed him over to be crucified.

Then they took Jesus away.
17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him and two others with him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate also had a sign made and put on the cross. It said: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The king of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the king of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier. They also took the tunic, which was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it, to see who gets it.” This happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled that says: They divided my clothes among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing. This is what the soldiers did.

25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

28 After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now finished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, he said, “I’m thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it up to his mouth.

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.”
Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

31 Since it was the preparation day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that their bodies be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with him. 33 When they came to Jesus, they did not break his legs since they saw that he was already dead. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.

35 He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth. 36 For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of his bones will be broken. 37 Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the one they pierced.

38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’s body. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and took his body away. 39 Nicodemus (who had previously come to him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes. 40 They took Jesus’s body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the fragrant spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 There was a garden in the place where he was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. 42 They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish day of preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 3 weeks, we will provide you with an invitation to get away with the Savior. Each one is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.

3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!

4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.

5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!

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

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

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

Posted in: Freedom, God, Gospel, Jesus, Life, Pause, Praise, Sin Tagged: Betrayal, crucified, Messiah, Nature, Paid in Full, questions, Triumphant

Pause V Day 6 Being Equal

November 1, 2021 by Marietta Taylor Leave a Comment

Pause V, Day 6

Young children like to imitate their parents. Whatever the parent does, children want to do it too. They can’t be equal to their parents, but oh how they try. In today’s reading, however, we see a Father and Son who are equal; God the Father and God the Son, Jesus.

After Jesus healed a man at the pool called Bethesda, located by The Sheep Gate, the Jews began persecuting Jesus because He healed, or did work, on the Sabbath. This was a major taboo in Jewish Law. Jesus, being the Creator of the Sabbath, answered them this way:

“My Father is still working, and I am working also.” (John 5:17)

Here Jesus clearly states His equality with God, infuriating the leaders who wanted to remain in control of the spotlight they held in the community. Jesus, always ready to lead us deeper into truth, did not leave it at this one statement. He continued to explain what being equal with God looked like for Him and what it meant for the people. Jesus, like the Father, was concerned about saving souls, not the leaders saving face.

The glimpse into the relationship between Father and Son is precious. We see the Son only doing what the Father tells Him. The Father loves the Son. The Father gives authority to the Son to give life and to judge.

When we establish a relationship with the Son, it should look similar to the Father-Son relationship shared between Jesus and the Father God. Before Jesus returned to the Father’s presence, He spoke of how we are to live and love others as we continue to reflect the relationship of love we have with God. We should do those things faithfully. Jesus pours out His love on us so we are able to offer the invitation of eternal life to others by sharing the gospel.

Sisters, we should daily evaluate our relationship with Jesus. How’s it looking? Are we helping others develop or maintain one with Him as well? We can never be equal to the Son, but we can reflect Him in our daily lives.

Today's Invitation

1) Read John 5 and answer these 3 questions in your journal.

  1. a) What do these verses tell me about God and His character?
  2. b) What do these verses tell me about others and the world around me?
  3. c) What do these verses tell me about me and my heart?

2) Close your time by praying for these truths to take root in your heart and for the Holy Spirit to remind you and teach you more about these things today. Be sure to write out any questions you have as you read! If you’d like to send your questions to us, we’d love to study with you!

3) Memorize John 12:25-26

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
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Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
Connect with our community on Facebook!

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John 5

After this, a Jewish festival took place, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 By the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there is a pool, called Bethesda in Aramaic, which has five colonnades. 3 Within these lay a large number of the disabled—blind, lame, and paralyzed.

5 One man was there who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and realized he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to get well?”

7 “Sir,” the disabled man answered, “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, someone goes down ahead of me.”

8 “Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk.” 9 Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk.

Now that day was the Sabbath, 10 and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “This is the Sabbath. The law prohibits you from picking up your mat.”

11 He replied, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’”

12 “Who is this man who told you, ‘Pick up your mat and walk’?” they asked. 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, because Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

14 After this, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well. Do not sin anymore, so that something worse doesn’t happen to you.” 15 The man went and reported to the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 Therefore, the Jews began persecuting Jesus because he was doing these things on the Sabbath.

17 Jesus responded to them, “My Father is still working, and I am working also.” 18 This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him: Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.

19 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed. 21 And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom he wants. 22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

24 “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

25 “Truly I tell you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted to the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has granted him the right to pass judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of condemnation. 

30 “I can do nothing on my own. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 

31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he gives about me is true. 33 You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 I don’t receive human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 John was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

36 “But I have a greater testimony than John’s because of the works that the Father has given me to accomplish. These very works I am doing testify about me that the Father has sent me. 37 The Father who sent me has himself testified about me. You have not heard his voice at any time, and you haven’t seen his form. 38 You don’t have his word residing in you, because you don’t believe the one he sent. 39 You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. 40 But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.

41 “I do not accept glory from people, 42 but I know you—that you have no love for God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and yet you don’t accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. 47 But if you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe my words?”

How Does “Pause” Work?
1.Each day, Monday through Friday, for 3 weeks, we will provide you with an invitation to get away with the Savior. Each one is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.

3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!

4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.

5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!

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

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

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

Posted in: Creation, Deep, Faithfulness, God, Gospel, Jesus, Life, Love, Pause, Relationship, Truth Tagged: Equal, father, Imitation, reflection, sabbath, Saving, Son

Pause V Day 5 Seeking Eternity

October 29, 2021 by Marietta Taylor Leave a Comment

Pause V, Day 5

I think most of us would love to have solutions to our problems. Life would be so much easier then, right? The woman at the well in today’s reading was looking for a solution to her earthly problem, how not to be subjected to the moral judgment of others when she came to draw water.

Perfectly timed by God, she ran into Jesus at the well who offered a solution to her more pressing eternal problem. Though both of them spoke about water, she talked of water for her physical body, while Jesus spoke of the life-giving water only He could provide, eternal life.

Jesus has always been concerned with what the Father was concerned over because they are One Being. And what was that? God was, and is, concerned with saving souls. He’s concerned with eternity. And so was Jesus. This was why He presented the gospel to the Samaritan woman, invited the disciples to participate in the spiritual harvest, and healed the nobleman’s son. Jesus wanted to offer them eternity, the same as He does for us.

As we read His words, ponder this: how are we seeking eternity in our day to day? How can we focus more on presenting eternity to others?

Today's Challenge

1) Read through John 4 out loud today twice. Slowly. Linger over that verse (or verses) that stick out to you, slowing and listening as God’s Spirit speaks to your heart! Choose 1 or 2 to write out on notecards and post them around your house – then post a picture of your reminder cards on Instagram or on our Facebook Community Page. Take the weekend to memorize these and forever hide them in your heart!

2) We are so excited to share this hand-crafted Spotify playlist! We created it as we prayed over *you*. Put this playlist on repeat this weekend and be reminded of the rich truths God has shown you this week in Pause 5!

3) Memorize John 3:20-21

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!

Join the GT Community on Facebook!

John 4

When Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard He was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He left Judea and went again to Galilee. 4 He had to travel through Samaria; 5 so He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar near the property that Jacob had given his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, worn out from His journey, sat down at the well. It was about noon.

7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water.
“Give me a drink,” Jesus said to her, 8 because His disciples had gone into town to buy food.
9 “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” she asked Hm.
For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask him, and he would give you living water.”

11 “Sir,” said the woman, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? 12 You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.”

13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.”

15 “Sir,” the woman said to him, “give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and come here to draw water.”
16 “Go call your husband,” he told her, “and come back here.”
17 “I don’t have a husband,” she answered.

“You have correctly said, ‘I don’t have a husband,’” Jesus said. 18 “For you’ve had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”
19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 Jesus told her, “Believe me, woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Jesus told her, “I, the one speaking to you, am He.”
27 Just then his disciples arrived, and they were amazed that he was talking with a woman. Yet no one said, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

28 Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They left the town and made their way to him.

31 In the meantime the disciples kept urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
32 But he said, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”
33 The disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to eat?”

34 “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work,” Jesus told them. 35 “Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months, and then comes the harvest’?
Listen to what I’m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are ready for harvest. 36 The reaper is already receiving pay and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. 37 For in this case the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap what you didn’t labor for; others have labored, and you have benefited from their labor.”

39 Now many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of what he said. 42 And they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, since we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.”

43 After two days he left there for Galilee. 44 (Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45 When they entered Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him because they had seen everything he did in Jerusalem during the festival. For they also had gone to the festival.

46 He went again to Cana of Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a certain royal official whose son was ill at Capernaum. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him and pleaded with him to come down and heal his son, since he was about to die.
48 Jesus told him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”

49 “Sir,” the official said to him, “come down before my boy dies.”
50 “Go,” Jesus told him, “your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and departed.
51 While he was still going down, his servants met him saying that his boy was alive.
52 He asked them at what time he got better.
“Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him,” they answered.

53 The father realized this was the very hour at which Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” So he himself believed, along with his whole household. 54 Now this was also the second sign Jesus performed after He came from Judea to Galilee.

How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 3 weeks, we will provide you with a simple challenge. Each challenge is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.

3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!

4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.

5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!

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

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

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

Posted in: God, Gospel, Healing, Jesus, Pause, Perfect Tagged: disciples, eternity, harvest, Life-giving, seeking, Spiritual, water
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