GT Weekend

The GT Weekend! ~ Alive Week 3

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) I recently read a Tim Keller quote stating, “God will either give us what we ask for in prayer or give us what we would have asked for if we knew everything He knows.” His point is we always see our circumstances (and pray about them) from a limited viewpoint. We cannot know all the things God knows, because we are not Him. He alone knows all things, and can judge what is truly good. Romans 8:28 tells us, “all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purposes.” Does this change the way you view your circumstances? Reflecting on your history, are there any events that seemed decidedly not good which you now recognize as for your good? Maybe there are difficult events you cannot fathom why they happened. Perhaps even now you are experiencing a difficult season and cannot see how this could possibly be good. Whichever of these statements resonates with you (maybe all three!), turn those circumstances over to the Lord. Ask Him to reveal His goodness to you and empower you to trust that what He says He will do, He does. He will work all things for our good, even when we cannot see how.

2) Jesus Christ was described by the prophet Isaiah as a “man of suffering who knew what sickness was” (Isaiah 53:3) or as another translation says, He was “acquainted with grief.” (ESV) Jesus knows suffering, just as much, even more, than us. We saw in Wednesday’s Journey of God’s promise to equip, carry, and sustain us through every season of life, even those of intense suffering. Michelle wrote, “Our sufferings do not change the realities and truth of God’s love for us.” Do you believe this, dear sister? Do you affirm that nothing can separate us from the love of our great God? Consider your current season of life. Are you in a season of comfort, enjoying the light of life with few cares? Remain steadfast in your relationship with the Lord. Speak loudly the truth today, so when trials come, you may hold fast in the day of trouble. Are you in a season of suffering, with wave after wave of grief wearing away at your heart? Cling to the Rock of your salvation. Remember the truths you have found in the light. Are you somewhere in between? Maybe your life has more downs than you would like, but you feel capable of managing. Do not forget the source of your comfort and true strength. Resist the temptation to rely on yourself! Jesus Christ must hold you fast. Write out an honest prayer asking God to meet you where you are to equip, carry, and sustain you through the now.

3) “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) How many times have you heard this verse and focused on the first half regarding being “more than conquerors” without considering the second half, which emphasizes our source, “through Jesus Christ our Lord”? Paul writes these words, not from a place of pride in his own work, but in a humble reverence for the work of God in his life. This week, we spent much time discussing suffering and life circumstances, but the truth is, no matter what season of life we are in, the key to living a victorious life is to abide in Jesus Christ. How can you practice abiding in Christ this week? In John 15:8, Jesus says, “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.” Ask God to show you how He is specifically calling you to live for Him in everyday life as you abide in Him this week. Maybe He is calling you to repent of sin that you cannot defeat on your own, confessing that you have fallen short and need His victorious strength. Maybe He is calling you to show His redeeming love to someone in your life who is hard to love. Maybe He is asking you to spend more time meditating on the things of God than the things of the world. Ask Him to show you what He is asking of you, and make a plan to be obedient to His call.

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 Psalm 138:7-8 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

If I walk in the thick of danger,
You will preserve my life
From the anger of my enemies.
You will extend your hand;
Your right hand will save me.
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.
Lord, Your faithful love
Endures forever;
Do not abandon the work
Of your hands.

Prayer Journal
Heavenly Father, King of my heart, Lord of my life, You are good. All Your ways are good. All Your thoughts are good. But the world around us lacks the good we so desire. Because of sin and brokenness, we are keenly aware of suffering and hardship in this world. From sickness and disease, to poverty and injustice, we don’t need to look far to see pain and suffering. But, we stand firm in the day of our trouble, knowing the truths of Your goodness, love, and faithfulness do not waiver, no matter our circumstances. Forgive us when we doubt. Forgive us for our short-sightedness and self-dependence. Help us live our lives abiding in You. As king David wrote in the Psalms, “For Your faithful love guides me, and I live by your truth.” (Psalm 26:3) Help us, oh Lord, to live by Your truth, trusting that all things will work together for our good because we love and serve a good, good God.

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

The GT Weekend! ~ Alive Week 2

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) Legacy. Inheritance. Privileges. Generation. What things stir in your heart as you read those words? Perhaps your upbringing was difficult, and painful memories push their way in before you back away as you’ve long practiced. Maybe, when you consider the legacy your parents left you, whether financially, relationally, or spiritually, you’re left holding brokenness and emptiness instead of fullness. For others, you enjoyed a rich closeness with your parents, imperfect though they were, and you see your life, and the lives of those around you, benefiting in extremely positive ways because of the investment of the generation before you. When it comes to “sonship” in the Bible, it’s imperative we understand the all-inclusive nature of its original intention in the first-audience culture. In a patriarchal society, sons inherited everything. There was nothing left for a beloved slave, or a second-cousin, unless the son was deceased. Regardless of your own upbringing, what are your gut reactions as you consider the rights and privileges of being called a “son” of God (even though we are women J). What worries can you release? What relationships or situations can you stop trying to control? What truths need to settle into your heart? If you’ve surrendered to Christ, everything is yours, the most important being God Himself!

2) When God created the world, He declared everything very good. But today, each one of us is keenly aware this world is full of hardships and struggles that are decidedly not good. The brokenness that entered the world through the sinful rebellion of the first man and woman touches each of us. From our very first breath, we have all been subject to pain and brokenness. For our whole lives, we long for something more. Here lies our great hope: that one day we will be face-to-face with the God who makes all things new. He will make us new, and He will make the whole world new and unbroken. All creation groans, waiting for this glorious day. It’s easy to focus on our own groaning, especially in difficult seasons. Today, consider how your neighbor may be experiencing brokenness and how you can extend hope’s love to them. Maybe a friend is struggling with infertility, and you can send her a card or flowers. Maybe your family member is sick or struggling financially. Is there something tangible you can do to alleviate their suffering, if only for a moment? Pray for the Spirit’s guidance as you reach out, and meditate on the hope that is yours in Christ Jesus.

3) Like putting money away in savings, a future inheritance we might receive from a parent isn’t something we think about every day. We know the money is there, but we don’t draw on it, plan for it, or give it much consideration from day to day, let alone year to year. But God intends something much different for the coming inheritance meant for all who trust in Him. The more we think about our perfect future where we will dwell with God and other believers in exquisite harmony, the more urgently we desire to live well today and tell others of this beautiful hope we have. In fact, our coming rich inheritance causes us to become even more disenchanted with the temporary things of this world and the lusts of sin. There’s no sweeter way to set our eyes on the inheritance that is coming than to read the testimonies of believers who have gone before us. Their example of love for Christ above all else, encourages us to stay focused on this coming hope in the middle of our everyday lives. Take time today to read Hebrews 11. Once silently. Once aloud. Then, on the 3rd time through, pick a few names and put yourself in their shoes. Consider what it would have been like for them to put on the “glasses” of eternal, certain hope in spite of their circumstance. How might you do the same?!

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 Psalm 42:1-4 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so I long for you, God.
I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while all day long people say to me,
“Where is your God?”
I remember this as I pour out my heart:
how I walked with many,
leading the festive procession to the house of God,
with joyful and thankful shouts.

Prayer Journal
Father God, defender of the helpless, father to the fatherless, You make all things new! You, oh Lord, have prepared an inheritance for us far greater than both the good and the painful things we experience in this life. We rejoice, knowing You have a plan to redeem and renew all things in Your time. Thank you for your grace. You have welcomed in those who are poor and underserving, adopting all who call on You as full sons into Your holy family. May we never forget, or take for granted, this vast and unsearchable gift! Forgive us when we grow short-sighted, caught up in our daily cares, and forgetting Your great goodness. Forgive us when we sin against our neighbor and against You. Help us persevere in times of trouble and prosperity, living for the coming kingdom rather than for our own fleshly longings and desires. Sustain us in Your faithfulness. You, oh Lord, are our only hope and joy!

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

The GT Weekend! ~ Alive Week 1

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) God grants a wonderfully freeing, fully permanent declaration in the opening words of Romans 8. No more shame. No fear of condemnation. Both are radically erased because the One we have offended with our sin has freely forgiven us! The sticking point is two-fold. First, this gift of freedom remains entirely inaccessible if we have not recognized our own sin to the Holy God, repented of it, and chosen to trust Christ to rescue us from permanent death and separation from God. Second, if we have indeed been made free in Christ, the temptation to believe a lie seems to follow us like our shadow. The lie? That we aren’t really freed from shame, that we still, somehow, owe God and should therefore beat ourselves up for our past sin. Can you relate like I can?! Let’s refuse to let our enemy continue to have a foothold here! Name that place where you most often find yourself falling into the trap of shame and guilt from sins you’ve already been forgiven from and pray persistently over these. Lay hold of truth and carry it with you in place of shame! “If the Son sets you free, you really will be free!” (John 8:36)

2) Either we live according to flesh or according to Spirit. We cannot please both simultaneously; it is impossible. On Wednesday, Marietta helped us understand we must all make a personal decision to follow Jesus for ourselves. Our default position before God is not goodness, but an inherited sin nature that rejects God and rebels against Him. Thankfully, what is impossible for us and our natural sin nature, is possible with God when He puts His new nature inside of us! All believers, those who have been made new in Christ, have certain areas of life where we struggle more than others to surrender to God’s nature over our own. In the span of 3 verses in Romans 8, we find the phrase “mindset” used five times! The key to overcoming our areas of struggle is to surrender to the Spirit’s activity in us, and take up His mindset, which is entirely renewed and different from our sin-nature mindset. Think about the character of God, really pause to do this! Look up some passages to help like Philippians 4:8-9, Psalm 86:5, 15, and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. As you consider His heart, His “mindset”, turn your thoughts to your areas of struggle and your old mindset of approaching them. See the difference?! Ask the Lord to renew your mind! (Romans 12:1-2)

3) I once heard a story of an orphan child who had lived for most of his young life in severe poverty and food insecurity. This child was adopted into a loving and secure family, where there was no question about the source of the child’s next meal. He was fully provided for. However, he would often take food from the kitchen and hide it in his room, keeping it secure for himself. Even though his entire situation had changed, his attitudes and behaviors were still in accordance with his previous insecurity. For those of us who have come to the place of belief in Christ, repenting of our sins, and trusting in Him to give us new life, we are like that adopted orphan. We no longer need to worry about our security, but we often act like we are still in spiritual poverty. When we sin, we are living according to our old manner of life, but when we walk by the Spirit and set our minds on things above, we are operating in our new identity as children of God. Colossians 3:12-17 give us one picture of what our new life in Christ can look like. Write out these verses and post them somewhere you will see them frequently. Set your mind on things above by reading and contemplating these verses and by applying them to situations in your daily life.

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Romans 5:6-11 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by His blood, will we be saved through
Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

Prayer Journal
Oh Lord, our God, thank You for the great work You have done by setting us free from our old ways of life. Once we were dead in our sins, without hope, striving to make ourselves better. But You, oh God, being rich in mercy, because of Your great love, made us alive together with Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-6) You weren’t forced to save us, but You did. And now, we can walk in freedom with no more shame, no more condemnation, and no more fear. Forgive me, Father, for the times I revert to my old way of living. I am acutely aware of my tendency to live as though I need to save myself or make myself better. But You are the one who transforms and makes me new. Enable me to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, shifting my mindset to focus on the truth of the new life that You have given me. (Romans 12:2) Help me live my life as one who has been changed by You, sharing the joy and freedom that comes with new life in Your family.

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

The GT Weekend! ~ Fruitful Week 3

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) Faithfulness is something I struggle with. With every good intention, I commit to do something, but when it comes time to follow through, I find it challenging to keep my word. God, on the other hand, is perfectly faithful, regardless of how often I’m unfaithful. The whole story of human history is full of people falling short of God’s standards, yet God keeps His promises to them nonetheless. God is the perfect picture of faithfulness, and, as God’s children, those who believe in Him are being shaped into His likeness by the power of the Holy Spirit. As we live by God’s Spirit, we are being changed, day by day, month by month, year by year. Joshua and Caleb looked back on a promise God had given them and were strengthened to remain faithful to Him because of God’s continued faithfulness. What are the promises God has made to you if you’ve trusted Him for salvation and turned from your sin? (Consider Exodus 34:6-7, Matthew 7:7-12, and Galatians 5:16) How do God’s promises help you grow in your faithfulness as you learn to trust His faithful heart? Write a prayer of response to God thanking Him for His constant faithfulness and asking for His help to be a faithful Christ-follower.

2) If you could imagine a perfect response from God if you were to talk to Him face to face, what would it be? Would He be transactional like a bank teller and hand over whatever goods you requested, calling out “next” to the person behind you? Would He reach for your hand and invite you to walk with Him while His eyes danced as He listened intently? Considering this scene is important; it reveals how you truly see the heart of God. Sit for a few minutes with eyes closed, in a quiet space if possible, and ask the Lord God to show you His perfect response to you as you come to Him. Slow down and concentrate on the images the Spirit gives you. Walk with Him, asking Him about them. What does He want you to know about God’s heart? Christ tells us in Scripture that His first, gut-reaction, go-to, immediate instinct response will always be gentleness. (Matthew 11:29) Here, we find shelter in the embrace of compassion. Here, we find the truly with us God. What does it mean for you to solidly know that God’s perfect response to you, in all times, is first and foremost gentleness?

3) As we wrap up our discussion about the fruit of the Spirit, I am struck by how all these attributes work together to radically change us into a new kind of person. How would your life look different if you practiced each of the fruits perfectly? I can only imagine how peaceful and glorious such a life would be. But, the works of the flesh are so deeply ingrained in each one of us; we will choose them every time if we do not first access the power of God dwelling within us as believers. We must rely on God’s help in every area. There is a saying, “you cannot pour from an empty cup.” On Friday, we were reminded of the Source Who fills our cup. When we are lacking in self-control, we are revealing we are not in tune with the Holy Spirit in our lives. Consider an area in your life where you would like to be more self-controlled. (It could be a spiritual discipline, your finances, how you use technology, how you treat the people around you, or something else entirely.) Pray specifically for the Spirit to pour His fruit of self-control into your life, then keep watch to see how He fills your cup. For a week (or month, or longer) make a note at the end of each day, expressing how He taught and empowered you to demonstrate self-control. Thank Him for His work in your life!

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 1 Thessalonians 5:23-25, 28 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will do it. Brothers and sisters, pray for us also. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Prayer Journal
God, our Father, I am awestruck by Your great faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. You always keep Your promises for the sake of Your great name. You have revealed Your nature through Jesus Christ our Lord, who walked on this Earth, gentle and lowly. You have demonstrated Your self-control over and over by withholding the judgment due humanity and taking the punishment for our disobedience on Yourself. Oh, that we would walk by Your Spirit. Oh, that we could be transformed by Your work in our lives. Lord, I no longer wish to carry out the works of my sinful flesh. I desire to walk by the Spirit that I may bear fruit in step with You. Empower me, Oh gracious God, to crucify my own desires and walk humbly with my neighbors. May we see the greatness of Your Kingdom here on Earth. Forgive me when I fall short, and bring me quickly back into relationship with You. I have asked all these things, knowing You delight to give good gifts to Your children. I believe You will do it! Praise be to God!

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

The GT Weekend! ~ Fruitful Week 2

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) The fruit of the Spirit is not “good works” that people force themselves to accomplish, rather they are evidences of the Spirit’s work in the lives of His people, empowering them for the good works He has called them to do. Often, we desire the feeling of patience rather than the action of patience. We want to feel patient before we act patient. Like with many disciplines, we can still choose to live out patience even if we don’t feel it. I have heard people joke that you shouldn’t pray for patience, because then God will send you opportunities and circumstances to practice patience. In what areas of your life do you most need the Spirit’s help in practicing the action of patience? What person (or group of people) draws out your impatient attitudes and behaviors? Is there a circumstance you can think of recently where you acted on your impatience and damaged (no matter how slight) your relationship with another person? Consider moving toward that person in repentance. What impact would it have on your relationship if you sincerely apologized and took steps to grow in active patience? Ask God to empower you by the Holy Spirit to walk in obedience, even when you don’t feel patient.

2) The very first time God declared something “not good” in creation was when Adam was alone. God created humanity to live in community with one another. As we experience the life-changing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, it is natural for us to share this life change with our biblical community. Consider a time when you felt loved and cared for by the kindness of others. How did that moment affect you? When we show kindness to others, we reflect the very nature of our great God. Stop right now and ask God to give you an opportunity to show His kindness to another person. Be still for a moment and wait for God to bring someone to your mind. Be open to Him leading you in an unexpected way. He may bring someone to mind who is not in your regular friend group, someone who may need extra kindness in their life. Take a step toward showing them kindness. (There were a number of examples in Wednesday’s Journey Study if you need ideas!) Be creative and generous, lavishing them with kindness to the glory of God, our Father.

3) “God is good!” “All the time!” This is a common call and response transcending the centuries of Church history because of its simple, but powerful truth. However, it’s one thing to say the words, and quite another to carry them into every situation. We often become caught up when we don’t feel like a truly “good” God could allow excruciating circumstances. Where is the goodness of God when death steals our loved ones? When disease eats away at our bodies? When poor choices and rebellion bring distance in relationship? Can God actually still be good and be an onlooker to our suffering? Wouldn’t He want to end our pain? Wouldn’t He want to wipe away our grief? YES! He does. God didn’t want to end pain for a moment, He wanted complete restoration where there would be zero chance of sin and its grievous pain ever causing suffering again. Which is why He gave His life. There, at the cross is a Very Good God. Tragedy, loss, and heartache are the painful results of a world ensnared by sin, but one day, these will vanish like the morning mist because Christ paid the penalty of Death and Sin to be banished forever. The pain of our everyday moments needs this kind of eternal truth!

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 1 Peter 3:10-12 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

For the one who wants to love life
and to see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit,
and let him turn away from evil
and do what is good.
Let him seek peace and pursue it,
because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against
those who do what is evil.

Prayer Journal
Our Father in heaven, You, oh Lord, are patient and kind and good. Your holiness is beyond our understanding. Lord, we long for the day when all things will be made right, when we will live in community with our neighbor in Your presence with perfected patience, kindness, and goodness. Help your people to live out these values as we wait expectantly for Your coming Kingdom. Forgive me, oh patient God, for my impatience. I seek my own timeline and comfort over the needs of those around me. Forgive me, in Your kindness for my lack of care for others. I become so focused on my own needs and desires that I fail to show kindness to my neighbor. Forgive me, out of Your goodness, for my inability to see the goodness You have lavished upon me.  I focus on my limited view, rather than trusting You with the big picture. Help me to live by the Spirit so that I can rightly reflect Your character to the people around me. Protect me from my tendencies to rely on my own strength, and remind me of my dependence on You for all things. Amen and amen.

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

The GT Weekend ~ Terrain Week 2

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) The Jordan River was muddy, narrow at some spots, and wide in others. During flood season, it rushed madly and left mud-covered banks on either side. The Jordan was far from the beautiful flow of cascading water we might be prone to conjure up in our mind’s eye as we read of Jesus’ baptism or of fledgling Israel crossing before the battle of Jericho. Muddy as it was, the Jordan River played a pivotal role in both Old and New Testament stories, acting as a transition from one major scene to another. Think back over the major turning points in your own spiritual life. What emotions and circumstances marked their significance? If you had been the author of your life, would you have chosen cleaner, easier pathways for your journey? While the Jordan didn’t win any awards for being beautiful and clear, it did provide life-giving water to the entire Judean plain. Sometimes, life is found in the most unsuspecting of places. If you could “drop a pin” in the locations of your life marked by ugly struggle and hardship, consider the muddy Jordan River flowing through these areas. Pray redemption over them, and remember how deeply God loves to bring good, life-giving things out of muddy messes!

2) Forgotten. Hidden away. “Nothing good comes from Nazareth”. On Wednesday, Brenda took us away on a journey between two cities, utterly insignificant in their description and their surrounding terrain, but flooded with impact that reaches our own place in time. The Lord God could have chosen anywhere for the Messiah to be born and teach, but He intentionally picked the forgotten and neglected. This theme continues through all of Scripture and is woven tightly into every redemption story. So, let’s do something brave together, okay? I’ll take out pen and paper and you do the same. Take a big breath and write down, by name, all the places you wish were known and loved about you and your story, but remain hidden, unseen, and tucked away. Or perhaps, you’ve dared bring these out into the light only to have them rejected, “Nothing good comes from (fill in the blank).” Go ahead, write them down, I’m writing too. Don’t just mentally tick a list, it’s important to put these in ink and let our eyes take in the sight. One word, two words, get narrower and more descriptive. Are there tears in your eyes like there are in mine? Now tear these out of the page you’ve written and hold them up in your hands outstretched to the God who sees all things and specializes in bringing significance and beauty and richness out of the “good for nothing”. Lord God, take our broken nothings and make them beauty as You know us completely!

3) When we begin studying the physical components of the ancient world where Jesus taught, walked, laughed, and died, we gain a new perspective on the world around us. God seems so far off sometimes, doesn’t He? We are tempted to think He is out of touch. Our challenge in studying Terrain is to be reminded that the God who ordains every leaf to tremble in the wind, and knows the whereabouts of every strand of your hair, is keenly present in every moment. The whisper of the wind. The silkiness of rose petals. The smudgy kiss of a toddler. He is present. Yesterday, we were encouraged to “take a tent” to the Mt. of Olives and let our sandal clad feet explore the rocks and budding flowers, and the let the wispy olive tree branches graze our cheeks. As we walked in our minds, we were prodded to consider our own journeys with Jesus. Where have we seen Him? How have we encountered Him? Where does our hope lie? Take a full 60 seconds and just pause. Close your eyes and see the mountain, smell the breeze, listen for the Savior’s voice. What do you hear? As you open your eyes to your own landscape, decide to look closer into the ordinary things and be reminded of the utterly un-ordinary God who loves you!

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 Luke 12:6-7 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Prayer Journal
Here is my mess, Lord, will You take it? Myself. All my sinful ways. The ways I decide to trust me over You. The attention and love I give to those things and while choosing to ignore You. My hard heart and sharp tongue. My love of self.
Here is my list of hidden things, all those I tuck away sensing their insignificance and rejection; will You look at them? Wayward sons, willful daughters, broken trust, scars too deep for words, dreams I try to pretend haven’t died, wistful aches that I don’t voice.
Here are my ordinary everyday things, Lord. Soap bubbles, sticky floors, strong-willed children, wayward sons, willful daughters, the scent of outside play, the tree branch outside my window, the silky grass at my feet, the softness of my pillow, and Your words singing over me to the rhythm of the Spirit’s dance.
Lord God, how is it possible for You, the Holy of Holies, to look upon me and all my wretchedness? Yet, You do. More so, You invite the broken, the heavy-laden, the sin-shattered to come. It’s as if our brokenness is the requirement for coming to You that You might redeem and make whole. Lord God, may it be so. Let me know You.

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

The GT Weekend! ~ Terrain Week 1

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) On Monday, we followed the sweeping journey of Abraham and his descendants coming to the land of Canaan. God made a promise to Abraham, and Abraham followed without question. He trusted God to keep His promise, even when he couldn’t see how. The nation of Israel had its ups and downs with taking God at His word, but eventually they laid claim to the land God had promised Abraham so many years before. As we walk through seasons of life that seem to detour and re-route our plans, it can be tempting to question what God is doing. Our hearts are quick to forget all the times God has been faithful to us, instead putting our trust in the false gods of wealth, comfort, security, certainty, and control. But God remembers us through it all. When you think about your life, were there any “detours” you took that showed God’s continued faithfulness? Draw a map of your life (this may look like a roadmap or more like a timeline). Think about where you started, where you thought you were going, and where you are now. Note the times that God showed Himself to be faithful, even when you were questioning. Thank Him for His faithfulness, and commit the rest of your roadmap, the part of your journey still to come, to His care.

2) Mount Sinai stands throughout Scripture as the mountain of God. This is where God met with Moses to give him the Ten Commandments, His rules for how to live as God’s set-apart people. Moses climbs this mountain multiple times throughout his life to meet with the Lord. Sara left us with two challenges on Wednesday. First, she asked us to consider what mountain God is calling us to climb in order to know Him more. Maybe it starts with committing to reading God’s word and praying daily. If this is already an established habit in your life, maybe God is calling you to study more deeply, or bring someone else into your study time in order to mentor her. Perhaps there is another step of obedience God is laying on your heart. Write down what that might be, and make a plan (not just a goal) to follow through. Second, Sara encouraged us to seek out a mature understanding of familiar Bible stories. What is one story that stands out to you from childhood? Go back and read that story, asking God to reveal His truth as you look at it with fresh, mature eyes.

3) The walls of Jericho were built to withstand any army or invader, but they could not stand before the might of the God of Israel. When God was commanding Joshua how to take the land He would give Israel, He did not tell Joshua to practice military drill and exercises. He did not tell him to study military training manuals or how to build the best weapons. No. God commanded Joshua to study the law Moses had delivered to them and to be strong and courageous. What problems are you facing in your life right now? What seemingly insurmountable obstacle is standing in your way? How are you trying to fix these? Where are you looking for answers to your questions? Are you looking to the world’s wisdom (or the internet’s) first? Or are you seeking the Lord before all else? Write a prayer asking God to help you with the challenges you are facing, remembering that you have no hope apart from Him.

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 1 Corinthians 1:20-22 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him. Therefore, through Him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God. Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us. He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

Prayer Journal
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your trustworthy words to us. Thank You for giving us so many accounts in Your word of Your faithfulness to Your people, even in the midst of their short-comings. Just as Abraham followed You into the unknown, help us to heed Your call on our lives. Just as Moses climbed the mountain to meet with You, unhindered by any obstacle, may we be faithful to boldly approach You through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Just as Joshua studied Your word and obeyed Your call to be strong and courageous, may we be faithful and not freighted by any fear. You, oh Lord, are our comforter, protector, healer, guide, and merciful Father. May our hearts be drawn to You at all times, even when life does not follow the course we anticipated, when You seem far off, or when our obstacles seem too great. Grant us the steadfastness to continue in service to You and to find our rest in Your presence.

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

The GT Weekend! ~ If Week 2

1 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) The idea of 1 + 1 + 1 = 1 makes zero mathematical sense to our analytic brains. Often, we attempt to understand the All-Powerful God with our finite, limited faculties, and the result is frustration that can lead to disbelief. Yet, even as finite human beings, we still have experiences that can help us bridge this seeming impossible gap. As a child, I watched my parents withdraw money from an ATM. They simply pressed buttons and received money. I had zero ability to conceptualize anything beyond this childlike understanding of how to get money. The idea of earning money through a job and then being able to purchase new shoes was far too abstract for me to understand. As we tackle difficult things in Scripture, we must remember our own humanity and God’s divinity; where our ability to comprehend God ends, His understanding, wisdom, and knowledge continue endlessly. While we don’t understand everything about 1 God revealing Himself as 3 unique, yet mysteriously connected divine Beings, we do have plenty of evidence in Scripture to understand this mystery does indeed exist! I’ve discovered how the more I lean into knowing God and studying Him as Father, Son, and Spirit, rather than becoming frustrated, I grow to love and understand Him more! Consider diving in to this beautiful mystery of knowing God! Begin this weekend by studying passages on Father, Son, and Spirit. Even a Google search or www.studylight.org can point you in the right direction. Other great resources include www.gotquestions.org or “Delighting In The Trinity” by Michael Reeves.

2) How often do we long for life to be easier? Wouldn’t it be nice if we never struggled or felt pain? Why does the Lord allow us to feel pain and suffering? Shouldn’t He just make life easy for us if we believe in Him? We see from Philippians 3 that the value of knowing Jesus is far greater than any comfort or ease we could wish for. As we walk through suffering and trials, we grow in our dependence on Christ and our steadfastness in worship. If He just handed us an easy life, we would not feel our need for Him as deeply or as fully as we do in our struggles. What trial or struggle are you going through right now? How can you allow the discomfort and difficulty of this situation draw you closer into relationship with Jesus Christ? Consider how you tend to be self-sufficient or block out the pain rather than depending on the Lord through the pain. Maybe you throw yourself into your work, or disappear into books or movies, or maybe you numb your pain with food or alcohol. Take time today to spend time in relationship with God. Feel your need for Him, and remember only He can satisfy. Read James 1, and ask God to show you how to mature through your trials.

3) Where have you seen justice perverted in society around you? What social justice issues press your hot buttons and have you amped up and ready to fight to protect others’ rights because they have been overlooked without representation? Then look around your everyday life and the relationships you’re engaged with. Where do you see injustices played out? Perhaps against yourself or others? In what ways have you fought to stand up for justice? As you consider these, also take a brave minute to consider who gets to decide what true justice looks like? Is there a right and a wrong? Who gets to decide this and why? Is it really fair for everyone to choose their own “justice”? Does that feel like “justice” to you? As you think through these things, consider the character of God as being a perfectly just God. What attributes would you be able to fully rely on if this was true? In what ways are you deeply grateful that God is a just, righteous God? Praise Him for this, then pray confidently for His justice to be made known to all of us!

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 1:3-6 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

Prayer Journal
Blessed be You, oh Lord, the God of all wonder and glory! How marvelous are Your ways, how unknowable Your love. I stand in awe of how great You are. Your nature as 3 persons in 1 God is beyond my comprehension, yet You call me into relationship with Yourself that I might know You and reflect Your love to a broken world. I confess that when I suffer, I long to be free of trouble. I desire an easy life over the steadfastness and faithfulness that comes only through trial. I confess I tend to numb my own pain, rather than rely on the joy that comes from knowing You. Lord, we ask that Your justice would come on this earth. We know Your very nature is just. Help us to view the world with hearts and eyes turned toward perfect justice. May we care for the poor and the outcast, valuing them as people made in the image of the one true God. Grant courage and boldness that we may be quick to serve those in need and ready to speak truth to the powerful. May we reveal Your heart for justice to those who are far from You.

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

The GT Weekend! ~ If Week 1

1 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) What if Jesus was not God? What if He was just a prophet or a good teacher, but not God in flesh? Or even if He wasn’t fully God, but something lesser? Considering these questions can either drive us away from the Lord or drive us straight into the arms of a loving, trustworthy, and faithful God. We saw in Monday’s Journey Study some solid reasons to believe Jesus was, and is, exactly the fully divine God He claimed to be. He defeated sin by living a perfect life. He defeated death by raising Himself from the dead. Because of these things, and more, He is worthy of our worship. We serve a powerful God. The great King of Glory does not fear our questions. There is no question too big for Him. Will you commit to bringing your questions to the Lord? Will you be honest with Him about your doubts? Will you faithfully search the Scriptures and consult wise, mature believers as you seek out your answers? What questions do you have? Where have you been looking for answers? Write down one or two questions about God along with the name of someone you know whom you could ask to help you find the answers. Pray over your question and ask the Lord to give you courage to step out in faith and search for truth!

2) Like making cake without flour, trimming the grass without a mower, or, perhaps most apt, drinking water from an empty glass, so is absolutely anything we attempt in the Christian life without the power of the Holy Spirit. We, as finite, prone-to-sin human beings, are utterly incapable of accomplishing the holy, righteous work of becoming like Jesus on our own power. We cannot forgive more freely, love more deeply, give more wholeheartedly, or treat others with more lavish kindness without the power of the Holy Living God taking up residence within our beings. Going further, even if we have genuinely surrendered our lives to Christ and He has faithfully given us the Holy Spirit inside of us, we can still adamantly choose to reject His power at work in us. Classic author Andrew Murray writes of every day being a battle of wills between our fleshly desires and the work of God. We can either choose to surrender moment by moment to His work, or we can stubbornly insist on our own abilities to accomplish His righteousness. Determine today to live in a constant state of surrender by practicing the simple hand motion of raising one or two palms upward. When you face a challenge of your will versus God’s way today, choose total surrender to the Spirit by rotating your palm upward and breathing a prayer of surrender!

3) Rejoice with me as we think about our great God! His character is so far above our comprehension of holiness. He is unable to sin because of His great power and might. He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He is unchanging, unshakable, steadfast, and He gives us direct access to Him. Even when we fall short, He is faithful because He cannot violate His own nature. Write a prayer of thanksgiving and praise to the Almighty God! Spend time contemplating what His sinless nature means for your relationship with Him and your obedience to Him. You may begin to feel discouraged by the weight of your own sin and your own shortcomings as you worship. Feel that weight, but don’t stay there! When we turn our eyes upon Jesus, we receive freedom from our sins. Repent and move forward in the strength of the Lord only He can provide. You don’t need to make yourself better to come to Him. Simply focus on His greatness, and He will work a mighty change in you!

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 Colossians 1:15-17 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
For everything was created by Him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through Him and for Him.
He is before all things,
and by Him all things hold together.
He is also the head of the body, the church;
He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that He might come to have
first place in everything.

Prayer Journal
Who is this King of Glory? Who is this God who would condescend to walk the Earth as a man, perfect and righteous? You are our God, the blessed Three-in-One, wholly loving, almighty, immovable, and the perfect lover of our souls. You have not left us on our own in our questions and our weakness, but You have rescued us by Your great hand! Forgive me, oh merciful God, for my doubts, my weakness, and my desire to have my own way. I have often resisted Your will and questioned your goodness. Thank You for your great mercy and grace. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to work in my heart and guide me in obedience. Thank You for comforting me with truth as I search out your goodness. I ask for Your help as I surrender my will to Yours. Use my questions and my doubts to draw my heart toward You rather than toward the darkness. I believe in You, oh Lord, help my unbelief.

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