Humility

Waiting Day 3 Valuable Lessons

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Samuel 16:1-13
1 Samuel 24:1-22
Psalm 13
Romans 5:3-5

Waiting, Day 3

As David hid in the darkness at the back of the cave, it must have seemed like the perfect opportunity. His enemy was alone and unarmed.

With the whispers of his men urging him forward, David crept behind the unsuspecting Saul. For years, Saul’s jealousy drove him to relentlessly pursue David, seeking to kill him.

Surely, this was the moment to finally put a stop to it.

What’s more, the prophet Samuel had anointed David as king, and yet, years later, Saul remained on the throne.
Surely, this was the ideal opportunity for David to claim his destiny.

But, to the surprise of his men, while David cut a piece from Saul’s robe, he chose not to harm the man himself. He knew this was not God’s way.

This was not how waiting was supposed to end.

David had plenty of practice at waiting. From the day he was unexpectedly marked out as the future king, he waited approximately fifteen years until he was finally crowned.

We may question why.
Why did God make him wait so long?
Was there any purpose behind the delay?

It’s common to ask similar questions in our own times of waiting. It can feel as if God has forgotten us, and we wonder why He is making us wait.

David’s story encourages us to see there are valuable lessons to be learned during times of waiting. Delay is not merely something to endure, but a time God can use.

Often God has to first work in us, building our character, so He can later work through us. We certainly see this truth reflected in David’s story.

David’s anointing was not something he had sought or expected. He was not of royal birth, and he was the most unlikely choice as the youngest of eight brothers. Though often disregarded by his brothers, God looked at his heart, knew his potential, and chose David.

Straight after his anointing, we see David learn humility and service. While he knew he would one day be king, he was first called into service of the current king, Saul, working for him as musician, armour bearer, and later, an army commander. He showed great loyalty and respect to Saul, even as Saul’s behaviour became increasingly unreasonable and angry.

We see David learn to trust in God and His power. He had already learned this as a shepherd boy when God helped him fight off bears and lions attacking his flock. This gave him the confidence to tackle the giant Goliath, and that remarkable victory must have boosted his faith even more.

This faith was surely tested as Saul’s jealousy grew, leading him to attempt to kill David on multiple occasions. David must have wondered why waiting on the Lord was so hard. But we also see a remarkable trust that God was still sovereign and, in the midst of the seeming chaos, He had a plan.

This is shown in David’s words to the king of Moab as he asks if his parents can find refuge there, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I know what God will do for me.” (1 Samuel 22:3)

He didn’t yet know what God would do, but he trusted God would do something, and that God was still for him.

We also see David grow in integrity, continuing to strive to behave well towards Saul and respect his position as king instead of retaliating in anger, as shown by the choice he made in the cave.

In his refusal to take matters into his own hands, we see his trust in God’s timing. He knew God’s plan would prevail, and becoming king was not something he had to make happen by himself.

“As the Lord lives, the Lord will certainly strike him [Saul] down: either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. However, as the Lord, is my witness, I will never lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” (1 Samuel 26:10-11)

Finally, the obvious lesson to learn in a time of waiting is patience, and David certainly had plenty of opportunity to develop this.

It may be encouraging in our times of waiting to know that while David waited well and learned a lot along the way, he didn’t always find waiting easy.

The specific situation Psalm 13 references is unclear, but it is a helpful example for us of a prayer in a time of waiting. Four times David asks, “How long?” as he wrestles with the wait, but the Psalm ends on a mark of hope as he chooses to trust God’s goodness.

Maybe this is the key to waiting well.
We can trust God’s character even when we can’t understand our circumstances, holding onto the sure hope He is still working even when we struggle to see how. Ultimately, we can trust that, in His own perfect timing, His purposes will prevail.

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Waiting Day 2 Not Abandoned: Digging Deeper

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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 Not Abandoned!

The Questions

1) How did Joseph respond to the events he endured and what does this teach us about enduring hardship?

2) What ways does God use waiting?

3) What heart-attitude glorifies God in seasons of waiting?

Genesis 45:1-8

Joseph could no longer keep his composure in front of all his attendants, so he called out, “Send everyone away from me!” No one was with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers. 2 But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and also Pharaoh’s household heard it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But they could not answer him because they were terrified in his presence.

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please, come near me,” and they came near. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt. 5 And now don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. 7 God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. 8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Original Intent

1) How did Joseph respond to the events he endured and what does this teach us about enduring hardship?
Joseph’s story is one of the longest and most detailed in the whole biblical account spanning a full nineteen chapters from Genesis 37-50. His story gives us the history of God’s chosen people, the Israelites. At age 17, Joseph’s half-brothers sold him into slavery. Fueled by jealousy over their father’s favoritism, they intended to kill Joseph, but Reuben, the firstborn of the family talked them into selling him into slavery instead. As a slave, Joseph served Potiphar and was favored until Potiphar’s wife came on to him sexually and set him up to look like he had seduced her. At that point, Joseph went to prison. We don’t know his exact age at this time, but it is guessed he was around 27 or 28 years old. He had been in Egypt for over ten years. Then he spent two years in prison, all but forgotten. When he was thirty, he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and was promoted to the second highest position in power in Egypt. When his brothers arrive requesting grain during the famine (which came after seven plentiful years as predicted by Pharaoh’s dream), Joseph is 39 years old. He reveals his identity as their brother and responds by saying, “Don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here…” He could have easily been resentful and attempted to retaliate or make them earn his trust. Instead, Joseph had a God-given perspective, “God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.” Joseph is able to extend understanding and a reconciling forgiveness because He saw God’s greater purpose in the suffering he endured. 

2) What ways does God use waiting?
Joseph waited 22 years to see his brothers and even longer to see his father. In the course of time, he never saw his mother again. How the pain of estrangement must have burdened him for those 2+ decades! The pain of injustice also plagued him as he spent two years in jail when he had done nothing wrong. His suffering wasn’t due to his own poor choices or his sin. And yet, he endured misunderstanding, mistreatment, and what seemed like being completely forgotten to rot in prison. But, God never wastes suffering and He used the painful periods of waiting to deepen Joseph’s dependence on God and show him His trustworthy character. In Psalm 105, when it speaks of Joseph’s time in slavery, it says, “The Word of the Lord tested him (Joseph).” This phrasing means that God’s Torah, His law and His commands refined Joseph. God used this critical period of waiting to lay out His plans to not only birth the nation of Israel, but also to preserve a remnant of His chosen people so they might be strengthened, increase in number, and made to be greater than their foes. (Psalm 105:24) While God had in mind the larger national picture of His people and His eventual rescue for them through Jesus, He also was mindful of Joseph’s individual life. The Lord masterfully crafted Joseph’s sufferable waiting to be used for His holy purposes of refining Joseph’s heart and faith.

3) What heart-attitude glorifies God in seasons of waiting?
Joseph remained connected to God despite the pain and uncertainty of his circumstances. Genesis 39:2 records, “The Lord was with Joseph, and He became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.”  Joseph refused to allow temptation to draw him into sin and away from God. In Genesis 39:8-9 Joseph tells Potiphar’s wife, “My master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has put all that he owns under my authority. No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do this immense evil, and how could I sin against God?” He refused to betray God and the favor he’d been given. Joseph continued to give God credit and glory whenever he interpreted dreams, instead of praising himself, “Don’t interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8) Joseph emphasized to Pharaoh, “God will give Pharaoh the answer…” (Genesis 41:16) Over time, Joseph leaned more and more on God’s sovereignty and goodness. Towards the end of our time with Joseph, he proves his surrender by declaring to his brothers, “Am I in the place of God? You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.” (Genesis 50:19-20) He knew God was far greater and His purposes ran far deeper than his own. Joseph saw his life in the context of God’s plan for His people and endured hardship in the waiting seasons because he trusted God.

Everyday Application

1) How did Joseph respond to the events he endured and what does this teach us about enduring hardship?
Joseph’s response to his long years of hardship, rejection, imprisonment, and unfair treatment, including being forgotten and left to waste away in prison was to forgive those who harmed him. He chose to see their actions in light of God’s greater plan and goodness. He humbly allowed God to shape his perspective and he viewed his life through the lens of a greater picture. In each of our lives, we also will endure hardship. Some of us will endure broken relationships, misunderstandings, being overlooked, or persecuted and rejected. All of these injuries are similar to what Joseph endured. As we live through the excruciating pain of these trials, we can remember Joseph’s example of humble trust and ask God to reshape our own perspective. We can seek to see the bigger picture and remember that regardless of what we endure, God is with us and He will use every circumstance for ultimate good. Romans 8:28 reiterates the fact that God uses all things for our good and His glory. In James 1:2-4, we are reminded that God allows trials to accomplish His good work in us, making us mature, complete, and lacking nothing. Colossians 3:1-2 reminds us to lift our eyes above the things of this world and place them where our real life is hidden with Jesus. When we gain an eternal perspective, we can see our troubles and difficulty with the same patience and faith Joseph demonstrated. 

2) What ways does God use waiting?
As He did with Joseph’s life, God uses waiting seasons in our own storylines to deepen our dependence on Him. With our desire to control, we often want to ask God for a map and compass so we can set off on our own (thank you very much). He is not the God of the map; He IS the map. I heard the story of a man lost in a jungle. Eventually, he ran into a native living in the jungle. He asked the man to show him the way out of the jungle. The man replied, “There is no way out. I am the way. Follow me.” That is what Jesus says to us. He IS the way. (John 14:6) We would rather He give us vague guidelines and leave us to our own devices, avoiding surrender. Thankfully, God loves us too much for that; He is the God of relationships and He saved us that He might restore us to relationship with Him. He uses waiting seasons to teach us to lean on Him instead of ourselves, this is God’s wonderful refinement of our souls. James writes, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4) If we choose to let the Lord have His way with us, surrendering to the “full effect” of His work in our sufferable waiting, He will faithfully use us for the good benefit of others who suffer, just as He did with Joseph in restoring relationship and physically providing food for his family. (2 Corinthians 1:4-7) We never know what God is doing for both our good and the good of others while we wait in surrender to His ways. Let’s choose to surrender our will to His while we wait!

3) What heart-attitude glorifies God in seasons of waiting?
Not only does God promise to use our suffering for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28), He provides instruction on how to wait. He calls us to be “patient in affliction” (Romans 12:12), to “rejoice in the Lord always”, and “don’t worry about anything” instead choosing “prayer…with thanksgiving”. (Philippians 4:4-6) In the midst of our waiting, we are to “be strong, let your heart be courageous”. (Psalm 27:14) As we wait, He promises to renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31) and bless us (Isaiah 30:18). I associate the word “waiting” with waiters in a restaurant. What are they doing while they are waiting? Serving! As we wait on the Lord, we can serve Him with our everyday surrender. Seasons of waiting provide us with opportunities to “Trust in the Lord and do what is good.” (Psalm 37:3) If we humble ourselves before the Lord (1 Peter 5:6), He will strengthen our trust in Him, proving He will neither abandon nor forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6) Like Joseph, we can remain connected to God despite the pain and uncertainty of our circumstances. We can resist temptation to sin and choose to give God glory for His work in our lives while trusting his sovereignty and goodness. God is far greater, and His purposes go far deeper than we perceive. We won’t always do these things perfectly in our waiting seasons. Our faith will falter. We will be tempted, and sometimes we will fall into sin. We may forget God’s goodness and even question His presence. These things happen, but we don’t need to stay here. We can acknowledge our doubt and bring it honestly to God, allowing it to be a bridge between us instead of a wall. Like the psalmist, we can tell God we are weary of waiting. (Psalm 6:6, Psalm 69:3) God is with us in our waiting!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Not Abandoned!

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 Waiting 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.

Fruitful Day 14 The Gentleness of Jesus: Digging Deeper

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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 The Gentleness of Jesus!

The Questions

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)

John 13:12-17

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

Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)
Walking in sandals on the dusty dirty roads of Israel made foot washing a necessity before sharing a meal. Since people reclined at low tables, their feet were right next to others, not to mention the table and food. While the washing of feet was a common practice, it was highly uncommon for someone of Jesus’ stature as a revered Rabbi Teacher to perform the task reserved for household slaves. However, Jesus took it upon Himself to fulfill this lowly duty in order to model a lesson of love to His disciples. The lesson these twelve men seemed to have a hard time understanding was how necessary it was to have an attitude of servanthood toward others, just like Jesus. In Matthew 20 we read a story of two brothers, whose mom asked Jesus for a favor regarding her sons’ positions in His kingdom. It is clear from the exchange that the disciples not only expected Jesus to become an earthly king, but they also struggled significantly with pride. They felt they earned authority and power by being associated with Jesus. Cutting to the heart, Jesus responds with clarity, “you’ve got it all wrong, if you want to be great, then be a servant”. (Matthew 20:27-28, my paraphrase)

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)
It’s hard to say if Jesus’ instructions in the original context were meant literally as well as figuratively, but it was certainly an unforgettable scene. If you go back and read this story from the beginning of John 13, we notice that, of the men present, Jesus was the only person willing to tackle the dirty task of foot washing. The text doesn’t tell us why a servant wasn’t present to perform the job, but the other twelve disciples reclining at the table knew someone needed to do the work, yet none made any effort to do so. In that sense, one could make a case that Jesus’ words had two meanings; the first being “next time, one of you guys should do this for each other”. However, most likely, His words were meant as an example for His teaching point, “you all need to develop an attitude of serving others, which means setting your pride aside and doing things you think are beneath you”.

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)
Jesus’ intention was to get these men to look to Him as their example in all things. In that day, following a Rabbi literally meant to follow His every step, learning everything they could about “being a Rabbi”. This concept, however, went much deeper for Jesus’ purposes. He wasn’t trying to make “little Rabbis” who could speak and teach rhetoric like Him; He wanted them to live lives of sacrificial love as He modeled. He is the Master of Love; the disciples knew and understood He was greater than they in every regard. In a sense, Jesus was saying, “If I, the long-awaited Messiah, am willing to humble Myself and willingly take on the job of a lowly servant, you should as well”. It’s important to keep in mind that these men Jesus spoke to were the same ones who, in just a few short days, would be responsible for spreading the gospel and starting the Church by the power of God’s Spirit. Jesus needed them to think differently about Himself, others, and their role as His disciples.

Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)
Jesus washed dirty feet to be an example to those who would soon carry His message of hope, love, and freedom to the world. The One Sovereign God of All, holding all power and authority above any other, willingly took on this menial job with humility and love. Our takeaway is to have this same attitude of Christ reflected in our everyday moments. In rich teaching, the apostle Paul wrote to believers, “adopt the same attitude as Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 2:5-8) This heart-attitude is characterized by humility, gentleness, and a willingness to meet and serve others regardless of who they are or their position in life. While foot washing is no longer commonplace, there are thousands of menial tasks to be entered into every day in our homes, churches, and workplaces. As followers of Christ, we also need to be willing to jump in and take on those tasks regardless of whether or not it’s our specifically assigned job. Pray over these opportunities and ask the Lord to show you where you can practically reflect Christ’s heart-attitude.

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)
When Jesus directed His disciples to “also…wash one another’s feet”, He was speaking more about developing, and living out, an attitude of servanthood than He was about literal foot-washing. Living with a servant’s heart requires more than simply doing what is required or finishing tasks out of guilt or obligation. Rather, true service flows from love and a willingness to meet others in their mess and jump in with humility. Once again, Paul discusses this attitude in Philippians 2:13-15 when he says, “do everything without grumbling or complaining”. It’s one thing to serve others out of obligation, or because we can’t come up with a good excuse to decline. It’s completely different to serve others from a desire to love like Jesus in the middle of others’ messiness. It’s funny how Jesus seems to provide real life examples for me each time I sit down to write. Just today, I had planned to spend the entire morning researching and writing this study. I had my cup of coffee and was headed to my laptop when my sister called needing help. Helping her would mess up my plans and, honestly, I wasn’t even sure I could help, but I went because that’s what sisters do. In the end, it wasn’t so much about helping, but being present and standing with her. With transparency, I’m not sure my attitude reflected servanthood, but I still chose to go because loving people is rarely convenient. I don’t know about you, but my own life is messy; still, that doesn’t stop Jesus from meeting me where I am and loving me on the journey. I am a work in progress, just like all of us who have surrendered to Jesus, and I’m thankful He teaches me lessons like this every day!

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)
The twelve disciples played a critically important role in living out the kind of radical love Jesus had humbly modeled in front of them during His time on earth; our role as fellow Christ-followers is just as necessary. We too need to think differently about God, others, and ourselves. We have the exact same job assignment as the original twelve who witnessed Jesus act of humble love in front of them, “Go and make disciples”. (Matthew 28:19) Jesus provided us with real life, everyday examples of how to go about accomplishing His mission by meeting people and loving them exactly where they are. By serving others with humility and gentleness, we love like Him. When we don’t judge others and place ourselves higher, we love like Him. When we choose to love others in the middle of their messes, and in spite of our own inconveniences, we love like Him. The coolest part is we aren’t in this “loving others with humility” thing alone! Jesus not only wants to equip us and teach us how to love like Him through His Spirit in us, but He also invites us to ask for His divine help in every single circumstance we encounter. “Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart”. (Matthew 11:28-30) Let’s learn from the Master how to live and love like He did!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Gentleness of Jesus!

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 Fruitful 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.

Fruitful Day 9 Kind Beauty: Digging Deeper

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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 Kind Beauty!

The Questions

1) Who and what is Paul addressing in his letter to the church in Rome?

2) What do we know of the riches of God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience from other Scripture passages and how do these apply to us?

3) How does God’s kindness lead us to repentance?

Romans 2:4

Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Original Intent

1) Who and what is Paul addressing in his letter to the church in Rome?
Paul was writing to believers in Jesus living in Rome. He was anxious to return to Rome to encourage and strengthen the church and he reminds them of core doctrinal truths for understanding who we are, who Christ is and what He did, where our Hope lies for eternity, and how we are to live as believers while we wait for that Hope. Paul foundationally states how all are declared righteous and have access to live for eternity, faith! “The righteous shall live by faith”. (Romans 1:17) He also speaks of God’s just wrath on the unrighteous because they chose to ignore God’s redemptive offer of love and forgiveness, turning instead to love themselves and their own lusts, to which God gave them over. He speaks expressly of the lusts of the flesh. “Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore, God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator…”. (Romans 1:22-25) Having addressed the “outwardly unrighteous person”, Paul turned his attention to the “morally just”. Those who “appeared” moral and thought they were “better than” the “unrighteous”. They errantly believed their “sin” was less deplorable to God. Paul warns that God will judge everyone by the same standard, His Holiness, of which we all fall short. (Romans 3:23) I’m reminded of the Pharisee who proudly prayed, thinking he was better than the tax collector. However, Jesus said the tax collector, who humbled himself asking for mercy by faith, would be justified rather than the Pharisee. (Luke 18:9-14)

2) What do we know of the riches of God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience from other Scripture passages and how do these apply to us?
The word “loving-kindness” occurs only in the Old Testament, but as equivalents, New Testament authors use “mercy”, “goodness,” “kindness,” and “brotherly love”. In verse 4, the Greek word for kindness is derived from the Hebrew “chacadh”, meaning “to be gracious or merciful.” W.L Walker says, “Goodness and justice are several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes merciful and sometimes just, but He is eternally infinitely just and merciful.” (Biblestudytools.com) Consider all the times the rebellious nation of Israel turned away from God, but God lovingly drew them back to Him. In His kindness, He warned them over and over of consequences for their rebellion, and as they continued to turn from Him, He allowed trouble to befall them. Still, He never let them out of His sight. He always had a perfect plan for bringing them back home. Oh, what a good and kind Father! “Being such an essential and distinctive quality of God, the prophets taught that it should also characterize His people. It is part of the Divine requirement in Micah 6:8 (ESV), ‘to love kindness’ and in Zechariah 7:9 (ESV), “Show kindness and mercy to one another.” (Biblestudytools.com)

3) How does God’s kindness lead us to repentance?
The Amplified Version of Romans 2:4 describes the riches of God as “kind, tolerant, and patient; withholding His wrath.” Paul reminds the saints (all those who have trusted Christ as Savior) of how God’s kindness led them to repentance. How He gently drew them to Himself, waiting patiently for them to turn to Him. (2 Peter 3:9) David personally had experienced the Lord’s patience and loving-kindness toward him. It had been over a year removed from David’s plot to murder the husband of the woman he slept with when the prophet Nathan confronted him about his sin. David begged the Lord to restore fellowship with Him. The first thing David said was, “Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.” (Psalm 51:1) God did deal with David according to His loving-kindness and He still does for us. This kindness was not only extended to David, but to anyone who genuinely repents and turns away from their sin and toward the Savior Jesus Christ. My heart cannot grasp how good, kind, and patient God has been, not just to His own people, Israel, but for all of us!

Everyday Application

1) Who and what is Paul addressing in his letter to the church in Rome?
Having concluded his description of those appearing outwardly “unrighteous”, Paul begins chapter 2 with a warning, “Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.” (Romans 2:1) We are all just as unrighteous as another. (Romans 3:23) Romans 2:4 was penned so we understand the vast goodness of God set against the ugly backdrop of our own sinful judgment toward those we deem “less than righteous”. Paul asks how we judge those without Christ since we also were once without Christ as well. (Romans 6:17) His loving kindness drew us to repentance and faith; how could we reflect anything less to those who don’t yet believe?! Certainly, we must confront sin, but only when we are exemplifying a lifestyle reflecting God’s character. If we aren’t, we are hypocrites. Consider two fighting sisters. One sister points her finger at the other as the culprit without acknowledging her own involvement. If we can see a fault in someone else, then certainly we should be able to recognize that fault in ourselves. (Matthew 7:1-5) (J. Martin Commentary) Sadly, the church does a lot of finger-pointing saying, “THAT IS SIN!”, but we refuse to recognize our own sin, instead justifying ourselves. Jesus tells us we will all be judged by the same measuring stick, His Holiness; He shows no favoritism. (Romans 2:11) We will certainly draw more people to Christ by living out His example of kindness and patience than we will through condemnation. I knew a wonderful lady from church who passed away. At her funeral, her son shared that Mrs. Majel would always invite “sinners” to dinner. He often asked her why for “They didn’t deserve her kindness.” Her response stuck with me for years, “Some people will not make it to heaven unless we carry them”. Her kindness reflected God’s kindness to us, “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance”. (verse 4)

2) What do we know of the riches of God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience from other Scripture passages and how do these apply to us?
May we never forget how long God waited for us to see our sinfulness in light of His glory and trust Him. How many times we have sinned, yet found God forgiving us. We, too, must model that kind of kindness, forbearance, and long-suffering patience toward others. Jesus instructed, “whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them”. (Matthew 7:12) This Golden Rule tells us in a few words that kindness carries the whole of the Gospel. (The Four-fold Gospels Commentary) As we say in the south, “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” And thus, we will draw more people to Christ with kindness then judgment. Greg Laurie at Harvest Ministries in California shared in a recent devotion, “Believers sometimes approach nonbelievers with strange verbiage, then conclude that some people just take offense to the gospel. Yes, there’s offense in the gospel. But many times, people are offended because Christians are just weird and unnecessarily offensive. They don’t know how to use tact. We should use a little tact, a little winsomeness, when we share our faith. Someone has defined tact as the intuitive knowledge of saying the right thing at the right time. For example, when the apostle Paul saw that the people of Athens worshiped everything imaginable, he could have said, ‘You’re a bunch of pagan idolaters!’” Read what he told them in Acts 17:22-23. “Ah, Kindness. What a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in the world”, said poet, Alison Malee.

3) How does God’s kindness lead us to repentance?
Famous author, Mark Twain, said, “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Kindness touches the soul of man. Our lifestyle of winsome kindness will draw others to Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:15) Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers, “Be kind… compassionate … forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:32) To the Colossians Paul wrote, “Act wisely toward outsiders (…) Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” (Colossians 4:5-6) Living like Jesus draws others to Himself through us! It causes one to “want some of that”. When they ask us what is different, we should be “ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and reverence…”. (1 Peter 3:15) While kindness may come more naturally for some, true kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. It develops out of our willingness to fully surrender to the Holy Spirit at work within us as believers in Christ through faith. In her book, Jesus in Me, Anne Graham Lotz writes, “While you have the Holy Spirit within you, the cooperation of your full surrender, obedience, and faith is required to activate it. She quotes Dr. Alan Redpath of Moody Church, “it is a moment-by-moment surrender to the moment-by-moment control of the Holy Spirit” (The Making of a Man of God: Lessons from the Life of David) This surrender is a daily commitment to rise in the morning and give your day to the Lord. It makes all the difference in cultivating the kindness of the Lord in us!

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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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Terrain Day 10 Mount Of Olives

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 6:25-34
Romans 8:14-17
Matthew 21:1-5

Terrain, Day 10

Read enough of my writings, sit with me at coffee, or walk beside me as the sun sets and you will know, “this girl loves small things.”

The solitary flower in a mass of wild weeds.
The softly curled leaf, just hinting at gold while its counterparts wear green.
The single dappled spot on the underside of my daughter’s toe.

I gravitate towards the “little known and oft’ forgotten” that I might re-discover old treasure made new again. Imagine my delight when, after weeks of praying and studying the Mount of Olives, I found “it,” a tucked-away pocket of words waiting for me to discover anew. The words are easily glossed over, as I had a hundred times before, but today, the Spirit of God raised them up out of His word for me to see with fresh eyes.

“During the day, He (Jesus) was teaching in the temple, but in the evening, He would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives. Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear Him in the temple.” (Luke 21:37-38)

I have a sacred space in my house where I sit in the mornings or late at night with my Bible, journal, and pen. When I first began meeting regularly with the Lord, my spot was in my baby’s nursery where morning light flooded my pages. Then it moved to the reclining chair in my room where I could look up to find a tiny cross etched “coincidentally” in the paint above me. When the chair was retired, my space became a square on the floor beside my bed, its lowness reminding me of my need for humility and for Christ’s perfect humility towards me. With my back against the wall, I’ve sat hundreds of times weeping in grief or joy, angry at injustice, delighted with God’s beauty, or sitting silently to hear His voice. Each time, I’ve stood up, having been reminded of truth wrapped in grace. This space has been life-giving to me, not because of its physical attributes, but because of the living God who faithfully meets me.

As I read the passage in Luke, I realized for the first time that Jesus also had a sacred space He regularly visited. The Mount of Olives.

I love nature and hiking and muddy creeks, scraggly branches, jumping frogs, and hidden hollows, but sleeping overnight…outside…under the sky? No, thank you. Firm No. N to the O, No!

But this was Jesus’ spot: His place of prayer, rest, and renewal all night long.
Because Jesus was both fully human and fully God, I am confident He had favorite trails up the mountain’s side. Perhaps He took different ones depending on His mood as He processed the human emotions of the day. Did He shed tears as He walked the familiar terrain to the spot He had deemed “His” for sleeping and prayer? Did He recount aloud conversations He’d had with His disciples or the Pharisees? Perhaps His fingers graced the edges of silky flower petals as He walked, knowing every granule of pollen as only the Creator could. Surely some nights He went without sleep as He watched the moon arc across the sky He held in place. These scenes seem likely considering the divinely human nature of the Lord Jesus, but one action is absolutely certain: here the Savior, God in the flesh, communed with the Father by the Spirit’s breath.  

This is what made the Mount of Olives special for Jesus.
Did Christ have continuous connection with the Father through the Spirit while on earth?
Yes; all three Beings equally comprise the Triune God. Yet, while on earth, Jesus gave us this quiet, tucked away example of deeply intimate prayer and escape throughout the gospels.

He left the crowds midday to pray. (Luke 4:42)

He rose early, hungering for this place of deep prayer. (Mark 1:35)

He spent His nights walking the trails of Mt of Olives to be alone with the Father. (Luke 21:37-38)

On these mountain slopes, He taught the masses how to love one another and live with a kingdom mindset. (Matthew 5:1-11)

Here, He taught His disciples how to pray. (Luke 11:1-4)

Oddly enough, considering the title of our Journey Theme, it wasn’t the terrain of the mountain that drew Jesus, it was the communion He shared with Father and Spirit in quiet isolation. He delighted in being tucked away from the crowds, out on the mountain His very own breath had created, as He shared solitude with Father and Spirit in prayer.

As the sun’s rosy glow began warming the hard ground beneath Him the next morning, Jesus opened His human eyes and began His trek down the mountain. I can see the smile on His face as He walked, continuing His conversation with the Father, while approaching the temple to teach again of lasting hope found in God alone.

His rhythm of sacred conversation is meant to be shared.
He freely invites us into communion with the Triune God of the Universe!
What a marvelous thought, that we should be invited as co-heirs with Christ and, by His Spirit, we are urged to call out, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15-17)

Jesus spent many nights walking the terrain of the Mount of Olives and resting His head on its mounds of dirt and leaves, but the terrain of our hearts is where He most longs to meander.
He desires for us to know Him as He is.
Come, enter the conversation!


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Terrain Day 3 Moses & Mt Sinai

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Exodus 19:1-25
Jeremiah 29:11-14
1 Samuel 15:22-23

Terrain, Day 3

If you grew up attending church, you’re probably familiar with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mt Sinai. If you did not experience the Sunday school version of this Exodus story, you may have missed out on the felt board story pieces (for those younger than 35, you probably missed those, too. Feel free to Google as needed) but you now have the opportunity to experience the story on a deeper level.

I learned of Moses on Mt. Sinai early on, and yes, I do remember my grandmother using felt board pieces! However, in some ways, I am envious of those who are reading the story with fresh eyes. You see, my memories of the story and its lessons have been caught in a young mindset, a two-dimensional understanding of the story and the basic tenets it conveyed. Thankfully, this Journey Study challenged me to traverse new terrain in my heart as I gained insight into the terrain around Mt. Sinai.

My childhood understanding of this story captured Moses climbing Mt. Sinai because God called him to the summit to talk to him. When he arrived, the Lord spoke the Ten Commandments and engraved them on tablets. Moses then took the tablets back to the Israelites waiting at the base of the mountain. There, he found the Israelites had made, and were worshipping, a golden calf in utter rebellion to God. Moses threw the tablets in anger, shattering them.

My young takeaways had everything to do with the creation of the tablets, the content of the Ten Commandments themselves, and Israel’s sin. All of which are practical and important, but recently, as I researched Mt Sinai, the enormity of the Lord’s presence in this story overwhelmed me.

What picture came to your mind while reading of Moses ascending the mountain? What did the mountain look like? How tall was it? Did it seem “normal” to think of a cloud at the top?

Depending on where we live or have traveled, we might imagine vastly different pictures. Therefore, let’s paint the picture of Mt. Sinai using insights from the mountain’s modern-day description.

Mt. Sinai is nestled in the middle of a larger group of mountains on the Sinai peninsula. Interestingly, Mt. Sinai is one of the smaller mountains within the cluster; meteorologically speaking, clouds, especially thick ones with thunder and lightning, would not form over a smaller peak when taller mountains surround it. The taller mountains would either cause the cloud to dissipate before reaching the shorter mountain, or the cloud would cover them all.

Throughout Scripture, the Lord uses His physical creation to highlight His power and Presence. Already in the Israelites’ exodus story, they have been led by a pillar of fire at night and a cloud by day. (Exodus 13:21-22) For Elijah on Mt. Carmel, the Lord showed His power by sending fire from heaven to consume the water-saturated altar. (1 Kings 18:38-39) At the crucifixion of Christ, the sky went black when Jesus breathed His last. (Matthew 27:50-52)

For Moses, the Lord used clouds, thunder, lightning, smoke, fire, and the shaking earth to evidence His powerful Presence to the Israelites. He even commanded Moses to tell the Israelites to not touch the mountain or they would be killed. (Exodus 19:12) The emphasis on the Lord’s holy presence was high; the ark of the covenant had a similar order connected to it, and also represented the presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle.

My research helped me understand Moses’ profound experience of the Lord’s power and authority on the mountain not only spiritually, but also physically. Mt. Sinai is 7,947 feet (2,422 meters) tall. This was no small mountain! Only fourteen states in the United States have mountains taller than this height. Research showed there were two ways to access the summit on foot. The first is a roundabout route requiring approximately 2.5 hours to traverse. The other option is a much steeper, direct route, including 3,750 steps dubbed “steps of penitence.”

Moses likely took one of these routes multiple times in the process of meeting with the Lord. Can you imagine all the thoughts going through his mind? Out of obedience to the Lord, he climbs the mountain the rest of Israel was forbidden to touch or death would befall them. He steps onto the quaking ground and enters the smoke-filled cloud.

What level of humility would have been required?
What level of obedience, trust, and faith in the Unseen God?

Maybe you feel the Lord is asking you to take similar steps. While your Mt. Sinai may not be a literal mountain, you’re feeling the call to draw closer to Him or step out in following Him into your own unknown terrain.

Follow Moses’ example.
The journey is already worth it. 

If you’re like me, and a more fresh understanding of a long-known story presents itself, dig in and discover all the Lord has for you. This Journey Theme is a great place to begin exploring, by excavating terrain we once found familiar.

Uncovering fresh perspectives and deeper understandings of our God will always be amazing!

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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 Terrain Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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If Day 14 Un-Risen: Digging Deeper

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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 Un-Risen!

The Questions

1) Who were Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary”? (verse 1)

2) Why were women the first ones arriving at the tomb?

3) Why was an angel sent as the messenger instead of Jesus Himself? (verses 5-7)

Matthew 28:1-7

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.

5 The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”

Original Intent

1) Who were Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary”? (verse 1)
The gospels only record a few words about Mary Magdalene. From her name, we know she came from the town of Magdala. Luke tells us she was healed from seven demons. (Luke 8:2) We don’t know if Mary was truly “possessed” like the man from the Gerasenes (Mark 5:1-17), as ancient culture had no distinction between demonic possession, mental illness, or even trauma. All of these were associated with “abnormal” behavior likened to “demon possession”. Because Luke concludes his list of women who followed Jesus by stating how they “support(ed) them from their possessions”, scholars suggest Mary was independently wealthy from the sale of her land or home. (Luke 8:3) Whatever the case, after being healed, Mary began following Jesus. Culturally, this was unheard of as following a Rabbi was reserved only for men. Not so with Jesus! Mary Magdalene was one of several women who traveled with Jesus along with His twelve disciples. Mary likely served Jesus and the Twelve by preparing meals with the other women and financially providing essentials like food and lodging. John’s gospel account reveals that she followed Jesus all the way to the cross and was the first to see Him after His resurrection. (John 19:25, John 20:11-18) The ‘other Mary’ is considered the mother of Jesus. She knew the prophecies concerning the promised Messiah as God in the flesh were being fulfilled in her Son. She had sung of God’s faithful goodness when the angel announced she would be His mother. (Luke 1:46-55) She also knew Jesus would suffer a cruel death according to prophecy. It doesn’t appear she actively followed Jesus during His ministry as she had other children to tend to, but she was present for His first miracle, at minimum, and attempted to visit Him. (Mark 3:31, John 2:1-11) His mother was also present at Calvary when Jesus died. Though Mary knew Jesus was the Messiah, she may not have fully understood Christ as her personal Savior until the gathering in the Upper Room. (Acts 1:12-14) In the final hours of Jesus’ life, as Mary watched her precious son die in agony, the prophecy of Simeon was fulfilled as a “sword would pierce (her) own soul”; surely her heart was breaking! (Luke 2:35)

2) Why were women the first ones arriving at the tomb?
In ancient culture, the task of preparing a body for burial generally fell to women. Jesus was crucified at sundown on Good Friday, which meant Sabbath had begun and no work could be done according to Old Testament law. (Leviticus 23:3) Tending to a dead body, even a family member, would be considered work. Additionally, Jewish law outlined consequences for touching unclean things, which definitely included a corpse. (Numbers 19:11-13) In effort to hasten Jesus’ burial before sundown, they simply wrapped His body and laid it in the tomb. Unlike the Egyptians, Jews didn’t embalm bodies as mummies, but they still prepared it in a fashion similar to current, and previous, Western cultural practices. This preparation included various oils, herbs, and spices, which is why the women were present at the tomb the morning after the Sabbath. Of course, Jesus’ mother, Mary, would have been there, as any mother would. She, who had tended Him from birth, would surely now tend Him in death. Mary Magdalene, and other women who had faithfully followed Jesus, would join her for both emotional and physical support.

3) Why was an angel sent as the messenger instead of Jesus Himself? (verses 5-7)
God’s heart character is love and active humility. He demonstrates this repeatedly through Scripture, and in the Church today, by drawing others to do His work and be intimately involved in His mission. God didn’t send an angel to die for the sins of the world, only He could do that, and so He did. God’s master plan for telling the world the good news about His sacrifice on our behalf, however, is a joyous work that He freely shares and invites us to participate in with Him. Of course, Jesus could have sat atop the rolled away stone to declare His own resurrection, but this doesn’t fit with His heart character of humble love. His ministry on earth was never about elevating Himself. God chose an angel to declare the Good News of Christ’s victory over death to set an example for us to go and do likewise as His ambassadors to the world. Scripture describes angels as messengers from God and provides many examples of them communicating His divine plan to humans. Each instance in the Bible may look different, but there was generally no mistaking that these were Heavenly beings sent by God to either make known His willful purposes or protect His people. Angels came to Lot’s door warning him to leave Sodom before its destruction. (Genesis 19:15-17) Angels appeared to Daniel (Daniel 10:5-6), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 10), Joshua (Joshua 5:13-14), Mary (Luke 1:26-38), and many others. The shepherds heard of the Messiah’s birth from a group of angels (Luke 2:8-14), and many angels are found in the book of Revelation (Revelation 7:1-2). Angels are God’s appointed Heavenly Messengers, and as Christ’s resurrection was the most important message ever, it was first heralded by an angel with God’s own stamp of divine approval, wrapped in His humble love for mankind.

Everyday Application

1) Who were Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary”? (verse 1)
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus had different backgrounds, life experiences, and likely even ages, but they shared one constant, Jesus as their Savior. It would be easy to write off these women from an ancient culture, thinking we have nothing in common with them. Yet, just as we all come from various backgrounds, we all need a Savior.  Jesus wants us to know Him as a Healer, Jehovah Rapha, as a Provider, Jehovah Jirah, as Friend (James 2:23), and as the perfect Fullness of God Himself (Colossians 1:19). We may wrestle with feelings of worthlessness or shame because of our past, sins we are stuck in, or the judgement of others. Or maybe we feel like we are in a very good place, so good, in fact, we don’t seem to need a Savior. But even Jesus’ mother needed a Savior! Giving birth to the Messiah, holding Him in her heart and raising Him in her home was not a free pass to Heaven. Just as Jesus died to give life and unshakeable hope to Mary Magdalene and His mother, He is available for us today. Let’s acknowledge our lack, our loss, our sense of emptiness, our shame, and guilt to the God who gave Himself for us to heal us and make us His own! (Titus 2:14) Jesus loved His disciples and the women who followed Him; Jesus loved everyone He encountered. He loves you.

2) Why were women the first ones arriving at the tomb?
Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ mother were not the first women to faithfully love and serve God. Throughout Scripture, God honors women and purposes them for His glory, starting with His promise to the first woman, Eve. Even amid punishment for her sin, He held out a promise that one day a Redeemer would come to crush Satan’s head. (Genesis 3:15) Many stories of women esteemed by God, and used for His purposes, are recorded in the Old and New Testaments. The midwives who hid Moses from Pharaoh (Exodus 1:15-21), Deborah, the wise judge (Judges 4:1-14), and Jael, the brave woman who acted with swift justice (Judges 4:17-22).  Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, served Yahweh as the mother of John the Baptist. She surrendered her body and her life to the Lord’s work at an age when she was far past childbearing years. (Luke 1:5-19) The widow, Anna, faithfully prayed every day in the temple as she waited for the coming Messiah. She realized her prayers were fulfilled when Joseph and Mary appeared at the temple to present their infant Jesus to the priests as required by law. When she saw the tiny baby, she knew she beheld the Messiah. God used many women, from vastly different backgrounds and lifestyles to fulfill His eternal plan. Tamar (Genesis 38:6-30), Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), Rahab (Joshua 2:1-22), Ruth (Ruth 1-4), and Mary (Luke 1-2) are even included in the lineage of Jesus! (Matthew 1:1-16)

3) Why was an angel sent as the messenger instead of Jesus Himself? (verses 5-7)
Angels are messengers and protectors even in the 21st century. That time you are running late could be God’s hand of protection over you as you encounter a traffic accident happening moments before. If you have encountered someone intent on evil against you, then suddenly you are guarded, this is God’s ordained protection for you; He may well have used angels to accomplish this work. Angels are not present everywhere in every place like God and His presence; they exist to do God’s bidding and worship Him as created Heavenly beings. (Hebrews 1:14, Psalm 34:7) Though God created angels as powerful beings, they are not worthy of worship and are not all-knowing like God. All things are under God’s authority and purposes. Christ died to save humanity and bring us redemption, but He did not do this for angels, neither do we “become” angels when we die. Just as God ordained angels as the first messengers to announce both Christ’s birth and His resurrection, so are we commissioned with the same gloriously divine message. When we read of an angel’s proclamation from God, let’s be encouraged to actively proclaim the good news of Jesus that He offers freedom from sin and shame through His sacrifice on our behalf!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Un-Risen!

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 If 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.

Sketched IX Day 12 I Have Seen Him: Digging Deeper

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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 I Have Seen Him!

The Questions

1) What is the significance of the boats? (verse 3)

2) What changed in Peter as he witnessed the miracle? (verse 8)

3) What did Jesus mean when He told Peter he would now catch people? (verse 10)

Luke 5:1-11

5 As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, He was standing by Lake Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land. Then he sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets. 6 When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’s knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” 9 For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners. “Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” 11 Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him.

Original Intent

1) What is the significance of the boats? (verse 3)
As Peter was a fisherman, a boat was an important tool of the trade. After an unsuccessful night of fishing, Peter was washing the nets by the shore. It was here in this very common moment, Jesus physically stepped into Peter’s boat to better serve the crowd pressing close to hear Him. Jesus often taught from boats as it gave Him a little space from the crowd while the masses could sit on the shore, allowing them to see and hear better.

2) What changed in Peter as he witnessed the miracle? (verse 8)
Similar to Isaiah’s call in the Old Testament (Isaiah 6:1-8), Peter was overcome by the power and presence of Jesus. He was overcome and hyper-aware of his sinful nature. Before the miracle was given, however, Peter was faced with a decision to trust a Rabbi’s fishing advice over his long-seasoned experience, or just laugh Him off. Jesus’ advice surely seemed laughable to Peter, but his willingness to humble himself under Christ’s authority paved the way for the Lord Jesus to not only abundantly bless Peter with fish, but entirely re-write the story of his life. As Peter chose obedience, he witnessed the result of one step of faith and became keenly aware of Jesus’ authoritative holiness and his own un-holiness! (verse 8)

3) What did Jesus mean when He told Peter he would now catch people? (verse 10)
Jesus uses Peter’s current occupation as a metaphor to explain his future as a follower of Christ and “fisherman” for “people”. He responds to Peter’s humility with grace and a new assignment filled with rich purpose. Jesus would not divorce Peter’s natural love of fishing from his new calling, but instead, would use it to take Peter deeper and into more meaning than he ever dared dream. Peter would continue to fish, but instead of death, he would “catch” people, leading them to life. On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came in the form of tongues of fire, Peter preached the Gospel and about 3,000 people were saved! (Acts 2)

Everyday Application

1) What is the significance of the boats? (verse 3)
The boat in this passage was a critically important tool Peter used to provide for himself and his family. It was vital for his career and the livelihood of his family. Yet, when allowed to be used by God, it produced so much more than Peter could have ever imagined! What have you been given? The first thing often considered is wealth, and God can certainly do much with our financial generosity, but we all have much more to offer Him. Consider your time. Depending on your season, you may have more time in this season to serve those who need to hear, or see, the saving grace of Jesus manifested through the generosity of your time. Consider other possessions. I know several who open their homes to groups of high school students on Sunday nights, so they can grow in their relationship with Jesus. What about your talents? Are you a gifted writer? An artist? Resist the temptation to compare your gift to someone else’s. Peter wasn’t comparing his boat to John’s, he just allowed the Lord to use what he had! When we surrender our whole hearts and lives to Jesus for His glory, there is no limit to what can be accomplished for His Kingdom!

2) What changed in Peter as he witnessed the miracle? (verse 8)
When was the last time you were overwhelmed by the power and movement of God? Enough so that, not only were you swept up by the sheer magnitude of God, but also were deeply aware of your own un-holiness. Peter witnessed something that could only have been done by the power of Jesus and he was overcome with His divine presence. I remember a time when I sensed the Spirit in an overwhelming way. Following the news that a fertility treatment had not produce the desired results, I sat, overcome with sadness, when the Comforter wrapped His arms around me as only He could. I truly physically felt as if Jesus sat with me as I cried. In that moment, there was nothing else I wanted but His presence. If you’ve never experienced this kind of intimacy with the Lord, there is nothing mystical about it, instead the Lord gives these as we grow closer in relationship with Him, coming to Him with a heart of humility and a desire to know Him for Him, just as Peter did.

3) What did Jesus mean when He told Peter he would now catch people? (verse 10)
Peter’s assignment as a “fisher of people” is the same assignment we have when we decide to follow Jesus. Just as Jesus did with Peter’s natural passion, Christ also takes our natural design to color His new purpose for us. As disciples of Christ, we are called to make disciples as we go through everyday life, however that looks for each of us. Teaching others what Jesus has done in our lives is the centering purpose for all who have surrendered to Jesus. This looks different for every Christ-follower because each of our stories is unique while the freeing, gospel story of hope in Jesus remains exactly the same! Sometimes we make this too hard, thinking we need to know everything about the Bible or be able to teach in formal scenarios. But, we are simply called to share with others the hope we have been given as we chose to trust in Jesus! 1 Peter 3:15 tells us we are to live holy lives and be ready to give an answer for the hope we have in us. Jesus is contagious! People have always been drawn to Him, and as they see Jesus in us, we need to be prepared to share the source of our Hope!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with I Have Seen Him!

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!
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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Sketched IX Week Three!
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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.

Word Day 11 Do As I Do

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 13:1-17
John 13:34-35
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

Word, Day 11

“Do as I say, not as I do!”
Have you heard this statement from someone in authority?
Are you drawn to respect them, or do you have another reaction?

As a leader oversees employees, volunteers, or children, it is easier to see the mistakes of others and call them out, rather than coming alongside to model growth. It’s easier to list the rules and expect compliance rather than walk with another to demonstrate, correct, and encourage.

Jesus didn’t choose easy leadership.

Though He was fully God, He didn’t use His authority to demand His followers to go where He was unwilling. In John 13, Jesus postures Himself as a servant, washing His disciples’ feet. His death was imminent, yet He gathered them to observe Passover, serve them, and give instructions on carrying out the will of the Father by serving one another.

Neither the disciples, nor us, have the power naturally to obey this, or any command given by Jesus, on our own. It is only when we belong to Him by surrendering control of our life, through humbly submitting by faith (Hebrews 11:6) to His perfect authority, that we are given divine power through the Holy Spirit to obey Him.

Without complete submission to Him,
we are only playing a part without any heart change.

Jesus submitted to the Father with obedient surrender.
Just as He modeled, so are we to follow.

As the triune Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons, while also One Being. The very existence of the triune God is actively lived out with mutual submission to One Another out of shared respect and love just as they have always done for eternity past, and will continue for eternity future.

God does not choose easy leadership. He perfectly models, and humbly walks beside us, teaching us to live and love like Him.

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

Love.
Our greatest command from Jesus.
His greatest example to us.

Jesus modeled the love we are to have for others;
none were considered too “damaged” for His perfect love.

The truest test of a disciple of Jesus is how we love.

Today, it’s often difficult to see love in action, especially if we focus on the media’s newsfeed. With sin and brokenness ruling our world, the selfless love modeled by Jesus doesn’t take the spotlight.

Therefore it takes courage…..
To stand against the norm and love like Jesus.
To defend the bullied or mistreated.
To serve both the arrogant and the diseased.
To sacrificially love those society has rejected.

This kind of love….
requires a boldness only available through the power of the God
who gave Himself entirely for us.
When we love like Jesus, we risk ridicule or even bodily harm.
Loving like Jesus isn’t easy.

Jesus’ love alive within us….
Offers kind words to those who are hateful or mistreat us.
Sacrifices time, puts on humility, and sees those who need a smile and gentle touch.
Courageously expands our circles to include those different from us.
This is how Jesus loves us.

Just this morning, I broke down weeping as I read of disunity and brokenness in our culture. It all felt like too much! Overwhelming! How much we need humble, self-sacrificing love to bring genuine healing! This broken world and its hurting relationships are clearly not what God intended as He so carefully created every detail from nothing. (Genesis 1)

Sometimes I feel Jesus’ command to love others, in good and bad times, is a crushing weight! To reach out and love those who have hurt or blatantly oppose me feels impossible! Through tears, I shared with my husband that sometimes I want to quit, step outside this command to love and raise my white flag in defeat.

But Jesus!
Jesus washed the feet of Judas,
fully knowing those feet would soon rush to betray Him!

He faced the cross in our place to save us!
Us, the outcast, the hurting, the unclean, and rejected.
He stretched Himself out to pay for every sin past, present, and future,
even as He became unclean and rejected.

As Jesus suffered cruel torture, He reached out with perfect love to rescue souls condemned to an eternity apart from Him.

Magnificent Love!
But not devoid of truth.

His love was not a permissive “you do you” kind of love. He loved the world enough to declare the truth of the Gospel that all are separated from Him because of sin, and only can return to God through Christ’s sacrifice to pay for sin.
Likewise, He calls us to love others with this truth.

Paul invites us to, “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
I want to echo this invitation.
I want to, yet I hesitate.

Such an invitation is risky.
It requires humility, transparency, and vulnerability.

It would be more comfortable, easier, to hand over some verses and say, “just do what the Bible says”. But that isn’t loving like Jesus.

Instead, I’m called to die to my own comfort and let others see Jesus actually living through me!

I can’t do it alone.
I must be willing to both live in constant communication with God through His Word and prayer, and actively engage in biblical community, surrounding myself with others who will share Jesus’ truth in love alongside me. Jesus’ sacrificial love, alive in me, requires me to meet others where they are, demonstrating Jesus’ love in everyday life.

Like Paul, I must be willing to live a life worth imitating
as I do as Jesus has done for me.

Will you join me?!

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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 Word 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 Word