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Life

The GT Weekend! ~ Known, Week 1

July 15, 2023 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend! ~ Known, Week 1

Rebecca Adams

July 15, 2023

Believe,Christ,Family,Glory,Jesus,Life,Mercy,Perfect

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

This Week's Journeys

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday's DD

Pray His Words Back To Him!

John 14:15-17

“If you love me, you will keep My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching us to pray to the Father, calling Him Our Father, beckoning us to share in the rich relationship You came to sacrifice Yourself so we may enjoy Your family.

Thank You, Spirit, for making the heart of the Father known to us through Jesus. Thank you for comforting our hearts with truth and Your constant presence. Thank You for being coequal to Father and Son as the very Breath of God!

Abba, Father, Your compassion is endless and Your love unfailing. I stand in speechless awe at Your unfathomable authority and lavish grace that brought me near, and the price you paid because of love that I might call You Abba. 

May I live my everyday breathing, speaking, and moving in overflow of this love You’ve poured out into my heart! In the Name above all other Names, Christ Jesus, Amen.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

Jesus, God the Son, taught us to enter the sacred space of intimate prayer by uttering the unthinkable term of love, endearment, and familiarity with the Almighty God by calling out, “Abba Father.”  

In our culture, we can tend to jump to the far end of Abba by solely focusing on God as close, intimate, gentle, and tender. While these are all true and necessary for our understanding of God as Father as depicted in Scripture, we must also refuse to neglect the other, equally important aspect, of Abba.

He carries all authority over us as His children if we have committed ourselves to Him and entered into father-child relationship with Him through the sacrificial blood of Jesus. What Abba says, is what goes.

 In Hebrew tradition, the calling of “Abba” by a child meant, “Father, I will obey you.” In the context of love and safety and awe-filled respect, I will obey what you say because you are my Abba.

How does your view of God line up with these realities from Scripture? Do you find yourself leaning more to one side or another?

JOURNAL TWO

We know the Father because of the Son. (John 14:7) Christ provides the clarity about what God looks like, sounds like, and demonstrates to us “in person” how God acts. Never are the two out of sync. (John 5:19-20)

Sometimes, our view of Jesus isolates Him from the Father God. We think of Jesus as the “nice” version of God, but not as the actual “full picture” of what God looks like in the flesh. (Hebrews 1:3) Jesus is the big, giant “picture window” through Whom we begin to comprehend the very essence of God.

Get honest with your view of Jesus and pull out a blank sheet of paper. Fill it with as many descriptions of Jesus as you can imagine without any filter. Every adjective goes on the sheet.

Now, go back through and mark with a 1, 2, or 3 how much you personally fully agree with these descriptions. Can you find Scripture evidence for the ones you agree with? Go on a quest this weekend to discover how much of your view of God the Son aligns with His Word about Himself!

JOURNAL THREE

Just as the Son shows us the Father with brilliantly painted strokes of awe and beauty, so the Spirit points us repeatedly back to Jesus, back to Jesus, back to Jesus, so we can see the Father. Every teaching, every reminder, every ounce of comfort provided by the indwelling Holy Spirit of the Living God is meant to speak of Christ that we might come to know more deeply the Father, and therein, the whole of the Triune God. (John 14:16-17)

Similar to the “adjective challenge” for Jesus in prompt #2, do the same for the Spirit of God. Do the number of answers you were able to provide surprise you? Alongside those adjectives, jot down the first 3 questions that come to mind about the Spirit of God. How might you go about finding answers to those questions? Could you start this weekend with your exploration?!

Considering this is the Triune God who has come to earth in the Son for the purpose of being revealed to us through the Spirit that we might know the Father, what better use of our study could there be than to explore the Trinity?! A simple first step is prayer.

Ask the Triune God to make Himself known to you through His Word by His Spirit, then apply yourself to knowing Him more deeply! Consider exploring with the help of this easy-to-read book “Delighting In The Trinity” by Michael Reeves.
Tags :
compassion,father,love,relationship,Son,spirit,Trinity,worship
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Posted in: Believe, Christ, Family, Glory, Jesus, Life, Mercy, Perfect Tagged: compassion, father, love, relationship, Son, spirit, Trinity, worship

Worship XI Day 4 Gimel & Dalet: Digging Deeper

June 1, 2023 by Rachel Jones 2 Comments

Worship XI Day 4 Gimel & Dalet: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

June 1, 2023

Alive,Awake,Freedom,Life

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

This DD Connects With "Gimel & Dalet"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119:17-32

ג Gimel
17 Deal generously with your servant so that I might live; then I will keep your word. 18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction. 19 I am a resident alien on earth; do not hide your commands from me. 20 I am continually overcome with longing for your judgments. 21 You rebuke the arrogant, the ones under a curse, who wander from your commands. 22 Take insult and contempt away from me, for I have kept your decrees. 23 Though princes sit together speaking against me, your servant will think about your statutes; 24 your decrees are my delight and my counselors.

ד Dalet
25 My life is down in the dust; give me life through your word. 26 I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. 27 Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. 28 I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. 29 Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to your decrees; LORD, do not put me to shame. 32 I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) How does God open our eyes to contemplate wondrous things? (verse 18)

The author of Psalm 119:18 cries out, “Open my eyes so that I may contemplate
wondrous things from your instruction.
” He understands the Lord has wisdom for him that He can’t access through his own abilities. He needs God to open his eyes to see the wondrous things God has for him in the Scriptures.

When speaking of God’s Word, Adrian Rogers asserts, “It took a supernatural miracle to reveal it; it took a supernatural miracle to write it; and, it’ll take a supernatural miracle for you to understand it.” Knowing what the Scriptures say is one thing; understanding it well enough to contemplate the wonders contained within it is another thing entirely.

For this, we need revelation from the Holy Spirit of God. (Ephesians 1:17) His illumination gives us insight into mysteries and Divine wonders. (1 Corinthians 2:10) While we won’t understand His Word with complete clarity until we see Him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12), God opens our eyes to consider the wondrous things contained in His Word as we pursue Him on earth.

Dr. Tony Evans also suggests that setting our hearts and minds on God opens the door to His revelation to us, “When the Spirit takes spiritual words, the Word of God, and combines them with spiritual thoughts, a mind and a heart in tune with God, the result is divine illumination. When you combine a spiritually receptive mind with the Word, you have dynamite on your hands.”

When we focus on Jesus and ask the Lord to reveal Himself as we contemplate His Word, we are open to the illuminating work of God’s Word by His Spirit. (Psalm 119:105) Let’s cooperate with the Spirit to reveal to us the beauty and glory of His Truth!

The Everyday Application

1) How does God open our eyes to contemplate wondrous things? (verse 18)

Often, there is a deeper meaning to be discovered beyond first glance. For instance, some old southern spirituals, while boasting beautiful melodies, actually contained code to lead people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. The lyrics, while reflecting personal and spiritual truths, also acted as a “map” to freedom for those who sang and heard the songs and understood the secret code. Only those who had been taught how to listen could decipher hidden messages.

There is also deeper meaning to be found in the Scriptures for those who seek to have their eyes opened by the Spirit as the psalmist did in Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from Your instruction.” There are extraordinary directives for us in Scripture that we can only see when our eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit.

John Piper suggests we seek the Holy Spirit’s power “to make us feel the wonder of what is in the Scriptures.” The Lord graciously provides insight and understanding to those who seek Him. (Ephesians 1:18-19) God illuminates His Word and gives us the ability to comprehend the wisdom and wonders contained therein.

James Montgomery Boice writes, “If we want to see wonderful things in the Scriptures, it is not enough for us merely to ask God to open our eyes that we might see them. We must also study the Bible carefully. The Holy Spirit is given not to make our study unnecessary but to make it effective.” When we seek the Lord, the Holy Spirit helps us decipher His Word and His Truths. (Jeremiah 33:3)

Lord, open our eyes so we can contemplate the profound truths you have for us in Your Word.

The Original Intent

2) How does God give life through His Word? (verse 25)

In Psalm 119:25, the psalmist cried, “My life is down in the dust; give me life through Your word.” Some unknown crisis caused the author to feel as low as the dust.

A. R. Fausset notes that the dust “is the place of the afflicted, the wounded, and the dead.” Whatever the calamity that laid him low, the psalmist knew the Word of the Lord could, and would, revive him. Knowing and following the Word of God would bring life to his body and soul in a way nothing else could.

John Piper asserts, “Spiritual change comes from reading and pondering and memorizing the Bible . . . because that is the place the Lord reveals the beauty and excellence of Christ.” The Bible contains the teachings of Christ and the promises of God to renew us when we are weary and despairing.

Vaneetha Rendall Risner recalls a desperate time when “I expected to find everything I really needed for the day in God’s word, and I looked until I found it . . . I approached my devotional time with anticipation. God himself was going to meet me. God was going to teach me. God was going to comfort me. His word became my only constant, an immovable rock that I could stand on when most of my life felt like shifting sand.” God gives us life through His Word, the Holy Scriptures, but also through Jesus, Whom Scripture calls the Word.  John 1:1 teaches of Jesus’ identity, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Jesus is the Word and the Life (John 14:6) Who gives us life (1 Corinthians 15:45). When we are laid low by troubles and trials, our Life (Colossians 3:4) revives us with His Word.

The Everyday Application

2) How does God give life through His Word? (verse 25)

There are some interesting experiments online demonstrating the impact of positive and negative words on plant health.

Two similar plants are treated very differently with one receiving positive affirmations and loving words like, “You are beautiful!” or, “We appreciate you.” The other plant hears negative shouts like, “You are ugly! What a stupid plant!”. The findings are surprising! The bullied plants actually droop while those who are praised flourish! The science behind it is about the effect of sound vibrations on the plants, with stronger vibrations having a negative effect on plant health. Still, the parallels drawn between encouraging words and damaging words on people and plants are impactful.

The study results suggest words have the power of life for people and plants, even if for different reasons. (Proverbs 12:18) The Bible tells us God’s Word holds the power of life for believers. In Psalm 119:25 the psalmist laments, “My life is down in the dust; give me life through your word.” When the enemy and the world tear us down with negative statements and actions (John 10:10), or when our own thoughts and self-talk cause us to wither and crumble, the Word of God gives us life. (Psalm 19:7)

The truths and promises contained in the Bible provide the encouragement and guidance we need to live a flourishing life. (Proverbs 6:23) The more we read truth, contemplate it, memorize it, and walk it out, the more our lives look like the life of Christ.

When we know Jesus as our friend and personal Savior by trusting Him for our rescue from sin’s eternal consequences, we gain access to an abundant life because He Himself is Life. (John 11:25) We are blessed that even when our life goes down in the dust, God mercifully uses His Word to revive us.

The Original Intent

3) Why does the Psalmist ask God not to put him to shame? (verse 31)

In Psalm 119:31, the author writes, “I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame.” The writer loves the Lord’s commands even while realizing that failing to follow them will bring him shame. Regarding this Psalm, William Ross states, “Acknowledging sin and loving the law are fully compatible.”

The psalmist knows that if he holds fast to God’s Word and obeys His commands, he will not make choices that will bring him shame. He is confident that trusting God and following His ways will keep him from sinning. (Psalm 25:20)

Thomas Schreiner explains, “On the one hand, the psalmist keeps God’s rules in contrast to the wicked. On the other hand, he is aware of his moral failings and entreats God to give him the desire to obey him. Any obedience carried out is traced to the grace of God.”

The psalmist understands that without God’s help, he cannot follow God’s rules, even though he loves God’s laws and clings to them. The writer is trusting in God to help him be obedient so he won’t be put to shame by choices that rebel against God.

John Gill interprets the psalmists’ prayer as, “Let me not be ashamed of the choice I have made, of the testimonies I adhere unto, of my hope and confidence in the Lord and His word; or suffer me not to do anything, any sinful action, that may expose me to shame and contempt.” As he takes refuge in the Lord and His Word, the writer trusts God’s grace and guidance will keep him off the path of sin. (Psalm 25:20)

The Everyday Application

3) Why does the Psalmist ask God not to put him to shame? (verse 31)

I remember taking the training wheels off of my kid’s bike and her hollering, “Don’t let me fall!” as I held onto the back of the bike seat for a few moments before she took off on her first 2-wheeled solo ride. She had the training and the practice she needed to succeed, but she feared she might topple over without the training wheels or my steadying hand.

She did fall a few times that first day, and many times in successive days, but the majority of the time, she traversed the sidewalk with no major incidents. Her newly gained skills gave her access to enjoy the freedom of life beyond the cul de sac. The author of Psalm 119:31 makes a similar plea for God not to let him fall, “I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame.”

Like my daughter clinging to the support of the training wheels and my hold on her bike, the psalmist clings to the laws of the Lord to hold him upright. (John 17:17) He knows that without them he absolutely will fall into the shame of sin.

God provides His Word so we always have the support and guidance we need to follow Him. (Matthew 4:4) He gives us the grace to walk in His ways so we don’t experience the shame of sin in our lives. Praise God for providing what we need to steer clear of sin!

Tags :
law,life,sweet,Word
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Recent Journeys

Done Day 11 Reconciled Redemption
August 7, 2023
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Worship XI Day 3
Journey Study

Oh, how I long for God in my heart, how I desire to walk with Him side by side, each step in accordance with His will. Like the Psalmist, “I long and yearn for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:2)

His presence is marvelous, containing unspeakable joy and peace. Often, when I meet Him in prayer, an hour in His presence is like five minutes to me because His presence is overwhelming joy. Most times I end up in tears of boundless joy.
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Posted in: Alive, Awake, Freedom, Life Tagged: law, life, sweet, Word

Worship XI Day 3 Gimel & Dalet

May 31, 2023 by Sarah Afan Leave a Comment

Worship XI Day 3 Gimel & Dalet

Sarah Afan

May 31, 2023

God,Life,Mighty,Power

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119:17-32
Romans 7:14-25
1 Corinthians 13
John 10:27-30
Jude 1:24-25

Oh, how I long for God in my heart, how I desire to walk with Him side by side, each step in accordance with His will. Like the Psalmist, “I long and yearn for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:2) His presence is marvelous, containing unspeakable joy and peace. Often, when I meet Him in prayer, an hour in His presence is like five minutes to me because His presence is overwhelming joy. Most times I end up in tears of boundless joy.

One day as I was taking a walk, the thought of God filled my heart; I felt His presence within me. I was reminded I am His creation and I am created in His image. (Genesis 1:26-27) I considered myself, imagining how the holy and mighty hands of God formed me. I was thrilled and overjoyed, longing for the time I would see Him face-to-face in heaven and be with Him forever. (Revelation 22:3-6)

Therefore, my uttermost desire is to please Him in everything I do. I create time to study His Word, that I may know His instruction and obey them, but God’s Word is beyond human intellect; mere human wisdom cannot discern it. As Jesus said, His words are spirit and life. (John 6:63) Every time I read His Word, I cry, ”Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction.” (Psalm 119:18) For no one can understand God’s thoughts except His Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:11)

However, as much as I long for the Lord and take time to study his word, my flesh is in conflict with me. I find myself failing to keep the Word as I desire in my heart. On many occasions I have taken steps to change a sinful habit, but before I realize it, I have returned to the same habit. Knowledge of the Word has made me think of myself better than others, but in truth and in practice, I am not any better. 

In my devotion on 25/03/2023 I read 1 Corinthians 13. I wrote in my journal about the state of my struggle to love in God’s own way but failing:
“As I put myself on the scale of God’s kind of love, I see myself naked, zero without anything good to boast of. It proves to me that thinking and posing that I am a better Christian than others is mere display of the knowledge of the Bible in theory, and that alone is not love… Having the knowledge of God’s Word alone cannot make me what the Word says, it is acting on it; and I am helpless, powerless on my own. No wonder in Romans 7:24 apostle Paul says, ‘What a wretched man I am!’”

Paul’s words in Romans 7:15-24 reflect my own life, 
when I do what I hate 
and fail to act on how I ought to love. 
I sometimes find it difficult to follow God’s Word, 
but easy to do what His Word forbids. 

Thank God, Paul goes on to exclaim in verse 24, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but my flesh, the law of sin.” 

In my journal, I continued, “All that makes me a Christian, a child of God, is God’s grace. I am righteous because God has declared me righteous through my faith in Jesus Christ. He has imputed the righteousness of Christ in me; I am justified before God because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.”

Therefore, I will continue to praise the Lord my God for His loving-kindness; my struggle with sin does not stop Him from seeing me justified in Christ. He loves and blesses me. 

Similarly, on 25/02/2023, I journaled on God’s grace in perseverance. Drawing on assurances from John 10:27-30 and Jude 24-25, I began to praise Him, “To Him who is able to keep me from falling and to present me before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages now and forevermore!”

I will never relent in my prayers as I ask Him to give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17), and that He may strengthen me with power in my inner being through His Spirit, that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. I pray I may be firmly established in His immeasurable love. (Ephesians 3:17-18)

I recall a similar prayer I wrote in my journal on 24/11/2021. “Lord, I give You my hand, hold it and lead me wherever You want to take me. I am willing to go with You to any length provided You won’t leave me alone. So long as You are with me, Lord I will go with You because when my physical life terminates here, I will finally be with You in Your glory. Oh, help me never to see any reason to neglect you at any moment, Amen!!”

I cling to His decrees, and I am confident He would not put me to shame. (Psalm 119:3)

Tags :
help,instruction,law,life,Psalm,worship
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Recent Journeys

Done Day 11 Reconciled Redemption
August 7, 2023
The GT Weekend! ~ Known, Week 3
July 29, 2023
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Worship XI Day 4
Digging Deeper

When we know Jesus as our friend and personal Savior by trusting Him for our rescue from sin’s eternal consequences, we gain access to an abundant life because He Himself is Life. (John 11:25)

We are blessed that even when our life goes down in the dust, God mercifully uses His Word to revive us.
Dig Deeper!

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Prayer is central to our ministry as believers in Jesus as we carry eachother’s burdens and intercede for one another. Our team is honored to share the work of praying alongside you!

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May 29 - June 16, 2023 - Journey Theme #119

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

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Posted in: God, Life, Mighty, Power Tagged: help, instruction, law, life, Psalm, worship

Steadfast Day 13 Death, Where Is Your Sting?

April 12, 2023 by Bethany McIlrath 3 Comments

Steadfast Day 13 Death, Where Is Your Sting?

Bethany McIlrath

April 12, 2023

Heaven,Hope,Life,Love,Resurrection

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 15:51-56
Romans 6:20-23
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
Hosea 13:4, 14

Call me morbid, but the first time I heard the famous song, “Live Like You Were Dying,” I thought, “Well . . . we are.” We are all dying, day by day, until we wind up in the grave or Jesus comes back again. 

The aim of the song, of course, is to encourage people to make the most of their lives. It’s a good goal, but believers have an even better one: to live like death isn’t the end of our stories. 

The passage we’ve been studying in this Journey Theme, 1 Corinthians 15, leads us to this truth: eternity as reality changes our future and our present. 

It’s true we are all dying. As Romans 6:23 explains, “the wages of sin is death.” Day by day, as we sin and are affected by sin, we pay up. We get wrinkly. We develop more aches. We experience the consequences of sin and they wear us down.

But praise God, death isn’t where the verse, or our experience, ends.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Death’s sting of sin was removed when Christ rose from the grave, robbing death of its superpower: permanence. He gives us eternity, not death. He promises and gifts us life, and death can’t do a thing about it. 

“I will ransom them from the power of Sheol [death].
I will redeem them from death.
Death, where are your barbs?Sheol, where is your sting?”
(Hosea 13:14)

Unable to hold us forever, death is only a stopgap for those who die before Christ’s return.  It can’t do its worst – like corrupting our bodies, decaying our flesh, and wasting us away – forever. Death’s effects will not last for those found in Christ.

Those whom death has claimed, but who trusted Christ while they were living, will be raised. And death won’t even get the sting accompanying a brutal fight, because Christ has already won. (1 Corinthians 15:57) So it will be just a moment, just a twinkling of the eye, just the sound of the trumpet, and – BAM – “the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52)

Death will be undone (sorry not sorry, Death!), and the good news keeps going.
“For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality.” (1 Corinthians 15:53) We’ll have new bodies equipped for the new heaven and new earth, built to last forever.

When this happens, we’ll be able to look back and say, “dying was only dying, but THIS is living” as we experience more joy, peace, and love in the literal presence of Christ than if we’d lived our best lives on earth. 

Of course, the reality of eternity isn’t just about the future.
How we live in the present matters.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 reminds us when Jesus comes, those who are still alive will get to see the dead rise before they “will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” 

Imagine that scene happens today. Who will you see rise to the Lord, and who will remain, unsaved, forever in the grave dug by their own sins? (John 8:24) We have work to do today. We must live today like our unsaved loved ones are dying by calling them to life in Christ!

Further, we are called to encourage each other today with the reality of Christ’s return and eternity with Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:18) When we are weary, when our bodies are paying the wages of sin, when we grieve and feel more loss than victory, we have this hope in Jesus. 

We have this reality more certain than death: we will have eternal life with God. So we are strengthened to “be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Look forward, friends, to the day when our labor for the Lord in sharing the good news with the lost and building up fellow believers is rewarded, not with the wages of sin, but with the prize of heaven! 

Tags :
death,eternity,life,rescue,resurrection,salvation
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Done Day 11 Reconciled Redemption
August 7, 2023
The GT Weekend! ~ Known, Week 3
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Steadfast Day 14
Digging Deeper

Paul describes a time when the dead in Christ shall rise and inhabit glorified bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:16), and those Christians still living will be changed instantly, transformed into eternal, glorified bodies that God has promised. (Philippians 3:21)

This will take place when the last trumpet sounds.
Dig Deeper!

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March 27 - April 14, 2023 - Journey Theme #116

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Posted in: Heaven, Hope, Life, Love, Resurrection Tagged: death, eternity, life, rescue, resurrection, salvation

Another Day 14 Gentle & Lowly Lifestyle: Digging Deeper

March 23, 2023 by Natalie Smith Leave a Comment

Another Day 14 Gentle & Lowly Lifestyle: Digging Deeper

Natalie Smith

March 23, 2023

Adoring,Affectionate,Beloved,Comfort,Know,Life,Love

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

This DD Connects With "Gentle & Lowly Lifestyle"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 139:1-7

1 LORD, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
you understand my thoughts from far away.
3 You observe my travels and my rest; you are aware of all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD.
5 You have encircled me;
you have placed your hand on me.
6 This wondrous knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty;
I am unable to reach it.
7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why is it important to recognize the depths of God’s knowledge of me? (verses 1-4)

These verses were written by King David of the Old Testament. There is a deep relational tone in its lines like an intimate You-and-me connection between God and David. From the human perspective, there is such a great emphasis on being deeply known it takes the old phrase, “you know me better than I know myself” to a whole new level of literality.

God, literally, is aware of our thoughts before we have processed them ourselves. He not only knows what they will be, but he “understands” them (verse 2) and “knows all about it” (verse 4). He sees our heart attitudes and complex emotions before we have formulated or even recognized them ourselves.

To be known and understood to this depth can be beautiful, healing, and comforting or quite the contrast. Do we know the ONE who knows us so well? The answer to this ties closely with either the beauty or terror that may arise in our hearts.

Secondly, but actually more importantly, is the YOU emphasis of these verses which shifts the focus on WHOM King and psalmist David is speaking about. David points the eyes of hearts unmistakably upon the LORD, Creator of all things. (Genesis 1-2)

Theologians use the big words of omniscience (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful) and omnipresent (present in all places) to describe the LORD who is utterly outside our understanding. In my mind, these words help me focus on God’s rule, reign, and personhood as high and above all other authorities as the king He is.

These truths are meant to radically shape our perspective on God, but we must not forget Scripture also teaches this same LORD is intimate, close, and personal. He is intentional in His relationship with each of us as evidenced by His active searching of our inmost being. (verse 1) The LORD God keeps watch over all we do because He cares intimately, with perfect love, for His creation. (Matthew 6:33)

The Everyday Application

1) Why is it important to recognize the depths of God’s knowledge of me? (verses 1-4)

The Enduring Word Commentary notes that having an All-Powerful Being know your deepest thoughts and every move would either be fearfully uncomfortable or wondrously comforting. If you learn someone unknown seems to know everything about you, it would leave us feeling unsettled and fearful. Who is this person? What is their intent?

Conversely, consider a child in the presence of their parent; she roams free, safe, and happily within their given boundaries as their needs are anticipated and satisfied by their parent. If a parent disappears, a young child will desperately search for their parent as the source of their stability and sustenance.

Perhaps you’ve experienced the rest and refreshment found in the presence of a friend with whom we share everything freely because we know our worst selves are safe in their love. This type of close relationship often stirs up gratitude, security, and great joy.

It was this beauty David wrote in Psalm 139 as he reflected on the Lord who had remained steadfast and faithful all the days of his life. From his youth, David learned to trust the Lord as he fought off lions and bears (1 Samuel 17:34-37) and was stirred to worship the One who knew him best and loved him most. (Psalm 84:10-12)

May we grow in deeply knowing the One who knows us so well! For the Lord is near to those who draw close to Him through repentance of our sins. (James 4:8-10) What intimacy awaits those who feel lonely, fearful, and depressed when they come to the Lord to confess their sin and enjoy the pleasure of relationship with Him because of His forgiveness and mercy! What sweet connection awaits if only we would pour ourselves over His Scripture and meditate on His character day and night that we might deeply know Him! (Joshua 1:8)

The Original Intent

2) What does it mean for the Lord to have encircled someone? (verse 5)

As the original Hebrew phrasing is not a clear, direct translation to English, different translators have used differing English phrases for the Hebrew term translated “encircling me” in the CSB (Christian Standard Bible).

The ESV (English Standard Version) translates the Hebrew as “hem me in, behind and before” and New King James uses “hedged me in.” Studying different translations can provide us with a wider understanding as we study God’s Word.

According to Bibleref.com, David is using words to paint a picture of God setting up a boundary of protection around what is precious to Him. While God created all people with intentionality (verse 6), Scripture provides several examples of God securing the righteous, meaning those who trustingly look to Him with the steps of their daily lives. (Psalm 7:9-11)

When reading the book of Job, we find great sadness brought upon him by Satan, but it was never beyond God’s orders of allowance. Through every suffering, not even Satan could move beyond the boundaries of protection placed on Job by the Lord God. (Job 1:12)

The Everyday Application

2) What does it mean for the Lord to have encircled someone? (verse 5)

I sat mulling over a friend’s child who is having unusual health symptoms. Google searches can quickly pull up anything from mild to life-threatening causes. When some of these mild causes are ruled out, it’s easy to let panic of the scary causes arise in the heart. Every night my daughter fears a “bad guy” breaking into our house.

Though I encourage her that the Lord guards us and we can take our fears to Him, the questions linger. What if this sweet child is really sick? What if someone breaks into our house? What if our fears become real? How do I trust the Lord if it seems this “encirclement” of protection has been penetrated?

I cannot say I know how to live faithfully in these situations, but I can know the Sovereign God has proven Himself loving without fail. When I remember that Scripture teaches the hard reality that the wages of my sin equates to death (Romans 6:23), my perspective is re-oriented.

I rightly earn death and destruction because of my choice to sin. Every day, every relationship, every gift evidences a good, kind, merciful God bestowing gifts I don’t deserve! (James 1:17) The greatest evidence of His vast love is His offer of complete forgiveness for every sin, because He paid the price of death in full for us with His own life. (Romans 3:23-24)

Repentance from sin and trust in His mercy provides access to this fullness, even in the face of suffering. God does allow suffering, but nothing passes through His hedge of encirclement without Him using it “to bring good to those who love God.” (Romans 8:28) May our hearts be tethered close to the Lord that when suffering comes, we are anchored to the One who rules over the storm. (John 16:33)

The Original Intent

3) How does the Lord’s omniscience and omnipresence help me to love others? (verses 6-7)

Only a God who is, “too wondrous” and higher than we can understand is truly worth our time, energy, and worship. Too often we look to limited power – ourselves or other people – to fix our problems.

David’s life is full of situations bigger than him, both figuratively and quite literally (i.e. Goliath versus teenage boy with a slingshot). Still, David found rest repeatedly in knowing a God who is all powerful and yet always intimately near. (Psalm 62) Even as David is being chased by King Saul, he does not draw his sword against the Lord’s anointed, but rests in God’s all-knowing purposes. (1 Samuel 24:5-7)

David reminds himself in the depths of fear and struggle that nothing escapes the Lord’s eye, even that of “Sheol” or the grave. (verse 8) He had no need to take matters into his own hand, or bring about his own sense of justice because he trusted the God who held him steady and safe; David had chosen to deeply know the Lord God. He was free to act in accordance with God’s commands and rest in the Lord’s hands.

Consider the Lord’s words to the one who trusts Him, “Because he has his heart set on Me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows My name. When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor.” (Psalm 91:14-15)

The Everyday Application

3) How does the Lord’s omniscience and omnipresence help me to love others? (verses 6-7)

Confidence is, “the state of feeling certain of something.” Having confidence in our abilities is a good thing. It’s important to develop skills and know our limits. Yet, who provided our bodies, minds, and abilities? Who can handle that which we know is too great or heavy for us? Even in my strong points, things go wrong and I slip; who will catch me then? Scripture reminds us the Lord upholds us all our striving. (Isaiah 41:10)

David, author of many psalms and shepherd boy, knew this well. He took great concern for the people of Israel as they cowered before the threats of giant Goliath. Though he was concerned for his people, he was further concerned that enemies would defy the Lord in threatening the Lord’s people. (1 Samuel 17:26)

When we read David’s brave testimonies, it may initially sound as though he is confident in himself, “Whenever a lion or a bear came…I went after it, struck it down…” But in the end, David clarifies, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:34-37)

David practiced trusting the Lord as he fought off wild animals, shepherded sheep, and composed songs. The more he trusted, the braver he became in the strength and surety of the Lord. When he stood against Goliath, His confidence was in the Lord’s omniscience and holy purposes because he had practiced trusting His ways.

Only in this resting place of confidence in the Lord was David able to fight for others and treat those against him with patience and grace. Like David, I need to trade my fears and desire to control for the steadfast faithfulness of having full confidence in the Lord.

Tags :
forgiven,free,known,loved,Safe,secure,Welcomed
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Another Day 13
Journey Study

We cannot authentically love what we do not deeply know.

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

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

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

Intimate familiarity changes everything. Misconceptions flee, doubts dissolve, and the brilliance of authentic love shoots through like daybreak when we commit to deeply know another.
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Posted in: Adoring, Affectionate, Beloved, Comfort, Know, Life, Love Tagged: forgiven, free, known, loved, Safe, secure, Welcomed

Whole Day 3 See The Sickness

June 22, 2022 by Guest Writer 1 Comment

Whole Day 3 See The Sickness

Guest Writer

June 22, 2022

Glory,God,Jesus,Life,Peace

Read His Words Before Ours!

Jeremiah 8:18-22
Acts 2:29-42
Matthew 5:10-12
1 Peter 4:12-14

Oppression: an unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power. (Merriam-Webster) Often, oppression includes a cluster of feeling heavily burdened and mentally or physically troubled, which may lead to adverse conditions and anxiety.

Oppression has existed since sin first entered the world. As we read the works of Old Testament writers, we find their lament of the suffering humanity experiences.

“My joy has flown away; grief has settled on me.
My heart is sick.

Listen–the cry of my dear people from a faraway land, ‘Is the LORD no longer in Zion, her King not within her?’ [. . .] I am broken by the brokenness of my dear people. I mourn; horror has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? So why has the healing of my dear people not come about?” (Jeremiah 8:18-22)

Over time, some people throughout the world have fought oppression, providing fundamental rights to others and organizing to work for the protection of those suffering unjustly. Yet sadly, people in many countries are still oppressed today.

Today, I’m going to share about oppression in my home country, Pakistan.

In the midst of our struggles, we strongly believe God has good plans for Pakistan and He cares for His people here.

The Pakistani Christian community has been an important part of Pakistan since its creation, but remains a minority in the predominately Muslim country. While the white stripe on the hoist end of the Pakistani flag is meant to represent those of minority faiths, Pakistani Christians face significant oppression.

Challenges include finding jobs and providing quality education to our children. While the education system of Pakistan was rooted in Christian missionary schools, current literacy rates remain very low in Christian communities. 

Furthermore, in some areas, our churches are under threat of sudden attack at all times. 

In 2005, a mob set fire to churches and Christian schools in Faisalabad, forcing Christians to flee. 

In 2009, a mob set fire to about 40 houses and a church in Gojra, burning eight people alive.

On 22 September 2013, a twin suicide bomb attack took place at All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan, in which 127 people were killed and over 250 injured. 

On 15 March 2015, two blasts took place at a Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church during Sunday service in the Youhanabad area of Lahore. At least 15 people were killed and seventy were wounded in the attacks.

A church in Quetta was bombed and 9 people were killed. The Islamic State took responsibility for the attack.

According to an Open Doors claim in November 2017, Pakistan had the highest number of Christians killed in the world during the 12 months from 1 November 2015 to 31 October 2016. Pakistan also topped the list of most documented church attacks during the same time period.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan, reports emerged that rations were being denied to minority Hindus and Christians in the coastal areas of Karachi. Thankfully, several organizations, including Edhi Foundation, JDC Welfare Organization, and Jamaat-e-Islami, are reported to have stepped forward to provide relief to the minorities.

As you can see, recent years have seen an intensification of violent persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan.

The Lord Jesus told us Christians would face tribulation, and we must stand firm in our faith, knowing our sacrifices are right before God and will increase His Kingdom.

“If anyone wants to follow after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)

Christ made it very clear the road to which He is calling us is full of trials and challenges. As Pakistani Christians suffer for their faith, sometimes imprisoned and tortured for years, they are sustained by God’s promise there is a reward kept for them and they are sharing in the sufferings of Christ.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

No stranger to suffering for the Gospel, the Apostle Peter confirms,
“Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you also may rejoice with great glory when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Today, if you are oppressed, remember 1 Peter 4:16,
“But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God[.]”

God bless each one of you.

*Written by Neriah Khan, whose name has been changed to protect her identity

 

Tags :
glory,God,Lord,love,peace,Sin
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Digging Deeper

Jeremiah grieved because his people wondered why God did not deliver them from oppression if He was still their Lord and King. God countered Jeremiah’s question with, “Why have they angered me with their carved images, with their worthless foreign idols?” (verse 19). Jeremiah lamented that his people had forsaken God to worship worthless idols.
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Posted in: Glory, God, Jesus, Life, Peace Tagged: glory, God, Lord, love, peace, Sin

Wilderness Day 1 Marked & Lost & Grace

March 7, 2022 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 4:1-16
Matthew 5:21-24
John 4:10-26

Wilderness, Day 1

Wilderness wilds take on many forms in our lives.
For every wanderer, an oasis beckons.
Sweet waters meant to be consumed, delighted in, and strengthening to the sojourner. Daily, they are available. Hourly. Breath by breath.
This is the secret of survival in desert’s dearth.

Some may think Cain’s wilderness began the day he murdered his brother and was cast from God’s presence, ejected from his family for his gruesome crime. But Cain’s heart wandered desert sands, sensing the scorch of perceived abandonment long before his leathered hand reached for the rock to slew Abel.

Thousands of generations later, God would uncover Cain’s covert sin as Jesus spoke to a quickly gathering crowd during His most famous sermon.

“You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, “Do not murder”, and “whoever murders will be subject to judgment.” But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. (…) Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.” (Matthew 5:21-22)

Sin’s stealthy snare woos us to use our anger to injure another. (Proverbs 12:18) It sneakily deceives, “You deserve to be angry! You’re more powerful if you voice your anger. Raised voice, pacing feet, sarcastic words, or snubbed shoulder; do it all, girl, whatever you feel. Let it roar, rage and burn!”

Jesus’ half-brother, James’ penned, “Each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15)

Cain’s sin was the gateway to his literal (when he was angry) and figurative (when he was banished) wilderness, but for Abel, his wilderness was felt along the cold hard edges of broken relationship. Perhaps the brothers once shared a close relationship. Perhaps they had fond memories of building forts, exploring caves, and scattering father Adam’s gardening tools. But hearts changed, distance grew, and where one brother drank freely from the oasis of heart worship to God, the other brother grew bitter and angry, spurning the cooling drink and claiming to love the blisters on his feet instead.

Both were wandering, but only one was lost.
Still, the Lord held them both.

Adam and Eve’s first two sons, Cain and Abel, were the first boys naturally birthed in the entire human race. Immediately, sin crouched at the door of their hearts, seeking to rule them. (Genesis 4:7) Both had a choice, just as their parents did, to worship the Lord or themselves. Their real-life actions flowed from the heart decisions they had already made.

As Cain and Abel approached the altar of the Lord that day, one brother would be dead within hours, but the other brother’s heart had already chosen death for himself. (Romans 5:12)
True, his hands stole his brother’s life, but his own choices had strangled him long before he reached for that rock.

Anything apart from Christ equals death, for there are only two masters. (James 4:4)
Sin or Christ. (Colossians 1:13)
Sin brings death. (Romans 6:23)
Christ brings life. (John 10:10)

Abel’s blood cried out to God from the ground for mercy (Genesis 4:10), but his soul was already safe with Him because Abel had chosen worship. (Revelation 6:9-10) While alive, Abel chose to drink from the oasis of worshiping the Author of Life. Cain’s life still flooded his veins when his brother’s heart stopped, but God’s curse was upon him, rendering him dead because of his own sin-wrecked heart-condition. (Genesis 4:11-12)

When we look in the mirror, Sisters, it’s Cain’s image we should see reflected. Whether another’s innocent blood is on our head or not, we are all certainly responsible for the wounding caused by words spoken in anger.

“Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire”.  Jesus’ words remind us that sin has stained us all. We all deserve Cain’s banishment. We all deserve his disownment, for we have all, at some point, chosen to reject the oasis of worshiping the One True God over our sinful selfish desires.

Here, Cain’s story takes its most remarkable turn, for God does something entirely unexpected. To the firstborn boy in the history of the world who has freshly murdered his brother because of selfish pride and jaded jealousy, the Lord gives mercy. (Genesis 4:15)

Excuse me, what?!

Death, Lord, Cain deserves death. Send a lightning bolt from heaven and consume him for killing his innocent brother! Or smite Cain for not worshiping you whole-heartedly as Abel had! Don’t give him mercy.

Words flow easily when we’re angry, outraged, offended, indignant, until we look in the mirror and see Cain’s heart in our eyes. Lover of self depicts us all. And to all of us, the Lord says, “While she chose sin, I chose to die for her.” (Romans 5:8, my paraphrase)

The Lord banished Cain for his sin.
The Lord banishes each of us for the same reason.
Not the same sin, but the same offensiveness against a holy God.

The Lord marked Cain, giving him mercy,
so none would kill him as he had killed his own brother.
The Lord sets His love upon us, offering each of us His merciful forgiveness
so we don’t need to suffer the eternal death we deserve.

Cain’s wilderness was one of his own hand, and so is ours,
but we can accept the mercies of the Lord and drink the waters of His life!

Leave the desert, friend.
Worship the Lord who has marked you with His grace!

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

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Here’s a link to all past studies in Wilderness!

Posted in: Christ, God, Grace, Jesus, Life, Worship Tagged: Lord, lost, Marked, mercy, Survival, Wandering, wilderness

The GT Weekend! ~ Training Week 2

February 5, 2022 by Carol Graft 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 find that being still is difficult. To me, stillness has the appearance of lazy idleness. When I want to be lazy, it’s easy to be still. When I purposely set aside time to be still and seek the Lord in the quiet, my mind naturally races. The enemy of our souls leverages our easily-distracted-from-God sin nature to draw us away from sitting silently in God’s presence. As Kaitlyn reminded us, being still doesn’t mean emptying our minds. Rather, biblical meditation involves resting in God’s presence. I have a few friends who enjoy walking prayer labyrinths. It keeps them moving forward without the distraction of navigating where they are going. A prayer labyrinth provides a simple path without obstacle for feet, so one’s mind and heart can focus more deeply on prayer and Scripture meditation. Practicing stillness in prayer is important because we become so busy talking to and lamenting to God with our litany of requests we fail to shut off the noise and listen instead. How will you practice biblical meditation this weekend? Try finding a local trail to meander and pray. If weather keeps you inside, light a candle and find a dark place where you can sit and focus on the light while repeating truths about God.

2) Our sin-nature, if not consistently surrendered before the Lord Jesus, will rule over us. (Romans 6:12-14) As people who have been forgiven and turned away from our sin, we are called to offer the whole of our lives to God through the power of His Spirit in us. Often overlooked, but absolutely non-negotiable for a life that brings glory to God, is our willingness to live within biblical community. We were handcrafted by the Triune God to live together in humble unity with other brothers and sisters who have also been forgiven and have the Spirit living within them. Do you belong to a local church? Are you committed to seeing her flourish in your city and reach others with the hope and freedom offered in Jesus? Do you serve alongside other Christians in your church? Reflect on your prayer life and evaluate how frequently you commit dedicated time to interceding for other believers. Take time this weekend to connect with a believing friend and plan time to share coffee or a meal together, then spend the time sharing how God is teaching you and shaping your heart. This rich encouragement of sharing authentic life together is how we build community within Christ’s Body, His Church.

3) I found Sarah’s Journey Study to be a bit quite convicting as the Holy Spirit shone His truth on my heart from Scripture! Consistent Bible-reading and study can seem daunting, but we must remember that the enemy would like nothing better than to derail us in our relationship with Christ by shifting our focus from His Truth. Scripture study is absolutely essential for our spiritual wellbeing. Proverbs 4:20-22 instructs us to heed God’s Word with focused intentionality and purpose. Paul exhorts us to train our minds to meditate on whatsoever is true, honorable, just, and the like! (Philippians 4:8-9) Take up Paul’s challenge this weekend and use his list of wholly good things as the focus point for your thought life. This requires disciplined training! Look up those two verses in Philippians and ponder their meaning for your everyday life. Sometimes, I find myself quick to keep Scripture foremost in my mind, while in other seasons, my lack of disciplined training exposes my eager distraction to focus on what isn’t good, pure or truthful. These seasons consistently produce worry and anxiety. How I respond to life circumstances is directly related to my willingness to practice the discipline of feasting on Scripture!

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 2 Timothy 3:14-17 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Prayer Journal
Lord, forgive me, create in me a clean heart. (Psalm 51:10) I have become distracted with all the busy of life and closed off my time from You. You desire a deep relationship with me, but I’ve neglected time spent with You by reading and studying Your Word. I confess the times I have only studied your Word when I’ve prepared to teach or write instead of as my guide in all of life. I have neglected to come before You with nothing on my agenda except to listen to You. I know You hold the richest of all joys, stir up in me the desire to be fully present with You in worship and prayer. I know from experience there is nothing as sweetly tender and full of awe as basking in Your presence as Joshua did in the Tent of Meeting. (Exodus 33:11) Teach me to silence my “runaway train” thoughts, my worries, constant to-do list, so I will clearly hear Your still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

Worship Through Community

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Posted in: Busy, Captivating, Community, Discipleship, Equipped, Faithfulness, GT Weekend, Holiness, Life, Praise, Prayer Tagged: discipline, meditate, practice, prayer, still, training, worship

Kneel Day 13 Surprising Answers

January 19, 2022 by Lesley Crawford 7 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Acts 12:1-19
2 Kings 20:1-7
Isaiah 55:8-9
Matthew 7:7-11
James 5:13-18

Kneel, Day 13

Have you ever been surprised by an answer to prayer?

The people praying for Peter in this account from Acts certainly were!

Peter has been imprisoned for following Jesus, and as he waits for his public trial after the Passover celebration, the church is “praying fervently to God for him.” (Acts 12:5)

They are under no illusions about how the situation is likely to end for Peter. Herod Agrippa recently had the apostle James killed with a sword, and seeing the Jews’ resulting pleasure, has prompted Peter’s arrest. (Acts 12:1-2)

The church knows it is a matter of life and death, and so they pray desperately. Different translations of Acts 12:5 describe their prayers as constant, intense, earnest, persistent, continual, and without ceasing. This is prayer that is intentional and focused.

Consequently, God intervenes in a miraculous way. Awakened by an angel, Peter is told to get up. His chains fall off, the prison gates open, and the guards meant to be watching him closely seem oblivious!

The events are so unexpected that even Peter struggles to believe at first, but finally the truth sinks in.

“Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from all that the Jewish people expected.” (Acts 12:11)

Immediately, he goes to the house where he knows the believers have gathered to pray, which leads to a rather comical scene. Rhoda, the servant girl who answers the door, is so overwhelmed and overjoyed to hear Peter’s voice that instead of letting him in she rushes to tell the others, only to be met with astonishment and unbelief!

As they argue about whether or not it could possibly be true, the answer to their prayer is standing outside the door the whole time!

Finally, they let Peter in to see for themselves and hear his story, but it raises the question: if they were praying so fervently, so passionately, so continually, why were they so surprised when their prayer was answered?

I think I’ve gained insight into this over the last six months as I, and several others, have prayed earnestly and continually for a friend’s husband who is unwell. There has been so much prayer that my friend says her husband must be the most prayed-for man in the world!

Yet, despite our many prayers, he has deteriorated. His condition has been declared inoperable and, humanly speaking, it is only a matter of time.

We continue to pray for a miracle, yet I admit I would be surprised if my friend’s husband suddenly appeared at my door cured of his illness.

I don’t doubt for a moment that God can do it. I just have no idea whether He will.

I imagine the believers praying for Peter had similar thoughts. After all, James had been killed. Would praying for Peter really make any difference?

Yet, despite their uncertainty, they prayed; this act itself evidenced their faith, imperfect as it was.

They prayed because they knew they were helpless to fix the situation; they knew it was something only God could do. While their prayers may not have been rooted in perfect faith, God heard, and He answered.

As James writes, “The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” (James 5:16)

The difficulty we often have with prayer is that it’s unpredictable. It doesn’t work according to a formula. It’s not about how much we pray or trying to find the magic phrase or perfect combination of words to unlock the miracle or the answer we seek.

In fact, it’s not about the quality of our prayers at all; it’s about the One to whom we are praying.

If our prayers are answered as we hope, as in Peter’s situation or when God healed Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:1-7), we rejoice and give thanks to God. Only He can do the impossible, and there is no credit we can take. The glory is His!

When our prayers are not answered as we hope, it doesn’t mean our prayers were lacking in flawless faith or that God doesn’t care. It doesn’t even mean our prayers are unanswered, simply that God’s purpose is different.

“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.’ This is the Lord’s declaration.” (Isaiah 55:8)

We can’t always understand God’s ways, but we can trust in His goodness. My friend’s husband may not be healed on earth, but we know that, because of his faith in Jesus, an eternal future awaits him, free from pain and suffering. In the meantime, we continue to pray.

Jesus urged His disciples to persistently keep on praying and trusting God’s character as a loving Father who longs to give good gifts to His children. (Matthew 7) Likewise, He invites us to partner with Him in His work, bringing our situations before Him with faith and confidence, trusting in His power and love, and confidently knowing He loves to hear and answer us.

Sometimes, as with those believers praying for Peter, the answers to our prayers can be even more amazing than we would ever have expected!

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Posted in: Character, church, Faith, God, Hope, Jesus, Life, Prayer, Trust Tagged: Answers, constant, death, Fervently, goodness, kneel, miraculous, Persistent, Surprising
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