Meaning

Calling Day 8 Live Worthy

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 4:1-16
Deuteronomy 6
Galatians 5:16-26

Calling, Day 8

“I’m curious. How did you save your marriage? I need to know so I can try to save mine,” my friend inquired.

I knew she was looking for a magic bullet. I didn’t have one for her, though. “We prayed individually. We went to our Bibles and discovered what marriage is supposed to look like. We read Christian marriage books.

“And at the end of the day, we just decided to love each other like Jesus loves us.” It wasn’t the easy answer she was looking for, but it was the truth. 

When I said my marriage vows, I was called to be a wife. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:1, I needed to live worthy of that calling, just as my husband needed to live worthy of his calling as a husband. But most importantly, we needed to walk worthy of being called by Christ.

Marriage is an earthly reflection of God’s relationship with us, His bride; so, Sister, regardless of your marital status, if Jesus lives in your heart, Paul’s exhortation to walk worthy of God’s calling is for you.

When Paul started Ephesians 4:1 with the word “therefore,” he reminded us of Ephesians 1 through 3. In those chapters, we find that by knowing God and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive
spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3),
grace (Ephesians 1:7),
salvation (Ephesians 2:5-6),
power (Ephesians 3:16-17)
and unity (Ephesians 2:11-22).

These wonderful gifts are freely given to us.
And we honor God when we use them to reflect Him to others. 

Focusing on God enables us to live worthy of the gifts of salvation and the Holy Spirit.
But how?

If you’ve been in church, you’ve probably heard prayer is how we “conversate” with God. In these ongoing conversations with our Father, it’s helpful to dedicate space to listening, so we can also hear from Him. And finally, sometimes He answers me while I’m doing mundane things, too! He can speak to me at any moment, from driving in my car to preparing a meal!

Reading and studying the Bible are also important. We read not just to learn God’s instructions, but also to know His character. Again, human interactions mirror our relationship with God. Just as we grow closer to people as we spend together and learn their character, we can know God is loving, just, merciful, patient and faithful by reading His Word. 

God’s character and heart for us are revealed all throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. For example, in Deuteronomy 6, we learn what it means to fear God (Deuteronomy 6:2). This does NOT mean we ought to be afraid of God, but rather, we ought to live in respectful awe of God’s character and the greatness of His power and might.

And when we fear Him, we try to walk in obedience to His commands, which He gives us in the Bible. See how it’s all connected?

Finally, when we meet in community, we gain others’ perspectives about and experiences with understanding and applying Scripture. We can also be encouraged and challenged by other believers. Just like children learn life skills from older siblings, we can learn from those who are more spiritually mature. Consider Titus 2:2-8, which exhorts both men and women to teach those younger than them, both in physical age and spiritual maturity.

As we pray, read, and study the Bible, meet in community and revere Him, we come to know and love Him more, “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

Then, in a natural outpouring of this love, we begin to reflect Him to others around us. In doing so, we display His heart and character to those in our spheres of influence who may not know Him.

For instance, my friend was not a believer.

But she watched my husband and I work through an extremely difficult period in our marriage.
She watched me change attitudes and behaviors.
She watched my husband transform as he studied.
Thus, we were able to show her Jesus through our daily actions.

But when our lives do not align with the Bible, we can turn people away from the gospel. If our lives look more like the list from Galatians 5:19-21 than the one in Galatians 5:22-23, who would want that Jesus? I wouldn’t, would you?

And finally, Scripture urges us to remain consistent in our obedience and resulting godly behavior. We cannot live double lives. Even Peter falls prey to this trap of duplicity and is corrected by Paul in Galatians 2:11-14. May we never cause others to regard the Church as hypocritical.

In this Gracefully Truthful Community, we read and study the Bible. We learn about God’s character. We share authentically with each other. In this is place, we can grow in spiritual maturity. We are helping each other learn to live worthy of our calling!

I’m so glad I took those baby steps years ago. Because I, because we, chose to live worthy of the commitment to which God called us, my husband and I will celebrate 28 years of marriage this December.

So ladies, I declare with confidence, if the Spirit of God lives within you, then you CAN walk and live worthy of your calling.
Go show the world.

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Worship IV, Day 5 Singing Israel’s Song

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Exodus 15:1-18
Psalms 105:26-45
Psalm 136:1-15
1 Peter 2:9-10 

Worship IV, Day 5

There’s a difference in reading something to get through it, 
and studying it to know and understand it. 

Last year I didn’t just read through the Psalms in the Bible.
I studied them.
All 150 of them. 

I don’t say this to toot horns here, I share it because, with intentional study,
I am now convicted of this: 

One cannot discuss Biblical worship 
without observing the Psalms and other songs in Scripture. 

Some may not know that the book of Psalms is made up of songs or poems written by multiple authors. One of them being Moses, author of Psalm 90. 

You know… 

“Baby in a basket” Moses.
“Raised Egyptian, but actually a Hebrew” Moses.
“Prince of Egypt” Moses.
“Murderer of an Egyptian” Moses.
“Runaway” Moses.
“Burning bush” Moses.
“Led God’s people out of Egypt” Moses.
“Crossed the Red Sea on dry ground” Moses. 

Whether a Sunday School teacher first introduced you to Moses, or Disney’s Prince of Egypt did, most are familiar with the story. But did you know that following the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, another song was sung by Moses and the Israelites in Exodus 15. It makes perfect sense that an outburst of rejoicing would follow an escape from the chase of an enemy. 

Wouldn’t you erupt into song after being literally chased by your adversaries only to witness, with your own eyes, that very enemy being swallowed up by the same sea you had just crossed on dry land?! 

I would. 

Many times in the Psalms, as in Exodus 15, we see a consistent intentionality to worship God for who He is and His mighty deeds. 

What I love about Psalm 105 and Psalm 136 is how each of these songs declare the history of God’s people and the LORD’s continual rescue of His people, Israel. In Scripture, worship is often purposefully birthed, not only to rightfully bring glory to God, but also to commemorate historical events, i.e. the Exodus of Israel out of slavery into freedom. 

Naturally, the Israelites, along with Moses, would offer a song of thanksgiving unto the Lord following their rescue. Because God had set them free, praise broke out! 

Bible scholar, Dr. Bob Utley, notes how Exodus 15 consists of two parts:
verses 1-5 focuses on the acts of the LORD (all caps, meaning YHWH, God’s personal name) and verses 6-17 focusing on YHWH’s character.

Biblical worship should, at its core, remind us what we have been rescued from, and most importantly, who our mighty Rescuer is. 

I will forever be convinced that worship is a powerful thing.
No matter the circumstances of our everyday life,
regardless of how dark or how desperate our moments,
we have reason to worship because
we have been rescued from Sin by an eternal Rescuer!

Countless generations before us have carefully preserved and recorded in Scripture
their acts of worship.
Their hymns, their music, their generosity, and the beautiful overflow of their lives as they reflected love back to their Redeemer. Their worship invites us to recall how God has moved mightily in our own lives, remember His faithfulness, and bring Him worship because of His deliverance and His good character! 

Psalm 100 says “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.” 

We are given the beautiful opportunity of coming before the presence of God
thanking Him for His salvation and praising Him for who He is. 

Israel sang to the LORD for rescuing them from the hands of their tyrant enemy (Pharaoh).
God was faithful to deliver His people from Egypt and physical bondage, and deserved their worship.
But one day, the same LORD, through the Lord Jesus Christ, would deliver all people from the overwhelming darkness of our tyrant enemies, Sin and Death.
This Jesus is our Eternal Rescuer; He deserves the worship of our everyday lives! 

Hallelujah! 

Does that reality not just want to make you echo Israel’s song? 

How could it not?!

When God gave everything to rescue us.
When He forgave us.
When He provided for our every need.
When He takes the time to be mindful of us.
When He gives us far more than we deserve.
When He, even still, hasn’t given up on us.
When He loves us more than anyone ever could.
When He never ever broken His promises. 

How could we not praise Him? 

How could we not open our mouths and sing the Israelites’ song?
Or reach for an instrument as Miriam did?
Or dance in the freedom and joy of the LORD, our great Deliverer!

Let’s be worshippers who open our mouths and declare His goodness!
Worshippers who fall to our knees in gratitude and reverence!
Worshippers who reserve our love, loyalty, and attention for the only One who is truly worthy!
Worshippers who exalt the One true God, YHWH, our Rescuer in the ebb and flow of our everyday! 

Let’s be worshippers who continue singing Israel’s song!

We were once lost, enslaved, and living in darkness.
As Peter writes, we were once not a people, but now we are God’s people.
We once did not receive mercy, but now we have received mercy
so that we might
“proclaim the praises of the one who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Hallelujah!
Let’s sing on! 

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Worship IV, Day 3 Holding Us Together

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Colossians 1:15-20
Hebrews 12:26-29
Isaiah 9:1-7 

Worship IV, Day 3

Some may ask what the value is of their high school studies in chemistry (let’s be honest: high school math, art, etc.). While I always thought there was some use in what I was learning even if passing the class was the main reason, preparing for this Journey Study highlighted how the Lord can use anything for His glory.
High school chemistry included.  

I read through Colossians 1:15-20 and spent some time pondering the truths nestled there. What does it say about the Lord? What does it say about me? What does it speak to regarding my interactions with the Lord? 

In the midst of those questions, my high school chemistry class materialized in my mind. The long black countertops and the silver gray stools that became the backdrop of our scientific explorations set the scene. I remembered the feel of the delightful goggles providing safety as we dealt with chemicals as well as deep imprints on our cheeks announcing to everyone that we had just spend time dabbling with liquids, and solids, and mass (oh my).  

In my mind’s eye, I remember seeing a centrifuge on the counter and clearly recollected this actual day in class. We had a few liquids in our test tube and the only way to separate them was using the centrifuge, which essentially spun the tube at high speeds, the force of which caused the liquids to layer themselves by their densities. Little did I know that learning how to use that machine and comprehending all the science behind it would bring a section of Scripture to life years later.
Yet, here we have on display the goodness of the Lord through His creation.  

Colossians states that the Lord is before all things and in Him all things hold together. 

All things. 
Held together.  

Have you ever had one of those days, weeks, months, seasons where you just don’t feel like you have it together?
That everything is spinning out of control?  

Me too.  

Those personal examples came flooding to my mind after the centrifuge memory.
They marked my own moments of surviving the centrifuge of life.
Moments where life only seemed to pick up speed and everything began coming apart at the seams.

Hebrews 12 says that the Lord will shake things to prove what cannot be shaken. Those times have come and will come again, and I have learned to rejoice in the outcome of those moments because I am then able to separate what is from the Lord and what is not. I have discovered that sometimes that “spinning” of life is the only way to find that dividing line, much like using the centrifuge enables separating the liquids in that specific way as well.   

So if you are like me, may this section of verses from Colossians grant you the permission to quit trying to hold everything together by your own strength and rest in the arms of Jesus.  

Because He is strong enough to hold us together
and to separate what needs to be removed.  

Colossians 1:15
Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
Wait, what? He is the image of the invisible God.
Have you ever known that the Lord has you but you still wanted some “real” arms to hold you?
I have.
It’s comforting to know that Jesus lived and walked the earth. He came to us with skin on and arms that could truly hold us together. Hands that healed the servant whose ear had just been cut off and hands that willingly surrendered to nails at the cross. So while I’ve never experienced the literal arms of the Lord encircling me, I know that they once embraced those that came before me, and He brought to life the picture of God the Father.  

Colossians 1:16
All things have been created through Him and for Him.
I am friends with artists of many kinds. I have watched the love and effort they pour into their creations. Their investment is not haphazard and their joy at the completion is deeply felt. Now imagine Jesus’ response to His creation. (For the record, we are His creation.) Let that soak in for a bit. 

Colossians 1:17
He is before all things and by Him all things hold together.
Read this one out loud. Read it with the understanding that as the Creator of all things He alone has the capability to hold all things together.
Let the words sink into the depths of who you are.  

Colossians 1:18
He is the head of the body and the church and is the firstborn from the dead. Jesus has the authority and capability to lead us into eternal life.
He died and defeated death for us. He has us.  

Colossians 1:19-20
For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
Jesus came to earth as fully God and fully man. Because of this duality, His death on the cross and victorious resurrection created the way through which we are reconciled with the Lord God. Without Jesus and His sacrifice, I would be spiraling out of control due to the weight of my sin and the separation from Him it causes.  

So, is your world spinning?
Is the force of life starting to pull you apart?
Run to Jesus.
Surrender it all.
He can hold you together.  

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

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
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Worship IV, Day 2 Even When: 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 Even When!

The Questions

1) How are these verses connected? 
 
2) What is this “same love”? (verses 1-4)  
 
3) What is the “same attitude”? (verses 5-11) 
 
4) How can we have the same obedience? (verses 12-13)

Philippians 2:1-13

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.
7 Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
9 For this reason God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
11 and every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Original Intent

1) How are these verses connected? 
Paul’s letter to the Philippian church was written while he was in prison, chained for preaching Christ. Yet, he continued ‘preaching’ through his letters. The letter is known most commonly for encouragement and Paul’s deep love for the Philippians is woven throughout, but tucked away here in the second chapter, some of the richest theology found in the entire Bible awaits us. Theologians often dig straight into the meaty description of Christ in verses 5-11, His equality with God, and how He humbly emptied Himself in order to redeem humanity. But taking a wider lens view from verses 1-13, we see how these verses come together in one beautiful 3-fold display of Christ’s love and His design for us as His children through the same love, same attitude, and the same obedience.  
 
2) What is this “same love”? (verses 1-4)  
Paul begins this section not with a description of Christ, but of His Body, His Church. It’s as if the Lord is saying, ‘Look at my beautiful Bride! Look how precious and priceless it is to enjoy the love and comfort and encouragement of my Church!’.  This affectionate fellowship, sweet tenderness, kind gentleness, and genuine caring for one another is God’s original design for us as His followers. His Church is intended to be characterized by these qualities because they have first existed eternally in the heart of God as He has existed in triune form of Father, Son, and Spirit. The model for Church was birthed from the community, the same love, that has eternally existed between Father, Son, and Spirit. Each of these precious, life-giving qualities were first lived out continuously and beautifully among the godhead, so it is only natural for these qualities to be intrinsic to the DNA of the global Church Body made up of every believer.  
 
3) What is the “same attitude”? (verses 5-11) 
Just as the Church is to mimic the same love found in God, so also are we to reflect His same attitude, specifically humility in this example. This goes beyond ‘generic humility’ as in letting others go first in line or smiling instead of snapping at them. This humility, modeled by God, is sacrificial at its core. It’s a humility that says, ‘I am God. I have all authority. But I will not allow my right as God to keep me from coming down in love to you.’ This humility carries a cost. For Jesus, it cost Him His throne, His community, and even His relationship with the Father as He bore our sin upon Himself, forcing the Father to turn away and forsake Him. But this humility was worth it. Jesus wasn’t constantly rolling His eyes annoyed at our humanity, frustrated that He was wrapped in flesh, or secretly exasperated at how dreadful it was to be tired, poor, or hungry. He was sacrificially humble as He gave Himself away for our redemption.  
 
4) How can we have the same obedience? (verses 12-13)  
When we come to a place of total surrender to living a sacrificially humble life because we want nothing more than to fully possess the same love and the same attitude of humility, then we are perfectly positioned walk into the same obedience. All of this, from beginning to end, is a work of the Holy Spirit in us as we submit to Him in ever increasing ways. It’s both Him and us, an intricate duo of our humble submission and His miraculous shaping. Paul passionately holds up Christ and His willingness to love and sacrifice for our good and then implores the church to obey Him because He is worth it! Prove your salvation, Paul says, put on display how Jesus is making you continuously new by having the same obedience Christ Himself displayed. Submit yourselves to Him, be disciplined, be sacrificially humble, and love well. In the same token, know that all of your work is only done because the Spirit of the Living God is alive and at work within you! He is making you new! He is bringing about your obedience as you submit to His lead!

Everyday Application

1) How are these verses connected? 
Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, ‘oneness does not mean same-ness’, encouraging differentiation between people as they work towards a common goal or in a marriage. Sameness in that sense isn’t what Paul is meaning here, rather he is encouraging all believers to follow after the same pattern for living life. As followers of Jesus, the pattern for living isn’t up for discussion or interpretation. As the Master does, so do we as His followers. The disciple is not above the Master. This is exactly what Paul was writing about and its precisely why studying Scripture is so critical for every Christ-follower. The more we study, the clearer our model becomes.  
 
2) What is this “same love”? (verses 1-4)  
This letter was written to the churches in Philippi and was likely circulated to other surrounding churches as well, but its timeless teachings are for all believers everywhere. When you think of your local church, how are you personally contributing to the overall characteristics described here? Keep in mind the all-inclusive language Paul uses like “everyone” looking out for others and “nothing” done in selfishness or vanity. As you pray through these verses, lean in to how the Spirit is leading you. Are there people you avoid or are more likely to gossip about? How do those actions reflect God’s heart? God’s design for His Church, for us as believers, is to have the same love that God shares among the triune godhead. We as a community are intended to beautifully reflect Himself! 
 
3) What is the “same attitude”? (verses 5-11) 
If I’m being honest (which is kind of a core value of Gracefully Truthful…), then I am much more likely to associate with eye-rolling-annoyed-exasperated ‘generic humility’ than I am likely to see a consistent pattern of sacrificial humility in my everyday life. I have my things to do, my standards by which to do them, this amount of time allotted, and even a casual interruption of that mindset will test my patience, much less my humility. Jesus isn’t calling us to be doormats, quite opposite! He’s calling us to firmly hold on to who we are as redeemed daughters of the King, but not to allow our knowledge of Him or our relationship status to keep us from engaging well by loving others with His same attitude of humility. Love well, Sisters. Practice sacrificial humility as you remember to keep the same attitude of our Lord.   
 
4) How can we have the same obedience? (verses 12-13) 
Doesn’t examining the model of Christ’s love and extreme humility and extravagant sacrifice encourage and embolden your desire to become more like Him? Believing Friend, obey Him! His Spirit is ready to lead and speak to you, taking you deeper as you submit to following Him. Don’t worry about the process or the how or the end result, that’s the work of the Lord, your job is to listen and obey! And to my friends who haven’t crossed the line of faith and asked Jesus to rescue them for eternity from their sin, the call is the same, obey Him! Come, explore, roam free in His unfathomably deep love for you. He has much for you, much to do in you, it all starts with a willingness to surrender and listen to His voice as He’s asking you to trust Him. Obey that voice, it’s worth it! Don’t worry about the process or the how or the end result, just listen and obey!

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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Incorruptible Day 9 Redeemed From Emptiness: 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 Redeemed From Emptiness!

The Questions

1) Who is Peter writing to in these verses? 

2) Who is the adversary Peter is writing about and how does he attack? 

3) How do we resist our adversary?

1 Peter 5:8-14

8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. 

10 The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. 11 To him be dominion forever. Amen. 

12 Through Silvanus, a faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Original Intent

1) Who is Peter writing to in these verses?
Peter addresses this letter to believers living in exile in 1:1, but in 1 Peter 5:1-4, he specifically writes to the elders and 1 Peter 5:5 addresses young men. However, the second half of 1 Peter 5:5 and following is written to both groups. Who were these elders and young men? Elder is not simply a term to describe age. The Greek word Peter uses, “presbyteros”, refers to those in a position over others or an overseer within the church. They would have been strong believers who had been walking in the faith. The younger men mentioned in verse 5 refer to those who sit under the elders. They would have been men in the church who were not elders and would have probably been less spiritually mature than the elders. After giving them each specific instruction, Peter then turns his attention on both groups. He continues with words of advice and warning intended for both groups of people, which is what we find in these verses.  

2) Who is the adversary Peter is writing about and how does he attack?
These verses are very clear there is an adversary in the devil. Peter specifically describes this adversary as a roaring lion. In order to understand our enemy, we must look to other parts of the Bible to learn who he truly is. Both Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 introduce the devil as a fallen angel cast from Heaven due to pride, thinking he could become god himself.  Job 1:7 informs us this adversary, Satan, roams the earth going to and fro. Another translation of the Hebrew, “accuser”, tells us he looks for those to accuse. This is precisely what he is doing in the book of Job, looking for one to accuse; this is still his aim! Peter paints a description of a lion ready to attack when he finds the weak, separated member of the pack. The devil will attack when he sees the greatest opening to do maximum damage. These attacks look different depending on each person, but John 8:44 reminds us our enemy is the father of lies. His attacks are not truth and should not be held as such.  

3) How do we resist our adversary?
After describing the adversary, Peter doesn’t leave his readers to wonder what to do. Instead, Peter gives them specific advice on how to deal with this adversary. These elders and young men are to resist him and stand firm. The beginning of verse 8 also reminds readers to be sober-minded and alert. Be on the lookout for the attack that is coming. It’s no secret the enemy is looking ready to attack at the opportune moment; believers must be ready. Peter also reminds them they are not alone in their suffering. Other believers are experiencing suffering alongside them. Matthew Henry writes, “It was the faith of these people that Satan aimed at; if he could overturn their faith, and draw them into apostasy, then he knew he should gain his point, and ruin their souls; therefore, to destroy their faith, he raises bitter persecutions, and sets the grand potentates of the world against them. This strong trial and temptation they must resist, by being well-grounded, resolute, and steadfast in the faith.” These believers must cling to the truth they know of the One True God who saved their souls. They must cling to their salvation in what Jesus has already done on their behalf and not give in to the lies their enemy is aiming at them. Lastly, they must never forget they are not alone. Believers throughout the world experience the similar attacks from their common enemy.

Everyday Application

1) Who is Peter writing to in these verses? 
While these verses are addressed in the original context to the elders and young men Peter was writing to, there is still an application for us. We may not be pastors or hold the specific office of elder within the Church, but Peter’s words are still a warning to us. These words can be applied to those who have been walking with Jesus for many years and those who are new to a relationship with Him. As believers, we are members of the global, timeless Church and we should heed the advice and warnings Peter gives. 

2) Who is the adversary Peter is writing about and how does he attack?
Our adversary is still alive and well just as he was when Peter wrote these verses. Matthew Henry’s Commentary explains that Peter describes the enemy by his character. First, he is our adversary, our enemy, who wants only to hurt and destroy us. Second, Peter calls him the devil or Satan whose role is to accuse believers. Third, he is a roaring lion on the prowl. Lions do not hunt the strong animals who can defend themselves. Instead, they look for the weak or hurt animal, separated from the pack. Satan is the same; he is on the hunt looking for the weak believer separated from community to attack. It’s easier to attack a weak believer without community as there is less chance of defense. The enemy will lie to believers in order to accomplish his goals. We must recognize our enemy for exactly who he is, and respond accordingly with truth!  

3) How do we resist our adversary?
We are to resist our adversary stand firm just as the believers Peter is writing to. The believers in 1 Peter are reminded of other believers suffering and we too must remember there are believers around the world experiencing similar sufferings to us.  Paul Marshall of Freedom House states that 80% of the world’s believers, those who are genuinely walking with Jesus and living out their faith, live in persecution. Just as a lion looks for the one separated from the pack, our adversary wants to separate us from other believers. He wants us to feel alone, not belonging to a larger community of believers. When he separates us from other believers, his attack becomes much easier. We need biblical community around us reminding us we are not in this battle alone. We must also remember that while we may be in the middle of a battle, the war has already been won. 1 Peter 5:2 reminds us we already share in the glory! No matter what lies the devil is telling us, we must cling to the truth and stand firm. Once we place our faith in Jesus, we are redeemed from all we have ever done and will ever do. Jesus did it all when He went to the Cross bearing all our sin and shame then rising from the grave, defeating death and the devil himself. We fight our battles, but we are never, ever alone and never without hope!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Redeemed From Emptiness!

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 Incorruptible Week Two!
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!

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Incorruptible Day 8 Redeemed From Emptiness

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Peter 1:17-21
1 Peter 5:8-14
Ruth 2-3
Joshua 2

Incorruptible, Day 8

“For you know that you were redeemed (bought back) 
from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, 
not with imperishable things like silver or gold, 
but with the precious blood of Christ.”
1 Peter 1:18-19

Rahab. 
Ruth. 
Saul. 

And so many others throughout Scripture have been bought back
by the precious blood of Christ.  

Joshua 2 tells the story of Rahab.
A prostitute.
Giving away her body for money, she was used and abused.
Hers was an empty life.
Rahab had heard of the mighty deeds of the Hebrew God called Yahweh, enough to know He was worthy of awe and respectful fear. (Joshua 2:8-11)
Enough to know that if He would provide her protection, she would turn her back on her people.
True to His Word, as the walls of Jericho collapsed around her, Rahab’s house was left untouched and her family was saved.   

Rahab married a Hebrew man, was rescued from prostitution, was welcomed into the blessings of Yahweh, and grafted into the lineage of Christ.
One moment of choosing to be in exile from her people 
brought about new life for Rahab. 

As we come face to face with the reality of who God is, 
we are free to walk confidently into the redeeming grace He offers. 

Ruth was a Moabite widow who followed her mother-in-law Naomi, against cultural custom, back to Israel. She was a foreigner without food and protection of a husband.
An outcast among Jews.
If anyone felt empty, it was Ruth.  

Like Rahab, she chose to be in exile, displaced from her own land to follow Naomi and her God.  

Through events only God could ordain, Ruth became the protected wife of Boaz and mother to Obed, another generation in the lineage of Jesus.
Redeemed from emptiness and vulnerability, 
Ruth found fullness, life, and purpose. 

As we lay ourselves humbly at His feet, the Lord faithfully redeems our empty places. 

In Acts 9, we meet Saul. 
Well-known as murderer and persecutor of Christians, Saul made it his life mission to kill all who claimed the name of Jesus.
Death always leads to emptiness. 

But Jesus interrupted Saul’s crusades in a blinding moment of awe-filled truth where Saul surrendered to radical grace.  

Having been redeemed from his old way of thinking and living life, Saul-turned-Paul spent the remainder of his days proclaiming Christ, forever exiled from the life he’d once so passionately known. 

Emptiness was all he had known, 
but grace captured his heart, exchanging life for death.

As we accept the redemptive grace of God, we become new people.  

Each of these people were exiles in one form or another.
Each heard and understood the character of God through His people.
Each found hope in the midst of their exile because of God’s faithful, trustworthy character.  

Peter reminds us that we are exiles too.
Separated here on earth from the One in Heaven who crafted our hearts to beat in rhythm with His. Aliens here with broken relationships, heartache, loss, destruction, and sufferings coming in all shapes and sizes.
Exile is not forever, Sisters.
We can trust that truth because of our God’s character! 

“And after you have suffered a little while, 
the God of all grace, 
who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, 
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10
Jesus says He will restore us, confirm us, strengthen us, and establish us!  

Restore – to repair or renovate so as to return it to its original condition.
Confirm – to establish the truth or correctness of something believed. 
Strengthen – to make or become stronger.
Establish – to achieve permanent acceptance or recognition for. 

As we look at those definitions we see redemption so clearly!  

Through the lives of Rahab, Ruth, Paul, and so many more, we see how God
restored the broken places,
confirmed what they believed about Him to be true,
strengthened their faith,
and established them firmly in the incorruptible inheritance that was to come.   

Redemption is such a beautiful thing, 
but it’s only ours to claim if we accept the gift of salvation.  

Salvation is a free gift from God that buys back (redeems) us from the chains of Sin and Death, adopting us as His very own daughters.  

Jesus Christ, the only mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) between humanity and God, wrapped Himself in human flesh (1 Peter 1:20-21), became one of us, was sinless like none of us, and willingly laid His life down on the cross that each of us might know Him, trust His character, and be redeemed from emptiness!  

“For you know that you were redeemed (bought back) 
from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, 
not with imperishable things like silver or gold, 
but with the precious blood of Christ.”
1 Peter 1:18-19

What’s your emptiness?
Has it been redeemed?!

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

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

Incorruptible Day 7 Inner Shift: 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 Inner Shift!

The Questions

1)  How does having a mind “ready for action” impact our holiness? 

2) What does being “sober-minded” have to do with hope and holiness? 

3)  Why is it important we set our hope on the grace we received in Christ?

1 Peter 1:13-16

13 Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. 15 But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.

Original Intent

1)  How does having a mind “ready for action” impact our holiness?
Peter writes this particular letter, “to those chosen, living as exiles dispersed abroad…” (1 Peter 1:1).  His audience consists of believers who have been displaced from their homes due to their faith, and who are thus familiar with hard circumstances and persecution.  In their time of struggle and need, Peter doesn’t tell them to take a break or that their trouble is over; instead, he tells the exiles to live a holy life within the battle.  How are they to do that?  First, be ready for action.  Peter understands that when God’s people are ready to take action in battle, they will already be on the defensive, looking out for the enemy, and ready to put up a fight.  With the next potential battle as their focus, Peter understands that these disciples will be more likely to resist the schemes of the devil by living lives that are focused on God and His standards for holiness.   

2) What does being “sober-minded” have to do with hope and holiness?
Peter follows his call to be prepared for taking action with the direction to be calm in spirit.  He says that not only do we need to be ready to act, but that those actions should be accompanied by a mind that is even-tempered (see Thayer’s definition).  He calls for the people to refrain from overreacting, even in the midst of difficulty and an uncertain future.  Peter knows that if the people of God fail to be sober minded they will be unlikely to come across as holy to the watching world.  Not only that, Peter understands God’s people would risk detracting from the hope others might find in Christ.     

3)  Why is it important we set our hope on the grace we received in Christ?
Peter’s final admonition to the people is to have the right focus before them: hope in the grace offered through Christ Jesus.  First, Peter desires for the people to have a right view of themselves,  as sinners in need of salvation.  When hope is placed in Christ, Peter understands the people will be less likely to try to save themselves, do enough, or be enough.  Instead, he wants them to know that they can do nothing apart from Christ.  Second, Peter desires for the people to have a right view of Christ:  as the Savior.  Not “a” savior.  Not an option.  THE Savior.  One and only.  Peter grasps the truth that a mind set on the salvation and hope that come from grace through faith in Christ alone offers a much more accurate and appealing image of Christ to others as they watch us navigate difficult times in life.

Everyday Application

1)  How does having a mind “ready for action” impact our holiness?
Looking at this passage begs the question:  am I ready for action?  Peter continues this idea later in this same book when he says we are to be, “…ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you,” (1 Peter 3:15).  Are you ready to answer questions others may have?  Are you ready for the next battle you may have to face?  Are you prepared to put up a good fight?  Are there areas of your life and walk with Christ you need to shore up?  Does your response to difficult circumstances in your life cause others to ask why you are different? 

2) What does being “sober-minded” have to do with hope and holiness?
Cool, calm, collected.  It’s a favorite phrase of mine and a friend.  We tend to use it as a joke, but in the context of this scripture, it’s quite serious.  Why?  Because that’s exactly what being sober minded looks like.  When you consider the application of that truth in your life, ask yourself some hard questions.  Do you give yourself space to THINK before you react?  Would people look at your social media and be able to call you sober-minded by what they see?  Or would they see someone who speaks before thinking?  Or speaks to provoke and argue?  Or seeks attention for themselves?  Take a sober minded look at your posts during the last battle or difficulty in your life and ask Jesus to help you see what He sees.  Are you attracting others to Christ in your words, or pushing them away? 

3)  Why is it important we set our hope on the grace we received in Christ?
If my focus is on the grace I have received through Christ, I will understand my place as a sinner in need of salvation.  For some of us, there is discomfort in seeing ourselves as sinners.  We want to think we’re better than that.  Or perhaps we are tempted to believe that though we are sinners, we must work to save ourselves.  Neither of those stand up to the truth of scripture that Jesus is the only one who saves sinners like each one of us.  He is the only one who can do that work.  He is our only hope for rescue.  Are those ideas clear in your mind, or do you sometimes struggle with those truths?  What evidence is there in your life to support your answer?  Do others see and hear you articulate that during the difficult times in your life?  Or do they encounter someone who is constantly striving and working to control or manage life and its difficulties?  Will they see someone who is self-focused, or someone who points them to the hope of Christ? 

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Inner Shift!

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 Incorruptible Week Two!
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.

Incorruptible Day 1 Temporary Residents

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Incorruptible, Day 1

1 Peter 1:1-2
John 10:7-15
John 15:18-19 

Exiles
We have heard the term, but what does it mean?
For the Christians in the first-century church in Jerusalem, it meant they were hated and persecuted to the point of being driven from their homes and communities into the wild areas of modern-day Turkey.
This persecution took our Lord Jesus to the cross, where He willingly laid down His life for us. The same religious leaders who led the charge against Jesus then focused on His followers (Acts 8:1-4).
It is to these exiles Peter wrote.
He began his letter by reminding them that they were….

Chosen
To those chosen, living as exiles, dispersed abroad….
Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,
to be obedient,
and to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ.
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
1 Peter 1:1-2 

Let that sink in, sisters.
The same God who created the stars and made the earth conducive to sustaining human life chose you to be in relationship with Him.
What blessed grace!
What an honor!

When you’re in a relationship with God, you become more like Him.
Not because He forces you.
Not because He guilts you.
It’s because you come to realize that His ways are better for life…for the abundant life that Christ affords us. 

As you become more like Jesus, you become less like the world. Maybe you’ll feel your friends distancing themselves from you. Maybe you’ll experience more conflict. 

Then maybe the enemy whispers to you (like he does to me) that you don’t deserve to be a Christian – or that you aren’t really a Christian – because of…blah, blah, blah. 

Of course, we don’t deserve it!
That’s why it’s called grace.
Left to ourselves, Jesus says, “you did not choose me!”
Sweet friend, if you find yourself listening to those whispers, focus on grace.
By His grace, we are set free.  (Colossians 1:14)
By His grace, He will never let us go. (1 John 4:13)
By His grace, He has chosen us and not rejected us. (1 Peter 2:4) 

Obedient
To those chosen, living as exiles, dispersed abroad….
Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,
to be obedient,
and to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ.
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
1 Peter 1:1-2 

Why were we chosen?
Chosen for what?
Peter says we were chosen for obedience. (1 Peter 1:1)
Paul says we were chosen to be conformed to the image of the Son. (Romans 8:29)
These are summed up when Jesus says we were chosen to produce fruit. (John 15:16) 

We, as children of God, are chosen, called, and set-apart
to be obedient to Him as we are conformed
through the work of the Holy Spirit,
into becoming like Jesus,
producing His fruit in our everyday lives. (Galatians 5:21-22) 

Fruit that loves. (Luke 10:27)
Fruit that shares the hope of Jesus precisely because we are exiles. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Fruit that accepts and values one another as equals. (Romans 15:7)
Fruit that serves. (Galatians 5:13)
Fruit that is patient (Ephesians 4:2) and kind (Ephesians 4:32). 

Exiles.
We are to be in this world, but not of it. (Romans 12:1-2)
Just like our brothers and sisters in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, we are exiles in our countries, cultures, cities, and neighborhoods.
Our citizenship is in heaven. (Philippians 1:27a) 

We are exiles.
Chosen for relationship with the Almighty through the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. 

Called out for obedience through the sanctifying work of the Spirit.
Yes, we are exiles, sisters.
This world is not our home.
Hallelujah! 

May His grace and peace be multiplied to you as you live here as exiles, changing the world around you for the Kingdom of God! 

Lord, help entrench ourselves in Your grace as we live in this foreign land as temporary residents, just passing through on our way to Forever with our Wonderful Father! 

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

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

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

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

Pause 2 Day 6 The Sword & The Scalpel

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Pause 2, Day 6

The wound refused to heal.
The flesh surrounding the wound was hot, pink and tender.
The doctor’s brow furrowed as he poked around, speaking in low tones to the nurse, who scurried away. The wound was deeply infected, needing to be lanced, infection drained, cleansed and perhaps packed. The nurse returned with a cart bearing medical supplies in tidy rows,
the silver blade of the scalpel glinting in the light.

The doctor explained the procedure; the patient didn’t hear.
His eyes were fixed on the silver blade.
It was true the wound refused to heal, and intervention was needed, but the scalpel?
Yes, the scalpel.
If the wound was ever going to heal, the scalpel must be part of that plan.    

As the doctor lanced, drained and packed the wound to allow physical healing,
so the Spirit of God desires to pursue the healing of our souls.

To do this, He must remove the infectious sins impeding our spiritual healing.
Scripture describes His Word as a sharp, two-edged sword.
Swords lacerate, wound and even kill!
But in the hands of our Great Physician, the Sword of the Spirit is an instrument of healing. 

Due to our innate depravity, besetting sins are imbedded in the deep tissue of our souls like infectious bacteria. Allowed to remain, those sins multiply, leaving our souls riddled with festering infection and rendering the work of our hands ineffective for Kingdom growth.

With truth, our Great Physician cleanses our souls, leading us to repentance and the fullness of a redeemed life. He then packs our wounded souls with the healing balm of grace upon grace. 

“I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing” 
Psalm 101:2-3 

When my flesh cries out for gratification, Scripture’s truth speaks clearly.
As I welcome its healing, I feel the deep slice of the sword of truth and know my self-will must die if I am to be healed and whole. 

Without the sword of truth, our only option is to remain entangled in besetting sins,
observing the abundant life from a distance,
yet never truly partaking.

Without the sword, there can be no healing.
Therefore, I welcome the sword,
for by it I am healed and set free to run in pathways of the abundant life.
1 Peter is a book about solid hope.
It’s also about running fervently away from sin that chokes the lifeblood of our freedom in Christ,
and our effectiveness in building God’s Kingdom. 

Peter’s passion for Jesus and His redemption available to all is woven throughout his first, short letter.
As we continue to Pause this week, walk slowly through the words Peter wrote.
See his heart, hear his passion, run from the world’s enticements, and sink your feet deep into the solid rock of HOPE! 

Today's Invitation

1) Read 1 Peter 1 and answer these 3 questions in your journal:
a) What do these verses tell me about God and His character?
b) What do these verses tell me about others and the world around me?
c) What do these verses tell me about me and my heart?

2) Close your time by praying for these truths to take root in your heart and for the Holy Spirit to remind you and teach you more about these things today.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
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I Peter 1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: 

To those chosen, living as exiles dispersed abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient and to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. 

May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.6 You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. 11 They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.  12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things. 

13 Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. 15 But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy. 17 If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially according to each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in reverence during your time living as strangers. 18 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 

22 Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly, 23 because you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For 

All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory like a flower of the grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.  

And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.

How Does “Pause” Work?
1.Each day, Monday through Friday, for 2 weeks, we will provide you with an invitation to get away with the Savior. Each one is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Pause 2 Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies
in Pause 2!