Seeking

The GT Weekend! ~ Reveal Week 3

Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Roving about in the dark, difficult seasons of our lives doesn’t rank high on anyone’s “list of favorite things to do”, but we all face tumultuous times when confusion, fear, and doubt swirl incessantly. As Sara beautifully reminded us on Monday, these times of darkness can indeed be used by the hand of a loving God, to help us see Him with fresh eyes of faith. There are treasures of hope glimmering in the darkness that we might otherwise miss. Be still, hold fast to truth while allowing the emotions to hit you, then prayerfully ask the Father of Love to teach you to “dance in the dark” as you seek His hope and certain triumph. Sometimes, calling out our current reality for what it is, helps us move miles forward. What your pockets of swirling confusion and doubt right now in this Christmas season? What specifics are speaking into this uncertainty? Name them. Write them. Hold them in your hands without backing away. Search Scripture to speak truth and hope over these dark spaces, asking the Lord to teach you to dance, even here. The book of Psalms is a great place to begin looking for timeless, steadfast hope! Share the psalms that have encouraged you in our Facebook group (Gracefully Truthful Community) or tell a close friend!

2) While Christmas is supposed to be light, airy, magical, and winsome, it’s during this season we often feel the pull of sadness and aching the most. No amount of gifts under the tree or sugar cookie frosting can compensate for the places we try so hard to silence. Especially now, as the Christmas tree glitters, the longing for real joy runs deepest. Perhaps it is significant that it’s now we hunger most for hope, real hope. Perhaps we feel its absence so deeply, because it’s now Jesus came to be born, live out love, and die sacrificially, effectively purchasing eternal hope. Christmas glitters last for December, the hope Jesus offers each of us lasts forever! Even if we have long followed Jesus, and we know for certain our hope is in Him alone, we are easily tempted during this season to forget. We are eager to exchange our eternal perspective for temporary happiness, placing unrealistic expectations on gifts, relationships, and magical Christmas experiences. Carve out space this weekend to sit with the Lord who was birthed centuries ago, in humblest of ways, for us. Ask Him to reveal the places in your heart you have readily exchanged true hope for temporary pleasure. Consider drawing a simple cross on your wrist as a visual reminder of real hope in this season!

3) One night this last week, my son spoke up while preparing for bed, “Just think about it mom… We, full of sin, are born in hospitals or warm houses. But God, fully HOLY…. He was born in a cave. He surely loves *all* people!”. In a few simple words, my 9-year-old summed up the hope of the gospel and the gift of One God who loves us completely, passionately, and unconditionally. We are indeed desperate for a Savior. Every Christmas seems to be adept at revealing just how deep this need runs! We are the ones who deserve the cave, yet we cling so intensely to our baubles of glowing faces on perfect Christmas cards, elaborate meals, and wonderfully happy children. It feels easier to cover up the magnitude of our need. We forget we are sinners. We forget we need a Savior. In the rush for more of this and less of that, we gloss over the simple, but remarkably profound reality, that a holy God chose us. What a true Christmas Gift to be loved by the Divine in spite of the glaring reality we are tragically imperfect. Where are you feeling lack this weekend? Perhaps it’s “too much” or a sense of “not enough”. Whatever it is, write it out on a sheet of blank 8 ½ x 11 printer paper. Then grab a pair of scissors and follow these directions to turn your “lack” into a beautiful snowflake! (https://www.firstpalette.com/craft/paper-snowflake.html) Place it in your Bible or hang it from your ceiling as a reminder that the Lord of all perfectly loves you.

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Jeremiah 23:24 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

“Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him?”—the Lord’s declaration. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?”—the Lord’s declaration.

Prayer Journal
“Silent Night, Holy Night” surely does not describe the majority of my nights, especially during December. But, Lord, as Your Spirit has prodded me, peeling back the layers I love to cover the corners of my heart with, I admit to filling the quiet with noise on purpose. Too much quiet leaves too much space to be reminded how unholy I am. Lord, let me not shy away from this place of honesty with myself and especially before You! There are no hidden places that You cannot see! You came to reveal every secret place that Your glory might be welcomed in and true life overflow. “”Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him?”—the Lord’s declaration. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?”—the Lord’s declaration.” (Jeremiah 23:24) Teach me to come humbly to You, as You came humbly to us, that You might be born afresh in my soul!

Worship Through Community

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

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

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Reveal Day 11 Dancing In The Dark

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Ezekiel 37:15-28
2 Samuel 6:1-15
Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Reveal, Day 11

I woke up today and struggled to put my feelings into words. For a person who loves words, failing to figure out which ones to use only added to the loneliness of the moment.

As I thought, a picture of the ocean tide going out came to mind.
That. I was feeling that.

How does the beach feel as the tide heads back to sea, taking with it anything not strong enough to anchor itself in the sand?
Does it recognize something is missing?
Does a sense of loss and an inability to hold onto the waves cause it to tremble?
Does an awareness of uncovering surprise it as the ocean breeze makes contact with the wet soil?

As the beach imagery provides words for my emotions, it also reminds me of the treasure trove revealed in the absence of those salty waters as the
waves run out and sea shells glisten on sandy shores. The ocean picture of runaway tides and hidden shells reminds me that while I may be feeling much like the beach at low tide, I have hope.

Good things, God-things, are found in the midst of these emotions.
Good things, God-things, are found in the faith that sustains us in the wake of raw, uncovered, and alone.

This hope is found in one Place, in one Person, the Presence of God.
Jeremiah 29:13-14 says, “‘You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you’–this is the Lord’s declaration.” How many times I have held onto this promise, and seeking Him, knowing He would faithfully allow me to find Him.
I’m sitting here humbled by the Lord’s promise not only to be found by me when I search for Him with all my heart, but to dwell within me. Because Christ came to earth and died for my sins, I am able to interact with Him directly.

This was not the case for those believers living in the days prior to His arrival. In fact, leading up to Jesus’ birth, the Israelites had no prophetic voice communicating the heart of the Father for 400 years. They had promises of the Messiah to come, but no present-day prophet through whom the Lord would guide and lead His people.

The Holy Spirit did not indwell them individually; a priest served as the intermediary between a believer and the Lord through the sacrifices required by the Law. Until Christ became our perpetual sacrifice, the Israelites lacked consistent access to the Presence of the Lord in their lives.

But oh, how they reveled in the joy of His nearness when His Presence visited! David danced with abandon before the Ark of the Covenant as it was restored to Israel. When was the last time you danced with joy, and I mean more than quiet toe tap to a song with a good beat? This dancing sprang up within David as an outrageous act of worship, totally disregarding social norms. David sought only to please the Lord and rejoice in His Presence.

Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother, also experienced the impact of the Lord’s nearness. The baby in her womb leapt as the baby Mary carried, Jesus, drew close. I’ve never been pregnant, so I can only imagine the surprise and delight at feeling a child within dance. This must have been far more noticeable than the butterflies and kicks a soon-to-be mother feels.

As the first Christmas arrived, the shepherds were unaware of the nearness of the Lord’s Presence, but what must their responses have been when an angel appeared and brought the glory of the Lord with him? Years of silence ended as the host of heaven sang praises to the Lord.

The first Christmas ushered in the grace of access to experience the Almighty’s presence directly within our souls if we surrender our hearts to Him. When we seek Him with all we are, we will find Him. He will make His home with us. (Ephesians 3:17)

In those moments when an aching void turns your world dark, come to Him with your raw and uncovered and alone. Come with your bereft heart echoing mourning Israel’s exile cry,
“Oh, come, oh come, Emmanuel! “
Come with your longing for God with us, our God whose nearness is our good.
And in your dark waiting, hope in the assurance your Emmanuel is near!
Dance with David, John the Baptist, and a few surprised shepherds, and delight in the Presence of the Lord who came near!

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

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

Ten Day 13 What Is Truth?

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Colossians 3:1-17
Exodus 20:16
John 14:6-11
John 8:39-47
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
John 18: 28-38

Ten, Day 13

“What is Truth?” 

Mankind has grappled with the definition of truth throughout the ages. Hours before His death, Pilate posed this question to Jesus. But Pilate’s query was rhetorical, meant to dismiss the subject. He was only interested in the truth of Rome, Caesar, and political power (Morris).

Even today, the struggle to define and understand truth persists. Many people want to believe in a truth of their own, based on perspective or personal preference. But Scripture teaches God alone is our source of absolute, unchanging, timeless, big “T” Truth.

We read throughout Scripture that God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:1-2). Furthermore, God declared His character to Moses on Mount Sinai:

“the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth.” (Exodus 34:6, emphasis mine)

Brad Bright, son of the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, comments, “He is present everywhere, knows all things, and totally understands what is real, right, and true. Therefore, whatever He says is absolutely true.”

As our source of all truth, God is the basis for everything in our lives.
God gave us the Bible to help us understand truth.
He guides us into truth through the Holy Spirit.
God revealed truth to us in the person of Jesus who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life“. (John 14:6)
Jesus, the Son of God, IS Truth. (Guzik, Enduring Word)

In stark opposition, Satan is the Father of Lies (John 8:44). Satan spewed out the very first lie in the Garden when he assured Eve she would not die if she disobeyed God.
(Genesis 3) He has been denying, resisting, twisting, stretching, and confusing the truth ever since. In her book, Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth encourages us “to wake up to the deception that is so pervasive. So much of our lifestyle is rooted in ways of thinking that simply are not true. The result is a house built on sinking sand.”

Satan loves to take the Holy Scriptures and twist them, just a bit, to confuse us. If he can convince us just one part of the Bible is not true, he has his foot in the door. Soon, we question everything God has said to us.

With this knowledge of God as the source of truth and Satan as the source of lies, we can easily see why it was necessary to include the ninth commandment in the Law:

“Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16)

One commentary explains, “to bear false witness against others is to lie about them, especially for personal gain. God’s people were not to lie publicly, as in a court of law by laying at another’s feet any false charge that could injure him, nor were they to lie privately by whispering, tale-bearing, backbiting, slandering, or destroying his character by innuendos, sly insinuations, and evil suggestions.”

The commandments reveal God’s righteous character to us, and establish a way for us to reflect His righteous character to the world. When we embrace His exhortation to “be holy, because I am holy,” we reflect the One True God to those around us. (1 Peter 1:15-17)

By the same token, the commandments serve as a mirror for us. They reflect how
utterly lost we are and how much we need a Savior. If we judge our lives against the
Ten Commandments, we fail completely.
Without Christ, we can do nothing;
but through Christ, we are justified.
Our forgiven and transformed lives point to Christ, so others will see Him through us. (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)

Thank God for His gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our lives! He reveals to us the deception of the Evil One and guides us into truth. (John 16:13) Indeed, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness”. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

As you examine your life with the mirror of truth today, what reflection do you see?

In a society of relativism and the idea that “anything goes,” have we been tricked by Satan’s lies? Do our actions demonstrate our knowledge of the truth? Are we delving into God’s Word daily to walk in the light of His Truth? The truth will only be found by those who diligently and honestly seek it. Let us commit ourselves to seek Him and walk in the light of His truth.

“Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth!” (Psalm 86:11)

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

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

Ten Day 11 The Deceit Of Not Enough

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 6:25-34
Psalm 27:1-5
1 Peter 5:5-7
Genesis 3:1-6
Exodus 20:15

Ten, Day 11

“What’s in your hand?”, my mom asked as we walked out of the convenience store. I slowly unwrapped my seven-year-old fingers from the small pack of Now and Later candy I had stolen. The pit in my stomach told me I was in trouble and it was only going to get worse.

“You have to take it back and apologize.” My mom held my hand and led me back into the store. We walked up to the counter and I stared at the pickled pig’s feet in the jar on the counter.

“My daughter has something she would like to tell you,” Mom explained to the clerk. I stretched my hand out and dropped the candy on the counter.

“I’m sorry I took these without paying for them.”
I couldn’t make eye contact, I was so embarrassed. Immediately, I headed for the door.

Once we left, my mom explained I had broken one of the Ten Commandments. Stealing was on the same list as murder. I learned a valuable lesson and cemented an aversion both to pickled pig’s feet and stealing that has stuck with me to this day.

I have since realized my desire to take what isn’t mine goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. When the serpent convinced Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, they were stealing from God.

One of Satan’s most deceptive strategies involves providing a short-term solution giving us something we want or need, but ultimately keeping us from God’s best. 

Though Eve lacked for nothing, Satan enticed her with the forbidden fruit. Just like Adam and Eve, we can be easily convinced God is holding out and we need to meet our own wants or needs.

For many people, our choice to cut corners and take what isn’t ours comes from
a fear God won’t give us what we want,
a sense of entitlement (we deserve what we are taking),
or just plain impatience.

Each of these motivations are based on pride.

Pride means elevating our needs and desires over God and other people.

When we act out of fear, we are choosing to listen to pride’s whispered lie we know more than God and can do a better job providing than He can.

A sense of entitlement elevates our needs and desires over the owner’s rights. Pride tells us our desires are THE MOST important. As Proverbs 16:19 reminds us, “Better to be of lowly spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.”

Impatience is often rooted in pride and fear, as well. Our pride falsely elevates our ability to know the future, and imposes a man-made deadline on the Creator of the Universe’s capacity to meet our needs. Rather than focusing on God’s unlimited resources and ability, we become focused on our scarce resources and opportunities.

Fear is a weapon Satan often uses to lead us away from God’s best. The best way to fight back is by studying and memorizing Bible verses. God’s Word is a double-edged sword we can use to defeat Satan’s attacks. Dwelling on Scripture builds our faith; faith provides a shield against the fiery arrows Satan uses against us.

At an early age, my mom helped me learn to use this verse to combat fear.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”
(2 Timothy 1:7)

This promise breaks through the fear of unmet needs.

“And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

When the future looms ahead, murky in uncertainty, let’s remember:

“Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26)

“The Lord is my light and my salvation
whom should I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
whom should I dread?” (Psalm 27:1)

When pride begins to puff our chests and cloud our vision,
let’s pursue humility with His Word:

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

“When arrogance comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2)

Whether we’re tempted to pocket a stolen piece of candy, or steal our future from the hands of our loving Father, we’ve seen how God’s command to refrain from stealing addresses the true condition of our hearts.

And when we struggle with fear of scarcity, impatience, or pride, we can counteract Satan’s assaults with Scripture. When fear strikes, we can ask God to lead us to His truth from Scripture to counteract the lies. Let’s turn our focus to our Heavenly Father as we trust in His deep love, His unbounded resources, and His faithful provision.

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

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

Blessed Day 15 Celebrate In Persecution

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 15:18-19
Acts 4:29-31
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Philippians 1:12-14
Romans 5:3-5

Blessed, Day 15

In the 1950s, a young missionary pilot had a passion for the Huaorani tribe in Ecuador. This tribe was suspicious of, and known to kill, all outsiders. But Jim Elliot felt called to reach them and share the Gospel. Step by step, he made inroads to reach the tribe.

Finally, he and his team built a camp not far from the Huaorani people. They made contact and even took one of the tribespeople for a plane ride. Later, a larger group of tribesmen came to the base expressing interest in the plane, instead, they turned and killed all five missionary men.

Jim’s wife, Elizabeth, and the other widows continued the work to reach the Huaorani people, despite the great danger they faced. She persisted in the belief that, as her husband was often quoted to say,

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Eventually, the women reached the entire Huaorani tribe for Christ, including those who had killed Jim and the others.

The Elliots experienced what Jesus promised would be true for all believers in this world, we will be hated and even killed (John 15:18-19, Matthew 10:22). The world rejected Jesus and attempted to end His work; we are to expect the same. So rather than being surprised and caught off-guard when we face persecution, let’s prepare ourselves so we can endure to the end.

The apostles certainly experienced persecution! But they persevered to spread the Good News. They prayed for each other, not to be removed from trouble, but to seek boldness to continue speaking the Word of God and performing miracles. As they prayed for endurance, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:31)

In my own life, there have been many trials and tribulations, and my ministry team has encountered persecution. But this opposition has drawn us even closer to God! We were made stronger in our faith and able to encourage others. Looking to Jesus kept us from becoming distressed and gave us boldness in ministry.

This boldness in kingdom work comes from equipping ourselves with the armor of God. Each piece of armor, fueled by the Spirit of God, adds strength and courage to our fight. As we don our armor daily, we are prepared for battle.

Paul wrote of his many trials in his epistles:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our bodies.”
(2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

Rather than complaining about his poor treatment, Paul praised God in his suffering because it advanced the Gospel. (Philippians 1:12-14)

Yes! Because he was sent to prison, he testified not only to prison guards, but to the great leaders of the day. He would not have been allowed in their presence except to stand trial. In presenting his defense, he shared the Gospel with judges and counsels and great men, such as King Agrippa (Acts 26:1-32); Paul was even prepared to testify before Nero, who was Caesar at the time (Acts 27:4).

Paul, and other saints of old, surely experienced fear as they faced persecution and declared the Gospel to hostile leaders. Similarly, we are still human and may become fearful when confronted with opposition to the Good News. But, just as the prayers of fellow believers gave Paul courage to boldly speak the Word of God, we too can be strengthened and encouraged through prayer (Philipians 4:6-7).

We can even rejoice, not only because the Gospel is being spread, but also because of the transformation within our own spirits. As Paul explains,

 “We also rejoice in our afflictions,
because we know that affliction produces endurance,
endurance produces proven character,
and proven character produces hope.
This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

Paul’s words encourage us even today! We can rejoice because our suffering produces character and hope within us. Hallelujah! God’s love is poured out into our hearts and we are able to share His Gospel Story.

Finally, the Bible promises reward to those who persevere through trials: the crown of life!

“Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Therefore, sisters, let’s endure persecution covered in the armor of God and shrouded in prayer; let’s rejoice in our suffering, ever keeping our eyes fixed on the promises of God to further the kingdom, transform our character, and bless us with the crown of life!

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
Join us for every Journey Study by signing up!
Looking for yesterday’s Journey Study?
Share your thoughts from today’s Study!

Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

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 Blessed Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

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

Blessed Day 13 Blessed Are The Reviled And Persecuted

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV)
James 5:10-11
1 Peter 3:13-17 
1 Peter 5:8-10

Blessed, Day 13

What do you think about when you hear the word persecution? Reviled?

My first thought is of Christians throughout the world who do not live with as much freedom as I enjoy. I think of those in China who meet together and spread God’s word in spite of the ever-looming possibility of arrest. I remember our brothers and sisters in countries where other religions dominate the culture, and who face uphill battles every day of being ridiculed or cast out from society. I think of believers in North Korea, who secretly meet underground to worship and share the Good News, even though it’s an offense punishable by death.

I recently heard a story about a young Muslim man who met some Christians in the desert. They told him if he wanted to meet Jesus, he could. He then had a beautiful encounter with the light and peace of our Lord, and Jesus continued to meet him in every space, in the darkest of times.

Because of his faith, he endured great persecution. He was confined to a jail cell and physically tortured for talking about Jesus. He was shot, stabbed, shamed, ridiculed, and thrown off a cliff for telling his family about this amazing Jesus he now knew so intimately.

That is what comes to mind when I think of persecution and revilement.

Maybe you’ve experienced some more severe forms of persecution, similar to what I mentioned above, because of your faith in Jesus. In which case, I am in awe of the strength and power of God in you! Keep fighting tenaciously for the hope set before us!

However, I would dare to boldly say every Jesus follower has experienced persecution and revilement.

The original Greek words in the Scripture are dioko for persecuted and oneidizo for reviled. The translation for dioko holds the imagery of someone being chased or hunted down aggressively in an effort to stop them. Oneidizo reveals a more verbal mode of persecution in the form of insults, mocking, and evil language.

In the midst of trying to be the hands and feet of Jesus, have you ever felt pretty much every possible roadblock came up against you? Perhaps you brushed it off as coincidence, or maybe even as a “sign” you’re meant to do something else.

Let me tell you this: our enemy, Satan, is out there seeking to steal, kill, and destroy every plan to further the kingdom of God. So, maybe you haven’t been persecuted by another human or man-made institution, but friend, Satan is persecuting us daily in an attempt to draw us away from our true identity in Christ and our unique calling in God’s Kingdom. 

Those lies you hear in your head about your work, skills, dreams, passion, or appearance?
They’re revilement by the enemy.

That flat tire you got on your way to volunteer at the homeless shelter to which God
called you?
That’s persecution by the enemy.

We’ve all been there, whether we recognize it or not.
Persecution doesn’t happen because there’s something wrong with us,
or because of our reaction to God’s Word,
or when we fall into sin.
Persecution happens when we seek God and follow Him.
Jesus promised us this.

In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us those who are persecuted and reviled because of Him are blessed.

Excuse me, Jesus? Did You say blessed?! There must be some mistake because this is not any sort of blessing I would like to have.
The crippling lies I hear?
The dream job from which I was fired?
The relationship that ended?
That precious baby I lost?
NOTHING about those situations made me feel blessed.

So, how exactly are we blessed by being reviled and persecuted? Through each and every step we take in the valley of persecution to continue pursuing our true God-given identity, we are drawing closer to God and furthering His Kingdom. We can be certain, when darkness overshadows us along the path God has laid before us, we are doing Kingdom work. We have a daily, eternal perspective that even though we are chased down and mocked and insulted, we will one day inherit the riches of God’s glory in our Heavenly home! How blessed are we?!

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” – Jesus (John 16:33)

Go forth, fellow Sister in Jesus, advance God’s Kingdom through His power in you.
Be reviled and persecuted, and be blessed!

Want to be challenged in your faith in some radical ways?!
Check out these incredible, true life stories of faith in the face of persecution!
Heavenly Man
The Insanity Of God
The Hiding Place

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

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

Hallel Day 9 Finding Him Faithful: Digging Deeper

1 Comment

Digging Deeper Days

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

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Finding Him Faithful!

The Questions

1) What does it mean to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life?

2) How do I seek God’s face?

3) How can I be certain I will see the goodness of the Lord?

Psalm 27:1-14

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom should I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
whom should I dread?
2 When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh,
my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army deploys against me,
my heart will not be afraid;
though a war breaks out against me,
I will still be confident.

4 I have asked one thing from the Lord;
it is what I desire:
to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
gazing on the beauty of the Lord
and seeking him in his temple.
5 For he will conceal me in his shelter
in the day of adversity;
he will hide me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.
6 Then my head will be high
above my enemies around me;
I will offer sacrifices in his tent with shouts of joy.
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Lord, hear my voice when I call;
be gracious to me and answer me.
8 My heart says this about you:
“Seek His face.”
Lord, I will seek your face.
9 Do not hide your face from me;
do not turn your servant away in anger.
You have been my helper;
do not leave me or abandon me,
God of my salvation.
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord cares for me.

11 Because of my adversaries,
show me your way, Lord,
and lead me on a level path.
12 Do not give me over to the will of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing violence.

13 I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart be courageous.
Wait for the Lord.

Original Intent

1) What does it mean to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life?
In Psalm 27:4, King David declares, “I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in His temple.” The Hebrew word for dwell is “yashab”, which means “to sit down (specifically in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.” (Biblehub.com.) Author Skip Moen asserts that David does not want to take up residence in God’s temple because in reality, “The Temple didn’t exist when David lived. His dream might be to spend his days in the Temple yet to be constructed, but God made it plain that David was not the one to build it. With that in mind, why does David desire to be in the “house of the Lord”? David desires to be in the presence of God, to experience life enclosed by the Divine.”  Author Jon Bloom concurs, declaring that “David’s deepest desire — his one thing — is not for safety, military dominance, or prosperity. David wants God — to be near God, to see and be satisfied with God’s glory, and to live by God’s wisdom and guidance.”  We want to make David’s one desire ours as well, to spend time in the presence of our beautiful and wondrous God.  We don’t need to live at our local church to do this.  We can praise Him (Psalm 22:3) and seek His presence (Matthew 7:7) to find Him and dwell with Him.

2) How do I seek God’s face?
In Psalm 27:8, David writes, “My heart says this about you: ‘Seek his face.’ Lord, I will seek your face.“  Chaim Bentorah tells us “Jewish literature and ancient Jewish scholars often render the word Pani, which we translate as face, as “the presence of God.”  He goes on to explain that “the word in Hebrew for “seek” is “bakash” which means to seek, search, beg, demand, inquire or investigate.”  So, David is vowing to follow his heart’s prompting to seek the presence of God.  Author  A. Maclaren describes David’s seeking as “the turning of the direction of our desires to Him, the recognition of the fact that His face is more than all else to men.” We seek God’s face by desiring to be in His presence above all else.  Author Albert Barnes notes that David “immediately complied with that command, as it was a principle of his life – one of the steady promptings of his heart – that he would do this. The heart asked no excuse; pleaded for no delay; desired no reason for not complying with the command, but at once assented to the propriety of the law, and resolved to obey.”  May we all immediately answer God’s call to seek His presence by turning our hearts and minds to Him (Psalm 119:10).

3) How can I be certain I will see the goodness of the Lord?
The exact circumstances of the writing of Psalm 27 are not definitively known.  According to Matthew Henry, “Some think David penned this psalm before his coming to the throne, when he was in the midst of his troubles, and perhaps upon the death of his parents; but the Jews think he penned it when he was old.” Whenever it was written, it shows that David had hope in the Lord and His goodness, no matter his troubles or distress.  He writes in Psalm 27:13, “I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.”  Author David Guzik writes that “David’s seeking after God, and his knowledge of the Lord, led him to this triumphant statement.” David declared God to be the stronghold of his life (Psalm 27:1) and he believed God would conceal him, hide him, and set him safely high upon a rock when troubles came. (Psalm 27:5) Matthew Henry explains that “Those that walk by faith in the goodness of the Lord shall in due time walk in the sight of that goodness.” David could hope to see the goodness of the Lord, even when there was cause to despair, because He knew God is good and faithful and could be trusted.

Everyday Application

1) What does it mean to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life?
When I read Psalm 27:4, where David states he only wants to dwell in God’s house and gaze on His beauty, I wonder what a typical day must have been like for David. He was a warrior, a King, a writer, a husband, and a father, so he probably did not have a lot of free time on his hands, not to mention that everything from transportation to meals took much longer in his day than in ours. Even with all that on his plate, his number one wish was to be in the presence of the Lord. David must have known that joy, renewal, and strength come from spending time with God (Psalm 16:11), gazing on His beauty, and soaking in His presence.  It makes my excuses for not spending time with the Lord seem pretty pitiful.  I let my errands and to-do lists and binge watching get in the way of my time with the Lord, while King David longed for time in God’s presence, even while he was waging wars, writing songs, and running a kingdom. My prayer is to seek the Lord fervently and diligently like David did.  In Psalm 42:1, the psalmist cries out, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God.”  I want to dwell with God, and spend my time in His presence, for all my days!

2) How do I seek God’s face?
I was at the end of my college career before e-mail was a thing, so I had to call people on the phone, write them a note or see them in person to communicate with them.  As an introverted person, I daily celebrate the invention of the electronic message allowing me to avoid in-person or voice-to-voice contact! But there are some people in my life with whom e-mail contact alone is not enough.  I long to see their faces!  I want to look in their eyes, see their smile, and hear the inflection in their voice.  For them, only face to face communication will do.  In Psalm 27:8,, David expresses something like this when he tells the Lord, “My heart says this about you: ‘Seek his face.’ Lord, I will seek your face.“ David just wants to be with the Lord. He wants to be in His presence.  One way David sought the Lord’s face was by worshipping Him. In Psalm 27:7, just before declaring he will seek God’s face, David professes, “I will offer sacrifices in his tent with shouts of joy.  I will sing and make music to the Lord.  Lord, hear my voice when I call.” In Psalm 95:2, David says, “Let us enter his presence with thanksgiving.” According to Psalm 119:10, David sought the Lord “with his whole heart.” We can seek God’s presence by praising Him and focusing on Him, putting Him above all the other things that clamor for our attention.

3) How can I be certain I will see the goodness of the Lord?
I have always loved the poem “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” by Emily Dickinson.  In the first stanza she declares: “Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all.  This stanza makes me think of the psalmist, David, pouring out his heart in song, often declaring the hope he has in God. Even when things were dire for him, he never stopped hoping in the Lord.  He declared that “I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13) He was so certain God would come through for him that he urged patience by writing in Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.” He said it twice, wait for the Lord.  I don’t do “wait” very well, especially when I am in distress.  But David had seen God’s deliverance from physical harm like wild animals attacking his sheep (1 Samuel 17:37), enemies seeking to kill him (I Samuel 19:1), and the violence of battle in war time (2 Samuel 8). God also rescued him from anxiety and despair. (Psalm 13) David had frequent need of immediate deliverance, and yet he could pen the words “wait for the Lord.”  His hope in God was so strong and his belief in His deliverance so certain, he knew he could trust in God’s timing.  That is the prayer of my heart; that I believe in God’s goodness and trust in His perfect plan, no matter what my circumstance are telling me.  I can be certain I will see the goodness of the Lord because the truth is He is good.  I want to cry out with David, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.  How happy is the person who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8)

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

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 Hallel 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.

Sketched VII Day 6 A Mother’s Heart

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Judges 4:1-5:31
Isaiah 61
James 1:5-8

Sketched VII, Day 6

I took my seat beneath the palm tree. Its shade provided a bit of respite from the brilliant sun that would soon bake the ground around me. A slight breeze promised to be a welcome companion in the heat of the day, should it decide to stick around.

Another day fulfilling the mission the Lord has placed before me awaits. Already, those seeking help in settling their disputes climbed the hill to wait for the wisdom the Lord graciously pours out through me. My ability to discern His leading has become known throughout the land: I am Deborah, a prophetess. My dear husband, Lappidoth, has embraced the Lord’s touch upon me and supports my repeated trek to the palm tree. Each day sitting under the tree begins with prayer asking the Lord to impart His wisdom to me as I guide His people.

My arrival at this place of leadership can only be attributed to the Lord. Who was I, a woman living in the days of King Jabin of Canaan’s oppression, to serve as judge over Israel?   Twenty years had passed thus far under King Jabin’s mighty hand, miserable years under his domination. Thankfully, hope seemed to ride the wind.

Recently, I awoke with an awareness of the Lord’s desire to speak to Barak son of Abinoam. I sent word requesting his presence and spent several days watching the horizon for his arrival. A peace and preparation for the conversation to come settled on me as I waited, and somehow I knew Barak would join me before the sun set.

Therefore, I was not surprised when, mid-day, I saw his small traveling caravan crest the hill in the distance. As he approached, I sent a messenger to bring him directly to me, rather than wait with others seeking wisdom. The Lord had a message for Barak and obedience urged me to speak to him immediately. 

When Barak stood before me, I spoke the words burning within me.

“Hasn’t the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you:
‘Go, deploy the troops on Mount Tabor,
and take with you ten thousand men from Naphtalites and Zebulunites?
Then I will lure Sisera commander of Jabin’s army, his chariots, and his infantry
at the Wadi Kishon to fight against you,
and I will hand him over to you.’” (Judges 4:6-7)

My words carried a peaceful authority. I didn’t condemn, but made my point with a question whose answer we both already knew. The Lord had summoned Barak to confirm he was hearing His voice. I prayed my tone would help imbue him with strength and confidence to believe the Lord had chosen him for such a time as this. My mother’s heart desired to see Barak rise up as the warrior the Lord was inviting, declaring, and commanding him to be.

Barak replied to me, “If you will go with me, I will go. But if you will not go with me, I will not go.” (Judges 4:8)

I looked at the man standing before me. The lines in his face were etched from time spent in the sun, and quite possibly from events he could no more erase from his mind’s eye than he could from his weathered skin. They spoke to me of a man who survived many hardships. However, his eyes communicated the fear of a young man longing to know he was not fighting alone.

I paused before replying, listening for the words and impression of the Lord’s heart to rise up within me. A yes but response solidified in my spirit and the words flowed freely from my mouth.

“I will gladly go with you,
but you will receive no honor on the road you are about to take,
because the Lord will sell Sisera to a woman.” (Judges 4:9)

I sensed I would not be said woman, but I also began to prepare my heart for all the Lord had in store. The Lord faithfully pours out His wisdom, discernment, and leading, but never had He painted the whole picture in one moment.

We journeyed to Mount Tabor and all the Lord prophesied came to pass. Sisera’s entire army lost their lives, and by the hand of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, Sisera met his ultimate demise. She used the tools in her hand to defeat Sisera and thereby fulfill the Lord’s word.

Barak and I declared the goodness of the Lord after He demonstrated His power and faithfulness to Israel once again. I found myself rejoicing over the mother’s heart the Lord had nurtured within me.

I was delighted by the way Barak embraced the command of the Lord to rally the troops, and the humility with which he accepted the Lord’s response to his request for my presence. Setting aside his pride, Barak accepted the reality of Sisera’s delivery into the hands of a woman, and praised the Lord.

Later, as I returned to my seat beneath the palm tree, my eyes scanned the faces of those waiting before me. A mother’s compassion rose within me and I spoke over them:

“Lord, may all your enemies perish as Sisera did.
But may those who love him be like the rising of the sun in its strength.” (Judges 5:31)

I motioned the first group forward and prayed for the Lord to encourage, empower, and edify them to complete all He has planned for each of them. For His glory.

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

A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

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 Sketched VII 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 Sketched VII!

Esther Dy 10 Wisdom: The Best Adornment

2 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Esther 4:12-5:14
Proverbs 3:1-12
Proverbs 1:1-9

Esther, Day 10

“Oh Lord, please give me wisdom and discernment!
I know Your plans for me are far greater than any I could imagine.
I recognize how I need to know Your thoughts in this scenario.
Are You leading me to this?
What does it look like to walk this out?

Lord, I sense the outcome of this present possibility has the potential to impact the rest of my life, so the need to hear from You weighs heavy on my mind today.
Guide my feet, steady my heart, tune my ears to hear Your voice.”

The sound of my pen moving across my journal pages filled the air around me as I wrote these words and poured out my heart before the Lord. While an element of me felt somewhat overdramatic at my thoughts, another part resonated so fiercely with the significance of this season I knew not to take my journaling lightly.

When I no longer sensed any more words to pour out before Him, I set my journal aside and opened my laptop to begin working on this Journey Study. Have you ever had one of those moments in which the Lord heard and answered you before you even prayed?
This particular assignment has been in my hands for several months and it is today I opened my Bible to truly soak in the verses.

There, nestled in the middle of the Old Testament, I found another brave soul navigating the journey placed before her, a journey where literal life and death hung in the balance. Had Esther kept a journal, our words may have paralleled one another in unique ways.

In the three short chapters leading up to where we find ourselves in chapter four, Esther has lost the only family she’s known, won the longest version of the Bachelor ever, become queen of a nation and wife to a very powerful man ruled by the law of the land, and successfully kept her true heritage a secret from all in the palace. While that is enough fodder for multiple full-length movies, the plot thickens. Haman, an Agagite, who has a serious vendetta against the Jewish population in Susa and has been aggravated by one specific Jew (Mordecai) who refuses to cower before him, has gained the ear of the King. Enjoying his position, and fueled by his hatred for Jews, manages to convince King Ahaseurus to send out an edict stating all Jews to be attacked on a specific day. In essence, a mass genocide has just been approved and declared to the entire country. Esther, who is a Jew, and all of her kinsmen suddenly have targets strapped to them as the day draws closer.

This is where we find ourselves as the curtain opens on Esther 4:12. Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, sends her a message that sums up her past while prophesying her future without an altered course of action. “If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for a such a time as this.” Esther 4:14

Esther responded by fasting and praying for three days before going to the king. She knew the law stated that anyone who approached the king without being summoned, would likely be killed.  Rather than dismiss Mordecai’s pleading message, her immediate response to his message spoke of a beauty that went more than skin deep.
Esther understood the value of wisdom and sought it earnestly.

It was her first beauty treatment in preparation to go before the king.
When was the last time that we thought of seeking wisdom
as an element of beauty?

In Proverbs, listening to father’s instruction and a mother’s teaching is referred to as “a garland of favor on your head and pendants around your neck.”  (Proverbs 1:9)
Seeking wisdom and instruction brings beauty and leads to beautiful outcomes
when applied to a life.

In Esther’s story, she followed Mordecai’s instruction and sought the wisdom of the Lord. Through that process, the Lord poured out a courage and discernment that granted her favor with the king. Her interactions with the king and Haman resulted in an edict giving Jews permission to defend themselves on the day of their would-be-massacre.

Esther’s beauty was a key piece of the puzzle in finding herself living in the palace and married to the king. However, it was not her outward beauty that enabled her to advocate for her people; it was the beauty of her wisdom. Her time spent in the presence of the Lord, seeking His guidance, made all the difference.

The Lord’s wisdom comes through reading His Word, spending time talking with Him, and seeking the direction of mature Christians to name a few key resources. Proverbs 3 tells us to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways and He will make our paths straight.
Isn’t that a beautiful promise and thought?

Do you find yourself in a similar season of needing the wisdom of the Lord?
Seek His wisdom and submit yourself to His direction.
Be astounded at the beauty He brings forth and wear His wisdom well!


Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
Join us for every Journey Study by signing up!
Looking for yesterday’s Journey Study?
Share your thoughts from today’s Study!

Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

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 Esther Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

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