Service

Neighbor Day 14 Wounded One: 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 Wounded One!

The Questions

1) Who is the expert on the law and what does he want to know?

2) According to this parable, who is my neighbor?

3) What can be learned from Jesus’ illustration?

Luke 10:25-37

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Original Intent

1) Who is the expert on the law and what does he want to know?
Luke simply identifies this man as an expert of the law. We don’t know his exact job or role, but we do know he would have been well versed in the law of Moses, or the Torah, which are the first 5 books of the Bible. He comes to Jesus wanting to know how to gain eternal life. He was likely looking for a checklist of what he needed to do in order to earn eternal life. However, Jesus turns the question back to this man, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”. The man answers by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. This dialogue leads the expert to ask, “who is my neighbor?” He is looking for a box to check in effort to prove to himself that he is keeping the law and worthy of earning eternal life.

2) According to this parable, who is my neighbor?
While the Samaritan man who helped is the obvious answer, we need to understand the relationship between Jews and Samaritans in order to see the significance of the point Jesus is making. Samaritans were despised by Jews. Israel had been split into 2 kingdoms, the southern and the northern. In the northern kingdom, people married from the hated Assyrian empire. Due to that they were seen as a mixed race, people who were not true, pure bloodline descendants of Abraham. This created a separation between these two groups of Jews. Jesus uses this parable, intentionally selecting the characters of His story to be religious people pitted against a Samaritan to show not only who a neighbor is, but also how to be a neighbor. It would have required a true act of love for the Samaritan to take care of this man regardless of the cost. Jesus is forcing the expert to look inside himself and realize radical love would require caring for others no matter who they are or where they come from.

3) What can be learned from Jesus’ illustration?
The obvious answer is how to love our neighbor. However, when we look deeper into the parable, we see it is often easy to justify unloving behavior. The expert was looking for justification for his behavior and confirmation that his rule-following was enough to satisfy God. However, it never would be and Jesus uses this illustration to show the expert exactly this reality. We learn what a true expression of love looks like from the parable. In this case, it is loving beyond ourselves to meet the need of another. Sometimes the need is obvious, as it was with the injured man. Other times a need is only recognized in a relationship with others as the Holy Spirit gives us insights. Either way Jesus’ point is simple, care for one another with radical, humble, generous love.

Everyday Application

1) Who is the expert on the law and what does he want to know?
The expert has all the head knowledge of what the Old Testament contains. He is all about living in the legalities of what Scripture says. This expert is attempting to live a “good enough” life, one that will earn him salvation, on his own. However, being a true believer is not about checking boxes and living a “good enough” life. The truth is, none of us are capable of living a good enough life, because the standard is impossible high. Only absolute perfection is acceptable, which is why God, in His great love, sent Jesus to perfectly fulfill what we never could. Jesus offers His own righteousness to us, while He takes our imperfections. The question we must wrestle with is will I be like the expert, trying to do it on my own, or will I surrender, allowing God to live and love through me?

2) According to this parable, who is my neighbor?
Mark Black writes, “The astute reader recognizes this Samaritan is acting just as Jesus has acted: he has compassion, he touches the ‘unclean’, he heals, and he uses his possessions for the benefit of the needy.” Jesus was the perfect neighbor during His life on earth. The Samaritan in the story took care of a man who would have despised him. The reality is, Jews and Gentiles alike treated Jesus with contempt in His last days, yet Jesus still loved them enough to die on the cross. He was still willing to give up His life for us. When we look at Jesus, we see He was unconcerned with race or lineage, but instead He was concerned with our need, specifically our spiritual need. If we behave as Jesus did, we will live a life that shows love to all peoples regardless of race, religion, social status, or anything else we often allow to divide us. It means treating all of humanity as our neighbor.

3) What can be learned from Jesus’ illustration?
Matthew Henry writes, “It is the duty of every one of us, in our places, and according to our ability, to succour, help, and relieve all that are in distress and necessity.” As I reflect on these verses and the quote from Matthew Henry, I cannot help but relate them to the time we are living in. I cannot think of a better time in our lives to be a neighbor. We are in the midst of a global pandemic. While this pandemic demands we live life practicing a new concept of social distancing, it is not an excuse to deny love to others. It is not a pass to forget about our neighbors. If anything, this illustration shows us how we need to look beyond what is right in front of us, instead looking for the need. It requires us to lean in to how God is asking us to be His hands and His feet in a time when people are so desperate for truth and answers. The needs may be obvious, or they may only be known in a relationship, or as the Spirit prompts our hearts. This isn’t a time to withdraw into ourselves, but instead offer help and love as we are able. The question is, are we rising to the challenge of loving our neighbors with the same radical, humble love demonstrated by the Samaritan and Jesus Himself?

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

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 Neighbor Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Neighbor Day 6 Seeing Beyond The Service

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 7:36-50
Colossians 3:23-24
Isaiah 43:1-4

Neighbor, Day 6

I currently spend my working hours at the front desk of a doctor’s office. I am the voice answering the phone and seeking to assist the person on the other end. I am the one who schedules the next appointment and wishes individuals a good day as they leave. I am the face welcoming them to the office as they arrive for appointments.

For the most part, I love my job, because I am able to serve patients and my fellow staff members from my role at the front desk. The position enables me to be a blessing in a scenario where anxiety may be high and tensions may be mounting. My ability to multitask, function in a fast-paced environment, and think quickly on my feet increases the effectiveness of my service.

I prayed a great deal during the interview process for this job. Was this the job for me? It was not a logical choice in light of my degrees or the jobs I had previously held, but I knew I wanted a place where I could serve the Lord and those around me while also healing from the previous toxic work environment I had left.

Repeatedly, I sensed the Lord confirming this job choice. Several years later, I have discovered multiple reasons for my presence in the office, including the chance to write this Journey Study on loving the neighbor who provides a service!

For clarification, everyone, regardless of job title, provides a service: the stay-at-home mom, the CEO, the custodian. We all have the invitation to serve wherever we are with a mindset of working unto the Lord.

In the last several months, I have heard Beth Moore and Christine Caine reference the story in Luke 7 of Jesus asking Simon if he sees the woman before Him. Both highlighted the reality of Simon not truly seeing the woman, in contrast to the Lord seeing her, knowing her, and loving her.

The Lord demonstrated an intentionality Simon sorely lacked. Simon was blinded by the woman’s reputation and (in his eyes) inappropriate display of wastefulness. Yet, the Lord saw her as His precious child, looking past her sordid history and culturally unacceptable display of worship to the heart behind them.

We are invited to do the same.
To pursue intention.
To truly see the people before us and invite Christ’s love to guide our interactions.

Now, if you are like me, you could use some examples of what intentionality might look like. Below are a few suggestions of ways to truly see those providing a service.

Names are significant.

More often than not, people in the service industry wear name tags. While this is a useful tool in getting their attention, it is also an excellent reminder they are unique individuals. Throughout Scripture, the Lord highlights the importance of names. (Genesis 17:3-16) Therefore, when possible, use the name of the person with whom you are interacting.

We can honor individuals with our awareness of their dignity as human beings, rather than simply valuing them for the service they are providing. I am always surprised when people use my name when interacting with me, and I feel the interchange took place between two people, rather than simply patient to staff.

Express gratitude.

Regardless of the service being rendered, express gratitude to the individual providing it. This creates value for that role and honors the person at the same time.

Let’s remember in order to complete their jobs, even people performing what might be considered the most menial of tasks still carry a level of authority and access higher than our own. For example, a server at a restaurant has access to the kitchen. Let’s recognize and acknowledge, with gratitude, workers are walking in the authority granted to them in order to meet our needs.

Learn from examples of excellence.

For a season of life, the Lord consistently drew my attention to examples of excellence. More often than not, these demonstrations were observed in the service industry. I observed people doing their jobs with high levels of integrity, attention to detail, and positive, uplifting attitudes. Each person challenged me to do the same. I remember truly seeing those individuals in a deeper way as they taught me to live my life better.

The Lord created us to fellowship with others. While it may be easy to do this with those with whom we have a deep connection, we also may fellowship with those who provide a service when we truly see them.

The Lord is a good author, and our neighbors in the service industry are living His beautiful stories.
Let’s celebrate them and love them well! 

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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 Neighbor 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 Neighbor!

The GT Weekend! ~ Captivating Week 2

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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)  We’ve been discussing and studying in this Journey Theme how beautiful it is for Christ’s fragrance to extend to a dying world through US as believers as we are His ambassadors. Incredible! But we must turn the question on ourselves. How captivated are WE with the presence of Jesus? How mission critical is it for us to regularly and consistently sit with the Savior? How high does cultivating our own spiritual growth in deep ways actually rank when it’s on the same scale as diaper changes, difficult relationships, the DMV, and bills to pay? What would it look like for you to increase your captivation with Jesus this week? Regardless of where you are in your faith journey today, what if the Lord wanted to take you deeper tomorrow? Are you willing to be captivated by the sweetest love of Christ?

2)  Who do you know that’s longing to be loved? Pause and carefully consider the groups of people you feel are beyond your love, or your ability to love? The elderly or those with disabilities? The under-privileged or the exceptionally wealthy? Maybe it’s the diseased or the emotionally unstable? Perhaps they wear tattoos, drink more than you would, stand at the corner of your familiar intersection, or maybe they sit behind you at church and let their kids play and be loud during service. Take the challenge this week and Choose To Love Intentionally. Pray out loud, pray with honesty, pray with confession on your lips and ask God to help you understand how to love those you see as unlovely.

3) Audra shared the visual of believers being like refreshing water bringing life and encouragement in the middle of dry, desert-like experiences to others. Identify a desert season you’ve had in your life, or maybe you feel like you’re in the midst of one now. Who were the people that were like that cool water to you? Take time this weekend to send them a text, write a note, or call them to say thank you for being Jesus to you. Sit silent for a few minutes, thinking through the visual of a desert and living water as you think of your sphere of friendships and acquaintances. Who is the Lord prompting you to bring refreshment for? Make an action plan and step into it!

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 John 7:37-38 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.”

Prayer Journal
There are so many Scripture stories that paint You as quiet, unobtrusive, and silently loving or serving. Often, I keep this image of You in my mind, Lord, viewing You as always gentle, calm, and soothing. But then the Spirit reminds me of just as many recorded instances of You stepping, standing up, and crying out. Bold ways. Brave words. Fiercely following in obedience to the Father. This too is a picture of my Savior, and I’m so grateful, Lord! Get my attention, stand up in the middle of my self-supposed importance, remind I am Yours, remind me I’m called into a mission of living out love for others. Cry out, Abba, shake my shoulders and put my feet back on solid ground. Jesu, I love Thee!

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

Incorruptible Day 14 Sweet Sufferings: 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 Sweet Sufferings!

The Questions

1) Am I not living for Christ if I don’t undergo a fiery trial? 

2) Am I supposed to celebrate a trial or suffering?

3) In reading 4:19, does God will us to suffer?

1 Peter 4:12-19

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.
 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.
 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
 15 Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.
 16 But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.
 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with God ‘s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
 18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
19 So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.

Original Intent

1) Am I not living for Christ if I don’t undergo a fiery trial?
The apostle Peter is writing to the body of Christ who is quite literally under fire and have, therefore, been exiled and scattered. The great city of Rome has burned down, people are displaced from their homes and livelihoods, separated from their communities, and in survival mode trying stay alive and care for their families while mourning lives of lost loved ones. 
By a false testimony, this devastation was blamed on the Christians. It is common understanding that the leader, Nero, himself burned the city and needed a scapegoat. The apostle Peter is writing to people whose devotion to follow Christ is the reason they are fearing for their lives and fleeing their communities. 
But persecution is wide spread and running away is not a simple answer. As Peter encourages these people to stand strong in Christ, he sprinkles reminders of those who have suffered before them for the Gospel of Christ and for striving to live righteously like prophets of the Old Testament (1:10), but primarily Christ himself, who lived perfectly and fulfilled prophecies, yet died a persecuted death to take on our judgement. 

2) Am I supposed to celebrate a trial or suffering?
On reading 1 Peter 4:13, one may find it an odd command to “rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ.” Even the strongest of Christians might honestly feel they were lying to themselves and others if they said they were celebrating at the same time they were hurting. 
It’s important to remember this verse is wrapped in the middle of a longer dialogue. It’s contrasting the statement to not be surprised by suffering for following Christ. Verse 14 brings clarity to what the rejoicing is regarding, “because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” 
Though the persecuted church is innocently enduring unfathomable pains, there is something greater to celebrate.  If they are, “insulted for the name of Christ,” they are suffering for His honor. 
This is a fruit-bearing process for believers who have been cleansed from unrighteousness, and have been spared a greater judgment by God. They have been raised from their spiritual dead state to being alive in Christ and given an eternal, incorruptible inheritance. The joy of this undeserved grace is a gift worthy of rejoicing!
Peter isn’t saying to celebrate hardship. Rather, joy is available because of our rich inheritance in Christ. Much like the timeless example of a laboring mother rejoicing in the coming of her baby. 

3) In reading 4:19, does God will us to suffer?
For qualified and extensive explanations on “God’s will,” sources as Reverend John Piper’s Desiring God website are recommended. However, in reading these verses, this may be a fair question to wrestle. This phrase could be taken to mean those who are suffering because they are doing God’s will or that they are suffering according to what God has allowed or “willed”. Either way, Peter is pointing them to lean into the Lord. Peter is reminding the persecuted church that God is faithful and trustworthy. God is Creator and this points to His sovereignty. The Matthew Henry Commentary notes the overarching purpose of this verse is to encourage the church to “look chiefly to the safety of their souls… which cannot be kept secure otherwise than by committing them to God.”

Everyday Application

1) Am I not living for Christ if I don’t undergo a fiery trial?
Have you ever felt like the only way you could live for Christ is if He calls you to a dramatic life change of service? Sometimes God does call His people to these things. Peter reminds believers that even Christ was persecuted while being righteous (1 Peter 2:19-21). Our fundamental call is to strive for righteous living in the quiet times and in the difficult struggles, wherever we are in life.
In chapters 2-5 Peter keeps circling back to how to live:
–“put away all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander” (2:1);
–“abstain from passions of the flesh” (2:11);
–“keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable” (2:12);
–instructing husbands and wives to honor each other (Chapter 3);
–“be self-controlled and sober minded” (4:7);
–“show hospitality without grumbling” (4:9); 
–humble yourselves before others and God (5:5-6). 
When we, in God’s strength, live out these instructions (especially in times of difficulty), we are living out a testimony for Christ. In the daily pantry-type decisions (as noted in the Journey Study) to honor God instead of escaping discomfort, thus “adorning the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10; Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth notes this application in her book, Adorned). Our focus is not the trial, but rather upholding Christ in every action. 

2) Am I supposed to celebrate a trial or suffering?
Have you ever followed through on a decision that aligned with Scripture, yet things didn’t go smoothly? 
A breadwinner learns their employer is participating in something against Scripture and decides to look for a different job. Someone who reaches out and loves on the outcast of the group, facing their own isolation. A person who offers to pray for a co-worker is fired for making others uncomfortable. 
Striving to honor Christ leads to trial and suffering. Trials and suffering may take on different forms, but 1 Peter is specifically referring to one who is suffering despite the fact that they are doing good. The sadness or difficulty of a situation is not to be down-played or dismissed. 
But, despite the type of suffering, be encouraged and strengthened as a Christian to look beyond the physical trial and re-connect with the joy of a greater news. Christ is risen and His people will one day share in Christ’s incorruptible glory!  Sufferings do not have power to take that hope away from us! 

3) In reading 4:19, does God will us to suffer?
When reflecting on those before us who have endured persecution for their faith in Christ (not due to evil deeds), it is common to pause in fear.
“I don’t think I could do that… is my faith strong enough to go through that pain?”
Or, perhaps, wrestle with believing God is good in allowing or “willing” such things to occur. It can be both perplexing and comforting to recall that God had a hedge of protection around Job in the Old Testament and Satan had to ask permission from God to bring calamity to Job’s family (Job 1:6-12) 
A few things to remember when wrestling questions about the suffering God as allowed into your life:
1.1 Peter 1:7 gives an example of purpose for trials, “so that the tested genuineness of your faith- more precious than gold that perishes… may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
In this view, the cost is worth it! 
2. God works all things together for the good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). While we humans are concerned with the now and physical of a trial, God is concerned with the eternal preservation of souls and purification of His people (Philippians 1:6, Zechariah 13:9) 
If God, in His sovereignty were to “will” suffering and trials, He would only do so for a purpose of eternal value in His Bride, the Church, and that His Name would be made known that all may know that He alone is God. We see with cloudy vision, but He sees perfectly. What we can confidently know is that this God is entirely trustworthy!

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

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 Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Incorruptible Day 12 Food For Life: 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 Food For Life!

The Questions

1) Putting away malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander… that’s pretty straight forward. Easy peasy, right?

2) What does it mean to be a “living stone”?

3) So, are we all considered little priests?

1 Peter 2:1-5

1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.
2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow up into your salvation,
3 if you have tasted that the Lord is good.
 4 As you come to him, a living stone– rejected by people but chosen and honored by God–
 5 you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Original Intent

1) Putting away malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander… that’s pretty straight forward. Easy peasy, right?
Peter knows the people he’s writing to are under extraordinary pressure and are high risk for being overtaken by fear in their surrounding circumstances. Christians at the time are being scapegoated (burned at the stake) for simply identifying themselves with Christ.  According to human reasoning of the flesh, no one would blame them if they decided to turn on each other, disband as a church gathering, choosing instead “every-man-for-himself’. But doing so would mean returning to a life lived for self. 

On the contrary, Peter reminds his readers of the call to be holy even in such drastic situations. He reminds them they are “given new birth into a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3) by a Savior who is “without blemish or spot” 1 Peter 1:19.  Since they are born again “of imperishable” seed they are both called and empowered to love one another differently than the wavering love we attempt to muster up ourselves from our human flesh. Our flesh is weak and crumbles easily. The Holy Spirit is a mighty bond one cannot understand. Peter leads into verse 2, “desire the pure milk of the word” knowing one cannot respond moment by moment in a holy manner without the “meat” of regular intake of Scripture teaching us obedience.  

2) What does it mean to be a “living stone”?
To answer this question, commentaries point to a couple of things. First, who is THE CORNERSTONE? Jesus. Who is Peter writing to? Dispersed Christians under persecution, many of whom are also Jewish.
In recalling the Old Testament, the physical temple where God’s people worshipped and offered sacrifices is a key parallel pointing to God’s ultimate plan of salvation through the blood sacrifice of Christ. Christ proclaimed that He is the temple that was torn down and rebuilt in three days.  

Stones are a parallel imagery to what God is working out spiritually. Christ is the foundation upon which God’s kingdom is built. Christ is both alive and bringing life to dead stones. Those who identify with him are “living stones”; people risen from the dead spiritual state through the life of Christ. These are not inanimate stones of the physical temple, rather these building blocks of God’s spiritual kingdom are believers! 

3) So, are we all considered little priests?
1 Peter 2:4 introduces Christ as the living stone (corner stone is more specific in other Biblical texts). Those who identify with Christ by asking Him to save them from the death brought on by sin are also “like living stones”. Verse 5 then expands that the church of living stones is as “a spiritual house”. Gill’s commentary explains, “these living stones (are) being laid, and cemented together, in a Gospel church state.” Here there is a circling back to 1 Peter 1:22 where Peter instructs to “love one another earnestly from a pure heart”. United in Christ, living out a unique love for our Christian brothers and sisters, God is binding us together in a way that is unbreakable, unending, and incorruptible. 

Peter brings the “royal priesthood” analogy back again in 2:9-10. Again, he uses the language in plural form- “holy nation” and “a people for His own possession”. Verse 5 notes the specific purpose of this is “to offer spiritual sacrifices” and in verse 9, again, states, “that you may proclaim the excellences of Him who called you”. No, this priesthood is not about Christians as individual “little priests”, but rather imagery of the whole church being an example to outsiders that Christ is the living foundation.

Everyday Application

1) Putting away malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander… that’s pretty straight forward. Easy–peasy, right?
Ever think, “Duh, Lord, of course acting this way is not loving. I’ve got this”?
What happens when you start to feel uneasy? Maybe feeling outcast at work, just wanting to bond with those around you, and suddenly “innocent gossip” starts slipping off the tongue.
Or disappointment from a spouse and suddenly harsh words feel justified. 
Living a Holy Life is a struggle and hard work. Seasons of busy mundane, are excellent training grounds to return to the cross daily in repentance, seeking the Lord’s strength. 

1 Peter 2:2 compares the Christian’s need for God’s Word to feeding infants. The Matthew Henry Commentary notes how infants are hungry frequently throughout the day. Every couple of hours they are fervently screaming for more pure milk to fill their bellies and get them through the next couple of hours. Reflect on the last 24 hours. Ask God to help you erase your own justifications for words off your tongue and tones in your heart. Should we be so prideful as to think we do not need the Word of the Lord and strength of the Holy spirit to get us through even the next 2 hours?

2) What does it mean to be a “living stone”?
Christ was rejected as He turned the tide away from physical blood sacrifices and worshiping in the Jewish temple towards Himself as the ultimate sacrifice and living temple. Christ was rejected as His grace, mercy, and sacrifice threatened the assumption of many that they have the power to earn, work for, or “be good enough” to obtain their salvation on their own. Those who identify with Christ and walk freely in His gift of grace, perplex those that are striving hard through good deeds on their own merit. This does not give a Christian freedom to walk in sin, but rather freedom to cast all their cares on Christ, lean on HIM instead of their own understanding and efforts. In the process of becoming loosened from the grips of fleshly desires, we are freed to walk unhindered in the new life of the Holy Spirit.  

3) So, are we all considered little priests?
To state that we are each like a little priest can bring the wrong implication that one has individual power. Or, perhaps, that an individual can have greater access to God than another or is an access to God for someone else. Each of these are false. 

Christ is the High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16)…period. Only in Him is there access to God, a right relationship with Him, forgiveness, and communion with Him. As a whole of believers, when we are bonded together in Christ, we are built up into a “priesthood”. As such we are imploring each other to sacrifices of denial of self, together we gather for songs of praise and prayer, and united, we point the lost world to Christ as head of the church.  God can use us as individuals, but His further purpose is to use us as a whole as we love people around us despite our struggles and shortcomings. That church down the road that does things “a bit different”, the person across the aisle with idiosyncratic habits, the person who seems to argue about theology and the person who is all feels… Christ is hugely glorified and made known to the nations when His church loves each other earnestly with grace and humility.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Food For Life!

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 Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

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!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Dwell Day 10 Clearing The Clutter

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 7:1-6
Acts 13:1-3
Esther 4:13-17
Joel 2:12-17 
Ezra 8:21-23

Dwell, Day 10

Here’s a fun confession for you: I sometimes wish I was a nun. Granted, this desire tends to flare up in those especially chaotic moments of life. You know the ones: all the kids are crying, the oven timer is beeping, the dog just ripped open his food bag… In moments like these, the idea of dedicating my life to quiet servitude sounds very appealing.

While God clearly had other plans for my life, I do find myself longing to dwell in His presence amid the mundane. But with all the distractions of work and motherhood, I have struggled to discover a way to do this. How can I dwell in His presence while still being fully present here on Earth?

I believe these two spheres collide within the practice of fasting. When we fast, our physical needs and longing ushers our souls into His presence; and it is in His presence all our needs and longings are met.

May I share one more confession with you? Until writing this article, I never fully understood or practiced fasting; so please know, I am not an expert.  However, what I share with you below has changed my heart and I now understand it’s place and power.

Why should we fast?
Matthew 9:14-15 is perhaps the clearest picture of Christ’s stance on fasting.
“Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come with the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

According to these verses, there are two reasons we fast.
First, Christ expects it. In these verses, He makes it clear it is not a question of “if” His disciples will fast, but “when”. Sister, hear this: as disciples of Christ, we should be fasting. It is an integral part of our walk with Christ.

Secondly, we fast because we are waiting expectantly for our bridegroom. One day He will return, and we will no longer fast. Instead, we will be brought to His table and together we will feast! Until that day we will watch, wait, and fast.

John Piper once said fasting adds an exclamation point to our prayers. Daily we petition Him with our needs: “Lord, we need healing! We need guidance! We pray for your return!”. Fasting physically demonstrates our spiritual longing. It shows God we desire those things, we desire Him, more than we desire worldly comfort and sustenance.

Ultimately, fasting reminds us who is our true source of life and comfort. Food can easily become a sort of idol. We turn to food when we are hungry, celebrating, sad, and bored. We even have a term for what happens to us when we don’t get enough food: hangry. When we step away from this crutch, even for a short amount of time, we can lift our eyes up and glance at the One who we ought to turn to with all our emotions. This practice keeps us dependent on the true Bread of Life.

When should we fast?
Christian fasting is not simply done for the sake of fasting. It is done with a specific purpose in mind. Before you begin, you need to determine what you are bringing before God during your time of fasting. Are you repenting from a deep-rooted sin? Are you seeking His guidance through major transition? Are you simply trying to clear out the mental clutter and hear His voice?

Queen Esther called for a fast just before she dared approach her husband, the King, to save the Jewish people. She does so by telling her friends, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)

She was desperate for God to act on behalf of her people. She knew lives hung in the balance. To demonstrate the intensity of her need, she and her people fasted for three days.

Must it be food?
No, 1 Corinthians 7:5 makes this clear. You can fast from anything you find yourself clinging to. Perhaps that is technology, television, sleep…sex. As 1 Corinthians suggests, fasting from sex for a short time to petition the Lord together as a married couple is quite powerful.  It is not what you fast from, but what you move towards that is important.

Here is my challenge for you today: start small. Ask the Lord what He would have you fast from and when. When I did this, I determined I would give up one lunch, once a week. I would use this time to seek the Lord in whatever way He laid on my heart that day.

I believe if we obey Christ in this way, we will see some of our deepest prayers answered. Through regular prayer and fasting, we will find ourselves dwelling in His presence even in the mundane.

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
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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!

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Dwell Day 9 Come Away: 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 Come Away!

The Questions

1) What are some base certainties made by the author of this psalm?

2) What is meant by the river and stream descriptions?

3) What important action does the author compel us to do as the psalm concludes?

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
2 Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
3 though its water roars and foams
and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah
4 There is a river—
its streams delight the city of God,
the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
5 God is within her; she will not be toppled.
God will help her when the morning dawns.
6 Nations rage, kingdoms topple;
the earth melts when he lifts his voice.
7 The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah
8 Come, see the works of the Lord,
who brings devastation on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease throughout the earth.
He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces;
he sets wagons ablaze.
10 “Stop your fighting, and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
11 The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

Original Intent

1) What are some base certainties made by the author of this psalm?
The Bible never sugar-coats reality, which is a testament to its authenticity. Nowhere in Scripture will you find the idea that believing in Jesus will result in a life without trouble, in reality, it speaks of quite the opposite. Trouble will come, it’s absolutely certain, especially for those who choose Christ, because this world neither holds our citizenship, nor has accepted Christ as Lord. The psalmist recognizes these realities, noting that whether it’s social, political, physical, or personal, unrest and uproar will assuredly happen. Coupled in tandem with this truth is the absolute certainty that our Savior God will never abandon us. He is continuously present in the midst of every circumstance, remaining sovereign over and through all, and ready to come to our aid.

2) What is meant by the river and stream descriptions?
Positioned in stark contrast to the opening paragraph of the psalm where the earth trembles, the mountains topple, the seas roar, and the mountains quake, the author paints a beautiful portrait of peace. Instead of chaos and fear, there is a city, a dwelling for community and unity; a place of delight. Rather than a raging sea, there is a life-giving river. The difference? God’s Presence. Yahweh brings peace in the torrential waters. Yahweh brings delight instead of panicked fear. Yahweh brings solid, certain assurance, never worry and anxiety. His ways, His Word, His life-giving Presence bring about the lovely flowing rivers.

3) What important action does the author compel us to do as the psalm concludes?
The psalmist concludes with 2 important statements of action: 1) “Come, behold the works of the Lord…” (verse 8) and 2) “Be still and know that I am God”. This two-fold action step represents a beautiful, perpetual circle the psalmist discovered. Found within the glorious presence of the Almighty God, Yahweh Himself, by bringing himself to a place of total stillness and complete dependence on Him alone, the psalmist finds the only anchoring truth needed, “The Lord of Hosts is with us.” (Psalm 46:11) As a result of being still with the Lord, drinking in His presence, and being fulfilled by His truth, the psalmist boldly declares, “Come, behold the works of the Lord!” (verse 8) Declaration to others of Who God is and what He has done is an incredible testimony of His work. This is worship to our God as well as a witness to a world lost in chaos and drowning in trouble without a fortress God.

Everyday Application

1) What are some base certainties made by the author of this psalm?
To know the truths the psalmist so confidently proclaims, we must personally know the God who espouses those truth statements. The declarations of the psalmist are not merely ‘good theology’ he knows he should adhere to, these truths are tried and true. He confidently knows by experience that this Yahweh God is a delivering, present, helping God. The psalmist only knows this because he has engaged with God, in the middle of chaotic storms, and found Him to be wholly steadfast. Because of how intimately and richly he has experienced relationship with God, the psalmist confidently states that he will not fear. This isn’t a hope-filled-bubble of wishful thinking, this is confident assurance. I have seen the Lord do the amazing, and I know He will continue to be good, holding true to His character. Spending consistent time with the Lord in quiet, in reading His Word, in prayer, in solitude, in silence, here is where the relationship is built strong enough to weather the storms that will most certainly assail us. Are you ready to confidently sing with the psalmist, “I will not fear!”? Be encouraged that no matter how close you are to the Savior, there are always deeper depths to plunge with Him!

2) What is meant by the river and stream descriptions?
The heart of the believer is the dwelling place of the Lord God. From that center, and out of that relationship, His streams of delight bring refreshment, renewal, and true joy. Not just joy, but a giddy happiness, a deep-seated, awe-struck gaiety at simply being with the Divine. When was the last time your heart leapt with delight for time with the Lord? When did you last feel the swirling chaos of life descending only to be drawn back into His presence where streams of life abound? His invitation is continually open, ready for you to accept. Won’t you come away with Him?!

3) What important action does the author compel us to do as the psalm concludes?
Do you feel dried up in walk with the Lord? You still love the Lord, but the wonder and the awe and the beauty have faded. The practice of sitting with Him, slowing in His presence, gazing at His glory, and taking in the truths of His word are the sparks that will set worship ablaze in your heart. Worship for who God is while marveling with thankfulness at His mighty deeds will revive a tired, aching heart like nothing else. Paul reminds his audience, “Devote yourselves to prayer, stay alert in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2, emphasis mine) A thankful heart activates the intimacy of our prayer life like nothing else can. What’s holding you back from thankfulness and sweet communion with the Father?!

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

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 Dwell 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.

Dwell Day 4 Rhythm Of Rest: 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 Rhythm Of Rest!

The Questions

1) In light of the New Covenant through Jesus, how are we to interpret and apply the Old Testament’s very serious command to “remember and keep the Sabbath”? 

2) What is considered “work” to God? How do we know if we are being legalistic or obedient? 

3) God gave some commentary regarding the Sabbath commandment. Is He intending to provide a deeper meaning of keeping the Sabbath, even before Christ provided us with forever rest in Heaven for eternity?

Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Be careful to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13 You are to labor six days and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. Do not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female slave, your ox or donkey, any of your livestock, or the resident alien who lives within your city gates, so that your male and female slaves may rest as you do.
15 Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out of there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

Original Intent

1) In light of the New Covenant through Jesus, how are we to interpret and apply the Old Testament’s very serious command to “remember and keep the Sabbath”?
The command regarding Sabbath was repeated for emphasis throughout the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament. Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy all speak in serious language about the consequence of being “sabbath-breakers.” The law even held a death sentence for certain violators. As followers of the resurrected Christ, we now honor God and keep the sabbath by looking to how Jesus fulfilled it through His life and death. Although there were very specific guidelines in Old Testament Law, it seems very clear that the apostles specifically omitted dogmatic instruction about the observation of certain days to communicate a new kind of rest that had been instituted by Jesus. This is not an obligatory external rest – ceasing from work – but an internal rest that begins in and flows from the heart.

2) What is considered “work” to God? How do we know if we are being legalistic or obedient?
God didn’t go into great detail with His people about what was included and not included in the command to cease from their labor. Although He is specific in Deuteronomy 5 about who is to cease from labor, which is everyone, He does not have a list of laws specifying what they were to cease from doing. In fact, it’s in the New Testament we observe the Jewish leaders taking it upon themselves to determine what was unlawful work. On one occasion, Jesus rebuked them, even questioning their knowledge of scripture! (Matthew 12:5) He knew God’s commandment did not forbid all activity. It was never meant to be used against those who were actively serving God. Rather, it was intended to serve the purpose of drawing one’s attention more fully to God. (www.biblestudytools.com)
The apostles told the believers to rely on their personal consciences, shaped by a desire to please God, when they were making decisions about work and rest. 

3) God gave some commentary regarding the Sabbath commandment. Is He intending to provide a deeper meaning of keeping the Sabbath, even before Christ provided us with forever rest in Heaven for eternity?
God gave two reasons in the Old Testament for establishing the Sabbath as a sacred day. One is specifically found in Genesis at creation (Genesis 2:3) and the other is specifically seen in the passage today. We learn in these passages that the Sabbath is for rest and for remembering. Even though the Old Testament command specifies a day (the seventh day), in the New Testament, Paul explains the Sabbath was a shadow of Christ and that the actual day itself had become insignificant. Christ established eternal rest – salvation – through His death on the cross. (www.gty.org) At the last supper with His disciples, Jesus invited them to remember a rescue they had not yet witnessed and most certainly did not grasp as Jesus prepared to give His life as a ransom from their sin and ours! At Mt. Sinai, where God gave the Law, God invited His people to remember a rescue they had witnessed as He had parted the waters of the Red Sea to allow them safe passage from the hands of the Egyptian slave masters. In verse 15, even in the observance of Sabbath, the story of redemption is woven through every part of Israel’s history.

Everyday Application

1) In light of the New Covenant through Jesus, how are we to interpret and apply the Old Testament’s very serious command to “remember and keep the Sabbath”?
We remember the Sabbath by remembering the work of Christ on the cross where He took the punishment for our sin upon Himself. “Resting in” the work of Christ is not the same as “resting from” the work we do. But there is a connection. Although we are no longer slaves to the Law in the same way the Old Testament believers were, we are also no longer slaves to sin. We are now slaves to righteousness. It’s a new kind of slavery, and a new kind of rest. Our obedience is not a condition for salvation, but it is an evidence of it. We keep the Sabbath by making time in our days and weeks to focus on what has been done for us through Christ’s work. If we have been redeemed, we will make time to be free of distractions that keep our souls in turmoil. We will desire to make time to rest our minds and bodies, intentionally tuning our hearts to remember the amazing grace of God that rescued us from sin, death and the grave! 

2) What is considered “work” to God? How do we know if we are being legalistic or obedient?
God makes it clear in the New Testament (Romans and Hebrews especially) that Christ finished the work of sacrificing for our sins. There is no work to be done that would earn us a relationship with God or eternal life, but there is to be obedience, springing from a transformed heart. God’s word sometimes gives us specific instruction on how to live; other times it offers guiding principles that we must pray through, asking for wisdom to know how to apply it to different situations. Paul said in Philippians 2:13 that God is working in us the desire to do good works. Thankfully, the saving work has been done by the Lord Jesus. The sanctifying work happens day by day as we surrender to the Spirit of God, seeking to know Him deeply through His word and prayer, then resting in His power working in us to accomplish His purposes. 

3) God gave some commentary regarding the Sabbath commandment. Is He intending to provide a deeper meaning of keeping the Sabbath, even before Christ provided us with forever rest in Heaven for eternity?
The very short answer is YES! God wants us to read the whole Bible as one story of His redeeming love. The thread of redemption is woven through it from Genesis to Revelation. God has always been drawing us to Himself. He was always making a way for us to know Him intimately. The Sabbath has always been more than simply a cessation of labor; we rest in order to remember. We remember in order to worship! 1 Corinthians 11:24-26

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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)
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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?!

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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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