Sin

Worship VII Day 6 Sweet By And By

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 14:1-7
Revelation 14:1-5
Revelation 21:3-4

Worship VII, Day 6

“There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.

In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days.”

I adore hymns.
They surround my earliest memories of church and worship. The words and melodies introduced a solemnity to the service and carried a sacred whisper when I sang them.

As a child, I didn’t always understand the hymns, but somewhere along the way, a transition happened. The songs I sang by rote for years have now become sources of strength and help, holding me up in various challenging situations. I find myself singing them often, especially now, when face-to-face church fellowship isn’t possible in the way it once was because of Covid-19.

In the Sweet By and By has a special place in my heart because of the longing it creates for heaven. When did you first learn about heaven? I remember hearing about it as a little child. Though I wasn’t able to process the full scope of heaven at a young age, my vivid imagination envisioned it as THE BEST place a child’s mind could create. To be honest, it probably looked more like a gigantic toy store than the Biblical description of heaven. (Revelation 21:9-27) Regardless of age, as we read the Bible, we begin to understand no matter what picture of heaven our earth-bound minds have imagined, it doesn’t compare to the real thing.

“But, as it is written,
‘What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived–
God has prepared these things for those who love him.’”
(1 Corinthians 2:9)

What makes heaven so special?
There are an infinite number of reasons for an infinite number of believers, but one of my favorites is God preparing a place in heaven specially for us. (John 14:2-3) God loves us so much He designed and built a place for us beyond comparison! (Hebrews 11:10) Heaven is a city of gold with foundations made from precious jewels. (Revelation 21:18-21) I cannot fathom what such magnificence must look like!

Composer Joseph P. Webster was well-known for his performances and patriotic songs in the antebellum (pre-Civil War) and Civil War period. But by the end of the war, he lost his ability to perform and, instead, turned to compositions, mainly ballads and hymns. It was during this time he met Mr. Sanford Bennett, who wrote the lyrics to what would be Mr. Webster’s most popular and widely known hymn, In the Sweet By and By.

After such a dark period in our nation’s history, I can imagine there was a need for hope, a call to place the longing for home in an enduring location. (Hebrews 13:14) The amount of grief, loss, and separation experienced during that time was unparalleled . . . until now. The news echoes the tragedies faced by millions not just in our nation, but also across the globe because of the rampant coronavirus. The second stanza of this hymn reminds us there is a place where sorrows will be extinct.

Revelation 21:4 gives us this promise:
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
Grief, crying, and pain will be no more,
Because the previous things have passed away.”

What hope! We won’t even remember our pain. (Isaiah 65:17)

When we get to Heaven, among many other things, there will be the glorious sound of singing. It will be the song of those who know Who their Savior is and how He has redeemed them. (Revelation 5:9-10) The gift of God’s love is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins so we can return to our heavenly home. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 3:16)

This is the sweet by and by.

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Sketched VIII Day 5 Dining With Sinners

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 3:22-25
Romans 6:15-23
Psalms 32:1-5
Psalms 130:1-4
Luke 7:36-50

Sketched VIII, Day 5

Tales of the crazed wilderness Baptist seemed to ride the wind in my village. He urged people to be watchful for the coming King. Then came news of another teacher, a man some called the Messiah, the fulfillment of the prophets of old.

This Teacher turned water into wine, and the Baptist baptized Him. So strange. They said he was a carpenter’s son, certainly not what I expected of our Messiah. Rumors about Him were first carried on hidden whispers, but as time passed, they began circulating freely.

Townspeople, the rumors said, were leaving their homes, jobs, and families to follow Him. Fishermen, common people, my neighbors . . . even a scoundrel tax collector. They encountered this Teacher, then walked away from their lives, as if they were suddenly worth nothing. I was astounded by their foolishness.

He was inviting people to a greater life, the rumors said, a life of freedom.
He came to heal not just the sick, the rumors said, but to set captives free.

As stories about Him grew, I nearly believed them. Of course, I wasn’t physically ill or imprisoned. But in moments of stark honesty, I admitted my desperation to escape the life I’d scratched out for myself. I longed to be able to make decisions for myself, and to be welcomed into my community, rather than relegated to its outskirts in shame.

Suddenly, my life felt . . . defeated. Lonely. Confining.

“Bah, escape is simply not possible,” I told myself. “I’m a realist, not a dreamer.”

My life had its benefits. I was crazy for thinking there was more.

Days turned into weeks. While I tried to forget about this mysterious man, I couldn’t avoid hearing more of His teachings about Yahweh. He claimed God wasn’t wrapped up in the Law. Inconceivable! The Law was the very foundation of our culture.

All the same, I began to wonder.

What if God could see me? Love me?

What if I could approach Jehovah myself? Not just listen from behind a stone wall.

Is such a relationship even possible?

I wrestled with myself, caught between the world as I knew it and the inexplicable pull I felt toward this Teacher.

My “chosen profession” silenced my voice in the public spaces of our town, but others were freer with their words. From them, I learned the Teacher and His followers were gathering at Simon’s house.

Like everyone else in town, I knew of Simon and other members of the elite and powerful Sanhedrin. They feigned interest in the Teacher’s words only to entrap or make sport of Him.

In a moment of outrageous and uncharacteristic courage, I made up my mind. I would never be invited to the gathering, but I knew I must go.

This man was offering a way out, freedom for captives. I’d realized He wasn’t talking about physical locks and bars imprisoning me, but I was nearly strangled by chains of emptiness, shame, and desolation. I began to hunger, fiercely, for the freedom He proclaimed.

As I slipped through the shadows, the flask I’d tucked into my satchel bumped against my side.

This fragrance had cost me.
Everything. 

Dusk had settled by the time I neared Simon’s house. A few servants hovered outside the door. Why weren’t they inside? I didn’t want to be seen. The flask was small, but seemed heavier with each step.

Who was I trying to fool? Was there really hope for someone like me?
How dare I consider coming near the Messiah?

Fear nearly made me flee, but I crept into the main room as if physically drawn towards Him. Important men reclined at the table while servants lined the walls. I prayed no one would hear the deafening pound of my heart.

The conversation grew lively and I forced myself to move forward. Instantly, I recognized the Teacher. Simon, as host, was next to Him. Thankfully, he was too engrossed in the discussion to notice me.

In an instant, the room became silent and all eyes turned toward me as the scent of spikenard from the flask I’d opened filled the room.

By now, my tears were falling freely. I was still afraid of being cast out and punished for my audacity, but a much bigger part of me simply broke open in the presence of the Teacher, much like the remnants of the flask clutched in my hands. Suddenly, I understood I was a prisoner to my sins and only this man could bring me release and redemption.

The precious oil mixed with my tears as I anointed His feet. My long hair had fallen free of its covering and unashamedly, I used it to dry His feet.

Simon spoke, the hostility in his voice startling me from the tender moment. His voice was thick with condemnation for the Teacher for allowing me, a woman of widely-known sin, to touch Him. Yet, how often had I stifled my revulsion in submitting to Simon’s own touch? But his sin was secret, and his self-righteous indignation protected his public image, so I closed my eyes and waited to be dragged from the room.

The Teacher didn’t shout, didn’t startle, didn’t demand my immediate removal or fall prey to Simon’s manipulation. Instead, He praised my actions, reminding Simon he hadn’t provided water to wash his guest’s feet before He entered the house, hadn’t greeted Him with a kiss . . . hadn’t welcomed or honored Him as I had.

Flustered and embarrassed, Simon complained about the oil. Yes, it was costly. I should know; I paid such a high price for it.

The Teacher then told a story about the forgiveness of debts. I am not dense; I understood He was demonstrating to Simon his own sinfulness and hypocrisy.

Then the Teacher stopped talking. I felt His eyes upon me, and lifted my eyes to meet His gaze.

“Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace,” the Savior said.

After one last look at my Lord, I walked out of the room, head high, knowing I was free and a new life awaited me.

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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!

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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Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched VIII

Sketched VIII Day 2 Hagar And Ishmael: 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 Hagar And Ishmael!

The Questions

1) Why did Sarai and Abraham try to fulfill the promises of God in their own power?

2) Why would God ask Hagar to submit to the mistreatment of Sarai?

3) Why did it mean so much to Hagar to be seen and heard by God?

Genesis 16

Abram’s wife, Sarai, had not borne any children for him, but she owned an Egyptian slave named Hagar. 2 Sarai said to Abram, “Since the Lord has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.” And Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So Abram’s wife, Sarai, took Hagar, her Egyptian slave, and gave her to her husband, Abram, as a wife for him. This happened after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan ten years. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she saw that she was pregnant, her mistress became contemptible to her. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for my suffering! I put my slave in your arms, and when she saw that she was pregnant, I became contemptible to her. May the Lord judge between me and you.”

6 Abram replied to Sarai, “Here, your slave is in your power; do whatever you want with her.” Then Sarai mistreated her so much that she ran away from her.

7 The angel of the Lord found her by a spring in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. 8 He said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?”

She replied, “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai.”

9 The angel of the Lord said to her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her authority.” 10 The angel of the Lord said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, and they will be too many to count.”

11 The angel of the Lord said to her, “You have conceived and will have a son. You will name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard your cry of affliction. 12 This man will be like a wild donkey. His hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; he will settle near all his relatives.”

13 So she named the Lord who spoke to her: “You are El-roi,” for she said, “In this place, have I actually seen the one who sees me?”  14 That is why the well is called Beer-lahai-roi. It is between Kadesh and Bered.

15 So Hagar gave birth to Abram’s son, and Abram named his son (whom Hagar bore) Ishmael. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him.

Original Intent

1) Why did Sarai and Abraham try to fulfill the promises of God in their own power?
In Genesis 12:2, God told Abram He would bless him with many descendants. Abram and Sarai waited ten years for God to give them a child and fulfill His promise. They were already very old, so Sarai figured God must want them to use a surrogate woman to start a family. (Genesis 16:2) While the exact circumstances of the surrogate arrangement are not known, author David Guzik explains, “According to customs of the day, Hagar would actually sit on the lap of Sarai as Abram inseminated her, to show that the child would legally belong to Sarai, as Hagar was merely a substitute for Sarai.” Abram and Sarai believed God’s promise, but they took it upon themselves to fulfill it since it seemed as if God wasn’t coming through. If they had waited for God to fulfill His word (which He did over a decade later,) they would have saved themselves much suffering. By using Sarai’s slave, Hagar, to give Abram a son, Ishmael, they caused strife and heartbreak for everyone, including our own world as Islam came through Ishmael. The preacher Charles Spurgeon notes that, “Very likely Hagar was one of the slaves given to him by Pharaoh when he dismissed him and Sarah; and you know what trouble Hagar brought into the family. If Abraham had lived the separated life, and hadn’t fallen into the customs of those around him, he would not have had that sin and sorrow concerning Hagar; nor would he have had that righteous rebuke from Abimelech, the king of Gerar, when again he had acted deceitfully with regard to his wife.” (Genesis 20:1) Sarai and Abram were desperate to make God’s promises come true, but their intervention was not part of God’s plan.  John Piper notes, “God will not settle for anything less than the path of impossibility: He aims to show that nothing is too difficult for the Lord. (Luke 1:37) His purpose in all He does is to magnify His sovereign grace and keep us in our humble place.”  May we all cling to God’s promises while patiently trusting in His plan to bring the best results.

2) Why would God ask Hagar to submit to the mistreatment of Sarai?
When Abram and Sarai decide to use the slave woman, Hagar, as a surrogate so they can have a son, tensions rise. (Genesis 16:3)  Hagar is proud of carrying Abram’s child, and Sarai is enraged by her attitude.  Encouraged by Abram, Sarai mistreats Hagar and causes her to run away. (Genesis 16:5-6) God stops Hagar in her desert flight and urges her to return and once again submit herself to Sarai. (Genesis 16:9) While it may seem harsh for the Lord to send Hagar back to where she had been mistreated, God instructed her to return, not for harm, but for a blessing. According to the Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, “The counsel was given in kindness as well as wisdom; for, by continuing to penetrate further into the wilderness, she must inevitably have perished, and all her prospects of maternity been blasted.” God had plans for Hagar and her baby, even though she was not carrying the child of promise. Every life is important to the Lord, regardless of the circumstances surrounding conception! The angel of the Lord, which was “Jesus pre-incarnate,” according to Dr. Tony Evans, told her she would have a son and he too would be the beginning of many descendants. Scholar Elizabeth Tracy emphasizes “God focuses on Hagar’s future; she won’t return defenseless or with the same status.  She will return with strong promises received directly and personally from God.” As David Guzik explains, “The Angel of the Lord told her to repent. If she changed her direction, there was an inherent promise – obey Me and I will protect you. Jesus didn’t tell Hagar to return to abuse; He made an implied promise of protection.” After encountering Jesus, Hagar calls the Lord “El Roi,” which translates to “the God who sees”. (Genesis 16:3) Hagar does not fear returning to live with Abram and Sarai because she knows God has heard her, seen her, and promised her blessing through her son.

3) Why did it mean so much to Hagar to be seen and heard by God?
When the angel of the Lord, Jesus in the flesh before He came as a baby, appeared to Hagar, He told her some remarkable things as well as some hard things. (Genesis 16:7) One of those hard things was for her to return to living with Abram and Sarai, the place she had just escaped. According to author Beth Moore,  “Hagar is a name that means stranger — that she’s a stranger. Now I want you to please note that the angel of the Lord has sought out the stranger. This is making me think of Ephesians 2 which says you are ‘no longer foreigners and strangers, but you are citizens with the saints of God, members of the household of God, that he seeks out strangers.’” Because her very name means stranger, the fact that God would seek her out was meaningful to Hagar. Not only did God seek her out, but she is the first person in Scripture to whom the angel of the Lord appears. David Guzik notes how God “didn’t first appear to Noah or Enoch or Abram. The Angel of the LORD first appeared to a single mother-to-be who had a pride problem and was mistreated by the woman who put her into the whole mess.” Because she was a stranger, far from home with no resources or support, she had nowhere to turn. The fact that God heard her anguish and saw her situation was life-changing. Author Joni Eareckson Tada observes, “Her circumstances didn’t miraculously change, but she had experienced the miracle of a changed perspective. Knowing that God is real, and He was really involved in her life story, gave Hagar renewed vision for what otherwise looked like a desperate situation.” Knowing she had been seen and heard by God meant Hagar could keep going. She could return to the household of Sarai and wait for the birth of her son without fear, because she knew God was protecting her, watching over her, and had promised her the blessing of many descendants.

Everyday Application

1) Why did Sarai and Abraham try to fulfill the promises of God in their own power?
I have ruined many things because I couldn’t wait. I have served under-baked cookies and smudged my finger nail polish on more than one occasion because I was too hasty. Impatience proved to be even costlier for Abram and Sarai when they decided to fulfill God’s promises in their own way by having a son born of Sarai’s Egyptian slave, Hagar. (Genesis 16:3) They thought that since they had waited 10 years for God to provide with no results, God must want them to take the initiative. Surely their solution to make God’s promise come true would work, they reasoned. As quickly as Hagar discovered her pregnancy, problems with their scheme became evident. Hagar soon felt pride in giving Abram what Sarai could not, which made Sarai angry. Soon Sarai began mistreating Hagar so badly that Hagar ran away. (Genesis 16:6) Even after Hagar’s return, when her son, Ishmael, was born, there was still tension and strife. Eventually Sarai, now Sarah, would have the pair sent far away from Isaac, the actual son of promise. (Genesis 21:10) We do this, too!  We get tired of waiting on God. We figure He has forgotten us or that He must want us to take matters into our own hands since He hasn’t made a move to fulfill His promises to us in the way we think best. We become good at reasoning and rationalizing. We even grow angry that God hasn’t acted in the ways we assume He should.  Sometimes we figure the ends will justify the means. If God wants something for us, then it doesn’t matter how we get it.  This is not God’s way! We may not understand His ways or His timing, but His ways are always perfect. (Psalm 18:30) If we wait for Him and trust in His promise, we will see God do what only God can do. (Isaiah 30:18) If we attempt to muster up a way to make His promises happen, we miss out on His perfect plan, or we make a huge mess of everything. Instead, we can trust that God is a promise keeper. (Deuteronomy 7:9) When God promises to do something for us or in us or through us, He will make it happen. (Philippians 1:6) Though He sometimes uses us to fulfill His plans and purposes, He does not need us to come up with plan B when we feel His plan is off track.  His plans, and His ways, can be trusted! (Proverbs 3:5)

2) Why would God ask Hagar to submit to the mistreatment of Sarai?
It is pretty clear to me by now that God doesn’t do things the way I would. If something is hard or causes me pain, my plan is to avoid it.  Seems pretty logical, right? More often than not, however, God uses the pain I experience as an integral part of my growth process. (James 1:2-4) Scripture even tells us if our suffering is for God, it brings favor with God. (1 Peter 2:18-20) When God told Hagar to return to the household of Abram and Sarai, the thought of returning to the misery she just left must have been overwhelming. (Genesis 16:9) This is how I feel when God asks me to stay in a season of hardship, or stick with a difficult relationship. I feel overwhelmed by the thought of staying with what causes me pain, even though running away has its own perils. When Hagar encountered God in the wilderness, He gave her hope by telling her He heard her, He saw her, and He had better things in store for her. (Genesis 16:7) If she endured by His strength, she would see reward.  I have seen this same reality in my own life and the lives of others. I know a young person who has endured painful physical issues his entire childhood and now waits for a heart transplant.  He could be bitter and hopeless, but instead God has made him grateful, humble, and compassionate. Through the pain and hardship, he has learned to trust God and rely on Him for everything. My young friend understands that all things, even the painful ones, work together for our good if we love God and are called by God. (Romans 8:28) My prayer is that I don’t run from God, but rather turn towards Him when I experience hurt and pain, so He can use it to mature me and make me more like Him.

3) Why did it mean so much to Hagar to be seen and heard by God?
When Hagar ran away from Sarai and Abram’s household and fled to the wilderness, presumably heading back to Egypt, she must have felt invisible. (Genesis 16:7) She was a slave, a pregnant, unmarried woman, and a foreigner in a strange land.  She was mistreated and abused by those who chose her to be their surrogate child-bearer even though she was carrying Abram’s heir. (Genesis 16:6) She couldn’t have expected God to find her and call her name. (Genesis 16:8) She couldn’t have imagined He would see her in anguish and hear her despair.  How amazed she must have been when the angel of the Lord called her name and asked for her side of the story. She may have expected Him to chastise her for being prideful with Sarai or for running away.  (Genesis 16:4) Instead, God gave her good news that her child was a son and he would bring her many descendants. (Genesis 16:10-11) He gave her a way to safely return, be provided for, and raise her son.  After she spoke with God, she called Him El Roi, the God who sees. (Genesis 16:13) She recognized God saw her, knew her, and cared about her situation. It didn’t matter she was a runaway slave. It didn’t matter she had been mistreated or angered Sarai. God saw her, and extended mercy and love. God saw her, the woman Hagar, and not all the things she had done or had been done to her. He heard her heart and saw her need for Him, and He came through for her! He became her hope for a future.  He became her ever present help in trouble. About the story of Hagar, Ann Voskamp says,” For the women forgotten and for the women discouraged and the women lost, there is water in the wilderness and He is our well and all. is. well.” Through Hagar’s story, God is telling each of us, no matter who we are, where we are, or how we got there, He sees us, He loves us, and He has love and mercy for us, too.

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1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
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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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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.

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Blessed Day 4 Blessed Are Those Who Mourn: 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 Blessed Are Those Who Mourn!

The Questions

1) What events caused King David to mourn so deeply before the Lord?

2) Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn…” What blessing was David praying for?

3) How did God comfort David?

Psalm 51:6-13

Surely you desire integrity in the inner self,
and you teach me wisdom deep within.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Turn your face away from my sins
and blot out all my guilt.

10 God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach the rebellious your ways,
and sinners will return to you.

Original Intent

1) What events caused King David to mourn so deeply before the Lord?
The prophet Nathan came to David one day telling him a story of two men: One poor, the other rich. The rich man had many sheep, but the poor man had only one lamb. The lamb was dear to the family and loved like a pet. One day, the rich man had a visitor and he needed to serve him dinner. But rather than slaughtering one of his own sheep, he took the poor man’s sheep and served it to his guest. When King David heard this story, he was furious. Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!’” (2 Samuel 12:7-9) The whole sordid story can be found in 2 Samuel 11-12. When Nathan confronted David with his sin, David was immediately mournful and confessed his sin before God. David wasn’t repentant because he had been caught in his sin, but he realized he had sinned against God. His fellowship with God had been severed; this is what caused his great mourning.

2) Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn…” What blessing was David praying for?
David’s sin was crushing his soul during this time. He must have been relieved to be found out and his sin exposed because this is when healing of our hearts can begin. In the many months between the time when David committed these sins and his confession, he had not escaped the sense of sin, it was always before him. (verse 3) He could not escape his sinfulness. He was miserable in his sin, as a child of God should be. (Guzik) When Nathan confronted him, he became very aware of the heaviness of heart that had been there all along. He knew his body ached to have that fellowship once again with the Father. In Psalm 32:3-4, David writes, “When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat.” David desired to be cleansed from his sin and his sin blotted out. He wanted to be able to rejoice in the Lord once again. (Psalm 51:7-9). Again, we see in Psalm 32, he wrote of how good it is to be forgiven. “How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven; whose sin is covered! How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit!”

3) How did God comfort David?
God comforted David foremost by returning His Spirit to David. His spirit was made right with God giving him the fellowship he desired once again. Though his son would die, God did not take Bathsheba away from him; indeed, their second son, Solomon, became the next king of Israel and God allowed Solomon the privilege of building the temple. God kept his promise to keep David’s family in the throne of Israel. David had a third son with Bathsheba, Nathan, who is the son in which the line of David (through Mary) would bring Jesus into the World. (Luke 3:23-38) What a comfort to have a new spirit, David was once again willing to serve God as He prescribed. David was again able to teach others about the joy of salvation and to sing of His righteousness and declare God’s praise. And ultimately, draw others to God.

Everyday Application

1) What events caused King David to mourn so deeply before the Lord?
The prophet Nathan came to David and confronted him about his sin. And David mourned. While we may have leaders or friends we are accountable to, more deeply, we have the Holy Spirit living within every believer, guiding our actions and convicting us of sin. If we are in tune with the Spirit, we mourn when we realize we have allowed sin to creep into our lives. The Apostle Paul mourned at his inability to please God. He wrote how we all know what is right, but we don’t do it. (Romans 7:14-25) Just as David cried out in Psalm 51, so did Paul cry out his mournful repentance. We also struggle with our carnal nature in keeping God’s law. C.S. Lewis said, “No man knows how bad he is until he has tried to be good.” (Enduring Word, Romans 7) But Praise God! “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) After we are saved, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, guides us, and convicts us of sin. We could not follow Jesus without His power. However, we cannot experience His power without totally yielding to Him. From the moment of spiritual birth, the Holy Spirit indwells, or resides in, every Christian. But to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, we must, as an act of our wills, completely surrender our lives in obedience to Christ. (Vonette Bright, CRU, Campus Crusade for Christ)

2) Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn…” What blessing was David praying for?
The Apostle Paul shares with us in Romans 5:1-5 some of the blessings of our salvation.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God… But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:20-21 There is no greater blessing than the joy found in forgiveness. Bill Gaither wrote, “Oh the joy that floods my soul!” A new song bubbles up with joy in our heart when we are forgiven and cleansed forever. And the Victory! He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood! (Bartlett). What a treasure we have in this wonderful peace… For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day, And His glory is flooding my soul!” (Cornel) What a blessing to be found in Christ. Have you found the joy of salvation? Have you mourned over your sin and repented to God?

3) God comforted David. How does God comfort us?
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. When we sin against God and hurt others, it is as if we can’t breathe. I remember times when I have hurt others, I was afraid to go to them and confess. I feared their rejection and possible retaliation. But once I confessed and received that forgiveness, I could breathe again. My fear disappeared; my heart was comforted in the restoration of fellowship and a wonderful peace overtook my spirit. While believers never need to fear that the Holy Spirit will be removed from us, He is our permanent seal, our fellowship with God through the Spirit can be estranged and broken by our sin.
Yesterday, in her Journey Study, Lori said, “on the other side of mourning are abundant blessings.” Revelation 21:4 reminds us, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more.”  Our vision is clouded by the sin we allow to persist by not fully addressing it or trying to excuse it. But if we are faithful to humble ourselves (I mean true, honest to goodness, on-our-knees-humbling ourselves) before God, then He is faithful to wipe away our tears and forgive our sin (1 John 1:9).  What a comfort to be completely forgiven and filled with His Spirit. And what an even greater comfort on the day when He wipes away every tear from our eyes forever!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Blessed Are Those Who Mourn!

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

He Day 8 Yahweh M’Kaddesh

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Malachi 2:17-3:5
Romans 14:10-12
Ezekiel 37:23-28

He, Day 8

Yahweh, the Lord God, to Adam & Eve
Because of your sinful rebellion, pain will be yours. You will hunger for power and control, but those desires will leave you empty.

Your work will be cursed, as will the whole earth. Hardship, difficulty, loss, brokenness; these will be your consequences. You have chosen prideful arrogance over sweet friendship with Me. You are receiving what you lusted after, and it condemns you. (Genesis 3:16-19) 

Yahweh M’Kaddesh to Adam & Eve
I will be the first to slay one of My beautiful creatures because I love you. I will cover your nakedness with its skins as I will one day cover your sin with My own blood.

We can only have fellowship together if you are holy, as I am holy. You cannot be holy on your own, so I Am Yahweh M’Kaddesh, the God who makes you holy. (Genesis 3:20-23)

Yahweh, the Lord God, to Noah
I designed all of creation, from the millipede to the jewel of My work, human beings, to live in sweetest harmony together. Additionally, My Spirit was intended to hover over creation, singing My song, and calling hearts to be bound together in a majestically beautiful oneness.

But, Noah, My heart grieves over these people I so lovingly created. They rejected Me. 

They have mutilated My gift of sex to take advantage of one another.
They have abused My gift of food and become gluttons;
they have abused My gift of wine and become drunkards.
They have despised the gift of My presence, and worshipped themselves instead.

I will destroy all people because of their sin, for I am a just God. (Genesis 6:1-7:1)

Yahweh M’Kaddesh to Noah
All but you and your family will be wiped out because of their sin. But you, Noah, have walked with righteousness before Me, honoring Me in your heart and with your life. You will be rescued by a boat, which I have designed to perfectly save you, along with a remnant of creation, so all will be made new.

One day, Noah, a perfect Savior will come as God wrapped in flesh to offer rescue for all. He will be the new “boat” to save humanity.

My heart is love; my heart is to save.

Even though My creation has sinned against Me, mocking My standard of holiness, I will make a way for all to return to Me and be made holy, so we can fellowship together as I designed from the beginning. I Am Yahweh M’Kaddesh, the God who makes you holy. (1 Peter 3:18-22)

Yahweh, the Lord God, speaking to Israel
I have called you, Israel, to reflect My glory to the world. You are to love Me first and foremost. You are to be holy as I am holy, representing Me to all peoples.

But, oh Israel, you are not holy! Your sin is constantly before Me. You have profaned My sanctuary. You have been faithless. You have called “evil” good, and called “good” evil. You defy Me. (Leviticus 19:2, Malachi 2:10-17)

Yahweh M’Kaddesh to Israel
Because you are not holy, I will lovingly provide for you. I will be your blood sacrifice to cover your multitude of sin. I will make you holy through My holiness.

One day I, Myself, will come to you. I will be your Shepherd, I will give you a new heart to love Me, I will put My Spirit within you, and I will make an eternal covenant of peace with you. I will dwell with you.

I will, because I Am Yahweh M’Kaddesh, the God who makes you holy! (Leviticus 20:8, Ezekiel 37:24-28, Ezekiel 36:23-29)

Yahweh, the Lord God, is the very same God as Yahweh M’Kaddesh.
He is just and righteous, demanding payment for sin, unwilling to simply look the other way and pretend sin doesn’t exist.

Because who would want a God who simply excused
the murderer,
the rapist,
the suicide bomber,
the man who left his wife,
or the woman who destroyed friendships with her gossip and betrayal?

We wouldn’t.
We want justice.

And God is just. 

Because He is perfectly just, He cannot excuse some sin while demanding punishment for other sin. All sin is putrid in His eyes.
All. Sin.
There are no “mistakes” against God’s holiness; all offenses are sinful.

A snooty attitude.
Sharp words.
Cold shoulder of rejection.
Quiet whispers behind another’s back.
Rudeness.
All are just as sinful against God as murder, rape, and adultery. 

But Yahweh, is also, graciously, mercifully,
Yahweh M’Kaddesh,
the God who makes us holy. 

While we were still in our sin, still pursuing ourselves, still lusting after our own ways,
Christ died for us. (Romans 5:10)
He Himself became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

An unfathomable exchange took place at the cross where Christ’s blood was spilled for us.
He held out His righteous holiness to us with the same hand that willingly opened to Roman nails.

Where our sin demanded our death,
Christ died instead, defeating all death and offering righteousness and life to us.

This is Yahweh M’Kaddesh,
the God who makes us holy. 

Is His righteousness yours?

Have you surrendered all of yourself, allowing Him to make you holy?
Or are you still holding on to your sin, stuck in separation from Him?

One day, my friend, one day all will confess Jesus Christ is Lord. (Romans 14:11-12)
No choice will remain, for every tongue will declare His Lordship.
On that day, it will be too late to willingly accept the offer of Yahweh M’Kaddesh to remove your sin-soaked rags and clothe you in robes of righteousness.

Today is the day to be made holy!

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Sketched VII Day 9 Born Again: 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 Born Again!

The Questions

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?

John 3:1-21

1 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2  This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him. 3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 ”How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit,  he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. 8  The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9  “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus. 10  “Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. 11 “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 22 But anyone who lives byJ the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Original Intent

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses when he was speaking to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?
Jesus is Emmanuel, God With Us. He is and always has been the God Who meets us where we are, and in his interaction with Nicodemus, we see this illustrated clearly. Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the highest Jewish council in the first century. The Sanhedrin was comprised of 71 individuals, which included 69 common members and was presided over by the high priest. The 69 common members were divided into three courts of 23 members, and Moses was actually considered the 70th common member. The Sanhedrin served as the highest court of the Jews, and they even appointed members to lower courts throughout the land. Their decisions were honored by Jews regardless of where they resided. If a lower court decision were to be appealed, it would be sent before the Sanhedrin for review…not unlike a first century Supreme Court. Every member of the Sanhedrin was well versed in the Law, as well as the history of Moses. They would have been well versed in all 613 laws, as well as any religious customs their culture had adopted as rules. Nicodemus undoubtedly knew the Law backwards and forwards, as was required of his position and title. The story of Moses lifting the snake in the wilderness would have been as familiar to Nicodemus as the back of his hand. Because he was after Nicodemus’s heart, as he always is, Jesus spoke to him in the language he would immediately recognize and understand.

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?
Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus about the new life God extends to every believer when they submit their life to Him and accept the deity, death, and resurrection of Jesus and salvation through Him alone. While conversing with Nicodemus, Jesus mentioned being born of water and the spirit. The phrase “born of water” likely refers to what Nicodemus would have recognized as familiar: spiritual cleansing by water. This is clearly referenced numerous times throughout the Old Testament. (Numbers 19:17-19; Psalm 51:2, 7; Ezekiel 36:25) The phrase “born of the Spirit” refers to the spiritual birth each person receives when they experience salvation and their sin nature is crucified with Christ. When we accept the gift of salvation, we are transferred into the kingdom of God and begin to be transformed into the likeness of Christ! As we allow Him to do the work necessary in our spirit, our soul and flesh fall into alignment and we begin to become more and more like Jesus. Praise God!

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?
Jesus was fully God and fully man. He knew His verbal exchange with Nicodemus that night would echo throughout the Jewish man’s mind, heart and life, as well as through the pages of Scripture for all time. This conversation was anything but casual. Jesus took this important moment to explain the miraculous spiritual transformation every believer can experience in their life. He had not yet been crucified, but being God, He knew the end of the story. Jesus wanted Nicodemus, and everyone who would read this passage of Scripture, to know what God had been telling the Jews since the first Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden: no one is able to become righteous in their own strength. Instead, spiritual salvation and transformation are required. In this passage, Jesus is explaining what it takes to enter the kingdom of God: the spiritual transformation which would be made possible only by His own death and resurrection.

Everyday Application

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses when he was speaking to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?
In the exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus that night, we see the nature of God illustrated clearly, and we are encouraged to follow suit. Jesus could have spoken to Nicodemus in a parable, or through an angel, or through any supernatural or natural way he desired. However, he knew Nicodemus intimately. He chose to meet Nicodemus where he was and speak to him using the language and medium He knew Nicodemus would understand. As born again Christians, we are charged to fulfill the great commission, and in this interaction Jesus shows us the best way: by meeting people where they are and speaking truth to them in the way Holy Spirit leads. Doesn’t it make sense that He would encourage us to come alongside others as we share the good news of the gospel? Grab hold of the freedom we see Jesus extend to us here!

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?
God never changes, and He has been telling us the same truth since the beginning: we are incapable of saving ourselves. No human could ever fulfill the law or become righteous on their own; we all need someone sinless to stand in the gap for us because all have sinned. God is holy, and He can not contradict Himself. As much as He loved His creation, He could not remain in intimate relationship with them once sin had entered the picture because sin deserves punishment and God is just. But, God also knew His creation would foul things up and sin (over and over), and He had already designed a different outcome. Enter Jesus. God sent His only begotten son to atone for our sins, so we could enter into a right relationship with Him. When we accept this gift of salvation, we are also recipients of spiritual birth! Our sin debt was paid for once and for all by the precious blood of Jesus Christ when He defeated death and hell, and rose from the grave three days later. This ultimate sacrifice made it possible for us to be born of water and the Spirit!

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?
From the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and accept the salvation and new life He alone can give us, we become part of God’s family through the spirit of adoption. But that’s not all. We experience an immediate transfer into the kingdom of God, but this is only the beginning! As we grow in our faith and spiritual maturity, God is gracious to transform us from the inside out, renewing our mind to become like Jesus. Freedom is truly ours as we find there is absolutely nothing we can do to manufacture this incredible spiritual transformation on our own; instead, we are tasked to let Him do his work in us. We can fight it, sure. We can struggle, and resist. And the Lord will honor our desires. He will never force us to change, but if we will submit every area of our lives to him, He will go about the holy work of redeeming us and using us for His glory!

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

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 Sketched VII 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.

Questions Day 2 In The Presence Of Sin: 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 In The Presence Of Sin!

The Questions

1) The author includes four “there is no one” phrases in this passage. Why does the author draw attention to humanity’s shared sinful state?

2) Why does the author include a list of body parts in verses 13-18?

3) How can we better understand what it means to have a “fear of God” (verse 18) from this passage of Scripture?

Romans 3:10-18

As it is written:
There is no one righteous, not even one.
11 There is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away;
all alike have become worthless.
There is no one who does what is good,
not even one.
13 Their throat is an open grave;
they deceive with their tongues.
Vipers’ venom is under their lips.
14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and wretchedness are in their paths,
17 and the path of peace they have not known.
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Original Intent

1) The author includes four “there is no one” phrases in this passage. Why does the author draw attention to humanity’s shared sinful state?
Before we dive into this passage, we need to set the stage. Paul is the author of Romans, and he addresses this letter to believers in Rome, the economic, political, social, religious, and cultural center of the most powerful empire in the Western world. Like many new Christian churches, the Roman church included both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews). Due to the religious, cultural, and political divides between these two groups, Paul recognized there was growing tension between Jews who rigorously upheld Old Testament teachings (i.e., the law) and Gentiles who thought the Jewish law was obsolete. Paul then sought to bridge the gap between these theological positions by articulating this truth: the law establishes all of humanity’s natural sinful state and points us to our need for a Savior, who is Jesus Christ. In this passage from Romans, Paul seeks to unite Jew to Gentiles by alluding to readings from the wisdom literature, which include Proverbs, Psalms, Job, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes. For example, the expression “there is no one” is used in Psalm 14:3, “All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one.” The writer of Ecclesiastes 7:20 also uses this phrase, “There is certainly no one righteous on the earth who does good and never sins.” Yet, the verses from the Old Testament do not provide a permanent source of redemption for our depravity. Paul’s letter in Romans reminds his original audience that good behavior and the law cannot save us, but our perfect, righteous savior Jesus Christ can.

2) Why does the author include a list of body parts in verses 13-18?
Paul does not mince his words here. If you are familiar with the Old Testament, you might find some verses oddly familiar. Like verse 13, the writer of Psalm 5:9 observes, “For there is nothing reliable in what they say; destruction is within them; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongues.” Paul also draws on the same imagery of Psalm 140:3, “They make their tongues as sharp as a snake’s bite; viper’s venom is under their lips.” Do you see a trend here? Once again, he pulls from passages in the Old Testament to point Gentile believers to the whole story of Scripture and to demonstrate the corrupting nature of sin. He also references Psalm 10:7 in verse 14, Isaiah 59:7-8 in verse 17, and Psalm 36:1 in verse 18. Additionally, Paul ties this list of body parts to negative words and images; “open grave,” “deceive,” “venom,” “shed blood,” and “ruin and wretchedness” paint a terrifying portrait of humanity. In other words, sin leads to death, and apart from Jesus Christ, there is no escape.

3) How can we better understand what it means to have a “fear of God” (verse 18) from this passage of Scripture?
The “fear of God” would have been a familiar phrase for much of Paul’s audience. For example, the Old Testament writers described the most faithful and wise as having a fear of God (Proverbs 1:7; Job 28:28; Psalm 19:9). These writers do not define fear as a type of dread or phobia but as, “more the feeling of reverent regard for…God, tempered with awe and fear of the punishment of disobedience.” As the Psalmist writes, “For the LORD is great and is highly praised; he is feared above all gods” (Psalm 96:4). After all, He is a “great and awesome God” (Deuteronomy 7:21), “A great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:2), and none are like Him (Jeremiah 10:7). In the broader context of Scripture, to not fear God is foolish and impious. Paul’s statement, “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (verse 18) means we are prone to forget our primary purpose is to worship our indescribable God. In our natural, sinful state, we go down a path of ruin rather than a “path of peace”. (verse 17) The only right way to peace is through the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), who restores peace between wayward humanity and God.

Everyday Application

1) The author includes four “there is no one” phrases in this passage. Why does the author draw attention to humanity’s shared sinful state?
Our church today is not very different from the first-century Roman church. We often applaud external behavior modification over considering the posture of an individual’s heart. Have we not seen many a social media influencer praising their self-righteousness one minute only to find themselves caught in an ethical scandal the next? However, we were never supposed to put our salvation hope in a Christian leader. Instead, Paul points his readers to the extravagant grace found in the Gospel for “all who believe”, “But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed attested by the Law and the Prophets. The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-24) As Paul makes clear, every person, whether rich or poor, black or white, man or woman, are united in their need for a Savior. Unlike the celebrity in your Instagram feed, Jesus Christ died a death he did not deserve so you might live and have eternal life. (John 3:16) Paul’s letter then speaks very much to our moment as it did to those early believers two thousand years ago.

2) Why does the author include a list of body parts in verses 13-18?
Death is not something we like to dwell on. In today’s culture, self-lauded experts encourage us to eat right, exercise, and, if needed, visit the plastic surgeon for a little “nip-tuck” to look our best well into old age. But here is the universal truth, despite how well you eat, how much you exercise, and how wrinkle-free your skin is, you will die. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us of this fact, “No one has authority over the wind to restrain it, and there is no authority over the day of death…”. (Ecclesiastes 8:8) From the moment in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve committed the first sin, death entered the world. Not only does sin alter our physical bodies, but it also leads to spiritual death because we now cannot enjoy eternal life with God. The writers of Scripture also make clear that we cannot resolve the death problem on our own (Isaiah 24:1-6; Matthew 19:16-22; Romans 8:5-11, Romans 8:18-25; Hebrews 9:22). Even Paul admits this situation seems hopeless when he writes, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”. (Romans 7:24) But in the very next verse, Paul rejoices, because our hope is in our perfect savior, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:25). The writer of Hebrews puts it this way, “For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected forever”. (Hebrews 7:26-28) This high priest whom this writer speaks of so highly? He is none other than Jesus Christ.

3) How can we better understand what it means to have a “fear of God” (verse 18) from this passage of Scripture?
Fear can be a good thing. When teaching my three-year-old son the ways of the world, I have taught him the stovetop is hot, to look both ways before crossing the street, and not to talk to strangers. I am trying to ingrain in his little mind that a healthy dose of fear can prevent unnecessary pain, suffering, and, in some cases, death. While Christians should not live in a constant state of fear, the Old Testament writers, and Paul, demonstrate how the fear of God is a gift. Paul writes that we should not only “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), but also that we should “cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God”. (2 Corinthians 7:11) When we rightly respect and worship God, we are more likely to live a lifestyle of confession and repentance. Ultimately, Jesus modeled how to we are to fear God. He demonstrated genuine love and reverence by laying down His life for humanity’s sin so we might enjoy eternal life, not death.

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Catch up with In The Presence Of Sin!

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

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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Worship VI Day 6 Isn’t He?

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 4:19-26
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 103:6-14
2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Worship VI, Day 6

On Sundays, we read Scripture, sing of grace, and quietly pray.
Some simply observe, while others experience something powerful.
Why the disparity between worshipper’s experience?

Is “worship” the songs preceding the sermon?
Is it a reverent attitude with which we approach God?
Could it be both, and more?

In His encounter with the Samaritan woman, Jesus outlines the sort of worshipers He seeks. “. . . true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth…. God is spirit and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)

Genuine worship engages both the truth of Scripture and our spirit.  
Our being connects with the Spirit of God as we study and adore Him.
Worship can happen in a church service, in our car, in a pristine wilderness, or over a sink of dirty dishes. The melodic lyrics are intended to remind us of our great salvation and Scriptural truths, prompting us to worship.

Truth fuels our worship.
As wood is to fire, so truth is to our worship.
As we encounter the truth of Scripture, the Holy Spirit rushes in, providing oxygen.
As oxygen is to fire, so is the Holy Spirit to our worship.

So, again, “Why the disparity between worshippers and their experience?”
Deep worship happens when we interact with truth on an experiential level.
This isn’t about knowing more, it’s about experiencing the reality of God and His character in our lives and through His Word.

When we sing, we find the threads of our stories in the lyrics.
His “Amazing grace. . . saved a wretch like me. . .”
Me. My sin. My hopelessness apart from Christ. My brokenness.

When we belt out “. . . my chains are gone. . .”,
we name our former chains while rejoicing over our release.

As we soulfully cry out to Him in our present “deep water” circumstance, pressing tear-stained faces into His chest, we clutch this Scripture truth,
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned,
the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2)

Genuine worship sings truth, reads truth, and speaks truth.
In so-doing, we verbalize it for our own and others’ edification. The Spirit rises within us to confirm the truths our lips declare, igniting our hearts to draw close to His presence;
we are ablaze with worship.

In Natalie Grant’s song, “Isn’t He”, we celebrate two key truths leading us to ponder an earthshaking question.
“Captivator of the searching heart. . .” explores this first truth:
Jesus searches us out when we are not searching for Him.

In fact, He pursues us as we run in the opposite direction. When He catches us, to our amazement, there is no condemnation. Expecting shameful judgement, we find stunning kindness and lavish grace.

If such grace was not enough, this Captivator becomes our Healer, the second incredible truth of the song.
Christ finds us, slumped in the wreckage of failure, languishing in painful losses or enslaved in strongholds of our own making. This Jesus picks up our shattered pieces, frees us from our stonewalled strongholds, and bathes our gaping wounds with the healing balm of kindness.

Graciously giving more, He proclaims blessings over us, giving us hope and a future. He pieces together our shattered fragments, fashioning them into a magnificent masterpiece of grace.

Deeper still, this Healer takes the punishment our wrong-doing demands.
“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“. . . He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:10)

Our most shameful thoughts are no longer held against us once we lay down our hearts in surrender to Christ. The vile things we’ve seen, dark deeds we’ve committed, or those done against us, no longer define us.

The wrestling question begs an answer,
“Who would lavish such grace upon me?
Who is this Captivator?

Once again, Scripture reveals truth…
He is the same Whose Spirit hovered over the waters before creation (Genesis 1:1-2)

He is I AM Who revealed Himself to Moses on Sinai, and spoke through fire and cloud. (Exodus 33:7-23)

He is the One “. . . who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. . .” (Psalm 103:1-5)

He is the Suffering Servant Who “. . .  was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

“He is the image of the invisible God; He is the firstborn over all Creation. . . He is before all things and in Him all things hold together…” (Colossian 1:15-23)

He is the Lamb receiving worship from saints and angels and the rider on the white horse returning as King of King and Lord of Lords! (Revelation 5 & Revelation 19:11-16)

Let these truths soak into your soul and shape you.
Dare to believe this magnificent grace, this lavish kindness is truly for you, and sink into wonder. “This Jesus” has drawn you to Himself with the cords of lovingkindness and you are loved with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

Linger in this holy moment.
Worship.

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

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship VI 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 Worship VI!

Pause 3 Day 8 One Sacrifice

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Pause 3, Day 8

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your own screw-ups?
Raising both of my hands over here!

Words that just keep coming out like swords that cut, no matter how much you wish they didn’t.
Anger that boils over when you get in those specific scenarios, despite how much you decide you won’t get mad this time.
Or even overspending or overeating or over-parenting, even though you know it’s a weakness of yours.

Jesus comes to bring complete forgiveness of sin once and for all.

Shame has no place.
The times we fail to live the life of love we want to are opportunities to return closer to the Father, and learn from Him again, not be ashamed of lifting our face to His.

Slow down today and sink into the fullness of this sweet, freeing truth:
One sacrifice, all sin forgiven, eternal Hope offered!

Today's Invitation

1) Be a scribe and copy the precious words of Scripture down word for word. Make space in your journal to write down Hebrews 10:4-10 after you read the full passage of today’s reading in Hebrews 10:1-18. As you copy, lookup a cross reference or two as you come to them (they are the small letters next to certain words in your study Bible or online at www.biblia.com). As you write, think of the incredible gift it is to be invited into God’s presence through His word!

2) Choose one of these options to answer the invitation of going deeper into biblical community! 
a) Take a photo of your journal time this week and share it, or share a quote from it.
b) Do a Facebook Live on the GT Community group and share how God has been working in you.
c) Leave a comment here about it.
d) Share something God has been showing you in a comment at the GT Community Group 
e) Plan a coffee or lunch date with a friend and share what you’ve been learning and soaking in as you have hit Pause.
f) Write a note of encouragement to a sister who has been through the nitty-gritty of real life with you. Let her know how deeply she has impacted your walk with Christ.
g) For some of us, having a “2am friend” to build biblical community with is a new concept. If that’s you, this is an exciting, fresh place to be! Connect with our Facebook Community, send us an email, reach out to your local church body, seek out a small group and plug in! 

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Hebrews 10:1-18

Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. 2 Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year.

4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, as he was coming into the world, he said:
You did not desire sacrifice and offering,
but you prepared a body for me.
6 You did not delight
in whole burnt offerings and sin offerings.
7 Then I said, “See—
it is written about me
in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, O God.”

8 After he says above, You did not desire or delight in sacrifices and offerings, whole burnt offerings and sin offerings (which are offered according to the law), 9 he then says, See, I have come to do your will. He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.

11 Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. 12 But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. 13 He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. For after he says:
16 This is the covenant I will make with them
after those days,
the Lord says,
I will put my laws on their hearts
and write them on their minds,
17 and I will never again remember
their sins and their lawless acts.
18 Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Pause 3 Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies
in Pause 3!