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The GT Weekend! ~ Worship VIII Week 3

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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) Grab a pen and prepare for interaction! Scroll the word “worship” across your page and then write down every word that comes to mind. No judgement and no filtering! You might be surprised at what shows up from under your pen. I know I was! When you’ve given space and allowed pause for freedom, look back through your list and ask the Lord to stir your heart. Ask Him to show you more of Himself and more of you as you think about worship. Which words raise their hand and stick out to you? Sit with those. Why do they prod you for attention? What might the Lord want you to understand about these words? Look through your list again and note which ones make your soul press back a bit. Where is your discomfort? Ask the Lord to show you truth and uncover any misconceptions you might have about worship. Close out your time by meditating on Tuesday’s study passage from Revelation 21:5-6. Read it over slowly and consider the insights the Holy Spirit brought to you as you read and pray!

2) Paula wrote on Wednesday of how easy it is to simply recite truths, but forget to allow the Holy Spirit to radically transform our everyday moments with those powerful realities. Let’s keep the interactive reflection going by writing down as many truths you know for sure are actually a real reflection of God according to the Bible. (For example… God is “love”) 30 seconds…..and GO! Now pause and before you critique your word choices, pray and be still. Ask the Spirit to take you deeper into truth and to tear down lies you believe. Now read through your list and circle a few you feel most drawn to and even a couple you feel uncomfortable with. Looking at these words specifically, ask yourself how your everyday moments and interactions might be different if you really truly genuinely believed that about God and His character. Remember you’re only picking words that are actually biblical and true…. So that means “God being angry with me” doesn’t count. J If you’re feeling stuck, try reading Psalm 36:5-12 for some good descriptions.  Ask the Lord to remind you throughout the weekend of His good character and allow them to shape your real life!

3) We can’t stop being interactive with our journals and pens now! What is an image that comes to mind when you think of being relationally “close” to someone? Do your best to doodle that image on your page (don’t worry, you don’t have to show everyone later J). Now think of an image representing “distant” relationally; draw this farther down your paper. Settle in to your seat and think of scenes from your life where you felt close or distant from God and write down a few words to describe each of these under the appropriate image. Before you start digging into these, close your eyes, and ask the Lord to show you new insights about your heart and His, ask Him to draw you into worship. Pen in hand, write down some feelings you associate with each scene. What strikes you as interesting? What do you feel yourself putting up walls against? What emotions are stirring? What differences you do you see in your perspective of God and yourself and others in each scene? Look up Psalm 34:18 and read it out loud as you consider each distant scene. Hold onto truth! Look up Psalm 96:10-12 and be reminded of this truth about our celebratory God as you read these verses aloud for each close scene. Christ is present, every moment, every breath, every sadness, every joy. Lean in to Him!

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 Psalm 116:17-19 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

I will offer you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the Lord’s house—
within you, Jerusalem.
Hallelujah!

Prayer Journal
Father God, thank You for being a creative God! Thank You for showing me more of Who You are and revealing new insights to me by the power of Your Spirit. I praise You for Your Words which come alive as the Spirit leads me in understanding them! How kind and gracious You are to hear my cry, to listen to me, to love me. Lord, remind me of these truths I’ve learned today. Wrap them around my shoulders as if they are Your very arms embracing me. Spirit, keep the words of Scripture close to me this weekend. Slow down my mind and my hands so I can make space for true worship. I love You, Lord God, may my heart and lips and hands pour out praise to You!

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

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Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Fervent Day 7 The Zealous Prayer: 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 The Zealous Prayer!

The Questions

1) What are Paul’s reasons for thanking God for those reading his letter? (verse 4)

2) What does it mean for the testimony of Christ to be confirmed in people? (verse 6)

3) If the author Paul were summarizing this section, what would he want his audience to never forget?

1 Corinthians 1:4-9

I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in him in every way, in all speech and all knowledge. 6 In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, 7 so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; you were called by him into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Original Intent

1) What are Paul’s reasons for thanking God for those reading his letter? (verse 4)
You have to slow down to answer this question, re-reading the sentence that begins in verse 4, “I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus…” Even once we find the answer “because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus”, it still doesn’t feel like much of an answer. This means we slow down even more (a good study habit for exploring Scripture!). Paul had experienced “the grace of God…in Christ” when he was radically transformed from Christian-hater to Christ-preacher after literally meeting Jesus on the street one day. His whole world shifted with new purpose, new love, and we still feel the shockwaves of his whole-life obedience to Jesus even today. Paul understood in deep ways what it meant to partake of this rich grace of God in Jesus. Through his experience, and because he knew the Corinthian believers also had taken in this indescribable grace gift (2 Corinthians 9:15), his heart was deeply stirred to rejoice often and with great fervency over them. Those who gathered in house churches in Corinth, many of whom he hadn’t even personally met, shared in the same grace of God in Jesus Christ that Paul experienced. This thrilled Paul’s heart and he spent precious time in prayer reveling in this sweet, sacred joy. Going further, he verbalized this genuine thankfulness for them in his letter.

 2) What does it mean for the testimony of Christ to be confirmed in people? (verse 6)
Paul’s letters are abundant with the gospel, it’s transformative power, reasons it is trustworthy, and a pleading urgency to fully surrender to life-saving message that Jesus, promised One from centuries past, came in human flesh as God Himself, to buy back a sinful and rebellious people, dead set against Him. Paul celebrated this gospel message and gave his life to preach it, calling himself a “servant” to it. (Colossians 1:23) God not only used Paul to preach Christ crucified, risen, and coming again (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), but the Spirit of God also inspired Paul to write down clear evidences for the transformed life. Jesus said good “trees” bore good “fruit” (Luke 6:43-45), meaning that lives having been made new by God’s Spirit take on the pattern of good, spiritual growth in everyday life. As Paul penned this letter to the Corinthian believers, he encouraged them by noting some of these “evidences of true faith” that could only result from real transformation. Because they had willingly received God’s grace available through Christ, they had been “enriched in Him in every way” (verse 5). This means that both in outward ways and internal heart ways, Christ Himself was fortifying them, strengthening them, and making them more like Him. Then Paul specifically calls out the Spirit’s transformation in their speech and their knowledge. (verse 5) It’s by these “proofs” Paul recognized the transformative work of God’s grace in the life patterns of the Corinthians. First they were transformed by the renewing of their minds by undertaking to know and understand God better, and this resulted in their speech being transformed. 

3) If the author Paul were summarizing this section, what would he want his audience to never forget?
Unity and fellowship are the undercurrents woven in and out of Paul’s letters, standing up as the purpose behind the beautiful gospel Paul gave his life for. Every letter speaks of their sweetness and strength, painting a picture of the church so stunningly wrapped in unity and fellowship that it’s breathtaking to behold. We, the wretched, the sinful, the ones who have earned a just rejection from God because of our supreme unholiness, are so deeply sought after by God Himself precisely because He desires oneness with us just as He experiences in full within the godhead of Father, Son, and Spirit. Jesus’ own fervent prayer speaks of this desire so beautifully, “May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe You sent Me.” (John 17:21) The reason Jesus came was to restore unity and oneness between the beloved (human beings) and God. Astounding! Because of this passionate desire for sweet fellowship far removed from the stain of sin, all believers are now magnanimously ushered in to enjoy the wonderous gifts of unity and fellowship with each other just as they enjoy them with God Himself. Surely, this is a truth so precious it defies description! As he begins his letter, Paul names himself and “Sosthenes our brother” (verse 1) as the senders of these God-inspired words. Paul did nothing alone in his mission to preach Christ, always calling others into fellowship and unity, with the purpose of sharing Jesus. There was no hierarchy in Paul’s mind as he wrote the words “our” and “brother”. They were one team as they lived out unity and shared fellowship made possible because of the grace they were united in from Christ.

Everyday Application

1) What are Paul’s reasons for thanking God for those reading his letter? (verse 4)
We don’t generally spend much time considering the depth of the simple words “the grace of God given to you in Christ”, but Paul hinged the majority of his letters on this easily overlooked concept. If you’re like me, you likely haven’t given prayerful attention to others who have also been rescued from eternal death and separation from God because of their sin as a result of this same, wonderful “grace of God given to us in Christ.” Fervent prayer isn’t made up of long prayers with many religious words or pious actions, rather it’s built upon the simple building blocks of our faith. The more we are familiar with them, the deeper and richer our prayer life becomes. Just in studying today’s text, let’s slow down, all together as sisters, and consider the magnificence of being freely given God’s glorious grace so lavishly in Christ. What does this mean for you? From what have been rescued? For what purpose have you been given this radical grace gift in Jesus? As you look at your day today, right now, what are you freed from and for because of Jesus’ grace in your life? Then turn your thoughts to others who have been given this sweet gift of grace. Start making a list of sisters who you know have trusted Jesus as their Savior and now are free to dance in the same grace you both share. Pray over these names, celebrate them, and let the Lord stir your heart to rejoice over them just as He did for Paul!

 2) What does it mean for the testimony of Christ to be confirmed in people? (verse 6)
Paul described a foundational truth of being transformed by the Holy Spirit when he wrote in his letter to the Roman believers. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you… Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2, emphasis mine) First, the Corinthians were transformed by the renewing of their minds by undertaking to know and understand God better, then this resulted in their speech being transformed. (verse 5) Throughout his letters, Paul teaches that the steps to depth and intimacy with God begin with surrendering our hearts in full to Him and allowing His Spirit to renew our thoughts and what we know of God. This results in a transformed life! The more we know our Savior, the greater our prayers will reflect that depth, and the fuller the effect of the Spirit’s work will be felt in the overflow of our everyday life choices. The question for us isn’t, “how do I change this behavior to be more like Jesus”, rather we should come to the Lord and ask Him to help us know Him better. When we do, He will radically transform how we view Him and our sin, resulting in real, genuine life change! 

3) If the author Paul were summarizing this section, what would he want his audience to never forget?
Paul’s introduction not only includes the Corinthians who would hear his words read as the precious words were passed around from house church to house church, but he flings wide his welcome by writing, “to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord—both their Lord and ours.” (verse 2) How inclusive he is! “All those in every place”! That’s me! That’s you! It’s your pastor and your spiritual mentor and your friend and all those who have trusted Jesus with everything they have, entering into fellowship with Christ and one another. Such a lavish gift is not to be downtrodden, overlooked, or taken lightly. Yet, oh sister, my heart is convicted as I write, for I know with all certainty I have done all of these. I have enjoyed my time with God, attended church, smiled at my Christian friends, and passed over or skirted around those I didn’t want to be with. I have most certainly not welcomed “all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.” Maybe you’re feeling the Spirit’s conviction call as well? Not the shame of guilt, but the invitation to sit with Him, to know Him, to be renewed by His truth, and to be transformed in how we love and welcome and view our brothers and sisters in Jesus. Such a sweet oneness of fellowship we are missing out on by skipping over this grand welcome! Lord Jesus, humble my heart as I sit with You. Show me how You love Your church, of which You have welcomed me into. Increase my love for You that I might extend it more generously to those around me. For Your sake, Jesus, amen.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Zealous Prayer!

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 Fervent 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.

Worship IV, Day 3 Holding Us Together

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Read His Words Before Ours!

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

Worship IV, Day 3

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

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

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

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

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

All things. 
Held together.  

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

Me too.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pause 2 Day 7 Chosen, Precious, Beloved

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You, rejected by people…..
When we mean “Pause”, we really do mean it.
Slow down and hit the breaks, girlfriend.

Pause 2, Day 7

You, rejected by people…..
When was the last time you felt rejected by people?
If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t have to look back too far.
Maybe it was a few days ago, but more likely, you felt a familiar pang a few hours ago, or even a few minutes.

You, rejected by people…..
We can learn to process and dismiss and respond instead of react and lean solidly into the truth that our identity isn’t found in any other person, but none of that changes this truth.

You, chosen and honored by God.
Chosen.
Honored.
Slow. Down.
How would your heart change, your thoughts shift, and your emotions stabilize if this was your standard operating truth platform?

You, chosen, precious, beloved of God.
Determine to take a pause right now, in the middle of your whatever-is-going-on-day, and refocus on truth, allowing yourself to be embraced by this rich grace of
total acceptance and love.

Today's Invitation

1) Pull out your Bible and read 1 Peter 2 fully through 3 times.

2) Each time, write down everything that pops out at you, makes you curious, or wonder “why?”. When you’re finished, go back through and you’ll be amazed at the new things the Spirit is leading you into knowing about Him!

3) Pay special attention to what God will do, and how He intends to grow us as His chosen, beloved ones. How can we submit in deeper, more authentic ways, to the beautiful shaping hands of the Shepherd God?

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
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1 Peter 2

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.

6 For it stands in Scripture:
See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and honored cornerstone,
and the one who believes in him
will never be put to shame.   

7 So honor will come to you who believe; but for the unbelieving,
The stone that the builders rejected— this one has become the cornerstone,
8 and A stone to stumble over, and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word; they were destined for this.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 

11 Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits. 

13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Submission of Slaves to Masters
18 Household slaves, submit to your masters with all reverence not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel. 19 For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer, if you endure it, this brings favor with God.
21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; 23 when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prayer Day 13 All Of Everything

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 6:9-13
Matthew 3:1-3
2 Samuel 7:10-16
1 Chronicles 29:11
2 Chronicles 20:6 

Prayer, Day 13

“For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory…” 

Loves, will you receive some truth in grace today? (Deep breath, here we go.)
Truth? When I received this writing assignment for Prayer, I was not super thrilled. 

I know what you’re probably thinking. Prayer should be as natural as breathing when we are in Christ. I agree. In fact, it is through this daily, constant conversation with our Father that breathes His new life into and through us.
I believe that to be wholly, wonderfully, irrevocably true…
but this particular topic in our Prayer series made me squirm. 

The thing is, there is some controversy around that last line in “The Lord’s Prayer.” This might be the first time you’ve heard this, or perhaps you are already nodding in agreement with my remark. Like many of you, I committed those words above to memory along with the rest of the lines at an early age…so you can imagine my surprise as an adult when I first discovered that the line was not actually a part of the earliest original Biblical manuscripts. (Can I get a WHAT?) 

While the phrase does still exist in a few versions of the Bible (King James, New King James and Holman Christian Standard – all with annotation that the latter part of verse 13 differs from other versions), it has been omitted from most other translations because that final doxology was likely not a part of Jesus’ actual verbal instruction to the disciples regarding how we should pray. (If you’re anything like me and this is news to you, you may commence squirming now. I’m with you. It’s okay. Stay with me and we’ll work through this together.)  

This may present a bit of a conundrum for us as believers, at first thought. We say we believe His Word is living and active, that His instruction is inerrant. 

We believe His Word is true, transcribed by divinely inspired human hands.  

That through Scripture, He speaks to and moves in us to bring about conviction, transformation and renewal in our hearts and minds.  

But wait, here’s a heaping dish of contradiction for you: That last line of the Lord’s Prayer you’ve known and quoted all your life? Well, they are not actually the words of Jesus.  

While all of this is true and may reflect our first feelings about the matter, it’s vitally important that we unpack the how and why this phrase was added to Scripture. Only then will we understand that while the words may not have been part of Christ’s verbal instruction for how we should pray, they are still a reasonable addition to our prayer model that lines up with other Scriptural truth and can be applied in our prayer life today. 

In the gospels, we find that there are two instances in which Jesus tells His disciples how to pray: once in the book of Matthew, and once in Luke. Upon examination we can see several differences. From this we can infer that He was not giving them, or us, a prayer we should pray verbatim, but rather a form to follow and personalize.
(Thank you, Jesus, for being a personal God!)

He never intended for us to pray through the Lord’s Prayer every day by recitation.
No! Instead, He was conveying that in our conversations with Father God, we should emulate His example by expressing adoration, confessing our sins, and giving thanks before making our supplications. 

At that time, it was common practice for Christians present during public prayer times to respond verbally together. Much in the same way that we might nod in agreement or add an enthusiastic “amen” during our pastor’s moving prayer, they would respond individually (but in a group) at certain points. It was in this type of forum that the phrase “for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory” was commonly used. The assertion was a passionate proclamation – of God’s kingdom being ushered into the earth through Jesus, His supernatural power and all-encompassing glory. The phrase was so well accepted, that it was actually scribbled onto the margin of the Scriptural text…and eventually transcribed as part of the original text.  

While we now know that the final proclamation of the Lord’s Prayer wasn’t uttered from Jesus’ actual lips, we can be confident that expressing our adoration for God through our prayers is exactly in line with His word. The practice of making prayer “our own” – individually and corporately – is fulfilling exactly what Christ modeled for us in instruction and action! 

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Misunderstood Day 12 Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness: 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 Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness!

The Questions

1) Why is important that Mary sat as Jesus’ feet?  

2) How was Martha distracted with “much serving”? 

3) What is the “right choice” mentioned in verse 42 and how can it be taken away?

Luke 10:38-42

While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So, tell her to give me a hand.”
41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Original Intent

1) Why is important that Mary sat as Jesus’ feet?
When Jesus entered the city of Bethany, He was needing a place to rest. Mary was enthralled with the truth of Scripture being shared and wanted to learn more. Her position at Jesus’ feet displayed a posture of eager anticipation. As a servant sits at the master’s feet, hungry to learn every last detail of the trade, so Mary was ready to grab onto every nugget of truth being shared.

2) How was Martha distracted with “much serving”?
Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus were friends of Jesus’ and He frequently stayed at their home when traveling through Bethany. Martha was quite concerned about the business of her house; she had a standard to uphold and was consumed with having it done well. Martha knew the house needed cleaned and food needed prepared, but instead of completing the tasks and being satisfied, she “was distracted with much serving.” She was striving to go above and beyond her call of duty and as a result missed a chance to sit with the Son of God.  

3) What is the “right choice” mentioned in verse 42 and how can it be taken away?
Where Martha saw laziness and poor use of time, Mary saw a golden moment of deepening her relationship with the Almighty God in the flesh. The choice was open for both sisters to either sit with the Lord or be busy, but only 1 was the “right choice” for relational growth. Martha directly asked Jesus to “tell Mary” to help her, but here, Jesus says no. He refused to tell Mary to get busy “doing” rather than sit still “being”.  Jesus would not take away her choice to be with Him. Mary chose as the psalmist did, “The Lord is my chosen portion.” (Psalm 16:5) and she was protected by the Lord as He guarded and honored her decision to put their relationship above her busyness.  

Everyday Application

1) Why is important that Mary sat as Jesus’ feet?
When we spend time with the Lord, we are choosing to sit at His feet. He longs for relationship with us and hurrying through our devotional time compromises our ability to commune with the Living God. Sitting in a posture that shows our readiness to receive His word is important. We show that receiving the Word, being obedient to the Word, and submitting to the Word is a natural progression of our interactions with the Most High. The more we filled with the fruitful knowledge of God’s Word, the more deeply we will walk in intimate relationship with the Savior. If your spiritual life is feeling “lacking”, consider asking yourself how your time with the Lord is? Are you devouring His Word, hungry for more of Him? Or are distractions around you pulling you away, convincing you that time with God is boring and pointless?   

2) How was Martha distracted with “much serving”? 
Many earthly cultures value the habit of being busy, of doing good things because it’s expected. Heavenly Kingdom culture, on the other hand, says going slow, meeting the needs of others around us, and spending time with the Father are more important. Our commitment to spending time daily with God is a mirror of what our heart holds most valuable. Take a moment to assess what is distracting you by enticing you to serve beyond what the Lord has asked you to do. Ask the Holy Spirit to draw you back to the throne of God; sit and linger with Him today!  

3) What is the “right choice” mentioned in verse 42 and how can it be taken away?
While Jesus protected her choice, Mary could have felt unnecessarily guilty and chose to hop up and help her sister, but she didn’t. Neither Jesus nor Mary “took away” her choice to stay in communion with the Lord. How often do we “take away” our own choice to sit with God because of self-imposed guilt or a mis-prioritization on what is truly important?! Finding balance in life feels like an elusive fish to catch, but if we are to function well as healthy Christ-followers, feasting on the bread of life is absolutely critical! Jesus says, “Don’t work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you…” (John 6:27) The temptation to emphasize “busy, but important, stuff” over consistent, regular, lengthy time with Jesus is strong, which is why over the ages, time with God has fallen under the category of “spiritual disciplines”. It’s not easy to choose Jesus first, but denying our self-importance and learning to truly see Christ and our relationship with Him as supreme, will create a beautiful rhythmic dance for your life and ministry! Don’t take away the “good choice”, guard it just as Jesus did for Mary! 

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Catch up with Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness!

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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Our Current Study Theme!

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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 :-))

Memorize It!

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Shepherd Day 5 Quiet Waters

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Psalm 23:2
Colossians 3:12-17

Shepherd, Day 5

Lead
Definition of the Hebrew word: יְנַהֲלֵֽנִי׃ (pronounced naw-hal’)
to lead, give rest, lead with care, guide to a watering place or station, cause to rest,
bring to a station or place of rest, guide, refresh

Leadership is a tough road, friends. It’s scary, it’s intense, it’s pressure-filled.
It’s heavy on the side of accountability, vision, loving others, being “on”.
Leadership wearies.

And before you say, “I’m not a leader, so this doesn’t apply.”
Stop.
You are. We all have a sphere of influence that we’ve been given. We all lead.

Every single one of my seven children from 15 months to 14 years are leaders.
They all lead those around them into either greatness or into disobedience.
And let me tell you, their influence is significant; able to quickly turn the tide of their siblings, of their friends, of their parents, and even their whole family.
Whether it’s a tantrum, an encouraging word, a genuine hug, or a kick and a punch,
their influence is felt.

As Is Yours.
Student. Wife. Mama. Friend. Co-worker. Boss. Woman. Sister. Leader.
What we do with our leadership is significant.
Its influence is felt far and wide, whether we realize it or not.

Because our leadership reach is so far-reaching,
where we lead from makes all the difference.

When my daughter reaches out to hug the brother who just kicked her and, rather than run tattling, rather than kicking back, she hugs and says, “I can tell you’re having a rough morning.”
She is leading from something deeper and more solid than her own sense of self-preservation.
She’s leading from love.
Sacrificial. Humble. Love.

He leads me beside quiet waters.

When my husband gets my text message and reads between the lines to know that something deeper is happening than the words appearing on the screen, and he chooses to lay aside his work, hang up his call, and ask what’s really going on…..he’s leading from love.
Sacrificial. Humble. Love

He leads me beside quiet waters.

When we hold our tongue to listen to others.
When we choose to step into another’s shoes rather than pass judgment.
When we give generously.
When we pause to consider what it would look like to love our spouse better today.
When we seek the good of another over our own convenience.
When we lay aside the insistence that others fit into our parameters.
We are leading from love.
Sacrificial. Humble. Love.

Leading like this is hard. Leading like this doesn’t come naturally.
Leading like this, doing it well, and doing it consistently, necessitates One Thing.
Being led.
Sacrificing our own agenda to be led.
Humbly submitting ourselves to another’s leadership.
Leading from love.

He leads me beside quiet waters.

Hush. Peace. Slow. Be still.
He leads.

Hands stop moving.
Brains stop rushing ahead.
Agendas die.
Must Do lists fade.
All the voices silenced.
Closed doors.
Hush.
Peace.
Listen.
Quiet Waters.

He leads me beside quiet waters.

We cannot lead well if we refuse to be led.

יְנַהֲלֵֽנִי׃ has the connotation of being led station by station, from one, very intentional place of rest into the next in a continuous journey of quiet water to quiet water.

Wait, you might say, I don’t know about you, but my life is anything BUT quiet water.
Yes! Mine too!
But still, His invitation remains.

He leads me beside quiet waters.
Whether I’m leading my toddler in a rhythmic bedtime routine, homeschooling my children, leading at church, or choosing to love my husband better, intentional rhythms are crucial.
Leadership takes planning, forethought, a direction, and the discipline to follow through on those plans.
Being led requires the same discipline.

We will not have access to the quiet waters if we refuse to be intentional on allowing the Shepherd access to our hearts.
Quiet time.
Space for silence and solitude with the Savior.
Journaling prayers.
Allowing access. Being led. Accepting love.

He leads me beside quiet waters.

When we make space for quiet and time carved out to let the Savior love us with His own Word, we can lead from that love.
When we make meeting with Him, in submission to His leadership, the rhythm and practice of our daily lives,
He leads us solidly from quiet water to quiet water.

The world will continue to be loud.
The relationships may continue to spiral.
Others choices may continue to frustrate and be destructive,
but you will be steadfast.
Held by the hand that leads you from the quiet water of Himself, the very Living Water.

Jesus answered,
“If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you,
‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask Him,
and He would give you living water.” (John 4:10)

If you knew….
Oh sisters, if you knew of the sweet intimacies and depth of riches of being led from quiet water to quiet water, while being refreshed and refueled by the Living Water of Jesus Christ Himself, you would ask Him. And He would give it.

Drink deep.
Create the space.
Submit to His leadership.
And learn the rhythms of leading from His quieting love.

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

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

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Shepherd Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Looking for other journeys from this theme?
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Character Day 4 Jealous God: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!

We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!
Dig In!

The Passage

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Exodus 20:1-11 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Then God spoke all these words:
2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.
3 Do not have other gods besides me.
4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ iniquity, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.
7 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.
8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: 9 You are to labor six days and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You must not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the resident alien who is within your city gates. 11 For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy.

The Questions

1) Why is verse 2 included before listing the Ten Commandments?

2) What does it mean that God punishes the children for the fathers’ iniquity?

3) What does it mean that the seventh day is a Sabbath “to the Lord”?

The Findings for Intention

1) Why is verse 2 included before listing the Ten Commandments?
Verse 2 is a preface of sorts.  It reminds the Israelites Who it is that is giving them these commandments.  By reminding them that He alone is Jehovah, God is calling them to remember that He is their creator, their very source of existence.  By reminding them that He brought them out of slavery, He is reminding them that He has been faithful to them and powerful to cause the plagues and the miracles that allowed their exodus.  By making this statement, God reminds the Israelites that He is worthy to command the way they should live.

2) What does it mean that God punishes the children for the fathers’ iniquity?
Many commentators believe that this speaks of the natural consequences of our sin.  As parents, many times our sins have direct effects on our children, and even on their children.  This verse does not mean that the children of sinners are damned because of their parents—Ezekiel 18 points out that every person is responsible for their own sin (as do many other passages).  This serves as a warning to us.  Our idolatry can cause punishment, not only for us, but for our children and grandchildren.  But our faithfulness also has long-lasting good consequences.

3) What does it mean that the seventh day is a Sabbath “to the Lord”?
God gives us the Sabbath, not just for our benefit, to allow our bodies and minds to rest, but for His sake.  We are to dedicate one day in seven to the Lord. This is His day, when we are prescribed a time to remember and worship Him.  We are creatures who too easily forget the One who made us and holds us together, so He gives us the Sabbath to keep us focused on Him.

The Everyday Application

1) Why is verse 2 included before listing the Ten Commandments?
When I think about myself, my desires, my perceived injustices, I find obedience to God to be cumbersome.  But when I think about the Lord, how He made me, saved me, sustains me, and is so awesome, powerful, just, sovereign, and inconceivably wiser than me, I find obedience to be the clear, easy choice.  Women, remember the God you serve, when you are tempted to think of yourself first!

2) What does it mean that God punishes the children for the fathers’ iniquity?
It is sobering to see my children speak in a way that reveals the sinful way that I’ve spoken to them.  It’s true that God can and does redeem our mistakes in parenting, but it is also true that our sins affect our children negatively.  Let this be a motivating factor as we make decisions; our sinful choices affect more people than only ourselves.

3) What does it mean that the seventh day is a Sabbath “to the Lord”?
Although the Sabbath is practiced differently in the New Covenant (meaning right now) than it was in the Old Covenant (meaning before Jesus’ sacrificial death), it is still a part of the Law that God gave us as a gift.  Often, we feel like we don’t need to take time to rest and worship, but the Sabbath is not about us—it’s about God.  How can you set aside intentional time to cease from your work and remember your Creator? What would it look like to set aside one 24-hour period each week to cease from everything that is work, both paid and un-paid, and simply delight in the life that the Father has given you? Consider trying out God’s rhythm and see if you sense a more gently pace for living!

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I Can Do That!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read through it (always more than a verse or two).
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!

The Community!

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

The Tools!

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

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. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? 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 :-))

The Why!

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.

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

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Character!

The GT Weekend! Chase 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!

Journal With Us!

Journal Prompts

1) How has a change of plans brought anger in your life? After that anger wells up, we have two options; to move forward in that anger or choose to give thanks that God is sovereign over all (even the chaos!). Pray today for the Holy Spirit to help you choose thankfulness!

2) God forgave an entire city because of their immediate repentance. God’s forgiveness does not stop being offered because of your sin; that’s just the beginning! While there may still be physical consequences of our sin, God will always extend His gracious hand of forgiveness to the response of genuine repentance.

3) At the end of Jonah 2, we see Jonah was given so much grace. His response was to “sing a song of thanksgiving”. He made a resolution to move forward and share that grace but ended up being sidetracked. We’ve also been given an abundance of grace, how are we using it? Are we passing it on to others freely? Or holding onto it tightly?

Worship In Song

Music Video: Forgiveness 

Pour Out Your Heart

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I let my selfishness and pride give way to anger in my life. Lord, I get so stuck on my schedules, my lists, and my time. All of that focus leaves very little margin for You to do any work in my life; it’s no surprise I get all worked up that I don’t witness You working. I haven’t left You any space to do so! Let me lay ALL my life at your feet and leave it there as I watch Your hand at work in my life!

I don’t deserve Your lavish love and forgiveness. As You pour out those in my life, encourage me to be a good steward of them. Out of the outpouring of Your love at work in me, let me love others deeply and freely as You do. For Your glory, Lord!

Pray With Us!

In everything, with praise and thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God!
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