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Pause VIII, Day 6 A Collect In Exhaustion

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Pause VIII ~ Day Six

New To The Journey? Start Here!

His Words Before Ours

Deuteronomy 33:27
1 Peter 1:3-4
Isaiah 46:3-4
Luke 15:11-24

The alarm goes off.

We drag disbelieving eyelids open, and groan inwardly (or maybe outwardly, too).

I can’t possibly do it all again today, our minds rebel.

Yet it all must be done, so we haul ourselves, and our exhaustion, from the bed.

In her book, The Gifts of Imperfection, research professor, author, and storyteller Brené Brown describes how American culture proudly wears exhaustion as a status symbol. I highly recommend the book and completely agree with her assessment, but that’s not the type of exhaustion I’m talking about today. 

I’m talking about the soul-permeating exhaustion that happens as you scream-cry in the car before driving to the hospital for day 12 of an admission for your child’s new and shocking cancer diagnosis.

I’m talking about the stifling exhaustion that settles on your chest when you’re awake at 4 am, numbly staring into the darkness a week after your parent dies unexpectedly.

I’m talking about the exhaustion that clouds your vision, and fans the panic burning in your gut, as you stare at the growing list of past due bills, knowing the unemployment payments ran out weeks or months ago.

I’m talking about the obliterating exhaustion of caregiving, the kind that mixes with the shame of not doing more or better, with only the devastation of loss as “hope” of relief.

This type of exhaustion can’t be alleviated by re-evaluating our priorities, learning to say “no,” or reworking our calendars. It must simply be survived.

Today’s collect is a heart-cry to the only One who is able to sustain us in the midst of such crushing exhaustion.

A Collect in Exhaustion
Sustaining One,
who is boundless in strength, compassion, and generosity:
when life hollows us to echoing emptiness and we have abandoned desperately clawing the dusty floors of our own storehouses,
let us collapse into You, our Father, who runs to gather us up into Your everlasting arms,
that in You alone we might find endurance to make it through, 
an ever-firming faith, 
and rest at the last,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Today’s Collect Components
Address: Sustaining One,
Doctrine: who is boundless in strength, compassion, and generosity:
Petition: when life hollows us to echoing emptiness and we have abandoned the desperate act of clawing the dusty floors of our own storehouses,
let us collapse into You, our Father, who runs to gather us up into Your everlasting arms,
Aspiration: that in You alone we might find endurance to survive, 
faith made stronger, 
and soul rest at last,
Mediation: through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Meditate & Reflect

1) Consider the beauty of a welcoming God depicted in these two passages:

“But while the son was still a long way off,
his father saw him and was filled with compassion.
He ran to him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.”
(Luke 15:20)

“The God of old is your dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
(Deuteronomy 33:27)

Friend, if you are barely surviving in the place of crushing exhaustion, let these words sink into your soul. As you meditate, imagine God seeing you, overflowing with compassion, running to you, and wrapping you in His arms. Imagine His everlasting arms holding you to His chest, safe and loved. Then, tell Him about it. All of it, every honest and painful second. Allow His presence to comfort you. I

2) If your community offers practical support, take it. If they offer to help, let them. Is this something you are willing to do? Wrestle with why or why not.

3) Sisters, if you are not currently stumbling through the wilderness of exhaustion, chances are good someone around you is. Spend a few minutes prayerfully brainstorming to whom and how you can show God’s love and support to someone who desperately needs it. Finally, spend a few minutes interceding on behalf of whomever God brings to mind. This, dear sisters, is the beauty of living in holy community.

Worship

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Pause VIII, Day 5 A Collect For Lament

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Pause VIII ~ Day Five

New To The Journey? Start Here!

His Words Before Ours

Psalm 5

As we conclude our first week of Pause VIII, refocusing our hearts through the practice of praying through collects, we want to give you an opportunity to construct your own collect!

We’ll be using psalms as inspiration for our Friday collects on our three-week Journey Theme. One way to categorize the biblical psalms is by content: psalms of lament, of thanksgiving, and of praise.

Today, we’ll begin with a psalm of lament. 

Author Clint Watkins has written extensively on the subject of holy lament; he explains, “The Psalms are the hymns of God’s people, a compilation of corporate prayers and songs. Lament is its largest category, accounting for 68 of 150 psalms. Scripture’s hymnal is filled with saints who wrestle with the Lord. In other words, lament is not something we do in order to worship. Lament is worship.”

Mitch Everingham, in an article on learning to lament published with The Gospel Coalition, adds, “Psalms of lament show us that crying out our complaints with heart-wrenching honesty is not only okay–but Godly. Even in the depths of the pit, the loss of a loved one, or a moment of despair–God anticipates and hears each of our cries.” 

In a world gutted by sin and suffering so intense despair seems the only logical response,  lament is a courage-soaked declaration of hope in a just and compassionate God who sees, cares, and walks through our suffering with us.

So today, we invite you to join us in worshiping God through creating a collect for lament of your own design.

To begin, check out Psalm 5, a lament written by the Israelite king and poet, David.

For a modern song of lament, based on a prayer of penitence in the Book of Common Prayer, listen to “Lord, Have Mercy” (Keith and Kristyn Getty).

Now, it’s time to write!
I’ve found it helpful to have the structure for collects handy while writing, so I’m going to drop it here, as a reminder:

  1. Address: a name or characteristic of God
  2. Doctrine: a truth about God’s nature, serving as the basis for prayer
  3. Petition: what is requested of God
  4. Aspiration: what good result will come if the request is granted
  5. In Jesus’ name: a reminder Jesus is our mediator

Once your collect is complete, bring it to God in prayer.

Finally, if you feel comfortable, we’d love for you to share your collect with GT sisters! Your boldness will encourage and strengthen the community, urging us to worship the Lord God together!

Drop it in the comments below, send it via email, or share it in our private Facebook Community Group! 

Meditate & Reflect

1) This time is for you and the Lord. He has already prepared gifts and mercies to give to you as you spend time in His Word and engaging Him through prayer. Settle in, choose as quiet of a place as you can find, and read His Word, then pray it back to Him as you form your own collect!

2) Here’s Psalm 5 to begin your meditation and reflection time as you prepare to pen your collect!

1 Listen to my words, LORD;
consider my sighing.
2 Pay attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for I pray to you.

3 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I plead my case to you and watch expectantly.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil cannot dwell with you.
5 The boastful cannot stand in your sight;
you hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who tell lies;
the LORD abhors violent and treacherous people.

7 But I enter your house
by the abundance of your faithful love;
I bow down toward your holy temple
in reverential awe of you.
8 LORD, lead me in your righteousness because of my adversaries;
make your way straight before me.

9 For there is nothing reliable in what they say;
destruction is within them;
their throat is an open grave;
they flatter with their tongues.
10 Punish them, God;
let them fall by their own schemes.
Drive them out because of their many crimes,
for they rebel against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them shout for joy forever.
May you shelter them,
and may those who love your name boast about you.
12 For you, LORD, bless the righteous one;
you surround him with favor like a shield.


Worship

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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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Pause Day 13 Soul Space

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“Thus says the Lord of hosts:
These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.”

Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet,
“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?

Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways!”
(Haggai 1:2-5)

There’s always something else, isn’t there?
Another load of laundry. Another stack of dishes. Another paper to grade, shoe to tie, diaper to change, friend to check in on, budget to balance, problem to solve, lawn to mow, repairs to make. Always.
And that’s exactly the Lord’s point through the message of Haggai’s prophecy.

“Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways!”

We can find something “more important” than spending time with Jesus, that’s easy. We can do it at any moment of any day. The time ear-marked “Quiet Time With God” will never just fall in our lap.
But we can shift our gaze.
We can find a better rhythm.
We can choose space for our souls to be nourished.

Together, let’s “consider our ways” today. Let’s stop “building our paneled houses” and reposition the busy of our hands to remember that He, the Yahweh of Hosts, is with us.
And *that* is enough!

Today's Invitation

1) The discipline of copying down Scripture holds much treasure! Make space in your journal to write down Haggai 1. 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).

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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Haggai 1

In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” 3 Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? 5 Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 6 You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. 9 You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.10 Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. 11 And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.”

12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord. 13 Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord‘s message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.” 14 And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

Haggai 2

In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lordcame by the hand of Haggai the prophet: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. 6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’”

10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, 11 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: 12 ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?’” The priests answered and said, “No.” 13 Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” 14 Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the Lord, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. 15 Now then, consider from this day onward.Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the Lord, 16 how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 17 I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the Lord. 18 Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord‘s temple was laid, consider: 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.”

20 The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.”

How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 3 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 Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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

The GT Weekend – Resting Week Two

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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) Turning to the Lord to rest in Him can be scary and difficult to remember in the stresses of life, whether big or small. What has worked best for you to rest in Him? Scheduling your quiet time, prayer journaling, etc? Share below in the comments to encourage each other to step into obedience and find rest!

2) Review the places you are serving and spending your time. Compare that to what you feel through the Holy Spirit of where Father wants you to be serving. Is there a disparity? What do you need to cut out – even “good” things? What do you need to add in – even “rest-filled” things?

3) Write out Philippians 4:7 and post it on your bathroom mirror. Let this truth permeate your soul this next week.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Check out our printable below for a great reminder of the truth we have in Jesus!

Worship In Song

Music Video: Be Still My Soul by Kari Jobe

Pour Out Your Heart

Lord, I put my to-do list and never slowing schedule
In Your hands.
Lord, I put my self-imposed pressure to be all things to all people
In Your hands.
Lord, I put my pride
In Your hands.
Lord, I put life, my all
In Your hands.
Let me know more of You.
Amen

Pray With Us!

In everything, with praise and thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God!
Click here to comment and pray with the GT Community!
Want to connect with a GT Partner?
Send your prayer request to prayer@gracefullytruthful.com
We are committed to praying over and walking with you!

Journey With Us

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What were your thoughts from the GT Weekend?
How were you drawn near to the Father and encouraged in your faith?
Share with the community and encourage other women!

The GT Weekend – Space Week Three

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The GT Weekend – Space Week Three

Michelle Promise

December 31, 2016

Bold,Brave,Courage,Emptiness,Faith,Freedom,GT Weekend,Help,Hope,Life,Made New,Praise,Prayer,Purpose,Space,Transformation,Wisdom,Worship

Rest your soul through reflective journaling,
praying Scripture,
and worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

His Words Before Ours

Mark 16:14-16

Later he appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw him after he had risen.

15 Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Read More Of His Words

Reflective Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.

*Book of Common Prayer, 1979 version, Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA.
Pray Scripture

Worship Through Song

Reflection One

As you process the last year, think about what your high points were. Low points. Closest to God points. Loneliest points. Most joyous occasion. Toughest conversation.

Challenge yourself to look for God in each of those moments. How was He waiting for you? What did you learn from His character in those times?
Monday & Tuesday

Reflection Two

Looking forward to 2017, think of ways you can make space for our Savior. We often have the best of intentions at the beginning of the year but flake out quickly (sometimes before January is over!).

Allowing for change in our lives when we are following Jesus goes much deeper than a superficial “New Year’s Resolution”, it’s about being completely Remade from the inside of our hearts.
Wednesday & Thursday

Reflection Three

Our next Journey Study Theme leans in to all that God has for us as He makes us new. We hope you’ll join us and bring a friend with you! In the meantime, get a head start and use our Remade file below to print and fill out. Ask yourself how you need to be remade in the areas listed. Pray over it, ask God to move in big ways! Then go share it with a friend who will help keep you accountable and pray for you during your Remaking this year.

We’d love to hear what Father has done in 2016 and where you want to refocus for 2017. Email us at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com and tell us about it!
2-for-1 Friday

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Dec 12 - Dec 30, 2016 -- Journey Theme #9
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Space Day 15
Space To Share

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 28:16-20
Romans 10:5-17
Isaiah 52:6-12

“Boldness.” The sound of my own voice startled me and I jumped slightly. My answer surprised me even more. “I want to become more bold in my faith.” Our leader continued around the table to the next person as I wondered silently at my response. The seven of us were meeting for the first time to discuss the formation of discipleship groups and to learn more about each other. Our leader had asked each of us to share what we hoped to gain over the course of our year together.

More bold? Where on earth did that come from? I thought. I’m plenty bold. I talk to people about God all the time. I sing on the worship team, for crying out loud. I mean, I guess I can be quiet sometimes, but I’m pretty extroverted as a rule. What a weird thing for me to say. My attention returned to the other women seated around the table. The Sunday School classroom was cold, and I pulled my sweater tightly around my shoulders as I listened to each response. My own answer faded from my thoughts as our leader resumed speaking and I didn’t think of it again until I left the church building and walked to my car.

As I put my key into the ignition, I felt a gentle nudge in my spirit. Are you bold? I paused. Is it bold to tell someone at church that you will pray for them? I pushed the key in further. Is it bold to talk about what I am doing in your life on Sunday mornings… with people who know Me already? I turned the heater on and clasped my hands together.
The Spirit of God was right.
My “boldness” had been limited to others within my “Sanitized Sunday Circle”.
I had no problem sharing Him and talking about Him if those individuals attended my church or if I knew of their faith.
I felt my cheeks begin to burn as I recognized my sinful arrogance.

We can all recall times when we have taken the more comfortable path.
Perhaps we told a suffering neighbor that we would keep them in our prayers…
and swallowed the urge to pray for them on the spot.
Perhaps we kept silent when a coworker mentioned that their plans fell through for Sunday morning…
and quelled the invitation that nearly reached our lips.
Perhaps we explained a miraculous physical healing to an unbelieving friend as luck…
when God’s power was unquestionably the reason for our recovery.

Let’s face it; sharing Jesus in an unbelieving world is majorly intimidating sometimes.
So what can we do about it?
How can we begin sharing Jesus in the real world on a daily basis?

First, we can’t miss the fact that we need Jesus as much as those who are lost.
That acknowledgement looks like making sure that time alone with God is a top priority. No excuses, just deciding to make it happen. As we spend quality time in His presence, our hearts begin to mimic His and our actions will follow suit. When we set aside space to grow our relationship with Him, our reality begins to reflect His reality, which spills over onto others…in amazing, authentic ways.

As we work on developing our relationship with Him, we must also be intentional about interacting with unbelievers. For some, it might be normal to go through an entire week without interacting with one other person that does not know Jesus. Some of us may face physical limitations. Some of us are in a stage that requires us to be home a lot more than others. Some of us are in the workforce and interact with far more unbelievers than believers. Whatever our situation, we need to connect with others in real ways and decidedly purpose to share Jesus through our compassion, humility, truthfulness and forgiveness. Our behavior and choices are a direct reflection of the One we follow. Are our thoughts and treatment of others reflecting the King of our heart? Or do we have some heart work to do?

Next, we can humbly ask Him to give us His heart and His eyes. Ask Him to show us who He wants us to lovingly engage on His behalf and create space to listen for His response. Sometimes He would have us reach out to the person we would least expect, but we miss the mark because we are busy reaching out to the person we think needs Him more. We must trust that He knows what He is doing and relinquish our grip of control… no matter how uncomfortable that may make us.

Father, we love You. Forgive us for the times we have ignored Your direction and have chosen comfort over Christ. Embolden us to share You in real and practical ways as we encounter a dark and desperate world. Help us practice being available for You and show us who You would have us love on today.

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Space Day 14
Indescribable Gift: 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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John 3:16-18 English Standard Version (ESV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

The Questions

1) There are four linking words (for, that, that, but) in verse 16. What do each of these indicate?

2) What was the purpose of the Son being sent into the world?

3) What does Jesus mean by “condemned” in verse 18? What is the point of this verse?

The Findings for Intention

1) There are four linking words (for, that, that, but) in verse 16. What do each of these indicate?
Breaking down the linking words in a passage can help us better understand how different parts of the verse are related. “For” indicates a reason for something—because God so loved the world. “That” indicates what happened as a result. Because God loved the world, he gave his Son, and the result of giving his Son is that whoever believes in him will not perish. “But” indicates a contrast. Whoever believes in Him will not perish, but instead will have eternal life. Tracing it backwards, we clearly see that the reason we can have eternal life begins with God’s love for us! This truly is the gospel wrapped in a single verse!

2) What was the purpose of the Son being sent into the world?
Verse 19 says that Jesus came that the world might be saved through Him. The whole purpose of Him being sent to earth by the Father, being born as a human, growing up, teaching, and eventually dying on the cross and being resurrected was to save us from our sin. His purpose was not to condemn us and leave us feeling guilty with no way to salvation. His purpose was love as He offered a restored relationship with Him!

3) What does Jesus mean by “condemned” in verse 18? What is the point of this verse?
The Greek word translated “condemned” is krínō, which basically means judged or determined to be guilty. Jesus is saying that anyone who believes in Him is safe from judgment for their sins, but those who do not believe in Him will be condemned, because they have not believed in the only Way for them to escape their sins.

The Everyday Application

1) There are four linking words (for, that, that, but) in verse 16. What do each of these indicate?
God had a reason for sending his Son to the earth. He loves us so much! Jesus willingly humbled Himself to the form of a baby, lived a perfect human life, and died a horrific death, because He loves us! God’s love for us is the beginning of salvation. Praise You, Father! And thank You for loving such undeserving people!

2) What was the purpose of the Son being sent into the world?
Some people resent Jesus because when they look at Him, they feel guilty for their sins. They feel that He is out to spoil everyone’s fun. Some people like Jesus as a good example or teacher, but they have too much pride to be able to worship Him as Lord of all. They suppress their guilt and think they’re okay on their own. Although encountering a holy God naturally leaves us aware of our unrighteousness, the whole purpose of Jesus coming to earth was not to condemn, but to save! Women, let’s see God’s purpose for us, let go of our sins and pride, and follow Him out of gratitude for our salvation!

3) What does Jesus mean by “condemned” in verse 18? What is the point of this verse?
The sobering reality is that our default state without Christ is rejection by God and condemnation under His wrath because we are dead in our sins. We are separated from Him and without hope as long as we depend on our own “good enoughs” to get us to Heaven. But in the words of Paul, “Praise be to God for His indescribable gift!” The salvation offered in Jesus both frees us to live without condemnation and guilt over sin and compels us to share this incredible gift with others! Christians have a responsibility to share the good news about Christ with the world—to give people the opportunity to come to saving faith. Who can you share Christ with this week? And who can you faithfully pray for, that their heart might be ready to receive Him?

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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 Space Week Three!
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 Space!

Space Day 13
Indescribable Gift

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 3:16-18
Psalm 89:24-37
Colossians 1:15-17
2 Corinthians 9:15  

As I write this, we’re in the middle of fall. Halloween is just around the corner and our days are filled with cool temperatures, apple-scented candles, and brightly colored leaves. I love fall, but you know what I love more? Christmas.

It’s the most wonderful time of year. I love the lights, the songs, the decorations, the gifts, the church services, and the parties. I love spending time with loved ones and serving in special ways.
There are so many things that I love about the Christmas season and
I want to do All. Of. The. Things.

Just this morning, I was browsing Pinterest for Christmas tradition ideas. I came across many pins that featured some version of a Christmas Bucket List – activities you should do during the Christmas season. They included baking Christmas cookies, going to see Christmas lights, and having a Christmas movie marathon. I love all of those things, but the more I kept scrolling, the higher my anxiety rose. It’s only October and I was already feeling the pressure to have an amazing Christmas season filled with amazing Christmas activities!

We all know that it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness and the show of the season, but God desires more for us than an Instagram-worthy Christmas. God cares about the joy we experience both during Christmas and after, but His heart for us is that we would be enthralled with Him in deeper ways.
He longs for us to dig deep with Him, and find that knowing Him not only gives us depth to enjoy Christmas, but to keep walking richly in joy even after the tree is down, pie is eaten, and parties are over.

When the day we’ve spent so long preparing for is over, and all the boxes are put away and the gifts all unwrapped, the best gift is still there….ever available, ever new, always open, but always still waiting to be unwrapped just a little bit more.
Praise be to God for His indescribable gift!

Beyond the activities, beyond the parties, the cookies, the snowmen, and Christmas lights.
Far beyond every checkmark on your Christmas Bucket List, lies the Savior.
Sure, a babe in a manger, incredible!
Deeper still, the unfathomable sacrifice at the cross where He became sin for our sake; inconceivable!
Fuller and ever more profound, His imminent return. While, in the meantime, He offers Himself totally and completely in intimate relationship with us that we might know Him!
Him.
The Lord of Creation!
The Savior of the World!
The God of the Universe!
The Author of our Salvation!
The Lover of our souls!

And He invites us to know Him.
More now than we did yesterday.
More tomorrow than we will today.

That Christmas baby boy was indeed an “indescribable gift” as His presence is living and active just as much today in this moment as when He spoke the world into being, when He entered humanity as a babe, and when He defeated death on the cross.

That frustrating relational exchange you had today?
He was there, and He had more for you.
Those financial troubles that hang heavy on your mind?
He is there, and He has more for you.
That big unknown about your future?
He is already there, and He has more for you.
Always More.
More of His character to uncover.
Deeper truths to apply to your everyday life.
Greater love to pour over your life and the lives of those around you.

As we move into a new year, don’t let the “bottom out” feeling of packing away Christmas settle in on you. Remember that what made Christmas special is still waiting to be discovered. It’s not the perfect tree or the image you couldn’t wait to post to social media, it’s the Savior who offers His life to you at Christmas, at Easter, and everyday in between.

May our delight be found each day as we reach for the bran new mercies of God waiting for us
and may our heart’s cry ever be, Jesus, take me deeper!
Join me and make space to know Him deeper today than we did yesterday!

*written with Rebecca Adams

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

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