Unity

The GT Weekend! ~ Worship VII Week 1

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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) “Be still and know”. In a society which urges us at every moment to hustle harder, hurry to the next thing, and do more, the King of Kings calls His beloved children to be still. He calls those who love Him to cease their striving, to rest in His goodness and His completed work. He has always been faithful, and He will continue in His faithfulness. No amount of work or hustle can change His faithfulness toward you. Over the last six months since Covid-19 hit, some of us had the opportunity to slow down and sit with our thoughts as we have been kept at home, while others of us have had more and more responsibilities heaped on our plates beyond what we can manage. Spend some time today considering your response to God’s call to be still. Where in your life are you striving and working to make yourself better? Where are you resisting the gift of rest God has provided for you? Set aside some time this week to practice stillness. This may require getting up a little earlier or coordinating with your spouse to allow for some time away. Find space to rest, listen to God’s gentle leading, worship Him with honest transparency, and renew your soul by remembering “the Lord is on your side.”

2) “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” Jesus gave His life on the wondrous cross so we who believe might be united to Him. This unity demands we die to our selfish desires and relinquish any control we think we have over our lives. In Philippians 3, Paul tells his readers he has lost everything for the sake of Jesus, but considers all he lost as nothing because he has gained Christ. As followers of Christ, we will face suffering. This is the nature of our broken world. How have you responded to suffering in your life? Have you allowed God to make you new, even in the midst of suffering, or are you carrying around bitterness? Write down a current or recent struggle, then intentionally turn it over to the Lord. Ask for His help as you navigate this suffering. Name specific heart responses you have had toward your difficult situation, both positive and negative. Praise God for His work in you! If you’ve never died to yourself, knowing you have no righteousness on your own apart from Jesus, (Philippians 3:9) take these moments to repent from sin, asking Him to bring you the fullness of life only He can offer!

3)It is easy to forget all that went into securing our hope of salvation. Jesus was brought down low in order that we who trust in Him could be united to Him. He suffered and died so He might invite the weary and burdened to follow Him and take up His easy yoke. I don’t know about you, but I am humbled that anyone would choose to die such a horrific death on my behalf; much less Jesus himself who stepped down from the highest heaven to become the lowest servant. This sobering thought should lead us to consider how we can serve others. What could we possibly do that Jesus Himself has not already done to serve the Church? How can I ever possibly think I am above any position of service? Where is God calling you to lay down your life and serve others today? Is there a need for volunteers in your church? Do you have a friend or neighbor in need of encouragement or a meal? Ask God to show you ways you can reflect the humility of Christ by serving those in need around you. Make a plan to serve at least one person this week because Jesus came low to serve you.

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Romans 8:37-39 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Prayer Journal
Lord, quiet my heart. Help me to be still and consider the greatness of the gifts You have given Your people. Thank You that You are on my side, despite what the world tells me. I know You gave Your Son to die on a cross, so I might have life to the full. Help me to never take Your gift for granted! Remind me the wonderful cross was the ultimate sacrifice for my ultimate good. Give me courage, strength, and perseverance to die to myself and live out my union with Christ. And oh! Let me not forget the glory awaiting me in the life to come! Let my weary soul find rest in the comfort of knowing that one day, I will dwell in Your presence. I trust You are preparing a place for me, and I find joy in knowing You will make all things new. As I consider what heaven will be like, help me to live out the principles of Your Kingdom “on earth, as it is in heaven.” Let me abide in Your perfect love and share Your love with the world around me. May I be full of Your goodness and truth.

Worship Through Community

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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

Calling Day 13 One To Another

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 5:15-6:9
Mark 12:28-34
Psalm 133:1-3

Calling, Day 13

I saw the picture.
I bet you did, too.

George Floyd’s body on the ground, a police officer’s knee to his neck.

I. Can’t. Breathe.

And the Church began to move.

While racial injustice has soared for the United States’ entire existence and slavery built the understructure of our nation, we’ve been quiet.

Excuses.

“If only…”
“Well, if they hadn’t…”
“They should’ve…”

Until the injustice was so blatantly obvious we couldn’t ignore it any longer.

I’m ashamed it took the dying words of a lynched man to wake us up.

Our call to love, to submit, to live in unity within the Church is as old as mankind
because our God is a God of unity.

All throughout Scripture, God tells us to love. He shows us He is a listening and hearing God and since we were made in His image, we should be listening and hearing, too.

Yet.

We have women in abusive marriages begging for help.
While the Church looks away. 

We have children crying for parents to love and care for them.
While the Church looks away. 

We have Black neighbors decrying injustice and racism of all kinds.
While the Church looks away. 

Or, at least, it did.

In Ephesians, Paul calls the Church to action, disputing the idea we were ever given permission to turn a blind eye to the many dark injustices in the world.

First, he calls us to unity, instructing us to be wise and clear-minded. He exhorts us to speak to one another with the music of heaven threaded through our words and to worship together, offer our thanks to the Lord, and …
submit to one another in reverent awe of Christ. 

Did you catch the lack of distinction?

Submit.
Every. Single. Believer.

The world tries to put the Bible within the context of its own darkened, limited, sin-stained understanding. Unfortunately, many Christians believe the world, instead of reading the Bible and commentaries and seeking the perfect understanding of the Holy Spirit. (Example: the world likes to say, “Only God can judge me.” But we know from Scripture, that is a misrepresentation to excuse sin.)

So, it’s no surprise we’ve believed the world’s pronouncement that submission is archaic, antifeminist, and oppressive. The idea of submission can leave us with a bad aftertaste if we refuse to learn what the Lord truly means by the beautiful dance of submission.

The Lord’s desire for us to submit, each to the other, whoever the “other” is, regardless of gender, heritage, race, position, or ethnicity, is born out of how God holds submission within Himself as a triune God. Each member of the trinity actively submits to the other to bring about whole oneness and perfect unity.
A lovely, holy dance of submission, one to another.

If we, as Christians, submitted “one to the other”, we would look a lot more like Jesus than we do right now.

Biblical submission is not archaic, antifeminist, or oppressive.
It isn’t abusive, it’s beautiful.

Submitting means putting others before ourselves.

In fact, the idea of biblical submission is closely related to meekness. Before you start thinking this means weakness, here’s the definition Jesus referenced for the Greek word for meek:

“Intentionally choosing to lovingly, gently defer in order to esteem and value another.”

Meek submission requires strength of character, complete reliance on God to supply our needs, and a tender, compassionate willingness to pause and listen to others’ words and respond to their needs. Meek submission lovingly and intentionally lays aside our own arrogant need to be right and instead, elevates the other person.

In order to live this way in our everyday lives, we must first submit to God by fully grasping His will for the Church to live as one unified Body.

Now here’s the thing… when I say the Church looks away when injustice reigns, I don’t mean every church or every person in the Church, but shouldn’t we be unified in opposition to injustice?

When People of Color within the Church speak up on division, shouldn’t the whole Church hold each other up?
That’s unity.
That’s submission.
That’s meekness.

Paul goes on to explain wives are to submit to their husbands, children are to honor and respect their parents, and slaves are to obey their masters (or employees to employers), all of which looks like a big, heaping spoonful of beautiful, godly, strong and gentle, meek submission.

Before Paul really gets into details, he first instructs us to speak to one another in love, give thanks, and submission to one another.

No distinction. No qualification. No excuse.

All of us are to submit to one another. 

And all are to submit to Christ.

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
–Jesus

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Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Calling 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 Calling!

Calling Day 9 Live Worthy: 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 Live Worthy

The Questions

1) What is the calling received in verse 4 and how do we live worthy of it?

2) What is the gift Christ gives in verse 7 compared to the gifts in verse 8?

3) Why is there an emphasis on unity in these verses?

Ephesians 4:1-16

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 For it says:
When he ascended on high,
he took the captives captive;
he gave gifts to people.
9 But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. 16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Original Intent

1) What is the calling received in verse 4 and how do we live worthy of it?
When referring to the calling of the Ephesian believers, Paul reminds them they belong to Christ. Christ has called them to Himself and they are now representatives of Christ to the unbelieving world. Christ called them out of their life of sin, which brought death, and offered them the gift of eternal life. Paul is challenging the Ephesians to live as those who received that gift. Paul defines how the Ephesians can live worthy of the calling in verses 2-3, specifically, by living in humility, gentleness, patience, love, and in unity as believers. On the surface, these seem difficult, however, when Jesus is living through us these are the traits that flow out of us with the power of the Holy Spirit working from the inside.

2) What is the gift Christ gives in verse 7 compared to the gifts in verse 8?
Unlike most of the Ephesian letter, Paul takes an individualistic tone in verse 7. He is speaking to the individual believer and not the Church as a whole. Paul is reminding them of the gift Christ bestowed on them which is grace. This gift is in proportion to what Christ bestows on each individual. Gift is singular in verse 7, not plural as it is in verse 8. Paul shifts to a plural word in verse 8 and lists several of the gifts bestowed on believers in verses 11-12. The gifts listed in those verses are some of what Paul is referencing in verse 8. These gifts are given for the advancement of the Kingdom, and meant for the betterment of the entire community.

3) Why is there an emphasis on unity in these verses?
Together, the believers in Ephesus make up a local Body of Christ. They each have different gifts and roles to play. Paul is reminding them of the importance of unity throughout this section. He is speaking to the entire body of believers and not the individual. This unity is important because the church is only as good as those who are in actively working within it. As believers work together in unity, they are challenged to grow, and sharpened to work properly as Christ has called them. On an island alone, no believer can reach their true potential or calling. Proverbs 27:17 speaks to the sharpening of mankind. If there is no unity, there cannot be sharpening. We must focus on God, instead of ourselves, and allow Him to bind us together in unity if the Church is to be the Church as God designed her to be. True unity doesn’t happen without prayerful work and intentional discipline, and it doesn’t happen without staying focused on what binds the Church together, which Paul specifically states in verses 5-6. As each individual of the Church clings to the truth of unity under the truth of “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God” (verse 4), the Church is sharpened, and each gift is better used to advance the Kingdom.

Everyday Application

1) What is the calling received in verse 4 and how do we live worthy of it?
We are called Christians, bearing the name of Christ as our identity. The calling we received is that of belonging to Him. As we grow in relationship with Christ, who we are looks increasingly more like Him. Just as the Ephesians were representatives to the world around them, so are we. We are called to be Christ’s representatives to an unbelieving world. Our lives should be an overflow of what Christ is doing in us. When we are walking closely with the Lord, it His love and heart the world sees playing out in the characteristics Paul mentions in verses 2-3. Matthew Henry writes, “Christians ought to accommodate themselves to the gospel by which they are called, and to the glory to which they are called; both are their vocation. We are called Christians; we must answer that name, and live like Christians. We are called to God’s kingdom and glory; that kingdom and glory therefore we must mind, and walk as becomes the heirs of them.” Is this what others see when they look at you? Does the world see Jesus when they see you?

2) What is the gift Christ gives in verse 7 compared to the gifts in verse 8?
“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:7) Each of us receives grace as Christ gifts it to us. Just as with the Ephesians, this gift is an individualistic gift of grace, providing believers not with what they deserve, but with something so much better, forgiveness and life. The gifts in verses 11-12 still exist today and no single believer is given all of them. Within the Body of Christ, the Church, we each have gifts to use to advance the Kingdom and pour into His Church. Christ entrusts each of us with gifts He intends to use through us. Much like in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, it is our choice what we will do with those gifts. We can choose to utilize those gifts and grow them, or we can choose to bury them away, using them for selfish purposes. Sisters, are you actively looking for opportunities to serve others with the gifts He has given you, or are you hiding them away? If you aren’t using them, I urge you to begin looking for outlets to serve using the gifts God has given. The Church was designed for each of us to use our gifts for His Kingdom! We need each other!

3) Why is there an emphasis on unity in these verses?
Matthew 28:16-20 provides the call on all believers to make disciples of people in all nations. When I think about this, I am in awe that God would entrust me with the task of sharing the Gospel! However, I am quickly reminded this is not a task I am capable of completing on my own. My job is to plant seeds in those who do not know Him, and allow the God of the Universe to water and grow those seeds. I am also quickly reminded this task of making disciples globally is not one I can accomplish alone. Yes, I have a role to play, as do each one of us who trust in Jesus as Savior, but alone it would be impossible. It is only as we band together in unity under Christ, who is the head of the Church, we can accomplish the mission set before us. When the world looks to the church and sees division instead of unity, the message of the Gospel is lost. When the Church cannot come together in unity under the one who saved us, we can never reach our potential. We need each other to make us better. If we all had exactly the same gifts, viewpoints, and passions, the Church would be pretty boring, but it would also not be able to work as God intended. We need each other to have a complete picture. Therefore, I ask you, are you allowing the differences to tear us apart or looking to what unifies us to make each of us better?

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

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 Calling 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.

Calling Day 4 For The Church: 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 For The Church!

The Questions

1) Who is the “you” in these verses?

2) What is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation? (verse 17)

3) Why is there such an emphasis on Christ being above everything in verses 21-22?

Ephesians 1:15-23

15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Original Intent

1) Who is the “you” in these verses?
Paul uses the pronouns “you” and “your” several times in verses 15-19 therefore it is important to know who Paul is praying for, so we can have an accurate understanding of this passage. Originally, Paul’s letter was written in Greek. Thanks to ancient texts that have been preserved, Bible scholars can read the original words in its original language, which reveals how each instance of “you” and “your” in these particular verses is actually plural. If we read Ephesians 1:13, we know the audience had placed their faith fully in Jesus. “In Him you (y’all) also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you (y’all) heard the word of truth, the gospel of your (ya’lls’) salvation, and when you (y’all) believed.” Therefore, we know Paul is addressing the entire body of believers in Ephesus, not just one person.  He is praying for, and speaking to, the greater Church as a whole.

2) What is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation? (verse 17)
Paul writes out his prayer request for God to give the Ephesians His Spirit of wisdom and revelation. True wisdom comes from the Father and is something we must look for in Him alone. (Proverbs 9:10) To fully understand “revelation”, it’s helpful to first understand the definition in Greek. Paul uses the word “apokalupsous”, which is the derivative for our word “apocalypse”. Vine’s Bible dictionary defines this word as “the communication of the knowledge of God to the soul.” This phrase is a deeply personal knowing of the God of the Universe. Paul is interceding on behalf of the Ephesians that they may know God in a fuller deeply, intimate, and personal way. However, this work is only done through the power of the Spirit. Bible commentator Matthew Henry says, “We have the revelation of the Spirit in the word: but will that avail us, if we have not the wisdom of the Spirit in the heart?”. It is only as the Spirit allows our hearts to be opened to His wisdom and through the work of the Spirit that life transformation happens.

3) Why is there such an emphasis on Christ being above everything in verses 21-22?
Paul clearly communicates Christ is above all in verses 21 and 22. He is above rulers, powers, titles, and is the head of the Church, His precious Bride. He is the ultimate authority over everything and every soul. Christ did what no one else could in setting the world right, which was broken when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. Colossians 1:16 reminds us Christ was present at creation and all things were not only made through Him, but also continue to be sustained through Him. Paul goes on to emphasize Christ’s position as the head of the Church in Philippians 2:9 and Colossians 1:18. Paul is reminding the Ephesian believers that Christ is the head of this beautiful, timeless, global Body they belong to; this truth brings unity! He is reminding them this life is not an individualistic life, but one to be lived as a whole Body working together for the Kingdom under the authority of Christ. 

Everyday Application

1) Who is the “you” in these verses?
Paul wrote these verses to the body of believers in Ephesus, however, his words are just as much for the entire global body of believers today. In English, and a western culture mindset, it’s easy for us to read the words “you” or “your” and hear them from an individual perspective, which would be a pretty big mistake in the book of Ephesians. As we read these verses, and the book as a whole, it is important to read it through the lens of a collective body. Every believer is a part of each other. We are to live and walk and love together in unity as if we are one physical body. (Romans 12:5) Verses 22-23 remind us of this reality when Paul refers to the church as the body of Christ. “And He (God) subjected everything under His (Jesus) feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all thing in every way.

2) What is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation? (verse 17)
Paul isn’t asking God for wisdom and revelation for himself, rather, he is interceding on behalf of the Ephesians asking God to allow them to know Him in a personally intimate way. This should not be lost on us as believers today. We should find joy in interceding on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ, asking Him that they may “abound and increase more and more” (Matthew Henry) in their wisdom and revelation. In other words, we are to follow Paul’s example and beg God to reveal Himself to others in a deeply personal way as they spend time with Him. Wisdom, revelation, and knowledge don’t happen just because we ask on behalf of someone or a friend asks on our behalf, but the Spirit will use prayers of faith to prompt hearts to come to Him. We take Him up on this invitation as we choose to spend time in both the Word of God and in prayer as we sit quietly before the Lord. When we spend time investing in relationship with God, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation will change our lives! Sister are you willing to seek after God’s heart?

3) Why is there such an emphasis on Christ being above everything in verses 21-22?
Christ is the ultimate authority, holding lordship above all else. Paul reminds his Ephesian audience of this truth, but it is a truth we should cling to as well. Christ accomplished what was humanly impossible by paying the price we were incapable of paying, and restoring, the broken relationship to our Father God. To receive this reconciliation, we are to simply believe Him at His word, and receive the gift freely offered through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The truth found in these verses provides comfort regardless of where we find ourselves in life, whether our current season is a hill or a valley. There is absolutely nothing bigger than Christ! There is nothing He doesn’t rule over. While no promise is made of an easy life once we place our faith in Jesus, we are assured nothing we ever encounter will be bigger than Him. Nothing will ever catch Him off guard. He is prepared for it all, and the Good News is we know the end of the story is brimming with victory! He’s coming back, and when He does, all will finally be right. In a constantly changing world where we face death and disease, where injustice and inequality are rampant, and a pandemic has changed much of our life, I find myself clinging to the confidence that God wins the final victory. He is in control of everything! We need the reminder of the position of authority of Jesus. When we trust in Jesus, we have nothing to fear, because there is nothing too difficult, or impossible, for Him.

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

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Sketched VIII Day 4 Zacchaeus: 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 Zacchaeus!

The Questions

1) Why is there such a dichotomy between verses 6 and 7 where there is joy and complaint?

2) What is significant about Zacchaeus’ response in verses 6-8?

3) What does it mean to be a “son of Abraham” (verse 9) and how is this tied to Jesus’ mission statement in verse 10?

Luke 19:1-10

He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”

6 So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. 7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.”

8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.”

9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

Original Intent

1) Why is there such a dichotomy between verses 6 and 7 where there is joy and complaint?
Jesus extends the invitation of hope to Zacchaeus, even calling him by name. You can almost hear the rich welcome in Jesus’ hearty greeting as He called aloud to the rich man in the tree. Zacchaeus’ heart was ready to welcome Jesus, not just in his house, but in his heart and life. Joy is the inevitable, always consistent component of welcoming Jesus into one’s heart and life. Peace flows and joy abounds every single time; it’s simply part of the delight of being made new! God does not call us to Him only for us to respond as if we had been coerced; genuine repentance always results in genuine joy because we are being welcomed by the God of the Universe! However, to those hearts who aren’t ready to repent, who are still stuck in themselves and their own prideful arrogance, this “good news” of forgiveness and new life, repels them. Follow Jesus and give away their wealth? No, thanks! Follow Jesus and become an outcast in their family or society? No way! Follow Jesus and live His way instead of my own? Insanity! Paul illustrates this reality by using the imagery of a wonderful fragrance lingering on the clothes of a redeemed, Christ-following heart. (2 Corinthians 2:14-15) To those who are also ready to welcome Jesus, this fragrance is a beautiful, sweet invitation to new life! To those who still want to serve themselves, this fragrance carries the strong reminder of their own soul-death. Paul bluntly states it as “the aroma of death leading to death”. (2 Corinthians 2:16) While Jesus and Zacchaeus rejoiced, the Pharisees around them complained because their hearts still stubbornly clung to their own attempt to rule their own lives.

2) What is significant about Zacchaeus’ response in verses 6-8?
First, it’s important to note that Zacchaeus’ actions are indeed a response, not an initiation. Often, we think we have “found God” as if He were working to hide from us, waiting for us look in the right place. Long before Zacchaeus climbed that sycamore tree, his heart had been stirred to curiosity about Jesus as the Spirit of God wooed his heart to hunger for depth and truth. On our own, we will never seek for God, instead, we will all choose to go our own ways. This is exactly why Jesus came! He knew we would never seek Him out, so He came to choose us, to lovingly sacrifice Himself for us, and to call us to be in relationship with Him. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him (Jesus!) for the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6) He does, however, still give us the choice to accept or reject Him. He calls us to Him, willingly holding out forgiveness and hope, but it’s our decision to either humbly accept with joy, as Zacchaeus did, or to reject Him. (Romans 10:13) Jesus called Zacchaeus by name, and commanded him to hurry, to which Zacchaeus wastes no time scurrying down the tree. His heart was awakening to new life! He further responds to Jesus by declaring full repentance from his past way of life and making choices to live out his new redeemed life in new, radical ways.

3) What does it mean to be a “son of Abraham” (verse 9) and how is this tied to Jesus’ mission statement in verse 10?
God promised Abraham he would become the father of many nations. He would have so many offspring they would be too numerous to count, even more than the sand on the shores or the stars in the sky! (Genesis 22:17) God gave Abraham a son, Isaac, as his son of promise. From Isaac came Jacob, whose name was changed by God to Israel and who fathered 12 sons who became the patriarchs for the 12 tribes of Israel. This is the beginning of the nation Israel, the Jews, God’s chosen people. A “son of Abraham” was common lingo among Jews for a traceable bloodline that extended back to “Father Abraham”. This was strictly for Jews and would never be associated with a Gentile who had zero physical connection to Abraham. While Zacchaeus was a Jew, he was easily the most hated man in the Jericho region for his swindling and collaboration with the Roman government. To call this man a “son of Abraham” was offensive and despicable! In this heart-transformative moment, however, Jesus wasn’t referencing Zacchaeus’ physical heritage. When God promised Abraham he would become the father of many nations, God wasn’t limiting his promise to physical children, He went far beyond flesh and bone to include spiritual offspring. Abraham’s son of promise was more than the first Jewish boy, rather, Isaac became the first offspring through whom would eventually come Jesus Christ. All who trust in Jesus’ saving work on the cross becomes a child of God through their faith. Instead of physical genetic code being passed down generation to generation, God had always intended for His people to understand it was Abraham’s faith that saved him and set him apart. (Romans 4:23-25) When Jesus said Zacchaeus was a “son of Abraham”, He meant Zacchaeus also believed Him with faith just as Abraham had done centuries earlier.

Everyday Application

1) Why is there such a dichotomy between verses 6 and 7 where there is joy and complaint? We look at the scenario in these verses and it may seem happenchance. Jesus was walking through the area, which happened to be in the vicinity of a certain tax official. This official also happened to have already heard of Jesus, and his curiosity about Him happened to be so intensified he climbed a sycamore tree, which also, by the way, happened to be on the route where Jesus was walking. Then, Jesus happened to know Zacchaeus’ name and his exact location. Good luck, right? Because Jesus is fully God, and walked in full unity with God the Father, there was absolutely nothing circumstantial about Jesus meeting Zacchaeus on the road that day. In fact, in His infinite knowledge, God foresaw this divine appointment when He planted the seed that would one day grow into that very sycamore tree! As Jesus walked the road that day, He knew He would meet Zacchaeus. He knew He was about to reach a lost soul and rescue him for all eternity. He knew of the impact Zacchaeus’ renewed life would make for the kingdom, and He was excitedly anticipating “meeting” Zacchaeus. Play out this divine perspective in your own life. Where have you experienced God deeply? Imagine how He eagerly waited for those moments! Embrace this joy, then walk confidently in the calling He has prepared for you! God rescued you on purpose to live for Him with intentionality. It isn’t always easy, in fact, like Zacchaeus, you will be met with sneers, complaints, and mockery for following Jesus, but to others, you will be extending the fragrance of life that was extended to you through Jesus! Following Him is always worth it!

2) What is significant about Zacchaeus’ response in verses 6-8?
Jesus called Zacchaeus to hurry down, which he hastily and joyfully obliged, then he took another step and declared a turning away from his past life. He simultaneously admitted to his sinfulness, while also actively moving in a new, opposite, direction from how he was previously living. He moved from deceptively stealing to generously giving following his heart shift from arrogance to repentance. This pattern is significant because we see it all over Scripture. The disciples immediately left all their material possessions and followed Jesus when He called them. (Matthew 4:19-20) The demon-possessed man begged to follow Jesus after being healed spiritually and physically. (Mark 5:18-20) In the Old Testament, Abraham left his hometown and his family of origin to follow God. (Genesis 12:1-4) This same pattern should show up often in our own lives. Hear God’s call to obedience, joyfully embrace His grace, then waste no time moving into following Him and living it out!

3) What does it mean to be a “son of Abraham” (verse 9) and how is this tied to Jesus’ mission statement in verse 10?
For centuries, Jews had missed the point that it was Abraham’s faith, not his bloodline, the Jews were to emulate. They focused so heavily on pure heritage and traceable ancestors they missed the whole concept of saving faith in God. It was never Abraham’s work, or even the heir he produced, it was always and only about trusting the God of the Universe who brought life and miracles out of dead things. (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:22) In their late 90’s, Abraham and Sarah were far past the age of child-bearing. Their bodies were “dead to heirs”, (Romans 4:19) but God brought life just as He said He would. What a beautiful illustration of our own souls! Apart from Jesus, we are dead to the “real life” we could have in God! (Ephesians 2:1) We are bound as a slave to sin and completely incapable of pleasing God and earning a right standing with Him. The author of Hebrews says, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) This is the key! Only through faith alone, can we find peace with God and abundant life. When we trust Jesus and repent from our sin, trusting Him with our everything, God uses our faith as a “seed” to make us new and call us into life from the dead way we had been living. (Romans 4:23-25)

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

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!
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This is Sketched VIII Week One!
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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!

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

Shielded Day 14 One Weapon: 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 One Weapon!

The Questions

1) Is Paul writing to a group of believers or individuals in these verses?

2) Who is our struggle against?

3) What is the armor of God?

Ephesians 6:10-17

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.

Original Intent

1) Is Paul writing to a group of believers or individuals in these verses?
Paul is writing a letter to the church in Ephesus. In the letter, Paul focuses on both unity in Christ and unity as believers. These verses are found in the latter section, applying to unity within the body of believers. Immediately before these verses, Paul is reminding the Ephesians of how they should live as the body of Christ. He then turns his attention to reminding them there is a constant battle going on and they need to be ready to engage in warfare. Much of the second half of Paul’s letter focuses on individual behavior and how that looks as a collective group of believers. The individual must be ready because if we aren’t ready individually the Church as a whole will not be fully armed.

2) Who is our struggle against?
Paul is extremely clear that our struggle is not against mankind. He names who the struggle is against in verse 11, the devil. He also reminds his readers our battle is against authorities, cosmic powers of the darkness, evil, and spiritual forces in the heavens. Put simply, the struggle is against Satan and his army. Expositor’s Bible Commentary reminds readers, “To Jesus Christ, it is very certain, Satan was no figure of speech; but a thinking and active being, of whose presence and influence He saw tokens everywhere in this evil world”. The enemy is real, and Paul didn’t want his audience to lose sight of that true reality.

3) What is the armor of God?
Paul specifically answers this question in verses 14-17 where he lists the armor believers in Jesus need to fight against the enemy. Believers need truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God to fight. However, these things are not simply given to believers as automatic apparel. Paul instructs them to put them on, requiring action on the behalf of the believer. In these verses, Paul is encouraging the Ephesians to be on guard and always prepared for the battle coming towards them by actively employing the tools (armor) God has provided.

Everyday Application

1) Is Paul writing to a group of believers or individuals in these verses?
Paul meant this letter for a group of believers and that is true today as we apply it to our local churches. Paul’s words are meant just as much for us as a body of believers both in our unity to Christ and our unity to one another. Just as there were individual callings for his original audience, the same is true for us. Matthew Henry writes, “We have enemies to fight against, a captain to fight for, a banner to fight under, and certain rules of war by which we are to govern ourselves.”  It is both collective and individual. As you study this passage, what are some things the Holy Spirit is convicting you of as you follow Jesus as an individual who is part of a whole Body called the Church?

2) Who is our struggle against?
While we may be over 2,000 years removed from when Jesus walked on earth and when Paul wrote to the Ephesians, the truth about our enemy is no less true today than it was then. Jesus faced this struggle when He was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). If not even Jesus was above this very real struggle, we should not be quick to think we will be immune. While we know Jesus defeated death and the grave when He died on the cross and rose again, we also still live in a fallen world. Until the day Jesus returns and forever binds Satan in eternal separation from God, he roams the earth with the goal of defeating the Church and preventing the spread of the Gospel. Satan will use any tool at his disposal to achieve this goal. Satan wants nothing more than for us to fall back into sin and become ineffective for God’s Kingdom. While we know the end of the story and Who has the ultimate victory, we must live in the daily struggle against Satan until either Jesus returns or He calls us home.

3) What is the armor of God?
The armor of God is what we, as believers, need in order to withstand the schemes and attacks of Satan. We first must know truth, because as John 8:44 reminds us, in Satan there is no truth. Without truth, we have no hope and no firm anchor to steady ourselves against the deceitful attacks of the devil. Next, we need righteousness that comes from Jesus alone. We then need the Gospel of peace. Matthew Henry describes it this way, “the gospel of peace because it brings all sorts of peace, peace with God, with ourselves, and with one another”.  Next, we need our shield which is found in faith. This faith is in both what Jesus has already done and what He is yet to finish. Through faith we cling to the truth of what only Jesus can do. Salvation is the next piece of armor. Salvation is both a moment in time when we accept what Jesus did for us, and a process as we grow in relationship with Him and are conformed more and more to His image. Last, is the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God which we find in Scripture. Jesus used God’s words when He faced Satan in the wilderness. Each of Satan’s three attacks resulted in Jesus answering with Scripture. When we have on this armor we are completely protected from the attacks Satan throws at us. It doesn’t prevent the attacks from coming, but it helps us withstand them. God knew we would face these attacks, and He lovingly made sure we would be ready for them by giving us the Holy Spirit and the tools we would need to fight.

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

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Treasure Day 12 Treasure In The Mirror: 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 Treasure In The Mirror!

The Questions

1) How can a friendship with the world be hostility toward God?

2) How do I resist the devil?

3) What does it mean to humble myself before the Lord?

James 4:1-10

What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you?  2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

4 You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God. 5 Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?

6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says:
God resists the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.

7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Original Intent

1) How can a friendship with the world be hostility toward God?
In Greek, “friendship” is the word “philia”, which means fondness and to have affection for.  In the Old Testament, the word had deep and special meaning.  “In fact, friendship was one of the aspects of being in covenant with someone (even as Abraham was in covenant with Jehovah) and thus implied a unity or oneness in thought and purpose.” (Preceptaustin.org.) Author Michael Andrus refers to friendship with the world, as described in James 4:4, as spiritual adultery. “This is, in fact, a term borrowed from the Old Testament. God had brought Israel into a covenant relationship with Himself, but they had been unfaithful to Him through idolatry, disobedience, and compromise with the pagan cultures around them. So, the prophets accused the people of being spiritual adulterers. James sees the same problem in the church of his day. There was too much fraternizing with the enemy.”  Author Steven Cole explains, “you can’t bring it [the world] into your marriage to Jesus Christ. He brooks no rivals. You are either friends with the world and an enemy of God, or friends with God and an enemy of the world.” There simply is no middle ground. No straddling the fence between having the world and following God.

2) How do I resist the devil?
James 1:7 tells us to “submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  The Greek word resist, Anthistemi, means “to arrange in battle against, which pictures a face to face confrontation. It was used to refer to an army arranging in battle against the enemy force and so to array against.” (Preceptaustin.org)  The contrast of submit and resist is explained by Thomas Manton this way, “You must submit to God, but not to Satan. The Scriptures, in order to speak distinctly and clearly, make contrasts of necessary duties like this. So in 1 Corinthians 14:20 we read, “In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” Similarly, in Romans 16:19, “I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” These sayings match this one of the apostle: you must submit and yet resist.”  The Latin word for devil, diabolos, means “a false accuser, slanderer (one who utters false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another’s reputation), backbiting . . .  or a calumniator (one who utters maliciously false statements, charges, or imputations about. (Preceptaustin.org)  When James writes that we must submit to God and resist the devil, he is imploring us to recognize God’s authority over us and use that covering to deflect the lies of our accuser.  Dr. Tony Evans encourages us that “acknowledging and remaining under Christ’s lordship and authority will protect you from Satan’s onslaught.”  When we resist the devil, he must flee!

3) What does it mean to humble myself before the Lord?
The Greek word for humble, tapeinoo, “literally means to level, to cause something to be lower or to make low. . . Most New Testament uses of tapeinoo are figurative and include the following meanings: To cause someone to lose prestige, to reduce to a meaner condition or lower rank, to abase. To be ranked below others.” (Preceptaustin.org) When God calls us to humble ourselves before Him, He is asking us to put ourselves under His authority and grace, willing to glorify Him and obey His commands.  When we choose His will over our own and recognize He is everything and we have nothing without Him, we are humbling ourselves.  When we humble ourselves, we are following not only the command of God, but also the example of Jesus who humbled Himself by leaving Heaven and coming to earth to take on our sin and shame. Philippians 2:8 says, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.”  When we choose humility, not only are we becoming more like Jesus, but God promises to exalt us (James 4:10) and lift our head.  James 4:6 also tells us that God “resists the proud, but gives the humble more grace.”  Thinking of our wants and desires less, and glorifying God more, can be hard, but the benefits are worth the work.

Everyday Application

1) How can a friendship with the world be hostility toward God?
I would never think of myself as an enemy of God.  Why would I be hostile toward God?   I love Him!  But do I love Him more than anything?  I want to say yes, but sometimes my actions and choices say otherwise.  There is a Keith Green song (anyone else a child of the 1980s?) that addresses this issue of friendship with the world.  The song “You Love the World,” states:
My word sits there upon your desk.
But you love your books and magazines the best.
You prefer the light of your TV.
You love the world, and you’re avoiding me.
I think of this song anytime I neglect my Bible reading and quiet time, but manage to waste time on social media, video games, or binge watching my favorite TV shows.  These things are not bad in and of themselves, but they become a problem when they keep me from my relationship with God.  When I discover most of my time, money, thoughts and energy are going to things other than the Lord, then it’s time to take a look at my heart and attitudes and remember my first love (Revelation 2:4).  Philippians 3:7-9 tells us, “But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him. . .”  When I remember the love of Christ and His sacrifice for me, it becomes obvious where I should concentrate my energy and attention.  I can enjoy the things of this world, but my heart belongs to Jesus!

2) How do I resist the devil?
I rarely think of them as attacks from the devil. Those accusing, demeaning thoughts that creep in and slowly take root in my mind.  But that is what they are.  These are lies attacking my identity and keeping me from seeing myself as God sees me. Sometimes they grow and even flourish, nurtured by my constant worry, “I do not fit in here.  I have never fit in anywhere.  No wonder I don’t have any close friends.  I have nothing of value to offer.”  Dr. Tony Evans explains Satan “knows if he can get you to ignore the authority and rule of Christ in your day-to- day activities and decisions, he can deceive, trick and harm you however he chooses.”  The key to resisting those attacks is recognizing who we are in Christ and submitting to His authority in our lives.  Author Marian Jordan Ellis writes of a time she believed the lie of the enemy that no one loved her.  She asserts that “Truth defeats deception.  Worship sends the Enemy running.  Declaring the truth of my identity in Christ broke the power of the Evil One over my mind.”  She further states that, “Victory is found in Christ alone. He fights for us.  Our job is to stand firm, proclaim His praise and wait for the deliverance.”  Prayer is another key in resisting the devil.  John Piper reminds us, “Jesus commanded us to pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,’—that is, deliver us from the successful temptation of the evil one. Meet the designs of the devil with the determined power of prayer.”  Satan attacks everyone, young and old, right where they are weakest and most vulnerable.  To resist him, we can worship God, pray, and declare the truth of God’s Word and His authority in our lives.  We can become “more than conquerors” through Christ!

3) What does it mean to humble myself before the Lord?
For someone who makes as many mistakes as I do daily, you would think humility would come easily for me.  Not so!  I often think my plans are superior to everyone else’s.  I might say it nice-as-you-please, but I still feel I’m right most of the time.  This creates problems for me, as you might expect, but especially when I value my own schemes above the will of the Lord.  So often His timing, His will, and His ways just don’t make sense to me, and I reason with Him to see things my way.  My plans are tidy and neat, timely and easy.  Surely my plans and His should align.  Sometimes His plans are inconvenient and even positively painful.  How could His way be right when it causes me such heartache?  Even though it is hard for me to humble myself and accept His will, I have learned that submission and obedience to the Lord are the only way to go.  Author Andrew Murray points out, “The command is clear: humble yourself. That doesn’t mean you have the ability to conquer and cast out the pride of your heart and to form within yourself the lowliness of the Holy Jesus. No, that’s God’s work. When He says He will ‘honor you’ and ‘lift you up,’ He means that He will form that character of Jesus in you. Your part in the process is to take every opportunity of humbling yourself before God and man.”  If I do my part to resist pride and submit to God, He will do His part to make me more like Him.  Even Jesus prayed to do the will of the Father.  In Mark 14:36, Jesus said, “ . . . Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”  My prayer is to be like Jesus and choose the will of the Father over my own.

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

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Worship VI Day 9 New Wine: 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!

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The Questions

1) Who were all together in one place (verse 1)?

2) What did those present hear and see?

3) What did those present receive and do?

Acts 2:1-4

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

Original Intent

1) Who were all together in one place (verse 1)?
The day had arrived for the Jewish feast of Pentecost. In studying the Old Testament, we discover the significance of this day for the Jews. “Pentecost” is the Greek name for the festival known as the Feast of Weeks. It was a traditional day in their annual spring feast when the Jews offered their first-fruits of the wheat harvest to God. (Exodus 34:21-22) Ten days before Pentecost, Jesus had reiterated His prediction of the coming Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:5) John the Baptist had also foretold of this day. (Matthew 3:5) The only biblical reference to the actual events of Pentecost is here in Acts 2. On this day, much like they were on the evening of the Last Supper, the disciples were gathered in one place. It’s likely these are the believers Luke (the author of Acts) mentioned earlier in 1:15. Although scholars aren’t certain of the location, many believe it was the upper room of the house already mentioned in the book. (Acts 1:12-15)

2) What did those present hear and see?
In verses 2-3 we read how these believers heard a sound and saw a vision. The passage doesn’t specifically say it was actual wind, nor does it say they saw actual fire. We know that because of the use of the word “like.” What we do know for sure is Luke wanted to communicate that the “violent” noise could be heard by everyone there, because he says it “filled the whole house”. Amid this house-shattering noise, these believers also received a visual. The text indicates the apparent fire came in one piece and then separated into individual flames. The Greek word diamerizomenai indicates the fire was seen dividing itself. (net.bible.org) These flames of fire were obviously not normal fire because no one was burned or scorched as it “rested” on them. Commentator Bob Utley says, “Luke is using an analogy to try to express a unique occurrence of a physical manifestation of the Spirit.” The amazing thing is there “was no distinction made between Apostles or disciples; men or women.” (bible.org) It rested on them ALL.

3) What did those present receive and do?
Verse 4 says all those in that place were “filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Being “filled with the Spirit” was a wonder that had been experienced by people of faith at various times in the Old Testament. (Exodus 35:30-34, Numbers 11:26-29, 1 Samuel 10:6-10) Here, Luke uses “filling” to express that the believers received the Holy Spirit’s presence and enablement. (“A Theology of Luke-Acts,” Darrell L. Bock). On this day, the believers assembled in this place were unified and expectant. The previous chapter tells us “they all were continually united in prayer.” (Acts 1:14) As the Spirit of God filled their hearts, speaking in tongues was the outward evidence that God had done something inwardly. It is clear from the context of this passage, that these “tongues” were an indication of their ability to speak in another language which was previously unknown to the one speaking. (verses 6, 8). Utley offers great insight: “Theologically, it is possible that Pentecost is the direct opposite of the tower of Babel in Genesis 10-11. As prideful, rebellious humans asserted their independence, God implemented His will by the insertion of multiple languages. Now, the nationalism which impedes humans from uniting believers has been reversed. Christian fellowship across every human boundary is the reversal of the consequences of Genesis 3.” (bible.org)

Everyday Application

1) Who were all together in one place (verse 1)?
The believers, many of whom had seen Jesus suffer and die and then be raised from the dead, were gathered in these days for prayer and encouragement. What a beautiful picture of the Church together in fellowship and worship and ultimately evangelism. (Acts 2:37-42) “It’s a shame that the term ‘Pentecostal power’ has, for many people, become more associated with “speaking in tongues” than with the harvest of world evangelization. Be sure at this point you see the main focus: it is a feast of harvest in Jerusalem, and on this very day, Jesus pours out the Spirit in extraordinary power and 3,000 people are harvested from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God.” Peter had emphasized the importance of continuing the witness of Christ & His resurrection. Chapter 1 ends with the believers praying for a replacement for Judas in the apostolic ministry. They met together, united around the truth of the message of the resurrection. This message is the very same reason we unite and gather as believers today. (1 Corinthians 15:12-22 )

2) What did those present hear and see?
Piper says that “at times the Holy Spirit makes Himself known with visible, audible, touchable manifestations. In the Old Testament, there was the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. At Jesus’ baptism, there was the dove. In Acts 4, the building shakes. In chapter 6, Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel. In chapter 16, there is an earthquake. At times, the Spirit stoops to give us visible, audible, touchable demonstrations of His magnificent presence and power.” Jesus told Nicodemus the Spirit moves as He pleases, working in the hearts of people. (John 3:8) We don’t know why God moves as He does in certain circumstances. Clearly, the believers in that room recognized the power of God. Signs and wonders from God will be evidenced by the worship of God, not the wonders themselves. God allowed His Spirit to be heard and seen in a unique way so those present would know it was HIM!

3) What did those present receive and do?
What a miracle! God’s Spirit had been seen and heard in such a spectacular way. When the believers began speaking in the tongues of different languages, enabled by the Spirit, a significant event was occurring.  Everyone present were witnesses to a dramatic demonstration of God’s sovereign power. Maybe the apostles remembered what Jesus had spoken to them, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” This power was given to the disciples for them to be equipped and enabled to be witnesses to the world of the death and resurrection of Christ. It is not inconsequential that people from all the nations were there. They needed to understand the amazing things the disciples were declaring in their own language! (Acts 2:6) It was a day that marked what God meant for the future of the people of the world, for all to understand His power and His willingness to save miraculously all who will believe the witness of the gospel message. “Missions is our way of saying: the joy of knowing Christ is not a private, or tribal, or national or ethnic privilege. It is for all. And … we go because we have tasted the joy of worshiping Jesus, and we want all … included.” (Let the Nations be Glad, John Piper)

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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Focus Day 10 A Holy Submission

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Read His Words Before Ours!

James 4:1-12
Proverbs 6
Ephesians 5:15-21
Philippians 2:4-8

Focus, Day 10

Romance.
For as long I can remember I’ve fantasied about meeting ‘the one’.

In my fantasy, I would be in a crowded café. A breathtaking man would walk in and catch my eye. He would be tall and handsome with piercing blue eyes. On seeing me, he’d make eye contact and suddenly, it would feel as if we knew each other.
Entirely enamored, he would stop everything to make his way towards me.
He would introduce himself and then we’d spend the next few hours talking, forgetting all our plans for the day. We’d then agree to go out on a date, a date that would be incredible and unforgettable. We would laugh and talk the evening away, getting to know each other. We would quickly decide to begin a relationship and have many more dates just like the first. I would be so excited to introduce him to my family and friends and they would quickly fall in love with him. Soon, we would get married and start a family happily ever after……

…..but that’s not what happened

When he met my friends and family, they said they didn’t like him and that I didn’t know him.
I couldn’t believe it! He was the man of my dreams!
Why was this going horribly wrong?

To make it worse, my family began advising me to break things off.
But I simply couldn’t get away from the hold he had on me.
Like a spider casting his web, this man had entangled his prey: me.
I was stuck in his web, and every time I pulled to get away, the closer to death I felt.

This is exactly what it’s like when we flirt with the enemy of our souls.
He preys on our dreams and desires and instead of fulfillment, he takes us down a path we never wanted to go, a pathway to death.

These pathways, while seemingly charming and harmless, do not reflect God’s heart…
Adultery James 4:1
Friendship with the world James 4:4
Wars and fights James 4:4

On paper, these paths are obviously dangerous, yet our feet are often quick to walk them.

In Proverbs 6:27-28 we see how not only is flirting with the enemy and his lies not beneficial, but also exceedingly harmful,
“Can a man carry fire next to his chest
and his clothes not be burned?
Or can one walk on hot coals
and his feet not be scorched?”

The scheming lies of the enemy’s enticements are subtle and sweet.
It’s the slow process of believing small lies until, before you know it,
you find yourself living a life you never wanted.

Small, seemingly harmless decisions that lead towards enemy territory,
are nothing more than sugar-coated sins
causing us to break unity with God and His people.

The good news?!
With God’s divine wisdom, we can avoid the traps so well placed by the enemy.
The answer is submission.

Submission happens when we willing choose to place ourselves
under the authority of another person.

To me, submission is like peroxide.
When applied it to a cut, peroxide burns and stings, leaving me afraid to use it, but I still pour it on my wound because it brings healing. Just the same, submitting to the Lord brings healing and does the Body of Christ (the Church) good.

Submission to the Lord……
brings unity among believers, (Ephesians 2)
opens the pathway for us to be made new in Christ, and (Ephesians 4)
is done in reverence to God from hearts that have been awakened by Him. (Ephesians 5:15-21)

When we submit to the Lord, we are effectively saying,
“I’m willing to stop listening to the enemy’s lies about my happiness.
Instead, I’m choosing Your (God’s) wisdom over mine.”

When we choose to submit our lives to the Lord, we have the ability through the Holy Spirit, to engage in the lifestyle of mutual submission with others around us as we actively walk away from the enemy and onto the solid ground of wisely reflecting God’s heart.

What does this wisdom look like practically?
It’s a wife respecting and honoring her husband,
even when her husband isn’t loving her the way she wants or even needs.

It’s a parent taking time to care for a child,
even when their own wants and needs are needing attention.

It’s an employee showing up and working to the best of their ability,
even when their boss isn’t kind or reasonable.

It’s children obeying a parent,
even when that parent doesn’t perfectly emulate the parent God has designed them to be.

It’s a husband taking time to learn and love his wife like Christ loves the church,
even when he struggles to understand her and feels disrespected and not heard.

Walking wisely as we mutually submit to one another is not choosing the easy path.
But it is choosing the path that honors God, others, and reflects God’s heart of radical love.

Don’t flirt with death, becoming entangled in lies, instead purpose to walk wisely by choosing God’s path for life!

How are you engaging in mutual submission?
What areas can you improve in submission?
I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

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