Pause V Day 12 Instruction

November 9, 2021 by Marietta Taylor Leave a Comment

Pause V, Day 12

When my kids were younger, my husband and I would leave instructions for them when we went out. We gave the dos and don’ts, the exceptions, and the consequences if rules weren’t followed.

As Jesus was preparing to finish His earthly ministry by dying on the cross to sacrifice Himself for us, He gave instructions for His disciples, as well as consequences if those instructions were ignored. They really didn’t realize what was about to happen. We have the benefit of knowing, so His words should hold more gravity for us on this side of His resurrection.

Jesus instructed us to remain in Him so we could produce much fruit and we will be rewarded. But if not, we’ll be cast aside. (John 15:5-7)

We’re told to love one another like Jesus loves us. (John 15:12-13)

Prepare for persecution as you follow Jesus, remembering the world hated Jesus too, and more importantly, first. (John 15:18-19)

These are not easy things, but we don’t need to worry about how we’ll persevere through them. Jesus reminds us we will always have the Holy Spirit to help us, and He reminds us of a sweet, anchoring truth in our closing verse for today’s reading in John 16:33.

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

Have courage, dear Sisters. When we are loved by the Merciful Father, rescued through the sacrifice of Jesus, and preserved by the Holy Spirit, we can survive hard things. More so, our inner spirits can thrive! We can stand boldly in the face of fear-inducing situations because He who has gone before us has paved the way for us, already attaining our final victory!

Today's Invitation

1) Pull out your Bible and read John 15 and 16 fully through 2 times. Then focus in on reading John 15 verses 9-17 several times through. Go slow. Emphasize different words each time you read it. Savor the message, and pray as you read. Write out verses 9-17 in your journal.

2) Each time you re-read verses 9-17, write down everything that pops out at you, makes you curious, or wonder “why?”. When you’re finished, go back through and you’ll be amazed at the new things the Spirit is leading you into knowing about Him!

3) Pay special attention to each instruction Jesus gives. Note how each is connected to an aspect of your relationship with Him. Pray over how these can be more connected in your life.

4) Memorize John 17:23

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John 15

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love.
10 If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

11 “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

12 “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

17 “This is what I command you: Love one another.

18 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own.
However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it,
the world hates you. 20 Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

21 But they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they don’t know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 The one who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this happened so that the statement written in their law might be fulfilled: They hated me for no reason.

26 “When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father —the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 You also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

John 16

“I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling. 2 They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 They will do these things because they haven’t known the Father or me. 4 But I have told you these things so that when their time comes you will remember I told them to you. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going away to him who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Yet, because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: 9 About sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; 11 and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I told you that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.

16 “In a little while, you will no longer see me; again in a little while, you will see me.”

17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this he’s telling us: ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me,’ and, ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They said, “What is this he is saying, ‘In a little while’? We don’t know what he’s talking about.”

19 Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, and so he said to them,
“Are you asking one another about what I said, ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me’? 20 Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world.

22 So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you.

23 “In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

25 “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 On that day you will ask in my name, and I am not telling you that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

29 His disciples said, “Look, now you’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. 30 Now we know that you know everything and don’t need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”

31 Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe?
32 Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.
You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

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 V 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 V!

Pause V Day 9 Sheep & Shepherd

November 4, 2021 by Marietta Taylor Leave a Comment

Pause V, Day 9

Jesus spent much of His time in ministry subtly, and not so subtly, pointing out that He was the Messiah. Sadly, many Israelites missed the clues. The religious leaders seemed to suspect the truth, but were unwilling to accept it, lest their power and influence be diminished.

In today’s reading, Jesus made two statements that powerfully declared, “I am the Messiah”.

I Am the Gate for the sheep. (John 10:7 and John 10:9)
I Am the Good Shepherd. (John 10:11)

He spoke first about entering via the sheep gate. If you recall from Day 6, the Sheep Gate was a familiar place. The Israelites entered this gate to bring their sacrifices, many of which were sheep. Jesus was proclaiming Himself as the way, the gate, through which to be saved; this was exactly the role of the Messiah as foretold through prophecy.

When He said He was the Good Shepherd, Jesus declared He would willingly lay down His life for the sheep. He would then take it up again, as commanded by the Father, in order to prove victory over Sin and Death forever.

On this side of the resurrection, many of us know Jesus as the prophesied Messiah. We are the sheep who will enter eternity in heaven because of the gate, Jesus. We should be like sheep who learn to listen intently to and for the Shepherd’s voice. They follow His instruction because He has proven Himself a worthy and loving Shepherd.

In the same way, we should be listening in our hearts for the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The Jews who did not believe Jesus was Messiah, were the ones whom Jesus described as not recognizing His voice. Those who did recognize it, knew Him and followed Him, and were kept safe for all eternity.

Sisters, let us be the sheep who develop such a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus that we recognize His voice, know Him and follow Him in whatever He calls us to do.

Today's Invitation

1) Be a scribe and copy the precious words of Scripture down word for word. Make space in your journal to write down a few verses from John 10 that grab your attention as you read. As you copy, lookup a cross reference or two as you come to them (they are the small letters next to certain words in your study Bible or online at www.biblia.com). As you write, think of the incredible gift it is to be invited into God’s presence through His word!

2) Choose one of these options to radiate Jesus’ love to others as you hold tightly to the anchoring truth of the eternal confidence we have only through Christ!

a) Pitch in to do something extra at church. Whether it’s helping with cleanup, opening doors, trimming weeds, or offering to help in a child’s classroom, step up to loving deeper by serving in a new way.

b) A note of genuine kindness and specific encouragement goes a long way in showing love and support to your pastor. Consider sending your pastor(s) an email or card!

c) Check out some local ministries in your area and make plans to serve with them for an afternoon. Maybe it’s organizing school donations, serving soup, or stuffing backpacks for kids. Even better, get some friends to join you!

d) Prayer walking is a simple way to begin shifting the eyes of your heart to truly see others. Walk around your neighborhood, some city streets, the aisles of your grocery store, or intentionally sit at a local coffee shop and pray, pray, pray. Pray for the people around you, pray for hearts to turn towards Jesus, pray for your own heart to be ready to share the full gospel if given the chance. Don’t worry about seeing results, that’s God’s job!

e) Strike up a conversation with a random stranger. It may move to spiritual topics, it may not, but showing love to those outside our immediate circles always begins with a simple conversation. “What have you been doing today?” “Do you live nearby?” “Where do you go to church?” “What are your favorite local restaurants?” “What a cute handbag! Where did you get it?” These open-ended questions work well!

3) Share the exciting, bold ways you are living out your eternal confidence today with the rest of the GT Community! Our Facebook community page is always open! Or snap a photo and tag us on Instagram @gracefully_truthful

4) Memorize John 12:25-26

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John 10

“Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus gave them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

7 Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. 13 This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

19 Again the Jews were divided because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and he’s crazy. Why do you listen to him?” 21 Others were saying, “These aren’t the words of someone who is demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

22 Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

25 “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in my Father’s name testify about me. 26 But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

31 Again the Jews picked up rocks to stone him.

32 Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these works are you stoning me?”

33 “We aren’t stoning you for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because you—being a man—make yourself God.”

34 Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, I said, you are gods? 35 If he called those to whom the word of God came ‘gods’—and the Scripture cannot be broken— 36 do you say, ‘You are blaspheming’ to the one the Father set apart and sent into the world, because I said: I am the Son of God? 37 If I am not doing my Father’s works, don’t believe me. 38 But if I am doing them and you don’t believe me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I in the Father.” 39 Then they were trying again to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

40 So he departed again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. 41 Many came to him and said, “John never did a sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.

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.

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!

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

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

The GT Weekend! ~ Waiting Week 3

October 23, 2021 by Erin O'Neal Leave a Comment

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

1) As we have explored the idea of waiting over the last three weeks, you may have wondered, how? How can I wait well? While we have discussed a few ways to wait well, on Monday, Rebekah gave us a clear, succinct summary of the how. She said the key to waiting victoriously is “meditating on the character of God as we walk by the Spirit.” She also reminded us that trust is built on relationship. How do you react when you become anxious or fearful in times of waiting? Are you focused on developing your relationship with the Lord or are you fixated on your fear or lack of control? Are you learning about His character, so you can trust Him in times of trouble? Consider getting a book about the attributes of God. You can also look up a list of the attributes of God (words that describe His character) and use a concordance or online resource to look up those words in your Bible. Take time to study our Journey Theme on His character, titled “He”. Ask God to use these resources and His word to reveal His character to you in new ways. As you learn about His character, you will likely find yourself waiting more victoriously.

2) Before my husband and I were married, we talked about the virtues of surprise versus anticipation. I love surprises, but I also love the feeling of anticipating something wonderful. Sometimes he would ask me if I wanted to be surprised or enjoy the anticipation of something we would do together later. As we wait for the return of King Jesus, we are able to enjoy the anticipation while also knowing we will be surprised by Him. How do you live your life in anticipation of His return? Are you walking faithfully today, steadfast and fervent in prayer? Are you rejoicing in the joy He has set before you? We all know this life offers pain in abundance, but as we are reminded in Lamentations (a book well acquainted with the sorrow and lament we face in life), the mercies of the Lord are new every morning. Where do you see the light of God’s mercy in your life? Where do you see Him working, even in difficult and desperate places in your life? Spend time today contemplating the great anticipation we have as we wait for the Lord.

3) We like to see, and deeply feel, redemption and healing over our broken places. We hope for it, we long for it, and we ache beyond words when that redemption doesn’t look the way we had dreamed. We don’t need to look far to find brokenness and heartache. Have you felt it this morning? Did you see its affects yesterday? It’s with good reason Scripture reads, “we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains.” (Romans 8:22) One day, Sisters, one day redemption will be made complete. All broken things will be restored and our surrendered ashes will be forever transformed into beauty. I know, the waiting seems impossible. It doesn’t feel worth placing our trust in a God we cannot see for results we cannot control. Sister, He Is Good. His redemption is Good. More so, His redemption is sure and certain. Surrendering to Him while we groan and wait with hope is worth it. He’s the only One who is worth trusting for our one-day-coming-beauty. How will you start waiting with Hope?

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Psalm 27:7-9, 13:-14 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!

Prayer Journal
Our Father, high above all things. You work everything in Your perfect time. We wait for Your will with great anticipation. We know that one day, You will make all things new and redeem all things to Yourself. May we be quick to remember Your goodness, Your faithfulness, and Your great righteousness. The whole earth is groaning, awaiting the return of the one true King. And yet, in my day-to-day struggles, I often lose sight of the big picture. I get so bogged down in the monotony and difficulty of my earthly struggles, that I forget the greatness of the plan You have for Your people. Help me to rejoice in the greatness of who You are and all You have done for me. I will rejoice in You, my Lord! And when the burdens of life seem too great, help me to look to You and be strengthened, that even in my suffering, You would be magnified as LORD of ALL!

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

Alive Day 15 King Of The Hill

October 1, 2021 by Lori Meeks Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Proverbs 16:16
John 15:1-8
Romans 8:37-39

Alive, Day 15

“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 Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

Did you ever play “King of the Hill” as a child? Whoever reaches the top of the hill first is “king”? We push, pull, and fight our way to the crest, and then fight to remain? Standing high atop that hill, we feel accomplishment, strength, and pride!

I haven’t played that game in many years, but I can easily recall the feelings that accompanied accomplishing a big goal or achieving a milestone. Running my first half marathon, seeing my girls graduate from college, watching my “students” choose to live for God in the face of opposition. More than likely, you too have a list of your proudest accomplishments, when you felt you were, indeed, King of the Hill!

Today’s passage in Romans declares “we are more than conquerors, through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37, emphasis mine). “More than” . . . an interesting word choice, especially considering it was written by the apostle Paul, who was “king of the hill” in his former life. (Philippians 3:4-6) Before he encountered the living God (Acts 9:1-20), he had pride in his status, respect, and plans; his life probably felt right and good.

Until that fateful day on the road to Damascus, when everything changed. Only one verse later, in Philippians 3:7-8, Paul explains, “But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 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.”

It is so easy to believe we are in control, when in reality, God alone is in charge! After encountering Jesus, Paul willingly walked down his “hill” and gave up his “kingship” for the sake of the one true King, Jesus! It’s highly counterintuitive, but the only way we can become “more than conquerors” is by letting Jesus have His way with us entirely!

Recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to experience first-hand being knocked off “my hill.” While I’d love to say that, like Paul, I gladly walked down the hill, I can’t. My situation involved more of a push by God. (Don’t let my description discourage you, because I’m stubborn, prideful, and uber competitive, and sometimes the only way I’m leaving my hill is by being pushed.)

This year’s end of school was super busy, but also brought many blessings my way. The more I allowed pride to sneak in, the further away from Jesus I walked, and the more physically run-down I began to feel. The push came when I landed in the hospital for several days with double pneumonia. Talk about being rocked! Honestly, I have never felt so weak. I was completely and utterly dependent on my family and the hospital staff.

Laying in my hospital bed the first night as sleep eluded me, an amazing sense of peace swept over me. It’s hard to explain, but I knew God was in control and at work. My worries and anxieties faded away and were replaced by an undeniable sense of divine peace and blessing. I was 100% confident that I was “more than a conqueror, through Him!”

After several more days of recuperation and listening to God, I realized He needed me off the hill I’d made. He needed me back in the place of submission to Him, following Jesus, allowing Him to become my more than! John 15:2 tells us, “He [Jesus] prunes every branch that produces fruit, so it will produce more.” And boy howdy, did my branches need some pruning!

Romans 8:38 goes on to say, “I am persuaded (CSB),” “I am convinced (NLT),” or as the Message paraphrases it, “nothing fazes us” or can separate us from the love of God. Paul wrote with such assurance because, following his conversion, his life drastically changed. Far from the position of stature he once held, 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 describes Paul’s suffering: shipwrecks, repeated arrests, beatings, even being left for dead. Yet his experiences only solidified his belief that God is more than! Sometimes, we see truth most clearly in the midst of hardships; when we depend on Jesus to carry us and bring victory, we can truly learn to allow Him to be King.

I love how John 15:4-5 shares a similar idea, reminding us God is the sole source of power and fruit in our lives. The key to living victorious with Jesus is to remain with Him, and in Him. We have to fight the urge to seize control; His job is to lead, ours is to follow.

Like many of us, Paul too needed that initial push off the hill of his own making. However, as he grew in his relationship with Jesus, he gained a better understanding of working in tandem with God’s Spirit. God is in control; we are not. Thankfully our Father loves us enough to give us that push when we need it!

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Ready Day 10 Until The Trumpet Sounds

June 11, 2021 by Sarah Young 1 Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Thessalonians 4:14-5:28
Ephesians 5:1-21
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Revelation 7:9-17
Revelation 21:1-7

Ready, Day 10

As a mom of 4 girls, I have jokingly shared with friends that I pray Jesus comes back before my daughters hit the lovely stage of life called adolescence. I don’t want to ride that emotional rollercoaster, not even once, let alone FOUR times in a row.

Yet, here I am. Deep in the trenches of estrogen and girl drama.

I’m still holding out hope for Jesus to make His appearance before my oldest heads to middle school in August. A mom can dream, right?

In all seriousness, I am not sure if there has ever been a time when I’ve longed more desperately for Jesus to return and take me to Heaven.

Surely, I’m not alone.
The past year has been one for the record books on so many levels.

I feel like we’ve all been ravaged in our bodies, minds, and souls.
When trying to describe how I feel, I find words like:
Weak, weary, wounded.
Isolated, alone, afraid.
Confused, uncertain, anxious.
Frustrated, disappointed, disillusioned.

I’m sure you could add to the list.

Hiding and praying for this all to go away isn’t the answer, though.
I don’t believe God has called us to retreat.
No, we can’t withdraw from the war.

Remember, this is exactly what’s going on: an all-out war between good and evil.
As Paul shares in Ephesians, the struggles we encounter are MORE than they appear.

Covid, racial injustice, power outages due to unprecedented weather, unemployment, social isolation, depression, anxiety, political unrest, financial debt, food insecurity, and so much more bombard us from every angle.
The physical and emotional needs are overwhelming.
We could easily forget that these issues, as real and hard as they are,
are NOT the true battles.

We MUST realize they all point to the reality of SIN.
And thus, to our ULTIMATE need for a SAVIOR!

In his letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul reminds believers we have hope in this fallen and broken world.

And it’s not a vaccine or new president or stimulus check.
It’s not acceptance or affirmation or equity.
It’s not financial stability or food security.
It Is JESUS.

Jesus, who died for our sins and made a way for us to have a relationship with God.
Jesus, who rose again and proved He is victorious over sin and death.
Jesus, who will return to take all who accept His free gift of salvation to eternal glory with Him.

HE is our hope who sustains us, no matter what punches the world throws our way.
HE is the truth ALL people need to hear and believe.
HE is the message we MUST share.

Donating food, water, and blankets is helpful.
Fighting for justice and equality is good, and necessary.
Raising money, offering our skills, or sending an encouraging note can be beneficial.

Followers of Jesus should be the first to do these things.
Our love for God should compel us to love the people in our lives.

But if that is all we do, we have failed our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family members. We may have improved their current situation,
but we have ignored their eternal condition.

I get it.
Sharing the gospel can be scary.
I am personally guilty of not telling people about Jesus, for fear of what they’ll think of me.

I should be so concerned with the devastating reality of someone’s eternal separation from God that I MUST share JESUS.

Honestly, I shouldn’t be able to anticipate Jesus’ return with joy, knowing people in my life haven’t yet accepted Jesus as their Savior.

I don’t want to hear the promised trumpet blast and realize my neighbor, co-worker, friend, or family member will not come with me.

I can’t even begin to imagine how glorious standing among people from every tongue, tribe, and nation will be as we all sing together to worship Jesus. I envision such beauty and peace and joy. My heart swells with longing for that amazing day.

Then, I cringe to think of what the alternative eternal experience will be for those who don’t know Jesus as Savior. My heart breaks, and suddenly things shift into perspective.

Every day I linger, waiting for Jesus is an opportunity to share my hope for the future with those around me who are lost in the here and now. I will gladly endure 4 rounds of puberty if it means more time to tell people about JESUS!!!

As I read in Thessalonians today, I was challenged like never before.
I don’t want to simply watch and wait for Jesus to come back.
I want to remember I am fighting in a raging war.
I may not know how long it will last, but I do know Who will stand victorious in the end.
And I CAN make the most of the time I am given, and fight well every day I am here.

Will you join me, as Paul urges, and put on your armor and engage in battle
for someone’s soul?

Will you live as a child of the day,
shining your light into the darkness?

How much more glorious will it be then, when we DO hear the trumpet blast, and finally see our Savior face-to-face, knowing we gave our all to share the hope of JESUS?!

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Ready Day 1 Trade Routes

May 31, 2021 by Marietta Taylor Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Thessalonians 4
2 Thessalonians 2
Acts 17:24-31
Romans 8:35-39
Isaiah 66:1-4

Ready, Day 1

As I sit savoring my tea, I recall learning about ancient trade routes in school. Of interest to me back then was The Tea Horse Road. Now I take particular interest in the most famous trade route linking ancient China to the Roman Empire, “The Silk Road.” It was for more than just trading silk, produce, leather, gold and grains; it also facilitated the exchange of knowledge, technology, arts and intellectual ideas.

Most importantly, it helped spread the Gospel. And Paul was one of the main “traders.”
I learned recently the Silk Road may have been instrumental in the spread of Black Death. How significant then that Paul was spreading the good news of “The Life,” Jesus Christ! (John 14:6)

In the church Paul planted in Thessalonica, there were a few Jews, “a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.” Paul wasn’t able to provide extensive teaching because the Jews from the synagogue threatened his team’s safety. So, the church sent Paul and Silas to Berea. (Acts 17:5-10) As a result, the new believers in Thessalonica were left . . . alone.

As newcomers to anything, our knowledge is limited and we need guidance. For example, if I don’t read the instructions for steeping time, I’ll brew bitter, nasty tea. Similarly, without experienced leaders present to offer instructions on how to live new life in Jesus, the church fell into discouragement and disarray due to persecution and bad theology. This made Paul’s two letters critical, because they instructed, corrected, and encouraged during his physical absence.

Discouragement. Troubles. Suffering. Even today, first-world Christians have a hard time believing we’ll endure such hardship. After all, we belong to Christ. Surely we should be exempt. Likely, these babes in the faith at Thessalonica thought and felt the same.

Here’s the rub. As a believer, suffering is certain. Jesus told us in John 16:33 to expect trouble in this world because we follow Him. Throughout his letters, Paul mentions the Thessalonians’ suffering and persecution, as well as his own. Consider Romans 8:35, which speaks of affliction, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger and sword. Honestly, by itself, this list scares me a little.

But suffering is not the end of the story. Jesus completes His thought in John 16 by declaring He has overcome the world! Jesus suffered on the cross, but He rose victorious over sin and death.

For us, we endure “by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
We become imitators of Christ through suffering. (1 Thessalonians 2:14)
We are “counted worthy of God’s kingdom” when we suffer for it. (2 Thessalonians 1:5)
In the end, “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us,” Jesus. (Romans 8:37)

Yes, suffering is certain, but so is hope, for when we suffer well, we imitate Christ and become examples to others. In fact, Paul tells the Thessalonian church, “you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1 Thessalonians 1:7) This was especially significant for the Thessalonian church, because their position as a seaport, allowed influence to reach not only other believers, but also those still following other religions. Recognizing this immense opportunity for spreading the Gospel, Paul sent Timothy to encourage and instruct them. They needed the encouragement to continue to hold strong in their faith. But what about instruction?

Both Paul and Timothy gave instructions on how to live as believers. Thessalonians needed to be anchored in the truth of the gospel so they would not be deceived and influenced by false teaching, flawed doctrine, and a polytheistic culture. There were two particular points of instruction. One was how to live as they waited for their ultimate hope, Jesus, to return. The second was regarding the Day of the Lord (the return of Jesus).

Our hope is in Jesus’ return, for which we expectantly wait. But, like the Thessalonians, we frequently view waiting as passive. They had false teachers who convinced many the Lord’s return had already happened. So why continue preparing for the Lord’s return or live faithfully?

Paul corrected this lie. He said, until Jesus returns, believers are to not be lazy but instead, to love one another, “to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:10), to “stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote,” (2 Thessalonians 2:15) and to “stay awake and be self-controlled” (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

Sisters, we also need to wait expectantly for Jesus’ return, by engaging in active readiness, not just sitting around twiddling our thumbs. There won’t be time to get ready when He comes. (1 Thessalonians 5:2) We need to be ready!

It’s been over 2000 years since Jesus left earth. Let’s not become lazy in our wait for His glorious return. Instead, let us be humble, submissive, and honor His word, thereby experiencing His favor. (Isaiah 66:2) I encourage us to read Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians and determine how we will go about being ready for His return. How can we be traders of the gospel? Let’s each settle on actions through prayer and study and then live ready!

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Worship VII Day 7 Sweet By And By: Digging Deeper

November 3, 2020 by Melodye Reeves Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Sweet By And By!

The Questions

1) What is the new heaven and new earth; how did John see it? (verses 1 and 4)

2) How is the location of the holy city related to heaven? (verse 2)

3) How can we be certain of this painless future without grief? (verse 5)

Revelation 21:1-5

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. 5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”

Original Intent

1) What is the new heaven and new earth? (verses 1 and 4)
We should dig deeper into what John saw in his God-given vision because believers are supposed to think about the invisible realm related to our salvation. We are not physical beings only, but spiritual ones as well. (Ephesians 1:17-18) “Then I saw …” The Greek word used in verse 1 for “then” is the conjunction καί (kai). Although there are several English words that could be used here, the CSB (Christian Standard Version) uses “then” to indicate the implied progression of the passage. This is critical in understanding what John, the author, is communicating. What he has previously seen and heard in his vision from God connects to what he is now describing. Man’s days on earth have come and gone. (Revelation 20:14-15) Then, the writer describes what he sees as a new heaven and earth appearing. From creation, God’s plan was to defeat and destroy Satan and bring His redeemed people to a place of glorious and eternal existence with Him. (Romans 8:28-31) Verse 1 notes the “sea was no more”. Whether there will literally be no large sea to cause them fear, as many Jews thought it contained terrifying creatures and evil forces, what is certain is that the new earth is magnificently different after the old earth is destroyed. (2 Peter 3:10-13) Though it’s not clear what all will be there, John conveys to the reader what won’t be there, “tears, grief, crying, pain or death.”

2) How is the location of the holy city related to heaven? (verse 2)
After the re-creation of earth, heaven will no longer be in a different realm or world. When God comes down to dwell with man for good, a new kingdom will be born which can never be penetrated with evil nor can it be destroyed. As heaven meets new earth, God will reveal the kingdom of which Jesus spoke. (John 18:36) This kingdom, the New Jerusalem, is the holy city that Abraham looked toward even though he only saw it by faith and not his physical eyes. (Hebrews 11:8-10) It is not less than a real place, but it is so much more than a mere location. The New Jerusalem will be a world of magnificent and unimagined splendor. (verses 10-11) It will be the ultimate fulfillment of everything the believer has been promised by God. (2 Peter 3:8-9) It is a very real place … of another world!

3) How can we be certain of this painless future without grief? (verse 5)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) As God, the Son spoke the world into existence. As God, Jesus holds all things in His authoritative hands. (Matthew 28:18) As God, it is He who sits on the throne. (Revelation 4) As God, it is He who speaks now. This word to John is an authoritative declaration coming straight from the Lord of the universe. Here we see the rare occasion of God speaking directly from His throne. When God says “Look!” we should certainly look! This is the One who Himself is Faithful and True and the One who speaks only what is faithful and true. He is full of truth. (John 1:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:22-23, Revelation 3:14, Revelation 19:11-13) Everything He says is reliable. God’s promise for our future is the same as it has always been! (Isaiah 65:17-19) We know our future is certain to be exactly like He promises because He says it is true, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”

Everyday Application

1) What is the new heaven and new earth? (verses 1 and 4)
The Bible tells us there is a sense in which heaven came down to earth and God resided with man when Jesus physically lived on earth. (Matthew 1:22-23, Philippians 2:7-8, John 1:14) Here in Revelation we see a new, and better, joining of heaven and earth. This “place” will be the eternal dwelling of all believers. Not only will there be no more divisions of cities, states, or nations, there will also be no separation of earth from heaven! In this new place, one that will last forever, God’s original and unchanging plan will be brought to completion. In that day (Zechariah 14:9), what God has promised for eternity will be visible to us. The chief end of man will be realized, “to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism) Author Randy Alcorn states that the climax of history will be the creation of the New Heaven and a New Earth, a “resurrected universe inhabited by resurrected people living with the resurrected Jesus.” The old hymn says “heaven came down and glory filled my soul.” One day, Heaven will come down permanently and the glory of God will fill the universe!

2) How is the location of the holy city related to heaven? (verse 2)
There is coming a holy city, an undefiled one, that will counter the evil kingdom of Satan and his demons. The wicked have had their city (noted as Babylon in Revelation 18, but implied as encompassing the whole earth), and now God will have His city that will never again be touched by the darkness, sorrow and evil of the unrighteous kingdom. All those who have previously been transferred from spiritual darkness to God’s saving light (Colossians 1:13) will one day take their place in the new and glorious reality of the eternal kingdom of God. Those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, have this hope. The One who died and rose again will victoriously reign over all. As citizens of the New Jerusalem, we will all joyfully bow down and worship Him, singing with the angels, “Holy, holy, holy is the One who is worthy of all our praise forever and ever!” (Revelation 4:8-11)

3) How can we be certain of this painless future without grief? (verse 5)
In three words, Jesus says so! We have it on good authority, the only final authority, that what has been promised to us as believers will surely come to pass. (Isaiah 51:11) When Jesus was charged with being a false Messiah, the high priest demanded He tell the truth before and under God. Jesus replied to him, “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64) Jesus will return and will set up a kingdom that will be exactly as we’ve heard it will be as declared in the Scriptures He has preserved through the centuries. Vertical Worship sings this truth vibrantly in their song, “This We Know”.
You are who say You are
You’ll do what You say You’ll do
You’ll be who You’ve always been to us, Jesus

Our hope is in You alone
Our strength in Your mighty name
Our peace in the darkest day remains, Jesus

This we know: We will see the enemy run
This we know: We will see the victory come
We hold on to every promise You ever made
Jesus, You are unfailing!!

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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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