It’s no secret that we LOVE community at Gracefully Truthful. 
But, true biblical community goes far beyond catching up with some girlfriends, pulling out the quilting needles, or making a playdate for kids and mamas.
Biblical community is about authentic, rich, transparency.
It’s friendship that is consistent, that doesn’t close its eyes when life gets ugly, will answer the phone at 2am, will grab your groceries for you, and sit with you when the tears are too heavy to hold inside.
Biblical community doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s much too precious to simply toss trite “Bible answers” out there when the reality of life needs deep comfort instead of pat one-liners.
God designed us for community and purposed for us to flourish deeply when we engage in it.
Biblical community is a grace gift!
Wednesdays during “Pause“, we are focusing on this gift, and challenging each of us to go one step deeper than where we are today when it comes to entering into this community. Every Christ-follower has been invited to engage in the intricacies of biblical community. Even though it can be scary to be transparent, every step we take towards authenticity is one step closer to living in the abundance Christ has called us into!
Be all in, Sisters!
Today's Challenge
1) Be a scribe and copy the precious words of Scripture down word for word. Make space in your journal to write down all of Psalm 142 today. And as you copy, lookup a cross reference or two as you come to them (they are the small letters next to certain words in your study Bible or online at www.biblia.com). As you write, think of the incredible gift it is to be invited into God’s presence through His word!
2) Choose one of these options to answer the invitation of going deeper into biblical community!
a) Take a photo of your journal time this week and share it, or share a quote from it.
b) Do a Facebook Live on the GT Community group and share how God has been working in you.
c) Leave a comment here about it.
d) Share something God has been showing you in a comment at the GT Community Group
e) Plan a coffee or lunch date with a friend and share what you’ve been learning and soaking in as you have hit Pause.
f) Write a note of encouragement to a sister who has been through the nitty-gritty of real life with you. Let her know how deeply she has impacted your walk with Christ.
g) For some of us, having a “2am friend” to build biblical community with is a new concept. If that’s you, this is an exciting, fresh place to be! Connect with our Facebook Community, send us an email, reach out to your local church body, seek out a small group and plug in!
Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
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Psalm 142
With my voice I cry out to the Lord;
with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.
3 When my spirit faints within me,
you know my way!
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see:
there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for my soul.
5 I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Attend to my cry,
for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!
7 Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me.
Psalm 143
Hear my prayer, O Lord;
give ear to my pleas for mercy!
In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
2 Enter not into judgment with your servant,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 For the enemy has pursued my soul;
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
4 Therefore my spirit faints within me;
my heart within me is appalled.
5 I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all that you have done;
I ponder the work of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
7 Answer me quickly, O Lord!
My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
I have fled to you for refuge.[a]
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
on level ground!
11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life!
In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
for I am your servant.
How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 3 weeks, we will provide you with a simple challenge. Each challenge is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.
2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.
3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!
4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.
5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!
Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Pause Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies
in Pause!
Our small group was just talking about this on Sunday, how we get so busy with life and don’t have “time” to really stop and be with God. But when we don’t have our priorities in line, the rest doesn’t work quite right as well. I’m learning this is very true! I’ve been making time in the mornings once the kids leave for school and before my workout and I can tell a difference in my day. My joy, my demeanor, my thoughts.
The rewards are so huge! But the discipline of learning to create that space is hard!
Thankful for your encouraging example 💜