Gracefully Truthful

  • #HisWordsBeforeOurs
  • contact@gracefullytruthful.com
  • Register!
  • Today’s Journey
  • Previous Journeys
  • Faces of Grace
  • GT Bookstore
  • Our Mission
    • Our Mission
    • #HisWordsBeforeOurs
    • Our Beliefs
    • Translations Matter
    • #GTGoingGlobal
    • Our Team
#GTGoingGlobal

abundant

Fruitful Day 4 Lasting Joy: Digging Deeper

August 26, 2021 by Rachel Jones 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 Lasting Joy!

The Questions

1) How can God be the psalmist’s “portion and cup of blessing?” (verse 5)

2) What does it mean for “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”? (verse 6)

3) What does abundant joy look like? (verse 11)

Psalm 16

Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you.
2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good besides you.”
3 As for the holy people who are in the land,
they are the noble ones.
All my delight is in them.
4 The sorrows of those who take another god
for themselves will multiply;
I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
and I will not speak their names with my lips.

5 Lord, you are my portion
and my cup of blessing;
you hold my future.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me
in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I will bless the Lord who counsels me—
even at night when my thoughts trouble me.
8 I always let the Lord guide me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad
and my whole being rejoices;
my body also rests securely.
10 For you will not abandon me to Sheol;
you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.
11 You reveal the path of life to me;
in your presence is abundant joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures.

Original Intent

1) How can God be the psalmist’s “portion and cup of blessing?” (verse 5)
Psalm 16 is a thankful prayer to the Mighty God from David, the youngest son and lowly shepherd-turned-king of Israel. David declares, “Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future.” (Psalm 16:5) Author Joseph Benson describes David’s allusion of “portion” and “cup” to “the ancient manner (…) in feasts, in which each had his portion of meat and of wine allotted to him.” In this case, David is pleased to have Jehovah as His portion because to have God is to have the source of all things. Author David Guzik notes, “God said to the priests in the days of Moses: ‘I am your portion and your inheritance.’ (Numbers 18:20) David understood this was a promise (…) to all who would trust God to be the portion of their inheritance.” To have the Lord as one’s portion was to have everything one needed. If David could choose from any potential portion, he would choose the Lord only His cup is full of blessings. Author Charles Ellicott cites Psalm 11:6 to demonstrate that the figure of cup “had already become a synonym for “condition in life””. David was thanking God that his condition in life was blessed because he trusted in the Lord God. The same is true for us today, if God is the Lord of our lives. No matter what we need or what we face, God as our portion is more than enough for us. His cup of blessing is all we need or could ever want.

2) What does it mean for “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”? (verse 6)
David understood God was the Author of his life and he described his joy by saying, “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”. (Psalm 16:6) Author Charles Ellicott explains, “The allusion is to the ‘measuring cords’ by which allotments of land were measured, and they are said to ‘fall’ possibly because after the measurement the portions were distributed by ‘lot.’” (Joshua 17:5; Micah 2:5) In ancient times, land was measured and divided among inheritors by casting lots (similar in concept to modern dice) to determine who would receive which portion of land. Author David Guzik notes that “David was the youngest son [who] could expect no inheritance from his family; yet he took joy and comfort in the fact that God was the portion of his inheritance . . . The lines that marked out his inheritance had fallen to him in pleasant places.” David rejoiced that God had given him a blessed life with God as his inheritance. The Lord, in His goodness, had provided fellowship with God Himself as the pleasant boundary lines marking David’s life. David knew this was better than inheriting the choicest fields or the largest estate for a life lived with God meant rich joy! He declared, “You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.” (Psalm 16:11) When we invite God to be Lord of our lives, we also experience the same good inheritance David celebrated. We rejoice because God made a place for us with Him. Our boundary lines couldn’t have fallen more wonderfully!

3) What does abundant joy look like? (verse 11)
In Psalm 16:11, David declared to the Lord, “In your presence is abundant joy”. He did not follow up with descriptors to embellish his meaning, instead, his description of abundant joy preceded his declaration. The entire chapter describes what it looks like to have abundant joy because it describes life in God’s presence. David writes of God’s presence as a refuge. (Psalm 16:1) He also described the joyless, sorrowful life of those outside God’s presence. (Psalm 16:4) David discovered the unspeakable, all-satisfying joy of choosing God as his portion, cup, and inheritance. (verses 9-11) God counseled David when he had troubling thoughts and guided him (verses 7-8), which was part of the joy of being in God’s presence. David’s confidence came from knowing he would never be shaken if he remained with God; what great joy! (verse 8) Because God was with him, David had confidence in the Lord; this confident, experiential knowing of God made his heart happy and brought him peace. (verse 9) David knew God would neither let him waste away nor abandon him. (verse 10) He was joyful in knowing God would lead him where he should go; again, what peace! (verse 11) Not only did David experience the joy of God’s presence on earth, but he was confident in experiencing eternal pleasures at God’s right hand. (verse 11) Author Alexander Maclaren suggests, “First, life here may be God’s presence with us, to make us steadfast. And secondly, if so, life hereafter will be our presence with God to make us glad.” For David, and us, abundant joy comes from being in God’s presence and realizing He is our All. He provides for our needs and cares for every issue we face. Thank You, Lord, for the joy of Your presence!

Everyday Application

1) How can God be the psalmist’s “portion and cup of blessing?” (verse 5)
As little kids, we would always bicker about who got the bigger piece of cake or who rode in the front seat. With my own kids, I learned someone will always complain about the sibling who received the “better” triangle of PB&J sandwich. Why are we so often dissatisfied with what we have, comparing it to everyone else’s and finding it lacking? David did just the opposite. He took one look at the portion given to him in God Himself and rejoiced! He knew that those who served other gods would have sorrows multiplied (Psalm 16:4), but those who served God had a pleasant “portion and cup of blessing” (verse 5) David realized that God was supremely the best he could possibly receive. It wasn’t about his circumstances, which varied from his life being hunted down to being celebrated as King. His blessing was found in the Lord God. In Him alone was found everything! Author John Piper asserts, “Nothing satisfies — nothing nourishes and sustains — the way [God] does. He is my greatest good. My treasure of all treasures. My highest pleasure. My chosen portion of sirloin. My cup of finest wine.” It is so easy to look at someone and envy what they have or feel disappointment in what you have by comparison. However, if we recognize, like David, that God’s Kingdom is more than the temporary, finite things we see, we can appreciate the Lord as our portion. He is our inheritance! (Ephesians 1:3, 11) Because of the “cup of blessing” we have from God, we have the counsel, guidance, protection and provision of the Almighty God at every moment of our everyday lives! Our portion is Him who holds everything together (Colossians 1:17), knows everything (1 John 3:20), and loves us without end (Psalm 100:5). When we have all of this in abundance, we have need of nothing else. In fact, we have so much that, instead of envying others, we can share our “cup of blessing” with everyone by sharing Jesus with them!

2) What does it mean for “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”? (verse 6)
My friend owns some farm land, and often finds his neighbors subtly encroaching on his property. One put up a fence a few feet over the boundary line, and one built a little shed on a shared dirt roadway. If things get contentious, a surveyor comes out to prove the boundary line, so he can get his land back. I think of my friend when David writes about “boundary lines” in Psalm 16:6. For David, however, there was no arguing or contention. He was not scheming to get more or lamenting his lack. He was pleased with the Lord’s boundary lines, His blessings and providence. Keep in mind that David’s life was neither easy nor trouble free. In fact, his life was often filled with military battles, personal conflicts, and sadness so deep it would qualify as depression today. Despite his hardships, David rejoiced in God being on his side. (Psalm 56:9) He could turn to God when his soul was troubled (Psalm 16:7); he confidently knew he would not be shaken when God was for him. (Psalm 16:8) With this deep trust in God, His peace prevails. David said his whole body could rest securely knowing God was in control. (Psalm 16:9) David also experienced joy and gladness from remaining inside God’s boundary lines and not pushing beyond. (Psalm 16:9) My prayer is for each of us to fully recognize the blessing it is to have boundary lines from the Lord that fall in pleasant places regardless of circumstances. God Himself is our good inheritance. I hope we live like David did, completely aware that God is for us, He is blessing us and providing for us daily, no matter our circumstances.

3) What does abundant joy look like? (verse 11)
People spend a lot of time, money, and energy pursuing joy. We try new fads and buy pricey gadgets we hope will bring happiness. We explore new hobbies, build bigger houses, purchase fancier cars, and adopt pets. Whatever promises to fulfill our longing for joy, we pursue it. This looks different for each of us. C.S. Lewis wrote, “I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for Joy.” None of these pursuits are bad or wrong in themselves, but they won’t bring us lasting joy to satisfy our deep longings. True joy only comes from God. In verse 11, David tells the Lord, “In Your presence is abundant joy.” In Psalm 43:4, the psalmist calls God his “greatest joy”. Romans 15:13 says God fills us with joy. Jesus tells us if we keep His commands and remain in His love, His joy will be in us and our joy will be complete. (John 15:9-11) Sometimes we get frustrated because knowing God and being in His presence doesn’t mean that we are exempt from sorrow. How can our joy be complete if we still feel sadness? Author John Piper says, “fullness of joy in this life does not [mean] that all competing emotions are excluded. We rejoice, and we weep, even simultaneously. But in the resurrection, this won’t be the case anymore.” We experience joy here on earth even while we still experience painful emotions, but when we are eternally in God’s presence everything changes. With God, there will be no more tears. (Revelation 21:4) We can experience the joy of the Lord even now, on earth, and live in joy forever with God in Heaven. This joy doesn’t require purchasing the latest, greatest gadget, we simply accept it as a free gift from God (Romans 3:24) when we put our trust in Him.

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

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 Fruitful 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.

Posted in: Digging Deeper, Fellowship, God, Joy, Kingdom Tagged: abundant, blessing, boundaries, Fruitful, knowing, Lasting, Mighty God, portion, Rejoiced, Rich

Sketched IX Day 3 A New Work

June 23, 2021 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 5:1-11
Matthew 17:1-13
Isaiah 42:1-4
Galatians 2:18-21

Sketched IX, Day 3

It’s been nearly a week since Jesus taught us in detail about the cost of following Him, but the words still roll in my head, keeping me awake at night and popping up unbidden as we move through crowds ministering to them.

“Take up your cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)

Death.
That’s all I can think about.

A cross signifies one thing, cruel death.
There is no way to escape torture when a cross is involved.
None.

Cross victims press against nail-pierced feet to slide their raw back upwards against shredded wood attempting to catch a breath as their wrists are nailed on either side, outstretched in agony. Eventually, exhaustion overtakes the condemned man and their futile exercise for oxygen is over, resulting in suffocation. It’s cruel, but it is the price to pay for those who dare break Roman law. I’ve seen it before, the crucifixion parade outside the city as thieves and murderers are led away for gruesome justice. It’s bloody and agonizing, the screams of men as naked flesh is grotesquely pierced, but it is effective in making its point: don’t run against Rome.

I shook my head again, attempting to clear the horrific scenes playing out in my mind. I just don’t understand! Why did Jesus tie these two ideas together, following Him and taking up a cross. It makes no sense! To follow, I must be alive. So, why must I also die? And not simply die, but die a cruel death.

Why does following Him cost so much?!

The turmoil inside me continues churning, never lessening, and I grab a fistful of olive branches in my frustration as I take one more step forward up the narrow, well-worn path on the side of Mount Tabor.

“Hey! Come on, Peter!” James’ indignant voice complains behind me as the olive branch swipes his face. “What’s wrong with you lately, man?”

I glance back, ruefully apologizing for the errant branch thrashing. Does James understand? I lift my eyes forward to catch John following closely to Jesus on the path ahead; the two are conversing, and then I hear John’s laughter ripple out. I grin in spite of my war inside, as John’s laughter invites everyone into its embrace. I can’t stop myself from wondering, does John understand? I furrow my brow and increase my pace, ignoring James’ question. Chest heaving and brow sweating, I catch up to John and Jesus at Tabor’s summit. A quip about my meaty muscles weighing me down compared to John’s lean, young frame is on my lips, but it dies instantly as I follow John’s aghast gaze.

Jesus! Jesus! He’s…

Suddenly, the brilliance of light envelopes everything in sight. The radiance is utterly beyond description as Jesus’ face shines like He swallowed the sun, His ordinary garments now aglow with uncanny light. James gasps and I follow his finger, seeing the unbelievable!

Moses and Elijah are here as well! I may not have everything figured out, but as Moses representing Law and Elijah representing Prophets stand here with Jesus, it’s all becoming clear! They are all the same! Law, Prophet, and Jesus!

Bursting with my revelation, I run unhindered towards the three men bathed in light. “Jesus! Jesus!” I shout. “Lord! It’s so good for us to be here! I’ve got it figured out! We will build three tents for you all and honor you all equally!” (Matthew 17:3-4, paraphrase)

Instantly, a thick, heavy cloud overshadows all of us, striking deep fear into our hearts. Moses and Elijah vanish. Terror-stricken, James, John, and myself are rendered immovable and speechless as a voice boomed, “This is my Son, the Chosen One, listen to Him.” (Luke 9:35)

Cowering and mute, the three of us fall face down in the heart-stopping glory of Yahweh’s voice. Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the cloud of glory vanished, replaced by natural Judean sunlight that makes me sweat again. Stuttering as I examine the common dirt clinging to Jesus’ feet and toenails before me, I realize I haven’t been breathing and gulp in air as Jesus reaches down to touch my shoulder. His voice, astounding in its common, ordinary sound, tenderly speaks, “Get up; don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 17:7)

With lightning-fast clarity, Jesus’ words prompt a memory of the very first time I followed Him. He had looked at me then too, my nets bursting with an enormous catch of fish flopping everywhere. Crowds had gathered and men were agape at the plunder I’d caught, but Jesus had His eyes fixed on mine, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people.” (Luke 5:10)
And so my following began.

Death.
Don’t be afraid.
Follow.

Though it would cost me everything, even my very life and all the pleasures and materials I had once loved, I was to crucify those daily, torturously even, and be left in the wake of the life of Yahweh so I could follow Him freely, without any hindrance.

He knew.
He knew of my internal battle, and He was making me new in the midst of it.
He was showing me Who He was, as God of all.

For Him, no, in Him, I will crucify my old self, and live to follow Him daily in the newness of abundant life. Jesus, the Great I Am, was worth it.
He is the Beloved Son, the Only One worthy of my life.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
Join our Facebook Community!

A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

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 Sketched IX 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 Sketched IX!

Posted in: Beloved, Cross, Follow, God, Good, Jesus, Life, Sketched Tagged: abundant, alive, Chosen One, cost, death, embrace, glory, law, light, Me, new, prophet, Son, work

Calling Day 15 Undying Love

October 23, 2020 by Sara Cissell Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 6:10-24
Psalm 138:1-8
Colossians 1:1-29

Calling, Day 15

For my birthday, my sister gave me an Amazon gift card. With that e-card, she placed a vast array of options at my fingertips and whatever I chose could be on my doorstep in two days. Any guesses as to what I selected?

A charging station for all my electronics. 

All #adulting jokes aside, I have happily used the charging station daily since it arrived. Gone are the days of plugging items in to charge all around the room since no outlet had enough space for all my chargers. No longer am I searching for various cords and adaptors and successfully pair them accurately with devices, which were often threatening to die at any moment. Now a small bamboo box, containing a charging hub, hosts all my charging electronics.

So now that I’ve given you far more insight into my life than you ever wanted, let me share how the Lord used this ordinary charger to provide a new perspective on a portion of His Word.

Our study on Ephesians is drawing to a close, but the rich depth of its application continues on if we embrace the challenge presented to us in the final verses of this letter from Paul. This challenge produces fruit and the abundant life Christ died to bring us. (John 10:10) In verse 10, Paul begins to walk through the armor of God.

If you grew up in the church, you may remember learning this concept in Sunday school; I distinctly remember something akin to an “armor of God” paper doll. (For those in a younger generation, they were like paper doll apps but–gasp–made of real paper!)

If you’re not familiar with the concept, the armor of God describes how believers can prepare for, and successfully fight, in the spiritual battles we face on our journeys of faith.

Unfortunately, I sometimes equate putting on the armor of God with the dressing up of a paper doll. I can “dress” myself with the correct words, thoughts, and outlooks from head to toe, but am I truly drawing my strength from the Lord . . . or just putting on a good show?

So as I read through Ephesians 6, I asked myself if I am truly “plugging in” to the Lord as my source as I seek to live out the life described in verses 10-18? As I pondered that question, the Lord brought to mind my charging station. I would not set my phone on the wooden base and assume it would charge without plugging in the base.

Similarly, putting on the armor of God is about drawing close to Christ and His Word, and listening to the Holy Spirit as we pray. It is not about looking the part; it is about living the part.

For example, when verse 14 challenges us to stand with truth like a belt around our waists, it is not exhorting us to assume a certain physical posture, or pull ourselves up by our bootstraps emotionally.

Instead, Paul encourages us to embrace truth, both through immersion in Scripture and prayerful pursuit of discernment and wisdom in the Holy Spirit. Then, just as a literal belt was the foundational piece of armor to which all else was attached, God’s truth will be the launchpad from which the rest of our spiritual armor springs.

What passage of Scripture or words of the Spirit speak to your heart in this moment and remind you the God who has overcome the world is for you? Stand on His words of truth, dear sister; stand with the authority Christ died to give you.

As we read through the armor of God, let’s envision each piece as a charger for an electronic device.
What would it look like to “plug ourselves into Christ” for each piece of armor?
Let’s invest the time to intentionally seek interaction with the Lord and discover His strength.

The key component in my charging station is electricity, and the key component of the armor of God is God. Long before electricity ever made its mark on planet earth, Paul understood the reality of being plugged into Christ, and the significance of this vital connection is still felt today as we read his letters.

Paul wrote about the armor of God as a tested and tried warrior, not as a child playing with paper dolls. He put on the armor of God in order to fulfill the purpose the Lord had for him. Paul sought to declare the gospel and he worked with the Lord to spread the good news about Christ. He has modeled what it looks like to live fully alive in Christ and fully alive for Christ. 

Paul ended his letter to the church in Ephesus (and to all of us eavesdropping on the conversation) with a prayer for grace to all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear sister, may we plug in to the Lord and be counted among those with an undying love.

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
Join us for every Journey Study by signing up!
Looking for yesterday’s Journey Study?
Share your thoughts from today’s Study!

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

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

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Calling Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

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

Posted in: Holy Spirit, Life, Prayer, Scripture, Strength, Truth Tagged: abundant, armor, depth, embrace, Fully Alive, His Word, listening, love, Rich, Undying

Pause 3 Day 3 Living Word & High Priest

October 23, 2019 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

Pause 3, Day 3

It is a mercy to be cut by the Word of God.  
The beginning of Hebrews 4 is spent pleading listeners to not miss this opportunity of grace. Eternal rest is offered freely, but the offer will not last forever. Only while it is called today; only while breath is in our lungs do we still have the rich grace to be welcomed into His arms of rest.

The chapter closes with the sweetest of invitations to those who have entered His forever rest from the burden of working hard to attain our own salvation. The doors of Heaven’s throne room are flung wide as we are welcomed with lavish love into His presence where we are known and tenderly loved, cared for, and empathized with.

Sandwiched in the middle of these abundant graces, lies the sharpness of God’s Word, fueled by His own Spirit. His Words are alive, quick, and adept at its task of penetrating our souls and exposing our hearts. A pastor once shared, “if we allowed God’s Word to cut us more often, perhaps we would be spared the pain of greater discipline.”

Is His Word so precious to you that you hold it close enough to allow it to cut your heart and pierce the sins you love so dearly? Is it close enough to allowing His surgeon hands to heal you, and bring you life by His Spirit through the same Word?
It is a mercy to be cut by the Word of God.

Grab your Bible, a journal and pen,
and open your heart to bask in the presence of the Almighty!

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 every word of Hebrews 4:12-16 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?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!

Join the GT Community on Facebook!

Hebrews 4

Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us beware that none of you be found to have fallen short. 2 For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith. 3 For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what he has said,
So I swore in my anger,
“They will not enter my rest,”

even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way: And on the seventh day God rested from all his works. 5 Again, in that passage he says, They will never enter my rest, 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, 7 he again specifies a certain day—today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time:
Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. 10 For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 2 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 3 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 3!

Posted in: Discipline, God, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Mercy, Pause, Rest, Welcome Tagged: abundant, eternal, high priest, lavish love, Living Word, throne room, Word of God

Gracefully Truthful Ministries

© 2022 Gracefully Truthful Ministries, All Rights Reserved, 501(c)3 certified

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14