adoring

Fervent Day 1 Grace And Peace

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 1:15-19
2 Thessalonians 3:16-18
Philippians 4:1-7
Romans 1:1-8

Fervent, Day 1

Every night, I tucked my children into bed, cuddled them close, sang over them, and prayed for them. It was simple, but it was also rote and rhythmic. My prayerful words were mimicked nearly word-for-word every night. Sometimes, I wasn’t even thinking about the words or the God who said He heard them. I was thinking of dishes and laundry yet undone.

Was there more?
Was this all prayer consisted of?
Were some prayers heard more clearly or acted upon more quickly?
What was prayer, really?

My internal wrestling intensified as, night after night, I kept praying the same words. I tried to change it up, I tried reading books on prayer, I wrote in my journal how I wanted to pray “better” or “deeper,” but I felt so shallow in these waters where giants of the faith had been swimming for centuries. Where did I begin? How does one become a better pray-er?

“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us…” (2 John 1:3)

As simple as my prayers had been over my children,
the answer to my burning question was even simpler.

Know Him.

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” (Ephesians 1:17)

The words were an invitation to not only swim the oceans of faith-filled prayers, but to understand the pathway for doing so was to draw up a chair and sit with the God of the universe.

One cannot pray deeply to a God one doesn’t know.
The deeper we know Him, the more we learn to trust Him, and the easier our prayers flow.

Not with artful words of a contriving tongue, but with soul-baring honesty that comes from walking with the One who is closer than our next breath, who Himself causes my heart to beat and reminds my lungs to expand.

To know Him is to love Him.
To love Him is to speak with Him.
To speak with Him is to enter the endlessly beautiful mystery, yet sweetly familiar sea, called prayer.

To this end, we at GT have crafted this Journey Theme of Fervent. It has long been our prayer for you to enter these deep ocean waters of faith-filled prayer, bringing others with you, to know this Jesus. Maybe you’ve beached here before, curiously sitting on its shoreline and allowed the lapping waves to kiss your toes, beckoning you to come and taste its saltiness with fervor. Maybe you’ve long swum with other heroes of the faith in this endless sea, finding treasures too numerous to count along the way, yet hungering to dive deeper and know the Master more.

The beautiful thing?
No matter who you are, or how many times you’ve swam the sea of prayer, there will always be greater depths to uncover because there will always be more to know of our infinite God.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:2)

I’ve written before of my affinity for small things, and on this quest to know the Lord Jesus in deeper ways, these two words absolutely captivate my attention.

grace & peace

In truth?
The whole gospel is packed into these beautiful, diminutive words.

Grace for the shallow end of faith, whispering for us to go deeper.
Grace because we will never measure up to His holiness.
Grace because, on our own, knowing the Almighty with depth and intimacy, is absolutely impossible.
Grace to bridge between a Holy God and wretched sinners.

Peace, because in knowing the Almighty, His peaceful embrace hems us in on all sides.
Peace that descends in a rush to cover the unruly parts of our souls, which yearn for Him with words we can’t express.
Peace made ours in abundance because of the grace of His blood.
Peace because He has become the fullness of our lives.

Because of grace, peace thrives.
Grace & Peace.

Turns out there’s nothing rote about these simple vibrant words bursting with the hope of the gospel, which is why the New Testament writers weave them into the fabric of their prayers. Like breathing in and out, these authors prayed fervently for grace and peace to be deeply known, always discovered, and evidently lived out in real life.

Honestly, my bedtime prayers are still simple and brief, but they feel deeper to me now because I have come to better know the One to Whom I’m praying.
I’ve become familiar with the One to Whom I am pointing little hearts.
I’m praying the gospel over them as I teach them to praise, to worship God for Who He is, for the grace He gives, and for the peace in which we dance.

“Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 6:23-24)

Come away, Lovelies, and know this Jesus who washes us with His grace.
Be bound up in His peace as you know Him deeper.
Be deeply loved and love Him in return.
And be found swimming in the ocean of endlessly adoring fervent prayer.

I’m going swimming; come with me!

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

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

The GT Weekend – Worship II, Week 2

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The GT Weekend

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer, rest your soul in reflective journaling, and spend time worshiping the Creator who longs for intimacy with each of us!

Journal With Us!

Journal Prompts

1) Think of the eternal impact of knowing Jesus, really think on it. Amazing, isn’t it? Pour out your thankfulness to the Lord for His perfect provision. Now think of a friend who doesn’t know Jesus and what that means for their eternal destiny. Pray for them to have a saving relationship with Jesus and for the Holy Spirit to embolden you in sharing!

2) Take a moment today to enjoy the beauty of nature around you. What feelings does looking at God’s creation provoke? Pour out your worship and thankfulness as it flows naturally!

3) Reflect over your life the last several months. Are you on a mountain top or in a valley? What is your feeling of how close God is? Remind yourself that God is always near if we draw near to Him (James 4:8)! He’s waiting to hear from you, regardless the emotion you’re feeling towards Him. Let it all out and find redemption in His arms!

Worship In Song

Music Video: “Thank You Lord” by HIllsong

Pour Out Your Heart

Father, as I call on Your name from the valley, rescue me Lord. I am weary from all that needs done and I ask You to pour out more joy in my life. As I go about my tasks for the day, well up joy in my heart as I serve my family and those around me. Holy Spirit take my eyes off myself and shift them to the people You want me to see and interact with!

God, You are so creative. The beautiful red bush behind my house is just gorgeous this morning. Thank You, Father for all the ways You’ve painted the land with Your glory. I love when my kids see sun streaming through the clouds and know that was Your mighty hand at work creating so magnificently. You are amazing; thanks for reminding me of that every time I look outside!

Pray With Us!

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

Journey With Us

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What were your thoughts from the GT Weekend?
How were you drawn near to the Father and encouraged in your faith?
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Adoring Day 14
Even Now: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!

We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!
Dig In!

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s Journey Post? Check out Even Now!

Psalm 125 English Standard Version (ESV)

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!

The Questions

1) What is a “Song of Ascent”?

2) What analogy does the writer use in verse two to explain God’s character?

3) What two types of people are described by the Psalmist?

The Findings for Intention

1) What is a “Song of Ascent”?
The Psalms referenced as the “Songs of Ascent” are Psalms 120-134. This description means just as it says, songs that “ascend” or go up! One thought of study suggests these songs (Psalms) were sung by Jews going up to Jerusalem during the three major festivals because they traveled “up” into the mountains. Others think they were songs speaking spiritually of our progress and maturity in a person’s spiritual life. (www.biblicalresearch.info.com) There are actually several schools of thought about what the titles given to these songs actually means.

2) What analogy does the writer use in verse 2 to explain God’s character?
In verse two, the Psalmist compares God’s protection of His people to the mountains that surround Jerusalem. If you were to look at a map, you would see clearly the mountainous terrain that is found in the Judean countryside. As a traveler, it was not easy to navigate, but with this comparison, we see God’s protection around His people like the mountains around Jerusalem.

3) What two types of people are described by the Psalmist?
In the last part of this Psalm there are two different people that are described: righteous and evildoers (those who have turned aside). The Psalmist is asking for God to show goodness for those who do good and He answers! We are told of the protection in v. 2 afforded those who are of God. The wicked, or evil doers, do not share the same blessing. The Lord leads them away and for those who do wrong, the “scepter of wickedness shall rest upon them.”

The Everyday Application

1) What is a “Song of Ascent”?
We are reminded in this psalm of the promises of God for those who follow Him. We know that if we trust, despite circumstances, we will not be moved. The constant joy and hope is eternal and “abides forever”, regardless of what our “now” looks like. No matter what the original intention was behind, “Song of Ascents”, we can be encouraged by the Psalmist’s words.

2) What analogy does the writer use in verse two to explain God’s character?
God’s protection is like a mountain that protects a city. The mountains rise up and don’t move. Likewise, the Lord is a God who never moves and is not shaken by life’s tragedies and burdens. We are reminded in this Psalm that “the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forevermore.” There is no end to His mercy and protection. Our feelings of whether God is with us doesn’t drive the Truth that He is there. Whether we feel Him or not, we are surrounded by Him!

3) What two types of people are described by the Psalmist?
We can praise God in loss and trail because we have previously made the choice to follow Him. In making that choice, we are afforded the promises that He offers. God desperately wants to be in relationship with all people, but when we read this Psalm, it’s evident that there are those who have not made that choice. When trial and circumstance, loss and death, joy and defeat come our way as believers, we can stand firm knowing for all eternity, God will not be moved and there is NOTHING that can take us away from His presence. (Romans 8:37-39).

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I Can Do That!

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

The Community!

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

The Tools!

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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

The Why!

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

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

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

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

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Adoring!

Adoring Day 1
Behind The Worship

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Numbers 27-28
Psalm 145
1 John 4:4-7
Hosea 6:6why-we-worship-mo

For the sake of transparency, I need you to know that I have wrestled with this post for a while. I love to worship and have served in worship for years, but when posed the question, “Why does God ask us to worship?” the simple and direct answer eluded me. I am rarely at a loss for words, and this unusual turn of events left me somewhat frustrated with myself. I could list dozens, perhaps hundreds of reasons we should and do worship, but none of them carried the resounding ring of His Truth.

I found myself praying, “Lord, You are absolutely worthy of our praise.  You are our Healer, our Savior.  Perfect love and our only Hope. You are the air we breathe, the songs we sing. We worship because we are made to do so. You are the only one worthy of our attentions, and You deserve every one of them…but why DO You want us to worship You?  You don’t need anything from us – you are GOD. I know You want us to be open and transparent before You, that You covet our hearts, and that You inhabit our praises… but if You had to squish all the facets of why You want us to worship You into 700 words or less, what would You say?”

Searching for inspiration and direction, I turned to the book of Hosea. Nestled in chapter six, between verses five and seven, I found this:

“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know Me more than I want burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6 NLT)

Lord, why do You want us to worship You?
I want you to know Me.

Not
so you won’t be sad anymore.
so you won’t have any more stress.
so you won’t have any more anxious moments.
so your struggle will disappear.
so your grief will dissipate.
so you won’t experience pain.
so you will not be so focused on yourself.

Lord, why do You want us to worship You?
I want you to KNOW Me.

He doesn’t want us to worship Him because worshiping Him will ensure that things won’t be hard or that we won’t have hurts, pains, sadness, loss, heartache, illness, grief, fear or fill-in-your-blank.

God wants us to worship Him because He wants us to spend time with Him.
To really know Him, to know His nature and His heart.
When we pause everything else,
set aside our schedules,
plans,
electronics,
media
and clear space for Him we are granted the opportunity to build relationship with Him.
To see His heart for us and for others.
To simply be in His Presence and allow Holy Spirit room and time to work in us.

By assuming this humble posture and taking the steps toward Him we are putting Him at the forefront of our minds and hearts and declaring that He is Who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do.

As we enter into this intimacy with Him and set our eyes on Him for the sake of knowing Him, we begin to be transformed into His likeness and spiritual strongholds are broken. This act, worship, ushers in spiritual change and He shifts the very atmosphere as our reality begins to reflect His reality.

This week as we go about our daily lives, I would encourage each of us to intentionally worship Him in new ways. Perhaps you usually worship through song or instrument. This week, try setting pen to paper and journaling your worship of Him. Perhaps you usually draw or sketch during your time of worship. This week, why not try worshiping Him by speaking your worship aloud.

Father.
You are our Creator, our Healer and our help in times of trouble.
Immanuel, God with us.
You know the innermost workings of our hearts and you see what man cannot. Help us to worship You with the intention of knowing You. Show us how to commune with You in holy and heightened ways. Teach us how to get out of our own way and to simply approach You with transparency and vulnerability. We want to know You, we want to know Your heart.

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

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 Adoring 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 Adoring!