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Waiting Day 15 All Of Creation

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 8:18-39
Daniel 9:20-26
Matthew 28:16-20
2 Peter 3:8-17
Revelation 21:1-8

Waiting is active. I know that’s not how it’s usually portrayed, but it’s an accurate statement, especially in relation to Biblical matters.  Throughout time, all creation has been waiting for things – personal redemption/vindication, fulfillment of promises, changes to situations, deliverance, experiencing a significant event and security in their relationship with God. Let’s unpack each of these as we revisit the previous journeys in this Waiting series.

I can remember times when I have longed for vindication, either for myself or a loved one.  But my circumstances never come close to what Joseph went through; sold into slavery, accused of rape, thrown into prison, and forgotten by someone he helped.

The beauty of Joseph’s waiting is that he kept clinging to the Lord, doing what was right, even when he could have decided not too. God had given him a vision and he actively waited for it to come true. Like Joseph, as we wait for vindication in God’s timing, we can do right things too.

Promises are easily made but sometimes just as easily broken. David had a promise from the Lord of becoming Israel’s king. (1 Samuel 16:1-13) But then about fifteen years went by. And during that time, the king he served faithfully repeatedly tried to kill him out of jealousy.

But David neither wavered in his trust in the Lord and nor did he just sit around. Instead he killed Goliath, (1 Samuel 17) served as a warrior against Israel’s enemies, calmed King Saul  in his courts, (1 Samuel 16:14-23) spared the king’s life twice when he could have taken it (1 Samuel 24, 1 Samuel 26) and served as a refuge and mentor for a group of about 400 distressed, impoverished and discontented men. (1 Samuel 22:1-2). In the end, his waiting was rewarded, as he became king and was known as a man after God’s own heart. (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22) As David did, we can also use a season of waiting for a promise to be fulfilled to allow God to develop the fruit of the Spirit in us so we can impact His kingdom as we wait.

Hosea was lamenting the unfaithfulness of his wife, waiting for his situation to change, just like he was waiting for Israel to heed his message to be faithful to God.  Anna and Simeon were waiting to see with their own eyes, the Messiah as their lives drew to a close.

Israel was waiting 400 years for the promised Messiah who would rescue them and bring redemption. They were waiting to know they were truly loved by God and not forgotten. Each of these were waiting and groaning each day, seeing nothing change with their visual eyes. Can you relate?

How does this echo the groaning of creation and the return of Christ? Each season of waiting I’ve mentioned points to Jesus. Everything they were waiting for can be found in Jesus.

Anna and Simeon laid eyes on the Messiah before they died. His earthly ministry was the beginning of the fulfillment of prophecy and promises. (Daniel 9:25-26) Though many did not recognize it, Jesus’ presence on earth was confirmation of God’s unfailing love for His people.

Christ’s finished work on the cross shows how much God thinks His creation is worth – everything. But imagine the disciples groaning for three days because who they thought was their redeemer was dead.  And then they realized Jesus had been resurrected. God’s plan and timing was perfect, even though it didn’t line up with their expectations.

The cross and the Resurrection change the spiritual situation and provide personal redemption for all who believe in Christ. That’s worth every moment we’ve spent groaning.

What about the future day of Christ? Throughout Scripture God has laid out His plan. And so creation has waited, seeing hints of it throughout the history of Israel. But we also see the effects of the unfulfilled part of God’s plan in the brokenness of this world; disease, depravity, physical and mental limitations and outright disregard for any real morality and goodness.

When Jesus went back to the Father forty days after His Resurrection, He gave the disciples, who founded what we know as the Church today an assignment. We are to make disciples, teach God’s commands and remind others that God is always with us. (Matthew 28:16-20) In essence, build My church while you wait. Be their hope while you wait for me to return.

But what were they and are we waiting for now? Before Jesus went to the cross, He promised a Helper, the Holy Spirit. He enabled the disciples to begin the work of building the church. (Acts 2) He is who enables us to live out our assignment. And we continue waiting and groaning until a future day when “the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children”. (Romans 8:21)

When will this be? Only God knows. Even Jesus is waiting for God to say “Go get yor bride”. God is waiting for His perfectly selected time to begin the process of creating the new heaven and the new earth. (Isaiah 51:6) Why wait , you may ask. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us God is patiently waiting for “all to come to repentance.”

While we wait for this glorious day, let us groan not with sorrow but with hope. Let’s “make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight.” (2 Peter 3:14)

“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. 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.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

Amen. Let us wait for it to be so.

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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!

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Ready Day 15 The Lord Be With You All

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Thessalonians 3
Acts 17:1-15
Psalm 118

Ready, Day 15

It was a bright spring day, full of hope and promise as I sat under a spreading tree waiting for my new husband to finish class. We were both ridiculously young, but here we were, months into marriage, and nearly as many months into pregnancy.

I could barely contain my excitement as I gazed up at the swaying branches above me. For as long as I could remember, I wanted nothing more than to have my own little one to lavish with adoration. I looked forward to baking cookies together, tea parties, mud pies, and learning to pray. My dreams were vivid with brilliant details of the glory of motherhood.

Today, I pulled into a parking spot far enough away from others to eat my lunch and catch up on the un-ending demands of email while also placating the constant stream of requests from my crew of seven kids. Somewhere between a bite of chicken, planning a connection coffee with a new friend, and replying to a child about their soccer cleats (again), I caught a glimpse of something green swaying above my mini-van’s convertible top wannabe.

Budding branches gently dancing in the spring air.

Instantly, my mind flew to that now long-ago day underneath another giant, sprawling tree promising so much hope, and my breath caught in my throat. I forgot about the soccer cleats and the latte meetup; I could only see the face of my firstborn as she would soon grace the stage of her high school graduation. Much too quickly, my baby would fly more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) away to university studies.

Had I done enough?
What lessons could I still teach her?
What about the lost time?
How could I possibly make these last short months count?

Thankfully, we love and serve a God who delights in small things, using even the seemingly insignificant for the widest ripples of eternal effect.

Three weeks.

That’s all Paul had in the middle of a city ripe with unrest whose citizens were determined to run him, and any other followers of Jesus, out of town or into their grave.

Though their time was short, Paul, Silas, and Timothy did exactly what God had called them to do, preach Christ. They came into Thessalonica and taught from the Scriptures for three weeks. (Acts 17:2) The opposition was intense, and they were met with violence (Acts 17:5-6), but God did not waste their investment or their obedience. The Spirit stirred Gentile hearts to be convicted of sin, repent, and turn to Jesus for salvation and renewed lives.

“… you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

Their message, and their obedience, was never about them, nor did it hinge on them.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy knew that whatever happened in Thessalonica, whether they stayed for 3 weeks or 30, the lasting work could only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit.

Through the faithfulness of these three Christ-followers, God established new church plants in Thessalonica that flourished despite life-and-death persecution. Their new faith “rang out,” spreading quickly to neighboring cities. (1 Thessalonians 1:8) Set against the backdrop of fellow citizens who would stop at nothing to extinguish their lives, Paul urged the Thessalonian believers to resist the temptation to believe that what they did for Christ didn’t matter. He firmly reminded them God’s mission isn’t about self-acceleration in society, but about pleasing God alone. (1 Thessalonians 2:4-5)

Sharing the gospel and living it out in everyday life was the Lord’s work, for His glory, and it simply wasn’t about their possessions, their physical safety, or their cultural clout.

“…when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

The trio of preachers could teach the gospel with confidence because they were convinced this was only about Christ. If Christ would transform, it would be through His Spirit’s work in human hearts, not human work in human hearts, which is why Paul concluded his fervent letter to this precious church with unshakeable confidence.

“…the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
 We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.”
(2 Thessalonians 3:3-5)

Bound up on all sides with Christ, Paul leaves them with the one thing that was assuredly promised and altogether incorruptible, the presence of Christ. The Lord Himself would gird them up, encourage them for the days ahead, and teach them to be continually ready for His return.

“May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.
The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

My time with my Baby Girl is limited, but peace unfurls around the edges of my heart. I don’t need to panic over all the things I should have done, or all the things I should still “squeeze in” to teach her. She needs one thing, Christ.

Like the Thessalonians whose confident faith colored everything they did, and like Paul, who rested securely in the truth that his work hung on Christ alone, I can keep holding out Jesus to my daughter, to the rest of my kids, and even the lady I’m meeting for coffee.

One thing is needed.
Christ.
May the Lord be with you all.


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Questions Day 6 To Save Or To Condemn?

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 6:60-71
Romans 5:6-11
Isaiah 53:4-12

Questions, Day 6

In full transparency, which is what we like to do here at Gracefully Truthful….
I struggle regularly with today’s question.
Maybe I chose it so we could hash it out together.

Within Scripture, tensions exist across many subjects.
I don’t know about you, but I am not a fan of tension.

Little boxes.
Cute bows.
Black and white lines.
That’s my kind of language.

Tension ties my stomach in knots and screams at me to R U N.
But I’ve discovered two important truths about this tension.

ONE
It’s OK to wrestle with tension.
The knots in my stomach are known by God, and He isn’t threatened by my finite
ability to understand the infinite Almighty One.
He can handle my discomfort, and hold me in it.

TWO
It’s comforting.
If we could read the Bible with perfect clarity on every aspect,
never to be found wiggling in discomfort, the God of the Bible wouldn’t be all that big.

If a finite, 30-something woman, or even a finite 80-something biblical theologian, could fully comprehend the things of God, their god must be exceptionally small.
THIS, makes me much, much more uncomfortable.
How can I trust my eternity to a God I can fully understand when I can’t even comprehend eternity itself?!

So, tension or not, here we go.
Does God choose who to save and who to condemn?

Yes and no.
tension

Christ teaches the ONLY way to relationship with God is through Jesus Christ and His work accomplished at the cross. (John 14:6)

God holds all authority.
He defines justice.
He defines holiness.
He defines sin as anything straying from perfect righteousness.
Therefore, He alone determines the means of our salvation.

There is NO other name under heaven, given to men, by which anyone can be saved. (Acts 4:12)
Good works cannot save us. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Kind thoughts will not save us.
Generous giving will not earn us merit on God’s scale of righteousness.
Only One is righteous and good, and He is God alone. (Mark 10:18)
Thus, only God Himself has the ability to save.

Moreover, only the God of the Bible can save.
No other “gospel” is the true gospel, only what is preached within Scripture. (Galatians 1:8-9)
If a religion defines Jesus with even a single discrepancy apart from how Scripture defines Him as fully God and fully man, the entire belief system is faulty.
Zero variations from Scripture are counted true and trustworthy.

God cannot abide the presence of sin, which means He cannot be with humanity because we are born in sin. (Romans 5:12)
We don’t just DO bad things apart from God’s standard of righteousness; rather, we ARE sinners in our core.
Sin is our nature.

Our separation grieves God’s heart, so He offered the only way possible for restoration.

God came to earth and lived our life in the flesh for us, but did it perfectly, without sin. Then He sacrificed Himself, shedding His blood (for there is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood, Hebrews 10:4), and dying our death in our place.

Christ bore our separation from God. He broke the unity of the godhead as Father, Son, and Spirit, allowing the full wrath of God to be poured out on Him in our place.

He rose three days after His death, proving He had conquered the grave and our sin. Now, He offers His own righteousness in exchange for our sin, if we will trust Him at His word, asking Him to rescue us from ourselves.

So, where is the tension?
Let’s be abundantly clear, God offers this redemptive exchange of righteousness for
sin to ALL who believe. (John 3:15)
He died as a sacrifice for the sins of the WHOLE world. (1 John 2:2)
Without Christ’s sacrifice, we would still be under God’s wrath because of our sin. (Ephesians 2:3)

Just as Jesus says that no one can come to God except through Himself,
He also says only those God has called and set apart can come to Him.
Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me
unless it is granted to him by the Father.”
(John 6:65)

Oh tension.
We can’t help but ask, does God intentionally create people, only to leave them in their sin and never call them to life?

Let’s see what Jesus says of His own disciples, one of whom, Judas Iscariot, rejected the hope, love, and forgiveness offered through Christ’s sacrifice.
Jesus replied to them, “Didn’t I choose you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.”
He was referring to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, one of the Twelve,
because he was going to betray Him.
(John 6:70-71)

Here is what we know to be absolutely true, and the resulting tension.
God only saves people through Jesus Christ as He is explained and defined in the Bible. (John 14:6)
God only saves those who have been set apart by the Father. (John 6:65)
Christ died for the sins of the world. (1 John 2:2)
Christ’s offer of salvation is available to all. (John 3:15)

God offered salvation to Judas Iscariot through Jesus Christ.
Jesus died to save Judas Iscariot.
God called and set apart Judas Iscariot.
Christ’s offer of salvation was available to Judas.
Judas walked away.
In so doing, he remained under God’s wrath. He died a slave to his original sin nature, never having surrendered his heart fully to Christ.

Did God choose for Judas to be condemned forever under His wrath?
Listen closely, my friend: Judas chose for himself to remain under God’s wrath.

Each one of us faces the same choice.
Will we choose to surrender and trust fully,
Or, like Judas, will we walk away?

Here, there need be no tension!
Choose Christ, and live in His freedom of forgiveness and rescue from sin!

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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 Questions Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Pause 3 Day 8 One Sacrifice

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Pause 3, Day 8

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your own screw-ups?
Raising both of my hands over here!

Words that just keep coming out like swords that cut, no matter how much you wish they didn’t.
Anger that boils over when you get in those specific scenarios, despite how much you decide you won’t get mad this time.
Or even overspending or overeating or over-parenting, even though you know it’s a weakness of yours.

Jesus comes to bring complete forgiveness of sin once and for all.

Shame has no place.
The times we fail to live the life of love we want to are opportunities to return closer to the Father, and learn from Him again, not be ashamed of lifting our face to His.

Slow down today and sink into the fullness of this sweet, freeing truth:
One sacrifice, all sin forgiven, eternal Hope offered!

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 Hebrews 10:4-10 after you read the full passage of today’s reading in Hebrews 10:1-18. 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! 

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Hebrews 10:1-18

Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. 2 Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year.

4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, as he was coming into the world, he said:
You did not desire sacrifice and offering,
but you prepared a body for me.
6 You did not delight
in whole burnt offerings and sin offerings.
7 Then I said, “See—
it is written about me
in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, O God.”

8 After he says above, You did not desire or delight in sacrifices and offerings, whole burnt offerings and sin offerings (which are offered according to the law), 9 he then says, See, I have come to do your will. He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.

11 Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. 12 But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. 13 He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. For after he says:
16 This is the covenant I will make with them
after those days,
the Lord says,
I will put my laws on their hearts
and write them on their minds,
17 and I will never again remember
their sins and their lawless acts.
18 Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

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

Ignite Day 9 Torches Of Truth: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

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

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Torches Of Truth!

The Questions

1) What does Paul mean when he says he is “not be ashamed of the Gospel”?

2) Why is salvation first for the Jew and then for the Gentile?

3) What does it mean that the “righteous will live by faith”?

Romans 1:16-17

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

Original Intent

1) What does Paul mean when he says he is “not be ashamed of the Gospel”?
Paul begins these verses with a bold declaration and sets the stage for the entire letter. Paul writes this to a Roman audience, who are mainly Gentiles. The gospel Paul believes is one where the God-man was put to death as a criminal, taking the punishment we deserve for sin, and was exalted as Savior after rising from His own grave. The entire gospel hinges on the truth of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Paul’s gospel is one that was ridiculed and laughed at. Paul had many reasons to be ashamed from a worldly perspective, yet he’s not. Paul knew the truth of the Gospel. He knew Jesus, what He had done, and the salvation His sacrifice offers. Matthew Henry states in his commentary, “Paul is not ashamed of the gospel, how mean and contemptible it may appear to a carnal eye; for the power of God works by it the salvation of all that believe; it shows us the way of salvation, and is the great charter by which salvation is conveyed and made over to us.” As a result, Paul lived a life completely unashamed of his Savior and the Lord’s message of hope, no matter what came his way. Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes, “Thus with a pointed fitness he tells himself and his friends, just here, that he is “not ashamed of the Gospel.” For I am not ashamed; I am ready even for Rome, for this terrible Rome. I have a message which, though Rome looks as if she must despise it, I know is not to be despised.” Paul chose to live his life completely for Jesus because he truly understood the gift offered through Him

2) Why is salvation first for the Jew and then for the Gentile?
Paul makes a point of stating how the gospel is “first” for the Jew and “then” for the Gentile. God originally established a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15). Through this covenant, the Jewish people became God’s people. Jesus descended through the line of Abraham and was born of a Jewish woman and into a Jewish family. God remained faithful to the promise made to Abraham even though His people constantly showed unfaithfulness in return. They were the people to whom God had promised a Savior. However, once their Savior came, many didn’t recognize Him. They thought their Savior would be a world rule and overthrow the oppression of the Romans against the Jews. Instead, Jesus came to set all human beings free by His willingness to take our punishment for our sin, effectively paying the price for our freedom. Salvation through Jesus did indeed come “first” for the Jews, they were the people God had chosen through history to be His chosen ones, the special people through whom would descend the Savior. But this Savior was for all. Jesus had come not just for the Jew, but for all mankind. In this verse, Paul places both Jews and Gentiles on the same playing field. He points out all are fallen, all are in need of saving, and all can be rescued by placing their faith solely in Christ. Jesus came for both!

3) What does it mean that the “righteous will live by faith”?
No one other than God alone is righteous. Paul tells us in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned. There is not a human that has lived who blamelessly risen to the standard of God’s flawless, holy, righteousness, except Jesus. The gospel we find in the Bible clearly shows how unrighteous we are and how righteous God is. However, the choice Jesus made on Calvary to take on Himself the punishment for sin, which is death even though He was perfect and deserved no consequences, allows for forgiveness and righteousness for all mankind. Paul shares the avenue by which this righteousness becomes available… it is through faith in Christ and nothing else. Only by claiming Christ’s righteousness as our own, which He offers freely as a gift to us, taking our sin and shame for us, are we made alive for eternity.

Everyday Application

1) What does Paul mean when he says he is “not be ashamed of the Gospel”?
Paul lived his life completely sold out for the Gospel. No matter what the cost, he repeatedly chose Jesus. For Paul, living a life not ashamed meant persecution by flogging, being stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned, yet he never stopped sharing the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23-26). Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus and his life changed forever. Once he encountered the Living God, he spent his life living for that Savior. Whether it was traveling on mission to share the Gospel or writing letters from prison, Paul never became ashamed. We can learn from this example. Often times as believers we allow our fear and insecurity to take control and in those moments, we convey a shame of the precious gospel. The opposite should be true of the life of a believer. Like Paul, we should live unashamed of the gospel of Jesus. We should trust God and lean into Him in those moments of fear and insecurity, choosing to boldly share the truth of the gospel just as Paul did.  The gospel we believe in is living and active and truer than anything else. God calls us to live a life that is unashamed of the Gospel, no matter the consequences, just as Paul exemplified.

2) Why is salvation first for the Jew and then for the Gentile?
God entered into a covenant with Abraham in Genesis. This covenant promised Abraham that a people would come from his lineage, a chosen people, called out by the Almighty to proclaim Himself to the world. These descendent would be uncountable. God kept His promise and the Jews were God’s people. However, because Jesus came not just for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles, Abraham’s lineage continues even farther to include all who call on the name of Jesus for salvation. Just as the disciples turned their attention to the Jew and Gentiles world, obeying Jesus’ commandment to share the gospel and make disciples of all nations, so are we called to do the same.  No language, nation, people group, or race should be beyond our willingness to share. Since Jesus came for all peoples, we can rest assured we share just as much in the promise of the Gospel as the Jews, while also having just as much responsibility to extend this gospel to all that Paul and the first disciples did. God loves all of us just as much as He does the Jews and we are all equally as desperate for a Savior as they are. Who can you extend this amazing hope of the gospel to?!

3) What does it mean that the “righteous will live by faith”?
I am not righteous on my own merit, no one is. Since Adam and Even sinned (Genesis 3), people have continued to be born sinners with a sinful nature. Sin is not something we simply do, it is who we are. We are corrupted sinners. Our nature is dead to righteousness and holiness. Although we are unrighteous, God is always righteous and just. His justice requires payment for my sins. Thankfully, Jesus came and took my punishment upon Himself, even though I am underserving of it. Romans 6:23 tells of the gift of Jesus, which is eternal life. Did you catch that… it is a gift, freely given. However, for my unrighteousness to be forgiven and for me to receive this gift, I must place my faith in Jesus. John 14:6 assures us there is no other way. Matthew Henry explains this verse by saying, “While God is a just and holy God, and we are guilty sinners, it is necessary we should have a righteousness wherein to appear before him; and, blessed be God, there is such a righteousness brought in by Messiah the prince and revealed in the gospel; a righteousness, that is, a gracious method of reconciliation and acceptance, notwithstanding the guilt of our sins.” We must accept Jesus and all He has done for us. Only through that faith does Christ give us righteousness. My faith (and yours) in Jesus makes me right with God nothing else. We then live righteous by faith. The question is, are we walking in that truth?

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

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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Worship V Day 1 All Glory Be To Christ

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Read His Words Before Ours!

James 4:13-16
Matthew 6:9-13
Isaiah 55:1-3
Revelation 21:5-6

Worship V, Day 1

Every New Year’s Eve my husband and I marvel at the crowd gathered at Times Square.  While we are cozied up enjoying the comforts of home, thousands gather hours in advance, often standing in rain or sleet, to watch the ball drop and mark a new year.
“It’s just sooo exciting”, reporters and party-goers repeat on the quarter hour. There’s a palpable energy even from across the screen. Truly, these attendees are up to their eyeballs in anticipation. As that ball finally drops, so does the tune known round the world. You’ve definitely heard it, but maybe you don’t really know it.

It’s the nostalgic piece written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788. Its lesser known title, Auld Lang Syne, can loosely be translated “for the sake of old times”. The song is a celebration of old friendships, good memories, and a plea to not forget or forsake them. It’s certainly a beautiful song and sentiment. We can understand the emotion, the build-up, and the excitement that surrounds the turning of a new year, and paying homage with a song like this.  However, as good and right as it may be to celebrate these earthly gifts, the reality that always pricks my heart and grounds my soul is how much more there is than this.

More to give thanks for, more to anticipate, more to bank on, more to cherish – more to celebrate. Really, Someone to celebrate.

With similar thoughts, worship leader and song-writer Dustin Kensrue felt compelled to pen new lyrics to Auld Lange Syne as he flew home on December 31st, 2011. He explains, “The idea is that—especially at the beginning of the new year—we would dedicate all our efforts to bringing glory to Jesus Christ, to acknowledge that anything else would be of no value, and to celebrate our redemption in him.”

 And my, what new life Kensrue breathed into this song with his new adaptation, All Glory Be to Christ, (recorded by King’s Kaleidoscope)! With a heavy lean on the Word of God, this new hymn ushers us into worship any time of the year reminding us to set first things first.

 Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive

 Right at the start, Kensrue pulls from Psalm 127:1, reminding us that “Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.”

 To you who boast tomorrow’s gain
Tell me, What is your life?
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ!

 The second verse brings in Proverbs 27:1 “Don’t boast about tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day might bring.” Similarly, James 4:13-14 reminds us we cannot make plans without acknowledging that in the scheme of God’s grand design, our lives are like a vapor appearing for a little while and vanishing.

 His will be done, His kingdom come
On earth as is above
Who is Himself our daily bread
Praise Him, the Lord of love

 Kensrue brilliantly ties in the Lord’s prayer as well as the heartbeat of James 4:15-16 teaching us to preface our every move with a submission to the Lord’s will.  The theme of these first three verses rests on humility.

 All glory be to Christ our king!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign we’ll ever sing
All glory be to Christ!

 This repeated refrain is our anthem! Whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, may everything be for the glory of God! (I Corinthians 10:31)

Let living water satisfy
The thirsty without price
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
All glory be to Christ!

 The fourth verse references the sweetest invitation found in Isaiah 55. Although “cup of kindness” is in the original lyric of Auld Lang Syne, it clearly has a different meaning here which is beautiful writing! With this line, Kensrue turns our eyes to the cup of kindness our Savior offers (because He took the cup of God’s wrath upon Himself), which is intended to lead us to repentance and the fullness of life! (Romans 2:4)

 When on the day the great I Am
The faithful and the true
The Lamb who was for sinners slain
Is making all things new

 The lyrics come to a crescendo now highlighting a future grace where God makes all things new for those found in Jesus Christ! (Revelation 21:5-6) Now THAT’s palpable excitement!

 Behold our God shall live with us
And be our steadfast light
And we shall e’er his people be
All glory be to Christ!

And so now, for the “already but not yet” living, we hold fast to the hope that God will never leave us nor forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5)

A beautiful anthem for this life and beyond! Whether we’re turning over the page to a new job, a new stage of life, a new responsibility, or simply a new day, may we choose to ground our anticipation in the hope of Christ, and may we step into what God is calling us towards with a determination to give all glory to Christ!

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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 Worship V 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 Worship V!

Gospel Day 14 Will Not Perish: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

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

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Will Not Perish!

The Questions

1) Who is “all” in verse 23?

2) How are we justified?

3) What did Jesus’ death on the cross show?

Romans 3:23-26

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Original Intent

1) Who is “all” in verse 23?
In the original language, the word all is defined as “each, every, all, the whole, all things, some of all types.” (www.studylight.org- Thayers Dictionary) When Paul used this word, he was intending for no exceptions. No human being is exempt regardless of social status, age, background, race, merit, or nationality.

2) How are we justified?
As verse 24 states, we are justified, or made right, by His grace through the redemption found in Christ Jesus. That grace only comes because Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross taking the penalty for all sin when He shed his blood, surrendered His life, and resurrected on the third day. This action made all humanity right before God, but in faith we must accept that justification and grace.

3) What did Jesus’ death on the Cross show?
In verse 25, Paul explains how Jesus’ death displayed God’s righteousness because He had to make right the sin of the world. God is a perfect and holy God and His Son, Jesus, was a perfect and holy sacrifice. God was the justifier.

Everyday Application

1) Who is “all” in verse 23?
The gospel is for everyone because everyone bears the weight of sin in their life. When Eve took a bite of the fruit and sin entered the world, the entirety of creation was subjected to death and humanity was covered in sin. All have sinned and fallen short of what God desires, but the good news is God provided for ALL to come back to Him. He is a righteous God who because of His great love for His creation, provided the way back. Not all believe in Him, but the gift of eternal life is offered to all. If Jesus offers His gift to all, how can we hold back?

2) How are we justified?
God provided a way for all to come to Him, but we must choose to walk that path. When we make the decision to follow Him and commit our way to Him, we are covered “just as if” our sin did not stand between us as sinners and the holy God. We are justified before Him, our debt is paid in full, and there is nothing that can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:38-39) The judge, God, dismisses the case because the evidence against us was vanquished when Christ, the perfect sacrifice, was crucified 2000 years ago in our place and resurrected three days later, forever conquering Death for all who believe. He conquered sin once and for all.  Living in this reality daily transforms our lives as we seek to live in the truth of our new identity in Christ—no longer a slave to sin, but set free in His grace and love!

3) What did Jesus’ death on the Cross show?
The beauty of the gospel is it reveals so many aspects of God’s character. One characteristic being God’s righteousness. There is a need for a debt to be paid and He is the collector of that debt, but the beauty part is how He provided the payment. It is our debt, yet God, in giving His Son, provided the payment in full. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ showed God’s willingness, another characteristic, to sacrifice His own son so His creation could be reconciled to Him. In viewing the cross and Christ’s sacrifice, we see God’s pursuit and love for reconciliation between Himself and His creation: and it is beautiful!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Will Not Perish!

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Gospel Day 10 That Whosoever

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 3:16-18
John 4:7-38
Luke 23:39-43

Gospel Day, 10

Confession: I can recite John 3:16 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, but I am pretty sure I could not share from memory any other verse in that version. The other verses I have memorized and catalogued in my brain are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version.

I grew up learning verses and the practice of memorizing the Word has proven it’s worth to me over and over and over again throughout my life. Verses tucked into the recesses of my mind have been breathed upon by the Holy Spirit at just the moment when I needed to hear His voice of truth. They have been guideposts, brought conviction, given hope, and provided solid lifelines. It is in the midst of these sweet reflections of the value of memorizing I am also challenged to remember to interact with the memorized verses and not just be able to recite them.
These are the words of life,
not simply a set of words attached to a place in the Bible.

As I slow down and ponder the words of John 3:16, I’m reading it in different versions as well. Today I’m focusing on the word “whosoever.” I don’t know about you, but since I am not in the legal field or one who uses the KJV routinely, “whosoever” has become more of a transition word between the beginning and end of the verse rather than a key component of the verse. However, reading the different versions have reminded me of the significance of “whosoever.”

Christian Standard Bible (CSB): everyone
The Message (MSG): anyone
NASB: whoever
The Amplified Classic (AMPC): whoever
New International Version (NIV): whoever
The promise found in John 3:16 is for everyone, anyone, and whoever.

While the other translations of the Bible help me grasp a better awareness of who is included, the KJV caused me to think of the entire verse from a legal perspective, and the covenantal love found in John 3:16 came to life: the covenant between God the Father and whosoever. He gives His son, Jesus, and eternal life through Him to whosoever believes in Him.

Many have stepped into this covenant with the Lord and been rescued from the consequences of sin, which is eternal death and separation from God. And just in case someone reading this might be disqualifying herself as a “whosoever” due to her history, let’s review a few noted individuals in Scripture.

The Woman at the Well
Are you a “whosoever” actively avoiding life currently?
So was she.
This woman went to the well during the heat of midday just to avoid interacting with others. She wore the identity of outcast based on her sordid past. Her history may well have been caused by her own choices, yet the Lord offered His relentless, covenant love. She willingly believed, surrendered her will to His, and joined the ranks of the “whosoever.”

Thief on the Cross
Are you a “whosoever” currently feeling like she is beyond redemption?
The thief on the cross literally had moments to live after living a life that led him to death by crucifixion. Yet, despite a lifetime of guilt and shame, there he encountered the Savior. After that brief interaction, he received the promise of living in Paradise with Christ on that very day!

Saul
Are you a “whosoever” battling the need to earn your relationship with the Lord?
Maybe you feel “not good enough”. Maybe you wonder if you’ll ever be enough. Maybe the burden of trying is becoming too heavy?
Saul, not yet Paul, lived a life that earned him rank and prestige among the religious leaders of the day. He had the upbringing and connections that enabled him to walk with power and impact. He met the mark for being a member of the religious community. However, it was not until his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus that he truly experienced a relationship with Him and discovered that it’s not about doing for the Lord but being with Him.

These are just three examples of people found in the Word who chose to believe in the Lord. “Whosoevers” who made a decision forever changing their lives and their eternities.

Where do you find yourself today?
What is your whosoever story?

I encourage you to boldly acknowledge where you are today and ask the Lord to meet you there. He has proven faithful to His covenant with us over and over and over again through Scripture.
He will extend that faithful love to any whosoever who believes in Him.

I know “this whosoever” (raising my hand) writing today needed this reminder of His faithfulness to all those who came before me as I talk to God about my current whosoever status.

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
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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 Gospel Week Two! 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 Gospel!