body of Christ

Ready Day 13 Gathered Together

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Thessalonians 2
Psalm 18
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Ready, Day 13

There’s nothing quite like having something taken away to make you realize how much you love that something. The idea of gathering together feels different for all of us around the globe in the wake of Covid-19.

Most churches closed their physical doors for a time. When they did re-open, masks and social distancing made us all acutely aware that gathering together had significantly changed. My dear friend in Scotland cannot even sing aloud with her church when they finally do gather in person.

The early church multiplied quickly, spreading across provinces and countries like wildfire. Jesus had come as God in the flesh to point our sin-wrecked hearts back to Him (Romans 5:6-11), He ascended to rule and reign with Father God at His right hand (Romans 8:34), and now He was building His other-worldly kingdom through His beloved ones, those who called out to Him as Savior. (Acts 2:41-47)

The work was the Lord’s.
The people were His.
The Church was His Beautiful Bride, His very great reward.

As precious as the early church was, they faced struggle, persecution, loss, and distance just like we do today.

Because Christ’s Church spans oceans, deserts, forests, rivers, and plains, it can be hard to remember we are all integrally connected to one another.

The sister in Nigeria who faces a government in disarray and ruled by those bent on destroying Christians is as much a part of me as the skin that covers my bones.

The brother in India who spends his days entering villages closed to the gospel in order to have even one conversation with a person of peace willing to hear about Jesus is as deeply intertwined with me as my lungs that inhale and exhale.

We are the Body of Christ, His Church.

My best friend and her family live as far around the world as possible without beginning to return the other direction. While we grieve our distance, knowing I can’t watch her kids for a date night and she can’t sit on my couch eating late night ice cream, the Spirit of God binds us together in such sweet intimacy, it’s almost like we share the same air.

The Holy Spirit reminds one of us to pray specifically, fervently, for the other, and the Lord brings us together. My heart yearns for her physical arms and for flesh and blood fingers to wipe away tears, but in the Spirit of the God in whom we share, we are gathered together.

It’s with this gut-level yearning Paul draws the members of the Thessalonian church into his embracing words of encouragement. Though aching for their physical closeness, Paul intimately whispers of the richest of all secrets.

Soon, brothers and sisters, soon, we will all be gathered together with Jesus Christ Himself!
Soon, we will stand face to face with one another, every tribe, every nation, every race, and every language gathered together.

We will be one and that gathering will be flooded with the magnificent glory of the Lord Jesus. We will touch hands, hug shoulders, laugh and dance in freedom, and oh, we will worship, how we will worship as One Gloriously Beautiful Bride of Christ!

Soon, but not yet.

It’s not a secret thing, this gathering together with our Lord Jesus; all who draw breath will know, unmistakably, our King has indeed finally come to bring His people home.

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the archangel’s voice,
and with the trumpet of God,
and the dead in Christ will rise first. 

Then we who are still alive, who are left,
will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air,
and so we will always be with the Lord.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Satan will be allowed to wreck his havoc in the now, tormenting souls and deceiving them into thinking they have it all, but they have nothing.

“He (Satan) opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God. (…) working every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders to serving the lie (…) with wicked deception among those who are perishing.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4, 9-10)

Those who believe Satan’s lies will perish because “they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

In light of our coming reality of gathering in person,
Paul urges us to lean in to God’s Kingdom work.

Who do you know who “refuses to love the truth and so be saved?”
Are you actively praying for them and for an opportunity to share truth with them?

“…from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14-15)

Would you consider yourself a “lover of truth”
that you might be “gathered together” when Jesus returns in glory?
What are the evidences of your claim?

God has a purposeful call on our lives to trust Him,
to be sanctified (made more like Him by the Holy Spirit) by Him,
to tell others about His Hope,
and to trust that, regardless of struggle and distance now,
one day, He will gather us all HOME!

Let’s be Ready for His Return!

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

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The GT Weekend! ~ Fervent Week 3

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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!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) It’s difficult to feel connected with, or have compassion for, those whose stories we do not know. For Christ-followers in the western hemisphere, this is often the case as we consider our brothers and sisters who live under constant persecution. Take some time this weekend and explore the stories of these fellow believers in greater detail, allowing their everyday experiences to shape the contours of your prayer life with increased fervency. Watch the online film for the Nik Ripkin’s Insanity of God or read some accounts of saints gone before us in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. Study Paul’s words about his persecution and the effect his suffering had on the believers around him in Philippians 1:12-20. Be reminded that those Christ-followers who live in religious freedom are deeply connected with those who are persecuted. Commit to live and love and preach Jesus and pray fervently as one connected Body because of Christ Jesus.

2) The temptation to section off spiritual “God things” from our “everyday-everything-else” lives is strong for most of us. Without intentional discipline training to keep the two intertwined and seeing them as one life, we forget the Almighty is God of all, including our everyday moments. Just as physical discipline and self-control push us forward in fitness, these same traits further our spiritual growth. Practicing spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, memorizing Scripture, giving generously, and studying Scripture move us away from spiritual mediocrity and towards a life that seamlessly blends our spiritual and physical lives together as one. Of the disciplines listed above, pick one or two you haven’t practiced lately and begin incorporating them into your everyday rhythms. Wrap your strength training exercises in prayer, asking the Lord to strengthen your faith as you press forward to know Him deeper!

3) Merry concluded our Journey Into Fervent by drawing us near to God’s heart through the call to Family. Of all the different ways we think about God, at the top should be Father. He loves us as His children and invites us to come freely to Him within the tender, deep relationship of Abba Father. Not only are all Christ-followers welcomed into this sweetness with Abba, but we also are connected with one another as brothers and sisters through this wonderful adoption! I often remind my children that friends will come and go in the seasons of life, but their siblings will be with them forever. This is especially true for all who trust Jesus as their Savior because we will share eternity together with each other and our Great God and Father! When we begin viewing one another through the lens of family adopted through magnificent love, our own love for each other grows, forgiveness flows, and our differences are no longer important. Who can you begin loving more fervently as family starting this weekend?!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Romans 15:5-6 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice.

Prayer Journal
Let’s pray Merry’s prayer together this weekend!
Our Father. It’s only by Your mercy and grace we can come to You, together. And hopefully, confidently, if stumblingly, we come to You. Lord, we don’t possess the kind of love that knits hearts together in one mind and spirit, but You do. Your word says we can ask for anything in Your name, and it will be done. Abba, we want to want unity in the Church. We don’t know how to go about it, but You do. Would you fill us with the Spirit of unity? Would you pour out love like we’ve never seen in Your Church in this age? Make us one, as You are one. You’re the only One Who can. This day, our lives and all we have are Yours alone. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Worship Through Community

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Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Calling Day 4 For The Church: 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 For The Church!

The Questions

1) Who is the “you” in these verses?

2) What is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation? (verse 17)

3) Why is there such an emphasis on Christ being above everything in verses 21-22?

Ephesians 1:15-23

15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Original Intent

1) Who is the “you” in these verses?
Paul uses the pronouns “you” and “your” several times in verses 15-19 therefore it is important to know who Paul is praying for, so we can have an accurate understanding of this passage. Originally, Paul’s letter was written in Greek. Thanks to ancient texts that have been preserved, Bible scholars can read the original words in its original language, which reveals how each instance of “you” and “your” in these particular verses is actually plural. If we read Ephesians 1:13, we know the audience had placed their faith fully in Jesus. “In Him you (y’all) also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you (y’all) heard the word of truth, the gospel of your (ya’lls’) salvation, and when you (y’all) believed.” Therefore, we know Paul is addressing the entire body of believers in Ephesus, not just one person.  He is praying for, and speaking to, the greater Church as a whole.

2) What is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation? (verse 17)
Paul writes out his prayer request for God to give the Ephesians His Spirit of wisdom and revelation. True wisdom comes from the Father and is something we must look for in Him alone. (Proverbs 9:10) To fully understand “revelation”, it’s helpful to first understand the definition in Greek. Paul uses the word “apokalupsous”, which is the derivative for our word “apocalypse”. Vine’s Bible dictionary defines this word as “the communication of the knowledge of God to the soul.” This phrase is a deeply personal knowing of the God of the Universe. Paul is interceding on behalf of the Ephesians that they may know God in a fuller deeply, intimate, and personal way. However, this work is only done through the power of the Spirit. Bible commentator Matthew Henry says, “We have the revelation of the Spirit in the word: but will that avail us, if we have not the wisdom of the Spirit in the heart?”. It is only as the Spirit allows our hearts to be opened to His wisdom and through the work of the Spirit that life transformation happens.

3) Why is there such an emphasis on Christ being above everything in verses 21-22?
Paul clearly communicates Christ is above all in verses 21 and 22. He is above rulers, powers, titles, and is the head of the Church, His precious Bride. He is the ultimate authority over everything and every soul. Christ did what no one else could in setting the world right, which was broken when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. Colossians 1:16 reminds us Christ was present at creation and all things were not only made through Him, but also continue to be sustained through Him. Paul goes on to emphasize Christ’s position as the head of the Church in Philippians 2:9 and Colossians 1:18. Paul is reminding the Ephesian believers that Christ is the head of this beautiful, timeless, global Body they belong to; this truth brings unity! He is reminding them this life is not an individualistic life, but one to be lived as a whole Body working together for the Kingdom under the authority of Christ. 

Everyday Application

1) Who is the “you” in these verses?
Paul wrote these verses to the body of believers in Ephesus, however, his words are just as much for the entire global body of believers today. In English, and a western culture mindset, it’s easy for us to read the words “you” or “your” and hear them from an individual perspective, which would be a pretty big mistake in the book of Ephesians. As we read these verses, and the book as a whole, it is important to read it through the lens of a collective body. Every believer is a part of each other. We are to live and walk and love together in unity as if we are one physical body. (Romans 12:5) Verses 22-23 remind us of this reality when Paul refers to the church as the body of Christ. “And He (God) subjected everything under His (Jesus) feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all thing in every way.

2) What is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation? (verse 17)
Paul isn’t asking God for wisdom and revelation for himself, rather, he is interceding on behalf of the Ephesians asking God to allow them to know Him in a personally intimate way. This should not be lost on us as believers today. We should find joy in interceding on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ, asking Him that they may “abound and increase more and more” (Matthew Henry) in their wisdom and revelation. In other words, we are to follow Paul’s example and beg God to reveal Himself to others in a deeply personal way as they spend time with Him. Wisdom, revelation, and knowledge don’t happen just because we ask on behalf of someone or a friend asks on our behalf, but the Spirit will use prayers of faith to prompt hearts to come to Him. We take Him up on this invitation as we choose to spend time in both the Word of God and in prayer as we sit quietly before the Lord. When we spend time investing in relationship with God, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation will change our lives! Sister are you willing to seek after God’s heart?

3) Why is there such an emphasis on Christ being above everything in verses 21-22?
Christ is the ultimate authority, holding lordship above all else. Paul reminds his Ephesian audience of this truth, but it is a truth we should cling to as well. Christ accomplished what was humanly impossible by paying the price we were incapable of paying, and restoring, the broken relationship to our Father God. To receive this reconciliation, we are to simply believe Him at His word, and receive the gift freely offered through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The truth found in these verses provides comfort regardless of where we find ourselves in life, whether our current season is a hill or a valley. There is absolutely nothing bigger than Christ! There is nothing He doesn’t rule over. While no promise is made of an easy life once we place our faith in Jesus, we are assured nothing we ever encounter will be bigger than Him. Nothing will ever catch Him off guard. He is prepared for it all, and the Good News is we know the end of the story is brimming with victory! He’s coming back, and when He does, all will finally be right. In a constantly changing world where we face death and disease, where injustice and inequality are rampant, and a pandemic has changed much of our life, I find myself clinging to the confidence that God wins the final victory. He is in control of everything! We need the reminder of the position of authority of Jesus. When we trust in Jesus, we have nothing to fear, because there is nothing too difficult, or impossible, for Him.

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Calling Week One!
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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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Calling Day 1 Into Inheritance

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 1:1-14
Haggai 1:1-11
Revelation 21:1-5

Calling, Day 1

“We will not neglect the house of our God!”
(Nehemiah 10:39, emphasis mine)

“Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.” And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. (Exodus 36:1-2, emphasis mine)

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ.
(Romans 12:4-5)

You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? Because of My House that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. (Haggai 1:9)

The Lord has always carefully guarded, and given clear instruction for,
His dwelling place among His people.

In the Old Testament, chapter after chapter overflow with specificities on not only building the tabernacle, but also regarding its operation and management.

God’s heartbeat is, and always has been,
to be in deep relationship with His people.
Thus, He placed high priority upon
the place where He would meet with them. 

Moses’ original site of communion with God, the Tent of Meeting, gave way to the moveable Tabernacle where God dwelt in the Holy of Holies. This was eventually replaced by Solomon’s temple in the holy city of Jerusalem, which was destroyed in 70AD.

Over time, as Jews multiplied and spread, synagogues became the gathering places for worshipping and studying the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament). In fact, the Greek word for “assembly” is “synagogue”!

Finally, after Jesus was crucified, rose from the dead, and ascended to Heaven, He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within everyone who trusts in the Lord for their eternal salvation.
The new tabernacle was the very heart of every believer!

Whether it was the Tent of Meeting,
the Tabernacle in the wilderness,
the temple in Jerusalem,
a synagogue in the ancient Roman world,
or your local Bible-teaching church,
each of these represent something precious to the heart of God,
a meeting place with His people. 

Just as God protected and cherished those dwelling places in the Old Testament, so does He lavishly love and care for how the Church, local and global, lives out its calling to advance the Kingdom of God.

Ephesians is like the handbook for church life, detailing out our identity, our mission, and our calling. Before you check out because you aren’t on staff at a church, or maybe only attend on occasion, sink into this truth:

Every believer is the Church.

Please, as fellow member of this beautiful Body called Church, I plead with you to read every word of Ephesians with us as we study.
Our words are meaningless without His.
Our studies merely point to His truth.
So, if you’ve made it this far without reading His Words Before Ours, please back up and read today’s selection from Ephesians 1:1-14!

As you read, drink it slowly, deliciously; let the message wash over you, bringing renewal.
These are the words of the Lord God for His precious Bride, the Church.
These words are for us as His Beloved, the place where He dwells!

Because, here’s the ravishing secret, we are His inheritance and He is ours!! 

I’m giddy with excitement every time I consider this glorious reality!
Come! Look!

To the saints…
Grace & peace to you, (Read: washing over you and embracing you on all sides)
from God our FATHER (how wondrous!)
and Christ Jesus our SAVIOR (breathtaking love!).
(Ephesians 1:1-2)

And just like that, we are ushered into a book of radical love and steadfast truth with a warm embrace.

In the first 14 verses, we, the Church,
every saved-from-sin-rescued-from-death believer, are hereby declared…

Blessed
With every spiritual blessing available in the infinite heavenly riches of Christ.
(verse 3)

Chosen
Set apart from before the beginning of time to be blameless and holy before the Lord.
(verse 4)

Adopted
With every right and every inheritance given to us, not based on our works, but solely because He lovingly chose to love us.
(verses 5-6)

Lavishly Covered
With His limitless gifts of redemption, forgiveness, and grace.
(verses 7-8)

Unified With God
Having been invited to understand the rich mysteries of how God has planned for our salvation and welcomed us, the Church, into the great gift of unity between ourselves and the godhead.
(verses 9-10)

Heirs
We are the recipients of this profoundly rich inheritance.
(verses 11-12)

Sealed
On hearing the freedom offered in Christ, having trusted Him as our only Savior and Lord, God poured His Spirit into our hearts, remaking our DNA to be like His own. Here is the proof of our salvation! The God who safeguards our souls by His Spirit until one, indescribable day, when our inheritance is seen with naked eyes and we behold the glory that is
God dwelling with us FACE TO FACE!
(verses 13-14)

Church!!
How wondrous is the love the Father has lavished upon us!
May our tongues never cease to praise Him for calling us into this inheritance!

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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 Calling 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 Calling!

Anchored Day 15 Prayer Wrestlers

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Colossians 4:7-18
James 5:13-18
1 Peter 4:7-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Ephesians 6:13-20

Anchored, Day 15

Tychicus

Onesimus

Epaphras

Archippus

Nympha

I’m going to guess that NONE of these names appear in the top 100 for baby names of 2018, or the past 5 centuries for that matter.
However, these 4 men and 1 woman are included in a much more important list,
one that hasn’t changed for thousands of years despite the changing trends of the times.

Don’t feel bad if you can’t pronounce their names.  I can’t either.
In fact, I’m embarrassed to admit, I often glaze over name lists because they don’t mean much to me without a personal connection.
But Paul had that connection.
And he loved them.
Deeply.

These were his brothers and sisters in Christ, his family.
These were partners with him in spreading the gospel, encouraging other believers, and building the first century church.
THEY were foundational to OUR faith today.

As I prepared for this Journey Study, something in the description stuck out to me BIG time:
What if our prayers were being used by God to sustain our pastors, church leaders, and families around us?

What if MY prayers were essential to the work God is doing in and through my
church, neighborhood, family?!

Talk about conviction!!!
Am I praying like MY prayers matter?

Am I getting on my knees daily,
praying fervently and earnestly for my
pastor,
children’s teachers at school,
neighbor down the street who has battled cancer,
pregnant sister-in-law?

Or….
Am I so caught up in making supper, doing laundry, cleaning up messes, and managing life I get distracted (read lazy) in my prayers?
And because of my ho-hum approach to prayer,
what if OTHER people’s lives are being affected?
NEGATIVELY?

Paul ends his letter to the church in Colossae with a list of people who have partnered with him in ministry.
They have encouraged him personally,
prayed fervently and intentionally for other believers,
opened their homes to host church,
traveled far distances to deliver letters,
and risked their lives for the sake of Jesus.

We all know about Paul, world-famous-preacher.
Authored over half of the New Testament.
Traveled abroad establishing churches across ancient Asia.
Discipled new believers, training them to lead churches.
Paul’s work is foundational to OUR faith today, his legacy spans millennia past and future.

BUT….
His work was IMPOSSIBLE without the Spirit of God using faithful men and women of the church, their SUPPORT, their SACRIFICE, and their PRAYERS.

Paul intentionally named those who served with him, purposefully making their stories and sacrifices known.

Instead of skimming these lists, what if we slowed,
taking time to remember these men and women of faith?!

Suppose we put OURSELVES in their shoes?
Suppose we recognized God putting these people in Paul’s life, partnering with him to grow the church and altering its entire future?
Suppose He is putting US in specific places at specific times for SPECIFIC reasons to ALSO grow the church and alter its future?!!

What if, like Tychicus, we “encourage the hearts” of those around us?

What if, like Onesimus. we share with our fellow believers the activity of God in our churches, neighborhoods, schools, and families?

What if, like Nympha, we open our homes for “church services” that look like potluck dinners, roasting marshmallows around a campfire, discipleship small groups, football watch parties, or school’s out for the summer ice cream celebrations with the purpose of sharing Jesus?

What if, like Archippus, we work diligently to fulfill the ministry God has plainly given us?

What if, like Epaphras, we wrestle in prayer as if our prayers TRULY mattered?!
What if we “struggle on the behalf of others in our prayers”?

Whose eternity might be changed?
Pastors, neighbors, co-workers, family members,
bank tellers, grocery store clerks, Facebook friends, Instagram followers,
and the stranger holding up a cardboard sign.
Eternity changed….
As we determine to pray for EACH to “stand mature and fully assured in the will of God.”

 What if?!!

Recently in an interview, Tauren Wells shared his pastor’s challenging question that prompted his song When We Pray:
“Whose lives would be changed if your prayers were answered?”

Are we praying like hearts and souls depend on prayer?
I know I’m not.

And thus, the Body of Christ is suffering!

BUT we can change that!
Today.

Tauren Wells’ noted:
We actually have the power to change the realities in which we live through prayer. It’s something the believer must harness and exert in our lives if we’re really going to change the world around us.

If your pastor were to write a letter like Paul’s, would YOUR name be included as one diligently serving, encouraging, supporting, uplifting, or contributing to the ministry of the church?  Would you be listed as sacrificing to make the gospel known?

An encouraging note to your pastor.
Kind words to your child’s teacher.
A “blessing bag” for the man on the street.
Coffee with a hurting friend.
A Facebook message to a new mom struggling to find purpose.
A supper invitation for the new family.
The prayers you pray on the behalf of others.

The prayers you cry through tears,
whisper in fear,
secretly journal,
scream in frustration,
or mutter under your breath…
They All Matter.

Be consistent, earnest, fervent, and BOLD in prayer,
as you wrestle for God’s Kingdom to come!

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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 Anchored Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Anchored!

Anchored Day 12 The Lord’s Gym: 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 The Lord’s Gym!

The Questions

1) Who is the “you” in this passage?

2) What is the overall theme of this chapter in Titus?

3) The word, “train” or “training” is used several times in this passage. What does it mean to train biblically?

Titus 2

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Original Intent

1) Who is the “you” in this passage?
Paul is speaking directly to Titus as he begins chapter two. He is instructing Titus, as the pastor, to teach sound doctrine. That is of utmost importance for a church to function properly and honor God as his body representing Him on this earth. Paul then proceeds to discuss various roles within the local church body.

2) What is the overall theme of this chapter in Titus?
This passage clearly lays out the importance of teaching and learning from one another as well as holding one another accountable in the way we each represent Christ. This is a biblical mandate for the Church, that men and women alike teach and model Christ-like behavior. This passage goes a step further by giving clear boundaries on what specific behaviors honor God.

3) The word, “train” or “training” is used several times in this passage. What does it mean to train biblically?
Thayer’s Dictionary defines the uses of “train” and “training” as to instruct or teach as well as encourage. Paul is describing a type of relationship that exists between brothers and sisters in Christ where discipleship and growth happen because there is an intentionality in the DNA of the relationship to train and disciple one another.

Everyday Application

1) Who is the “you” in this passage?
Although the original intent was directed at Titus, the broader application for readers today is for leadership, specifically pastors and teachers within the church, to teach sound doctrine. One of the most important parts, if not the most important part, of a church is the accuracy and soundness of what is being taught from the pulpit, in the Sunday School class or Lifegroup, from the Bible Study, and on the mission field. The situation doesn’t matter, but the content that feeds the hearts and minds of believers must align with the absolute truths of Scripture. “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1). As believers, we are given the Holy Spirit to help us discern God’s truths and live a life anchored in Him.

2)  What is the overall theme of this chapter in Titus?
This Biblical framework Paul gave Titus, and subsequently all of us, reveals the beauty of the body of Christ. The Christian life is not meant to be lived as an island, rather we are to sharpen and encourage one another to deepen our relationship with the Lord as a community of believers. We are to awaken ourselves and be intentional at working out our salvation by joining other believers and allowing other believers to join us in this thing we call life.

3)  The word, “train” or “training” is used several times in this passage. What does it mean to train biblically?
Training is not easy. I ran a half-marathon several years ago and it required “training” before hand for upwards of 6-9 months so I could complete the race. The Christian life is very much like that half-marathon except our finish line comes in eternity. I didn’t do it by myself, but I convinced a friend to join me because I knew it would be easier to train if someone was training with me to keep me accountable and run along side me during training and the race. We did it together. That is the picture of the Christian life, doing it together! We are never alone! We have the Holy Spirit as a “helper” in this life, but God also gives us the community of believers all across the world. We get to encourage those who maybe aren’t as far in their walk, we get to walk alongside those who are in the same spot we are in our journey, and we have opportunities to be pushed and pulled by more mature believers we intentionally seek out. Training is a biblical mandate for the Christian life and there is delightful, necessary community surrounding us when we are teachable and vulnerable to allow others into our lives.

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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Creed Day 15 His Church

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 5:25-30
Romans 7:7-25
Romans 12
James 1:19-27
Acts 2:42-47 . 

The perfect triune God, eternally existing in absolute, pure beauty.
Wrapped in unity, mutual love, and community among the godhead.
Needing nothing.
Supremely happy.
Yet He chose to create.
He chose to create us.
Beautiful. Perfect. Whole.
Designing our bodies, emotions, passions, and minds to be in contented relationship with Himself and one another just as He experienced oneness as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
He looked at us and He delighted in us.
He took joy over all that we were meant to be and all we would experience by knowing Him and each other, and then gave us the freedom to choose.
The freedom to choose a relationship with Him or apart from Him.

and we chose us.
Every. Single. Time.

Like the erring child. The one who ran away.
We broke the heart of God, the One who needed nothing, was completely content in Himself, but chose to long for a mutual relationship with humanity.
and we chose us.

We ate the fruit.
We caused the rift.
We murdered and turned away to flee with bloody hands.
We spurned His safety.
We built altars to ourselves.
We became bitter.
We made our own god from our own design.
We didn’t trust.
We delighted in ourselves, chased folly, were jealous of each other, sacrificed everything we had and still found nothing to satisfy.
We ran away.
We made up religious rules, forcing others to perform to our standards.
We lied.
We cheated.
We committed adultery.
We betrayed.
We freed a murderer and condemned the author of life.
We held a roman hammer and drove nails into innocent flesh
we chose us.
and we found death.

When we ate the fruit, You provided a way of return.
Where we broke relationship, you sent one to crush the Enemy’s heel.
When we murdered, you showed mercy.
When we built altars to ourselves, Your authority pointed to only One God.
When we spurned your safety, you made all things new.
In our bitterness, You were our provider.
When we made our own god, You still allowed for restoration.
In our distrust, You proved faithful.
When we chased everything else except for You, You promised hope.
When we ran away, You pursued.
Where we forced religion, You proved You wanted a relationship.
Where we lied, You forgave and repurposed us.
Where we cheated, You miraculously made our hearts new.
When we gave away our love to another, You did not condemn, but invited us to be renewed.
When we betrayed you, You chose sacrificial love.
When we condemned, You laid down your life.
And when we took Your innocent life, You forgave us, paid our debt, and conquered death for eternity.

You chose us.
And gave us life.

Who are we?
We are the church, the beloved of God, His possession, His delight.
Our debt of sin, paid in full, by the precious spilt blood of Jesus Christ for all who surrender to Him as Lord.

And oh the riches He calls us to as He releases us from the chains of slavery!

He frees us from choosing to love only ourselves, and opens our eyes to see others.
The widow.
The orphan.
The unloved.
The broken.
The wounded.
The battered.
The imprisoned.
The sick.
The lost.
The abandoned.
The slave.
The undeserving.
The sinner.

He calls us to see them because we were them!
“Just as you were at one time disobedient to God, but now have received mercy”

He calls us to love them.
“Love on another as I have loved you.”

To BE Him to them.
“For I have given you an example, that you should do just as I have done to you.”

To show mercy.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

To point to the One true God.
“There is….one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.”

To provide.
“There was not a needy person among them.”

To let our lives display His faithfulness and restoration.
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify the Father.”

To forgive.
“Forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.”

To live in biblical community..
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship.”

To worship.
“Address one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody to the Lord in your heart.”

To pray.
“And they devoted themselves to….prayer”

To be bound in unity.
“That they may become perfectly one.”

To love sacrificially.
“Walk in love as Christ loved us, and gave Himself up for us as a sacrifice to God.”

To lay down our lives.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

To love as He loved us.
And. Find. Life.
A full life. An abundant life. A satisfied life.

Will you be His church?
It’s not a building. Not offering plates or music sets, kids programs, or Sunday classes.
It’s choosing to love, just as Christ loved, and gave Himself up for her.

The church isn’t you and Jesus off doing your own thing.
It’s not an entity here to serve you.
It’s a living Body, where every member is a part of the other.
That means you, Christ follower, are a part of me, a part of your pastor, a part of the person sitting next to you, and a part of the little boy who was just baptized.
We were intended to move and breath as One.
One Body, One Team. One breathtaking, beautiful Bride.
Of which you are a critical part.

Will you be His Church?
Will you encourage, disciple, minister, break bread with, give generously, love deeply, reach out, pray for others, j o i n  t o g e t h e r in order to be the Church with arms outstretched and feet running towards the broken?

For three weeks we’ve studied Creed…what we believe and why. Deep, vital, solid truths, but unless we live out a life of love, all of our understanding is for nothing.
Creed isn’t for you to KNOW, my sisters, it’s for you to LIVE!

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 Creed 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 Creed!

The GT Weekend – Flourishing Week 1

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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. We are to love others out of the overflow of our love for God. Often though, we run on empty, working frantically to show how well we love others while we ignore God. Spend some time thinking about your priorities and examine if they need readjusted.

2. How do you share the Gospel with others? Being filled with the Spirit is essential. Ask the Lord for opportunities to intentionally share with those around you His truth. Pray for specific people!

3. Think back over the last month. What was your first response to an intense situation-either positive or negative? God wants to have an intimate, two-way conversation with us about all the big and little things. Write to us at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com to tell us how we can be praying to encourage you as you step out in faith with prayer in the middle of your everyday!

Worship In Song

Music Video: Meredith Andrews’ “Spirit of the Living God”

Pour Out Your Heart

Lord, I praise You for Your love. You are a kind, loving Creator and long to have an intimate relationship with me. I’m so unworthy and thank you for Jesus who has redeemed me back to You. I run to Your outstretched arms today. Hold me close to Your side as I rest in You.

Father, I want to be a good representative of Your kingdom. Show me this day who is open to things of You so I can engage them in spiritual conversation. Spirit move in my heart to be more sensitive to Your gentle whisper. Draw my friend Alice* close to You. Stir in my heart conversations to have with You, my almighty King of Kings. Let me lean into praying with confidence as I put my trust completely, wholly into You!

*Name changed for privacy

Pray With Us!

In everything, with praise and thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God!
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Flourishing Day 5
Life In The Body

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Timothy 3
I Timothy 5-6:2
Psalm 133
Colossians 3:1-17
James 3:1-2  

As the young wife of an aspiring pastor, I’ve encountered many big words from my husband’s journey through seminary. Having grown up in the church, I thought that I had a firm grasp on basic theology and doctrine. However, upon entering seminary, I suddenly began to hear my husband using words like eschatology, soteriology, antinomianism, and, my personal favorite, ecclesiology.

Ecclesiology is theology as applied to the nature and structure of the Christian church. Growing up at a First Baptist Church, the way the church was structured and functioned wasn’t something I had given a lot of thought to. I knew that some of my friend’s dads were called “deacons” and they had meetings where they discussed things, but that was pretty much the extent of my thoughts about church leadership and structure. Even through my college years, I was still a church-consumer. I came, enjoyed the worship, soaked in the message, and socialized in the lobby.

My husband and I were married shortly after we finished college and suddenly found ourselves on the core team of a church plant in a new city. My husband would be leading worship, and I was eager to serve in any area I was needed.

If you had asked me about the structure of the church at that time, I would have said that you need a pastor, a worship leader, a kids ministry, greeters, Sunday School, and an awesome youth group, complete with a hilarious youth pastor.
It didn’t take me long to realize how naive I was about ecclesiology.

I remember sitting in our core team meetings, discussing elders (1 Tim. 3:1-7; 5:17-25), deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13), and how to best serve those in our congregation and the community that God was calling us to (1 Tim. 5:3-16).
There wasn’t much said about Vacation Bible School.

It didn’t take long for me to realize why ecclesiology is important enough to be included in the Bible. Our pastor was a godly man, but he was also a sinner.
We are all flawed, selfish, and prideful, which is why we must look to the scriptures to find God’s plan for His church.

Paul wrote letters full of wisdom from the Holy Spirit to Timothy on how he, as a pastor, could shepherd his people, as well as a wealth of practical application for the local church Body. Paul writes, “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:14-15). Timothy probably felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to dole out responsibilities among his growing congregation. Paul, having led many churches and witnessed the challenges they faced, gave Timothy clear instructions for two offices in the church – overseers (elders) and deacons.

He clearly outlined the character and integrity that would be required of such individuals. After reading these two descriptions, it can feel a little overwhelming.
How can anyone match these qualities?
Paul quickly reminds Timothy of his foundational truth, the mystery of godliness.

“He was manifested in the flesh,
Vindicated by the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16b

Ultimately, overseers and deacons must have a firm grasp on the mystery of Christ, the Gospel, and live their lives in light of that truth.

When looking for a church home, how does the leadership measure up to God’s Word? While it’s easy to point fingers, how tightly are you holding on to the gospel as you live for Jesus? For we, as Christ-followers, are all ministers of the gospel!

Paul goes on to address another practical issue facing the early church – widows. (1 Tim. 5:3-16). Many churches today have ministries that serve widows, but we can take a broader biblical approach. Widows were the most marginalized citizens in the early church; their futures were often uncertain and insecure.
Who are the “widows” in our church and society?
Let the modern church be a community that seeks to identify and serve those people, while leading them into godliness.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he states that all of us are called to godliness,
not just the prominent leaders in our church.

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Col. 1:9-10

Paul goes on to encourage the believers in endurance, patience, and joy.
How are a group of sinners supposed to live up to this tall order?
Just a few sentences later Paul gives this truth and encouragement:

“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Col. 1:17

Believers can abide in love and harmony through God alone as He joins us together in unity.
Praise God it’s not up to us!
We have His word and the Holy Spirit to lead us into the path He desires for His Bride, His Church!

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 Flourishing Week One! 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 Flourishing!