called

Fervent Day 15 The Call To Family

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Leviticus 19:18
Matthew 22:35-40
Romans 15:5-6
2 Corinthians 9:12-15
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Fervent, Day 15

Unity. 

The quality or state of not being multiple. A condition of harmony. The quality or state of being made one. (Merriam Webster)

Oh Beloved. Does the mere definition make your heart ache the way it does mine? Division is evident in practically every corner and crevice of the world today, and sadly, within Christ’s Bride, the Church, as well. We squabble over semantics, and methods. How long services should be. Which translation of the Bible is best. We disagree over our prayer, our worship, and missions. We disagree over how often to serve Communion, and what to serve. Who we should vote for.

I could go on, but I don’t need to. You know exactly what I’m talking about.

Our adversary’s chief aim is threefold, with a capital D. Division, destruction, and death. And the truth is we’ve allowed him to take ground in the Church on our watch.

As the words of Paul’s prayers for unity wash over us,
may they sink into our very souls and spirits,
and may God answer his prayers in our own lives and in the universal Church today.

When Jesus’ disciples asked Him how to pray, He gave them the Lord’s Prayer, which begins with the familiar line, “Our Father in heaven…”.  The Holy Spirit-led, inspired Christian, Andrew Murray, unpacks this prayer in With Christ in the School of Prayer at great lengths, but our focus today is simply the first word: our.

In one single word, Jesus illustrated the heart of our Father and the way of His Kingdom.
Family.
Brothers and sisters, beseeching their Father for what they need.
Not individually, or independently, but together, as one.

Prayer is most effective when we are united in it, together. Jesus Christ was the first person in history to speak of God as Father. In this brief interaction with His disciples, He called them up and into family with Him. It’s easy to see from where Paul absorbed his method of high challenge and high invitation; Jesus did it. As He called them to unity, He also called them into family.

Because this is the Gospel work of the Kingdom, Loves.
We who were fatherless, through Christ can know our Father.
We who were imprisoned to our sin, through Christ are made free.
We who were isolated and alone, through Christ are adopted into God’s family, and made co-heirs of His Kingdom. 

Paul knew firsthand the incredible, redeeming power of God, and his fervent desire was for all God’s children to experience their full inheritance in Christ. He prayed passionately for all believers to be made one. To be of one mind and spirit. To approve all things righteously, together.

Do we desire the same? It’s easy to nod and agree, but do we really? Do our actions, words and prayers reflect a passionate desire for unity in the body of Christ? Are we desperate for the unity Christ commanded and prophesied?

I’m not sure I can say yes. Can you?

It’s one thing to comment about the division we see ravaging the Church our brothers and sisters us, but do we weep over it? Don’t mistake gravity for condemnation here, Loves. This is for all of us, including me. Here’s the thing: we are not capable of changing the desires of our heart, or our passions. But God can. We have only to ask Him, and He will do it! 

In order to come to the realization that something must be done, we must have a clear view of where we actually are.

Where are you, Beloved? Are you numb, or indifferent to our divisive plight? Do you find yourself unable to muster a desire for unity? Are you comfortable where you are, but aware that maybe you shouldn’t be? Does this talk of passion, change, and a togetherness as yet unseen spark excitement in your belly? Or does it spark fear?

I’m with you. We are all weighing our hearts in this space, and our Father is doing the same. So where do we go from here?

We go to our Father, together!

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.

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

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

The GT Weekend! ~ Calling 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) Merry took us really deep, really fast in Monday’s Journey Study. Paul is calling Christians to be people of light who speak truth in love. He is challenging Jesus-followers to not be blinded by lies and darkness, but to call out evil and walk in truth. Merry asked a series of questions that bears repeating, “Beloved, what drives you? Are you ruled by your feelings, or by your Father? Are you more vested in the things the world holds dear, or the things of your Father’s Kingdom?” Every day we hear messages from the world about what we should value and believe. Do those messages line up with Scripture? Could these messages be clouding your vision and darkening your eyes to the truth? Make a list of ways you hear messages from the world that don’t reflect God’s truth. (think Instagram, Netflix, the news, romance novels, etc.) Make plans to fast for a period of time from one or more of those sources of information, and intentionally repurpose your time to seek out God’s truth. Set a specific time frame for your fast (one day, one weekend, a whole week), and then at the close of your time, reflect on the truths you have gained from the Lord.

2) What comes to your mind, when you first hear the word submission? Our culture sees submission as a dirty word as it seemingly goes against some of our deepest and oldest values of liberty and independence. In Ephesians, Paul says those who follow Jesus ought to submit to the authorities in their lives and to one another in love. As people who seek to honor God, we should look different from the rest of the world. Does your spirit push back on this idea like mine does? Submission is uncomfortable and leaves us open to vulnerability, but biblical submission born of love is one aspect of the Christian life we are invited to rest in. Take some time to evaluate your life. Where do you need to practice submission? Do you have a boss who really grinds your gears? Or maybe you are struggling to make a decision with your husband? What about a family member or friend whom you are butting heads with as you each want your own way? Write down one specific, actionable step you can take this week to mend a damaged relationship by submitting your will to another. Ask God to give you courage and humility to take the first step in faith.

3) The full armor of God is our toolkit to help Christians in our battle against darkness. As people who follow Jesus, we are told first to “be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.” Only then are we to put on the full armor of God. Without the power and strength of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, our efforts to make ourselves faithful will fall flat. We need to be “plugged into Jesus” as we were told in yesterday’s journey. How can we do that? The spiritual disciplines of Bible reading and meditation along with prayer are a great place to start. Ephesians 6:18 tells believers to “pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request…” As you go through your day, problems arise. You will experience difficulties and discouraging circumstances. Pray about them. You will also experience joyful times and blessings. Thank God for them! You don’t need to wait until you have your journal and a cup of coffee to talk to God. Slip your conversation with Him into every spare moment of your day. Make a list of concerns you are praying about right now. Post them in a place you will see them like above your kitchen sink, as the background of your phone, on your bathroom mirror, or on your steering wheel. Watch expectantly to see how Jesus strengthens you for each task you set your mind to.

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 Psalm 138:3,7-8 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

On the day I called, You answered me;
You increased strength within me.
If I walk into the thick of danger,
You will preserve my life
from the anger of my enemies.
You will extend your hand;
Your right hand will save me.
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.
Lord, Your faithful love endures forever;
do not abandon the work of Your hands.

Prayer Journal
To you, oh God, I lift up my voice. Father, Son, and Spirit, Three in One. You are the source of all good things. You are the One who answers prayers and provides Your people with all strength and sustenance. Remind me of my need for You. Remind me of my need for Your goodness and grace. Help me to submit, in spite of my own stubborn will, to the authority and needs of those around me. As I remember my need for You, help me to be drawn into conversation with You. Let my prayers to You be as natural to me as the very breath I breath. I confess I am easily distracted by the cares and values of the world. I often desire my own will and my own way. Help me to be so delighted by you, I cannot help but worship. Thank You for Your consistent and assuring presence in my life and for Your answers to my prayers. Let me be ever more aware of Your desires. Help me turn away from the false stories and messages the world is so quick to offer and listen instead to Your Word of truth.

Worship Through Community

Can we pray for you? Reach Out! We’d love to pray for and with you!
Send us an email at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com

Build community, be transparent, and encourage others:
Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Ten Day 2 Only One Worthy: 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 Only One Worthy!

The Questions

1) These verses contain a detailed description of making idols. Why?

2) Why the call to return in verse 22?

3) Verse 23 holds a description of the universe praising God. Why?

Isaiah 44:9-23

9 All who make idols are nothing,
and what they treasure benefits no one.
Their witnesses do not see or know anything,
so they will be put to shame.
10 Who makes a god or casts a metal image
that benefits no one?
11 Look, all its worshipers will be put to shame,
and the craftsmen are humans.
They all will assemble and stand;
they all will be startled and put to shame.

12 The ironworker labors over the coals,
shapes the idol with hammers,
and works it with his strong arm.
Also he grows hungry and his strength fails;
he doesn’t drink water and is faint.
13 The woodworker stretches out a measuring line,
he outlines it with a stylus;
he shapes it with chisels
and outlines it with a compass.
He makes it according to a human form,
like a beautiful person,
to dwell in a temple.
14 He cuts down cedars for his use,
or he takes a cypress or an oak.
He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest.
He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.

15 A person can use it for fuel.
He takes some of it and warms himself;
also he kindles a fire and bakes bread;
he even makes it into a god and worships it;
he makes an idol from it and bows down to it.
16 He burns half of it in a fire,
and he roasts meat on that half.
He eats the roast and is satisfied.
He warms himself and says, “Ah!
I am warm, I see the blaze.”
17 He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it.
He bows down to it and worships;
he prays to it, “Save me, for you are my god.”

18 Such people do not comprehend
and cannot understand,
for he has shut their eyes so they cannot see,
and their minds so they cannot understand.
19 No one comes to his senses;
no one has the perception or insight to say,
“I burned half of it in the fire,
I also baked bread on its coals,
I roasted meat and ate.
Should I make something detestable with the rest of it?
Should I bow down to a block of wood?”

20 He feeds on ashes.
His deceived mind has led him astray,
and he cannot rescue himself,
or say, “Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?”
21 Remember these things, Jacob,
and Israel, for you are my servant;
I formed you, you are my servant;
Israel, you will never be forgotten by me.
22 I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud,
and your sins like a mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you.
23 Rejoice, heavens, for the Lord has acted;
shout, depths of the earth.
Break out into singing, mountains,
forest, and every tree in it.
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
and glorifies himself through Israel.

Original Intent

1) These verses contain a detailed description of making idols. Why?
After rescuing the Israelites from Egypt, God almost immediately provides Moses with His commands for His people. The first two command God’s children to have no god other than Himself and to make no idol (Exodus 20:1-6). Yet, before Moses even came back down the mountain with the commands, Israel had already made themselves an idol to worship (Exodus 32:1-6). Their choice to worship false gods did not stop there. Time and again in Scripture we see Israel choosing idols over the One True God. Isaiah eloquently shows Israel how ridiculous worshipping idols is through this description. Here they make idols from the material God Himself created, yet what have these idols ever created? Nothing. Isaiah is pointing Israel back, yet again, to why only Yahweh deserves their praise.

2) Why the call to return in verse 22?
Isaiah urges Israel to return to their first love, to return to the Lord. If they simply choose to return, they are promised redemption. In Genesis 12:3, God told Abram, “all the peoples on earth would be blessed through him.” As Isaiah writes, this promise remained unfulfilled. However, through their return, they would be redeemed. God had not forgotten them in their sin, neither did He forget the promise He had made to Abraham. He is their Redeemer and is calling them home. Matthew Henry says, “He has pardoned their sins, which were the cause of their calamity and the only obstruction to their deliverance. Therefore, He will break the yoke of captivity from off their necks, because he has blotted out, as a thick cloud, their transgressions.”

3) Verse 23 holds a description of the universe praising God. Why?
This verse is a beautiful picture of the rejoicing following redemption. It incorporates all of creation. Psalm 69:34 and Psalm 98:7-8 provide another picture of this praise. The God of the Universe, the Only One who could redeem, is deserving of worship. “The whole creation shall have cause for joy and rejoicing in the redemption of God’s people; to that it is owing that it subsists (that it is rescued from the curse which the sin of man brought upon the ground) and that it is again put into a capacity of answering the ends of its being, and is assured that though now it groans, being burdened, it shall at last be delivered from the bondage of corruption.” (Matthew Henry) The curse is broken and the universe rejoices.  (stars actually sing! Check out this amazing video!)

Everyday Application

1) These verses contain a detailed description of making idols. Why?
Lest we get ahead of ourselves by thinking we are different than Israel, the sad truth is we, like Israel, choose idols over the One True God repeatedly. Our idols may not be made of wood, stone, and metal, but we have them. Many of us constantly choose to place money, success, power, and people, just to name a few, over God. We choose our desires over the Lord, by which we communicate, “I’ve got this, I’m in control” i.e. “I don’t need you God.” Just like that, we’ve elevated ourselves in the place God belongs. We, just as the Israelites did, need reminded that only Yahweh is deserving of our worship.

2) Why the call to return in verse 22?
We have the privilege of living on this side of the cross where Jesus paid the price of redemption in full as He died in our place, taking our punishment for our sin on Himself.  The work of redemption is complete! Just as God called the Israelites to return to Him, He extends the same offer to us. However, it’s not forced upon us. The gift is given, the invitation to return is extended, but we must choose to return. When we do, we have the assurance that we are redeemed, our transgressions forever swept away. He is our Redeemer; Jesus has paid the price no idol ever could! The question is, will we accept it? Will we receive the freedom given when He paid the price on the cross? Will we return?

3) Verse 23 holds a description of the universe praising God. Why?
Creation sings the praises of our God. What an incredible picture! God has saved us! He has provided a way out from our sin, and there is rejoicing when we take it. When we experience the transformation only He can give, our response should be to praise Him! However, He does not force us into worship. While the crowds were praising Jesus, they were confronted by the Pharisees. Jesus told them if the crowds were silent in their praise, the rocks would cry out (Luke 19:37-40). Creation would do what man would not. The reality is everyday creation is singing the praises of our King.  The question we must answer is, will we choose to add our voice to the chorus of praise?

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Only One Worthy!

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

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 Groom & His Bride!

The Questions

1) What is the “business” God has given for us to do?

2) How do we better understand God as a Groom through this passage?

3) How does God’s eternal character comfort His Bride, the Church, in verses 14-15?

Ecclesiastes 3:9-15

What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.

14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.

Original Intent

1) What is the “business” God has given for us to do?
The phrasing in verse 10, “I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with” refers to the scene from Genesis 3 when the curse is laid on Adam as a result of his sin in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:17-19) The curse details how, even though Adam had previously been given work as a gift, now the work would carry a burden, it would be difficult, and produce only a fraction of what it would have before the effects of sin. The work God intended to bring us life and satisfaction in the doing of it, will now be twisted with sin and death. The Genesis passage also references life itself, which was a gift given to humankind, but now because of sin, all life will return to dust. If this were the end of the story, life itself is utterly meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

2) How do we better understand God as a Groom through this passage?
Verse 11 immediately follows up the meaninglessness of verse 10 with hope, “He has made everything beautiful in its time”, which also references the finishing of Creation in Genesis 1:31 when God declared that everything He had made was very good. All of creation, in its original design, was very good, flawless without a hint of imperfection, but man chose sin, destroying the beauty. (Ecclesiastes 7:29, Genesis 3:6-7) Yet, the God who made everything beautiful at creation’s inception, is not impotent when it comes to sin and its decay. The same all-powerful God who formed atoms at the beginning of time and space, is the same all-powerful God who “has put eternity into man’s heart”. There is more beyond the “now”, there is eternity, and an eternal God who, in His own creation, shaped the heart of all people to long for eternity, to seek out the eternal God…to look for HOPE beyond themselves. This is the heart of a Groom who longs for His Bride. This is a picture of a pursuant God who intentionally designed His Beloved to hunger for Him, to ache to be made whole.

3) How does God’s eternal character comfort His Bride, the Church, in verses 14-15?
The teacher of Ecclesiastes notes that “whatever God does, endures forever” (verse 14) His purposes are sure and His plans cannot be thwarted, even in spite of our sin! The teacher further goes on to explain that this eternality of God and His immutability, is for our benefit. He set up creation that humanity would perceive the character of God (Romans 1:20) in order that we might fear Him (meaning to stand in absolute stunning awe of Him), come to know Him, and call Him Lord for ourselves. He is the pursuant Groom, and we are the ones He is seeking that He might call us His Bride! “God seeks what has been driven away.” (verse 15)

Everyday Application

1) What is the “business” God has given for us to do?
The “business” God has given is the gift of work. Whatever your work is, this is the gift of God. How do you spend your days? What fills them? What is your work and when was the last time you saw it as a gift? What makes our work a gift, even now living in a fallen world with the effects of the curse pervading every aspect of life, is Who we do the work for. Work is redeemed when we see it as a means to glorify God and love others. (Colossians 3:17) Verse 12 notes, “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live.” Enjoy your work (Ecclesiastes 3:22), honor the giver of work, and love others well (Psalm 34:14, Psalm 37:3).

2) How do we better understand God as a Groom through this passage?
As you consider your everyday life, your work, your relationships, your joys, and your sorrows, where are you longing for Hope? What would begin to shift in your perspective and your heart when you consider that God intentionally designed for you to seek and know and be found by Him and He uses your everyday scenarios to draw you closer to Himself? What if you began to see your everyday, real life situations as invitations from the Almighty to come to Him, to seek Him, and be known by Him? Would you reach for Him more willingly? Would you call out for His help more frequently? Perhaps your heart would even become more quickly stirred to aching for His return when He will make all things new and beautiful once again. (Revelation 21:5)

3) How does God’s eternal character comfort His Bride, the Church, in verses 14-15?
I’m a mom of 7; nothing I do lasts for 5 minutes, let alone for eternity. Laundry, dishes, tidy beds, or a stocked pantry last only moments, but what God does never fades. God Himself is eternal, and because He loves His Bride, He has created a future for her to dwell with Him for eternity. His Church, the Beloved, made up of all those special and unique lives that have surrendered their all to Him, will finally find fullness and sweetness as it was designed to be from the beginning. We will inherit a life of purpose, a life of productivity, a life of intimacy with God, a life that will last for eternity! This kind of hope will never fail!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Groom &His Bride!

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 Bride 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!

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

Blessed Day 12 Blessed Are The Peacemakers: 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 Blessed Are The Peacemakers!

The Questions

1) What does Paul mean in verse 1 when he relates being “justified” with having “peace with God”?

2) How does the peace mentioned in these verses teach us about the peace Jesus spoke about often in the four Gospels?

3) Jesus was the ultimate Peace-Maker. What does this mean for us? (verse 11)

4) What is the “much more” of having peace with God? (verse 15)

Romans 5:1-15

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation. 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many.

Original Intent

1) What does Paul mean in verse 1 when he relates being “justified” with having “peace with God”?
Humans were created to live in peace with God. At the beginning of time, all of creation was in sync and “it was very good.” (Genesis 1:27-31) Sadly though, the enemy of the human soul was hell-bent (literally!) on robbing us of our peace. (John 10:10, 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:12) Satan convinced the first man and woman they were missing something. They bought the lie that knowing more was better than knowing God, and the unrest and chaos of humanity began. (Genesis 3:1-7) Since that moment, every human has been searching for more. In Romans, Paul reminds his readers of their ancestry through Abraham. Their spiritual patriarch had been convinced in his heart of God’s faithfulness to His promise to redeem and restore peace to the descendants of Abraham. This promise was an eternal one, good for every person who also believes the only way to reconciliation (peace now) and eternal life (peace forever) is through the perfection of God Himself. We are beneficiaries of this lasting peace as a direct result of our justification. Jesus’ death on the cross defeated the enemy’s power to continue to wreak havoc in our lives. His resurrection proved that by being God, He was declaring our reconciliation with Himself. (Romans 4:20-25)

2) How does the peace mentioned in these verses teach us about the peace Jesus spoke about often in the four Gospels?
In verse 1, Paul tells those who are justified we have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Commentator Harry Ironside says this peace is “not a state of mind or heart. It is a prevailing condition between two who were once alienated. Sin had disturbed the relations of Creator and creature. A breach had occurred that man could not mend. But peace has been made by the blood of Christ’s cross. There is no longer a barrier. Peace with God is now the abiding state into which every believer enters. The sin question is settled.” (preceptaustin.org/romans) The Greek word used here is derived from the verb eiro which means “to bind together that which has been separated.” In Matthew 5, Jesus speaks about those who bring peace, “Blessed are the peacemakers …” (Matthew 5:9) The same Greek word translated “peacemaker” is used by Paul, and it speaks of the reconciliation for which Christ came and died. (Colossians 1:19-20) Jesus laid down His life to make peace between God and sinners. Those who receive His peace are now sons and daughters of God: “… for they will be called sons of God.”

3) Jesus was the ultimate Peace-Maker. What does this mean for us? (verse 11)
The reconciliation believers have with God, through Christ, is the reason for our boasting! The crushing weight of our own guilt was placed on Jesus when He was on the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14) The shame we deserve to feel over the sin we commit against God was taken by Jesus. As those who trust in Jesus, such mercy we receive that we are not affected ultimately or eternally by Adam’s sin! Though we still struggle with sin, and will until we reach heaven, we are assured that Christ has rescued us and restored us to God. (Romans 7:18-25) Confession of our sins is not to establish peace with God. Jesus has already accomplished that. It is a demonstration that we rest in His reconciling work on the cross and depend on that work to produce daily desire, daily obedience, and daily peace with God. Even now, sin disrupts our fellowship with God. But we have an advocate who assures us our relationship with the Father will never change! The Peacemaker, Jesus, went to the cross so we could enter an ongoing and permanent entrance into Father’s presence. 

4) What is the “much more” of having peace with God? (verse 15)
It was a common expression in biblical times to use the term “much more”. We find the phrase scattered through the gospels. In Romans 5 it is used five times in some translations. Paul wants us to understand that Christ’s single act of obedience was infinitely greater than Adam’s single act of rebellion. God’s grace is substantially superior for our ultimate good than Adam’s sin was for our bad. Understanding this is essential. We must acknowledge our previous human condition. We inherited a nature that brings automatic distance from our Creator. (Genesis 3:22-24, Romans 5:12). In that sinful state, we are unable to attain peace with God. (Romans 3:23) Yet, even in our pitiful and detached condition, God took the initiative of reconciliation. Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), offers us peace with God. Scripture calls this reconciliation message the “gospel of peace”. (Ephesians 2:13-16, Ephesians 6:14-15). God, in the Person of Jesus Christ, became one of us. The angels of heaven gave the glorious announcement of His coming to shepherds, proclaiming “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors” (Luke 2:14). THIS peace offers us much more. It offers us salvation and everything else we need to live godly lives! (1 Timothy 1:14, Colossians 3:15-17)

Everyday Application

1) What does Paul mean in verse 1 when he relates being “justified” with having “peace with God”?
Peace is something most everyone desires, but does not easily obtain.  Wikipedia says it is a concept of “tranquility, harmony, or security.” Various forms of the word are found over 400 times in Scripture! The Bible mentions false peace, inner peace, peace with one another and most importantly peace with God. In the Old Testament, the primary Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom, and it refers to relationships between people and God’s relationship to us. In the New Testament, the primary Greek word for “peace” is eirene, and it refers to rest and tranquility. A key emphasis of peace in the New Testament is the coming of Jesus. At the moment we trust Christ as the only means of reconciliation to God, we are justified. That is, we are declared righteous. It is not the justification that makes us righteous, but it does pronounce that we are now at peace with God. We are kept in a relationship with God eternally. The peace that accompanies our being made righteous keeps our hearts and minds secure as we grow in spiritual maturity and discipleship.

2) How does the peace mentioned in these verses teach us about the peace Jesus spoke about often in the four Gospels?
There is a peace of God that is a more subjective peace in which believers experience daily assurance that their known sin is confessed and their consciences are clear. This inner peace is only available to those who have experienced reconciliation with God. Once we enter a relationship with God, that comes from a personal belief in Christ’s fully atoning and finished work on the Cross, [“When Jesus gave up his life as an obedient, deliberate, and purposeful sacrifice, He bore away the sins of His people once and for all.” Alistair Begg], we are able to walk in consistent peace that is beyond human understanding. (Philippians 4:6-7) Jesus called His followers to be people of peace, peacemakers. Once we have experienced the mercy of God, we are able to demonstrate mercy to others and to be vessels of reconciliation in a world of disorder, confusion and conflict.

3) Jesus was the ultimate Peace-Maker. What does this mean for us? (verse 11)
Jesus came to bring peace. The believer’s hope is secure, grounded in the knowledge and faith that Jesus has done all that was essential to make us right with God. After He ascended into heaven, we were gifted with the presence of the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 1:20-22)He has been given to us to remind us of the peace and reconciliation provided to us. The Spirit of God convicts us of sin so we will seek God’s forgiveness and peace, He comforts us with deep peace in sorrow or suffering, and He reminds us of Jesus’ completed sacrifice on our behalf that brings us near to God. The reminders from God’s word to our hearts stir us, and the prompting we receive from the Spirit is evidence we are at peace with God.

4) What is the “much more” of having peace with God? (verse 15)
We had a good thing going with our Creator, but the thief of joy and peace destroyed what was good and pure and right. Thankfully, the Creator had a redemptive plan. He loved the people He had created and did not want us separated from Him. (2 Peter 3:9) Our good and merciful Father appointed His Son to accomplish what Adam could not. And now, anyone can call out to Jesus, sincerely believing and trusting He is the only way to be at peace with God. As we surrender our lives to Him, fully relying on His death, we can have a peace with God that holds us fast through eternity. This confidence in God’s sustaining salvation daily provides us with the means to take the message of reconciliation to a world so desperately in need of good news. We all need the good news that God’s mercy provides much more than we could ever imagine.
What riches of kindness He lavished on us.
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost.
We stood ‘neath a debt we could never afford.
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more.
So much more! (His Mercy is More, Matt Boswell)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Blessed Are The Peacemakers!

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 Blessed 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.

The GT Weekend! ~ Sketched VII 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) Adam, a youth pastor who had been heavily influenced by his own youth pastor, sat across from another impressionable youth at a local coffee shop. Adam didn’t expect this moment, but is willing to sit in the uncomfortable while the boy across from him wrestles with the big questions about God raging in his heart. Here is discipleship lived out. Here is missional living, right in the heart of everyday life! Adam was willing to engage in another’s life, get messy, and face the uncomfortable right alongside him. Are you? Who has God already strategically placed in your life, waiting for you to get messy and live missionally alongside? Are you willing to sit still and allow the Holy Spirit to enter into another’s wrestling to bring about life change? Start praying for God-sized engagement in the life of someone around you!

2) When you think of “missionary” or “evangelism” or “sharing the gospel”, what happens inside your heart? What images come to mind? Do you find yourself pulling back with fear or breathlessly leaning in with anticipation? The missionary who shared her story on Wednesday admitted that her story likely met none of your expectations for what a missionary looked like. What if this statement was more of the “norm” for missional living? Just suppose our fears for sharing Jesus and being a missionary are unfounded? What if we are anchoring our visual concepts and heart fears of missions on a base of deception planted by the enemy to deter us from living out what God has richly called us into as He builds His eternal kingdom through us? What if?!

3)  Nikki began her story by stating she didn’t know what God was calling her into in the long run, but it all began with one step of obedience because she saw a desperate need. Often, this simple beginning is how the Lord motivates our feet to run towards Him and into His mission for us. He begins by stirring our hearts with a need we can visibly see and increasingly long to meet. This passion is not a mediocre passing thought, but a need that persists and chases. Where do you see this in your life? Or maybe that need was once a fiery burn in your chest, but you chased it away with other things. Just suppose the Lord God Almighty was calling you into something bigger than you can imagine, and all He asks right now is one step of obedience as you see a need?

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 Isaiah 6:8-9 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” And he said, “Go, and say to this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’

Prayer Journal
Whom will You send, Abba? Will You send me? What of my fears? Do I know you well enough? Is there even an “enough” requirement to be sent? Where will I go? To the lost, Lord, You always send to the Lost, to the Broken, to those stuck in their sin. Oh Lord, remind me moment by moment, that “those” are “me” without You. We are the same! Lord, You are sending me out to people just like me. You are sending me to my people. Whoever “my” people are in different seasons whether months from now or decades, break my heart for them. Stir my heart with passion for them to know you deeply and intimately as You stir their hearts to reject their sin and love You most and best. Here I am, Lord, send me!

Worship Through Community

Can we pray for you? Reach Out! We’d love to pray for and with you!
Send us an email at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com

Build community, be transparent, and encourage others:
Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Sketched VII Day 4 Following: 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 Following!

The Questions

1) Jesus saw him, called him and Matthew followed. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 9)

2) Jesus eats with sinners and tax collectors. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 10)

3) What was the probable tone of Jesus’ instruction to the Pharisees in verse 13?

4) What does this passage as a whole reveal to us about the heart of Jesus?

Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. 10 While he was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 Now when he heard this, he said, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Original Intent

1) Jesus saw him, called him and Matthew followed. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 9)
Chapter 9 begins by detailing the day-to-day kind of ministry Jesus had. The gospels depict Him journeying from this town to that town to heal and teach people. In His journeys, Jesus continued to reveal more and more of His character. As His reputation preceded Him in certain places, people began to look for Him. (Luke 4:42, Luke 8:40, John 12:18, Mark 3:8). It’s no surprise people wondered about Jesus, and they often came to see what all the talk was about. But the beautifully magnificent aspect is that it was Jesus who saw them. He was constantly aware of those around Him. When friends brought a paralytic to Him, verse 2 says “Jesus saw their faith”. The gospel writers often included this phrase (“Jesus saw”) when telling the stories about Him. The apostle John especially noticed this about Jesus. (John 1:38, 47-50, 5:6, 6:5, 9:1, 11:33, 19:26) In verse 9, the reader likely focuses on the end of the verse, which is our emphasis in this study today. Matthew began to follow Jesus immediately. But the significance here lies in what the context reveals about the One he followed. God incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ, saw a tax collector named Matthew. Then He called Matthew to follow Him.

2) Jesus eats with sinners and tax collectors. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 10)
Verse 9 flows into verse 10 in this passage: “As Jesus went …” moves right into “while He was reclining.” In the present day, we might say “Jesus was always on mission.” Although the gospels tell us how Jesus purposely traveled from one place to another, He also ministered as He went. When we read passages like this, too often we move so quickly from verse to verse we miss the beauty of Jesus’ ministry. Apparently, after Matthew began to follow Him, Jesus immediately took the opportunity to call others to Himself by means of a dinner party that eventually included some tax-collector friends of Matthew. With this action, Jesus presented a living picture of the purpose of His coming. We know this because in verse 13 Jesus Himself tells us why He came to earth. Jesus said a very similar thing to another tax collector on another occasion in Luke 19:1-10. The teachers of the day struggled with what Jesus was doing, who He dined with, and who He healed. Sometimes we may also find Jesus’ teaching hard to understand or hard to obey.  But this passage could not be clearer. Jesus came for this: to call sinners to follow Him.

3) What was the probable tone of Jesus’ instruction to the Pharisees in verse 13?
From the context, this doesn’t appear to be a light-hearted scenario. Jesus was not light-heartedly directing His disciples and these teachers to do a Google search! Jesus was using a quote from Hosea 6:6 to reveal their hearts. Bible commentator Bob Utley tells us Jesus was likely using an idiom that the rabbis used to tell their students to study a particular issue. (bible.org) In this way, Jesus was making Himself the teacher, and the Pharisees His students. No doubt this angered them. Spurgeon said, “This would be distasteful to men who thought they knew everything already.” (studylight.org) Not only that, Jesus was speaking on behalf of Jehovah God. The Pharisees had asked the disciples why Jesus was eating with such “common folk.” In response, Jesus quoted Scripture as if it spoke of Himself. Jesus said, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” Quoting from Hosea 6:6, Jesus was declaring Himself as the Lord who deserved their sincere worship. In one impactful statement, Jesus was exposing their ignorance and their arrogance while also indicating what kind of followers He was seeking.

4) What does this passage as a whole reveal to us about the heart of Jesus?
Jesus called unlikely people to be His followers. Using an example they would all comprehend, Jesus spoke of those who were in need of help.  It is sick people who need physicians. The Pharisees were expecting a Messiah who would reign as a king and they believed themselves to be worthy of honor with Him when that leader appeared. Jesus consistently debunked their mentality. (Luke 18:9-14) Jesus saw Matthew sitting at a toll booth and invited him to follow. Jesus ate with the tax collector’s friends who were societal outcasts, and He invited them to follow. D. A. Carson says these “sinners may include common folk who did not share all the scruples of the Pharisees.” And this indicated the very heart of Jesus. The reason Jesus came was to demonstrate His love for the weak and wounded. (Romans 5:6-11) The call to follow Him is an invitation to sit at Christ’s table even though we don’t deserve it. Jesus shattered traditional norms and criticized the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. He ate with sinners because they recognized their need. The Pharisees, on the other hand, disregarded people who didn’t measure up to their insincere righteousness.

Everyday Application

1) Jesus saw him, called him and Matthew followed. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 9)
The invitation to follow Jesus is overwhelming. To think God came to earth wrapped in humanity and called people to join Him in His mission, “I scarce can take it in.” (How Great Thou Art) That the Creator would graciously call humanity to Himself is such a glorious thought, but when we take that first step toward Him and with Him, we realize that it comes at a cost. Jesus’ example demonstrates for us what following Him looks like. GT partner Audra Darville said, “Living on mission doesn’t necessarily mean being called to a specific place, job, or people. Rather, it’s about being ready and able to testify of who God is wherever you go and whoever you’re with.” Jesus saw the people everywhere He went. He called them to believe His words, to recognize their need for Him, to wholeheartedly follow Him and invite others to do the same. As soon as Matthew began to follow Jesus, he invited his tax-collector friends to meet the Christ. When Jesus’ enemies called Him a “friend of sinners,” they were not complimenting Him. They were insulting Him. (Matthew 11:19) When we follow Jesus, we can expect the same. (Matthew 5:10-12)

2) Jesus eats with sinners and tax collectors. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 10)
In the days of which the New Testament gospels speak, Jewish rabbis and other spiritual teachers were viewed favorably within the traditional Jewish society. Most people looked to the Pharisees as their spiritual guides. Due to their strict adherents to the Law and preservation of traditions important to the Jews, they were held in high esteem within that community. Their opinion of “tax collectors and sinners” was unified and common. They would never have publicly socialized with tax collectors due to their unchecked dishonesty and greed. But Jesus! He saw Matthew and invited him along as a friend. The reality that Jesus ate with “these kinds of people” shows that He saw beyond traditions and cultural boundaries to people’s need. Following Jesus is a call to join Him in seeing others like He does.

3) What was the probable tone of Jesus’ instruction to the Pharisees in verse 13?
Jesus called people to follow Him. He would become their servant-leader. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up My yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-20) When we are connected to Jesus, even the most challenging tasks become less of a burden. Situations that would ordinarily make us uncomfortable are viewed in the light of Jesus’ call to us. Being “yoked” together with Jesus adds a new perspective to our following Him as we recognize His strength and peace that is offered to us. The Pharisees did not fully comprehend the mercy of God. In fact, it was something the Israelites had always had a difficult time understanding. The prophets tried, but the people refused to listen. Jesus wanted His followers to understand what they were committing to by following Him. The call to follow Him might include wearisome and troubling circumstances, but partnering with Jesus is a journey of receiving mercy and proclaiming mercy.

4) What does this passage as a whole reveal to us about the heart of Jesus?
Jesus came to invite sinners like us to follow Him. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.am For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. (John 3:16-17). At creation, God saw the people He had made and said, “It is very good.” (Genesis 1:31) Instead of faithfully loving God, we broke the beautiful relationship we had with God through Adam & Eve. (Hosea was preaching this in his message of mercy Hosea 6:7) Jesus saw the people He passed along His journey! He had compassion on them and desired to meet their needs, especially their deepest need. I’m so thankful Jesus didn’t let social status or cultural norms dictate His invitation to people. Following Him will take us on a journey of faith,  but many outcasts have realized and received His invitation of mercy. Now we invite others to join us!
I have decided to follow Jesus.
No turning back.
No turning back.

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

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 Sketched VII Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Sketched VII Day 3 Following

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 14:25-33
Matthew 9:9-13
Matthew 7:24-27

Sketched VII, Day 3

These are the stories of the women behind Gracefully Truthful. How God led them here, and how He has grown their hearts to know Him deeper and love others more fully, as a result of stepping out in obedience.

—-

Kendra
The message came across my screen: “Kendra, I read some of your blogs and I was wondering if you’d be interested in writing for an online women’s Bible study?”

I bounced one of my twin daughters on my hip while I set my coffee down and responded without much thought: “YES!”

I was excited for an opportunity to be creative and pour myself into something different than hanging cloth diapers and cooking dinner. Little did I know how the Lord would use this to grow me.

As Gracefully Truthful continued to form, and I began writing Journey Studies,
a shift occurred in me.
God’s Word became more precious than ever because I was studying it through a new lens of learning so I could hold out truth to others.
The more I studied, the more I knew my Jesus.

That initial text came almost four years ago, and more life and death has happened in those four years than I would’ve ever imagined. Gracefully Truthful became my community, it became the consistent “thing” keeping me rooted in God’s word when my life crumbled around me. Looking back on Journeys I’ve written, I can see the journey of my heart as I learned what it means to write with vulnerability and transparency while trusting my Savior. This story isn’t about me, and every word if it points the God who sustains me despite my brokenness.

I haven’t arrived.
I’m not preaching from a mountain that others have yet to climb.
I am standing in the middle of the valley, my hand outstretched towards other sisters, while clinging to the truth of Scripture and the life God offers there.

Wherever you are, whatever your mess, God wants the same for you as He’s shown me….to use it for His glory!

Michelle
One of the biggest reasons I have grown deeper in my relationship with the Lord is attributed to women.

Women in high school who hosted Bible Studies.
Women in college who discipled me and showed me how Scripture study was tied to knowing Jesus more intimately.

Women in small groups sharpening me, pushing me, challenging me and reproaching me.
Women who have anchored their lives in God’s Word and have been activated as Kingdom Builders as a result.

Because of other women pointing me to Scripture, and watching my own heart grow deep from study, I am convinced of the high value of every woman studying God’s Word and applying it to their everyday lives.

I have seasons where I struggle to stay connected to God closely through His Word. I desire it, but life gets busy and I give way to excuses. Being connected in ministry with Gracefully Truthful provides personal accountability for me to be in the Word, actively applying it, and intentionally reaching out to encourage other women.

Writing assignments push me to research a passage for deeper understanding or clarity on a Scripture. I love studying His Word; it becomes more precious every time I read!

Often, something I’ve read from my personal time with the Lord is exactly the passage a person I run into that day resonates with, or it fits within the context of something I’m writing about. The beauty of following Jesus is that as we step out, He already knows where He is taking us.

We are guaranteed immense peace, joy and life to the full when following Jesus.
We are also promised persecution, and often suffering comes along for the ride. I struggle in being vulnerable in this suffering while writing. Worse yet is fear running rampant in my brain. I fear I will get labeled in someone’s mind as a goody-two-shoes for writing about the Bible. It’s a regular choice to proclaim truth rather than be concerned about another’s judgement. I pray regularly that He may be made great through my tiny contributions to GT as I follow one small step after another.

Sara
Have you ever been in a season with the Lord where you have a greater desire to obey the nudges you are receiving from Him, but aren’t sure what that looks like?
A few years ago, that quite accurately described me.

I knew the Lord was telling me to use my writing ability for His glory; however, I had no idea of the outlet. A random (ha! More like the direct orchestration of the Lord) moment in my church lobby with one of the current Gracefully Truthful writers opened a sudden and unexpected door; it was a perfect invitation to obey the Lord and I became a writer for Gracefully Truthful.

As I write my Journey Studies, I find the Lord so faithfully grows me through the process. Before the words formulate in my mind, I’ve had to learn how to listen for His voice through the Word and in prayer. I have experienced the joy of the Lord changing me in order to bless other women through words crafted on the page.

I’ve also discovered the beauty of being a vessel through which the Lord can move. Two things motivate me when writing a journey study: glorifying the Lord and encouraging the reader to draw closer to Him. Becoming a writer for Gracefully Truthful was one my steps of obedience as I followed Jesus, but those steps are all over the place for me and for you! He’s calling each of us; will you follow?!

Audra
Ministry has always been a part of my life and I had long waited in anticipation of becoming a missionary and moving abroad to share the gospel with those who are different than me. As I studied Scripture, I grew to understand that living missionally takes on many different forms. I began asking God to show me what my mission would be.

I carry many roles as wife, mom, small group leader, speaker, and author. As I’ve walked more closely with God He reveals how each of these are my mission field.  Living on mission doesn’t necessarily mean being called to a specific place, job, or people. Rather, it’s about being ready and able to testify of who God is wherever you go and whoever you’re with.

It was a few months before my wedding in Kansas City. Being from the Bahamas, I was doing most of my wedding planning online, which is how I was introduced to the ministry of Gracefully Truthful. Merry happened to be on our list for potential wedding photographers and she, obediently following the Lord’s whisper, “randomly” asked if I was a writer because she felt God put me on her heart to be the newest GT Partner.

I said yes!

But she didn’t realize I had been stalking GT and thinking how amazing it would be to write for them, but felt I wasn’t good enough.

I had never applied, but God had been working in my heart, going before me and preparing the way for me to follow.

GT’s mission lined up perfectly with my own passion to encourage and equip women to study Scripture and live out their own mission in following God. I couldn’t imagine what mission-living looked like for me, but God did. He stirred my heart with His passions then lovingly provided a place where I could communicate His heart for His daughters.

You don’t need to know all the answers and end-goals either; just follow!

Merry
I was several months pregnant with my youngest, caring for two toddlers, working part time and running a business, while also preparing to take college classes again when Rebecca reached out to me about writing for Gracefully Truthful. To be honest, absolutely nothing about writing for this ministry seemed to make sense in the natural, but unbeknownst to Rebecca, God had called me to write several years prior to that day.

When He first spoke to me about writing, I shrugged it off as crazy. But when I saw Becca’s message, the Lord brought me back to that moment in an instant.

So, I said yes.

You know, a kind of crazy thing happens when you start to say “yes” to God: He begins to give you more opportunities to say “yes”… and to keep saying it. Gracefully Truthful was one of those first “yesses” for me.

Being part of this writing team has been a stretching, challenging obedience which has forced me to examine what I believe, why I believe it, and whether or not I choose to submit every part of my mind, heart and life to God and actually live it.

Because here’s the thing: it’s all well and good to write for a women’s ministry or blog, or fill-in-your-blank, but the truth is that you can’t write the things the Lord calls you to write without actually also doing those things. You can’t sit behind a computer screen and let Holy Spirit flow through you to encourage and challenge other women to experience the fullness of God in everyday life without also actually experiencing the fullness of God in your everyday life. 

This Gracefully Truthful journey has required sacrifices of time, energy, sleep, and so much more, but it has also reaped a harvest of growth, transformation, commitment to reading and applying Scripture rightly and a passion to help women understand who they are in Christ and how to cooperate with the story He’s writing.

And in the end, if I really believe what Scripture and Holy Spirit show me to be true, how can I keep any part of myself from Him? I don’t know about you, but I want to walk out every measure of what He has for me to do here in His Kingdom. Whatever that looks like. Wherever that takes me. Whatever He requires. It’s all His and for His glory, anyway.
I’m just along for the ride.

How will you follow?
What’s your next YES of obedience?!

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

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

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

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

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

Esther Day 2 Known & Loved: 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 Known & Loved!

The Questions

1) How does this passage reflect the idea of being “known and loved” from Esther’s story?

2) What is implied by giving specific location directions in verses 5-6?

3) How are those who “bear (His) name” different from those who don’t? Are there people who aren’t created for His glory? (verse 7)

Isaiah 43:1-7

Now this is what the Lord says—
the one who created you, Jacob,
and the one who formed you, Israel—
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are mine.
2 I will be with you
when you pass through the waters,
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you.
You will not be scorched
when you walk through the fire,
and the flame will not burn you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior.
I have given Egypt as a ransom for you,
Cush and Seba in your place.
4 Because you are precious in my sight
and honored, and I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you
and nations instead of your life.
5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’
Bring my sons from far away,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who bears my name
and is created for my glory.
I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”

Original Intent

1) How does this passage reflect the idea of being “known and loved” from Esther’s story?
This passage is precious to many believers, including me, because it clearly spells out God’s dramatic love for His children. While it was originally intended for a strictly Jewish audience, we know from the New Testament that God’s special, redeeming love extends to all who call on His Name, whether Jew or Gentile. (Romans 10:12-13) Context is everything when studying Scripture, and when we back up into the previous chapter, this message of love becomes even more radical. The Lord calls out Israel’s intentional deafness towards God’s call to repentance. God calls them blind, as they stubbornly refuse to see Him as their only God. The refuse to acknowledge Him or His righteousness, clinging instead to their own love of idols, self, and sin. A poor trade indeed! Chapter 42 closes out with God pouring out His just, righteous anger on Israel for their prideful sin, but still they refused to change. Immediately following that dramatic scene of outright, face-slapping rebellion, the Lord God astoundingly speaks, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine”. (verse 1) Truly unfathomable!! God not only loves Israel with unrelenting love, He knows them intimately, sees every hateful sin, and still chooses to love.

2) What is implied by giving specific location directions in verses 5-6?
After King Solomon (King David’s son) died and his son, King Rehoboam, took the throne, Israel split into Northern Kingdom (Israel) and Southern Kingdom (Judah). Everything went gradually downhill from there. At the time of Isaiah’s prophetic book, Assyria had already destroyed Israel (Northern Kingdom) in 722BC and all of its inhabitants had been scattered to various regions. No semblance of Israel remained. Isaiah prophesied, and warned, the remaining Jews living in Judah to return to the Lord before they too were obliterated. His warning and prophesies, however, fell on deaf ears (just as noted in our passage today!), and Babylon destroyed Jerusalem (located in Judah) in 586BC and carried off the majority of Jews into exile. Long story short, Jews were scattered in all directions because of their love affair with sinful rebellion. Even so, God speaks tenderly and lovingly to them, letting them know they are His. Isaiah’s prophecy points forward to day when God will bring all exiles back home from wherever they have been scattered. Jews from all directions will be brought home.

3) How are those who “bear (His) name” different from those who don’t? Are there people who aren’t created for His glory? (verse 7)
To get a fuller understanding of this idea of “bearing His name”, we look into the next chapter of Isaiah. Again, the Lord is speaking to His people, telling them not to fear because He has chosen them to be His own people. Isaiah shares the prophecy of a coming time when offspring and descendants will abundantly spring up. The interesting note is how this prophecy for offspring is worded, “This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’ another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.” There is a clear choice involved. Though God has already called and chosen the offspring, a choice remains. That choice is ours. God had planned in advance that Christ will come and offer Himself as a sacrifice in our place. He has planned in advance that through Jesus, all will have access to God. God planned in advance that the way of salvation and peace with God would be made available for Jews and Gentiles alike. He also knew the decision to follow Him would be a choice we would each need to make.

Everyday Application

1) How does this passage reflect the idea of being “known and loved” from Esther’s story?
Queen Vashti was superficially loved for her beauty, but her husband neither knew nor valued her heart, so she remained unloved for who she really was. We all like to think we are pretty good people, not flawless, of course, but we do the best we can and make pretty good choices most of the time, right? That would be okay if we were judged on a sliding scale of sin, but we aren’t. One sin is all it takes for us to be declared wholly un-righteous. (James 2:10) This sounds like terrible news until we put it in context of what we learn about God in the passage from Isaiah. He knew Israel’s dirtiest sins from the inside out. There was no sin that escaped the sight of His Holy eyes. Though He knew them, He still loved them. And so, we are safe when we are inside the love of our Holy God. Once we acknowledge our own damming sin, and surrender all of ourselves to the love and forgiveness of God, who died in our place to make just payment for our sin, He loves us with the kind of love outlined here in Isaiah. A love that will not relinquish us to eternal condemnation and separation even though we sin and rebel against Him. Where sin has increased, so God has given grace to increase all the more! (Romans 5:20) Where Vashti was unloved by her husband, she would find complete and perfect love inside the heart of God. So it is with each of us. Where relationships fail, God’s love remains. Where friends or spouse or co-worker or children abandon, wound, or leave us unknown and unloved, God’s love remains constant!

2) What is implied by giving specific location directions in verses 5-6?
As we learn in the New Testament, God’s heart is for all people, not just the Jewish nation. He intentionally grafted in the Gentiles, so all would have a place in His kingdom as His special, dearly loved people. As Isaiah notes, “everyone who bears My name is created for My glory.” “Everyone” literally means “everyone”. Not all choose to live for His glory, not all will surrender to His love for them, and not all will be rescued and brought back home to dwell with Him, but it doesn’t change how that is His heart’s desire. He longs for all people to be saved. (1 Timothy 2:3-4) Those who have heard and answered the call of the Lord to be fully His, will one day be called all together and nothing will hold them back. When Christ returns, all who have trusted in Jesus for salvation through faith alone will be fully redeemed!

3) How are those who “bear (His) name” different from those who don’t? Are there people who aren’t created for His glory? (verse 7)
Though God invites everyone to participate in His kingdom and receive His love, not all will receive that gift. All were created with a specific purpose of reflecting His glory and participating in specific callings and roles inside the Body of Christ, not all will accept that gracious invitation. Because He is a sovereign God, He will never waste a life and will use all people to further His purposes, even if they rebel against Him. In Israel’s case, God used the Assyrian Empire to enact rightly deserved punishment on the Northern Kingdom, even though they hadn’t submitted to God and His ways. For the Southern Kingdom, God used the foreign Babylonian Empire to bring Judah into exile. Farther back in Jewish history, when they were only Hebrews enslaved in Egypt, God used Pharaohs’ hard heart as a platform to display His magnificent power of deliverance for the captives. His purposes will always prevail, but whether we choose to accept His invitation to actively be part of His gracious love towards us is up to us. He will give us the faith needed to say yes, He will supply the grace to give us access to Him, but will we say, “I am the Lord’s”?

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Catch up with Known & Loved!

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!
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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Esther 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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Pause 3, Day 10 By Faith

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Pause 3, Day 10

Hebrews was intended to grab our attention and make a clear, concise, logical claim for why Jesus is exactly Who He claimed to be as fully God and fully man, the only possible sacrifice available to cover our sins and welcome us into a restored relationship with Himself as God.

Because we have been granted 100% full-time access to the presence of God by accepting, through faith, exactly who He is and what He came to do for us, we are given the rich blessing of leaning into Him and learning from His precious character on a continual basis.

As we discover Him, surrendering to Him moment by moment as we learn to trust Him more fully, He transforms us, renews us, and fills us, not only with His purposes for our existence, but also with His Spirit to live vibrantly through us in everyday life!

His Spirit works His purposes out in the messy mayhem of our real lives, and in the process, His kingdom is built on earth as it is in Heaven. What an incredible life!

Be encouraged today as you read the mini-faith stories of believers who set their eyes on the face of the God who loved them and called them into more, and know you too have been called and welcomed into much through faith in Jesus!

Today's Invitation

1) Read through Hebrews 11 out loud today twice. Slowly. Linger over that verse (or verses) that stick out to you, slowing and listening as God’s Spirit speaks to your heart! Choose 1 or 2 to write out on notecards and post them around your house – then post a picture of your reminder cards on Instagram or on our Facebook Community Page. Take the weekend to memorize these and forever hide them in your heart!

2) If you’ve journeyed with us all the way through Pause 3, you’ve almost read the entire book of Hebrews together in community with other sisters across the globe!! Finish well today and carve out some extra time to read chapters 12 and 13, being sure to record your thoughts, prayers, and questions in your journal!

3) Don’t forget about our hand-crafted Spotify playlist! We created it as we prayed over *you*. Put this playlist on repeat this weekend and be reminded of the rich truths God has shown you this week in Pause!

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Hebrews 11

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2 For by it our ancestors won God’s approval.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death. He was not to be found because God took him away. For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

7 By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the one who had promised was faithful. 12 Therefore, from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and as innumerable as the grains of sand along the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. 14 Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. 16 But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, 18 the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring will be traced through Isaac. 19 He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, after he was born, was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter 25 and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin. 26 For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.

27 By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees him who is invisible. 28 By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being marched around by the Israelites for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.

32 And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength in weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead, raised to life again. Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

39 All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.

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!