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The GT Weekend! ~ Worship IX Week 2

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) James 1:22 tells us to “be doers of the word and not hearers only”. One topic the Word covers is worship that is acceptable to God. He told the Israelites from the beginning to worship Him alone. They did, but it was often not acceptable. God requires us to worship Him, not by checking a box on a worship “to-do” list, but by knowing and living His truth and confessing when we dishonor Him with sin. But how do we find this truth? We can know His truth by renewing our mind, as we are instructed in Romans 12:2. Evaluate your own worship this weekend. In what areas do you see yourself leaning towards “checking boxes”?  What distractions can you eliminate so you can better connect with God?  Are you allowing God to transform you through His Word and your relationship with Him? Write a prayer to God asking Him to help you identify areas you are more rooted in ritual than truth. Check out 1 Samuel 2:30 for encouragement about honoring God and the reward He gives!

2) Jesus kicked everyone out of the temple and overturned the money changers’ tables. This shows us how seriously He takes the command from Exodus 20:4-6 to not make or worship other gods. When we place more importance on anything other than God, our worship is misplaced. God wants to be the sole focus of our worship and rightfully so. Nothing and no one can match God’s greatness. Yet people have idols, even today. Let’s decide together to not allow anything to take first place in our life except God. Consider plotting out the ways you spend time this week, asking the Lord to open your eyes to time you could repurpose for intentional worship. When we focus on who God is and why He deserves our worship, everything else falls into a right perspective. Choose some passages from Exodus this weekend and read of God’s faithfulness to Israel. How has that same patience, mercy, grace, lovingkindness, and power shown up in your life? Record some instances to help you place your focus and worship squarely on the One who deserves it.

3) In Friday’s Journey Study, we learned how the Old Testament fellowship offering was for communion with God, and the burnt offering was for forgiveness of sins. Yet, neither of these sacrifices could truly fix Israel’s sin problem. The ultimate sacrifice, with the power to conquer sin once and for all, was Jesus, which is why we should worship Him with our whole lives. King David was good at worshipping whole-heartedly as he had made worship the practice of his life. We read his songs of worship throughout the book of Psalms and in his Psalm of Thanksgiving in 1 Chronicles 16. The way he continually worshipped God provides us with a beautiful model for how we should worship. When was the last time you worshipped with everything within you? Did you share your experience with anyone or encourage them to lean into worship? Jesus has given us an incredible gift that deserves our full worship, but let’s not keep it to ourselves. Encourage your family and friends to adopt a lifestyle of praise along with you!

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 1 Chronicles 16:28-31 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Ascribe to the Lord, families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.
The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

Prayer Journal
Lord, there are many places we can direct our worship. Sadly, it’s not always to You. I acknowledge there is no one like You. You are worthy of every bit of my praise. I want my life to reflect love and gratitude for Who you are and all You do for me. Spirit, remind to meditate on Your character because I know that when I do, You remind me I owe everything to You. They remind me of the great sacrifice Jesus made to reconcile me to You. May I never again give Your importance to another. Instead, let me proclaim Your glory with my life. May it spill into others’ lives, so they may also be drawn into worshipping and honoring You. Let me bask in Your glory, Lord, and declare it with my life so everyone knows You are the One True God, worthy of all our praise.

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

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Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Pause IV Day 1 The Outcry

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It’s difficult to read Habakkuk’s words and not feel an inward groan,
an ache of knowing that so much is deeply broken.

Pause IV, Day 1

Certainly, each of us, have echoed Habakkuk’s cries.

Everywhere I look, I see brokenness, God!
Fighting in the streets.
Marriages dissolving.
Children being abandoned.
Babies murdered.
People groups oppressed because of the shade of their skin.
Justice doesn’t even have a chance of prospering because the governing systems are so broken.

And we wonder where God is.
Does He see?
Can He not hear?
Doesn’t God care?!

Strange, isn’t it? To read ancient writings and watch them fit so perfectly in our own time as if they flowed from our pen.

Habakkuk had watched the slow degradation of his beloved nation for years. He had studied Israel’s history and traced her moral decline. He waited for God to move. He cried out for God to hear, and see, and do something!

Even as he threw his angry fists at the sky, tossing up his big, audacious questions, he also knew in his core, that God was real. He was present. He did see. He had not forgotten His people and walked away. Habakkuk knew truth.

This reality of God’s unchanging character both soothed and irked him. He knew God saw all the brokenness, yet Habakkuk was angry that God had not yet chosen to act as Habakkuk felt He, the Lord God, should act.

That’s a painful glimpse in the mirror for me, Sister.
Because Habakkuk is me.

Sit still with me here in the tension of an unchanging, always present, always loving God and the sinful, rebellious world we live in.

Consider the message the Lord had for Habakkuk, and ask what He has for you.
Choose to limit your words, and read His words before ours.

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

Today's Challenge

Today’s Challenge
1) Read Habakkuk 1, then circle back and re-read verses 1-4 a few times through.
Answer these 3 questions in your journal from verses 1-4:
a) What do these verses tell me about God and His character?
b) What do these verses tell me about others and the world around me?
c) What do these verses tell me about me and my heart?

2) Close your time by praying for these truths to take root in your heart and for the Holy Spirit to remind you and teach you more about these things today. Be sure to write out any questions you have as you read! If you’d like to send your questions to us, we’d love to study with you!

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Habakkuk 1

The pronouncement that the prophet Habakkuk saw.

2 How long, Lord, must I call for help
and you do not listen
or cry out to you about violence
and you do not save?
3 Why do you force me to look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Oppression and violence are right in front of me.
Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates.
4 This is why the law is ineffective
and justice never emerges.
For the wicked restrict the righteous;
therefore, justice comes out perverted.

God’s First Answer
5 Look at the nations and observe—
be utterly astounded!
For I am doing something in your days
that you will not believe
when you hear about it.
6 Look! I am raising up the Chaldeans,
that bitter, impetuous nation
that marches across the earth’s open spaces
to seize territories not its own.
7 They are fierce and terrifying;
their views of justice and sovereignty
stem from themselves.
8 Their horses are swifter than leopards
and more fierce than wolves of the night.
Their horsemen charge ahead;
their horsemen come from distant lands.
They fly like eagles, swooping to devour.
9 All of them come to do violence;
their faces are set in determination.
They gather prisoners like sand.
10 They mock kings,
and rulers are a joke to them.
They laugh at every fortress
and build siege ramps to capture it.
11 Then they sweep by like the wind
and pass through.
They are guilty; their strength is their god.


Habakkuk’s Second Prayer
12 Are you not from eternity, Lord my God?
My Holy One, you will not die.
Lord, you appointed them to execute judgment;
my Rock, you destined them to punish us.
13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil,
and you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.
So why do you tolerate those who are treacherous?
Why are you silent
while one who is wicked swallows up
one who is more righteous than himself?
14 You have made mankind
like the fish of the sea,
like marine creatures that have no ruler.
15 The Chaldeans pull them all up with a hook,
catch them in their dragnet,
and gather them in their fishing net;
that is why they are glad and rejoice.
16 That is why they sacrifice to their dragnet
and burn incense to their fishing net,
for by these things their portion is rich
and their food plentiful.
17 Will they therefore empty their net
and continually slaughter nations without mercy?

How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 3 weeks, we will provide you with a simple challenge. Each challenge is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.

3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!

4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.

5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!

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

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

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

He Day 15 El Gibhor

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Isaiah 9:6-7
Luke 23:44-24:8
Isaiah 53
Romans 8:1-4
1 Peter 3:17-22

He, Day 15

When I first began reading the Bible, I didn’t understand much of it (can you relate?). I thought Revelation was the “scary” book and Isaiah was the unnecessarily long one. I found Jesus’ death tragic.

I also wasn’t sure how, or if, all the different books fit together. And finally, I was confused by all the different names of God. Fortunately, God is teaching me a lot about His Word, and I’m honored to share some of what I’ve learned.

Throughout the Bible, God is referred to by many names, each revealing something about His character. One name, El Gibhor, or “Mighty God,” is found in Isaiah 9:6. We frequently hear this verse at Christmas, in reference to Jesus:

“He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

But Mighty God is not only found in this verse; the book I used to think was unnecessarily long, Isaiah, contains many prophecies about Jesus.

Isaiah 11:1-5 foretells of a mighty God who will come from the line of King David. He will be full of God’s Spirit, wisdom, strength, and the fear of the Lord (Father God). He will be a righteous judge for the oppressed and slay the wicked.

The theme of our mighty God as defender of the oppressed is echoed in Daniel. In chapter 3, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fire because they would not worship false gods. And yet, they were not harmed.

Why? Because El Gibhor protected them by walking in the fire with them.
And then, all who witnessed this deliverance believed in Him and His mighty power. (Daniel 3:28-29)

Isaiah 42:1-16 speaks of a servant who will have God’s Spirit on Him. He will bring justice. He’s appointed to be a covenant to the people, a light bearer, and a rescuer of those imprisoned and in darkness.

Jesus refers to Himself as the light of the world in John 8:12-19. When the religious leaders question His authority, He tells the Pharisees that Father God testifies about Him. And God did, through Isaiah.

I can also personally testify Jesus is our light and rescuer. There was a time, not so many years ago, where I was deep in a pit of sin. I vacillated between wanting the sin and wanting to return to the Lord.

After months of turmoil, and feeling so broken and confused, I asked God to take it all from me if it wasn’t His will. My prayer seems crazy to me now, because of course sin wasn’t His will. But in the dark, you can’t see. 

Within the week, I was back in that same sin, but it felt different. I started thinking about consequences and reasons why I was even in this pit. And suddenly, what I was doing made absolutely no sense to me. El Gibhor had shone His marvelous light into the dark prison of sin and pulled me out. Praise Him!

And now we come to my misunderstanding about the death of Jesus. I’ve come to realize it is so much more than just a tragic story; it is the story of our mighty God.

First, Jesus died because of us. Jesus was rejected by sin-filled humans, just like us (foretold in Isaiah 53:3-9, fulfilled in Luke 23:13-25).

Second, Jesus’ sacrifice was necessary, as payment for our sin. Isaiah 53:5-6 describes how He was pierced, crushed, and punished for my sin and my rebellion.

For all of our sin.
Romans 3:23-24 reiterates, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Third, it was voluntary. Isaiah describes how the Lord’s “own arm brought salvation” when “he willingly submitted to death.” And in the New Testament, we need only peek into the Garden of Gethsemane to hear Jesus say, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39, echoed in Matthew 26:42)

And so, Jesus chose death . . . death unto life.  (Luke 23:44-24:8)
El Gibhor, our mighty God, conquered sin and the grave.  

You see, the death and resurrection of Jesus was a precursor.

As outlined in Isaiah 61:1-2, Jesus’ redemption of His children foreshadows Christ’s return to earth for His people, the ultimate defeat of His enemies, and the establishment of a new heaven and earth.

In Revelation, we see our mighty God, our resurrected sinless sacrifice, ending the rule of sin on this fallen earth once and for all. El Gibor alone is capable and worthy of final victory, final authority, and final creation of a perfect eternity.

Friends, only Mighty God can accomplish these things. There is no person or thing who can do what Jesus, El Gibhor, can. May we live in anticipation of the glorious day when all prophecies will be fulfilled and we will live and reign with Jesus forever.

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

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

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

He Day 5 Yahweh

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Exodus 33:13-23
Exodus 34:5-9
Psalm 20:1-7
Isaiah 30:27-33
John 17:1-19

He, Day 5

Yahweh. YHWH. The moniker God claimed as His own is most commonly translated as “LORD,” out of respect for the very holiness of the name. “Yahweh” is used many times throughout Scripture, including in the account of creation. However, the emphasis God placed on the name when He first revealed it to Moses, personally, on two separate occasions, reveals much about His character.

In Exodus 6, God spoke to Moses about how He would deal with Pharoah’s resistance, and told Moses who He was with great intention. Through the context of the words He spoke, we know the Lord places great value in His name. He reminded Moses He had appeared to other men before him, but He pointed out how this interaction with Moses was different from previous experiences.

God is unchanging, but there will always be more to his character than we have previously known, because he is God. In this moment, He wanted to reveal more to Moses, and to us. In this moment, He chose to reveal the tangible reality of His immediate presence. His very nearness. From the beginning of creation, God has always invited His people into personal relationship with Him.

We see His heart for mankind evidenced in every page of Scripture…

He walked through the garden in the cool of the day,
and He spoke to and cared for Adam and Eve (even when they chose self over submission).

He fulfilled every promise He gave Abraham (even when he chose his way over God’s way).

He provided for the Israelites (even when they were griping and complaining in the wilderness).

He called David a man after His own heart (even after he succumbed to lust and killed a man).
He sent His very Son, Jesus Christ, to live a sinless life and be crucified on the cross as payment for all sin (even though not all will choose Him).

But what sets this name apart and above the rest?
In “Yahweh,” God reveals personal relationship has always been and will always be His heart for us. It may be tempting to try to divorce the God of the Old Testament from the God of the New Testament, but nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus is often referred to as Emmanuel (God With Us). This is true, but we can’t ignore the truth that God has always been “With Us.”

Over and over throughout the course of Scripture, we see His pursuit of mankind. He has never merely wanted our obedience, or our tithes, or our actions, or our words, or our praises.

As a young woman, when I turned and walked away from Him, He pursued me. When I walked far and long, and turned my back on all the things I knew to be true and right, He never left me. He called me, and He kept calling me. He never closed His eyes, or turned to look away.

Even when I didn’t answer.
Even when I couldn’t answer.

Even when I didn’t face him.
Even when I couldn’t face him.

And the same is true for you, too, Love.

He’s after our hearts. He’s always been after our hearts. And because He’s after our hearts, when we surrender our hearts and lives to Him, He loves to show us He alone is both Yahweh and Emmanuel to us.

In our broken relationship,
and our broken heart,
and our broken home.

In our sickness,
and our loss,
and our grief.

In our waiting,
and our longing,
and our not enough.

He is right here with us in it all. 

Steady and sure. Whether we know Him already, or haven’t yet given our lives to Him, He waits for us to turn.

Away from our sin,
and our reasons,
and our distractions,
and ourselves,
and to the only One who will ever be able to fulfill our great need.

To Yahweh!

Father, you alone are Yahweh. Your nearness is my good. Today, I repent of attempting to meet a need only You can fill in my own way. You know my needs, and I trust You will provide. I want to see Your kingdom come in my life and here on earth. Help me to yield to what You’re doing in my life and heart and mind. Everything I have is Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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

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

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

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

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

He Day 3 Adonai

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Jonah 3
Acts 8:26-40 

He, Day 3

“Through your love and through the ram,
You saved the son of Abraham;
Through the power of your hand,
Turned the sea into dry land.
To the outcast on her knees,
You were the God who really sees,
And by your might,
You set your children free.”

Amy Grant.
Just her name triggers an avalanche of childhood memories.
From concerts, to cozy Christmases at home, to road trips with my mom, and, oddly enough, my alone time playing with Barbies, because yes, I totally named one after my favorite singer.

Her voice, along with Rich Mullins’ and Michael W. Smith’s, filled the quiet and stillness of my childhood home, and has worked its way into all of my memory’s cracks and crevices. One of the first songs I remember singing along to was,  “El Shaddai”.

As I’ve studied Adonai, and pondered this Journey Study, the song has been echoing in my mind constantly …

“El shaddai, el shaddai,
El-elyon na Adonai,
Age to age you’re still the same,
By the power of the name.”

This song was my first, and until recently, only interaction with the term Adonai. I’ve heard this name of God over the years, but never understood its meaning. As I looked up the lyrics to refresh my memory, I had the “Aha!” moment I get every time I write a Journey Study. I need the topic to be real for me, to hit home. Then I am able to share what God is revealing to me.

Adonai is used throughout Scripture, not only in reference to God, but to anyone with authority as “lord” or “master.” Jews have been careful not to take the Lord’s name in vain, and often believed YHWH (Yahweh) to be so holy, they couldn’t even utter His Name aloud. In fact, Jews will still say Adonai, even if YHWH is written.

Additionally, Adonai was often the name Gentiles used for God, instead of YHWH. As we read Scripture, when LORD is spelled in all caps, then the translated word is YHWH. However, if it is spelled Lord, whether referring to God or anyone else, the translated word is Adonai. And when we see “Lord of lords” in the Bible, the phrase is actually “Adonai of adonais.”

Finally, in Scripture, YHWH is often used in God’s dealing with the Jews, while Adonai is used in His dealings with Gentiles. This subtle change paints a beautiful picture of God’s heart and character; as my friend, Rebecca, explains, “He wasn’t the one who changed; neither was His message of hope and redemption. Rather, simply by being called a different name, He flung wide the door for all to see He is for ALL peoples and ALL cultures.”

The idea of a God for all peoples of all cultures is seen throughout the Bible. Immediately, I am reminded of the Ninevites and their story of salvation in the book of Jonah. The inhabitants of the infamous city of Nineveh were Gentiles, yet God used His prophet to declare the freedom and peace found in repenting from sin and living for the Lord.

Adonai.

I’m reminded, again, of when Philip shared the Gospel with the Ethiopian traveler. The Holy Spirit directed Philip to a chariot on the road, where Philip had the opportunity to present the Gospel to a man who was so excited about the Good News of Jesus, he insisted on being baptized that very moment!

Adonai.

Now back to my “Aha” moment …
“To the outcast on her knees…
You were the God that really sees.”

These lines struck a chord in my heart as I imagined a myriad of encounters between God and an outcast woman in which He proved He saw her, both for who she was and who He created her to be . . .

Rahab. The prostitute.
Hannah. The wife who struggled with infertility.
Esther. The Jewish orphan-turned-Gentile-queen.
The Samaritan woman who was living in shame from failed marriages and relationships.
Maria Skobtsova. The single mom who was divorced twice and eventually became a nun.
Jackie Hill Perry. The woman who was a lesbian.
Kendra Kuntz. The woman who struggled with sexual sin in high school, shame throughout college, and eventually became a single mama to three girls.
You. All of your story.

Adonai.

And we’re just the very tip of the iceberg.

God is the Master. He is the Lord. He is the God who is for all people and the God who really sees.

We get yet another beautiful glimpse of who He is when we read Deuteronomy 10:12-22.
This whole section of Scripture gets my heart beating faster and my eyes welling with tears, but for me, the most meaningful part is in verses 17-19:

“For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords [read: Adonai of adonais], the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving him food and clothing.”

We serve a God who is for ALL PEOPLE, from orphans and widows to immigrants. He is YHWH and He is Adonai.

He is MY Adonai.

He is my Lord.

And He is Lord for all people.

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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 He 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 He!

The GT Weekend! ~ Sketched VI Week 1

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) God loves you fully! This was a stunning realization for Rhonda as she found herself on the backside of an abortion. Shame weighed her down like a wet cloak, reeking of heavy grief everywhere she went. Surely, God had rejected her and written her off! But His loving pursuit finally won her over. As she surrendered to Him, He prompted her to transparently share of her own tragic experience; she came face to face with her shame and the Lord transformed it into a tool to reach others with His love and encourage them to leave the heavy load of shame with Jesus. Where are you carrying shame, regret, and guilt? Don’t shy away! Identify them clearly and take the bold move to share part of your story with someone this week, even if it’s a close friend. The Lord wants to us our stories to point others to Himself and the hope He offers!

2)  In Pat’s sharing of her story, we see deep heartache and tragic wounds, which could have (and should have) left her bitter, hurt, angry, and on the sidelines for the rest of her life as she despised other’s happiness. So much was stolen away from Pat! Rather than bitterness and anger, Pat’s life reflects beauty, grace, tenderness, and mercy. As she attests, the only difference is Christ, His salvation, and His continuous comfort meeting her where she was and moving her into a sweet relationship with Him. Where have anger and hurt felt justified for you in your story? How has Jesus made a difference for you? If you’ve never surrendered those hurts to Him, what might it be like to be free from those old chains or anger and resentment? Speak with the Lord about these!

3)  Paula described how she would follow the Lord, then stall out and wander slowly away from Him over time. Each time, despite Paula’s unfaithfulness (like all of us!), the Lord was faithful in His love to her as He pursued her and showed her His relentless, never-giving-up love. Paula’s faith journey grew every time, and her faith in Christ grew stronger, the more she embraced living within biblical community, serving in her local church, and leaning in to God’s true character over her own ideas. In what ways do you see some of Paula’s story in your own? Where are your own cycles of walking away and being drawn back?

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 46:1-3 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though hits waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Prayer Journal
You are the God who offers continual refuge, strength, and help, yet in my foolishness, I often try to manage my trouble on my own. How good You are to me as you remind me of Your character and Your faithful love! Lord, I confess that from my limited perspective, I don’t recognize You drawing me back to you, instead I only see situations which frustrate me. Remind me, Spirit, that You have plans far above my own, that Your heart is for me to know You and walk in daily trust with You. Keep drawing me back to Your side, Abba!

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

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Relentless Day 6 Faith or Fear?

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Judges 6:11-18
Lamentations 3:21-26
1 Corinthians 1:26-30

“Thanks for coming for the interview yesterday. We’d like to offer you the job.”

As I stood with the phone to my ear, letting the words sink in, all I could think was there must be some mistake. Surely, they weren’t seriously offering me the job!

Doubts and insecurities flooded my mind. As much as I wanted this job as a school’s worker with a Christian charity, I didn’t feel capable. I was too inexperienced, too lacking in confidence, definitely not good enough to even consider this. Although I wanted the job, the chances of being selected had seemed so small, I’d really only gone to the interview for the experience.

Plus, I’d been dealing with some difficult things lately. There was no way I felt strong enough to take this on right now. All too conscious of my weakness, I was sure they could have found someone better.

I imagine Gideon’s feelings may have been similar when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. Cowering at the bottom of a winepress, threshing wheat, hiding from the Midianites who had destroyed the Israelites’ crops and reduced them to starvation, he wasn’t exactly a picture of strength.

When the words, “valiant warrior” are uttered, I picture him looking round in bewilderment to see who the angel is addressing, not thinking for a moment that the greeting is intended for him.

What’s more, the angel announces that God is with him! Gideon has little confidence in either part of this greeting. He struggles to see beyond his fear and his weakness to consider himself a “valiant warrior,” while also finding the idea of God being with him difficult to believe. After all, the Israelites’ oppression at the hands of the Midianites has been going on for seven long years. By this point, Gideon is worn down and out of hope. He can’t help but blurt out his honest question:

“If the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?”  (Judges 6:13)

Don’t we all ask similar questions at times?

Whether it’s a significant time of tragedy or loss, a situation where our hope and hard work give way to disappointment, or simply a day when the pressures and frustrations of life seem to mount up, it’s easy to question where God is and why He has allowed these things to happen.

Maybe, like Gideon, we have tried to hold on to God’s promises and the ways we have seen or heard of His power in the past, but, when we look at our current situation, we feel abandoned. The idea of God having a good plan for us can seem hard to believe.

It’s reassuring that God doesn’t rebuke Gideon for asking this question, but neither does He provide an explanation.

Judges 6:14 provides an intriguing twist: “the Lord turned to him.” As He calls Gideon to go forward in the strength he has and lead Israel to victory over the Midianites, it seems Gideon suddenly realises he is not merely talking to an angel, but God Himself.

God’s response to Gideon’s question is not to answer, but to draw close and reveal Himself. He shows Gideon He has not abandoned him, but that, even in the midst of the suffering and oppression, He is right there with him.

As God continues to speak, we see His relentless love both towards the Israelite nation and towards Gideon as an individual. By this point, the Israelites have been spiralling round in a self-destructive cycle of sin for several years. God has forgiven them time and time again, yet still they continue to turn away. It would have been understandable for Him to have rejected them, but instead He remains committed to the rescue.

The manner in which He chooses to effect that rescue is through Gideon, even in his weakness. Despite Gideon’s doubts and hesitation, his lack of confidence, and his fear, God’s commitment to His plan for Gideon is relentless. Gideon still doesn’t understand, and he continues to question his ability and seek reassurance, but despite this he is called to move forward and to step out in faith.

Gideon is faced with an important choice: follow God, or follow his fears.

As I considered my unexpected job offer, I had a similar decision to make. When I looked at myself, I felt inadequate and ill-equipped, but then I remembered my many prayers that God would let the right person get the job, and in the end, I knew my reasons for hesitating were due to fear. Instead, I knew I had to step forward in faith, trusting that God had answered my prayer, that He would be with me and help me, and that His strength would be enough.

As I did so, I saw His relentless faithfulness in providing all I needed and leading me into a place where I could serve Him and flourish. As I look back, twelve years later, still happily involved in the same ministry, I’m grateful He enabled me to choose faith over fear and as God used me even in my weakness!

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Captivating Day 12 Love For The Nations: 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 Love For The Nations!

The Questions

1) How do you pursue God’s will when you are feeling weak or discouraged?

2) How can this Scripture help us navigate a chaotic culture?

3) Why is it so important to resist revenge?

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.  Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Original Intent

1) How do you pursue God’s will when you are feeling weak or discouraged?
The apostle Paul exhorted the believers in Thessalonica to help one another in their daily lives as new Christians.  Paul was very concerned for these new believers.  He and Silas fled Thessalonica because of intense persecution, and he worried about those left behind as they faced hardship.  Paul sent Timothy to check on them and received good word about the faithfulness of the new believers, so he wrote to encourage and spur them on to new growth and deeper maturity.  The new believers were both Jews and Gentiles, and Paul suspicioned that false teachers were likely to come in attempting to sway them from solid truth. Paul knew the believers would need each other in order to mature, so he taught them to be on the lookout for those in need of encouragement or a reminder to work hard and do good towards each other. Paul taught God’s will is to “pray always, rejoice, and give thanks” (verses 16-18) so they would continue growing together as a community of believers with one central focus: God and sharing His truth with the world.  To pursue God, they would need help and encouragement from their brothers and sisters in Christ. The missions of God cannot be accomplished alone! (Historical background from Chuck Swindoll’s commentary at insight.org)

2) How can this Scripture help us navigate a chaotic culture?
The Thessalonians had much to contend with between the time Paul led them to believe in Jesus and the time Paul sent Timothy back to check on them a few months later.  They had to deal with the ongoing, intense persecution that caused Paul and Silas to flee Thessalonica.  Some of their members died, and they were dealing with grief and the confusion about what would happen to their departed friends at the 2nd coming of Jesus.  They also wondered about what would happen to those alive at the 2nd coming.  Some members were also being lazy and living off of the generosity of wealthier Christians, while some were struggling with forsaking all of their pagan ways.  The church in Thessalonica was dealing with struggles particular to their time and culture, but the intensity of need and the desire for answers is something we can relate to today.  They were eager for Paul’s presence, but his letter was welcome instruction on how they should proceed in his absence.  Paul wanted them to keep rejoicing, keep praying, and keep thanking God for everything.  This would help them focus on God and grow in their faith despite the tumult of the times. (Historical background from the Introduction to 1 Thessalonians at thegospelcoalition.org.)

3) Why is it so important to resist revenge?
Paul may have instructed the new Christians in Thessalonica to resist revenge because they were being intensely persecuted by the Greeks in their culture.  Their natural, human instinct would be to get even with those harming them, but Paul counseled them that Christianity does not work that way.  Even in the Old Testament, God commanded the faithful “shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:18) Not only were they to resist revenge, but they were to pursue the good of everyone, even their persecutors. This was a mostly Christian notion that Paul wanted to emphasize to the new Christ-followers as it emphasizes the authority of God over each of us. Since Paul himself had zealously persecuted Christians before his conversion, his admonition held particular significance. We are not to take revenge on others, for God Himself did not take revenge on us, instead He sacrificed for us. We are to do the same as we love all those around us.  (Historical background from commentary on 1 Thessalonians from preceptaustin.org.)

Everyday Application

1) How do you pursue God’s will when you are feeling weak or discouraged?
The exhortation in these verses is important every day, but especially on those down days when we just can’t go it alone. Paul’s writing reminds us how we need to lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ who are looking out for us.  We should reach out for help, encouragement, accountability, and prayer as we pursue the high calling of loving a dying world with the love of Jesus.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tells us, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.”  We are also reminded that prayer and praise can change our perspective.  If we are called to rejoice always, there is always something to rejoice over.  If we pray constantly, we are communicating with God about our daily needs.  Giving thanks even in the midst of hard times helps us recognize all the blessings we have that are often taken for granted. Giving praise in hardship is not the norm; when we rejoice, we are giving testifying witness of God’s good character that never changes, regardless of our circumstances.

2) How can this Scripture help us navigate a chaotic culture?
It is easy to get bogged down by our never-ending to-do lists and constant busyness.  We don’t always have time to take a shower or eat a full meal, let alone pray constantly or lend a hand to a friend in need.  These verses call us to be both intentional and singular in our focus on God. The more we cultivate our relationship with the Lord, the more natural it becomes to “pray always” as if breathing. God calls us to invest in our fellow Christians who may need an encouraging word or some extra patience as they face a struggle.  He calls us to always pursue what is good for one another, which flies in the face of our culture’s “me first” mentality.  While it can be challenging, it is one of the best ways we can represent Christ to our neighbors.  John 13:35 tells us, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  We are challenged to make careful choices about where we spend our time and energy, purposing to help our friends in need, to seek support when we need it, and keep our focus on God alone.

3) Why is it so important to resist revenge?
Paul implores us to be patient with everyone, and that includes our enemies, or those we tend to write off ore relegate to “unimportant”. Why is this patience so necessary?  In a way, revenge seems like a great way to ensure that justice, at least our version of it, is served.  If someone is doing evil, they deserve to get some pay back.  God says, “Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”  (Romans 12:19)  God wants us to focus on forgiveness and doing good toward others, not on how we can make someone pay for their sins. The only one worthy to judge or bring retribution is the Lord God! Romans 12:21 tells us we are able to conquer evil with good; this is how we love those around us! It is vital to resist revenge because by doing so we are taking the first step to overcoming evil with good.  It is a way to get our enemy’s attention and turn their focus to the goodness of God, and it is a way for us to practice being like Jesus.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Love For The Nations!

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Gospel Day 4 So 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 So Loved!

The Questions

1) How has God loved us?

2) How does this transform the way we love others?

3) What other theme is tied into these verses of love?

1 John 4:7-16

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.

Original Intent

1) How has God loved us?
The author of John (believed to be a half-cousin of Jesus, and described often as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”) tells us in verse 7 how all genuine and true love begins with God. God is the first and ultimate model of love. These verses focus on His greatest act of love for people, God the Father sending God the Son “as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (verse 10). The depth of this statement is difficult to comprehend in its brevity. In fact, God used the whole Bible, years of history, and the entire nation of Israel to display what this statement is summarizing. As 1 John 2:2 states, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
In light of this, sacrifice is a key descriptor of God’s love for His people. However, this word does not stand alone. In offering himself as a perfect, innocent sacrifice, Jesus’ years on earth are full of the fruits of the Spirit: humility, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22) Jesus, as God the Son, lived out perfect obedience and submission the plan of the triune godhead to reconcile humanity to Himself.

2) How does this transform the way we love one another?
1 John 4:11 states, “if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” This theme is actually threaded all throughout 1 John. The letter ties together loving our fellow Christians closely with walking in righteousness and loving God. 1 John 2:10 states, “The one who loves his brother or sister remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.”
Later in 3:18, “ Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth”, firmly reminds us that love is an action. Love does not sit idly by while someone is hurting, in need, or simply needs a friend for company. However, John tells us the importance of these actions being tied to truth, the anchoring, transforming power of the Gospel. 1 John emphasizes actions of love flowing from a heart bound to God, and therefore, flowing from a genuine concern for the overall well-being of those around us because we have been so loved!

3) What other theme is tied into these verses of love?
We have discussed how God is the beginning of love, the demonstration of His love, and how we are to mimic and reflect that love. Threaded tightly throughout the commands to love one another is the warning against being deceived by false teaching. In watching for false teaching, one must learn to recognize the Spirit of the Lord. God does not give us power to judge another’s salvation, however, recognizing whether or not we are in Christ is emphasized strongly throughout 1 John. John’s letter is full of contrasts between the one who loves his brother and the one who loves the world. The one who loves the Father most, will also love others with the same mark. The one who chases after self and the world, John clearly says the Father is not in him (2:15).
The way we love others is a litmus test of our genuine salvation, being mentioned at least 4-5 times in these few verses. This test is first for ourselves personally, assessing if we are truly tethered to Christ by confessing Jesus as the Son of God (verse 15). Secondly, the test of genuine, sacrificial love tied to the truth of Scripture, is a signpost by which we are to examine actions, teaching, and speech. If these are not in line with the truth of the gospel, proceed with awareness and a readiness to share truth of Christ with grace, realizing they may not have embraced the saving power of Christ.

Everyday Application

1) How has God loved us?
God’s love for people cannot be grasped without first understanding who people are before God. When reading in Genesis, we only get a few chapters in before we see the first created humans twisting God’s words, doubting His goodness, and lying about their disobedience. The Old Testament Law is eventually given as a mirror to remind us how we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Who are we, as created beings, that God should suffer and die on our behalf while keeping in mind, His own righteous judgment, which declares us guilty, sentencing us to death and eternal separation from Him?! He delivered justice, pouring out our consequence upon Himself, that we might be forgiven if we trust in Him for our only salvation.
So, what is our life application since God is doing all the work on our behalf in taking our punishment and literally being righteous for us? Rest and freedom in God’s love.
First, recognize salvation is completely the work of God! Repent then, turn from your sin, and rejoice in the freedom given as a result of God bestowing His favor upon us through His gracious forgiveness!  You cannot earn something that has already been paid for by someone else. Second, as a Christian, your identity is in Christ alone. Be free to be who God made you to be. Throw yourself on Jesus who will continue to free you from your rebelling, selfish ways and from fears of this physical world. The God who created you and saved you will keep you for HIS eternal, big picture purposes.

2) How does this transform the way we love one another?
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Christians and non-Christians alike can display deep, inspiring acts of love. Non-Christians can indeed make sacrificial loving choices that put others first. These are following the ways of the Lord without even realizing it. Anyone can be kind, even sacrificial, but to love as radically as Christ, we must first experience His love in a deep, intimate, personal way. Only His love is truly transformative to radically make every aspect of our lives and our minds bran new. Only a love rooted in the personal experience of the gospel will overflow into an entire life lived with the love by which Christ has loved.
1 John 3:16 notes, “He laid down His life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” Yes, Christ sacrificed His life at the cross, but we must not downplay the 30+ years of daily sacrifice Christ demonstrated on earth as He submitted to the Father, getting his hands dirty and building His Kingdom. Do you and I go about life according to our desires and sprinkle it with Christ’s love when it is convenient? Or do we prioritize our lives to intentionally focus on encouraging and building up others in the church.
Are you willing to sacrifice time, talent, and treasure to love the hurting? Or expose the imperfections of your home to welcome the lonely? Do we demonstrate patience and grace when a fellow servant of Christ makes ignorant statements? Do you ask God to help you cover a fellow Christian with forgiveness and mercy when they have hurt you?
Love! You have been well loved first!

3) What other theme is tied into these verses of love?
Committing to learning more about what God says in His word can feel overwhelming as there is so much to take in! But it’s not impossible, nor as difficult as it first seems. Begin simply by opening His Word, this is His revelation to us about Himself. Write down your questions and take them to a pastor, a trusted believing friend, or write us here at Gracefully Truthful! Biblical sermons, podcasts, truthful websites, and commentaries are all good resources, but nothing compares to the beautiful Word of God itself! As you study the Bible, God will reveal His character. Look for His justice, mercy, faithfulness, humility, patience, and sovereignty in each recorded event. Spend time with Him by connecting through prayer either aloud, silently, or journaling. Engage in fellowship with other Christians. Believers aren’t perfect people, just people who have been saved and are in the process of being made new in Christ.
To help you grow, no matter how long you’ve been following Jesus, read through 1 John and answer his questions for yourself. Are you walking in light and righteousness of the Lord? Or, perhaps, do you know of Him but are not tethered to him IN Christ? Then read the book again considering who you look to for spiritual leading. Do their teachings and actions reflect God’s sacrificial love while being bound to the truth of Scripture? Are they proclaiming Christ IS God? True love and life begin with first knowing God and abiding in Him through the power of His Spirit.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with So 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!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Gospel 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.