circumstances

The GT Weekend! ~ Alive 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) I recently read a Tim Keller quote stating, “God will either give us what we ask for in prayer or give us what we would have asked for if we knew everything He knows.” His point is we always see our circumstances (and pray about them) from a limited viewpoint. We cannot know all the things God knows, because we are not Him. He alone knows all things, and can judge what is truly good. Romans 8:28 tells us, “all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purposes.” Does this change the way you view your circumstances? Reflecting on your history, are there any events that seemed decidedly not good which you now recognize as for your good? Maybe there are difficult events you cannot fathom why they happened. Perhaps even now you are experiencing a difficult season and cannot see how this could possibly be good. Whichever of these statements resonates with you (maybe all three!), turn those circumstances over to the Lord. Ask Him to reveal His goodness to you and empower you to trust that what He says He will do, He does. He will work all things for our good, even when we cannot see how.

2) Jesus Christ was described by the prophet Isaiah as a “man of suffering who knew what sickness was” (Isaiah 53:3) or as another translation says, He was “acquainted with grief.” (ESV) Jesus knows suffering, just as much, even more, than us. We saw in Wednesday’s Journey of God’s promise to equip, carry, and sustain us through every season of life, even those of intense suffering. Michelle wrote, “Our sufferings do not change the realities and truth of God’s love for us.” Do you believe this, dear sister? Do you affirm that nothing can separate us from the love of our great God? Consider your current season of life. Are you in a season of comfort, enjoying the light of life with few cares? Remain steadfast in your relationship with the Lord. Speak loudly the truth today, so when trials come, you may hold fast in the day of trouble. Are you in a season of suffering, with wave after wave of grief wearing away at your heart? Cling to the Rock of your salvation. Remember the truths you have found in the light. Are you somewhere in between? Maybe your life has more downs than you would like, but you feel capable of managing. Do not forget the source of your comfort and true strength. Resist the temptation to rely on yourself! Jesus Christ must hold you fast. Write out an honest prayer asking God to meet you where you are to equip, carry, and sustain you through the now.

3) “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) How many times have you heard this verse and focused on the first half regarding being “more than conquerors” without considering the second half, which emphasizes our source, “through Jesus Christ our Lord”? Paul writes these words, not from a place of pride in his own work, but in a humble reverence for the work of God in his life. This week, we spent much time discussing suffering and life circumstances, but the truth is, no matter what season of life we are in, the key to living a victorious life is to abide in Jesus Christ. How can you practice abiding in Christ this week? In John 15:8, Jesus says, “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.” Ask God to show you how He is specifically calling you to live for Him in everyday life as you abide in Him this week. Maybe He is calling you to repent of sin that you cannot defeat on your own, confessing that you have fallen short and need His victorious strength. Maybe He is calling you to show His redeeming love to someone in your life who is hard to love. Maybe He is asking you to spend more time meditating on the things of God than the things of the world. Ask Him to show you what He is asking of you, and make a plan to be obedient to His call.

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

If I walk in 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
Heavenly Father, King of my heart, Lord of my life, You are good. All Your ways are good. All Your thoughts are good. But the world around us lacks the good we so desire. Because of sin and brokenness, we are keenly aware of suffering and hardship in this world. From sickness and disease, to poverty and injustice, we don’t need to look far to see pain and suffering. But, we stand firm in the day of our trouble, knowing the truths of Your goodness, love, and faithfulness do not waiver, no matter our circumstances. Forgive us when we doubt. Forgive us for our short-sightedness and self-dependence. Help us live our lives abiding in You. As king David wrote in the Psalms, “For Your faithful love guides me, and I live by your truth.” (Psalm 26:3) Help us, oh Lord, to live by Your truth, trusting that all things will work together for our good because we love and serve a good, good God.

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Adoring Day 5
In The Midst of Chaos

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 33
John 16:33
Romans 13:1attachment-1-37

“God, what is happening in this world?”
“Where are you, God?”
“How does this tragedy fit into Your perfect plan?”

I often find these questions creeping into my mind as I watch the news and scroll through social media. Some days it can feel like the earth is in complete chaos. Warring political parties, needless violence, incomprehensible racism, corrupt governments, horrific natural disasters, extreme poverty, and desperate sickness. When our eyes behold the tragedies of the world, our hope can begin to feel as if it’s fading away and darkness is taking hold.
But for every moment I look at the hardships of this world, I remember my need to turn to the Word of God.

For the word of the Lord is upright,
And all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. (Psalm 33:4-5)

Even when we feel as if sin and darkness are winning, the Lord has and is continually filling the earth with His steadfast love. His love for the world doesn’t change according to governments, political powers, or emotional highs.

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever
the plans of His heart to all generations. (v. 10-11)

The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue (v. 16-17)

In an uncertain political climate, we as believers can be certain of God’s sovereignty and love for us. The psalmist declares that human leaders cannot save us and that putting our hope in them will always fail us.
It is the counsel of the Lord alone that stands forever.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
on those who hope in His steadfast love,
that He may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine. (v. 18-19)

Famine will come. Whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, we will endure hardships in our lives. In fact, Jesus Himself promises it. On one occasion He said to His disciples, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart. I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) When we put our hope and trust in God, He is faithful to deliver us because He is bigger than the sin in our hearts and in our world.

The psalmist begins and ends this psalm with a declaration of praise:
Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to Him with the harp of ten strings!
Sing to Him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. (v.1-3)

Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield:
For our heart is glad in Him,
because we trust His holy name.
Let Your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in You. (v. 20-22)

We worship the God that loves us and delivers us in the midst of chaos.
Our heart is glad in Jesus Christ – not because our life is perfect or because He answers all of our prayers our way,
but because we trust Him and He is holy.
He is where our hope comes from.

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
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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 Adoring 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 Adoring!

Adoring Day 4
Thankfulness Is Not… Digging Deeper

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

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

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s Journey Post? Check out Thankfulness Is Not…

Psalm 118:5-9, 28-29 English Standard Version (ESV)

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

The Questions

1) What response does the Psalmist say he gets when he calls upon the Lord?

2) What rhetorical question does the Psalmist ask?

3) In verses 6-9, what point is the Psalmist trying to make?

The Findings for Intention

1) What response does the Psalmist say he gets when he calls upon the Lord?Sometimes there isn’t a need to look beyond what is on the page. It is written clearly and even finding the “original” intent would not give deeper insight. The Psalmist has the awareness of His God. He trusts in the solid truth that when he calls on God, the Lord will answer and set him free. The circumstances of the trial did not end, but reliance and trust in the Lord gives freedom from the distress of a situation or trial.

2) What rhetorical question does the Psalmist ask?
“What can man do to me?” is asked by the Psalmist. This particular question is asked at least two other times in Scripture, in Psalm 56 and Hebrews 13. In all three contexts the question is asked in comparing God to man. If God is on our side, then what could this world and the persons of this world possibly do to me or give to me that would surpass my relationship with the Lord.

3) In verses 6-9, what point is the Psalmist trying to make?
The Psalmist is making a series of comparison statements between taking refuge in the Lord and trusting in the world or the rulers of the world. The writer is secure in his knowledge that God is indeed his helper and deserves full confidence because of His ability to offer refuge to those who trust Him. By the end of the Psalm, he is secure and thankful that God endures!

The Everyday Application

1) What response does the Psalmist say he gets when he calls upon the Lord?
In times of trial and tribulation God simply asks that we trust. He asks that we trust that He is able, He is present, and most important He is in control. Our faith, our trust in Lord, isn’t dependent on circumstance. Actually, what we find here in Psalm 118 is that in the deepest of distress, the one place that we can turn is to the Lord. The Psalmist expresses his distress but is singing songs of thanksgiving because he is aware that God is able, good, and steadfast despite the distress.

2) What significance does the rhetorical question have for my life?
The Lord gives protection to those who put their trust in Him. Does it mean that life doesn’t happen? No, quite the opposite. It means life happens, maybe even more so, but in the midst of life, we can know beyond a shadow of doubt that there is something more. This world will offer tribulation and turmoil, but in Christ, and Him alone, we can find peace in midst of personal war. (John 16:33)

3) In verses 6-9, what point is the Psalmist trying to make?
The world we live in would like us to believe that it has the best and brightest options for whatever we need. If it is peace, it can give it. If we are looking for money, they have it. If we need a fix of just about anything, the world is ready and willing to help us out. The problem is that nothing the world has to offer is of eternal value. As believers, God desires us to follow Him first and foremost and when we do that, giving ourselves fully in pursuit of Him, the perishable things of this world are no match for the imperishable inheritance found in Christ. We can be thankful in the midst of trial and tribulation, joy and sorrow because we serve a God that his steadfast love endures forever and circumstances don’t change that!

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I Can Do That!

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

The Community!

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

The Tools!

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

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

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

The Why!

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

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

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

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

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