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Philemon Day 15 Friends & Neighbors: Digging Deeper

March 3, 2023 by Merry Ohler Leave a Comment

Philemon Day 15 Friends & Neighbors: Digging Deeper

Merry Ohler

March 3, 2023

Broken,Christ,church,Community,Faith,Family,Fellowship

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Friends & Neighbors"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philemon 1:23-25

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why did Paul include the names and greetings of others in his closing sentiments in this particular letter? (verses 23-24)

When we consider Paul’s sermons, travels, and many contributions to the canon of Scripture, it’s easy to forget Paul was only one member of the body of Christ. But Paul didn’t forget. In every letter, Paul’s words pulse with humble love and compassion for the whole church.
 
To understand why Paul included personal greetings to others in his letter to Philemon, we must remember Paul’s overall purpose was to champion unity between Philemon and his runaway slave-turned-brother in Jesus, Onesimus.

Paul intentionally highlights relationships within the family of God as he mentions Timothy writing with him, and extends greetings to Philemon, Apphia, a woman believer, and Archippus, who all serve a house church. With respect, Paul lovingly refers to Philemon, Apphia and Archippus as beloved fellow worker, sister, and fellow soldier highlighting the unique, counter-cultural relationships of those who serve Christ. 

There is no blood relationship between these individuals, but the fondness and love communicate a strong bond between these fellow believers. From this foundation of love, Paul compels Philemon to embrace his slave who is now a brother alongside him. Paul’s brotherly love for both men is clearly felt.

As Paul closes, he widens his lens to greet Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke. Just as he opened his appeal to Philemon with an emphasis on relationships between believers, he closes the same way. 


Paul deliberately mentioned several believers Philemon would recognize or personally know. This is likely two-fold. First, calling out specific names of others who knew about this letter placed an additional layer of accountability for Philemon to forgive Onesimus. Second, Paul illustrated God’s design for close-knit relationships to be shared between believers. He wanted Philemon to recognize that Paul counted Onesimus as one such brother in Christ, and to encourage Philemon to forgive Onesimus and consider him the same way. 

The Everyday Application

1) Why did Paul include the names and greetings of others in his closing sentiments in this particular letter? (verses 23-24)

We don’t have a clear picture of whether Philemon was a believer when Onesimus left his household, but regardless, Paul used his letter to remind Philemon of what it means to be a follower of Christ. Regardless of where Philemon was in his journey with Jesus, it would have been a cultural offense to his position, person, and authority to have a slave run away. By law, he held the right to exact punishment, even death, from Onesimus. 

But Paul wanted Philemon to see a fuller picture. Just a few lines prior to his closing sentence, he had offered to pay whatever debt Philemon felt Onesimus owed him, knowing full well the debt might include death. Paul may not have experienced the same thing Philemon experienced when Onesimus ran away, but he did experience a parting with Mark when Barnabas split from his company. Yet, Paul was purposeful to include Mark in his closing, illustrating Christ’s reconciliation and restoration at work in himself.

We need reminding about the big picture sometimes, too, don’t we? When we feel hurt by the words, actions, or even betrayal of a brother or sister in Christ, forgiveness doesn’t always come easily. The pain of the wound can prevent us from seeing the whole picture. In those moments, we need to remember we are not only people in relationships, we are ambassadors of Christ Jesus, co-laborers in the Kingdom of God, and ministers of the gospel of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Corinthians 3:5-17, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

Unforgiveness and offense are contrary to our redeemed lives. Instead of focusing on ourselves, we are called to follow Christ, die to self and allow the forgiveness and redemptive work of His death and resurrection to foster reconciliation in our relationships. (John 12:26, Ephesians 4:25-32)

The Original Intent

2) What relationships are represented in these verses? (verses 23-24)

Epaphras was an evangelist from the same area as Philemon. (Colossians 4:12) It’s possible he was the first to evangelize there, and he would have been known either personally or in name by Philemon. Paul wrote that Epaphras was a fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, indicating Epaphras was imprisoned not for committing a crime, but for his work to spread the gospel. Paul considered Epaphras a co-laborer who was also a worker for the gospel. (Colossians 1:7) The relationship between the two was undoubtedly strengthened by their shared imprisonment and suffering for Christ.

Mark and Paul were co-laborers in ministry and mission together. At one point, Mark and Paul parted ways when Barnabas and Paul disagreed (Acts 15:36-41), but Paul includes Mark among a list of faithful servants, evidencing their relationship has been repaired. Aristarchus accompanied Paul on some of his missionary journeys, and was imprisoned with Paul at one point. (Colossians 4:10) Their relationship was cemented in their shared work as evangelists and workers in the Church, and furthered by shared suffering for the sake of the gospel.

At this time, Paul considered Demas a fellow worker for the spread of the gospel. (Colossians 4:14) Later in 2 Timothy, we hear more about Demas, but at the writing of this letter he was a fellow worker in ministry with Paul.

Luke was the “beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14) and intentional co-laborer with Paul. He accompanied Paul on many missionary journeys, and remained with him in his imprisonment (2 Timothy 4:11). Brothers in Christ, Paul and Luke were close partners in the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Everyday Application

2) What relationships are represented in these verses? (verses 23-24)

Each relationship represented in these verses is rooted in Christ and the spread of His gospel. The language used implies close, family love and respect, and appreciation for each person’s role. 

These relationships portray God’s design for His family, for all His adopted sons and daughters by faith in Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters in Christ, working together to serve His people and spread His gospel. Working and serving in their individual roles, but all needed, respected, loved and appreciated for who God created them to be in the body of believers. (Romans 12:4-8)

Paul was a high-profile member of the body of Christ, but Christ’s church is filled with men, women, and youth who answered Christ’s call and served faithfully, whether their names were ever known beyond their small circle or not. We may only hear about Epaphras and Archippus a few times in Scripture, but we know from what is shared that they were faithful men of God who served Jesus and their respective mission fields well. 

There is a very real temptation every believer may experience when we see the work Christ does in and through another Christian, to question whether or not we “measure up.” Whether we’re doing enough or being enough in comparison to others. When our eyes and thoughts begin to focus on these questions, we’ve lost sight of who we are, why we’re here, and what our mission is: Christ and His gospel. When we find ourselves struggling, we can take encouragement from Paul’s words to Philemon and remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is our ruler and Savior; all glory belongs to Him alone. 

The Original Intent

3) Why did Paul close by praying, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit”? (verse 25)

Paul had just finished a very specific letter to Philemon and extolled the relationships between believers and fellow workers in the body of Christ. He highlighted what a blessing Onesimus was to him and emphasized how Onesimus was now a brother in Christ. Paul wrote all these things while being fully aware of the challenging circumstances surrounding the way Onesimus left Philemon.

He knew Philemon had every right to extract punishment from Onesimus; at that point Philemon could have legally killed Onesimus for running away. Paul knew Philemon would only be able to forgive and receive Onesimus by the grace of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his prayer echoes this understanding. Paul prays that Philemon will be granted grace through Jesus Christ to not only forgive and receive Onesimus, but also to receive him as a brother and fellow worker for the gospel.

The Everyday Application

3) Why did Paul close by praying, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit”? (verse 25)

Paul knew it would only be by the supernatural grace of Jesus Christ that Philemon would be enabled to forgive and receive Onesimus after his crime. Paul also knew Philemon had chosen to make Jesus Christ the Lord of his life. He prayed for grace to rule in this matter, and that Philemon would respond through the reality of that grace in his spirit.

The same is true for us if we’ve surrendered our sinner-souls to the God who offers to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, even though we don’t deserve such rich grace. (1 John 1:9) We are all sinners, saved only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
We may think otherwise, but the reality is that in our flesh, we are utterly unable to forgive and release the debt we feel others owe us for any sin, wound or infraction. It is only by the power of God’s redemptive and sanctifying work in our spirits and lives, and the grace we have access to in Christ Jesus that we can forgive others. Thank God for His gift of grace through Christ Jesus!

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Journey Study

I cannot recall a sermon preached about Epaphras or Aristarchus.

Yet, clearly they were hard-working and faithful companions to Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament. From their stories, we learn we don’t have to be well-known to do great work for Jesus. These lesser-known men were simply faithful to God’s call and faithful to their mentor, Paul. Here is a lesson for all of us!
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Posted in: Broken, Christ, church, Community, Faith, Family, Fellowship Tagged: bound, Community, faith, family, prayer

Philemon Day 15 Friends & Neighbors

March 3, 2023 by Lori Meeks Leave a Comment

Philemon Day 15 Friends & Neighbors

Lori Meeks

March 3, 2023

church,Community,Courage,Encourage,Faith,Family,Fellowship

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philemon 1:23-25
Acts 15:36-40
Colossians 4:10-15
Genesis 2:15-22

“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” (Philemon 1:23-25)

How often do we skip right over these benedictions in Scripture? If you’re anything like me, do you ever wonder why these verses are included and important to the Bible? 

2 Timothy 3:16 (emphasis mine) tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable [. . .] so that the [woman] of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Therefore, these closing verses are God-inspired and useful in our journey! Let’s jump in and see what we learn as we meet Philemon’s coworkers.

Epaphras is first mentioned in Colossians 1:7-8, then again in 4:12:
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills.”  

Here, we gain some insight into this man with an unusual name. Possibly one of the founders of the church in Colossae, Epaphras partnered with the Apostle Paul in deep care for the church and in ministry. 

Mark, often referred to as John Mark in Scripture, is more familiar as the author of the gospel of Mark. John Mark was also a cousin to Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), who often traveled with Paul; Mark is introduced in Acts 12:12, 25. 

Paul’s relationship with Mark was tumultuous. While we don’t know the details, at some point, Mark left the group of missionaries traveling with Paul. (Acts 15:36-40) It’s possible Mark was young, immature, or just took a wrong turn, as many of us do in our journeys following Jesus. This upset Paul so deeply that when Mark tried to rejoin the mission, the team parted ways over his return. 

The letter to Philemon, however, leads us to believe they were reconciled. In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul even requested, “Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.” Paul’s words indicate the men had grown to rely on each other as they served together to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Next is Aristarchus, who we learn from Acts 27:2 is a Macedonian from Thessalonica and a companion of Paul. We meet him when Acts 19:21-41 describes a riot in Ephesus. Aristarchus, as Paul’s traveling companion, was swept along as the mob converged on a local amphitheater. 

Additionally, he accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys (Acts 20:1-6), as well as on his trip to Rome. In Colossians 4, Paul referred to Aristarchus as a “fellow prisoner.” Throughout the trials accompanying spreading the Gospel, Aristarchus remained a devoted co-laborer with Paul.  

Demas, like the other men, started out as a “fellow worker” of Paul’s and was with him in Rome. (Colossians 4:14) However, 2 Timothy 4:9-10 reveals his commitment was short-lived, “Make every effort to come to me soon, because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone on to Thessalonica.”

As I was researching these men, one commentary made an interesting point: at least three of them (Epaphras, Aristarachus, and Mark) were faithful workers in sharing the Gospel, starting churches and going on missions with Paul, yet I cannot recall a sermon preached about Epaphras or Aristarchus. 

Yet, clearly they were hard-working and faithful companions to Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament. From their stories, we learn we don’t have to be well-known to do great work for Jesus. These lesser-known men were simply faithful to God’s call and faithful to their mentor, Paul. Here is a lesson for all of us! 

As I write, I’m reminded of the song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” 
We were not made to do life alone. (Genesis 2:18) 
We all need people in our lives. 
People to serve with us, to encourage us, to stick by our side no matter what. 
People who will continue the work of Jesus when we can’t. 
People who share the desire to serve our Father. 

Personally, I have been blessed with such people. My kids call us the Kool Momz; these ladies (Marla, Dawn, and Katherine) love Jesus and desire to honor and serve Him as much as I. We pray together, eat together, laugh together and support each other. 

This past fall, Katherine’s daughter was diagnosed with cancer, devastating news that rocked her to the core. But God knew and He had worked to bring the four of us together so she did not walk through that deep valley alone. We stood in the gap for our hurting friend, doing whatever was needed, whenever it was needed. And when they received the news the cancer was gone – we celebrated together! 

I pray each of you will find your people, those with whom you can do life. 
Those who will encourage you, challenge you to grow in Jesus, pray with you, study with you, walk beside you during the hard, and celebrate with you during the good. 
The grace of God bonds us not only as friends, but as family.
Life is better together!

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Digging Deeper

We are all sinners, saved only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We may think otherwise, but the reality is that in our flesh, we are utterly unable to forgive and release the debt we feel others owe us for any sin, wound or infraction.
Dig Deeper!

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Posted in: church, Community, Courage, Encourage, Faith, Family, Fellowship Tagged: Christ, Community, family, grow, trust

Pause VI Day 8 Joyful Longing

January 11, 2023 by Melodye Reeves Leave a Comment

Pause VI Day 8 Joyful Longing

Melodye Reeves

January 11, 2023

Affectionate,Beloved,church,Community

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philippians 2:19-30

19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. 20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; 21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. 23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.

 25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need— 26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. 27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. 29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

Read More Of His Words

We’re halfway through our journey, but what a letter this is! Imagine reading these words and paragraphs from Paul and processing what he was sharing. If you need to refresh and catch up, do that now. (Philippians 1:1-2:18)

After his greeting and prayer, Paul had given a sort of missionary report in Philippians 1:12-29.  “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel…”.

He then breaks away from that thought to encourage the believers to imitate the life of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t seem like just a marginal thought. It was essential to the rest of the ‘report’ he had begun. The recipients of the letter must understand how important it was to love each other well.

After his spontaneous hymn of praise to Jesus in Philippians 2;6-11, Paul continues his report. The concern of the Philippians for Paul’s well-being is obvious because they’ve sent people to minister to him. Maybe they were a bit discouraged that their beloved missionary was in prison, even fearful he could potentially receive a death sentence.

Paul informs them he is well, even thriving in the joy of the Lord. Mostly, he wants to spotlight the two people he’s sending back their way. As he describes them, it seems as though he’s describing the very characteristics he’s mentioned in his previous appeal to the Philippian believers. Do you remember the words of Paul in the earlier verses in the chapter? Does this verse sound familiar?

“For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 2:20)

What a joy for Paul to not only encourage them to be like Jesus, but to also send them two people who will show them how! Don’t you love these guys he’s sending? I can only imagine Paul’s selfless longing for the believers at Philippi to be strengthened by Timothy and Epaphroditus. I can see why Paul prayed what he did in Philippians 1:9-11.

And what about the attitude of Epaphroditus?! He wasn’t grieving his own illness but was concerned that the Philippians were burdened when they found out he was sick.
Sweet sister, as you pause on this passage today, let this scene really sink into your heart.

Today's Pause Challenge

1) Be a scribe and copy the precious words of Scripture down word for word. Make space in your journal to write down every word of Philippians 2:19-30  today.
As you copy, lookup a cross reference or two as you come to them (they are the small letters next to certain words in your study Bible or online at biblia.com.) As you write, consider the heart posture of Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus. Ask the Holy Spirit to humble your heart as you pour over His Words.

2) Choose one of these options to live boldly with authentic honesty in biblical community. As we grow deeper in God’s Word, the Lord designed us to share and grow with others walking alongside us.

a) Take a photo of your journal time this week and share it, or share a quote from it.
b) Do a Facebook Live on the GT community and share how God has been working in you.
c) Leave a comment here about it.
d) Share something God has been showing you in a comment at the GT Community Group
e) Plan a coffee or lunch date with a friend and share what you’ve been learning and soaking in as you have hit Pause.
f) Write a note of encouragement to a sister who has been your Timothy.

3) Memorize Philippians 3:13-14

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Pause VI, Day 7

The Philippians had been a receptive church, eager to do what was right and acceptable before God. Paul wrote to encourage them to think even more sacrificially and selflessly, applying the humility of Christ to their relationships specifically within the family of God. Paul had gone to great lengths to remind them of Who they were to emulate.
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Posted in: Affectionate, Beloved, church, Community Tagged: care, Community, compassion, family, Joyful, longing

Eden Day 5 Crafted For Community

April 22, 2022 by Sara Cissell 2 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 1:26-31
1 John 4:7-21
Romans 5:1-11
Matthew 22:37-40

Eden, Day 5

I think the Garden of Eden must have been paradise for those who are averse to crowds. Since Adam and Eve were the only humans on the planet, I cannot quite picture one of them mumbling, “I hate crowds.” Unless, by chance, a cacophony caused by all the animals Adam had recently named counted for crowd noise.

No large groups of people rushed to and fro on their way to the market or gathered close to hear someone speak as Adam and Even walked with the Lord in the cool of the day. (Genesis 3:8) But, in those evening times of sharing, five distinct persons were present, three of whom are found within the single triune Being of the three-in-one God.

Deuteronomy 6:4 clearly states there is only One God.
“The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

This truth is reiterated across Scripture, but we also discover this One God is revealed in three distinct persons as God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. All three persons dwell in unity as the Lord God; all three were present in Eden.

I can only imagine the community Adam and Eve shared with God in the Garden.
Abundant peace! Flooding Love! All shared so beautifully!
How glorious it surely was to interact with the Lord before sin marred everything!

There are four Greek words for love: eros, storge, philos, and agape.
Eros is sexual and romantic.
Storge is felt for family.
Philos is shared between friends.
Agape is Divine love poured out through self-sacrifice.

The Triune God is Lord of love, it is His DNA, and He created us to both give and receive it, mirroring how He shares self-sacrificial love even within His own Being.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

“God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him [. . .] We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:16, 19)

Adam and Eve were the first humans to experience love and, to borrow the wording of Genesis, they saw that love was good.

Adam and Eve were the first husband and wife.
Eros

Scripture lists their children as Cain, Abel, Seth, and other sons and daughters.
Storge

The Lord walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden and talked with them directly.
Philos

Finally, Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden due to their sin. (Genesis 3)
They lost their direct access to the Lord.

However, out of His love, the Lord did not destroy them, even at the expense of His connection with them and the eventual sacrifice Jesus would make to restore our access.
Agape

Regardless of the type of love demonstrated, one common denominator is present: more than one person. This means that when the Lord decided to make man in His image, humanity was crafted for community.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.’” (Genesis 1:26, emphasis mine)
The Trinity is on display within the first chapter of Genesis!

God as Father, Son, and Spirit dwell in perfect community, and we are invited and challenged to foster healthy community as well with divine agape love as our foundation.

A common cultural mantra is “Love Wins.”
Yes, yes it does.
But not according to the world’s definition of “winning”.
It’s not the selfish love of one having her every whim satisfied, but a love reflecting Matthew 22: 37-40.

“He said to [the Pharisee], ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets depend on these two commands.’”

Every interaction we have with another person is a chance to grow in agape love as it undergirds every other type of love and reflects the beautiful, sacrificial love of the Triune God.

Before finding ourselves incredibly overwhelmed at trying to muster up this kind of love on our own strength, remember this love is a fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) We are to love with and through the help of the Holy Spirit.

In order to effectively love others in community,
we must first be in community with the Lord.

Lord, we need more of You. We need Your ability to love those around us.
Holy Spirit, please cultivate agape love in us. Empower us to love like You
when it hurts,
when it’s scary,
when we’re tired,
when we’ve been wounded,
and when differences threaten to divide us by prejudice.

**Please note we do not advocate remaining in unsafe, abusive relationships. Setting healthy boundaries is also a demonstration of love.

Lord, we will continually fail without Your help; we need Your help when we inevitably fall short. Help us to love enough to ask for forgiveness, pour out grace, listen to understand, extend forgiveness, and to seek Your face for wisdom in our relationships. 

You crafted us for community.
Helps us to experience this by drawing close to You and loving our neighbors as ourselves. 

For Your Glory.
Amen. 

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Posted in: Dwell, God, Good, Holy Spirit, Love, Scripture, Truth Tagged: Abundant Peace, adam, Agape, Community, Crafted, Eden, Eve, grow, Three-in-One God

Build Day 15 Building Community

March 4, 2022 by Mary Kathryn Tiller Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Nehemiah 12:27- 13:31
Jeremiah 31
Deuteronomy 31:9-13
John 2:19-21
Revelation 7:9-10

Build, Day 15

Throughout this Journey Theme, we have witnessed Nehemiah, a devoted man of God, courageously leading the Jews through the difficult work of rebuilding Jerusalem following their return from exile. They have encountered significant odds and great opposition, but God protected them and granted them favor.

In today’s portion of Scripture, we gather with the remnant of Israel as they celebrate the completion of the wall of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 12) Can you imagine? After a brilliant procession around the wall, joy-filled songs resound off nearby hills as the people gather to offer sacrifices, praising God for all He’s done.

While the procession, music, and festive clothing were undoubtedly beautiful, one of the most stunning aspects of the Jew’s celebration was the way it honored God. They were not merely celebrating their success and hard work, they were celebrating the incredible, impossible feats the Lord had accomplished through their hands.

We do this, too! Have you ever celebrated your accomplishments while giving glory to God? Of course, we no longer offer animal sacrifices, but we can honor God through our prayer, praise, and parties. Whether we gather as a church family for a night of worship or invite a few friends to celebrate in our home, we can honor God’s sovereignty, grace, and faithfulness by thanking Him publicly for all He has done.

A Bright Beginning
This was a new beginning for the Israelites, another opportunity to live in the presence of the Lord, to be His people, and serve Him well. They were hopeful for the Lord’s restoration and their obedience as they recommitted themselves to the Lord and gathered together to listen to His Law.

Since the time of Moses, God had instructed His people to read the Law aloud regularly, especially during festivals and celebrations. (Deuteronomy 31:9-13) God knew the forgetfulness of the human heart, and He intended this practice to serve as an anchor, lest His people become swept away by the festivities and fall into sin.

Indeed, when the Jews read the Word of God that day, they encountered a forgotten section: the command for no Moabite or Ammonite may worship among them as their hearts would be led away to worship foreign idols. We see them repent and respond immediately, ejecting foreigners from their temple. Their swift action revealed hearts responsive to God.

A Disappointing Ending
After such a beautiful celebration and communal time in God’s Word, it is tempting to imagine the Jews living happily ever after in the presence of the Lord. Instead, chapter 13 opens to a shocking turn of events. After leaving Jerusalem to serve the Persian king, Nehemiah returns to find everything he’d established just a few years before has been upended.

–       The Temple storeroom, once overflowing with tithes of oil, new wine, and grain offerings, had been handed over as a personal “playroom” for Nehemiah’s enemy, Tobiah. (Nehemiah 6:1-2)

–       With the storeroom occupied and nowhere else to bring their tithes, the people stopped giving, leaving the Levites in a lurch. Unable to provide for their families, the Levites were forced to neglect their temple duties and find work in the fields.

–       Not only had the Levites abandoned their duties, but the Jewish merchants had abandoned the Sabbath, spending the holy day conducting business. And business was the least of it: the high priest’s own son had taken a pagan bride!

This is a painful and anti-climatic ending to what should have been a story of celebration and hope. What happened? What are we to glean from such a depressing ending?

The first lesson is this: even when things don’t turn out the way we expect, we can still praise God. Yes, the Jews quickly fell away from their fervent vows of obedience. However, their unfaithfulness does not diminish God’s faithfulness to them. God chooses to accomplish His plans through sinful people knowing we will stumble along the way.

The second lesson is this: even the greatest Bible teachers and the most beautiful churches cannot guarantee devotion to God. Nehemiah was a great leader and a righteous man, who accomplished many remarkable things! Yet, he couldn’t give the people what they needed most. More than a new temple, or a new wall, they needed new hearts.

While the book of Nehemiah leaves us wanting, that desire for redemption leads us to Jesus.

The Coming Kingdom
Some 400 years after Nehemiah, God sent a new Leader to establish a new Kingdom. Jesus. Like Nehemiah, Jesus would hold the Jewish people accountable and accomplish incredible works through the power of God.

While it took the Jews forty-six years to rebuild the temple, Jesus rebuilt it in three days. (John 2:19-21, Zechariah 6:12) Christ’s Kingdom, unlike Nehemiah’s, will be free from sin. In Nehemiah’s day, foreigners were excluded from worship, but in Jesus’ day, people from every nation and tribe will worship God together. (Revelation 7:9-10)

We began our journey with an amazing celebration between God and His people, but it didn’t last long. Thankfully, there is good news. Jesus will return, and when He does, a new era of rejoicing will dawn. Until then, Jesus is building a community of believers from all over the world, including you and me! One day we, too, will gather together and worship God for the incredible, amazing things He built through us . . .  and that celebration will never end.

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Posted in: Faithfulness, God, Hope, Power, Praise, Redemption, Sacrifice, Scripture, Worship Tagged: beginning, build, celebration, Community, Devoted, Nehemiah, protected, rebuilding

Sketched IX Day 2 Who Is This?: Digging Deeper

June 22, 2021 by Melodye Reeves Leave a Comment

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 Who Is This?

The Questions

1) What is significant about knowing the proximity of Lydda and Joppa? (verse 38)

2) What do we learn in verse 39 about Tabitha (Dorcas) that made this scene so poignant?

3) How did Peter’s private encounter with Tabitha in verse 40 impact so many people?

Acts 9:36-43

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated Dorcas). She was always doing good works and acts of charity. 37 About that time she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who urged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.” 39 Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. He called the saints and widows and presented her alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed for some time in Joppa with Simon, a leather tanner.

Original Intent

1) What is significant about knowing the proximity of Lydda and Joppa? (verse 38)
Bible commentaries and geographical maps reveal that Lydda was a city northwest of Jerusalem and was about 10.5 miles (16.9 km) from the city of Joppa. With recent news concerning the notorious persecutor, Paul, becoming a disciple of Christ, the apostle Peter had been able to travel in the area with less anxiety. Paul’s conversion story is found in Acts 9:10-31. Verse 31 sets the context for us, “So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.” Peter, having been called by God to Samaria, was now making his way back to Jerusalem with his traveling partner, John. (Acts 8:14-25) He had been staying in Lydda and had healed a man there. Upon hearing that Peter was nearby, some disciples from Joppa sent for him because a beloved woman in town had become very ill and died. We are not told if the people in Joppa had heard the story of the healing God had done through Peter while he was in Lydda, but we do know there was urgency in their plea for him to come. The Bible makes it clear in verse 38 that the proximity of the two towns was significant in several ways. 1) News of Peter’s presence had rapidly traveled from Lydda to Joppa because of the short distance. 2) Disciples could promptly be sent to find him, which strengthened the church through proximity.  3) Peter was able to swiftly arrive in Joppa from Lydda to fulfill the urgent request. The church was growing rapidly, and being free to move between locations greatly aided this spread of the gospel.

2) What do we learn in
verse 39 about Tabitha (Dorcas) that made this scene so poignant?
Read verse 37! A serious and sorrowful situation had occurred. A woman named Tabitha (Dorcas is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name Tabitha, netbible.org) had died. Tabitha was well known for her acts of service and charity, as a result of her outpouring of love, her death was deeply felt by her community. We learn in verse 39 that the deep sorrow was a response to the life she had lived so well. As Peter approaches the place where they had laid Tabitha’s body, her weeping friends approached him first. They showed him gifts she had given them and expressed to him the ways she had cared for them. I wonder if, at that moment, Peter thought about another incident where someone beloved had died. Did his mind go back to the day his Lord Jesus had taken him to the family gathering on the occasion of Lazarus’ death? John 11 records the scene. As Jesus neared the place where the dead body of his friend lay, the sisters of Lazarus ran out to Jesus to tell Him what happened. Jesus was evidently so deeply moved by their sorrow that those standing around noticed and commented. I cannot help but believe that Peter’s heart was stirred by the memory as he was approached by the mourners on this day. Not only that, did Peter quickly rehearse in his mind the outcome of that day with Jesus? Did he reflect on the resurrection power of his Master? Whether he thought about it in that moment, we do not know. What is clear is that a community’s love for Tabitha moved Peter to action. In faith, Peter knelt by the body of the beloved woman, awakening her to life by God’s resurrection power. (verse 40)

3) How did Peter’s private encounter with Tabitha in verse 40 impact so many people?
It is not apparent in the passage that the disciples from Joppa came to Peter in Lydda with the hope he would raise their beloved Tabitha from the dead. It is possible they simply hoped for him to come back to serve and care for their grief-stricken community. But on this day, God chose to respond to Peter’s faith with a resurrection! Had Tabitha not been raised, we would probably not know what happened in the privacy of her room that day. I wonder if there would even be a record of the day as Peter simply followed some disciples to minister to a group of mourners. This was the common life for Peter as He followed the Holy Spirit leading him. Reading through Acts, we don’t find any indication that bringing back the dead was common practice. Though the New Testament records resurrections happening (Mark 5:35-43, Luke 7:11-16, John 11:1-44), this was a remarkable event among believers. Just as the sisters of Lazarus thought the death of their brother was final, these mourners were not expecting Tabitha to wake up that day. (John 11:38-39) But she did! As a result, her amazing story was shared throughout the community, leading many to believe the gospel and prompting Peter to remain in Joppa. (verses 42-43)

Everyday Application

1) What is significant about knowing the proximity of Lydda and Joppa? (verse 38)
You have likely heard, or used the phrase, “bad news travels fast”. With social media, this seems truer than ever! But I love to think about how good news also finds its way to people quickly. Lydda and Joppa were “near” enough to each other that news of Peter’s visit quickly passed to other believers in the area. Do you remember reading stories of Peter as a disciple when Jesus walked the earth? In today’s vernacular we would call him a “wild card” for his impetuous spirit! What Peter had witnessed in his years of following Jesus continued inspiring him to do bold things in Christ’s name. In Acts 8 and 9 we find Peter speaking the word of the Lord and preaching the gospel in many villages as he traveled from place to place. What a beautiful picture of God’s grace to know that the believers in Joppa called for Peter, the same disciple who had once fearfully denied even knowing Jesus. (Matthew 26:69-75) We don’t know what these grieving believers expected from Peter, but we do know they felt it necessary to have him come to them. God had placed Peter in Lydda to also do miraculous things through him in Joppa. Dear Sister, you may not understand why God has you where He does right now. Like Peter, maybe you have failed Him (we all have!) and wonder if He will still use you to do great things. Thankfully, we know our failures don’t thwart God’s purposes. Though we cannot always see all He is doing where we are, you never know what God is working out around the corner from you.

2) What do we learn in
verse 39 about Tabitha (Dorcas) that made this scene so poignant?
Tabitha’s life gives us a picture of what it means to be a true friend, deeply invested in biblical community. If she was living in 2021, I imagine her to be one of those friends everyone considered to be their “bestie.” We all need those kinds of sisters and friends in our lives. If we follow Jesus, we should desire and strive to be a generous friend like this to others. Sincere and selfless deeds demonstrate we have been changed by Jesus’ life at work within us! The Bible tells us that on the night before He died, Jesus picked up a basin of water and a towel and washed the feet of His disciples. (John 13:3-15) He was modeling how all of His followers are to treat others. Tabitha lived this kind of life. The sorrow felt by so many in her community at her loss inspires us to find ways to be this same kind of woman; one who leaves a lasting impact on those around us. I am confident the traveling missionary, Peter, was inspired by Tabitha’s reputation. Though there are a variety of ways we can serve in our churches and communities, we all have gifts to share with others. All believers are to “to remember the poor”. (Galatians 2:10) Sincere religion, the kind God accepts, is “to look after orphans and widows in their distress”. (James 1:27) Peter witnessed the gospel in action by observing the effects of true religion practiced by Tabitha.

3) How did Peter’s private encounter with Tabitha in verse 40 impact so many people?
I doubt that bringing Tabitha back from the dead was done for her own sake. I believe Peter knew her death meant she was in the presence of God. (2 Corinthians 5:8) But maybe he considered those dear widows and others in need. Her presence in their lives brought them comfort and joy and pressed them closer to knowing God. It reminds me of how the apostle Paul came to view his life surrounded by those he loved, as well as longing for life with Christ through death. “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20-22) If we have put our faith in Christ, and if we trust His work on the cross for our salvation, then while we live here on earth we are to live for Jesus. When our time on earth ends, we get to be with Jesus. But beyond that practical concern for her friends, this resurrection had a far-reaching impact. The miracle of Tabitha’s resurrection was spread among the community. Because of it, many people in Joppa came to believe in the God of miracles. This event opened the door for Peter to come to Joppa and stay a while, strengthening and teaching the local believers. And friends, I just can’t help but think that he did not waste a second of his time there sharing the story of Jesus! John Piper said, “the book of Acts is written to encourage us again and again that the Jesus who began to do and to teach on earth is now alive with omnipotent power and continues to do what he began to do and teach what he began to teach. He is turning things around all over the world—from huge political upheavals to personal periods of gloom and discouragement.” (John Piper)

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

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 IX 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.

Posted in: church, Community, Daughter, Digging Deeper, Discipleship, Encourage, Faithfulness, Kingdom Tagged: Community, digging deeper, friendship, generous, Peter, sketched

Redeemed Day 9 From Empty To Full: Digging Deeper

July 2, 2020 by Rachel Jones Leave a Comment

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 From Empty To Full!

The Questions

1) Why are two better than one in this passage?

2) Why does this passage say, “two are better than one”, but then talk about a cord of three strands?

3) What is meant by the statement “a cord of three stands is not easily broken”?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? 12 And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Original Intent

1) Why are two better than one in this passage?
From the time the first man, Adam, walked the earth, God emphasized the importance of relationships for humans.  Author R.C. Sproul describes God in the book of Genesis when he writes, “Having made Adam, our Creator steps back and says that something about the first man and his situation is not good: ‘It is not good that the man should be alone’. (Genesis 2:18) God created Eve, and human relationships began outside of a relationship with God alone. God wanted His people to live in community so they could help and support one another.  Author David Guzik says Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 teaches us how “living and working together is a great advantage to living and working alone, and adds these four things to life:
· Productivity (they have a good reward for their labor)
· Help in need (if they fall, one will lift up his companion)
· Comfort in life (they will keep warm)
· Safety and security (two can withstand.}”
Two people can do what one cannot do alone. God demonstrates this truth throughout Scripture. He tells us that one person sharpens another just as iron sharpens iron. (Proverbs 27:17) When Jesus sent the disciples to minister, he sent them out in pairs. (Mark 6:7) When Paul describes the body of Christ to the Corinthian believers, he emphasizes how each person has a different part to play for the body to function. (1 Corinthians 12:18-22) Jesus even says if at least two believers gather in His name, His presence is there. (Matthew 18:20) God does not mean for us to do life on our own in isolation. His plan is for us to live in community with one another and experience the benefits of helping others and receiving their support.

2) Why does this passage say, “two are better than one”, but then talk about a cord of three strands?
In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, King Solomon argues that being alone is not as good as having someone to share your burdens with. He mentions that two people can get more done, two can help lift each other up, two can keep each other warm, and two can protect each other from harm. He extols all the virtues of having one companion, then finishes with “a cord of three strands is not easily broken.” (verse 12) So what is the third strand he references?  Some people say the cord of three strands represents having two or more friends to help you.  According to author John Gill, “as two are better than one, so three or more united together, it is the better still.” Author Kenneth Ian Macquarrie suggests other meanings for the three-stranded cord. He asserts, “this is a very well-known Biblical saying. In Israeli culture, three is the number of completeness and stability. Commentators have also referenced this verse as representing the Holy Trinity; Faith, Hope and Charity of the Christian life; as well as the marriage bond between Jesus, husband and wife. The three-strand cord was the strongest and most often used during the time of Christ.”  According to author David Guzik, “It is commonly understood that the third cord is God Himself, and that a relationship intertwined with God is a threefold cord that is not quickly broken.” God’s Word tells us that having a friend to help us makes us strong, but inviting the Holy Spirit into that relationship makes that bond stronger still. The Lord encourages us to find Christian companions to serve alongside, enjoying the benefits of strength in numbers and strength in His presence.

3) What is meant by the statement “a cord of three stands is not easily broken”?
Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “a cord of three strands is not easily broken.” The Oxford Bible Church notes this claim is “scientifically accurate (3 intertwined strands, no more, no less, is the strongest kind of rope). Two strands alone are limited, and not stable for they can easily unravel under pressure, and slide over each other with friction, but the 3rd stand fixes the other two into place and adds its strength to them.” According to author William Barrick, “references to a three-strand or three-ply rope (cord) occur in ancient Sumerian and Akkadian texts” that are contemporary to the Bible. F.B. Meyer points out how the idea that a cord of three strands is not easily broken was a “proverbial way of saying ‘there is strength in numbers.’” The assertion that this phrasing was common, like a proverb, suggests that King Solomon was using familiar material to drive home the point that having God in our relationships makes them stronger.  It is a metaphor that readers of the time would appreciate, and it is one current readers can also relate with.  It is still widely agreed upon that there is strength in numbers, so adding the almighty God to the equation amplifies the strength.

Everyday Application

1) Why are two better than one in this passage?
When I was a pre-teen, there was a TV program called the ABC Afterschool Special. On various weekday afternoons, the program would air dramatic episodes on various topics interesting to children. I watched one about a group of high school kids who developed strong friendships during the ups and downs of teen life, and it made me very sad because it amplified the fact that I didn’t have those close relationships.  I had some good friends, but no one who was a “kindred spirit.”  I had always been kind of a loner, someone who enjoyed solitude and kept people at a safe distance, but I found I was missing what King Solomon describes in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 when he writes that “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.  Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm?  And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”  Having a good friend by your side means you get more done, and you have help when you fall down.  A friend will comfort you and has your back when trouble comes. I have gained several close friends since viewing that ABC Afterschool Special. Two are definitely better than one, especially when those two are united by their faith and love of God!

2) Why does this passage say, “two are better than one” but then talk about a cord of three strands?
If you are like me, you have friends from all different segments of your life. I always had the Homeschool Moms, the Book Club Gals, the Church Ladies, Neighbors, and the Couples Group.  I even had some friends who made appearances in more than one group. It is great to have a variety of friends because it gives you a glimpse into different worlds and helps you see from varied perspectives. But the one common denominator in most of my closest friends, no matter how different they are from one another in personality and interests, is their faith in God.  I count them closest, because they will pray for me at a moment’s notice.  They will seek God on my behalf, lift me up when I fall to my knees in despair, and encourage me with God’s Word when I struggle in daily life.  My Christian friends love me with God’s love and comfort me with compassion from the Holy Spirit.  They strengthen me on a daily basis, and they invite me into their lives to do the same for them. As author Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth explains, “healthy relationships are God’s prescription for (. . .) the pain of injustice and the problem of isolation. God’s prescription is the power of intimacy.”  When I gather together with my Christian friends, seeking God and agreeing in His name, He meets us there. That is a bond not easily broken!

3) What is meant by the statement “a cord of three stands is not easily broken”?
I love all thing wedding related. . . dresses, flowers, music, food, cake!  I enjoy shows about choosing wedding dresses, planning weddings, surprise weddings, weddings on a budget, and weddings around the world.  One thing I have discovered is how many different wedding ceremony traditions exist. Couples light unity candles signifying the new family created from two different families. Some brides and grooms refuse to see one another before the ceremony to ward off bad luck. Some brides toss their bouquet to expectant guests, hoping it signals they are next to marry. Every culture has its own interesting and beautiful traditions. There is one wedding ceremony element based on Ecclesiastes 4:12. It is the cord of three stands, also called the unity braid or God’s knot.  It symbolizes that the newly formed union will be strong because it intertwines the man, the woman, and God.  One wedding website, godsknot.com, describes it this way, “The Bible teaches us that God performs a miracle in our marriage, uniting us together in a covenant relationship with Him as one. The cord of three strands is a symbol of that sacred union created on your wedding day.”  While this is not a tradition my husband and I observed during our wedding ceremony, it is definitely a truth we have come to rely on.  We support each other daily, but it is the love and strength of God that holds us together in unity.  Together we are strong, but God’s strength fortifies us and enables us to hold together when everything around us seems to fly apart.  Sometimes we sag and bend under the weight of life’s pressures, but the strength of God keeps us from breaking.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with From Empty To Full!

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 Redeemed 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.

Posted in: Comfort, Digging Deeper, Faith, God, Hope, Love, Power, Redeemed, Relationship, Scripture, Strength, Truth Tagged: Community, empty, Full, intimacy, support, Three Strands, Together, United

Ignite Day 1 The Wick

May 27, 2019 by Merry Ohler Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Isaiah 43:1-4
Acts 4:29-31
Acts 2:42-47
Luke 11:31-36
James 3:1-12

Ignite, Day 1

“My heart is the wick, Your love is the flame. And I wanna burn for Your Name.”

Merriam-Webster defines ignite as “To set afire. To cause to burn. To subject to fire or intense heat. To heat up. To set in motion.”

Have you ever built a campfire from scratch? In order for your fire to catch and grow, you need everything set up in exactly the right order. First, you gather lots of small, dry branches and twigs, leaves, paper and anything else that will catch fire quickly. This is called kindling. You’ll have more success if you pile the dry twigs and branches on top of the kindling. Next, you position larger logs over your kindling, being sure to leave space for air to flow under the logs.

Then, you strike your match and set the kindling on fire. As the flames grow and start to spread to the smaller twigs and branches, you might blow on the flame, or poke it with a long stick, to stir it up more. The flame grows and burns hotter, and as it does, the larger branches and logs grow hotter until they begin to catch fire, too.

Love, I have to be honest with you. When I picked up the assignment to write this Journey about Polycarp and Ignatius, I had literally never heard of them in my life. In fact, as I sat in our writer’s meeting and scanned the list of upcoming Journeys, I felt…

Uneducated.
Lacking.
Ill-equipped.

Ouch. And to add insult to injury? The truth is that I didn’t feel any real desire or curiosity to dig deeper into the lives of any of these historical fathers of the faith.

So, I did what any self-respecting fringe millennial would do. I picked the ones with names I could not really pronounce, pseudo-affectionately dubbed them, “Iggy & Poly” in my mind, threw my inexperience to the wind and dived in deep.

And here we are. But before I can fully introduce you to Ignatius and Polycarp, we have to go back a little further. In order to do that, we’ll stick with the campfire picture we just processed together.

Stay with me, this is important.

The Kindling
Before Jesus arrived as the promised Emmanuel, God With Us, we need to visualize the spiritual climate in Israel. God’s people were effectively trapped in a religious box of their own making. Where He had set out His law to protect and free them, they instead chose to chain themselves to religion and more. They created their own laws and rules in addition to His, and rather than trusting God to justify them through sacrifice and the atonement of sins, they adopted a religious spirit. They thought they could justify themselves. This resulted in a prideful people group who were desperate for truth, purpose and relationship, yet still rigidly clung to the very things that held them captive.
They were empty. Dry.

Spiritually dead.

The Spark
Enter Jesus.

When the Son of God slipped quietly onto the Bethlehem scene in the form of an infant… the Jewish people were confused.

They had asked for a king.
Someone who would fulfill the Law.
Someone who could rescue them.
And God answered, because that was His plan all along.

But He didn’t answer in the way they wanted, or the way they expected. Instead, He sent Jesus to fulfill the Law in the way that only Jesus ever could. And because the people who prayed for rescue didn’t see it coming in the way they expected, the majority missed the message the Son of Man brought to life.

However, there were those positioned closest to Jesus who recognized the Truth and began to smolder from His heat. These apostles were disciples in word and deed. They spent time with Jesus in His everyday life and ministry.

They saw Him perform miracle after miracle, healing after healing.
They witnessed Jesus in life, in death,
and then in life again.
They got it.

More importantly, they caught it. And when He told them to go, they went.

They began to walk out their faith in boldness, preaching the gospel to all who would listen. They healed the sick, and cast out demons. They taught others about the life of Jesus, what His death and resurrection meant, and why it mattered. They devoted themselves to studying the Scriptures, to praying, and fellowship.

And their numbers grew exponentially.

And Love? The ones Jesus chose to draw into His closest circle?
The ones He trusted to catch fire first – and to fan the flame?
They were unquestionably the last people anyone would expect to fulfill that weighty calling. In fact, you or I might have even called them….

Uneducated.
Lacking.
Ill-equipped.

But God saw them differently.

The early church began to grow against all odds in the face of extreme opposition.
In the weakness and humanity of the ordinary men and women who spread the message and ministry of Jesus, God was shown strong.
Whole families began to receive the message of Jesus,
and though persecution was commonplace, Christianity caught fire.

The church continued to grow until one day, as Saul of Tarsus walked the road to Damascus, the resurrected Christ Himself appeared to him. Prior to this face-to-face, Saul had been instrumental in persecuting countless followers of Christ, with the full support of the Jewish leaders. Saul’s resulting sudden and whole-heart, whole-life, jaw-dropping conversion fanned the flickering flame to a roar. Saul became known as Paul, and he adopted the lifestyle of the other apostles, discipling others, encouraging young leaders in the church, and delivering truth and challenge in love to all he encountered.

And the flame began to grow.

As for my friends, Poly and Iggy, I’ll introduce you on Wednesday of this week. 🙂

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

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Posted in: Anchored, Believe, Bold, Called, church, Community, Courage, Faith, Holy Spirit, Kingdom Tagged: borders, Community, growth, Holy Spirit, Ignite, love, preach, teach

Seeds Day 15 Outside The Lines

May 24, 2019 by Rebecca Adams 4 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Acts 10:9-33
Acts 10:34-43
Acts 10:44-48
Romans 5:1-11

Seeds, Day 15

Parenting is all about navigating new territory on a continually shifting landscape.
Parenting teens is that description to the nth degree.
Nothing ever stays the same. (well, rarely every)
The moment you feel you have it figured out, everything is new. Throw in vocabulary that also changes by the day, making you feel like you’ve walked into a new culture by the minute, and parenting feels like a whirlwind.

Like….
Skirrrt those nasty pickles, but the fries are dope.
That dude’s party was lit, but I was so salty when no one liked my dessert.
There ya’ go, that’s the tea sis!
But I’ll stop now before ya’ll think I’m cringy. 🙂

One constant (at least mostly) for my oldest son has been his affinity for “good” music. While our definitions of “good” are pretty different most days, it’s a conversation we can have any time, any day. My son is a deep thinker, always looking at things from a unique perspective, which pairs well with my theological core as I love to slow down and think through the roots and implications of a small part connected to a bigger picture. He and I have spent countless conversations listening to lyrics, hitting pause, and then poking at the words for what they really mean instead of just drinking them in.
“Mom, I have a new song for you.”
“What about these words, Mom, what do you think he is thinking?”

Sometimes, he’s surprised that a favorite song of his actually has a meaning he didn’t expect, and sometimes, I’m surprised (and encouraged) by the songs he chooses to share.

Today was one of those surprises.
For me.

It was another daily drive to gymnastics, and another playlist. A couple of songs, a couple of thoughts, and then one he hadn’t shared before played, arresting my attention from the first note to the last.

I met Craig at a church called Redeeming Grace
It’s like he understood my “I don’t want to be here” face
I felt out of place and I smelled like beer
But he just shook my hand, said “I’m glad you’re here”
He says, “we’ll all be judged”
But he was never judgmental.

As Walker Hayes crooned on and the images he painted came to life in my mind, all I could see were all the “Craigs” I knew, all the times I’d seen my husband be “Craig”, how my own heart beat passionately to be “Craig”, and how Jesus calls each and every believer to be Craig.

I still ain’t figured out church yet
But Craig, I get
Nah he can’t walk on water, turn the Napa Valley red
But he just might be tight with a man that did
Now he’s not the light of the world
But I wish that mine was bright as his
Yeah, he just might be tight with a man that is.

Girls, Craig gets it!
He knows the truth of Jesus, he has been transformed and renewed by the deepest of graces found in the forgiving, sacrificial blood of Jesus spilled on his behalf.
Craig is indeed “tight with the man” who is The Redeemer.
And he knows redemption is meant for all.

Jesus is the Rescuer
for teenage boys who think they get it all, but are struggling to find themselves.

Jesus is the Rescuer
for teenage girls who change their friend groups like they change their clothes, wondering what they were made for.

Jesus is the Rescuer
for the one sitting on the edge of his bed, pills in hand, feeling he’s worthless and without value.

Jesus is the Rescue for….
the tattoo artist whose fingers smell like drugs,
the girl who vapes at the park so her parents won’t find out,
the husband who can’t stop looking at porn or justifying his glances,
the woman at the gym who goes home to a husband who “owns” her,
the mom who hides her food addiction, wondering if she will always feel shallow and ugly,
the guy who cusses loud and shamelessly as he makes your coffee,
the girl who writes this Journey with tears gathering because she knows
she’s just like all of them.

See, Jesus came to push us outside of our pretty little lines.
He gives us the permanent marker of His love, grace, and truth, and says, “go to all, exclude none.”

Go Outside The Lines

Peter had been redeemed years earlier.
He thought he had this Jesus-life pretty figured out. He’d learned first-hand what it looked like to live out love as he literally walked beside Jesus. He watched His Savior be crucified, and was breathless when he realized the tomb was now empty and Death was defeated. The Holy Spirit had indwelt him and given him powerful boldness to reach thousands with the gospel.
He knew all of that, but The Redeemer intended more.

The Lord gave Peter a vision, commanding him,
“Do not call common what God has made clean.” (Acts 10:15)
In essence, “Stop pushing others away and automatically excluding them from My redemption because of your predetermined judgment lines.

Sisters, let’s decide to live out our days asking, “what if we colored outside the lines?”.
Like Craig.
Like Peter.
Like Jesus, who died for us while we kept on loving our sin more than the Savior.

We don’t walk on water, but because we are tight with the One who did,
we can love beyond our lines!

“Did you like that one, Mom? I picked it just for you.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I liked that one, and I’m not even salty we listened to your music all the way here.”
“Salty?!”, with eyebrows raised. “Wow, Mom…well played!”.

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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 Seeds Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Here’s a link to all past studies in Seeds!

Posted in: Accepted, Borders, Called, church, Excuses, Faith, Freedom, Gospel, Grace, Kingdom, Relationship, Truth Tagged: Community, evangelism, hope, love, outreach, reallife, redemptions, relationship, Seeds
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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14