The GT Weekend! ~ Surrender Week 1

January 28, 2023 by Carol Graft Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend! ~ Surrender Week 1

Carol Graft

January 28, 2023

Anchored,Courage,Faith,Freedom,GT Weekend

Rest your soul through reflective journaling,
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and worshiping the Creator who
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This Week's Journeys

Pray His Words Back To Him!

Romans 8:29-30

For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.

Prayer Journal Entry

Thank you, Lord, for knowing me long before I knew You. Thank you for loving me even when I don’t see how any part of my situation, whether in the past or present, could possibly fit within Your plan. I don’t understand why I walk through hard challenges when You could remove them. It would be so easy for You to make my life smoother, Lord. From my perspective, the questions, hurts, and doubt could all be erased by an “easier life”.

So, I am faced with a question to either trust You as fully good, despite my pain and limited view, or choose to believe You’ve lied to me in Your Word. Help me to hold fast to what is true. I confess my unbelief; Lord, build my faith! Help me trust the depth of Your goodness extends far beyond my finite vision of my current reality. No matter what I am going through, You are working out Your good plan for me. Help me to see you in the midst of my every day, whether they are good days or bad. Teach my heart to trust you with steadfast surrender. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

Astounding healings, provision, and deliverance from bondage are just a few of the miracles that leap from the pages of the Bible. It’s easy to focus on those incidents and say, “Yes, please!”, for we all want big miracles.

When we come to the end of our budget and the pantry seems bare, we hunger for the miracle of the loaves and fish to effortlessly replenish our lack. If we wrestle with chronic illness, we read the amazing healing of the hemorrhaging woman and ask, “Why not me, Lord?”

But God didn’t come to dwell in the flesh only to provide temporary fixes for our woes. Though he can, and often does, His “Come and See” bidding is meant as a far greater invitation to an eternal relationship with Him. The invitation can only be embraced through willing surrender.

We may not be called to leave behind jobs or families to follow Jesus, but it’s possible. When we come to Jesus open-hearted, fully surrendered, and repentant our lives will be changed. Christ will provide, often in ways we never considered. Through surrender, we find we are fully known and fully loved by the Savior of the world.

JOURNAL TWO

I was challenged and convicted by “Pride Or Intimacy” on Wednesday; if you haven’t read it, go there! Mary K. explained how easy it is to return to old sin patterns after becoming a believer. How many times have we wanted to snap back a sharp retort, painfully revealing we are choosing not to surrender to Christ. We all have places in our hearts we haven’t fully surrendered to Jesus.

Consider how often we’ve bypassed the ‘neighbor’ standing on the street corner holding a sign and lacked the compassion of our Lord. Are we engaging our literal neighbors? Or perhaps we’re excluding the neighbors we perceive as different from us.

As I was thinking of surrendering pride, I was reminded of the Journey Study, “Dining With Sinners”, which stories about the scandalous woman who dared anoint Jesus’ feet despite her outrageous sin. Still, she surrendered her pride and walked into Simon’s dinner party uninvited. She wasn’t just surrendering her pride, she was surrendering her history at the feet of Jesus, who lived in total surrender to Father God.

Christ surrendered Himself to a death-penalty we owed in order to extend us eternal life with Him.

JOURNAL THREE

Are you a type A personality? Do others gravitate towards you or shun you because you like to be in control? Even if you don’t fit these descriptions exactly, deep down, we all desire to be in control. Some more publicly than others. I don’t consider myself a controlling person…until…I am.

Still, God lovingly pursues us, calling us to live under his call of Surrender. Rebekah pointed to the Old Testament biographies of Abraham and Sarah, both of whom were called to complete surrender of their control. Surrendering our willful control to God, trusting Him in all the things is not easy, but it is essential. We can rest on the truth revealed in Romans 8:29-30 as we grow in our discipline of surrender.

God predestined us to be a part of His plan. Whether we believe Him now or are still searching for Him, we are known and loved. Though we may often be tempted to wrestle control from the Lord, stomping our feet in frustration, the Lord still pursues our hearts, wooing us to know Him as He knows us. He who knew you, and the paths you would take before you were born, knows what He is doing. He will be faithful to accomplish His good work in us!

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conform,control,courage,faith,spirit,surrender

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Champion Day 8 Fearful Made Fierce

June 8, 2022 by Michelle Promise Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Daniel 1:3-21
Daniel 2:27-30
Daniel 6:10-24
Philippians 1:3-11

Champion, Day 8

“Am I good enough?”
“How could God ever use me? I’m so weak in my faith, in my trust, in my understanding of You, God.”

These questions regularly pop into my head. Sometimes, when I look at the Bible Greats (those characters who *seem* to have it all together and act perfectly before the Lord), I get discouraged. I’m sure my name will never go down in recorded history for doing anything amazing. I’m a hot mess just trying to consistently read my Bible every day. How then do we approach the accounts of people in the Bible doing extraordinary things for the Lord?

Daniel is a Bible hero well-known for faithfully praying to the One True God, despite being forbidden by the king. He was thrown into a den of lions and the king expected him dead by morning. (Daniel 6:16-18)

Miraculously, when the king reached the den the next day, “Daniel said to the king, ‘May the king live forever. God sent His angels and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before Him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm.’” (Daniel 6:21-22)

Wow. Daniel’s faith must’ve been great to be considered innocent before God Almighty. Who was Daniel really? How did he get into this pickle?

Daniel and many others were captured and taken from their home in Israel to foreign Babylon. Forced to leave his family, along with everything familiar, Daniel was taken to a strange new place with many different customs and values.

His whole identity shifted to become Babylonian; he was even given a new name. In the midst of this upheaval, he needed to decide if he would continue following God Almighty or worship other gods, as was expected of him by the king. (Daniel 1:1-7)

As Daniel navigated such challenging circumstances, we see that behind every holy choice Daniel made, God was at work, revealing Himself as the true champion.

Daniel chose obedience when he and his friends decided to break the cultural norms and follow God.
The Lord gave them favor with the king, who then entrusted Daniel and the others with great responsibility.
By living in authentic community, they were able to support and encourage each other onward in obedience. (Daniel 1:17-21)
The Lord empowered Daniel to interpret dreams of several successive kings, a feat impossible for Babylonian sorcerers.
Daniel was humble, giving God the credit and glory for his ability. He was able to recognize his limitations and his need for God’s power.

“No wise man, medium, magician, or diviner is able to make known to the king the mystery he asked about. But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has let King Nebuchadnezzar know what will happen[.]” (Daniel 2:27-28)

Notice who Daniel didn’t mention?

Himself.

Standing before the king, in possession of an extraordinary ability, facing an opportunity to curry earthly status and success in a new land . . . and Daniel recognized this as an encounter between the king and God, with Daniel simply present as God’s voice.

Daniel demonstrated this understanding as he closed his speech before the king.
“As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king[.]” (Daniel 2:30)

Repeatedly, the Lord provided perfectly for Daniel.

The Lord showed Daniel how to be wise with heavenly wisdom.
The Lord gave Daniel strength to be faithful to the truth.
The Lord God Almighty carried Daniel through every trial he experienced;
he was never alone.

At first glance, it’s easy to think we could never do what Daniel did.
In all actuality, he was a boy who was kidnapped and forced to live in a new place.
His God, however, was and is extraordinary.

Daniel chose to be obedient, and the Lord provided for him.
Ladies, the Lord is faithful to finish the work He’s started in us until He returns again! (Philippians 1:6) He is our champion, our rescuer and redeemer!

Lord God Almighty, we long to be great for You. Give us pure hearts when we do what You’ve called us to, humble us if there is any pride in us. Give us favor with those in positions of authority over us. Let us respond with faithful, simple obedience, Lord. Jesus, give us courage to live in community that will keep us accountable. We wait for you to show Your face to us, so we might follow You. We trust you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Champion Day 7 Behind The Scenes God: Digging Deeper

June 7, 2022 by Rachel Jones 2 Comments

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 Behind The Scenes God!

The Questions

1) How do you pursue God’s will when you are feeling weak or discouraged? (verse 18)

2) How can this Scripture help us navigate a chaotic culture like Esther’s?

3) Why is it so important to resist revenge? (verse 15)

I 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? (verse 18)
The apostle Paul exhorted the believers in Thessalonica to help one another in their daily lives as new Christians with their eye on the coming return of Jesus. 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. Persecution was rampant, but Jesus was worth it and he urged them to stay the course of following Christ. Hope was coming! 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 “Rejoice always,pray constantly, give thanks in everything […]”. (verses 16-18) God’s will is unity between believers and between His people and Himself. When we cast our focus and affection on the Lord, choosing to worship Him in prayer, we are sowing unity. Paul knew if they pursued worship together, they would continue growing together as a community of believers with one central focus: God. To pursue God, they would need help and encouragement from their brothers and sisters in Christ. In the case of Esther, her story was woven with community as her cousin, Mordecai, and all the Jews prayed to the Lord together bringing unity and glorifying God.

2) How can this Scripture help us navigate a chaotic culture like Esther’s?
The Thessalonians had much to contend against 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 dealt with 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 when Jesus returned. They also wondered what would happen to those alive at the 2^nd coming. Some members were 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 relatable for each generation. Esther stood at a crossroads for her people as they faced extermination. She interceded for them with bravery and humility, but for every step she took, it was the Lord God leading her. We don’t face the same challenges Esther or the Thessalonians did, but our culture screams just as loud to abandon our faith, choose self over intercession, and apathy over zeal for the Lord. The Thessalonians 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.

3) Why is it so important to resist revenge? (verse 15)
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 that the faithful “do not take revenge, or bear a grudge against members of your community, but 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. Paul was intent on emphasizing God’s character as their Champion to the new Christ-followers; He gives generously of Himself to His enemies by sacrificing Himself in their place. 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. Mordecai particularly could have taken revenge on his arch-enemy, Haman, at any time, but he showed restraint, waiting on the Lord, trusting His ways over his own. We are to do the same.

Everyday Application

1) How do you pursue God’s will when you are feeling weak or discouraged? (verse 18)
The exhortation in these verses is important every day, but especially on those down days when we just can’t go it alone. If the command to worship through prayer brought an entire city together to beseech the Lord on behalf of the Jews, its benefits to us in our everyday struggles are immense! Prayer and worship prove effective not because of our flowery words, but because it is the Lord who hears and acts on our behalf through our faith. There is one Champion, and it is the Lord God. Paul’s writing reminds us we need to lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ who can pray on our behalf just as Mordecai and the Jews did for Esther. We should reach out for help, encouragement, accountability, and prayer from the community around us. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reads, “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 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.

2) How can this Scripture help us navigate a chaotic culture like Esther’s?
It is easy to get bogged down by our never-ending to-do lists and our 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. Esther’s need was desperate, pressing, and urging, and though our challenges aren’t the same, we can relate to her sense of desperation and urgency. Consider how we respond in our urgent need moments, or even the long-term needs we’ve been agonizing over for months or years. Are we seeing these as opportunities to turn to the Lord in prayers of faith? 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? (verse 15)
Paul implores us to be patient with everyone, which includes our enemies. Why is this 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. We cannot champion our own stories by exacting our own revenge. James writes that, “human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent […].” (James 1:20-21) 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. It is vital to resist revenge because by doing so we are taking the first step to overcoming evil with good; only in this can we surrender to the True Champion. In this way, we get our enemy’s attention and turn their focus to the goodness of God instead of our own vengeance. In this way, we practice being like Jesus and trust the results to Him, just as Esther modeled!

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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Champion Day 5 Legendary Hero

June 3, 2022 by Sarah Young Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Joshua 1:6-9
Numbers 13-14
Joshua 5:13-6:27
Isaiah 40:28-31
Isaiah 41

Champion, Day 5

Big burly guy, biceps of steel. Broad back, thick muscular legs. Oh, and a bushy beard.
That’s how *I* picture the Biblical Joshua.

Perhaps we mentally jump to the battle of Jericho as he carried out God’s counter-intuitive battle plan with strong leadership skills. (Joshua 6)

Or maybe we remember Joshua as a spy who explored the Promised Land, one of only two men who trusted God could bring them into the land. We might use words like steadfast, courageous, or brave to describe his heroism. (Numbers 13-14)

Perhaps you don’t know much about Joshua; our only connection might be a fairly common verse, found in the book named after him, “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Now, why would a brave man who led armies into countless battles AND stood nearly alone in his commitment to God’s promise need to be reminded to be strong and courageous THREE times in the span of four short verses?! (Joshua 1:6-9)

All too often, when we think of “famous” men and women of the Bible, we put them on a pedestal, esteeming them for their valor, courage, perseverance, wisdom, and strength. We look UP to them as someone special, set apart and used by God in extraordinary ways to fulfill His divine purposes. We begin to elevate them, believing WE could never do what THEY did.

Do you notice what we’ve done, though? We’ve taken GOD out of the equation. In truth, GOD was the one who worked through our mighty heroes of the faith, which makes GOD the real hero, NOT Joshua (or Esther or Gideon, or anyone else).

Since God doesn’t change (Hebrews 13:8), He can use US in the SAME way He did our favorite heroes of the faith! With this profound truth in mind, let’s revisit Joshua.

As I prepared for this Journey Study, I poured over the Scriptures, digging into Joshua’s story in a new way.

As I studied, God showed me He is always working in our lives, preparing us for the plans HE has for us. Most often, we are not aware of what the future holds, but God knows every single detail and is weaving a BEAUTIFUL masterpiece, both in our lives and throughout history.

I bet Joshua would say the same, “I had NO clue when I saw Moses stretch out his staff over the Red Sea and the waters parted so we could walk across on dry land that one day *I* would be leading the people in a silent march around the city of Jericho and watching the walls come crumbling down on the 7th day.” (Exodus 14:21-22; Joshua 6:4-5) He might give a reflective sigh, “Man oh man, the JOURNEY sure prepared me for Jericho.”

Perhaps he would open up, “I was eager to settle in Canaan, the Promised Land. The daily manna along the way had filled me with the courage I would need at Kadesh when everyone else doubted God. (Numbers 13:26-33) I had complete confidence God would make a way for us, like He had at the Red Sea. But no one would listen! And because of THEIR doubt, we wandered in the desert for FORTY years. I had NO idea what God would teach me during that ‘wasted time’ in our nation’s history.” After a long pause, he might add, “The waiting is NEVER wasted.”

Or maybe he would confess, “Even after all I witnessed God doing, I was still afraid as I assumed leadership from Moses. But God didn’t shame or scold me. He definitely didn’t abandon me. Nope! It was almost as if He grabbed my hand, leaned in close, and whispered in my ear, ‘Be strong and courageous. I’VE got this.’”

What about YOU?
Have you ever had Kadesh moments?

Faced with challenges, will we focus on the overwhelming, seemingly-impossible tasks before us, or will we fix our eyes on JESUS, trusting Him to provide strength, wisdom, and courage to follow Him?

Joshua would beg us to “be strong and courageous,” relying not on our own abilities, but trusting wholeheartedly in God, Who ALWAYS keeps His Word.

When we do, we watch walls come crumbling down, broken relationships restored, bodies healed, and bills paid.

You see, the God who helped Joshua conquer Jericho is the SAME God who is asking you to lead a small group, start a new job, or call an estranged family member.

The same God who gave Joshua the courage to believe in Him at Kadesh is the SAME God prodding you to take those foster care classes, write that book, present your idea at work, or message a friend who’s hurting.

If Joshua needed to be reminded (more than once) to be strong and courageous, it’s okay that we have our doubts, too. God is bigger than our fears. He can handle our questions.

So, my sister, be strong and courageous, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU, today, tomorrow, and FOREVER. ALL praise and glory and honor go to GOD, our TRUE Champion.

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Champion Day 2 The Barren And Broken: Digging Deeper

May 31, 2022 by Dr. Leslie Umstattd 1 Comment

Champion Day 2 The Barren And Broken: Digging Deeper

Dr. Leslie Umstattd

May 31, 2022

Constant,Digging Deeper,Encourage,Faith,Faithfulness,Fruitfulness,Fullness

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

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 1:27-31

27 Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world- what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one may boast in his presence 30 It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption 31 —in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

The Original Intent

1) In verse 27, what is Paul referencing by beginning with “instead”?

Practicing reading backwards to understand a verse or set of verses is extremely important in studying Scripture, but especially when we encounter a word like “therefore” or “instead” signaling how the previous writing ties directly to the next passage. Every time we open His Word, we should practice this study habit so it becomes our natural response to rightly understanding God’s Word.

Prior to this passage, in verse 18-26, Paul compares the world’s wisdom with God’s wisdom. With tongue-in-cheek, he speaks of God’s “foolishness”, which of course doesn’t exist, for nothing about God is foolish, but he uses this linguistic tool to make an emphatic point. Even if God did have a hint of foolishness about Him, it would still be infinitely wiser than humanity’s best wisdom. (verse 25) When Paul reaches verse 27, he intended the reader to recognize that God doesn’t follow the course of earthly wisdom. He turns worldly wisdom on its head, proving that only by divine wisdom and perspective, could it be conceivable for a holy God to rescue sinful humanity.

The Everyday Application

1) In verse 27, what is Paul referencing by beginning with “instead”?

God’s ways are not our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9) The beauty of the Gospel is that it simply does not make sense to us. God calls the barren and broken of the world to serve as His champions of grace. Instead of calling the best and strongest, He invites the heavy laden and the weak to come to Him. (Matthew 11:28, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

During His earthly ministry, Jesus actively chose to speak and live in unconventional and counter cultural ways. He ate with tax collectors and hung out with prostitutes to transform not only their earthly lives but also their heavenly position before God. (Luke 19:1-10, Mark 2:13-17) He touched the forbidden and unclean lepers and, although a very real physical healing took place, spiritually healing was at the heart of His encounters. (Matthew 8:1-4) He intentionally sought out the outcast, the lonely, and the ostracized of society in order to minister to them, saying, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick…”. (Mark 2:17)

In God’s wisdom, He sacrificed His own Son to make a way of salvation for sinners who neither deserved mercy nor could earn righteousness. He designed for Holiness to take the punishment for the wretched in order that light could enter the darkness of this world, and that none could boast, insisting they had somehow contributed to their salvation. (John 3:14-21) The lost in the world, those without the Light of Christ living inside them, stumble over God’s righteousness and wisdom out of rebellion, rejecting it as ludicrous. But when we submit to His wisdom, we recognize God and the rightness of His ways (Hosea 14:9), which brings about our humility and repentance.

The Original Intent

2) What does God view as important and how is it described by Paul in verses 27-30?

Paul explains that God has chosen what seems foolish in this world to shame the wise and He’s chosen what is weak to shame the strong for the purpose of humanity to realize they cannot save themselves. (Romans 3:10)

No amount of worldly wisdom, strength, generosity, or human ability can save us from our sins. Yet, in our own pride we assume we can save ourselves. (Psalm 10:3-4) But, God’s definition of wisdom and strength points all glory and boasting to Himself because Only He can save; our rescue comes from Christ alone. (1 Corinthians 1:21)

The Everyday Application

2) What does God view as important and how is it described by Paul in verses 27-30?

God intentionally chooses what the world views as weak to share His truths. In one encounter found in the Gospel of Luke, the rich leaders of the city were dropping money into the offering by the bag full. Then a poor widow gave what little she had, and Jesus noticed.

Human convention would watch that scene and applaud the leaders for their generosity because the amount they gave was seemingly so significant. Yet, Jesus commended the widow for her small amount, because her sacrifice was more significant than the surplus of the wealthy. He called on the people of the city to emulate her, a poor widow. (Luke 2:1-4) Jesus did not look at the amount given but the heart behind the gift. (Psalm 51:16-17)

Throughout history, God chooses the smallest, the weakest, and what the world sees as incapable to champion His purposes. (Matthew 18:1-5)

The Original Intent

3) According to verses 28-31 what is the purpose of God’s different perspective?

God desired to bring what the world deemed as nothing into a place of honor and glory. Paul describes the heart and mind of humanity in this passage by highlighting our tendency to boast about our knowledge and our strengths. Paul pits this against Christ’s entrance into the world and the incredible humility He displayed. Christ, being both fully God and fully man, having all wisdom and knowledge and power, defied all human logic by laying it down, putting on flesh, and dwelling with humanity.

Jesus embodied the pure wisdom that comes from above (James 3:13-18) which stands in stark opposition to human wisdom; this humble manner of living by God’s wisdom is to be imitated by all who are in Christ. (Philippians 2:5-11) He became our standard from which to boast. If we boast, we boast about Him and how He saved us. (1 Corinthians 1:31)

The Everyday Application

3) According to verses 28-31 what is the purpose of God’s different perspective?

Ultimately. God wants His people to be set apart and accomplish His purposes in His power, wisdom, and strength. God’s grace is sufficient for this work, and as Paul says in his second letter to the Corinthians, God’s power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Only in our brokenness, and our recognition of it, are we positioned to fully rely on God. In our self-sufficient world full of self-promotion, self-ambition, and self-centeredness the idea of humility and sacrifice is foolishness, but in that foolishness God’s purposes are championed. Our spiritual barrenness requires reconciliation with the one true God and Jesus provided a way for this as He gave Himself up for us. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

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