courage

The GT Weekend! ~ If Week 1

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) What if Jesus was not God? What if He was just a prophet or a good teacher, but not God in flesh? Or even if He wasn’t fully God, but something lesser? Considering these questions can either drive us away from the Lord or drive us straight into the arms of a loving, trustworthy, and faithful God. We saw in Monday’s Journey Study some solid reasons to believe Jesus was, and is, exactly the fully divine God He claimed to be. He defeated sin by living a perfect life. He defeated death by raising Himself from the dead. Because of these things, and more, He is worthy of our worship. We serve a powerful God. The great King of Glory does not fear our questions. There is no question too big for Him. Will you commit to bringing your questions to the Lord? Will you be honest with Him about your doubts? Will you faithfully search the Scriptures and consult wise, mature believers as you seek out your answers? What questions do you have? Where have you been looking for answers? Write down one or two questions about God along with the name of someone you know whom you could ask to help you find the answers. Pray over your question and ask the Lord to give you courage to step out in faith and search for truth!

2) Like making cake without flour, trimming the grass without a mower, or, perhaps most apt, drinking water from an empty glass, so is absolutely anything we attempt in the Christian life without the power of the Holy Spirit. We, as finite, prone-to-sin human beings, are utterly incapable of accomplishing the holy, righteous work of becoming like Jesus on our own power. We cannot forgive more freely, love more deeply, give more wholeheartedly, or treat others with more lavish kindness without the power of the Holy Living God taking up residence within our beings. Going further, even if we have genuinely surrendered our lives to Christ and He has faithfully given us the Holy Spirit inside of us, we can still adamantly choose to reject His power at work in us. Classic author Andrew Murray writes of every day being a battle of wills between our fleshly desires and the work of God. We can either choose to surrender moment by moment to His work, or we can stubbornly insist on our own abilities to accomplish His righteousness. Determine today to live in a constant state of surrender by practicing the simple hand motion of raising one or two palms upward. When you face a challenge of your will versus God’s way today, choose total surrender to the Spirit by rotating your palm upward and breathing a prayer of surrender!

3) Rejoice with me as we think about our great God! His character is so far above our comprehension of holiness. He is unable to sin because of His great power and might. He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He is unchanging, unshakable, steadfast, and He gives us direct access to Him. Even when we fall short, He is faithful because He cannot violate His own nature. Write a prayer of thanksgiving and praise to the Almighty God! Spend time contemplating what His sinless nature means for your relationship with Him and your obedience to Him. You may begin to feel discouraged by the weight of your own sin and your own shortcomings as you worship. Feel that weight, but don’t stay there! When we turn our eyes upon Jesus, we receive freedom from our sins. Repent and move forward in the strength of the Lord only He can provide. You don’t need to make yourself better to come to Him. Simply focus on His greatness, and He will work a mighty change in you!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Colossians 1:15-17 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
For everything was created by Him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through Him and for Him.
He is before all things,
and by Him all things hold together.
He is also the head of the body, the church;
He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that He might come to have
first place in everything.

Prayer Journal
Who is this King of Glory? Who is this God who would condescend to walk the Earth as a man, perfect and righteous? You are our God, the blessed Three-in-One, wholly loving, almighty, immovable, and the perfect lover of our souls. You have not left us on our own in our questions and our weakness, but You have rescued us by Your great hand! Forgive me, oh merciful God, for my doubts, my weakness, and my desire to have my own way. I have often resisted Your will and questioned your goodness. Thank You for your great mercy and grace. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to work in my heart and guide me in obedience. Thank You for comforting me with truth as I search out your goodness. I ask for Your help as I surrender my will to Yours. Use my questions and my doubts to draw my heart toward You rather than toward the darkness. I believe in You, oh Lord, help my unbelief.

Worship Through Community

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

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

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Word Day 11 Do As I Do

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 13:1-17
John 13:34-35
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

Word, Day 11

“Do as I say, not as I do!”
Have you heard this statement from someone in authority?
Are you drawn to respect them, or do you have another reaction?

As a leader oversees employees, volunteers, or children, it is easier to see the mistakes of others and call them out, rather than coming alongside to model growth. It’s easier to list the rules and expect compliance rather than walk with another to demonstrate, correct, and encourage.

Jesus didn’t choose easy leadership.

Though He was fully God, He didn’t use His authority to demand His followers to go where He was unwilling. In John 13, Jesus postures Himself as a servant, washing His disciples’ feet. His death was imminent, yet He gathered them to observe Passover, serve them, and give instructions on carrying out the will of the Father by serving one another.

Neither the disciples, nor us, have the power naturally to obey this, or any command given by Jesus, on our own. It is only when we belong to Him by surrendering control of our life, through humbly submitting by faith (Hebrews 11:6) to His perfect authority, that we are given divine power through the Holy Spirit to obey Him.

Without complete submission to Him,
we are only playing a part without any heart change.

Jesus submitted to the Father with obedient surrender.
Just as He modeled, so are we to follow.

As the triune Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons, while also One Being. The very existence of the triune God is actively lived out with mutual submission to One Another out of shared respect and love just as they have always done for eternity past, and will continue for eternity future.

God does not choose easy leadership. He perfectly models, and humbly walks beside us, teaching us to live and love like Him.

“By this everyone will know you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

Love.
Our greatest command from Jesus.
His greatest example to us.

Jesus modeled the love we are to have for others;
none were considered too “damaged” for His perfect love.

The truest test of a disciple of Jesus is how we love.

Today, it’s often difficult to see love in action, especially if we focus on the media’s newsfeed. With sin and brokenness ruling our world, the selfless love modeled by Jesus doesn’t take the spotlight.

Therefore it takes courage…..
To stand against the norm and love like Jesus.
To defend the bullied or mistreated.
To serve both the arrogant and the diseased.
To sacrificially love those society has rejected.

This kind of love….
requires a boldness only available through the power of the God
who gave Himself entirely for us.
When we love like Jesus, we risk ridicule or even bodily harm.
Loving like Jesus isn’t easy.

Jesus’ love alive within us….
Offers kind words to those who are hateful or mistreat us.
Sacrifices time, puts on humility, and sees those who need a smile and gentle touch.
Courageously expands our circles to include those different from us.
This is how Jesus loves us.

Just this morning, I broke down weeping as I read of disunity and brokenness in our culture. It all felt like too much! Overwhelming! How much we need humble, self-sacrificing love to bring genuine healing! This broken world and its hurting relationships are clearly not what God intended as He so carefully created every detail from nothing. (Genesis 1)

Sometimes I feel Jesus’ command to love others, in good and bad times, is a crushing weight! To reach out and love those who have hurt or blatantly oppose me feels impossible! Through tears, I shared with my husband that sometimes I want to quit, step outside this command to love and raise my white flag in defeat.

But Jesus!
Jesus washed the feet of Judas,
fully knowing those feet would soon rush to betray Him!

He faced the cross in our place to save us!
Us, the outcast, the hurting, the unclean, and rejected.
He stretched Himself out to pay for every sin past, present, and future,
even as He became unclean and rejected.

As Jesus suffered cruel torture, He reached out with perfect love to rescue souls condemned to an eternity apart from Him.

Magnificent Love!
But not devoid of truth.

His love was not a permissive “you do you” kind of love. He loved the world enough to declare the truth of the Gospel that all are separated from Him because of sin, and only can return to God through Christ’s sacrifice to pay for sin.
Likewise, He calls us to love others with this truth.

Paul invites us to, “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
I want to echo this invitation.
I want to, yet I hesitate.

Such an invitation is risky.
It requires humility, transparency, and vulnerability.

It would be more comfortable, easier, to hand over some verses and say, “just do what the Bible says”. But that isn’t loving like Jesus.

Instead, I’m called to die to my own comfort and let others see Jesus actually living through me!

I can’t do it alone.
I must be willing to both live in constant communication with God through His Word and prayer, and actively engage in biblical community, surrounding myself with others who will share Jesus’ truth in love alongside me. Jesus’ sacrificial love, alive in me, requires me to meet others where they are, demonstrating Jesus’ love in everyday life.

Like Paul, I must be willing to live a life worth imitating
as I do as Jesus has done for me.

Will you join me?!

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

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

The GT Weekend! ~ Redeemed Week 3

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) On Monday, Stacy asked, “What do we do in our uncertainty? How will we handle the waiting?”. Naomi experienced seasons of loss and emptiness, of heartache and even anger, all the while, she was waiting. In the midst of the waiting, she truly didn’t know if she would ever see redemption with her eyes in this world. I know I’ve been there too. This is the stuff deep faith is made of, my friends. As the Lord strips us of familiarity and comfort, He allows us to see our need for Him, in whom exists unending delight and satisfaction. It is here in the waiting for Him, in the dearth of sweet, happy feelings, we learn the rhythm of His faithful heartbeat of love. Not feeling close to the Lord is completely expected during seasons of waiting, but take heart! He is growing your faith!

2) Boaz had seemingly nothing to gain in marrying Ruth. He incurred Naomi’s debt and the responsibility of caring for two women. Yet, he still chose to take on the role of kinsman-redeemer. Have you ever experienced a similar set of circumstances as Ruth and Naomi? Perhaps you felt as you had nothing to offer. Maybe you struggle with being “not enough”, or even “too much”. Maybe you feel as if you’re abilities aren’t valuable, or that your contribution and investment isn’t seen or noticed because it’s too small. Tightly embrace this truth, “The Lord Loves Your Weakness”, for in your weakness, His strength brilliantly shines as YOUR redeemer! In the face of our nothing, He brings His everything to lavishly love and make new whatever we surrender in fullness to Him.

3) Often, a phrase my husband will repeat when we are in conflict, is, “I just don’t understand you.” My heart response is a quick, “You’re right! You don’t understand me!”. Similarly, on a broader scope, I look around at where I’ve landed in life, what I’ve accomplished (and what I haven’t), I see my losses, I wish for what I feel should have been, and I call out, “God, I just don’t understand!” You could have fixed this, or healed her, or rescued him, or given this, but You didn’t, Lord! It’s times like this, where the Spirit reminds me that, “You’re right! You don’t understand!”, but that’s okay. I am not called to understand, only to obey, and as I obey, the Lord God of the Universe will strengthen my eyes of faith and give courage to my heart to trust Him, and Him alone instead of me! The next time you feel yourself crying out your exasperation to the heavens, remember it’s okay that you don’t get it, or see all the pieces woven together. Choose trust.

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from John 16:33 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Prayer Journal
Father, thank You for teaching me recently of the constant presence of peace You faithfully provide. Like Peter walking on the water as long as he kept his eyes on you, so can I experience peace in the middle of the swirling, loud tumbling of life. Your presence did not leave Peter as he sank into the water, but he had chosen fear over faith. Lift my eyes again and again to Yours, my Father. Remind me on repeat that Your peace is always available. Teach my heart to worship, keep me humble, and increase my faith!

Worship Through Community

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

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

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

The GT Weekend ~ Shielded Week 1

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) How would you define victorious living? How many of those answers require something beyond your ability to control to be a specific way? Amy noted in her Journey Study on Monday that she could trace the source of her lack of satisfaction, happiness, and peace back to a lack of relying on God and wearing the armor He provides. Too busy for a quiet time with God. Too much brokenness and hurt going on to be transparent with others. The need to rely on self over the Savior. Shame. The enemy is against us as daughters of the One True God, to be sure, but he does not have jurisdiction to win! Take back ground from the enemy this weekend by holding tightly to truth over lies!

2) Who have you fought with recently. Let those faces come to mind. Who has angered or frustrated you? Who do you struggle to even breath the same air with? Hold onto the mental image of their face, and begin praying for them. Right now. It’s okay, I know it’s hard to breathe right now. Hard to let your heart unclench while you look in their eyes. Maybe you even pull back. It’s okay. The reasons and justification for your anger or you pain are brimming at the surface, but call all the voices to halt. Pray for this person. Don’t stop until you feel your tension relax and you really do see their face as not that of your enemy. Don’t allow the true enemy of your heart to deceive you into believing this person is your nemesis. Keep praying for them this weekend, let God fight the battles of your heart for you.

3) One too many stacks of unwashed dishes. One too many tantrums from your toddler or door slams and eye rolls from your teenager. One more attack from your coworker. One more way your spouse added to the mountain of hurt in your heart. What holds you up in the midst? Rebekah Hargraves points us to the belt of truth, which is the whole of Scripture and every promise it holds. She notes how it isn’t a cute band of color around our waist, but as an anchor from which everything hinges for support and balance. Do you view Scripture like this? If so, stand strong in it, Sister! Continue to read His word for the sustaining life you already know the Father gives us through it and encourage others to do the same. If not, consider beginning to allow it to be that anchor for your heart. Start by reading 1 psalm a day and jotting down a few thoughts or questions as you read. The Lord Himself will guide and teach you!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Psalm 27:56 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

For He will conceal me in His shelter
in the day of adversity;
He will hide me under the cover of His tent;
He will set me high on a rock
Then my head will be high
above my enemies around me;
I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy.
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Prayer Journal
On the day of trouble and adversity, Lord, I often finish this verse with brave words of how I will rescue myself or rely on my own strength or ability to just “get it done!”. Perseverance and self-motivation leave me pretty empty, Lord, and don’t carry my heart very tenderly in the midst of hardship. There’s no room to handle my fears or unpack my frustrations. I forget You are present. I forget You have given me Your own armor, fitting it securely across my heart to protect me from the enemy of my soul. Teach me to rest in Your protection, to lay aside my anxious thoughts or angry words of retaliation, and let me rest in the peace You readily provide. Thank You for loving me so well, Abba!

Worship Through Community

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

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

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Shielded Day 1 Shielded By The Unstoppable

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 6:10-11
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Isaiah 40:30-31
2 Timothy 2:3-4

Shielded, Day 1

The last few weeks have been up and down in waves.
I’ve been grumpy and my patience has been tested.
Why? 

I could say the students in my class are getting on my nerves because they’re excited about upcoming activities. I could say it’s because friends and family are irritating me.  I could say it’s because some family members’ health has me concerned.

These triggers are part of the human experience, but they aren’t why I’ve been in a slump. It didn’t take long for me to review the last few weeks and realize, I have not been putting on my God-given armor. 

I’ve slacked off.
I haven’t been in the Word.
I haven’t been taking time to grow in my walk with the Lord.

I don’t share this because I want your sympathy. I share this because surely, at some point, we’ve all experienced missing armor, manifesting in attitudes and actions. Therefore, I share this because I want to encourage you.

Ephesians 6:10-11 speaks to believers about putting on the special armor God gives us to use in our fight against the enemy.  The situations I described above are external. What was really happening?  I let my guard down and the enemy attacked.  He attacked my heart and my thoughts, and without my armor to defend me, he buried me in a big mess of trouble.

We are at war every day in this world.

We tend to focus on the outside, what we see around us. We get angry with family and friends. We get disproportionately upset at minor frustrations, like an unexpected schedule change.

But this isn’t a war of the physical world.
There is a different war raging.
This war is invisible, in the spiritual realm.

While unseen, our enemy is real and ruthless. 1 Peter 5:8 calls him a “lion seeking who he can devour.” God not only warns us about him, but gives us the necessary weapons to fight him. When we believe and accept God’s gift of salvation, we receive both eternal life and an impenetrable suit of armor. We become soldiers of Jesus Christ, called and equipped by God to enter the fight against sin and Satan.

However, our armor isn’t given to us so God can leave us alone on the battlefield. He knows we cannot win this war in our own strength.

Therefore, our armor is covered in God’s power and strength.

God is with us at all times
and, clothed in His armor,
we can access His power to fight the evil forces in the unseen realm.

2 Corinthians 6:7 declares we have the power of God in us.

This truth is reflected in Jeremy Camp’s song, Same Power:
“The same power that rose Jesus from the grave, lives IN us!”

Satan cannot take this power from us,
but he will try to keep us from using it.  

Leaving our armor behind gives him the opportunity to strike us.
He wants us to be apathetic and complacent.
He wants us to get lost in “what ifs” and doubt God.

He wants us to forget we have the power of God living inside us and can be victorious, even in our weakest moments. Our enemy is a crafty adversary, tailoring his attacks to take advantage of our deepest vulnerabilities.

Peering into our darkest insecurities, he draws arrow to bow.

Zing. The arrow flies.  “You’re not good enough.”

Zing. “You’re comfortable, no reason to do anything new.”

Again. “You’ll be crushed if something bad happens because of this decision.”

And again. “God will never forgive you for _______.”

And again. “You can’t.”

If our armor is laying in a heap, rusted and dusty, we are defenseless against the onslaught. Satan’s accusations demolish us.

But if our armor is in place, well-fitted and consistently maintained, we are shielded by the unstoppable power of God. His power is able to deflect Satan’s lies, to topple his strongholds.

Not good enough?
God says our adequacy and worth are bound up in and defined by Him alone. (2 Corinthians 3:5)

Tempted to stay safe and comfortable?
God urges us to walk with courage and strength into new callings. (Joshua 1:1-9)

Paralyzed by fear of unforeseen consequences?
God assures us He will be with us, no matter what the future holds. (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Strangled by shame?
God heaves condemnation from our shoulders and nails it to the cross. (Romans 8:1-2)

Just. Can’t?
God declares in Him, we can. (Philippians 4:13)

Every thrust of our swords and clang of our shields moves us away from the devil and toward God Himself.

I haven’t been responsible and active about my armor lately.
I’ve become comfortable and lazy.
Exactly what Satan wants.

What about you?  
Are the external happenings in your life a result of setting down your armor and walking away from the fight?

It’s easy to get comfortable in our daily routines and forget our time with God.
Join me today.
Let’s steep ourselves in His Word, His presence, and His power.

Sleeping warrior, awake.
Settle your armor into place.
The battle cry has sounded.

It’s time to fight.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
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Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

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

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

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

Glimmers Day 3 Hope In Surrender

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 22:1-19
Philippians 4:11-13
Philippians 2:8-11

Glimmers, Day 3

You can do hard things.

Ugh.
These words are not always the easiest to embrace.
However, they are truth-filled ones, especially since Jesus is our source of strength and our hope to press on.

You.
Can.
Do.
Hard.
Things.

A few years ago, I would have read those words and been tempted to throw myself a pity party complete with confetti, a box of tissues, and a large mocha with whipped cream. I didn’t want to do hard things. I simply didn’t want to do “hard”.

However, when I recently read these words, they resonated not as a directive but as an invitation. I can do hard things. No longer did the emphasis in that statement rest on the word “hard”, but on the word “can.” With that, the joy of the Lord became my strength as hope unfurled within me.

I CAN do hard things.
I am an overcomer.
Instead of wallowing in a victim mentality (cue pity party), I’ve made the choice to do hard things even if I do not want to.
Because there is value in perseverance, obedience, and….. surrender.

Need an example? A perfect example (literally, a PERFECT example)?
Jesus, the Son of God yet fully man, willingly died on the cross to take our sins even though He had led a sinless and blameless life.
He did the hard thing.

I imagine that a soon-to-be mom whose due date is looming has some angst regarding the actual birth. That will be a hard thing, but there is such great value in surrendering to the process. The pain may endure for a time, but the joy it brings as she holds her newborn vastly outweighs the momentary struggle. The hope of what is to come spurs her on (the contractions help too).

So, may this study serve as a formal invitation to rise up and do hard things.
Is it difficult sometimes?
Yes. Hence the hard part.
Is it worth it? YES.

Even Paul echoed this sentiment, but he also cited the source of his ability and motivation.
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
Paul knew the secret for absolute success to doing hard things.
Jesus Christ.
God calls us to total surrender as He does His mighty work through our humble submission. Paul had learned to trust God’s strength to supply his own.

He’d experienced the faithful character of His God, and he knew beyond all doubt that with God leading the way, and hemming him in on all sides, doing hard things was always possible.

Since Paul is a prime example from the New Testament (besides our perfect one mentioned earlier), let’s visit an Old Testament example and peek into the life of Abraham.

Abraham’s life is chronicled in several chapters in the book of Genesis (12-24) and his name is referenced all throughout the Bible. He received the Lord’s promise that He would become a great nation, with descendants numbering beyond what anyone could count.

One problem: Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had no children and were rapidly careening towards the ages of impossibility on that front.

Yet the Lord promised they would become parents.
And so they waited.
And waited.
And waited for years until Sarah decided she could no longer do this hard thing of believing in the midst of hopeless circumstances.
So she gave her maidservant Hagar to Abraham and Ishmael, their son, resulted.

However, this was not the child the Lord had promised, and in the fullness of time, Sarah conceived and Isaac was born.

Years of waiting, expecting, and trying to make solutions on their own came to an end when Isaac’s young cries filled the air.
The Lord had proven Himself faithful and almighty.

Several years later, the Lord commanded Abraham to sacrifice that same child of promise, Isaac, as a burnt offering. The amazing part is that Abraham obeyed immediately.
Scripture doesn’t say he prayed and fasted for months or spent hours agonizing with Sarah over the Lord’s command. The Word says he “rose early” and began the journey with Isaac in obedience. Like Paul, he had learned to hope and trust in God’s faithful heart, and chose to wait for God to provide.

And the Lord did provide.

Isaac was bound on the altar, knife hovering above him,
when the Lord proved faithful again.
He provided a ram as an offering in place of Isaac.
The Lord’s faithfulness was displayed again through a choice to trust in the face of a hard thing. Abraham surrendered and he held tight to the hope of a good and gracious God. The hope that even if the Lord did not intervene He would still fulfill the promise of becoming a great nation.

In Jeremiah 29:11 God spoke to the Israelites at the beginning of decades of exile.
Israel faced hard years, and the Lord spoke His goodness as a lifeline through those.
He did not remove those years.
He led them through the hard things.
He gave them the opportunity to truly know Him, to trust His good heart, and He promised them a future and a hope through it.

Hope glimmered for the Israelites as they held to the Word of the Lord.
Hope glimmered for Adam and Eve, even as they were banished from the Garden.
Hope glimmered for Abraham as he obediently surrendered his son.
Hope glimmered because before time began, Jesus was prepared to suffer and walk through the hard things for the joy set before Him.
Hope glimmers for us today.

As Christmas approaches and we celebrate Christ’s birth,
let’s not forget the rest of the story.

Jesus surrendered heaven to dwell with us that we might live eternally with Him.
He willingly became the sacrificial lamb that was slain.
While Isaac was the promise that almost died,
Jesus was the Promise that came to die.
He came to do hard things so that through Him,
we have the hope and strength to do the hard things too.
For unto us a child is born.

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Sketched IV Day 14 Thomas: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Thomas!

The Questions

1) Why had the Jews in Judea tried to stone Jesus?

2) Jesus said Lazarus would not die, but he did. Was this double-talk?

3) What was Thomas’ assumption? What was his motivation?

John 11:1-16

11 Now a man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”

8 “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”

9 “Aren’t there twelve hours in a day?” Jesus answered. “If anyone walks during the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks during the night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him.”

11 He said this, and then he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”

12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”

13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep. 14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. 15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”

16 Then Thomas (called “Twin”) said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go too so that we may die with him.”

Original Intent

1) Why had the Jews in Judea tried to stone Jesus?
Jesus was in the temple in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah. While there, he was surrounded and harassed by people who demanded to know if He was the Promised Messiah. He responded with clarity, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:22-33) While it may not be obvious to us, to Jesus’ audience, they heard nothing but, “I Am God.” The Jews believed Jesus was blaspheming God by claiming Himself to be equal with God. After all the signs Jesus had shown proving His Holy Other-ness, these Jews still didn’t get it. According to Old Testament law, blasphemers were to be stoned to death; this was their intention and their motivation. (Leviticus 24:16)

2) Jesus said Lazarus would not die but he did. Was this double-talk?
Lazarus was very sick and, as some commentaries conclude, had already died before the messenger even reached Jesus and His disciples to tell them of the illness. Jesus knew He would not make it back to Lazarus in time to keep him from experiencing physical death. However, this event would not ultimately end in death, because Jesus would resurrect Lazarus. By staying away as He did, Jesus ensured that the resurrection would be a miracle beyond miracles for the family and other witnesses who had gathered. This would show the glory of God through Jesus and certainly cause many to believe. Jesus’ plans to bring glory to God and comfort to the ones He loved went far beyond their temporary insistence of what “should” happen.

3) What was Thomas’ assumption? What was his motivation?
Thomas assumed that Jesus’ return to Judea would mean His demise. Surely the Jews would do everything necessary to ensure His stoning was a success this time. His motivation must have been, as D. A. Carson wrote in The Pillar New Testament Commentary on the Gospel of John, “raw devotion and courage.” Thomas was willing to face his own death alongside Jesus, in support of Jesus, with devotion to Jesus.

Everyday Application

1) Why had the Jews in Judea tried to stone Jesus?
Blaspheming – asserting yourself as God – is a sin worthy of death, both in the Old Testament and today. For anyone else in all of history, or in the days to come, to make the statement Jesus made about Himself would indeed be blasphemy. He is the only One who truly is God.
Thomas knew, and believed, Jesus was indeed God. He understood the political tension that existed because not everyone, especially the Pharisees, recognized Jesus for who He really was. Because Thomas realized this, he knew persecution was to be expected. As a believer in the One True God, you can be assured that persecution is still active today. In the United States, it has not yet reached the proportions of other nations, and we consider ourselves blessed. But we should not become complacent; rather, we need to remain steadfast in Christ and aware of the times.

2) Jesus said Lazarus would not die but he did. Was this double-talk?
The story of Lazarus’ resurrection teaches a valuable lesson: in certain circumstances, God may wait to provide help so that when He does, His glory shines more brilliantly! In my own life, He has come through financially several times when I thought I would surely go hungry or lose my car, etc. Can you reflect on an instance of God glorifying Himself through your difficulties? Where are you struggling to trust His way over yours? Take comfort in the solid truth that He will never abandon and is always working for your good and His glory! (Romans 8:27-29)

3) What was Thomas’ assumption? What was his motivation?
Thomas garnered the unfortunate nickname of “the doubter” because of his desire to have visual confirmation of Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:24-29). Yet, there was no doubt that Thomas was deeply devoted to Jesus. Put yourself in his shoes…would you have been courageous to go with Jesus to Lazarus’ hometown, even if it meant your death? Are you – right at this moment – willing to follow Jesus, even if it means facing dire consequences, persecution, and possibly death? That’s His calling, it’s the cost of discipleship: a willingness to die to self in a hundred different ways in order for the glory of the Lord to be on display in us. He wants all of us, each of us. This is not a journey for the faint of heart, but oh, some days I would rather just sit in my comfortable chair than follow Jesus. Can you relate? Will you pray with me to have fully devoted, courageous hearts full of faith?

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

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Prayer Day 12 Delivery, Please: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Delivery, Please!

The Questions

1) Is it really okay to approach God with boldness?
Isn’t that disrespectful or assuming?

2) What does it mean to “draw near with a true heart”?

3) How does “holding fast” draw us deeper into worship?

Hebrews 10:19-25

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus— 20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)— 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Original Intent

1) Is it really okay to approach God with boldness? Isn’t that disrespectful or assuming?
The book of Hebrews begins by stacking up the evidence of who Christ is; He is the ONLY one who could ever completely fulfill the atoning work required as due payment for our sin. The author emphasizes how Christ is now SITTING at the right hand of the Father. In a sermon by the late Reverend R.C. Sproul, he explained how the priests of the Old Covenant were constantly standing and working to provide the necessary sacrifices, ceaselessly, year after year. But when Christ spilled his own unblemished blood, as the ultimate High Priest, He was able to sit down for the work was completed.
In 10:19, the direction curves with a “Therefore” to the practical application of this truth. First, we are told, “have boldness to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.” This emphasizes the solidity of what has occurred; nothing can shake or undermine the eternal work of Christ’s death on our behalf. There is no dependency on a person’s strength to enter God’s presence. Christ has assuredly torn the blockade to God’s presence, and we are welcomed into His presence through forgiveness. Christ has given His people privilege to speak to God directly and safely allowing us to worship, repent from sin, and seek refuge in Him.

2) What does it mean to “draw near with a true heart”?
After the encouragement of drawing near with a true heart, there is description of the heart being sprinkled clean and the body being washed. So, do we need to bathe before praying? The Matthew Henry Commentary notes the author is providing a tangible picture and parallel of the physical to the spiritual. The physical, outward confession of salvation in Christ is baptism. With baptism, the sense of a physical washing clean and removal of stains is to help us understand how Christ washes our souls clean from sin stains we cannot scrub out with good deeds and intentions. We are to draw near to God with pure intentions and a full surrender to Christ, relying on Him and not ourselves!

3) How does “holding fast” draw us deeper into worship?
This passage of Hebrews 10:19-23 begins with the means by which one is able to draw near to God (through the blood of Christ as our high priest). Accepting Christ’s sacrifice as your own, opens the door for true worship. In verse 22, we are directed to the “how” of drawing near to God, “with a true heart in full assurance of faith”. Finally, in verse 23, the author implores us to “hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering”. Verses 24-25 then elaborate on living out this life of worship as a community of believers loving each other in everyday life.  It is this “holding fast” aspect that creates the natural overflow of a life of worship as we love those around us for the glory of God!

Everyday Application

1) Is it really okay to approach God with boldness? Isn’t that disrespectful or assuming?
The term “boldness” can get muddied in the real or fictional heroes of culture. Boldness is often tied up with rebellion, fighting for something, or taking charge. Dictonary.com gives definitions for “boldness” as “not hesitating in the face of actual or possible danger…necessitating courage” amongst other definitions. The English Standard Version of the Bible translates “boldness” in verse 10:19 to “confidence.”
In the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis’ analogues God’s holiness being like that of an “untamed Lion”. God is not “tamed” by human logic or persuasion. His holiness demands a justice for sin that ought to have each of us quivering.  Because Christ’s sacrifice offers reconciliation, we are extended the offer of fellowship with God, talking with Him in the manner originally intended back in the Garden of Eden. Though we ought to never lose our humility and reverence when praying, we can know that we are speaking to God as clearly as if He were sitting next to us. He hears us, is listening, and is responding. We can draw close to Him without intimidation, converse with Him our heart’s struggles, and know we are in His presence.

2) What does it mean to “draw near with a true heart”?
When Christ died, taking the punishment for sin we rightly deserved, the veil in the Tabernacle was torn from top to bottom, allowing direct access to the presence of God for all people. (verse 20) The Matthew Henry Commentary notes that for Christ to have graciously torn that veil and opened access directly to God, it would be a dishonoring and “un-grateful” response on our part to then refuse to draw near to HIS presence. Fellowship with us is not only what HE enjoys, but is also what He knows will bring us deep satisfaction. A relationship with God is not “what’s in it for me” or a last-minute panic button when we receive consequences for our decisions. Rather, drawing near with a true heart means we have surrendered everything to Christ alone. We are to draw near with humble gratitude for His merciful invitation to fellowship with God, with adoration of who HE is. It is through this lens and in this position of gratitude, we are invited to lay our petitions before Him.

3) How does “holding fast” draw us deeper into worship?
Usually when one is need of “holding fast,” it is because a storm is blowing strong and the muscles are weary. Living in tornado alley, a storm is inevitable, but the timing or strength of it cannot be predicted. Schools practice drills of moving deeper into the building, ducking down, and covering heads. To be safe, people practice the basics over and over in hopes that when the storm hits, even children can get themselves to refuge without delay.
We are called to be in the habit of drawing near. At times, it may feel mundane or “I already know this”, but this rehearsing the truth of the gospel, is slowly preparing us for when life feels out of control. With practice, rather than panic when the storm hits, we can run deeper into God’s faithfulness. We “hold fast to the confession of our hope” by looking to Christ as our source for real life and deep satisfaction, trusting the gospel over our feelings, and consistently digging deeper into His Word. Only when we do this can we really have front row seats to watching God work. God uses this holding fast to pull our hearts into adoration of HIM and humility of ourselves, thus the overflow of worship cannot be stopped!

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

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Worship III, Day 9 Fight Song: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Fight Song!

The Questions

1) What is the significance of having God as our refuge and strength?

2) How is God my helper – doesn’t that seem “beneath” him?

3) What do we need to know when we are fighting a battle?

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
2 Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
3 though its water roars and foams
and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah

4 There is a river—
its streams delight the city of God,
the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
5 God is within her; she will not be toppled.
God will help her when the morning dawns.
6 Nations rage, kingdoms topple;
the earth melts when he lifts his voice.
7 The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

8 Come, see the works of the Lord,
who brings devastation on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease throughout the earth.
He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces;
he sets wagons ablaze.
10 “Stop your fighting, and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
11 The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

Original Intent

1) What is the significance of having God as our refuge and strength?
The specific background and occasion of this Psalm are not known, however the author is clearly familiar with battle and war, which was not an uncommon scenario for God’s people.  From the opening line of, “God is our refuge and strength…” (verse 1) to the very last words, “…the God of Jacob is our stronghold,” (verse 11), the psalmist outlines the benefits of having God on the side of His people during struggles.  This part of Scripture acknowledges that the battles being fought were both real and difficult, and that the circumstances may have felt out of control.  However, the author comforts God’s people by reminding them that the One who created and is in control of it all is for them.  As their Refuge.  God will give them rest when they are battle weary.  As their Strength.  God will help them to endure the battle.  As their Stronghold.  God will give them a safe place from which to fight.

2) How is God my helper – doesn’t that seem “beneath” him?
God’s people needed a reminder that He is “…a helper who is always found in times of trouble,” (verse 1).  His presence would not forsake them.  He would be at their side.  No circumstance would be beyond His reach.  Not only is God present, but He willingly offers up His help.  He doesn’t passively watch what is happening while they fight, but instead intervenes and works on behalf of His children.  Our finite, earthly problems are not too small or insignificant for the God of the universe.  Not only that, the author also reminds His people that, “...God will help [them] when the morning dawns,” (verse 5).  What the psalmist emphasizes is that God’s timing is perfect.  While He is always there and present for His people, His tangible help for them comes when He determines the time is right.  He wants His people to have confidence in the fact that His help will come, without question, and faith to know that He will offer it when He knows it will be best.

3) What do we need to know when we are fighting a battle?
The psalmist wants those who hear these words to know the truth.  The reality of their struggles – crushing fears, roaring waters, quaking mountains, trembling earth, toppling mountains – is part of life.  Even God’s chosen people cannot avoid the battle.  However, the author also wants them to know that the battle is not theirs to fight.  God specifically addresses His people and says, “stop your fighting, and know that I am God,” (verse 10). He promises to make the wars cease.  And when He fights on our behalf, He becomes the center of the story, instead of His people taking the glory for the work of His hands, and His hands alone.

Everyday Application

1) What is the significance of having God as our refuge and strength?
“It is said of Luther that, when he heard any discouraging news, he would say, Come let us sing the forty-sixth psalm.,” (Matthew Henry Complete Commentary).  This psalm is meant to lift us in our darkest of times, to give us hope for the morning.  Let the reality of these promises sink deep into your soul – God is your refuge, your strength, and your stronghold – not accessible only for those who do the right things, wear the right clothes, go to the right places, say the right things, or “feel” close to God.  No…He is those things for every imperfect and struggling one of us.  You too.  When your world feels out of control, where do you seek to find stability and strength for the fight?  Do you turn to the One who can offer you what you need, or do you instead turn to counterfeits that will always fail you in the end?

2) How is God my helper – doesn’t that seem “beneath” him?
“I don’t want to BE a helper, I want to have one!”  This is one of my favorite quotes from a friend, related to a wife’s role in marriage.  Her statement was funny, yet it captures well the sentiments that can hide in the depths of our hearts.  We often look at someone who simply “helps” as beneath us – less than and unimportant; so, imagining God with that role can feel a little bit…well, wrong.  But when we do that we cheapen how God actually feels about us!  We can be tempted to handle things on our own, so as to not bother Him with things too insignificant.  Yet, that is not what God has asked us to do.  He invites us to extend what we have received from Him to others in our lives to help them (2 Corinthians 1:4).  Think about the people He has placed in your world.  Who needs help right now?  What experiences or gifts has God given to you that could be leveraged for the benefit of someone around you who is facing battle?  How can you offer that help on behalf of God as a source of encouragement and strength?

3) What do we need to know when we are fighting a battle?
First, God wants to fight for you.  All He asks is that you stop trying to manage and deal with it on your own.   He is asking you to allow your strength to come directly from Him, through prayer, scripture reading, and biblical community.  On the surface, the ask He makes of us seems simple.  But when it comes to living out the command, it can feel impossibly hard.  Our struggle to surrender control is always just under the surface as we attempt to be our own gods.  But just as the hymn A Mighty Fortress ends, we are wise to remember WHO, exactly, fights for us when we let Him:
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing:

The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

The “right Man” is none other than Jesus.  And at a simple word, His victory is sure.  Rest in that truth. Allow Him to fight your battles.

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

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 Worship III 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.