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Steadfast Day 5 The Essential Truth

March 31, 2023 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

Steadfast Day 5 The Essential Truth

Rebecca Adams

March 31, 2023

Alive,Anchored,Faith,Resurrection

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Exodus 25:8-9
Isaiah 25:1-9
John 8:21-29

Desert sand stung my eyes.
Squinting, I raised my hand as I looked eastward to catch glimpses of the tented rectangle unfurling. Eight years old, my hair braided up tight and eyes still squinting, I was utterly captivated every time the Lord’s Cloud settled, signaling we were to pause our travels and set up the mishkân. (Exodus 40:35-38) By far, my favorite part was watching Yahweh’s Glory fill the tent space; the scene stole my breath. Moses said Yahweh desired to dwell with us. Us, the rebellious. Us, the doubters. Us, the ones whose sins required the blood of sheep and goats. I glanced at the sheep in Abba’s pen, knowing it would be slain in the morning for our family’s sins. Suddenly, something within me ached deeply with a longing I couldn’t identify. If only we weren’t a sinful people. If only death…could die, and we’d never need to kill another innocent animal to take our place for our sin. A hush rippled across the expanse and my insides responded, knowing it was time. The Cloud moved and the indwelling began. I held my breath, watching, waiting….

“Anat! Anat!” My mother’s insistent voice called me back from chasing crickets with Elisheva down the dusty side street within Jerusalem’s safe, strong walls. Hundreds of years prior, our ancestors had been nomads in the desert, but today, Elisheva and I could wander busy streets, stirring up adventure. The call for evening sacrifice mingled with the constant din of bleating sheep, goats, and bulls, pocked by the chittering of doves that would soon be sacrificed for sin. The descending sun’s rays glinted from Solomon’s golden, temple, making us both squint in the dust, squirming crickets in our little girl hands. “Do you ever think about Isaiah’s words, Anat?” Little Elisheva’s dark eyes suddenly grew fearful as she looked up into my 11 year-old-ones. Though I knew she was a deep thinker for being only six, she’d caught me by surprise. Most people ignored the old prophet, discounting his half-crazed words about coming destruction. “Sometimes I hear his words in my dreams,” she whispered. “The city of chaos is shattered…all joy grows dark.” (Isaiah 24:10-11) I could barely hear her haunting voice, but I knew the words by heart. Though I hadn’t meant to memorize them, Isaiah’s voice melded with his words, knitting them into my soul. “Only desolation remains in the city, its gate has collapsed in ruins.” (Isaiah 24:12) “Anat!!!” I glanced quickly toward the sound, then turned back to Elisheva. Wiping her dusty cheek, I grinned to calm her soul and mine, “Shalom, peace be with you. Now go home. Run!” As I hurried back, I couldn’t stifle the ache inside. Had Judah pushed our rebellion too far? Would God actually destroy His holy city, His temple? What would happen to the sacrifices if we were exiled? I shivered despite the evening’s warm air. Was our sin so bad that sheep and goats could not atone for it? Approaching our door, the familiar scent of blood stung my nostrils. The evening sacrifice had come. Freshly slaughtered animals were taking our place. Death was the constant in Jerusalem.

Mockery. Raucous laughter. Clinking coins. Blood. So much blood. Weeping women, gaping eyes. Horrified onlookers who would never be able to un-see the gruesome sight before them of shredded human skin, exposed bones, and fileted muscles baking under a Jerusalem sun. Three men hung on crosses. The scent of warm blood permeates the hill where soldiers guard the ghastly visages barely recognizable as human. In the distance, sheep and goats are shepherded toward the priest. The time for evening sacrifice draws near, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni” (Matthew 27:46), and the Christ draws His final breath while the temple curtain tears from top to bottom, breaking the divide between sinful humanity and Divine Holiness. The Lamb has been slaughtered. (John 1:29) The Temple destroyed. (John 2:19)

John wrote of the Christ who “tabernacled” among us. (John 1:1) Flesh and blood enveloping the Divine. Whispers of the past flooded the present, “mishkân” fulfilled. Isaiah’s prophecy rang in my ears as if I had walked those ancient streets of Jerusalem, “On this mountain He (the Christ) will swallow up the burial shroud, the shroud over all the peoples.” (Isaiah 25:7) Threads of thoughts spun together as I sat under an olive tree in Corinth with fellow Christ-followers. Aquila read the scrolled words from beloved Pastor Paul. I glanced toward Priscilla as Aquila’s voice tangled with emotion, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17) I thought of my Jewish friends, still slaughtering sheep, goats, and bulls to pay for sin. “Still in your sins. Still in your sins.” The phrase incessantly hummed in my ears as I struggled to make sense of it. Suddenly, I froze as the pieces linked together with surging clarity. Christ, the long-prophesied Messiah, the same God who had led Israel in the Wilderness, the same God who instituted the sacrificial system, the same God who brought punishment for rebellion, sacrificed Himself for His people. HE was the Lamb of God, and if He did not defeat Death, all of it was meaningless. If LIFE itself, God Divine, died that day and remained in the grave, every prophecy was empty and meaningless. “If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.” (1 Corinthians 15:19) But Christ Rose and Death Died. Tears streamed Priscilla’s cheeks and I kissed them, joyfully weeping with her. Our victory is sure and certain. Our debt was paid.

“When He [Christ] has swallowed up death once and for all,
the Lord God will wipe away the tears
from every face
and remove His people’s disgrace
from the whole earth,
for the Lord has spoken. 
On that day it will be said,
“Look, this is our God;
we have waited for Him, and He has saved us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for Him.
Let’s rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”
(Isaiah 25:8-9)

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Christ,death,hope,life,resurrection
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Steadfast Day 5
Digging Deeper

Every time we gather to worship on Sunday, we are collectively witnessing to the reality that Jesus Christ is risen! Even though the cross of Jesus stirs our hearts as we consider His sacrificial death, it is His resurrection that completes the purpose of Christ’s coming. Had Jesus not been raised, every Sunday service would be a farce. Our worship would be meaningless. But He was raised! And with tears filling my eyes and chill bumps filling my skin, I stand with the gathered people of God and raise my hands in worship!
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Posted in: Alive, Anchored, Faith, Resurrection Tagged: Christ, death, hope, life, resurrection

Surrender Day 14 The One We Seek: Digging Deeper

February 9, 2023 by Melodye Reeves Leave a Comment

Surrender Day 14 The One We Seek: Digging Deeper

Melodye Reeves

February 9, 2023

Christ,Discipleship,Faith,Follow,Sacrifice

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

This DD Connects With "The One We Seek"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 14:25-27

25 Now great crowds were traveling with Him. So He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) To whom was Jesus speaking in verse 25, and why is this important to understand?

Verse 25 tells us “great crowds were traveling with Him.” It is important to note that Jesus’ teachings were not only directed to His disciples in this scene, but widely to the large crowds who were following along with Jesus. Crowds were often found “with” Jesus, even pressing in on Him at times. (Matthew 4:23-25)

People followed Jesus for all sorts of reasons: His miracles (John 2:23-25), because they were hungry (John 6:24-27), to accuse Him (John 6:61-64), and some because they genuinely believed Him (Luke 5:27-32).

As Jesus made His way to Jerusalem He understood His brutal death lay ahead. (Luke 13:33) His mission of rescuing those who would trust Him, carried a heavy price, His life. He wanted those around Him to understand there would also be a cost to believing Him and following Him, surrender. Surrender required submission to His teachings regarding the only way to God being through Himself.

Though He knew many would reject Him, Jesus responded with compassion by weeping over those lost in their sin. (Luke 19:41) He loved the crowds because He loves the individual people who create the crowds. He always saw them through His merciful eyes, and He always desired to draw them into a relationship with Himself. (Luke 13:34)

The Everyday Application

1) To whom was Jesus speaking in verse 25, and why is this important to understand?

The crowds following Jesus were much like fan-seeking crowds today. Some may read the Bible or attend religious meetings as skeptics, waiting to pounce on a perceived contradiction. Frankly, the prospect of them genuinely believing Jesus is quite low without a heart shift to begin authentically exploring the claims of Christ.

Other explorers of the Christian faith are less skeptical, seeing themselves as curious onlookers. They aren’t sure Jesus actually is who He says He is, but they sure would love to receive God’s blessings as long as it doesn’t cost them anything.

They listen closely for the ‘requirements’ Jesus presents. They watch even more closely those who have chosen to follow and wonder: Is this real? Are these people genuinely believing in Jesus? Is it worth it?

Eventually, many of these find themselves unwilling to make such a long-term pledge to Jesus Himself. Some encounter hypocrites who deter them or witness the hardship involved for those who truly follow Jesus. For many, the passages of Scripture announcing sacrifice and obedience are repulsive.

Though they may acknowledge a deep longing to be satisfied, they lack faith to see Jesus as the Supreme Satisfier. They miss the Counselor and Comforter found in the Holy Spirit whom Jesus promises for all who genuinely trust Him. This Helper indwells and empowers the believer to follow Him into the great unknown of the surrendered life! (John 16:7-13)

Sweet Sister, joining Jesus is a surrender to His purposes while knowing He is with us. It’s a step toward His wisdom and away from selfish desires. For many in the crowd, this call to relinquish control is a stumbling block, a hurdle, even foolishness. (1 Corinthians 1:22-24) In Proverbs 8:32-36 we see the beauty of answering the call to wisdom; it’s Jesus Himself.

The Original Intent

2) Most believe the Bible tells us to love everyone, including our enemies. So how are we to understand Jesus’ instruction in verse 26  to “hate” our families?

Making sense of whole passages is as valuable as translating specific words and interpreting sentences and verses. Like expanding concentric circles, we begin understanding the Bible best when first study the context of words within sentences within passages within books within the testaments within the whole Bible. (Got Questions)

This pattern of discovery is effective because the Bible is more than an instructional history book. The unique priority of the Bible is its one message about Christ which is woven through every page. Whatever the right answer is regarding our question around Jesus’ words to hating our families, we must never misinterpret who Jesus IS. Herein lies the crux of discovering the original intent of any passage.

Since Jesus is the One who perfectly fulfilled the greatest commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:28-34), most certainly Jesus is not commanding us to do something out of harmony with what God has revealed. He is the One who perfectly fulfilled (Romans 5:6-8) the call to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).

Therefore, we must dig deeper to define and interpret “hate”. Since Jesus affirms the 5th commandment which instructs us to honor parents (Mark 7:9-13), He is not commanding something different to the crowd (Luke 14:25). What He is describing is the cost of ultimate allegiance to Him.

The depth of allegiance to Jesus, when placed side by side with other loyalties, will look like the stark difference between love and hate. The New Living Translation of the Bible (NLT) offers a helpful interpretation. “If you want to be My disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life.”

In the Hebrew Scriptures, the contrast between “love” and “hatred” was used to communicate preference or favorites. Exploring the translations of Deuteronomy 21:15-17 will shed some light on Jesus’ meaning in this passage. (blueletterbible.org)

The Everyday Application

2) Most believe the Bible tells us to love everyone, including our enemies. So how are we to understand Jesus’ instruction in verse 26  to “hate” our families?

Oh friend, do you cringe at this verse? It sounds so unlike the Jesus we thought we knew or that we’ve come to know! But we must not give in to doubt or despair, thinking He must not be as good as we thought He was.

While it’s true that following Jesus is a remarkable commitment, He has promised to provide for us everything we need to make the sacrifices He calls us to make. And what we need most is His grace. Grace to understand that Jesus is not asking the crowd to prove their love for Him by hating their families.

We know this because, as a God of love, His very reason for coming was to teach us how to receive and give love. (1 John 3:15-18, 1 John 4:7-11) Jesus calls us to is a love for Him that is so deep, all other loves pale in comparison.

The more I study this passage, the more I realize this wasn’t an indictment on those who loved their families. It was a shocking statement to those who loved themselves most!

In the previous verses, Jesus had shared a parable about people who tried to justify themselves. (Luke 14:16-23) In pursuit of their own plan, they missed the banquet and gave poor excuses. To follow Jesus is to hold very loosely the people we love and the plans we make, so we can run quickly to Him when He calls us!

The Original Intent

3) How does someone “bear his own cross”?  (verse 27)

To understand this phrase, we must learn the meaning of the cross in the time and culture of Jesus. Remember, He had not yet died on the cross. To the first hearers, the cross only represented a gruesome symbol of death.

Jesus’ audience knew all too well how the Romans reserved crucifixion for the worst criminals. It was a form of humiliation that led to a long and excruciating death. Here was Jesus telling them the cost of following Him equated this kind of suffering! It seems clear that Jesus intentionally uses a horrific symbol to get the crowd’s attention.

Following Jesus could cost them their very lives. (verse 26) Shocking words coming from someone who constantly drew a crowd. Clearly, these are not the words of a leader desiring to gain popularity.

Because Jesus was always full of grace AND truth (John 1:14), He simply couldn’t soften a hard truth just to keep followers. When Jesus’ ministry went from feeding crowds (John 6:5-14) to talking about eating His flesh (John 6:53-58), He lost some people! I guess so, right?! This kind of teaching was too much for many who had followed Him for miracles and blessings. (John 6:66)

His following-fan-crowds eventually turned into crowds of angry people calling for His death. Some disciples became afraid as they began realizing Jesus’ arrest and death could bring suffering for them. (Matthew 26:47-55) One of His closest friends denied him (Luke 22:54-61) and several went into hiding (John 20:19). The calling to become a follower of Jesus was one that should be considered only after becoming willing to accept a possible reality of losing your own life – the cross kind of death. (Pause VI)

The Everyday Application

3) How does someone “bear his own cross”?  (verse 27)

A cross symbol has lost much of its original meaning in today’s culture, as it has become many things—from a religious icon to a fashion element. Even though for many it is a symbol of faith, particularly the Christian faith, it still doesn’t always reflect the horrors of crucifixion and what a cross meant for those who watched loved ones die there.

To understand the teaching of Jesus, especially these difficult verses, we must be willing to search the Scripture and find Him. Friend, I am sure of one thing: Jesus wasn’t calling us to walk around with a self-pitying demeanor while bemoaning our hard life.

Discomfort, trial, and suffering color every human experience in one degree or another, but the distinction here is that Jesus is calling His genuine followers to a death.

Death of our hopes and dreams and possessions and people; yes, even our own lives if necessary. These are all to be held with open hands accompanied by a humble prayer of trusting surrender.

Jesus’ promise isn’t a guarantee of ease; it’s much better than that. Sister, the promise is Jesus’ presence WITH us! (Matthew 28:18-20) Yes, following Jesus may cost us, but not following Him costs us so much more.

In all my sorrows, Jesus is better!! Make my heart believe!
In every victory, Jesus is better!! Make my heart believe!
Than any comfort, Jesus is better!! Make my heart believe!
More than all riches, Jesus is better!! Make my heart believe!
Our souls declaring: Jesus is better!! Make my heart believe!
Our song eternal: Jesus is better!! Make my heart believe!
Jesus Is Better by Austin Stone Worship

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cost,death,gain,reward,sacrifice,surrender
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Steadfast Day 5 The Essential Truth: Digging Deeper
March 31, 2023
Steadfast Day 5 The Essential Truth
March 31, 2023
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March 30, 2023

Surrender Day 13
Journey Study

We are sinners who have not remained faithful to God, yet His love for us remains steadfast. While Gomer’s freedom cost Hosea a monetary sacrifice, Jesus offered Himself as the sacrifice to restore our spiritual freedom and restore our relationship with God. (Romans 8:1-4)
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Posted in: Christ, Discipleship, Faith, Follow, Sacrifice Tagged: cost, death, gain, reward, sacrifice, surrender

Surrender Day 12 Our All For His Use: Digging Deeper

February 7, 2023 by Stacy Winkler 1 Comment

Surrender Day 12 Our All For His Use: Digging Deeper

Stacy Winkler

February 7, 2023

Courage,Digging Deeper,Faith,Freedom,Hope

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

This DD Connects With "Our All For His Use"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Kings 17:8-24

8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.” 10 So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering wood. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup and let me drink.” 11 As she went to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.”

12 But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I don’t have anything baked—only a handful of flour in the jar and a bit of oil in the jug. Just now, I am gathering a couple of sticks in order to go prepare it for myself and my son so we can eat it and die.”

13 Then Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, 14 for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.’”

15 So she proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. 16 The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil jug did not run dry, according to the word of the Lord he had spoken through Elijah.

17 After this, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. His illness got worse until he stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “Man of God, what do you have against me? Have you come to call attention to my iniquity so that my son is put to death?”

19 But Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him from her arms, brought him up to the upstairs room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord and said, “Lord my God, have you also brought tragedy on the widow I am staying with by killing her son?” 21 Then he stretched himself out over the boy three times. He cried out to the Lord and said, “Lord my God, please let this boy’s life come into him again!”

22 So the Lord listened to Elijah, and the boy’s life came into him again, and he lived. 23 Then Elijah took the boy, brought him down from the upstairs room into the house, and gave him to his mother. Elijah said, “Look, your son is alive.”

24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know you are a man of God and the Lord’s word from your mouth is true.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Who was Elijah and how did he end up in Zarephath asking a widow for the last of her food? (verses 8-11)

During this time, Israel was a divided kingdom between north (Israel) and south (Judah). The northern kingdom was ruled by the wicked, idol-worshipper, King Ahab, and his notoriously evil wife, Queen Jezebel. (1 Kings 16:29-33, 1 Kings 17:1) God sent the prophet Elijah to speak judgment over Israel in the form of a drought for her persistent rebellion against God as a people. They eagerly followed the vile example of idol worship set by Ahab and Jezebel.

After he prophesied the drought, Elijah traveled to Zarephath in obedience to God and in spite of the danger. Why was it dangerous? Zarephath was a town belonging to Sidon, Jezebel’s homeland where her father was king. (verses 8-10) In Zarephath he found a widow whom God had commanded to provide for him. ( verse 8) However, the drought Elijah had prophesied also affected Sidon. And, with drought, came famine.

Although the text clearly states in verse 9 that God had commanded the widow to provide for Elijah, when he asked for food, she hesitated. (verse 12) Give the last of her food to a foreign man rather than her only son? Elijah’s God had told her to provide, but could she really trust him? Why should she? Yet, she did the unimaginable; she agreed to trust the foreign prophet’s God, and made a small loaf of bread for him with all the food she had instead of feeding her son. (verse 15)

She surrendered what little she had in obedience to the God of Israel. With stunning amazement, we watch the Lord accept her surrender and replace her hopelessness with hope. The flour jar and the oil jug never ran empty during the famine. (verse 16) Elijah ate. Her son ate. She ate. And they lived.

The Everyday Application

1) Who was Elijah and how did he end up in Zarephath asking a widow for the last of her food? (verses 8-11)

We all long for hope. Even in the darkest of days, hope for a better future motivates us to continue. How much more so for the one who has trusted Christ with their soul! Our hope is not merely wishful thinking but absolutely certain as we look forward to the eternal perfect life with God!

What can we learn from this destitute, defeated widow whose future was hopeless? In spite of her efforts, she knew death was near for her and her son. Elijah’s response is comforting, “Don’t be afraid… for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.’” (verses 13-14)

Were these hollow words to her, or did they remind her of the command God had already given? In faith, she surrendered what little she had to Elijah’s God and God provided hope, not as part of some mystical deal, but as a deliberate act to display His providence.

God calls us to join the widow in surrendering our fear and what little we have so He can demonstrate His goodness and embrace us with Hope. We cannot conjure up Hope on our own. We cannot control Hope by pretending we control our situation.

The Author of Hope longs to fill us with joy and peace as we trust Him so we may overflow with hope for others to see. (Romans 15:13) We must surrender our control to the only One who truly has control, even in the darkest of times. He alone gives us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. (1 Peter 1:4) Who is our Living Hope? Jesus Himself.

The Original Intent

2) Why did God allow the widow’s son to die? (verses 17-24)

The Gentile widow recognized her sin before the Almighty God of Israel. She believed the payment for her sin was the life of her only son. (verses 17-18) Once again she was filled with hopelessness. How could God allow her son to live through the famine only to die because of her sin?

Not only was the grief overwhelming to her mama’s heart, but, as a Gentile widow, she had little hope of survival without a son to provide for her, leaving her with only a few undesirable options (like selling her body or becoming homeless). Elijah took the boy, prayed, stretched over him three times, and prayed again. “So the Lord listened to Elijah, and the boy’s life came into him again, and he lived.” (verses 19-22) He presented the son to his mother and she said to Elijah, “Now I know you are a man of God and the Lord’s word from your mouth is true.” (verses 23-24)

Through the death of her son, God called this Gentile woman to surrender herself as He revealed His sovereignty, love, and care for her. As God revealed Himself, she responded with surrendered belief in the God of Israel! God also desires to reveal His sovereignty, care, and love to us. (1 Timothy 1:17, Romans 11:33-36, John 3:16-17)

Where have you seen evidence of these around you? Have you believed Him at His Word that your sin payment was made at the cross of Jesus on your behalf? He has offered to cleanse us from our sins so we can stand before our glorious God with utmost hope and the fullness of life. (Ephesians 1:7-9) Whether it’s your soul, relationships, finances, or fears, the call is the same, surrender to Him and believe!

The Everyday Application

2) Why did God allow the widow’s son to die? (verses 17-24)

Honestly, while I can speculate why the Lord allowed her son to die, I don’t know. Perhaps we can glean some understanding from a story in the New Testament as Scripture itself helps us understand Scripture. Do you recall when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead? (John 11:1-45)

In her book, Jesus Through the Eyes of Women, Rebecca McLaughlin writes of this event. Lazarus was sick and his sisters, Mary and Martha, sent Jesus a message saying “Lord, the one you love is sick.” (John 11:3) Then John tells us, “Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” (John 11:5-7). Wait. What? Jesus loved them, Lazarus was seriously ill, and Jesus didn’t immediately pack His things and go to Bethany?

John reveals why Jesus waited. First, Lazarus’ death and ultimate resurrection would bring glory to God. (John 11:4) Second, Jesus waited so His disciples would believe. (John 11:15) Rebecca McLaughlin writes, “He (Jesus) stayed away because He did care.

The best thing he could give these siblings, whom he profoundly loved, was not immediate answer to their prayers, but revelation of Himself.” God wants to reveal His glory and power so we can confidently know the words from His mouth are true. (verse 24) This is why Paul wrote that he “consider(ed) everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:8) Reach out and “touch the hem of His robe” for ultimate healing and peace! (Luke 8:43-48)

He wants to reveal Himself to us through prayer and the study of His word. Surrendering our lives daily to God is not natural for us, but as we know Him more, we understand that surrender to the sovereign King is the only pathway to gaining our Living Hope. 

The Original Intent

3) What does this passage tell us about God? (verses 8-10, 15-16)

In this Old Testament narrative we watch God daily provide the widow with enough ingredients to bake bread for Elijah, her son, and herself, saving them all from starvation. (verses 15-16) When we look closely at the widow, understanding her background and culture, we see more clearly the God who loved her and us. She was an unbelieving Gentile woman, probably descended from the wicked line of Cain. (verses 8-10) She was just one widow among many in her village, yet God saw her and knew her when she didn’t know Him. God saw her hopelessness, and through His unending grace and sovereignty, He miraculously provided daily food for the length of the drought and famine.

Deeper still, through the resurrection of her dead son, this foreign widow came to believe through genuine faith in the God of Israel. (verses 22-24) God sees. God knows. God provides. God desires for you to know him more. As you grow in your knowledge of him and his truths, you will also grow in your desire to surrender yourself, believe in Him, and trust in Him.

The Everyday Application

3) What does this passage tell us about God? (verses 8-10, 15-16)

Both of these miracles point directly to Jesus. First, we see God’s provision in the bread. The widow baked bread so they could sustain their physical bodies. (verses 15-17) Jesus said that whoever would come to Him and believe in Him would never hunger or thirst again. (John 6:35)

Physically? No. However, when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are spiritually filled and satisfied through the Holy Spirit in a deeper way than food could ever fill us. (John 14:15-17) This does not guarantee an easy life, but the Holy Spirit within us brings us peace in the midst of suffering. (1 Peter 1:3-9, 1 Peter 4:12-14) Jesus is the better bread because He is the living bread who sustains us eternally.

The power God demonstrated through Jesus’ resurrection provides us with all we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) Sit and eat. Meditate on who He is. Enjoy His fullness and provision. As for the second miracle, Elijah prayed, bowed over the son three times, and prayed again, bringing the son back to life with God’s power. (verses 20-22)

However, at Lazarus’ resurrection Jesus merely spoke and Lazarus was restored to life. (John 11:41-44) For Lazarus and the boy, their resurrections were temporary; they each experienced death as we all will. Only Jesus’ resurrection of His own dead body by the power of God is strong enough to offer eternal life to all who would receive Him as their personal resurrection and life. (John 1:12-13, John 11:25-26)

Jesus is the better Elijah. If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you, too, have been raised from your spiritual death into life. If not, surrender your heart and your life to Him. Allow him to raise your heart from the dead and fill you with Living Bread. Study His Word, pray, and you, too, will find hope in your surrendering.

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Surrendering our will to His will, knowing He is sovereign over all, and His ways are higher is how we begin to exchange our frail, limited self-sufficiency for His unending sufficiency. When we reach the end of ourselves, we find He is more than enough. (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

When we were enslaved to our sins, He came to bring us spiritual freedom and new life. (Romans 6:6-11) Through His death and resurrection, He has gifted to us what we could never supply for ourselves: redemption.
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Posted in: Courage, Digging Deeper, Faith, Freedom, Hope Tagged: death, hope, peace, surrender

Pause VI Day 6 Breathtaking Humility

January 9, 2023 by Melodye Reeves 1 Comment

Pause VI Day 6 Breathtaking Humility

Melodye Reeves

January 9, 2023

Alive,Hero,Humility,Obedience,Service

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philippians 2:5-11

5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross. 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

Read More Of His Words

Some Bible scholars call this passage “the Philippian hymn,” because of the style and rhythm of Paul’s writing in these verses. Was Paul adopting lyrics that believers were already singing about Jesus? The thoughts that filled his mind were possibly overwhelming him with truth, sinking into his soul and captivating his heart much like our own worship song lyrics today.

He wanted to encourage the Philippians to consider Jesus. The author of Hebrews was also meditating on this unfathomable truth when he wrote, “Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Sister, consider the beauty and the horror of our humble Jesus. Paul’s life goal was to know Jesus so deeply that he was able to “know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death …” (Philippians 3:10)

Consider the One who:
existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.
Instead, He emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.

Was Paul so gripped by the sacrifice of Christ that he burst into praise and worship? Do you see it, friend? His hymn simply must contain the whole ugly truth. He can leave nothing out.

And when He had come as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8) 

Maybe you’re so familiar with this passage you aren’t stunned at this verse.

But the first-century Jews who read this letter and sang this hymn would have winced, maybe even shivered, to think of their Savior dying this way.

The supreme example of selflessness, as today’s passage describes, is Jesus. If we look to Him and adopt His same attitude, we are doing nothing more than our duty as believers. (Luke 17:10) Trevin Wax said, “the Creator was slain by His creation. The shepherd was slain by His sheep.” What a ghastly, glorious thought.

Ghastly, for it was the price of our sin and our rebellion the Son of God suffered on a cross to pay.
Glorious, for it was the Father’s rich mercy and unfathomable love which exalted Him to the throne of heaven! (Revelation 4:8-11)

Today's Pause Challenge

1) Read Philippians 2:5-11 and answer these 3 questions in your journal.

a) What do these verses tell me about God and His character?
b) What do these verses tell me about others and the world around me?
c) What do these verses tell me about me and my heart?

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

3) Read the lyrics to “Lower Still” by My Epic. Meditate on the sacrifice of our humble Savior.

4) Memorize Philippians 3:13-14

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Posted in: Alive, Hero, Humility, Obedience, Service Tagged: death, hymn, life, obedience, suffering

Kneel Day 13 Surprising Answers

January 19, 2022 by Lesley Crawford 7 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Acts 12:1-19
2 Kings 20:1-7
Isaiah 55:8-9
Matthew 7:7-11
James 5:13-18

Kneel, Day 13

Have you ever been surprised by an answer to prayer?

The people praying for Peter in this account from Acts certainly were!

Peter has been imprisoned for following Jesus, and as he waits for his public trial after the Passover celebration, the church is “praying fervently to God for him.” (Acts 12:5)

They are under no illusions about how the situation is likely to end for Peter. Herod Agrippa recently had the apostle James killed with a sword, and seeing the Jews’ resulting pleasure, has prompted Peter’s arrest. (Acts 12:1-2)

The church knows it is a matter of life and death, and so they pray desperately. Different translations of Acts 12:5 describe their prayers as constant, intense, earnest, persistent, continual, and without ceasing. This is prayer that is intentional and focused.

Consequently, God intervenes in a miraculous way. Awakened by an angel, Peter is told to get up. His chains fall off, the prison gates open, and the guards meant to be watching him closely seem oblivious!

The events are so unexpected that even Peter struggles to believe at first, but finally the truth sinks in.

“Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from all that the Jewish people expected.” (Acts 12:11)

Immediately, he goes to the house where he knows the believers have gathered to pray, which leads to a rather comical scene. Rhoda, the servant girl who answers the door, is so overwhelmed and overjoyed to hear Peter’s voice that instead of letting him in she rushes to tell the others, only to be met with astonishment and unbelief!

As they argue about whether or not it could possibly be true, the answer to their prayer is standing outside the door the whole time!

Finally, they let Peter in to see for themselves and hear his story, but it raises the question: if they were praying so fervently, so passionately, so continually, why were they so surprised when their prayer was answered?

I think I’ve gained insight into this over the last six months as I, and several others, have prayed earnestly and continually for a friend’s husband who is unwell. There has been so much prayer that my friend says her husband must be the most prayed-for man in the world!

Yet, despite our many prayers, he has deteriorated. His condition has been declared inoperable and, humanly speaking, it is only a matter of time.

We continue to pray for a miracle, yet I admit I would be surprised if my friend’s husband suddenly appeared at my door cured of his illness.

I don’t doubt for a moment that God can do it. I just have no idea whether He will.

I imagine the believers praying for Peter had similar thoughts. After all, James had been killed. Would praying for Peter really make any difference?

Yet, despite their uncertainty, they prayed; this act itself evidenced their faith, imperfect as it was.

They prayed because they knew they were helpless to fix the situation; they knew it was something only God could do. While their prayers may not have been rooted in perfect faith, God heard, and He answered.

As James writes, “The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” (James 5:16)

The difficulty we often have with prayer is that it’s unpredictable. It doesn’t work according to a formula. It’s not about how much we pray or trying to find the magic phrase or perfect combination of words to unlock the miracle or the answer we seek.

In fact, it’s not about the quality of our prayers at all; it’s about the One to whom we are praying.

If our prayers are answered as we hope, as in Peter’s situation or when God healed Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:1-7), we rejoice and give thanks to God. Only He can do the impossible, and there is no credit we can take. The glory is His!

When our prayers are not answered as we hope, it doesn’t mean our prayers were lacking in flawless faith or that God doesn’t care. It doesn’t even mean our prayers are unanswered, simply that God’s purpose is different.

“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.’ This is the Lord’s declaration.” (Isaiah 55:8)

We can’t always understand God’s ways, but we can trust in His goodness. My friend’s husband may not be healed on earth, but we know that, because of his faith in Jesus, an eternal future awaits him, free from pain and suffering. In the meantime, we continue to pray.

Jesus urged His disciples to persistently keep on praying and trusting God’s character as a loving Father who longs to give good gifts to His children. (Matthew 7) Likewise, He invites us to partner with Him in His work, bringing our situations before Him with faith and confidence, trusting in His power and love, and confidently knowing He loves to hear and answer us.

Sometimes, as with those believers praying for Peter, the answers to our prayers can be even more amazing than we would ever have expected!

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Posted in: Character, church, Faith, God, Hope, Jesus, Life, Prayer, Trust Tagged: Answers, constant, death, Fervently, goodness, kneel, miraculous, Persistent, Surprising

Pause V Day 10 New Life

November 5, 2021 by Marietta Taylor Leave a Comment

Pause V, Day 10

What’s so great about eternity? If you believe in Jesus, the answer is living in Heaven with Him forever. We know that death is not the final word.

But what about Lazarus in John 11? He was a friend of Jesus who got sick and died.

Jesus could have saved him, but He waited three days before leaving for Bethany to see him. It seemed like death had the final say.

But Jesus had other plans.
Plans for new life.
Jesus proclaimed to Martha, Lazarus’ sister,

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Martha believed, not because she understood what was happening, but because she trusted Jesus as Messiah. (John 11:27) We too need to trust Him to bring new life where we see only death.

On that day, He brought new life to Lazarus, resurrecting him from the dead with the words, “Lazarus, come out.” (John 11:43) With this sign finished, Jesus began to speak more frequently of another death which would lead to new life and resurrection, His own.
Even Mary pointed to it with the anointing at Bethany. (John 12:1-7)

Ponder how the resurrection of Jesus brings new life to you, now and in eternity. How can we, like Mary, express our deep gratitude for Him and faith in Him?

Today's Invitation

1) Read John 11 and 12, then re-read John 12:23-26 out loud today twice. Slowly. Linger over those words that stick out to you, slowing and listening as God’s Spirit speaks to your heart! Write out verse 26 on a notecard and place it somewhere you won’t miss its message. Take time to memorize it over the weekend!

2) This weekend, we have a new hand-crafted Spotify playlist! Put this playlist on repeat this weekend and be reminded of the rich truths God has shown you this week in Pause! Know that we prayed for you as we prepared this study!

3) Memorize John 12:25-26

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John 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.”

17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away). 19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.

20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.”

28 Having said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

29 As soon as Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Jesus had not yet come into the village but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 The Jews who were with her in the house consoling her saw that Mary got up quickly and went out. They followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to cry there.

32 As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died!”

33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked.

“Lord,” they told him, “come and see.”

35 Jesus wept.

36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Couldn’t he who opened the blind man’s eyes also have kept this man from dying?”

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 “Remove the stone,” Jesus said.

Martha, the dead man’s sister, told him, “Lord, there is already a stench because he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you heard me. 42 I know that you always hear me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so that they may believe you sent me.” 43 After he said this, he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.”

45 Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what he did believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and were saying, “What are we going to do since this man is doing many signs? 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

49 One of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! 50 You’re not considering that it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God. 53 So from that day on they plotted to kill him.

54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews but departed from there to the countryside near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and he stayed there with the disciples.

55 Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the country to purify themselves before the Passover. 56 They were looking for Jesus and asking one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? He won’t come to the festival, will he?” 57 The chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it so that they could arrest Him.

John 12

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of perfume, pure and expensive nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.

7 Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of my burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

12 The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting:

“Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord —the King of Israel!”

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written:

15 Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.

16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

17 Meanwhile, the crowd, which had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify. 18 This is also why the crowd met him, because they heard he had done this sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You see? You’ve accomplished nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”

20 Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

27 “Now my soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”

30 Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for me, but for you. 31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he was about to die.

34 Then the crowd replied to him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah will remain forever. So how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

35 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.

37 Even though he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said:

Lord, who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

39 This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said:

40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.

41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke about him.

42 Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than praise from God.

44 Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in me believes not in me, but in him who sent me. 45 And the one who sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and doesn’t keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and doesn’t receive my sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own, but the Father himself who sent me has given me a command to say everything I have said. 50 I know that his command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in: Beloved, Deep, Faith, Pause Tagged: believe, death, Final Word, Lazarus, Messiah, new life, plans, resurrection

Alive Day 14 Dearly Loved: Digging Deeper

September 30, 2021 by Lisa Marcelina Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

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

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Dearly Loved!

The Questions

1) If God is for us and sacrificed His son on our behalf, what does this say about God’s love for us? (verses 31-32)

2) Christ died, was raised, and now intercedes for believers, but what does His intercession entail? (verse 34)

3) How is the truth that nothing can separate us from Christ’s love intended to impact our everyday lives? (verse 35)

4) What does it mean to be put to death all day long and counted as sheep to be slaughtered? (verse 36)

Romans 8:31-36

31 What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.

Original Intent

1) If God is for us and sacrificed His son on our behalf, what does this say about God’s love for us? (verses 31-32)
From the beginning, God’s purpose for creating mankind was to have a relationship with them. When man sinned, purposefully choosing to love and pursue themselves and their selfishness over God, their relationship with God was broken. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love for us” (Ephesians 2:4), made a pathway to reconcile that broken relationship by sending God the Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sin upon Himself. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Abraham’s story of sacrifice in Genesis 22 gives us a real sense of God’s deep love for us. “Take your (Abraham) son,” He (God) said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering…”. (Genesis 22:2) Notice God’s words, “your only son…, whom you love.” God knew how much Abraham loved Isaac; this was the ultimate test. Yet, Abraham obeyed without hesitation or protest. Abraham woke early the next day to carry out God’s command. When God saw Abraham’s willingness to love Him more than Isaac, He stopped Abraham at the last moment, “‘Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.’” (Genesis 22:12) Consider how Abraham, a mere man, loved Isaac yet willingly sacrificed him for a Greater Love, God. Flipping this, consider God. His love boundlessly stretches beyond Abraham’s love for Isaac. In God’s case, however, His son, Jesus, actually died; His death was not stayed by God’s hand. He suffered a horrible death that through Him, we might be drawn back to God’s heart. This is magnificent love! God will never let go of those who place their trust in Him! (John 10:28) No matter who opposes the Reconciled Child, God will allow nothing to separate us from Him. He will do whatever is necessary to bring us to Glory with Him!

2) Christ died, was raised, and now intercedes for believers, but what does His intercession entail? (verse 34)
To help us study biblical words in their original languages, we can use well trusted commentaries as resources as we return to the original meaning of a word. Part of Strong’s definition for the Greek word translated as intercession is “to go to or meet a person, especially for the purpose of conversation, consultation, or supplication.” Intercession is the past participle of the verb, intercede. Dictionary.com defines intercede as: (1) to act or interpose on behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition; and (2) to attempt to reconcile differences between two people or groups; mediate. Jesus’ death and resurrection reconciled us to God if we have placed the full weight of our trust in Him for our salvation and rescue from sin. Therefore, Jesus, as God the Son, our eternal interceder, discusses, deliberates, and prays to God the Father concerning us. Bible commentary author, Warren W. Wiersbe, states it this way, “Intercession means that Jesus Christ represents us before the throne of God and we do not have to represent ourselves.” One of the best examples of Jesus interceding for us is in His personal prayer recorded in John 17. In this prayer, Jesus prayed for Himself, His disciples, and all believers who would eventually come to know Him as their Savior through the preaching of truth. In His prayer for all believers (John 17:20-26), He prayed for their unity just as He and His Father are united as one. This unity would prove to the world that Jesus was sent by God. He continues now to pray for our unity, always declaring us as righteous in the sight of God because we have trusted Him as our Savior instead of relying on ourselves to be good enough on our own (which is impossible!).

3) How is the truth that nothing can separate us from Christ’s love intended to impact our everyday lives? (verse 35)
Paul knew firsthand what persecution and hardship felt like in real life. Paul experienced imprisonment, whippings, and humiliation many times; eventually preaching Christ cost him his life. He experienced persecution both from his own people, the Jews, as well as from Gentiles (non-Jews). He faced hunger, thirst, shivering cold, nakedness, and death. Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 for a full list of his hardships. Yet, in the face of all these things, Paul persevered not because he was physically strong, but because he had decided to surrender himself entirely to God. It was in his weakness, he most closely experienced the strength of God at work in him. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Before He ascended into heaven, Jesus encouraged His disciples with these words, “… I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Paul persevered through his struggles because he knew Jesus loved him and was with him throughout every trial. Before his death, Paul wrote his final letter to Timothy and stated, “At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it…”. (2 Timothy 4:16-17, emphasis mine) Paul fought a good fight and finished the work the Lord gave him, and he looked forward to receiving his reward, the crown of righteousness. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

4) What does it mean to be put to death all day long and counted as sheep to be slaughtered? (verse 36)
This reference from Psalm 44 would have been very familiar to the first audience listening to the reading of Paul’s letter. They knew it spoke of a time in Israel’s history when they felt defeated on all sides by enemies too strong, fierce, cruel, and taunting. (Psalm 44:9-12) The current day believers would have felt they could relate to Israel’s suffering from the past. This psalm also carried a prophetic writing, “Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Psalm 44:22) The ancient Israelites faced defeat at the hands of their enemies because of their rebellion against God. They were oppressed and exiled as a consequence of their choice to ignore God as the One True God. Though we don’t know exactly which incident in Israel’s history brought on the writing of this psalm, we do know there were times in war when God did not fight with Israel because of their sin. (Joshua 7) In the case of this psalm’s description, Israel maintained they hadn’t broken their covenant and had been faithful to God. (Psalm 44:17-21) They begged God to help and redeem them. (Psalm 44:23-26) Suffering is nothing new for God’s people. Christians are expected to endure hardship and adversity once they follow Jesus. Philippians 1:29 states, “For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.” In some cases that suffering may include death. Paul, in quoting this verse from the psalms in his letter, sought to explain that despite immense suffering, God still loves us, sees us, and is faithful to us in our suffering.

Everyday Application

1) If God is for us and sacrificed His son on our behalf, what does this say about God’s love for us? (verses 31-32)
John 3:16 states, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” God loves all of mankind. His wish is for everyone to be saved and be with Him in eternity, “The Lord…is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) But salvation can only come through belief in Jesus Christ, “Jesus told him, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Therefore, for believers, God will do anything to finalize the proof of our salvation by bringing us into eternity with Him. Nothing can thwart our chances of receiving eternal life, but only after we have surrendered our will to His. Earning eternal life is out of the question for ANY of us. We cannot be good enough to win God’s approval for even one small sin disqualifies us entirely. (James 2:10) It is by God’s grace alone that we are rescued from the nature and consequence of sin and its eternal consequences. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

2) Christ died, was raised, and now intercedes for believers, but what does His intercession entail? (verse 34)
Jesus intercedes, that is, brings requests to God, on our behalf. He always does so by presenting us as already fully righteous without sin because His righteousness has covered us. (2 Corinthians 5:21) All genuine believers in Jesus are declared righteous when we surrender to Him! Christ has called us to follow Him in all things, and interceding on behalf of others is an important Christian duty following His example. How do we intercede? Through prayer. “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.” (I Timothy 2:1) I have the privilege to be on the prayer team for a few Ministries. The most common prayer requests are for healing, finances, and salvation for family members. I don’t know any of these people, but I trust God will hear and answer my petition on their behalf. Intercession also brings humility and perspective of God’s power. We are not focusing on ourselves alone, interceding puts us in the position of sharing each other’s burdens as Scripture teachers. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) We are not only to intercede for fellow believers but for everyone. This includes praying on behalf of non-believers and our enemies! (Luke 6:28)

3) How is the truth that nothing can separate us from Christ’s love intended to impact our everyday lives? (verse 35)
Right now, we are living in a chaotic world, no matter where you call home. Climate change, political conflict, and a world-wide pandemic, together with our own personal battles, converge into a life of uncertainty. Yet Paul reminded us that nothing – no problem, persecution, danger, nor death – can separate us from Jesus’ love. Just like Paul, we too can persevere through our struggles knowing Jesus is present with us throughout. He will faithfully use all things in the life of a believer to point our hearts to knowing Him and using our lives to proclaim His glory. His love is unfailing! (Psalm 136) We too can fight the good fight, finish the race, and claim the reward that awaits us if we will choose to accept the free gift of life and eternal rescue that Christ holds out for us. Only with Christ, and His gain, do our worldly struggles and passions fade. “For I (Paul) consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed.” (Romans 8:18-19)

4) What does it mean to be put to death all day long and counted as sheep to be slaughtered? (verse 36)
The early church believers were witnessing Old Testament prophecies being fulfilled right before them in everyday life. With new understanding, old familiar words took on new meanings. Suffering was so closely connected with choosing to follow Jesus that new believers considered themselves as sheep to be slaughtered; they understood this decision could cost them their lives, yet they still chose Christ. Regardless of the era, no true Christian is immune to suffering. Paul’s words ring just as true for you and I as they did for his first audience, “For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for Him…”. (Philippians 1:29) Whether we are mocked for praying publicly, prioritizing worship, lose friendships for speaking of Christ, or even if our lives are threatened we are still guaranteed a home in heaven if we have trusted Jesus as our Savior and Forgiver. I recently read of a woman named Hannelie Groenewald whose husband and two children were killed in Afghanistan in 2014. The children were only 15 and 17. After killing the family, the Taliban set their house on fire. According to her testimony, what gives Hannelie strength is knowing they served God faithfully and her family is now with Jesus. With recent events in Afghanistan, we know Christians continue to be at risk of persecution and death. Let’s pray for one another around the world, but also take heart that God loves His Church, He is with us, and He will faithfully bring each genuine believer home to be with Him forever. Despite what happens, there is a crown of righteousness awaiting persecuted Christians in Heaven, and for all who have longed for His appearing! (2 Timothy 4:8)

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Posted in: Broken, Christ, Deep, Digging Deeper, Faithfulness, God, Jesus, Love, Mercy, Promises, Relationship, Sacrifice, Suffering, Trust, Unity Tagged: alive, beginning, believers, choosing, Dearly, death, For Us, Intercede, Magnificent, resurrection

Sketched IX Day 10 Peter’s Pursuit

July 2, 2021 by Sara Cissell Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Acts 10:1-43
Galatians 2:11-14
John 14:1-31

Sketched IX, Day 10

I did it again, Lord. Why can’t I seem to get this? Why do I so desperately want to follow You, only to fail miserably?

Over and over, You have loved me when I have passionately succeeded at the wrong thing. Instead of lashing out at me when I cut off that servant’s ear, You healed him and let them lead you away. All I wanted to do was serve and protect You. But that wasn’t Your plan. (John 18:10-11)

It was never part of Your plan.
It all makes more sense now. Well, most of the time.
I still think about all You spoke to us while You walked with us. You told us over and over You were showing us the Father. (John 14:1-11) You told us You would be going to the Father, but the Holy Spirit would be coming in Your place.

At the time, I subconsciously categorized Your words into my mental folder tagged, “Sure, Jesus.” That folder held Your teachings I partially understood, but weren’t urgent for me to completely figure out. You would always be with us. You were the Christ. Er, You are the Christ. I assumed You would be walking with us into victory, instead of into what felt like such a depressing defeat.

After You died and reappeared to us in your resurrected body, I understood an entirely different level of victory. You had defeated death! Not even Lazarus did that permanently.
When You ascended, You were lifted up, fulfilling Your words about going to the Father.

I miss You, Jesus.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the gift of the Holy Spirit and am so thankful for His presence. I just wish, sometimes, I could see Him. I could watch You love the unlovable and understand how I could do the same. I could sense the tone of Your words and feel the peace emanating from You.

Now I need to navigate each day without You physically beside me. I know the Holy Spirit guides me, but sometimes He’s not easy to understand.

Like when I had the vision about the sheet of unclean animals and was told to eat them. It was repeated three times and a voice told me to kill and eat. When I replied that I would not eat anything unclean, the voice responded, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” (Acts 10:15)

Lord, that was very confusing. Yet, as soon as those men came to the gate of the house where I was staying, I knew it was the Holy Spirit telling me to go with them. When we arrived at our destination and I found myself being honored in the midst of God-fearing Gentiles, the words from the vision came back to me.

Who was I to call these people impure? If God orchestrated this meeting, He had a purpose, a clean one. A holy one.

Lord, You showed up when I began to speak. I shared of Your love for them and then You unleashed the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, You. Poured. Out.  (Acts 10:44-46)

We were all dumbfounded. I thought for sure I would never forget the lesson I’d learned over those few days. You came for anyone and everyone. Jews and Gentiles alike, You welcome us all.

Yet, here I am again, Lord. I feel the same sinking feeling I had when I began to flounder out on the waves. I so valiantly tried to serve You, and I am once again in need of rescuing. (Matthew 14:22-33)

Paul called me out. Paul, the one who previously persecuted Christians and never physically walked with You the way I did. He reminded me of the truth I preached to Cornelius on the day I thought I’d never forget.

Well, I forgot.

It became easier to add a few conditions to the truth of Your love to make it more palatable for my Jewish brothers to embrace the Gentiles. I know You never loved us with contingencies, Lord, but it felt easier for me to keep the peace.

But Paul is bolder than I. He declared the expectation of circumcision was not part of Your criteria for entry into the Kingdom. As Paul likes to remind us, we are saved by grace, through faith. How did I forget this important truth? (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Oh Lord, forgive me. Once again I ask You to catch me, helping me find my solid ground again. Help me live and love as You did, Jesus. Help me know the Father as You do.
Holy Spirit, guide and lead me on.

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

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 Sketched IX Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Posted in: Forgiven, Gift, God, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Kingdom, Love, Peace, Purpose, Sketched, Welcome Tagged: death, Defeated, father, Fulfilling, Lord, Peter, Poured Out, protect, pursuit, serve, victory

Sketched IX Day 3 A New Work

June 23, 2021 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 5:1-11
Matthew 17:1-13
Isaiah 42:1-4
Galatians 2:18-21

Sketched IX, Day 3

It’s been nearly a week since Jesus taught us in detail about the cost of following Him, but the words still roll in my head, keeping me awake at night and popping up unbidden as we move through crowds ministering to them.

“Take up your cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)

Death.
That’s all I can think about.

A cross signifies one thing, cruel death.
There is no way to escape torture when a cross is involved.
None.

Cross victims press against nail-pierced feet to slide their raw back upwards against shredded wood attempting to catch a breath as their wrists are nailed on either side, outstretched in agony. Eventually, exhaustion overtakes the condemned man and their futile exercise for oxygen is over, resulting in suffocation. It’s cruel, but it is the price to pay for those who dare break Roman law. I’ve seen it before, the crucifixion parade outside the city as thieves and murderers are led away for gruesome justice. It’s bloody and agonizing, the screams of men as naked flesh is grotesquely pierced, but it is effective in making its point: don’t run against Rome.

I shook my head again, attempting to clear the horrific scenes playing out in my mind. I just don’t understand! Why did Jesus tie these two ideas together, following Him and taking up a cross. It makes no sense! To follow, I must be alive. So, why must I also die? And not simply die, but die a cruel death.

Why does following Him cost so much?!

The turmoil inside me continues churning, never lessening, and I grab a fistful of olive branches in my frustration as I take one more step forward up the narrow, well-worn path on the side of Mount Tabor.

“Hey! Come on, Peter!” James’ indignant voice complains behind me as the olive branch swipes his face. “What’s wrong with you lately, man?”

I glance back, ruefully apologizing for the errant branch thrashing. Does James understand? I lift my eyes forward to catch John following closely to Jesus on the path ahead; the two are conversing, and then I hear John’s laughter ripple out. I grin in spite of my war inside, as John’s laughter invites everyone into its embrace. I can’t stop myself from wondering, does John understand? I furrow my brow and increase my pace, ignoring James’ question. Chest heaving and brow sweating, I catch up to John and Jesus at Tabor’s summit. A quip about my meaty muscles weighing me down compared to John’s lean, young frame is on my lips, but it dies instantly as I follow John’s aghast gaze.

Jesus! Jesus! He’s…

Suddenly, the brilliance of light envelopes everything in sight. The radiance is utterly beyond description as Jesus’ face shines like He swallowed the sun, His ordinary garments now aglow with uncanny light. James gasps and I follow his finger, seeing the unbelievable!

Moses and Elijah are here as well! I may not have everything figured out, but as Moses representing Law and Elijah representing Prophets stand here with Jesus, it’s all becoming clear! They are all the same! Law, Prophet, and Jesus!

Bursting with my revelation, I run unhindered towards the three men bathed in light. “Jesus! Jesus!” I shout. “Lord! It’s so good for us to be here! I’ve got it figured out! We will build three tents for you all and honor you all equally!” (Matthew 17:3-4, paraphrase)

Instantly, a thick, heavy cloud overshadows all of us, striking deep fear into our hearts. Moses and Elijah vanish. Terror-stricken, James, John, and myself are rendered immovable and speechless as a voice boomed, “This is my Son, the Chosen One, listen to Him.” (Luke 9:35)

Cowering and mute, the three of us fall face down in the heart-stopping glory of Yahweh’s voice. Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the cloud of glory vanished, replaced by natural Judean sunlight that makes me sweat again. Stuttering as I examine the common dirt clinging to Jesus’ feet and toenails before me, I realize I haven’t been breathing and gulp in air as Jesus reaches down to touch my shoulder. His voice, astounding in its common, ordinary sound, tenderly speaks, “Get up; don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 17:7)

With lightning-fast clarity, Jesus’ words prompt a memory of the very first time I followed Him. He had looked at me then too, my nets bursting with an enormous catch of fish flopping everywhere. Crowds had gathered and men were agape at the plunder I’d caught, but Jesus had His eyes fixed on mine, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people.” (Luke 5:10)
And so my following began.

Death.
Don’t be afraid.
Follow.

Though it would cost me everything, even my very life and all the pleasures and materials I had once loved, I was to crucify those daily, torturously even, and be left in the wake of the life of Yahweh so I could follow Him freely, without any hindrance.

He knew.
He knew of my internal battle, and He was making me new in the midst of it.
He was showing me Who He was, as God of all.

For Him, no, in Him, I will crucify my old self, and live to follow Him daily in the newness of abundant life. Jesus, the Great I Am, was worth it.
He is the Beloved Son, the Only One worthy of my life.

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

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 Sketched IX 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 Sketched IX!

Posted in: Beloved, Cross, Follow, God, Good, Jesus, Life, Sketched Tagged: abundant, alive, Chosen One, cost, death, embrace, glory, law, light, Me, new, prophet, Son, work
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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14