Desperate

The GT Weekend! Sketched IV Week 2

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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) The desire to stand on our own two feet and move in our own power is strong. Where are your weaknesses? Where do you need to shore up your defense against the enemy’s potential attack on your life? Claim truth from Scripture that you can cling to during temptation!

2) In America, the physical cost of following Jesus is not as dangerous as some of our brothers and sisters around the world. However, the fear of rejection or separation is very real, and readily holds us back from sharing Truth with those around us. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you boldness this week. Who in your sphere of influence needs to hear the Hope of the Gospel?

3) As women in the kingdom of God, we have an important role to play. We can change the course of someone’s life, for better or for worse. Think back on the women in your past that spoke life into you. How did they influence your spiritual development? Looking forward, who in your sphere of influence can you make a difference in? Be ready to speak words that bring refreshment to the soul, encouragement and truth from Scripture!

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 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”
Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Prayer Journal
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Taken from the Common Book of Prayers

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

Sketched IV Day 7 Samson: 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 Samson!

The Questions

1) What is the “therefore” referring to?

2) What was the “thorn” in Paul’s flesh?

3) How is it possible to take pleasure in weakness, insult, hardship, persecution, and difficulty?

2 Corinthians 12:7b-10

…Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Original Intent

1) What is the “therefore” referring to?
One of the biggest clues for studying Scripture well is wrapped up in this word: therefore. When reading, always look back to see what the author is referencing, literally asking what is “therefore” “there” “for”? When we look back a few verses, we read a potentially confusing text about Paul, who he refers to as “a man” in the 3rd person. Scholars generally agree that this “man” was indeed Paul himself, but downplayed it because the whole paragraph emphasized Paul’s own weakness, not his greatness. “The man” was caught up in a vision from the Lord and was blessed “to see and hear” things too wonderful to even express. Paul was literally beyond-words-speechless at the breathtaking majesty of the vision he received. He used this glorious experience to point out that no matter what wonderful things he had seen or what glories he knew, he still had zero reason to boast about Himself. The vision given to Paul wasn’t about Paul’s glory or edification, it was intended to steadfastly point to the beyond-words-description of the Majesty of the Lord God! After seeing the Lord in His glory, “therefore”, he couldn’t possibly boast about himself or his experience. Paul knew firsthand that everything was rubbish except Christ and Christ alone!

2) What was the “thorn” in Paul’s flesh?
When studying Scripture, it can be so easy to focus in on one particular detail, or a handful of words that really don’t sit well with us that we end up missing the whole point of that passage. When studying, remember to back up first. Read through the entire chapter, or a couple of chapters, making notes of what the big-picture is. What key phrases or themes are often repeated? For this particular section, Paul has been addressing the Corinthian church. On one hand, he is giving them solid reasons as to why he has the Lord’s authority as a true apostle, therefore they would be wise to listen to his instruction. But, at the same time, he is saying that none of the “clout” of accomplishment or “authority” means anything at all to him. Paul insists that it is only knowing Christ that ultimately matters. Even so, Paul admits how easy it can be to fall into human vanity and pride. This being true, the Lord gave Paul a “thorn in the flesh”. Was it an eye problem as some scholars suggest? Was it a physical sickness? Was it an emotional weakness? We have no idea…and that is exactly the point. Scripture records this “thorn” vaguely that we might understand with greater emphasis how none of our accomplishments are worth boasting in on our own strength. 

3) How is it possible to take pleasure in weakness, insult, hardship, persecution, and difficulty?
Strange words, aren’t they? Paul says, “I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Though the words certainly don’t appear to be very encouraging or comforting, the secret of their veracity is cocooned in the middle with one phrase: “for the sake of Christ”. For Paul, for Samson (when he finally “got it” at the end of his life), for Ezekiel (who gave up his life as bizarre illustrations for God’s purposes), for Isaiah (who was killed by being sawed in half), for Peter (who was killed by upside down crucifixion), and for countless others all the way through history, this key phrase has changed everything. “For The Sake Of Christ” Why? Because we are weak. Because we are finite. And He, the Lord God, is not. He is mighty, He is glorious, He is everlasting, He is victorious! Because He Is Worth It!

Everyday Application

1) What is the “therefore” referring to?
Likely, you, like me, haven’t experienced a glorious vision of Christ and His indescribable majesty and power in the same way Paul did, or Isaiah, Ezekiel, or John, but the Lord and His glory is not hidden away waiting, hoping, that you will be able to find Him. His glory is seen in the intricacies of creation, the beauty of relationships, the community of the Church, and in the wonder of a child. Experiencing His glory is meant for 2 things. One, to encourage and comfort us, as He reminds us that we are not alone and He is for us. Two, to expand our desire to search after Him; longing, hungering, thirsting for so much more of Him! As anyone who has truly experienced the Lord knows, the only proper response is worship. Whole life worship. Worship that points steadfastly to the glorious, risen Lord Jesus Christ because we know, we know, we know, that the real life offered by Jesus, is not about us, it’s about Christ and Christ alone! If you’re feeling a little stuck in your walk with the Lord, or maybe you’re curious about this whole “everyday Savior” we like to talk about, take time to slow down, reflect on how you’ve already experienced Him. Silence your thoughts and welcome His voice enough to hear how He wants to take you deeper to know Him better! 

2) What was the “thorn” in Paul’s flesh?
For Samson in yesterday’s Journey Study, his greatest downfall was that he trusted in his own strength. Even when he had given away the secret of his strength and lost his supernatural ability, he still fully believed he could take down the enemies exactly as he had done before, but this time on his own power. Samson epically failed in this endeavor. God had given Samson incredible abilities, just as He had given Paul indescribable visions of glory, and just like He offers Himself to each of us in tender, glorious, intimate sweetness, but the moment we shift our eyes from the majestic glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will find our eyes locked onto our own glory. We have traded the worship of the One True God for a “god” of our own making, and it will never be worth it. For Samson, the “thorn in the flesh” was his loss of strength as well as his vision. It was through these “thorns” that he was finally able to see that the Lord wanted more with Samson; He wanted Samson’s total trust and dependence to be on God instead of Himself.

3) How is it possible to take pleasure in weakness, insult, hardship, persecution, and difficulty?
What weaknesses do you see in your everyday life and relationships? What would it look like if you took those instances as opportunities of worship? Opportunities to surrender your weakness in order for God’s glory and strength to be made much of? Wouldn’t it take off the burden of performance? Might it remove the need to control? Perhaps, like the stories of faith in the Bible, these hardships and weaknesses will point steadfastly to the glory of an eternal King of Glory! I have a friend who lost her son, who nearly lost her life due to significant illness, I have a friend who loves Jesus most. When I asked her why she would try again for another baby, or why she would move to another country to proclaim Christ, her answer is simple, but her faith is deep and intricate, “He has been so faithful to us before, why wouldn’t we trust Him for this?”
“For The Sake of Christ”. It’s not a pithy saying, it’s a hard-hitting truth to battle your “weakness, insult, hardship, persecution, and difficulty”. Surrender your weakness, friend, and rest in the faithful, un-ending strength of the God who will always do the incredible with our frailty!

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

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 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.

Tabernacle Day 12 Drawn In: 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 Drawn In!

The Questions

1) Who is included in “brothers and sisters”?

2) What is meant by “through the curtain that is His flesh”?

3) Why does the author use the terms “sprinkled clean” and “washed in pure water”? What significance do these phrases have?

Hebrews 10:19-22

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.

Original Intent

1) Who is included in “brothers and sisters”?
To get a broader picture of this language, we look back a few chapters to Hebrews 3. The author has just finished up his discussion on Jesus needing to become “like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest..” (2:17) This reference to “brothers and sisters” refers to all of humanity. Jesus became 100% human and struggled as we do with temptation to sin, but He overcame it all perfectly! Christ became as his “brothers and sisters” in this regard, but 2 verses later in 3:1, the author makes a distinction which he carries through the remainder of the book. “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.” This reference is entirely different. Rather than including all of humanity, this “brothers and sisters” phrasing is smaller, more intimate, and carries 3 distinct marks. First, these brothers and sisters are “holy”, having been made righteous and their sins removed by the blood of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. Second, they all “share in a heavenly calling”, meaning they are set apart, collectively and together, for the specific purpose of growing God’s kingdom and bringing Him glory. Third, they share a common “confession”, that is they each, personally, claim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Throughout the remainder of Hebrews, the author uses “brothers and sisters” to demarcate the collective Body of those who have committed to following Jesus.

2) What is meant by “through the curtain that is His flesh”?
In the Old Testament Tabernacle, which was a portable place of worship where the Israelites would go to meet with God, there were 3 sections. First, there was the courtyard, followed by the Holy Place, followed by the Holy of Holies. Separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was a thick curtain (or veil), with its purpose being to further display God’s supreme holiness. In Leviticus 16:2, the Lord God gives the priest, Aaron, strict instructions to never enter the Holy of Holies, with the exception of once a year, or He would surely die for God’s presence dwelled there in the Holy of Holies. Hebrews 10:20 says, “He (Jesus) has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh).” The author is stating this glorious truth: Jesus is the new way through the curtain! We no longer need to depend on a single High Priest to give us access to God vicariously through himself once a year. Through Jesus’ flesh and blood sacrifice, we have been bought, we have been made righteous, we are permitted access to enter into God’s very presence for ourselves!

3) Why does the author use the terms “sprinkled clean” and “washed in pure water”? What significance do these phrases have?
Remember that Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience, and these phrases would have had perfectly clear ties to the Tabernacle for them. The laws and rituals of Tabernacle worship were routinely common for each of them, so the phrases “sprinkled clean” and “washed pure in water” would have immediately brought to their minds images of Tabernacle worship, specifically referencing the Bronze Basin. Anytime a priest entered the Tabernacle, he was required to stop and wash at this Bronze Basin before proceeding. To rush madly into God’s presence without washing was grounds for immediate death (Exodus 30:20). Because the author knew his intended audience, he chose a word picture that would help his hearers understand that, while the water from the Bronze Basin may have washed their bodies clean, only God through Jesus could wash their hearts!

Everyday Application

1) Who is included in “brothers and sisters”?
Though the author was originally writing to Jews and had no idea how many centuries would pass and people would still be reading his words, the Holy Spirit did know. The growing group of “brothers and sisters” the author had in his mind’s eye was infinitely larger than he could imagine. It would span the across time, encompassing all men, women, and children who chose to trust Him as their Savior. That’s me! And, I pray that is you also! While wildly exciting, this phrasing also carries weighty duty. The precious truths we will unpack in today’s Digging Deeper Study are for believers. The incredible gift of coming before God, right into His sanctuary, having been made whole, is only for “brothers and sisters” who each, personally, hold unswervingly to Jesus Christ for salvation from sin and death. This should at once fill us with gratitude and worship, while also breaking our hearts for those outside the familial circle of unity with Jesus. Who, in your sphere of influence, doesn’t know of the hope of Christ? Pray intentionally for opportunities to share truth with them that they too might enjoy the wonder of being drawn in to deep worship!

2) What is meant by “through the curtain that is His flesh”?
Do you live as if you’ve been redeemed and bought and set free from duty, obligation, and fearful performance? Does your life look like worship in the middle of your everyday because of that gift? When the relationship tension strains, when the budget doesn’t balance, when the dog vomits on white carpet, again, has your heart learned the rhythm of authentic worship? Worship takes practice and intentional self-discipline as we learn to listen to the Spirit’s voice as He Himself teaches us how to dance. Worship isn’t easy, but it’s always worth it. Because of access through Christ’s own flesh, because we can go “through the curtain”, we are in His presence at every moment…the wonderful and the yucky ones. Each moment is an opportunity for worship, what will you do with yours?

3) Why does the author use the terms “sprinkled clean” and “washed in pure water”? What significance do these phrases have?
A clean heart? No sin to mar it? No stumbles over words you wish you hadn’t said, no angry thoughts or rash deeds, no underhanded attempts to gain control, no jealous eyes, lustful heart, or dishonest hands, just a clean heart. There is only one who can provide that!
No amount of rule-following, church-going, generous giving, or well-crafted apologies can give us a clean heart, and we know it. Sure, we can justify our deeds all we want, explain away that God is exactly who He claims to be in the Bible, and “put off” getting right with God for another time, but none of that changes reality. To have a clean heart, we need a righteous intercessor, because we simply can not become right on our own. No amount of water washing is good enough. Whether you’ve crossed the line of faith or you haven’t, the temptation to keep washing in plain old water will always be there. Just try harder next time, compensate for the way you treated her, but nothing will hide our hearts before the God of the Universe. How desperately we need the blood of Jesus to cleanse us eternally from dead works?! (Hebrews 9:14) Whatever your everyday mess looks like, hold fast to the truth that forgiveness for your heart, and a new way to live, is being held out by the hands of the crucified Christ!

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

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 Tabernacle 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.

Misunderstood Day 14 On Death & Butterflies: 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 On Death & Butterflies!

The Questions

1) What is the tent?

2) What is the significance of saying, “we will not be found naked”?

3) What do “down payment” and “confidence” have in common?

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we have taken it off, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Original Intent

1) What is the tent?
Paul was an author, speaker, preacher, and teacher. He knew how to captivate an audience and he knew how to relate to them. One tool he often employed was the metaphor, skillfully painting a word picture to convey a spiritual truth to an audience who thought concretely. Paul was also a tentmaker by trade, when he wasn’t off preaching, teaching, and being chased out of town because of persecution. It came naturally to him to use the physical around him to describe the spiritual. He used the metaphor of a tent to describe our physical bodies on earth. Flimsy, temporal, fragile, but sufficient nonetheless. Paul didn’t shy away from the fact that our bodies will be destroyed one day by death, nor did he sugar-coat the fact that while we live in these temporal bodies, we groan. We ache, we hurt, we long for more, for better, for eternity. We were designed to hunger for a flawless existence!

2) What is the significance of saying, “we will not be found naked”?
Again, Paul continues with his metaphorical speech, drawing on something obvious and concrete to make a spiritual point. To be found naked would be an embarrassment and shameful (in Old Testament days and our own!); it would speak of being un-prepared and caught off guard. But Paul says, “we will not be found naked.” We won’t be caught off guard when our earthly, tent-like bodies are destroyed by death; neither will we be ashamed, embarrassed, or un-prepared. Why? Because the hope of our eternal dwelling, our forever clothes, our glorified, physical bodies are waiting for all those who put their trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation.

3) What do “down payment” and “confidence” have in common?
In yesterday’s Journey Study, it was noted that people are so desperate for hope they are willing to trust in “folklore and emotional feelings” in order to get it. Not so with Paul! He points to clear, solid reasons (not blind emotion) as to why we can have such sure confidence in life after death. Paul notes that we were intentionally designed to longingly ache for “mortality to be swallowed up by life” (that is, death to be defeated by life), and that Designer is God Himself! There is no greater final authority! He placed His seal, His signature promise, right on our very souls by giving us His Holy Spirit to dwell within us, even these temporal tents. The Spirit is His down-payment, His proof of purchase over our eternal souls. The Spirit in us is proof that God will do what He said He would do: defeat Death with Life! Our confidence is rooted in the promise of the Almighty God.

Everyday Application

1) What is the tent?
Our bodies are incredible masterpieces, but no matter your age, your tent of a body has failed you, bringing about pain or frustration. Allow these weaknesses to remind you of the fleeting nature of our existence here on earth. Living with the reminder of death, may seem morbid, but the reality that our lives will vanish like morning mist should compel us to love well, making our temporal lives count for the eternal. Paul reminds us in verses 9-10 that regardless of living on earth or in Heaven, we should “make it our aim to please Him, for we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ.” Eternity is coming, how are we stewarding our time in this “tent” of a body?

2) What is the significance of saying, “we will not be found naked”?
Where in your life are you experiencing shame? Paul intended this section of Scripture to teach us about the eternal that was awaiting us in real, physical, concrete bodies, but there is a broader abstract aspect as well. If we are in Christ, we are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17), we have been born afresh with a new Father, a new nature, no condemnation (Romans 8:1), and no obligation to obey the old, sinful nature (Romans 8:2). There is hope for the eternal, but also hope for the now. Take off the shame, the feelings of not enough, and wrap yourself tightly in the clothing of eternal hope because of Jesus who came to set us free! 

3) What do “down payment” and “confidence” have in common?
The concrete idea of making a “down payment” is something we can relate to easily in our culture. If something is valuable to us and we really want to purchase it, we are willing to hand over something of significant value to us to “hold our name” on that item until we can fully make it ours. The same is true for our souls in relation to God. He longs for unity with us, so God sent His Son to redeem us from sin’s grip and then went further to prove his love by making a down-payment of His Spirit, who lives inside of every believer. Understanding this truth and choosing to follow the leading of the Spirit as He guides us gives us incredible confidence, both for our eternal home and our temporary one. Believers know where they will go when they die on earth, and they also have confidence in daily living because the Spirit of the Living God abides within them. This is true, solid hope!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with On Death & Butterflies!

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 Misunderstood 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.

Shepherd Day 7 Lifelines In The Dark: Digging Deeper

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

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

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s
Journey Study?
Check out Lifelines In The Dark!

Psalm 23:4 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

The Questions

1) Why do I not need to fear when I am in the dark valley?

2) What difference does God being “with me” make?

3) What do God’s “rod and staff” have to do with comfort?

The Findings for Intention

1) Why do I not need to fear when I am in the dark valley?
There is no doubt that David was familiar with dark valleys.  He could have penned this particular psalm during many times of his life – when Saul was seeking to kill him out of jealousy (1 Samuel 18:6-16) and David faced the fear of his own death; when he was grieving the death of his first child with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:15-23) and David faced the fear of painful loss; when he was confronted with the desolation between his children that included rape and murder (2 Samuel 13) and David faced the fear of the unraveling of his family; or when his own men turned against him (2 Samuel 15) and David faced the fear of betrayal and failure.  Yet David’s own words in this Psalm reflect that he wasn’t afraid.  What was his secret? Confidence in the God who was “with him” provided him with the strength to persevere through the darkest times.

2) What difference does God being “with me” make?
In another beautiful illustration, David pens in Psalm 3 the effect the with me God’s presence had on him during his difficult times.  When he was in the valley, facing the dark, David felt the protection of God, the glory of God, and the strength of God to face those difficult moments (3:3).  God was his sustainer (3:5).  And as a result, David knew peace and rest (3:5) because he understood that God was ultimately in control of the entire situation (3:8).

3) What do God’s “rod and staff” have to do with comfort?
David returns with these words of “rod and staff” tying them to the imagery of God as his Shepherd.  David understood the dependency of the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep, and all that it entailed.  The shepherd who tends to, protects, defends, and rescues his sheep was close to David’s heart and an important part of his early life.  David articulates the role of a shepherd when he speaks with King Saul, before he goes out to face Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:31-40.  In today’s Scripture reference, David puts  himself into the role of a sheep, finding comfort in the fact that the Shepherd would take care of him in the darkest and most difficult of days.

The Everyday Application

1) Why do I not need to fear when I am in the dark valley?
Dark times in the valley are an unavoidable reality of life in this broken world.  Thus, how do we navigate them with the confidence that David exemplifies for us?  First, we remember Who is in control of every valley.  At God’s spoken word, “…mountains rose and valleys sank — to the place [He] established for them,” (Psalm 104:8). Whether spiritual or physical, God knows our valleys, He has established their purpose, and He sets their boundaries in our lives (Psalm 104:9).  God has a purpose for the wilderness and valley times of our lives, and He will ultimately use them to bring us hope (Hosea 2:14-15).  Cling tightly to the truth that your God is with you and committed to bringing you through the valley and helping you to know His hope and peace.

2) What difference does God being “with me” make?
Do you live in a place where you are aware that you have a with me God?  Don’t give the quick, easy answer.  Take a minute.  Really reflect and think deeply.  Are you trying to just survive on your own?  Are you working to keep yourself afloat in the midst of a mess?  Do you feel abandoned and alone?  If any of these are true, they are indicators that you’ve forgotten this reality.  Take in the truth of Psalm 42:8 and let it penetrate deeply into your heart:  “The Lord will send his faithful love by day; his song will be with me in the night…”

3) What do God’s “rod and staff” have to do with comfort?
“He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows,” 2 Corinthians 4:5-6.  As our Shepherd, God extends to us the same comfort that David knew.  And God doesn’t offer this to us in “some” of our afflictions, but in ALL of them.  He never leaves us; He never ignores our pain.  He is our Good Shepherd and cares for every need we, His sheep, may face during every season and place in our lives. Not only that, He then asks us to extend that comfort to others around us.  If you are facing a valley or darkness right now, how do you need to allow God’s comfort to penetrate your heart?  If you are not in your own valley, who around you needs to know this comfort from you?

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
Join the friends at the GT Facebook Community!

I Can Do That!

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

The Community!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into
Shepherd Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion. 
We’d love to hear your thoughts!

The Tools!

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

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

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

The Why!

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

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

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

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

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

The GT Weekend! Character 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) James 1:19-21 shows what our human anger brings to our lives. Read through this passage and reflect on its words. Mark the places that show the results of our anger. Look for what James’ solution to our mess looks like. See the reality of Scripture come alive as you see we are not destined to hopelessness and despair. The Lord has provided a means to reconciliation!

2) It is an amazing privilege and Biblical invitation, to worship together corporately with other believers. It’s equally amazing to choose to worship in the ordinary parts of our lives. Where could you be intentional with choosing to give back praise for God’s faithfulness? Set aside specific time in your calendar to sing/write/draw in praise to the Lord. Share with us your day-to-day means of praise on Instagram #GTpraise.

3) God knew His created people would walk away from Him and choose substitutes for His glory. He gave the Old Testament law to show His children the extent of their brokenness. He sent Jesus to fulfill the need of a blood sacrifice to speak to God directly. God orchestrated every piece so He could redeem you, dear sister, back to Himself. He’s calling you, drawing you; are you ready to answer? What’s holding you back?

Journaling your prayers is simply another way to talk to the Lord. Slow down, pull out pen and paper, read the following Scripture passage and prayer, then let your own words flow to the Almighty One who loves you so deeply!

Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us.
– 1 John 4:7-12

Lord when I get bogged down by the law and spending so much energy on not being ruled by it but following in obedience, my heart still misses the point. I still miss Your desire; relationship with me, for Your glory. Forgive me for the times I make it about me and what I can do for You.

As I fold the laundry, wash countless dishes, and interact with every crazy driver on the road, let me choose praise. Because of Jesus, I have the access to sing Your praise every moment of the day. And yet I so often grumble, or even ignore Your work in my life while I mindlessly scroll Facebook. Help me “take every thought captive to obey Christ” this week!

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

Sketched III, Day 5 Barabbas

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 27:15-26
Mark 15:1-15
Luke 23:1-25

Sketched III, Day 5

After weeks of waiting in prison, the day has finally come.
I, Barabbas, have been convicted of treason against Rome.
My punishment is the worst imaginable – crucifixion at Golgotha.

I joined the insurrectionists because I believed in their mission – to rebel against the iron fist that was Roman rule and the elite upper class of Israel. Joining the zealots gave me a sense of purpose and belonging.

My name means “son of the father”, but I have no family.
This guerilla rebel group took me in and showed me that I could make a lasting impact on the world – for good or for bad.

During the riots, I felt full of fire and passion, like I would never get caught!
I robbed and I murdered.
I became notorious among the people as a revolutionary, gained popularity among other insurrectionists, and sympathy from the common people.
My life was going great, but in the back of my mind,
I wondered when my luck would run out.

Finally, it did.
I was arrested at our most recent uprising, and I’ve been in jail with other rebels ever since. I knew I was in trouble the moment the Roman soldier grabbed me.
The Romans don’t go easy on people like me.
They don’t care if I’ve stolen or if I’ve killed someone.
My sentence is for treason, the highest offense in Roman eyes.
When I was arrested, my first thought was of crucifixion.
I knew that would be my fate.

But I have one small hope, Paschal Pardon, the Jewish Passover custom of releasing to the crowd one prisoner of their choice.
So my fate lies in the hands of an angry mob.

I’ve been told that the governor, Pontius Pilate, is going to offer to the crowd me and one other man, Jesus of Nazareth. This man is also convicted on treason,
but He’s nothing like me.
I’ve heard He’s been creating quite the commotion around the city.
I’ve heard He performs miracles.
I’ve heard He heals the sick and dines with the poor.
Some say He is a good teacher.
Others say He is the Messiah.

Jesus landed himself in this position because the chief priests and scribes are angry at Him. He claims to be the Son of God – blasphemy in their eyes.
He said that the temple would be destroyed, but He would raise it up in 3 days (John 2:19). More blasphemy.

Getting the chief priests and scribes angry may play to my advantage, though.
They have influence and they will be in the crowd today. They want Jesus out of their way and they will do whatever it takes to make it happen!
If they argue for Jesus’s crucifixion, surely the crowd will as well.
—

I’ve gotten word that the crowd seems to be favoring my release over Jesus! I may have a second chance at life! I feel so full of relief, vigor, excitement, deliverance, and…

Guilt.
This man has done nothing to deserve death!
When He came into Jerusalem at the beginning of Passover, He came riding in on a donkey and people praised Him shouting, “Hosanna!” (Matthew 21:1-11).
He has brought hope and healing, not death and destruction like me.
Who could this man be?
Is he a good teacher?
Is he a prophet?
Or is he really the Messiah?

How could this innocent man die in my place?
Me, a sinful and guilty man!
If this Jesus really does die for me, I must find out the truth.
Why He is here and why He died.
——

Barabbas was the forerunner of all people to be saved by Jesus’ death. Barabbas was guilty for his sins. He deserved death. Instead of receiving what he deserved, he was shown mercy. Jesus took his place on the cross so that Barabbas would not that have to die that day.
Today, we are all Barabbas.
We deserve death for the sins we have committed, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life and died the death we deserve. Imagine the relief Barabbas must have felt when he learned that he would not be crucified. May we also experience that kind of appreciation and thankfulness for our salvation through Jesus Christ!

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
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Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

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 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 III!

Sketched III Day 1 Leah The Unlovely

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 69:1-3
Psalm 103:8-14
Philippians 4:6-9     

Sketched III, Day 1

Rachel was beautiful, with dancing dark eyes, a beguiling smile and willowy figure. She would bring a handsome bride-price. I lived in her shadow—forgettable, homely.
Papa joked that he’d have to pay someone to take me!

One afternoon, Rachel burst in breathlessly chattering to Papa about a traveler from Gilead. He was waiting at the well. A distant relative; his name was Jacob. Jacob’s fascination with Rachel was obvious from the beginning. His eyes softly glowed when he looked at her; a boyish smile played at his mouth. She was aflutter, blushing under his admiring gaze. Jacob asked to marry her and Papa gave his consent.

It was common knowledge that older daughters married first, but it wasn’t mentioned. Rules are often altered for favored beauties. Besides, who would want me? Jacob’s intoxication with Rachel fanned a hopeful spark within me. Perhaps someone would gaze upon me with softly glowing eyes and disarming smile. My contributions would be valued; I would be valued. Seven years passed as Jacob worked hard for Rachel; yet, no one came for me.

The party started early the day of the wedding. Abundant food, liquor, and dancing girls fueled the loud laughter that grew increasingly raucous and vulgar. In late afternoon, Papa came to see me. He was drunk, standing uncomfortably close as he unfolded his plan. I would don the bridal costume; the veils would hide my ugly face. Jacob would marry me tonight; he could marry Rachel later. Customs would be honored, he would be rid of his ugly daughter and Jacob would be none the wiser until it was too late. Papa laughed loudly at his own cleverness, his breath heavy with liquor. He turned to leave, landing a sound smack on my backside, laughing as I bristled. Hot tears sprang to my eyes; there was no time to cry. Servant girls appeared with armloads of bridal garb. The air was heavy with silence; they helped me bathe and brushed my hair.  Dousing me in perfume, they bundled me into the bridal costume and carefully pinned the thick veils in place.  I sat waiting.

Treachery, trickery; it has always been Papa’s way, but this was low.
Humiliated, trapped—I was a pawn in Papa’s game.

As I sat waiting in bridal attire, between the perfume and the heavy garb, I grew nauseous and sweaty. Papa’s degrading words rang in my head; I stifled the sobs that threatened and waited.
An hour later Papa came for me and the ceremony was performed.
At its end, I was Jacob’s wife and he would be rightly furious.
However, he didn’t know I wasn’t Rachel.
So, for tonight, I was his beloved, beautiful bride.
If only for tonight, I would feel what it was like to be loved.

In the gray light of pre-dawn, I awoke. Jacob’s arm slid over me, pulling me to him. Sinking into his embrace, I drank deeply of the remaining moments of this delicious delusion that I was loved. He stirred, nuzzling the soft curve of my neck. Brushing my hair from my face, he gasped and bolted upright! Clutching the bedclothes, questions sputtered.
Where was Rachel? Did we?
My tears and apologies flowed. Cursing Papa, he dressed and was gone.
Thoroughly humiliated, I buried myself in the bedclothes and wept. Would I always be unloved?

An ugly showdown transpired between Jacob and Papa that day; Jacob married Rachel within a week.
I was nonexistent, insignificant, and unwanted.

Soon I had a wonderful secret. Rachel held his heart, but I carried his baby. The look on Rachel’s face was priceless! Thus, began the rivalry that marked our lives as sisters, vying for Jacob’s attention.

I delivered a strapping boy; I was immediately in love. I couldn’t stop kissing his head and his scrunched little face. To my surprise, Jacob came. Wonder sprang to his eyes as I handed him our son. Holding our baby awkwardly, a boyish smile played at his lips. Raising his eyes to mine, he smiled at me. It is a moment etched forever in my memory. Hope flickered. Could I dare hope for Jacob’s affection?
I named our son Rueben: “God has seen my affliction!” Surely, things would be different now; as mother of his firstborn, I would be honored.

The years that followed found me pregnant or nursing most of the time. With each pregnancy, Rachel grew increasingly pouty. I loved it! I adored my boys with their grubby faces and boisterous laughter. They were my only joy. Though I’d borne three sons, I remained invisible and forever pitted against Rachel in a game rigged against me.

Jacob’s God was Yahweh, He seemed to honor castoffs, so I turned my hope toward Him.
He had already favored me with three sons.
Though Jacob ignored me, Yahweh held me with tender affection, He became my solace.
Jacob’s love for Rachel became nearly irrelevant.
I was at peace, and when pregnant again, I named our son Judah meaning, “This time I will praise the Lord!”.

The jealousy that formerly ruled me, rose to master me again.
Not be outdone by Rachel, I thrust Zilpah into Jacob’s arms.
The weighty pressure of performance-driven attempts to receive love clouded the peace I’d only begun to learn from Yahweh.
Would I always be unloved?
—
Leah was mistreated, humiliated, disregarded and ignored.
Life is often brutal: we too know the sting of others’ contempt or cutting words. Scripture teaches that all life is valuable, overflowing with God’s tender compassion for the weak, oppressed and castoffs.
Note of God’s heart toward the unseen and unloved in these passages:
Psalm 9:9-10   Matthew 10:29-31   Isaiah 43:1-4   Matthew 25: 34-40   Psalm 103:8-14

Encountering hurt is inevitable, how we respond makes all the difference! Note what the writer does with his emotions in these verses as he models how we can handle our own feelings:
Lamentations 3:22-26   Philippians 4:6-9    Psalm 18:6-26   1 Peter 5:6-7   Psalm 69:1-3

For all of Leah’s story, see Genesis 27-30

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
Join our Facebook Community!

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 III 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 III!

Woven Day 12 Shepherd King: Digging Deeper

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

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

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s
Journey Study?
Check out Shepherd King!

Ezekiel 34:11-16 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

11 “‘For this is what the Lord God says: See, I myself will search for my flock and look for them. 12 As a shepherd looks for his sheep on the day he is among his scattered flock, so I will look for my flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and total darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them to their own soil. I will shepherd them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the land. 14 I will tend them in good pasture, and their grazing place will be on Israel’s lofty mountains. There they will lie down in a good grazing place; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I will tend my flock and let them lie down. This is the declaration of the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bandage the injured, and strengthen the weak, but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will shepherd them with justice.”

The Questions

1) Why is God searching for His flock?

2) How does God plan to tend His flock?

3) What is the significance of the promise God makes in verse 16?

The Findings for Intention

1) Why is God searching for His flock?
God’s people have been taken into captivity in Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.  They are scattered and no longer living as His nation.  This particular chapter of Ezekiel is both a rebuke of God’s people (leaders and followers), and a promise of restoration.  But despite their failures, God states that HE will seek them out in the places where they have been scattered.  God doesn’t promise to send others on His behalf to find them, but keeps Himself personally involved in their being found again.  God loves His people enough to look for them Himself, to find them in their dark places, no matter how far they have been taken away, and to bring them back.  And He will bring them back so that He can be their perfect, loving shepherd.

2) How does God plan to tend His flock?
What else would a good God promise to give to His people but good things?  Matthew 7:11 says,  “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.”  God exemplifies this part of His character with His scattered, lost nation.  He promises to bring them home, back to their land, their soil.  He lets them know that they will once again be on their mountains.  They will have a home.  And even more, God says He will feed them in those places.  They will no longer be in need.

3) What is the significance of the promise God makes in verse 16?
God closes out this part of His declaration with a beautiful promise.  He lets His people know that He understands their needs go far beyond the physical.  He knows the depth of their emotional and spiritual pain as well.  And he will send them a Messiah who will heal, restore, strengthen and defend.  Many of the phrases are reminiscent of Isaiah 61:1-4 about the promised Messiah.  For the people of Israel, the Messiah represented hope and glory for their future.  He would be their salvation.  God also promised to bring His justice to bear on those (kings, teachers of the law, priests, etc.) by whose sin helped pave the way for Judah to be in exile in the first place.

The Everyday Application

1) Why is God searching for His flock?
God’s description of His pursuit of His scattered nation in Ezekiel is an exact representation of what He does for each of us.  We find ourselves lost in darkness, scattered and taken away.  In God’s complete love for us, He seeks each of us out and looks for us, no matter how far we may have allowed ourselves to stray.  He loves us enough to come after us.  And once we are found, He becomes our personal, loving, caring, and perfect Savior.  This is the gospel.  God loves us.  We find ourselves separated from Him.  He comes after us.  If we are willing, He brings us back.  He takes care of us as our Shepherd King.  Forever.  Where are you in that story?  Still straying in the darkness, feeling lost?  Or have you begun to realize God is in pursuit of you?  Maybe He’s asking you if you’re willing to follow?  Or have you already allowed Him to become your shepherd and king?  No matter where you are, ask God to show you what He wants from you next as one of His sheep.

2) How does God plan to tend His flock?
The Shepherd who made those promises to Israel is also our Shepherd, who does the exact same for us.  Our needs are great.  We all have physical needs in this life.  And He promises to provide for all that we need.  In fact, Jesus taught that we are taken care of so well that we have no cause to worry about our physical needs (Matthew 6:25-34).  Do you trust God to provide for your physical needs?  Or do you continually deal with the anxiety that comes with feeling like you’re on your own?  Or are you guilty of expecting God to not only provide for your needs, but demandingly asking for all of your wants to be fulfilled as well?

3) What is the significance of the promise God makes in verse 16?
Sadly, many of the Jewish community missed the fulfillment of this promise that God made to them.  Our Shepherd, sent to take care of our every spiritual need, was fulfilled in the very person of Jesus Christ.  One of the most powerful moments in the gospels comes as Jesus is in the temple and He is given the responsibility to read from one of the scrolls (Luke 4:16-21).  He reads the words from Isaiah 61, declaring in that moment His personal fulfillment of God’s promise to His people.  Friend, DON’T MISS the promise of Jesus’ healing on your life.  Invite him in to heal, to restore, to strengthen, to defend, to offer hope, and to save.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
Join the friends at the GT Facebook Community!

I Can Do That!

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

The Community!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into
Woven Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion. 
We’d love to hear your thoughts!

The Tools!

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

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

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

The Why!

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

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

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

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
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Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Woven!