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Steadfast Day 5 The Essential Truth: Digging Deeper

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Steadfast Day 5 The Essential Truth: Digging Deeper

Melodye Reeves

March 31, 2023

Alive,Digging Deeper,Faith,Forgiven,Freedom,Resurrection

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 Essential Truth"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 15:12-19

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith. 15 Moreover, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified wrongly about God that he raised up Christ—whom he did not raise up, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Those, then, who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Who was denying the resurrection of the dead? (verse 12)

In the beginning of time … God brought everything to life. It was good. But sooner than later, sin came into the picture with a devastating sentence on humanity: Death to all. (Genesis 1-3) Surely the gut-wrenching question on the hearts of Adam and Eve was “will there still be life after this death?”

Job wrestled with this question as he lamented his mortality. (Job 14:13) In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul communicates his agony over the startling news that there were those in Corinth who were denying the resurrection of the body. Many in the Greco-Roman world believed death was the end for a person. (preceptaustin.org)

But what was so shocking was that there were Corinth believers who affirmed the bodily resurrection of Jesus while denying the bodily resurrection of their fellow Christians. Paul was firmly reprimanding those with this mindset. Paul wanted them to understand that if there is no future resurrection for believers, then Christ himself was not raised!

This truth was an essential teaching in the ministry Paul. He made that clear when he wrote to encourage the Thessalonians as well. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

The Everyday Application

1) Who was denying the resurrection of the dead? (verse 12)

Sadly, denying the resurrection was not limited to a few Corinthians thousands of years ago. There has been a movement within the ‘faith culture’ in the last several years to encourage people to question … well, everything. It is hyped as a kinder, gentler approach to biblical ideas.

While there are many layers within this belief system, it has become known by what it holds loosely rather than what it holds firmly. A self-identified progressive shared her thoughts on a blog: “Find grace in the search for understanding and believe there is more value in questioning with an open mind and open heart, than in absolutes of dogma…” (Ginny Baxter) While this seems like a humble approach, it undermines any belief system with absolutes.

TGC author Trevin Wax speaks to this with wisdom and grace: “We cannot reduce Christian truth claims to merely systematic affirmations or mathematical formulations. But even when considering the personal nature of knowing Jesus as the Truth, we shouldn’t resist certainty. What we need is not the kind of scientific certainty elevated by the Enlightenment, but a personal certainty, the kind of certainty that rests assured in God’s demonstration of love for me through sending Christ to die for me, a sinner.

And that kind of certainty should keep us from asserting our doctrinal confidence in a way that seems like we’re just scoring points in intellectual debate or dressing down our theological interlocutors. The Christian faith is full of mystery and paradox, but much of this mystery has been divinely revealed. Certainty, then, should not be set in opposition to humility.”

Hear this, friend. “If Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, ‘There is no resurrection of the dead?’” (verse 12)

The Original Intent

2) How does the reality of the resurrection of Christ impact the witness of the apostles and other believers? (verses 13-15)

After the resurrection of Jesus, the apostles began preaching and teaching and doing miracles. They spoke with courage and power. Their testimony about the deity of Christ (anchoring truths about the one true God) was directly tied to their certainty of His resurrection. Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 demonstrates how the apostles interpreted the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Peter’s testimony to the resurrection did not include the common logical arguments. Instead, he turned their attention to a familiar psalm of David as a prophetic example of life after death. David had confessed to the Lord his belief in his own resurrection one day. (Psalm 16:9-11) And Peter wanted the hearer to understand the connection of David’s words: “Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay. God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this.” (Acts 2:31-32)

The theme in Peter’s message was no doubt relayed to Paul as he learned more and more about the life and death and resurrection of Jesus. He himself had unexpectedly encountered the risen Jesus on his way to Damascus one day. Paul knew that believing in the resurrection of the dead was an essential facet of the gospel message. Not believing in resurrection would be an indictment on every witness to Jesus’ appearance after His death.

It may have been unintentional, but by denying the resurrection of the human body, the unbelieving Corinthians had become false witnesses regarding Jesus. They were also guilty of denying the teaching that was scattered throughout the Old Testament writings like we find in Hosea 13:4-14. God was always clear: life exists after death.

The Everyday Application

2) How does the reality of the resurrection of Christ impact the witness of the apostles and other believers? (verses 13-15)

Although we emphasize the resurrection at Easter, every Sunday service in which believers gather is a witness to the resurrection of Jesus. We read in Acts 20:7 that on the first day of the week, the saints were gathered together to “break bread”.

Most Bible scholars believe this was a meeting to celebrate the Last Supper. Remember, Jesus had told His disciples to remember Him often. (Luke 22:14-20) Why was the early church meeting on Sunday? Because it was the day their Savior had left the tomb and triumphed over death and the grave.

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:
The ground began to shake, the stone was rolled away.
His perfect love could not be overcome.
Now death where is your sting?
Our resurrected king has rendered you defeated!
Forever, He is glorified!
Forever, He is lifted high!
Forever, He is risen! He IS alive!!

The Original Intent

3) Why should believers not compromise their belief in the literal resurrection of Jesus? (verses 16-19)

If believing the resurrection isn’t an essential doctrine for a Christ follower, then there is nothing in which we can connect the dots of our salvation. Without a resurrection, there is no living Christ. And if there is no living Christ, there is nothing to hope for beyond this life.

If there’s nothing to hope for beyond this life, even now what we have is meaningless. Apart from Christ’s resurrection, we have no Savior, no salvation, and no hope of eternal life. Apart from the resurrection of Christ, we have no future hope. And this hope is at the core of our gospel message! (1 Peter 3:15) The resurrection of Jesus divinely defines, endorses and interprets His death.

The resurrection signifies that Jesus is God in the flesh who not only came into the world miraculously, but also came back to life miraculously. When Jesus conquered death, He ushered in the beginning of His kingdom as the reigning Lord of all. If there was no literal resurrection, there would be no reason for Jesus to tell His disciples to remember when He offered them the bread and the wine. (Romans 1:3-4 Romans 4:23-25 Luke 22:14-20). What happened to Jesus on the cross loses clarity without the resurrection. (John 19:28-30)

The good news of the gospel must include the resurrection as the proof of the cross’ saving power. Paul included resurrection alongside Jesus’ death to emphasize that the forgiveness of our sins is related to Jesus being raised. (verse 17) Thanks be to our God that neither Jesus nor Paul nor His followers are left as dead martyrs to be pitied. (verse 20 Philippians 3:10-11).

The Everyday Application

3) Why should believers not compromise their belief in the literal resurrection of Jesus? (verses 16-19)

Many today believe it is valuable to downplay the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus. No, I am not referring to those outside the faith. The refusal to accept the resurrection as an essential core belief occurs among those who call themselves orthodox Christians.

A few years ago, a children’s pastor wrote these words to help parents in her church teach their children a more pleasant Easter story: While there is much beauty to be mined from the resurrection narrative, I don’t think it’s helpful or healthy to suggest that resurrection is a present-day reality that our children can hope/wish for in their own lives. This idea hinders the grief process and doesn’t help them to effectively process death. It’s important for our children to learn to face loss gracefully, accepting the reality of that loss while being held as they grieve.

One thing to bear in mind is this: the point of the Easter story isn’t whether or not Jesus LITERALLY rose from the dead. We’re missing the point if we’re fighting over the historical accuracy of a bodily resurrection. There’s so much more depth to the story than that … Stories don’t have to be factual to speak truth. And it’s okay to question a literal resurrection – questions are how we learn. And there is always truth to be found in curiosity, even if the answers don’t turn out to be what you thought they’d be.” (patheos.com)

I can hardly type that without tears. I feel Paul’s angst as he writes his friends. Oh, dear Sister, the Easter story is absolutely about whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. Denying that is to deny that anyone will ever be raised. That includes you. And me.
And that leaves us all hopeless.

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Easter,forgiven,resurrection,Truth,worship
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Steadfast Day 5
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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
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Steadfast Day 2 Of Epic Importance: Digging Deeper

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Steadfast Day 2 Of Epic Importance: Digging Deeper

Debbie Collin

March 28, 2023

Equipped,Gospel,Hope,Resurrection,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 "Of Epic Importance"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 15:1-7

Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why did Paul need to “make clear” about the gospel? (verse 1-2)

Paul had one passion in ministry, sharing the gospel, or the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. His desire is repeatedly evidenced in every letter he wrote that has been preserved in our Bibles.

“I am eager to preach the gospel to you… For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:14-16)

“Woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16)

“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel… that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ…” (Philippians 1:12-13)

In this letter to the Corinthians, Paul is responding to questions the church in Corinth had asked of him. Presumably, based on Paul’s writing, there were questions about the resurrection of Jesus, and Paul saved this most important topic for the end of his letter.

He wanted to write a simple, straight-forward statement of faith that would summarize what he had already taught them. It is the most important thing he had taught them as every Christian teaching hung upon the resurrection of Christ. Paul wanted them to understand it with all clarity.

The Everyday Application

1) Why did Paul need to “make clear” about the gospel? (verse 1-2)

When cashiers or bank tellers are trained in detecting counterfeit bills, they are shown how to identify genuine ones. They are taught to notice the texture of the money, security features, and serial numbers of authentic bills. Not all counterfeits will be the same, but genuine currency will always be consistent.

We can say the same thing about counterfeit teachings about the gospel. There have always been false teachers who have tried to lead people astray. How can we know if someone is teaching the “real” gospel?

Paul makes it clear for us in this passage, so we can confidently identify the authentic gospel. Any “gospel” that doesn’t absolutely hinge on the death, burial, and resurrection of the fully God, fully human Jesus Christ is no gospel at all. Christ’s resurrection from the dead is the most important aspect of our faith.

The Original Intent

2) What is the significance of the words “according to the Scriptures”? (verse 3-4)

In these verses, Paul uses the phrase “according to the Scriptures” twice. A repeated phrase is often a signal to take a deeper look!

“Scriptures” comes from a Greek word, “graphé”, which means “writing”. In the New Testament, this word almost always refers to the Old Testament. (Note: English words like biography, autograph, bibliography come from this same Greek root word!)

The significance of the phrase “according to the Scriptures” to the church in Corinth would be that the events of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection were a perfect fulfillment according to the prophecies and promises found in the Old Testament. It’s an important part of Paul’s argument that Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection were not just things that happened by accident or by human design at the hand of angry Jewish leaders, the betrayal from Judas, or the Roman law.

Paul emphasizes that every aspect surrounding the events of Christi’s resurrection were part of God’s predetermined plan for salvation.

The Everyday Application

2) What is the significance of the words “according to the Scriptures”? (verse 3-4)

As we read these words today, we can hold the entirety of “the Scriptures” (Old Testament) in our hands. We can trace the thread of the revelation of God’s plan of salvation of humanity through Jesus Christ through each page starting in Genesis!

The words, “according to the Scriptures”, are an exclamation point in this passage reminding us that the events of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection were not unexpected. They were part of the plan. Let’s take a closer look through the lens of the Old Testament Scriptures. 

In Isaiah 53, there are references to a suffering servant who will be “pierced because of our rebellion” and “crushed because of our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Other prophetic passages specific to the crucifixion and resurrection can be found in Psalm 22, Hosea 6:2, Psalm 16:10, and Job 19:25-27.

The Original Intent

3) What role do the witnesses of the resurrected Jesus have in this passage? (verse 5-7)
  
In Ancient Rome, there were usually two or more witnesses required to establish the truth of a testimony in court. In response to any doubts about the authenticity of the resurrection of Jesus, Paul provides more than five hundred eyewitnesses!

He also strengthens this piece of hard evidence by pointing out that most of them were still alive at the time of Paul’s writing. (verse 6) In a sense, Paul is saying, “Don’t believe me? Go and ask them!”

By mentioning these specific individuals and groups, Paul wanted the Corinthians to know that Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection fulfilling many prophecies was not just a belief or a doctrine crafted by a group of people with a political agenda or personal motivation.

It was a real, life-changing event witnessed by a wide range of men and women. He wanted the Corinthian believers to also experience the life-changing reality of Christ’s resurrection for themselves by trusting the God who died and came back to life!

The Everyday Application

3) What role do the witnesses of the resurrected Jesus have in this passage? (verse 5-7)  

I love a good courtroom drama! Especially the climax moment during the trial when the attorney is making his closing statement and you know he has proven his case. It all comes down to the evidence and testimony of the witnesses.

Concerning Jesus’ resurrection, we have historical evidence and the testimony of eyewitnesses preserved for more than 2000 years! We can know the truth! Jesus knew there would be many more believers who would choose to trust Him long after the eyewitnesses had died. He said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” (John 20:29)

That group of people includes me! If you’ve trusted Jesus as your personal Savior, believing Him at His Word that He, fully God and fully human, lowered Himself by putting on flesh to die the death we deserve because we have sinned, and then was raised to life again that we too might have eternal life, then you’re in that group too!

If you’ve confessed your sins, turned from them, and surrendered to Jesus, you are included in those whom Jesus spoke of who believe even though they haven’t seen Him with physical eyes.

This blessing of belief is not just for the future in Heaven but is a gift now in the present tense for those who believe. “Because of His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3) The Living Hope of Jesus can heal our grief, our despair, our broken hearts, and our every longing.

For more discussion on the evidence and testimony about Jesus and the Christian faith, I invite you to read Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell or The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel.

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Christ,coming,Easter,hope,resurrection
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Shortly after His ascension, just as Jesus had promised, He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within His followers.

He is still here, filling and empowering each and every person who puts their faith in Jesus Christ.

Yet, thousands of years later, we are still waiting for Jesus to fulfill the promise of His final return.
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Steadfast Day 1 Of Epic Importance

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Steadfast Day 1 Of Epic Importance

Sarah Young

March 27, 2023

Alive,Gospel,Resurrection,Righteousness,Sacrifice

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 15:1-7
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Psalm 16:9-11
1 John 1:1-4
1 Peter 1:3-12

Although I’ve never been in a courtroom during a trial, I know that in the US, when a witness takes the stand, he or she promises to tell the truth, “the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” 

In 1 Corinthians 15:1-7, Paul begins as if he is taking the witness stand and declaring his testimony about the Gospel to be absolutely, positively, 100% true. 

The veracity of Paul’s words is of utmost importance because what he states constitutes the core of Christian faith. 

Sometimes Paul’s writings can be complicated, with winding sentences that seem to go on and on.  Here, however, he breaks down the message into a very simple, straightforward summary of the Gospel. I can feel the sense of urgency as he writes, outlining the Gospel with absolute clarity and longing for his brothers and sisters in faith to firmly hold on to these truths.

Not only does Paul want them to believe the Gospel message, but to live it out boldly, confidently, and consistently. He begins the chapter with the foundation of our faith and ends in verse 58, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

For us to live in such a radical way, we must be deeply committed to what we believe. We see this commitment in the lives of the disciples, the men and women who walked with Jesus during His ministry. Many of these first believers were also the first martyrs, dying for their faith in horrific ways, courageously choosing to endure pain and eventual death rather than recant. 

Before Peter was crucified, he wrote a letter to believers scattered as exiles because of severe persecution. (1 Peter 1:3-12) He first reminds them God has “given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3) With this in mind, Peter then urges them to hold onto their faith even as they “suffer grief in various trials.” (1 Peter 1:6)

Though they may not have seen Jesus personally, these believers could hold steadfastly to the reality of the Gospel and the certain hope of eternity with God. This hope changed their perspective as they waited in eager anticipation for the “revelation of Jesus Christ.”  (1 Peter 1:7)

Thousands of years later, the same is true for us.  
As believers, we too receive “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading[.]” (1 Peter 1:4) For now, we “are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:5)

Paul further solidifies the truth of the Gospel by emphasizing that HUNDREDS of people saw Jesus following His resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:5) Gospel-writer Luke confirms this with an account of how the risen Jesus shared a meal with His disciples and invited them to touch His nail-scarred hands. (Luke 24:36-43) 

Luke goes on to share some of Jesus’ final words to His followers:
“‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you – that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:44-45)

Shortly after His ascension, just as Jesus had promised, He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within His followers. (Acts 2:1-4)

He is still here, filling and empowering each and every person who puts their faith in Jesus Christ.

Yet, thousands of years later, we are still waiting for Jesus to fulfill the promise of His final return.  

The apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he diligently wrote letters to encourage fellow believers to stand firm in their faith. John also penned the book of Revelation, in which we are given the glorious promise of what is YET TO COME. John shares how one day God will make a new heaven and a new earth, restoring all that has been broken, making all things beautiful once more. (Revelation 21:1-5)

I don’t know about you, but I am eagerly waiting for that day when I can join the hymn of heaven as people from every tongue, tribe, and nation come together to praise God for all eternity. (Revelation 7:9-10)

Until then, in the midst of all the chaos and confusion of this world, may we hold firmly to the wondrous hope of our future. For Paul assures us, “the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you, after you have suffered a little while.” (1 Peter 5:10)

With this in mind, may we, like those first disciples, boldly bear witness to all God has done in our lives and courageously share the good news of the Gospel. They have gone before us, and are now a “large cloud of witnesses surrounding us” (Hebrews 12: 1-2) and cheering us on as we keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, running the race He has set before us until He returns or takes us home.

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alive,Easter,faith,gospel,hope,resurrection
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Steadfast Day 2
Digging Deeper

I love a good courtroom drama! Especially the climax moment during the trial when the attorney is making his closing statement and you know he has proven his case. It all comes down to the evidence and testimony of the witnesses.

Concerning Jesus’ resurrection, we have historical evidence and the testimony of eyewitnesses preserved for more than 2000 years!
Dig Deeper!

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Prayer is central to our ministry as believers in Jesus as we carry eachother’s burdens and intercede for one another. Our team is honored to share the work of praying alongside you!

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Explore This Journey Theme!
March 27 - April 14, 2023 - Journey Theme #116

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GT Weekend! ~ Hallel Week 3

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) To the Jewish disciples who sat around Jesus at the Passover meal, the Messiah had come for them. For the Jews. For God’s chosen people. Throughout His time on earth with them, Jesus had taught them it wasn’t about their lineage as Jews that granted them access to God, it was their hearts. Their inner selves required a re-birth and a new beginning available only through the Holy Spirit. But this idea of Christ coming only for Jews still held fast. He had healed Gentiles. He had blessed the faith of Gentiles, but still the disciples held so tightly to the belief of Christ being for them, as God’s special people, it left no room for others. Soon, when Christ would rise again, and when the Holy Spirit would descend upon these men at the day of Pentecost, they would understand the reality that Jesus Christ came to offer salvation to all! It may be easy for us to verbalize this truth, but take time to ask the Lord where you have inadvertently put up fences, deciding that someone is too far gone for the gospel. Maybe there’s someone who you deem too broken or too sinful to welcome the salvation of Christ. Remember, Jesus came for ALL!

2) Even though the disciples were awash in tidal waves of fear and uncertainty as they left the Upper Room following that final Passover meal with Jesus, there were anchoring truths to which they could cling. They had seen Jesus heal the broken. He was healer. They had witnessed Him calm the seas. He held all authority. They had been with Him as He wept over loss. He was human. They had heard Him teach over and over, touch over and over, sit in the middle of mess over and over. They knew He was love, and His love was God’s love, which endured forever. True, the times were dark, but God’s character had never once shifted; His love endured forever. What have been your anchors during difficulty in the past? What new things have you learned about God and His heart in recent times to help carry you through the next season of doubt and darkness? Take a minute to write these down, as many come to mind. Dwell on these. Praise God for His character and heart of love that endures forever!

3) Surely the closing words of the Hallel psalms were confusing for the disciples. How could they proclaim what the Lord had done in the wake of His death and seeming abandonment? Maybe you’ve experienced something similar in your own life. How can you proclaim the Lord’s goodness when death steals a loved one, when divorce breaks marriage, when sickness steals away the vibrancy you or a loved one once experienced. But Death did not have the final word for Jesus! He returned in victory, conquering death and bringing abundant life that would never end. He won for us what we could never accomplish on our own! His life won our victory. His ascension opened the doorway for the Spirit to descend on us with power to proclaim His gospel and His goodness. His coming return reminds us He is faithful and He is sovereign. The whole of the Hallel beckons us to keep trusting His heart even when we don’t understand. He is faithful! Write down your own declarations of truth and repeat them to yourself often this weekend. Face life with the assurance of Life winning over Death!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Psalm 118:5-6 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

I called to the Lord in distress;
the Lord answered me
and put me in a spacious place.
The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid.
What can a mere mortal do to me?

Prayer Journal
It seems the reasons to run and be afraid and allow anxiety to overtake me are endless. Everywhere I turn there are more reasons to live in fear. Except for one. When I turn to You, Father, peace awaits. Courage is given. Purpose motivates me to love others well because You have loved me deeply. What can man, or a virus, or death, do to me? You, the sovereign ruler over all, hold my heart and my life. When I hide myself within the truths of Your love, fear flees. This is the spacious place for me to land. As I continue facing distress in real life, Lord, remind me, Spirit, to keep trusting You. Here, I will have no fear!

Worship Through Community

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

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Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Hallel Day 15 From Death To Life

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 118:17-29
Psalm 24:1-10
Matthew 26:36-56
Luke 20:9-18

Hallel, Day 15

I will not die, but I will live
and proclaim what the Lord has done.
The Lord disciplined me severely,
but did not give me over to death.

The words came flooding like so much mockery as the events of the previous hours replayed again and again, unbidden, in my mind. These were words my lips had sung hours before in swirls of confusion beneath the dark sky of Gethsemane. It was the same garden, the same piles of rocks, the same swath of olive branches where I had sat with these brothers of mine for countless hours over the last three years.

Here, I’d heard Jesus teaching the masses.
Here, I’d heard been confronted with truth.
Here, we had learned to pray.
And mere hours go, here is where my brothers and I had fallen asleep while…….
the sobs gathered with overwhelming force in my throat, choking me, as I called to mind my failings.

I ran aimlessly through the now empty garden.
I could not hold back the screams of agony.
Falling to the ground, my fists pummeled the soft earth, and I wished for death.

Here, just hours ago, I had watched Jesus heal a soldier’s ear from Peter’s reckless sword.
Here, I had been jolted awake from Jesus’ emotion-filled plea to please, please pray with Him. But I didn’t. I just couldn’t stay awake.

My hands reached up and grabbed at nearby olive branches in self-loathing and anger, plucking new leaves into my balled-up fists.

Softly, the words came again.
I will not die, but I will live
and proclaim what the Lord has done.

Proclaim?!
I scoffed!
Proclaim what??
That Yahweh had parted the Red Sea?
So what…
That He brought us out of exile?
That was centuries ago….
None of it was relevant now.
Our Messiah is… dead.

Anger overtook me again as my fingers dug into the dirt.

Open the gates of righteousness for me;
I will enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the Lord’s gate;
the righteous will enter through it.

The melody came like whispers.
As if Jesus Himself were singing the words, and my mind easily recalled the lusty sound of His voice, fraught with emotion, as He had sung those words while leading us here last night.

This is the Lord’s gate;
the righteous will enter through it.

What did any of this mean anymore in light of all the new happenings.
In light of death….
The only understanding hitting me hard on repeat was the knowing that I was not righteous. I was not righteous. I was not righteous. Too many sins, like the dirt pressed beneath my fingernails, my sin colored everything.
I knew the truth, I was not righteous.

Not like Jesus. Certainly not like Jesus. He was innocent. Holy. Pure.
And again, the tears flowed with the blatant injustice of it all.
Holiness murdered. Messiah dead. Hope gone…..

I will give thanks to you
because you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
This came from the Lord;
it is wondrous in our sight.

My lungs held their air as the words seemed to wrap around me, insisting I gaze at them longer. My body trembled, but something about those words I hadn’t recognized before. I turned my head as if to hear the words sung again in Jesus’ voice. Was there a deeper message in these age-old lyrics?

You…have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
This came from the Lord;

They were jagged pieces of a puzzle, but like a hazy fog gathering around me, realization was slowly creeping over me.
Salvation.
The stone the builders rejected….
This came from the Lord.

I inhaled sharply, suddenly remembering I had forgotten to breath, and my mind raced to the day Jesus had spoken those very words.
We were all gathered around Him in Jerusalem, walking around the breathtaking edifice of Herod’s Temple. He had told a strange parable, as most of them were, about the owner of a vineyard who, while out of the country, had sent a servant to gather fruit. But the tenants of the vineyard, whom the owner had left in charge, beat up the servant and sent him back empty handed. Three times the owner sent a servant, and three times the tenants abused the servants. Finally, the owner sent His own beloved Son, saying surely, the tenants will respect my son. But they didn’t. Instead they killed him. Then Jesus had quoted this portion of the Hallel, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”.

Soft rain began mixing with my tears as I lifted my face to the heavens.
Christ was the cornerstone.
Christ was the rejected son, killed by the ones intended to care for the Father’s people.
Salvation.
This came from the Lord.

“There must be more to the story, Jesus”, I felt my lips move, and peace began easing my clenched muscles.
I didn’t have the answers, but, here, as before, in this Garden, I was being confronted with truth.

The Lord is God and has given us light.

Yes, Lord, You are the giver of Light.
Jesus, He is Your light of the world.
But, God, they crucified Him!
My questions still hung in the air
His answer came with power as the words to the end of the Hallel opened my heart, “Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar…”

Jesus.
The bound sacrifice.
The cross was the altar.
Death traded for life!

I still had questions to be sure, but as I rose, dropping the olive branches to the dirt by my sandaled feet, I felt washed. I felt peace.
No, I didn’t know the answers. Christ was still in the grave, but there was more to the story, I knew it would be so because God has always, always been faithful, and always would be.

Yes, He parted the Red Sea.
Yes, it still mattered.
Yes, He set us free from slavery.
Because He has always brought Life out of Death.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks.
You are my God; I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
His faithful love endures forever!

—–
As is the case with each of our first-person narratives at Gracefully Truthful, these stories of Hallel have been imaginative creativity based in the truth of Scripture. We don’t know what the disciples’ exact actions or personal internal wrestlings were after the final Passover meal, the betrayal, the denial, the flogging, and finally the crucifixion of their Lord, Jesus Christ. But, here in the Garden, we hope you find small pieces of your own journey with Jesus, and you, like the disciples, discover He is indeed faithful and true, as He always brings Life out of Death!

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Hallel Day 13 Love That Frees

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 118:1-16
Exodus 15:1-3
Isaiah 53:10-11
Matthew 26:20-30

Hallel, Day 13

“His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1-4)

The truth of these words brought the disciples comfort as they walked to the garden, singing this refrain. It had been a strange and unsettling evening. What began as a joyous celebration commemorating God’s deliverance of His people from slavery had taken a much more serious turn over dinner . . .

Talk of betrayal and suffering,
bread being broken and wine poured out,
all pointing to death . . .

Something in Jesus’ manner was different tonight, and it left them uneasy. The comfort of these familiar words surely heartened them.

“His faithful love endures forever.”
Everything will be all right.

For Jesus, the words were a reminder of why He had come and what He had to do. God’s faithful love endures forever, despite humanity’s sin and rebellion, and He was about to demonstrate the depth of His love once and for all . . . at an incredible cost.

“I called to the Lord in distress;
the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place.”
(Psalm 118:5)

Freedom!

The disciples longed for freedom from Roman rule and they trusted Jesus was the promised Messiah, the One who would deliver their freedom. Just as God freed the Israelites from Pharaoh’s rule so many years ago, surely He would do the same for them. If God was on their side, they would be victorious. There was no reason to fear.

Freedom . . . 

Jesus needed to focus on the reason why He was going through with this. It was for these dear friends walking alongside Him, and for many others who would believe through their witness.

His death and resurrection would set them free, liberate them from sin and death forever, and cast out fear of God’s judgement by making them righteous. True, eternal freedom for His beloved friends was worth all that lay ahead.

“The Lord is my helper. Therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.” (Psalm 118:7)

Perhaps the disciples’ voices grew louder, more confident, as they pondered these words.

Jesus had spoken of enemies tonight, but they wouldn’t have the final word. Against all odds, the Israelites had triumphed over Pharaoh and his army. God had shown His power, and He could do it again. Surely the Lord was for them.

But did Jesus’ voice grow fainter as He sang, wrestling inwardly with what was to come?

“I know there are many who hate me.
They will do their worst.
Death will look like defeat.

O Father, help Me endure.
I know this is necessary, and I know it will be worth it.
I know death will not have the final victory.
I know this will be a mighty triumph over the powers of hell for eternity . . .
but I also know it will be painful and bloody.
Please give me strength.

And help My brothers, Father.
My death will seem like a crushing defeat to their faith.
Please give them strength to endure.”

“All the nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.” (Psalm 118:10)

No matter what comes against us, no matter what enemies surround us,
we can defeat them in God’s power.

“Very soon, I will be surrounded by enemies, whipping and spitting, mocking and jeering, rejoicing in My demise. Already, the true enemies, the spiritual forces of evil and darkness, invade My mind, urging Me not to go through with it, to use My power to break free.

And I could . . . but I will not.

Only through My death will these enemies be truly destroyed, and My children set free. O Father, give me victory over the temptation to quit. Help Me be strong.”

“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.”  (Psalm 118:14)

As they echoed the Israelites’ song of victory after crossing the Red Sea, praising God for His mighty power, hope rose in the disciples’ hearts. God was with them. Victory was sure . . .

As for Jesus, He looked to the suffering awaiting Him, knowing through His death, He would become their salvation. It was the only way.

Only in death would they, and all who would believe, be set free to embrace eternal life . . .

Great suffering lay ahead; Christ must hold onto hope, and cling to the truth that death would not have the final word:

“I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the Lord has done.”  (Psalm 118:17)

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Hallel Day 11 For All Peoples

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 117
Psalm 148
Hebrews 10:11-25
Romans 15:7-12
Revelation 22:12-17

Hallel, Day 11

Judas left the Passover supper suddenly.
Only Jesus knew why, but He didn’t say anything . . . aloud.
In His heart and mind, He cried out,
“Father, I know where I’m going.
In my humanity, I am hurt by the betrayal of one I love.
‘Woe to him for his actions (Mark 14:21), even if they were necessary to extend the offer of redemption to all those We love.”

With the meal ending, Jesus and His disciples began singing before leaving the upper room.

“Praise the LORD, all nations!
Glorify him, all peoples.”
(Psalm 117:1)

As they finished the first verse, the disciples were unaware of Jesus’ pain, and their town expectations filled their minds. These men, who spent three years with Jesus, believed He was the Messiah. They believed He came to overthrow Roman rule and bring Israel’s freedom.

“Surely we should praise Him because He is the Messiah, our long awaited Savior!”

They’d heard the reading of Isaiah 9:6 in the temple and as they thought through the characteristics listed, they saw ample reason to praise the LORD.

“He has indeed been a wonderful counselor! Look at the way He has taught through His many parables. And I remember the counsel He gave Martha.”

“Mighty God definitely applies to Him. He’s performed incredible miracles, from healing to  casting out demons and even resurrecting Lazarus from the dead! Yes, He is mighty and worthy to be praised!”

As Jesus sang, His heart soared with the knowledge His life, sacrificial death, and resurrection would elicit praise for the Father not just from His disciples or even His chosen people, the Jewish nation.

No, the praises would come from all peoples.

Jesus foresaw Paul’s letter to the Roman church, demonstrating how passages from the Tanakh, sacred Jewish scripture, speak of the Gentiles praising Christ (Romans 15:7-12).

As Jesus surveyed His disciples, their heads bowed and voices raised in song, He pondered, “They do not yet realize I am Messiah for all people. They sing words without full understanding. But when revelation comes, they will lead multitudes in praise.”

As the disciples recited promises of the Prince of Peace, on whose shoulders the government would rest, they were filled with expectation.

Yes, they would praise Him as King.
Surely, they believed, such a King would rescue them from Roman rule.
He would take the government on His shoulders and all would bow to Him.

For generations, they’d waited for the Prince of Peace to establish an earthly throne and rule over a glorious Jewish kingdom. Now, they were certain, He was here to accomplish it.

But Jesus came to claim a kingdom much larger than a single nation.
And He came to defeat an enemy much more powerful and deadly than the Romans.

“I have shown my faithful love throughout the ages.
My fulfillment of My Father’s redemptive plan will demonstrate the depth of my love.
My followers think I’m here to rescue them from Rome . . .
But My love runs deeper.
I am here to rescue them from sin and death.
I love them too much to stop at the temporary.”

As they each relished their thoughts, Jesus and the disciples continued on to the second verse of the short, but powerful hymn.

“For His faithful love to us is great; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah!”
(Psalm 117:2)

As those words lifted to heaven, the disciples recalled Jesus’s statement,
“I and the Father are one”. (John 10:30). And their thoughts swirled.

“If He and the Father are One, was Jesus the flaming torch passing between the divided animals to make the covenant with Father Abraham?

Was it Jesus who kept God’s promise to rescue the Israelites from Egypt, and did so by parting the Red Sea? Was it Jesus who brought our ancestors back from exile in Babylon?

If so, His love has been faithful and surely, it will endure forever.
We must offer our praises for His enduring love!”

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, felt both joy and grief.

His joy stemmed from His faithful love and the deep assurance it would never, ever fail. It would indeed endure forever, through the creation of the new heaven and the new earth, and beyond. His faithful love would hold Him to the cross the next day. 

But the thought of the personal cost to Him brought grief. The impendng betrayal by Judas and denial by Peter, and the physical torture were burdens to bear.

Even heavier was the weight of the sin of every single human settling in darkness upon His spirit, and the consequential separation from the Father. This was soul-crushing grief.

“But My love never fails. My faithfulness endures forever.
I will seek the Father, but I know to love this world, I must save it.
This is my great joy, to love this way.”

And for the joy set before Him, Jesus led His disciples to the Garden, yet another part in the greatest love story about the greatest King who is faithful and loving, forever.

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

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

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The GT Weekend! ~ Hallel 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 disciples were undoubtedly filled with fear and confusion unlike anything they had experienced before as they sat with the Lord Jesus in the Upper Room, doing familiar actions, singing familiar hymns, but everything was different in deep ways. When have you felt something similar? Maybe it was a family tragedy. Maybe it was finding yourself caught in the quicksand of a relationship spinning out of control. Maybe it was discovering a serious health issue or uncovering a painful deception. For the disciples, Jesus was turning their worldview upside down, doing the very thing they expected to be the end of them and of Him. But His purposes were far above theirs, and as they kept walking forward in faith, trusting Him even when they couldn’t understand, they would see how He would turn death into life. Remarkable! This portion of the Hallel called for the disciples to bless the Lord, despite their dire circumstances. Where is the Lord calling you to do the same? Commit to blessing the Lord, praising Him, and choosing to trust Him regardless of your situation.

2) That last Passover with the disciples was fraught with intentional forethought that had begun centuries before by the very same God who now sat at the table with 12 men. Unfathomable!! Jesus Himself even said He had long waited for this moment with anticipation. Finally, the fulfillment of so much was unfolding! Jesus was about to make things new. He was taking an Old Testament understanding of the covenant and allowing it to give birth to a New Covenant. One where animal sacrifices would be overtaken by the perfect sacrifice for sin across all of time and covering all of sin, God Himself. Yes, the price was far beyond our ability to even begin to comprehend. Yes, the darkness of those three days in the grave would leave the disciples spinning with uncertainty and fear. BUT. All would be made new as Christ’s victorious life was given in exchange for our sin! Take time to journal your thoughts on this act of incredible love and mercy that far exceeds our ability to express. Sit. Worship. Adore. Lift hallelujah for the Lord of Life and Love!

3) Sarah made it clear in yesterday’s Journey Study that Christ had come with clear purpose, to be the Passover Lamb. Every year, Jews were required to slay a lamb with spot or blemish to cover over their sins, making atonement to the Most Holy God. Though Scripture teaches that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin (Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22), it also teaches it is impossible for the blood of animals to effectively take away sin. (Hebrews 10:4) A perfect sacrifice was needed. One that was so effective it didn’t need to be repeated every year. Christ was perfect as He lived out our human life, wrapped in human flesh, but did it all without even one sin. Then He, who deserved no punishment, chose to take our death and separation from God upon Himself. He was the sacrificial lamb given on our behalf. Are you relying on your own good works to give you access to a good standing with God when only one, perfect sacrifice will be accepted? Choose to be covered by the blood of the Lamb, and spend your every breath praising Him for this radical gift of love!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Psalm 115:9-11 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.
House of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.

Prayer Journal
Trust. Help. Shield. Trust. Help. Shield. Lord, how often I look to the strength of my own hands or to my own ingenuity or even, oh Lord, to other people of influence in my life in order to solve my problems. Father, remind me of these three powerful words and turn my heart back to being fully focused on You alone. Teach me not to wander. Pursue me, and may I quickly learn to return. May I choose to trust You over and over for every situation, big or small. You alone are my help and my shield, oh Lord my God!

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Hallel Day 10 Eden’s Promise

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 116:12-19
Matthew 26:17-56
Titus 3:4-7
1 Corinthians 1:20-22
Revelation 19:4-9

Hallel, Day 10

Have you watched a movie using flashbacks to help the audience understand how the past is connected to the current scene?

Or if, like me, you’re a fan of the popular TV show, This Is Us, you get it.

As I prepared for this Journey Study, the idea of a movie struck me. Since we are approaching Easter, the opening scene features Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

We see the disciples asleep under a tree, and the camera pans to a lone figure in the distance.

Jesus.

He falls to the ground, exhausted. Emotionally spent, He weeps, and with sweat so thick it trickles down His brow as drops of blood, He cries out in anguish,
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me;
nevertheless, not as I will but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

As the heaviness of His words hangs in the air, the scene flashes back to another garden.

Here, in the middle of Eden are a man and woman, naked and cowering in fear as they crouch behind a bush, doing their best to hide. We expect lightning to strike, judgment crashing down on them as a result of their blatant disobedience to God.

But in a surprising twist, God curses the serpent.
While Adam and Eve’s sinful choice brings weighty consequences, God surrounds them with gracious compassion. He tenderly clothes Adam and Eve, promising one day their broken relationship with Him will be fully restored.

We realize that as Jesus kneels in Gethsemane, HE is the fulfillment of the promise made long ago in Eden.

The plot is perfect.
It’s Passover week.
The heartbreak of Gethsemane is still to come.
We find Jesus and His disciples eating supper together.

The evening must have been so confusing for the men who’d spent the past three years with Jesus. They heard Him teach, watched Him heal, and witnessed miracle after miracle. Yet, it seemed they still had NO understanding of the events unfolding before them.

The camera zooms in as the men sit around a table, eating the traditional Passover meal.

Sighing, Jesus looks around the room, soaking in the moment with His closest friends.

“How do I tell them, Abba?”, Jesus prayed. “They will be so confused and scared. Even after all this time with Me, they still don’t understand what we are doing.”

Heart heavy, He announces His impending betrayal.

Thaddeus spits his wine in shock. Philip drops the matzah he was passing to Judas.

“BETRAY You?”, Matthew utters in bewilderment.

“Which of us would do THAT?!”, James quickly adds, his eyes darting around the room suspiciously.

“It’s not me, is it?” Andrew whispers in Jesus’ ear, his face pale with worry.

Jesus moves the meal on to the last cup of wine, for with it comes the promise of a new covenant. His very blood would soon be poured out as a sacrifice bringing forgiveness of all mankind’s sins, past, present, and future.
He, Himself, would be the final Passover Lamb. 

After supper, we watch Jesus and the disciples making their way to the Mount of Olives. As they walk, despite the tension amongst them, out of ritual, the men continue singing the traditional Hallel. (Matthew 26:30)

On this night, however, their minds wandered as they sang the verses from memory.

“Pssst, Thomas, what do you think Jesus meant by BETRAY? Surely, it’s just another of His parables, right?”

“I don’t know. And what did He mean by ‘drinking His blood?’ Hey, John, you’re close with Jesus, do you understand what He’s saying?”

“I wish. I don’t understand, either. I want to know when He will overthrow the Romans and set up His kingdom!”

Jesus is singing along, yet His own heart and mind are in extreme turmoil.
“I am here to deliver them.
I came to fulfill promises.
I must die, so they can live.
I must do this.
Father, help Me! Help Me finish what We started so long ago.”

With heaviness, Jesus enters the Garden of Gethsemane followed by His confused disciples.

And we’re back to our opening scene of Jesus crying out in despair.
He knew exactly what the next few hours would bring.

This night was the culmination of thousands of years of promise, a single perfect life, and a propitiatory death.

His coming had a purpose:
to reconcile man to God,
redeeming all who were lost.
He left heaven so we could enter.

As the story continues, He hangs on a cross, paying the penalty for OUR sin.
Just as God extended grace to Adam and Eve in Eden, He now offers salvation freely to us. (Ephesians 2:8-9). NO ONE deserves such grace, yet ANYONE can accept His incredible gift!

When we accept the gift of salvation, we abandon our roles as spectators and become part of the cast! We look forward to being in the final scene, a wedding supper foreshadowed by Jesus’ final Passover with His disciples.

One day, all who have trusted Jesus as their Savior will celebrate with Him at the Feast of all Feasts, the finale of all finales!

Until then, we wait.
Like the disciples on Passover night, we may not understand everything happening in our lives. We may be confused, afraid, overwhelmed, or overcome with grief.

Just as the hymns of Hallel proclaimed what God had ALREADY done, while also anticipating what He WOULD do, we can choose to trust God to keep all of His promises.

We live with both the reminder of Easter and the anticipation of Jesus’ return.

In the middle, we choose worship.
Not because of our circumstances, but because of CHRIST.

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

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Hallel Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Hallel!