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Surrender Day 11 Our All For His Use

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Surrender Day 11 Our All For His Use

Brenda Earley

February 6, 2023

Broken,Confession,Courage,Faith,Forgiven,Freedom

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Kings 17:8-24
Luke 5:1-11
Luke 18:24-30
Acts 4:32-37
Luke 9:23-27

As I stood by our church pew singing the old hymn, “I Surrender All,” little did I comprehend true surrender, nor the impact of this word on my life in years to come. 

Surrender. 

To surrender means to abandon, to yield, to give power, control or possession to another.  

This one word makes me speechless. 

Surrender is a hard word to say, and an even tougher concept to live out; it’s a complex and difficult action in real life. 

Let’s go a bit further and define self-sufficiency. The dictionary puts it this way: enough, adequacy, supply, and plenty, but I believe this definition drives home the point of biblical surrender. Consider that Self Sufficiency is the ability to maintain oneself or itself without outside aid. 

Growing up, I understood what it meant to “honor your father and mother.” (Exodus 20:12) It wasn’t until I was going off to college that I strayed from this commandment. Thinking I knew better, and feeling the emotional roller coaster of love, I turned my back on stability and fled into a whirlwind of disobedience. “He loves me, he loves me not” was whistling in my ear. Oh, I thought a boy loved me, so I jumped on and went round and round, up and down for many years.

I wanted to be self-sufficient, able to maintain my life without anyone’s help. Does this seem prideful? Yes, in retrospect, I understand not allowing our Provider, Sustainer, Supplier, and Satisfier into my life was sin. How I needed His ultimate sustaining power at this crossroad! 

The early years of my first marriage were a roller coaster. I never knew what to expect. As I stepped inside my front door, I wondered if I should walk on eggshells or be myself? Would I march into condemnation, ridicule, and name-calling or would it seem to be a bed of roses? More often than not, it would be condemnation. 

Until I realized I needed to accept help, pray for God’s strength to allow help, and then fully surrender to His will and plan for my life, I would continue to struggle on my own. (1 Corinthians 1:8) He sent “reminders” to me through others, through His Word, and by seeing His constant hand in my life. Over time, He truly became my Sustainer, my Supplier, and my Satisfier just like the widow, the disciples, and Joseph (Barnabas). 

Sustainer 1 Kings 17:8-24
A little flour, a little oil
Mixed together 
For our last supper.
A recommendation 
To bake the leaven
To sustain our lives,
Unto Heaven.

Supplier Luke 5:1-11; Luke 18:24-30
The fishermen left
To wash their nets.
Their boats, empty.
For upon their return,
The Master spoke.
Standing on the boat
While others heard:
“Throw aside your nets
To catch even more”
How truly absurd!
The disciple did say
We’ve been fishing all night, and all day.
But what a huge haul
No more fishing drought.
What’s impossible for us,
Is Possible with God.

Satisfier Acts 4:36-37
Not much to mention
But a parcel of land
Owned by a Levite
And at his own hand, 
He laid it all down
Only to sacrifice
His life, not his own! 

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

When we were enslaved to our sins, He came to bring us spiritual freedom and new life. (Romans 6:6-11) Through His death and resurrection, He has gifted to us what we could never supply for ourselves: redemption. 

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked [. . .] But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ[.]” (Ephesians 2:1, 4-5)

In our own daily lives, He longs to be our Sustainer, Supplier, Satisfier; He can make something beautiful in His own time, for He makes all things new. (Revelation 21:5)

Sweet friends, He is making something beautiful in you! If you do not believe me, maybe these lyrics will help in understanding His love towards us. 

Something beautiful, something good
All my confusion He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife
But He made something beautiful of my life.
If there ever were dreams 
That were lofty and noble
They were my dreams at the start
And hope for life’s best were the hopes
That I harbor down deep in my heart
But my dreams turned to ashes
And my castles all crumbled, my fortune turned to loss
So I wrapped it all in the rags of life
And laid it at the cross.(Something Beautiful Gaither Vocal Band, Bill Gaither Trio)

I love this description of Jesus’ work for us! 

Jesus didn’t go to the cross so we didn’t have to, He went to the cross to show us HOW.

“If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself daily, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

Let us surrender our self-sufficiency, take up our cross, and follow Him!

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She surrendered what little she had in obedience to the God of Israel. With stunning amazement, we watch the Lord accept her surrender and replace her hopelessness with hope. The flour jar and the oil jug never ran empty during the famine. (verse 16) Elijah ate. Her son ate. She ate. And they lived.
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Sketched X Day 11 What Are You Waiting For?

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 42:1-43:14
Acts 22:12-16
Mark 4:35-40

Sketched X, Day 11

The courtyard stones beneath my feet still held the coolness of night. Dawn had broken though, and by midday, the stones would be radiating the sun’s heat. It would be a miserable, sweaty day for all waiting in line for grain.

Still, very few complained about standing in the scorching sun, not when I held their sustenance in my control. The Lord had given Pharaoh dreams foretelling seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine. Since the Lord worked through me to interpret those dreams, Pharaoh made me second in command and ruler over the land. (Genesis 41)

I stockpiled during those seven years of abundance, believing the Lord’s word that the years of famine would come.

And come they did. 

Now all those in Egypt and surrounding areas come to us, willing to pay for grain to survive. Years of famine still loom before us, but our storehouses are full.

I motion for the gates to be opened. Those who’ve already lined the stone streets stream in, and I watch the expressions on their faces. The famine years have not been kind; weathered faces and heavy countenances greet me as far as I can see.

A face just beyond the gate catches my eye. Something about him made me think of my brothers. Strange that they would come to mind. I glanced again toward the gate, but the face had disappeared.

Focus, Joseph. You’re in charge here. No time to dwell on the past.
I settle my mind on the business before me as the day’s grain sales begin.

A little while later, a laugh catches my attention. I’m not surprised; often, the swell of laughter increases as people draw closer to their chance to purchase grain and discover abundant supply. Hope seems to bubble up within them and escape as joy.

But this laugh draws my focus because it was the same I’d heard in my youth.
I look down the line and catch sight of the face I’d seen before.

Rueben.

My brother. He is here. And he is not alone.

I quickly count nine others with him. All my brothers but Benjamin. Within moments they would be standing before me. Would they recognize me?

I draw my royal cloak around me and whisper for those fanning me to stand so my face is obscured.

“Where do you come from?” I ask, with far more venom in my voice than I intended. Years of betrayal and bitterness surge within me, even though I’d worked to surrender those emotions. The Lord knew I’d had plenty of time to do so in the many years since I’d seen my brothers’ faces.

When my brothers reply they’ve come from Canaan to buy food, my dreams from years ago play in my mind’s eye. My brothers bowing before me. Could this be the moment foretold all those years ago?

“You are spies. You have come to seek the weakness of the land.”

This accusation gives me the upper hand and before they know it, I orchestrate a scenario to have Benjamin brought to me. My brothers begin to talk amongst themselves, not realizing I can understand their native tongue. I stand, stepping aside to where I am completely hidden by servants, and weep.

Turning back, I direct one of them to stay in Egypt in my custody until the rest return with their youngest brother. With their families on the brink of starvation, they can’t refuse. Simeon is bound and their sacks of grain are prepared. I give orders for their money to be returned in their bags as well.

I send them off and await their return. My dreams promised I would see all of my brothers and I trust the Lord would fulfill His word.

Until I see my baby brother standing before me, I wait, pray, and portion out the grain entrusted to me. It had taken the lure of grain, deep in the midst of the famine, to bring my brothers to Egypt. Hopefully their return would not be delayed.

Ananias: While Joseph’s first-person perspective does not highlight the words of his father, Israel, telling his brothers not to wait for their rescue, Genesis 42:2 captures Israel’s admonition to his sons, “‘Why do you keep looking at each other? Listen,’ he went on, ‘I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so we will live and not die.’”

First-century Christian Ananias had a similar encouragement for newly-converted apostle Saul,
“And now, why are you delaying? Get up and be baptized, washing away your sins, calling on [Christ’s] name.” (Acts 22:16)

Ananias’ exhortation is for us, as well! Are we delaying asking the Lord for His forgiveness, our rescue from the eternal consequences of our sin? (Colossians 1:13-14) Ananias challenged Saul to embrace God’s rescue, a courageous recommendation, as Saul was a former persecutor of Christians.

Disciples: Tossed amid furious waves in a raft, Jesus’ disciples experienced significant fear in seeking rescue. (Mark 4:35-40) Mark relates how the Lord calmed the storm and asked the disciples why they were afraid when Jesus was physically in their midst. Similarly, Israel called out fear in his sons as they kept looking at each other, each hoping another would volunteer to leave the comfort of their current dwelling to acquire desperately-needed food.

If God is with us, whom or what shall we fear?

Friends, what are we waiting for?
Our Rescuer is here!

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

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Wilderness Day 5 Purposed Desolation

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 3:13-17
Matthew 4:1-11
Deuteronomy 6:13-16

Wilderness, Day 5

“Wilderness” is woven throughout the Bible.

Hagar’s desperation in the wilderness (Genesis 16:1-16)
Moses’ shepherding in the wilderness (Exodus 3)

Israel’s bitter complaining in wilderness wanderings (Exodus 14:11-14)
These are only a few examples.

Amazingly, God spoke of making a way in the wilderness. (Isaiah 43:20)

The wilderness isn’t a place of comfort, but is defined as a lonely, desolate place. I imagine wilderness as a place similar to the forested place I traveled with my mother as a child to cut firewood. Regardless of the landscape, wilderness is a place of lonely isolation.

Imagine Jesus taken by the Holy Spirit to that place of desolation. (Matthew 4:1-3) Imagine yourself there alone for 40 days and 40 nights without sustenance, and then the devil coming to tempt and taunt you. Some argue that because Jesus was God, He would have not felt tempted, physically weak, or lonely as we might, but Scripture reveals,

“For we do not have a great high priest [Jesus, the Son of God] who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

We know Jesus felt hungry (Matthew 4:2) and tired (John 4:6), because, though He was fully God, He was also fully man.

Jesus’ wilderness was purposeful, a time set aside to fast, pray, and be present with His Father as He prepared to begin His ministry. Directly before this, when He was baptized, the Father testified about Him, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

In the wilderness, the devil tempted Jesus to use His power in ways inconsistent with His mission as God’s Beloved Son.

The devil took advantage of timing, approaching Jesus at the end of His 40 day fast, when He was hungry. Tempting Jesus to give in to the desires of His body, He urged Jesus to turn nearby stones to bread to satisfy His hunger. (Matthew 4:2-3)

But Jesus answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3)

Undaunted by his failure, the devil took Jesus to stand on the pinnacle of the temple in the holy city, asking Jesus to prove Himself as the Son of God. Misusing Scripture to qualify his claim, he asked Jesus to fall from the pinnacle, claiming angels would save Him. (Matthew 4:5-6)

But Jesus answered, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.” (Matthew 4:7, Deuteronomy 6:16)

The devil still would not give up; he took Jesus to a high mountain and showed Him the kingdoms of the world and their glory, then asked Him to worship Satan, in order to gain ownership of said kingdoms and glory. (Matthew 4:8-9)

Again, Jesus resisted with Scripture, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” (Matthew 4:10, Deuteronomy 6:13)
Defeated, the devil departed from Jesus.

At times, we find ourselves in our own wildernesses. Even in daily life, we may feel alone in our wilderness, threatened physically, mentally, or spiritually.

In our world, sin and temptation constantly surround us.
Temptation may approach in the form of a threat or that of pleasure,
but always with the same goal: to lure us into sin.
The devil will either use our everyday needs to tempt us, or dreadful condition to submerge us in fear, belittling God’s power in our lives.

Anything shifting our gaze away from God can become our idol. Ordinary things may not appear sinful, but if we prioritize them above God, they become idols. Food is a normal need, but if we allow it to control us, it becomes an idol; likewise money, position, or any hunger of our heart. We are always tempted to pursue that which we think will satisfy our lusts, and the resulting idols always stand between us and God.

Sister, be encouraged; these idols are stripped of their power in Christ!
Through God’s Spirit, we have the capacity to overcome temptation!

The Scripture says God is faithful to sustain us through temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), and He has given us His Word to fight against the devil’s schemes. Jesus depended on God’s Word during His wilderness time; likewise, our victory over temptation depends on His Word. Among the spiritual weapons apostle and preacher, Paul, lists in Ephesians 6:10-18, “the sword of the Spirit–which is the word of God” is the only offensive weapon mentioned.

Finally, when we find ourselves in the wilderness, let’s believe the desolation can be unto a purpose. Let’s immerse ourselves in His Word, meditating on it day and night, until it abides within us. Then, when we face temptation, let us follow the example set by Jesus and wield it effectively, unto victory!

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Build Day 7 Building Character: 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!
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The Questions

1) What is Nehemiah’s situation in this passage? (verses 1-5)

2) How does Nehemiah’s response in verses 6-11 demonstrate righteous leadership?

3) What motivated Nehemiah to choose this course of action? (verses 12-19)

Nehemiah 5:1-19

1 There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen. 2 Some were saying, “We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live.” 3 Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine.” 4 Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. 5 We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

6 I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. 7 After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, “Each of you is charging his countrymen interest.” So I called a large assembly against them 8 and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.” They remained silent and could not say a word. 9 Then I said, “What you are doing isn’t right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God and not invite the reproach of our foreign enemies? 10 Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop charging this interest. 11 Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses to them immediately, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and olive oil that you have been assessing them.”

12 They responded: “We will return these things and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath to do this. 13 I also shook the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake from his house and property everyone who doesn’t keep this promise. May he be shaken out and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the Lord. Then the people did as they had promised.

14 Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah-from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, 12 years-I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor. 15 The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking food and wine from them, as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but I didn’t do this, because of the fear of God. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land.

17 There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table. 18 Each day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every 10 days. But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.

19 Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people.

Original Intent

1) What is Nehemiah’s situation in this passage? (verses 1-5)
“The underlying problem this chapter chronicles sprang from pride. Instead of putting God’s interests first and seeking the welfare of their brethren, the Jews were putting their own interests first and taking advantage of their brethren.” (Constable.NET) In Nehemiah 4:14-20, we see God’s people faithfully doing the work God had called them to do despite all the difficulties and hurdles. There was a wall to be rebuilt! Yet in the following chapter, our focus chapter, there is suddenly no mention of the work of rebuilding. Verse 1 reveals a “widespread outcry” among one group of Jews toward another group of Jews. A famine and taxation were causing financial strain on the people, consequently interrupting the work of rebuilding. This internal conflict among the people resulted in poverty and starvation for many. While there is no mention of the tax itself being unfair, we are told in verse 11 that the rich were taking advantage of the poor by charging unreasonable interest rates. (Enduring Word) Due to the substantial number of Jewish people needing food during a famine (verse 2), many were forced to borrow money at an unfair and extremely high rate. Although the process of borrowing and pledging to a lender was a lawful and customary practice (verse 3), overcharging was forbidden in Jewish law. (Leviticus 25:36-37) Also an acceptable form of paying debt was the practice of slavery. These dire circumstances had demoralized some of the Jews (whose children were already enslaved) and created a never-ending cycle of debt and oppression.

2) How does Nehemiah’s response in verses 6-11 demonstrate righteous leadership?
Nehemiah recognized the people were being exploited by their fellow countrymen and a virtuous anger arose in him that compelled him to speak up. (verses 6-7) Commentator Guzik wrote, “This was great leadership from Nehemiah. He was a man passionate enough to get angry; but wise enough to not act until he had considered the matter carefully.” (Enduring Word) Becoming a voice for the victims of injustice is the sign of a good leader. Especially when, as in Nehemiah’s case, the leader is justifiably able to use himself as an example of what is right. As he confronts the offending parties, Nehemiah presents his personal integrity as a comparison. In his persuasive rebuke, he reminded his fellow Jews how inconsistent it was for them to enslave their own community, some of whom they had liberated from the hands of foreigners. (verses 8-9) Nehemiah references himself as someone who had lawfully and morally loaned to the poor. (verse 10) Although there is no indication he was wrong in lending, he now calls for a complete stop to it, himself included, “Let us stop charging them.” The wealthier Jews agree to “require nothing more” from the poor. Nehemiah’s careful response prompted swift and just action from the people. (verse 12)

3) What motivated Nehemiah to choose this course of action? (verses 12-19)
It is possible that Nehemiah was unjustly accused and was included in this criticism from his Jewish countrymen. Even so, when confronted with what is happening, he demonstrates compassion toward their plight. This passage does not explicitly say, but it would not be too far of a stretch to conclude that Nehemiah leads with humility by dealing with the injustice head on rather than attempting to justify himself to the people. His gripping plea for an oath from the people (verses 12-13) and his extreme anger regarding their misery (verse 6) demonstrates his love for the people. He also exhibited a heart for God in how he instructed the people to fear God (verse 15) and by how he spoke to God in prayer, “But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy. Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people.” (verses 18-19) I don’t see this as boasting in himself. Nehemiah was boasting in God just as the apostle Paul did in the New Testament in his letter to the Corinthians. (2 Corinthians 9-12) Nehemiah believed in a good God who rewards the sacrificial and generous person. He took his desire to a God whom he had come to trust and believe was for him.

Everyday Application

1) What is Nehemiah’s situation in this passage? (verses 1-5)
As I studied this passage, I was ‘feeling all the feels’ for everyone involved. Sometimes we find ourselves in the place of the forgotten ones. Perhaps you are in a circumstance that has left you vulnerable to those caught up in the corruption of money and power. In your oppressed condition, you may be praying for a leader to rise to the occasion, desiring an advocate to speak up for you. Or it could be you are like the Jews who were caught up in their desire for more wealth. Is it possible you have unintentionally allowed yourself to be part of the problem by ignoring the cries of those who have been unfairly treated? Oh, dear Sister, we all tend to be blind to our own sin. Especially when it has subtly taken root in our lives. I’m so thankful for grace-filled leaders who come alongside us with the truth and call us to higher and holy living. But what if you are the leader?! Yes, it could be that it’s you God has called to do the work of Nehemiah. To speak with courage and humility and take the lead in making wrong things right. If so, I pray you will step out in faith with God’s presence going with you!

2) How does Nehemiah’s response in verses 6-11 demonstrate righteous leadership?
Nehemiah was not a respecter of persons but had a foremost desire to honor God and the truth. Good leaders model integrity by confronting those who need to be challenged no matter who they are. One of the reasons we don’t have many biblical examples of righteous anger is because it is nearly impossible to possess! Only by God’s grace can we exhibit the anger Ephesians describes, “Be angry and do not sin.” (Ephesians 4:26-27) Nehemiah demonstrated how to respond to injustice with righteous anger. When circumstances were getting out of control he responded rather than reacted. He hit the pause button to “consider the matter.” A wonderful way to demonstrate mature leadership is growing in the grace of response rather than reaction. One of the ways I evaluate my anger is to ask myself if the anger is for someone else’s justice or my own. When mercy leads our hearts, we can know we are heading in a good direction with our anger. A merciful motive usually signifies unselfish anger. Nehemiah’s pause from the work of building the wall demonstrated a heart for the people over a desire to finish the mission. He led with compassion by calling for a promise from the people to care for those who had been unjustly treated. As a result, the task was completed with a reunified group of people in an astonishing 52 days! If you’ve ever been to Jerusalem, and seen the size of the wall, you also stand in amazement. (Nehemiah 6:15-16)

3) What motivated Nehemiah to choose this course of action? (verses 12-19)
When our motive and mission have God’s purposes at the forefront, we ignite a passion in others. As Sarah wrote, “We need to be inspired by Nehemiah’s approach to leadership, by sacrificing where necessary for the betterment of those under us; be it members of our families, workplace or community.” Entrusting the entire outcome to God will help develop leadership characteristics in us that demonstrate a wonderful blend of confidence and dependence. Others will be motivated to join us because we radiate God’s grace. As we pray and ask God to reveal His heart to us, we will care about the work that needs to be done and we will notice the people who are engaged in the work. Most commentators believe the book of Nehemiah is his personal diary or journal. Following his example, we can remember and pray within our personal quiet time with the Lord, “Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people.” (verse 19) I’m thankful God gave us this personal look at Nehemiah’s heart through the pages of his journal. It shows us that a leader who leads with integrity can pray with boldness. When our public words are from a humble and pure heart, our private prayers can include courageous requests! (Hebrews 4:16)

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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Kneel Day 12 In The Gap: 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 In The Gap!

The Questions

1) James says, “Faith without works is dead” (verse 26), but Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, “We are saved by grace through faith, not from works”. Are these passages contradicting?

2) How were Abraham and Rahab justified by their works? (verses 21 and 25) Is the same true for us?

3) Was Abraham’s belief greater or more significant than another person’s faith? If so, what made it greater? (verse 23)

James 2:21-26

Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Original Intent

1) James says, “Faith without works is dead” (verse 26), but Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, “We are saved by grace through faith, not from works”. Are these passages contradicting?
While it does seem initially that these two passages of Scripture are contradictory, they are not. They should be thought of more as building blocks of the same doctrine instead of opposing, sparring doctrines. To gain a better understanding of the point James makes in these few verses, we must understand the fuller context by reading the complete book of James, or at least the second chapter. It’s important to keep in mind that, for the original readers or hearers of these verses, James wasn’t a book in the Bible broken down by chapter and verse. Rather, they would read his writing, beginning to end, as a complete letter sent from the apostle, James. Additionally, this letter was written to Jewish Christians, meaning while they grew up under the Law and Jewish traditions, and had then converted to Christianity. This contextual understanding is critically important for a couple of reasons. James 1:1 tells us his letter was written, “To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad”. For the first time, these Jewish believers were not living and worshiping together, but scattered abroad as both the gospel and persecution of believers spread. James is attempting to share some “helpful hints”, if you will, for how to live practically as true Christ-followers. James’ purpose in writing is to emphasize there is much more to walking with Jesus than simply believing or having faith that God exists. (James 2:19) True saving faith evidences itself by spurring us on to obediently following, and living, like Jesus in everyday life. These are “works”, which are the building block that follows genuine, saving faith by naturally connecting on top of the “saving faith” block.

2) How were Abraham and Rahab justified by their works? (verses 21 and 25) Is the same true for us?
The word ‘justified’ can be confusing as it carries different meanings in different contexts. In explaining the theology of our salvation and life in Christ as believers, Paul writes, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith…”. (Romans 5:1, emphasis mine) Faith is the key to being justified; it’s the bottom building block. Here, justification is a one-time instance meaning we have been made right with God. Our sin has been paid for through Jesus and, in His grace, we have been justified. “We have been set free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2); we are now declared righteous in Christ. In the context of James’ intention, he includes Abraham and Rahab because, to Jewish Christians, they both represented pivotal points in Jewish history. James’ audience had grown up hearing the narratives of these two heroes of their faith countless times. While their stories are vastly different, both Abraham and Rahab were faced with a difficult decision and chose to act in obedience to the God they knew because of their faith. In this way, their belief in God, their faith, was “shown to be authentic” because of their works. Their works justified, or were the proof of, their faith. Think of that stack of bricks again. Faith comes first, then our works, which, in James’ context, justifies, or proves, the genuineness of the first block, which is faith. Faith, works, justification, obedience, all of these blocks fit together and build on one another.

3) Was Abraham’s belief greater or more significant than another person’s faith? If so, what made it greater? (verse 23)
James is quoting Genesis 15:6, which reads “Abram believed the LORD and He credited to him as righteousness”. Notice it says “Abram” not “Abraham”. This small, but important difference is because Abram’s saving faith in God and His promises came at the very beginning of not only his faith journey, but even prior to the existence of the Jewish nation. We know this because Abraham’s name was Abram first, but God changed it later. God visited this normal guy named Abram in a vision saying, “Guess what? You are going to have offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky and be the father to a great nation.” (Genesis 12:1-3, my paraphrase) Abram, childless at the time, questions God and says, “Umm, did you forget that I don’t have any kids, how is that going to happen?” (Genesis 15:2, my paraphrase) God confirms his promise and Abram believes God! Was Abraham’s belief greater than any others in history? I don’t know that we can answer that question, but we can conclude his belief was great not necessarily because of its quality but because of the Qualifier in whom he placed his faith. Abram didn’t demand proof or argue with God, he simply believed and took Him at His Word. This total trust in God, not self or false idols of the day, is what God looked upon and credited as righteousness.

Everyday Application

1) James says, “Faith without works is dead” (verse 26), but Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, “We are saved by grace through faith, not from works”. Are these passages contradicting?
It is dangerous to pick and choose verses and take them out of context; we will end up with an erroneous application and understanding of God and His Word. Honestly, it’s a common tactic of those who oppose Scripture as they will twist it and attempt to use it against the Christian faith. When it comes to reading and studying Scripture, good students must read enough to understand the whole context of what we are reading. Only in so doing, can we walk away with proper understanding of Scripture’s original intention. These two verses provide a classic case of this type of common misunderstanding. In carefully reading Ephesians 2:10 it says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” Yes, we are saved by genuine, trusting faith. Faith alone in Christ Jesus alone is the ONLY way to gain eternal salvation. But it doesn’t stop with salvation. The faith that saves us opens the door for the Holy Spirit to work inside of us, creating new desire for us to “do good works” for Jesus. Works are the fruit, cultivated by true faith. Every genuine Christ-follower is called to put their faith into action, and so prove the authenticity of their trusting faith.

2) How were Abraham and Rahab justified by their works? (verses 21 and 25) Is the same true for us?
Abraham and Rahab’s faith gave them confidence to obey. Simply believing God exists and that Jesus can save isn’t really the point. Yes, God wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4), but He also pre-determines specific good works for us to do as we daily live out our genuine salvation (Philippians 2:12-13). Saving faith is proven true by our willingness to live out the proof of our faith by doing God’s good works, which looks like obeying Christ. This is impossible on our own, which is exactly why it’s a proof of genuine saving faith. When we come to God with genuine faith in Christ’s work on the cross to pay for our sin-debt, He saves us, justifies us, and gives us His Holy Spirit to live within us forever. The Spirit gives us a new nature that desires to obey our new Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Saving faith produces a desire to obey Him! If we don’t have this desire, and similar desires like being with other believers, going to church, reading His Word, and growing in faith, our faith isn’t proving to be genuine. This should give us reason to self-examine whether we honestly have given ourselves to God in full surrender. According to 1 Corinthians 12, every believer is called to different “good works” as evidence of their faith through the work of the Holy Spirit in them. In balance, we must be careful we don’t spend so much attention on “doing work” that we forget about “being with Jesus” and remembering it’s His Spirit fueling us to work. Following Christ involves reflection to make sure the “stack of blocks” is in the correct order. We cannot do His work without His Spirit, and we cannot have His Spirit without genuine faith.

3) Was Abraham’s belief greater or more significant than another person’s faith? If so, what made it greater? (verse 23)
While many people claim “belief” in God, the factor that set Abraham’s faith apart to be “credited as righteousness” is total trust in God’s Word and His faithful character. Paul writes that Abraham “did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.” (Romans 4:20) The apostle also said this “crediting of righteousness” occurs for all who come to God in the same way Abram did centuries ago, through true, trusting faith. “’It was credited to him’ was not written for Abraham alone, but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” (Romans 4:23-25) Only the faith that takes God at His Word will prove strong enough to save us for eternity; only this faith pleases God. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith like Abraham’s will always be evidenced by a growing trust and willingness to follow and obey God in real, everyday life. I was talking with a friend recently whose faith is being tested. As we chatted, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that when God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, He wasn’t really looking for sacrifice but obedience. God had already provided the sacrifice before they arrived or built the altar. God may call us to do something that makes no sense, or trust Him with something really hard. When these decisions come, we must choose whether we will live out authentic faith in God or not. Personal experience, and history of other believers, tell me to go ahead, take the risk and follow in faith because the Faithful God can be trusted. If God calls us to follow, He has already planned and arranged for our provision.

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

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 Kneel 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.

Kneel Day 9 Believing The Best Of God: 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 Believing The Best Of God!

The Questions

1) To whom should the believer demonstrate graciousness (gentleness)? (verse 5)

2) Why should the believer demonstrate graciousness? (verse 5)

3) What does Paul encourage believers to use as a defense against worry? (verse 6)

4) What will be the result of our obedience to pray about everything? (verse 7)

Philippians 4:5-7

5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. the Lord.

Original Intent

1) To whom should the believer demonstrate graciousness (gentleness)? (verse 5)
This isn’t a trick question! But it is a weighty one, isn’t it? Most of us want some sort of clarification for the commanding statement in Paul’s letter. Maybe the original readers did too. Anytime we read a word as inclusive as “everyone”, we typically begin to look for parentheses to offer some sort of exception. Much to our chagrin, there is no clause excluding certain people or situations. The believer is to let our “graciousness be known to everyone.” The Greek word (epieikes) used in this verse conveys that our attitude toward others, all the others, is to be gentle, equitable and patient. Digging into the context of the verse helps us understand Paul’s instructions regarding relationships. In verses 2-3, he encourages two women in the church to strive toward unity, implying there are far-reaching gospel implications in their pursuit of reconciliation. Their discord could drastically affect how others are hearing and receiving the peace of Christ. He writes that these women had “contended for the gospel at my side”. (verse 3) They were faithful servants with Paul in the work of sharing Jesus. Whatever had caused the disagreement wasn’t nearly as important as the commonality they shared in Christ and their goal of telling others about the freedom and peace He brings. It was essential that the gospel (What is the gospel?) they proclaimed not be hindered by their disunity. This message regarding unity and humility wasn’t only for these two women. It was for all believers at the church in Philippi. Graciousness was to be demonstrated by every believer and toward everyone who witnessed their interactions.

2) Why should the believer demonstrate graciousness? (verse 5)
The graciousness we are to show to all people is painted with a broad brush. Our human tendency may be to flinch at the command to treat everyone with grace. It means that our kindness and patience is not just toward those we love or find desirable. Our heart-motivation is key to genuineness! We do this because “the Lord is near.” (verse 5) Sandwiched between the more well-known and oft-quoted “rejoice-in-the-Lord-always” and “be-anxious-for-nothing” verses is this treasure. “Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” When the believer lives with the awareness of Jesus’ daily presence and His pending return (Hebrews 9:27-28), it becomes easier and more significant to rejoice in the Lord and show gentleness to all people. Since we know Jesus will settle every wrong when He returns, we carry our personal struggles and conflicts to Him because we can trust Him to make things right in our sin-stricken world. James tells us that receiving God’s grace and giving His grace are linked. (James 1:19-27) Our time with Jesus in prayer and in the Word is evidenced by our graciousness. When we exhibit the humility of Christ, we season the gospel in a way that adds flavor. We adorn it. Our graciousness gives credibility to our gospel message of grace. When Paul wrote to his disciple Titus, he reminded him to encourage all the believers in sound doctrine and motivate them toward gracious living. (Titus 2:1-14) The Lord is near. He is with us now through His Spirit and His bodily return is forthcoming. Therefore, we live in such a way as to preach the gospel with our lives as well as our words.

3) What does Paul encourage believers to use as a defense against worry? (verse 6)
Paul tells the believers at Philippi to reject worry and instead “present your requests to God.” Though we may never fully grasp how our prayers and God’s will work together, the Bible makes it clear we are to pray. The Greek gnōrizesthō means “to make known, declare, know, discover.” We are to make known to God our worries. Yes, He does know everything, but Scripture repeatedly tells us to confess our sins, to confess our needs, and to confess our desires. We do this by bending our hearts in prayer and taking a humble posture toward God’s purposes. We do not come to Him asking humbly because God is reluctant to answer, but because He is the sovereign Lord of all. He deserves our humble hearted response. (2 Corinthians 9:7-15) We make our requests known to God because He commands us to do so. Had a Syrian woman with a demon-influenced daughter not been bold enough to approach Christ with her request, she would have missed the opportunity to demonstrate her faith in His power to heal. (Mark 7:24-30) Had a blind beggar not cried out to Jesus for mercy, those in the crowd wouldn’t have witnessed Jesus’ power to give sight to the blind. (Luke 18:35-43) God says we often go through life without answers to our prayers because we do not ask, or we ask with the wrong motives. (James 4:2-3) Prayer is the means of defeating the enemy of our souls who constantly presses against our peace. (Ephesians 6:18-19) We can take our thoughts captive by replacing big fears and little worries with pleas to our good Father. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) We acknowledge the presence of our great high priest, and are then able to approach God boldly with our requests. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

4) What will be the result of our obedience to pray about everything? (verse 7)
This promise is AMAZING! Who would not desire to have this kind of peace? “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Praying from a thankful heart is the key to unlocking the door of peace. If something completely fills a space, the only way another item can fully fit is to switch the items. Paul wanted his readers to understand they could not simply sideline worry without making an adjustment in their minds. Replacing worry with its antidote was imperative! Praying about everything serves as a kind of guard in our hearts. It fills the space that worry might occupy. Nothing that produces angst can get past the guard of peace. Colossians 3:15 tells us the peace of Christ is to serve as a ruling umpire in our hearts and minds. The way we fill up on peace is by praying for it. As we pray, God provides peace to us that we are unable to fully explain. I love how Bethany wrote, “Paul assumed God was good at giving good things. If what he was praying about was a good gift, he assumed it came from God…If Paul was petitioning God for something, he assumed what God had already given and was going to give was good, too…In everything, God’s good provision meant that prayer could coincide with thankfulness.” God takes our obedience of replacing worry with prayer and provides the good gift of peace to us. A supernatural peace only He can give.

Everyday Application

1) To whom should the believer demonstrate graciousness (gentleness)? (verse 5)
We read in the New Testament that the apostle Paul was a mentor to several young men in the faith. I’m especially struck by some of his final instructions to his dear “son” Timothy. He told him to pursue, among other things, gentleness! (1 Timothy 1:2 6:11) He mentions this along with “righteousness, godliness, faith, love and endurance.” My sweet sister, even those of us who may have studied these verses many times, let’s not miss this. Our gentle disposition is an integral part of demonstrating the power of God in our lives. We find the strength to radiate this beautiful grace only through the power of the Spirit. Galatians 5 tells us the fruit of the Spirit include the characteristic of gentleness. (Galatians 5:22-23) Oh that I would exude graciousness when everyone is expecting fretfulness! I long to get up from my knees with an energy to conquer my worry and fears evidenced by a gentleness that mimics Christ. In the power of our Lord and Savior, I have the provision I need to do exactly this.

2) Why should the believer demonstrate graciousness? (verse 5)
We demonstrate graciousness because God is good and full of grace! I believe one of the greatest testimonies of a woman of prayer is her Spirit-induced ability to maintain kindness to everyone in the midst of conflict. What a beautiful gospel picture we are proclaiming when a peaceful spirit oozes from us. I love picturing Jesus’ dear friend, Mary, sitting at His feet, enthralled in His presence. (Luke 10:38-42) Why was her sister Martha fretting? Because she hadn’t learned where rest comes from. She had missed the way to be at her absolute best. I don’t think Jesus was scolding her for attempting to check off her To Do list. Rather, I think He was reminding her there is only one authentic way to peace – remembering Jesus’ nearness and presenting our worries to Him. I think if Mary were here today, she would joyfully join singing with us:
Come find what this world cannot offer.
Come and find your joy here complete.
Taste the living water, never thirst again,
rest here in His wondrous peace.
Come and find your hope now in Jesus.
He is all He said He would be.
Grace is overflowing from the Savior’s heart.
Rest here in His wondrous peace.
Oh the goodness, the goodness of Jesus!
Satisfied, He is all that I need.
May it be, come what may, that I rest all my days in the goodness of Jesus.
(The Goodness of Jesus by CityAlight)

3) What does Paul encourage believers to use as a defense against worry? (verse 6)
Paul’s instruction here is more than a soft word of encouragement. It’s possible that in our attempts to not offend others, we sometimes don’t emphasize the wealth that is found in our obedience to this command, “Don’t worry about anything.” Let’s face it, sweet friends, this isn’t written like a suggestion, is it? Paul is urging his Philippian friends to live at peace with another and within themselves through the command of rejecting worry. I’m so thankful he does not leave us hanging though; Paul continues by telling them to pray about everything. Well, my goodness. We are to be gracious to everyone, not worry about anything and pray about everything. I’m beginning to feel my skepticism rise within me. This feels impossible! And you probably know what’s coming next. It IS impossible! When Jesus used hyperbole in Matthew 19:23-26 to teach His disciples that riches were a hurdle for some to enter God’s kingdom, they were astonished. But He looked at them and stated a dramatic reality: “With God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) We are able to graciously interact with others. We are able to face difficulties and conflict with inner peace. We are able to maintain a thankful heart. We are able to do these because God has given us access to Himself through prayer. It doesn’t even need to be eloquent or long. It just needs to be sincere.
Lord, I believe You are who You say You are. You are able to do anything. But in my humanity, I’m weak and frail. I fret and flounder. Lord, help my unbelief and replace my worry with worship. Amen.

4) What will be the result of our obedience to pray about everything? (verse 7)
We pray because Jesus taught us and showed us it was essential to pray. It would seem to us if anyone did not need to pray, it would have been Jesus. After all, He was God in flesh. But as Bethany reminded us in her Journey Study, “Paul assumed God wanted to hear it all.” This assumption was borne out of hours spent in prayer to God for His glory to be shown through himself and others. Jesus prayed not only for something, but out of something. He prayed because of His already-established relationship with the Father. He came to His Father through prayer as an obedient, faithful, and loving Son. For the believer, prayer should be like breathing, easier to do than to not do. Yet we know many things keep us from approaching God. Unconfessed sin, distractions, doubt, and even plain old forgetfulness crowd out our intimacy with God. Friend, I’m committing anew to let “everything” mean “everything.” I’m expectant and hopeful to watch my powerful, faithful, and loving Father work in ways that will astound me and bring me unexplainable peace. “For this reason, I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. I pray that he may grant you [and me], according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through His Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Believing The Best Of God!

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 Kneel 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.

Kneel Day 7 On Our Behalf: 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 Our Behalf!

The Questions

1) What is the “new and living way” inaugurated by Jesus? (verse 20)

2) How are our hearts sprinkled clean and our bodies washed in pure water? (verse 22)

3) How do we hold onto the confession of our hope without wavering? (verse 23)

Hebrews 10:19-23

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus— 20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)— 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.

Original Intent

1) What is the “new and living way” inaugurated by Jesus? (verse 20)
In Hebrews 10:20, we are told Jesus’ blood has made a new and living way to enter the sanctuary of God. Before Jesus’ death on the cross, the high priest sacrificed an innocent animal every year to atone for the sins of God’s people. (Leviticus 16) Because of Jesus, people have a “new and living way” to access the Father. When the sinless Savior took our sin upon Himself, He redeemed our lives and reconciled all who believe in Him back to God. We are no longer separated from God but can come boldly to His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) through the “new and living way” of Jesus. Andrew Murray suggests “Christ’s death was something entirely and essentially new, and so also His resurrection life; a life out of death, such as never had been known before. This new death and new life constitute the new and living way, the new way of living in which we draw nigh to God.” The reason Jesus came to earth and sacrificed His life was so we could live an abundant life (John 10:10) in communion with God (1 Corinthians 1:9). His death made a way for us to draw near to our righteous God without the hindrance of our sin. As David Guzik points out, “Now under the New Covenant we have access because of the perfect sacrifice of the sinless Son of God, and it is as if the living, resurrected Jesus ushers us into the throne room of God.” We can remain in God, and He remains in us (John 15:4-8), because Christ’s work on the cross brings us into relationship with God.

2) How are our hearts sprinkled clean and our bodies washed in pure water? (verse 22)
In the Old Testament, priests sacrificed an animal and sprinkled its blood on the altar to signify cleansing and payment for sin. They would also wash themselves, signifying holiness, before wearing tabernacle garments to make the sacrifice. (Leviticus 16:4) Kenneth Wuest explains how the “high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial animal seven times on the ground as he approached the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies.” (Leviticus 16:14) The author of Hebrews references this in writing, “Let us draw near [to God] 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.” (Hebrews 10:22) It is Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), who cleanses us from sin through the blood sacrifice He made for us at the cross. We are sprinkled clean and washed pure by His blood. Some, like David Guzik, suggest this passage also references water baptism. “With the perfect cleansing available to us, described in terms of promises of the New Covenant in the Hebrew Scriptures (hearts sprinkled) and the Christian practice of baptism (bodies washed), we can draw near to God in a way never available to someone under the Old Covenant.” Jesus’ sacrifice made a way for us to have a vibrant relationship with the living God! Andrew Murray asserts, “The blood [of Christ] has put away the thought of sin from God; He remembers it no more forever. The blood puts away the thought of sin in me too, taking away the evil conscience that condemns me.” What an incredible reality, that we can commune with the Holy God who frees our conscience from evil and sprinkles our hearts clean, free of condemnation! (Romans 8:1)

3) How do we hold onto the confession of our hope without wavering? (verse 23)
The author of Hebrews 10:23 admonishes readers to “hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.” According to Chuck Swindoll, this letter was written to “Jewish Christians in Rome, who were struggling under Nero’s persecution and were considering moving back toward the Mosaic Law. The writer to the Hebrews showed these Jewish Christian believers that, though they were faced with suffering, they were indeed following a better way . . . and they should persevere.” It can be hard to stay committed to biblical beliefs when doing so incurs mistreatment from others. It can be easy to waver, or even fall away, from truth when following Christ becomes difficult. This verse tells us that, because God is faithful and keeps His promises, we should hang on with hope without faltering. R.C. Sproul explains, “The faithfulness of His Word and His activity through history give us the basis for our hope and confidence that God will do all that He promises. Because of this faithfulness, we too must be faithful to Him.” God’s Word tells us all Christians will face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), but the hope we are holding onto in the promises and Person of Jesus is worth any persecution we face for following Jesus. In fact, the Bible calls those who are persecuted blessed for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. (Matthew 5:10) God grants us the grace (John 1:16) to be faithful to Him as He shows faithfulness to us in all situations.

Everyday Application

1) What is the “new and living way” inaugurated by Jesus? (verse 20)
Recently at church, our fancy printer for checking kids into class wasn’t working, so I told parents we were “kickin’ it old school” using ink pens and stickers instead of technology. Of course, “old school” is relative; when I was a child, kids were simply dropped off without official security measures. Everybody knew everybody else and the street where they lived. The “new system”, even with a downgrade to markers and stickers, was still better than the “old system” I’d grown up under. In relating with God, Jesus has given us a “new system” described in Hebrews 10:20 as “the new and living way” which is immeasurably better than the old system. Instead of relying on a priest to temporarily atone for our sins through animal sacrifice, we can freely access God because Jesus took our sins upon Himself once and for all. (1 Peter 2:24) We don’t need to worry about not measuring up, or working to atone for the impossible debt our sins have incurred, because Jesus paid the debt-price (1 Corinthians 6:20) to cleanse us from “all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Dan Cruver describes what it’s like for us to “enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19) when he writes, “Our confidence to enter is not based upon what we’ve done or not done but upon what Christ has done through the shedding of His own blood. Our confidence is based upon the work of Christ.” There is much freedom in knowing my salvation does not rely on what I do or fail to do. My righteousness before God is because of Jesus’ righteousness; all I need to do is accept His love and mercy made available through the “new and living way”! (John 3:16)

2) How are our hearts sprinkled clean and our bodies washed in pure water? (verse 22)
I was saved from my sin-debt at age 5, so the idea of being made clean and whole didn’t resonate with me as deeply then as it does now. Since then, I’ve grown in understanding of my sin, its offensiveness to the Holy God, and my deep need for a Saving God to cleanse me. There are numerous sermons, songs, books and movies describing the blood of Jesus washing us because it’s a life-altering experience. Hillsong United’s song, Clean, declares, “The highest Name has set me free/Because of Jesus My heart is clean.” In her song, “Clean,” Natalie Grant sings, “There’s nothing too dirty/that you can’t make worthy/You wash me in mercy/I am clean/ Washed in the blood of your sacrifice/Your blood flowed red and made me white/My dirty rags are purified/I am clean.” When your life has been tinged with the guilt and shame of sin, being delivered from the heaviness of condemnation is whole-life-liberating. Only the blood of Jesus, shed for us, cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7) and frees us from sin and death (Romans 8:2). According to author Liz Curtis Higgs, “God doesn’t just clean us up, fix us up, straighten us up. He recreates us in the image of His Son. He starts from scratch. He makes us new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) In Christ, we become “a new being” (Good News Bible), “a new person” (New Living Translation), “a new creature altogether” (Amplified Bible), and have “a fresh start” (The Message Paraphrase).” This freedom is available to all who choose to turn from their sin and trust Christ to pay their sin-debt! Being made new, clean and free, stirs us to share this Good News with everyone!

3) How do we hold onto the confession of our hope without wavering? (verse 23)
I’ve always been inspired by Christians whose lives demonstrate a life that “hold(s) on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since He who promised is faithful.” Corrie Ten Boom was a Christian Dutch woman who hid Jews from the Nazis in the Netherlands during World War II. “In concert with her religious beliefs, her family experience, and the Dutch resistance. Her defiance led to imprisonment, internment in a concentration camp, and loss of family members who died from maltreatment while in German custody” (encyclopedia.ushmm.org) Though she and those she loved suffered much, she was still able to say, “In darkness God’s truth shines most clear”. (Corrie Ten Boom) She held onto the unwavering hope she had in Christ and the truths of the Scriptures in her darkest hours, then emerged to share that hope with others around the world. There are stories from all over the globe like this one, of people holding fast to Jesus in the face of intense struggle. The recent coup in Myanmar left people fleeing into the jungles for survival, but hope persists for those displaced Christians. Lindy Lowry reports, “Like so many situations where God’s people are pressed on every side (2 Corinthians 4:8,) faith continues to survive in persecution. Our local partners [in Myanmar] report that increasing numbers of people are turning to Jesus for their hope.” In Nigeria, Boko Haram has harassed Christians who refuse to convert to Islam, yet “many Nigerian Christians forgive their persecutors, and some even share the gospel with militants” (persecution.com) Stories like these remind me that holding on to my hope in Christ without wavering is important because it keeps me connected to God’s promises and it encourages others who may be struggling.

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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Kneel Day 6 On Our Behalf

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 8:32-34
Hebrews 4:14-16
Ephesians 1:20-23
Acts 7:54-60
Hebrews 10:19-23

Kneel, Day 6

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived,
Jesus did for us. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
He died for our sins (Matthew 27),
rose from the dead (Matthew 28),
and ascended to Heaven (Luke 24:50-53).
He is sitting at the right hand of the Father far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given. Everything is subjected under His feet and He is appointed over everything for the Church. (Ephesians 1:20-21)
What a place of glory and assurance for those who believe in Him!

He assured us He has gone to prepare a place for us in Heaven; eventually, He will come and take us to be with Him. (John 14:2-3) But while we wait for His return, we are not free from the challenges of a broken world, including pain, loss, and persecution. When faced with such sufferings, it’s easy for us to lose sight of Christ’s victory, and become discouraged.

Scripture assures us Jesus is making intercession for us (praying on our behalf). He is a great high priest who has passed through the heavens; He empathizes with our weaknesses and is able to help us in times of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16) He understands our experiences, because He also lived in the world in human form, faced struggles, and overcame. Now, having conquered sin and death, with everything subjected under His feet, and sitting at the Father’s right hand, He is able to help us.

When believers first began to spread the Good News, they faced intense persecution. One man, Stephen, was stoned by the Jews for preaching about Jesus. As he was dying, he had a vision of Jesus standing at the Father’s right hand. (Acts 7:55-56) While Scripture often describes Jesus sitting, Stephen saw Him standing. What does His posture signify? I see it as a symbol of Jesus actively interceding for Stephen before the Father in his greatest moment of need and sacrifice, possibly reminding the Father of the ransom He paid for Stephen. It could also have been an assurance of heavenly welcome for Stephen.

Like Stephen, we are assured no one can condemn us, because the only One who has that power is Jesus, and He instead intercedes for us before the Father. He helps us when we are tempted, and advocates for us when we sin. Despite pressure from the world, Scripture assures us He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear; He will always make a way out for us to follow in obedience. (1 Corinthians 10:13) If we lose sight of His grace and yield to temptation by sinning, He is our advocate before the Father. He is the righteous One, the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 2:1-2) If we confess our sins, He forgives us. (1 John 1:9)

Reconciled with God through Jesus, we can approach the Father in confidence.
“[L]et us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith [. . . holding] fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, since He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:22-23)

Furthermore, we hold an assurance that He hears our prayers:

“This is the confidence we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15, emphasis mine)

Did you catch the qualifier, sisters?

According to His will.

Our faith in Jesus does not guarantee an affirmative answer to any and every request. We must remain in Him and put His will above ours, learning to align our wills and prayers with the Father’s heart and plan. Jesus explained, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) Similarly, Scripture tells us that when we ask with wrong motives, such as to satisfy our pleasures, we do not receive what we asked for. (James 4:2-3)

In my personal walk with God, prayer has been paramount. But not long ago, I realized why so many of my prayers were not answered as I wanted. I held on to “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7), while neglecting “If you remain in me and my words remain in you[.]” (John 15:7) It dawned on me that I must keep a close relationship with Jesus by studying and meditating on His Word always, just as God instructed Israel’s leader, Joshua, so long ago. I realized that my relationship with Jesus is what counts in the place of prayer.

Now, the pattern of my prayer has changed. I see prayer as an opportunity to worship and thank God, and not just asking Him to “give me-give me.” He has clothed me with His righteousness; I owe Him thanksgiving without end. Whatever need I have, I tell Him, and trust in His Word. While I have confidence He answers me, I submit to His perfect will over mine. I must testify that the result has been tremendous!

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The GT Weekend! ~ Advent Week 3

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) On Monday, Rebekah reminded us what Advent truly is about. Are you like me and need this reminder? Or are you one of those who truly doesn’t become caught up in the hustle and bustle, carefully drawing boundary lines on your time and budget? With a large family and a love for all things Christmas, I confess many years of struggling to focus on spiritual things rather than material busyness. Pursuing things of far less value than the One True God makes us more like the shepherds who received the prophet Ezekiel’s chastisement instead of the humble shepherds who were first notified of Christ’s birth. Rebekah’s Journey Study illuminated that the Good Shepherd was born that night. As all of Israel waited and prepared to welcome the Messiah, so we wait and prepare our own homes and hearts for the Christmas season. In what ways are you intentional about keeping Christ at the center of your everyday focus in the Christmas season? What’s one thing you can implement this weekend to shift your focus onto the Savior? Take time to identify the biggest culprits of stealing your heart’s focus; pray over these as you surrender to Christ!

2) Decades ago when I first read of Abraham sacrificing his son, I doubt I considered how Abraham’s heart may have wrestled with God’s command. Many years of studying Scripture has shifted my perspective to see Abraham’s unswerving faith. He was confident in God’s promise to secure Abraham’s line for generations to come through Isaac, so it was obvious Isaac would survive somehow. (Hebrews 11:19) Abraham’s faith allowed him to follow God in obedience. However, my mother’s heart can’t help but ask, “What on earth?! Why God?!”. For me, I would have been undone had I been in Abraham’s sandals, yet I know there have been many times when I’ve had opportunity to grab hold of God’s faithful promises as I faced seemingly impossible odds. Where have you walked a similar “mountain path to sacrifice”? What specific encouragement can you take from Abraham’s example of faith? Read a few psalms this weekend and make one-word descriptions of God’s character that you discover as you read His word. Cling tightly to these unchanging truths regardless of your circumstance. Be reminded that a crucial aspect of Advent is found in impending sacrifice. Both Isaac and Jesus carried burdens on their backs to the place of sacrifice. Isaac didn’t understand, but Jesus did; He knew His advent was fulfilled by His sacrifice to pay for our sin!

3) Centuries ago, the early church counted down the four weeks before Christmas as a tradition for preparing hearts for the “coming” of Christ. Just as Israel waited for the Messiah, so Christians practiced Advent to celebrate His infant arrival. In yesterday’s Journey Study, Mary pointed out that believers today are between two advents, Christ’s birth and His glorious return. Israel yearned for Messiah’s first advent and we groan for His second appearing. While we live in the “in-between”, we prepare our hearts for another advent through the disciplines of prayer, worship, and reading His Word. How will you wait? What practice of waiting do you want to lean into more fully in the coming year? How we choose to wait has direct implications on the anticipation we feel for Christ’s return. Preparing for Christ’s second advent ushers us deeper into Christ’s presence as we press into “eager anticipation” for all God has for us in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:19, Ephesians 1:11-12) One practice that reminds us of Christ’s love displayed in coming and returning is regularly confessing our sin. While not as exciting as preparing for Christmas, confessing our sin reminds us that Christ loved us enough to not only pay the sin-debt we owe, but return again to take us Home as His Bride forever!

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 Philippians 2:7b-8 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

And when He had come as a man,
He humbled Himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.

Prayer Journal
Lord, I know I am eternally blessed because I belong to You. In this love, I see Your hand even the negative and painful things of life. When I am intentional to remember that You are always good, and You will always do good things, You provide peace and assurance whatever my circumstances look like. I confess to You, Lord, that when I shift my focus off Your good character, I slip into fear and anxiety, anger and bitterness as I focus on the challenges in life instead of You. Forgive me of these times of choosing self over You!

Help me to seek You first in all things. Help me to see you in the regular daily rhythms of life. Reflect Your goodness through me to others. Lord, I pray this Christmas season would signal an advent of my own walk with You; a fresh preparation to welcome You as my Kingly Shepherd.

I praise You for choosing to take on flesh and dwell among us. We are Your creation, and you desire relationship with us, but we, – I –, am so very fallible. Remind me to cling to the truth: I am loved, seen, and heard by You.

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

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