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The GT Weekend! ~ Another, Week 3

March 25, 2023 by Katelyn Palmer Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend! ~ Another, Week 3

Katelyn Palmer

March 25, 2023

Christ,church,Clothed,Community,Faith,Family,Fellowship

Rest your soul through reflective journaling,
praying Scripture,
and worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

This Week's Journeys

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday's DD

Pray His Words Back To Him!

Matthew 5:14-16

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Yahweh, this week of study together has been a wonderful reminder that You are love and You have made us from love. Our calling in this lifetime is to spread Your light to others in the face of a broken and hate-filled world. (Matthew 5:14-16) I cannot imagine a better way to spend my life.

Of course, it is easier said than done some days, so I ask that on those days, You put Your words on my tongue and fill me with Your strength. (1 Peter 4:11) When I feel consumed by the brokenness of this world, remind me what authentic love looks like (1 Corinthians 13) and the deadly consequence of sin You have already rescued me from (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).

I ask for a heart that seeks only to use my God-given gifts to glorify Your name, Lord, and reflect Your love onto others. (Romans 12:6-13, 1 Peter 4:10-11) In Your Son’s name, Jesus, I ask these things, Lord, Amen.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

On Monday, Meribeth asked us many thought provoking questions about what it looks like to “lovingly devote our lives to worshiping Jesus and serving His people.” She reminded us that serving others can be as simple as offering our presence after a hard day of work or giving someone the space to gush about a topic they love. Ultimately, devoting ourselves to serving God’s people simply means showing up.

When we are present, we must remember to move forward with the same love Jesus illustrated, which means seeing others as God’s children, not the traitorous tax collector or the grumpy neighbor. (Luke 19:1-10)

His love prods us to be the first one to say hello, the first one to offer a helping hand, and the first one to seek reconciliation when conflict arises. Who can you show intentional devotion to this week? Stop now and ask the Lord!

We must also remember as we serve God’s people, to take time to authentically worship Him. There is nowhere He cannot go and nowhere He cannot hear us, so why not use that drive through rush hour traffic to praise the Lord for a paycheck or sing a hymn while we get ready in the morning. There is no wrong time to turn our faces upward and express our love and gratitude to our Father.

JOURNAL TWO

As broken people, we are inherently self-centered and severely limited in our perspective of the world around us, whereas God is omniscient. This means He knows the fight each of us walk through, which is why the Lord emphasizes to His people the important command to love everyone, especially those who hurt us.

When we love like Him, we show the world what His heart looks like! He calls us to stoop low and carry another’s burdens, that we might reflect His heart more clearly to those around us.

When I consider the powerful effect of kindness in my life, I am reminded of many instances where a person’s kind word freed me from a negative mindset or, in some cases, led to life-changing action.

Rebecca reminded us we cannot authentically love what we do not deeply know. As we seek to follow Christ, we must remember to first seek to deeply know Him that we might authentically love Him and His people.

Are you struggling to love someone? Seek the Lord and ask to know Him better so you can love more fully!

JOURNAL THREE

Have you ever looked at someone’s life and thought, “They’re such a good person!”. Have you ever considered whether their kindness was enough for God give them a check mark of approval, or perhaps it’s just been assumed that of course He would. Have you ever wondered if good works could balance out bad ones?

Marietta called out two realities from Scripture yesterday. One, all believers who claim to follow Jesus are not only compelled by Christ’s love to serve one another with gentle humility, but they’re also wondrously empowered to accomplish this. Believers sin when they choose not to serve others with love.

Two, we cannot masquerade ourselves into being God’s child when we haven’t been changed from the inside out by Christ. We can’t fool God by stacking up good deeds, and we can’t escape God’s call on our life to love like Jesus.

The secret? When we admit we can’t be good enough on our own and confess the ugliness of our sins, God forgives us and makes us His own. Then, He fill us with His Spirit to equip us for loving others by serving them.

Have you set aside the masquerade? Or are you already His, but tired of serving others because you’re doing it on your own strength? Whatever it is, give it up to the Lord Jesus and walk free to serve others with HIS power!
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family,Gentle,hope,kind,lowly,serve
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Steadfast Day 2 Of Epic Importance: Digging Deeper
March 28, 2023
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Posted in: Christ, church, Clothed, Community, Faith, Family, Fellowship Tagged: family, Gentle, hope, kind, lowly, serve

Another Day 15 Service With Love

March 24, 2023 by Marietta Taylor Leave a Comment

Another Day 15 Service With Love

Marietta Taylor

March 24, 2023

Excuses,Faith,Genuine,Giving,Glory

Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 5:14-16
Matthew 25:31-46
1 Peter 4:10-11
Acts 5:1-11
Proverbs 4:23-27

I said I would never serve in middle school. It just wasn’t “my thing”. So how do I explain I now arrive early to church to set up the TV, queue the lesson, put out games, and choose a worship song in preparation for middle schoolers? Did I mention I raised two daughters, but I teach mostly boys in “Mid City” as we call our church’s middle school ministry?

Why am I here?
Because middle schoolers need love and care too, especially from their church family. Also, God told me to serve them. Want to know a secret? I was wrong before. It is “my thing”.

My thing is serving the Lord who created me and prepared good works for me to do. (Ephesians 2:10) Those good works serve God’s kingdom and others. God designed it to work this way because His heart is for others, for us. And our hearts should be too.

Jesus taught about this in Matthew 25:31-46 when He told the story of sheep and goats at the Final Judgment. Sheep represented people who trusted Christ to pay the penalty they deserved for their own sin; then they lived out their faith by loving others. Goats, while fooling themselves and others by making themselves look like sheep, actually never trusted Christ and therefore couldn’t love people with His divine power living inside them.

To the sheep Jesus said, “You fed me, you gave me something to drink, you took me in, you clothed me, you took care of me and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:35-36, my paraphrase)
To the goats he said, “You never fed me or gave me drink, never took me in, clothed me or took care of me.” (Matthew 25:42-43, my paraphrase) Both groups asked when they did or did not do these things. He responded that their actions, or lack thereof, evidenced their willingness to love Him. Jesus rewarded the sheep and eternally punished the goats. 

This girl wants to be a sheep.
Since you’re reading this, I think you do too.
What about being a shiny sheep?

Jesus taught, “You [true believer in Jesus!) are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Because “light carrying” is so important, He instructed, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Be a shiny sheep,
serving others,
showing them Jesus and
giving Him glory?
Yes, please!

Remember the goats? We can fool ourselves and others, but we cannot fool God. Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold some land and donated part of the money to the apostles. (Acts 5:1-11) Seems good, right?

After Jesus’ resurrection and return to heaven, the believers all lived together, sharing everything, not because anyone was forcing them, but out of love. “Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common” (Acts 4:32)

Ananias and Sapphira lied, claiming their donation was the total profit from the sale. Through the Spirit of God, Peter confronted them, “You have not lied to people but to God.” (Acts 5:4) God desires us to serve from holy hearts. (1 Peter 1:15) If we aren’t intent on loving Jesus, we will be tempted to be unscrupulous. How does this rightly reflect God? It doesn’t bring Him glory or benefit others. 

Consider Eli’s sons. (1 Samuel 2:12-36) They were priests yet committed many sinful acts. They ate sacrifices meant for the Lord and sometimes forcibly took sacrifices before they could be offered. They were serving, but with evil intent. Eventually, God took their lives because of it; they were goats.

Compare that to Samuel, who “served in the Lord’s presence—this mere boy was dressed in the linen ephod.” (1 Samuel 2:18) Samuel served Eli faithfully and later became a great prophet for the Lord. 1 Samuel 3:19 tells us, “Samuel grew. The Lord was with him, and he fulfilled everything Samuel prophesied.” May we follow Samuel’s example of being a sheep.

Christ loves us perfectly. (1 John 3:16) While we can’t love perfectly, we can reflect His love because His Spirit lives inside believers, divinely empowering us.
How do we love like Him? Before we serve, let’s consider four key questions.

  1. If there was no visible payoff like money, recognition, gratitude, or influence, am I still willing? (Philippians 3:8-10)
  2. If suffering is involved in serving, am I still willing? (2 Corinthians 12:6-10)
  3. Is my goal to feel good about myself or receive praise from others? (1 Thessalonians 2:4)
  4. Is loving God and others my motivation? (Matthew 22:37-39)

Answer with sincerity.
If your motives and intentions are true, pure and oriented toward the Lord, then serve.
If not, ask the Lord to change your heart.

Remember, Jesus knows the difference between sheep and goats. His true sheep are meant to serve with each of these qualities, but if we haven’t asked Him to make us new and remove our sin, we just can’t be sheep.

Opportunities to serve, to love like Jesus, are abundant!
Maybe you’ll wind up doing something you thought wasn’t “your thing”,
but is most definitely God’s thing for you!

Tags :
family,grace,humility,love,service
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Recent Journeys

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Digging Deeper

The Lord has given every single believer gifts through the Holy Spirit for that Christian to actively live out in everyday life. Perhaps it’s singing, leading others to worship, easily understanding difficult biblical truths, being a good friend, making people feel welcome, cooking delicious meals, folding laundry, running a well-maintained home, or making flowers flourish. Whatever your specific set of gifts, we are all called to live hospitably (read: openly generous) without complaint.
Dig Deeper!

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March 6 - March 24, 2023 - Journey Theme #115

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Posted in: Excuses, Faith, Genuine, Giving, Glory Tagged: family, grace, humility, love, service

Another Day 13 Gentle & Lowly Lifestyle

March 22, 2023 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

Another Day 13 Gentle & Lowly Lifestyle

Rebecca Adams

March 22, 2023

gentle,Grace,Humility,Love,Relationship

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Isaiah 46:1-5
Psalm 139:1-7
Revelation 3:19-21
Matthew 11:25-30

We cannot authentically love what we do not deeply know.

I was enamored with my husband from Day 1.
But it wasn’t until over two decades had passed and we walked dark pathways that I had an inkling of what love meant.

I was head over heels in love with my firstborn the moment I saw those 2 pink lines on the pregnancy test.
But my love for her multiplied with every day I spent with her, knowing her, arguing with her, and learning from her.

Love grew strong, fierce, and authentic in the days, years, and decades of learning to know.

Intimate familiarity changes everything.
Misconceptions flee, doubts dissolve, and the brilliance of authentic love shoots through like daybreak when we commit to deeply know another.

Who is this God who has called us to live together in the humble fabric of gentle love, seeking the other’s good, and partnering with them for peace and unity? (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)

He is precisely who He has called us to be as we love One Another as brothers and sisters in the family He calls His Bride, the Church.

He is constantly humble toward us. (Philippians 2:7)
Perpetually extending us peace. (Colossians 3:15)
Continuously
seeing the unseen. (Matthew 9:36)
Ceaselessly
helping the helpless. (Psalm 116:6)
Patiently
hemming us within His love on all sides. (Psalm 139:5)
Modeling
submission to the law of Love. (John 13:34)
Steadfastly
convicting us with kindness. (Romans 2:4)
Endlessly lowering Himself to bear our burdens.
(Psalm 68:19)

He desires us.
He wants us.
Not just to be “His”, another “child” in His family to do His purpose,
but to both know Him and be lovingly known.

Is there anything as precious as being deeply known and authentically loved?

When the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of His own heart posture toward us,
He chose the words “gentle” and “lowly”.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30, ESV)

He spoke these words while describing what it means to know the Almighty God,
whom Christ perfectly represented.
To know Christ, is to know God Himself.
(Hebrews 1:3)

Hundreds of years before Jesus spoke these words, King David penned his understanding of the great I AM as the God who “day after day… bears our burdens.” (Psalm 68:19)

Daily.
Bears.
OUR.
Burdens.

Can we just say that again?

On the DAILY, sisters.
Love Himself,
who reigns in the heavenlies,
holds all power,
possesses all wisdom,
and is present in all places
stoops low to DAILY lift our burdens.

Forever the gentle and lowly of heart lowers Himself to shoulder-level with us only to rise and carry the weight upon Himself.

The weight of our hard things, our broken things, our wounded things, and infinitely greater, this is the God who stooped to the cross, naked and shamed, to bear the weight of the sin of the world. (1 John 2:2)

Do you see those precious words that next cross Jesus’ lips following His nondescript characterization of His heart?
“My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Not only does He carry our burden for us, and our sin for eternity if we will entrust our wretchedness to Him, but He gives life in return! In His humility, He teaches us to shoulder up next to Him, the wholly divine God, that we might learn His easy rhythms of life.

As several of our authors have noted in this Journey theme, it’s impossible for us to live out these One Another commands if we have not first submitted to the Spirit of God living inside of us. This is holy work; it’s His work, and we cannot muster or manufacture it ourselves.
But neither…
Can we live out these richly beautiful, life-giving commands if we do not intimately know the heart of the God in whom they perfectly abide.

We cannot authentically love what we do not deeply know.

Consider the Lord’s own words through His prophet Isaiah to His beloved people.
Come, know Him!

“Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. (false gods)
[…] The images [they] carry are loaded,
as a burden for the weary animal.
The gods cower; they crouch together;
they (false gods) are not able to rescue the burden,[…] “Listen to Me (true God),
[…You] who have been sustained from the womb,
carried along since birth.
I will be the same until your old age,
and I will bear you up when you turn gray.
I have made you, and I will carry you;
I will bear and rescue you.”
(Isaiah 46:1-4)

If you do not know the Lord as a gentle and lowly, burden-bearing God, then come on into His heart. Feast with Him, see His smile, hear His laughter, and confidently grow in authentically loving this God for being precisely who He claims to be in the pages of His Word.

To know Him, is to love Him!
And the proof of our love is made manifest when we stoop low with humble gentleness to lovingly carry another’s burdens just as Christ has done, and is doing right now, for us!

Tags :
burden,church,family,humble,kind,service,tender
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May we grow in deeply knowing the One who knows us so well! For the Lord is near to those who draw close to Him through repentance of our sins. (James 4:8-10)

What intimacy awaits those who feel lonely, fearful, and depressed when they come to the Lord to confess their sin and enjoy the pleasure of relationship with Him because of His forgiveness and mercy!

What sweet connection awaits if only we would pour ourselves over His Scripture and meditate on His character day and night that we might deeply know Him! (Joshua 1:8)
Dig Deeper!

Can We Pray With You?

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!

  • prayer@gracefullytruthful.com
This Week's Lock Screen
Explore This Journey Theme!
March 6 - March 24, 2023 - Journey Theme #115

Join a GT POD!

Authentically living out a life of worship to the God who rescued us from darkness requires accountability and intentionality. Join a GT POD and take the next step in your faith journey!

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Posted in: gentle, Grace, Humility, Love, Relationship Tagged: burden, church, family, humble, kind, service, tender

Another Day 12 Loving Devotion: Digging Deeper

March 21, 2023 by Rachel Jones Leave a Comment

Another Day 12 Loving Devotion: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

March 21, 2023

Affectionate,Captivating,Character,Christ,church,Clothed,Community

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 "Loving Devotion"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Thessalonians 5:12-28

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Don’t stifle the Spirit. 20 Don’t despise prophecies, 21 but test all things. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will do it. 25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us also. 26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers and sisters. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) How are we instructed to recognize and regard our Christian leaders? (verses 12-13)

In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul urges them to “give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) God desires the church to regard their leaders very highly in love because of the work they do to teach, nurture, and lead His people.

Nearly all churches in America recognize their pastors during October for Pastor Appreciation month. Pastors receive gift cards, baked treats, cash, flowers, and other tangible rewards as appreciation for their service. Pastors love being valued in this way, but the church should honor their leaders through encouragement and prayer on a consistent basis. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

The work our leaders do on the daily is what keeps our churches growing and thriving. Pastors teach us the Scriptures and instruct us how to live out Christ’s teaching in our daily lives. They pray for our health and well-being, they counsel us in family matters and relationship struggles, and they challenge us when we need to hear God’s truth applied to our lives. Author and pastor’s wife, Kristen Wetherell, suggests “Your encouragement will both deepen [your pastor’s] confidence in the power of God’s Word and also increase his desire to faithfully read, enjoy, study, communicate, and apply it. You will help him press on in ministry when the going gets tough, whether personally, culturally, or within the church.”

Let’s commit to encouraging and praying for our pastors with regularity (1 Timothy 5:17) for in doing so we minister to the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).

The Everyday Application

1) How are we instructed to recognize and regard our Christian leaders? (verses 12-13)

Somewhere in my box of “treasures” languishing in the basement is a note I received during my junior year of high school. I was assisting in a first grade class where one little boy needed some extra help with reading. A few days into our work together he slipped me a note that melted my heart. In clumsy, backwards letters he let me know how much he appreciated my help and the time and attention I gave him. I have worked with kids most days since then, in some capacity or another, and those letters, cards, pictures and gifts of encouragement have never lost their power to recharge my batteries or refocus my vision.

Knowing I’m making a difference for my students gives me the strength to face the hard days that seem like swimming through peanut butter. Under the Spirit’s leading, Paul instructed the Church to recognize and highly regard our leaders. Charles Ellicott explains, “The bond which binds the Christian community to their directors is not to be one of ‘recognition’ and obedience only but of holy affection above all.”

Paul knew the dedication of leaders to the care and nurturing of their churches was labor intensive and sacrificial, patterned after the example of Jesus. (Mark 10:45) He exhorted the church to do more than acknowledge and say thanks, though they should do that as well. He wanted them to act in love, sharing their blessings with church leaders as a way to honor the work of God done through them. (Galatians 6:6)

Follow Paul’s suggestion and reach out to your church leaders with love and encouragement, let them know the work they do is impacting your life.

The Original Intent

2) Why is it important for Christ-followers to be at peace among themselves? (verse 13)

Paul charged the believers in Thessalonica to “be at peace among yourselves” as he taught the church how to engage with one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:13) A.S. Patterson asserts, “Social peace among true Christians is highly important, both for their own mutual improvement and personal comfort, and for the recommendation of religion to the world; and it is to be maintained by the cultivation both of unanimity of sentiment and of kindliness of feeling”.

When there is disharmony among Christians, it sends a negative message about the church to the world. Feuding between Christians makes it seem the truths they share about Jesus are ineffective. Christians are meant to be identified by their love (John 13:35); discord detracts from the winsome beauty of Jesus’ love. Disunity makes it difficult to see Christ in our lives when we are not living at peace with one another. (1 Corinthians 3:3)

Since living in peace is so important to the Lord, Christians ought to focus on the things they have in common and let God guide them through their differences with a heart committed to loving devotion toward each other. (2 Timothy 3:17)

Jeremy Ham explains, “Since there is one faith, there will be unity in this faith, so we should be like-minded. Whenever Christians have conflicts, we should remember that we all are pressing and working toward the same goal.” We must walk out what we preach, living in peace under the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

The Everyday Application

2) Why is it important for Christ-followers to be at peace among themselves? (verse 13)

When my son was in 2nd grade our state allowed homeschoolers to attend online school for free, so we took advantage of the program. He was in virtual class with kids of different races and religions. One student was Rastafarian, others Muslim, some were Jewish, others Christian and Catholic. From all over our state, these kids and their backgrounds were as different as they could be, but our families were unified by the common goal of learning at home and curating the learning environment we found most beneficial for our children.

The Body of Christ could benefit by remembering the common goals we all have, to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7) and make Him known in the world (Acts 20:24). Paul admonished readers to “be at peace among yourselves” in 1 Thessalonians 5:13. He knew divisive issues would arise, pitting believers against one another and dimming the light of our testimony as we point others to Jesus. (Matthew 5:16)

Christ desires us to live in peace together, despite our differences and contentions, so we will draw others to know Him as He truly is. (Mark 16:15) John Piper notes, “The gospel creates peace with God. And the gospel creates lovers of humble peace and workers for peace.” When Christians pursue peace among themselves, they bring glory to God and cause others to want the peace they have found.

The Original Intent

3) What does it look like to always pursue what is good for one another and for all? (verse 15)

In 1 Thessalonians 5:15, Paul exhorted readers to “See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.“ Instead of retaliating or looking for payback when bad things happen, the Lord teaches believers to actively pursue things that are good for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

To pursue what is good for each other means we are not looking out for our own best interests ahead of others (Philippians 2:3-4) while working for the good of our fellow believers. (Galatians 6:10) Pursuing what is good for all involves treating other people the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12) with a willingness to be last instead of first (Matthew 20:16).

Loving devotion to one another means surrendering our presumed “right” to have the last word about everything. It means speaking the truth in love instead of turning a blind eye to keep the peace. (Ephesians 4:15) Pursuing what is good for each other doesn’t mean we always agree, but it means we can disagree with respect and love. (Romans 14)

The Everyday Application

3) What does it look like to always pursue what is good for one another and for all? (verse 15)

I admire moms and dads who are purposeful in their parenting. They plan ahead and budget time for teachable moments. This means they allow their kids to actively help cook a meal or fold the laundry even if it takes 3 times longer than if they shooed the kids out of the room and finished the tasks themselves. These parents know it is best for the child and, eventually, the whole family for their children to learn life skills like cooking and cleaning at an early age. Purposeful parents consider what is best for their children in the long run and value those goals over immediate convenience.

The Apostle Paul championed purposefully pursuing good towards others when he wrote verse 15, “See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.“ Paul desired to mimic Christ’s heart-desire for His people to always be about the business of doing what is good for all, even when it’s tempting to be retributive for personal injustices.

The way to live peaceably is to put others first and treat them honorably, even when they don’t deserve it. (Romans 12:10-14) When we give a gentle answer rather than quarreling, we squelch anger and promote peace. (Proverbs 15:1) It can be difficult to put others’ needs above our own (1 Corinthian 10:24), but we can ask the Lord to help us pursue good for each other so we can live together peacefully and show the world God’s love in action. (John 15:12)

Tags :
care,family,humility,kindness,preference
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Recent Journeys

Steadfast Day 2 Of Epic Importance: Digging Deeper
March 28, 2023
Steadfast Day 1 Of Epic Importance
March 27, 2023
The GT Weekend! ~ Another, Week 3
March 25, 2023

Another Day 11
Journey Study

Have you ever been in the shoes of Zacchaeus? On the receiving end of extravagant love despite who you are and what you’ve done?

Perhaps you’ve heard the voice of someone who loves you and looks your way and says, “I want to spend some time with you today!” This is the Jesus kind of love. This is “One-Another” kind of love. This is the lifestyle love we are called to exhibit in our everyday lives as believers.

I know for a fact Zacchaeus’ life changed that day by the words in Luke…”hurrying down and receiving Him joyfully.”
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Posted in: Affectionate, Captivating, Character, Christ, church, Clothed, Community Tagged: care, family, humility, kindness, preference

Another Day 11 Loving Devotion

March 20, 2023 by Meribeth Schierbeek Leave a Comment

Another Day 11 Loving Devotion

Meribeth Schierbeek

March 20, 2023

Accepted,Adoration,Character,Christ,church

Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 12:9-21
Psalm 139:1-7
Luke 19:1-10
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

What a beautiful title!
Loving devotion!

Where might your mind go as you ponder these two words?

I love when my husband devotes time to me. Last night, as we were winding down from the day and he was scrolling the TV channels, he stopped, looked across the room at me, and asked what I was looking at. I shared quickly, thinking it was just a simple query. 

But he put the remote down, and asked me to say more, drawing out what I enjoyed about the topic I was researching. It was a sweet gift to feel the devotion, be seen in that moment and feel his love in a meaningful way through the gift of conversation.

Does this happen every night? Not a chance… sometimes we are just tired by the end of the day, and all we have is our presence.

What are some ways you feel known and loved? 
Who turns towards you with devotion? 
How can we express our gratitude and devotion in return?

Beyond our human relationships, what does it look like to lovingly devote our lives to worshiping Jesus and loving and serving His people? How do we live as Romans 12:10 instructs, “Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another”?

I don’t know about you, but I like the real-life narrative of Zacchaeus. Take a minute to reread his story in Luke 19:1-10.

What did you notice about Jesus?
What did you notice about Zacchaeus?

If you’re new to the Bible, let me share the significance of Zacchaeus’ job as a tax collector. Men in this role were generally dishonest, self-gratifying collectors who lined their own pockets by cheating their fellow Jews! They were installed by Roman occupiers who cared nothing about integrity as long as Rome got its due, plus more. As such, tax collectors were often considered traitors and among the worst in Jewish society. 

Yet, the Holy Spirit draws Zacchaeus’ interest onto Christ, and Jesus calls the much-despised Zacchaeus by name and pursues a relationship with him! (Luke 19:5) Jesus demonstrates how to love people on the path with us, and we get to leave their response to the Lord.

I loved Jesus’ words in the ESV (English Standard Version) translation I’m reading, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down for I MUST stay at your house today” and Zacchaeus responds by… hurrying down and receiving him joyfully!

Have you ever been in the shoes of Zacchaeus? On the receiving end of extravagant love despite who you are and what you’ve done? Perhaps you’ve heard the voice of someone who loves you and looks your way and says, “I want to spend some time with you today!” This is the Jesus kind of love. This is “One-Another” kind of love. This is the lifestyle love we are called to exhibit in our everyday lives as believers. 

I know for a fact Zacchaeus’s life changed that day by the words in Luke…”hurrying down and receiving Him joyfully.” 

Our life with Jesus is one of fellowship with Jesus, and it begins with the same simple act Zacchaeus demonstrated in genuine, joyful humility: receiving Jesus with joy. Jesus Christ, as God the Son, left His place in heaven and came as a baby to live and sacrifice Himself as an atonement (an offering on behalf of someone else) for us. Our wretchedness caused by our sin nature leaves us and Zacchaeus looking like twins, and still, Jesus calls each of us by name to humble ourselves at the cross where His death covers every sin with His own blood. Have you received His offered embrace by confessing your sin and receiving His righteousness? Here, in this beautiful place of welcome, we get to share Christ’s invitation first for ourselves and then with anyone at any time.

Sometimes, like Jesus on the path to somewhere else, our opportunity to share comes at inconvenient times, while other times it might feel like it fits perfectly in our timing. Either way, the embrace of Jesus is meant to be shared and we are meant to readily hold it out.

Are we actively receiving the loving devotion of our Father?
Are we bringing it into our everyday world?

If you haven’t read #HisWordsBeforeOurs in Psalm 139:1-7, go back and do it! In order to love others as God loves us it helps to know more about God and how He loves us.

What goes through your mind as you read those seven verses?
How is the Lord lovingly devoted to you?
How might this reality shape your everyday life as you serve and love those God puts in your path?

Just as Zacchaeus was, so have we been seen and loved by Jesus!
What will we do with this extravagant, embracing, invitational love?
I pray it will fuel us to exhibit genuine, authentic loving devotion to our Savior as His Spirit enables us to bring truth and love to a hurting world!

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What intimacy awaits those who feel lonely, fearful, and depressed.

What sweet connection awaits us if only we would pour ourselves over His Scripture and meditate on His character day and night.
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Posted in: Accepted, Adoration, Character, Christ, church Tagged: Christ, church, family, love, One Another

The GT Weekend! ~ Another, Week 2

March 18, 2023 by Katelyn Palmer Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend! ~ Another, Week 2

Katelyn Palmer

March 18, 2023

Affectionate,Character,Christ,church,Clothed,Community

Rest your soul through reflective journaling,
praying Scripture,
and worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

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Friday's DD

Pray His Words Back To Him!

Philippians 2:5-11

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death - even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name…
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

My Lord, Yahweh, You have convicted my spirit heavily as I studied the concepts of humility and submission. Thank You for offering the perfect example in Christ to model my life after. Thank You also for the encouragement of Your loving chastisement each time I fall victim to my pride and stubbornness.

Over the next week, please open my eyes to the areas of my life where humility and submission are scarce and offer me the wisdom to strengthen those areas. (Psalm 139:23) I am not yet a finished work of Your hands, but I know one day You will complete the good works you have started in me. (Philippians 1:6)

Until then, I will strive to serve those You have placed in my life with a humble heart and lean into all opportunities of growth with an eager spirit, using Your Son as my example. I wish for Your heart to guide my own; teach me to rest in Your promises, Lord.
In Jesus’ name that I pray, Amen.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

The image of an ax and the act of its sharpening is used throughout the Bible in both the Old and the New Testaments. It is a powerful image and quite pertinent to living out our faith as we follow Jesus.

An ax dulls after just a few uses and a dull ax is both inefficient and requires more strength. In keeping with His wisdom, God highlighted this very fact in Ecclesiastes 10:10. One way God sharpens us is through other people. (Proverbs 27:17)

Just as it is important to grind into the edge of the ax when sharpening it, we must lean into the grind of being honed with a humble heart. It can be uncomfortable, painful even, but with each stroke of the file we become more like Jesus and we reflect God’s light to those around us.

Who is God using to sharpen you? Have you leaned into the process or fought it? When the Spirit convicts us of fighting against spiritual growth, we can accept His reprimand with gratitude because it means we are hearing the Spirit!

We can be encouraged to draw near to Him as He aligns our hearts with God’s will in the future.

JOURNAL TWO

Jesus taught us by practical example how to live a righteous life pleasing to the Lord, but the most important thing He taught us is how to love.

Just before His death, Jesus left His disciples with this, “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” (John 13:34) In Paul’s letters to the church of Corinth, he clearly expounds upon what loving one another looks like in real, everyday life. He details the attributes of love, as well as what love does not look like. (1 Corinthians 13)

Take time this week to study 1 Corinthians 13, read a few studies from GT’s Journey Into Kaleidoscope, and consider where you see evidence of love in your life and where it could use some cultivating.

I struggle with putting my desire to be right over my duty to love others. Somewhere along the way, I started associating being right with my self-worth, which led to me selfishly and sinfully putting myself over Jesus’ command in John 13. Love begins with a thought, just like its counterpart hate.

This is why we must spend time wrapped up in God’s loving Word, so we are ensuring our thoughts, and consequently our actions, are stemming from truth and love!

JOURNAL THREE

Plato said art imitates life. Biblically, this idea is fleshed out with the imagery of  Jesus as the Bread of Life (John 6:35) and us as His work of art. (Ephesians 2:10, Isaiah 64:8) We are instructed to live as Jesus lived (1 John 2:6), starting with humility and submission.

Through Jesus’ many examples of submission to His Father, we find encouragement in our own pursuit of submission to His will. We may find ourselves asking God why He favors the humble and submissive spirit. We need only look as far as Isaiah 66:1-2, which reminds us we have nothing to offer God that isn’t already His.

However, He gives us the choice to follow Him, which means our submission is the greatest gift we can offer the Creator of Everything.

What is the result of submission? There are many blessings found in submission, but a few notable benefits are the grace lavished on those with a submissive spirit (1 Peter 5:5), protection from the enemy (James 4:7), and the ability to spread the gospel in perhaps the most powerful way…by humble example! (Philippians 1:27-28) When we live a life worthy of the Gospel, others take note and His good news of forgiveness and restoration spreads!
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Posted in: Affectionate, Character, Christ, church, Clothed, Community Tagged: care, family, genuine, humility, love, Submission

Another Day 10 Holy Submission: Digging Deeper

March 17, 2023 by Rachel Jones Leave a Comment

Another Day 10 Holy Submission: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

March 17, 2023

Christ,church,Discipleship,Faith,Song,Submission

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 "Holy Submission"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 5:15-20

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) How are we intended to make the most of our time? (verse 16)

In Ephesians 5:15-16, Paul cautioned believers to “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—- making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” Paul wanted believers to seize the day and make the most of the opportunities God had given them, using their time for God’s glory.

More than just spending time wisely, Paul spoke of “a definite season of opportunity that Christians must redeem” according to David Guzik. Paul knew God desires us to be purposeful with our lives by paying special attention to how we spend each day.

The Lord desires all parts of our life to be lived out in surrender to Him, which means making wise choices according to His Word that honor Him. (Proverbs 2:1-5) Our culture and the world we live in are ruled by evil (1 John 5:19) and there are snares everywhere! If the Christ-follower is not diligent in prayer, they will quickly become trapped in the pull of sin. (1 Peter 5:8)

We need to understand God’s will by regularly reading His Word and then walk out His plans (James 1:23-24). His Word safeguards us from becoming distracted or derailed by sinful pleasures that will drag our lives into chaos and sidetrack us from fulfilling our destiny in God. (John 8:34) John Piper suggests “the Christian life is a vigilant life, defensively guarding itself from the subtleties of the evil days and offensively redeeming the time to strike for love and righteousness again and again.”

We can make the most of our time by pursuing God’s will, which is found through careful study of God’s Word, then walking it out in our lives.

The Everyday Application

1) How are we intended to make the most of our time? (verse 16)

One of my kids does not like to have too much free time on her hands. She is fine to lounge around for a few days of summer vacation, but then she needs a plan of action or she feels like she is wasting her life. Making a checklist of things to do, even if those things include watching tv or playing video games, it provides structure and purpose to her time and she can better enjoy her vacation. Her strategy is much like the one Paul promoted when he told the Ephesians to make “the most of the time, because the days are evil.” (verse 16).

Time is one of the most valuable gifts we possess, and most of us frequently squander it on unworthy endeavors. We scroll through social media pages, only to realize later we’ve spent an hour viewing dance trends, pranks, and clever pet videos.

Sometimes the things that drain our time are not so benign and are actually evil pursuits that bring us harm and separate us from God. (Galatians 5:19-21) We must realize that the time we are given is a gift, and God wants us to do everything for His glory with all the resources He has given. (1 Corinthians 10:31) He created us to do good works, which He carefully laid out for us with love! (Ephesians 2:10)

This doesn’t mean we can’t pursue interests we enjoy or take time out to rest; these are important too! (Mark 6:31) But we are commanded to be mindful of how we spend our time, making sure we use what the Lord has given for His glory, not our own, so we can do well in the work laid out for us by God. (Colossians 1:10)

The Original Intent

2) What does it mean to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs? (verse 19)

Paul admonished the Ephesians to “be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19). The Greek word for speaking, laleo, means “speaking with yourselves, which refers to believers as a community . . . it simply means to use the voice to make a sound and in this context the sound is a song.” (Preceptaustin.org).

When we are filled with the Spirit, as Paul advocated, the joy of His presence bubbles out of us in singing. (Psalm 16:11) Of course, to sing His word to another requires us to first know it deeply for ourselves. (Colossians 3:16) As author R. Kent Hughes explains, “Spirit-filled people overflow in song!” John Eadie notes that the people of Paul’s day would have sung Psalms from the Bible and other songs of praise to God, and spiritual songs, or odes, similar to those of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10), Mary (Luke 1:46-56) and Zachariah (Luke 1:67-79).

Paul knew that when Holy Spirit-filled believers in Jesus gathered together, worship would burst forth from their mouths and their hearts. He understood that Christians need the unity and boost of faith that comes from rejoicing together.

Corporate worship not only glorifies the Lord, but it also encourages and edifies His people as they lift their voices together to sing His praises. As we bless God, we are in turn blessed by His presence and the encouragement of being with God’s people.

Paul tells us in Colossians 3:16 we can use songs, hymns, and spiritual songs to admonish, or advise, one another. Paul taught that corporate worship was an integral part of the Christian life, providing a way for believers to thank and praise God while exhorting and encouraging one another.

The Everyday Application

2) What does it mean to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs? (verse 19)

I love to watch old movies, particularly musicals, but my husband doesn’t share my appreciation of the genre. He finds it irksome that every plot point requires choreography and a catchy song. Musicals require some suspension of disbelief, which annoys him as much as it delights me. I can’t help thinking of Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 5:19 in terms of a movie musical when Paul tells Christians to speak to one another in “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord.”

Paul did not mean their dialogue between one another needed to be sung, but that their collective thanks and praise to God should pour out in corporate singing to the Lord and the way they encouraged one another should flow from Scripture’s words. John Piper explains “There are reasons for this corporate dimension to worship. Being together and singing to each other, and not just alone, intensifies our emotions for God, communicates our witness to God, and unifies our corporate life around God.” (Romans 15:6)

When believers are together, their love for God and thankfulness for His love and goodness should well up inside and pour out onto each other. (Psalm 149:1) Their shared praise and adoration of God encourages and edifies each worshipper, strengthening their faith and producing hope and joy in their hearts. As author David Mathis explains, “Our own awe is accentuated, our own adoration increased, our own joy doubled when we worship Jesus together.”

Make it a point to worship together with other saints, magnifying the Lord with your lifted voices and encouraging each other with your corporate devotion to God.

The Original Intent

3) How can Christians submit to one another in the fear of Christ? (verse 21)

In Ephesians 5:21, Paul exhorted Christ’s followers to submit to one another in the fear of Christ. Paul encouraged Christians to develop and display an attitude of humility, “a willingness to be responsive and to yield to one another out of love.” (Lawrence Richards) We can submit to our brothers and sisters in Christ by not insisting on our way or by having the last word.

We should prefer others over ourselves (Philippians 2:3) and make their well-being a priority (Philippians 2:4), even over our own. We should treat others the way we want to be treated. (Matthew 7:12), especially those who have also surrendered to Christ as their Lord. (Galatians 6:10)

We can follow Jesus’ example of humility and service by giving up what we think we deserve in order to benefit others. We humbly submit to our brothers and sisters in Christ in the fear, or respect, of Jesus as our Ruling Lord. Because we love Jesus, we follow His example of service and obedience. His submission to God included His obedience unto death on the cross for the sins of the world, a punishment He didn’t deserve. (Philippians 2:8)

Not only did Jesus make a way for us to come to the Father through His humbling sacrifice, He also showed us how to submit our own will and way to the authority of God our Father. If Jesus, being God, did not give Him reason to stop choosing humility, there is nothing preventing us from humbling ourselves by submitting ourselves to other Christ-followers.

The Everyday Application

3) How can Christians submit to one another in the fear of Christ? (verse 21)

I have a brother in Christ who exemplifies what it means to submit to one another in the fear of Christ. (Ephesians 5:21) He served as a pastor at one time in his life, but now he works in maintenance and janitorial services at his church. He labors diligently on his own list of tasks to be done, but he never fails to ask the staff at his church if they need anything or if he can do something additional for them.

Even if he is done with his shift or just about to clock out, he offers his assistance and makes sure he is not needed before leaving the building. He also volunteers at his church, leading Bible studies and volunteering in the hospitality ministry. Time and again he prefers others above himself out of His love and respect for Christ. (Galatians 5:13) My friend is not in it to win a spotlight, but to point to his Savior.

John Piper explains, “That kind of humility and readiness to serve rather than be served, to honor rather than be honored, is a fruit of the Spirit. And when we are filled with the Spirit, we will be submissive to each other in this way.”

In a world that is increasingly self-centered and self-promoting, my friend’s submission to his Christian brothers and sisters is as refreshing as it is counter-cultural. He doesn’t set up a camera to film his good deeds and then post them online with a request to like or subscribe. He just lets the love of God fill him up and then pours out that love onto others. (John 4:14) He is a good example for each of us to follow if we want to submit to one another in the fear of Christ. How can you start today?!

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Journey Study

Submission is evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Through faith in Christ, we receive His righteousness as our own and keep His commandments through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Submission denies us the power and privilege we want, instead choosing to stand under the Lord’s authority, wisdom, and power.
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Posted in: Christ, church, Discipleship, Faith, Song, Submission Tagged: family, humility, Jesus, Submission, worship

Another Day 8 Wrapped Up In Love

March 15, 2023 by Christine Wood 1 Comment

Another Day 8 Wrapped Up In Love

Christine Wood

March 15, 2023

Called,Captivating,church,Love

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 13
John 15:12–17
Luke 6:27–36
Deuteronomy 6:4–19

“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?”

Jesus was being challenged by an expert in the Law, a Pharisee. This religious leader had devoted his life to learning, following, and teaching the Law God gave to Moses; the Law was a set of instructions enabling sinful people to live in relationship with a Holy God.

Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matthew 22:35–40)

Jesus summed up the entirety of the Law and the Prophets with one simple word: love.
Love God and love one another. 
That’s it. 
Everything else falls under the umbrella of love. 

“[F]or the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)

This isn’t the first or the last time Jesus taught on the importance of loving one another. At the last supper, after Jesus had finished washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus provided important final instructions.

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” (John 13:34)

Jesus doesn’t describe how to love one another. He doesn’t give us a list of things to do and say. He simply tells us to follow His example: as I have loved you.

Approximately 20 years later, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church in Corinth. It seems they were having difficulty putting Jesus’ command to love into practice. Paul described what it meant to be a part of the body of Christ, how to use our spiritual gifts to help one another, and what loving one another looks like in everyday life.

Paul detailed specifically how to love one another. While 1 Corinthians 13 is often read at weddings and used to depict the love between a husband and wife, the chapter is actually written about the church and describes how we, as Christian brothers and sisters, should act towards one another.

Paul tells us what love is (patient, kind, rejoices in truth, always believes, hopes and endures) and what love isn’t (envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, self-seeking, angry, keeping a record of wrongs). (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) It is a detailed and challenging explanation of what it means for us to love one another.

We must not underestimate the importance of this love in our testimony of faith. Jesus said, “By this [love] everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
Love distinguishes us from others.
Love marks us as Jesus’ followers.
Love is our uniform and Christ-followers.

Just like the church in Corinth in the first century, we struggle to love one another the way Jesus commanded and modeled, because let’s be honest, some people are difficult to love. (Not you, of course.) And, often our culture (and even our churches) seem to value being right above being loving.

I don’t know whether it is because of the prevalence of social media, the 24-hour news cycle, or the challenging global circumstances, but it feels like every little issue the world faces has become a wall to divide us or a soapbox to stand on. We feel obligated to ‘cancel’ anyone we disagree with. We stand on moral high ground and either passionately protest or quietly withdraw to protect ourselves from all the evil people on the other side of the dividing line. We are at war, and the weapon of choice is hate.

Jesus teaches us to “Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27–28)

Pause and read that verse again.

The command to love one another is not reserved for people who are easy to love, such as those who share our worldview and belief system.
It’s not just for people like us.

Jesus didn’t put any qualifiers on who can be saved when they put their trust in Him for the forgiveness of their sins. Everyone qualifies for repentance and forgiveness, even the thief on the cross. Jesus loves all. Jesus died for all. And we are commanded to love all.

One of my favorite prayers is the one Paul prayed for the church in 1 Thessalonians 3:12.

“And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone[.]”

The only way we can come close to following Jesus’ command to love one another is by prayerfully asking God to increase our love until it overflows. 

May Christ’s love run through us into our family dinners, workstations, and hair salons. 

May His love overflow into the school pick-up line, the grocery check-out, and after-church conversations. 

May His love be abundant in our Facebook shares, our email replies, and our Instagram comments. 

May the world see Christ’s love in us as we engage those of different faiths, different political views, different backgrounds and opinions.

May Jesus’ love overflow to our enemies through us.
May we put on His love like a uniform distinguishing us as disciples of Jesus.

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Digging Deeper

Have dinner with your neighbor who is an atheist. Invite your friend to coffee who has been vocal on Facebook about her political beliefs that are different from yours. Have a conversation with that family member who is hard to love. Our model was Christ laying down His life for all people, and our reward when following Him is power to love as he loved and an eternity spent with him. (John 3:14-20)
Dig Deeper!

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Posted in: Called, Captivating, church, Love Tagged: family, love, real life, serve

Another Day 7 Helping Hands: Digging Deeper

March 14, 2023 by Natalie Smith Leave a Comment

Another Day 7 Helping Hands: Digging Deeper

Natalie Smith

March 14, 2023

church,Community,Family,gentle,Heart

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 "Helping Hands"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 13:5-20

Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who asked him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I’m doing you don’t realize now, but afterward you will understand.”

8 “You will never wash my feet,” Peter said. Jesus replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” 10 “One who has bathed,” Jesus told him, “doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For he knew who would betray him. This is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you. 16 “Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

18 “I’m not speaking about all of you; I know those I have chosen. But the Scripture must be fulfilled: The one who eats my bread has raised his heel against me.19 I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am he. 20 Truly I tell you, whoever receives anyone I send receives me, and the one who receives me receives him who sent me.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why would Jesus emphasize washing Peter’s feet, but refuse to wash all of him? Does Jesus not need to cleanse every part of a sinner for us to be right with God? (verses 8-10)

When I read these verses of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, I see a truly humble servant.Yet, when reading verses 8-10, deeper spiritual teachings seem to exist. It’s important to consider that both Enduring Word Commentary and Matthew Henry, biblical theologian, note that Jesus didn’t wash His disciples’ feet to illustrate how we are saved from our sins and made clean by the forgiveness only God can offer. Salvation wasn’t the point of Christ’ stooping to wash unsandaled feet.

The tension between Jesus’ washing and Peter’s remarks point toward spiritual growth and a demonstration of how to live the Christian life rather than a picture of how one is saved from sin. The disciples were already eating (John 13:2-4), but nobody had volunteered to cleanse feet, nor had a hired servant handled this distasteful task.

They sat on the floor with pillows, as was common at the time, with the stench of the outside road sitting with them at the table. Having planned the evening and knowing this situation would arise, Jesus chose the role of a lowly servant to demonstrate in an exceedingly personal manner what it was to love others as God loves them.

This was uncomfortable for Peter! Christ was His Lord, not his foot slave! Initially, he refuses. But Jesus stressed the importance of receiving His service by stating, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with Me.” (verse 7) Confused, Peter goes to the other extreme, asking to be bathed in whole. (verse 9) When Jesus responds practically that only his feet are dirty, Peter discovers he must be humble in heart in order to truly receive humility’s love. Only through Jesus’ great humility does Peter wrestle with his own deep seeded pride. It takes humility to receive humility.

The Everyday Application

1) Why would Jesus emphasize washing Peter’s feet, but refuse to wash all of him? Does Jesus not need to cleanse every part of a sinner for us to be right with God? (verses 8-10)

Jesus said His disciples were already clean except Judas Iscariot (verse 10), meaning they had already repented of their sin and trusted Christ to be exactly Who He claimed to be as God. They had been washed clean (forgiven of all sin) through faith. (Titus 3:5) Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an example of how His people were to love others with humility and how all must be humbled by the depths of their sin in order to receive humble love.

We cannot save one another by serving them, but we can point them to the love of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Both the humility in giving and receiving servant-love is a refining fire used by the Lord to make us more like Him!

Before we married, my husband served in youth ministry; together we envisioned wonderful ways to care for others in ministry. Instead, as we moved into life and marriage, we ran into broken down cars, basement floods, and other stressors we couldn’t finagle alone.

The families we envisioned serving were keeping us afloat with their humble service. They loaned us their cars and brought shop-vacs to quickly remove water. When we had two small children and I became suddenly sick, ladies literally picked up their dinner plates and came to our house to babysit.

We deserved none of these gifts, and it was uncomfortable to receive such love from the ones we were supposed to be serving. For years, it seemed others were helping us more than we could offer in return. We can never repay the service of those loving church members who acted like family, but through the humility of receiving, the Lord has shown us how to better give. Serving is not sustained in our own strength, but in His strength.

The Original Intent

2) How does Jesus’ command to wash each other’s feet apply to the Church at large? (verse 14)

Jesus, always intentional, began the process of washing feet noting that His disciples did not understand now, but would later understand His purposes. (verse 7) Allowing Jesus to wash their feet required much on both sides. Jesus stooped low to do the job no one else was willing to do, while the disciples surrendered in obedience. 

 Both sides practiced humility, patience, and endurance with the careful and involved process of cleansing and cleaning up. Multiple times throughout Scripture, and even during this last meal (Luke 22:24), Jesus’ disciples had discussed who was the greatest among themselves. (Luke 9:46) But here in chapter 13, Jesus strongly emphasizes His call of spiritual growth through humility, which is a requirement for following Him with our lives.

Jesus called out the disciples’ pride and mis-focus on being “better” than one another. He instructs that none is greater than their masters or teachers, which was Christ. (verses 16-17) The disciples readily called Jesus their Lord and Leader, which underscored the reality that Jesus called them to also stoop to the lowliest tasks. In fact, the disciples are actually commanded, not to necessarily physically wash feet, but to willingly stoop to the lowest of positions for the benefit of fellow disciples of Christ.

The Everyday Application

2) How does Jesus’ command to wash each other’s feet apply to the Church at large? (verse 14)

It is not unheard of to attend a wedding, youth group service, or other church gathering where the act of foot washing is part of the service. It’s meant as a lovely portrayal of their heart’s intention to humbly serve one another. But what about the day in and out experiences of doing life within the church? When Jesus commanded His disciples to “wash another’s feet” He did not mean serving to end when the feet were physically clean. Rather, Jesus referenced the heart’s need to let go of pride for the benefit of our Christian family.

I have the gift of knowing a sweet story of a local pastor and church member; I hope their story encourages you like it does me! A long-time, faithful church member took on the church’s janitorial needs as a paid second job. After months of cleanliness, people suddenly began noticing problems. There were unkempt bathrooms, crumbs and dirt remaining on the floor after gatherings, and the like.

The attentive pastor noticed something amiss, and instead of approaching the situation with business-like efficiency of firing the worker, he chose to lean into spiritual growth for himself and his friend. Despite his leadership role and busy demands, the pastor stooped low to save face for the man until the heart of the matter could be discussed. Unannounced, the pastor cleaned the nursery bathrooms and vacuumed the sanctuary for several weeks allowing the hired man to receive payment.

This pastor chose humble grace-filled service for his brother, demonstrating his submission to Christ’s lordship as more important than his own authority as pastor. Are we willing to take on the difficult and dirty for the spiritual benefit of one another?

The Original Intent

3) Did Jesus invite Judas into His discipleship circle for the purpose of Christ’s betrayal? (verse 18)

Backing up in this passage, which is an important practice when studying the Bible, we read that Jesus, “knew His hour had come to depart out of this world (…)” and that Jesus “loved His own to the end”. (John 13:1) As both God and man, Jesus knew His purpose. He knew when to keep his head down and do daily life, when to start teaching and displaying miracles, and when to withdraw with His closest disciples.

Jesus knew which chosen disciples would follow Him in faith and which one would move His mission forward at the time of betrayal because of his choice to reject Jesus. (John 6:64)

Judas had every opportunity to know Jesus as Messiah and Lord just as each of the other disciples did. Judas traveled with Jesus, witnessed His healings and mercies, and sat in on quiet conversations where Jesus as He explained parables. Still, Judas did not repent and his heart was hard set against God.

Scripture warns of a time when God turns us over to our heart desires if we continue rebelling against Him, making it known that what we want most is to be our own “god”. (Romans 1:21-24, Ephesians 4:19) Verse 2 tells us the devil put betrayal into Judas’s heart, which describes a moment of being turned over to Judas’ true heart-desire to keep rejecting Him.Jesus knew the heart of Judas from the beginning, still He invited Judas along, allowed him to manage the money, and even included him in the washing of feet before sending him on his way to betrayal. Jesus tells us that allowing this deceit was not in vain, but rather that Scripture was fulfilled, and further evidence was provided His disciples of His divinity as the All-Knowing God. (verse 18-19) He was more than a good teacher and example of humble service, Christ is God and Savior!

The Everyday Application

3) Did Jesus invite Judas into His discipleship circle for the purpose of Christ’s betrayal? (verse 18)

God, as being perfectly good, does not create evil, but He still has control over it, as He is all-powerful. Humans are responsible for sin and the Devil causes much deceit and evil through our human fleshly desires to love sin. (gotquestions.org) Still, God is sovereign and able to use what is already present because of sin to move His plans forward for the good of His people and the accomplishment of His purposes. (Romans 8:28)

Judas-like people are present in both our families and churches. These are people who have learned to mimic the outward fruit of what Christianity “looks like”, but their hearts are far from their actions. Such masqueraders cause much pain. How can someone be so close, and yet, so far from the Lord?

As a child, I incorrectly thought if Jesus would perform a miracle for my dad, he would surely love Jesus. Years later, I realized Scripture addresses my mis-understanding. The Bible describes multitudes experiencing the miracles of Jesus, and then following Him merely for the physical benefits. (John 6:26) Jesus calls out this heart-attitude saying, “You have seen me and yet do not believe.” (John 6:36) The God of all truth is not deceived by outward appearance. (1 Samuel 16:7)

How is one truly saved? Scripture teaches it is the Lord who calls us to Himself and He perfectly knows our hearts. “I know those I have chosen.” (John 13:18) “[The disciples] did not choose [Jesus], but He chose [them]” (John 15:16). It also says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts (…)” (Hebrews 3:15) and “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) Call on the Lord, repent of your sin and confess Him as Lord!

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Posted in: church, Community, Family, gentle, Heart Tagged: church, family, humility, Jesus, love, servant
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