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Known Day 6 El Chuwl

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Known Day 6 El Chuwl

Sara Cissell

July 17, 2023

Alive,Daughter,Family,God,Good,Joy

Read His Words Before Ours!

Jonah 3:1-4:11
Psalm 139:13-18
Romans 12:1-2

El Chuwl
The God who gave you birth. 

I love how the Lord moves and orchestrates all the elements of my life, including this Journey Study. Before I truly quieted my heart to listen for the Lord’s direction, I had multiple ideas for where this study may have gone and I guarantee Jonah’s story (an ordinary Hebrew man, commissioned by God to deliver a call to repentance to one of Israel’s fiercest enemies) was not one of them.

Yet within Jonah’s story, I found the Lord’s heart beating for His creation. 

More often than not, I have read the book of Jonah primarily from Jonah’s perspective and considered how it related to my life. However, as I pondered El Chuwl, I saw the four chapters in a new light. 

All genuine Christ-followers have two births: our physical one and our spiritual one. Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, a religious leader whose curiosity was sparked by Jesus’ stunning teaching and ministry (John 3), is a great place to begin to comprehend just what the Lord means by being twice birthed.

Our physical births are denoted by our birthdays. Each year, we mark the time we have spent on earth, and declare ourselves another year older. Even before our physical births, the Lord knew us in the womb. Psalm 139 says He knit us together; His involvement in our physical births was deeply intricate and intimate. 

Scripture is clear that His involvement in our spiritual births is equally intricate and intimate. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” (John 6:44) “For He (Father) chose us in Him (Christ), before the foundation of the world…” (Ephesians 1:4) Our spiritual births take place when we ask the Lord to be our Savior, to forgive our sins, and we surrender control of our hearts to Him. (1 John 1:9) We are born into His family and now have eternity with Him as our secured future. 

I had my spiritual birth when I was a pretty young child, so I don’t fully remember all the elements occurring in my life at the time. However, I do remember my older brother starting his life with the Lord two weeks before I made my decision. I watched him over those two weeks to determine if I wanted to make the same choice. Thankfully, I did, and I have a vivid memory of the moment I prayed to the Lord. 

For those of you who became a Christian later in life, what was your story? 
Can you look back over your life and see the fingerprints of God leading you towards Him? 

The Lord is an involved Father and He watches over His children and His children-to-be.

This leads us back to Jonah. 

After literally running away from the Lord (Jonah 1) and spending time in the belly of a great fish rethinking his choices (Jonah 2), Jonah finally obeyed the Lord and went to Nineveh, where he obediently declared the coming destruction from the Lord. (Jonah 3) When the Ninevites actually repented, Jonah grew angry at the Lord’s mercy for a wildly undeserving people. The Lord’s response in chapter 4 stopped me in my tracks and spoke directly to my heart. 

The Lord is intensely for us; if you’re breathing, His heart is to draw you near. Jonah was ready to watch the city of Nineveh and all of its inhabitants burn, but the Lord saw His creation. When the people of Nineveh repented, the Lord’s righteous anger turned to sovereign grace. 

For some in Nineveh, that may have been the moment of their spiritual birth; only the Lord truly knows. Regardless, the Lord proved His faithfulness to everyone who had experienced a physical birth in Nineveh by sending Jonah to get their attention and challenge them to change their ways. 

The Lord’s character is consistent, and I know He has not changed throughout the years since Jonah walked the earth. (Hebrews 13:8) His heart is still for His creation, and He still longs for us to walk with Him. He is the God of Life who gives us both of our births.

So how do we respond? 

I think Romans 12:1-2 lays out a plan of action quite well: offering ourselves to the Lord and renewing our minds moves us closer to walking with Him. 

I imagine a toddler reaching up for her father, asking him to pick her up. She may even use the innocent phrase, “hold you.” 

This faith like a child rises up within me as I comprehend just a hint of the Lord’s heart for the Ninevites, which brings the realization of the Lord’s intense love for me too. 

So Lord, I turn to You. Thank You for being the God who gave me both my births. Thank You for loving me and leading me each day since. I surrender my will and life again to You today. Transform me and renew my mind. I turn my eyes to You and raise my arms. Hold me, Abba!

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Digging Deeper

When we focus on God as the Master Craftsman, it is easier for us to appreciate that we are His marvelous workmanship (Ephesians 2:10).

Tara Sun asserts that “when we stand in proper view of the reality of our Savior, we can stand in thankfulness and contentment for how we were created. Bumps, dimples, curves, saggy skin and all.”

Thank You, Lord, for hand-crafting each one of us into a unique masterpiece!
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The GT Weekend! ~ Known, Week 1

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The GT Weekend! ~ Known, Week 1

Rebecca Adams

July 15, 2023

Believe,Christ,Family,Glory,Jesus,Life,Mercy,Perfect

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

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Pray His Words Back To Him!

John 14:15-17

“If you love me, you will keep My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching us to pray to the Father, calling Him Our Father, beckoning us to share in the rich relationship You came to sacrifice Yourself so we may enjoy Your family.

Thank You, Spirit, for making the heart of the Father known to us through Jesus. Thank you for comforting our hearts with truth and Your constant presence. Thank You for being coequal to Father and Son as the very Breath of God!

Abba, Father, Your compassion is endless and Your love unfailing. I stand in speechless awe at Your unfathomable authority and lavish grace that brought me near, and the price you paid because of love that I might call You Abba. 

May I live my everyday breathing, speaking, and moving in overflow of this love You’ve poured out into my heart! In the Name above all other Names, Christ Jesus, Amen.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

Jesus, God the Son, taught us to enter the sacred space of intimate prayer by uttering the unthinkable term of love, endearment, and familiarity with the Almighty God by calling out, “Abba Father.”  

In our culture, we can tend to jump to the far end of Abba by solely focusing on God as close, intimate, gentle, and tender. While these are all true and necessary for our understanding of God as Father as depicted in Scripture, we must also refuse to neglect the other, equally important aspect, of Abba.

He carries all authority over us as His children if we have committed ourselves to Him and entered into father-child relationship with Him through the sacrificial blood of Jesus. What Abba says, is what goes.

 In Hebrew tradition, the calling of “Abba” by a child meant, “Father, I will obey you.” In the context of love and safety and awe-filled respect, I will obey what you say because you are my Abba.

How does your view of God line up with these realities from Scripture? Do you find yourself leaning more to one side or another?

JOURNAL TWO

We know the Father because of the Son. (John 14:7) Christ provides the clarity about what God looks like, sounds like, and demonstrates to us “in person” how God acts. Never are the two out of sync. (John 5:19-20)

Sometimes, our view of Jesus isolates Him from the Father God. We think of Jesus as the “nice” version of God, but not as the actual “full picture” of what God looks like in the flesh. (Hebrews 1:3) Jesus is the big, giant “picture window” through Whom we begin to comprehend the very essence of God.

Get honest with your view of Jesus and pull out a blank sheet of paper. Fill it with as many descriptions of Jesus as you can imagine without any filter. Every adjective goes on the sheet.

Now, go back through and mark with a 1, 2, or 3 how much you personally fully agree with these descriptions. Can you find Scripture evidence for the ones you agree with? Go on a quest this weekend to discover how much of your view of God the Son aligns with His Word about Himself!

JOURNAL THREE

Just as the Son shows us the Father with brilliantly painted strokes of awe and beauty, so the Spirit points us repeatedly back to Jesus, back to Jesus, back to Jesus, so we can see the Father. Every teaching, every reminder, every ounce of comfort provided by the indwelling Holy Spirit of the Living God is meant to speak of Christ that we might come to know more deeply the Father, and therein, the whole of the Triune God. (John 14:16-17)

Similar to the “adjective challenge” for Jesus in prompt #2, do the same for the Spirit of God. Do the number of answers you were able to provide surprise you? Alongside those adjectives, jot down the first 3 questions that come to mind about the Spirit of God. How might you go about finding answers to those questions? Could you start this weekend with your exploration?!

Considering this is the Triune God who has come to earth in the Son for the purpose of being revealed to us through the Spirit that we might know the Father, what better use of our study could there be than to explore the Trinity?! A simple first step is prayer.

Ask the Triune God to make Himself known to you through His Word by His Spirit, then apply yourself to knowing Him more deeply! Consider exploring with the help of this easy-to-read book “Delighting In The Trinity” by Michael Reeves.
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Known Day 5 Parakletos: Digging Deeper

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Known Day 5 Parakletos: Digging Deeper

Melodye Reeves

July 14, 2023

Adoration,Faith,Fruitfulness,Hallel,Holy Spirit,Hope,Lord

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 "Parakletos"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 14:16-20

16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn't see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.

19 In a little while the world will see Me no longer, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What does verse 16 teach us about a triune God?

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you Another …” Three persons are mentioned in this verse. Jesus tells His disciples He will pray to the Father to send the Spirit. Though not a biblical term, these three Persons are often referred to as the Trinity.

In studying other religions, you’ll discover Christianity is the only religion which believes God is triune existing as a singular deity in three persons who are equally God. If you’re unfamiliar with teaching about the Trinity, it may be a confusing concept, but Scripture clearly teaches God exists in three Persons or Beings. (Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:18-20, John 15:26-27, Acts 10:37-38, Titus 3:4-6)

Tim Keller refers to this relationship of three-in-one as “the Divine Dance. The Trinity means that God is, in essence, relational. Three persons in dynamic orbit about each other, a dance of love, delight and adoration. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit glorify each other. At the center of the universe, self-giving love is the dynamic currency of the Trinitarian life of God. The persons within God exalt, commune with, and defer to one another.

When early Greek Christians spoke of perichoresis in God they meant that each divine person harbors the others at the center of his being. In constant movement of overture and acceptance each person envelops and encircles the others.” (Tim Keller, The Reason for God)

There is no perfect human illustration of how the triune God functions; what we do know is the eternal nature of God. He is the One who would be with them forever via the Spirit’s presence. (verse 16)

The human nature of Jesus would no longer be with the disciples, but He was sending them a spiritual Person who would never leave them! Interested in further study of the Trinity in easy to read language? Try “Delighting In The Trinity” by Michael Reeves!

The Everyday Application

1) What does verse 16 teach us about a triune God?

It is impossible to rightly apply Scripture’s teaching regarding the Holy Spirit without a proper understanding of its teaching about the three-Persons God. Though it is not an easy doctrine to wrap our minds around, it is an essential one if we want to understand the work of the Spirit in our lives.

There are misunderstandings about the authority of the Spirit as it relates to the Trinity. This has led to a wrong view of the very nature of God, eventually leading to a skewed perspective concerning authority and submission in other areas of the believer’s life. The Trinity is not comprised of three greater and lesser gods. Though we may not be able to completely understand or explain it, there is one God who exists in three distinct but equal persons. (Philippians 2:5-6)

Confusion has led many to see the Spirit in a 3rd place position  of inferiority within the Godhead. We must not think of the Trinity as company heads with a President, His VP, and the secretary. In doing so, we have neglected the authority of the Spirit: God Himself!

Francis Chan writes with anguish, “From my perspective, the Holy Spirit is tragically neglected and, for all practical purposes, forgotten. While no evangelical would deny His existence, I’m willing to bet there are millions of churchgoers across America who cannot confidently say they have experienced His presence or action in their lives over the past year. And many of them do not believe they can.” (The Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit)

The Spirit is not less powerful than either the Father or the Son. The Spirit of God has always been in existence. Sister, if you’re spending time with God, you’re spending time with the Spirit! (Jude 1:20-21)

The Original Intent

2) Who is the Spirit of truth and how will they recognize Him? (verse 17)

Verse 17 says of the One who will come, “He is the spirit of Truth.” The term “Another” in verse 16 translates a Greek term (allos) that means “another of the same kind.” This counselor, “one called alongside to help,” is like one who would serve as an advocate in the Roman legal system. (studylight.org)

Jesus had been their Helper, Friend, and Advocate physically present in the flesh. They had even seen Him speak to the wind and waves on their behalf. (Mark 4:35-41) Jesus is saying He will send Another Counselor (Greek, “paraklçtos“) who is like Himself. One full of truth just like Him. (John 1:14, John 14:25-26) This is how they will know He is the Spirit of God. A form of this same Greek root (parakalço) is used of God the Father in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

The verb form of this word (parakaleô) is found in several places in the Old Testament. For example, the psalmist and prophet spoke of this kind of comfort and rescue by God. (Psalm 69:20, Isaiah 35:3-4) Jesus told His disciples they would recognize Him. And while the Spirit’s presence brings comfort, courage, and truth, we know Satan’s presence brings the exact opposite!

He pits himself against the Spirit by bringing confusion, doubt, and lies. (Genesis 3:1, Job 1:9-11, 1 Peter 5:8) The world is blinded by these, but Jesus assures them they will know the Spirit because He has been with them, making Himself known. (verse 17)

To know Jesus is to know the Father and the Spirit. Now, when Jesus physically leaves, it will be even better because the Spirit will dwell with them permanently. Jesus may not be in the boat with them, but the Spirit will!

The Everyday Application

2) Who is the Spirit of truth and how will they recognize Him? (verse 17)

From beginning to end, the Holy Spirit is active in the big story of the world. At the beginning of the story, He was there creating us. At the end of the story, He is there calling us to Home with Him.

The Spirit of God came and went in unique ways in the Old Testament, but His presence is both evident and undeniable. (Genesis 6:3, Numbers 27:18, 2 Samuel 23:1-2, Ezekiel 2:1-2) It’s unlikely that talk of the Spirit was totally new to Jesus’ disciples. They had likely read or heard the passages of Scripture referring to the Spirit of God.

We don’t know how much the apostles understood in that moment, but they would come to understand the Spirit was also their Lord and their God. He was not merely a vague vapor or mist. He was not a force or an energy. The Holy Spirit is the breath of God personified! (bible.org)

“If you or I had never been to a church and had read only the Old and New Testaments, we would have significant expectations of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If we read and believed these accounts, we would expect a great deal of the Holy Spirit. He would not be a mostly forgotten member of the Godhead whom we occasionally give a nod of recognition to, which is what He has become in most American churches. We would expect our new life with the Holy Spirit to look radically different from our old life.” (The Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit)

Since we have read #HisWordsBeforeOurs and believed Him, let us boldly ask for our lives to be radically changed by the Spirit.

The Original Intent

3) How will Jesus be with His disciples if He is leaving them? (verses 18-20)

Jesus is sharing with His disciples on the day before His death. It seems they kept missing exactly what Jesus was saying to them about His departure. (John 14:1-5,  John 13:33, John 14:12, John 16:4-5) Though it appears they weren’t really listening, Jesus is reassuring them again. (verse 18)

There will come a time when it would all sink in, and they would need to remember these comforting words. Jesus demonstrates the kindness of a parent by telling them He will provide for them when He’s no longer there. (verse 19) Jesus doesn’t mention His death at this point, though He has before. (Matthew 16:19-21, Luke 9:21-22, Matthew 20:17-19, Matthew 26:1-2)

In the next few days, He would die and be raised to life and return to Heaven. (Acts 1:7-9) Though He’d be absent in body, Jesus would be present with them by His Spirit; and though He was going back to heaven, He would return again to gather them. (Matthew 25, Mark 13:26-27, Acts 1:11) Putting all this together, we can understand why the disciples were probably a combination of confused, troubled, and dismissive. They could not possibly fully grasp all that was to happen to Jesus, nor did they want to think about Jesus leaving them.

What comfort these words would eventually bring “in that day…” (verse 20) Jesus had a nature which could not die. As God, His presence would never leave them. Thankfully, they wouldn’t need to remember all this by themselves. To comfort them with this truth, the Holy Spirit would come to stay forever and He would continue to remind them of everything Jesus had taught them. (John 14:25-26)

The Everyday Application

3) How will Jesus be with His disciples if He is leaving them? (verses 18-20)

Have you ever considered the significance of having a counselor who is just like Christ? Sister, imagine what it would be like to have Jesus walking beside you in the flesh, functioning as your personal guide through life.

What peace would come from knowing we would have constant access to perfect truth and flawless guidance. I can’t fathom the benefit of having Jesus here physically. I rejoice and wonder at the glorious thought! But, oh sweet Friend, did you see it in all these verses? The disciples had Jesus’ presence. Every day.

And somehow it just wasn’t enough to keep them from sin. What is even more amazing is that when Jesus told them about His departure, He said the Spirit’s coming would be better for them! (John 16:7) I’m not sure believers have internalized and applied this truth as Jesus intended.

It seems it is mostly head knowledge to many of us, and we have not owned the reality of the Spirit within us. I know there have been many days I have “forgotten God” and the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. “Many Christians, you see, function as deists. They act as if God rules from the heavens and has spoken in his Word, but does not act on earth or move in their souls — at least in any way that they can sense those movements.” (J.D. Greear, Jesus, Continued: Why the Spirit Inside You Is Better than Jesus Beside You)

Oh, how I want to consistently recognize God the Spirit in my daily life and take note of the ways He’s working which may not be visible to the human eye, but very visible to my heart! As believers and followers of Jesus, let’s hear Him clearly and trust Him entirely: Don’t let your hearts be troubled!! (John 14:1)

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Known Day 5
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“Yada, yada”
A Hebrew phrase meaning to know and be known on the deepest, most intimate levels.

Perhaps you’ve heard it colloquially as “etc, etc, etc,” or perhaps, closer to its true definition, you’ve heard it means “to be familiar with.”

But Truth? It means to know God and be known by Him in the deepest of ways. Nothing hidden. Nothing secret. All things known.
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Known Day 4 Christos: Digging Deeper

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Known Day 4 Christos: Digging Deeper

Mandy Farmer

July 13, 2023

Blessed,Faith,Gospel,Jesus,Lord,Love

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 "Christos"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 10:11-18

“I am The Good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) How does this passage connect with Christos and Scriptures of the Old Testament? 

Christos comes from the Greek meaning “Anointed One” or “Chosen One” and is related to the Hebrew word “Mashiach”, or Messiah. We understand from Scripture study that when these words are used in the Bible, we are speaking of Jesus.

The Gospel of John is filled with analogies from Jesus using “I Am” statements to describe Himself as Christ, the Son of God. Jesus used these statements as a means of declaring He was indeed the Messiah, the coming King and promised Savior of the world.

In Exodus 3 God instructed Moses to tell the people He was to be Known as “I Am Who I Am”. The Lord is the “I Am” God; He is above all things and incomparable to any other. “I Am” is a declaration of deity strung as a scarlet cord that runs through the Old Testament from Moses to Joshua to David and onward, leading us straight to Jesus.

The promises of a Messiah were now fulfilled as Jesus stood to announce He was the Chosen One (Luke 4:21), claiming the title of “I Am” for Himself, the very One who pre-existed creation (John 1:1) and through Whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:17).

Though all powerful, the I Am Christos describes Himself as a humble, good Shepherd. This analogy, which we easily connect with Psalm 23, identifies Jesus as The One, True Messiah. 

The Everyday Application

1) How does this passage connect with Christos and Scriptures of the Old Testament? 

I love to study the Old Testament looking for Jesus; it confirms my faith and strengthens my belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Coming King. You may have never been taught the connection between the Old and New Testaments. Or, perhaps, because of familiarity, the Old Testament has lost its luster for you. I urge you to turn its pages looking for Christos with renewed eagerness! (52 Weeks In The Word by Trillia Newbell is a great resource!)

It wasn’t until recently that “the obvious” was pointed out to me again from Old Testament truths. God told Moses, “I Am Who I Am”. John bridges this title and ties it strongly to Christ in his gospel narrative by highlighting how Jesus used the same authoritative title when saying of Himself “I Am…”  

Each of these statements fit into the whole theme of the Bible and confirms the deity of Jesus. Looking at the whole of Scripture sheds light on the Truth. Dee Brestin shared, “Failing to see that the Bible as one great story is like failing to look at the cover of a puzzle box before you dive into its one thousand pieces. You may be able to put the puzzle together, but it will be frustrating.” (The Jesus Who Surprises)

Looking at the complete picture brings such light to the story. Do you agree? 

The Original Intent

2) How are the Shepherd and hired hand similar and different? (verses 11-13) 

For the original audience, Jesus’ self-identifying statement as the “Good Shepherd” would have landed as an oxymoron. Shepherds were not looked upon as “good.” They were the lowest of the low. As the rejects of society, they were thieves and robbers. How could the Messiah be a shepherd?

On the other hand, consider what they knew from their Jewish history. The greatest king of Israel, David, had been a shepherd-king. Though he came from the lowest places, even the smallest tribe and the youngest in his family, yet he was exalted to the highest position in Israel as her King.

David received the promise of God that his line would lead to the Messiah. David wrote, “The Lord is my Shepherd”, the One who cares for me, leads and guides me, heals, and saves me. 

Jesus was not like other shepherds. He did not run from danger, but radically gave His life to save His sheep. Hirelings, other shepherds Jesus referenced, were Sadducees and Pharisees.

These leaders had been given power and position in order to rightly shepherd the sheep of Israel, but they became infatuated with their rule, gloating in pride of all kinds. They proved they would in no way lay themselves down for Israel. They weren’t Good Shepherds, and neither were they good sheep.

They didn’t “come in” to God through the door by which God had ordained His flock to come into His fold. “The entrance to the Fold had been His free love, His gracious provision, His thoughts of pardoning, His purpose of saving mercy. That was God’s Old Testament-door into His Sheepfold.” (Alfred Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, 1883, page 802-803) 

The Everyday Application

2) How are the Shepherd and hired hand similar and different? (verses 11-13) 

Albert Barnes describes a hireling as one employed to take care of the sheep, and one to whom wages are paid. The word translated ‘hireling’ is often employed in a good sense; but in this context it denotes one who is unfaithful to his trust. This includes preachers who speak only for pay. Ones who are unwilling to stand for the welfare of the Church of God. They do not take courage for the cause of Christ. It doesn’t bother them if the church is corrupted and wasted by its spiritual foes. (StudyLight.org) 

Shepherds in Jesus’ time cared for their sheep during the day while out grazing. They hired others to stay with the sheep in the fold overnight to keep wolves and other dangers away.  

I grew up on a dairy farm, no sheep, but the analogy applies. We seldom took a vacation as a family because of the expense. There was more to consider financially than the vacation itself, however, for if we were to leave the farm, we needed to hire someone to feed and milk the cows. Invariably, milk production went down and many times we returned to a sick and dying animal. A hired person comes in and does the work, not taking an interest in each animal. He doesn’t call them each by name, treat them with gentleness, or talk kindly to them. No attention is given to detail or signs that a cow is ill. 

Jesus knows each one of us by name. He calls us and gently leads us individually the way we need to go. He takes time with each of us and knows everything about us. I am so grateful Jesus knows my name. He knows my actions and detects when something isn’t right, because He is faithfully watching over my every step. (Psalm 139:1-6)

The Original Intent

3) How are we known by God and how can we know Him? (verse 14) 

We cannot even begin to wrap our minds around the concept that God knows us perfectly, intimately, and deeply, and chooses to embrace us with His Love! (Psalm 103:11-14)

The Almighty, God of the Universe, looks down and sees us and He loves us! It’s a point that must be taken by faith because the Bible tells me so. “To know” is more than being familiar with a person but to know him intimately.

Psalm 139 tells us God knows every action we take and every thought we think. He knows what we will say before we say it. He is present with us every moment. Because we were created by Him, He knows every tiny part of our being, even the number of hairs on our head! (Luke 12:7) Not only this, He also loves us and has chosen us to be a part of His family. How wonderful that He chose us to be His! (1 Peter 2:9)

How we can grasp this great love, even in the slightest measure, is only through faith in Him. (Ephesians 3:17-19) In and of ourselves, we cannot even acknowledge Him for our sin and love affair with ourselves perpetually blinds us to His kind, gracious love.

But He knows and loves us, so He pursues us (Psalm 139:7-8, John 3:16) just as He searched for Adam and Eve in the garden despite their sinful rebellion. (Genesis 3:9) 

The Everyday Application

3) How are we known by God and how can we know Him? (verse 14) 

God longs to be in fellowship with us. (Acts 17:27) The problem is our sinfulness, which separates us from Him. (Romans 3)

If we want to know God, we must first acknowledge our sin. (Acts 3:19) Only through Jesus, the “I Am” Door can we find salvation. (John 10:7, Acts 4:12) Once we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:10), our desire to deeply know and love Him will increase exponentially.

The key to growing a relationship with God and His Son is by reading Scripture and listening to His voice. Through the Scriptures, we learn His character, His promises, and His will for our lives. As we seek Him through His Word, His indwelling Holy Spirit testifies that we are God’s children. (Romans 5:15-16) We will be filled with God, and we can experience the joy of knowing Him! (Knowing God by J.I. Packer)

We readily recognize the voices of family and close friends because we have spent much time together. We can finish their sentences and anticipate their responses. It is the same with God! The more time we spend with Him, the easier it becomes for us to recognize His voice.

The believer’s knowledge of God in Jesus Christ is only provisional in the present. It suffices for recognizing and trusting Him as we learn His ways and know His heart more deeply while we journey on earth. (John 17:3; Romans 10:9 ) Jesus says of Himself, “I know My sheep and My sheep know Me […] My sheep listen to My voice.” (John 10:14)

Without answering all our questions, our understanding of the Lord through His Word and by His Spirit provide an adequate light for the journeyer in this darkened world. But this knowledge is only a foretaste of knowing God ‘face to face’. (Bible Study Tools, 1 Corinthians 13:12) 

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Christ,father,Holy Spirit,King,Savior,shepherd
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Titles are telling.
Sr. Jr. Sir. Madam. PHD. Mrs. Master. Dr. CEO. A few simple letters before a name can tell us who is in charge, a person’s qualifications, their relationship status, or their generational rank.

Your name and title matter. When someone misspells or mispronounces your name, a little flag goes up inside, waving around saying, “Hey! You don’t know me.”

More than a few letters, God’s titles and names preserved in Scripture reveal much about His character, His heart, His purposes, and His person.

To skip His name, is to miss out on truly knowing Him.
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Known Day 2 Abba: Digging Deeper

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Known Day 2 Abba: Digging Deeper

Merry Ohler

July 11, 2023

Anchored,Forgiven,Freedom,Hope,Inheritance,Know

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 "Abba"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Jeremiah 31:16-20

16 This is what the Lord says: Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for the reward for your work will come—this is the Lord’s declaration—and your children will return from the enemy’s land. 17 There is hope for your future—this is the Lord’s declaration—and your children will return to their own territory.

18 I have surely heard Ephraim moaning, “You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined like an untrained calf. 18 Take me back, so that I can return, for you, Lord, are my God. 19 After my return, I felt regret; after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.” 20 Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to me, a delightful child? Whenever I speak against him, I certainly still think about him. Therefore, my inner being yearns for him; I will truly have compassion on him. This is the Lord’s declaration.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Who is Ephraim and why is he grieving? (verses 18 and 20)

Ephraim was the younger of Joseph’s sons born to him in Egypt (Genesis 41:50-52) and was eventually established as the powerful Northern tribe of Israelites referred to as “Israel” or “Ephraim” while the Southern kingdom was known as “Judah”. (Genesis 48:3-23)

Although Ephraim and Manasseh were technically Jacob’s grandsons by Joseph when Jacob was near death he blessed them as his own sons, and God honored his blessing. In this prophecy, God was not referring specifically to Joseph’s son, Ephraim, but instead to the powerful Northern tribe by the same name, who had strayed from the Lord’s way and protection. This is reminiscent of how God referred to the enslaved people of Israel as His son in Exodus 4:22-23.

God instructed Moses to tell Pharaoh that Israel was His “first-born son,” and to release him in order to serve God. The name Israel was used by God to personify the Israelites who were freed from Egypt and wandered the desert. In a similar fashion, God revealed through Jeremiah that the tribe of Ephraim recognized their sin and were repentant toward the LORD, seeking His forgiveness and acceptance.

They mourned their sinful state, acknowledging the right discipline they received and recognized they were at the mercy of God. Further, God acknowledged and reiterated His steadfast love for His chosen people, even though they had sinned, and claimed them again as His own beloved children.

When read with correct historical, biblical, and cultural context, the message Jeremiah delivered in verses 16-20 about the tribe of Ephraim’s repentance and God’s response brings to mind the parable of the prodigal son Jesus told in Luke 15:11-32.

The Everyday Application

1) Who is Ephraim and why is he grieving? (verses 18 and 20)

I’ll never forget when I accidentally punched my little sister in the eye. A boy had taught me how to do a “fake punch” after church, and I was eager to show off my new skill. I never intended to harm her at all, but when I reeled back to show her my new trick, I completely misjudged the moment I needed to stop swinging to carry out the “fake” part of the punch.

The sound of my fist colliding with her face was nauseating, and trumped only by her shrill, heartbreaking wail. My regret and remorse were instantaneous. I hadn’t meant to hurt her at all, but there was nothing I could do to take back my actions; the damage was done. I felt awful, and from the way I cried, you might have thought I was the one who was punched.

My sister’s injury may have been the result of an accident, but I knew I had been playing in a careless way. The regret and remorse I felt were heavy, and I fervently wished I could take back what I had done. This is how the wayward tribe of Ephraim is described with repentant hearts, weeping and grieving over their sin.

We experience feelings of regret and remorse when we turn from our sin and turn instead toward our Heavenly Father. In His kindness, He does not place condemnation on us when we experience those convicting feelings, but instead forgives us and invites us immediately to walk rightly with Him again. (Romans 8:1-4, 1 John 1:8-10, Ephesians 1:3-10)

Scripture shows us that we all sin. (Romans 3:23-24, Romans 3:9-18, 1 John 1:5-10) No human is exempt, not even one. When we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us and bring us back into right relationship with Him through the blood of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 1:16-19, Colossians 1:13-14, Matthew 26:26-29)

The Original Intent

2) Verse 20 describes Ephraim as a precious son and delightful child while verse 19 describes the disgrace of his youth. Do these verses contradict each other?

The blessing of Ephraim as one of Jacob’s own sons transferred to the tribe that grew from his lineage; Ephraim was a child of promise. God’s choice of words in verses 19 and 20 show His love and care for the tribe of Ephraim as His own child. In all of this passage, His words about Ephraim are only ever loving, forgiving and kind.

The verses leading up to verses 19 and 20 outline the tribe of Ephraim’s own words of regret, remorse, and shame, but the Lord’s response is to remind the listener of the tribe’s special place in His heart. He even mentions that when He disciplines or speaks against them, it is for their good; His heart is still soft toward them.

The complete other-ness of God’s nature is brilliantly displayed in the truth we see revealed in this exchange: God is holy and will not tolerate sin. (Psalm 97:2-5, Leviticus 11:44-45, Isaiah 6:1-4)

God also loves. (1 John 4:16-19, Zephaniah 3:17, Ephesians 2:4-5) In His love, He disciplines His children. (Hebrews 12:3-13, Revelation 3:17-20, Job 5:17-18)

In this passage, we see Ephraim responded rightly to the conviction of sin and repented toward the LORD, and the LORD affirmed He would be true to His character. He would forgive and restore, bringing the tribe of Ephraim back into right standing with Him, proving His mercy and compassion yet again.

The Everyday Application

2) Verse 20 describes Ephraim as a precious son and delightful child while verse 19 describes the disgrace of his youth. Do these verses contradict each other?

When we read the Bible, it can be easy to get caught up in the language or immediate details and assume we understand the gist of it, while losing sight of what the text actually says. We must constantly remind ourselves that as we read, we should be asking a series of questions, like: Where does this fit into the overarching narrative of the Bible? Who is writing? Who was this person writing to? What would the original hearers or readers have plainly understood? What does this passage say about God? How does this point toward Jesus? What does it say about mankind?

During my first pass of this passage, it seemed that God was conflicted about Ephraim, describing the tribe as both an untrained calf and disgrace, while also espousing fatherly love for them. However, when I slowed down to dig in deeper, I realized my original take was way off base.

The narrative we see in this passage is instead a beautiful picture of the Lord encouraging His people. We’ve all experienced the shame, regret, and remorse that flood us when the Holy Spirit convicts us of a particularly protected, hidden sin.

Just like Ephraim, I’ve cried out to the Lord. “Abba, thank you. Your discipline led me to repentance, and I’m thankful…but also why is this still an issue with me? I just can’t seem to get _______ right. I don’t deserve your mercy or grace, but Lord, help me. I want to do what You desire.”

Just like with Ephraim, Abba’s response to His repentant child is immediately forgiving, fatherly, and true to His heart character! 

The Original Intent

3) Why did the LORD use the specific language about His “inner being” yearning for Ephraim? (verse 20)

The language God used in His communication to Jeremiah reveals clear proof of God’s affection for and desire for relationship with His people. He has always loved and wanted His Creation to respond to Him rightly, and to choose Him over love of Self.

The emotions evident in His words here are compelling evidence of His father-heart, portrayed later toward His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and all those who would repent of their sin and put their trust in Him. (Matthew 3:13-17, John 3:14-21, Romans 8:12-17)

The God of the Old Testament IS the same God of the New Testament; He is unchanging. (Malachi 3:5-6, Psalm 102:23-27, Hebrews 13:5-8)

Over and over throughout history, God communicated the depths of His holy, steadfast love for His people through word pictures reminiscent of the deepest human relationships. He spoke in terms of father and child, evoking the picture of deep, protecting, and guiding love. (Jeremiah 31:20, Proverbs 3:11-12, Exodus 4:21-23)

He spoke in terms of bridegroom and bride, stirring thoughts of new love, deep affection, desire, and eagerness. (Isaiah 62:4-5, Ezekiel 16:8-14, Luke 5:33-35)

He spoke in terms of husband and wife, drawing out images of dedicated devotion, commitment, and covenant. (Isaiah 54:4-7, Hosea 2:2-7, Ephesians 5:25-33)

Throughout all of Scripture, from the first Creation-weighted words, until the final pages promising the eventual guaranteed return and revelation of the person of Jesus Christ, God consistently conveys His love for and desire for relationship with His people. 

The Everyday Application

3) Why did the LORD use the specific language about His “inner being” yearning for Ephraim? (verse 20)

Relationships are often challenging to describe, mostly because there are just so many different types of relationships. We are all born into certain relationships; from our very beginning we are someone’s daughter or son, grandchild, niece or nephew, sibling, cousin, etc.

These relationships exist because of biology, or legal relationship as appointed by law. Some relationships exist due to proximity, such as neighbors or coworkers. There are also those relationships we seek out and choose. Regardless of the descriptor or title of a given relationship, the gamut of intimacy is vastly different from one relationship to the next.

We may have a dear aunt we love and care for, but we only spend six hours a year in the same amount of space. At the same time, we may have a friend we’ve only known for a few months, but we spend over 15 hours together each week, talking about faith, personal struggles and other deep topics.

Scripture leaves nothing to the imagination: God desires a deep, intimate relationship with us. He knows us, and He knows what we are like.

He knows that when we sin and repent, we may be prone to despair and grieve, but that doesn’t stop Him from immediately restoring us to walk with Him.

He loves us with a perfect, Fatherly love, and He desires people who will choose Him, and choose to be in deep relationship with Him in return!

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We are God’s chosen, treasured possession. And as His holy and beloved people, we show our love for Him by obeying Him and pursuing Him with single-minded devotion. (Deuteronomy 14:1-2)

It is comforting to have my heavenly Father ever by my side. When I feel alone, unloved, not so special, or passed over, Abba reminds me I am always loved, special, and never passed over.

Beloved ones, come to your Father who loves you to the end of time. Who meets you wherever you are, delighting in, remembering, and forgiving you.
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Known Day 1 Abba

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Known Day 1 Abba

Deborah Rutherford

July 10, 2023

Adoration,Beloved,Faith,He,Know

Read His Words Before Ours!

Galatians 4:1-7
Romans 8:14-17
Mark 14:32-36
Jeremiah 31:16-20
Psalm 103:11-14

Have you heard God referred to as our Abba Father?
Perhaps this is a new phrase to you, or perhaps you’ve stumbled across it in Scripture.
Either way, what does Abba mean?
What does this name reveal about God’s character?
Let’s explore these questions together!

He who holds all things, holds me.

First, God is our Creator. (Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 139:13-16)
He created us in His image, Imago Dei, with intentionality and joy, calling His handiwork “very good indeed.” (Genesis 1:31)

And when the Imago Dei within us was marred by sin (Genesis 3), He promised to rescue us (Genesis 3:14-15), becoming our Redeemer. (Galatians 3:13-14)
More intimately, God is also our Abba, our Father, and we are co-heirs in His Kingdom. (Romans 8:14-17)

When we accept God’s gift of forgiveness, made possible through the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus (Galatians 2:20), God sends the Holy Spirit into our hearts, transforming us into His sons and daughters, crying Abba. (Galatians 4:6)

We know we are God’s children by the witness of the Holy Spirit within us.

In Romans 8:16, Paul wrote: “The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children[.]”  Because we are in Christ, we live as children of God in an intimate and joyful relationship with Him, not one of fear and bondage. Now we cry, “Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:15)

We bring every care and concern to God the Father by crying out to Him. Do not hold anything back, because God is there for us. We can trust God loves us because He sent His only Son to die for us and to give us eternal life. (John 3:16) Our Abba is our comforter, provider, defender, and protector, giving us all we need.

But what if we grew up in a family devoid of this kind of fatherly love?

As a child and into young adulthood, I didn’t know how to relate to God as my Father. This could be because I had a tumultuous relationship with my dad, who was an alcoholic. My family walked on eggshells as we didn’t know if today’s dad would be loving or angry and violent. As a tween, I remember praying outside in the front yard, trying to drown out the yelling from inside the house. How was this the same dad who gently pinched my cheek, smiling at me earlier? 

Thankfully, God lovingly reached my heart in my adult years, and I found the relationship I needed with my Abba. This also helped me to forgive my earthly dad, who had since passed. Now I experience the tender loving care of my Abba and recognize that even when I didn’t know it, He was always present with me, taking care, providing, and protecting me. Looking back, I see how He led me to the days when I would sit closely at His feet in fellowship. (Luke 10:38-42)

In Mark 14:36, Jesus shows us how to respond to God as Father in the cool grove of Gethsemane. In agony, Jesus prays, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”  Our Abba meets us in our suffering and gives us the strength to obey Him. Like Jesus, we pray and worship in God’s presence, communing with each other.
We are privileged to draw close to God the Father by His Spirit.

Daughters of God, approach His throne of grace with boldness, receiving mercy and grace in your time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

The beautiful truth is that our Father Abba delights in His children. (Jeremiah 31:20) Even when we sin, God remembers us. His love is unconditional. God’s heart yearns for us with endearing compassion. (Psalm 103:13)

We are God’s chosen, treasured possession. And as His holy and beloved people, we show our love for Him by obeying Him and pursuing Him with single-minded devotion. (Deuteronomy 14:1-2)  

It is comforting to have my heavenly Father ever by my side. When I feel alone, unloved, not so special, or passed over, Abba reminds me I am always loved, special, and never passed over. 

Beloved ones, come to your Father who loves you to the end of time. 
Who meets you wherever you are, delighting in, remembering, and forgiving you. 

Cry Abba, and be His holy people, chosen ones, and precious treasure. 

“Dear heavenly Father, thank You for Your tender loving kindness. Today is the day You have made. And I rejoice and am glad in it.” 

This prayer begins my day, assuring me in our together morn and throughout the day that the One who holds everything in His hand also holds me.
Remember, the One who holds everything holds you, too.

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Abba,father,intimate,loved,relationships,Safe
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Digging Deeper

Scripture leaves nothing to the imagination: God desires a deep, intimate relationship with us.

He knows us, and He knows what we are like. He knows that when we sin and repent, we may be prone to despair and grieve, but that doesn’t stop Him from immediately restoring us to walk with Him.

He loves us with a perfect, Fatherly love, and He desires people who will choose Him, and choose to be in deep relationship with Him in return!
Dig Deeper!

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July 10 - July 28, 2023 - Journey Theme #121

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Sketched XI Day 2 One Light?: Digging Deeper

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Sketched XI Day 2 One Light?: Digging Deeper

Melodye Reeves

June 20, 2023

Adoring,Affectionate,Dwell,Joy,Know,Praise,Prayer

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 "One Light?"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 16

A Miktam of David
1 Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you.
2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides you.”
3 As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones. All my delight is in them.
4 The sorrows of those who take another god for themselves will multiply; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, and I will not speak their names with my lips.
5 Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I will bless the Lord who counsels me— even at night when my thoughts trouble me.
8 I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely.
10 For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.
11 You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Against whom or what is David asking God for protection? (verse 1)

David. That shepherd boy turned king. His name and story were a significant part of Israel’s religious and political history long after his reign. Bri’s Journey Study yesterday sketched him well as “… a king whose sinful humanity was undeniable, but who remained a man after God’s own heart, worshiping God alone.” It is he who penned this psalm.

Commentators are unsure of the original meaning of the psalm’s Hebrew title, “A Miktam of David.” So, without certainty of its title’s meaning, we read it and learn it is a prayer-like reflection of David. It centers on what he had come to know about his God and how this knowledge had so often brought him comfort. Verse 1 is a prayer for protection from an unidentified distress. Though it may leave us curious, it appears this psalm is more of a general prayer rather than a request regarding a specific situation or person. Herein lies its beauty.

David’s plea for protection is not about his circumstances. It is about his God! David’s confidence in God’s character isn’t conditional. The Lord is his refuge. Always. Although he is not identified, the writer of Psalm 91 repeats this sentiment. The psalmists saw refuge, not so much in a place but in a Person.

“The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2, emphasis mine) It doesn’t appear David was looking to God for protection from anyone or anything particular. Rather, He was requesting God Himself to be near, which is a reflection of his personal desire to abide (dwell) in God’s presence.

Just as Moses desired. (Psalm 90:1-4)
Just as Elijah desired. (1 Kings 19:11-13)

The Everyday Application

1) Against whom or what is David asking God for protection? (verse 1)

What a joy to remind myself and you, my Friend, that God is so present. It’s who He IS and who He has always been.

It’s the reason we can cry out to Him right along with David as if no time has transpired in these thousands of years. Emmanuel: God with us. (Isaiah 7:14) This is our confidence.

We are not facing a crisis too big. We are not too broken to approach Him with our request for His nearness. Jesus is our place of refuge. (Matthew 11:28-30)

There is no right or wrong time to plead with Him to receive us in our weariness or woundedness. When we cry out to Him, it isn’t necessary to define the who or the what in our prayers.

All we must know is this: The Lord will always be who and what we need most. It will never ever be about the circumstances behind our need. It will only and always be about the One to whom we go.

HE IS our hiding place, our song in the night, our deliverance.

Listen in to Selah’s “You Are My Hiding Place”!

The Original Intent

2) What is the importance of the declaration David made to the Lord? (verse 2)

In verse 2 David reminds himself of what he knows about the Lord and has confessed previously. In the Hebrew text, two different words are used for “Lord”. He repeats what he knows: The LORD (Yahweh, Exodus 3:11-15) is his Lord (Adonai, Blue Letter Bible) and is the only truly good thing in his life (Mark 14:60-62).

David has already declared Yahweh as his master. He is now rehearsing his very own declaration of dependence. He had pre-determined that amid his troubles he would speak the truth to himself about His God. It was a practice he observed throughout most of his life.

David does not underestimate the value of speaking to his own soul. Other psalm writers did the same by preaching songs to their souls. The sons of Korah were leaders of music in the tabernacle during the time of David’s reign.

Their prayers of reflection offer more insight into the relationship the Old Testament writers and singers had with God, their God. (Psalm 42:4-8) The musician Asaph led the people to sing, “Who do I have in heaven but you?” (Psalm 73:21-26)

The importance of this declaration is seen in David’s posture toward Yahweh. I have nothing good besides You. God was all the world to David. This didn’t mean David wasn’t aware of, or thankful for, his many other blessings. He had simply come to know God as incomparably greater than all other things in his life.

His LORD was the all-sufficient, all-satisfying joy, truth, and purpose of David’s life. (2 Samuel 7:18-24)

The Everyday Application

2) What is the importance of the declaration David made to the Lord? (verse 2)

Oh, my Sister, this declaration of David is ours too! His confession exalts the Creator God as the only God while acknowledging a personal connection to Him. It was David’s regular practice to consider the Lord as his personal source of peace and strength.

Many of us may have one of his well-known psalms memorized, “The LORD is my Shepherd. I have everything I need.” (Psalm 23)  David knew the Good Shepherd was his only truly good thing. His very best thing!

Jonathan Edwards said, “God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of Him is our proper happiness, and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied.

To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here: better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any or all earthly friends.

These are but shadows; but God is the substance.
These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun.
These are but streams; but God is the fountain.
These are but drops; but God is the ocean.” (The Works of Jonathan Edwards, 17:437–38)

There is nothing more important in our lives than to practice dwelling in the presence of God by rehearsing who He constantly is.

The Original Intent

3) What necessary comparison is David making in verses 3-6?

David delighted to consider others who also shared in thirsting after God in the same way as himself. Again, we see the evidence of David’s confidence in the Lord as he chose to keep company with these.

In contrast to sincere worshippers, David pondered the false worship of the pagans to their idols. These traded worship of the true God for what they believed they would gain from following other gods. Sadly, they only received multiplied sorrows. David found their godlessness and despicable habits so distasteful he refused to mention their names. (verse 4)

Unlike them, Yahweh was David’s “portion”. He was ascribing to God the reward of a valued inheritance passed down to him by his family. His God was like a choice wine in a cup that brings great joy and pleasure to the one who drinks it. (verse 5 Isaiah 25:1-10)

He also recognized God as the One who supported him in his “lot in life”. (Proverbs 21:1) The life ordained for David was pleasant in as much as God was in it. The lines marking the boundaries of David’s inheritance had turned out to be good lines, offering him joy and pleasure because of Yahweh. (verse 6)

He viewed his inheritance as lovely, and he was pleasantly content with God who had provided so generously. These images of land and food communicate David’s feelings of peace, prosperity, and safety which were all grounded in his personal relationship with God.

The Everyday Application

3) What necessary comparison is David making in verses 3-6?

Psalm 2 is filled with the promises of inheritance made to David at his coronation. The blessing for us is that the promise is made to all of the children of God because of Jesus. (Acts 2:29-36)

David delighted in being in the presence of those who, like him, were set apart to be in communion with God. It’s good to remember the fellowship we have in the family of God as believers together following Jesus.

Elijah felt alone. Oh, but he wasn’t! The New Testament says sorrow isn’t limited to the unbeliever. The difference is our sorrow is temporary, and future glory is for all the saints! (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

We have a united hope that refreshes our souls amid whatever we face that brings us pain right now. The reason we rehearse the blessings of God is because it reminds us of our future inheritance.

The apostle Peter included David’s words from Psalm 34 to remind the believers to let their sure and certain hope be the bold testimony to those who are looking for a real, lasting kind of hope. (1 Peter 3:8-15)

Friend, it is a testimony to our God’s good sovereignty when our lives are filled with hope instead of despair or dread. It points to His glorious promise which WILL BE fulfilled because He is a promise-keeping God!

It may look like “the bad guys” or “the wrong side” is winning, but the enemy’s doom is sure. We have a never-failing bulwark WHO is the LORD of all creation. What is true about God is always true. His kingdom and rule are forever.

(Listen to “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God by Martin Luther sung by Matt Boswell)

Praise His name with me, my Friend, as we rejoice that our “boundary lines have fallen for us in pleasant places; indeed, we have a beautiful inheritance”! (2 Peter 1:5-11)

The Original Intent

4) David’s confidence does not come from his circumstances. How does his perspective shape his outlook? (verses 7-11)

David proclaims his trust in God even as he is praying, “I will bless… even at night.” (verse 7) He has purposed to put his confidence in his God whatever day or night brings. He is aware that negative thoughts may tempt him to despair, so he makes a commitment to preach to himself.

David makes a bold claim in verse 8 as he says he “always” lets the Lord guide him and “will not” be shaken. Other translations say he “constantly” or “continually” trusted the Lord. (biblehub.com) Attentive Bible students know David better than to think he was bragging about his ideal faith; he wrote too many psalms admitting his weakness, his doubt, and his fear to read a spirit of vanity into this psalm.

Based on prior knowledge of David’s struggles, he was not attempting to communicate that he had attained perfect trust in God. (Psalm 56:3) He was spotlighting God’s character! God had never failed to be a God he could trust. David rejoiced greatly and rested securely because of who God is!

This was the reminder to himself, “For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your faithful one to see decay. You reveal the path of life to me in Your presence is abundant joy; at Your right hand are eternal pleasures.” (verses 9-10) 

 When faced with difficult circumstances, Elijah began to tell himself all the wrong things. (1 Kings 19:10)

Thinking on God’s character brought David the perspective he needed to face the potential struggles to come.

The Everyday Application

4) David’s confidence does not come from his circumstances. How does his perspective shape his outlook? (verses 7-11)

Can you hear David’s heart, sweet Sister? I really can. Maybe it’s because I’m going through a season of heartache right now in which I simply need to know a few things for certain, beyond my circumstances.

This is David’s confidence; He was persuaded that his God was holding him fast forever. This is our confidence, as well. Paul reminded Timothy to keep this truth in mind as he suffered, or when he heard of Paul’s suffering. (2 Timothy 1:9-12)

We may wonder and doubt and even have moments of fear. Neither Elijah nor David were strangers to all of these feelings. But we must continue to preach to our souls the truth of who God is. On every page of our story as believers is the watermark of His goodness and love.

It isn’t about our circumstances. It’s about our God!!

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God;
born of his Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect communion, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight.
Angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blessed.
Watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is MY story,
this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
This is MY story,
this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

(Listen to the Getty version of this classic hymn!)

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Sketched XI Day 1
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Despair settled over me like a too-heavy yoke.

I’d secured my sandals, slung a pack of provisions over one shoulder, and caught up my walking staff. Then, with hand on door, I froze, unable to push through the dread into the sunlight outside.

I can’t do this, my mind protested. I’m only one man.

Go, the small voice whispered.

Groaning, I straightened my shoulders and set out to Samaria.
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Training Day 14 Much More Than: 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 Much More Than!

The Questions

1) Who were the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders worshiping? (verse 10)

3) What is the significance of the seven items ascribed to The Lamb in verse 12?

3) Why is it important that every creature join in the praise? (verse 13)

Revelation 5:8-14

8 When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth. 11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. 12 They said with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! 13 I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Original Intent

1) Who were the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders worshiping? (verse 10)
In Revelation 4:3 we are introduced to the Throne Room of heaven, with God the Father sitting on His throne. Surrounding Him are the thrones of the twenty-four elders. There are many theories about who they are, but according to Meyer’s NT Commentary they are “the representatives of the entire congregation of all believers, to whom…belong the holiness and glory indicated by the white robes, and the royal dominion by the thrones and crowns”. The four creatures are representatives of some of the characteristics of God. “These four creatures represent dominance and majesty (lion, the king of animals), vigor (calf), wisdom (man), and speed or sovereignty (eagle).” (Verse By Verse Commentary) Their role is to praise God forever. (Revelation 4:8) We see them in chapter 5 still in the Throne Room, but this time joined by the Only One able to open the scroll and break the seven seals. (verse 5) He is “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” (Revelation 5:5) but is presented in the Throne Room as a slain lamb with “the marks of omnipotence (seven horns) and omniscience (seven eyes).” (Enduring Word Commentary) Who is this Lion of Judah (Genesis 49:9-10), this “Lamb of God” (John 1:29) who was slain but is still alive? It is Jesus, to Whom the elders and creatures offer praise for being the Only One worthy to open the scrolls and break the seals. Jesus is the One who gave His life to purchase His people (verse 9) and made us a “kingdom of priests…holy nation”. (verse 10)

2) What is the significance of the seven items ascribed to The Lamb in verse 12?
The twenty-four elders, the four living creatures, and the thousands upon thousands of angels (verse 11) are all praising and celebrating Jesus, the Lamb, listing the things He is worthy to receive. But Jesus already has all these things because He is God, the Creator and Sustainer of everything. John Gill explains it this way, “…when He is said to be worthy to receive these, it is not to be understood of His receiving the things themselves, but of the praise of them; and that these are to be observed in Him, and to be ascribed to Him.” Specifically, those characteristics are “power-omnipotence; riches-beneficence; wisdom-omniscience; strength-power in prevalent exercise; honour-the highest reputation for what he has done; glory-the praise due to such actions; and blessing-the thankful acknowledgments of the whole creation.” (Studylight.org) Because of how magnificent Christ Jesus is, He alone is worthy to receive all honor and glory.

3) Why is it important that every creature join in the praise? (verse 14)
Philippians 2:9-11 tells us of Father God’s intentions with Jesus. He gave Jesus “the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”.  Every creature giving Jesus praise in the Revelation passage shows the fulfillment of God’s plan. Job even said to God, “I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2) Also important is that by joining in the praise of Jesus, the worshipers are acknowledging Him as God, for only God deserves all worship, “There cannot be the slightest doubt that the Lamb is to be reckoned with God and as God.” (Enduring Word) This is evidenced by the elders worshiping in complete surrender. (verse 14)

Everyday Application

1) Who were the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders worshiping? (verse 10)
The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders were worshiping the Lamb who was slain but was yet alive. They worshipped Him as the Lion of Judah and the Root of David. (Revelation 5:5) We know Him as Jesus. We worship Him as the Lamb because He went to the cross to pay for our sins. (1 John 3:16) We worship Him as the Root of David because “the Messiah was the Branch that would grow from Jesse’s root to restore David’s dynasty.” (Global Study Bible) Jesus is that Messiah. Finally, we worship him as the Lion of Judah because He conquered sin and the grave. (2 Timothy 1:10) Just as Jesus was worshiped by the living creatures and the elders, so should we worship Him for Who He is and what He has done for us. Consider your own view of Jesus in your everyday life. How often do you consider worshiping Him for Who He is in the middle of your daily routine? If heavenly elders and creatures worship Him on their faces, how can we do less?

2)  What is the significance of the seven items ascribed to The Lamb in verse 12?
Each of the seven items are characteristics we can observe in Jesus. The Lord Jesus has the power to do what He plans, therefore, we can depend on Him to handle every situation. Every resource belongs to Jesus. He is able to bless us with those riches, of which the most precious is His grace “that He richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:8) All wisdom comes from God. (Proverbs 2:6) We only need to ask and He will give it “generously and ungrudgingly.” (James 1:5) In everything we face, we can be strong because David reminds us in Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.” We all like to be recognized for our accomplishments. Jesus who “suffered the ultimate dishonor of being crucified as a common criminal to pay for our sins” and who “focused on honoring His heavenly Father during His ministry” (Kids Talk About God) deserves all honor due Him. Yet He also honors us! (John 12:26) Glory is the praise received for doing something of great significance. There isn’t enough space here to list all the things Jesus has done that are of great significance. Given they are too numerous, this alone is more evidence pointing to Him deserving all glory. And finally blessing. Jesus was there in the beginning with Father God crafting all of creation. (John 1:1-5) Jesus is the holder of blessings, which He freely gives to us. (James 1:17-18) Looking at this list, we begin to see the depth of Jesus’ goodness and His supreme holiness. How blessed we are to be able to worship Him and lavish Him with praise!

3) Why is it important that every creature join in the praise? (verse 14)
In our current culture, there are many who do not believe Jesus is God. There are many who don’t even believe there is a God. In Isaiah 45:22-23, God declares this unchangeable and inevitable truth, “For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; truth has gone from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow to Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.”  Since it has been established that Jesus is God, then just as every knee will bow and confess God as God, then so too must every creature confess Jesus as Lord. They must acknowledge His divinity and bow in worship to Him. We are able to freely choose this worship today and should make every effort to do so as often as we can. Jesus is Lord. Let us offer Him our praise and worship! On the day Christ returns to earth to set up His rule and reign, the choice will no longer be ours to make. Every tongue will confess Him as Lord, but the opportunity to surrender willfully will have passed. The decision to reject Christ as Lord will be honored by God and all who have willfully rejected Him will spend eternity apart from Him. Choose today to surrender in full worship with your life!

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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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Training Day 13 Much More Than

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Revelation 5:8-14
Psalm 100
Romans 12:1-2
John 4:23-24
Colossians 3:23-24

Training, Day 13

I’m ready for another summer vacation. But, y’all, in all honesty, packing hasn’t always been easy. I pack way too much! Several weeks ago, I tried packing “only essentials” for the first time. Talk about anxiety overload!

It’s the same with WORSHIP. Worship is much more than songs and encompasses far more than we could understand. For today, we’ll only discuss a few aspects; however, worship is an ongoing conversation at Gracefully Truthful, and we’d love for you to join us here!

To fully understand worship as more than music, we must first realize what worship is not. It is not entertainment. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good concert! Watching and listening to an artist in-person creates an explosive, exciting atmosphere. The music is, well, WOW; so surreal. Still, this experience does NOT yield the Presence of God! 

Are you ready to unpack worship?

Worship is a relationship-building lifestyle, not just an experience.

Worship should bring us closer to the heart of our Father as our sin and defenses are surrendered to the God who loves us!

“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Romans 8:14-15)

When we’re closer to Abba Father, we call this “relationship,” and worship becomes a function of our hearts!

Worship glorifies our Creator.

We were created in His image. (Genesis 1:27) Our worship is the very breath of God inside us. In this fellowship, or relationship, we reach the highest point of communion with our Creator. (Revelation 4:11) It is the reason we were created and the most important purpose of our eternal calling.

Worship points us to the heart of the Father. 

We worship God because He is worthy; He is greater than anything or anyone. (Revelation 5:8-14) As we know Him more, understanding His love and power, we are drawn into worship, for our Father’s heart is revealed.

Worship is the sacrifice of our total selves.

The beginning of worship is praise. When we praise Him, we celebrate both what He does and Who He is! (Psalm 100) Our heart-atmosphere begins shifting toward worship. Here, we can fully surrender to Him, sacrificing ourselves as we trust our Father. In surrender, our heart attitude moves toward repentance and reverence for His holiness. (Exodus 34:5-9)

Worship strengthens and rejuvenates our inner being. 

Many of us move through different seasons in life. The one constant is “Jesus Christ [who] is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

In our dry season, He is our Living Water! (John 4:10-14)
In our hungry season, He is our Bread! (John 6:35)
In need, He is our Provider. (Philippians 4:19)
Through uncertainty, He is our Firm Foundation. (1 Corinthians 3:11)
In weakness, He is our Strength. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
In every season, He is our Guide in the darkness, our Light. (John 8:12)

My sweet friends, let’s celebrate Him! Our prayer, praise, and worship should not fluctuate in any season of life, but remain constant, fixed on our Father. He faithfully refreshes us from the inside out.

Worship encompasses obedience.

When King Uzziah of ancient Judah sought and obeyed God, he had success in battling Judah’s enemies. (2 Chronicles 26:1-15) Later, Uzziah became prideful and unfaithful through blatant disobedience to God’s instructions for holy worship, which “led to his own destruction.” (2 Chronicles 26: 16-21) Obedience, we learn, is an important aspect of worship.

How does God instruct us to worship?
“Shout for joy” (Psalm 98:4)
“Bless the Lord at all times” (Psalm 34:1)
“Sing to the Lord, bless His Name” (Psalm 96:2)
Sister, let’s choose to worship with obedience!

Worship encompasses respect for God.

When we worship the Lord, we do so with respect, reverence, and awe.
Moses removed his sandals when standing on “holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)
King Darius instructed his kingdom to revere the true God of Daniel. (Daniel 6:26-27)

Reverence brings surrender, our response to His love. It acknowledges our trust in the One Who created us, and ultimately glorifies the One Who has given Himself for us! This is true worship.

Finally, worship encompasses celebration.

In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus tells a parable, a word picture painted to represent His fatherly love toward us: a boy left home as a wayward prodigal and returned as a repentant son. With open arms, his father welcomed his son home. This was a time for celebration!

Zephaniah 3:17 gives another glimpse of God’s celebration over His people.
“He will rejoice over you with gladness [. . .]
He will delight in you with singing.”

When we follow His example, celebration acknowledges the goodness and mercy of God through worship.

See, I told y’all about my packing. Worship is “packed full,” and while we’ve only skimmed its surface today, I pray God uses these principles to guide and empower each of us to worship in Spirit and in truth!

[Oh, before you go, I haven’t quite finished unpacking. Shuffle through this Spotify playlist; it’s chock-full of worship music. Where will worship lead you? Remember it’s His breath in our lungs!]

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