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Sketched X Day 2 Family Tree: 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 Family Tree!

The Questions

1) What do we learn about God’s plans from this passage?

2) How does God use what we see as impossible or dire circumstances to work out His plans and purposes?

3) How can we respond to this knowledge about God’s overarching and intimate involvement in all our experiences?

Genesis 45:7-8

God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.  8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Original Intent

1) What do we learn about God’s plans from this passage?
This passage in Genesis comes after Joseph is already well established in Egypt. He had been nearly murdered by his brothers, sold into slavery, risen up in power under Potiphar only to be falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, then sent to prison, given authority in prison, but left there, seemingly forgotten. Then, at the right time, Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret a dream. The outcome of that exchange resulted in Joseph’s elevation to lord over Pharaoh’s household; he became second in command only to Pharaoh over all of Egypt. Joseph’s reflection in Genesis 50:19-20 reflects God’s purpose in the overall story and timing of every aspect of Joseph’s long journey. Joseph said to his brothers who had plotted his death, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.”

2) How does God use what we see as impossible or dire circumstances to work out His plans and purposes?
When we look at the full narrative of Joseph’s life, it’s obvious how God used all the circumstances that led up to Joseph’s high position in Egypt to both prepare Joseph (by humbling him and teaching him to depend upon God) and use him to bless a nation. If we divided Joseph’s story into segments, they would appear fruitless and perhaps could be seen as evidence of God abandoning someone who was faithful. Joseph acted rightly in the house of Potiphar yet was accused of adultery and unjustly imprisoned. Only looking at this scene could lead us to discount God’s faithfulness and “prove” God had abandoned Joseph. If we zoom in on Joseph’s years of being forgotten in prison after he accurately interpreted a dream and he pleaded to be remembered, we may feel God is unjust because Joseph’s circumstances were unfair. But when we see the whole of Joseph’s story we discover the ultimate, very good outcome of Joseph’s life. Even Joseph’s own lips attest of God’s supreme sovereign faithfulness. The Lord used every circumstance of Joseph’s life to position Joseph in just the right place, at just the right time so that only Joseph’s family would be saved, but the nation of Israel would flourish.

3) How can we respond to this knowledge about God’s overarching and intimate involvement in all our experiences?
Joseph’s life journey was fraught with trouble, persecution, injustice, and hardship; it seemed to never end and was surely pocked with disbelief and doubt along the way. But the Lord’s love was relentless to not only finish His work for Israel but to also finish His work in Joseph’s heart. Joseph didn’t always trust the Lord steadfastly, but at the close of his narrative, he testifies of the good plans of the Lord. God developed Joseph’s faith through suffering. Joseph trusted God more fully as he grew in knowledge of God and His faithful character. Perhaps the greatest example of this truth is the cross of Christ, which would surely have been the greatest tragedy in all of history as it threatened to kill the Author of Life. But God in His love and sovereign authority used the cruelty of death to bring about our own salvation and reconciliation to God that was once an impossible gulf to span because of our sin’s heavy debt. If we could see Christ’s death through the eyes of the eleven remaining disciples during the first days after the crucifixion we would see utter tragedy and defeat. But the cross was a pathway and a means, not an end. Through the supreme suffering of Jesus, God reconciled the ungodly (all of us) to Himself, and made a way where there was no way so we could be called sons and daughters of God. (2 Corinthians 6:18) When we witness God turning the greatest tragedy into the greatest gain, we can trust God more fully with every hardship we endure. He is the same God now as He was at the cross. He is the God who went to the cross for us; such lavish love! (Romans 8:32)

Everyday Application

1) What do we learn about God’s plans from this passage?
God’s plans for His people, both individually and corporately, involve a far deeper and broader scope than we can see or fathom.  His plans are laid to work good for many even though they involve the temporary suffering of one or more people to achieve His ultimate blessing. Jeremiah 29:11 conveys this essential principle of God moving on behalf of His people as He spoke through the prophet to the nation of Israel who faced exile and captivity, “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” God is light, and in Him is no darkness whatsoever. (1 John 1:5) He is not the author of evil. (Job 34:12) He has no pleasure in wickedness. (Psalm 5:4) God has allowed evil in the world because He permitted humanity’s freedom of choice, and we chose sin, and will always choose sin when we act out of our sin nature. Even this gift of freedom to choose, like everything else God does, flows from His character essence of absolute love. (1 John 4:16) His will is good and perfect toward all His creation, emanating from His heart of love. This love is perfect, true, and trustworthy which is why we can rejoice in our sufferings and endure hardship. We confidently know and attest to the reality that God is working all things together for the good of those He loves and those who are called according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28)

2) How does God use what we see as impossible or dire circumstances to work out His plans and purposes?
God’s plans allow for suffering, which can make us squirm in our theological seats, but because of His goodness, our suffering is never in vain when we surrender our lives to His authority. (Hebrews 12:7) When we remember God’s character and we recall that He is incapable of sin or evil, we can view our circumstances in a new light. We can remember that God is constantly at work to do His good pleasure in the hearts and lives of His followers. (Philippians 2:13) He is working all things together according to His plans for good and He will graciously bless us and make us more like Himself in the process. (Romans 8:29) In light of this reality, the author of Hebrews encourages, “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees.” (Hebrews 12:11-12) His plans are firm and unwavering, flowing from His heart. (Psalm 33:11) What He plans, He will do. “The Lord of heavenly forces has promised: As I intended, so it will be; and as I have planned, so it will happen.” (Isaiah 14:24)

3) How can we respond to this knowledge about God’s overarching and intimate involvement in all our experiences?
We are prone to wander and drift, doubt and mistrust for we are each just as human as Joseph. We remain strong in our faith when things are going well and we sense God’s presence in our lives, but when God feels far, or our circumstances try us, our weak flesh easily doubts God’s goodness, care, love, and faithfulness. When we remember how God provided for Joseph, or for the Israelites in the desert for forty years, we cannot miss His constant presence and perpetual work even if it seems slow and too long to us. He never abandoned despite Israel’s rebellion and faithlessness for abandonment goes against His character. (2 Timothy 2:13) He is Emmanuel, God with us. (Matthew 1:23) He is not a God who is far, but a God who is near. This truth allows us to drop our anxieties. (Philippians 4:4-5) So many places in His word He echoes the truth of His nearness, His care, and His provision. In the short run, it may appear we have been overcome or that life is hopeless and we are helpless, but that is never the whole picture for all who have trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. “We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Let’s choose to remember God’s presence, His purposes, His goodness, His past actions on our behalf and in history so we can endure trials by keeping our eyes set upon His love. (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5)

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

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Sketched X Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Champion Day 8 Fearful Made Fierce

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Daniel 1:3-21
Daniel 2:27-30
Daniel 6:10-24
Philippians 1:3-11

Champion, Day 8

“Am I good enough?”
“How could God ever use me? I’m so weak in my faith, in my trust, in my understanding of You, God.”

These questions regularly pop into my head. Sometimes, when I look at the Bible Greats (those characters who *seem* to have it all together and act perfectly before the Lord), I get discouraged. I’m sure my name will never go down in recorded history for doing anything amazing. I’m a hot mess just trying to consistently read my Bible every day. How then do we approach the accounts of people in the Bible doing extraordinary things for the Lord?

Daniel is a Bible hero well-known for faithfully praying to the One True God, despite being forbidden by the king. He was thrown into a den of lions and the king expected him dead by morning. (Daniel 6:16-18)

Miraculously, when the king reached the den the next day, “Daniel said to the king, ‘May the king live forever. God sent His angels and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before Him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm.’”  (Daniel 6:21-22)

Wow. Daniel’s faith must’ve been great to be considered innocent before God Almighty. Who was Daniel really? How did he get into this pickle?

Daniel and many others were captured and taken from their home in Israel to foreign Babylon. Forced to leave his family, along with everything familiar, Daniel was taken to a strange new place with many different customs and values.

His whole identity shifted to become Babylonian; he was even given a new name. In the midst of this upheaval, he needed to decide if he would continue following God Almighty or worship other gods, as was expected of him by the king. (Daniel 1:1-7)

As Daniel navigated such challenging circumstances, we see that behind every holy choice Daniel made, God was at work, revealing Himself as the true champion.

Daniel chose obedience when he and his friends decided to break the cultural norms and follow God.
The Lord gave them favor with the king, who then entrusted Daniel and the others with great responsibility.
By living in authentic community, they were able to support and encourage each other onward in obedience. (Daniel 1:17-21)
The Lord empowered Daniel to interpret dreams of several successive kings, a feat impossible for Babylonian sorcerers.
Daniel was humble, giving God the credit and glory for his ability. He was able to recognize his limitations and his need for God’s power.

“No wise man, medium, magician, or diviner is able to make known to the king the mystery he asked about. But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has let King Nebuchadnezzar know what will happen[.]” (Daniel 2:27-28)

Notice who Daniel didn’t mention?

Himself.

Standing before the king, in possession of an extraordinary ability, facing an opportunity to curry earthly status and success in a new land . . . and Daniel recognized this as an encounter between the king and God, with Daniel simply present as God’s voice.

Daniel demonstrated this understanding as he closed his speech before the king.
“As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king[.]” (Daniel 2:30)

Repeatedly, the Lord provided perfectly for Daniel. 

The Lord showed Daniel how to be wise with heavenly wisdom.
The Lord gave Daniel strength to be faithful to the truth.
The Lord God Almighty carried Daniel through every trial he experienced;
he was never alone.

At first glance, it’s easy to think we could never do what Daniel did.
In all actuality, he was a boy who was kidnapped and forced to live in a new place.
His God, however, was and is extraordinary.

Daniel chose to be obedient, and the Lord provided for him.
Ladies, the Lord is faithful to finish the work He’s started in us until He returns again! (Philippians 1:6) He is our champion, our rescuer and redeemer!

Lord God Almighty, we long to be great for You. Give us pure hearts when we do what You’ve called us to, humble us if there is any pride in us. Give us favor with those in positions of authority over us. Let us respond with faithful, simple obedience, Lord. Jesus, give us courage to live in community that will keep us accountable. We wait for you to show Your face to us, so we might follow You. We trust you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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

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

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Champion!

The GT Weekend! ~ Waiting Week 3

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) As we have explored the idea of waiting over the last three weeks, you may have wondered, how? How can I wait well? While we have discussed a few ways to wait well, on Monday, Rebekah gave us a clear, succinct summary of the how. She said the key to waiting victoriously is “meditating on the character of God as we walk by the Spirit.” She also reminded us that trust is built on relationship. How do you react when you become anxious or fearful in times of waiting? Are you focused on developing your relationship with the Lord or are you fixated on your fear or lack of control? Are you learning about His character, so you can trust Him in times of trouble? Consider getting a book about the attributes of God. You can also look up a list of the attributes of God (words that describe His character) and use a concordance or online resource to look up those words in your Bible. Take time to study our Journey Theme on His character, titled “He”. Ask God to use these resources and His word to reveal His character to you in new ways. As you learn about His character, you will likely find yourself waiting more victoriously.

2) Before my husband and I were married, we talked about the virtues of surprise versus anticipation. I love surprises, but I also love the feeling of anticipating something wonderful. Sometimes he would ask me if I wanted to be surprised or enjoy the anticipation of something we would do together later. As we wait for the return of King Jesus, we are able to enjoy the anticipation while also knowing we will be surprised by Him. How do you live your life in anticipation of His return? Are you walking faithfully today, steadfast and fervent in prayer? Are you rejoicing in the joy He has set before you? We all know this life offers pain in abundance, but as we are reminded in Lamentations (a book well acquainted with the sorrow and lament we face in life), the mercies of the Lord are new every morning. Where do you see the light of God’s mercy in your life? Where do you see Him working, even in difficult and desperate places in your life? Spend time today contemplating the great anticipation we have as we wait for the Lord.

3) We like to see, and deeply feel, redemption and healing over our broken places. We hope for it, we long for it, and we ache beyond words when that redemption doesn’t look the way we had dreamed. We don’t need to look far to find brokenness and heartache. Have you felt it this morning? Did you see its affects yesterday? It’s with good reason Scripture reads, “we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains.” (Romans 8:22) One day, Sisters, one day redemption will be made complete. All broken things will be restored and our surrendered ashes will be forever transformed into beauty. I know, the waiting seems impossible. It doesn’t feel worth placing our trust in a God we cannot see for results we cannot control. Sister, He Is Good. His redemption is Good. More so, His redemption is sure and certain. Surrendering to Him while we groan and wait with hope is worth it. He’s the only One who is worth trusting for our one-day-coming-beauty. How will you start waiting with Hope?

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Psalm 27:7-9, 13:-14 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!

Prayer Journal
Our Father, high above all things. You work everything in Your perfect time. We wait for Your will with great anticipation. We know that one day, You will make all things new and redeem all things to Yourself. May we be quick to remember Your goodness, Your faithfulness, and Your great righteousness. The whole earth is groaning, awaiting the return of the one true King. And yet, in my day-to-day struggles, I often lose sight of the big picture. I get so bogged down in the monotony and difficulty of my earthly struggles, that I forget the greatness of the plan You have for Your people. Help me to rejoice in the greatness of who You are and all You have done for me. I will rejoice in You, my Lord! And when the burdens of life seem too great, help me to look to You and be strengthened, that even in my suffering, You would be magnified as LORD of ALL!

Worship Through Community

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

Build community, be transparent, and encourage others:
Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Fruitful Day 2 Anchoring Love: 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 Anchoring Love!

The Questions

1) According to this passage, what is love?

2) How does one “remain in love”? (verse 16)

3) What does fear have to do with love? (verse 18)

1 John 4:16-19

And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. 17 In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

Original Intent

1) According to this passage, what is love?
For us to understand what “love” means in these verses and the original intent, we need to look at the Greek words used. Take verse 16 for example, “And we have come to know and to believe the love (agapaō) that God has for us. God is love (agapē)”. Agape love is the same word used in John 3:16 as God describes His love for his Son as well as His people. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” Agoapao comes from the word agape, but is the verb form of the word. This is kind of confusing for us today, but the original readers would’ve understand completely. It would be somewhat like a mother saying, “I love (agape) my son”, and “By reading my son’s favorite book, I am loving (agoapao) him.” In verse 16 we read “God is love”, not only is this a direct quote from 1 John 4:8 which says “The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love” but it’s an idea that John repeats in his letter several times which signifies the importance of the concept. He wants his readers to understand that love and God cannot be separated because, by His very nature, God is love to the full in both action and description. Every aspect of love is encompassed by God. It’s as much a part of Him as our body is to us; we are not “us” without our body. To know God is to know love.

2) How does one “remain in love”? (verse 16)
Verse 16 in its entirety contains clues for helping us gain understanding on how to remain in God’s love. “And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.” The first clue is, “Come to know and to believe”. The author, the disciple John, assumes these words are being received by those who have already placed their full trust in Jesus. They have heard the message of Christ dying to take the punishment they deserved and have come to the point of belief for themselves. This is important because, at this time of writing, there were many Jews still living under Old Testament Law, meaning they were trying to earn God’s favor by keeping the rules. The second clue is “God is love”. We just discussed how one cannot separate God apart from love. Love is a Person, and the person is Jesus. To remain in Him is to maintain relationship with Him through studying His Word, prayer, and living in biblical community. The third clue is “remains in God and God remains in him”. In essence, John is saying to the believers, “You all know Jesus and what He did for you. Don’t go back to the old way. Stick with God and allow His grace to stick with you”. Remaining in love means not being swayed by false teachers, popular opinion, or old habits and thoughts, but sticking with the Truth and letting God’s Spirit renew us from the inside out. (Romans 12:1-2)

3) What does fear have to do with love? (verse 18)
It’s part of human nature to fear the unknown and those things we don’t fully understand. For the early believers, trusting God and His grace with their future and eternity was a new way of thinking, believing, and living. Before Jesus, everything about their everyday lives centered around keeping the commandments. Everyone was keenly aware of how they were doing, both good and bad. Not to mention they had rules for offering sacrifices when you messed up and broke the rules by sinning. But now, everything was different with Jesus. There was no longer fear of condemnation because Jesus had paid the penalty for every sin past, present, and future. (Romans 8:1) Their perspective had drastically shifted off themselves and onto a deeply personal relationship with the living God who held out their hope for Eternal Life with Him. John tells his readers they don’t need to be afraid of judgement because God is love and His love is perfect, lacking nothing. In the gospel of John, he also writes, “God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him”. (John 3:17) God came to save us, there is no reason to be afraid.

Everyday Application

1) According to this passage, what is love?
Love is commonly misused and misunderstood by us today. We say stuff like I love coffee, I love that song, and I love the KC Royals. Then we use the same word to describe God. It’s confusing to decipher “definitions” of love. We also struggle with believing that “love” requires us to feel mushy and gushy with the same “tender” feelings we have towards our spouse or children (when we feel close!). It’s no wonder we struggle with some pretty simple concepts in Scripture. Our language and society have made it so confusing that honestly, it’s just easier to move right past the hard-to-understand verses of the Bible and get to the easy parts that make us feel good. However, the more we study the Bible deeply, the more clearly we see the rich love of God! Love, in its truest form, is Jesus, who is the “exact expression of His (God’s) nature”. (Hebrews 1:3) When we look at Jesus’ love, we are seeing the Father! “The one who has seen Me (Jesus) has seen the Father. (…) Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?” (John 14:9-10) Divine Love is neither something we can manufacture nor fake. It’s not always easy to surrender to the Holy Spirit and let His love come alive in us. In fact, at times, it’s just plain hard in real life! We overlook the fact that love is a choice of total surrender to Christ. Unlike Jesus, who simply is love, we must choose to willingly give up our control and selfish desires to God when it comes to actions, attitudes, and motives. Because only HE is love, only HE can fill us with divine love and allow it to overflow in everyday life.

2) How does one “remain in love”? (verse 16)
I love the explanation in The Tony Evans Bible Commentary, which says “to remain means to hang out with”. Don’t you love that? It’s so simple and easy for me to understand! Keeping in mind that God is love, this simply means “hang out with Jesus and let Him rub off on you”.  So the question becomes, how do I hang out with Jesus? The application for us today is much the same as it was for the original readers, don’t be pulled in by popular opinion and deception. Instead, focus on knowing Truth in Jesus more and more through His Word and prayer. When we know Him, we will more easily be able to detect lies. (1 John 4:1-2) The devotional I read this morning as I prepared to write pointed me toward Revelation 2. Check out what it says in chapter 2, “But I have this against you: you have let go of the love you had at first.  So remember the high point from which you have fallen. Change your hearts and lives and do the things you did at first.”. (Revelation 2:4-5) These verses convicted me personally because since I’ve been a Christ follower for a long time. I know how easy it is to get distracted and forget how much God has done for me, how much I have been forgiven, and how I much I need Him every single day. It’s easy to get caught in doing work for Jesus that we forget to spend time with Jesus. We must ask ourselves, am I spending as much time with Jesus as scrolling social media, binge-watching Netflix, working, exercising, or volunteering at church? We “hang out” (remain) with Jesus much the same way we would with family and friends. We make intentional time, schedule coffee or lunch dates, we go for walks, or simply sit and talk. Why not try doing those things with Jesus?

3) What does fear have to do with love? (verse 18)
When we speak of God’s love, fear (the kind that’s terrified of punishment) should have absolutely nothing to do with our description of Him. As children, we perhaps learned to be afraid of punishment either for actual wrongdoing, or because a parent wasn’t equipped with the tools to love us well. The enemy can use fear to twist our perception of God and His true character. We forget that God is love and there is no reason to be afraid of God once we have entrusted ourselves entirely to Him and His enormous, never-ending love. His love is bigger and better than our human love. It forgives sin completely, holds no shame over us, and will absolutely never abandon us. It is pure and undefiled by human emotion and reasoning; His love is perfect. In many ways, especially for us type A people, living under the law seems easier at first blush. We know the rules and what to do if we break one. Easy peasy. Just add the consequence (sacrifice) to your “to do list” and check it off once you’ve completed it. This is also utterly devoid of relationship or the understanding of love. And what happens when the rule-breaking overwhelms our ability to make restitution? Trusting and believing that Jesus paid the price for all of our sin feels much harder! ALL, every single last one of your sins and my sins have been paid off by the God who perfectly loves us and wants a vibrant relationship with us. Even those sins we keep trying to work off are paid in full! Notice the end of verse 18,“the one who fears is not complete in love”. Just like John’s original audience, it takes faith and trust on our part to lean into Love (Jesus), let Him complete us, and walk shame-free!

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

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fruitful Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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The GT Weekend! ~ If Week 1

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The GT Weekend! ~ If Week 1

Erin O'Neal

July 17, 2021

Faithfulness,God,GT Weekend,Holy Spirit,Jesus,Journey,Love,Mercy,Power,Prayer,Scripture,Trust

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!

Colossians 1:15-17

[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Who is this King of Glory? Who is this God who would condescend to walk the Earth as a man, perfect and righteous? 

You are our God, the blessed Three-in-One, wholly loving, almighty, immovable, and the perfect lover of our souls. You have not left us on our own in our questions and our weakness, but You have rescued us by Your great hand!

Forgive me, oh merciful God, for my doubts, my weakness, and my desire to have my own way. I have often resisted Your will and questioned your goodness.

Thank You for your great mercy and grace. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to work in my heart and guide me in obedience. Thank You for comforting me with truth as I search out your goodness.

I ask for Your help as I surrender my will to Yours. Use my questions and my doubts to draw my heart toward You rather than toward the darkness. I believe in You, oh Lord, help my unbelief.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE
What if Jesus was not God? What if He was just a prophet or a good teacher, but not God in flesh? Or even if He wasn’t fully God, but something lesser? 

Considering these questions can either drive us away from the Lord or drive us straight into the arms of a loving, trustworthy, and faithful God.

We saw in Monday’s Journey Study some solid reasons to believe Jesus was, and is, exactly the fully divine God He claimed to be. He defeated sin by living a perfect life. He defeated death by raising Himself from the dead. Because of these things, and more, He is worthy of our worship. We serve a powerful God. The great King of Glory does not fear our questions. There is no question too big for Him.

Will you commit to bringing your questions to the Lord? Will you be honest with Him about your doubts? Will you faithfully search the Scriptures and consult wise, mature believers as you seek out your answers? What questions do you have? Where have you been looking for answers?

Write down one or two questions about God along with the name of someone you know whom you could ask to help you find the answers. Pray over your question and ask the Lord to give you courage to step out in faith and search for truth!
JOURNAL TWO
Like making cake without flour, trimming the grass without a mower, or, perhaps most apt, drinking water from an empty glass, so is absolutely anything we attempt in the Christian life without the power of the Holy Spirit. 

We, as finite, prone-to-sin human beings, are utterly incapable of accomplishing the holy, righteous work of becoming like Jesus on our own power. We cannot forgive more freely, love more deeply, give more wholeheartedly, or treat others with more lavish kindness without the power of the Holy Living God taking up residence within our beings.

Going further, even if we have genuinely surrendered our lives to Christ and He has faithfully given us the Holy Spirit inside of us, we can still adamantly choose to reject His power at work in us. Classic author Andrew Murray writes of every day being a battle of wills between our fleshly desires and the work of God. We can either choose to surrender moment by moment to His work, or we can stubbornly insist on our own abilities to accomplish His righteousness.

Determine today to live in a constant state of surrender by practicing the simple hand motion of raising one or two palms upward. When you face a challenge of your will versus God’s way today, choose total surrender to the Spirit by rotating your palm upward and breathing a prayer of surrender!
JOURNAL THREE
Rejoice with me as we think about our great God! His character is so far above our comprehension of holiness. He is unable to sin because of His great power and might. He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He is unchanging, unshakable, steadfast, and He gives us direct access to Him.

Even when we fall short, He is faithful because He cannot violate His own nature. Write a prayer of thanksgiving and praise to the Almighty God!

Spend time contemplating what His sinless nature means for your relationship with Him and your obedience to Him. You may begin to feel discouraged by the weight of your own sin and your own shortcomings as you worship. Feel that weight, but don’t stay there!

When we turn our eyes upon Jesus, we receive freedom from our sins. Repent and move forward in the strength of the Lord only He can provide. You don’t need to make yourself better to come to Him. Simply focus on His greatness, and He will work a mighty change in you!
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Almighty,courage,doubts,fear,honest,If,King of Glory,perfect,questions,righteousness,What iF
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Redeemed Day 11 The Waiting Game

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ruth 3:1-18
Deuteronomy 25:5-10
Philippians 4:6-7

Redeemed, Day 11

Fear, anxiety, anger, sadness. These words describe the current emotions of many Americans. As I write, the world is experiencing a pandemic that has taken thousands of lives and impacted countless others.

Uncertainty pervades our country right now. Some are worried about contracting the virus or losing a loved one who is already medically compromised, while others are overwhelmed with financial concerns as their jobs are impacted. Businesses have closed and we have been instructed to “shelter-in-place” and to practice “social distancing” to try to stop the virus from spreading too quickly.

We have been given an end date for our stay at home order, and then watched as the date was extended. Disagreements abound as some are concerned about opening businesses too quickly, jeopardizing safety, while others are concerned about the effects of a broken economy.

Couples are postponing weddings. Graduations have been pushed back or moved online. Medical and dental procedures have been put on hold, and funerals are limited.

When will it be safe to go out? What will happen in the days to come? When will we be able to go back to the life we knew as normal? What are we to do in our uncertainty? How do we handle the waiting?

In the book of Ruth, we are introduced to two women who also faced uncertain times. As we’ve learned, Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, were both widows. Upon their return to Bethlehem, Ruth couldn’t have known what the future held for her. But she trusted and respected Naomi, complying with Naomi’s suggestions for provision.

Naomi was aware of a kinsman-redeemer, a man named Boaz.  A kinsman redeemer was a close family member who agreed to marry a widow, providing financially for her and carrying on the family name.

Naomi gave instructions to Ruth, to approach Boaz as kinsman redeemer and trust his noble character would move him to treat Ruth with honor.

Just as Ruth had a redeemer in Boaz, we, too, have a Redeemer.
His name is Jesus.

Since sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, we all are broken.
We experience pain, loss, and disappointment.
We cause the same and continue the cycle of brokenness.
Ultimately, we are separated from the Father by our sin.

We need someone who will meet us in our need, just as Boaz did Ruth, and redeem us, protecting our future. Jesus willingly came to earth, in the form of a man while fully God, to do just that. 

He experienced pain, scorn, shame and rejection. And then, He went to the cross, to put to death sin and shame on our behalf. To pay our innumerable debts, once and for all.

He chose us. He chose to love us enough to buy our freedom and our security for eternity.  He longs for us to come to Him, leaving behind our sin and shame and following Him as we journey on this earth. He knows there will be pain, but He promises to never leave or forsake us while we finish our days here before He welcomes us into eternity with Him!

What are you waiting for today? Is it a job or a promotion? Or maybe a husband? A child? Are you awaiting test results from a physician? Are you praying fervently for a family member to come to Jesus or to return from their wandering? Are you waiting to see the loved one you’ve been separated from during this time of uncertainty?

Paul admonishes us in Philippians to not be anxious for the future, but to pray and give our concerns to God with thanksgiving, allowing His peace to guard our hearts in Christ Jesus.

Jesus is near. In the waiting, He is near. Wait with hope, remembering He who calls us remains faithful to His promise that He will never leave us. Though our prayers may not always be answered the way we want or expect, we can trust that God is good, and one day we will see Him and realize He is the One we were waiting for all along!

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

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

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Sketched VI Day 5 Paula

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 46
Isaiah 40:21-31
Isaiah 41:8-14
Colossians 3:12-17

Sketched VI, Day 5

My parents were both raised with Catholic backgrounds, but never attended services.  As a result, I was unfamiliar with anything involving religion as a young child. However, when I was in grade school, a friend invited me to a Christmas service at his church. That was my first time encountering any type of worship. I was hooked and my curiosity grew. When he moved away, I was unable to go back to church until I began high school and started driving.

After the Christmas service, my friend and I attended the youth services and I really started honing-in on what Christianity was all about. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the idea of a God who died for MY sins, who loves each one of us as His creation, despite our brokenness. I loved going each week and seeing the new friends I was making…
Each friend has a story and a background; some very different than mine, but some very similar.

After my friend moved, I stopped attending church and kind of felt like that entire season of my life was a dream; I forgot about God. In high school, before I started driving, I met a girl in band class who was involved in her youth group. She invited me to go with her and I was reintroduced to Christ, but this time, it stuck.

After I graduated from high school, I decided to go back to my now-current church where I volunteered in kids’ ministry, worship, and met more Christ-followers, which led to my baptism in May of 2016.

After being baptized, I started taking my relationship with Christ seriously.  I studied Scripture and listened to online sermons from other churches. I attended every Sunday service I could and stayed actively engaged in serving.

However, I was also on a teeter-totter after a relationship break up, a big move away from home, several deaths, and the loss of a job I loved. I definitely kept Jesus at arm’s length.
I wanted Him around, but I also wanted nothing to do with Him. I considered myself “Christian,” but I had drifted away from a deep relationship with Jesus and His followers.

After several months of skipping church, I “woke up” and returned. I saw the director of volunteers (my now-mentor) from afar, and avoided her. I felt like she was someone who could “see into my soul” and would know everything about my emotional and spiritual turmoil.

But God’s plan was bigger than my fear!
One week, she caught up with me after service, and after meeting later in follow-up, she connected me with the worship team.

I was incredibly happy!
I was FINALLY part of a middle school worship band ministry like I had dreamed of for YEARS. My way of communicating with God was through music, almost as if I had written the lyrics I was singing. God and I were chit-chatting as if we were best pals; I loved every single moment of it. 

I was on my way home from a full day of serving at church when I was involved in a car accident. I vaguely remember getting home after the accident and feeling that something wasn’t right. I collapsed to the floor in my front entryway, barely making it inside my house. I went to the ER, had scans done, and received terrifying news the next morning:
“You have a shadow on your brain.”

Strong words I will never forget.

Several weeks later, after my first seizure and losing my vision, I had emergency surgery to remove a good portion of this “shadow.”

More strong words: 
Anaplastic Astrocytoma
Grade 3 brain cancer

Following surgery, I wasn’t myself. I was so angry!
I refused to listen to or play music, knowing I’d hear God’s voice.
He was the last person I wanted to speak with.

I had so many questions for the Lord:
If we had such a great thing going, why throw a wrench in my plans by taking away my joy and dream? Why make me learn to trust You all over again?  

While I don’t have all the answers to my questions, this past year has brought deep spiritual growth I didn’t realize I was desperately craving.

Since my diagnosis last November, the Lord has brought people into my life for whom I’ve prayed since my teenage years. Both were strangers I’d connected with and are now as close as family.

My love for Christ has grown deeper than I ever imagined possible.  Even though I struggle with trusting Him, He has never left my side. Even though I prayed, and lost patience when I wasn’t given exactly what I’d wanted, He has never failed to give me something better.

Today, I have such a grand appreciation for life, friends, family, my church community, worship, music, gifts, God, and the list goes on. There are so many hardships God has brought me through, though He had no obligation. He has reminded me HE is good, even in the midst of darkness.

I get comments all the time about how “brave” and “courageous” I’ve been or questions about where my positivity comes from.
It didn’t happen overnight, but God drew near.

God has more for me to discover!
More songs to sing, and more people to meet and help them come to faith.

The enemy tried to silence me.
The enemy tried to discourage me.
The enemy tried to steal my joy.
The enemy tried to stop God’s work in me.

BUT GOD
Changed everything.

October 7th, 2018.
The day that changed my life forever.
The day I so badly wish had never happened, but am so thankful it did.
A day that could’ve ended everything, but here I am.
. . .  because He’s not finished with me yet.

His words.
His truth.
His song within my heart.
These give me courage and hope.


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

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

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched VI Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched VI

Open Day 8 Casting Out Fear

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 8:14-17
1 John 4:18
John 8:36
Isaiah 61:1

Open, Day 8

Freedom. Such a profound word, but it carries a vague meaning when it comes to my mind.

When defined, freedom means, the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

Initially, when I read that definition I thought, “I’ve always acted in freedom”, but as I look back on my life I see a different story, I see a girl who was very afraid.

Afraid to talk to people.
Afraid to speak my mind.
Afraid to use my God given gifts.
Afraid of being vulnerable.
Afraid to get hurt.
Afraid to truly live.

Fear has always crippled me.
Even though I gave my fear other names, like being shy.

As Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:7, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Meaning that my spirit of fear was a stronghold the enemy had in my life and was using against me. Satan had me where he wanted me, cowering in fear and not living up to my call.

But, though the years, the Lord has been chipping away at the enemy’s territory.
He has been cutting out all the things I was afraid of and replacing it with His perfect love.

I was afraid to sing, yet God has placed me on stages leading worship.
I was afraid to speak, yet God has placed me in front of audiences speaking.
I was afraid to write, yet God has placed me in this ministry writing His word.
I was afraid to be vulnerable, yet God has allowed me to open my heart to others.
I was afraid to make mistakes, yet God has redeemed those mistakes for His glory.

I have been engulfed by a love so captivating, welcoming, and endearing that my fears are swallowed up by it.
This love fills all voids.
This love transforms.
This love empowers.
This love casts out all fear.

Through this vast love, the Lord has shown me the truth of John 8:36,
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!”

A few months ago, I was meeting with a brother and sister in Christ as they shared some things they felt God pressing upon them for me. They described the image of a heart completely black, but then God took a paint brush and painted the heart completely red as the once-black-heart began to beat.

This was my own heart.
Black from my sins and brokenness, but God didn’t allow my heart to stay that way He took His time to repaint my heart, giving it color and new life. He pursued me, chasing away my fear, and bringing me freedom through His love.

That is true freedom. Being transformed from the inside out.
God’s sweet love cascading into our lives radically shifts our hearts, overflowing into our everyday lives.
Freedom is allowing God to remove you from bondage and give you a new life!

I had been walking into freedom for years, but in that meeting, I was shown how God wanted me to claim the freedom He had already given me.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Which means I can say in full confidence that God has freed me from my spirit of fear.
This doesn’t mean that I never get scared or think fearful thoughts but it does mean I’m not in bondage to those fears. I can point out when Satan is trying to attack me, and I have strength through the Holy Spirit to walk in the freedom afforded me through Christ.

How does this transformation connect to living with open hands,
ready to live out the hospitality of Jesus?
Because I’ve experienced this love, I am deeply passionate about sharing it, helping others to experience God and His perfect love in the same way I have.

In Matthew 8, Jesus performs another miracle and heals Peter’s mother in law. After she is healed, she gets up and begins serving Jesus. That night, many people were brought to Jesus and also received healing of their bodies and souls.

This woman encountered the perfect love of Christ and gets up, goes out and serves Him. And her serving results in others encountering that same love.

Sisters, this is our call as believers!
We are not simply to help people meet the Christ who profoundly loves us, but also be small streams of Christ’s love flowing outward onto others.

Isaiah said, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”

Sisters, what has God healed you of or freed you from?
How have you allowed this good work to transform the way you serve and love and live and operate with openness?

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

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

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Kaleidoscope Day 8 A Quick Trip to Isolation

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Numbers 12:1-16
Proverbs 12:18
1 Peter 4:7-8
1 John 4:7-11

Kaleidoscope, Day 8

To love is to commit to paying a costly price.
To love is to commit to messy, broken relationships.
To love is to commit to being hurt.

The alternative?
Isolation.

The on-ramp to safe isolation, far away from great cost, mess, brokenness, and excruciating pain?
Rudeness.

Extreme?
Well, I’ll let you decide.

Surely, there are other, more clear symptoms of isolation and lack of love, right?
Traits like anger, bitterness, and hatred seem pretty key in a successful journey to isolation.

True, these traits are clear evidences of having lived a life in attempt to keep a heart safe from the costly effects of love, but these are destination signposts, not on-ramps.
One who is perpetually angry, bitter, and hateful has already succeeded in staying away from love.

But rudeness.
There is the attractive little signpost flashing brilliantly along a benign highway, promising a quick detour to safety and self-justification.
“Just a little rudeness,” the lie begins.
“Just a little self-protection.”
“You deserve, no, you have a right, to be rude.”
One sweet little sampling of lies after another and our quick detour lands us far off course, well on our way to Isolation.

Not sure you believe me?
I present you with a true story….

A widely respected, deeply kind, and exceptionally humble man had been given the opportunity for a highly visible leadership position, despite his genuine objections. He had no desire for power or profit, but was compelled to take the position out of love and respect for authority above him.

While he made some mistakes, he genuinely loved the people he led, and continually sacrificed his own good for their own. From the outside, it was plainly obvious what a rare, and incredible leader this man was.

Like any leadership role, it came with its share of criticisms and complaints directed towards him, but the one to whom he reported was constantly watching his back. Often, the man overlooked the negativity, not allowing it to deter him from his strong, gentle leadership. Other times, it drove him absolutely batty to the point of near insanity, but always the one above him, protected him.

The man was in this specific leadership role for over 40 years and there was no end to complaints filed against him as he was constantly under attack for his extremely difficult position. Curiously, the records of his career carefully chronicle one specific incident out of the mass lump sum.
One incident with incredible detail.
One incident of blatant rudeness.
Ending with isolation.

The man had a deeply devoted sister whom he loved, but she was beginning to feel as if she deserved some of leadership’s limelight. Unlike her honorable brother, she wanted the attention and the power. She saw the neon flashing lights on the highway and she exited onto “Rude”. She tossed a handful of caustic words in the air, feeling quite justified. Her words were seemingly harmlessly, but undeniably drenched in rudeness. Her rudeness was heard and felt. As a result, she found herself granted a personal audience with the one in authority who had heard her curt remarks.
And it wasn’t pretty.
I’ll let you listen in…

“Listen to what I say:
If there is a prophet among you from the Lord,
I make myself known to him in a vision;
I speak with him in a dream.
Not so with my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my household.
I speak with him directly,
openly, and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.
So why were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”
The Lord’s anger burned against them, and He left. (Numbers 12:6-9, emphasis added)

Sister Miriam’s words were intended to hurt. She wanted to make her point known. She set out to amplify her perspective even if it cost her being just a bit rude in order to justify her position against a man who was not only her leader, but also her brother.

The Lord heard, He saw her heart of arrogance, He felt her rudeness, and called her out on it. He took up the cause of Moses, fighting on his behalf, because God is a just and loving God. When it was all said and done, the Lord’s presence left Miriam and her sympathizing brother, Aaron, alone. What’s more, the Lord also gave Miriam a skin disease as He left her as further consequence of her rudeness. Moses, the loving leader, pleaded with the Lord for healing on behalf of his sister, which the Lord gave, but He also said, “If her father had merely spit in her face (as a consequence), wouldn’t she remain in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp (as a consequence to her rudeness) for seven days; after that she may come back.”  (Numbers 12:14)

Her rudeness was disgraceful.
Her rudeness was not loving.
Her rudeness was sinful.
Her rudeness brought isolation.

Miriam took the easy exit off the highway of genuine, authentic Love, and she ended up alone.
How often I’ve done the same!
Rudeness is like an arrow jutting into the people around us. (Proverbs 12:18)

The Lord is a God of unconditional love.
He is a triune God who Himself dwells eternally in community.
Isolation and rudeness have no place in His character,
and neither do they in ours as we take on the Name of Christ.

Maybe you can identify scenarios where you tend to take that quick trip to Isolation via the on-ramp of rudeness. Maybe you can identify people you’ve alienated or perhaps you’ve become familiar with that sense of distancing you feel when you choose to be rude.

Or maybe, just maybe, you know someone who habitually takes that glittery exit called Rude. You see them isolating themselves.
In fact, you want to be isolated from them because of their sharp, cutting habits.
But, I wonder, what if the Lord intended for you to love them with His love, drawing them back just as He did with Miriam. Just as He does for me when I’m rude, again and again.

Suppose He is equipping us to love those who are rude, and to stand at that exit sign,
pointing the way back to Love?!

To love another is worth the high price it will cost us.
It’s worth the mess.
it’s worth the pain of entering into the brokenness.

How do I know?
Jesus did it for me.

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

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

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Kaleidoscope!