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Alive Day 5 Dead To Me

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Alive Day 5 Dead To Me

Sarah Afan

September 17, 2021

Christ,Gift,God,Holy Spirit,Jesus,Love,Scripture,Sin,Trust

Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 8:10-13
Colossians 2:4-14
Colossians 3:1-11
Romans 5:6-11

“Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you.

“So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:10-13)

After reading these verses, we might wonder what it means to be “dead to sin, but alive because of righteousness”. The Apostle Paul is charging us not to live according to the flesh anymore. If we do, this amounts to death for us; but, if by the Spirit, we put sin to death, we would live.

How can one be both dead and alive?

When it comes to questions in Scripture, other passages help us find the right answer. According to Romans 5:12,
“sin entered the world through one man,
and death through sin,
in this way death spread to all people,
because all sinned.”

As a result of our corruption by sin, our physical bodies are frail, mortal, and short-lived.
In our natural state, we are “owned” by Sin. We are “alive” to Sin and its torment, which makes us “dead” to Christ and the true life that flows from God.

Our bodies are limited by death:
“And just as it is appointed for people to die once” (Hebrews 9:27).
This means, if our physical bodies die on earth without having the spiritual Life of Jesus breathing inside of us, we will forever be separated from Life in God. We will have “died once”, and for the rest of eternity, we will perpetually experience the full, un-ending wrath of God with broken bodies and all of our consciousness intact.
We will never again have the opportunity to be “alive” in righteousness.

But the Spirit who lives in all who trust Jesus will bring to life our mortal bodies,
just as Christ was raised from the dead. (Romans 8:11)

Here is the good news of Jesus!
Christ came to “kill” Sin and Death forever,
offering us to “come alive” with the abundance only He gives!
In the Life of Jesus, we too can be “dead to sin” and made “alive in righteousness”. 

However, God’s gift of life in the Spirit does not bring instant, automatic change in our everyday lives. The transformation of our once-sin-loving character to reflect the righteous character of God is a continuous life-long process. The Holy Spirit needs our cooperation, in the form of obedience to His leadership. While the Holy Spirit gives us life, we must also yield to Him as He transforms us to the likeness of Christ, day by day. 

Therefore, we must continually remain dead to sin (also called the desires of the flesh) by following the Holy Spirit as He guides us into righteous living. We are not to subject ourselves to sin anymore, for “He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:14)

Jesus freed us from the eternal and unpayable debt of our sin; how foolish then would we be to rip that certificate from the blood-stained wood of the cross and embrace it once again, by continuing to pursue sin?!
We may fall into temptation, but this habitual pattern of death no longer needs to control us.

For if we neglect the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and return to lives dominated by following our human, rebellious nature, we would die spiritually. 

The Lord Jesus said anyone who does not remain in Him is like a branch cut off from the vine; it withers. That branch is good only for burning. (John 15:6)
“For if we deliberately go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgement and the fury of fire about to consume the adversaries.” (Hebrews 10:26)

We harm ourselves if we abandon the work of the Spirit within us, knowingly and volitionally becoming slaves to sin once again.

We must put to death the desires of the flesh (meaning sin) through the Spirit, for — hear me, sisters — we cannot conquer sin on our own!
Instead, we should “walk by the Spirit and you
will certainly not carry out
the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) 

Walking by the Spirit means “to present your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” (Romans 12:1) In obeying the Spirit, we “take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of truth.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

We “put on the new self” by constantly reminding ourselves we have died to sin.
We must always weigh our thoughts against the Word, and allow them to be refined by Truth. When sin threatens to rule us again, we remind ourselves we are new in Jesus and the old Sin Master is gone! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Surely, by the Spirit, we will put to death our sinful desires, and live in the rich abundance of Jesus’ Life!

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Nations Day 4 Black Sister In The South: 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 Black Sister In The South!

The Questions

1) Who is the psalmist (the author) and what should we consider about his state of mind based on the repeated phrase “how long” in verses 1-2?

2) What has led the psalmist to his anxiety and agony? (verses 3-4)

3) How does the psalmist preach to himself and what does he resolve within his heart? (verses 5-6)

Psalm 13

1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long will I store up anxious concerns within me, agony in my mind every day? How long will my enemy dominate me? 3 Consider me and answer, Lord my God. Restore brightness to my eyes; otherwise, I will sleep in death. 4 My enemy will say, “I have triumphed over him,” and my foes will rejoice because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in your deliverance. 6 I will sing to the Lord because he has treated me generously.

Original Intent

1) Who is the psalmist (the author) and what should we consider about his state of mind based on the repeated phrase “how long” in verses 1-2?
Bible scholars differ on the scriptural validity of the title of some of the psalms. But since the text has been preserved by the Jewish scribes and Christ’s Church through the ages, it is compelling evidence that the attribution (here, “A Psalm of David”) at the beginning of many of the psalms is valid. Because of this, I consider Psalm 13 to be a song of David, the shepherd-turned-king. (1 Samuel 16) His rhetorical but critical question, “How long?”, is repeated four times. It does not take an aged Bible scholar to understand the emotion signified by the question. One commentator used the word “disorientation” to describe David’s pain. (studylight.org) If you have been in an automobile full of kids for an extended period, you have likely heard the question “how long?” The question implies a lack of patience and a frustration that the current situation is lasting too long. David described the wait as feeling like “forever.” Bible commentator, Bob Utley, explains that the repetitive question is “a literary way of expressing the psalmist’s frustration at his current circumstances. He felt abandoned. Grammatically, the word ‘forever’ is considered to be hyperbolic, expressing the psalmist’s feelings of being permanently abandoned by God.” (Bible.org) Maybe David recalled the agony of the Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 2:23-25) as they waited for God to answer them. Or he possibly rehearsed the story of Joseph in prison, awaiting God’s rescue. (Genesis 40:20-23) Whatever was on David’s mind, his situation was troubling as he was tempted to doubt God’s rescue. His misery had led him to be agonizingly anxious every single day he lived.

2) What has led the psalmist to his anxiety and agony? (verses 3-4)
Psalms 12 and 13 are not placed in any kind of order of each other that is evident, but there are some comparisons to make. Both are designated as David’s psalms; they are to be used by the music/choir director; and both are characterized by lament. The noticeable difference is the scope of the lament. While chapter 12 signifies a national lament, chapter 13 is a personal lament of David. He is expressing his intimate feelings of abandonment due to his enemies’ pursuit. We know from Old Testament history that David had enemies: as a young boy he faced Goliath (1 Samuel 17:41-50), then Saul (1 Samuel 23:24-29) and Absalom (2 Samuel 15:10-14). There were other foreign kings he had defeated (1 Chronicles 11) that could have been pursuing him. As he thinks out loud about his situation, he petitions God. It almost seems like David is making a demanding request. He wants God’s attention! He wants to be seen by God as he is hiding from his enemies. The NET translates verse 3 with three imperatives, Look at me, answer me, and revive me. What is interesting is that David does not ask the Lord to give him something tangible. His request is for strength in his soul. In the Hebrew text, verse 3 is literally “Give light [to] my eyes.” David envisions himself on the brink of death. His eyes are darkening, and if God does not restore brightness to him, he feels like he will “sleep in death”. (netbible.org) Also troubling David is the fact that his enemies are often the enemies of God. It is likely that David is defending God’s reputation as well as his own. He does not want them to feel like they have triumphed over God!

3) How does the psalmist preach to himself and what does he resolve within his heart? (verses 5-6)
Verse 5 contains transitional wording that often occurs in David’s songs as he considers his God, “But I have trusted …”. In contrast to those who will rejoice when David is defeated, he rejoices in God and trusts in His love and deliverance. David was teetering on despair, but ultimately he preaches to himself and declares his faith in the Lord’s deliverance. He specifically trusts in the Lord’s faithful love. Hebrew scholars have often debated the meaning of the word “hesed” (חֶסֶד) in the Hebrew Bible. It is difficult to translate into English because it has no exact equivalent. Scholars explain that the full meaning of the word cannot be conveyed by a simple word or phrase. (bible-researcher.com) Interestingly, the verb form of “rejoice” is jussive, meaning that David is continuing with petition to God. As he has previously done, he makes his request to God by talking to his own heart. It is as if David is saying to himself, “Soul, trust in God. You know His love is faithful. He is The Deliverer, and I will rejoice in Him.” Declaring this truth leads David to break out in a song of praise and worship to the Lord, YHWH.

Everyday Application

1) Who is the psalmist (the author) and what should we consider about his state of mind based on the repeated phrase “how long” in verses 1-2?
When I think about David’s question, I automatically recognize his angst. When I’m delighting in something, I don’t usually wonder to myself, “how much longer will this take?”. When my grandkids are playing outside and enjoying themselves in the water sprinkler, they don’t ask me “how much longer will this take, Mama Mel?”. Typically, asking “how long?” demonstrates an impatience in a difficult situation. The question itself often signifies that something is amiss and unpleasant. That is exactly how David must have felt. We know the Lord never forgets us. His memory does not slip. But Sister, we have known the sting of feeling abandoned by God. We may have posted His promises on notecards on our fridge or bathroom mirror, but somehow, they do not feel real or sure. The longing for relief is at the very surface of our souls and in our misery, we plead with God, How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?. In his honesty, David cries out to God. It is best for us to be honest with God, too. Confessing our agony is good for our souls and helps us recognize our need for God’s mercy and nearness.

2) What has led the psalmist to his anxiety and agony? (verses 3-4)
Did you notice God does not interrupt David’s prayer?! How significant it is that God would permit David to bring his complaining to Him. God patiently waited as David processed his feelings. I am so thankful my Father knows about my human tendencies to falter and doubt amid trials. He is able to lovingly listen and hear my cries without reacting in anger. Even though the Lord is not obligated to wait, it is in His character to do so. Friend, if you are in a relationship with the God of the universe through Jesus Christ, you can rest assured He is able to hear your complaints and is willing to wait on you to realize Who He is.  He cares for you and desires to support and sustain you through your suffering. (1 Peter 5:6-10) Coming boldly to God in your pain does not frighten or disturb Him. Being honest with Him does not push Him away. Whatever has come into your life that has brought you misery, it is not a reason to distance yourself from God. Call to Him, dear Sister. He knows your pain, but He is not bothered by you rehearsing it to Him. Often, telling God the truth about your feelings is just what you need to find healing in your soul.

3) How does the psalmist preach to himself and what does he resolve within his heart? (verses 5-6)
God always knows what is good, even best, for our lives. He will not always answer as we desire, but He will respond with His presence and mercy. Even when David was searching for a seemingly distant God, he chose to preach to his soul. (verses 5-6) We would do well to do the same. Then maybe we will break out in song too!
Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Have you sins that to men’s eyes are hidden?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Are you troubled at the thought of dying?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
For Christ’s coming kingdom are you sighing?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that’s well known.
You’ve no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.
(Tell it to Jesus by Edmund S Lorenz)

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

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 Nations 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.

Worship VIII Day 4 Everyday Praise: 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 Everyday Praise!

The Questions

1) Why did Paul interrupt a logical discussion of God’s plan of salvation to break out in praise?

2) Why does Paul refer to both God and the Lord in this passage?

3) What is the significance of the phrase “To Him be the glory forever?” (verse 36)

Romans 11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches

and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable his judgments

and untraceable his ways!

34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? 

Or who has been his counselor?

35 And who has ever given to God,

that he should be repaid? 

36 For from him and through him

and to him are all things. 

To him be the glory forever. Amen.

Original Intent

1) Why did Paul interrupt a logical discussion of God’s plan of salvation to break out in praise?
These three verses at the end of Romans 11 stand as unabashed praise. In contrast, most of Romans is a logical explanation of salvation that includes questions and answers intentionally designed to explain God’s grace and Jesus’ fulfillment of Scripture through His death and resurrection. Chapter 11 begins with the question, “Has God rejected His people?” Paul quickly answers his question with a resounding “Absolutely not.” Paul explains that God used the transgressions of the Jews, his chosen people, to bring salvation to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) so that the Jews would want to experience God’s grace in mercy in Jesus. In verse 11 Paul asks, “I (Paul) ask, then, have they (the Jews, God’s chosen people) stumbled so as to fall (to be forever separate from God)?” (parentheses mine) Continuing into verse 12, Paul answers with certainty, “Absolutely not! On the contrary, by their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. Now if their transgression brings riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness bring!” He explains that Gentiles have been grafted into the family of God just as a wild olive branch is grafted into a cultivated olive tree, but Jews are the native branches designed to bear fruit when connected to the root. God’s gifts and calling for the Jews are irrevocable. (verses 16-29) As Paul ponders God’s mercy and plan of salvation for both Jew and Gentile, he can’t help but celebrate “the depths of God’s wisdom and knowledge.” This chapter’s tone changes from logical explanation to unrestrained joy at the realization of God’s mercy and wisdom as He lavishes His love on all people.

2) Why does Paul refer to both God and the Lord in this passage?
Scholars believe that Romans 11:33-34 draws from passages in Isaiah and Job, which are quite similar. Isaiah 41:13-14 says, “Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or who gave Him counsel? Who did He consult? Who gave Him understanding and taught Him the paths of justice? Who taught Him knowledge and showed Him the way of understanding?” Job 11:7 asks, “Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?”
In the Bible, the name “Lord” is used to denote the sovereignty and reign of God as king or master. The general term “lord” means someone who has control and authority based on their position. Isaiah’s words highlight the sovereignty, authority, and understanding of the Lord. Paul restates Isaiah’s phrasing in verse 34, to underscore the reality that only the One True God is all-knowing and all-powerful. “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” The Hebrew word for God is Elohim, meaning “Creator.” It is first used in Genesis 1, “God created the heavens and the earth.” As Paul marvels at the Creator’s plan, he can’t help but praise “the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God.” We can see God’s creative ability in His generosity and provision for all humanity. Even though He alone holds all power and authority, He still shows mercy and kindness to all people and pursues them with love. What love!

3) What is the significance of the phrase “To Him be the glory forever?” (verse 36)
This phrase is often used in the New Testament at the end of letters. (See 1 Timothy 1:17 and 2 Peter 3:18) Paul’s words are not random, rather they are a clear reminder that all glory belongs to God for ever. The initial proclamation of God’s glory in the New Testament is in Luke 2:13-14, “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Glory is a word of magnificent depth that reflects God’s presence, grandeur, and splendor in infinite ways. The angels broke out in song as they rejoiced at God’s plan of salvation coming to fruition in the birth of Jesus. In the Old Testament, the glory of God is obvious, often accompanying tangible signs as evidence of the unseen God. For instance, the arrival of manna in Exodus 16:7 was evidence of the glory of the Lord. At Mt. Sinai, God’s glory was apparent to everyone thick clouds covered the mountain and the earth shook with His presence. (Exodus 24:16) As the Lord rested His glorious presence on the Tabernacle, Israel stood in awe of the Lord’s magnificent glory! (Exodus 40:34)

Everyday Application

1) Why did Paul interrupt a logical discussion of God’s plan of salvation to break out in praise?

As I read this passage, I identified with Paul’s desire to worship in response to God’s grace and His plan of salvation for all people. His mercy and kindness to all of humanity is amazing. His ability to work all things (even rejection by His chosen people) together for good is evident when I ponder that Gentiles, like me, are now able to experience the abundant blessings of being grafted into His family.  I am amazed by the depths of God’s wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. As a writer, when I study a topic deeply, I sit and marvel at God’s design and His plan, as it is all so far beyond my imaginings. I marvel at the intricacies of nature from the tiniest atom to the vastness of space. A beautiful day leads me to focus on God’s goodness to all of creation. Even my inability to understand God’s inscrutable and untraceable ways contrasts His glory to my finite understanding. Worship fills my heart in response to understanding even a little bit about God. Challenge yourself to view your everyday life through the lens of worship. Where is the Lord giving you opportunities to understand and worship Him more clearly because of ordinary life happenings?

 

2) Why does Paul refer to both God and the Lord in this passage? 

Paul was a well-learned Hebrew scholar, so his choice to use both “God” and “Lord” is a clue to help his readers understand this passage. He wasn’t merely trying to throw in extra words to make himself sound better; these were both intentionally chosen to communicate the vastness of God better. As I read Paul’s words, I thought about God, the Creator, and the exceedingly abundant wisdom and knowledge He used when creating the universe­­; every element, cell, plant, and animal all have a divine purpose to declare His glory and point us to knowing Him. When we come face to face with God’s unexpected and extraordinary wisdom, it is astounding! Understanding Jesus as our Lord keeps us from elevating our knowledge and experience above Him, as He holds all rule and reign. Paul asked, “Who could know the mind or the Lord or be his counselor?” This Greek word for “counselor” has a similar meaning to “consultant.” The Lord doesn’t need our advice. Everything we have, our resources, wisdom, and breath has been given to us by His grace. “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” When I remind myself of the Lord’s resources, I start praising and stop worrying. 

 

3) What is the significance of the phrase “To Him be the glory forever?” (verse 36)

The word doxology comes from the Greek doxa, which means “glory, splendor, grandeur” and logos, which is translated “word” or “speaking.” When we write, sing, or speak of the glory and splendor of God, we are sharing His glory with others. Just as the angels burst forth in celebration at the birth of Jesus Christ by proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest,” we have this same opportunity to praise God before others. Our days are rich with chances to offer our own doxology whether privately between us and God, or publicly for others to hear as well. We can bring glory to God by acknowledging His vast riches, wisdom, and knowledge as we see evidence of them in our everyday life. Even in difficulty, our struggles to understand God’s plan for our lives, or when we are amazed at the unfathomable depths of God’s wisdom and judgement, we can reflect His unchanging glory and goodness to those around us.

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

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 Worship VIII 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.

Beloved Day 13 Catching Foxes

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Song of Solomon 2:15
Galatians 5:22-26
Philippians 4:8-9
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
Matthew 22:37-40

Beloved, Day 13

“I now pronounce you husband and wife . . . and now present to you, Mr. & Mrs. Brad Daniel.”
[Audience applause as we joyfully exit the church]

Oh, how sweet are the memories of that day! We believed the best in each other, couldn’t imagine what could possibly ever come between us, had no idea that someday we’d have to actually work to make time for each other. And we certainly couldn’t imagine we’d ever be so angry with, indifferent toward, or deeply wounded by one another. We were embarking on a journey full of mystery, knowing and becoming known, memories, and the true meaning of the vow, “til death do us part.”

Marriage is a gift.  How sweet that our Father has established a relationship so intimate, it provides a glimpse of the most intimate relationship of all, God’s relationship with His people, His Church.

I don’t remember the night I met Jesus as my savior as clearly as I’d like, but I do recall wanting to make sure I knew Jesus. I didn’t understand a lot of the Bible at the age of 10 or 11, but I knew Jesus loved me and had sacrificed Himself for my sins. As a child, I couldn’t grasp the gravity of my sin and the costliness of my salvation, I knew I wanted to follow Him with all I had . . . I just didn’t know what that meant.

Beginnings.
We love them.
We dream about them.

Everything seems fresh and fun as we begin to learn something new, whether it’s in marriage or our relationship with Jesus. We start off with stars in our eyes as we experience new love and speak of “forever” as if it’s clearly visible to us.

One of my favorite ways to serve with my husband is to meet couples for pre-marital counseling. It is an honor to walk with an engaged couple, helping prepare them for marriage.

In counseling sessions, we work through various areas in the relationship possessing the potential for conflict, and provide tools to navigate those areas well. We encourage intentional communication and potential resolution before little problems become big ones. We also affirm areas of strength and encourage the couple to keep communicating and working together.

Song of Solomon paints a picture of two lovers, completely enthralled with one another and willing to do whatever it takes to be together.  Song of Solomon 2:15 advises them to “catch the foxes” before they ruin the vineyards. Foxes are known for being cunning, sly, and destructive, an enemy to the vineyards, not only eating the grapes, but gnawing and digging, destroying an entire vine.

What a great analogy when applied to the marriage relationship! In the beginning, everything is new and fun and effortless. It is then we should begin to prepare for the possible “foxes” to creep in, small and seemingly innocent at first, taking just a few minutes of our time or attention, but if left unattended, potentially destroying the relationship.

Relationships require quality time and attention. My husband and I encourage engaged couples to find a recreational activity they both enjoy, and to use its intentional pursuit to provide relaxation and something different to look forward to doing together.

To sustain any relationship requires time. Our culture tends to value busyness, so our spouses . . . or Jesus . . .  can get the leftovers of our day if we are not intentional in planning and honoring our time together.  We all need time alone together to remember the specific reasons we love each other, and to nurture the unique friendship marriage brings.

Distractions come in all forms, including electronic devices, children, and careers, as well as our own pursuits or selfishness. Most of these are not inherently evil; we just have to hold them in proper perspective.

One of the most familiar distractions in our society is the cell phone. I know I am guilty of mindless media scrolling, as my husband is in the room with me, neglecting prime time together. Instead of pursuing genuine connection, I look at the lives of others, comparing myself, my life, and my marriage to those on the screen. This has the potential to evoke jealousy, insecurity, and irritability.

In addition, our scrolling habits tend to rob us of time we could be spending with Jesus, allowing His presence to guide our thoughts and actions. Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:8-9 to think about what is true, honorable, lovely, and worthy of praise.  When we begin comparing and focusing on what we lack, we abandon lovely thoughts toward our spouses, or the truth about ourselves.

Marriage was created by God and is GOOD. Good marriages serve others and each other, out of the overflow of being strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit.  As we spend time with Jesus, we are filled with His perspective, strengthened by His Word, and able to bear good fruit. (Galatians 5:22-26)

Empowered by God, we see the needs of our spouses, and set aside the time necessary to invest in and nurture the relationship. We are able to prevent cute little fox kits from destroying an entire vineyard. With vigilance and intentionality, prioritizing time with both God and our spouses, we can help the vineyards of our relationships to flourish!

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Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Beloved Week Three! 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 Beloved!

He Day 14 El Olam: 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 El Olam!

The Questions

1) What does it mean that the Lord is the “everlasting” God? (verse 28)

2) How does God strengthen the powerless? (verse 29)

3) How can those who trust in the Lord renew their strength? (verse 31)

Isaiah 40:28-31

28 Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never becomes faint or weary; there is no limit to his understanding. 29 He gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless. 30 Youths may become faint and weary, and young men stumble and fall, 31 but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.

Original Intent

1) What does it mean that the Lord is the “everlasting” God? (verse 28)
Isaiah 40:28 says “Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never becomes faint or weary; there is no limit to his understanding.” The word everlasting comes to us from the Hebrew terms “El”, which refers to God, and “olam”, which means forever or eternal.  Albert Barnes explains how an everlasting God “has existed from eternity, unlike the idols of the pagan. If He was from eternity, He would be unchangeable, and His purposes could not fail.”  So, an everlasting God is one who has existed always and never changes. We see Abraham calling God an everlasting God in Genesis 21:33. In Isaiah 57:15 the prophet calls God the “High and Exalted One, who lives forever.”  In Malachi 3:6 God says, “I, the Lord, have not changed.” In Psalm 90:2, the Psalmist declares “from eternity to eternity, you are God.”  Because God is everlasting, “the same yesterday, today and forever”, He can be trusted and relied upon. (Hebrews 13:8) He is faithful and true, from now to forever!

2) How does God strengthen the powerless? (verse 29)
Isaiah 40:29 tells us God “gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless.”  Author Albert Barnes explains that “The design of this verse is to give consolation to the afflicted and down-trodden people in Babylon, by recalling to their minds the truth that it was one of the characteristics of God that He ministered strength to those who were conscious of their own feebleness, and who looked to Him for support.”  Isaiah was speaking to the Jews taken captive in Babylon, and He wanted to encourage them as their hope waned and their strength grew faint.  According to author David Guzik, faint comes from the Hebrew meaning “failure through loss of inherent strength.” God promises to strengthen those who have lost strength and who have no power.  David Guzik also observes, “Those who are proud and confident in their own wisdom and strength will receive no strength from God.”  It is the powerless to whom God gives strength, not the arrogant. He strengthens those who recognize their need for Him. According to Thomas Constable God “shares His strength with those who need it. He has all energy, and He has energy to spare and to share. Whether we buckle under life’s pressures or lack innate strength, He provides durable, stable power.”  When the Israelites needed strength, Isaiah reminded them to look to God and access His power. God gives us that gift as well! He gives us strength when we look to Him and rely on Him.

3) How can those who trust in the Lord renew their strength? (verse 31)
We read in Isaiah 40:31 that “those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength.”  According to author E.W. Bullinger, the word “renew” comes from the “Hebrew “halaph” meaning to change for the better.” Author Warren Wiersbe explains, “The word renew means ‘to exchange,’ as taking off old clothing and putting on new. We exchange our weakness for His power.”  The Hebrew word for strength, koah/koach, means “power, capacity or ability and thus speaks of power in the sense of the inherent potential to perform some function.”  When we put our trust in the Lord, waiting for His perfect will and timing in our lives, He takes our worries, struggles and fears and gives us the power to carry on.  When Christians rely on God’s strength, they can do more than just survive; Isaiah 40:31 promises they “will soar on wings  like eagles;  they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.”  This is something that cannot be done in natural, human strength.  Even the best athletes will eventually grow weary from running. God blesses His people with this supernatural strength to walk in His ways as they trust in Him, and He renews their strength each time they wait upon His will and His plans.

Everyday Application

1) What does it mean that the Lord is the “everlasting” God? (verse 28)
One of my favorite places to visit as a child was my Grandma’s house.  I loved running up the staircase in the living room and descending the back stairs into the kitchen.  I enjoyed the glass bluebirds that decorated the tables and windowsills, and I relished poking around in closets and drawers, finding books, pictures and forgotten treasures. In the 40 years I visited her house, nothing ever changed.  Same furniture, same knick-knacks, same art on the walls.  It was very comforting to know that no matter how much my life changed, Grandma’s house was always the same.  It was a sad day when the house was cleaned out and sold, and I knew I could never go back and see things just the way Grandma left them.  That is why is there is so much comfort and solace to me in the fact that God never changes.  Isaiah 40:28 tells us God is “everlasting”, meaning He does not change and is eternal. I can trust that my unchanging God will come through for me and keep His promises.  I can trust that the God who knows the beginning from the end has a holy calling on my life to fulfill His purposes. (2 Timothy 1:9) My God who never changes gives me good gifts (James 1:17) and gives me the security and comfort to follow Him, knowing He will guide me safely, just as He has promised from days of old.

2) How does God strengthen the powerless? (verse 29)
Ever since I was a child, my dream job was being a Mom.  When I married, we waited several years to start a family, and I felt like I was just putting in time at my job as a teacher until I could fulfill my true calling of being a mother.  When my children finally arrived, I was overjoyed! Soon, however, I was also overwhelmed. I maintained some sense of order until the 2nd baby started to walk.  After that, there was a lot of chaos, jumble, and exhaustion, but the worst part was that feeling of powerlessness. I did not have much control over behaviors or attitudes (theirs or mine!).  I had felt that in the classroom too, but I expected things to be different in my parenting. Being bone-tired all the time did not help.  Not only did I not know what to do, but I didn’t have the energy to do much at all.  Of course, I talked to other moms, bought lots of books, and read lots of advice online.  This helped to some extent, but what I needed most was strength from the Lord.  I needed to stop thinking I should be inherently equipped to do my dream job and recognize I needed God’s help to parent my children (and to do everything else!).  Isaiah 40:29 tells us God “gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless.” When I relied on God for my daily strength, the days went along much better.  There was probably just as much chaos and jumble in my house, but in my spirit, there was more peace because I looked to God to strengthen me.  I did not do everything perfectly (as my now adult son likes to point out), but most days were powered by God’s strength, and that made all the difference between anxiety and peace in my heart.

3) How can those who trust in the Lord renew their strength? (verse 31)
We read in Isaiah 40:31 that “those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not become weary,  they will walk and not faint.”  How can trusting in the Lord renew our strength?  As author Warren Wiersbe points out, “God knows how we feel and what we fear, and He is adequate to meet our every need. We can never obey God in our own strength, but we can always trust Him to provide the strength we need.”  When we look to ourselves and rely on our own power, we cannot get far.  We eventually stumble and fall.  When we turn to God, trusting in Him to take care of everything, he renews our strength.  He helps us run without getting tired and helps us walk without wearing down.  As author Matthew Poole notes, God helps His people “grow stronger and stronger in faith, and patience, and fortitude, whereby they shall be more than conquerors over all their enemies and adversities.”  God renews our strength to help us do all the things He calls us to do when we trust in His plan, His timing and His will. Waiting for Him to show Himself faithful and come through can be difficult, but He promises strength to those who put their trust in Him.

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

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 He Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

He Day 13 El Olam

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 90:1-4
Exodus 3:1-15
John 8:48-59
Revelation 4:1-11
Isaiah 40:28-31

He, Day 13

Have you ever studied the names of God? Learning about His names gives added meaning to our relationship with God in profound, breathtaking ways.

But honestly, friends, it took me a hot second to come to this understanding. In fact, I have struggled with this particular study.  Perhaps it was because I was trying to define “everlasting” in terms that make sense to our time-bound minds, or maybe I wasn’t grasping the whole meaning of the name El Olam, “Everlasting God.”

I turned in one version of the study that I honestly didn’t like, crying because I couldn’t put into words what I knew needed to be said. I knew if the study wasn’t making sense to me, it wouldn’t make sense to those who would read it.

But this week in chapel, God put me right where He needed me to embrace a whole new meaning to His name.

El Olam, “Everlasting God.”
Everlasting calls to mind words like:
For a long time
Always
Forever
Never-ending

Hebrews 13:8 declares, “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Additionally, Revelation 1:8 reminds us He is the “Alpha and Omega [. . .] the One who is, who was, and who is to come.”

In Psalm 90:2, everlasting is described as “from eternity to eternity, You are God.”

In first grade, my teacher wanted us to consider how God is without beginning and He will always be. For a first grader, existence beyond the bounds of time is pretty tough to comprehend. Well, for an adult, it’s hard to comprehend!

We all have our beginning, a moment in time where we became who we are (Psalm 139:13-16). But God is without a beginning; He has simply always been.

For me, the never-ending is significantly easier to understand than never beginning. While everything on earth ends, all will live eternally somewhere. If we believe in God, we’ll spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

Eternity is a long time. Even thinking about it, you can see how I put the constraints of time in the thoughts. But to God, eternity is all the same, a great oneness (2 Peter 3:8-9). He has always existed and He will never cease to exist.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites called God Yahweh, which means “I am.” Yahweh is the most important name of God, in that it encompasses all of who God is. When God spoke to Moses at the burning bush, God gave Moses a new insight into who He is.

“I Am who I Am […] the Lord, the God of your fathers.” (Exodus 3:14-15)

“I Am who I Am” could also be translated “I will be who I will be and I will continue to be.”
I am the LORD, Yahweh, forever, changeless God.

What does this mean for us in our lifetime?

The same as it did for Moses. The God whom we turned against in our sin, sent Jesus to cover the debt of our sinfulness. In John 8:58, Jesus says, “before Abraham was, I Am.”
I am the LORD, Yahweh, forever God.
Our Savior is the same eternal God we read about in Exodus, Psalms, and Revelation.
Our everlasting Savior is the same “I Am” today.

Our forever God is forever:
Dependable
Trustworthy
Consistent
Faithful
Good
Love

With time, comes change in our physical, linear world. The seasons change. We see physical change throughout our life. Finances change. Circumstances change.

But God does not, nor will He ever, change.

His character does not change.

His Word does not change.

Isaiah 40:28-31 reminds us of our everlasting God. God doesn’t change; therefore we find strength in Him. When we are left feeling bereft, frightened, or confused by the shifting, time-locked world around us, we can look to our everlasting God.

We can share in His hope, always.

We can share in His peace and His joy, always.

We can share in the unending assurance of His presence, His care, and His provision.
Always.

He holds all from before time began and will hold all when time ceases.
He was, and is, and is to come.
He is everlasting.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
Join our Facebook Community!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

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 He Week Three! 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 He!

Tabernacle Day 2 All About Relationship: 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 All About Relationship!

The Questions

1) What does it mean to “remain in love” (verse 16)?

2) How is “love made complete” in us
(verse 17)?

3) Why was John addressing a seeming confusion regarding a blend of fear and love (verse 18)?

1 John 4:13-21

This is how we know that we remain in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God – God remains in Him and He in God. 16 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. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.

Original Intent

1) What does it mean to “remain in love” (verse 16)?
Suppose a new home was purchased for you; you became the homeowner on paper, but until you are actually living in the house, you aren’t “dwelling” there. In John’s letter, to “remain” is to “dwell” or “abide”. More than just a title, it’s a way of everyday life. When we ask Jesus to be our Savior from sin, we are made new and “born again” into love. The Holy Spirit is deposited into us and we are the Lord’s and He is ours forever, nothing can take that away. (John 10:28) We are born into love, we are made new in love, we are saved because of love, and we were created to love. When we choose to “abide” or “dwell” or “remain” in love, it first and foremost looks like loving God, then is followed closely with loving others.

2) How is “love made complete” in us (verse 17)?
The Greek for “made complete” here carries the idea of reaching perfection. Whatever has been lacking, is now here in fulfilled perfection, not one piece is missing. John is describing true love here, helping his audience to see how several elements of love, coming in at different times, are all brought together and is made “perfect” or “complete”. God’s love itself is fully perfect; He does not need us to bring perfection to His own love, but He wanted to share His love with us and invite us to experience the perfection of His love. So, God brought love to us by sending Jesus as a sacrifice for our sin. (verse 9). Our receiving of this love is one aspect of experiencing His “perfect love”, but it isn’t until we “remain” in His love, rooting ourselves in it day-in-and-day-out, that we experience His love perfected in us. God’s love, already perfect outside of us, find perfection in us, when we submit to both loving Him and others.

3) Why was John addressing a seeming confusion regarding a blend of fear and love (verse 18)?
The Day of Judgement, a time of reckoning and final justice for all, was on the horizon for John and the churches of his day, just as it is for us. In Jesus’ culture, to please God, there were hundreds of laws to follow. Not obeying them resulted in needing to make sacrifices, be considered unclean, or even, if the offense was significant enough, be cast out from the community of faith and your family. God’s design was for these laws to help the people see their very obvious need for forgiveness because they would never be able to attain to righteousness by obeying laws. Paul says in Romans 9:31-32, “Israel, who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness, did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works.” Israel had missed the point. They missed that it was never about good works, but always about a relationship. John brings his readers back to this point when he ties having “confidence on the Day of Judgement” to the idea that “there is no fear in love.” Following Jesus isn’t about performance or a long list of expectations or a lofty measure of good appearances, but it is about love. Perfect love that casts out fear. Love that invites us into a relationship where we can find freedom from fear right alongside the deep satisfaction of experiencing perfect love!

Everyday Application

1) What does it mean to “remain in love” (verse 16)?
What does loving God first and foremost look like? It means intentional and consistent time with Him, reading His Word, having a longing for more of Him, praying, fasting, serving the Body of Christ, and adjusting your life to His rhythms. When we choose to love God as He has loved us, the Holy Spirit awakens our hearts, which again, have been made new, to radically love others. Practically, it looks like living with open hands and open hearts towards others, ready to invest and give ourselves away because we too have been radically loved by the sacrificial Savior! Bottom line: when we choose to love God deeply and love others well, we are flinging wide the door to that home we have been given, which is new life in Christ. Confessing Jesus as Lord doesn’t stop when you finish a prayer, or walk the aisle of a church, it’s only the beginning of what will take eternity to discover….the incredible working out of what it means to ”remain in love”.

2) How is “love made complete” in us (verse 17)?
The rich theology packed into these brief verses in chapter 4 are loaded with priceless treasure. Do yourself a favor and read all of chapter 4 several times in 1 sitting, letting the words run deep into your heart. Write down your questions, allow yourself to be curious! The Lord is inviting you to know Him better! How are you rooting yourself in His love, allowing His Spirit to lead us deeper into what it means to live out a perfected love? When we are committing ourselves to consistently knowing God better and loving others, the Holy Spirit is free to move about in our lives. He teaches us in the little moments and the big ones of everyday life what it means to have complete, perfect love. The more we surrender to His leading on how to love, the more fulfilled and deeply satisfied like never before we will become!

3) Why was John addressing a seeming confusion regarding a blend of fear and love (verse 18)?
Do you wonder if you’ll ever be “good enough” for God? Have you ever considered if God was angry with you? It’s easy to fear something we don’t understand, and it’s even easier to fear judgement when we are already sure that we aren’t good enough to pass. John’s letter is clear, the perfectly loving God is inviting each of us to know Him better, and in that knowing, to discover that, through the sacrificial blood of Jesus that covers our sins when we cling to Him, and Him alone, to be our “good enough”, we are free from fear! Fear has no place in God’s economy of love. If you fear judgement from God, either 1 of 2 realities are at play. Either you haven’t explored enough of God’s character to know how deep and wide His unfathomable love is. Or, you have never truly and genuinely surrendered control of your life over to Him. If you’ve never claimed Him as your personal Savior, the Bible is replete with warnings that yes, you should indeed fear judgement, because it’s only through Jesus that we are free from condemnation. Have questions as we’ve studied these truths today? Explore those! Resist the urge to shove them down. Instead, reach out to a pastor or believing friend, or send us an email here, we’d love to encourage you to keep growing in truth and grace!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with All About Relationship!

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 Tabernacle 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.

Inheritance Day 12
The Trap of Complacency: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!

We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!
Dig In!

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s
Journey Study?
Check out The Trap of Complacency!

Revelation 21:1-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

The Questions

1) What is significant about “the dwelling place of God”?

2) What is this new heaven and new earth, when is it coming, and who will inherit it?

3) What will it mean to have God dwelling with man?

4) What part of our inheritance as Christians or “conquerors” is most important in this passage?

The Findings for Intention

1) What is significant about “the dwelling place of God”?
The idea of the infinite, all-powerful, perfectly holy and righteous God even considering dwelling with humanity is such a preposterous idea that it was truly inconceivable to people living in biblical times. Deities did not lower themselves to live with humans. But that is exactly what the greatest desire of God’s heart is, to dwell with us. Deeply. Intimately. In perfect unity. This unity is impossible because of our sin, but what is impossible with man, is made possible with God through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, who took the penalty of our sin, making us right with God. Because of Jesus, we can indeed dwell with God, and one glorious day, He will dwell with us and us with Him in physical reality!

2) What is this new heaven and new earth, when is it coming, and who will inherit it?
The new heaven and new earth is the full restoration of all of Creation. A perfect creation as it was in the beginning before sin’s decay. In essence, a flawless new universe for perfected beings with new perfect bodies to live and work and love one another in perfect freedom and harmony because they are in constant relationship with the Almighty God! The new earth will be our new home when our current Earth has been burned up after Jesus returns. This new universe comes after Jesus returns and after the final Judgment has happened. We don’t know when Jesus will come back, but we do know He is coming! Those who will inherit this newness are the Christ-followers!

3) What will it mean to have God dwelling with man?
Today on earth, we enjoy the presence of God in our hearts, but you only have to take one quick glance around to be reminded that life here isn’t perfect. But on that day when God will dwell with us in person and we with Him, every single thing that mars our experience here will be gone forever. Sadness, hurt, loneliness, weariness, heartache, loss, abuse, distrust, misunderstanding, conflict…all…gone….forever! Verse 4 doesn’t have many words, but it’s meaning is far-reaching. God will make *all things* new.

4) What part of our inheritance as Christians or “conquerors” is most important in this passage?
There is much we don’t know about the new life that God has prepared for those who love Him first and most and best, but we know enough to see that the very heartbeat of our new eternity is threaded intimately with a deep relationship with our Savior and our God. God’s heart was broken over our sin, which separated us from Himself, and He’s been pursuing us ever since that brokenness. An eternity where we are united with Him, where our satisfaction is utterly complete, where our joy is forever abundant, where all shadow of death and decay are forever dead is enough glorious knowledge about the new heaven and earth, that all of our other questions pale in importance. The most important thing about eternity is dwelling with the Lord!

The Everyday Application

1) What is significant about “the dwelling place of God”?
To never be alone. To always have confidence. To always be at peace. To never fear. To have direct access to the Almighty God. To dwell with Him. This is a richness beyond description! No feeble, human wordsmith can depict the delight of dwelling with God as He dwells with us! Every need met. Every ache fulfilled. Every sadness banished. Simply to live in perfect unity with our Creator God exactly as we were designed to live. What Bliss! THIS is the glorious inheritance awaiting us in Christ Jesus! But, oh blessedness, that we are able to taste it even now, despite our still-sin-wrecked world, our own human frailty and willingness to sin! Stolen away like intimate kisses are those moments when we delight in the relationship between us and God even now. Scripture reading, prayer time, private worship, corporate worship, these are all designed to whet our appetite for the coming glory!

2) What is this new heaven and new earth, when is it coming, and who will inherit it?
The old will pass away, and God will indeed “make all things new”. This doesn’t mean just our hearts, but every physical aspect as well. New bodies meant to last an eternity, a new universe where all death and decay have been forever banished, and new, full, and complete dimension to the relationship between believers and God will finally come to fruition. Hold tightly to this certain hope of impending reality! Know that your inheritance is a guarantee if your trust is fully in the work of Jesus Christ and not yourself! Be reminded that what you do today in your body, on this earth, with your tongue, your hands, your mind….it all counts for eternity. What investment are you making?

3) What will it mean to have God dwelling with man?
Today as you see tears, when your heart aches, when you feel lonely, when your eyes see injustice, remember that this is not your forever home. Let these things that weigh us down in our everyday, turn our hearts towards eternity, quickening our breath as we consider all that awaits us. Let our secure hope encourage us to stand strong, to hide in the shadow of the Almighty, to dig deeply into His word, and to love others well!

4) What part of our inheritance as Christians or “conquerors” is most important in this passage?
If this life is merely the cover page to a life that will never end and will be incredible beyond description. If today is the precursor to innumerable tomorrows with our Savior. Then wouldn’t we choose to invest what we have today into the safety of eternity? Will we love deeply today? Will we spend time with our Lord today? Will we give generously today? Embracing the fullness of God in our everyday starts today in this moment. What will you do now to make your heart beat faster for Jesus in light of the coming hope and promise of eternity with Him, your soul’s true mate?

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I Can Do That!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read through it (always more than a verse or two).
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!

The Community!

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

The Tools!

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

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. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? 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 :-))

The Why!

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.

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.
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
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Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Inheritance!

Safe Day 10
That You May Know

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Read His Words Before Ours!

I John 3Attachment-1 (1)
2 Peter 1
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
I Peter 1

I love shocking our kids with our vast amount of life experience knowledge. Our son sat down to dinner one night and then suddenly made a face as he quipped to his sister in that just-between-you-and-me-secret way, “Oh no, I forgot my “sitting thing”.
Chris and I just looked at each other and smirked as he said, “You mean a whoopee cushion?”
“What?! How did you know?” our son questioned in disbelief.
“You forget that I was a boy once too,” he laughingly quipped.

There are some things we know because we’ve been told and we believe the source and can study the evidence, like history. Then there are things we know because we’ve lived it and the reality of it is so embedded in us that we simply can’t deny it.

When it comes to knowing the future, there’s simply nothing that we can know as solidly as the past. What’s done is done, but what will come….well, we can only make our best guesses, except for maybe death and taxes. 🙂

But like in everything else, Jesus offers us more.
More depth, more knowing, and infused in it all, more hope.

If anyone could claim to have known Jesus best while He was on the earth, it would have been John. He was even known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. The letter of I John opens with a poetic and persuasive picture of John’s experience:

        That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you. I John 1:1-3

John had truly experienced Jesus. He saw Him preach, heal, love, get angry, be tired and hungry, and after 3 years of walking with the Light of the World, John declares with absolute confidence that “whoever has the Son has eternal life; whoever does not have the Son of God, does not have eternal life.” I John 5:12

John’s life, career, relationships, and the trajectory of his every day were drastically altered by his hands-on experience with the Savior of the world and he pleads with us to know Christ with the same kind of intimacy. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. I John 5:13

John claims over and over in his letters that we can absolutely, most assuredly know that our eternity is safe, but he also makes it clear that not everyone will inherit it. John prods us to ask ourselves if our salvation is genuine.  Nowhere in the entire Bible do we find that “praying a prayer”, “walking the aisle”, “filling out a card”, or “attending a class” is the process of salvation. In fact, it’s entirely possible for people to “think” they have Christ, but indeed not have His inheritance at all.

Laying hold of salvation isn’t a matter of checking off a box, but radically being remade. It’s seeing your sin, seeing how unholy you are before a perfect God, and realizing you have no way to bridge that gap unless by complete trust in the righteous sacrifice of Christ given on your behalf. It’s recognizing that there is no life apart from Jesus and surrendering yourself entirely to Him.

Salvation isn’t a mental activity, but a heart choice that transforms your everything.

Just as the law of gravity says that what goes up, must come down, the law of love says that you cannot go unchanged after encountering it. Genuine love changes our hearts; it’s impossible to continue with the same heart and mind once you have authentically received Christ’s love. John cautions us, Matthew warns us, and Peter begs us, check your heart for radical transformation.

How can we know? John ties it all together for us with another solid assurance, 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. I John 3:19-24

If you could pull up a chair with John, sip a hot mocha with him, look him square in the eyes and ask, “John, how can I know for sure that my eternity is secure?” His answer would be 2-fold, just like the verses above. He would say you can know that you belong to the Truth and have complete confidence before the righteous God of the universe if you follow His commandment to 1) believe (genuinely and authentically with your heart) in the saving Name of Jesus Christ as atonement for your sins and 2) love one another. “All of this”, John would beckon with a wide smile and eyes fiery with passion, “is made possible by the Holy Spirit of God, whom has been given to us by God Himself.”

Salvation isn’t possible without God.
Loving others transformatively isn’t possible without God.
But all is ours through Jesus and made secure by His righteousness.
The proof is evidenced by the living and breathing of the Holy Spirit working out love in our everyday lives.

Can we know for sure that our eternity is secure? For Certain, beyond a doubt.
How are our souls kept safe? By the Holy God.
Not by our ability to obey, not even by our ability to love well, but by the gracious, good, all-powerful God whose Spirit lives and moves and breathes in us.

It’s the Spirit’s presence that seals us. Ephesians 1:13-14
Christ who continually transforms us. Colossians 1:21-23
And God the Father who stands guard over us, keeping us safe until that glorious day when we finally are welcomed home for eternity. I Peter 1:3-5
As we lean into Him, He transforms us with His beautiful fullness, meeting us right in the middle of our everyday lives and calling us ever deeper into more.

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
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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 Safe Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies in Safe!