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Sketched IX Day 4 A New Day: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
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The Questions

1) What is the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing?

2) What is the importance of the declaration by Father God, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” (verse 5)

3) Why did Jesus instruct these three disciples to “not tell anyone about the vision”? (verse 9)

Matthew 17:1-13

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 He was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun; his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good for us to be here. If you want, I will set up three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown and were terrified.

7 Jesus came up, touched them, and said, “Get up; don’t be afraid.”8 When they looked up they saw no one except Jesus alone.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

10 So the disciples asked him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11 “Elijah is coming and will restore everything,” he replied.12 “But I tell you: Elijah has already come, and they didn’t recognize him. On the contrary, they did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

Original Intent

1) What is the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing?
Peter, James, and John (who were the only disciples present with Jesus in this scene) were Israelites and would have been extremely familiar with Moses and Elijah. They would have known their pivotal role in Israel’s history and how God used their lives to reveal Himself through His covenant Law and His prophets. God used Moses to rescue His people from Egypt and lead them to the Promised Land. Moses was trusted with the 10 Commandments by God and was the spokesperson who delivered them to Israel. Elijah was one of the prophets. He was a faithful prophet who spoke against the false god Baal and pointed people towards Yahweh. God did not allow Elijah to die, but instead called him to Heaven, escorted there with a flaming chariot. (2 Kings 2:11) Peter, James and John would have seen these two men as encompassing all of the law and the prophets; their presence both gave witness to Christ and pointed to Jesus being the fulfillment of the law and the prophets.

2) What is the importance of the declaration by Father God, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” (verse 5)
This is the second time God spoke these words regarding Jesus. The first occurrence immediately followed Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. (Matthew 3:17) God the Father is giving clear authority to Jesus’ words and mission in these statements. We see these two occurrences at critical moments in Jesus’ ministry. The first is at the beginning of His public ministry, which was followed by Jesus’ period of fasting for 40 days in the wilderness where He would be tempted by Satan. The second comes towards the end of Jesus’ life as He is preparing to suffer the consequence of the sins of the world. (1 John 2:2) These declarations by Yahweh give Jesus authority in His mission, helping Israel understand that Jesus, as God the Son, was co-equal with God the Father. The Father’s voice of love also encouraged Jesus as He walked in obedience to the Father at these pivotal moments.

3) Why did Jesus instruct these three disciples to “not tell anyone about the vision”? (verse 9)
Peter, James, and John were chosen to see Jesus in all His glory before His death and resurrection. However, it was not time for the world to see Jesus in the same way. Peter, James, and John were witnesses to the event, and were then able to share it with the world once Jesus had resurrected. If they would have told the other disciples or made Jesus’ transfiguration public knowledge before the right time, it may have deterred the mission and made the suffering which He was preparing for confusing for the world. They would have wondered even more why He could not (intentionally chose not) to save Himself. Once Jesus resurrected, this event would serve as evidence to His divinity, but it needed to be concealed until the timing was right.

Everyday Application

1) What is the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing?
Moses and Elijah symbolized the law and the prophets of the Old Testament. For us as believers, Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of both. Moses and Elijah served as witnesses to the authority of Jesus during the transfiguration. Peter, James, and John then served as witnesses to the transfiguration and Jesus’ authority. Although you and I didn’t see these events firsthand, we know about them because of the faithful witness of those men. We too have a responsibility to be faithful witnesses to the activity of God in our lives as well as the divinity of Jesus to the world. Christ’s fulfillment of the law and prophets sets us free from the requirement for us to be perfect, which is impossible! Jesus was perfect on our behalf. When we share this good news with others, and how His freedom has healed us and made us whole, we are testifying of the transfiguration of our own souls in Jesus!

2) What is the importance of the declaration by Father God, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” (verse 5)
The Father twice declared and affirmed Jesus’ identity. First, the declaration was very public at His baptism, and then, more intimately, in front of just 3 disciples. This declaration of Jesus as God the Son is crucial. The Father leaves no room for doubting who Jesus is and affirms He is more than a good man or great prophet; He ensures the disciples understand only Christ is the promised Messiah. This declaration provides each of us hope found only in Jesus. If Jesus wasn’t who He claimed, we would be left hopeless, for no “good man” could save us from the consequence (death and separation from God) we earn because of our sin. Jesus came, the Father confirmed His identity, and Christ fulfilled God’s promise to send One who was worthy and able to pay the price for our sins. The result of Jesus’ victory over death, our punishment for sin, provides us with unshakeable, eternal hope.

3) Why did Jesus instruct these three disciples to “not tell anyone about the vision”? (verse 9)
Peter, James, and John were privy to an incredible moment in Jesus’ life where they saw Jesus in His complete divinity before the resurrection. However, the world was not ready for this truth. They were instructed to keep the moment to themselves until after He resurrected. There are moments in our life where our experiences may need to be private for a time. It doesn’t remove the incredible work of God in us, but others may not be ready to hear it yet. However, there will come a time when we are called to testify of the greatness of our Savior and the work of our Lord, just as the disciples did. When that time comes, God uses our testimony for His glory. The Lord knows when the timing is perfect, just as He did when the three disciples were able to share the incredible story of the transfiguration. In the same way, His Spirit will prompt us to share our experiences with the divine, risen Savior; He will use our witness to glorify Himself and draw a lost world to Himself.

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Sketched IX Week One
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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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Sketched IX Day 3 A New Work

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 5:1-11
Matthew 17:1-13
Isaiah 42:1-4
Galatians 2:18-21

Sketched IX, Day 3

It’s been nearly a week since Jesus taught us in detail about the cost of following Him, but the words still roll in my head, keeping me awake at night and popping up unbidden as we move through crowds ministering to them.

“Take up your cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)

Death.
That’s all I can think about.

A cross signifies one thing, cruel death.
There is no way to escape torture when a cross is involved.
None.

Cross victims press against nail-pierced feet to slide their raw back upwards against shredded wood attempting to catch a breath as their wrists are nailed on either side, outstretched in agony. Eventually, exhaustion overtakes the condemned man and their futile exercise for oxygen is over, resulting in suffocation. It’s cruel, but it is the price to pay for those who dare break Roman law. I’ve seen it before, the crucifixion parade outside the city as thieves and murderers are led away for gruesome justice. It’s bloody and agonizing, the screams of men as naked flesh is grotesquely pierced, but it is effective in making its point: don’t run against Rome.

I shook my head again, attempting to clear the horrific scenes playing out in my mind. I just don’t understand! Why did Jesus tie these two ideas together, following Him and taking up a cross. It makes no sense! To follow, I must be alive. So, why must I also die? And not simply die, but die a cruel death.

Why does following Him cost so much?!

The turmoil inside me continues churning, never lessening, and I grab a fistful of olive branches in my frustration as I take one more step forward up the narrow, well-worn path on the side of Mount Tabor.

“Hey! Come on, Peter!” James’ indignant voice complains behind me as the olive branch swipes his face. “What’s wrong with you lately, man?”

I glance back, ruefully apologizing for the errant branch thrashing. Does James understand? I lift my eyes forward to catch John following closely to Jesus on the path ahead; the two are conversing, and then I hear John’s laughter ripple out. I grin in spite of my war inside, as John’s laughter invites everyone into its embrace. I can’t stop myself from wondering, does John understand? I furrow my brow and increase my pace, ignoring James’ question. Chest heaving and brow sweating, I catch up to John and Jesus at Tabor’s summit. A quip about my meaty muscles weighing me down compared to John’s lean, young frame is on my lips, but it dies instantly as I follow John’s aghast gaze.

Jesus! Jesus! He’s…

Suddenly, the brilliance of light envelopes everything in sight. The radiance is utterly beyond description as Jesus’ face shines like He swallowed the sun, His ordinary garments now aglow with uncanny light. James gasps and I follow his finger, seeing the unbelievable!

Moses and Elijah are here as well! I may not have everything figured out, but as Moses representing Law and Elijah representing Prophets stand here with Jesus, it’s all becoming clear! They are all the same! Law, Prophet, and Jesus!

Bursting with my revelation, I run unhindered towards the three men bathed in light. “Jesus! Jesus!” I shout. “Lord! It’s so good for us to be here! I’ve got it figured out! We will build three tents for you all and honor you all equally!” (Matthew 17:3-4, paraphrase)

Instantly, a thick, heavy cloud overshadows all of us, striking deep fear into our hearts. Moses and Elijah vanish. Terror-stricken, James, John, and myself are rendered immovable and speechless as a voice boomed, “This is my Son, the Chosen One, listen to Him.” (Luke 9:35)

Cowering and mute, the three of us fall face down in the heart-stopping glory of Yahweh’s voice. Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the cloud of glory vanished, replaced by natural Judean sunlight that makes me sweat again. Stuttering as I examine the common dirt clinging to Jesus’ feet and toenails before me, I realize I haven’t been breathing and gulp in air as Jesus reaches down to touch my shoulder. His voice, astounding in its common, ordinary sound, tenderly speaks, “Get up; don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 17:7)

With lightning-fast clarity, Jesus’ words prompt a memory of the very first time I followed Him. He had looked at me then too, my nets bursting with an enormous catch of fish flopping everywhere. Crowds had gathered and men were agape at the plunder I’d caught, but Jesus had His eyes fixed on mine, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people.” (Luke 5:10)
And so my following began.

Death.
Don’t be afraid.
Follow.

Though it would cost me everything, even my very life and all the pleasures and materials I had once loved, I was to crucify those daily, torturously even, and be left in the wake of the life of Yahweh so I could follow Him freely, without any hindrance.

He knew.
He knew of my internal battle, and He was making me new in the midst of it.
He was showing me Who He was, as God of all.

For Him, no, in Him, I will crucify my old self, and live to follow Him daily in the newness of abundant life. Jesus, the Great I Am, was worth it.
He is the Beloved Son, the Only One worthy of my life.

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

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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 IX Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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The GT Weekend! ~ Ready 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) Have you ever thought about what your struggles are meant to signify to you and those around you? If you had to guess, pick a few of your recent times of difficulty and think out loud as to what they might mean. On Monday, Rebekah challenged us through Scripture’s teaching that our trials are evidence of God’s coming judgement and coming glory. It certainly doesn’t seem likely when we think about this from our human perspective! If we slow down and surrender our struggles to the vantage point of the Almighty, and apply the truth of His Words, we can see the glimmers of coming Hope. We grieve and ache and weep because all is not well here in our world, but the Lord God designed us for perfect existence without pain. He is the Redeeming God who delights to make all things new and bring beauty from ashes. Do you believe this? Spend some time reading 2 Thessalonians this weekend, looking for how the first century believers were encouraged in their faith even in the midst of intense struggle. How can this encourage you?

2) It’s only 17 verses. I timed it and it takes about 55 seconds to read. Sisters, this is worth it! Go, right now, and read the 17 verses of truth-soaked-grace of 2 Thessalonians 2. What sticks out to you? Which parts sear your heart with urgency? Which words bring comfort or quicken your being with aching for hope to come? Where are you believing lies from the enemy of your soul? (verses 9-10) Who do you know who is trapped by the deception of the Lawless One whose desire is to keep all of us blinded to the coming glory and goodness of the Only True God? Sit with this question for a few minutes, close your eyes, and ask the Lord to show you those friends or family members who are trapped by lies that are keeping them from seeing truth. See those faces? Hear those names? Know their stories? Pray for these, Sister, pray for them!! Bring them to the Father, weep over them, beg for their eyes to be open and for them to hear and respond as the Spirit of the Living God calls out to awaken them from death to life. Is your name among those being deceived? Have you trusted Jesus to pay the blood-price earned by your sin and rebellion against Him? What’s holding you back? Are you ready to spend eternity with the God who loves you?!

3) Paul writes his letters to the churches in Thessalonica with fierce love and a passionate call to stand strong and live Ready “in the now” for the coming return of Christ. If you haven’t spent the very few minutes it takes to read his short letters, go read up! (1 and 2 Thessalonians) Now, he fervently concludes by reminding the church that God is indeed faithful, He IS coming back for His beloved people. We can be made Ready for all that is to come by deeply dwelling in His Word and leaning into His power, which He unleashes in us by the Holy Spirit to draw other people into relationship with Himself through us! Are you actively engaged with His power for this eternal kingdom purpose? Think about the common, everyday pieces of your day. The dish washing, the children watching, the friend-calling, and the meal making. Suppose it is in the mediocre and mundane that we are to glimpse to coming glory of the Father who is crafting an eternity with us that is beyond description? How might this reality shift the way you approach your everyday tasks? How can you begin changing your perspective to see the eternal in the ordinary this week?

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 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

Prayer Journal
Lord Jesus Christ, You are my solid Hope. You are present now in this moment, flooding every aspect of my life just as fully whether I am aware of You or not. Every trial is seen and known, and Your Hope shoots through every tear that falls and every ache of my human heart. Your strength is for my everyday moments. Jesus, I praise You for this tender grace. Lord Jesus, lift my eyes from mu busy lists, from the pain around me, from the brokenness, and remind me Your Hope is not only present, but is also coming. These struggles are momentary and fleeting, regardless of how permanent they feel. More so, this unshakeable Hope is solid, able to support the full weight of my ache to be whole and new. Oh Christ, may I make it my aim, with eyes transfixed on Your glorious coming Hope, to share this life and love with those around me. Strengthen me to lift my eyes off myself and use my circumstances to point to You, the One who makes me Ready now for all the indescribable richness to come! Come, Lord Jesus, come, and until you do, make me ready to tell everyone about You!

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Ready Day 15 The Lord Be With You All

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Thessalonians 3
Acts 17:1-15
Psalm 118

Ready, Day 15

It was a bright spring day, full of hope and promise as I sat under a spreading tree waiting for my new husband to finish class. We were both ridiculously young, but here we were, months into marriage, and nearly as many months into pregnancy.

I could barely contain my excitement as I gazed up at the swaying branches above me. For as long as I could remember, I wanted nothing more than to have my own little one to lavish with adoration. I looked forward to baking cookies together, tea parties, mud pies, and learning to pray. My dreams were vivid with brilliant details of the glory of motherhood.

Today, I pulled into a parking spot far enough away from others to eat my lunch and catch up on the un-ending demands of email while also placating the constant stream of requests from my crew of seven kids. Somewhere between a bite of chicken, planning a connection coffee with a new friend, and replying to a child about their soccer cleats (again), I caught a glimpse of something green swaying above my mini-van’s convertible top wannabe.

Budding branches gently dancing in the spring air.

Instantly, my mind flew to that now long-ago day underneath another giant, sprawling tree promising so much hope, and my breath caught in my throat. I forgot about the soccer cleats and the latte meetup; I could only see the face of my firstborn as she would soon grace the stage of her high school graduation. Much too quickly, my baby would fly more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) away to university studies.

Had I done enough?
What lessons could I still teach her?
What about the lost time?
How could I possibly make these last short months count?

Thankfully, we love and serve a God who delights in small things, using even the seemingly insignificant for the widest ripples of eternal effect.

Three weeks.

That’s all Paul had in the middle of a city ripe with unrest whose citizens were determined to run him, and any other followers of Jesus, out of town or into their grave.

Though their time was short, Paul, Silas, and Timothy did exactly what God had called them to do, preach Christ. They came into Thessalonica and taught from the Scriptures for three weeks. (Acts 17:2) The opposition was intense, and they were met with violence (Acts 17:5-6), but God did not waste their investment or their obedience. The Spirit stirred Gentile hearts to be convicted of sin, repent, and turn to Jesus for salvation and renewed lives.

“… you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

Their message, and their obedience, was never about them, nor did it hinge on them.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy knew that whatever happened in Thessalonica, whether they stayed for 3 weeks or 30, the lasting work could only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit.

Through the faithfulness of these three Christ-followers, God established new church plants in Thessalonica that flourished despite life-and-death persecution. Their new faith “rang out,” spreading quickly to neighboring cities. (1 Thessalonians 1:8) Set against the backdrop of fellow citizens who would stop at nothing to extinguish their lives, Paul urged the Thessalonian believers to resist the temptation to believe that what they did for Christ didn’t matter. He firmly reminded them God’s mission isn’t about self-acceleration in society, but about pleasing God alone. (1 Thessalonians 2:4-5)

Sharing the gospel and living it out in everyday life was the Lord’s work, for His glory, and it simply wasn’t about their possessions, their physical safety, or their cultural clout.

“…when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

The trio of preachers could teach the gospel with confidence because they were convinced this was only about Christ. If Christ would transform, it would be through His Spirit’s work in human hearts, not human work in human hearts, which is why Paul concluded his fervent letter to this precious church with unshakeable confidence.

“…the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
 We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.”
(2 Thessalonians 3:3-5)

Bound up on all sides with Christ, Paul leaves them with the one thing that was assuredly promised and altogether incorruptible, the presence of Christ. The Lord Himself would gird them up, encourage them for the days ahead, and teach them to be continually ready for His return.

“May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.
The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

My time with my Baby Girl is limited, but peace unfurls around the edges of my heart. I don’t need to panic over all the things I should have done, or all the things I should still “squeeze in” to teach her. She needs one thing, Christ.

Like the Thessalonians whose confident faith colored everything they did, and like Paul, who rested securely in the truth that his work hung on Christ alone, I can keep holding out Jesus to my daughter, to the rest of my kids, and even the lady I’m meeting for coffee.

One thing is needed.
Christ.
May the Lord be with you all.


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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!

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Ready Day 12 Unlikely Abundance: 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 Unlikely Abundance!

The Questions

1) According to this passage, what should our attitude be during suffering?

 

2) What gifts does suffering bring?

 

3) What does it truly mean to have biblical hope?

Romans 5:2-5

We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Original Intent

1) According to this passage, what should our attitude be during suffering?

Shockingly, believers in Jesus are encouraged to rejoice during suffering. In Romans 5:2-5 Paul declares two unshakeable things in which we can continually rejoice. The first is the hope of the glory of God. (verse 2) The second is our suffering. (verse 3) When Paul writes about rejoicing, he uses the Greek word, kauchaomai, which means to “elevate” or “boast”. We are literally boasting, or bragging, that God will be “shown off” through our suffering. That His glory will be revealed is the first aspect of our rejoicing. Then we “rejoice” or, “elevate” our mindset by putting our hope beyond the sufferings themselves and onto Hope in the person of Jesus Christ. This is not to say, however, we rejoice in the actual suffering. For example, a woman diagnosed with cancer doesn’t rejoice that she has a disease. Her rejoicing, or the shifting of her perspective to orient to a biblical viewpoint, would reflect viewing her cancer as the means by which God will be glorified and she will build endurance. In turn, this endurance will be used by God to develop her character, which will strengthen her confident expectation of the goodness to come both in her present reality and in eternity with Jesus. We rejoice that our suffering will show off God’s goodness, and we rejoice, or look beyond our suffering, to know the purposes it will achieve as God works through every detail.

 

2) What gifts does suffering bring?

Paul lays out three specific gifts in Romans 5:2-5 regarding suffering. The first is endurance, which is the ability to withstand, persevere, and “hang in” when things are hard. This unique blessing is received as we walk through suffering. We don’t gain endurance when life is easy and comfortable. Only suffering redeemed by a loving God can deliver the gift of endurance. The second gift of suffering is character. This may be an even greater gift than endurance because the person I become is one who is more like Jesus, and more like the person He created me to be before I was marred by sin. Through hardship, God not only redeems our suffering through endurance, He reveals who we were designed to be in Him. Suffering is the refining fire that burns off the un-useful and sin-wrecked harmful habits in me so our character becomes more Christlike. Thirdly, we receive the blessing of hope, which is a gift like no other. Like a crowning jewel, God uses suffering to produce His unshakeable hope within us. Hope that will not disappoint because it isn’t placed on an event or a set of circumstances, but on the unchanging person of God Himself. As we surrender our suffering to Jesus, He is faithful to redeem our brokenness, reveal our true identity, and then crown us with “real life” through incorruptible hope.

 

3) What does it truly mean to have biblical hope?

The original Greek word Paul used here that is translated “hope” in English means “confident assurance”. These days, if we use the term hope, we are often implying we “wish” for something we aren’t at all certain we will obtain. This definition doesn’t help us at all when we consider biblical hope! Paul’s Greek word, “ἐλπίς”, isn’t pie-in-the sky wishful thinking like, “I hope I get to go to Europe someday,” or, “I hope I win the giveaway I entered.” Hope, from a biblical perspective, is absolutely certain. When people in Jesus’ time spoke of hope, they meant something you could count on and build upon without doubt. Suffering gives us the capacity to hope deeply. As we suffer, enduring through trial, our character matures, and we develop the kind of trust in God that is absolutely certain of His love and our future with Him. If we choose to walk through the storms of life with Jesus, we come out personally knowing His goodness more fully than we did before we ever encountered difficulty. This is a work only God can accomplish even in the most difficult of sufferings! The blessings He provides through suffering are gifts we could never gain any other way. 

Everyday Application

1) According to this passage, what should our attitude be during suffering?
Our rejoicing attitude reflects a perspective shift in our minds. (Romans 12:2) In Colossians 3:1-4, God tells us to lift our eyes above the things of this world because our “real life” is hidden with Christ Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul reminds us our trials are “light and momentary”. They don’t feel light and momentary, so how can he say this? Paul suffered more than most. He had physical ailments, imprisonment, threats of death, beatings, shipwreck, opposition, rejection, betrayal, and more. Like Paul, we can say our troubles are light and momentary when we gain an eternal perspective. What if I choose to look at each situation with a magnifying glass, bent down near to the problems? In that stance, I only see the difficulty and pain I am experiencing. In contrast, when I take an eternal perspective, it’s like I toss aside the magnifying glass and stand up so my problem is seen in the context of a much bigger picture. Even though I don’t rejoice in having the problems I face and the pain they cause, I can see the purpose they are being used for in my life and rejoice in that. In a similar way, I don’t rejoice when my personal trainer tells me to do ten more repetitions of a difficult exercise while my whole body screams out during that exertion. But I do rejoice in the fruit of that suffering and can look past the pain to see the reason I’m enduring. I know the more I exercise, the stronger I will be and the more fit to live the life I desire. Suffering is like exercise that pains us, but in the long run, makes us stronger and more prepared to enjoy the rich presence of God in heaven.

2) What gifts does suffering bring?
The famous author and student of Scripture, C. S. Lewis, said, “We want not so much a Father but a grandfather in heaven, a God who said of anything we happened to like doing, ‘What does it matter so long as they are contented?” And yet, (according to C. S. Lewis again) we have a God who does not, “love us because we are good, but a God who will make us good because He loves us.” The way He often makes us good, re-shaping us into His image, is through what we consider suffering. As a constantly good and gracious Father God, He allows hardship and suffering to come into our lives and then uses it for His divinely good purposes, “producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) In a fallen world where selfishness and sin abound, both around us and in us, suffering is an inevitable byproduct. However, we can be confident our good God uses that suffering, and the endurance He builds in us, to bring about the growth needed to make us more like Himself. Amazingly, here in the heartache of suffering that is surrendered to Jesus, we become free people, alive with radical love which He has lavished upon us. (1 John 3:1-3)

3) What does it truly mean to have biblical hope?
As Christians, we always have hope amidst our suffering because we know our suffering will absolutely lead to fruit within our character. Not because we are amazing at self-perseverance, but because our good God is powerful enough to build our endurance in us, even in the midst of suffering. We know our sufferings are light and momentary when we hold them up to the measuring stick of eternity; this perspective is the gift of faith. When we have biblical hope, we are putting our trust in God, knowing for certain He is with us through even the darkest valley. He will not leave us nor forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6) He will use each and every drop of what we endure to bless us and to show Himself off. As we think on these things, lifting our eyes above the things of the world and placing them where our real life is hidden with Jesus, we gain a broader perspective which helps us remain patiently still while we allow suffering to have its way with us. God is always at work during trials. Remembering this gives us the greatest hope of all.

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

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 Ready 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.

Ready Day 11 Unlikely Abundance

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Thessalonians 1:3-8
James 1:2-4
Romans 5:1-5
1 Peter 4:12-19

Ready, Day 11

Never one to shy away from an uncomfortable topic, Paul begins his second letter to the Thessalonians by writing about the persecutions and tribulations we will endure in this life. His choice is not terribly shocking; in fact, trials and tribulations are common topics throughout the New Testament. As we’ve seen in Read His Words Before Ours, believers are repeatedly instructed to delight in these hardships, for they produce godliness in us and are a part of our sanctification process.

What is a bit shocking, perhaps, are Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 1 regarding these sufferings. He asserts our hardships are “clear evidence of God’s righteous judgement that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you are also suffering.” (verse 5)

Did you catch that? Our trials, tribulations, persecutions, and sufferings in this life are direct evidence of the righteous judgment of God.
They are evidence He is considering us worthy of the kingdom of God!
That’s a big deal!

Similarly, in 1 Peter 4:13, Peter urges,
“Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, that you may also rejoice with great joy when His glory is revealed.”

Amazingly, there is a direct connection between the suffering we experience in this world and the abundant level of glory and rejoicing we will experience in the next.

Recently, I wrote a social media post reflecting this idea of life’s hardship leading to a deeper walk with Christ, and how this serves as a precursor to our coming glory.

The concept of the hardships in this life leading to a deepening of our walk with the Lord and serving as a precursor to coming glory inspired a post I recently wrote on social media.

“We have to stop being so myopic and quit looking just at the US. We need to zoom out and look at the world as a whole, both now and down through history.

When we do that, what we see is that the church has repeatedly been strengthened in the hard times. In fact, the church has always proven to be stronger, more faithful, and more able to lean on Christ when times are hard and persecution is rampant than when everything is easy, earthly freedom abounds, and we all become complacent.

It’s not that I’m over here begging God for hardship so that the church would wake up and stand firm and learn what it means to be strong in the faith. But, as I’ve said before, God is always on the move, not the least of which being in those times when the church is persecuted or facing hardship.

While we don’t yearn for hardship and freedom infringement, we can be a little excited about seeing God strengthen, build, and grow His church in amazing ways – and prove Himself the faithful sustainer of that church!- if the church does begin to lose some of its freedoms.

So, brothers and sisters in Christ, please do not lose heart!
Please do not fret or wring your hands or get worried and worked up.

No. Rely on your faith.
Live it out.
Test it.
Prove that it can withstand hardship. And excitedly watch God work!”

We will undoubtedly face hardships in this life. They are promised to us.
Yet, those hardships are never an indictment against God, grounds for disproving the Bible, or trials that render God weak or useless.

Far from it, friends!

While we don’t yearn for hardships, trials, and sufferings, we are able to rejoice when they come because we know they will produce abundant fruit in our lives,
both now and in eternity.

No pain we suffer in this life is purposeless. Rather, it serves a great purpose and provides us with an opportunity to watch Romans 8:28 come true right in front of our eyes.

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God,
who are called according to His purpose.”

Take heart, my friends! The sufferings of this present life are leading to an abundance of glory unlike anything we can presently imagine.

Hold on. Hold fast. Look up. And keep the faith!

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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!

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Here’s a link to all past studies in Ready!

Nations Day 9 Religious Or 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 Religious Or Relationship!

The Questions

1) How does salt connect with disciples? (verse 13)

2) What connection do disciples have with light? (verse 14)

3) How are we like a city on a hill? (verses 14-16)

Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Original Intent

1) How does salt connect with disciples? (verse 13)
Salt. The shaker on our table is what we bring to mind, but in Jesus’ day, salt was a valuable commodity. It was sometimes even used to pay one’s salary. Jesus called the disciples salt because they were as important to the Gospel as salt was to the society. Have you ever eaten a French fry without salt? Just a little salt makes a world of difference! Consider the impact the disciples made on the world once they were anointed with God’s power through His Holy Spirit. Just twelve men initiated world-wide change as a result of God’s power! (Acts 2) As powerful as salt is, it can lose its savor if it is mixed with other additives. RealSalt.com says salt will never go bad, but common table salt has agents added which degrade over time causing the salt to lose its savor. Society in Jesus’ day and and now, is mixed with many sinful impurities. If Christ-followers were not careful, their lives would be overrun with the effects of sinful choices. This leads to a need for preservation! In ancient times, salt was added to prevent food from spoiling. When the disciples began spreading the Gospel, they were keeping the world from decaying without the Hope offered through Jesus’ offer of forgiveness. Salt can go both ways. If we allow society to rub off on us, we will lose our savor; but if we rub off on society, we hold out the life-giving freedom of Christ!

2) What connection do disciples have with light? (verse 14)
In Jesus’ day, the title, “Light of the World” had been given to certain rabbis and were referenced as lamps of the universe (Enduring Word). It must have sounded odd to hear Jesus say all of His disciples were the Light of the World, a title normally reserved for prestigious teachers. Charles Spurgeon says, the world “is dark, and gropes in midnight, and it cannot get light except it receives it through us.” Being God’s light to the world gives guidance. Isaiah spoke of it (Isaiah 9:2) and the apostle John also said, ‘The light shines in the darkness…” Light shows the way to God, the only way to God. The ancient world was no better than ours. Recall the culture in Ephesus where they served many gods and built temples to them. They “worshipped” these gods with sexual acts. Theirs was also a society of wealth and people aspiring to gain riches. Also, who could forget our history lessons about Nero and other ruthless leaders with their orgies, torture, and worse. The ancient world desperately needed a light to find their way to the One True God. Jesus was that light. And when He left earth, He told us to be His light, carrying it into the dark world.

3) How are we like a city on a hill? (verses 14-16)
A city on a hill is prominent and seen from a long distance. Jesus may have been using a nearby city of Safed as an analogy. It stands on a very eminent and conspicuous mountain and is seen far and near. Possibly, Jesus alluded to this city as an example of how it was not hidden but seen by all. Likewise, Jesus wanted people of His Kingdom to live visible lives that attracted attention, so their good works would bring praise to God. (Enduring Word)
Jesus spoke these words about salt and light following His teaching on the Beatitudes, which focused on showing us how to live Kingdom lives. It is not in doing good works that we are saved, but our good works come from God’s work through His Spirit in us. (Ephesians 2:8-10) When the Holy Spirit is guiding our lives, it is like a hand in a glove. We are the glove and “we live and move” by the direction of the Holy Spirit. Our actions are not so people will see us but rather that they will see the Light of Jesus and give glory to God. (Acts 17:27-28, John 3:21)

Everyday Application

1) How does salt connect with disciples? (verse 13)
How can you and I effectively season the world? By choosing to engage those around us with the hope of Christ! If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and allowed the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our lives, we HAVE Christ’s power in us to be salt to the world and we will WANT to season the world. If you don’t have the deep desire to be salt to the world, it would be wise to follow the apostle Paul’s teaching and examine your hearts “to see whether we are in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6) Have you ever known a person who rubbed you the wrong way? Comparatively, have you known someone who always blesses a room when they enter? This is how we season the world. A preacher once asked, “If you record yourself, what would you see/hear?” This challenged me, and still does, to take special care in what I do and I say, making sure I’m surrendering myself to the Spirit’s power alive in me. (Ephesians 4:29-32) Showing love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness is how believers share their Salt with the Earth. Let’s begin our days with King David’s prayer, ”Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, oh Lord. My Rock and my Redeemer.”

2) What connection do disciples have with light? (verse 14)
We are a “peculiar people”. (1 Peter:2-9, KJV) When others see a true Christian, they will notice something is different because we are marked by the light and love of God’s Spirit within us. (John 13:35) They will curiously want to know what makes us peculiar. Hopefully, they will want some of the joy we have because of Jesus. Peter wrote that being peculiar “calls us out of darkness into God’s Marvelous Light.” The Holy Spirit living in us is the Light who call others out of the pervading darkness. The apostle Paul said to “live by the Spirit…keep(ing) in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25); the result is beautiful fruit in our lives! Paul also commands, “above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14) The Spirit’s fruit in our lives is what makes us peculiar to others. (Philippians 2:12-14) We may not really want to be peculiar because our light brings conviction of sin and people may react adversely. Thus, we may be tempted to hide the Light of Christ within us. But our world is still in darkness, desperately in need of light. Jesus came as that Light. He instructed the disciples to shine His light, and now, we must continue shining this light to the world. Do not hide your light but, as the Sunday School song goes, “let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!”

3) How are we like a city on a hill? (verses 14-16)
Our assignment is to be Light in this dark and broken world; opening ourselves up to allow our light from God shine through. I love the idea Christine shared in her Journey Study yesterday. She found places in the dark where she can be salt and light; book clubs, fitness groups, and places that aren’t necessarily Christian. This is how we truly can be a light on a hill. Think of your own culture, village, or city, where can you go to shine? Clarence L Haynes states at Crosswalk, “…the value of salt is not when it is in the shaker. Salt cannot season, preserve, disinfect… until it comes out of the shaker.” The famous pastor, Charles Spurgeon, quoted the venerable Bede in saying, “Christ Jesus brought the light of Deity into the poor lantern of our humanity, and then set it upon the candlestick of His church that the whole house of the world might be lit up.” I pray your local church is finding ways to be a light on a lampstand. If not, maybe it’s time for you and me to be the ones to start something. I believe others will follow, they just need someone to lead the way in living lives that shine with brilliance!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Religious Or 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 Nations Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Worship VIII Day 12 Authentic Worship: 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 Authentic Worship!

The Questions

1) What does it mean to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” and how is this done? (verse 1)

2) Why should we “not be conformed to this age”? (verse 2)

3) What does transformation look like? (verse 2)

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Original Intent

1) What does it mean to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” and how is this done? (verse 1)
The practice of sacrificing an innocent animal was common practice for Paul’s audience. When he said “sacrifice”, they had immediate, visual context for his meaning. However, a sacrifice was typically not left alive. Israelites presented their offering for the priest to sacrifice on the altar after it had been slaughtered, for “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) Sacrifice was vital to the everyday living out of the Israelites’ faith. Yet Paul refers here to a different type of sacrifice, a living one. Christ had already come and sacrificed Himself for all of mankind, spanning the impassable gap between us and God created because of our sinfulness. Paul is calling his audience to willingly sacrifice, or turn over, their entire lives to God and His will. He is reminding his readers their lives are not their own, rather they belong to the God who gave His Son to redeem them.

2) Why should we “not be conformed to this age”? (verse 2)
Paul instructs his audience to “not be conformed to this age”, or in some translations, “to the world”. According to Webster’s Dictionary, conformed literally means to make similar in form, nature, or character. The Greek word for conform, “συσχηματίζω”, takes the definition farther in meaning, “to fashion one’s self according to the pattern or mold of another.” Paul is urging his readers to not look like the world in which they live. He strongly reminds them they are now free from the pattern of the world and no longer need to fit themselves into its mold. Christ has done a good work in them and they now carry a different identity than the world in which they reside. They have been reborn to live free and renewed!

3) What does transformation look like? (verse 2)
Transformation is a process that completely changes an object into something new. Paul is telling his audience their full surrender allows the God of the Universe to transform them to be like Him. Paul isn’t talking about simply a physical transformation, but instead a transformation of their whole being. This is radical! Paul is calling believers to allow God to change the way they behave, think, react, and so much more as He puts His Spirit to live within them, making them new as they give over control. This process begins with renewing their mind. As God transforms their minds, the changes flesh out in their behaviors and everyday life. Matthew Henry calls it, “a change not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul”. He goes on to say it occurs in a way “that the man is not what he was, old things are passed away, all things are become new; he acts from new principles, by new rules, with new designs”. This is transformation by the Spirit’s power!

Everyday Application

1) What does it mean to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” and how is this done? (verse 1)
When we become believers in Jesus, trusting Him to cover the payment for our sins against God, our lives are no longer our own. We freely accept what Jesus did on the cross for us and in return we offer our bodies, the whole of our lives back to Him out of love, knowing we could never repay Him for His sacrifice. In doing this, we choose to allow God to work in and through us how He sees fit; we turn our will over to Him. This surrender is not a one-time occurrence, instead this sacrifice is a moment by moment decision we make as believers to surrender ourselves to the Lord. There are times where my life does not look like a sacrifice, when I am operating in my will instead of God’s, and He lovingly calls me back to Himself in full surrender. We are constantly called to choose to live as a sacrifice presenting ourselves to be used for the glory of God and not our own ways.

2) Why should we “not be conformed to this age”? (verse 2)
Perhaps you’ve heard the popular Christian saying, “be in the world but not of it”. In essence, this is exactly what Paul is calling believers to in this verse. Jesus Himself prays for believers in John 17 and we are reminded several times in His prayer that believers are not of the world. This is not our home because we have now been born of the Spirit of God. (John 3:5-6) Our real home awaits us in the presence of our Heavenly Father when we leave this world and enter eternity. Just as Paul did not want his audience to look like the world, neither are we to fit its mold either. We are called to look and behave differently than those with no hope. We are called to live a life that resembles Jesus, a life lived out of the overflow of our relationship with Him rather than an attempt to fashion ourselves after the world’s pattern. When our everyday lives are an overflow of our close walk with Jesus, He naturally shapes us to not look like this world even though we currently reside in it. He crafts us to be like Jesus Himself! (Romans 8:29)

3) What does transformation look like? (verse 2)
A caterpillar transforms into a butterfly and no longer looks as it once did. An example like this is what many of us immediately consider when we hear the word “transformation”. We think of something that endured a change so great it no longer resembles its old self. Transformation is not something that occurs overnight, and the same is true of the transformation Paul references in these verses. We become believers the day we accept the free gift of salvation Jesus offers through His death on the cross. However, we are not complete at that moment. Instead, God continuously transforms us to look less like our old selves and more like Jesus as we grow in relationship with Him. This transformation is not first one seen on the outside, but as God changes our mind and our thoughts, what pours out of our lives begins to look different. We slowly transform into a new person, one who more and more resembles Jesus and less and less resembles sin and the broken pattern this world represents. However, Sisters, do not lose hope when you fail to live up to the transformation taking place in you, for it will not be complete until we enter eternity and the temptation to follow the pattern of sin is forever banished. Instead, acknowledge when you look more like the world and less like Jesus, turn again in surrender and allow God to do what only He can, forgive you and continue making you like Him.

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

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 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.

The GT Weekend! ~ Worship VIII Week 1

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) On Monday, Marietta transparently shared of an idol taking up time, focus, and adoration in her life. Her willingness to be so honest gives me the courage to stop shying away from addressing “idol worship” lurking in the corners of my own heart. I want to say Jesus is my first and only love, and that every other love flows from my rich and intimate relationship with Him, but if I discount my love of self, I’ve already deceived myself. Whether it’s the desire to “control”, the urge to “fix”, or my “bad habit” (ie: sin!) of jumping to conclusions about others before hearing the whole story, I know the list of idols vying for my attention is long. If I’m not actively praying for the Lord to remove temptation from me, I will easily fall into the idolatry habit of setting up Jesus as just “one of” my many idols instead of worshipping Him as the only One deserving of my whole life. If you sat for just 60 seconds, what idols would you identify from your life? Ask the Lord for courage to look them in the face. Ask Him to give you a heart that is repulsed by idol worship. Choose one idol you feel the Lord leading you to tear down, and text a friend, asking her to hold you accountable to flee the temptation of idol worship.

2) Paul sings of the riches of God, of His vast knowledge, and depths of wisdom that are impossible to plumb in his magnificent hymn of praise. (Romans 11:33-36) The way Paul sings about these gives me the idea he would gladly sit and consider them and gaze on them for eternity without boredom. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time on many pursuits. Some worthy, and some utterly ridiculous. I can remember a season where I put countless hours into a game on my phone. How many hours have I spent belittling myself or others? Too many. The amount of time I’ve spent picking up toys after small children is quite high as well. When I consider the amount of time I’ve sat in worship, awestruck at the glories of the God I serve, I admit it doesn’t even come close to comparing. While I can easily justify my time by insisting that toys don’t pick up themselves, I forget that true worship isn’t limited to instances when I can physically sit still, open my Bible, and journal my praise. Opportunities for fully attentive heart worship are as plentiful as the seconds in my day and yours. Begin your journey into deeper worship right now by asking the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, to remind you to offer up praise in the everyday moments instead of just the ones you deem as “holy”. Start a dialogue with the Lord and practice continuing it throughout the day and watch your relationship with God deepen as worship colors everything!

3) Yesterday, Carol pointed us toward the constantly astounding beauty of creation helping us attentively take in the glory of the Lord and respond with worship. We interact with the earth and its beauties every day in various forms, yet it takes intentional practice to move beyond interaction to worshipping the Creator. Set aside time this weekend to explore what it would look like in your relationship with God to spout off praise as you take in the intricate details of creation around you. Did you breathe deeply? Thank Him for perfectly balanced molecules of hydrogen and oxygen. Did you remind your heart to beat? Thank Him for designing your body with such stunning handiwork, wisdom, and creativity. Did your ear catch the sound waves of your friend’s voice? Praise Him for the atmosphere we live in. Maybe you caught a glimpse of the sun, a passing cloud, a masterfully painted sunset, or even the hard-packed ground in winter, these are invitations to know the Creator better and turn your heart to praise Him for His grace, beauty, love, and care!

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 Romans 11:33-36 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

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.

Prayer Journal
Lord Jesus, how deeply I need Your truth to radically shake up my perspective and shape the way I worship You. You are good. Your love endures forever. Your faithfulness stretches to the sky. Lord God, my view of You is still too small; show me who You are. Show me Your glory. Let me glimpse Your face, so I might know You, love You, and worship You in spirit and in truth. Help my hands to slow, my mind to submit to Your renewal, and my eyes to look with fresh understanding at Your creation. Show me Yourself, Lord Jesus. In the process, expose my ugly idol worship, give me eyes to abhor it, then give me strength to tear these idols down so I can love You alone. One moment at a time, one breath of surrender after another, teach me to open my hands, lift my eyes, and offer You my whole heart, Jesus!

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

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