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God Alone

Sketched VIII Day 9 Naaman: Digging Deeper

September 3, 2020 by Lori Meeks Leave a Comment

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 Naaman!

The Questions

1) Why was Naaman so angry when Elisha sent a messenger telling him to wash himself in the Jordan River? (verse 11)

2) Was Elisha afraid to see or touch Naaman before he was cured? If not, why did he send a messenger instead of going himself? (verse 10)

3) Was Naaman surprised that washing in the Jordan River actually worked?

4) In verse 18 it appears Naaman is asking for forgiveness in advance to the sin of bowing to another god. What does Elisha’s response “go in peace” mean?

2 Kings 5:1-27

Naaman, commander of the army for the king of Aram, was a man important to his master and highly regarded because through him, the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man was a valiant warrior, but he had a skin disease. 2 Aram had gone on raids and brought back from the land of Israel a young girl who served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his skin disease.” 4 So Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said. 5 Therefore, the king of Aram said, “Go, and I will send a letter with you to the king of Israel.” So he went and took with him 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 6 He brought the letter to the king of Israel, and it read:

When this letter comes to you, note that I have sent you my servant Naaman for you to cure him of his skin disease.

7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life that this man expects me to cure a man of his skin disease? Recognize that he is only picking a fight with me.” 8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Have him come to me, and he will know there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go wash seven times in the Jordan and your skin will be restored and you will be clean.” 11 But Naaman got angry and left, saying, “I was telling myself: He will surely come out, stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the skin disease. 12 Aren’t Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and left in a rage. 13 But his servants approached and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more should you do it when he only tells you, ‘Wash and be clean’?” 14 So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the command of the man of God. Then his skin was restored and became like the skin of a small boy, and he was clean. 15 Then Naaman and his whole company went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “I know there’s no God in the whole world except in Israel. Therefore, please accept a gift from your servant.” 16 But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, in whose presence I stand, I will not accept it.” Naaman urged him to accept it, but he refused. 17 Naaman responded, “If not, please let your servant be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will no longer offer a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the Lord. 18 However, in a particular matter may the Lord pardon your servant: When my master, the king of Aram, goes into the temple of Rimmon to bow in worship while he is leaning on my arm, and I have to bow in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.” 19 So he said to him, “Go in peace.” After Naaman had traveled a short distance from Elisha, 20 Gehazi, the attendant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “My master has let this Aramean Naaman off lightly by not accepting from him what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?” 22 Gehazi said, “It’s all right. My master has sent me to say, ‘I have just now discovered that two young men from the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them seventy-five pounds of silver and two sets of clothing.’ ” 23 But Naaman insisted, “Please, accept one hundred fifty pounds.” He urged Gehazi and then packed one hundred fifty pounds of silver in two bags with two sets of clothing. Naaman gave them to two of his attendants who carried them ahead of Gehazi. 24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the gifts from them and deposited them in the house. Then he dismissed the men, and they left. 25 Gehazi came and stood by his master. “Where did you go, Gehazi?” Elisha asked him. He replied, “Your servant didn’t go anywhere.” 26 “And my heart didn’t go when the man got down from his chariot to meet you,” Elisha said. “Is this a time to accept silver and clothing, olive orchards and vineyards, flocks and herds, and male and female slaves? 27 Therefore, Naaman’s skin disease will cling to you and your descendants forever.” So Gehazi went out from his presence diseased, resembling snow.

Original Intent

1) Why was Naaman so angry when Elisha sent a messenger telling him to wash himself in the Jordan River? (verse 11)
Naaman’s anger is fueled by his pride. He expected, and wanted, more than to be told to go and wash himself in the Jordan River. The fact that Elisha wasn’t even the one delivering the message made the insult to his price much worse. Naaman was humiliated not only because he needed to ask for help, but also because he had traveled quite a distance and brought many expensive gifts as payment. Naaman was a great man in his country. Verse 1 notes how he was the commander of the Arminian army and was “highly regarded” by the King of Aram. Quite frankly, he was familiar with receiving the best and, therefore, expected to be treated in a similar fashion by everyone he met. Naaman was looking for a great story to tell upon his return to Aram, not simply that he bathed himself in the filthy Jordan River. He felt foolish, mocked, and demeaned by the order to wash in the river. He was a great man, after all. Surely, if it were that simple to be cured of this disease, he could have washed in one of his country’s rivers, which clearly were superior to the Jordan, which was known for being dirty.

2) Was Elisha afraid to see or touch Naaman before he was cured? If not, why did he send a messenger instead of going himself? (verse 10)
No. It’s a simple answer, but it is the truth. Elisha knew it was not him providing this cure, but God. The cure was God’s and the means by which God chose to heal was His alone. By choosing to send a messenger, there would be no mistake the healing was in fact God and not a man who had cured Naaman.

3) Was Naaman surprised that washing in the Jordan River actually worked?
We know from Scripture it was Naaman’s servants who confronted him about not even attempting to wash in the Jordan, and we already know he was expecting better treatment. I would even venture to guess he went back to the Jordan begrudgingly, expecting nothing.  So, yes he was undoubtedly surprised when he came up clean and healed. This is where we can see Naaman’s eyes truly being opened; his heart is humbled before the all-powerful God as his skin was made whole. Naaman was not only cured from leprosy, but also from his pride, which is worse by far.

4) In verse 18 it appears Naaman is asking for forgiveness in advance to the sin of bowing to another god. What does Elisha’s response “go in peace” mean?
This is a tough question to answer. Honestly, I almost changed the question because I’m not at all sure I can accurately and fairly answer. But that would have been taking the easy way out. If we want to really learn, sometimes we have to dig deep and try hard. So, I will share what I learned from my research and you can draw your own conclusions. It appears that Naaman is convicted in his own heart and mind that it would be wrong to bow to Rimmon now, something he knows he will be asked to do in his occupation with his king. The Pulpit Commentary says it best, “Naaman knows refusing to bow may cost him his life; it will certainly cost him his court favor. For such a sacrifice he is not prepared. Yet his conscience tells him that he will be acting wrongly. He therefore expresses a hope, or a prayer, that his fault, for a fault he feels that it will be, may be forgiven him.” It is safe to say God is the One doing that convicting in Naaman! Secondly, Elisha doesn’t really answer the question, instead he simply says by God’s Spirit, “go in peace”. Elisha is a prophet, he knows and understands how God works, and is trusting Him to continue the work he has started in Naaman. We don’t know from this specific Scripture what becomes of Naaman when he returns to Aram. We, like Elisha, have only to trust that God did the work He began.

Everyday Application

1) Why was Naaman so angry when Elisha sent a messenger telling him to wash himself in the Jordan River? (verse 11)
So many people avoid reading and studying the Old Testament because it can be difficult to understand at times. While that is true, it is also rich and full in lessons and modern day applications. In this case, it all comes down to pride. We, much like our friend Naaman, often expect God, and others, to do certain things for us simply because of who we are, the position we hold, or the things we have done. It is so easy for us to become angry when things don’t go exactly as we expect. Five years ago, my husband was laid off from his employer of 28 years. This was a devastating blow that drastically changed our lives, much like the disease of leprosy had affected Naaman. We prayed and assumed God would provide another job quickly and easily. A job much like the one he had, comfortable pay, good benefits, etc.. Boy howdy were we wrong! What happened instead? Little by little, God broke down, and destroyed, our pride. He showed us time after time that we were to depend on Him and Him alone. While we continue to pray and wait for restoration, God continues to show us He is working, and He is always faithful. God has not, nor will He ever, work in the way we expect. He is God and we are not. We deserve nothing, yet He has given us everything! Like Naaman, there will be times when life deals us a devastating blow and we will be faced with a choice. Do we lay down our pride and ask for help, taking a risk to follow God’s instructions, which may seem foolish? Or, do we remain stuck in our pride, acting as our own god?

2) Was Elisha afraid to see or touch Naaman before he was cured? If not, why did he send a messenger instead of going himself? (verse 10)
The everyday application answer to this question depends on which person you identify with most in this story. Are you “Naaman”, in need of help and healing or “Elisha”, a man or woman of God, trying their best to live a life for God, or are you simply the “messenger” tasked with delivering instruction. I want to start with those of us who might identify most with Elisha. We are women trying our best to follow God and live our lives in a way that points to Him. We must not be afraid to help those who come to us for help. While we may not fear physically touching another person, we may fear getting involved, or not having the right answers, or not being smart enough, strong enough, whatever enough. We cannot let fear stop us from doing what God directs! The reality is, our world and community are full of “Naamans” trying to get up enough courage to ask for help. We must be ready when they come. To my “Naaman” friends, please come and ask an “Elisha” for help. Believers are ready and willing to take you to our Savior who is more than enough for whatever you bring. Lastly, to those of us who may feel like we are simply “messengers” in a story, don’t undersell your worth or your role. Just like the story in 2 Kings, there would be no healing without the message of instruction being delivered. So, go ahead and deliver the message, follow the Lord’s leading through His Spirit, trust your relationship with Him, and point the way to someone who can help. Who knows, it might be as simple as introducing someone new to this website or inviting them to church. You may very well be the messenger who brings someone to the feet of Jesus!

3) Was Naaman surprised that washing in the Jordan River actually worked?
Sometimes we ignore or rush past simple solutions because, like Naaman, we are looking for the “great God story” to share with our friends and family. What we truly need is to have the childlike faith Jesus speaks of in Matthew 18:3. ““Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.””
We need to look past what we want or expect, and simply do what God is asking. Let me take you back to the story I shared about my husband’s job. Five year later, we are still surviving on less income than we ever thought imaginable. God continues to provide for every single one of our needs and we continue to pray and wait on His timing and His restoration. So, yes, I can honestly say from very personal experience I am surprised how God really works in the ways He does.

4) In verse 18 it appears Naaman is asking for forgiveness in advance to the sin of bowing to another god. What does Elisha’s response “go in peace” mean?
Let’s be honest here, don’t we all do this?! It’s a bit different for us today, since Jesus did come and die to pay for our sins. But the truth is, we are no better when we make the choice to knowingly sin, because we know we are already forgiven. Some of you may be thinking, “Ok, but I’m not bowing down to another god, so is it really that bad?” Yes!  All sin is equally sinful to God as it goes against His holiness. I would contend that we all bow down to “other gods” more often than we’d like to admit. The gods we bow down today may look different, the god of money, sports, success, appearance, etc., but they are gods nonetheless. Just as in Naaman’s case, the conviction that comes from the Lord is the first step towards real and lasting change. Every single one of us is on a journey. God will lead us and convict us in different ways and different times. We may even ask a fellow believer if they think it’s ok, or if we will be forgiven. When it comes down to it, no one but God can convict or forgive. I’m not saying we shouldn’t ask our brothers and sisters for help or guidance. They can be a huge help by praying for us, and with us, leading us to God, the only One who can truly forgive our sins. Our responsibility is to trust and follow as God leads, stepping out in faith and obedience.

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

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

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

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Sketched VIII 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.

Posted in: Courage, Deep, Digging Deeper, God, Healing, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Humility, Kingdom, Peace, Provider, Sketched, Trust, Truth Tagged: All-powerful, ask, God Alone, Great, help, Jordan River, Little Children, Naaman, pride, story, Washing

Sola Day 12 Soli Deo Gloria: Digging Deeper

May 26, 2020 by Melodye Reeves Leave a Comment

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 Soli Deo Gloria!

The Questions

1) How does verse 31 relate to the phrase “Soli Deo Gloria”?

2) Based on the context, what will be a by-product of doing “everything for the glory of God”?

3) What will be the end result of living a life that glorifies God and seeks the benefit of others?

1 Corinthians 10:31-32

“31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.”

Original Intent

1) How does verse 31 relate to the phrase “Soli Deo Gloria”?
A movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe gave rise to what is now called the “Protestant Reformation”. The phrase Soli Deo Gloria was one of the important doctrines emphasized among the Reformers, along with the other four solas. The “Five Solas” are five Latin phrases (or mottos) that arose during this time to summarize the Reformers’ convictions about the fundamentals and essential priorities of Christianity. Through these statements, they emphasized the subtle, but not so subtle, discrepancies between themselves and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church at the time. Breaking down this one specific phrase, we relate it to what Paul was saying here in 1 Corinthians. 1) The Latin word soli is translated into the English word “alone” or “only”, (it is the root of our English word solitary); 2) the phrase Deo Gloria means “the glory of God.” Putting this phrase together into English translates as: “to the glory of God alone.” In the Greek, the end of the verse (τι ποιεῖτε, πάντα εἰς δόξαν θεοῦ ποιεῖτε.) translates into “all things to the glory of God do.” Within the context of this passage, Paul was telling the Corinthian church the purpose of their lives was not to satisfy or glorify themselves, but to be satisfied in and to glorify God. 

2) Based on the context, what will be a by-product of doing “everything for the glory of God”?
In verse 32, Paul says in doing everything we do as unto God and for His glory (instead of ourselves), we will be aware of what is offensive to our brothers and sisters in Christ. He is not talking about offending the legalism in others. Meaning, we are intended to use our freedom in Christ to lovingly serve each other, not puff ourselves up. We know this because of what he says is other passages (Galatians 5:11-15 ). If our motive and goal is the glory of God in our lives, we will walk in the way Jesus did. Everything He said and did was for God’s glory. (John 12:27-28, John 17:1-5 ) Nothing Jesus said or did was with a hidden agenda or motive. As the Son, Christ’s oneness with God the Father was evident in His sincere devotion to bring the Father the glory He deserved. In Philippians 2 Paul tells us Jesus always brought glory to the Father and for us to have this same attitude! “Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus …” This is a by-product of living a life to the glory of God.

3) What will be the end result of living a life that glorifies God and seeks the benefit of others?
If we took the first part of verse 33 out of context, we might tend to accuse Paul of being a “man pleaser”. That is why it is so important for us to dig into the scriptures – verses within chapters within books. An overall look at Paul’s writing tells us he lived and preached with a single-minded passion and devotion to Christ alone. And that passion drove his mission. He tried to put into practice what he taught about Christ’s sacrificial life and death by putting the wellbeing of others first. Paul did not want any of his own attitudes or actions, even those which would be considered morally indifferent, to create barriers between himself and those he desired to see receive the gracious message of the gospel. Paul wanted the Corinthian Christians to be delivered from anything that kept them from walking fully in their salvation or from growing spiritually. (Colossians 1:24-27) In the following chapter, Paul went on to say that as long as he imitated Christ, they could use his life as an example of how to live. (11:1) Their spiritual salvation and growth was of utmost importance. That is why Paul lived fully and solely for God’s glory. (Romans 1:5)

Everyday Application

1) How does verse 31 relate to the phrase “Soli Deo Gloria”?
Pastor David Platt said, “God should be God-centered. Who else should He center around? There is nothing greater than Him, nothing more delightful than Him, nothing more glorious than Him, nothing more worthy of exaltation than Him. He is God! If He were to exalt anything or anyone else above Himself, He would not be the God worthy of all exaltation.” Soli Deo Gloria is the single reason for every one of the other solas. (Five Solas – TGC Course ) Only by the grace of God do we put our in faith in the Christ who is revealed in the Scriptures and Who is our only hope of eternal salvation. So, whatever we say or think or do, in all of life, we filter it through the glory of God. As our words and thoughts and actions are set in light of His glory, we are able to proceed in freedom. Then we give Him even more glory for the grace we have received to desire to live that way. (Titus 2:11-14 )

2) Based on the context, what will be a by-product of doing “everything for the glory of God”?
Using himself as an example, Paul refers to the characteristics and teachings that were known to the Corinthians. They knew of Paul’s life and the gospel he preached. (Acts 18:8) His lifelong pursuit was to glorify Christ in all things. Paul was not afraid to proclaim the exclusivity of Christ by which we must be saved, and for that he suffered greatly. (Acts 26:19-23) But here, he was cautious not to alarm the prejudices of the Corinthians who were hearing his message. With the sole purpose of bringing glory to God, Paul saw no reason to needlessly provoke those who might oppose his message. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23) We should all practice such living, to the glory and fame of God.  As followers of Jesus, we appeal to those around us, without pretense or self-promotion, by our own example of faithful living. By living consistently for the glory of God, we long for others to be moved toward the gospel because of our lives of self-denial and holiness, by the way we walk and talk, and by our genuine love for them.

3) What will be the end result of living a life that glorifies God and seeks the benefit of others?
Soli Deo Gloria has everything to do with our salvation in Christ. When the Reformers boldly proclaimed that our salvation was “to the glory of God alone,” they highlighted the grace of God. When we share the gospel of grace, that our salvation is not based on our works (Ephesians 2:4-9), we are declaring the glory of the Lord “so that no one can boast”.  Living a life that glorifies God preaches the gospel with actions as we confess it with words. When we point to God alone as worthy of worship, we will denounce all human pride and boasting and will live our lives for the sake of others’ salvation.
“God has saved us for His glory among the nations, so let us live for God’s glory among the nations. The spread of God’s global glory is not just for missionaries, and it’s not just another program in the church. Global mission is the purpose of your life. Everything you have been given in your life – your breath, your salvation, your family, your gifts, your resources, your position – everything you have, you’ve been given for this reason: the spread of God’s global glory.” (Pastor David Platt)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Soli Deo Gloria!

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 Sola 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.

Posted in: Digging Deeper, God, Gospel, Grace, Jesus, Love, Purpose, Sacrifice, Sola, Worship Tagged: devotion, Genuine Love, glory, God Alone, oneness, passion, worthy

Sola Day 11 Soli Deo Gloria

May 25, 2020 by Sara Cissell Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 115:1-3
1 Corinthians 10:31-32
Ephesians 3:1-21
1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Sola, Day 11

I can only imagine the atmosphere in the room as George Frideric Handel finished his masterpiece, “Messiah.” Did the last note resonate in the room, slowly reverberating into silence? Was there a hushed reverence filling the space?

Whatever the moment was like, something caused Handel to pick up his writing utensil and inscribe S.D.G. on the page in front of him.

Soli Deo Gloria.

These three Latin words translated into English mean “to God alone the glory.” Handel wrote the music for “Messiah” in 1741. Literal centuries later, people still flock to venues to hear his work played in person.

Not only has his work endured through the years, but it was also written with remarkable speed. Handel wrote the music in 24 days. My last month has been quite busy, but I don’t anticipate any of my activities will be recognized by the masses hundreds of years later.

What astounds and humbles me about Handel and the details of writing the “Messiah” masterpiece is that Handel intentionally chose to give the Lord the glory. While odds were incredibly high Handel had no idea how his artistry would impact the world, in the completion of his work, he focused his eyes upward rather than inward.

To God alone the glory. Soli Deo Gloria.

I may never accomplish anything even remotely rivaling the work of Handel, but I would be amiss in thinking my own renown is ever the purpose for my actions. My glory, or the perceived impact of my actions, is not to be my focus.

Martin Luther also sought to challenge the mindset of striving for personal glory by arguing the cross of Christ is of the utmost importance.

1 Corinthians 2:2 sums up the mindset we are called to in Christ.
“For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified.” (Amplified Bible)

Luther argued embracing the cross of Christ, rather than attempting to appropriate some of Christ’s glory for ourselves, is key to living a life truly pointing to Jesus. When we lose sight of the cross and the crucifixion of Christ, we lose sight of the reality of our Christian walk.

Christ crucified is the forgiveness of our sins,
the demonstration of His sacrificial love,
the invitation to surrender to His Lordship,
and the challenge to become more like Him.

To Him be all the glory.

If I live with the mindset of riding on the coattails of His glory in my life, I miss out on truly knowing Him, and we, as a church, lose that which makes us salt and light in today’s world.

So what does this look like in our day-to-day life?

I encourage you to consider how your own endeavors, be they monumental or mundane, can communicate the forgiveness, the sacrificial love, and the surrender and transformation made possible through the cross of Christ.

How can your own endeavors, be they monumental or mundane, be carried out to the glory of God alone?

And what does it look like in my life?

As I sit here with my laptop nestled on my lap, my coffee cup sitting on the table nearby, and raindrops tapping on the window behind me, I think it looks like thanking Him for His goodness and faithfulness in allowing me the opportunity to write.

It is praying before my fingers touch the keyboard, asking for His wisdom and direction in crafting the message. It is in writing the words and releasing them to Him for His use, however He desires.

It looks like delighting in the little ways the Lord has shown His presence in my day-to-day life: a hot cup of coffee and a refreshing spring rain. It is serving my family with a sacrificial love and modeling a life of looking to Him. It is finding my value and identity in who the Lord says I am and being obedient to His leading in my life.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly what Handel felt as those last notes filled the air. An awareness He was made for such a time as this, and regardless of who would hear his music in the future, the One for whom it was truly written had already heard the melody dance through the vaults of heaven.

To God alone the glory. 

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

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Posted in: Christ, God, Jealous, Love, Sacrifice, Sola, Song Tagged: cross, forgiveness, glory, God Alone, Lord, Messiah, surrender

The GT Weekend! ~ Relentless Week 3

September 28, 2019 by Rebecca Leave a Comment

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) Rachel shared on Tuesday that her lips will quickly declare she worships God and God alone, but sometimes a closer look at her real everyday life can speak otherwise. When we examine how we spend (or save) our money, how we spend our time, and how we view others, we can quickly uncover more idol worship than we care to admit. Abby wrote on Monday of her own struggle with idol worship, and the process the Lord took her through to lay them down and worship God alone. As you consider how prevalent idol worship is in our culture, take some time to identify some idols you might be unintentionally worshipping. As you process, as the Lord to reveal these to your heart and shift your heart to want Him the most!

2)  If God truly has a calling for each of our lives just like He did for Samson and Jeremiah and countless other individuals whose stories we read in Scripture, then He must have a purposed intention for your life as well! Have you discovered this purpose? If so, you are experiencing the peace and delight that comes from following Jesus! If you’re following His purposes, you should also be encountering difficulties, struggles, and even persecution from the enemy and the world around you for following Jesus. Take heart! He who has overcome your heart and given you His love inside you, has overcome the world around you and He alone holds the final victory. Keep pressing in! “Do not become weary in doing good, for in due time, you will reap a harvest if you do not give up!” (Galatians 6:9) Write this verse on a notecard and put it somewhere to encourage your heart with truth!

3) Anything we push above our heart’s worship and life’s worship of Christ the King to whom we’ve pledged surrender, is an idol of our own design. Sisters, idol worship is no small thing. It’s number one and number two on God’s 10 commandments; because His heart longs for sweet intimacy with us, without the distraction of any one or any thing else. Now isn’t the time to tuck away, turn heads, and bow out of the conversation. As you sit with the Lord this weekend, call out those idols, break them before the Lord, and ask God to shift your heart in how you see those idols and how you see the Lord of love and life! Only one is worth your affection, your time, talent, and treasure. Only One. How long will you put up with a heart divided?!

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 Hoesa 2:16-17 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

And in that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’ For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more.

Prayer Journal
From the world’s perspective, true happiness comes by success of our hands, and having every desire of our hearts fulfilled. But You turn this wisdom upside down, insisting the only way to true satisfaction in this life and the one to come is by total surrender to You, Your ways, and Your desires. You, in Your infinite wisdom, know this to be true, yet we, I, foolishly run spurn Your ways. Father, it is unfathomable to me how You could possibly see my rejection, know that I love my own idols more than I love You, and yet still pursue me! You long for a relationship with me So Much that you willingly, relentlessly, pursue me and my heart. There is never a moment where you say, okay, good enough, just plateau out and I’ll come back to check on you in a few months. No, there will always be more to experience, know, understand, and be satisfied with about You! May I ever delight in Your presence, Abba! Cut away these idols, Lord! Give me only You!

Worship Through Community

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

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Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

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Posted in: God, GT Weekend, Love, Relentless, Scripture, Struggle, Worship Tagged: Declare, God Alone, heart, idols, intimacy, surrender, Take Heart, unintentionally

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