gracious

Build Day 2 The Need To Build: Digging Deeper

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 The Need To Build!

The Questions

1) Why does Nehemiah weep and mourn when he hears the ruined state of Jerusalem’s walls? (Nehemiah 1:4)

2) Why does Nehemiah ask the Lord to be attentive to Nehemiah and remember God’s promises? (Nehemiah 1:8-11)

3) Why did Nehemiah say that the gracious hand of God was on him? (Nehemiah 2:8)

Nehemiah 1:1-2:8

The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile. 3 They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens. 5 I said, Lord, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands, 6 let your eyes be open and your ears be attentive to hear your servant’s prayer that I now pray to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned. 7 We have acted corruptly toward you and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses. 8 Please remember what you commanded your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. 9 But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest horizon I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have my name dwell.” 10 They are your servants and your people. You redeemed them by your great power and strong hand. 11 Please, Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to that of your servants who delight to revere your name. Give your servant success today, and grant him compassion in the presence of this man. At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.

During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, 2 so the king said to me, “Why do you look so sad, when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear 3 and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 Then the king asked me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of the heavens 5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” 6 The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So I gave him a definite time, and it pleased the king to send me. 7 I also said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. 8 And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple’s fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live.” The king granted my requests, for the gracious hand of my God was on me.

Original Intent

1) Why does Nehemiah weep and mourn when he hears the ruined state of Jerusalem’s walls? (Nehemiah 1:4)
Nehemiah was an exile from Jerusalem living in the Persian city of Susa, serving as a cupbearer to the King. When his brother visited and told him of the desolation and ruin in the city of Jerusalem, Nehemiah sat down and wept, then fasted and prayed. (Nehemiah 1:4) He mourned over the ruined state of his city as it lay open and vulnerable to attack. In that ancient culture, a city whose gates were broken and whose walls were destroyed couldn’t even be defined as a city. Nehemiah knew Jerusalem needed protection because many of God’s promises were connected to Jerusalem and its people who came from Abraham. (Genesis 12:1-3) Additionally, God’s temple was there. (Haggai 1) Lawrence H. Schiffman explains that the temple’s restoration was important because it “allowed Israel to continue its ancestral worship of God in the ways prescribed by its ancient literature [and]… established the biblical sacrificial system…“ Jerusalem also needed protection from her enemies. Brian Bill suggests Nehemiah was also “broken over the complacency of the people of Jerusalem. They were living in ruins and they accepted it. They were willing to walk around the devastation instead of being concerned enough to do something about their situation.” Although he didn’t live there, Nehemiah’s heart was present in Jerusalem with his people in his ancestral home. He was woeful to think of God’s people suffering, humbled, and defenseless. God used Nehemiah’s concern and love for God and his people to raise him up as a leader to accomplish God’s purposes.

2) Why does Nehemiah ask the Lord to be attentive to Nehemiah and remember God’s promises? (Nehemiah 1:8-11)
When Nehemiah sought the Lord over restoring the walls of Jerusalem, he asked God to remember what He had previously commanded Moses, and he petitioned God to be attentive to his prayers. (Nehemiah 1:8-11) Nehemiah knew it was wise to speak God’s promises back to Him because the Word of the Lord is true (Psalm 33:4) and God honors His promises. (Hebrews 10:23) David Guzik asserts, “This, no doubt, is the secret to great power in prayer: to plead the promises of God. We may be a bit annoyed when one of our children comes to us saying ‘Daddy, you promised’; but our Father in heaven delights in it.” Nehemiah reminded the Lord of His promise to Moses that He would scatter His people because of their disobedience and that He would gather them together when they repented and returned to God. (Deuteronomy 30:1-4) Brian Bill paraphrases the prayer of Nehemiah, “Lord, the first part is true. We’ve disobeyed and we’re in captivity. But Lord, you’ve made a promise to bring us back home and protect us there – and that has not happened yet. I’m claiming your promise that You’ll make it happen.” Nehemiah prayed with expectation, knowing that God’s heart toward the people was forgiveness and restoration, and that now was as good a time as any to perform His Word. Nehemiah asked God to attend to his prayers because He wanted God to know he was in earnest and that God’s heart was being reflected in Nehemiah’s. In praying the promises of God, Nehemiah knew he would be touching the heart of God and His desire to perform His Word for His people.

3) Why did Nehemiah say that the gracious hand of God was on him? (Nehemiah 2:8)
When Nehemiah was granted permission and assistance from the King to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls, he declared, “the gracious hand of God was on me.” (Nehemiah 2:8) Nehemiah recognized that God orchestrated the entire incident for him, including making him the King’s cupbearer and giving him favor with the king so his requests would be heard and granted. A cupbearer, “in the ancient Oriental courts, was always a person of rank and importance; and, from the confidential nature of his duties and his frequent access to the royal presence, he possessed great influence” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary) God placed Nehemiah in a situation of gaining favor of the one man who could provide the assistance and resources necessary to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall. God had done the same with Ezra when he began rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. (Ezra 7:6)  W.P. Lockhart suggests, “When God has work to be done He provides suitable instruments and places them in favourable situations to promote His plans.” Such was certainly the case for Nehemiah. Not everyone who stood before the king unbidden to make a request was honored as Nehemiah was. It was surely God’s grace on him that brought about the success of his mission. The hand of God was on Nehemiah to rebuild the wall, just as it had been on Ezra to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. It is encouraging to know that when God calls you to do something for Him, He gives you the grace and favor you need to see it through. (2 Timothy 1:9)

Everyday Application

1) Why does Nehemiah weep and mourn when he hears the ruined state of Jerusalem’s walls? (Nehemiah 1:4)
I was impressed with Nehemiah’s devotion to God and His people when I read his reaction to the dire situation of Jerusalem, its broken walls, and the peoples’ disgrace. Nehemiah 1:4 describes his response, “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.” Reading this made me consider the last time I wept, fasted, or even prayed for the sadness and desolation I see around me in the church, in my culture, and the world. I certainly notice when big events happen, but I wonder if I have become complacent in the face of rampant sin in the world around me. Kathleen Nielsen suggests “Nehemiah cares about the wall because the wall will protect the people. Nehemiah cares about the people because God loves them, because God redeemed them, covenanted with them, and promised to raise up the one who would crush the oppressor for them.” Because Nehemiah loved God, he also loved the people God loved. Jesus told us something similar in John 15:12, “Love one another as I have loved you.” I should be moved with God’s love for the people around me, like Nehemiah was, because of the love God has poured out on me. (1 John 4:19) Jesus even told us that others will recognize we are Christ-followers by the way we love one another. (John 13:35) Nehemiah saw God’s people suffering and let his love move him to action. I purpose to be like Nehemiah and let God’s love pour out of me and onto those hurting around me.

2) Why does Nehemiah ask the Lord to be attentive to Nehemiah and remember God’s promises? (Nehemiah 1:8-11)
When I was ten years old, my parents gave me a little clear plastic box with a hinged lid that contained all the promises of God in the Bible written out on little pieces of cardstock. I loved choosing one to pin on the cork board above my desk each week so I could see and contemplate it while taking a brain break. Those pinned promises helped me learn the heart of God towards me. They taught me to pray that God would do what He promised in my life. I learned that when I ask with right motives that honor God’s glory (James 4:3), God promises I will receive. (Luke 11:9) I often reminded God of this promise, especially when His timetable did not match mine. Nehemiah reminded God of what he thought was an overdue promise in Nehemiah 1:8-11. God had promised to gather His scattered people once they repented, and Nehemiah reminded Him that He still hadn’t fulfilled that promise. Nehemiah assuredly knew God was faithful to keep His promises (Deuteronomy 7:9), so he understood that praying God’s promises was a winning strategy to gather God’s people and repair the walls of Jerusalem. Praying the promises of God is a good plan for all of us, because we know God watches over His Word to accomplish it. (Jeremiah 1:12) Dr. David Jeremiah declares, “One of the most practical ways to be powered by God’s promises is to pray them. When we pray God’s promises, we are telling Him we trust Him to keep His Word.” When we come against a need, we can follow Nehemiah’s example and remind our faithful God of His promises in the Word. We can trust He is faithful to fulfill His promises!

3) Why did Nehemiah say that the gracious hand of God was on him? (Nehemiah 2:8) Nehemiah knew he would have a chance to ask the King for help in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He fasted and prayed before making his request of the king (Nehemiah 1:4) because Nehemiah understood God was sovereign over the earthly king. He even prayed just moments before he told the King his troubles. When the king granted all Nehemiah asked, Nehemiah recognized “the gracious hand of God was on me.” (Nehemiah 2:8) Grace is something God freely gives to His children. It is not something we can earn. (Ephesians 2:8) A.W. Tozer explains, “Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits upon the undeserving.” God chooses to give grace to His people, and that unmerited favor equips us in our endeavors for Him. John Piper describes how God’s grace “also refers to the action or the power or the influence or the force of this disposition, which produces real, practical outcomes in people’s lives, like being sufficient for good deeds or enduring the thorn in the flesh or working harder than everybody else. . .” Because of God’s gracious hand on his life, Nehemiah was able to gather the resources he needed to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem. God’s gracious hand on our lives can help us do remarkable things and endure unthinkable things. We know “we have all received grace upon grace from His fullness” (John 1:16), and this grace empowers us to accomplish what otherwise would be impossible. (Matthew 19:26)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Need To Build!

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

The GT Weekend! ~ Kneel Week 2

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) Jesus is the greatest authority of all time. He is the beginning and the end, the life-giving vine, and He made himself low that we might have fellowship with Him and abide in Him. He is present with us, and He is our great High Priest, which means IN HIM, we have direct access to God the Father. How would your prayer life change if you fully embraced the knowledge that Jesus Himself presents our requests to the Father? He says that whatever we ask in His name He would give us. Consider the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Read the prayer out loud and consider what it could look like if God were to answer each of the requests listed there for your life. If you want to study this prayer with fresh insight, pick a few studies from our Journey Into Prayer theme. Then take a moment to examine your heart. Are you abiding in Christ? Is there a pattern of sin in your life that you need to repent from? Is there someone you have wronged and need to make amends with? Repent of your sins, make a plan to be at peace with everyone as much as it depends on you (Romans 12:18), then boldly approach the throne of God (Hebrews 4:16), making your requests known to Him with thankfulness (Philippians 4:6). Don’t be afraid to pray big and pray specific. Speak your requests out loud and worship your God. He can do far more than you can ask or imagine. Watch to see how He works in your life.

2) On Wednesday, Bethany challenged us to pray while assuming the best about God. She reminded us we are called to pray about everything, that God wants to know us better, that He is characterized by giving good gifts, that He knows us and what we are struggling with, and finally that He is gracious to us. Which of these truths do you struggle to believe the most? Talk to God about this today. Write down one or two of these truths that are difficult to accept. Why are these harder to believe? What holds you back from accepting God’s character and graciousness toward you? What would need to change for you to believe it? After you consider these questions, look back at the Scriptures Bethany presented to confirm the truth about God’s character. As you read the words God gave us about Himself, consider what would change for you if you truly embraced these things about God. Finally, write a prayer asking God to help you assume the best about Him, and pray as though you do believe those things. God can and will meet you even in the midst of unbelief. He will help you, because He desires you to know Him more.

3) When Daniel prayed to God on behalf of the people of Israel, he didn’t ask for forgiveness because he or the people deserved it. He acknowledged before the Lord how they had done nothing to deserve His forgiveness or action on their behalf. Instead, Daniel asked because he knew the Lord had (and still has!) abundant compassion. Even in our weakest moments, we can rely on God’s character to remain the same. He is gracious and compassionate. “What are you waiting on? What are you wrestling through? What are your hardships? Bring them to the Lord.” Ponder in your heart if you can agree with the Apostle Paul when he says, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” And Sister, remember you do not need to be strong on your own. When we have a personal relationship with Jesus, He gives us strength for each day. (Ephesians 6:10) As an additional help, His church is meant to support one another. As you face your struggles today, would you walk in humility and share your journey with a trustworthy Jesus-follower? As we allow others into our trials, we give them the gift of seeing the Lord work in His great strength along with us. Paul boasted of His weakness that Christ would be made great. We can join in this gift with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

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 Colossians 1:9b-13 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

…We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

Prayer Journal
Dearest Heavenly Father, boldly we approach the throne room of grace. Not by any merit or achievement, but only by the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Thank You for hearing our prayers. Thank You for making a way for us to speak with You directly. You are present with us at all times, whether we are aware or not. Help me, Oh Lord, to live and breathe a life of prayerful dependence on You. May I never lose sight of my deep, abiding need for You. My weaknesses, whether on display or hidden away, show me my inadequacies, but You Lord are strong in all my shortcomings. Lord, I believe You when You say You give good gifts to You children. I believe You know all things, even before I speak. I believe You are gracious. Help me in my unbelief. You know the deepest desires of my heart. You know my greatest needs and my hardest struggles. In Your mercy, hear my desperate cry for help, and be my Rock, my Anchor, my unfailing Refuge. Guide me in paths of righteousness for the sake of Your great Name. Help me to walk in Your faithfulness, ever mindful of my need for You, casting my care upon You at all times.

Worship Through Community

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

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

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Advent Day 8 The Suffering Servant

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Isaiah 42:1-9
Isaiah 53
Luke 2:41-48
Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23

Advent, Day 8

It is easy to misunderstand the personality of Jesus when we view His life on earth from a human perspective.

Though God, He came in human form and was born as any other child. His birth was the lowliest, born in a manger, where animals were kept. (Luke 2:1-7) He grew up as any other child, running errands for His earthly parents in the streets of Galilee. Scripture simply referred to Him as the “boy Jesus.” (Luke 2:43) After losing track of young Jesus for several days while traveling, his mother talked to Him as any frightened mother would speak to her child, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” (Luke 2:48)

For today’s Journey Study, we continue to move backward in time, centuries before Jesus’ birth, to learn how the prophet Isaiah foretold His character and mission. Isaiah described Him as a young plant growing up in dry ground (Isaiah 53:2), symbolizing His humble life in a corrupt and sinful world.
The fallen world is a seemingly impossible place to thrive in righteousness for Satan tempted Christ with the allure of sin just as he does any human being. (Hebrews 4:15)
Jewish religious leaders continually sought ways to find fault in Him, to justify
their plan of killing Him. (Luke 20:20-26)
He was despised, relegated, and treated with contempt.
Offended by Jesus’ teaching and seeking to discredit Him, His own people said, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary?” (Matthew 13:55)

Despite the corruption of sin around Him, Scripture testifies how Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.” (Luke 2:52) His environment did not deter His physical, emotional growth or His divine righteousness. In the face of adversity, He found favor with God and people.

How did it happen?
God the Father said of God the Son, Jesus,
“This is my servant; I strengthen him, this is my chosen one; I delight in him. I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1)

Jesus Himself also testified, speaking of His divine unity with the Father, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things.” (John 5:19)
The “stony ground” of the human heart condition that naturally rebels against God, did not stop Jesus from thriving, because He drew His nourishment from the Father.

Scripture makes it clear that Jesus is fully God, but He chose to be born as human in order to fulfil the mission of God the Father for mankind. He humbled Himself to a servant’s position by submitting to the will of His Father through suffering.
Death became His portion, so that we might have life in Him. 

In his prophecy, Isaiah relayed clearly the suffering Jesus would undergo. Isaiah 53:4-6 describes the nature of His sufferings and the benefits to us. He bore our sicknesses and carried our pains, was pierced and crushed because of our rebellion and iniquities, was punished for our peace, and by His wounds we are healed.

But we did not identify with Him in His suffering;
we “regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4)

What seemed as a harsh punishment turned out to be gracious, for through the Servant’s suffering came the justification of many. The Servant’s pain, suffering, and death serve as a restitution offering, covering our sins and bringing us back into relationship with God.
We believe, from the Scriptures, Jesus underwent such suffering for us.

But how does this redemption echo in our lives?
Jesus redeemed us so our relationship with God might be restored;
how committed are we to that relationship?

He sacrificed His life for us.
What have we sacrificed for His sake?

Our faith in Him should not be limited to His blessings only,
but must also cost us our comfort.
Are we identifying with Him in His suffering as the Apostle Paul,
confidently agreeing, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”? (Philippians 1:21)

If we have repented of our sins and sought the forgiveness, grace, and mercy of God, we have been redeemed through the Servant’s suffering;
now, we are called to “produce fruit consistent with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8)
We must make holiness our end goal; He said, “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

Do not misunderstand, sisters–this is NOT a legalistic directive to muster up perfection or put on a “good Christian performance.” Rather, true pursuit of the Holy involves total surrender of every part of us to the Spirit; we give Him unfettered access to every corner of ourselves . . . even when it involves sacrifice, or suffering. Anything less is compromise, the lie of pretty words, the hallmark of hypocrisy; as Jesus warned,

“‘Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.’” (Matthew 7:21)

In gratitude for our redemption brought by the Servant’s suffering, in total surrender to our Father’s will, I believe we will find the Kingdom is worth our sacrifice.

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

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

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

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

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

Worship IX Day 15 The God Who Is

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 3
Exodus 34:4-9
Isaiah 57:15-20
Colossians 1:3-23
Revelation 5

Worship IX, Day 15

It was a quid pro quo arrangement with God.
My part was excellence on all points in Christian living;
His was to deliver my version of the blessed and beautiful Christian life.

Despite my quest for perfect performance, my only consistent accomplishment was failure. I was caught in a self-defeating, self-inflicted trap. My expectations and reality were worlds apart, resulting in a brutal head-on collision. I slumped in the wreckage of disappointment, a casualty of my own deception. Had I misunderstood Him; did I even truly know Him?

My disillusionment led me to Scripture, where I encountered the tender, yet terrifying God Who Is. 

I found God reveals Himself in seemingly-opposing ways.
He honors humans with intimate friendship, yet acts independently,
delineating His realm of existence; we are creatures, He is Creator.
In divine wisdom, He takes action, reinstating order where humans create chaos,
all the while working out His redemptive plan for humanity.

The Creator “walk[ed] in the garden at the time of the evening breeze” with Adam and Eve in Eden. (Genesis 3:8)
He also banished them from Eden following their rebellion. (Genesis 3:22-24)

In Noah, He confided His regret in creating mankind, and His plan to decimate creation with a deluge, restarting with Noah and his family. He dictated instructions for their ark of rescue, then proceeded with the deluge. (Genesis 6, 7, 8, 9)

He chose a pagan named Abram, renamed him Abraham, and honored him with covenants and promises. God called Abraham His friend, yet clearly illustrated to Abraham that his Friend was the Divine Power. God made shocking demands of Abraham, yet in the process, sketched His overarching plan for humanity’s redemption. (Learn more about Abraham in Genesis 11-25)

He shepherded Abraham’s descendants through multiple generations, revealing Himself by the name “I AM” to Moses, and honoring Moses with the first character description of Himself. (Exodus 3) Once again, when the evil of mankind had reached His limits, “I AM” stepped in, restoring order, wielding judgement, and delivering Israel by His bared, holy arm. (Learn more about God’s rescue of Israel in Exodus 1-14)

“I AM” guided Israel by a pillar of cloud and fire, protected them, and established them as a nation. He called men and women who followed Him for bold missions, feats of valor, and fearless preaching. Prophets foretold “I AM” would come in human form. His mission would be to redeem fallen humanity. (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

Weathered sages scratched truth-filled messages and prophetic visions onto sacred scrolls. Once again, they told of “I AM,” Who seeks tender friendship with mankind, yet, remains “in a high and holy place.” (Isaiah 57:15)

He speaks comfort, extends lovingkindness, and powerfully protects. (Isaiah 41:8-11)
In the same breath, He holds mankind accountable for their choices. Once again, “I AM” emblazons the distinction between mankind and Himself. (Isaiah 40–41)

All the while, “I AM” is weaving together our redemption, revealing with uncanny clarity His jaw-dropping plan to redeem mankind by coming in human form as their Passover Lamb. (Isaiah 53)

Prophetic words came true; “I AM” arrived as “God with us.”
The Holy Spirit divinely fathered Jesus in Mary’s womb. (Matthew 1:18-23)
He lived a common, yet wholly uncommon life; fully human, fully God. Jesus championed authentic religion marked by ongoing compassion for the helpless and hopeless while offending the elite with truth. He revealed His divine power and identity simply to undergird the tenderly flowering faith of His followers and underscore His bold assertions, He was eternity’s “I AM” in human form.

He was “I AM” submitting to the slashing whip and criminal’s crucifixion.
God, slaughtered as the unblemished Passover Lamb. (Matthew 26-27)

“I AM,” “a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth” (Exodus 34:6), so accessible and relatable— so killable. He was born to die, all while remaining God and conquering death. Resurrection Day both seals and celebrates His resounding victory! (Matthew 28)

Following Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, His disciples were freshly empowered by the truth and His indwelling Holy Spirit. (Acts 2) So, they turned the world upside-down with the gospel. In a stunning vision, the aging Apostle John received a glimpse into Heaven’s throne-room where his Friend awaits. It was Him! Israel’s Passover Lamb; Judah’s warring Lion; his Friend, Jesus of Nazareth, the Great “I AM”! (Learn more about John’s vision in the book of Revelation)

Dwelling in holy friendship with such other-worldly majesty—how can it be?  What does He want with us?

Simply, He wants us.
The stunning truth is that dwelling amidst His holy thunder, communing with “I AM” as Friend with friend, is a reality available to all who are unafraid to press in and follow Him in trusting obedience. (Isaiah 57:15-21, Micah 4:1-8, James 4:4-10)

We will never understand Him; He is incomprehensible.

We will never grasp the magnificent condescension of His redemptive work on our behalf.  However, like the heavenly throng, the unnerving eye-covered creatures and the Apostle himself, we too can gaze transfixed upon the Victorious Lamb, joining the unending chorus, crying, “Blessing and honor and glory and power [. . . ] be to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5: 9-14)

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
Join us for every Journey Study by signing up!
Looking for yesterday’s Journey Study?
Share your thoughts from today’s Study!

Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

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 Worship IX Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

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

Worship IX Day 12 Spirit & Truth: Digging Deeper

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 Spirit & Truth!

The Questions

1) What is meant by New Moons, festivals, and burnt offerings? (verses 11-14)

2) How does the righteous Lord respond to a disobedient people? (verse 15)

3) What antidote does God give for Israel’s rebellion? (verses 16-20)

Isaiah 1:11-20

“What are all your sacrifices to me?”
asks the Lord.
“I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams
and the fat of well-fed cattle;
I have no desire for the blood of bulls,
lambs, or male goats.
12 When you come to appear before me,
who requires this from you—
this trampling of my courts?
13 Stop bringing useless offerings.
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons and Sabbaths,
and the calling of solemn assemblies—
I cannot stand iniquity with a festival.
14 I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals.
They have become a burden to me;
I am tired of putting up with them.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will refuse to look at you;
even if you offer countless prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are covered with blood.


16 “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves.
Remove your evil deeds from my sight.
Stop doing evil.
17 Learn to do what is good.
Pursue justice.
Correct the oppressor.
Defend the rights of the fatherless.
Plead the widow’s cause.

18 “Come, let’s settle this,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are scarlet,
they will be as white as snow;
though they are crimson red,
they will be like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land.
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Original Intent

1) What is meant by New Moons, festivals, and burnt offerings? (verses 11-14)
God had instituted these festivals, celebrations, and offerings as tangible reminders of God’s goodness and love towards His people, Israel. He commanded them to celebrate these festivals regularly; to ignore them would have been disobedient. However, Isaiah the prophet records the Lord telling Israel to cease all their rituals and ceremonies that He Himself has instituted because their hearts had missed the point, which was worshipping God. The intention of the festivals was to remind them of God’s goodness toward Israel, while the blood sacrifices were meant to remind them that every sin carried a cost. Even though “It’s impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4), the sacrifices were necessary to show the people that 1) blood payment must be made for sin and 2) God is gracious to accept their offerings while they waited for the Ultimate Sacrifice to come as the Messiah, Christ Jesus, whose blood would pay for all sin. (1 John 2:2) The sacrifices reminded Israel they were a guilty people in desperate need of a Redeemer. Sacrifices also kept Israel in relationship with the Lord by prodding them to confess their sin, repent (turn away), and be made right with God. Over time, the sacrifices became empty rituals and Israel’s heart was far from God. Ritual without heart-change, sacrifice without obedience, gifts without authenticity, these were what God despised. He declared these empty acts to be a “trampling of My courts.” (verse 12) The stinging criticism of worship in verses 11-14, is not an indictment of worship in general. Rather, it is an indictment of worship that serves as a COVER-UP for EMPTY HEARTS. External religion is an easy cloak to disguise sin.

2) How does the righteous Lord respond to a disobedient people? (verse 15)
Verse 15 records the Lord responding to Israel’s sinful rebellion by refusing to look at or listen to them. He paid no attention to their outstretched hands or many prayers; their hearts didn’t desire true repentance or confession. Authentic worship was absent. Though He loved His people, their repetitive decisions to sin were detestable; God couldn’t look upon them because their hearts were not repentant. Without true repentance, sacrifice was meaningless. Isaiah and Amos, among others, warned of coming exile for Israel’s persistent sin. God would send fire to Judah and their cities would become desolate. (Isaiah 1:7, Amos 2:4-5) God’s response to sinful disobedience has consistently remained the exact same from the Garden of Eden, to ancient Israel, to the early church, and our own generation. Justice. (Isaiah 30:18) He is a just God, refusing to allow any sin to go unpunished. He can neither look upon sin nor ignore it. The price for sin must be paid, this is justice. Graciously, He is also infinitely good and loving, which led Him to give Himself for the payment of our sin. He paid the penalty we never could for every single sin when He died on the cross as a blood sacrifice. Only a perfect Being could pay the penalty of sin in full.  He proved He had all authority over sin and death by rising from the dead on the third day. Now, for all who choose to trust Him as Savior, God can look on us and listen to us, even if we still sin because He has taken our condemnation and given us righteousness instead! (Romans 8:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:21) No amount of sacrifices from Israel could change the posture of their hearts. Without a heart and life reformation, God could not accept their sacrifices, nor would He be manipulated by them!

3) What antidote does God give for Israel’s rebellion? (verses 16-20)
Isaiah was an evangelistic prophet, telling the coming good news of the Messiah. Even his name means “Salvation of Jehovah”. It is quite significant, therefore, that his first chapter contains the gospel invitation. Long before Jesus would come as a babe then die as the Savior, Isaiah wrote, ““Come, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool.” (verse 18) Sin was bluntly acknowledged, consequence was justly coming, yet the Lord offers this antidote, “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight.
Stop doing evil. Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice.” (verses 16-17) Cleansing from sin was available to Israel, even now in the heat of their rebellion. Their washing was totally separated from ANY human merit or effort. The goodness they were called to do directly followed the cleaning and did not precede it. Good works have never been able to cover sin, only true cleansing. This washing is found only in the mercy of God. It was His mercy that permitted the blood of animals to act as payment for sin, even though they couldn’t remove sin. The perfect display of mercy came as the Father sent the Son to shed His blood on the cross to perfectly pay for every sin. (1 John 2:2) What lavish mercy! Still, the prophet warns that unless willful cleansing occurs, war and destruction await, “But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” (verse 20)

Everyday Application

1) What is meant by New Moons, festivals, and burnt offerings? (verses 11-14)
As I researched this passage, I found myself focusing on the intricacies of festivals and burnt offerings which comprised the everyday rhythms of ancient Israel. I studied what each offering meant and the detailed directions on which offering to give if you committed this sin or that, knowingly or unknowingly, whether the animal was clean or unclean, and which rituals to follow when. I became entangled in intense detail. It was like a fall corn maze; which route is the right path to obedience and pleasing God? I became anxious and felt trapped. Which way, Lord? Stopping to pray as I studied was essential to understanding this simple truth from the Lord: offer sacrifices of worship. (Hebrews 13:15) Old Testament festivals and sacrifices are no longer required by believers today because Jesus paid the full blood price for our sins on the cross. However, the sacrifice of thanksgiving is evidenced in both Old and New Testaments just in differing forms. (Leviticus 7:12, Ephesians 5:20) Today, we don’t offer grain for thanksgiving, we use the whole of our lives as “living sacrifices”. (Romans 12:1, Matthew 22:37) Daily life can be a maze, and we can feel lost and confused, forgetting to bring the simple offering of ourselves with a childlike faith and repentant hearts before the King. It’s easy to weave a tangled web with daily chores and “to do” lists which pull us away from offering heart worship. If we aren’t intentional, we can end up only offering lip service in prayer and neglecting true worship. Even if this describes you sometimes, as it does me, there is hope! Instead of New Moons, festivals and burnt offerings, rituals in our personal lives and churches, let’s lean into worship in Spirit and truth. Our devoted hearts, genuine love, and faithfulness are exactly what GOD wants.

2) How does the righteous Lord respond to a disobedient people? (verse 15)
God is holy and righteous; He cannot be in the presence of sin. (1 John 5:18) Once we trust that Jesus has paid the penalty for our sin, and accept His righteousness in place of our rebellion, we are declared righteous. Even if we sin after we have trusted Christ, we are still covered by His blood sacrifice. (1 John 1:9) Without the covering of Christ, however, we stand condemned; we have rejected Christ. (John 3:18) When we choose to sin, we are walking away from a close relationship with God, even our prayers are hindered. (Psalm 66:18) Our hands are bloody with our sin, and though we offer countless prayers, if our hearts are not contrite before Him, He will reject us. Without faith and repentance, it’s impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6, Mark 1:15) While under our sin-nature, our natural bent is to rebel and disobey God, but when we surrender to Christ, He gives us a new nature. (Romans 5:5) God the Spirit lives inside us, teaching us to obey God (John 14:26), equipping us to follow Him (Hebrews 13:21), and giving us the desire to do His work (Philippians 2:13). Following God in obedience is the practical acceptance of the authority of God in our everyday lives. Our surrendered hearts to Christ allow His Spirit to rule in our lives, giving us the ability to step away from sinful rebellion and into obedience. We can halt our disobedient trajectory by reading God’s Word and asking the Spirit to open our eyes to our sinful patterns. Every Christian should evaluate all of life against Scripture through prayer. Marriage, career, relationships, our words, thoughts, actions, and even our body language should all reflect a heart of surrendered worship! Once the Spirit convicts us of sin, we are to confess it for the Lord promises pardon. (1 John 1:9)

3) What antidote does God give for Israel’s rebellion? (verses 16-20)
Isaiah’s prophecy depicts a severely fractured relationship between God and the people of Israel because of their sin. However, verses 16-20 make a way for restoration through the mercies of God. Israel’s “sins were as scarlet”, but so are ours. Israel rebelled against God by serving and loving themselves. Their greatest sin was rejection of the One True God. They were called upon to follow Him, but they spurned Him. So we turn the mirror on ourselves and inspect our lives for sin. Have we ever refused the ways of the Lord? Have our lips ever rejected His truth by telling a lie? Have our hands ever taken what was not ours, even just a pen or an extra item from the store at check out? Every single act of rebellion against the Lord will carry a just punishment. You and I are just as sinful as Israel, but God’s mercies are just as lavish. No matter how detestable Israel’s sin, God was willing to forgive and cleanse, and so He is with us. Will we choose to be clean? Will we live by faith and allow Christ to sever our ties to sin? The choice is ours just as it was for Israel. Will we come to Christ the Forgiver and confess our sins against Him? Or will we remain in sin with God’s wrath upon us? God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and You shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 7:23) If we will heed God’s call to come and be washed, apart from any self-proclaimed “good deeds”, we have His guarantee that we will be His. Through the blood of Christ, God will make us white as snow; His presence will comfort and delight for eternity. Take the antidote for rebellion and be cleansed by the Judge who longs to make you righteous!

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

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 IX 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.

Fruitful Day 9 Kind Beauty: Digging Deeper

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 Kind Beauty!

The Questions

1) Who and what is Paul addressing in his letter to the church in Rome?

2) What do we know of the riches of God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience from other Scripture passages and how do these apply to us?

3) How does God’s kindness lead us to repentance?

Romans 2:4

Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Original Intent

1) Who and what is Paul addressing in his letter to the church in Rome?
Paul was writing to believers in Jesus living in Rome. He was anxious to return to Rome to encourage and strengthen the church and he reminds them of core doctrinal truths for understanding who we are, who Christ is and what He did, where our Hope lies for eternity, and how we are to live as believers while we wait for that Hope. Paul foundationally states how all are declared righteous and have access to live for eternity, faith! “The righteous shall live by faith”. (Romans 1:17) He also speaks of God’s just wrath on the unrighteous because they chose to ignore God’s redemptive offer of love and forgiveness, turning instead to love themselves and their own lusts, to which God gave them over. He speaks expressly of the lusts of the flesh. “Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore, God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator…”. (Romans 1:22-25) Having addressed the “outwardly unrighteous person”, Paul turned his attention to the “morally just”. Those who “appeared” moral and thought they were “better than” the “unrighteous”. They errantly believed their “sin” was less deplorable to God. Paul warns that God will judge everyone by the same standard, His Holiness, of which we all fall short. (Romans 3:23) I’m reminded of the Pharisee who proudly prayed, thinking he was better than the tax collector. However, Jesus said the tax collector, who humbled himself asking for mercy by faith, would be justified rather than the Pharisee. (Luke 18:9-14)

2) What do we know of the riches of God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience from other Scripture passages and how do these apply to us?
The word “loving-kindness” occurs only in the Old Testament, but as equivalents, New Testament authors use “mercy”, “goodness,” “kindness,” and “brotherly love”. In verse 4, the Greek word for kindness is derived from the Hebrew “chacadh”, meaning “to be gracious or merciful.” W.L Walker says, “Goodness and justice are several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes merciful and sometimes just, but He is eternally infinitely just and merciful.” (Biblestudytools.com) Consider all the times the rebellious nation of Israel turned away from God, but God lovingly drew them back to Him. In His kindness, He warned them over and over of consequences for their rebellion, and as they continued to turn from Him, He allowed trouble to befall them. Still, He never let them out of His sight. He always had a perfect plan for bringing them back home. Oh, what a good and kind Father! “Being such an essential and distinctive quality of God, the prophets taught that it should also characterize His people. It is part of the Divine requirement in Micah 6:8 (ESV), ‘to love kindness’ and in Zechariah 7:9 (ESV), “Show kindness and mercy to one another.” (Biblestudytools.com)

3) How does God’s kindness lead us to repentance?
The Amplified Version of Romans 2:4 describes the riches of God as “kind, tolerant, and patient; withholding His wrath.” Paul reminds the saints (all those who have trusted Christ as Savior) of how God’s kindness led them to repentance. How He gently drew them to Himself, waiting patiently for them to turn to Him. (2 Peter 3:9) David personally had experienced the Lord’s patience and loving-kindness toward him. It had been over a year removed from David’s plot to murder the husband of the woman he slept with when the prophet Nathan confronted him about his sin. David begged the Lord to restore fellowship with Him. The first thing David said was, “Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.” (Psalm 51:1) God did deal with David according to His loving-kindness and He still does for us. This kindness was not only extended to David, but to anyone who genuinely repents and turns away from their sin and toward the Savior Jesus Christ. My heart cannot grasp how good, kind, and patient God has been, not just to His own people, Israel, but for all of us!

Everyday Application

1) Who and what is Paul addressing in his letter to the church in Rome?
Having concluded his description of those appearing outwardly “unrighteous”, Paul begins chapter 2 with a warning, “Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.” (Romans 2:1) We are all just as unrighteous as another. (Romans 3:23) Romans 2:4 was penned so we understand the vast goodness of God set against the ugly backdrop of our own sinful judgment toward those we deem “less than righteous”. Paul asks how we judge those without Christ since we also were once without Christ as well. (Romans 6:17) His loving kindness drew us to repentance and faith; how could we reflect anything less to those who don’t yet believe?! Certainly, we must confront sin, but only when we are exemplifying a lifestyle reflecting God’s character. If we aren’t, we are hypocrites. Consider two fighting sisters. One sister points her finger at the other as the culprit without acknowledging her own involvement. If we can see a fault in someone else, then certainly we should be able to recognize that fault in ourselves. (Matthew 7:1-5) (J. Martin Commentary) Sadly, the church does a lot of finger-pointing saying, “THAT IS SIN!”, but we refuse to recognize our own sin, instead justifying ourselves. Jesus tells us we will all be judged by the same measuring stick, His Holiness; He shows no favoritism. (Romans 2:11) We will certainly draw more people to Christ by living out His example of kindness and patience than we will through condemnation. I knew a wonderful lady from church who passed away. At her funeral, her son shared that Mrs. Majel would always invite “sinners” to dinner. He often asked her why for “They didn’t deserve her kindness.” Her response stuck with me for years, “Some people will not make it to heaven unless we carry them”. Her kindness reflected God’s kindness to us, “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance”. (verse 4)

2) What do we know of the riches of God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience from other Scripture passages and how do these apply to us?
May we never forget how long God waited for us to see our sinfulness in light of His glory and trust Him. How many times we have sinned, yet found God forgiving us. We, too, must model that kind of kindness, forbearance, and long-suffering patience toward others. Jesus instructed, “whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them”. (Matthew 7:12) This Golden Rule tells us in a few words that kindness carries the whole of the Gospel. (The Four-fold Gospels Commentary) As we say in the south, “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” And thus, we will draw more people to Christ with kindness then judgment. Greg Laurie at Harvest Ministries in California shared in a recent devotion, “Believers sometimes approach nonbelievers with strange verbiage, then conclude that some people just take offense to the gospel. Yes, there’s offense in the gospel. But many times, people are offended because Christians are just weird and unnecessarily offensive. They don’t know how to use tact. We should use a little tact, a little winsomeness, when we share our faith. Someone has defined tact as the intuitive knowledge of saying the right thing at the right time. For example, when the apostle Paul saw that the people of Athens worshiped everything imaginable, he could have said, ‘You’re a bunch of pagan idolaters!’” Read what he told them in Acts 17:22-23. “Ah, Kindness. What a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in the world”, said poet, Alison Malee.

3) How does God’s kindness lead us to repentance?
Famous author, Mark Twain, said, “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Kindness touches the soul of man. Our lifestyle of winsome kindness will draw others to Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:15) Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers, “Be kind… compassionate … forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:32) To the Colossians Paul wrote, “Act wisely toward outsiders (…) Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” (Colossians 4:5-6) Living like Jesus draws others to Himself through us! It causes one to “want some of that”. When they ask us what is different, we should be “ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and reverence…”. (1 Peter 3:15) While kindness may come more naturally for some, true kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. It develops out of our willingness to fully surrender to the Holy Spirit at work within us as believers in Christ through faith. In her book, Jesus in Me, Anne Graham Lotz writes, “While you have the Holy Spirit within you, the cooperation of your full surrender, obedience, and faith is required to activate it. She quotes Dr. Alan Redpath of Moody Church, “it is a moment-by-moment surrender to the moment-by-moment control of the Holy Spirit” (The Making of a Man of God: Lessons from the Life of David) This surrender is a daily commitment to rise in the morning and give your day to the Lord. It makes all the difference in cultivating the kindness of the Lord in us!

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

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

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

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fruitful Week 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.

Terrain Day 6 The Jordan River

1 Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Joshua 3:1-17
2 Kings 5:1-14
Matthew 3:13-17
Ephesians 2:1-10

Terrain, Day 6

I don’t like dirt. I know it’s necessary for gardening, farming, and supplying life nutrients, but in my home or on my person, no thanks. Dirt equals unclean and impure. So, one could imagine how my mind struggles with a dirty river making anyone clean, cured, or blessed. But that’s exactly the role of the Jordan River in Biblical times.

The Jordan River starts at the base of Mount Herman and descends, flowing through the Sea of Galilee and ending in the south at the Dead Sea. It twists and turns through steep-walled valleys; the Jordan Valley contains reeds, tamarisks, willows, white poplar, and dense bushes, also known as thickets. Perhaps because it’s a floodplain, vegetation is so lush it concealed lions within those thickets in biblical times! And finally, Joshua and the Israelites found themselves on Jordan’s flooded banks as they traveled to the Promised Land. (Joshua 3:1-17)

After God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egpyt, they crossed the Red Sea on dry land (Exodus 13:17-14:31), and camped at the foot of Mount Sinai. Terrified and refusing to enter the Promised Land, they wandered the desert for 40 years. At last, Joshua was tasked with leading them into the Promised Land, but how would they cross the Jordan at flood stage, a half mile wide by 10 feet deep with swift currents?

God instructed, “Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: When you reach the edge of the water, stand in the Jordan.” (Joshua 3:8)

Stand. In water 10 feet deep.

This could have evoked the same fear that kept them wandering in the desert, but God was gracious to share His plan. “When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of the whole earth, come to rest in the Jordan’s water, its water will be cut off. The water flowing downstream will stand up in a mass.” (Joshua 3:13) They obeyed, which allowed the people to cross over to Jericho on dry land.

For a generation, the Israelites had been confined within the boundaries of their fear and disobedience. But now, like the Jordan River overflowing the boundaries of the riverbanks, their obedience allowed them to break through their boundaries. They crossed over from their old life of wandering to a new life of the blessings of God’s fulfilled promises.

Now let’s imagine you have a skin disease. You’re told the cure is washing seven times in a particular, dirty river. Would you do it? Personally, I would protest first and then speed to the river.

Far from hypothetical, this is Naaman’s story (2 Kings 5:1-14). The prophet Elisha told Naaman, a leper and the commander of the Syrian army, to wash in the Jordan River seven times to be healed. But Naaman was prideful and resisted. Why couldn’t he wash in the Abana or Pharpar rivers, which were clear and always abundant, unlike the Jordan, which was swampy, muddy, and shallow in places?

Thankfully for Naaman, his servants convinced him to follow Elisha’s instructions. So there amongst the thickets, also known as ga’on, or pride, he washed seven times and God healed his skin immediately. Naaman became renewed by leaving his pride in the pride. Who would think a little dirt could cure what ails you?

Naaman wasn’t the only one who took a “dip” in the Jordan. Journey with me to the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee, where John the Baptist performed baptisms, an outward act of obedience that reflected inward purification by God. Baptism by John affirmed belief in the coming Messiah and repentance of sin. One day, Jesus came to be baptized in the Jordan; not for repentance, because He was sinless and holy, but to consecrate Himself for His earthly ministry.

Again, this dirty river served as a source of purification. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, identifying Him as the Son of God through God the Father’s voice. The dirt and mud did not, and do not, diminish the Jordan River’s significance to Christians. Jesus’ Jordan River experience led Him into ministry for three years before He shed His red blood to pay for “our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Ephesians 2:1-4 tells us, “you were dead in your trespasses and sins,” “walked according to the ways of this world,” and we lived in “our fleshly desires.” But
God…”made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.”
God takes us from old to new, from death to life.
In the same way, He took the Israelites from the desert to the Promised Land,
Naaman from diseased to cured,
and Jesus from unknown to known so we could be cleansed.

Looking at our spiritual lives, how has God taken us from old to new, from diseased to healed, from abandoned to loved? Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” We might get a little dirt on us, or have to tread floodwaters from our own “Jordan River,” but God will faithfully see us through these challenges into newness and fullness of life!

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

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

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

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

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

Sketched IX Day 7 Heart Healer: Digging Deeper

2 Comments

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 Heart Healer!

The Questions

1) According to this passage, what was Jesus like?

2) From this prophecy, what would Jesus eventually come to do and why?

3) What is our response to who Jesus is and what He did?

Isaiah 53:3-6

3 He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.

He was like someone people turned away from;

he was despised, and we didn’t value him.

4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses,

and he carried our pains;

but we in turn regarded him stricken,

struck down by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion,

crushed because of our iniquities;

punishment for our peace was on him,

and we are healed by his wounds.

6 We all went astray like sheep;

we all have turned to our own way;

and the Lord has punished him

for the iniquity of us all.

Original Intent

1) According to this passage, what was Jesus like?
If we strictly consider what God is revealing to us through this prophetic passage in Isaiah 53, Jesus was despised. This Hebrew word used, “בָּזָה”, means utterly worthless and worthy of scorn, vile, and contempt. He was rejected by men continuously throughout His public ministry on earth. Throughout the gospel accounts, Jesus was reviled when He engaged with the religious elite group, the Pharisees, but He was also held in contempt among even His own people as John testifies to in his gospel, “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.” (John 1:11) The words in verse 3 of Isaiah 53 describe Jesus as a man acquainted with physical and mental pain. He knew sorrow and suffering. His life on earth was not immune to loss, rejection, or misunderstanding.

2) From this prophecy, what would Jesus eventually come to do and why?
The promised Messiah would one day come as God in human flesh to carry the sickness of our soul and our bodies, which results from our sin. All the sins which chronically eat away at our hearts and bring destruction around us, He came to take these sins and their consequences on Himself. He carries them, in the way one carries a burden or a heavy load. Christ hoists the impossibly heavy load of sin’s consequences completely off us and fully onto Himself. He restores us back to Himself now, and one day, when we are with Him forever, our bodies will also be fully restored and whole. Isaiah says He was pierced for our rebellion. He voluntarily allowed Himself to be slain to take on the sin of our rejection of God and His ways. Christ bears not only the impact of sin (illness), but also the root of sin (rebellion). He was crushed (shattered, broken into pieces) for our iniquities (perversity, depravity, evil acts). All this He did for the ultimate healing of our relationship with Him, “…we are healed by His wounds.” (Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:6-11) The hope of restoring us back to Himself in wholeness spiritually, and one day, fully physically, were Jesus’ motivations for His grand rescue mission which brought His death. We, those who would believe in Him, were the joy set before Him for which He endured the cross! (Hebrews 12:2)

3) What is our response to who Jesus is and what He did?
Isaiah paints a picture with his Holy Spirit led words, foretelling how people will respond to Jesus and His lavish sacrifice, “despised and rejected (…) He was like someone people turned away from; He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.” (verse 3) We can look at Jesus as being rejected by God, as some did at the cross. When Jesus claimed to be God, mockers wrongly concluded that if God would not save him, Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah. (Matthew 27:43) Isaiah writes of the common condition shared by every human being, “We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way…” (verse 6) We all stray (wandering about because we were seduced or deceived to leave the way) from God, rejecting His ways to go our own ways. To know the freedom Jesus offers, but to continue in this straying is another response we can have to Jesus. This arrogance and pride will lead us far from God’s loving rescue. The third response Isaiah highlights is to be healed by Jesus’ wounds, “punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.” (verse 5) This Hebrew word for healed, ”רָפָה” means to be mended, cured, and made whole. Jesus takes the soul-brokenness we bring to Him and makes us whole.

Everyday Application

1) According to this passage, what was Jesus like?
When we think of Jesus, many images may come to mind. Usually of Him teaching or healing, spending time with His disciples, or even hanging on the cross. Rarely do our thoughts veer toward the imagery of Isaiah’s prophetic portrayal of the Messiah in Isaiah 53. Isaiah tells us he was despised (worthless and worthy of scorn, vile, and contempt). His very essence was viewed with such great repulsion, it caused many to turn away from Him. Usually we don’t think of Jesus in this way. We consider Him as the One Whom crowds followed. In fact, so many followed Him that He often slipped away (Luke 5:16), left quickly for another town (Matthew 5:1 and Matthew 8:18), or got into a boat to teach. (Luke 5:3, Mark 4:1) But here, in this ancient prophecy, we see another side of Jesus as the One rejected, scorned, and not given worth. We may want to think of Jesus’ rejection in terms of the days leading up to the cross, or the crowd crying out for a thief to be released in place of Jesus. (Luke 23:18) But Jesus is despised and rejected even today when people choose to keep chasing themselves instead of surrendering to His gracious goodness held out to them. Even those of us who believe Him, can still hold parts of ourselves back, choosing to reject His offer of redemption and grace. Scripture teaches that Jesus is familiar with suffering and rejection. He knows it deeply, yet He still gives Himself fully to all. Then, in remarkable love, when we suffer in this life, we can know with confidence that He sympathizes with us. (Hebrews 4:15) Let’s both give ourselves in full surrender to, and be richly comforted by, the Savior familiar with rejection and scorn.

2) From this prophecy, what would Jesus eventually come to do and why?
Jesus withstood the rejection of men and the abusive injustice of the cross because of the deep love He has for us. His love is not based on our works (Ephesians 2:9); nor is it given sparingly or with demand for repayment. (Ephesians 2:8) His love flows toward sinners, undeserving enemies, who have chosen to rebel against Him. (Romans 5:10) Yet, He takes on the sin of the world in order to win us back to Himself because He loves the world. (John 3:16) Every soul is precious to Him and He died for the opportunity for all to be reconciled to Him if they choose to respond in total surrender to Him. (2 Peter 3:9) This is His joy! A joy that willingly scorned the shame and pain of the cross, looking beyond it toward the redemption of His people. (Hebrews 12:2) We serve a sacrificing God who reaches into our lives to invite us into relationship with Him, even though we do not deserve Him or His love. We are His beloved, and He gives His all for us. He gave His all at the cross and He gives it still. Will we receive His redemption?

3) What is our response to who Jesus is and what He did?
Isaiah’s prophecy is ancient, but every person alive today still has the same responses available to them as those living in Isaiah’s day. We can outright reject Jesus, refusing His gift of salvation. This will result in our eternal death and separation from Him for eternity, forever distanced from His love and grace. Many do this because they view Jesus as weak or insufficient as the Isaiah passage illuminates. Others choose to reject Christ because they love the darkness instead of the light because their deeds are evil. (John 3:19) Even those who receive Jesus and His gift of salvation will reject Him and His ways at times, as we still desire to serve ourselves instead of God. Those times are when we go astray, giving into temptation and leaving God’s way for our way. When we do this, we are urged to confess our sin so He can cleanse and forgive us. When we repent from that sin (change our mind and actions away from the sin), and again choose to follow Him, we are confident that He has forgiven us and empowered us to keep on following Him. (1 John 1:9) The third response is to humbly receive Him (John 13:20), His love (Romans 5:5), and His leadership (John 14:15). When we trust Jesus, we open ourselves to Him and His healing touch in our hearts and lives. We abide with Him (John 15:4) and we become like Him. (Ephesians 4:13-15)

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

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 IX 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.

Nations Day 2 Out Of Darkness: Digging Deeper

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 Out Of Darkness!

The Questions

1) Follow, deny, and take up sound rigorous. What do they mean in real life? (verse 23)

2) What does it mean to lose one’s life? What is the cost involved? (verse 24)

3) Is being ashamed of Jesus really possible? (verse 26)

Luke 9:23-26

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it. 25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and that of the Father and the holy angels.

Original Intent

1) Follow, deny, and take up sound rigorous. What do they mean in real life? (verse 23)
Jesus intended to be very clear in His statements by using the imagery of a cross as He spoke to those gathered around Him. All who wanted to follow Him must understand it involved denying one’s self and daily taking up their cross. To Jesus’ first audience, “cross” wasn’t a lovely symbol to hang around your neck or a decoration for your wall space. Rather, “cross” instantly brought to mind the cruelest form of death and torture known at the time. To “take up a cross” meant death. To take it up “daily” was altogether confusing to Jesus’ listeners as Christ Himself had not yet been crucified on a cross. However, one day, these listeners would look back after Jesus had died and been resurrected. Then they would understand a fuller picture of His words. Jesus meant for us to die to our sinful, natural selves and daily surrender to the new work of His Holy Spirit within us. “If you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13) Christ wanted His listeners to understand that true disciples were committing to making a radical decision to deny themselves and then live this out daily. Jesus demonstrated this when He literally took up a physical cross in complete surrendered obedience to the Father’s will. “Yet the Lord was pleased to crush Him severely.” (Isaiah 53:10) There was no self-focus in Jesus’ willful act of surrender, and His disciples were instructed to live out their daily surrender to Him in the same way. Bible scholar, W. Hendricksen, notes that Jesus made His clear statements to an audience of believers and non-believers. Whether His listeners chose to follow Him as disciples or not, their eternity was still at stake.

2) What does it mean to lose one’s life? What is the cost involved? (verse 24)
No one listening to Jesus that day was interested in “losing their life”, just as much as none of us reading this today would like to sign up to “lose”. This is exactly why Jesus chose such extreme language to communicate the all-important decision of following Him. He insisted that if anyone truly wants to save their life and win, they must surrender it to Him. Only by trying to hold onto their lives and their way would they actually end up losing everything. In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus told a story of a man who felt he was truly “winning at life” by piling up his material goods and pleasurable experiences. This man felt he had a long life ahead to enjoy everything, but God came to him and said, “You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?” (Luke 12:20) The man’s selfish way of living life cost him everything in the end, even his eternity with God. Jesus pointed His listening audience toward real, lasting hope when He said, “but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it.” (verse 24, emphasis mine) The process of losing our life to Christ is costly and painful as our fleshly, sinful desires are crucified. But as the Lord refines us, and teaches us to love Him first and most, we find ourselves whole, healed, and truly free! In surrender, we will ultimately experience great joy for His peace is greater than any sinful thing we give up. The sweetness of living life with the Holy Spirit working within us far outweighs any sin we think is better than Him.

3) Is being ashamed of Jesus really possible? (verse 26)
For a time during Jesus’ earthly ministry, it was popular to follow Him. He drew large crowds, everyone knew Him, and His miracles were known far and wide across the region. Everyone was talking about this miracle working prophet. But, Jesus’ mission wasn’t focused on fame and popularity. He regularly preached difficult messages and confronted people in their sin, offering them a chance to come into the Light, to be known and loved, and walk in newness of a surrendered life. Following Jesus when it was popular was easy. Following Him when He claimed to be God Himself and was facing death was quite another. Even Jesus’ disciples all fled from Him, and Peter denied Him, when crucifixion became imminent. (Matthew 26:56, Luke 22:54-62) When Jesus spoke of being “ashamed” of Him, He intended His audience to understand that if they were to continue in their choice not to follow Him, this equaled being ashamed of Him and His teachings of truth. To not follow Him means to be ashamed of Him. It is to be so proud of one’s ownership of their life that they refuse to live in surrender to Him or His words. At His return, Christ will justly condemn and reject those who rejected Him. The importance of how we respond to Jesus’ call to follow Him cannot be underestimated! Will we choose to live for ourselves on our own strength, or will we daily choose His ways and His path? Our world is very topsy-turvy, and many consider it easier to rebuff Jesus and His message so as to continue living for self. In denying ourselves and following Jesus, we will be rejecting the pattern of this world, which means we can expect ostracism, conflict and social dishonor. Yet, we remain confident that Christ will not be ashamed, or reject, us in the end because we have chosen to surrender to Him.

Everyday Application

1) Follow, deny, and take up sound rigorous. What do they mean in real life? (verse 23)
To follow means to attach ourselves to Jesus as His disciple, it requires denying our sin nature and remembering it has been crucified with Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) We are to live continually crucified of all sinful patterns of life that do not harmonize with God and His ways of love. (2 Corinthians 10:5-6) Living lives of surrendered following and self-denial as we take up the cross of Jesus, means that, regardless of what we encounter, we are to trust Christ and His ways over our own. We are to choose His commands for life as we worship Him for His great gift of salvation to us. (Ephesians 4:32-5:2) Crucifying our old nature with Christ means surrendering our bent to rely on ourselves, our abilities, and our logic. It’s the attitude of “I can do this, and I don’t need anyone”. Boy, oh boy, does this ever hit home in my own life! God is gracious by letting me fail on my own, then bringing me back to the reality that I can only follow Him when I surrender my ways to His. It’s impossible to follow Jesus without the power of Christ at work in me! We are to give ourselves away for the gospel! I pray my legacy for my children, grandchildren, and others would be my surrender to Christ so He could amplify His strength in my life. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Jesus is worth surrendering everything for! In surrender to a loving God, we don’t need to fear for His perfect love will never leave us! (1 John 4:18, Matthew 28:20)

2) What does it mean to lose one’s life? What is the cost involved? (verse 24)
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He had a slogan, if you will, “whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it.” This was the theme of the messages He preached as He ventured from city to city. The crux of His message then is just as important for us now. Jesus is not interested in “casual Christians”. Only those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus in full are genuine. Of course, because we still love our old sin nature, and we forget that Jesus died for us, even true Christians still sin. But Christ stands ready to forgive! “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Even this returning to Jesus in humble repentance isn’t possible without His Spirit at work within those who have given themselves to Christ. True followers are marked by God’s Spirit at work in them as they surrender daily to His will. Living for ourselves, following our agendas and desires, refusing to deny our sin nature, and choosing not to lovingly serve others through Christ’s power is to live in opposition to God. None who follow this pattern of life can claim to also follow Jesus. “If we say, “We have fellowship with Him (God),” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.” (1 John 1:6) We must not miss the seriousness of this distinction! Living separate from God is dangerous! If we die in our sinful state, we will earn eternity apart from God; this equals pain, brokenness, and shattering loss for ALL eternity! The cost of surrender may feel high and painful, but the price tag that comes with an eternity separated from Him isn’t even worth comparing!

3) Is being ashamed of Jesus really possible? (verse 26)
When we choose not to be ashamed of Jesus by surrendering our lives to Him, we are free to anchor our lives in steadfast truth. We no longer need to be carried away by every wind of doctrine or whim of peer pressure around us. As we continue living daily in surrender to God’s Spirit within us, the Lord leads us to give our lives away for Him. One mark of knowing we do indeed belong to Jesus and haven’t rejected Him is the desire to boldly tell others of the forgiveness found in Christ. Sharing about God’s redemption in our lives can be scary, but when we consider that someone’s life for eternity hangs in the balance, we can choose to courageously explain how Jesus gave Himself for all people. Remember, Jesus taught this passage to an audience of both followers and those who didn’t believe. The consequence for choosing to be “ashamed” of God’s gracious gift of salvation is an eternity separated from Him! Jesus wanted all people to know this truth, which is why He has commissioned His followers to go and tell His good news! How often in our daily lives do we shrug off Jesus by avoiding telling someone about Him because we are afraid or unsure? His forgiveness and grace are available to us when we don’t take every opportunity given to us to share the hope of Jesus, but these missed chances should strongly encourage us to share Hope all the more often with others! The Lord is intentional in giving us opportunities to share about Him with others. Pray fervently for who the Lord wants you to share the Gospel with! Be of good courage, God is building His kingdom through His followers! Praise God for His desire that all people come to Him! (2 Peter 3:9)

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

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

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

Our Current Study Theme!

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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