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Fruitful Day 1 Anchoring Love

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 3:16-17
Romans 5:8-15
2 Peter 1:2-4
1 John 4:16-19
Galatians 5:22-25

Fruitful, Day 1

I’ve often heard the popular saying, “It is not the gift that matters, but the spirit behind it.”

While the giver’s intent is important, the gift itself often speaks volumes of the giver’s heart. Would we gift junk to someone dear to us?
No, love motivates us to give a precious gift to another.

Yet, our kind of love is imperfect. How we relate to and treat one another, how we love, is mostly dependent on their treatment of us.

But God’s love is not like ours; His love does not depend on our attitude.
He loves us irrespective of who we are, because He is love.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12)

“But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Jesus demonstrated His great love when He submitted Himself to the will of His Father without reservation, by offering His life as a sacrifice for our sins. What a great love! Now, we who believe in Him are the product of that love.

Before Jesus returned to the Father, He said,

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth [. . .] I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.” (John 14:16-18)

The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, just as Jesus promised, on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-4) We have also received the Holy Spirit when we put our faith in Christ!
The Holy Spirit is the gift of God’s presence in us, demonstrating His love for us.
Through His Spirit, He motivates and equips us to love one another, He comforts us in times of adversity, and fills us with joy even when we don’t have any physical reason to rejoice. He helps us  love even our enemies, and enables us to persevere in trials.

I can testify to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in me. When I encountered Jesus in my life, I began to learn of the depth of His love.

This hymn always reminds of His love; whenever I sing it, tears of joy roll down my cheeks.

“I am so glad that our Father in heaven
Tells of His love in the Book He has given,
Wonderful things in the Bible I see.
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me,
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.”

This song reminds me of my character before my encounter with Jesus’ love. I can’t imagine why Jesus should love a person like me: a selfish, self-centered, self-righteous, unforgiving, and Mrs. Know-All person.

Yet He died for me and paid the full price for my sins.
When I was boasting in my emptiness, bragging of my good works,
He knew they wouldn’t save me.

He revealed Himself to me as the only way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) Only then did I begin to truly experience His love that goes far beyond our comprehension. Just as it is impossible to measure the quantity of water in the ocean, so is God’s love for us.

Wrapped in the embrace of His love, there was nothing left for me but to surrender my life to Him. I could not resist His compelling, motivating, magnetic love.
His love gave me peace I had never experienced before.
His love began cultivating the fruitfulness of His own character in me.
My life was transformed from one of self-indulgence and frustration to a life bubbling with joy.
Hallelujah! 

I am certainly not perfect, but I am not who I was before I encountered Christ’s love.
By the grace of God, my story is different.
Glory be to God!

I do not count on my selfish love to see me through weighty grievances or serious offences, but rather on God’s own love which He poured in my heart through the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5) I am absolutely certain of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish what human ability cannot.

Considering this great, incomprehensible love of God, I conclude with the words of Apostle Paul,

“Who can separate us from the love of Christ? [. . .] For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 8:35a, 38-39)

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

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Fruitful Week One! 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 Fruitful!

The GT Weekend! ~ Ready Week 2

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) What a great gift is ours in Christ! If you have believed in the Lord, you have been forgiven of your sins and have been given grace upon grace. The call on your life as a Christian is now to share that gift with others. There is a pervasive idea in the church that evangelism and discipleship are the job of church leaders and professionals, but God has called each of us to share His gospel with those around us. This requires action and commitment. In my church, we often speak about “best next steps.” You can’t arrive at your destination without taking a first and second and seventieth step. So, what is your next best step? Is there someone in your life who needs to hear the gospel? Can you set a time daily to pray for them? Maybe you are already praying for someone. Can you set a time to meet with them in person and have a gospel-centered conversation with them? You could share your testimony and ask them to tell you where they are in their faith journey. Ask God to help you discern your next best step, write it down, and set a due date for yourself. Follow through in being generous with the gift God has given you!

2) “More of You Lord, more of You.” As we consider what it means to “live ready,” we are reminded of the truth that today is all we have. We may have great plans and dreams of how we will serve God in the future (one day when I’m married, one day when I have children, one day when my children are not so little, one day when my children don’t have so many activities…). However, the truth is we only have today to be truly faithful. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. How are you stewarding your time today? How are you practicing faithfulness in your current season? Write down two practices you are practicing that serve you well in your faithful walk and helping you to grow in your relationship with the Lord. Then write down two practices that are not serving you well (distracting you from your goals, or inhibiting your relationship with God). Ask the Lord to grant you strength and courage to leave behind behaviors that are inhibiting your faithful walk. Remember our actions don’t save us, but for those who love God, our salvation allows and enables us to walk faithfully.

3) We live with the expectant hope that Christ could return at any moment. No one knows the day or the hour, so we must live faithfully as we wait, trusting His timing is perfect. As we wait, we may be tempted to put our hope in many different things the world offers, but our only true hope is in Jesus. If we truly believe He is our only hope, we ought to be excited to share this hope with others! Meeting physical needs is important, but if we neglect the souls of our neighbors, are we truly living out what we believe? What are some ways you are tempted to put your hope in something other than the Lord? Write down the things that fight for your hope. Then write down two or three practical ways you can share your true hope with others. Do you know your neighbors? Do you have coworkers who are far from God? Maybe start by having a conversation with them. Season your words with the joy and hope you have in Christ. You don’t have to preach at them, but intentionally keep the work God is doing at the forefront of your heart and tongue.

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you. May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.

Prayer Journal
Come, Lord Jesus, come. We anxiously await Your return as we live in this broken world. We know that You alone are our only hope. You alone can satisfy our needs. You alone can take the broken parts of our lives and redeem them to Your glory. Let us live ready in light of our steadfast hope in You. May the desire of our hearts be to share Your goodness with everyone around us. May our lives be so overflowing with the joy only You can give that we cannot help but speak of You to those around us. Lord, I confess I often hesitate to speak Your name to my neighbors and friends. I am unsure of my own abilities and concerned for my own reputation. Help me trust in Your ability to strengthen me. Help me to care more for Your reputation than my own. Help me to be ready to speak Your truth day after day.

Worship Through Community

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Send us an email at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com

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Worship Through Music

Worship VIII Day 13 My Victory

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 2:1-10
Colossians 1:15-23
Romans 7:21-8:3
Romans 8:18-39
2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Worship VIII, Day 13

We’ve all heard evangelists preach truth to the lost,
but have you ever preached truth to yourself?

It may sound odd, but it’s a beneficial practice. Reminding ourselves of the truth of Scripture impacts our real, everyday lives.

For example, His great faithfulness is equally true both in times of devoted worship and as we fold laundry. His plans for our hope and future remain, even as we potty-train our toddlers or wait in the car-rider line.

We’re often encouraged in church, yet promptly deflated as we smack headlong into life. Preaching truth to ourselves helps us remain in the confidence of worship and move forward in strength, rather than living in perpetual frustration. Hymns and worship songs provide excellent material for preaching truth to ourselves, and My Victory by Jimmy Needham is no exception.

“Never turning back to the way things were
I’m stronger now than I was before
I hear the sound that freedom brings
It’s ringing loud
Now I am free to lift my eyes
For grace is alive”

The first stanza prompts a glance over our shoulders, recalling life when Christ found us. As I remember from what He’s saved me, I rejoice! My empty life was suddenly infused with the breath of God. What was dead, is now alive!

“You are the hope that broke the dark in me
You are the light that shines when I can’t see
You are, You are, my victory”

Because Jesus is God in human form,
our divine Redeemer,
our death-conquering,
resurrected and ascended King,
He is the only one truly qualified to be our living hope.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus purchased an all-access pass to the resources we need for a fruitful life in Christ. As believers, we have access to an arsenal of truth, a “truth trifecta,” we can use to fight lies in Jesus’ name. This truth trifecta is Scripture, prayer, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. 

Scripture is our “light when we can’t see,” our battle-sword, and our bedrock of truth. Therefore, Scripture’s words about God’s character, our sinfulness, His grace, and our victory in Christ are absolutely true, regardless of our feelings. Standing upon Scripture is standing upon truth. It is bedrock, especially in the heat of battle.

The Holy Spirit serves as our internal compass and intercessor. Because the Holy Spirit connects us to the same power-source that resurrected Christ, we’re empowered to live fruitful, flourishing lives in enemy territory.

Through the phenomenon of prayer, redeemed humans can enjoy free-flowing communication with God. For example, the psalms illustrate raw, unfiltered conversations with God; the writer is often an open book. Because the astounding privilege of being known and loved by The Ancient of Days is our reality, our deepest heart-cries and most treasured dreams are His immediate concern.

“My weakness Yours, Your mercy mine
My God, You’re not the leaving kind
I sing the song that freedom brings
It’s ringing loud
Now I am free to lift my eyes
My God is alive”

Here, we’re reminded of the paradoxes within Christianity. In our weakness, we are strong. Because we surrender our weakness to Him and in turn, are suffused with His strength. Instead of abandoning us to our sin, He redeems us, bestows riches upon us, and fights for us.

I know this is true, because for years He fought for me, empowering me in my weakness. Preaching Scriptural truth to myself, praying like an open book, and drawing strength from His Spirit sustained me as weighty circumstances threatened to crush me.

My preemie twins needed a skilled, compassionate mother; it was a rewarding yet exhausting and thankless task.

Matthew’s special needs intensified my load and isolation. His medical needs steadily increased, along with his seizures.

My solid (but previously untested) faith was called into action. Throughout our struggles, truth was my ever-present companion, and preaching it to myself, through tears of desperation, became my means of survival. Prayer became my lifeline, often resembling a signal flare launched into the darkness. Truth was my bedrock, prayer sustained me, and the Holy Spirit empowered me to care for my boys well in Jesus’ name.

“In times of trouble
When I’m not able
You are, my God, You are
My chains are broken
Your gates are open
Hallelujah”

How easily we can identify with Needham’s words! A quick scroll on social media screams of a world is in chaos. Covid19, political vitriol, and the “Cancel Culture” exasperate and disorient us.

Yet, He remains our foundation. When Matthew died, I stared numbly into his casket and was engulfed in a swirling fog of grief; yet He shared my burden, lifting my tear-stained face toward eternity and the temporary nature of my affliction.

The truth of Scripture stabilized me throughout my care-giving years and in my grief. For truth remains, no matter the circumstances; what is true in the sunlight is equally true in the pouring rain.

His Spirit gave me steely fortitude in heartbreaking circumstances; His Word and His Spirit spoke of eternity and our blessed hope.  Though we now dwell in enemy territory, building outposts of truth in occupied land, we know how this story ends. Jesus wins! Therefore, “we sing it out, we sing it loud! He is our victory!”

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 Worship VIII Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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

Worship VII Day 13 One Day

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Corinthians 4:1-5
Romans 5:6-11
John 3:16-21
Revelation 22:6-20

Worship VII, Day 13

What a difference a day makes!

I remember the day I came face to face with the knowledge that I was hopelessly lost. Old Slew foot, the devil, had blinded my eyes to the light of Life found only in Jesus. He said, “You’re a good girl. You have nothing to worry about.” Even though my parents, and their parents, and their parents before them were all Christians,
I was still lost in the darkness of my sin.

The old evangelist preached hard that night. Was it his warning of hell and damnation or the fact that my grandfather had recently passed that got my attention? Maybe both. The Spirit of God was opening the eyes of my heart, and I was brought into His Light that day. I recognized I needed a Savior so, at an old-fashioned camp meeting, I walked the aisle and gave my heart and life to the Lord.
Oh, what a day when I came into the Light!

At the turn of the 20th century, another great evangelist, J. Wilbur Chapman, was also intently determined to preach the Gospel. Chapman served several pastorates before going into the evangelistic circuit. He preached with the legendary D. L. Moody at the 1893 World’s Fair before traveling with gospel singer, Charles Alexander. Their first campaign in Philadelphia saw 8,000 conversions followed by Boston and 7,000 recorded conversions. Chapman and Alexander continued having tent revivals all around the world for the next 10 years until his death in 1918. [Wholesomeword.org]

While Chapman will be forever known as a great evangelist, he also blessed the Church with many hymns like “Our Great Savior (Jesus, What a Friend of Sinners)”.  Perhaps he “gave the Christian world the greatest gospel content song of all time when he penned the words for “One Day.” [Truthful Words Biographies]

“One day when Heaven was filled with His praises.
One day when sin was a black as can be.
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my example is He.”

It was indeed a dark day when sin began running rampant and men turned from the living God to please themselves. Ever since that day in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), men and women have been impossibly lost in sin with no hope to save themselves. Until that one day when, at just the right time, God sent His angels to proclaim the miraculous, Jesus had come from Heaven to earth! (Luke 2:8-12) He came to the sinful and impossibly lost, born of a virgin to live fully as a man experiencing everything we experience, yet, living a sinless life because He was and is God Almighty. (1 Peter 2:20-25)

“Living He Loved me.”

How much God loves us! We are familiar with John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son…” But, even better, the darkness of our sin is chased away by His glorious light! (John 3:16-21)

Not only does He love us, but He came to provide our forgiveness before we even considered asking for it or being remorseful. (Romans 5:6-11) He loved, and forgave, while we were still deep in our sin.

“Dying He Saved me. Buried, He carried my sins far away.”

Yes, one day they arrested Jesus and falsely accused Him. That day, He took on our sin to pay our debt of punishment for that sin on a cruel cross.  He carried our sin upon Himself so it would no longer rule our lives. In Jesus, our sin has been removed “as far as the East is from the West.” (Psalm 103:12)

Our debt of sin has been erased! Gone! Forever Gone! Praise the Lord!
“He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations,
that was against us and opposed to us,
and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.”
(Colossians 2:14)

“Rising, He justified freely forever”

Even greater than taking on the punishment of death we deserved, after three days in the grave, He rose again, breaking the power of sin and death. On that day, He freed us forever from the slavery of sin. In Jesus, we can be both saved from our sin’s punishment and justified before a Righteous God! Jesus moves our status from “hopelessly sinful” to “just as if I’d never sinned!”. This doesn’t come automatically because we’re alive, faith is required. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith that places our full-weight trust in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross to pay for our sin. Do we believe what the Bible says about Jesus? If we accept His offer of salvation in genuine faith, we will live forever with Him in Heaven one day.

“It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” (Romans 4:23-25)

“One day He’s coming, Oh Glorious day!”

Ah! Yes! One day! One day He is coming again for us!
When Christ ascended into Heaven, the angel come down with a promise that ONE DAY, He would return just as He had left in the clouds. (Acts 1:6-11) It will be a glorious day when he comes and sets up His kingdom.

And who can enter in?
“Those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
(Revelation 7:14)

I am ready for that Glorious day!
Are you?
Have you repented of your sin and asked to be free from the slavery of sin and its punishment of death? Make today your own “One Day” that changes everything!
What a difference a day makes!

“Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely.”
(Revelation 22:17)

Author’s Note:
Though this hymn is over 100 years old, listen in to Casting Crowns for a remade version!

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
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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 Worship VII Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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

The GT Weekend! ~ Sketched VIII Week 3

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Waiting. Seasons of waiting can be some of the most challenging periods of life to walk through. When you are a child, it seems Christmas will never come. When you are single and long to be married, you may find yourself acutely aware of the happily paired couples around you. When you are childless and long to be a mother, the season of waiting can feel excruciating and isolating. Each new season of life brings its own “waiting” for something to change. The blind man waited years to be healed with no guarantee of healing, but Jesus brought the fullness of redemption in an unexpected way. What are you longing and praying for? Are you contentedly waiting for God’s timing in your season of waiting? In what area of your life have you waited on the Lord and seen His faithfulness? Write these down and journal your observations as you pause and pray! Waiting on the Lord transforms our heart attitudes; when we witness His faithfulness towards us, we can respond in worship and point others to His goodness. Who is one person you could share with this week of God’s faithfulness to you? Pray now for an opportunity to do this!

2) Tamar felt the sting of faithless men on all sides in her life. A step-brother who took everything from her, a father who failed to protect her or bring justice to her situation, and a brother who took vengeance into his own hands. No one truly made things right for Tamar. Doubtless, we’ve all experienced times when others, who should have protected, or loved, us failed. Praise the Lord that when men fail us, when we reach our rock-bottom, and our shame is more than we can bear, He is our Mighty Refuge! We know Yahweh’s faithfulness, unlike mankind’s, is everlasting. Reflect on God’s faithfulness to you in your past times of need, write these out as a short prayer of thanks to Him for His unending grace. Bravely verbalize the wounds of your heart where others haven’t loved you well either out loud or on paper. Then spend some time in prayer, turning these over to the Lord, asking for healing, and reminding yourself of God’s unfathomable love for you! Our hope is in Christ alone, even when everything around us seems hopeless.

3) Mephibosheth lost almost everything he had in one day. His whole world came crashing down as a small boy, yet years later, when he could have continued living obscurely as an outcast, he was brought near by the compassion of King David. The great mercy Mephibosheth received is not unlike the great mercy we have received from God. While once we were enemies of God, He has made a way for us to be right with Him again. Knowing you have received great mercy through Jesus if you have trusted Him with your heart, are you walking in the life and wholeness that comes with it, or are you walking in the bitterness and hate of judgment? Are you rejoicing in the grace you have been given, or clinging to what you feel you have lost? How has God’s great mercy made you whole? Take some time to consider ways you can reflect the mercy you have been shown by Jesus to others in your life. Write them down! Put them in your phone or somewhere else you will be reminded to take action!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Psalm 91:1-2, 14-15 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

The one who lives under the protection of the Most High

dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress,

my God in whom I trust. 14 Because he has his heart set on me,

I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name.

15 When he calls out to me, I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble.

Prayer Journal
Merciful Father, thank you that You are faithful at all times. Even in our suffering, even in our longing, even in our waiting, You are faithful to the end. I confess I often doubt Your faithfulness. In prayers that seem unanswered, in seasons of pain that seem to never end, when friends and family let me down, help me remember the hope of Your mercy and love. I know I am shortsighted, but Your plan is good. Remind me I am like the outcast, deserving of nothing, but You have brought me into Your home and made me Your child. Comfort my soul in the waiting seasons. Remind me the mercy You have given me is also meant to be extended to others from my hand. Your steadfast love endures forever; may my lips always praise You!

Worship Through Community

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

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

Sketched VIII Day 9 Naaman: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

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

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Naaman!

The Questions

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

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

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

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

2 Kings 5:1-27

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

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

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

Original Intent

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

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

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

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

Everyday Application

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

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

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

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

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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!

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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.

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Treasure Day 13 Living Treasure

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Deuteronomy 7:6-9
Matthew 13:44-46
2 Corinthians 4:1-18
1 Peter 1:13-25
1 Peter 2:1-9

Treasure, Day 13

Treasure.

What images fill your mind when you read the word? Mounds of gold? Rubies, diamonds, or other costly gems? The fanciful Cave of Wonders from Aladdin? Scrooge McDuck and his millions? Captain Jack Sparrow and his endless quest for bounty? Maybe you’re like me, and your mind is instantly filled with glimpses of Gollum and his “Precious.” (Thank you, Mr. Tolkien.)

Interestingly, of all the things most of us picture when it comes to treasure, actual people are close to, if not the, very last on our list.

And yet, treasure is exactly what our Creator God says we are.

“But you are a chosen race,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a people for His possession,
so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Let’s talk about treasure for a minute.

What do people usually do with treasure?

We take care of it, right? We might hide it, or bury it, or (if we’re being current) take it to the bank.
We protect it, keeping it for ourselves.

In Matthew, Jesus weaves the stories of the man who finds a treasure in a field, and of the pearl of great worth. His parables make perfect sense and resonate with us because they fall in line with our natural tendencies to hide, protect, save and keep treasure for ourselves. We might take it out to look at from time to time, but for the most part, we tuck it away and leave it alone.

What does God do with His treasure (read: us)?
He takes care of us.
He hides us in Himself.
He sets us apart.

Here the similarities end, because His ways are not our ways, and His purpose is much greater than anything we could envision. He hides us for a season, as He is working in and on us, but His end game is to reveal His handiwork to all.

Next, He polishes us and purifies us, getting rid of everything marring the beauty and testimony of His transformative, powerful handiwork. If you’ve been through any of His polishing, you know it’s a life-changing, beautifully brutal process by which He eliminates our dross and cultivates His refined glory in our lives.

Scripture clearly shows us we are treasured in God’s eyes and heart…but are we living this truth? 

Do you honestly believe you, Dear One, are treasure? I mean, really, deep down in your heart, do you believe it? Your spirit believes it, sure. If you’ve given your life and heart to Him, your spirit is joined to His already by the work of the cross.

But does your soul (your heart, mind, emotions, and will) operate daily in the reality of the truth? 

To put it another way, when you look in the mirror, do you wince and turn away?When you think about yourself, do you think in treasured terms?
Is your self-speech lovely and kind? Or is it harsh and critical?
Do you joke about how “terrible” you are, or make light of your shortcomings in a self-effacing kind of way?

Sweet friend. I’m guilty of it, too. But it ought not be this way.

Believe it or not, poor talk and thoughts about ourselves are actually a form of self-idolatry. We are called to align ourselves with His truth, not to adopt whatever bits and pieces of His truth fit our own personal narrative.

When we insist on thinking about ourselves in any way other than what He says about us, we are effectively elevating our own selves, and what we think is true, above our Creator. Ouch.

Friend, how can we expect to be a light and share His love with the world, when we don’t even believe He loves us the way He says He does? How can we ever hope to make a difference in the lives of those in our spheres of influence, or in the lives of our very children, if we do not believe and live what we claim to believe?

And further, how in the world do we expect to genuinely care for others in the Church as treasure, when we don’t even believe we are treasured by Him?

Hard questions, I know. I’m squirming, too. 

But Loves, we have to stay here in this uncomfortable place and wrestle with this until we get it.
Because this is big “T” Truth.
Because this is how He loves us, and how He calls us to love: by edifying our brothers and sisters in Christ and treat them as the treasures they are!

Lord, You are worthy of all my praise. I repent of not agreeing with You about who and what You say I am. I break agreement with the negative self-talk I have been using, and I agree with Your Word, which says I am treasured, loved, and a masterpiece. Help me to keep from speaking poorly about myself, and renew my mind with true thoughts in alignment with Your Word. My life belongs to You. In Jesus’s Name, amen.

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Worship V Day 5 The Love Of God

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 3:16-17
Ephesians 3:14-21
Romans 5:1-11
Romans 8:31-39
Lamentations 3:22-24

Worship V, Day 5

A California businessman loses everything.

A prisoner in an asylum scratches out words on his cell wall.

A Jewish Rabbi writes a poem for Pentecost.

At first glance, these men have nothing in common.
BUT, as is His style, God weaves a beautiful story.

He sovereignly used these men, unknown to each other, to co-author one of today’s most treasured hymns.

As only God can, He ordained specific circumstances for each of these men to bring together three stanzas of The Love of God.

I first heard the hymn in college at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Despite the 15+ years since that President’s Chapel where I listened to a choir sing at Dr. Stowell’s request, I still vividly hear the words ringing through the auditorium.

When I saw this Journey Study offer, I did a double take; how could I NOT write about these beautiful, moving lyrics that have meant so much to me?!

I had NO idea about the hymn’s history, but I uncovered an incredible story of God’s sovereignty!

Fredrick Lehman lost everything and watched his business crash before him. Instead of turning his back on God, he leaned into Him. Deeply moved by a sermon, Lehman’s rampant thoughts-turning-to-lyrics left him restless all night and pursued him the next day. When he finished his temporary shift of packing crates of fruit, he rushed home to his piano and penned the first two stanzas, the chorus, and the melody for his would-be-hymn.

Stuck, Lehman couldn’t think of a third verse, a requirement for hymns at that time.
He could have tucked his incomplete song away, stashing it in a box with other papers to be forgotten.

But he didn’t.
God wanted this hymn written at that very moment.

He reminded Lehman of a card he’d been given years prior that had been used for nothing more than a bookmark until this day…

On the card was a poem:

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Tho stretched from sky to sky.

Not only were the words perfect for the hymn’s message, but when Lehman set them to the melody he’d already prepared, it too was a perfect fit!

As Lehman looked again at the card, he saw a story written at the bottom.

The poem had been found on a prisoner’s cell wall in an asylum some 200 years prior.  The words had gone unnoticed until the prisoner died and workers were tasked with painting the cell. Impressed and thinking the words were worth preserving, the workers jotted down the poem before their brushes covered the walls with paint.

How amazing is that?!
God used a prisoner in an insane asylum to write the third stanza some 200 years before Lehman would pen the first two stanzas!

As if that wasn’t miraculous enough…get this!
The prisoner wasn’t the original author of the poem.
Encouraged by the words, he must have memorized them earlier in his life.

A Jewish Rabbi, Meir Ben Isaac Nehoria, had written the poem in Hebrew in AD 1050, as a hymn during Pentecost.

God preserved that poem, ensured a prisoner in an asylum would scrawl it on the wall of his cell, in English, some thousands of years later!

God then purposed a friend to give Lehman a card with both poem and story.

God not only had Lehman use that card as a bookmark, but reminded him of it on that very day as he struggled to compose lyrics for a third stanza for his hymn!

Wow! Just wow!

God must really have wanted that message written in that exact way, with those vivid mental images of a scroll stretching across the sky, an ocean filled with ink, and EVERY person on earth picking up a pen to attempt to write about His love!

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell.
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell.

We cannot even begin to fathom how much God loves us!  It is beyond our wildest imaginations!

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.

 Do you see Adam and Eve in the Garden?  Do you sense their shame, fear, and despair?

Do you hear God’s approaching footsteps? Do you cower lower, waiting for inevitable punishment?

Are you blown away when He graciously spares their lives AND provides reconciliation?

Do you realize God KNEW they would mess up and had a plan in place to save them before He ever spoke the first star into existence?!

Do you understand He also had YOU in mind that day in the Garden?  His promise of pardon is for ALL!

When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race-
The saints’ and angels’ song.

MUCH time has passed since that fateful day in the Garden.
In every time period, people worldwide have denied God and resisted Him.

BUT, His love endures.  He continues redeeming and reconciling ANY AND ALL who are willing through His offer of salvation TODAY until the day when Christ returns.

On that day, every tongue, tribe, and nation will join together with angels to sing to the Holy One!

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song

That’s a story worth singing about, and sharing!
How might God use YOU, in intricate ways, to declare His vast love?!

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