The GT Weekend! ~ Fruitful Week 1

August 28, 2021 by Erin O'Neal 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

1) Have you ever watched a garden grow? From one day to the next, the growth of the garden looks nearly the same. But over the course of a summer, what was once a patch of brown, unimpressive dirt becomes a jungle of plants, vines, and fruits. This makes me think of the work of the Spirit of God in my life. I look much the same today as I did yesterday. But if I consider how I’ve changed over the last 5 years, I see substantial ways that the Holy Spirit has done His work in me. As I have grown more aware of Christ’s love for me, my love for others has grown in tandem with my love for God. As I become more aware of how undeserving I am of His love, I have grown more eager to share with others. No matter where you are on your faith journey, the Spirit of God can change you. Are you still undecided about whether this Jesus is for you? Ask God to reveal His great love to you. Are you a brand new believer? Praise God that He loves you just as you are and ask Him to grow your love for Him and others. Are you a mature believer wondering why you still struggle with accepting His love or showing it to others? Cast all your troubles at the feet of Jesus. The Spirit empowers and brings about your transformation. You need only obey His leading. Write down 3 ways that you have seen evidence of God’s love in your life, and 3 ways that you can show His love to others. Thank Him for the work He has already done, and ask for His strength to walk in obedience.

2) What comes to mind in your everyday life experiences around the word “joy”? Close your eyes, slow your breathing, and think about joy. Where do you see it? How do you feel it in your body? What sounds do you hear? What smells tantalize you? What does your tongue taste as you consider joy? Do you find a smile spreading across your face even as your eyes are closed? Go ahead and try it! We will be here waiting when you open your eyes! As you reflect on these rich experiences, what was absent for this joy to be so free? Did your joy center around an experience, a person, or an object? If this joy were tangible, and you could submerge yourself in it like ocean water, imagine the glee and the freedom here. Now, know with confidence, that the highest peak of delectable joy humanly possible is like a drop in the bucket on a parched day compared to the richness of joy found only in relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you believe this? Have you experienced this? In what way? Dig into Scripture this week, seeking out this lasting joy in relationship with Jesus!

3) Peace feels…. What adjective would you use to finish this sentence? Slippery? Calming? Impossible? Our previous experiences with peace often dictate whether we view peace as illusive, tangible, or even mythical. It’s important to be reminded that biblical peace is not the absence of conflict. Scripture teaches that the gospel is indeed offensive to those who rebel against it. (1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Peter 2:7-8) As long as we are at odds with Christ and the true peace that He brings, the idea of peace will always seem slippery, illusive, and impossible. Where Christ rules, and our surrender is wholly given, peace floods. Identify the places in your life where peace is glaringly absent. Where does it feel like “peace” is laughable? Describe these scenarios in a few words on a post-it note and stick them by your bed. On another card, write out Philippians 4:4-7 and place it close by. Make time throughout the coming days to intentionally memorize these verses. What is the secret to unleashing God’s peace according to these verses?

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 Peter1:2-4 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.

Prayer Journal
Oh Lord our God, how great is Your love for us. Father, Son, Spirit, Your love is perfect. You did not need mankind to make Your love complete, but because of Your great and overflowing love, You chose to create us for relationship with You. What joy this truth brings to my heart. You are not a far-off, unseeing God. No, You hear the prayers of Your people and You speak to us. Forgive me, oh Lord, for my forgetful, hardened heart. I long to follow You and obey Your commands, yet I often choose the lesser things, rebelling in my innermost being against the relationship You have offered me. Have mercy on me, oh God, and renew my heart. Thank You for the gift of transformation You give to Your children. Thank You for the fruit of the Spirit that is evident in my life. I know that without Your great power, I would not have the love, joy, or peace that I have in my life today. Help me to be steadfast and faithful, following the leading of Your Spirit 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

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

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

The GT Weekend ~ Terrain Week 2

August 14, 2021 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend!

Worship Through Journaling

1) The Jordan River was muddy, narrow at some spots, and wide in others. During flood season, it rushed madly and left mud-covered banks on either side. The Jordan was far from the beautiful flow of cascading water we might be prone to conjure up in our mind’s eye as we read of Jesus’ baptism or of fledgling Israel crossing before the battle of Jericho. Muddy as it was, the Jordan River played a pivotal role in both Old and New Testament stories, acting as a transition from one major scene to another. Think back over the major turning points in your own spiritual life. What emotions and circumstances marked their significance? If you had been the author of your life, would you have chosen cleaner, easier pathways for your journey? While the Jordan didn’t win any awards for being beautiful and clear, it did provide life-giving water to the entire Judean plain. Sometimes, life is found in the most unsuspecting of places. If you could “drop a pin” in the locations of your life marked by ugly struggle and hardship, consider the muddy Jordan River flowing through these areas. Pray redemption over them, and remember how deeply God loves to bring good, life-giving things out of muddy messes!

2) Forgotten. Hidden away. “Nothing good comes from Nazareth”. On Wednesday, Brenda took us away on a journey between two cities, utterly insignificant in their description and their surrounding terrain, but flooded with impact that reaches our own place in time. The Lord God could have chosen anywhere for the Messiah to be born and teach, but He intentionally picked the forgotten and neglected. This theme continues through all of Scripture and is woven tightly into every redemption story. So, let’s do something brave together, okay? I’ll take out pen and paper and you do the same. Take a big breath and write down, by name, all the places you wish were known and loved about you and your story, but remain hidden, unseen, and tucked away. Or perhaps, you’ve dared bring these out into the light only to have them rejected, “Nothing good comes from (fill in the blank).” Go ahead, write them down, I’m writing too. Don’t just mentally tick a list, it’s important to put these in ink and let our eyes take in the sight. One word, two words, get narrower and more descriptive. Are there tears in your eyes like there are in mine? Now tear these out of the page you’ve written and hold them up in your hands outstretched to the God who sees all things and specializes in bringing significance and beauty and richness out of the “good for nothing”. Lord God, take our broken nothings and make them beauty as You know us completely!

3) When we begin studying the physical components of the ancient world where Jesus taught, walked, laughed, and died, we gain a new perspective on the world around us. God seems so far off sometimes, doesn’t He? We are tempted to think He is out of touch. Our challenge in studying Terrain is to be reminded that the God who ordains every leaf to tremble in the wind, and knows the whereabouts of every strand of your hair, is keenly present in every moment. The whisper of the wind. The silkiness of rose petals. The smudgy kiss of a toddler. He is present. Yesterday, we were encouraged to “take a tent” to the Mt. of Olives and let our sandal clad feet explore the rocks and budding flowers, and the let the wispy olive tree branches graze our cheeks. As we walked in our minds, we were prodded to consider our own journeys with Jesus. Where have we seen Him? How have we encountered Him? Where does our hope lie? Take a full 60 seconds and just pause. Close your eyes and see the mountain, smell the breeze, listen for the Savior’s voice. What do you hear? As you open your eyes to your own landscape, decide to look closer into the ordinary things and be reminded of the utterly un-ordinary God who loves you!

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 Luke 12:6-7 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Prayer Journal
Here is my mess, Lord, will You take it? Myself. All my sinful ways. The ways I decide to trust me over You. The attention and love I give to those things and while choosing to ignore You. My hard heart and sharp tongue. My love of self.
Here is my list of hidden things, all those I tuck away sensing their insignificance and rejection; will You look at them? Wayward sons, willful daughters, broken trust, scars too deep for words, dreams I try to pretend haven’t died, wistful aches that I don’t voice.
Here are my ordinary everyday things, Lord. Soap bubbles, sticky floors, strong-willed children, wayward sons, willful daughters, the scent of outside play, the tree branch outside my window, the silky grass at my feet, the softness of my pillow, and Your words singing over me to the rhythm of the Spirit’s dance.
Lord God, how is it possible for You, the Holy of Holies, to look upon me and all my wretchedness? Yet, You do. More so, You invite the broken, the heavy-laden, the sin-shattered to come. It’s as if our brokenness is the requirement for coming to You that You might redeem and make whole. Lord God, may it be so. Let me know 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

Neighbor Day 5 Love lived Out

April 24, 2020 by Sara Cissell Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Titus 2:1-15
Matthew 28:18-20
Jude 1:1-3
Jude 1:20-25

Neighbor, Day 5

She set her coffee mug down on the table and rested her chin in her hand. The last few weeks of her life had been challenging and throughout the time we’d been sitting in the corner of the coffee shop, she had poured out the highs, lows, and everything in between of those days. I sipped my coffee and listened, occasionally asking clarifying questions to help her process all she desired to share.

I was not her counselor, but I did fill a role in her life. For this season, she had honored me with her willingness and desire to be discipled. Discipleship is defined as one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. While the word can be applied to a range of scenarios, we were focused on growing in our relationships with the Lord and becoming more like Him.

Our meetings typically did not last more than an hour or two, but they were still integral in making progress in our spiritual growth. This specific evening was critical in her journey. Decisions she had made and circumstances beyond her control had challenged her belief in God’s goodness and grace. The temptation to give up on His presence in her life lingered in her words.

She stared out the nearby window for a few moments, seemingly captivated by the breeze moving through the tree limbs outside. As I watched her process, I maintained a peaceful countenance; inwardly, I prayed fervently for the Lord’s words and wisdom.

Oh Lord, you have provided this connection for Your glory. You know the plans and purposes You have for her. You have not left her or forsaken her. Regardless of the choices she has made recently, You have promised not to despise a broken and contrite heart.

Lord, help me point her to You. Give me the words to honor You and bless my dear sister in Christ. My choices may be different, but my sin is no less profound in Your eyes. Grant me the humility to lead with honor and grace.

Dwell in the midst of us, Lord Jesus. Move as only You can. I surrender myself to You. Lead me and use me for Your glory.

No immediate Bible verses sprang to mind. No sudden ray of light shined through the window, directed toward my friend’s hurting heart. Peace filled the space, however, and I found myself breaking the silence.

“I’m proud of you.”
As the unexpected words tumbled from my lips, her expression echoed my own surprise. She dropped her hand from her chin and grasped her mug once again. Her knuckles went white with the tightness of her grip.

“You’re proud of me? After I just shared everything I’ve done wrong in the last few weeks and my struggle to believe He would still want me?” Tears filled her eyes with those last words.

“Yes. I am proud of you because you are still running to Jesus. You may be struggling to believe He wants You and has plans for You and desires to walk through this life with you, but there’s fight left in you. You have not given up.

“You’re acknowledging your choices and how they disregard God’s will for your life. You’re bringing your sin into the light, so it cannot be used against you. Do you believe Jesus died for your sins and is capable of washing you clean in this moment? Do you believe you can leave this coffee shop wholly forgiven?”

She continued to stare at her mug for several moments. She slowly raised her head. Tears still glistened in her eyes, but a fierceness now joined them. “Yes.” Her words were shakier than the resolve in her tone, but she had made a decision regardless.

“Make 1 John 1:9 a reality for your life. Acknowledge the ways you’ve fallen short and trust Him to forgive you. Do you have any ideas on how to avoid being in the same scenarios this coming week?”

With that, our conversation turned to the Word and digging for ways to hold on to and apply the truths the Lord poured out in its pages. We brainstormed practical ways for her to honor Him in her walk and I encouraged her with examples where I had found victory, too. Our time in the coffee shop ended with a quick prayer and the next meeting confirmed on the calendar.

As I walked to my car and pressed the button to unlock the door, I prayed for continued wisdom in my role in her life and for her to cling to Jesus in deeper ways this coming week.

The Lord placed this neighbor in my world to help spur her along in her journey with Him. In order to hear His voice lead me as I guide and encourage her, I knew my own journey must be one of steadfast pursuit as I anchored in truth that would hold me fast to Jesus.

Oh Lord, lead us on.

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Esther Day 9 Tears That Move God’s Heart: Digging Deeper

November 14, 2019 by Rebecca Adams 1 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 Tears That Move God’s Heart!

The Questions

1) What does Mordecai’s decision to not go past the King’s Gate tell us? (verses 1-2)

2) What is revealed by Esther’s response in verse 4 and how was her growth encouraged?

3) How does the “one law” in verse 11 give a mini-description of the gospel?

Esther 4:1-11

When Mordecai learned all that had occurred, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, went into the middle of the city, and cried loudly and bitterly. 2 He went only as far as the King’s Gate, since the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering the King’s Gate. 3 There was great mourning among the Jewish people in every province where the king’s command and edict came. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4 Esther’s female servants and her eunuchs came and reported the news to her, and the queen was overcome with fear. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear so that he would take off his sackcloth, but he did not accept them. 5 Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who attended her, and dispatched him to Mordecai to learn what he was doing and why. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square in front of the King’s Gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened as well as the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay the royal treasury for the slaughter of the Jews.

8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa ordering their destruction, so that Hathach might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and command her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead with him personally for her people. 9 Hathach came and repeated Mordecai’s response to Esther.

10 Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to tell Mordecai, 11 “All the royal officials and the people of the royal provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard and who has not been summoned—the death penalty— unless the king extends the gold scepter, allowing that person to live. I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the last thirty days.”

Original Intent

1) What does Mordecai’s decision to not go past the King’s Gate tell us? (verses 1-2)
In a word? Honor. In another word? Respect. In yet another word? Faith. Mordecai had just been placed on death row. Outside of divine intervention, there was no hope for Mordecai’s life to be spared. Mordecai was not a weak, fearful man. He had stood firm in his decision to refuse to bow to anyone other than God. Neither was his position at the palace one of unimportance. Mordecai had prestige, a certain amount of power, faith, and strength of character. With the right amount of anger, which would most certainly be brought about by this scenario, Mordecai would have had enough courage and fortitude to storm the palace on a suicide mission to take out Haman or even the king. His life would soon be over anyways. But he didn’t. This small recorded detail telling us that Mordecai, “went only as far as the King’s Gate, since the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering the King’s Gate”, speaks volumes of his character and the depth of his faith. He was distraught, overcome with grief, and quite likely justifiable anger, but he was not without wise courses of action, respectful decisions, and faith that God would indeed bring about redemption, even if he didn’t see what it would look like.

2) What is revealed by Esther’s response in verse 4 and how was her growth encouraged?
Mordecai hears of Haman’s plan, and in humility, prostrates himself before God with weeping, fasting, and prayer. Esther hears of Haman’s humbling actions, and her distress motivates her to cover his rent garments and silence his tears. Maybe it was all the time she’d spent being “treated with beauty”, covering blemishes that were skin deep while hiding the identity of her Jewish heritage. Maybe she was embarrassed by her uncle’s intentional humiliation. Maybe she supposed he had gone mad. Whatever it was, Mordecai’s vulnerable display of human weakness cast upon the strength of the Almighty disconcerted Esther at her core. Her first response wasn’t to ask investigative questions, but rather to cover up her discomfort. She would rather close her eyes, and put the whole scene to rest. When Mordecai refused to shove the issue under the rug, only then did she ask. Notice again Mordecai’s honor and respect? He could have told Hathach with angry exasperation exactly why he was rejecting Esther’s offer of clothing, but he didn’t. He respected Esther enough to let her ask her own questions. When Esther did ask questions, Mordecai answered with complete facts, giving explicit details Haman’s plan of destruction. (Esther 4:7-8) He urged her to go to the King with all the details he’d shared, and that’s where she pushed back hard, giving a lengthy reply. (Esther 4:10-11) It was suicide to go to the king. Mordecai responded back with wisdom, poking holes in the way she viewed the situation, because she herself was already on death row! Mordecai never once pressured her by telling her what she must do. Rather, he respectfully presented the facts, conversed with her based on their relationship, gave her wise, godly options, then valued her by letting her make her own decision. He refused to manipulate her, and instead honored her, even though he clearly felt there was a right decision to be made.

3) How does the “one law” in verse 11 give a mini-description of the gospel?
We read the scene of Esther going before King Ahasuerus and, because we know the end of the story, it’s easy to gloss over the life-threatening situation. From the lowest slave to the highest ranking official in the king’s province, everyone knew it was suicide to enter the king’s inner court without being summoned. It was a literal death wish. No questions asked, no opportunity to speak your mind, just execution for daring to enter into the king’s presence. There was only one, very slight exception. The king himself could save your life, if He wanted. One brief extension of his scepter, and life would be spared, at least for that moment. Making the dire situation even more ominous, the king hadn’t summoned his queen in over 30 days. As was his trajectory with Vashti, his previous queen, he became bored, and annoyed, easily. If he was in a sour mood, there was nothing we have seen in his character to make him favorably disposed towards Queen Esther’s unbidden approach to his Highness. But God. God had already given Esther favor with everyone within her sphere of influence from the time she entered the king’s beauty pageant, and it continued resting on her throughout her time in the palace.

Everyday Application

1) What does Mordecai’s decision to not go past the King’s Gate tell us? (verses 1-2)
Having the ability to choose a wise response, while respecting and honoring boundaries when you are angry, hurt, sad, offended, and grieved doesn’t come naturally. Choosing a wise response in the midst of oppressive circumstances is a discipline that grows over time as we submit our will to God’s, trusting His heart over our own. Mordecai acted with a clear head and a clear conscience as he chose to honor and respect the very authority that was putting him to death. How many of us can say that?! Relationships get messy quickly, and whether it’s a working relationship between coworkers, a parent-child relationship, a friend-to-friend relationship, or one between husband and wife, there will undoubtedly be times we feel offended, hurt, and disrespected. How we respond is always our choice. One person’s poor decision does not give us a blank check to treat them with the justice we deem most fitting. (Romans 12:17) When we choose honor and respect (note this doesn’t mean agreeance), we are carrying the gospel to the other person. We are removing ourselves as the authority on justice, and leaving room for God to fight our battles. (Romans 12:18-21) Surely, none of us would blame Mordecai for acting rashly, or would we? Who knows what domino effect would be set in motion had he stormed the King’s Gate with indignant bitterness instead of respecting the governing boundary. I know I need to keep practicing this discipline in my relationships; it’s a good thing that opportunities are always abounding!

2) What is revealed by Esther’s response in verse 4 and how was her growth encouraged?
What is so precious to me about this exchange between orphan-turned-queen Esther and Uncle Mordecai, who was very much like a father to her is the beauty of true, biblical community. We are all on a faith journey. Some of us are pushing hard against religion of all kinds, let alone Christianity. Some are curious onlookers, wondering what it is that makes Christianity different from the rest. Others are thrilled with the new life of Christ, having just crossed the line of faith for themselves. Other journeys have long-walked with the Savior, but have experienced various highs and lows along the way. Wherever we are, biblical community can help us grow deeper and go farther than we would alone. The Christian life was never intended to be lived out alone; even Jesus surrounded Himself with a community of brothers He did everything with. Based solely on what we read in Esther’s story in this passage, I have little doubt that had Mordecai not been part of Esther’s community, the end of the story would have been vastly different. As much as we celebrate Esther’s heroism in this portion of Jewish history, we cannot celebrate her without also celebrating Mordecai and the role of biblical community in her life. We have these same opportunities to sharpen others around us, encouraging them by pointing them towards wisdom, speaking the truth in brave love, respecting them, walking alongside them, and giving them the space to make their own decisions. Who can you love well this week?

3) How does the “one law” in verse 11 give a mini-description of the gospel?
This throne room experience for Esther is the same for each of us, when we view it through the lens of our own relationship with God. God, in His righteous holiness is entirely set apart from all sin, like the king in his throne room. He cannot abide even the smallest hint of sin in His presence. To enter the presence of God with our sin-wrecked selves is impossible. In fact, it’s so impossible that we are condemned to Death simply by default because of our sin nature. Did you catch that? We are all on death row with a sentence of eternal separation from the Author of life and love. But, like Esther’s throne room scenario, we too have one, single ray of hope at life. What’s infinitely better in our case is that God, the King, has already guaranteed to extend His scepter towards us! When He chose to Die our death for us, He paid the penalty required by our sin, and with His resurrection, He flung open the door to the throne room of His presence. We are free to go in, to have access, to dance in freedom, to leave the chains of our sin behind, to sit and dwell with Him forever and enjoy His glorious presence! Also like Esther, just because the hope of life is extended towards us, doesn’t mean we are automatically in the throne room of God. Christ’s offer of redemption is on the table, the choice of accepting Him is ours to make. Do you have access? If so, are you living out the truth of that reality? If not, I applaud you for your honesty and ask, what holds you back from saying yes to Jesus offer of redemption and new life? Wherever you are on this journey of faith, there are people praying for you!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Esther Week Two!
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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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Ignite Day 1 The Wick

May 27, 2019 by Merry Ohler Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Isaiah 43:1-4
Acts 4:29-31
Acts 2:42-47
Luke 11:31-36
James 3:1-12

Ignite, Day 1

“My heart is the wick, Your love is the flame. And I wanna burn for Your Name.”

Merriam-Webster defines ignite as “To set afire. To cause to burn. To subject to fire or intense heat. To heat up. To set in motion.”

Have you ever built a campfire from scratch? In order for your fire to catch and grow, you need everything set up in exactly the right order. First, you gather lots of small, dry branches and twigs, leaves, paper and anything else that will catch fire quickly. This is called kindling. You’ll have more success if you pile the dry twigs and branches on top of the kindling. Next, you position larger logs over your kindling, being sure to leave space for air to flow under the logs.

Then, you strike your match and set the kindling on fire. As the flames grow and start to spread to the smaller twigs and branches, you might blow on the flame, or poke it with a long stick, to stir it up more. The flame grows and burns hotter, and as it does, the larger branches and logs grow hotter until they begin to catch fire, too.

Love, I have to be honest with you. When I picked up the assignment to write this Journey about Polycarp and Ignatius, I had literally never heard of them in my life. In fact, as I sat in our writer’s meeting and scanned the list of upcoming Journeys, I felt…

Uneducated.
Lacking.
Ill-equipped.

Ouch. And to add insult to injury? The truth is that I didn’t feel any real desire or curiosity to dig deeper into the lives of any of these historical fathers of the faith.

So, I did what any self-respecting fringe millennial would do. I picked the ones with names I could not really pronounce, pseudo-affectionately dubbed them, “Iggy & Poly” in my mind, threw my inexperience to the wind and dived in deep.

And here we are. But before I can fully introduce you to Ignatius and Polycarp, we have to go back a little further. In order to do that, we’ll stick with the campfire picture we just processed together.

Stay with me, this is important.

The Kindling
Before Jesus arrived as the promised Emmanuel, God With Us, we need to visualize the spiritual climate in Israel. God’s people were effectively trapped in a religious box of their own making. Where He had set out His law to protect and free them, they instead chose to chain themselves to religion and more. They created their own laws and rules in addition to His, and rather than trusting God to justify them through sacrifice and the atonement of sins, they adopted a religious spirit. They thought they could justify themselves. This resulted in a prideful people group who were desperate for truth, purpose and relationship, yet still rigidly clung to the very things that held them captive.
They were empty. Dry.

Spiritually dead.

The Spark
Enter Jesus.

When the Son of God slipped quietly onto the Bethlehem scene in the form of an infant… the Jewish people were confused.

They had asked for a king.
Someone who would fulfill the Law.
Someone who could rescue them.
And God answered, because that was His plan all along.

But He didn’t answer in the way they wanted, or the way they expected. Instead, He sent Jesus to fulfill the Law in the way that only Jesus ever could. And because the people who prayed for rescue didn’t see it coming in the way they expected, the majority missed the message the Son of Man brought to life.

However, there were those positioned closest to Jesus who recognized the Truth and began to smolder from His heat. These apostles were disciples in word and deed. They spent time with Jesus in His everyday life and ministry.

They saw Him perform miracle after miracle, healing after healing.
They witnessed Jesus in life, in death,
and then in life again.
They got it.

More importantly, they caught it. And when He told them to go, they went.

They began to walk out their faith in boldness, preaching the gospel to all who would listen. They healed the sick, and cast out demons. They taught others about the life of Jesus, what His death and resurrection meant, and why it mattered. They devoted themselves to studying the Scriptures, to praying, and fellowship.

And their numbers grew exponentially.

And Love? The ones Jesus chose to draw into His closest circle?
The ones He trusted to catch fire first – and to fan the flame?
They were unquestionably the last people anyone would expect to fulfill that weighty calling. In fact, you or I might have even called them….

Uneducated.
Lacking.
Ill-equipped.

But God saw them differently.

The early church began to grow against all odds in the face of extreme opposition.
In the weakness and humanity of the ordinary men and women who spread the message and ministry of Jesus, God was shown strong.
Whole families began to receive the message of Jesus,
and though persecution was commonplace, Christianity caught fire.

The church continued to grow until one day, as Saul of Tarsus walked the road to Damascus, the resurrected Christ Himself appeared to him. Prior to this face-to-face, Saul had been instrumental in persecuting countless followers of Christ, with the full support of the Jewish leaders. Saul’s resulting sudden and whole-heart, whole-life, jaw-dropping conversion fanned the flickering flame to a roar. Saul became known as Paul, and he adopted the lifestyle of the other apostles, discipling others, encouraging young leaders in the church, and delivering truth and challenge in love to all he encountered.

And the flame began to grow.

As for my friends, Poly and Iggy, I’ll introduce you on Wednesday of this week. 🙂

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Anchored Day 6 Beautifully Pruned

February 25, 2019 by Kendra Kuntz 7 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Colossians 1:24-2:3
Colossians 2:4-23
Ephesians 4:11-14
Hebrews 5:12-14

Anchored, Day 6

When we moved into our house, autumn was upon us, and many of the plants had started to fade away. The entire year following, I was delighted and surprised by multiple green sprouts appearing in my little bed at the front of our house. Fortunately, my Gamma had come to visit for several months and was able to teach me about the daisies, hostas, and roses blooming before my eyes. The roses thrilled me the most, and while they weren’t the large yellow roses my Papa and Gamma had always had in their garden, they were still a beautiful, bright pink. My Gamma gently warned me that when I cut flowers, I needed to cut them at an angle right above the growth bud, so the stem would continue to grow and produce more flowers. I hadn’t been as cautious about that before, resulting in an awkwardly shaped rose bush on the side of my house.

I was reminded of this pruning process, but the necessity of pruning when I read this post on Instagram:

“You will go through seasons of pruning,
when God removes you from good things –
friendships, privilege, ministry platforms, money, sustenance, hope, even your reputation. Pruning is always very painful and very difficult,
although you may have a clear conscience and know that it comes from God,
and that there are promises of a better and more fruitful future.
It usually results in being very much alone.
Most people will shy away from you when you experience pain.
David in scripture was blessed to have one friend who stood solidly with him through God’s pruning and he eventually walked into a season of abundance.”

My roses needed to be pruned – correctly – in order to continue growing and produce more roses than they otherwise would.

Another word for pruning: sanctification.
And ooftah does sanctification hurt sometimes.

But is it worth it?
Oh yes, dear Sisters, it totally is.

Because sanctification means that I look more like Jesus and am being used for my intended purpose of bringing glory to Him.

Sanctification means I’m growing.

Paul talks about both the pain that comes with sanctification, as well as its inestimable value. He actually rejoices because of his suffering (and let me tell you, sanctification happens most during suffering).
Paul understands that through this growing, pruning, and maturing process He is being prepared to take new ground for the Kingdom!
Paul speaks of proclaiming Jesus’ name and building strong disciples so we may all be fully mature in Christ.
This kind of maturity isn’t about physical age, rather it’s characterized by the natural growth that comes from intentional willingness to be consistently discipled by the Holy Spirit. By regularly dwelling with the Lord through Scripture intake, prayer, and living authentically in biblical community, the Spirit strengthens our “inner being” to love Christ and be shaped to mirror Him more and more.

Speaking of this maturing, Paul says, “So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

Saying yes to Jesus is only the beginning.
Surrendering your heart and receiving “Christ Jesus as Lord” will save you for eternity, but if you stop here, you’ve chosen to live far below your birthright in Jesus.
Paul urges, “continue to live in Him..”
Become rooted, built up, and established in the faith.
Don’t Stop Now!
Say yes to Jesus, and keep saying yes as He prunes your heart and life!

The “steadying” growth Jesus cultivates in a heart committed to Him,
makes you keenly aware of truth verses a lie.
And, Sister, the world is full of deception and ‘empty deceit’. (Colossians 2:8)

Paul ached for the Church.
He ached for believers to not be stuck drinking milk, but eating solid food.
He ached for believers to grow deep and become rooted that they would be able to distinguish between truth and heresy.

Heresy ran rampant in the Colossian church, and it does in our culture today too.
The only way we will know the difference between what is solid and a deceptive mirage is by renewing our mind through Scripture. We must be….
Regular.
Consistent.
Intentional.
Disciplined.
Mature in Christ.

As you encounter suffering, hold fast to the faith because Jesus is worth it.
Give yourself fully to spiritual disciplines, watch the Spirit grow you deeply.
Stand firm for truth, and lead others well as you love with grace.

The second half of this beautiful post continues:

“I bless you with the pruning of the Lord.
As painful as they are, they are for the best.
They come from a wise Father.
I bless you with pruning that brings redemption.
I bless you with deep, solid, life-giving friendships when you are going through a season of God’s pruning you.
I bless you with friendships that are designed, crafted, nurtured, and given to you by your Father, even at the same time that He is taking away other friendships that you have deemed important and necessary to your life.
Although you may be severely pruned, I bless you with at least one friend who maintains covenant relationship with you in your darkest hour and is able to encourage you, strengthen you, and focus your attention on God’s promises.”

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