healed

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

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Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Neighbor Day 10 El Roi – Representing The God Who Sees

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 16:13-14
Genesis 21:14-21
Luke 8:43-48
Luke 10:36-37

Neighbor, Day 10

Imagine you are Hagar and have just been excommunicated from your community.
You and your only son.

You have fulfilled your duty to bear a son for your master, but in so doing, you opened the door for strife with your master and his wife, leading to your banishment from the community.

You are alone, and terrified for your son.
How will you care for him? If you can’t find food, will you be forced to watch him die?

And then the Lord comes to you and promises He will care for the boy and make him a nation. You are overwhelmed with relief.

El Roi.
The God who sees.
The God who sees me.

The God who sees my pain and heartbreak, and promises to care for me. He gives me hope.

Now, imagine you are the woman in Luke 8:43-48. You’ve suffered from a bleeding disorder and been deemed an unclean outcast for as long as you can remember. Your family has exhausted all resources, to no avail.

Then one day, Jesus comes to town and changes everything! You take a risk, touching the hem of His robe, and you are healed! But that’s not the best part . . .

Jesus finds you, looks in your eyes, and SEES you, calling you daughter!

Imagine, after years of avoiding public places and bearing the title UNCLEAN, you are free! How good it feels to be seen! And given hope!

Now, let’s consider our own stories. Who do we encounter every day? Who, within our spheres of influence, desperately needs to be seen? Who needs to hear the hope we have within us?

Think about the student who always sits alone at lunch. The one who appears confident, trying to look like isolation is a choice. The one who eats quickly and retreats to the library.

What if you said hello? And the next day, said it again?
What if you simply acknowledge you see her? 

Then one day, you ask if you can sit with her. Ask her about herself, her interests or hobbies. Is she in band? Into art? Sports? What does she like to do for fun? What are her hopes and dreams?

Think about the mom in Target who always looks put together, yet exhausted as she struggles to keep her children in the cart. Can you see the stress in her face if you look closely enough?

Maybe smile and say hello. And the next time you see her, thankful for a little respite from your own crazy life, smile and greet her again, looking into her eyes to show her she is seen.

A friend shared a story of a seasoned mom who, while shopping, would frequently approach frazzled moms of young children. Instead of showing disapproval, she’d offer a hug and say “Is there anything I can help you with today?”

Imagine how refreshing it would feel to be offered support, instead of judgment! Instead of a censuring glance and a shake of the head, you experienced grace!

You feel seen.
And accepted.
And hopeful.

Picture the couple in the stands at the football game who are cheering for their child, but barely speak to each other. Their tension is obvious.

What if you just begin with a smile, sharing observations about the game, and eventually build a relationship in which you share the hope you have in Jesus?

I often fly through my time in public with a single purpose: to accomplish what needs to be done as quickly as possible so I can get to the next thing on my list. I try to stay on task with efficiency, which is great . . . unless I miss the people God’s placed in my path along the way. People who need encouragement, who need me to see them as He sees me.

One practical opportunity I’ve found to share His love is going to a cashier instead of the self-checkout lane. Honestly, as an introvert, I prefer to get through as quickly as possible, without chatting and losing my focus on the task. Yet, I have found it more satisfying to slow down and see the one who is providing me a service.

He invites me to share in His primary purpose, drawing others into relationship with Him.  Jesus is the only One who can save, yet He sends me to love others, introducing them to the hope I have in Him.

What if we made a conscious effort to notice our neighbors, praying before we leave the house for God to show us who He wants to bless through us? Who would He have us greet, in order to build a possible friendship that may eventually lead to sharing the hope of the Gospel?

I still have much room to grow, but I am hopeful God will choose to use me in His grand adventure! I hope you will join me!


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

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Roads Day 7 Quest For Truth: 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 Quest For Truth!

The Questions

1) What would Jesus not give the Pharisees and Sadducees to prove He was God?

2) What did Jesus mean about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?

3) What is the significance of the exchange between Jesus and His disciples about who they say that He is?

Matthew 16:1-6

The Pharisees and Sadducees approached, and tested him, asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He replied, “When evening comes you say, ‘It will be good weather because the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘Today will be stormy because the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to read the appearance of the sky, but you can’t read the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.
5 The disciples reached the other shore, and they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus told them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7 They were discussing among themselves, “We didn’t bring any bread.”
8 Aware of this, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves that you do not have bread? 9 Don’t you understand yet? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many baskets you collected? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many large baskets you collected? 11 Why is it you don’t understand that when I told you, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,’ it wasn’t about bread?”12 Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the leaven in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Original Intent

1) What would Jesus not give the Pharisees and Sadducees to prove He was God?
Seemingly, a visible sign could have once and for all removed any false accusations that Jesus was fully God. But Jesus knew it wouldn’t because human beings without the Holy Spirit, will always choose to believe what they want to believe. He pointed out that these religiously righteous follow the signs they want to follow, like weather markers. Jesus knew the heart of these leaders, and they wanted nothing to do with following God in their hearts. Jesus spent His entire ministry giving “sign after sign” that He was God. He healed the sick, brought sight to the blind, mended the lame, and even forgave sin. (Mark 2:5-11) Yet, the self-righteous still refused to accept truth because it would radically shift their entire lives. Even the most incredible “sign” of all, Jesus’ resurrection after 3 days of being dead (likened to Jonah in this passage who was in the belly of the sea creature for 3 days), would not be enough to turn hard-hearted skeptics with no sincere desire to know truth to accept truth. Signs weren’t the problem, their hearts were.

2) What did Jesus mean about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?
To get the full understanding here, we travel back to when the Israelites were being freed from slavery under the heavy hand of the Egyptians. Their exit would be quick, at a moment’s notice, and they had to be ready to leave. Of course, having no groceries along the way, they needed to quickly prepare bread for the journey, which meant not using yeast because it took so long to rise. The Israelites were commanded to remove all yeast as they hastily prepared to leave when the Lord said Go! Over time, yeast became a byword for evil or wickedness. Paul uses the same phrasing in Galatians, “This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little leaven (or yeast) leavens the whole batch of dough.” Just as a small amount of yeast spreads quickly throughout the dough, so do distortions of truth. Jesus was warning His disciples to be on guard against evil teaching from the Pharisees and Sadducees, who, though they had the appearance of righteousness, they denied the Holy Spirit room to work in their lives. Both Jesus and Paul warn to “avoid these people” and their insidious deceptions. (2 Timothy 3:5)

3) What is the significance of the exchange between Jesus and His disciples about who they say that He is? 
Jesus and His disciples have crossed the sea of Galilee in this passage, and are walking together on their way to Caesarea Philippi, an ancient Roman city located at the base of Mt. Hermon. It’s a beautiful spot, lush and green as it was the chief source of water for the Jordan River. It’s also the historic location of idol worship for the then-current mythological Greek god “Pan” and, going farther back, to King Jeroboam, who led the entire Northern Kingdom of Israel into idolatry as they worshipped Baal here. The significance of the location wouldn’t have been lost on the disciples as Jesus posed His question, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”. The competing voices for worship were loud. The disciples gave several names the crowds were throwing around for who this Jesus really was, the spirit of John The Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or other prophets. All were important people, all carried the weight of respect with the people, but none of these were God. None deserved total life worship and surrender. Jesus presses in as He turns the question to them as individuals and Peter responds based on everything he has witnessed in his time with Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (verse 16)

Everyday Application

1) What would Jesus not give the Pharisees and Sadducees to prove He was God?
People will always excuse away evidence, even if it’s right in front of them and seemingly undeniable, in order to hold on to what they want to believe. That’s why being “free” to “choose our truth” is so dangerous. While it appears welcoming to all beliefs and safe from any judgment, having no “real truth” leaves us, and our lives, empty and meaningless, like waves tossed to and fro that are neither here nor there. Even Christians are susceptible to this precarious way of thinking. How often have you held to what you thought was a biblical perspective only to find out through careful study and conversation with another trusted Believer, that you were wrongly interpreting Scripture? We must be studying God’s Word for truth, aligning our lives with it, and constantly asking the Holy Spirit to convict us where our beliefs are out of line with His perfect truth! Check your heart as you seek truth; are you willing to sacrifice your beliefs if you discover truth?

2) What did Jesus mean about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?
False doctrine and belief systems run rampant in our society. Even pastors claiming to be true and biblical have distorted the truth. We must always be on our guard, constantly comparing what we are taking in from leaders and teachers and friends to the truth of the Bible. It’s not enough to trust “someone else’s” study, we must know our Bible for ourselves! Paul says it like this, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!” (Galatians 1:8) The people in Berea, who listened to the teaching of Paul and Silas, didn’t simply take their word for it. They poured over the Scripture to see if what they’d heard was true. (Acts 17:10-12) We would be wise to follow their example of faithfulness to truth! Despite how appealing it may seem to have the freedom to “believe whatever you want”, truth matters.

3) What is the significance of the exchange between Jesus and His disciples about who they say that He is? 
In yesterday’s Journey Study, Sara likens the Unitarian view of Jesus not being God, to Him being on an “all-star” team of super prophets. Jesus intentionally allowed the question of His true identity to sit with His disciples as they sorted through what others said versus what they had witnessed day in and day out. Owning that truth was a turning point for Simon Peter, as it is for each one of us that call Jesus Lord. Has there been a day, a moment, when you stood surrounded by other voices, other religions, other deceptions, and it became clear to you that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son of the Living God? I pray so! If you ever find yourself in a conversation and feel the Spirit tugging you to turn it to spiritual matters, follow Jesus’ own example and ask, “who do you say Jesus is?”. It’s a great, open-ended, non-threatening way to give the other person a chance to talk and share freely. Listen closely, build the relationship, and when it’s the right time, don’t shy away from sharing who Jesus is to 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

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Roads 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 :-))

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Bride Day 3 Empty Identity

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Hosea 1 
Hosea 2 
Matthew 16:24-28 
2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2 

Bride, Day 3

Promiscuous woman. 
Harlot. 
Whore.  
Adulteress.  
Wife of Whoredom. 
Prostitute.  
 
I am Gomer.  
These, these names are my identity.  
I will never be anything but, these.  
 
I am enslaved to my lusts.  
No matter how much I take in, no matter how much I pursue it, it’s never enough.  
I have no satisfaction, but I cannot make a different choice.  
 
Sometimes I look around and wish for something deeper, more lasting; something trustworthy. But I can’t do it. I’ve tried. I’ve been pursued, but I find I cannot chase back. I’m powerless.  
 
Gomer. My name means completeness, fullness, a coming to the end, usually suddenly or with quick termination. Think of it like a cup that is so full, you can see the water cohesively forming a slight bubble just above the rim of the cup. One drop more and the cup would not contain the liquid. The cup is completely full and the water must stop immediately. 
 
I don’t remember a life different than the one I have now. Whatever memories I have are faded, like sketches of a dream leaving me wondering if different than now was ever anything more than a mirage. I see other women, women with children, women with husbands. True, some of those husbands I’ve seen on my street corner. But still, those women have husbands…families.  
 
Perhaps years ago, my heart would have trembled, crying out for mercy, wishing for what I do not have.
But I know I’m not worthy.  
 
But then there is Hosea.  
Foolish man, pursuing me when I have nothing to offer him.  
He is respected, has earned a fine reputation.  
He’s a prophet of Yahweh!  
Yet, he chose me as his bride?!  
 
I simply cannot fathom it.  
Surely, there’s an ulterior motive.  
More ridiculous, he has given me children.  
But I know I’m not worthy.  
I simply cannot accept this generosity.  
This kindness.  
This love? 
 
No, I will not accept it.  
All I have is shame.  
I will run.  
I will forever play the harlot.  
No one can love me like a husband, not Hosea, not Yahweh.  
No one.  
These empty identities, they are all I have.  
 
My name is Gomer, I am full.  
Full of brokenness and shame. 
 —
This was Gomer: full. 
This was Israel: full.  
Both were full of adultery.  
And the Lord was calling them into immediate obedience or suffer the consequences. The Lord’s patience was at maximum capacity for their wickedness.  
 
The Lord had watched the Northern Kingdom of Israel walk steadily away from His decrees, farther and farther into their own sin, and it broke His heart.  
He had called out, prophet after prophet, “Return, return, return!” 
But Israel refused time, after time, after time.  
Israel chased other gods, chased their own passions, lusted after others, and broke covenant with the Lord their God in ever intensifying grotesque acts of adultery.  
 
And so, one last time, the Lord God gave Israel a living picture, one they couldn’t possibly deny the reality of. He told Hosea, His prophet, to do the unthinkable and marry Gomer the prostitute while living openly among His people. 
Hosea would take her as his own and would love her deeply.  
 
But she would run.  
She would break his heart.  
She would refuse to be healed from her whoredom.  
 
The unthinkable would become the undeniable as Hosea and Gomer lived out the re-enactment of Israel’s own whoredom. 
 
This is how I love you, O Israel!  
This is how I love you, O Beloved (YOU!)! 
 
Gomer chose to run, despite Hosea’s dramatic, intentional, pursuant love.  
She held on to her empty identities and simply refused to believe that sacrificial love could truly exist for her. 
 
In the same way, Israel, the Northern Kingdom, also refused to exchange her identity.  
Israel could not, would not, believe that God’s love for her was better than any she could find on her own. Israel’s story ends here, she chose whoredom, and as a result, the consequences of her rebellion were meted out by the iron fist of the Assyrian Empire.  
Israel was destroyed.  
She chose to be her own savior and lost everything.  
 
Don’t miss this message, Sisters!  
Your Savior is calling you with the same pursuant love.  
Shame does not have to be your name.  
Regret does not have to be the skin you wear.  
Unworthy does not have to be the cloak you cover yourself with. 
 
Nothing to offer the God of the Universe? Exactly!  
Nothing we do could amount to anything, just like Gomer.  
She was powerless to earn Hosea’s love.  
And we can hope for nothing more before the Holy God.  
Which is why He did the work for us!  
 
Jesus Christ came to live the perfect live we never could  
and pay the penalty for sin in our place.  
His work.  
His righteousness.  
Our new identity.

There is a Savior.  
There is real love.  
There is hope for a new identity.  
One that begins and ends with the life of Jesus Christ as He offers Himself for you.  
Just like Israel, just like Gomer, we each have a choice to make.  
Stop running, girl.  
Drop your empty identities and be made new! 

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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 Bride 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 Bride!