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Fervent Day 1 Grace And Peace

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 1:15-19
2 Thessalonians 3:16-18
Philippians 4:1-7
Romans 1:1-8

Fervent, Day 1

Every night, I tucked my children into bed, cuddled them close, sang over them, and prayed for them. It was simple, but it was also rote and rhythmic. My prayerful words were mimicked nearly word-for-word every night. Sometimes, I wasn’t even thinking about the words or the God who said He heard them. I was thinking of dishes and laundry yet undone.

Was there more?
Was this all prayer consisted of?
Were some prayers heard more clearly or acted upon more quickly?
What was prayer, really?

My internal wrestling intensified as, night after night, I kept praying the same words. I tried to change it up, I tried reading books on prayer, I wrote in my journal how I wanted to pray “better” or “deeper,” but I felt so shallow in these waters where giants of the faith had been swimming for centuries. Where did I begin? How does one become a better pray-er?

“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us…” (2 John 1:3)

As simple as my prayers had been over my children,
the answer to my burning question was even simpler.

Know Him.

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” (Ephesians 1:17)

The words were an invitation to not only swim the oceans of faith-filled prayers, but to understand the pathway for doing so was to draw up a chair and sit with the God of the universe.

One cannot pray deeply to a God one doesn’t know.
The deeper we know Him, the more we learn to trust Him, and the easier our prayers flow.

Not with artful words of a contriving tongue, but with soul-baring honesty that comes from walking with the One who is closer than our next breath, who Himself causes my heart to beat and reminds my lungs to expand.

To know Him is to love Him.
To love Him is to speak with Him.
To speak with Him is to enter the endlessly beautiful mystery, yet sweetly familiar sea, called prayer.

To this end, we at GT have crafted this Journey Theme of Fervent. It has long been our prayer for you to enter these deep ocean waters of faith-filled prayer, bringing others with you, to know this Jesus. Maybe you’ve beached here before, curiously sitting on its shoreline and allowed the lapping waves to kiss your toes, beckoning you to come and taste its saltiness with fervor. Maybe you’ve long swum with other heroes of the faith in this endless sea, finding treasures too numerous to count along the way, yet hungering to dive deeper and know the Master more.

The beautiful thing?
No matter who you are, or how many times you’ve swam the sea of prayer, there will always be greater depths to uncover because there will always be more to know of our infinite God.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:2)

I’ve written before of my affinity for small things, and on this quest to know the Lord Jesus in deeper ways, these two words absolutely captivate my attention.

grace & peace

In truth?
The whole gospel is packed into these beautiful, diminutive words.

Grace for the shallow end of faith, whispering for us to go deeper.
Grace because we will never measure up to His holiness.
Grace because, on our own, knowing the Almighty with depth and intimacy, is absolutely impossible.
Grace to bridge between a Holy God and wretched sinners.

Peace, because in knowing the Almighty, His peaceful embrace hems us in on all sides.
Peace that descends in a rush to cover the unruly parts of our souls, which yearn for Him with words we can’t express.
Peace made ours in abundance because of the grace of His blood.
Peace because He has become the fullness of our lives.

Because of grace, peace thrives.
Grace & Peace.

Turns out there’s nothing rote about these simple vibrant words bursting with the hope of the gospel, which is why the New Testament writers weave them into the fabric of their prayers. Like breathing in and out, these authors prayed fervently for grace and peace to be deeply known, always discovered, and evidently lived out in real life.

Honestly, my bedtime prayers are still simple and brief, but they feel deeper to me now because I have come to better know the One to Whom I’m praying.
I’ve become familiar with the One to Whom I am pointing little hearts.
I’m praying the gospel over them as I teach them to praise, to worship God for Who He is, for the grace He gives, and for the peace in which we dance.

“Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 6:23-24)

Come away, Lovelies, and know this Jesus who washes us with His grace.
Be bound up in His peace as you know Him deeper.
Be deeply loved and love Him in return.
And be found swimming in the ocean of endlessly adoring fervent prayer.

I’m going swimming; come with 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!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Fervent 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 Fervent!

Pause IV Day 2 Invitation To Be Astounded

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Pause IV, Day 2

I absolutely love the Lord’s response to Habakkuk! The Lord God, who sees all, and
knows all, and hears all, and is always continuously present, was not the least bit offended by Habakkuk’s angry outrage at Yahweh’s seeming disinterest.

Instead of reacting with arrogant wrath, the perfect God responds with a grand invitation.
Look around you, Habakkuk, wonder at what’s going on, prepare to be utterly astounded!

The Lord knows Habakkuk doesn’t understand the “why” behind Israel’s tragic, sinful rebellion, or more so, why the Lord hasn’t fixed everything yet. The Lord is patient, inviting Habakkuk to step back and remember only Yahweh is God. He is in control, He holds the end game victory, and the battle will be waged in His way.

Yes, the means by which God would bring His just righteousness upon Israel was going to shock poor Habakkuk, leaving him wrestling internally. But God, undeterred, would continue to build His kingdom and pave the way for the future coming of redemption through His Son Jesus.

Habakkuk brought the fullness of his honesty before the Lord and was answered with grace. If you knew the Lord would respond the same to you, what would you bring?

Grab your Bible, a journal and pen,
and open your heart to bask in the presence of the Almighty!

Today's Challenge

1) Pull out your Bible and read Habakkuk 1 fully through 2 times. Then focus in on reading verse 5 several times through. Go slow. Emphasis different words each time you read it. Savor the message, and pray as you read it. Write out all of verse 5 in your journal.

2) Each time you re-read verse 5, write down everything that pops out at you, makes you curious, or wonder “why?”. When you’re finished, go back through and you’ll be amazed at the new things the Spirit is leading you into knowing about Him!

3) Pay special attention to how the Lord demonstrated gracious kindness in His response to Habakkuk. Be reminded, and encouraged, that the Lord’s ways and His goals, are not the ones we would think of or choose, but His loving pursuit of us never changes.

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Habakkuk 1

The pronouncement that the prophet Habakkuk saw.
2 How long, Lord, must I call for help
and you do not listen
or cry out to you about violence
and you do not save?
3 Why do you force me to look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Oppression and violence are right in front of me.
Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates.
4 This is why the law is ineffective
and justice never emerges.
For the wicked restrict the righteous;
therefore, justice comes out perverted.

God’s First Answer
5 Look at the nations and observe—
be utterly astounded!
For I am doing something in your days
that you will not believe
when you hear about it.
6 Look! I am raising up the Chaldeans,
that bitter, impetuous nation
that marches across the earth’s open spaces
to seize territories not its own.
7 They are fierce and terrifying;
their views of justice and sovereignty
stem from themselves.
8 Their horses are swifter than leopards
and more fierce than wolves of the night.
Their horsemen charge ahead;
their horsemen come from distant lands.
They fly like eagles, swooping to devour.
9 All of them come to do violence;
their faces are set in determination.
They gather prisoners like sand.
10 They mock kings,
and rulers are a joke to them.
They laugh at every fortress
and build siege ramps to capture it.
11 Then they sweep by like the wind
and pass through.
They are guilty; their strength is their god.


Habakkuk’s Second Prayer
12 Are you not from eternity, Lord my God?
My Holy One, you will not die.
Lord, you appointed them to execute judgment;
my Rock, you destined them to punish us.
13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil,
and you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.
So why do you tolerate those who are treacherous?
Why are you silent
while one who is wicked swallows up
one who is more righteous than himself?
14 You have made mankind
like the fish of the sea,
like marine creatures that have no ruler.
15 The Chaldeans pull them all up with a hook,
catch them in their dragnet,
and gather them in their fishing net;
that is why they are glad and rejoice.
16 That is why they sacrifice to their dragnet
and burn incense to their fishing net,
for by these things their portion is rich
and their food plentiful.
17 Will they therefore empty their net
and continually slaughter nations without mercy?

How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 3 weeks, we will provide you with a simple challenge. Each challenge is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.

3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!

4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.

5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!

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 Pause IV 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 Pause IV!

The GT Weekend! ~ Blessed 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) Several years ago, a slogan became popular, “Know Jesus, Know Peace. No Jesus, No Peace.” It’s simplicity speaks volumes of the only path to attaining true, lasting peace. We chase after many things in attempt to be at peace. If I just have this amount of money in my budget. If only my husband would make these changes. If my child could just stop this, or start doing that. If everyone would just let me off the crazy train every now and then, I could have peace!! Am I right?! Alas, none of those things have the capability of bringing lasting peace, only the illusion of cessation from all the other noise. Where are you chasing peace? What series of events are you waiting for before you can finally have peace? Choose to stop the mad race to grasp at handfuls of wind, and sit with the one and only peacemaker. Jesus didn’t come to drop spoonfuls of peace from the sky when we behave. Rather, His peace is available in full at every moment, in every situation. Welcome the Peacemaker, then live as His ambassador as you extend His invitation of peace to others!

2) No one wants to suffer, right?! Often, when we, as believers, experience difficulty or intense struggling in our faith journey, we pray for the Lord to remove it, to heal us, to get us OUT of our trial! As Sara referenced Wednesday on the process of making diamonds, it’s only through intensity that rocks eventually glisten as jewels. A wise friend once shared with me this simple phrase, bringing deep clarity for me, “Believers will suffer because they follow Jesus. The only way to end persecution is to stop following Jesus.” Wow! Truth like that cuts straight through all my defenses. Jesus promised suffering for those who truly follow Him, and so the logic follows, “stop following Him, end persecution of the believer.” I want to follow my Savior more than I want my comfort. I know there are many times where I choose comfort, but pray with me for both of us to choose Jesus over and over, even in the face of adversity!

3) If persecution is guaranteed for every believer who truly follows Jesus, what should our response be when persecution comes our way? The Bible shares story after story of the early church responding to attack and trial with prayer, and perhaps most surprisingly, thanksgiving for who God was and continued to be. Their prayer was neither to remove the persecution, nor give them the upper hand, but for boldness and endurance to honor Christ and preach freedom in Jesus amidst intense struggle. When have you encountered persecution, on some level, for what you believe? Ask the Lord to grow your heart in boldness for Him, and willingness to speak of Him and of His truth! Spend time praising Him for His unchanging character of kind goodness towards 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 Matthew 5:13 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

Prayer Journal
You’ve rescued us from ourselves, and our eternally condemned state because of our sin, by giving us Your righteousness instead of our rightly deserved death. You’ve lovingly embraced us, adopting us as Your own children, giving us the right to reign with You. You’ve given Your own Spirit to dwell within us to teach us to become more like You. Your love knows no boundaries. Your welcome casts off all disgrace. Your forgiveness makes all shame flee. You prepare a perfect eternity for us to dwell with You forever, face to face. Lord! It’s too astounding to take in! Yet, in the meantime, in our right now, You’ve called us into a life of purpose knowing it will be met with difficulty, persecution, and struggle. You’ve promised to never leave, Your Almighty Presence is indeed the richest blessing of a truly “blessed life”. Encourage our hearts to live with love, to remain deeply connected to Your truth, that we might be salt and light to a world around us, so desperate for truth and grace!

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

The GT Weekend! ~ He Week 1

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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) Grab paper and pen, or open the notes on your phone, and quickly jot down what comes to mind when you think of God. What is it about His power? How far-reaching is His authority? Can you sneak under His radar? Are there people He does not care about or sins He does not see? Scriptures teach us God is the God above all other gods. No religion compares, there is no room for exception clauses, only the Lord God of the Bible holds all authority and sovereignty over, well, all. He alone is Elohim. What circumstance, or relationship, or person have you perhaps unwittingly put in a category of “beyond God’s reach or rule”? What might it look like if you began praying for that scenario or person based on the reality of God being God of all?!

2) Rights. What comes to your mind as you consider this word? Maybe you begin thinking of the rights you have as a person or in your various relationships. What thought have you given to God having lordship rights? He is Adonai of adonai. He is Lord of all lords. None has a right to rule and authority as He does. Adonai has the right to declare what is holy, and what is not. Amazingly, though He holds all power and authority as Elohim and Adonai, He still offers us the freedom to choose to follow Him and be rescued for eternity. Adonai does not force Himself upon you, insisting you follow His rule. Rather, He invites with love. In the matters of your everyday life, are you consistently leaning in to Him as Adonai or are you struggling to pull away and hold life together on your own?

3) The Lord God is the self-naming God. He looked to no one else to define Him. Beautifully, as He reveled Himself to us, He chose a name that encompassed the entirety of His all-consuming presence. I Am. Yahweh. Across all of time, in every scenario, in every relationship, in every celebration, in every grievous loss, Yahweh is I Am, the fully present, deeply intimate God. He is Yahweh, Elohim, Adonai. Take a brief couple of minutes to write down as many scenes of your life as you come to mind. The broken ones. The happy ones. The peace-filled ones. The tragic ones. Slowly, breathe each of these in and prayerfully remember, Yahweh is I AM in each of them. His presence is near. Draw near to this powerful, mighty, invitational God!

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 Genesis 1:1-3 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Prayer Journal
Sovereign rule. Almighty reign. Nothing is beyond Your scope, Your power, Your knowledge, or Your ability. I tremble at the thought of such sheer magnificence. I am like dust in comparison to You, oh Elohim. Yet, because of Your unfathomable kindness, You have extended love to me, inviting me to dwell with You, to be one with You. Lord, this is too marvelous! As I submit to Your rule in my life, You become my Adonai, the Lord of myself. With glad surrender, I turn over all to You. But Lord, I confess how quickly I defy Your lordship as Adonai, how swiftly I push myself ahead of You as Sovereign. Be present here, oh Yahweh, tenderly call me back to walk in tandem with Your Holy Spirit. What a gracious, kind God You are!

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 8 Reaching Beyond Isolation

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 10:25-37
Matthew 28:18-20
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Psalm 139:1-6

Neighbor, Day 8

I look out my window and see her walking to her mailbox. I suddenly realize we have now lived in this house, next door to this lady and her family, for a whole year, yet I know very little about her.

I’ve certainly never invited her over for tea or coffee like I intended. All I really know about her is she is a fellow homeschool mom. Embarrassingly, I don’t even know how many children she homeschools.

Perhaps you can relate to this scenario. Sadly, it’s an incredibly common one in our age of isolation and busyness. But common though it may be, it is a far cry from what God intended for us.

From Genesis 2:18, when God first declares it is not good for man to be alone, to Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, which speaks of the sad danger of doing life in isolation, we see God created us as relational humans, designed to do life in community.

Not only that, but a crucial aspect of the Christian life is seeking to fulfill the Great Commission, which centers around relationships and living an invitational, hospitable life.

But we have allowed busyness to creep in.
We have allowed to-do lists, expectations, and goals
to crowd in and crowd out
long teatime chats, visits, hospitality, and potluck dinners with friends and strangers alike.

We may not realize, however, how foundational prayer is to reaching our neighbors with the love, light, and good news of Christ. Scratching tasks off the to-do list, or removing events from our calendars, in an attempt to make space for discipleship is a good first step, but it won’t get the job done. Even purposing to “do better” and be more hospitable in the future leaves us relying on our own efforts.

Instead, effective discipleship is a living, moving partnership with the Father,
and it all starts with prayer.

4 Prayers to Pray As We Seek to Reach Our Neighbors

1. Pray for eyes to see and a heart to care.
We all have neighbors with whom we have barely had a complete conversation, let alone made time to build deep and authentic connections. Often, this stems from a lack of understanding of the huge importance of befriending our neighbors and sharing the love of Christ.

So, let’s pray for understanding hearts, ones who care more deeply for those around us than we do for our own comfort, convenience, or daily agenda. Then, pray for eyes to truly see those around us, eyes not fixed on our own busyness and to-do list, but rather on the people the Lord has placed in our communities. Let’s ask for God’s vision for reaching our neighbors. He will undoubtedly answer our prayers!

2. Pray for opportunities to reach out, and the fortitude and intentionality to follow through.
Once our hearts are in the right place, we can pray for opportunities to build relationships with our neighbors. Those around us are often just as busy as we are, so unless we are praying for open doors and for the will to intentionally take advantage of the opportunities when they do arise, they may just slip by unnoticed. As we work to build trust, our consistency and follow-through are key.

3. Pray for receptive hearts.
We don’t know what our neighbors are currently going through or what their worldview may be, but God does. We can ask His Spirit to touch their hearts and make them receptive not only to our invitations to get together, but also to the words He leads us to speak.

4. Pray for God to speak His powerful, incisive words through us.
Lastly, let’s cover those anticipated conversations in prayer. Let’s ask for His wisdom and discernment to guide our words. Finally, we can seek the Lord’s blessing on our efforts to genuinely connect with, love, and serve our communities.

And then sit back and watch what He does with your willingness to obey and live out His great commission, right where you are, in your very own neighborhood!

It can feel rather uncomfortable to reach out to people we don’t even know. But it is part of our Great Commission from our Lord, and it is worth the awkwardness it may take to get there!

Step out in faith and obedience, and the Lord will do the rest!

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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 Neighbor Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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

Sketched VII Day 4 Following: 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 Following!

The Questions

1) Jesus saw him, called him and Matthew followed. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 9)

2) Jesus eats with sinners and tax collectors. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 10)

3) What was the probable tone of Jesus’ instruction to the Pharisees in verse 13?

4) What does this passage as a whole reveal to us about the heart of Jesus?

Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. 10 While he was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 Now when he heard this, he said, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Original Intent

1) Jesus saw him, called him and Matthew followed. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 9)
Chapter 9 begins by detailing the day-to-day kind of ministry Jesus had. The gospels depict Him journeying from this town to that town to heal and teach people. In His journeys, Jesus continued to reveal more and more of His character. As His reputation preceded Him in certain places, people began to look for Him. (Luke 4:42, Luke 8:40, John 12:18, Mark 3:8). It’s no surprise people wondered about Jesus, and they often came to see what all the talk was about. But the beautifully magnificent aspect is that it was Jesus who saw them. He was constantly aware of those around Him. When friends brought a paralytic to Him, verse 2 says “Jesus saw their faith”. The gospel writers often included this phrase (“Jesus saw”) when telling the stories about Him. The apostle John especially noticed this about Jesus. (John 1:38, 47-50, 5:6, 6:5, 9:1, 11:33, 19:26) In verse 9, the reader likely focuses on the end of the verse, which is our emphasis in this study today. Matthew began to follow Jesus immediately. But the significance here lies in what the context reveals about the One he followed. God incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ, saw a tax collector named Matthew. Then He called Matthew to follow Him.

2) Jesus eats with sinners and tax collectors. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 10)
Verse 9 flows into verse 10 in this passage: “As Jesus went …” moves right into “while He was reclining.” In the present day, we might say “Jesus was always on mission.” Although the gospels tell us how Jesus purposely traveled from one place to another, He also ministered as He went. When we read passages like this, too often we move so quickly from verse to verse we miss the beauty of Jesus’ ministry. Apparently, after Matthew began to follow Him, Jesus immediately took the opportunity to call others to Himself by means of a dinner party that eventually included some tax-collector friends of Matthew. With this action, Jesus presented a living picture of the purpose of His coming. We know this because in verse 13 Jesus Himself tells us why He came to earth. Jesus said a very similar thing to another tax collector on another occasion in Luke 19:1-10. The teachers of the day struggled with what Jesus was doing, who He dined with, and who He healed. Sometimes we may also find Jesus’ teaching hard to understand or hard to obey.  But this passage could not be clearer. Jesus came for this: to call sinners to follow Him.

3) What was the probable tone of Jesus’ instruction to the Pharisees in verse 13?
From the context, this doesn’t appear to be a light-hearted scenario. Jesus was not light-heartedly directing His disciples and these teachers to do a Google search! Jesus was using a quote from Hosea 6:6 to reveal their hearts. Bible commentator Bob Utley tells us Jesus was likely using an idiom that the rabbis used to tell their students to study a particular issue. (bible.org) In this way, Jesus was making Himself the teacher, and the Pharisees His students. No doubt this angered them. Spurgeon said, “This would be distasteful to men who thought they knew everything already.” (studylight.org) Not only that, Jesus was speaking on behalf of Jehovah God. The Pharisees had asked the disciples why Jesus was eating with such “common folk.” In response, Jesus quoted Scripture as if it spoke of Himself. Jesus said, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” Quoting from Hosea 6:6, Jesus was declaring Himself as the Lord who deserved their sincere worship. In one impactful statement, Jesus was exposing their ignorance and their arrogance while also indicating what kind of followers He was seeking.

4) What does this passage as a whole reveal to us about the heart of Jesus?
Jesus called unlikely people to be His followers. Using an example they would all comprehend, Jesus spoke of those who were in need of help.  It is sick people who need physicians. The Pharisees were expecting a Messiah who would reign as a king and they believed themselves to be worthy of honor with Him when that leader appeared. Jesus consistently debunked their mentality. (Luke 18:9-14) Jesus saw Matthew sitting at a toll booth and invited him to follow. Jesus ate with the tax collector’s friends who were societal outcasts, and He invited them to follow. D. A. Carson says these “sinners may include common folk who did not share all the scruples of the Pharisees.” And this indicated the very heart of Jesus. The reason Jesus came was to demonstrate His love for the weak and wounded. (Romans 5:6-11) The call to follow Him is an invitation to sit at Christ’s table even though we don’t deserve it. Jesus shattered traditional norms and criticized the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. He ate with sinners because they recognized their need. The Pharisees, on the other hand, disregarded people who didn’t measure up to their insincere righteousness.

Everyday Application

1) Jesus saw him, called him and Matthew followed. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 9)
The invitation to follow Jesus is overwhelming. To think God came to earth wrapped in humanity and called people to join Him in His mission, “I scarce can take it in.” (How Great Thou Art) That the Creator would graciously call humanity to Himself is such a glorious thought, but when we take that first step toward Him and with Him, we realize that it comes at a cost. Jesus’ example demonstrates for us what following Him looks like. GT partner Audra Darville said, “Living on mission doesn’t necessarily mean being called to a specific place, job, or people. Rather, it’s about being ready and able to testify of who God is wherever you go and whoever you’re with.” Jesus saw the people everywhere He went. He called them to believe His words, to recognize their need for Him, to wholeheartedly follow Him and invite others to do the same. As soon as Matthew began to follow Jesus, he invited his tax-collector friends to meet the Christ. When Jesus’ enemies called Him a “friend of sinners,” they were not complimenting Him. They were insulting Him. (Matthew 11:19) When we follow Jesus, we can expect the same. (Matthew 5:10-12)

2) Jesus eats with sinners and tax collectors. What is so significant about how this happened? (verse 10)
In the days of which the New Testament gospels speak, Jewish rabbis and other spiritual teachers were viewed favorably within the traditional Jewish society. Most people looked to the Pharisees as their spiritual guides. Due to their strict adherents to the Law and preservation of traditions important to the Jews, they were held in high esteem within that community. Their opinion of “tax collectors and sinners” was unified and common. They would never have publicly socialized with tax collectors due to their unchecked dishonesty and greed. But Jesus! He saw Matthew and invited him along as a friend. The reality that Jesus ate with “these kinds of people” shows that He saw beyond traditions and cultural boundaries to people’s need. Following Jesus is a call to join Him in seeing others like He does.

3) What was the probable tone of Jesus’ instruction to the Pharisees in verse 13?
Jesus called people to follow Him. He would become their servant-leader. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up My yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-20) When we are connected to Jesus, even the most challenging tasks become less of a burden. Situations that would ordinarily make us uncomfortable are viewed in the light of Jesus’ call to us. Being “yoked” together with Jesus adds a new perspective to our following Him as we recognize His strength and peace that is offered to us. The Pharisees did not fully comprehend the mercy of God. In fact, it was something the Israelites had always had a difficult time understanding. The prophets tried, but the people refused to listen. Jesus wanted His followers to understand what they were committing to by following Him. The call to follow Him might include wearisome and troubling circumstances, but partnering with Jesus is a journey of receiving mercy and proclaiming mercy.

4) What does this passage as a whole reveal to us about the heart of Jesus?
Jesus came to invite sinners like us to follow Him. “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.am For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. (John 3:16-17). At creation, God saw the people He had made and said, “It is very good.” (Genesis 1:31) Instead of faithfully loving God, we broke the beautiful relationship we had with God through Adam & Eve. (Hosea was preaching this in his message of mercy Hosea 6:7) Jesus saw the people He passed along His journey! He had compassion on them and desired to meet their needs, especially their deepest need. I’m so thankful Jesus didn’t let social status or cultural norms dictate His invitation to people. Following Him will take us on a journey of faith,  but many outcasts have realized and received His invitation of mercy. Now we invite others to join us!
I have decided to follow Jesus.
No turning back.
No turning back.

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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!

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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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Questions Day 7 To Save Or To Condemn?: 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 To Save Or To Condemn?!

The Questions

1) What teaching was too hard to accept and why was it offensive to those following Jesus? (verses 60-61)

2) What poignant question does Jesus ask in response to the disciples’ saying the teaching was too hard? (verses 62)

3) What is significantly important in the exchange between Jesus and Peter in verses 66-69?

John 6:60-71

Therefore, when many of his disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is hard. Who can accept it?”

61 Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were complaining about this, asked them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to observe the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 But there are some among you who don’t believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning those who did not believe and the one who would betray him.) 65 He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted to him by the Father.”

66 From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “You don’t want to go away too, do you?”

68 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

70 Jesus replied to them, “Didn’t I choose you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He was referring to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, one of the Twelve, because he was going to betray him.

Original Intent

1) What teaching was too hard to accept and why was it offensive to those following Jesus? (verses 60-61)
The author of this book, John, wrote to a largely Jewish audience with the intention of proving that the Messiah of the Old Testament was indeed Jesus Christ who walked among them and whom they had all physically seen and encountered. Backing up a few verses in John’s record (John 6:35-49, Jesus is making the connection for His Jewish-following-audience between Himself and the Old Testament account of manna coming from Heaven. (Exodus 16:3-4) Manna was given to the Jews as they wandered in the desert after being freed from Egyptian slavery. They had no food and cried out to God; He responded with giving them “bread from Heaven” to sustain them for the duration of their 40-year desert wanderings.  Now, Jesus was telling them that, in the same way, unless they took Jesus inside them spiritually, they would die spiritually just as the Jews would have died physically. Jesus was equating Himself to manna, but in a much more eternally significant way. “I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:35) As you can imagine, this teaching was an entirely foreign concept to Jewish ears. In the passage about Jesus being the Bread of Life, it was clear to the original audience Jesus was claiming to be the long-awaited promised Messiah. Jesus was claiming to be God! To which, the Jews pushed against claiming they only saw Him as a man, the son of Joseph the carpenter. (John 6:42) This disruption of their worldview was simply too much to take in, so they became defensive, argumentative, territorial, and ultimately, chose to walk away from Jesus, His teachings, and the eternal life He offered. (John 6:66)

2) What poignant question does Jesus ask in response to the disciples’ saying the teaching was too hard? (verses 62)
After asking if those who were questioning Jesus were offended by His teaching, Jesus asks an interesting follow-up question, “What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?”. (verse 62) It’s important to note that Jesus was not offended that those following Him were offended. Rather, He invited them deeper into further investigation. Jesus accepted them exactly where they were at in their journey of exploring His claims as God, the promised Messiah. He did not return their offense with anger, annoyance, or by walking away in a huffy show of pretense. Instead, He asked an honest question. In essence, Jesus asked, what would it take for you to believe? Then, Jesus takes the conversation a little deeper, by giving an explanation for their own wrestling, doubts, and questions. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (verse 63) The reason they struggled with Jesus’ teachings is because they only were analyzing and sifting them through the help of their fleshly-oriented faculties.  Jesus said only the Spirit of God can open our eyes to see real life. The flesh is no help at all!  We need the Spirit of God to help us interpret the things of God!

3) What is significantly important in the exchange between Jesus and Peter in verses 66-69?
Jesus made it clear to all who were following Him that it was impossible for anyone to come to Jesus, meaning have eternal life, if that entrance was not first granted by God the Father. (verse 65) This is a similar thought to Jesus saying, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16) as well as John’s words, “we love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) As human beings born with a sin-nature, we will never, on our own, choose to love and follow Jesus, only God can initiate that relationship. Jesus stated in verse 70, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve, yet one of you is a devil.” Reading this verse about Judas’ coming choice to reject Jesus is significant when we also read Jesus’ question to the disciples in light of the other followers deserting Him in verse 67, “You don’t want to go away, too, do you?”. God the Father had granted for all of them to come to Him. In John 17:12, Jesus is speaking directly to God the Father saying of His disciples, “While I was with them, I kept them in Your name, which You have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction (Judas).”  Still, Judas rejected. Still, the other followers walked away.

Everyday Application

1) What teaching was too hard to accept and why was it offensive to those following Jesus? (verses 60-61)
Just as there were teachings that were too hard for real, everyday, honest, hard-working, good people to accept in Jesus’ day, so it is for us in the 21st century.  These Jews who pushed against Jesus, God in the flesh who stood right in front of them, were not ragamuffins of society, nor were they malicious thieves or murderers. These were religious people. In our day, these would be our neighbors, the people we trust with our kids, the people may go to church with us and sing praises to God alongside. These are the people who have well-kept lawns, give generously, and speak kindly when we interact with them. No outside appearance, however, actually matters in the end when our breaths cease on earth and eternity for our souls begins. According to Jesus, the only thing that matters is whether we have taken the whole of Jesus into who we are, surrendering everything to Him. The people Jesus was engaging with had followed Jesus for a while. Maybe they were intrigued, maybe they enjoyed His teachings and thought He was wise. Eventually though, their questioning hearts made them face the reality that there were certain beliefs they refused to give up. To them, Jesus could not possibly be God, regardless of His evidence, His word, His power, His authority, and eventually, His resurrection from the dead. What teachings of Jesus offend you? Are you willing to let that offense be present, wrestle through it, and embrace truth? Or, will you walk away?

2) What poignant question does Jesus ask in response to the disciples’ saying the teaching was too hard? (verses 62)
Does it encourage you to know God isn’t offended by your questions?! Such freedom is given to explore and ask and engage with God Himself as you encounter real, honest questions about God and faith and what it means to trust Him. What questions are most pressing for you about God? In what ways do you wrestle with believing God at His word as described in Scripture? Are you willing to take Jesus up on His invitation and continue exploring? If so, are you also willing to accept the whole of the Bible as true? What evidence do you need to be convinced that Jesus is exactly who He says He is? As you study Scripture and seek insight from others who have studied and walked with God, be aware of Jesus’ insight that only the Spirit of God can open our eyes to the things of God. Pray as you read, asking Him to teach your heart and give you understanding.

3) What is significantly important in the exchange between Jesus and Peter in verses 66-69?
God the Father knew Judas would reject Him, betray His Son, Jesus, and would walk away from forgiveness, choosing to end his own life drowning in shame. But He still granted Judas the opportunity of life. This is radical love!! As Jesus walked the earth, teaching and healing and engaging in conversations, He knew full well who would come to Him and follow Him in surrender, and who would walk away and reject Him. But He still engaged and taught and loved and invited even these. Again, we see the incredible patience and love of God as He does not walk away offended by our unbelief, our doubts, or our questions. He still calls and invites and engages. If you have surrendered and given Him your whole heart and life, know that decision is final. When you surrendered, you gave up your rights to have the final say on your eternity. Jesus holds that now, and you cannot do anything to take yourself out of His hand. (John 10:27-28) You are His. You are safe forever! Do not underestimate God’s pursuant love for you! At the same time, do not be deceived into thinking you can be rescued from death and eternal separation from God by remaining indifferent towards Him and His offer of salvation. We must all make a choice to follow or walk away, there is no middle ground.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with To Save Or To Condemn?!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

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

Our Current Study Theme!

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

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Treasure Day 5 Live Like You’re Loved

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Jeremiah 17:7-8
Isaiah 43:1-3
I John 4:7-19

Treasure, Day 5

Have you ever been driving down the road listening to the radio and suddenly the song not only fills your car but also your heart? This reality captured me recently as I drove to work. The early morning sun greeted me and the commuter traffic kept me moving along at a steady, slow pace. I was a captive audience, and in that moment the Lord presented me with both an invitation and challenge through the beautiful lyrics of a Hawk Nelson song, “Live Like You’re Loved.”

The song’s catchy tune quickly seeped into my mind but the words pierced my heart.

“So go ahead and live like you’re loved
It’s okay to act like you’ve been set free
His love has made you more than enough
So go ahead and be who He made you to be…and live like you know you’re valuable
Like you know the One that holds your soul
‘Cause mercy has called you by your name
Don’t be afraid to live in that grace.”

Live like you’re loved. 

Live. Like. You. Are. Loved.   

Do you find a challenge or an invitation in this lyric? Or is it some strange combination of the two, interweaving to create an enticing yet overwhelming experience?

I can succeed at the living part. In order to stay this side of heaven, living is required. However, living like I’m loved sometimes proves to be a challenge.

Why?

There are days I truly don’t know why. Other days, I can quickly point to frustrating circumstances, doubts and unbelief filtering through my mind, or actions I take which scream uncertainty on my part.

So as I crept along with the morning commute that day, Jesus began to sing over me through the words of that song, a Zephaniah 3:17 experience. I sensed Him reminding me that I am loved by Him, regardless of any other love I have encountered in this lifetime.

Some of us may not have a positive relationship with our families and lack a solid understanding of a love dynamic.
Maybe previous friendships have ended with a proverbial knife through the heart.
Maybe we’ve never experienced the healthy love of a spouse.
Maybe we feel unworthy of love, shamed by the weight of our sins.
In a fallen world, among hurting people and broken relationships, living like we are loved is hard.

However,  God is love. 

In the midst of my car encounter with Him, this truth resonated the loudest.

God is love and I am loved by Him.

He has called me by name. (Isaiah 43:1-3)

He gives me strength and power. (Psalm 68:35)

Much like Gideon, He speaks to me about who I am and deals with my doubts. (Judges 6:1-40)

He has good works prepared for me. (Ephesians 2:10)

He is intimately acquainted with the details of my life. (Psalm 139:1-24)

He sees past the blackness of my sins, through the bloodied beams of a wooden cross, to the heart of His beloved child. (Romans 5:8)

He will never leave me nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

The Bible is filled with promises the Lord has made to us. In essence, the Bible is a long love letter to each of us, declaring His love, power, faithfulness, and goodness. Over and over, the Israelites walked away from the Lord, forsaking their first love. Yet His Word is filled with example after example of the Lord’s compassion being poured out upon His people.

I am who the Lord says I am.

You are who the Lord says you are.
And armed with that knowledge, He is inviting us to live like we are loved.

There will be days when we may not feel His love, but we must believe He loves us still. Like the tree in Jeremiah, may we pull the truth of the Lord’s love from His Word. We must choose to live like we are loved, regardless of how we may feel.

Remember, my friend, you are loved. Live to the fullest of this truth.

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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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Here Day 6 Shepherds

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 2:8-20
Micah 5:1-6
Revelation 7:9-17

Here, Day 6

The room was dim as the sun began setting, and the smell of smoke lingered in the air from the simple meal. Anna began preparing the children for bed and their giggles filled the home. Joshua listened carefully to each squeal, able to pair the sound with the mouth it came from. His eyes were weakened from years of working in the glaring sun, but his ears were sharp. Listening to his grandchildren giggle filled his heart to overflowing.

“Lydia, come along,” Anna spoke gently to her littlest, but Lydia’s chubby feet toddled towards Joshua instead. He heard her voice, “Up!”, and knew tiny arms reached towards him. He wrapped his hands around her squishy little belly, hoisting her onto his knee. “Story!”, Lydia pipped into his ear as she snuggled into his chest, feeling his beard on her head.

Joshua chuckled and pulled her close, “You and your stories, Lydie. Just one before bed.”

The words were invitation to the other four children, as they flew to the floor around Grandfather. Each pair of eyes transfixed on his, ready to watch the story dance in his eyes as it filled their ears.

Well, children, you all know I was a shepherd for decades, just as my father and his father was. You know, King David was a shepherd, and before him, Father Abraham. Shepherding is an honor, but many forget that noble men once began as poor shepherds like me. 

Then one night, everything changed. 

The day was warmer than usual, and our stench revealed the work we’d done in the heat of the day. There were three other shepherds, Jacob – your great uncle, and Levi and Micah, our cousins. We ate and laughed our way through our late supper, and settled in for the night by the fire. The cool evening descended quickly, and soon an endless array of shining stars filled the dark sky as far as we could see.

Just as our eyes grew heavy, a brilliant light flooded the sky. Micah and Jacob shouted with fear. Levi and I shielded our eyes in stunned, blinding silence as we fell to the ground. What was happening!? My heart raced as I saw the form of a man take shape in the midst of dazzling white. Mighty wings unfurled on either side of him. The light effervesced around him, filling the space between us making our firelight appear as dim shadows compared to the light swirling around us. It was as if the light itself was alive.

Children, there is nothing as terrifying as seeing something huge and magnificent while being entirely unsure of it. My mind raced, “Am I dying? Is this Heaven? Is it an enemy’s attack? Is it Abraham’s ghost? Do we run? Do we shout? Defend ourselves?”

Suddenly, like the blast of a trumpet mingled with gentle swirls of frolicking kindness, the powerful being spoke, “Don’t be afraid! I am heralding good news to you!” 

Stunned, the words flew around us like a rushing wind while our hearts were tenderly warmed and flooded with excitement.

“Today, in the city of David, a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 

In the space of a blink, the single angelic herald was joined by hundreds, no, thousands! The entirety of the sky’s expanse was filled with brilliant light. They were as far as we could see, yet near enough we felt the wind from beating wings.

And Oh! The music! 

Joshua paused for a moment, closing his eyes while the children sat enraptured with anticipation. “Go! Go! Singing!” shouted Lydia, bouncing on his lap and clapping her dimpled hands together. Joshua shook his head to clear the enchantment that had taken over his mind. He smiled and looked upward, as if still seeing angels, but proceeded with deep emotion…

The music was magnificent.
I’ve never heard music like that before or since, but I’ll never forget their words,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven! And peace on earth to people He favors!”

My goose pimples had goose pimples and the tears streamed down my face, but I felt nothing but awesome glory. We were captivated in worship.

As quickly as they appeared, they left, and darkness dropped heavily on our eyes as we could only hear our own quickened breathing in the astounding quiet.

Only a moment passed before we realized with astonishment that we were still alone. No one from Bethlehem had run down to listen and watch… it was just us. 

That entire proclamation was just for us. 

Us. Small, poor, and humble shepherds. 

God had sent those angels to proclaim the birth of the Messiah to us. 

“Let’s go!” whispered Micah, but I was already moving to chase Levi as the sheep followed.  Before we knew it, we were running as fast as we possibly could. As quickly as we moved, the questions pecked inside, “A Savior born for us? The Messiah? Was this the promised rescuer of Israel? But a Savior lying in a manger? What Lord was this humble?!”

We entered Bethlehem, and kept running, the cobblestone roads cold under our bare, weathered feet, but we didn’t stop. It didn’t seem to matter that none of us knew exactly where to go, but our feet flew nonetheless in a single direction as if intentionally led.

And then. 

We stopped. 

A small light cast a warm glow off of hollowed-out walls of a cave, tucked into the side of a hill. Here. Messiah was here.

We called out before entering, and as we did, that same all-consuming feeling we experienced as the angels sang, powerfully surrounded us again. Our breath caught with awe as we slowly stumbled further into the stable, smelling the hay warmed by animals.

Time itself seemed to stand still as our eyes paused on an image I’ll never forget.
There He was, the tiny babe, just as the angel said, wrapped tightly in strips of rags and lying in a manger. 

We all quickly fell to our knees, the tears falling afresh.
The Savior. Our Savior.
Here. With Us.

Children, that was nearly fifty years ago. That baby grew into a powerful man. He performed many miracles and taught His followers what it actually means to love your neighbor. Thirty- three years after that spectacular night, came another night.
The darkest night.
The Messiah hung lifeless on a cross innocently murdered.
I wept when I heard the news… that precious baby we had worshiped… dead. 

But, my children, you know that’s not the end of the story!! 

The children shouted, “No!” all at once, the excitement and glee filling their faces and bodies as victory screamed within them.

No! Because three days later, our Messiah rose from the dead! He didn’t stay dead, He conquered Death for us! 

My little ones, I have lived every day of my life telling of that wondrous first night, my job may have been humble shepherd, but my real job was proclaiming the Messiah’s arrival, our deliverance from sin, and our call to worship Him. I’m sharing my story with you, because one day, I won’t be alive to share it anymore. And oh! What a day that will be! On that day, I will fall on my knees and worship our Messiah again, this time forever! 

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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 Here Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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