leadership

Word Day 11 Do As I Do

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 13:1-17
John 13:34-35
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

Word, Day 11

“Do as I say, not as I do!”
Have you heard this statement from someone in authority?
Are you drawn to respect them, or do you have another reaction?

As a leader oversees employees, volunteers, or children, it is easier to see the mistakes of others and call them out, rather than coming alongside to model growth. It’s easier to list the rules and expect compliance rather than walk with another to demonstrate, correct, and encourage.

Jesus didn’t choose easy leadership.

Though He was fully God, He didn’t use His authority to demand His followers to go where He was unwilling. In John 13, Jesus postures Himself as a servant, washing His disciples’ feet. His death was imminent, yet He gathered them to observe Passover, serve them, and give instructions on carrying out the will of the Father by serving one another.

Neither the disciples, nor us, have the power naturally to obey this, or any command given by Jesus, on our own. It is only when we belong to Him by surrendering control of our life, through humbly submitting by faith (Hebrews 11:6) to His perfect authority, that we are given divine power through the Holy Spirit to obey Him.

Without complete submission to Him,
we are only playing a part without any heart change.

Jesus submitted to the Father with obedient surrender.
Just as He modeled, so are we to follow.

As the triune Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons, while also One Being. The very existence of the triune God is actively lived out with mutual submission to One Another out of shared respect and love just as they have always done for eternity past, and will continue for eternity future.

God does not choose easy leadership. He perfectly models, and humbly walks beside us, teaching us to live and love like Him.

“By this everyone will know you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

Love.
Our greatest command from Jesus.
His greatest example to us.

Jesus modeled the love we are to have for others;
none were considered too “damaged” for His perfect love.

The truest test of a disciple of Jesus is how we love.

Today, it’s often difficult to see love in action, especially if we focus on the media’s newsfeed. With sin and brokenness ruling our world, the selfless love modeled by Jesus doesn’t take the spotlight.

Therefore it takes courage…..
To stand against the norm and love like Jesus.
To defend the bullied or mistreated.
To serve both the arrogant and the diseased.
To sacrificially love those society has rejected.

This kind of love….
requires a boldness only available through the power of the God
who gave Himself entirely for us.
When we love like Jesus, we risk ridicule or even bodily harm.
Loving like Jesus isn’t easy.

Jesus’ love alive within us….
Offers kind words to those who are hateful or mistreat us.
Sacrifices time, puts on humility, and sees those who need a smile and gentle touch.
Courageously expands our circles to include those different from us.
This is how Jesus loves us.

Just this morning, I broke down weeping as I read of disunity and brokenness in our culture. It all felt like too much! Overwhelming! How much we need humble, self-sacrificing love to bring genuine healing! This broken world and its hurting relationships are clearly not what God intended as He so carefully created every detail from nothing. (Genesis 1)

Sometimes I feel Jesus’ command to love others, in good and bad times, is a crushing weight! To reach out and love those who have hurt or blatantly oppose me feels impossible! Through tears, I shared with my husband that sometimes I want to quit, step outside this command to love and raise my white flag in defeat.

But Jesus!
Jesus washed the feet of Judas,
fully knowing those feet would soon rush to betray Him!

He faced the cross in our place to save us!
Us, the outcast, the hurting, the unclean, and rejected.
He stretched Himself out to pay for every sin past, present, and future,
even as He became unclean and rejected.

As Jesus suffered cruel torture, He reached out with perfect love to rescue souls condemned to an eternity apart from Him.

Magnificent Love!
But not devoid of truth.

His love was not a permissive “you do you” kind of love. He loved the world enough to declare the truth of the Gospel that all are separated from Him because of sin, and only can return to God through Christ’s sacrifice to pay for sin.
Likewise, He calls us to love others with this truth.

Paul invites us to, “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
I want to echo this invitation.
I want to, yet I hesitate.

Such an invitation is risky.
It requires humility, transparency, and vulnerability.

It would be more comfortable, easier, to hand over some verses and say, “just do what the Bible says”. But that isn’t loving like Jesus.

Instead, I’m called to die to my own comfort and let others see Jesus actually living through me!

I can’t do it alone.
I must be willing to both live in constant communication with God through His Word and prayer, and actively engage in biblical community, surrounding myself with others who will share Jesus’ truth in love alongside me. Jesus’ sacrificial love, alive in me, requires me to meet others where they are, demonstrating Jesus’ love in everyday life.

Like Paul, I must be willing to live a life worth imitating
as I do as Jesus has done for me.

Will you join me?!

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

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Worship VIII Day 10 Christ Be Magnified

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 148
Matthew 16:24-28
Daniel 3
Daniel 6

Worship VIII, Day 10

I love music. It is one way I truly connect with God. Often, I’ll find myself mindlessly singing a song and, once I tune in, realize God placed it in my heart. Whether the song is from church, the radio, or simply my memory, it lifts my spirit as I sing His praises.

“Christ be Magnified” is a song I love to hold in my heart.

“Were creation suddenly articulate
With a thousand tongues to lift one cry
Then from north to south and east to west
We’d hear ‘Christ be magnified!’

Were the whole earth echoing His eminence
His name would burst from sea and sky
From rivers to the mountain tops
We’d hear ‘Christ be magnified!’”

Have you ever stood on a mountain top, or on a beach with pounding waves, and been moved to praise to the Lord? Undeniably, immersion in God’s wondrous creation stirs up praise within us!

Imagine all of creation longing to shout and sing in praise of its Creator!
In fact, Luke 19:40 declares if man is silent, the very rocks will cry out.
And Psalm 148 details every part of creation glorifying God.

“When every creature finds its inmost melody
And every human heart its native cry
O then in one enraptured hymn of praise
We’ll sing ‘Christ be magnified!’”

We are God’s finest creation.
We are not the mountain top or the sandy beaches; no, we are made in God’s own image.
We possess the ability to lift His name above all other names.

“O! Christ be magnified!
Let His praise arise
Christ be magnified in me
O! Christ be magnified!
From the altar of my life
Christ be magnified in me”

Let’s consider that last line, is Christ magnified from the “altar” of our lives?
Do we magnify Him by sacrificing our wants and desires?
By leaving behind our sin and our own ways?
By pursuing true surrender?

That one hits hard. It’s easy to say the words “Christ be magnified.”
But, when we slow down and take honest inventory, do we really embrace surrender?
Or just sing pretty words?
True surrender requires us to lay down our leadership of our own lives;
only then can Christ be magnified in us. (Matthew 16:24-25)

“I won’t bow to idols, I’ll stand strong and worship You
And if it puts me in the fire, I’ll rejoice because You’re there, too”

This stanza reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Like these faithful men, how can we magnify God in the unexpected, hard times?
When we face hurt or loss or rejection?
When we encounter financial hardship, or physical illness?
When the future is unclear, and the way forward asks us to risk everything?

When we surrender to God’s leadership in the hard things, choosing the way of grace, the way of endurance and faith and sacrifice, we learn He is Emmanuel, God with us . . . even in the fire.

“I won’t be formed by feelings, I hold fast to what is true
If the cross brings transformation then I’ll be crucified with You
‘Cause death is just the doorway into resurrection life
And if I join You in Your suffering then I’ll join You when You rise
And when You return in glory with all the angels and the saints
My heart will still be singing and my song will be the same”

In our world, death seems final and fearsome. It’s an unknown. But for believers, death carries a different meaning. 2 Corinthians 5:8 reassures us “we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” As the song says, death is a doorway from one life to another. Are we willing to walk with the Lord and suffer with Him, even in death?

Whether we face literal death as penalty for faith, or the daily choice to embrace the death of our own wills and sin-filled natures, may our earthly lives testify to the transforming power of our God.

May we look forward, with hope and anticipation,
to the day we stand before Him in the fullness of His glory,
still declaring, “O! Christ be magnified!”


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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 Worship VIII Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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The GT Weekend! ~ Sketched VII Week 2

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Deborah found herself in a position of power, leadership, and extreme influence. She did not ask for, nor was she seeking this position. Like anyone in leadership can attest to, positions such as Deborah’s are heavy. The potential for influence, whether good or bad, is significant. As you think through where you are in life right now, look through the lens of influence the Lord has given you. Many times, we don’t recognize the platforms we have been given. We can easily discount the relationships around us as being unimportant or we feel our influence is insignificant because we measure it by numbers. Whether you are a mother, a neighbor, a business woman, a grandmother, or a wife, your influence matters! God has given you your platforms as a means of preaching His gospel! How will you leverage your position to further His kingdom?!

2) Nicodemus came to Jesus undercover in the middle of the night so as not be seen by his peers. He had real questions about what it meant to follow Jesus, and he needed answers. What are the questions you have about faith? About God? What are your fears about following Jesus wherever He might lead you? Make some space today to write these out, even if it’s just for 5 minutes tucked away in your closet. The Lord loves your honesty! Maybe you are in a solid place with your questions, and you’ve already wrestled through your heavy thoughts. What are you doing with the answers and hope you have found? Are you available and intentionally investing in others who have questions? Make a list of people the Lord has given you connection with, pray about how to take next steps in investing spiritually with them!

3)  Loretta, a real overseas missionary, who has dedicated her entire life to telling other people about Jesus, began her journey with just one small step of obedience. God didn’t show up one day and ask her to move to a hut in Africa and eat rice the rest of her days. He had crafted her heart to fill a specific mission, and when He had led her heart to just the right spot of surrender, He began revealing his plan one small step at a time. It’s easy to look at the end of a picture and decide right away we can’t do that. But, suppose, like Loretta, God is calling you, but the picture He has in mind, is not what you fear? Suppose He knows your heart because He intentionally crafted it to live on mission for Him? Journal out your own prayer to God I honest transparency as you think about where He is leading you next.

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 Romans 10:1-2 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved! For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

Prayer Journal
Father, my heart breaks when I consider those around me on all sides, everywhere I go, who do not know You. It’s easy for me to look at the outside, to see a good person, and make the assumption that they have a saving relationship with You. Even if I am only at home, my children, or neighbors are around me, who may not yet know the full glorious truth of the freedom and forgiveness You alone offer through the sacrifice of Your son on our behalf.  Help me to see with Your eyes. Teach my heart to be more sensitive to Your Spirit as You lead me to engage with others and speak intentionally of Your truth. Make me ready to speak and make my heart bold in Your love, not cowering in fear of people. Stir me to action for those who don’t know You, but who may feel they do because they are relying on their own good deeds to save them instead of Your complete righteousness. Open my eyes specifically to those You want me to invest in for eternity!

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 ~ Anchored Week One

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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) When you think of the local church, do you see yourself as having a role in helping her grow healthy and strong? Why or why not? Don’t give quick answers. Consider what you say you believe and what your actions prove. Consider your words and how you view leadership in the church. Are you generally encouraging and looking for ways to strengthen the Body? Take time this weekend to write a note or two to a church leader the Spirit is leading you to encourage! Love the church well this week!

2) What feelings do you sense as you consider words like “community” “church” “transparency” “connection” “prayer” and “worship”? Exuberance? Warm feelings? Gratitude? Fear or pulling back? How we view God and our role in His Body, the Church, greatly impacts how we view those words and what we choose to associate with them. As you think through these, look for ways you can grow deeper in your understanding of God’s perspective, plan, and purpose for the Church to live together.

3) Tawnya tackled some big topics in yesterday’s Journey Study as she helped us unpack core truths of the Almighty God of the Bible. Right thinking about God and His character will lead to right living and a true gospel shining out in our lives from the mundane to the big-moment-highlights. Make a list of the top 10 things you know for sure about the God of the Bible. Don’t think too hard, just the first 10 that come to mind. Next make a list of things you also know about God that seem to contradict the first list. For example, how can God be both loving and jealous? Or how can he hold Justice and Grace perfectly? Don’t let your questions scare you away! The Lord isn’t afraid of them, He wants you to ask and explore Him in greater ways!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Colossians 1:5-6 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and came to truly appreciate God’s grace.

Prayer Journal
Yes, Abba. Ah, gracious Lord God! How sweet and pleasing it is to gaze at this “Word of Truth”, Your gospel, Your hope given generously to humanity. Precious, Lord, it is precious! Remind me, again and again, every single day, hour by hour, of this life-giving gospel by which I am surrounded by abundant, unending grace. Remind me that the work is finished, my job is to submit to Your tender leading as Your Spirit whispers through Your Word.

Bear much fruit here, Father. See my relationships? My children? These ministries You’ve given me to steward well? Grow gospel fruit here, Lord. Teach me to surrender more and more of myself to You that Your Spirit may be free to grow and prune and multiply Kingdom growth here in the soil of my life. I praise you, Lord God, ruler of all, Creator of all!

Worship Through Community

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

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

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Sketched V Day 7 Paul, The Student: 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 Paul, The Student!

The Questions

1) Who is the author and the recipient? What is the author’s purpose?

2) How is this list different than a set of legalistic laws like Saul (Paul) would have followed before Christ made him new?

3) How does this passage relate to “waiting” and being a “student” as we saw in yesterday’s Journey Study?

1 Timothy 3:1-10

This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. 4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.
8 Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.

Original Intent

1) Who is the author and the recipient? What is the author’s purpose?
Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, his “son in the faith”. A nearly identical list is also recorded to Paul’s letter to Titus. (Titus 1:5-9) Though Paul was never married, Timothy was like a “spiritual” son because Paul had deeply invested in Timothy for many years; the two were very close relationally through their bond of Christ. Paul’s work for the Church was immeasurably important, but he knew the work wasn’t about him and neither began nor ended with him, which is why investing in younger leaders to carry on his legacy was so important to him. Paul begins this section with extreme seriousness when he says, “This saying is trustworthy.” The only instances Paul uses this specific phrase are to either to describe the heart of the gospel, as in 1 Timothy 1:15, or to express the character of leaders within the church. If there is nothing more important, or true, than the gospel and Christ’s sufficiency, then the outlined qualities of leaders here described are to be handled soberly with integrity, humility, and prayer.

2) How is this list different than a set of legalistic laws like Saul (Paul) would have followed before Christ made him new?
All the heavy laws Saul, and Pharisees like him, laid on the Jews had everything to do with looking right, and nothing to do with being right in their hearts. This list, along with Paul’s other various lists in Scripture, all have a common thread: the outpouring of the heart. The actions simply mirror the reality taking place inside where Jesus Christ is Lord. Paul didn’t pen this list because he wanted to control what kind of people would be allowed to lead his missionary church plants. Everything about these qualifications, including how he introduces it with serious respect, speaks of Paul’s desire to honor none but Christ. Yes, there are character traits outlined here, and they may look like a list of “must dos”, but truly they are given under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that church leadership may lead well to the glory of God!

3) How does this passage relate to “waiting” and being a “student” as we saw in yesterday’s Journey Study?
No one drifts into these qualities. No one progressively attains the character traits outlined here without time, dedication, devotion to Scripture, and spiritual discipline by humbly submitting to the hand of the Lord as He shapes hearts. What we see here are marks of a spiritually mature person who has long walked with the Lord. Verse 6 specifically calls this out, “He must not be a recent convert…” Verse 7 also reinforces the idea of lengthened time as the “student” grows rich and deep in their faith walk, “he must be well thought of by outsiders…”. All of these characteristics have an observable aspect to them as the intention is that if one is called to pastor, their lives should be seen and known with authentic transparency. Even Jesus had this observable aspect about His character before entering the ministry, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)

Everyday Application

1) Who is the author and the recipient? What is the author’s purpose?
How important do you view your role within the Church, both locally and globally? Have you ever considered it before? Perhaps you wonder if you even have one, or if you view your contribution is too insignificant. Paul is easily known as the best evangelist of all time, next to Christ, but he was well balanced in his view of himself. He was neither puffed up with prideful arrogance nor entangled with a low perspective, allowing his sins and flaws to become his identity and keep him from walking into all God had for him. Whatever your gift, use it for the kingdom, Sister! And if your gift is teaching or shepherding, approach it with serious awareness of the high calling it is to handle the Word of Lord and lead others to know it. As you grow in developing your gift and service to the Body of Christ, look for a “younger” one in the faith you can mentor and encourage along the way. No matter how long you’ve been following Jesus, and even if you haven’t decided yet, find someone “older” in the faith to mentor and encourage you! No believer should ever stop being a student!

2) How is this list different than a set of legalistic laws like Saul (Paul) would have followed before Christ made him new?
As we look over this list, it’s important to remember it is not a list of requirements to being a Christian. Checking off these “requirements” does not win favor with God. The intention is to give serious weight to considering the specific role as “overseer”, meaning “shepherd”, or what we would identify as the pastor role in our churches. The calling of Pastor is a high one, never to be taken lightly. Sisters, the seriousness with which Paul treats this particular leadership role insists that we come alongside our pastors and church leaders to regularly encourage and pray for them as they follow the Lord. Pray for grace. Pray for their adherence to the full gospel. Pray for them to be reminded their value and identity rests in the finished work of Christ on their behalf. Have you written a note or email to your pastor or church leadership team lately? Do it today and come alongside them in Kingdom work!

3) How does this passage relate to “waiting” and being a “student” as we saw in yesterday’s Journey Study?
The Lord has long waited, since the beginning of time, and continues to this day, to wait for His perfect timing to return to earth and finally call His children home. He created humans to be born as helpless infants who needed nurturing and time to grow into maturity. He designed processes for our spiritual growth as we are wooed to Himself, investigating the claims of faith, cross the line and are given salvation, and each day after are given the opportunity to grow deeper with Him. All of this requires waiting, growing, and intentional decision to follow hard after Christ. Those who “aspire to the office of overseer” (verse 1) are not the only ones who are called to be a student of the Lord and wait for Him, all Christ-followers are invited to do the same. If even the Lord Himself waits (Psalm 27:14), something tells me He enjoys the Journey. We should too!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
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Catch up with Paul, The Student!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

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

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Sketched V 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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Shepherd Day 5 Quiet Waters

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Psalm 23:2
Colossians 3:12-17

Shepherd, Day 5

Lead
Definition of the Hebrew word: יְנַהֲלֵֽנִי׃ (pronounced naw-hal’)
to lead, give rest, lead with care, guide to a watering place or station, cause to rest,
bring to a station or place of rest, guide, refresh

Leadership is a tough road, friends. It’s scary, it’s intense, it’s pressure-filled.
It’s heavy on the side of accountability, vision, loving others, being “on”.
Leadership wearies.

And before you say, “I’m not a leader, so this doesn’t apply.”
Stop.
You are. We all have a sphere of influence that we’ve been given. We all lead.

Every single one of my seven children from 15 months to 14 years are leaders.
They all lead those around them into either greatness or into disobedience.
And let me tell you, their influence is significant; able to quickly turn the tide of their siblings, of their friends, of their parents, and even their whole family.
Whether it’s a tantrum, an encouraging word, a genuine hug, or a kick and a punch,
their influence is felt.

As Is Yours.
Student. Wife. Mama. Friend. Co-worker. Boss. Woman. Sister. Leader.
What we do with our leadership is significant.
Its influence is felt far and wide, whether we realize it or not.

Because our leadership reach is so far-reaching,
where we lead from makes all the difference.

When my daughter reaches out to hug the brother who just kicked her and, rather than run tattling, rather than kicking back, she hugs and says, “I can tell you’re having a rough morning.”
She is leading from something deeper and more solid than her own sense of self-preservation.
She’s leading from love.
Sacrificial. Humble. Love.

He leads me beside quiet waters.

When my husband gets my text message and reads between the lines to know that something deeper is happening than the words appearing on the screen, and he chooses to lay aside his work, hang up his call, and ask what’s really going on…..he’s leading from love.
Sacrificial. Humble. Love

He leads me beside quiet waters.

When we hold our tongue to listen to others.
When we choose to step into another’s shoes rather than pass judgment.
When we give generously.
When we pause to consider what it would look like to love our spouse better today.
When we seek the good of another over our own convenience.
When we lay aside the insistence that others fit into our parameters.
We are leading from love.
Sacrificial. Humble. Love.

Leading like this is hard. Leading like this doesn’t come naturally.
Leading like this, doing it well, and doing it consistently, necessitates One Thing.
Being led.
Sacrificing our own agenda to be led.
Humbly submitting ourselves to another’s leadership.
Leading from love.

He leads me beside quiet waters.

Hush. Peace. Slow. Be still.
He leads.

Hands stop moving.
Brains stop rushing ahead.
Agendas die.
Must Do lists fade.
All the voices silenced.
Closed doors.
Hush.
Peace.
Listen.
Quiet Waters.

He leads me beside quiet waters.

We cannot lead well if we refuse to be led.

יְנַהֲלֵֽנִי׃ has the connotation of being led station by station, from one, very intentional place of rest into the next in a continuous journey of quiet water to quiet water.

Wait, you might say, I don’t know about you, but my life is anything BUT quiet water.
Yes! Mine too!
But still, His invitation remains.

He leads me beside quiet waters.
Whether I’m leading my toddler in a rhythmic bedtime routine, homeschooling my children, leading at church, or choosing to love my husband better, intentional rhythms are crucial.
Leadership takes planning, forethought, a direction, and the discipline to follow through on those plans.
Being led requires the same discipline.

We will not have access to the quiet waters if we refuse to be intentional on allowing the Shepherd access to our hearts.
Quiet time.
Space for silence and solitude with the Savior.
Journaling prayers.
Allowing access. Being led. Accepting love.

He leads me beside quiet waters.

When we make space for quiet and time carved out to let the Savior love us with His own Word, we can lead from that love.
When we make meeting with Him, in submission to His leadership, the rhythm and practice of our daily lives,
He leads us solidly from quiet water to quiet water.

The world will continue to be loud.
The relationships may continue to spiral.
Others choices may continue to frustrate and be destructive,
but you will be steadfast.
Held by the hand that leads you from the quiet water of Himself, the very Living Water.

Jesus answered,
“If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you,
‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask Him,
and He would give you living water.” (John 4:10)

If you knew….
Oh sisters, if you knew of the sweet intimacies and depth of riches of being led from quiet water to quiet water, while being refreshed and refueled by the Living Water of Jesus Christ Himself, you would ask Him. And He would give it.

Drink deep.
Create the space.
Submit to His leadership.
And learn the rhythms of leading from His quieting love.

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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 Shepherd Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Shepherd!

Flourishing Day 5
Life In The Body

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Timothy 3
I Timothy 5-6:2
Psalm 133
Colossians 3:1-17
James 3:1-2  

As the young wife of an aspiring pastor, I’ve encountered many big words from my husband’s journey through seminary. Having grown up in the church, I thought that I had a firm grasp on basic theology and doctrine. However, upon entering seminary, I suddenly began to hear my husband using words like eschatology, soteriology, antinomianism, and, my personal favorite, ecclesiology.

Ecclesiology is theology as applied to the nature and structure of the Christian church. Growing up at a First Baptist Church, the way the church was structured and functioned wasn’t something I had given a lot of thought to. I knew that some of my friend’s dads were called “deacons” and they had meetings where they discussed things, but that was pretty much the extent of my thoughts about church leadership and structure. Even through my college years, I was still a church-consumer. I came, enjoyed the worship, soaked in the message, and socialized in the lobby.

My husband and I were married shortly after we finished college and suddenly found ourselves on the core team of a church plant in a new city. My husband would be leading worship, and I was eager to serve in any area I was needed.

If you had asked me about the structure of the church at that time, I would have said that you need a pastor, a worship leader, a kids ministry, greeters, Sunday School, and an awesome youth group, complete with a hilarious youth pastor.
It didn’t take me long to realize how naive I was about ecclesiology.

I remember sitting in our core team meetings, discussing elders (1 Tim. 3:1-7; 5:17-25), deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13), and how to best serve those in our congregation and the community that God was calling us to (1 Tim. 5:3-16).
There wasn’t much said about Vacation Bible School.

It didn’t take long for me to realize why ecclesiology is important enough to be included in the Bible. Our pastor was a godly man, but he was also a sinner.
We are all flawed, selfish, and prideful, which is why we must look to the scriptures to find God’s plan for His church.

Paul wrote letters full of wisdom from the Holy Spirit to Timothy on how he, as a pastor, could shepherd his people, as well as a wealth of practical application for the local church Body. Paul writes, “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:14-15). Timothy probably felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to dole out responsibilities among his growing congregation. Paul, having led many churches and witnessed the challenges they faced, gave Timothy clear instructions for two offices in the church – overseers (elders) and deacons.

He clearly outlined the character and integrity that would be required of such individuals. After reading these two descriptions, it can feel a little overwhelming.
How can anyone match these qualities?
Paul quickly reminds Timothy of his foundational truth, the mystery of godliness.

“He was manifested in the flesh,
Vindicated by the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16b

Ultimately, overseers and deacons must have a firm grasp on the mystery of Christ, the Gospel, and live their lives in light of that truth.

When looking for a church home, how does the leadership measure up to God’s Word? While it’s easy to point fingers, how tightly are you holding on to the gospel as you live for Jesus? For we, as Christ-followers, are all ministers of the gospel!

Paul goes on to address another practical issue facing the early church – widows. (1 Tim. 5:3-16). Many churches today have ministries that serve widows, but we can take a broader biblical approach. Widows were the most marginalized citizens in the early church; their futures were often uncertain and insecure.
Who are the “widows” in our church and society?
Let the modern church be a community that seeks to identify and serve those people, while leading them into godliness.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he states that all of us are called to godliness,
not just the prominent leaders in our church.

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Col. 1:9-10

Paul goes on to encourage the believers in endurance, patience, and joy.
How are a group of sinners supposed to live up to this tall order?
Just a few sentences later Paul gives this truth and encouragement:

“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Col. 1:17

Believers can abide in love and harmony through God alone as He joins us together in unity.
Praise God it’s not up to us!
We have His word and the Holy Spirit to lead us into the path He desires for His Bride, His Church!

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

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

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

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Flourishing Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

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