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Training Day 4 Lovely Conversation: 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 Lovely Conversation!

The Questions

1) What are the markers of prayers God does not accept? (verse 5)

2) What are the markers of prayers God does accept? (verses 6-7)

3) Why can we be confident our prayers will be received? (verse 8)

Matthew 6:5-8

“Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 When you pray, don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. 8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.

Original Intent

1) What are the markers of prayers God does not accept? (verse 5)
The most striking word the Lord Jesus chose for instruction and conviction of His hearers on how not to pray is the Greek word for hypocrites, transliterated phonetically as “hypokrínomai”. Trending at the time of Jesus’ teaching were the wildly popular Greek theatre troupes. With relatively nearby theatres across the Sea of Galilee in Tiberias and in Sepphoris, north of Nazareth, and, of course, the Roman theatre, stage acting and masks were just beginning to make their mark on culture. Of course, masks were required to depict one actor taking on a character role that wasn’t his real self in everyday life. This was hypokrínomai in action. The root word is defined by “taking up another’s statements in reference to what one has decided for one’s self; to feign, impersonate, and pretend.” One has decided who he is in himself, but then takes on another’s statements, impersonating their life, ideals, and beliefs as if they were their own. Jesus took the popular Greek trend and, flipping it on its head, applied it to the most elite of the Jewish sect, Scribes and Pharisees. (Matthew 23:13) Right there in the public streets, He called the religious ones spectacle actors for they were just as much putting on a show as Greek performers. They spoke loudly not out of bold confidence in relationship with God, but to be heard and seen. The whole point wasn’t to be heard and known by God, but by the onlooker, and perhaps, God would notice also and be astounded by their overt muchness. (verse 7)

2) What are the markers of prayers God does accept? (verses 6-7)
Arrogant, brassy, self- flaunting prayers are met with God’s rejection, but Jesus didn’t come to condemn, instead, He came to show us the fullest way of deep life. (John 10:10) Jesus loved using relevant topics and trends to teach people about the spiritual realm, for this was His purpose, to make the Father known. (John 17:26) With a little imagination, you can see Jesus walking village streets, nodding towards the loud, babbling scribe whom everyone took for granted, as His disciples began seeing their world through a different lens. His purpose was first to correct their perspective, and second to align their hearts toward full reliance on God. Jesus points out the babbler as an example of how not to pray, but then with a softer tone and invitational voice as if  sharing the sweetest of secrets, begins to describe how to really pray in such a way as to be received, “Go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (verse 6) Prayers weren’t for the sight and sound of the many, but for the ears of the One who, remarkably, already knows all and sees all, for here, relationship flourishes in the context of singularly focused adoration. There are no distractions in a closed private room, which wouldn’t even have boasted a window. The slow, emphatic details of His teaching make us wonder if Jesus’ voice caught in His throat as He taught them of the tender act of praying to the Father in quiet worship, neither bothered by what others thought, nor consumed by self-love. What Lovely Conversation prayer truly is!

3) Why can we be confident our prayers will be received? (verse 8)
Most often in His common personal prayers, Jesus demonstrates His relationship by calling out, “Father”. Take a minute to read John 17, picturing Jesus in the Upper Room with His disciples having shared His final meal with His beloved ones just hours before His betrayal. He prays aloud in deepest of sweet intimacies to His Father. As you read, count the number of instances Jesus prays, “Father”, intonating intimate relationship. There is no need to address the Father as “God” for the two Beings are co-equal in divine title of God with the Holy Spirit, yet the title of Father reflects such rich depth and astounding shared beauty and adoring love. (John 5:20) Matthew’s record of Jesus’ teaching on prayer sets up a clear distinction, “…they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.” (verses 7-8) Puffed up arrogant pray-ers think they will be heard by God for their words, because of what they can do, but those who pray with genuine love for God are confident their prayers will be received because their Father already knows.

Everyday Application

1) What are the markers of prayers God does not accept? (verse 5)
Paul writes to the Corinthians, whose culture had become even more embedded with the popularity of stage performances and hypokrínomai, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it.” (1 Corinthians 8:1-2) With this unmasking of heart motivations to display the stark distinction between “show off knowledge” and genuine, affirming love, Paul cuts to the quick of Jesus’ teaching. The religious elite felt they were truly special, garnishing the applause of men, and surely God, by their loud speech, many words, and ornate garments, but they were merely puffing themselves up, proving they actually understood nothing. Paul continues with the antidote, “But if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.” (1 Corinthians 8:3) Arrogant, puffed-up hearts are not always easy to recognize in ourselves, but regardless of our self-perception, the Lord clearly sees our hearts; we cannot put in a mask for Him! (1 Samuel 16:7) We can be assured that prayers marked with arrogant, self-exaltation, and inflated views of ourselves and our understanding will not be received by God. While we all would love to say we steer clear of these kinds of prayers, it’s easier to be arrogant than we would like to admit. As I reflected on this (in prayer!), the Spirit revealed how my attempt to humbly surrender to His ways tonight wasn’t genuine surrender; I was secretly holding onto my ways as superior. I was wearing a mask and thinking I could sneak past the God who sees all and knows all. Thankfully, Paul’s words remind me of the right heart-motivation in prayer, simply loving God for Who He is. When I pray with love for God instead of self, He aligns my heart with His own!

2) What are the markers of prayers God does accept? (verses 6-7)
Single focused worship is hard when there are a hundred distractions on all sides. I’m mama to 7 Treasures who live on earth (1 sweet love already worshipping in glory!); finding quiet time without distraction to pray is laughable. Someone is always asking for a snack, calling or texting me, building a fort, complaining about not having more food, or bragging about the giant mess of food they created in my once-clean kitchen. Even when I manage to bar the door of my bedroom, toss out electronic devices as bribes, and lock the bathroom door, and lock the closet door to sit in the dark, a hundred distracting thoughts plague me still. Did I start the washer? Was I supposed to make that dentist appointment today? Do we have ingredients for dinner? It requires discipline and consistent practice to follow the command of single-focused worship by closing the door on all other competing loves. Whether we close ourselves within a physical room, are making dinner in a noisy kitchen, or stuck in busy traffic, we always have the opportunity to enter the secret place with God and pray deeply. The more we practice shutting out distractions, the easier it becomes to relish deep communion with God no matter what’s happening around us. Anyone can begin practicing now in this very moment; what’s holding you back?

3) Why can we be confident our prayers will be received? (verse 8)
It’s like the little boy, waking up sleepy-eyed from his nap, toddling to his mama, and stretching out his short arms in request for the snuggling hug he desires. Mama will give the hug for she knows his wanting desire. Mama will give the hug for she values the relationship with her son. His love is fixed on her, and she responds with gracious warm love because she knows him. So it is when we approach our deeply personal Father in Heaven with hearts bent on adoring love for Him and trust of His love already outstretched for us, as evidenced by the invitation to even call Him Father. (Luke 11:13) Responding to His disciples’ request to be schooled in authentic prayer (Luke 11:1), Jesus begins in the same way He Himself has always begun His prayers, warmly inviting His disciples to do the same. It’s as if He grins with delight, His eyes warm with richness, and says, “You want to come in? To share with the Father as you’ve seen me do? (Revelation 3:20) Come then, come, and don’t be shy, call Him, ‘Father’, for He will adopt you through Me (Romans 8:15-16) when I lay down my life for you, paying the penalty for your sins that have always kept you separated from Him. (John 10:17-18) Come, share the Father with Me as co-heirs alongside Me. (Romans 8:17, Revelation 3:21)” Such richness is far beyond our reckoning! Yet, Scripture teaches its truth over and over. So, come, won’t you? Call Him, Father, and enter the Lovely Conversation!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Lovely Conversation!

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 Training Week One!
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.

The GT Weekend! ~ Questions 2 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) There is a pervasive and insidious lie in our culture today: people are basically good. Many of us believe this lie (to some extent) without even knowing it. We live as though we can make ourselves “good enough” and acceptable to the people around us, and ultimately to God. Shining light on this deception, God’s word reveals to us our need for a Savior by showing us how sinful we actually are. Without the work of Jesus, all our “good works” are like dirty rags (Isaiah 64:6). We need Him to cleanse us from our sins and make us right with God as only He can do because He is both fully divine and fully human. It is only through a relationship with Jesus we can find righteousness and be made whole. Consider today, dear sister, if there are areas in your life where you have convinced yourself you can make yourself good enough. Where have you denied God’s power in an attempt to fix yourself? What would it look like to invite Jesus into the broken places, and accept the truth that only He can make you right with God? Ask God to show you where you need His healing presence, and ask Him to help you accept His grace in the process.

2) How many times have we treated prayer like a cosmic vending machine? “If You give me X, then I will do Y.” Or “I will give anything if Your will just…” fill in the blank. It can be tempting in our moments of deepest longing and desperation to believe God is holding out on us or that we know better than He does. But in reality, God loves to give good gifts to His children. He doesn’t give half-baked plans or empty hope; He gives good and perfect gifts. What are you waiting for? Perhaps you are waiting for a husband, or a child, or a promotion at work. Maybe you are waiting for clarity for the next step you are supposed to take in life. How are you talking to God about those things? Have you fully surrendered your desires and trusted His goodness over your limited perspective? Or are you demanding, and attempting to manipulate, God into giving you the desires of your heart? Take some time to consider what it means that God gives good gifts. Be honest with God about your desires, then ask Him to give you a heart fully surrendered to His will.

3) What a wonderful thought that our God needs nothing! He is fully sufficient and does not rely on anyone or anything to help Him. While this thought can rightfully wound our pride, it should bring us comfort knowing He is fully self-sufficient. This truth frees Him to willfully choose to love us without condition! Our God loves us so much He chose to suffer and die for us, even though He was under no obligation to do so. What beautiful, breathtaking love! As the children’s song goes, “Jesus loves me, this I know!”. Not only does He love us, He also desires us. He desires a deep relationship with us, and He invites us to respond to His call. How will you respond? Where do you need His helping hand in your life? (Hint: everywhere!) Do you need to turn from your sin, and believe in Him for the first time? Do you need reassurance of His love for you? Do you need help overcoming sin and shame in your life? Do you need His enabling hand to help you walk in obedience to what He is calling you to? Write down one or two specific ways you know you need Jesus. Ask Him to be your Helper, and then walk in obedience to Him. Our all-sufficient God is delighted to sustain 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 Philippians 4:4-7 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer Journal
How great is Your love for me, oh God! You came down so low that I might be made right with You. You did not save me because of Your need, but because of Your love and desire to have a relationship with me, even though I had nothing to offer. Help me to constantly remember my need for You. Help me to abide in Your love through obedience to Your word. I acknowledge I so often fall short. I see my need when I sin against my friends, my neighbors, my family, and against You. I see my need when insecurity and self-sufficiency rule my thoughts. I see my need when I try to be good and fail. Please forgive me for my arrogance, and draw me into a closer relationship with You. Show me where I am still trying to do things on my own, and help me to trust in Your sufficiency. You are my only hope in life and death. Help me to rely on You in all things.

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! ~ Treasure Week 1

Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) “It’s easy to believe in the existence of God’s love for others, but it’s far harder to believe His love is for us as much as for them.” Rebekah’s truly spoken words hit our hearts in tender places. We likely extend grace to others, while holding ourselves to impossible standards. Sure, God must love other people, but us? What specific places in life do you judge yourself far harder than the grace given to you through Christ? Where are you quick to condemn the girl in the mirror? Choose 1 or 2 specific ways you can begin seeing yourself through the lens of truth, as handcrafted by the Maker with love.

2) Comparison sneaks up on all of us in different ways at different times in life. As Marietta pointed out, sometimes we compare by putting ourselves down, while other times we compare by putting ourselves above someone else. Both are equally sinful; and I’ve been guilty of falling prey to both temptations. Which one are you most susceptible to recently? How kind the Lord is to offer the fullness we seek in a relationship with Him! When you’re tempted to hold onto lies about another her or yourself, choose to flee temptation and bring your struggle to the Father of your heart instead. Bring every part of your battle with all honesty, and praise Him for loving you with abundance!

3)  I most often live like I’m…… Go ahead, slow down enough, gather your thoughts, stop thinking of your next, and fill in the blank. Not enough? Struggling to keep up? Overwhelmed? Behind? Too much? Overpowering? What is your normal center point from which you operate through most of life? How often does your reality match up with the truth of Scripture? Pray over the challenge to live like you’re loved and begin this weekend in making intentional shifts. When we discover how deeply we are loved, we are free to love others well.

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Psalm 139:5-6 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

You have encircled me;
you have placed your hand on me.
This wondrous knowledge is beyond me.
It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.

Prayer Journal
“You have encircled me.” Lord, this is too wonderful for me to fully take in. I admit I live like it isn’t true far too often. It’s much easier, and more tempting, to live like I’m alone, like You don’t love me endlessly and perfectly, and that You aren’t kind enough to care about my everyday life. Lies attack me on all sides, Lord. Please teach my heart and my mind to flee these lies, to stop wrapping myself up in them, and instead guard my heart in truth. Remind me Your loving hand is holding me fast. Then, help me to love others, including myself, as You have loved me!

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

Treasure Day 2 Handcrafted And Lovely: 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 Handcrafted And Lovely!

The Questions

1) Why would God create me with so many imperfections?

2) What does it mean that God “knit me together in my mother’s womb?”

3) What are some of God’s “wondrous” works?

Psalm 139:13-14

For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.

Original Intent

1) Why would God create me with so many imperfections?
David praises the Lord in Psalm 139:14 because he has been “remarkably and wondrously made.”  Many other verses declare we were handcrafted by God. (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 100:3, Psalm 119:73, Job 31:15, Deuteronomy 32:6, Psalm 138:8) Genesis 1:26 proclaims man was made in the image of God and Ephesians 2:10 declares we are God’s workmanship. But if we are all made in God’s image, why are we flawed?  Why isn’t everyone beautiful, healthy, and whole?  Moses complains about this when God asks him to be His spokesperson.  In Exodus 4:3-9, the Lord provided two miraculous signs convincing Moses the Israelites and their captors would listen to Moses when he would demand the Israelites’ freedom.  Still, Moses hesitates saying, “I have never been eloquent—either in the past or recently or since you have been speaking to your servant—because my mouth and my tongue are sluggish.” (Exodus 4:10) God answers Moses, “Who placed a mouth on humans? Who makes a person mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.” (Exodus 4:11)  As John Piper  explains, “God is the Creator. He made man’s mouth, and God’s providence rules over all things. . . God always has a purpose for every event, whether we can see it or not.”  God made us in a way He says is remarkable and wonderful, even if it doesn’t match our definition.  God knew Moses saw imperfections in himself, but still God called Him to speak for Him.  What we see as imperfections are not a hindrance to God.  Where we see flaws and disabilities, God sees opportunities to bring Him glory.  He is available to help us and teach us in every situation He places us in, regardless of how inadequate or imperfect we are.

2) What does it mean that God “knit me together in my mother’s womb?”
In Psalm139:13, David contemplates how God created “my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”  According to author Albert Barnes , “the literal translation would be, “Thou hast “woven” me in my mother’s womb, meaning that God had put his parts together, as one who weaves cloth, or who makes a basket.”  He further explains how “The original word also carried the idea of protecting, as in a booth or hut, woven or knit together – to wit, of boughs and branches.”  Pastor R.C. Sproul asserts this verse is “showing that the Lord’s presence is close and intimate—so close, in fact, that God was there in the womb of David’s mother knitting him together. The image pictures the Lord as attending to the details, just as a knitter has to pay close attention in order to knit a blanket and not produce a tangled mess.” This verse lets us know God is our intimate Maker.  Not only can we never be outside of God’s presence (Psalm 139:7), but He was there, putting us together in our mother’s womb, before we were even born.

3) What are some of God’s “wondrous” works?
When describing the “wondrous works” mentioned in Psalm 139:13, the  Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes, “The verb rendered “wondrously made” probably means here “selected” or “distinguished,” and represents man as the [masterpiece].” Humans, with their intricate body systems and astonishing complexity, are one of the most amazing works of God. Psalm 78:4 also mentions some of God’s “wondrous works,” which are described later in Psalm 78:13-16 as the miracles God performed in leading the Israelites out of Egypt.  God’s creation is also part of His “wondrous works”.  Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.” The miracles of God and the glorious natural world He created, including making wonderfully complex humans, are among His many wonders.  With the psalmist I say, “For you have made me rejoice, Lord, by what you have done; I will shout for joy because of the works of your hands!” (Psalm 92:4)

Everyday Application

1) Why would God create me with so many imperfections?
I knew someone who, while staying with friends of friends, was shown into a lovely guest room, complete with a canopy bed covered in a pristine white duvet and heaped with beautiful, lacy pillows.  My friend loved the room, but spent the night sleeping on the floor because she was convinced such a gorgeous bed could not be meant for her.  The story broke my heart when I heard it, because she doubted the host’s gracious intentions, despite the generosity displayed.  This belief that we are not good enough runs rampant through our culture.  Author Jo Saxton uses the verse Psalm 139:14 (“I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.”) to help women exchange the truth of God’s Word for the lies of the enemy.  She encourages women to “acknowledge that your body, your personality, your talents, all of you is fearfully and wonderfully made.  His words have the power to level and liberate you, a Spirit-filled sword to cut through the most resistant of chains. I think they can help you see into the mirror differently. His words help you discover who you fully are.  His words speak a truth that will set you free.” It might be helpful to tape this verse to your mirror so you see the liberating truth of God’s Word every morning when you wake up and each night before you go to bed.  Contemplate daily on the fact that you are a wondrous work of God! Your imperfect flaws are merely opportunities for God’s glory to be wonderfully revealed through you!

2) What does it mean that God “knit me together in my mother’s womb?”
I was born back before sonograms and birthing plans and fathers in the delivery room.  These were the days before push presents and gender reveals, when the doctor came out to the waiting room to tell my anxious family, “It’s a girl!”  By the time I had my first child in 2001, technology had progressed. I remember pouring over the book A Child is Born by Lennart Nilsson, marveling at the pictures of pre-natal development.  I signed up for weekly emails telling me “this week your baby is the size of a plum!”  The first time I felt the baby kick, I was overwhelmed with amazement! (When he wouldn’t move his foot out of my rib for the last 4 weeks, I was overwhelmed in a different way!) The development of the baby from conception to birth is an amazing testament to God’s intricate, creative plan.  The Bible says He “created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13) To think He makes each person, especially designed by His loving hand, is almost unfathomable.  Pastor Tony Evans writes, “God doesn’t produce ‘off the shelf’ people. Each person has been custom designed by His loving, sovereign hand. The fact that each person’s finger prints are completely unique proves that God doesn’t mass produce people. Let’s start living with an awareness God has a perfect plan for each person He has uniquely crafted.” I love this encouragement to live fully aware of God’s great plan for our lives.  He uniquely constructed each of us to uniquely carry out His purposes.  I want to recognize His great design in others and myself as I seek to glorify His name while carrying out His plans!

3) What are some of God’s “wondrous” works?
Whenever I visit the mountains or the ocean, I ask myself, “Why don’t I live here?”.  There is something about the combination of sights, smells, and sounds at these locations that makes me feel joyful and peaceful. But really, if I stop and think about it, the startling beauty of natural things is all around me, no matter where I am.  Breathtaking sunsets, vivid autumn leaves, icicles glistening in the sun, there is a never-ending list of glorious natural wonders everywhere I go.  Writer W. F. Adeney notes that “God’s works are ‘wondrous.’ They are stamped with the impress of thought. The most advanced science is but man’s blundering attempt to spell out God’s hieroglyphics written in the great book of nature.”  God also surrounds me with wondrous miracles big and small in my everyday life.  Just the way the human body is wired to work is a remarkable daily miracle (Psalm 139:14), and every day I enjoy the miracle of a risen Savior who died to give me life (Romans 10:9) are only two examples of His incredible, loving work! God’s “wondrous works” (Psalm 139:14) are all around me, and I know very well how good they are! Together, let’s determine to praise Him for these gifts of grace and love!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Handcrafted And Lovely!

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 Treasure Week One!
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 1 Handcrafted And Lovely

2 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 1:26-28
Psalm 139:13-14
Ephesians 2:1-10
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Romans 8:35-39

Treasure, Day 1

Did you know that you are incredibly loved by the Most High God?
Not just your friend, your sister, your mom, your pastor, or your revered grandfather.
No, you.
You, yourself, as you are, are loved by Him!

It’s easy to believe in the existence of God’s love for others,
but it’s far harder to believe His love is for us as much as for them.

This is particularly challenging on those days when we really don’t like what we see staring back at us in the mirror. I don’t know about you, but I don’t always view the girl I see in the mirror as being treasured, lovable, or desirable. But she is!

I’ve always wished for a stronger jawline, slimmer thighs, and a less prominent nose, but none of these make up my identity, nor are they accurate representations of how God made me. While I commonly see flaws in the mirror, those are my own false opinions of myself, not the perspective through which God views me.

Psalm 139:13-14 says,
“For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.”

While it’s easy to see the beauty of a rose, a sunset, or a fall-colored leaf and believe God’s works to be wonderful, but this passage isn’t describing any of those things.
These verses are talking about you!
You are wonderfully made!

Does your soul know that very well?

The truth is you have been made in the image of God with care, precision, love, and artistry. You have been “created in Christ Jesus” as His workmanship according to Ephesians 2:10. You have been designed “for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that [you] should walk in them.”

You are not a mistake, an afterthought, or an accident.
You have been created in the image of God Himself,
tasked with purpose and mission,
and made beautiful in His sight.
That, my friend, is the truth of who you are.

Our identity isn’t based on how we look, what we do, or what others think of us. It is only based on who God created us to be and what He has to say about us. Until we grasp this truth for ourselves, it will be incredibly hard (if not impossible!) to discover a firm foundation of our identity.

You see, if we base our identity in anything other than Christ and who He made us to be as treasured, beautiful, beloved daughters of God, we will always find ourselves on the proverbial identity roller coaster.

When we base our identity in our looks (which change),
our job or position (which isn’t guaranteed to last),
or our relationships (which come and go),
we will be building on a faulty, wobbly, ever-changing, insecure foundation.

When we live like this, it’s difficult to produce the good fruit God designed for us to walk in. (Galatians 5:22-26) When our roots of identity are weak and failing, taking every thought captive to God’s truth of how we view ourselves, is a hard task.

We can break free from the lies our eyes tell us about ourselves
when we ground our hearts in the truth of Scripture.

When we begin with who God says we are, then our identity is anchored in the firm, unchanging foundation of the truth of God’s Word.

Body image is a challenge for all of us!
Let’s immerse ourselves in truth, and fight back against those lies.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says,
“All Scripture is breathed out by God
and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Do you want to be equipped for the good works God crafted you for?
Do you want to have a healthy body image based on truth rather than passing fads?
Do you want to truly believe you are wholly loved by God?
Start in God’s Word!

Let’s make it our mission to be in His Word every day and watch our view of ourselves, and our bodies, radically transform through the amazing love of our Creator God!

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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 Treasure 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 Treasure!