The GT Weekend! ~ He Week 1

June 6, 2020 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

1) 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

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Send us an email at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com

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Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Sketched IV Day 5 Sarai

August 3, 2018 by Merry Ohler 2 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 11:27-32
Genesis 12:8-20
Genesis 15:1-16
Genesis 17:15-21
Galatians 4:21-31

Sketched IV, Day 5

My reflection caught my attention as I slowly dragged my jar through the water, allowing the cool liquid to swirl and fill it. I pulled it out carefully and set it to the side, wincing at the twinge in my back. I turned back to the water and paused to take in my image. Dark, intent eyes peered through long, full lashes. Smile lines were evident now; the years had made me softer. Thick waves of long, silver hair fell forward into my eyes, and I pushed them aside, chuckling to myself. It wasn’t so long ago those strands were as black as the night sky, I thought ruefully.

I dipped one hand in the water, pressing the cool drops to my flushed cheeks. Strange, to see such a youthful glow across skin that has weathered so many years. I watched my full lips curve into a wondering smile as my hand dropped to my burgeoning belly. Gentle kicks fluttered within and the familiar eyes staring back at me filled suddenly with tears of joy. This baby is nothing short of a miracle. Glory to Yahweh! He has done what He said He would do. If my eyes were not telling me the story, I would not believe it myself.
His mercy is…..

—–

“Beautiful!” My father called out as I danced around him, twirling and bowing whimsically like only four-year-old little girls can. A flower adorned my silky black tresses, and I sang and laughed with delight. “My beautiful princess, you are lovely inside and out! And your dancing! Ho ho!” He hooted and roared with laughter as he lifted me high into the sky and spun me around. “In all of the world, there is none like you!” I squealed, “Again, papa, again!”

The memory brought a different kind of tears to my eyes, and I blinked them back quickly. My dear papa. What a life this has been. What a life this IS. My mind sifted through memories as if written in one long scroll, and I stirred an elegant finger through the water absentmindedly. Amazing, I thought. The way God weaves together our stories, our lives…it’s

——

“…kind of beautiful, isn’t it?! I am excited, Sarai! This is what He is calling us to do. What are you thinking, Sarai? You’re a million miles away, my love.” Abram was staring expectantly into my gaze with the half-smile I’d grown to love more over the years. I’d been lost in thought as he shared what God had told him; in embarrassment, I lowered my eyes collecting my thoughts. I would have been a fool to remain unaware of the effect my beauty had on others, but with Abram, something had always been different. He saw beneath my outward beauty. Though I had been unable to bear him heirs and give him the children my heart desired above all else, still he loved me. Still, he called me beautiful. Something about a man like that just fills you with longing and excitement.

And faith, a still, small voice whispered to my spirit. God’s hand is on him.

I looked up again, startled at the thought. “Yes, Abram,” I responded. “We will go to Canaan. Where God leads us, we will follow.”

His hand reached for mine; we both knew what this meant. We would be leaving everything we knew. Our family. Our community. Our home. We would be strangers in a foreign land. Sojourners.

Immigrants, I thought.

So many emotions filled me, but underneath all the other feelings, I discovered a sense of relief. Away from our families, from our community, perhaps I could finally let go of the private grief I had carried for so long. Private shame. Perhaps my heart could finally release the dream of a home filled with tiny feet and children’s laughter. Infertility, it was my constant burden.

—-

A bird’s call brought me back to the present and I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. The baby in my belly fluttered, finding a more comfortable position. I laughed aloud at the wonder of it all. I dried my hands on my robe and pulled my hair into a quick braid. Stooping carefully, I picked up the jar and began walking back to my tent. As my swollen feet fell into a rhythm, I felt my mouth pull into a grimace as a darker memory filled my mind.

—-

“Beautiful does not begin to describe her,” the man said. “The King has seen her and wants her for himself.” My heart dropped and I worked to keep my face emotionless. Tears collected under my lashes. “Yes, my sister is lovely,” my Abram answered. The fear I could hear in his voice ignited an echoing coil in my own belly.

How could we be here again? I thought. I am not a young woman, God. Why have you cursed me with this beauty? I can’t bear it! My spirit wept at the thought of what was surely to come. Everything in me screamed that this lie was wholly wrong, but fear kept me silent.

I stepped forward in obedience. “Goodbye, brother,” I said quietly, searching my love’s face for some sign of reassurance. Abram’s eyes filled with tears and unvoiced pleas, and he couldn’t bear to meet my gaze. Quickly turning, he began puttering with the edge of his garment

“Goodbye.” His voice was thick with emotion, but the men noticed nothing unusual and took me outside the tent.

We walked together down the road, each one silent in our thoughts…or prayers, in my case. Father, help me. Remember your servant. You know my heart belongs to Abram. Please, make a way where there seems to be none! Forgive me for this lie and make things right!

—-

Tears of regret filled my eyes as the memory faded and I paused to lower the jar of water onto our table. I removed my sandals and sat on the bench, groaning softly as my joints protested under the weight of the gift, the promise, my tired body carried. My wrinkled hands caressed my stomach, stretched and taut with new life.

God gave me so many opportunities to trust, to have faith.
And I failed at every one.

When Abraham and I were Abram and Sarai, and Pharaoh wanted me for his own… We lied and said I was Abram’s sister instead of having faith. And yet, God spared us and prevented Pharaoh from sinning. HE was our shield.

And again, when King Abimelech wanted me to be his…rather than trusting God, we lied! And yet, God spared us and kept the King from me. He delivered us from our own sin! HE was our protector.

When God promised Abraham he would be the father of many nations, and I would bear him a child…I didn’t trust He could do it!

Tears finally spilled over my cheeks as the deep ache of remorse filled my chest.

God had already shown me that He could do anything, but I doubted. I sent my handmaiden to my love, to my Abraham, and told him to sleep with her. And it worked. She gave him a son. Abraham calls him Ishmael. He is a handsome boy, but he is not mine. He was never to be the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Everything changed after that mistake. Abraham gave himself to Hagar, at my bidding. We traded our easy love for something more complicated and difficult. It was never part of God’s plan, and every day I am reminded of the consequences of my choice.

I was faithless. And yet…

The miracle child inside me squirmed and wriggled, bumping against my sides and bringing a smile to my lips.

Yahweh is faithful. He did what He said He would do. He called LIFE out of this barren womb. He brought good from all the wrong choices we made. He was our shield and protector, and from Abraham and I nations will be borne. From all our ugly choices and failures, He brought

“Beauty,” I whispered.

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

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 Sketched IV 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 Sketched IV

Prayer Day 14 All Of Everything: Digging Deeper

July 26, 2018 by Rebecca Adams Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out All Of Everything!

The Questions

1) Why don’t all versions of the Bible have the bracketed section? Is my Bible really reliable?

2) Why do end a prayer with a “doxology”? Where else do we see this modeled in Scripture?

3) How does the “doxology” tie back to the Lord’s Prayer?

Matthew 6:13 (HCSB)

And do not bring us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
[For Yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.]

Original Intent

1) Why don’t all versions of the Bible have the bracketed section? Is my Bible really reliable?
This is a great question, and one that Merry did an excellent job of covering in her Journey Study yesterday. We can both acknowledge the squirmy, uncomfortable way it makes us feel to wonder, ‘what if the Bible isn’t reliable?!’, while also knowing with extreme confidence that the Scripture you and I hold in our hands is 100% trustworthy. The fact that Scripture even reveals its variances for our inspection is proof that the Lord is not afraid of our investigation. The God of the Universe is big enough to handle our doubts and misunderstandings. Editors didn’t need to edit out variations between eyewitness accounts or different authors, because only one Author’s voice counted, The Holy Spirit. Were those words in the brackets actually spoken by Jesus at the conclusion of His model prayer? Maybe. Maybe not. But the truth they hold is not only biblical, and found other places in Scripture, it anchors us and our prayers in a world of unknown. The kingdom is His. The power is His. The glory is His. He is Sovereign, my friends, and there’s no better “last word” than that one!

2) Why end a prayer with a “doxology”? Where else do we see this modeled in Scripture?
A “doxology” is defined as an oral or written praise to God and is often found at the end of prayers throughout Scripture, going back to the Old Testament all the way to the New. In fact, one of David’s most famous doxologies is extremely similar to the one found here in Matthew 6. Seriously, go look it up; you’ll be amazed! (1 Chronicles 29:11-13) It’s so similar in fact, that scholars believe it was held as a model and it became common for God’s people to verbally end their prayers with not simply an “Amen”, but with a doxology that recognized the sovereign power and authority of the God to whom they prayed. Interested in studying more doxologies in Scripture? Check out David in Psalm 41:13 or Psalm 72:18-19 along with many other Psalms. See a few of Paul’s in Romans 11:33-36, Galatians 1:5, Philippians 4:20, or Ephesians 3:20-21. The author of Hebrews includes a beautiful one in Hebrews 13:20-21. Peter records his in 2 Peter 3:18 and John’s doxology shouts of God’s glorious, eternal victory in Revelation 5:9-14.

3) How does the “doxology” tie back to the Lord’s Prayer?
The words of the doxology are beautiful enough as they are and precious in the truth they hold, but when we examine how they tie back into the model prayer, the depth and creative intricacy is truly incredible!
“Our Father” and “Your Name be honored as holy” are found at the beginning of the prayer, and at the end, these are summed up in a single word: Yours. One name, one Lord, one God of all; there is none other.
“Your kingdom come” reminds us of the un-crossable chasm that exists between God and man without Jesus’ sacrifice to bridge that gap. The prayer ends with the affirmation: Yours is the kingdom. The kingdom is God’s alone, it’s His creation, His plan for eternity, and though He has designed us to join us in His work, the work is His.
“Your will be done…” leads us into the next section that encompasses our everyday physical needs as well as our spiritual ones and is brought full circle with the phrase: Yours is the power. We pray because He holds all power and we are utterly incapable without Him. We pray because we cast ourselves entirely upon His ability and none of our own. It’s His power that supplies, His power that equips and fuels us. His alone; not ours.
Finally, we are brought to a breathless close with: Yours is the glory. Our hearts know, and gladly rejoice, in the praise that is rightfully God’s alone. His is the kingdom. His is the power. His is the glory.

Everyday Application

1) Why don’t all versions of the Bible have the bracketed section? Is my Bible really reliable?
Have you allowed yourself permission to ask the tough questions about Christianity? Whether you’re a Christ-follower or not, I encourage you to keep a list of gut-honest questions. God is big enough to defend Himself. And honestly, if He’s not, then He isn’t mighty enough to save. As I recently asked a friend of mine, “wouldn’t you rather know? For sure?”. Wouldn’t you? If we are staking our eternity on the reliability of what Scripture teaches, we have the right to question its trustworthiness. What are your questions? What makes your stomach turn with un-announced queries when you read the Bible? Sister, there are answers! Good Answers! Ask your questions, take the Lord up on His invitation to know Him better. Trust me, no, trust HIM, the reward will be sweetly worth it!

2) Why end a prayer with a “doxology”? Where else do we see this modeled in Scripture?
The Lord’s prayer begins with the intimate title of “Father” and concludes with all glory and praise being given to the Most High God of All. He is both the safe haven to cling to and the Mighty Warrior who reigns in awe and victory. Closing our prayer time with a doxology is an invitation for us to be reminded that He is God of all, we are not, and we praise Him for that! We take great comfort in knowing that the Sovereign King of Heaven loves us as a Father, cares for every broken heart, knows every hair on our head, and holds final authority over all creation. A doxology is an expression of our faith like nothing else. We are praising Him not because He needs to hear it, but because our hearts are re-focused and peace floods within us when we simply praise and adore the King of Kings. Have you ever considered how you close your prayers? Consider writing a few doxologies yourself. Study some in Scripture and take a few days to craft your own. Practice the art of praising the Lord and watch your faith grow, your peace deepen, and your relationship with the Father become richer!

3) How does the “doxology” tie back to the Lord’s Prayer?
As we slow down to examine the details of these few words in the doxology and how they tie to the Lord’s Prayer, consider how each of these phrases apply straight to your everyday life right now.
Yours – Where are you relying on something other than that One Name to satisfy and fulfill? Where are you glorifying an object or a relationship or a person above the Lord?
Yours is the kingdom – Whose kingdom do you spend your days building, the Lord’s or your own? What do your schedules and text messages and interactions with people and where you spend your money say about whose Kingdom you’re most invested in?
Yours is the power – Fearful? Worried? Overwhelmed? Tense? These are each signal flares that you’re walking away from the truth that the power is the Lord’s, not ours. When our trust is focused on our ability to perform or control, we have forgotten that the power is His, and we’ve forfeited His peace in the process.
Yours is the glory – Much will quickly be righted in our world when we consciously choose to slow down enough for praise and adoration. Consider the type of words that first form on your lips in any given situation and you’ll quickly get a gauge for the status of your heart attitude. Critical, angry, tense, annoyed, frustrated….these types of words come from a heart that insists on the glory being our own. When we begin training our hearts and tongues to first praise Jesus, giving Him the glory due Him, our hearts are made new right in the middle of our everyday lives! Try it!

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

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

Digging Deeper Community

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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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