perseverance

Fervent Day 13 Strength Training

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 12:1-21
Ephesians 3:1-21
1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

Fervent, Day 13

They say some things are taught while others are caught.

I’m not exactly sure who “they” are, but I couldn’t agree more.

In reading Paul’s letters, I find in the midst of teaching so many truths, Paul exudes much to be caught. His words are not always explicitly cut up for us to ingest quickly and easily, but are implicitly intended to be chewed upon and stirred up in our hearts.

Paul wrote to the church and challenged them to actually be the Church. Today, his words challenge us to be the Church. Paul is the biblical equivalent of a spiritual personal trainer. In order to be a personal trainer, one must have a passion and love for physical fitness that extends past the practical knowledge of exercise.

Paul’s passion and love for the Lord and the gospel are evident throughout his letters. I challenge you to open just one of his letters and not find references to the gospel. Paul knew his why (introducing every possible person to Christ), and it became the foundation upon which all of Paul’s efforts were built.

Paul pleads for God to strengthen His Church, but at the same time, we, as the Church are not called to passive inaction. Like an athlete, Christ’s Body is urged to grow up in Christ by strength training disciplines and put in hard work to build strong muscle. This is Paul’s strength-training prayer for every believer and every local body of believers.

While we do have a role to play in practicing daily submission to the Holy Spirit, this strengthening cannot happen apart from Christ. The Spirit functioning in our lives enables the strengthening, just as He is the motivation for it. John 15 declares we can do nothing apart from Christ, and abiding in Him is vital by staying in close consistent connection with Him. Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the full armor of God. Praying, worshipping, and fasting are a few spiritual disciplines that help us grow stronger in our faith journey with Christ.

So what are some of the strengthening elements we can “catch” from Paul’s words, beyond his direct teaching? Think of these as the components of a workout a trainer might emphasize, demonstrate, encourage, or adjust in order for the exercise itself to be more effective.

In the three portions of Scripture listed at the beginning of this study, multiple concepts stood out to me, but I’ll only focus on a few. The Holy Spirit may highlight other topics as you read; this is the beauty of the Word being living and active! (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Before His Word can be active in you, it must first be read. If you missed it, I urge you to go back and Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 12:1-21
Ephesians 3:1-21
1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

Humility is the proper form needed to carry the weight of sharing the Gospel. Paul understood the rich truth of the Good News was for both Jews and Gentiles. Therefore, he approached everyone around him with a confident humility, explaining that while he had credibility to teach the Truth, he would not wield it like a weapon against them, instead he held it out in love. Paul’s posture lent credibility towards the Savior who had lovingly rescued him!

Boldness is the determined intensity with which Paul proclaimed the gift of the Gospel. When exercising, I can tell the difference in the effectiveness of my workout when I boldly take on the movements, rather than simply going through the motions. Paul spoke up and did not hesitate to share with any and all who would listen. How often do I fail to obey the nudge of the Holy Spirit to speak up? May I be a bolder person for His glory.

Perseverance is the endurance needed to take the Gospel all the places the Lord calls us to go. While this will look different for every person, all of us will have our perseverance tested at some point. The call to be a Christian will be too much, too out of our comfort zones, too counter-cultural, too costly, too overwhelming, and a myriad of other realities.

Similarly, Paul could have listed a variety of trials that might have caused him to stop his Gospel mission. It’s too painful after another flogging. It’s too scary after surviving a shipwreck. It’s too humiliating to surrender the prestige of his former life.

He could have said all of these things, but instead he stepped into a personal trainer role and urged us to keep going.
Press through the pain.
Press through the rejection.
Press through the costs incurred to invite another soul to experience heaven with us.

My dear sisters, we can do hard things with the Spirit of the Living God at work within us!  Christ will carry us through, and He will train our hands for battle. (Psalm 144:1-2)
Let’s put in the work to allow the Lord to strengthen us, to teach us how to be the Church, and to catch Paul’s passion. May we be proven answers to Paul’s prayers.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
Join our Facebook Community!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

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

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

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

Esther Day 5 In The Details

2 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Esther 2:19-23
Matthew 10:28-31
2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Esther, Day 5

I’ve always felt a special connection with Esther. Maybe it was the Bible study I did in middle school, or the movie I saw with my best friends as a young teenager, or maybe the tattoo I have from her story: “for such a time as this” from when I was in Kenya. (You bet your bottom dollar I got a tattoo in Africa and lived to tell about it!)

For whatever reason, Esther and her story have always held a special place in my heart, so writing about her and God’s redemption story in this book of the Bible feels second nature to me, as if I’m typing out my own life description here.

One detail that has always captured me about Esther, is how God’s name isn’t mentioned even once in the entire book. An entire book in the Bible without one mention of God’s holy name?! Yes! But His silence amplifies His presence.
Here, in absence of His written Name, we catch a glimpse of how He works through minute details and His people to bring about His redemption story.

In one brief recording, we see God’s perfect timing and attention to detail to save His people. Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gates when he heard of a plan to kill King Ahasuerus. Two of his eunuchs were angry with the king and plotted to kill him.
God, in His intricate attention to detail, placed Mordecai at the gate where these eunuchs ‘just so happen’ to discuss their plan.
Mordecai would ‘just so happen’ to have an “in” with Esther, who was now Queen, and told her what he’d overheard and the King’s life was saved!
Then the King would ‘just so happen’ to ensure this was recorded in the book of the chronicles, which would later play a tremendous role in promoting Mordecai.

Maybe this little rabbit trail of a story doesn’t seem important, but it is.
Because nothing is wasted with the Almighty.

Mordecai was later honored for life-saving act, which would become a tipping point for a man called Haman, whose goal was to eradicate every Jew.
Like divinely placed dominoes, God then used King Ahasuerus to help save the Jews from annihilation. Which, of course, he needed to be alive to do!

The book of Esther so obviously points us to the cross, when God would piece together so many small, seemingly insignificant details to ultimately save His people again…
This time, however, that salvation would not be for Jews alone, but for all people across all time.

Just like it was so easy to believe darkness had won when Jesus died on the cross, it may appear like darkness would win in Esther’s story as well.
The king was to be killed.
The Jewish people would be destroyed.
Darkness would win!
But our God works in the details.

Jesus was to be killed.
His disciples were too afraid to show their faces.
Christianity would die.
Darkness would win!
But our God works in the details.

You and I are dead because of our sin.
We have no hope for earning our way out of Hell.
Our destiny is separation from God.
Darkness would win!
But our God works in the details.

He’s in the details as you’re reading this Journey Study, as you pick up your Bible, as you connect with someone who loves Jesus, as you are encouraged by a friend, as you encounter God in the tiniest whispers.
Because our God hand-crafted the details to point you to His heart of love and redemption.

Nothing is wasted.
Darkness will never win over Light

Esther became the new queen.
Details.

Mordecai helped save the king.
Details.

Esther boldly told the king of Haman’s plot to kill the Jews.
Details.

With so many more details intertwined throughout the entire book (and really, the entire Bible), how can it not be the hand of our Mighty Creator?

Does this theme feel new to you?
Do you ever wonder where God could possibly be in the midst of the darkness that seems to be winning in your own life? I’ve wondered, too. 

He’s there. I promise He is.
He’s teaching us patience, perseverance, and trust as we wait for His story of redemption to unfold.

He is in the details, even when He is silent.
He’s simply giving room for His presence to be magnified,
so one day we can look back and say,
“You were there, God. You were in it all.” 

Darkness will never overcome.
The God of the details has already won!


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 Esther 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 Esther!

Focus Day 2 Do I Really Want To Follow Jesus?: Digging Deeper

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 Do I Really Want To Follow Jesus?!

The Questions

1) Is James speaking to a specific twelve tribes?

2) Do trials today have a purpose?

3) JOY…What is it?

James 1:1-18

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ:
To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad.
Greetings.
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
5 Now if any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God – who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly – and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double minded and unstable in all of his ways.
9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.  11 For the sun rises and together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.

    12 Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

  16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Original Intent

1) Is James speaking to a specific twelve tribes?
James addresses his letter to the twelve tribes dispersed “abroad”, meaning the original twelve tribes no longer physically existed in one location in Israel. They have been dispersed or scattered over time. The term “twelve tribes dispersed abroad“ was a description for the regathered and spiritually renewed Israel God was building. This included all who were genuine Christ-followers regardless of their bloodline, whether Jew or Gentile. (Matthew 19:28, Revelation 7:4-8, Revelation 21:12)
In his letter, James is writing to Jewish believers, God-fearing Jews from every nation. These devout Jews came to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost, heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, became converts, and returned to their places of residency. Those who stayed in Jerusalem were persecuted and driven away after the death of Stephen. (Acts 8:1, Acts 11:19) (Kistemaker)  While there is no indication James is specifically referring to Gentile Christians, nevertheless his message speaks to them as well.

2) Do trials today have a purpose?
The word “trial”, translated from its original Greek “peirasmos” has two basic meanings in the New Testament.  Either it can refer to the inner enticement to sin, the sins we commit in our hearts and minds which “plunge us into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy  6:9), or it can refer to external afflictions, particularly persecution of the physical body. (1 Peter 4:12) (D.J. Moo) In James 1:2-4, the context points to “trials” as referring to persecution. Trials are common to all people, as well as the specific adversities Christians face as a result of their faith. Such trials can include illness, financial strain, or social and economic persecution.
God uses trials as a means of testing and refining the believer. As a result, God sanctifies us, shaping our hearts and lives to better reflect Christ as He perfects our faith. In 1 Peter 1:6-7, the result of this testing process will be the genuineness of our faith. Or we could say trials are a refining fire, maturing our faith as we “grow up” to maturity in Christ. (Isaiah 48:10) James wanted to encourage the believers that suffering is the means by which faith, tested in the fires of adversity, can be purified and strengthened. Steadfastness in trusting God is the outcome of the testing process of trials of all kinds. This deep trust is a quality necessary as Christians face adversity, temptation, and persecution in our daily walk of faith.

3) JOY …What is it? 
Webster defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, good fortune, or by the prospect of possessing what one desires”. “Christian joy”, John Piper writes, “is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as He causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the Word and in the world”.
So, what is JOY? This three-letter word packs a powerhouse of meaning for the Christian. Our ultimate example of JOY is Jesus who laid down His life for us, enduring the cross and scorning its shame that we might be restored and redeemed, brought back to a place of unity and sweet fellowship with God. (Hebrews 12:2) God finds JOY in bringing about our atonement, our return to Him, and our sin being forgiven. For believers, trials and persecutions are occasions for JOY, not because we “enjoy the pain”, but because even in the pain, we know and trust the heart of the God who gave Himself to rescue us. Peter and John found their time of physical scourging and suffering as cause to rejoice “because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name”. (Acts 5:41) There is no joy apart from Christ and the sweetness of knowing Him and studying His Word. Without Christ, suffering is not a means to anything. But with Christ, suffering becomes a conduit through which we can better learn and trust the heart of God, this brings JOY. As we live out this joy, regardless of our circumstance, we are marked as belonging to God’s kingdom, which is described as “righteousness, peace, and JOY in the Holy Spirit.“ (Romans 14:17) Fellowship with Jesus brings continuous joy, NO MATTER WHAT! 🙂

Everyday Application

1) Is James speaking to a specific twelve tribes?
The letter is addressed to the twelve tribes for the purpose of identifying the readers as Jewish. They were not residents of Palestine, but scattered among the nations. James’ letter is intended for those who are “Believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (D. Burdick) It can feel like we are pretty far-removed from the days when James’ letter would have arrived on fresh parchment. Our persecution is likely nowhere near what the believers in Jerusalem were experiencing. But, we can be encouraged that, regardless of time in history or the fact that many of us read James’ letter on a pixelated screen instead of parchment, God has preserved His timeless message for all believers. His Word is living and active, not bound by a historic period of time or the suffering of persecution. Take time to dwell deeply with His Word today and find it fresh and rich as the Spirit awakens truth to your heart!

2) Do trials today have a purpose?
James exhorts us “to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of all kinds.” (verse 2) The testing of our faith will develop perseverance. No trial is wasted in God’s economy! “Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing”. (James 1:3-4) Trials are essential to our growth as Christians, driving us to maturity and total dependence on God, which is His heart’s desire that we would trust Him just as a small child trusts entirely upon his or her parent.
Testing of our faith is vital, though painful! Will our faith persevere? Will it withstand the test? If our faith is genuine, and not rooted in ourselves but rather, anchored in the Lord God, testing through trial and suffering will develop perseverance in our faith.
Do we have the patience to endure and tenacity to remain faithful to Christ and His call on our lives? Will we choose Christ over all else?
Barclay explains, “It is not the patience that passively endures, instead, it is the quality that enables us to stand on our feet and face the storm. It is in the struggle against difficulty and opposition that spiritual stamina is developed.”
The next trial you encounter, big or small, choose dependence on Christ and withstand the test. This isn’t founded in your ability to be strong, it is the Spirit of the Lord strengthening you! (James 1:5-8) God gives wisdom and enables us to avoid the paths of wickedness and choose righteousness instead. When we ask for wisdom to face trials, ask in faith, for even in the ask we have the opportunity to grow in our trust of the Savior. Our faith must be more than just words and rituals. To believe is to be confident that God will give what is requested in His perfect time and in alignment with His perfect will.

3) JOY…What is it?
JOY is an AMAZING miraculous benefit of knowing Christ as Savior and reading His Word. God’s benevolent character is unchanging, His goodness towards those who trust Him will never be thwarted or shift away. No, suffering is not pleasant and this kind of joy is not the same “happy feeling” we have in enjoying material things such as a birthday gift or a great vacation, but God is still good. When my oldest was in her high school years, she had a shirt with the acronym F.R.O.G. on it. That acronym had a powerful impact on me, so much that I remember it well today. During those years, I struggled deeply; everyday seemed to carry difficulties between work and home. My trust in God and my expectations of myself were out of rhythm with God’s design; joy was hard to find. I would cry out to the Lord, and I knew He heard me because He gave me the strength to persevere. Gradually, the Lord shifted my heart. Life wasn’t about me, but about God. As I served and worshipped Him alone, He brought me joy. F.R.O.G. had struck a chord in my heart and soul because I was learning to F….fully R….relying O….on G….God
GOD SAW ME THROUGH EVERYDAY. HE ALONE GAVE ME JOY! So, I can proclaim, He is good all the time!
As each day passes in my life on earth, the sweeter and more amazing my walk with the Father becomes. WHY? Because as I have walked through fire, the Lord has renewed my soul, and I have found the goodness of the Lord!
Don’t be afraid to walk through your everyday trials, the Lord will grow your faith beyond your wildest imagination! God is not done with you, He is molding you, refining you, and shaping you into the image of Christ!  As believers, when our lives are done on earth and we are taken into the arms of Jesus, oh what a glorious day that will be! Dwell on the joy of knowing the Lord and sweetly treasuring His Word; let the JOY of what is yet to come fill you!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Do I Really Want To Follow Jesus?!

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 Focus 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.