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Worship XI Day 12 Pe & Tsade: Digging Deeper

June 13, 2023 by Mandy Farmer Leave a Comment

Worship XI Day 12 Pe & Tsade: Digging Deeper

Mandy Farmer

June 13, 2023

Adoring,Faithfulness,Forgiven,Freedom,Fruitfulness

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Pe & Tsade"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119:129-136

פ Pe
129 Your decrees are wondrous; therefore I obey them. 130 The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. 131 I open my mouth and pant because I long for Your commands. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your practice toward those who love Your name. 133 Make my steps steady through Your promise; don’t let any sin dominate me. 134 Redeem me from human oppression, and I will keep your precepts. 135 Make Your face shine on Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. 136 My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow Your instruction.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What is the overall theme of the octave “Pe”? (verses 129-136)

This passage discusses the 17th octave under the Hebrew letter “Pe” equivalent to the letter P in English. Charles Spurgeon’s book, The Golden Alphabet, describes several qualities of God’s Word using the letter P: precious, practical, profitable, and powerful.

Scholars suggest David used this poetry to teach the alphabet to his son, Solomon, emphasizing the importance of God’s Word. David, a man after God’s own heart, turned to the Word of God for personal guidance and became more deeply steeped in the Word for himself.

Likewise, Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, learned from his father’s mistakes and sought to raise his own children in the wise ways of the Lord.

The Everyday Application

1) What is the overall theme of the octave “Pe”? (verses 129-136)

The themes in this octave strongly connect with me and my everyday life. Just before chronic illness struck, I participated in a study on Psalm 119. I had been reluctant to study or even read this chapter because of its length, but my study caused my love for the Word of the Lord to grow.

Like Spurgeon, I found it to become increasingly precious to me. It has practicality, which makes it most profitable to real life.

I am so thankful for the power that His Word gives to me daily. Will you delve into this octave with me today?

The Original Intent

2) How was God’s Word precious and practical? (verses 129, 131, 133)

David and Solomon found great delight in God’s Word, recognizing that the more they delved into it, the more precious and wonderful it became. This love for God’s Word cultivated a desire within them to please God. The Word taught them the character of God and deepened their relationship with Him.

This relationship fostered an unparalleled love that continued to grow as they knew Him more deeply. Tony Miano (Cross Encounters Ministry) explained, “Reading, meditating on, memorizing, and engaging with God’s Word can restore a Christian’s weary heart (Psalm 23:3) and refresh his troubled or distracted mind (Romans 12:1-2).” It is no surprise God’s Word is so valuable and cherished!

Likely, David was not a physically imposing figure. He achieved extraordinary feats beyond his natural capabilities by trusting in God’s guidance. In his writing, David frequently acknowledged God’s hand in directing his steps. (Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 31:14-15)

Similarly, Solomon also acknowledged God’s guidance in several Proverbs, emphasizing that while we may make plans, ultimately, the Lord determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 19:21, Proverbs 20:24)

The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, also testified to God’s role in teaching His followers how to live righteously and as He directs our paths. Isaiah’s passage concludes by affirming that when we immerse ourselves in the Word, we can trust that God will direct our steps. (Isaiah 48:17)

The Everyday Application

2) How was God’s Word precious and practical? (verses 129, 131, 133)

In another psalm, David declared, “They (God’s ordinances) are more desirable than gold- than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:10-11) Doesn’t this make your mouth water? It makes ME want the Lord like the country song says, “I like it, I love it, I want some more of it!” Verse 131 says David longed to be in the Word. He ached to get alone with God.

Soaking up God’s Word each morning has become a habit I cannot afford to break. On the few days I might not read His Word, I can feel the loss throughout the day. Finally, I stop what I am doing to read and spend time with my Lord. He brings refreshment and renewal!

His Word inspires wonder in my heart and soul, pointing me to so many amazing things about His character, His creation, and my purpose. I am speechless at how often His Spirit places just the right Scriptures in front of my eyes at just at the right time. Later, His Word comes up again with an entirely different focus. I never want to get away from the sweet goodness of His Word; it is alive and powerful!

Oh! How precious is His Word to me!
Is God’s Word precious to you? How or why?

I was taught to memorize Scripture at an early age and I’m thankful I now have His Words ready in my mind for when troubles arise. This happens often! His Word gives light to every situation.

My husband purchased a motion sensor light which he attached to my cane so that in the night when I rise, I can see where I am going. As soon as I reach out and grab my cane, the light comes on, lighting my path. God’s Word is like this if we have it memorized! When in the dark of a trial, all we need to do is reach out and His Word lights our way!

What practical things do you find in the Word of God? I’d love to hear about them!

The Original Intent

3) How is God’s Word profitable? (verse 134)

Though David benefited from Scripture’s multi-faceted teaching through his life, the greatest benefit of God’s Word to David was redemption and restoration from sin.

David failed the Lord’s righteous standard miserably in his sin with Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11-12) When the prophet Nathan confronted David with his sin through the word of the Lord, David repented in his heart, confessed his sin, and God restored him. Though David still suffered consequences of his sin, the Word of the Lord proved profitable to his restored relationship with the Righteous Lord. Following his sin and redemption, David held all the more tightly to God and His Instruction as demonstrated by his insistent, careful teaching of his son, Solomon.

Solomon also saw the benefits of knowing and following God’s Word. God blessed him beyond all men because he sought the Lord’s wisdom first. (1 Kings 3:10-14, Matthew 6:33) Sadly, in later years, his wealth and power distracted him, causing his life to fall apart as he worshipped worldly power rather than fixing his life on the ways of the Lord where true power resides.

The Scriptures do not specifically say Solomon repented, but in reading his later wisdom books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, one can surmise he likely repented. Solomon admonished, “Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, New Living Translation)

Even in our sin, God is patient and ready to forgive if we repent. (1 John 1:9) Solomon wrote, “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up.” (Proverbs 24:16) Years later, the prophet Jeremiah said, “God’s mercies are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Yes! Every morning, we can wake with a fresh start! The past is past; a new day has dawned with fresh mercies from the Lord!

The Everyday Application

3) How is God’s Word profitable? (verse 134)

God’s Word gives us knowledge of His Truth. It convicts of sin, showing us the way of salvation through Jesus, holding out the invitation over and over until we confess our sin, repent, and believe Him. His profitable Word causes us to grow and mature in the grace and knowledge of Christ, so His fruit can mark our lives.

Those who haven’t trusted Jesus and don’t follow seek Him through His Word by the power of the Spirit living within them, cannot understand these benefits. The parable of the sower and soil types in Matthew 13:1-9 explains how Truth is hidden from those who don’t believe.

In the same way, meditation and memorization of the Scripture is profitable to us. Without it, where would we be? Lost in the dark, groping around with no hope because we aren’t leaning into the Source of truth and wisdom in the very Word of the Lord!

Without immersing ourselves in God’s Word, we would have no light, no guide, and no map to point us onto the path of Life. This is why the Spirit of God within every believer, urges them to read Scripture.

I am so thankful for His graciousness towards me when He keeps picking me up, forgiving me, and encouraging me to press onward in knowing Him through His Word.

Isn’t it wonderful how we can read the Bible many times, and yet, we read it another time and a fresh light of understanding dawns?! Sometimes, a verse will jump out and I will say, “Where did that verse come from? I have never noticed it before.” Understanding just keeps coming again and again. His Word REALLY is living and active! (Hebrews 4:12)

The Original Intent

4) How is power found in God’s Word? (verses 134-135)

God tells us through the prophet Isaiah, “So my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” (Isaiah 55:11) Isaiah wrote this many years after David and Solomon, but they both knew and recognized its truth. God’s word does not return void to Him, yielding nothing; the fruitful work God intends to accomplish by His Word will be done!

God’s prophet, Samuel, anointed David as King over Israel long before it came to fruition, but this manifestation of God’s Word set David apart for a noble purpose. (1 Samuel 16:1-13) The Word consecrated David and gave him purpose and hope while he suffered trails and waited for the Lord’s perfectly timed faithfulness.

David declared it was God’s power which rescued him from the lion and the bear, and that same power would rescue him from the hand of Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:37) David leaned on the truths he had learned from these events and others as he faced his enemies with the power of the Lord and His Word.

King Solomon could have asked God for anything, but, in humility, he asked the Lord for wisdom and to act obediently according to it. This request pleased the Lord and God gave him wisdom beyond anyone in the world. (1 Kings 3:4-15)

Later in life, he wrote many Proverbs and the Book of Ecclesiastes, which are now life-giving for each of us. These words are God-breathed and strengthen His people even today.

The Everyday Application

4) How is power found in God’s Word? (verses 134-135)

Oh, yes, His Word is powerful! More powerful than a two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God is powerful even to comfort us in distress, it convicts people of sin, and I have found that quoting Scripture is the best way to send the devil packing!

Jesus used Scripture to defeat Satan’s temptations in the wilderness. He quoted Scripture every time the Devil came to Him with another temptation tactic. (Matthew 4:1-11) Satan, the Father of Lies, cannot fight against Truth; he has no rebuttal for God’s powerful Word.

God’s Word keeps me in tune and prepared to fight off evil. This is also why the apostles devoted themselves to prayer and the Word of God. (Acts 6:4) It’s the fuel behind Paul’s bold words, ”For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

The Word of God also has the power to break our hearts for the lost. I relate to the psalmist when he said, “My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow Your instruction.” (verse 137)

I wonder what would happen if we breathed in the Word. What if we lived it out and proclaimed it when we are troubled by the world? I think it would make a lasting difference! Let’s claim the power of God’s truth in His Word!

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Confession,forgiveness,love,mercy,praise,worship
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Journey Study

God, I feel like my heart is breaking and I am completely helpless. I can hardly bear to watch the news. How can people hurt each other so?

Can’t they see that hate only makes things worse? It seems like evil is thriving, while the Godly wilt. (Ecclesiastes 7:15) Where do I go with all the pain in my heart?

The unanswered prayers, the unhealed sickness, those grieving without comfort. (Psalm 13:1–2) God, are You still here?
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May 29 - June 16, 2023 - Journey Theme #119

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Posted in: Adoring, Faithfulness, Forgiven, Freedom, Fruitfulness Tagged: Confession, forgiveness, love, mercy, praise, worship

Worship XI Day 11 Pe & Tsade

June 12, 2023 by Christine Wood Leave a Comment

Worship XI Day 11 Pe & Tsade

Christine Wood

June 12, 2023

Faith,Genuine,Hope,Love

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119:129-144
Matthew 16:24–27
Lamentations 3:22–33
Psalm 139

Good morning, Lord.
It’s me.

It’s early. The house is quiet as I watch the colours of the sky brighten.
Its beauty is breathtaking. 

Another new day. 
Another day to serve You, to walk with You and taste Your goodness. (Psalm 34:8) 

Another day to delight in the beauty of Your creation and enjoy the gifts which You have filled my life. (Lamentations 3:22–24)
Thank you, Lord.

“Your decrees are wondrous; 
therefore I obey them. 
The revelation of Your words brings light 
and gives understanding to the inexperienced. 
I open my mouth and pant
because I long for Your commands.”
(Psalm 119:129-131)

I don’t deserve the blessed life I live. So many struggle through childhood without faith; without knowing You. Thank you for the legacy of faith You placed before me. I am overwhelmed with gratitude; You are so kind. Your Word has been a hedge of protection around me. (Psalm 139:5) You were the light on my path long before I knew any other path existed. (Psalm 23:3)

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, 
as is your practice toward those who love your name. 
Make my steps steady through your promise; 
don’t let any sin dominate me. 
Redeem me from human oppression, 
and I will keep your precepts.”
(Psalm 119:132-134)

Oh, God. I’m so sorry. I’ve done it again. (Psalm 51:2–3) I really meant to be fully present, here in these quiet moments with You. I was going to focus. Now, here I am again. I’ve lost precious minutes scrolling, watching furniture renovations and cake decorating. I don’t even like cake decorating! 

How could I be so distracted? 

Yet, You are here inside every moment. The ones I press into, and the ones I neglect. Your presence is just as close, whether I acknowledge You or not. Whether I invite You or not. You are here (Psalm 139:5-8), and You will continue to be here every time I turn away from the world long enough to notice.

“Make your face shine on your servant,
a
nd teach me Your statutes.
My eyes pour out streams of tears
because people do not follow Your instruction.”
(Psalm 119:135-136)

God, I feel like my heart is breaking and I am completely helpless. I can hardly bear to watch the news. How can people hurt each other so? Can’t they see that hate only makes things worse? It seems like evil is thriving, while the Godly wilt. (Ecclesiastes 7:15) Where do I go with all the pain in my heart? The unanswered prayers, the unhealed sickness, those grieving without comfort. (Psalm 13:1–2) God, are You still here?

“You are righteous, Lord, 
and Your judgments are just. 
The decrees You issue are righteous 
and altogether trustworthy.
My anger overwhelms me 
because my foes forget Your words.”
(Psalm 119:137-139) 

The world is such a cruel place for so many, and yet, there is kindness and generosity and hope amongst all the pain. . . because of You. You sneak in and bind up the brokenness while the battle rages outside. You go into dark places and shine light. (John 8:12) You stand up in storms and demand peace. (Mark 4:39) You stare into the eyes of the guilty and extend mercy. (Luke 7:48–50) You bring hope when there is only despair. (Romans 15:13) You bring life where there is only death. (John 10:10)

“Your word is completely pure, 
and your servant loves it.
I am insignificant and despised, 
but I do not forget your precepts.”
(Psalm 119:140-141)

Oh, my God, I lift my feeble prayer to You. I long to have more confidence in You, but there are still days when I forget Your power and rely on myself. I do believe; help me with my unbelief. (Mark 9:24) I know you are good. Help me to experience Your goodness. You are love, and You command me to love. God, please help me to love. (John 13:34–35)

“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, 
and Your instruction is true.
Trouble and distress have overtaken me, 
but Your commands are my delight.
Your decrees are righteous forever. 
Give me understanding, and I will live.”
(Psalm 119:142-144)

Lead me in Your ways today, Lord. Keep me from wandering, distracted, away from the path You have laid. (Psalm 16:11) May I follow You more closely (Matthew 16:24), love You more dearly (Matthew 22:37), obey You more willingly (John 14:15), and trust You more fully.
Amen.

Tags :
honesty,journal,love,praise,Real,worship
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Done Day 11 Reconciled Redemption
August 7, 2023
The GT Weekend! ~ Known, Week 3
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Digging Deeper

I am thankful that I have scripture ready in my mind for when trouble arises. And that happens often. His Word gives light to every situation.

My husband purchased a light which he attached to my cane so that in the night when I rise, I can see where I am going. It is motion detected so that as soon as I reach out and grab my cane, the light comes on. God’s Word is like this (if we have it memorized).

When in the dark of a trial, all we need to do is reach out and His Word lights our way! What practical things do you find in the Word of God?
Dig Deeper!

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Prayer is central to our ministry as believers in Jesus as we carry eachother’s burdens and intercede for one another. Our team is honored to share the work of praying alongside you!

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This Week's Lock Screen
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May 29 - June 16, 2023 - Journey Theme #119

Join a GT POD!

Authentically living out a life of worship to the God who rescued us from darkness requires accountability and intentionality. Join a GT POD and take the next step in your faith journey!

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Posted in: Faith, Genuine, Hope, Love Tagged: honesty, journal, love, praise, Real, worship

Worship XI Day 10 Nun, Samek, & Ayin: Digging Deeper

June 9, 2023 by Debbie Collin Leave a Comment

Worship XI Day 10 Nun, Samek, & Ayin: Digging Deeper

Debbie Collin

June 9, 2023

Adoration,Amazed,Fervent,Follow,Longing,Mercy

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Nun, Samek, & Ayin"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 119:105-128

נ Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. 106 I have solemnly sworn to keep your righteous judgments. 107 I am severely afflicted; Lord, give me life according to your word. 108 Lord, please accept my freewill offerings of praise, and teach me your judgments. 109 My life is constantly in danger, yet I do not forget your instruction. 110 The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not wandered from your precepts. 111 I have your decrees as a heritage forever; indeed, they are the joy of my heart. 112 I am resolved to obey your statutes to the very end.

ס Samek
113 I hate those who are double-minded, but I love your instruction. 114 You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in your word. 115 Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God’s commands. 116 Sustain me as you promised, and I will live; do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117 Sustain me so that I can be safe and always be concerned about your statutes. 118 You reject all who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is a lie. 119 You remove all the wicked on earth as if they were dross from metal; therefore, I love your decrees. 120 I tremble in awe of you; I fear your judgments.

ע Ayin
121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me. 123 My eyes grow weary looking for your salvation and for your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant based on your faithful love; teach me your statutes. 125 I am your servant; give me understanding so that I may know your decrees. 126 It is time for the Lord to act, for they have violated your instruction. 127 Since I love your commands more than gold, even the purest gold, 128 I carefully follow all your precepts and hate every false way.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why does the psalmist plead, “give me life according to Your word”? What does this reveal about his understanding of Scripture? (verse 107)

In verse 107, the psalmist writes that he is “severely afflicted”. Though we don’t know the nature of the affliction, the psalmist is seeking comfort and salvation from the Lord through His Word. “This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life.” (Psalm 119:50)

In this passage, we discover that through the Scriptures, the psalmist learns about the Lord’s promises and His commands. As he experiences affliction, he cries out to the Lord and offers worship.

The source of his joy does not stem from his circumstances, but from the Scriptures and the intimacy he experiences with the Lord through them.

The Everyday Application

1) Why does the psalmist plead, “give me life according to Your word”? What does this reveal about his understanding of Scripture? (verse 107)

The psalmist’s plea to the Lord, born from shared intimacy with the Lord through His Word, reveals much about the author’s understanding of the Lord and His life-giving Word. (verse 107) We see his full reliance on the Lord for support, sustenance, and desperately needed hope.

Difficult seasons aren’t limited to the times of the psalmist. The Apostle Paul wrote about the purpose of the Old Testament in his letter to the Romans, “For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.” (Romans 15:4) Even the psalmist understood his hope was solely in the Lord. Like him, how can we draw hope and comfort from the Scripture in our personal and corporate worship?

1) Pray using God’s Word. By incorporating Scripture into our prayers, we can communicate with the Lord in a manner that is aligned with His truth. We are literally praying His own words back to Him; along the way, our hearts become shaped by His heart and His holy intentions as we submit to His words and ways.

2) Praise God’s Attributes. Reflecting on the Lord’s character reminds us of His steadfast love and kindness. When we meditate on Who God is, we are reminded of His goodness, His sure faithfulness, and His unfailing love. These reminders invite us to trust Him more deeply, taking our eyes off ourselves and our circumstances and lead us to true worship.

3) Meditate on God’s Promises. We can find comfort and security in the Lord’s faithfulness to uphold His Word and His character. When we reflect on His inability to sin, abandon us, or become unjust, we are urged to “return to your rest, oh my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” (Psalm 116:7)

The Original Intent

2) What does it mean to be double-minded in verse 113?

The word for “double-minded” used in verse 113 comes from the ancient Hebrew word “seeph” (סֵעֵף) meaning “divided, half-hearted”. This stands in contrast to the greatest commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

This command for offering the Lord a whole heart and life isn’t isolated. Each repetition of a command in Scripture urges us to pay even closer attention and underscores the importance of this foundational command.
“Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that He made with you, and make an idol for yourselves in the shape of anything He has forbidden you. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deuteronomy 4:23-24)

“Do not have other gods besides Me… Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them.” (Deuteronomy 5:7 and 9)

“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)

A divided heart leads us away from rightful worship of the one, true God. The psalmist urges us to draw near to the Lord and experience His covenant love and the joys he has found in relationship with Him.
“I will praise You with all my heart, Lord my God,
and will honor Your name forever.
For Your faithful love for me is great,
and You rescue my life from the depths of Sheol.”
(Psalm 86:12-13)

Scripture is plainly clear in its message from beginning to end. The Lord God, a triune Being, is the Only One worthy of our sole worship. He is jealous of our loving adoration for Him and will not glibly allow other idols to take His place of worship. He knows our hearts will suffer pain, disillusionment, and betrayal if we worship anything else but God alone. This is idolatry.

The Everyday Application

2) What does it mean to be double-minded in verse 113?

When Jesus was asked about the “greatest commandment”, He answered with a command originating from the heart of Old Testament Law, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) This command pre-dated His audience by hundreds and hundreds of years and was the most well-known Mosaic command.

We constantly face distractions that pull our attention from the Lord. A divided heart always leads us to worship idols of our own lusts. Tim Keller said, “[An idol] is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.”

Can we really live our lives free from what lures our hearts away from the Lord? The Bible answers this question plainly! It is impossible to love God with all our heart in our own strength. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) If we could worship wholly, we would be sinless because we would never give in to our own lustful temptations and choose idol worship.

It is through faith in Jesus, recognizing we can’t be good enough to love Him only, that we are rescued. “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)

 “I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through His Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (Ephesians 3:16-17)

Consider how great God’s love is for you and receive His gift of eternal life of salvation through accepting Christ as your Savior! In the power of the Spirit, we can have a relationship with God and worship Him with an undivided heart.

The Original Intent

3) What is the psalmist waiting for in verses 123 and 126? What can we learn about God’s character from his faith?

It’s hard for me not to get emotional reading these verses. I can “hear” the psalmist cry out with his deep longings and gut feelings to the Lord.

The Hebrew word ayin (עַיִן) means “eye”. The psalmist writes that he is watching for God to deliver on His promises and for His judgment. The psalmist has not yet seen God act in his specific situation, but still chooses to trust God’s character in spite of what seems like a delay from his vantage point.

The psalmist knows God’s judgment reflects His holiness, mercy, goodness, and grace. “And He judges the world with righteousness; He executes judgment on the nations with fairness.” (Psalm 9:8)

“Lord, Your faithful love reaches to heaven, Your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your judgments like the deepest sea.” (Psalm 36:5-6)

The psalmist demonstrates the very definition of faith when he trusts the Lord to prove faithful to Himself when he cannot see proof with his physical eyes. (Hebrews 11:1)

The Everyday Application

3) What is the psalmist waiting for in verses 123 and 126? What can we learn about God’s character from his faith?

In this stanza of the psalm, the psalmist expresses distress over the state of his world and the way people are disregarding the Word of God. Do you ever feel this way in our current culture?

The psalmist models the importance of prayer and meditation on God’s Word in seeking His direction in a world that continually opposes living according to His Word. Through our quiet time with the Lord, we can know God’s commands and promises and grow to be more like Christ despite the pull of idolatry around us. (Romans 12:2)

As we wait on the Lord, we are also reminded of His character. “The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

We can be a part of His mission to the world when we live closely connected to the Lord through meditating on His Word. How can we be a positive witness for Christ in a world chasing idols? How can we actively display God’s love and grace to those around us, even in the face of opposition or rejection? By staying connected to Him through prayer by His Spirit who is always calling us to be His ambassadors.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God.’ He made the One (Christ) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21)

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Posted in: Adoration, Amazed, Fervent, Follow, Longing, Mercy Tagged: generous, Gentle, kind, praise, worship

Champion Day 6 Behind The Scenes God

June 6, 2022 by Mandy Farmer Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Esther 4:8-17
Deuteronomy 30:1-11
1 Thessalonians 5:14-18
Hebrews 11:1-13
1 Peter 3:1-9

Champion, Day 6

Esther.
An orphan becomes queen and saves her people.
Sounds like a fairy tale, doesn’t it?

But this was no fairy tale. It was certainly not some glorious dream-come-true for Esther. She had many obstacles to overcome, but her faith in God sustained her.

She came from a humble background, born into the Jewish lineage of Benjamin during their Babylonian exile. Her father and her mother died when she was very young, leaving her to be raised by her cousin, Mordecai. (Esther 2:5-7) However, her faith radiates through her humility; she is obedient to her cousin as if he were her father.

I like to think her humility was one character trait that attracted the favor of Hegai, the overseer of the house of women, when she was taken from her home and forced to participate in the king’s search for a new queen. (Esther 2:8-9) Think how it would be to live in a house of 400 beautiful women vying for the attention of the king. Yikes!

As Esther’s story progressed, she was selected to be the new queen (Esther 2:17), but she remained in contact with Mordecai (Esther 2:10-11). Therefore, Mordecai was the person to inform Esther of the king’s decree (made at the urging of Haman, a wicked, high-ranking official) that all Jews should be massacred on a future date. (Esther 3:5-4:7)

Though her faith is never mentioned, Esther’s integrity and faithfulness to God shine through her responses. Her utmost goal was to glorify God in all things.

When she needed wisdom and protection regarding the annihilation of the Jews, she requested prayer and fasting. (Esther 4:8-17) Long before letters to the New Testament church in Philippi would be written, Esther lived out their exhortation:

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, make your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Certainly, this reveals she loved the Lord and desired to follow His plan, even in a life and death situation.

Only after she (and the community) had fasted and prayed did she approach the king. Wise and brave, risking death by approaching the king unsummoned, she stood in the inner court of the palace. When the king saw her, he invited her in.

“‘What is it, Queen Esther?’ the king asked her. ‘Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.’” (Esther 5:3)

In her wisdom, Esther was patient. She didn’t immediately complain about Haman. Instead, she invited the king and Haman to a series of banquets. How clever to come bearing gifts, you might say, with no obvious intent other than to please the king.

At the second feast, the king again assured Esther, “Queen Esther, whatever you ask will be given to you.” (Esther 7:2) At this pivotal moment, she pleaded for her life, and for the lives of all Jews, accusing Haman as her adversary.

Wow! What courage! I’m sure she experienced fear, but God bolstered her courage, demonstrating how His power is perfected in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Interestingly, the Name of God is never mentioned in the Book of Esther, although we clearly see Him at work.

Why? One theory is that this bit of history was written by either Esther or Mordecai for the archives of this pagan nation (Esther 9:32); therefore, mention of God was left out. But certainly, we can see the hand of God weaving His plan through every step.

Though the life Esther had imagined was shattered the day she was abducted to the palace harem, God was with her, and she found favor with Hegai.
Though her future seemed to hinge on a single, forced sexual encounter with an unstable, arrogant king, God was with her, and she found favor with the king.
Though Esther grappled with danger, and fear, and the unknown and powerlessness, God was with her, bringing the salvation of His people from the silt of men’s evil plans.

God, as Master Author working behind the scenes, placed each person in the right place at the right time “for such a time as this”.

God is still working in the events of our day. At times we may wonder, “Where are you, God?” and struggle to understand why evil appears to win. Years before Esther, the Jewish prophet, Daniel, told King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,
“He [the Most High God] changes times and seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those
who have understanding.
He reveals the deep and hidden things;
He knows what is in darkness
and light dwells with Him.”
(Daniel 2:21-22)

When we arrive in Heaven and look back, our eyes will be opened to all the things God has done. We will turn and observe the “Behind the Scenes God” like Jacob did, “Surely the LORD was in this place, and I did not know it[!]” (Genesis 28:16)

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Posted in: Faith, God, Heaven, Lord, Love, Praise Tagged: faith, God, Heaven, Lord, love, praise

Worship X Day 14 Let Them Praise: Digging Deeper

May 26, 2022 by Marietta Taylor 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 Let Them Praise!

The Questions

1) What are the sacrifices we are to offer? (verse 16)

2) Why does verse 17 command us to obey our leaders?

3) How does prayer tie into praise? (verse 18)

Hebrews 13:15-19

15 Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything. 19 And I urge you all the more to pray that I may be restored to you very soon.

Original Intent

1) What are the sacrifices we are to offer? (verse 16)
In the Old Testament there are five categories of sacrifices: burnt, grain, peace, sin and trespass offerings. Sin and Trespass offerings were required, and the remaining three were freewill. (Leviticus 4, Leviticus 7:1-6) All the offerings except grain involved the shedding of the animal’s blood. The Hebrew-Christians Paul was writing to were living in an area with Jews who did not believe Jesus was the Messiah. “The Jews were constantly reminding these Hebrew-Christians of the virtues of Judaism” (Clear Theology), which included Old Testament sacrifices which the Jews still actively practiced at the altar. In Hebrews 13:10-12, Paul reminds the people of Jesus shedding His own blood as the ultimate sacrifice, supplanting the Old Testament sacrifice system. However, this didn’t mean there were no longer any sacrifices to be made. Now, instead of sin and trespass sacrifices, the people were to offer sacrifices of praise. Instead of the fruit of their labors (crops and livestock), they were to offer the fruit of their lips. This meant verbal praise. Martin Collins points out how this echoes the priestly duties, “It was the continual responsibility of the Levitical priesthood “to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening“. (I Chronicles 23:30) Even David “praised God seven times each day”. (Psalm 119:164) The principle is that we should be praising God continually or be prepared to do so at any time, not a specific number of times a day.” (Bible Tools) Beyond verbal praise, we are also to “do good and share”. (verse 16) According to Dr. Grant Richison, “Belief and deed are inseparable. Lip service without expression in a tangible way is disjoint of biblical truth.” Praise should intentionally encompass verbally acknowledging God’s goodness and then demonstrating that goodness to others.

2) Why does verse 17 command us to obey our leaders?
Paul pointed out that Hebrew-Christians not only had a responsibility to praise the Lord, do good and share, but they also had a responsibility to submit to their spiritual leaders. Those who were appointed by God were there to lead and guide them as God instructed them. Romans 13:1 tells us “there is no authority except that which God has established.” These leaders were there to teach submission to God and to show how to live a life pleasing to the Lord. David Guzik puts it this way, “Cooperative conduct is not only a joy to leaders, but it is profitable for the whole body. It is for our own sake that we should obey and submit to God-appointed leaders.” Going further, Bible.org says, “The reason we submit is for the Lord’s sake that we may honor Him and also to avoid being disciplined by Him. Paul said this in Romans 13:2, ‘Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.’” Submitting to leaders is an act of worship to the Lord. We are acknowledging His sovereignty in appointing leaders and in teaching us through them.

3) How does prayer tie into praise? (verse 18)
Verses 18-19 might appear to veer of course, but they are in line with Paul’s teaching about praise. When we pray we are bringing our petitions and concerns to the Lord. We are acknowledging Him as the One who can change the situation, give the answer, or provide comfort and peace. He is the One in control and only He can bring about what we cannot. Paul was well aware of the power of prayer. In 2 Corinthians 11 he spoke of his numerous trials in ministry including being whipped, stoned, shipwrecked, persecuted and imprisoned. In prison, Paul prayed and God moved mightily, ultimately adding the jailer and his relatives to God’s family. (Acts 16:25-31) For the churches, Paul prayed and they flourished and grew. Every time, Paul praised the Lord. He was not shy to ask for prayer. Just as he did here, he did also in Romans 1:9-11, Ephesians 6:19, and 2 Thessalonians 3:1 to name a few. This was part of His praise, indicating that He trusted God with the ministry that had been bestowed upon him. We see it is the people’s duty to pray for him, “…to the absent leader the duty of the congregation is that of prayer. It is a Christian duty always to bear our absent loved ones to the throne of God’s grace and daily to remember there all who bear the responsibility of leadership and authority.” (Barclay’s Study Bible) Prayer for others is part of the “doing good” mandate of praise.

Everyday Application

1) What are the sacrifices we are to offer? (verse 16)
I often wonder how the priests dealt with the overwhelming stench of so much blood from the sacrifices. Then I’m reminded of the overwhelming stench of sin to God for those who are not saved. I am grateful for the blood of Jesus which cleanses us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” How can we not praise the name of the One who makes us a pleasing aroma instead of the stench of sin? And to those who are perishing, do we not have a duty to sacrifice our pride and preferences to give them the opportunity to join our chorus of praise? We do, but the struggle is real. “For some, the harder part is taking Christianity one step further, sacrificing ourselves in service, fellowship, and communication with others, especially those outside our “community,” be it a group designated by age, experience, likes or dislikes, location, or any other boundary that applies to us personally.” (Bible Tools) Let us not forget Matthew 5:16, where Jesus instructs, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” Our good works become praise not just from us but others. Our good works multiply praise! So whatever we must sacrifice to complete those works is worth it.

2) Why does verse 17 command us to obey our leaders?
I’m a manager at my job. To some it might seem like an easy job, but they’d be dead wrong! It’s tough. I’m also a ministry leader. That’s not a cake walk either. There are so many facets of leadership but one aspect that quickly becomes challenging is trying to do the right thing and make sure everyone under your care is also doing the right thing. So, what happens when people decide to disobey? I like the way the ESV Reformation Study Bible puts it. “The leaders’ care is deep and genuine because they were appointed by God and will give their account to Him. (Hebrews 4:13) Everyone will suffer if their ministry is resisted.” It’s our duty to respect those God puts in authority over us. By resisting them, we are resisting God’s plans. There is always a consequence for this! Instead, by walking in obedience, we allow God to complete His work in us through them. Not only are we blessed, but the leaders are as well. It becomes one more thing for which we can praise God.

3) How does prayer tie into praise? (verse 18)
Paul often prayed for the churches to which he had a connection. One example is in Colossians 1 where he starts with praise, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.” (verse 3) Then he lists what he is praying for, “We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”. (verse 9) But he continues to give more praise, “giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.” (verse 12) This is a wonderful model for prayer. Praising God, presenting our requests, followed by praising Him again. It keeps our minds focused on Who will accomplish the work, and it’s not us! It always has been God and it will always be God. “Praise is about having faith in the character of God even when we are struggling with challenges in life. It is when we CHOOSE to focus on and believe in Him that our faith is exercised, and it is faith alone that pleases Him and moves Him to action in our lives—personally and corporately!” (Planetshakers Creative) Our prayers demonstrate our faith in God, just as our praises; they both honor Him for who He is and what He does.

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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Posted in: God, Love, Peace, Praise, Sacrifice, Sin Tagged: God, love, peace, praise, sacrifice, Sin

Worship X Day 13 Let Them Praise!

May 25, 2022 by Amy Krigbaum Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 148
Psalm 149
Psalm 150
Ephesians 5:18-21
Hebrews 13:15-19

Worship X, Day 13

Have you thought about all the noise around us?

All the dogs in the neighborhood won’t stop barking.
The ocean waves are so peaceful.
The whispering wind sounds so calming.

Sometimes we create the noise, with TV or fans running. When the electricity goes out, the sound of silence is deafening and eerie. Without the TV, appliances, or heat/air conditioning running, we hear the natural sounds of creation, sounds of wind or rain or animals creeping. Live on or near a farm? Cows, chickens, horses, sheep…it’s a pretty noisy place.

Is it really just noise? Or is it praises to the Lord?

The book of Psalms has many chapters on praising the Lord. Today, we’ll begin our study with Psalm 148, which makes a transition from hearing and seeing God’s mighty works to the response of His creation to His works.

As we read this chapter, we see and hear all creation praising the Lord.
“Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise Him from the heights.
Praise Him, all his angels;
praiseHim, all his heavenly armies.
Praise Him, sun and moon;
praise Him, all you shining stars.”
(Psalm 148:1-3)

Weather (verse 8), plants (verse 9), animals (verse 10), and people (verse 11) all giving God praise. Everything on this planet and in the universe was created to praise God.

In Psalm 149, the psalmist shifts to more personal praise of the Lord as our Redeemer, the One who brings justice and victory for His people.

“Let Israel celebrate its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to Him with tambourine and lyre.
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He adorns the humble with salvation.”
(Psalm 149:2-4)

Finally, Psalm 150 calls humans to praise the Lord with zeal through instruments and song.
“Praise Him with the blast of a ram’s horn;
praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with tambourine and dance;
praise Him with strings and flute.
Praise Him with resounding cymbals;
praise Him with clashing cymbals.”
(Psalm 150:3-5)

Have you ever heard a band or orchestra warming up, playing random notes?
Or listened to someone who is learning to play a musical instrument?

It isn’t exactly music to our ears, but after much practice and working with the conductor, it can create a beautiful song. Reassuringly (for those of us who can’t carry a tune in a bucket), the sound itself isn’t important to God; rather, He sees and hears a masterpiece when our hearts overflow in praise to Him!

If we take all of these psalms and put them together, we get more than just a choir or an orchestra. The entire universe is working together to praise the Lord, our God of creation, of glory, and of redemption.

My husband is the music minister at our church. Each week, he, along with other worship leaders throughout the whole earth, faithfully prepare to lead God’s people in His praise.  Some have big groups, some have smaller teams, but they work together to create a chorus of praise that echoes around the world.

Take that one step further. Add the living things outside church. We don’t bring our pets and plants into a worship service, but they praise the Lord each and every day. Each one has their part to play in a symphony God creates. Each one alone may not sound like much, but imagine putting it all together. I’ll give you a moment to try and do that . . .

Can you imagine? Do you hear the ocean roar and the stars sing?
Do you hear the dog barking and the orchestra playing praise to the Creator?
Do you hear singing and all creation declaring the wonder of our God?!

In our ears, it may sound more like a mess…but to God, it’s a beautiful symphony of praise!

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Posted in: Creation, God, Heaven, Lord, Peace, Praise Tagged: creation, God, Heaven, Lord, peace, praise

Worship X Day 11 From Eternity To Eternity

May 23, 2022 by Sara Cissell 1 Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 103
Deuteronomy 6:10-12
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Psalm 25:8-11
Isaiah 40:28-31

Worship X, Day 11

Day 1
As I sit to write today’s Journey Study, physical and emotional tiredness are my companions. Thankfully, tomorrow is a new day and His mercies are new every morning.

“[Your mercies] are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:23)
His promise allows me to let the events of the day drain away while focusing on the truth found in His Word.

The truth in Psalm 103 is a solid reminder while my body is ready for rest and a new day, His mercies for today are still active.

“My soul, bless the LORD,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
My soul, bless the LORD,
and do not forget all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:1-2)
Tiredness begins to melt away as my focus shifts from myself to the truth of the Lord. The tension in my shoulders eases as I ponder His benefits.

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.” (Psalm 103:8)
Thank You, Lord, for Your compassion, grace, and slowness to anger. I am so undeserving of those, especially today when I failed to extend the same to my husband. Please forgive me.

“He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve
or repaid us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:10)
Thank You for Your forgiveness, for not repaying me according to what I deserve.

“He satisfies you with good things;
Your youth is renewed like the eagle.” (Psalm 103:5)
Thank You for renewing my youth and my strength, so I can “run and not become weary [. . .] walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31) when I wait on You. This, too, is one of Your mercies for today. Help me wait on You and experience Your energizing presence.

Lord, You have poured out so many benefits, yet how often do we fail to thank You for all the ways You demonstrate Your love towards us?

I’m not sure I actually want to answer that question.
But I can choose to make tomorrow and each subsequent day different.

Day 2
I set alarms today on my phone. Four of them.
When they sounded throughout my day, I intended to pause and focus on the Lord and the truth of Psalm 103.

When the first alarm rang, I remembered my conviction, paused to say a quick thank You for my current blessings, and continued on with my day.

A short while later I snapped at my husband in conversation and the words of Psalm 103:2 wafted through my mind, “do not forget all His benefits.”

Ugh. My fleshly heart rebelled at the gentle conviction of the Lord through His Word.

My study of this verse revealed connections to Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 6:12 reminded the Israelites, in the midst of their materiel bounty,
“[B]e careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.”

Two chapters later, Deuteronomy 8:11 reiterates,
“Be careful that you don’t forget the LORD your God by failing to keep his commands, ordinances, and statutes that I am giving you today.”

Understanding began to dawn. I’d said thank you to the Lord for His benefits to me with the first alarm, but quickly forgot Him by failing to follow His commands to show His mercies to others.

With the next alarm, my heart posture stretched a bit deeper.

Thank You, God, for forgiving me. Please help me to demonstrate my love for my husband and respect him with my words and tone.

This encounter with the Lord didn’t fade into the background of my day. Much like the eased tension of the previous night, my emotional and physical reactions softened. I sensed the Holy Spirit within me, helping me as I surrendered more fully to Him.

The third alarm was set for late afternoon. Reflecting on the impactful second alarm, I felt anticipation growing. What would You speak to me during this moment of encounter, Lord?

As I waited for late afternoon to arrive, the words of Psalm 103:17 lovingly wrapped themselves around my heart.
“But from eternity to eternity
The LORD’s faithful love is toward those who fear Him[.]”

Psalm 25:10 echoes,
“All the LORD’s ways show faithful love and truth
To those who keep his covenant and decrees.”
He is faithful to us now, and promises His faithfulness will extend to eternity.

This brought such hope to my heart; no matter the circumstances awaiting us in this lifetime,
if we seek the Lord, He will faithfully walk with us.

We can thank Him for the hard times with confidence.
We can rejoice in today.
We can praise Him for all of His benefits.

In the Lord’s divine multiplication, when we praise Him
from the depths of who we are
for who He is, He is honored and we are helped.
He is worthy of worship now and for eternity!

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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 X 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 Worship X!

Posted in: Adoration, Adoring, Anxious, Believe, Faith, Faithfulness, Grace, Mercy, Redeemed, Worship Tagged: adoration, Bless, kindness, Lord, mercy, praise, soul

The GT Weekend! ~ Worship X Week 2

May 21, 2022 by Carol Graft Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend! ~ Worship X Week 2

Carol Graft

May 21, 2022

Adoration,Awake,Captivating,Faith,Follow,GT Weekend,Mercy,Mighty,Praise,Prayer,Provider

Rest your soul through reflective journaling,
praying Scripture,
and worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

This Week's Journeys

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday's DD

Pray His Words Back To Him!

Psalm 71:23-24

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You because You have redeemed me. Therefore, my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness all day long, for those who intend to harm me will be disgraced and confounded.
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Dear Lord, in all things, may my lips praise You. In the mundane of my day, in the struggle of loss, in the fear of uncertainty, in every circumstance let me be known for praising You.

For You alone are worthy of my praise.
All the time.

Even when the path seems rocky and clouds are pressing in, let me shout for joy. You are faithful and just to preserve me, faithful and just to sustain me, faithful and just to provide for me. Let me be so happy and peaceful in simply looking upon You and Your good heart that I truly confound the naysayers around me and the plain evidence of my circumstances.

Lord God, I want You and only You. Let all who see my life and hear my words, whether they trust You personally or not, to become convinced of Your faithfulness because of my worship. You alone have redeemed me and called me by name. I am Yours.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

Be still. Patience. Wait. How good are you at these? 

I love Sarah’s examples of David as she told of his quest for rest, and all the reasons he couldn’t find it. I recently attended a conference where I served on staff. With all the preparation and full days, it definitely didn’t speak “rest”.  While it was an incredible conference, and I was blessed to serve, the “hurry” takes a toll.

We spend ourselves on good things, even “God-focused things”, and find at its end we still need rest. “Life”, with all its deadlines and busy happenings, continue its demands with earnest! More than likely, we aren’t running for our lives as David was, but we can still run ourselves to exhaustion.

Perhaps we are keeping ourselves so busy we don’t hear the Lord above the din of our own lives. 

Be still.
Patience.
Wait.
 
What would we need to move in our daily rhythms to begin excelling at these disciplines?
 The never ending “to do lists”, our jobs, places of service, and our families are all very good things, but the Lord never called us to burn out on these. He did call us to be still.

Suppose we decide together to model our rhythms after the example of Joshua at the Tent of Meeting.  He entered the tent with the express purpose of meeting God. As he encountered Gods’ presence, he didn’t want to leave. Even when Moses left, Joshua stayed. May it be so in our lives!

JOURNAL TWO

 God is faithful! Christine kept this message before us in her Journey Study this week. How often we forget this!

In the midst of trying circumstances, maybe even our current one, we fail to remember God’s faithfulness! We need to practice recalling God’s ways and His character. He is our very present help in times of trouble; Christine and Mandy reminded me of this truth as they pointed to His Word! We can toil, worry, and fret but it doesn’t help anything, and only escalates our anxiety. We can take God at His word!

Recording His specific provision in our lives through journaling can help us look back and see God’s faithfulness. We can see God as provider, as our refuge, and our strength. If you’ve prayer journaled for a while, take a few minutes this weekend to read backwards and praise the Lord for His faithfulness to you! If you haven’t kept a journal before, take this as your invitation to start! 

He is our Hope and we can praise Him, even as we walk through struggles. When we see Him faithfully providing for us, and giving us His peace, even in unsteady waters, we can tell others of His greatness! 

When we worship the Lord for making a way through the pain or holding us while in the middle of it, we are glorifying Him!

JOURNAL THREE

On Day 10 of our Journey Theme, Bethany reminded us to keep on trusting the Lord because we know He is faithful. This hit as a timely reminder for me as my husband is currently unemployed, which is something we’ve never experienced in our marriage. It’s daunting indeed, and the longer we go without employment, I confess that, bit by bit, the supernatural peace I experienced before being unemployed seems to slip away.

As our financial cushion is chipped away for all the usual expenses, so my faith also appears to be chipping away. I am not a new believer, Sisters. I have watched others walk through these same challenges and other hard things. It’s not easy to admit my faith waivers. I thank the Lord we have provisions for a time, but the lack of open doors pushes back against my faith.

Still, this I know to be true: 1) God has never left us, even in challenging seasons. 2) His peace has not completely left; I am still comforted by Him. 

Since these are true, I can say, “Great is His faithfulness to provide all that we need. The physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs are all under His care. 

Great is His faithfulness as He holds us and walks with us in this season.”
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Worship X Day 8 Faithful Redeemer

May 18, 2022 by Christine Wood 2 Comments

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 71

Philippians 4:6-9

Hebrews 10:19–25

Worship X, Day 8

“Sold!”

The gavel fell and the small crowd applauded. I forced myself to smile calmly as I shook the hands of the excited buyers. Strangers now owned my family home. 

On the inside I was screaming, “God, where are You? How could You let this happen? Why have You abandoned us? God, You could have stopped this, and now we have lost everything, even our home.”

I was heartbroken, defeated. My prayers unanswered.

The words of Psalm 71:1–3 resonated in my heart. “Lord, I seek refuge in you. Listen closely to me. Give the command to save me!” I cried out, not in faith, but in anguish and fear.

A few short weeks later, sitting in the living room of our newly rented home, a peace I couldn’t understand washed over my soul. The weight of debt was lifted, the pressure of repayment dates had disappeared, the remainder of money from the record sale of our home was safely invested and our family could breathe once again.

God didn’t give me what I wanted. He gave me what I needed.

God is faithful. He is always there, working in and through circumstances as they unfold. If only I had the faith to trust Him, fix my eyes steadfastly on Him, and not allow the crashing waves of emotion to knock me off balance so readily. God has never let me down. And I know He will not let me down now. 

Likewise, the psalmist remembered the faithfulness and goodness of God. (Psalm 71:5–8) He is our hope, our confidence, and our strong refuge. God was present before the beginning, guiding and protecting us through every season of life. He is faithful, and worthy of our praise.

I find this encouraging and challenging. It feels like we have a responsibility to be worried and anxious. The world is out of control; how can we be calm? There are so many people hurting and grieving. Can we really trust God?

The writer of Psalm 71 continues with confident faith. We can overcome fear and anxiety when we keep our focus on God. Verses 14-16 show us how to respond.

“But I will hope continually [. . .]” (Psalm 71:14a)

Hope.

We can always hope in God. No situation is beyond His redemption. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found hope in a furnace.
Daniel found hope in a lion’s den.
Sarah found hope after 90 years of infertility.
Peter found hope locked up in prison.
There are a hundred more examples in Scripture, and a hundred more in my own life. When God is part of our story, there is always hope.

“[. . .] and [I] will praise you more and more.” (Psalm 71:14b)

Praise.

When we praise God, we magnify Him, making Him an increasingly bigger part of our picture. When God is bigger, our circumstances shrink into relative insignificance. Our praise builds our faith, reminds our hearts of the power of God, and, when we praise God with fellow believers, we strengthen each other’s wavering faith.

Hebrews 10:19-25 reminds us not to neglect spending time together with other believers, but to prioritize encouraging one another. We need a community of faith, to provide accountability and encouragement.

“My mouth will tell about your righteousness 

and your salvation all day long, 

though I cannot sum them up.

I come because of the mighty acts of the LORD God; 

I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.” (Psalm 71:15-16)

Tell.

When we have good news, we share it. When Murray asked me to marry him, we spent the whole afternoon driving around to our friends, flashing my diamond ring and celebrating the good news.

Now, with social media, it’s easier than ever to share good news. But so often, we share our annoyance, rather than our praise. It is easier to whine about the bad service we received at a local store or our outrage at an opposing point of view, than it is to share the eternal hope we have in Jesus our Savior.

I’ve been to many funerals, but some leave a lasting impact. One such service honored a missionary who lost his battle with cancer in his 50s. As a senior leader in a global mission organization, this man faced significant struggle for the sake of the gospel. The hardships he and his family faced were well known, but at his funeral, pages from his private journal were read aloud. During the most harrowing of circumstances, his journal was not full of worry and fear, but praise and faith.

He wrote of the faithfulness of God. He wrote of his peace, knowing God was in control. (Philippians 4:6-9) He wrote of how God was working through the circumstances to further His kingdom.

I found this profoundly challenging. Often, the pages of my journal are full of worry and concern. As I grow older, and the reach of my influence widens, I am challenged to be a woman of faith greater than fear, a woman who trusts in a powerful and loving God, and a woman who praises my Savior through every storm.

I want to join the psalmist and declare, “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You because You have redeemed me.” (Psalm 71:23) I don’t really want the pages of my journal to be read at my funeral, but if they are, I want them to declare words of faith.

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Posted in: Faith, God, Good, Hope, Praise, Redeemed Tagged: faith, God, good, hope, praise, redeem
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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14