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Nations Day 5 Pray For Us

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Revelation 7:9-10
Psalm 22:27-28
Matthew 24:3-14
John 17:20-26

Nations, Day 5

Malaysia is a lovely, multiracial, multicultural country. Let me share a little about our beautiful nation, and give you an insider’s glimpse into the challenges we face and the support we need from you, our sisters in Christ!

Our total population of 33 million people is a diverse mix of Malays, Muslims, Chinese, Buddhists, indgenous Bumiputra, and Indians, to name a very few! Christians (including Catholics) make up around 9% of the population.

Many people in Malaysia are religious and believe in deity; this belief is even affirmed by the National Principles of our country!

As the common view of the society is to believe in God, there are not many debates on the existence of God. Instead, the challenge of the multiracial and multicultural society is the people’s embrace of “respect” of different religions and rejection of “exclusivity.” It is difficult to overcome this listener bias when sharing Jesus is the truth and the only way to God.

There is tremendous cultural resistance to accepting Christianity among the different ethnic groups. Upon conversion and confession of faith in Christ, new believers face pressures and persecutions from family and society. For example, a Chinese teenager who accepted Jesus was cast out from his non-believing family because he violated their traditional “filial piety” practices.

Interestingly, while Malaysia has a national language, “Bahasa Malaysia,” ethnic groups have their own dialects and mother tongues, and often prefer using these to worship God and fellowship with others. From Malaysia, a chorus of praise in many languages rises to heaven!

While the churches in Malaysia are faithfully serving the Lord and their surrounding communities, we face many different challenges, and urgently need prayer support.

First, many churches, especially those in the cities, are losing their youth. Despite our national affirmation of belief, many young people do not believe in God. Please pray for our next generations to encounter God and remain strong in their faith.

Second, while indigenous churches are expanding in rural and emerging townships, the sharing of gospel remains challenging due to high resistance from the community.

Our church also joins with other churches and Christian organizations to care for our community, in ways such as having “tuition” (tutoring classes) for poor students, distributing food to needy families, and ministering to children in the “Orang Asli” Home. We also offer financial support to pastors in East Malaysia who are working in the mission fields, as well as supporting the foreign workers/migrant ministries.

Our challenge in these ministries is that although we are allowed to care for the poor in our local community, by law, we are not allowed to share gospel with people across ethnic lines. Even events like carnivals for the children face strong opposition.

Please pray for God to open doors and gospel opportunities in this “hard” land. We believe only the Holy Spirit can move hearts and bring people to Christ. Pray also for believers to be alert to the Spirit’s guidance as we minister.

Did you know approximately half of the Christians in our nation are from East Malaysia, especially from the indigenous Bumiputra (non-Malays)? A majority of them are second- and third-generation Christians, they need to encounter God personally and relationally.

There is also rising Islamic influence in these ethnic groups. We urgently need your prayer support as we defend and guide our next generation of indigenous Bumiputra believers.

Malaysia is an official Islamic country, with Muslims comprising more than 60% of the population. In Malaysia, religious freedom is for all people, except Muslims. As I mentioned earlier, the government forbids sharing of any other faiths to Muslims.

Additionally, anyone born into a Muslim family will automatically join the family’s religion. Marriage to a Muslim results in mandatory conversion to Islam. Finally, because of the law in Malaysia, churches in Malaysia focus mainly on non-Muslim communities. The result of these combined factors means the Muslim population in Malaysia will continue to grow quickly and exert increasing influence, while also remaining far from the hope of Jesus.

Yet we hold tight to the promises of Scripture:

“This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world, as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before You, for kingship belongs to the LORD; he rules the nations.” (Psalms 22: 27-28, emphasis mine)

“After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.’” (Revelation 7:9-10, emphasis mine) 

We believe these prophecies in the Bible will be fulfilled one day.
All nations, every tribe, people, and language will come to worship God.

We invite you to come alongside and pray for the struggles of Malaysian churches, and our nation!


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Questions Day 12 Why Pray?: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

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

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
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The Questions

1) What does the Lord declare about Himself (through the prophet) in verse 2?

2) What does the Lord want the prophet and all the hearers to do?

3) What are possibly the “great and incomprehensible things” of which the Lord through the prophet, speaks?

Jeremiah 33:2-3

2 The Lord who made the earth, the Lord who forms it to establish it, the Lord is His name, says this: 3 Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.’”

Original Intent

1) What does the Lord declare about Himself (through the prophet) in verse 2?
In verse 1 of the chapter, we discover a link between the previous chapter and this one. “The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time.” There is no indication of how much time passed from the first confrontation Jeremiah had with Lord about the matters discussed here, though it appears the situation has deteriorated since the Lord first appeared to the prophet. (Jeremiah 32:1) The people of Israel had grown weary of Jeremiah’s constant message of repentance, so they had him put in prison. With the people ignoring his message, Jeremiah possibly felt forgotten of God. (Jeremiah 20:7-9), but in verse 2, God declares Himself to Jeremiah by reminding the discouraged prophet just WHO was speaking. Though different Bible scholars have variations on the translation of verse 2 (is God saying this about Himself, or is the prophet saying it about God?), what is evident is what is being communicated, is indeed about the Lord. He is the One who created the earth, and the One who sustains the earth; THIS God is HE who speaks to Jeremiah. It is the same LORD (Exodus 3:13-15) who led Moses and the same One whom the Psalmist praises. (Psalm 148)

2) What does the Lord want the prophet and all the hearers to do?
Instructions can be hard to understand, making a task difficult to complete. Often, it wasn’t clear to the people what the Lord was asking them to do. Sometimes it was their own obstinacy that blinded them. (Hosea 4) Sometimes, obedience to the Lord was a foreign concept to them within their culture or experience (Job 10). But in verse 3, the word of the Lord to Jeremiah was straightforward: “Call to Me.” The Creator of the universe extended His ear to the prophet and His people, and He commanded them to pray. Previously, Jeremiah had been told not to pray for the people due to their unrepentant hearts. (Jeremiah 14:10-12) Here, God tells the prophet He will hear their call to Him. “The Hebrew word besuroth … is normally used to describe cities or walls as ‘inaccessible.’ All the lexicons, however, agree in seeing it used here metaphorically of ‘mysterious’ things that Jeremiah could not know apart from the Lord’s revelation.” Most commentators believe that in this context “in which the fortifications of Jerusalem are about to fall to the Babylonians, the fortified things in God’s secret counsel fall through answer to prayer.” (Netbible.org)

3) What are possibly the “great and incomprehensible things” of which the Lord through the prophet, speaks?
The phrase “great and incomprehensible things” is reminiscent of Jeremiah’s declaration about the Lord in the previous chapter, “Nothing is too difficult for You.”(Jeremiah 32:17) God was summoning Jeremiah and the people to Himself. The Creator was offering them a vision into the mysteries of the One who made them. If they would call, His answer would be “beyond the normal reach of human knowledge.” (Harrison, EnduringWord.com) The context of verse 3 is interesting. God has offered the people exciting promises of answered prayers and a great future. In the following verses He speaks of anger, evil, and destruction. (Jeremiah 33:4-5) God wants to answer His people, but He must also deal with their rebellion and sin. Thankfully, the good news returns in verses 6 and following verses. (Jeremiah 33:6-16) Verses 14-16 give us a glimpse of the incomprehensible that is to come, “Look, the days are coming—this is the Lord’s declaration—when I will fulfill the good promise that I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a Righteous Branch to sprout up for David, and he will administer justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely, and this is what she will be named: The Lord Is Our Righteousness.” What’s coming? God Himself! Jesus Christ!

Everyday Application

1) What does the Lord declare about Himself (through the prophet) in verse 2?
Jeremiah was in prison when the Lord appeared to him this second time. Ironically, he’s in prison because he had told the people what God had said the first time. Now God appears again and reminds the prophet who He is and what He will do, regardless of how circumstances appear to Jeremiah. Reminiscent of Joseph’s life, the Lord was with the prophet in prison. (Genesis 39) I love the Bible stories we read from the “zoomed out” perspective. Circumstances would have indicated God had abandon Jeremiah, but the Lord Himself declares precisely Who He is and invites His people to come and pray as He listens intently. When we are discouraged, the Lord who created us and sustains us beckons us to Himself because He genuinely cares for us. (1 Peter 5:6-10) In our despair, the enemy wants us to lose hope. In striking contrast, God wants us to call out to Him because He is good. With the psalmist, let’s confess confidently (even if our heart is shaky), “Lord, You are my shepherd; I have what I need. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff ​— ​they comfort me … all the days of my life. Amen.” (Psalm 23)

2) What does the Lord want the prophet and all the hearers to do?
God is always ready to respond to our cries for help, but humility will lead the way if we sincerely recognize our need. When we approach God as the Source of everything we need, we’ll do so with more receptive and hopeful hearts, knowing He will answer us, even if it’s not the answer we want. It’s important to declare Who God is when we call on Him. “Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy.” (Mt 6:9) It is then we are able to see answers that were obstructed before. God promises us that prayer is not in vain, even if we do not receive exactly what we asked for (Mt 6:5-8, Romans 8:24-28). Prayer is so much more than getting from God, although that’s part of it. (Matthew 7:7-11) Prayer is getting God Himself: Call to ME and I will answer.” That perspective makes all the difference!

3) What are possibly the “great and incomprehensible things” of which the Lord through the prophet, speaks?
Jeremiah 33:3 is often quoted as a life verse for many who follow Christ. Of course, what sincere believer doesn’t want God to show us “great and incomprehensible things”?! When interpreting Scripture, we must keep in mind the distinction between a passage’s interpretation and its application. One meaning, but many good applications (not all applications are good as they don’t hold true to the contextual meaning!). God had made long-term promises to His people even though they had failed to trust the Lord’s faithful character. In this chapter, God emphasizes His nature which ensures the reliability of His statements. God is first and foremost telling Jeremiah to communicate to the people that He is Yahweh (Exodus 3:15) What an amazing thought! The LORD is near and is willing to hear His people after all their rebellion. Commentator Adam Clarke is so rich in helping us apply this beautiful verse: “Don’t miss the principle, Beloved – You may be in a prison, literal or figurative, but no ‘bars’ can bar the Almighty from speaking words to you … And in this chapter, while they begin with judgment, the emphasis is on restoration and reassurance which is what the Father wants to speak to you.” (PreceptAustin.org)
Our great & incomprehensible God is also knowable through Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-4) Call out to Him in prayer, friends.

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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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Questions Day 11 Why Pray?

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 3:8-13
Jeremiah 29:12-14
Jeremiah 33:2-3
Psalm 145:14-21

Questions, Day 11

What is the point of praying if God already knows everything?
The simple answer?
Relationship.

As early as the Garden of Eden where God handcrafted humanity and set them in Beauty itself to enjoy each other, their surroundings, but most of all Himself, we see God inviting His creation into relationship with Him.

How do we know?

Even though He knew the answers (because He is all-knowing (Psalm 147:5)), He still asked Adam and Eve questions.

The Scene in Eden….
“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. (because they had sinned)

God Asks….
But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

Adam’s Reply…
And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

God Asks….
He said, “Who told you that you were naked?
Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”

Adam’s Reply….
The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”

God Asks….
Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?”

Eve’s Reply….
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”” Genesis 3:8-13

Intentionally, carefully, with precise accuracy, the Lord engages Adam and Eve.
Not to shame them.
Not to flaunt His holiness before them.
Not to smite them with thunderbolts.
But to show them who they were in relationship to Himself.

God is omniscient.
Meaning He knows everything. (Psalm 139:1-6)
He knows the present, past and future. (Isaiah 46:9-10)
He knows what each person thinks and feels. (1 John 3:20)

Despite knowing every detail, He intentionally asked questions of Adam and Eve.
He asked questions to engage their hearts, stirring them to depth and intimacy with Himself, the only One who could ever satisfy them.

I recently celebrated my first wedding anniversary with my husband.
Marriage has been a very humbling journey thus far. I have learned a lot about myself and my husband, but the biggest lesson we’ve learned is how to communicate.

Before getting married, we thought we knew all about communicating with each other, but as our marriage began, we struggled with significant miscommunication and misunderstanding. About 4 months into marriage, clarity broke through when my husband was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Shortly after his diagnosis, a counselor helped us learn how to communicate with each other. In these sessions, we discovered we both spoke entirely different languages because we process language and social interaction quite differently. In order to make our marriage work, we would need to learn the other’s language.

While my husband and I both had to work hard and pursue each other to improve our communication, God is, and always has been, the One doing the pursuing.

In Eden, Adam and Eve didn’t walk around the Garden calling out for God, trying to get Him to talk to them and maybe forgive them. No, they ran and hid because of their sin and shame, but God, the Holy One, lovingly pursued and invited them to build a relationship through communication.

They were fully loved,
fully known,
and sought after as precious treasures.

Today, my husband and I are more deeply connected than ever before because we are finally able to talk.

That is what prayer is like!
It may feel strange at first, as if I was trying to learn Mandarin and my husband was trying to learn Portuguese, but the more you invest (because God first invited you! (1 John 4:19)), connection is built, and relationship deepens.
We know God, and we know too, that we are fully known by Him!
This is why we pray!

Prayer is a conversation with God, where He is completely present and fully engaged at all times, creating safety in being known.
It is unbridled.
It is unbarred.
It is untamed.
It is the place where we learn who God is, and who we are in light of Him.

In Jeremiah 29:12, He says He will listen to us.
In Jeremiah 33:3, He says He will reveal what we do not know.
In Psalm 145:18, He says He will be close to all who call on Him in truth.

Sisters, we take time out of our days to reach out to our friends and families via text, phone calls, email, or speaking face to face. These relationships are vitally important, but how much time are we investing in response to Our Heavenly Father’s invitation for relationship? Let’s choose today to begin deepening our communication with the One who has pursued us more than any other!

Know that the “why” behind prayer is solidly anchored
in His unconditional pursuant love for us!

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Shielded Day 15 With All Boldness

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 6:19-20
Isaiah 26:3-4
2 Corinthians 3:12-18
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Acts 20:25-28

Shielded, Day 15

“Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this, I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.” Ephesians 6:19-20

We’ve studied the different components of God’s armor as we’ve journeyed through Shielded together: the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, sandals of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Every piece of armor evokes powerful imagery of what spiritual warfare looks like when battled God’s way, and it looks nothing like what we might picture on our own. 

In a nutshell, He shields us with His armor as He fights for us. We have only to stand firm.

Following such an impassioned illustration and instruction, Paul’s plea for the Ephesians to pray for his own boldness feels…a little out of place. In fact, it brings several questions to mind.

If Paul was indeed adequately covered and “suited up” in the armor of God, why would he need to beseech other believers to pray for his boldness in speaking the gospel? Wouldn’t the presence of spiritual armor automatically make him bold? What does this imply about the overarching purpose of the armor itself?

All good questions; let’s unpack them. Paul’s illustration of the armor of God is intended to give us solid imagery regarding who our battle is against: the enemy and his forces, and how we are to withstand him: by keeping our minds and wills submitted and purposed in the Kingdom as we go about our daily lives. We know all Scripture is God-breathed and inerrant, so with that in mind, what can we conclude from Paul’s plea?

To answer that question, we must dig a little deeper.

Every human is comprised of body, soul, and spirit. Our body is made up of flesh, blood, and bone; our soul consists of mind, will, and emotions. and our spirit contains wisdom, communion, and conscience. Paul gave a nod to this distinction when he wrote about the constant tension he found himself living within.

In the verses we’re studying today, Paul is talking about two of the different components of our being. As he expounds on the spiritual armor, he is addressing our – and his – spirit. When he asks the Ephesians to pray for his boldness, he is addressing his personal battle within his own soul, which is the mind, will and emotions.

Can you relate? I know I can. The sad, and very real truth, is the vast majority of us are far less concerned with anything the enemy might do than we are concerned about what other people might do or say.

Ouch. That manages to make me wince and be comforted simultaneously; even Paul warred with himself in the same way. His plea for boldness may as well be my own.

Or yours, too, maybe?

Think about it. Have you ever found yourself stirred by the Spirit? With sweaty palms, your heart pounding in your chest, and stomach rolling because you knew you were being moved to respond, to speak, to give, to share, to witness, to love…but then you didn’t do it? Have you felt the wave of sorrow that rushes over you when you failed to submit in the moment?

My friend. You’re not alone. I’ve been there. And Paul was there, too.

But do you notice what he didn’t ask the Ephesians to pray for?

Paul didn’t ask for safety.
He didn’t ask the enemy’s plans would be foiled.
He didn’t ask for his survival, or to be freed from chains, either.
No; instead, he asked for boldness.

Paul knew God would fight the real enemy for him, so he asked for help battling his own mind, will and emotions so he would be able to accomplish the task he had been commissioned for: preaching the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike.

Where do you stand, Sister? Do you find yourself shying away from the opportunities the Lord gives you to be a light in this dark world? Do you battle your own anxiety, or fear, or worry about what others may think?

Confess your worry and fear to the Lord, and ask Him to bolster your spirit. Then, reach out to someone you trust to pray for you, and do what Paul did: ask them to pray for you to be bold! The Lord is faithful and He will strengthen you!


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Focus Day 15 Walking With Wisdom

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Read His Words Before Ours!

James 5:13-20
Proverbs 9:1-18
Isaiah 26:1-9

Focus, Day 15

I feel the ground shifting beneath me.
Not in experiencing an earthquake sense, but the reality upon which the past season has rested is moving with the times. I am not the same person I was a year ago.
The people and the circumstances around me have transformed as well. Tiny, almost imperceptible changes over time have led to this point of awareness.

What does tomorrow hold?
What decisions am I to make today?
How do I navigate the unknown and walk out the plans You have for me, Lord?
I wrap my hands around my mug and let the warmth seep into my hands.

Abba, today I pray Your word back to You and rest on its promise. Isaiah 26:3 says You will guard me and keep me in perfect and constant peace when my mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because I’ve committed myself to You, lean on You, and hope confidently in You. (AMP, adapted). Help me do just that, Lord. Help me surrender the future to You and listen for Your leading. Show me Your heart in order to help me find Your hand. For Your glory, Lord. For Your glory.

Tears now drip into my mug. I’ve lovingly been referred to as the Queen of Tears due to my ability to cry, and I bear the title with honor (and hopefully grace!). Today the tears mark my surrender that ushers in freedom. I know Who holds my future and that He has the details covered. While all those details may not be revealed too terribly far in advance, I know He will faithfully guide me along the way.

How do I know this? Because His proven track record in my life cannot be ignored. Over the years, He has walked me through many similar seasons in which His wisdom has paved the way for growth and increased discernment.

Does this mean that every time I approach a new decision, especially ones that feel significantly impactful, that I have no doubts or trouble in making the decision?

No, but I have learned a few key elements that help in the process as I seek the wisdom of the Lord.

Rehearse past decisions and outcomes.
More than likely, I’ve faced a similar decision in the past. It may not be the exact circumstances or feel like a similar scenario, but wisdom grows when we learn from our history. In looking back, I can see how the Lord has guided me. Other times, I have seen how He carried me through choices that may not have been the original plan. I can see how to make a different decision this time, while also holding onto the truth that He will never leave me or forsake me.

Pray.
Process through the decision with the Lord. What are all the elements involved? What are possible outcomes? Share with the Lord the emotions, the challenges, the hopes, etc. I like to pour out my heart to Him. (Psalm 62:8) If you’re anything like me, be sure to keep tissues nearby for this portion of the process.

Read the Word.
What does the Bible say? Are there any possible options the truth of the Word could eliminate? If the choice being made contradicts the Bible, the outcome will be less than desired.

Talk with trusted mentors, family, and friends.
I’m all about learning from others and have found this to be key in growing in wisdom. Countless times a decision has made sense in my mind, but then verbalizing it to someone else with wisdom has opened my eyes to see new perspectives. Others can ask questions to prompt new understanding or share their personal experiences to help me glean from their wisdom.

Listen for His peace.
For me, this is one of the final pieces in seeking and implementing the Lord’s wisdom. As I make a decision, does peace accompany it? This doesn’t mean all nerves go away. Any adventure, even the most positive and hoped-for ones, contain an emotional array of responses. I’m talking about peace at the heart and mind level. Is the Holy Spirit, who dwell within me, pouring out peace to lead me?

Seeking and implementing wisdom is worth the time and energy it takes to find it. I cannot even begin to process all the ways my life has been blessed, and heartache has been saved, due to walking wisely. No, life hasn’t been easy. In fact, making wise choices often result in countercultural decisions that have been difficult. However, time has proven the rich reward of obedience.

Today, my drink has cooled and my nose is now red, but my heart is settled once again in the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. I did not suddenly get the answers I so desperately wanted, but I found something much more powerful.

I experienced the awareness of His Presence
and the reminder of the promise that He holds tomorrow in His hands.

I’ll keep asking and seeking His wisdom, trusting that once again He will lead me on.
The ground may be shifting, but my hand is solidly in His.
Let’s walk this adventure, Lord. For Your glory.

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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!

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Dwell Day 11 The Prayer Challenge

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 8:26-27
1 Samuel 1:10-19
Psalm 51:1-10
Daniel 6 

Dwell, Day 11

“Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I’ll tell you what I’d do. I’d go out into a great big field all alone or in the deep, deep woods, and I’d look up into the sky – up -up – up into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness, and then I’d just feel a prayer.”  ~Anne Shirley 

I’ve been reliving my childhood fancies lately; escaping into the ever-magical, imaginative world of Anne Shirley. After a difficult upbringing by incredibly strict grandparents, author Lucy Maud Montgomery married a Reverend and wrote many books, including my all-time favorite, Anne of Green Gables. Montgomery’s bold theological statements often pointed out how reverence and worship aren’t what we tend to make it.  

Since re-reading Anne’s quote about feeling a prayer, I’ve done just that many times over. 

My life feels a little as if it’s spinning out of control right now.
I’ve tried to paint a perfect picture of my life for the outside world to see,
but inside, a tornado rages.. 
Many days, I feel like I can’t even think what to pray.
So, I’ve closed my eyes, imagined myself in a massive field, and just felt my prayers. 
I’ve felt the glory and wonder of God and what He has created.
I’ve felt the loneliness and instability that quakes my soul.
I’ve felt the insecurities and I’ve felt the joy.
And I’ve felt myself releasing it all and giving it to Him.  

All without saying a word.
How is that even possible?
Because God knows. 

He knows my every thought and every feeling.
He knows me.
The Spirit Himself prays for me. (Romans 8:26), 

In this blessed assurance, I’m free to saturate my chaos with intimate moments of communion with my Savior, while He calms my storms and brings peace.  

I feel the tornado slowing. The tension is leaving.  

Because of prayer. 
Not perfect, holy, well-thought through words. 
But connection, groanings I lack words for, shared to the ear of God through the Spirit who dwells within me. 

Centuries ago, Christians practiced the discipline of prayer through “Daily Offices”. Believers marked off specific times throughout the day, generally the third, sixth, ninth, and bedtime hours, dedicating them to prayer. At each interval, they put aside their daily tasks to spend time saturating themselves with the Lord.
Prayers of praise.
Prayers of worship.
Prayers of joy.
Prayers of need.
Prayers of longing.
Prayers for others.
Prayers for themselves.
Prayers of confession.
Prayers of angst.
Intimacy and relationship. 

What if we prayed like Hannah? 
She bitterly wept before the Lord, thinking her prayer,
unable to even audibly speak!
She was heartbroken with infertility. She poured out her soul to the Lord, all of her deep anguish and grief.
The vulnerability!  

What if we surrendered our deep anguish and grief all throughout the day?
Suppose we told Him our ache for a lost brother, or the way our arms feel empty for the child we’ve never held, or how our soul feels crushed from the weight of a seemingly hopeless marriage?

Enter into that intimacy with the Lord, Sisters.
Hearts are changed here.  

What if we prayed like David? 
King David had an affair with a married woman, yet with the deep convictions of his heart, he cried out to God to wash him of his iniquity and cleanse him of sin.
In prayer, David begged the Lord to restore the joy he’d once known.
The repentance! 

What if we recognized our great sins and ugly failures, confessing them to the Lord multiple times a day? Would we become more aware of our pride, quickly confessing and running from it? Would our hearts begin to grieve as we recognized and confessed our lust again?

Enter into that intimacy of giving the Lord your sins, Sister.
Hearts are changed here. 

What if we prayed like Mary? 
With the news of her pregnancy, and the coming Messiah,
Mary worshipped!
Perhaps she knelt to sang. Maybe she danced, rejoicing loudly while exclaiming the fulfillment of Yahweh’s promise! She celebrated her worship!
The delight! 

Sisters, imagine if we were to take intentional time to thank God, celebrate Him, and declare His name throughout the day!
EVEN IF we don’t feel like it.
EVEN IF we have difficulty believing what we say.
Imagine how the thanksgiving we surrender will grow in our hearts, overflowing onto others, and shifting our perspective as we praise the Lord throughout the day.  

Enter into that joyful intimacy with the Lord, Sister.
Hearts are changed here! 

What if we prayed like Daniel? 
Nothing could stop Daniel from praying throughout the day. 
Not distractions.
Not hunger.
Not inconvenience.
Not even the LAW or the threat of his LIFE.
Daniel met the Lord three times, everyday, windows open to the world, unashamed of his God.
The integrity!
What if we said no to distractions having priority over prayer?
What if we paused our lives several times a day to approach the throne of God.
Even WITH kids screaming in the background.
Even WITH a messy house just beyond our closed eyes.
Even WITH a meeting that will last all day.
What if we kept the conversation going on road trips, on business trips, in the grocery store, in the car.  

Oh, let’s go there, Sister! Enter into that precious intimacy with the Lord.
Hearts are changed here. Yours and those around you! 

I want that in the middle of my messy chaos.
Join me in my Prayer Challenge: 

Choose 3 times a day for your phone alarm to go off.
I’m doing it right now setting it for 9 AM, Noon, and 3 PM.
When those timers go off, we pray.
Even if all we can muster is our deepest feelings, a groan, or a cry.
Let’s specifically, intentionally, prayerfully, enter into deeper intimacy with our King. 

Watch out, Sisters.
Our hearts and lives are about to change! 

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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 Dwell 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 Dwell!

The GT Weekend! – Roads Week 2

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The GT Weekend!

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

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Perhaps you’ve struggled, as I have, in knowing how to respond well to someone who clearly doesn’t hold to the biblical gospel. Fear of offending or of not knowing the right answers can hold us back from saying anything at all. Practice thinking of how to respond next time you find yourself in a spiritual conversation. Ask questions to encourage them to share more about their faith, praying for the right question to ask at the right time. To help you prepare and practice, write down your biggest fears or the questions you dread hearing. Take this list to Jesus, pray over it, and then do some honest digging to find good answers. 

2) When have you encountered someone who believes if they are “good enough” they will earn going to Heaven? What about their argument sounds convincing to you? Something I’ve learned to ask is, “How do you know when you’re ‘good’ is actually ‘enough’? What if you die unexpectedly before you’ve actually done ‘enough’?” These questions aren’t attacking, but conversational. Listen well in spiritual conversations and pray often that the Spirit would lead you as you share truth!

3) Regardless of the religious belief system, people long for community and true, genuine relationships the most. Set aside this week to intentionally pray that the Lord would give you opportunities to boldly share truth in love and grace. Look for those who are different from you and reach out, make a connection, pray for them consistently, and watch what the Lord will do through your obedience to love!

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 Ephesians 2:1-6 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously lived according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,

Prayer Journal
Father, Your gospel is so beautiful yet bold, intricate yet simple. Awaken the eyes of my heart to behold the preciousness of Your gospel story in my everyday life this week. Show me how much I need You. Remind me how desperate I am for Your solid truth. Surround me with friendships who speak truth over me, while placing people continually and intentionally in my path who need Your truth and grace. Show me how to love people better because of the beautiful truth of Your gospel, Jesus!  
Teach me, Spirit, to have a ready defense, to know Scripture, and be prepared to point people to You. I praise You that sharing about Your redemption is never about my intelligence or my ability to have the right words, it’s simply about allowing You to speak through me. Oh, Lord, Speak!

Worship Through Community

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

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

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Screenshot Day 13 The Story Isn’t Over

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 13:24-30
Matthew 13:36-43
Job 1:6-12
Hebrews 4:15-16
John 16:25-33 

Screenshot, Day 13

I often hear my husband say, “Don’t put a period where God has put a comma.” 
Sometimes, I’m tempted to give up when I can’t see progress.

In ministry, it’s disheartening when someone who once followed Jesus wholeheartedly, has abandoned those ways, choosing to chase the world instead.
Especially after you’ve invested time and energy into that relationship.
I’ve been discouraged, questioning what I may have done wrong, or could have done better.  The following story of Jesus reminds me never to lose hope,
remembering that what I can see isn’t the whole story.  

Jesus tells the story of a farmer who sowed wheat in his field. In the night, an enemy came and contaminated the field with weeds.  As they both grew, it became apparent there were both weeds and wheat in the field so the servants asked the farmer if they should pull the weeds.  The farmer told them to let both grow together.
At harvest, the reapers would bind and burn the weeds, while storing the wheat safely in the barn. 

Unlike most parables, we get the benefit of Jesus’ interpretation of this one.
Since He took the time to give its meaning, we should listen closely!

“The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 
the field is the world; 
and the good seed – these are the children of the kingdom.  
The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil.  
The harvest is the end of the age and the harvesters are angels.  
Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all who cause sin and those guilty of lawlessness.  They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom.  
Let anyone who has ears listen”
Matthew 13:36-43 

God is the one responsible for planting the seed. 
He alone is responsible for salvation and already knows the eternally fate of every person He created. Regardless of our desire to see the ones we love and serve begin a relationship with Jesus, we do not have the power to save them.
Only Jesus does.
Certainly, we have a responsibility to share the gospel and pray for them.
Remain faithfully obedient in that task, no matter how long it takes! 
But only Jesus has the power to save.  

Evil exists in this world.
God has allowed Satan certain liberties on earth for a time, and the Enemy has not wasted his opportunities to sow weeds of Death and Destruction.
In the book of Job, Satan, intent on stealing, killing and destroying (John 10:10), is busying himself with God and His people.  After a time of roaming the earth, Satan appears before the Lord, which makes it clear that he answers to God’s authority, not the other way around.
During their conversation, God asks if Satan has considered Job, to which Satan replies, “Haven’t you placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns?”
He concluded by saying that, without all the blessings from God, Job would not be a faithful follower.  God then gives Satan permission to do whatever he desires with Job’s possessions, but not to touch Job himself.  

Nothing can come into our lives that hasn’t passed through the loving thought of our Heavenly Father.
Weeds from the Enemy are abundant in this world, 
but we are not abandoned by our Heavenly Father!
While He does not cause evil, He does allow certain things to enter our lives to refine us, grow us, and ultimately bring Him glory. (Romans 8:28)

We also must remember our Savior is not immune to our suffering.
Hebrews 4:15, teaches that Jesus knows and understands our pain for He was tempted and tried in every way as we are.
Because He has experienced our suffering, He invites us to come boldly to Him in our need!  

I have a friend with a challenging parenting situation.
She and her husband have made some tough decisions concerning their child and much pain has been involved. It’s hard to understand why they’ve had to endure such difficult circumstances and I’m sure they’ve asked “why” many times.
Just as each of us have at various points in life as well. 

My friends both serve and love God, having purposed to parent according to godly principles.  And yet, for a season, their difficulties make it appear the enemy has prevailed.

But, as my friend continually reminds, “the story is not over”.
Her hope is not in what she sees right now,
but in the One who has full authority over what is allowed to enter our lives.
She views the pain of her present situation through the lens of God’s final authority and goodness, choosing to remain faithfully committed to Him, despite the weeds growing around her.  

Jesus concludes His parable by reminding us that in the end, God wins.
Evil will be bound and burned.
God’s children will “shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom”.
What a beautiful hope we have!

Yes, my friend, weeds will grow around you, 
but be reminded, “The Story Isn’t Over!” 

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
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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 Screenshot 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 Screenshot!

Freedom Day 4 The Compelling Gospel: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!

We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!
Dig In!

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s
Journey Study?
Check out The Compelling Gospel!

Galatians 1:11-24 English Standard Version (ESV)

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

The Questions

1) Why is it significant that Paul received the gospel directly from Jesus, and not from any man?

2) What does Paul’s radical transformation say about the gospel?

3) Where are Arabia, Damascus, Syria, and Cilicia?  Why was it important where Paul was after his conversion?

4) What reaction did Paul’s conversion cause in the Judean believers?

The Findings for Intention

1) Why is it significant that Paul received the gospel directly from Jesus, and not from any man?
Paul wrote Galatians to combat heresies that were sneaking into the church.  He was making a case that the gospel he preached was the only true gospel, and that any other gospel was false.  In this time, before the Word of God was written down and available to all believers, it was important for a teacher to prove his credibility, so that his testimony about the gospel could be seen as coming from Jesus himself.

2) What does Paul’s radical transformation say about the gospel?
There is no doubt that Paul’s former life was completely hostile to Christ, and that his life after his conversion was spent working and suffering for Christ’s sake.  It is just as stark a transformation as if an ISIS soldier were to convert to Christianity and begin winning people to Christ.  This transformation is one of the proofs that the gospel is true.  Paul turned his back on his former way of life and stepped into a life of hardship and suffering that eventually cost him his life, all for the sake of Jesus Christ.

3) Where are Arabia, Damascus, Syria, and Cilicia?  Why was it important where Paul was after his conversion?
Arabia refers to the Arabian Peninsula, east of Israel.  Damascus is a city in Syria, north of Israel, and Cilicia is the southern part of what is now Turkey.  The point of Paul mentioning that he spent time in these places is that he was not in Jerusalem, being taught by the apostles.  Rather, he was receiving his calling directly from Christ.

4) What reaction did Paul’s conversion cause in the Judean believers?
Verses 23 and 24 show that the believers in Judea glorified God because of what they heard about Paul. This shows that they knew Paul’s change was due to the work of Christ in his life.

The Everyday Application

1) Why is it significant that Paul received the gospel directly from Jesus, and not from any man?
The early church did not have the New Testament, so they had to rely on the authority of the apostles to prove what was true and what was false doctrine.  We, on the other hand, are blessed with the written Word of God.  False teachers abound today, just as they did in Paul’s time.  Do you know the Bible well enough to recognize false teaching when you hear it?

2) What does Paul’s radical transformation say about the gospel?
The gospel is powerful, and no one is beyond Christ’s reach!  Is there a Saul-like person you know, someone who is hostile to the gospel and seems like the least likely person to give their life to Christ?  Don’t give up, but pray for them!  God can save anyone.

3) Where are Arabia, Damascus, Syria, and Cilicia?  Why was it important where Paul was after his conversion?
God orchestrated the events of Paul’s life so that, when he needed to prove his authority, even the places he had lived were a testimony.  God is always working in our lives, and we may not immediately know why He has us in a certain place, doing a certain thing.  But we can rest in His sovereignty and believe that He is doing a work in us.

4) What reaction did Paul’s conversion cause in the Judean believers?
When you see a life transformed by the gospel, do you give credit where credit is due?  Do you compliment the person on their changed life, as if it was their power that accomplished it, or do you give glory to God?  Likewise, when God transforms a part of your life and people take notice, are you careful to give glory to God, and not take credit that belongs to Him?

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I Can Do That!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read through it (always more than a verse or two).
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!

The Community!

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

The Tools!

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

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. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? 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 :-))

The Why!

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.

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.
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Freedom!