pride

The GT Weekend! ~ Surrender Week 2

Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend! ~ Surrender Week 2

Rebecca Adams

February 4, 2023

Discipline,Equipped,Faithfulness,Fellowship,Giving,GT Weekend

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 16:7-8, 11

I will bless the Lord who counsels me— even at night when my thoughts trouble me. 8 I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (…) 11 You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; at Your right hand are eternal pleasures.
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

I bless You, Lord God, for counseling me and holding out wisdom to me, whether day or night. Your wisdom is constantly available to me, not even for a moment am I left abandoned without access to You and the wisdom of Your ways. Lord, teach me to surrender my ways to Yours. May I find Your ways to be sweeter, more abundant, and flooded with the richest of joys than anything else I could imagine.

Every day teach me to become more aware of the wickedness of my ways and create an ever-increasing hunger to long for Your paths of righteousness. I long to honor You with my days, my nights, my words, motivations, and actions. I pray, Lord Jesus, that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart would be pleasing to You. (Psalm 19:14) May I cast out all other idols and seek to love you first and most and best for all my days, Lord Jesus Christ.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

“What if God sends me to Africa?” “What if God tells me to sell my car for a cheaper one?” “What if God wants me to give up my extra spending?”

If you haven’t asked these specific questions, you’ve likely wondered something similar. We understand that calling Christ “LORD” of our lives involves total surrender. Surrender is painful.

I’ve wrestled with these questions many times in my own faith walk, and I can confidently attest it is significantly more painful to resist the Lord than to lay ourselves down at the feet of His eternal goodness and grace. When we consider the cost of surrender, we easily forget the Lord to whom we surrender is gentle, tender, kind-hearted, and good. Christ does not call us to surrender our things, our time, and the treasures we love because He is greedy, rather, His call is motivated by His vast love.

He knows that until we tear down the idols we cherish, we cannot fully embrace Him who is infinitely greater than all other “lesser loves”. What is that “thing” the Lord keeps whispering to you to surrender? Choose today to give it over to His hands of Love!

JOURNAL TWO

On Wednesday, Deborah wrote, “The perverse dark world, blinded by its sin, shrieks at the light and beauty of Jesus.” Consider those you know who aren’t Christ-followers; how have you seen this truth played out? Where do they pull back harshly from the thought of Christ’s light exposing them?

Even harder, where do you feel your own soul run shrieking, begging to stay hidden in the dark so you don’t need to be conformed, often painfully, to the image of Jesus?

Sisters, I plead with you and with my own soul, these are the places we must bring to the Lord Jesus. The more we pull them back, the more painful it will be when the Lord has His way with us. His love for us is too vast to permit us to remain chained to our filthy patterns of self-love, self-protection, and sin.

Have you considered how rejecting full surrender to Christ is really a rejection of perfect love played out in your life? Spend time this weekend thinking about why you would rather choose to hide in the dark than bring your everything into the light of Christ, then talk with Him about it!

JOURNAL THREE

I have friends, and even more grievous to me, precious family members, who look at my consistent decisions to sacrifice worldly pleasures and they are repulsed. “Why don’t you like that tv show?” “Why don’t you enjoy this music?” “You don’t have a life-goal of a bigger house?”

Sara and Rachel’s words yesterday remind me of 1 Peter 4:4, “They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander you.” When we choose Christ and choose to regularly surrender to His work in our lives, He changes our appetite toward worldly things; we begin to crave the holy instead of that which dishonors the Lord Jesus.

Take a few minutes and consider what has changed about your “appetite” in the last 12-18 months. How has Christ shaped your “hunger” to long for Him, His word, and His ways more than your own? Celebrate what He has done in you and ask Him to keep making you new! Then spend time praying for your friends and family who haven’t yet experienced the sweetness of Christ as their Lord. Ask Him to begin to change their heart-appetite toward the things of God that will last for eternity.
Tags :
generous,greed,idol,pride,self-love,surrender
Share This :

Recent Journeys

Join Us On The Journey!

Want encouragement
on the daily?
Registration gives you free, every day access to encouragement, weekly worship prompts, and daily Bible study that applies to real life.
Journey On!

Can We Pray With You?

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!

This Week's Lock Screen
Explore This Journey Theme!
Jan 23 - Feb 10, 2023 - Journey Theme #113
Join the GT Facebook Community!
Free Registration!
Share Your Story!

Surrender Day 4 Pride Or Intimacy?: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Surrender Day 4 Pride Or Intimacy?: Digging Deeper

Dr. Leslie Umstattd

January 26, 2023

Digging Deeper,Mercy,Pride,Restored

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 "Pride Or Intimacy?"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 10:25-37

25 Then an expert in the law stood up to test him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the law?” he asked him. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,” and “your neighbor as yourself.”

28 “You’ve answered correctly,” he told him. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 Jesus took up the question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. 34 He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him. When I come back I’ll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.’

36 “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

37 “The one who showed mercy to him,” he said. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Who is the expert Luke references in this passage? (verses 25, 36-37)

In the 1st century, “experts in the law” were those who spent their lives studying the Mosaic Law, which referred to the Torah. You can find the Torah in your modern Bible when you read the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

These “experts of the Law” were generally scribes and Jewish religious leaders known as Pharisees. Commonly, they were known as “people of the Book”. The word “expert” in this passage, however, could also be translated as “lawyer” meaning those who were interpreters of the Mosaic Law for the people. (studylight.org) They were viewed as experts in knowing what Mosaic Law said and how it should be lived out.

The Everyday Application

1) Who is the expert Luke references in this passage? (verses 25, 36-37)

During biblical times a separation existed that precluded the average person from really knowing or studying Scripture in the way you and I are able today.

Access to God’s Word was extremely limited, especially for women. Only men could study the Torah, and only the “experts” had the full-time job of studying and reading. They were the “bridge” between God’s Word and His people. Today we have the ability to join in community as we study God’s Word for ourselves.

Most people in western cultures have Bibles in their homes and on their mobile devices; we are free to personally study the Word of God on a daily basis. We have the ability to become experts in Scriptural teachings and the direction God provides for our daily lives. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Anyone can study God’s Word and grow in knowing God and His character and His purpose for us, but if you’ve recognized yourself as a sinner, repented of that sin to Christ who died to pay the penalty of your sin, and surrendered your life to Jesus, you also have the Holy Spirit living in you.

The Spirit makes Scripture come alive to teach, correct, and remind us to walk in Truth. By studying God’s Word under the power of the Holy Spirit we become experts in knowing what He desires. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

The Original Intent

2) Why did the experts in Jesus’ day want to test Him? (verse 25)

Jesus repeatedly confronted the scribes and Pharisees in His teaching, calling on the people to listen to their teachings but not to follow the actions of their lives. (Matthew 23)

Jesus recognized the Pharisees and scribes as hypocrites for making faith in God about a religious endeavor full of outward appearances rather than an inward heart change. Jesus taught about true faith in God while the scribes and Pharisees taught a false-gospel, running in opposition to saving faith. This involved public criticism from Jesus, which threatened their power and their pride. (Luke 11:37-54)  

Additionally, Jesus claimed to be the “I Am” God of the Jewish faith. (John 8:58) The Pharisees were blind to this truth and called this teaching heretical and Jesus a blasphemer worthy of death by stoning. (John 8:59) Each of these factors gave the law experts plenty of motivation to trap Jesus and put him to death.

The Everyday Application

2) Why did the experts in Jesus’ day want to test Him? (verse 25)

Just like the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day, in our own pride, we want to test Jesus. We can easily feel threatened when anyone pushes against us and challenges our self-decided belief system, even if it carries marks of biblical Christianity. We want to justify our actions and question Him. (Luke 10:29)

Allowing the Bible’s teachings to make us uncomfortable and become convicted in our sin isn’t popular. (Hebrews 4:12-13) Adapting Scriptural teachings to fit our current feelings or desires is much more palatable. However, the truth remains that our inclination towards sinfulness leads to spiritual death.

The only antidote is a relationship with Jesus, which necessitates repentance of our sin and active rejection of them. Only when we find ourselves submitting to Him rather than testing of Him, can we discover true freedom from the pride of sin. Here we find real life and the free gift of eternity with God. (Romans 6:15-23)

The Original Intent

3) Why did Jesus choose a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan to tell His parable? (verses 31-33)

During the 1st century, a priest and a Levite were viewed as the upper class of society to a Jewish audience. They were considered religious leaders, righteous followers of God, pure in their ethnic descent, and those set apart by God to do His will. They would have been the natural choice to emulate.

The Samaritans, however, were the outcast of society especially to a Jewish audience because of their ethnicity. They were not fully Jewish, rather they were a mixed race representing part Jewish and part Gentile. Their bi-racial conflict was fueled by an additional underlying conflict between Jews and Gentile Samaritans stemming back hundreds of years to the division of the Jewish Kingdom into a Northern Kingdom of Israel and a Southern Kingdom of Judah. (1 Kings 11:29-37)

Though Samaritans wanted to claim God’s special blessing meant for the Jews upon themselves, their bloodline was so muddied with Gentiles that those of pure Jewish descent refused to recognize Samaritans as Jewish. They held all Samaritans with great disdain for Samaritans, even hating them. (John 4:1-26)

Under Jewish law, a Samaritan would have been considered unclean, therefore not permitted to be within proximity of Jews. In Jesus’ story, the Samaritan who helped the helpless and showed mercy regardless of who the man was would have been radically counterculture to a Jewish audience, especially to a Jewish religious leader.

The Everyday Application

3) Why did Jesus choose a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan to tell His parable? (verses 31-33)

In both the original Jewish context as well as our own today, Jesus’ purpose in telling this parable moved far beyond four men and a story. Jesus was addressing major cultural issues of His day that had no place in the body of Christ, either then or now.

Surrendering self means surrendering all of yourself to the Cross of Christ, regardless of personal opinion or prejudice. In Jesus’ story, the Samaritan thought nothing of helping and showing mercy to a neighbor in need. Jesus’ desire is that in our everyday life we walk by the Spirit of God who empowers us to extend the mercy of Christ to those around us.

In our fleshly lusts there is plentiful evidence of jealousy, strife, pride, envy, and anger, but in the Spirit of God we find love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness. (Galatians 5:16-26) Moment by moment, we get to decide if we will live for self or surrender ourselves for the purposes of God!

The Original Intent

4) What command is Jesus giving in this passage? (verse 37)

Not all places in Scripture are as plain in its directive as this one, but the command from Jesus is clear in verse 37, “Go and do the same”. Jesus instructs the expert of the law, and the broader Jewish audience, to show mercy like the Samaritan.

In reading the story and studying the broader perspective and history behind the cultural divide between these two people groups, it becomes evident that Jesus is pointing to the scribe to swallow his pride and show mercy to all neighbors God puts in his path.

As much as Jesus is pointing to the example of the Samaritan, he is also pointing to the non-example of the priest and Levite in this story as “what not to do” in claiming to follow Christ. The thrust of Jesus’ point emphasizes that the Samaritan, though dismissed by culture and society by the self-righteous Jews, was the true follower of God’s ways. (Luke 10:36-37)

The Everyday Application

4) What command is Jesus giving in this passage? (verse 37)

Jesus desires us to love as He loved, and by His Spirit living within all who genuinely trust Him for salvation, He compels us to choose love. (2 Corinthians 5:14)

In order to be truly effective at loving others as Christ loves us, we must set aside our own agendas and pride, submitting to His Spirit’s leadership in us. (1 John 4:7-21)

The definition of neighbor was how the conversation began between Jesus and the scribe. Jesus’ answer widely included all persons, putting no disclaimer on His definition of “neighbor”. God so loved the world that He gave His son; it’s His example of self-sacrificing, generous love we follow when we surrender to Him completely.  (John 3:16)

Tags :
example,Jesus,love,mercy,pride,Sin
Share This :

Recent Journeys

Surrender Day 3
Journey Study

I’m quick-witted and hot-blooded; I know how to spin up a razor-sharp defense.

But things had changed. I had encountered Jesus and was growing to be more like Him.

Through that process, I learned I no longer had the right to use my wit as a weapon. Nor could I nurse my wounded pride. I surrendered those the day I chose Christ as my savior. And so did you.

Pride has no place in the gospel. Surrendering our pride is essential to experiencing intimacy with Christ.
Join The Journey!

Can We Pray With You?

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!

This Week's Lock Screen
Explore This Journey Theme!
Jan 23 - Feb 10, 2023 - Journey Theme #113

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!

Join the GT Facebook Community!
Free Registration!
Share Your Story!

Surrender Day 3 Pride Or Intimacy?

Leave a Comment

Surrender Day 3 Pride Or Intimacy?

Mary Kathryn Tiller

January 25, 2023

Clothed,Humility,Mercy,Pride

Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 10:25-37
John 13:1-17
Proverbs 11:2
Romans 12:3-21
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

I felt a shock of pain reverberate through my body. The woman’s cutting remark wounded me, deeply. Instinctively, my pride bristled and the desire to wound back reared its ugly head. Mercifully, I heard His voice: 

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord [. . .] Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” (Romans 12:18-19, 21)

Had this happened a few years earlier, I would have embraced vengeance without a second thought. I’m quick-witted and hot-blooded; I know how to spin up a razor-sharp defense.

But things had changed.
I had encountered Jesus and was growing to be more like Him.

Through that process, I learned I no longer had the right to use my wit as a weapon. Nor could I nurse my wounded pride. I surrendered those the day I chose Christ as my savior. And so did you. 

Pride has no place in the gospel. 
Surrendering our pride is essential to experiencing intimacy with Christ.

The Good Samaritan: a study in surrendered pride
In one of my favorite Bible stories, Jesus speaks with a scribe, an expert in the Law. (Luke 10:25-37) At first, the scribe seems to simply lack understanding. He wants to know how one obtains eternal life. But Jesus quickly uncovers the root of his question. The scribe understands what the Law requires, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27) 

The scribe does not lack understanding, but the ability to live it out.
In an effort to justify himself, the scribe asks, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)
In response, Jesus tells him a story… 

A man was robbed while traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was beaten, stripped, and left to die. Luckily, it’s a busy road and a Jewish priest comes along. When he sees the man, however, he crosses the road and keeps walking. Later, a Levite (Jewish holy man) walks by, but he too ignores the wounded man. 

Finally, a Samaritan (an ethnic enemy of the Jews) encounters the man, and is moved with compassion. He tends to the man’s wounds, places him on his own donkey, and brings him to shelter. The next day, he leaves money with the innkeeper, asking him to care for the wounded man and promising to cover any cost. (Luke 10:30-35)

Jesus’ point is clear, our neighbor is anyone God places in our path. The scribe, however, would have understood a deeper truth, caring for this man cost the Samaritan his pride. You see, Samaritans were despised. Chances are, the beaten man would have spit on the Samaritan had he had been well. Only compassion could compel the Samaritan to show such mercy.

While compassion compels us to draw near another’s suffering, pride erects barriers and interjects mockery. Jesus’ lesson? We cannot love our neighbor while holding onto pride.

Washing Feet: an act of surrendered pride
Jesus lived what He taught. Instances of His surrendered pride is evidenced throughout the gospel accounts, but my favorite is the night He washed His disciples’ feet. (John 13:1-20)

The setting is the final meal Jesus and His disciples would share. His betrayer sits at the table. Jesus knows once they leave, His death will be set into motion. This is the last time He’ll be with the men He has loved and led for the last three years. I can only imagine the emotions He experienced.

Here, John shares some of my favorite verses in the Bible: 
“Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into His hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing [. . .] and began to wash his disciples’ feet [.]” (John 13:3-5)

Jesus was assured of His identity and authority. Yet in those precious moments, He didn’t choose to display his power. He chose, instead, to demonstrate His love.

Even in the face of this divine humility, human pride bristles. When Peter realizes what Jesus was doing, he balks at the insanity of it. His pride will not allow Jesus to do something so lowly. 

Jesus gently rebukes him saying, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” (John 13:8) Jesus knows our pride distances us from true healing only He can provide. Jesus calls us to surrender our pride because He wants to offer us healing and intimacy instead. 

The promise in practice
Both of these stories, rich with meaning and subtext, offer us one simple truth. 
As long as we cling to our pride, we will be unable to experience intimacy with Christ or offer it to others.

Surrendering our pride allows us to respond to this hard and hurting world just as Christ did. 
Surrender teaches us to look to God for our identity and defense. 
Surrender leads us to care for our enemies and wash the feet of our traitors. 
Surrendering our pride may feel like a loss of protection, but in reality, it is the opportunity to experience the fullness of Christ.

And in the fullness of Christ,
we want for nothing.

Tags :
justice,Justify,love,mercy,pride,surrender
Share This :

Recent Journeys

Surrender Day 4
Digging Deeper

Anyone can study God’s Word and grow in knowing God and His character and His purpose for us, but if you’ve recognized yourself as a sinner, repented of that sin to Christ who died to pay the penalty of your sin, and surrendered your life to Jesus, you also have the Holy Spirit living in you. The Spirit makes Scripture come alive to teach, correct, and remind us to walk in Truth. By studying God’s Word under the power of the Holy Spirit we become experts in knowing what He desires. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
Dig Deeper!

Can We Pray With You?

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!

This Week's Lock Screen
Explore This Journey Theme!
Jan 23 - Feb 10, 2023 - Journey Theme #113

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!

Join the GT Facebook Community!
Free Registration!
Share Your Story!

Sacrifice Day 15 Demo Day

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Galatians 2:15-21
Romans 6:6-11
Ephesians 4:20-24
Colossians 3:1-11
Isaiah 43:18-19

Sacrifice, Day 15

“God, break my heart for what breaks yours.”

I knew I needed to pray those words but was hesitant to say them out loud to God. I had been thinking about it for some time, but always hesitated. I didn’t want to say the words without fully meaning them, and to me, they were scary words, ones I associated with doing something hard for Jesus like moving to a different country or becoming heavily involved in some ministry that would drastically change my life.

What caught me off guard was how much surrendering would be involved, how much tearing down would be needed.

“If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.” (Galatians 2:18-21)

In order for something to be rebuilt, the old must first be torn down.
For me, this meant in order for God to answer my prayer, many of my old thoughts, habits, and patterns for living had to be torn down and surrendered to Jesus. I had to be willing to give up control and allow Him to work in ways that didn’t make sense to me.

Think for a minute about what it is to tear something down. My mind goes to the typical “Demo Day” we see on home refurb shows. Swinging sledgehammers, ripping cabinets off walls, cutting through wires and pipes. In a word, destruction. But the home builders know the old must go to make way for the new and improved.

The same is true for us.
God must tear down the old to make way for the new. Often, the tearing down can be painful and seem like nothing but destruction. But our Savior is not content with “good enough.” He wants all of us, all the time. Imagine our Father God rolling up His sleeves and getting to work in our spirits, pulling out sin-twisted desires, behaviors, and idols to make way for the light and space and freshness of His holiness.

Romans 6:6-7 reiterates, “For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since a person who has died is freed from sin.”

When I did ask God to break my heart for what breaks His, He began to strip away much that filled me with pride and status. Jobs were lost, relationships were broken, and health issues requiring rest seemed to come in wave after wave.

In the midst of the hardest times, I could not understand what was happening or why, but God, in His faithful goodness, slowly but surely allowed me to understand He was clearing the way to rebuild something I would never have imagined.

Stop living the old way, chasing sin and its desires. Instead, let God do His work and show you a new, better way. Allow God to build within you a life in which you are like Him.
(Ephesians 4:22-24, my paraphrase)

I’m not gonna lie, complete surrender is hard.
Waiting is hard.
At times, I said, “God, what is happening? I already learned this lesson!” God would graciously show me how I was still holding onto my ways where He wanted complete surrender.

I can also honestly say I cannot imagine what my life would be like today if I had not uttered that prayer.

My life with God in charge is oh-so-much better than the one I was building for myself. The broken friendships have been replaced with much deeper and richer friendships. There are new jobs, new ministries, new routines, and much more; God’s ways are indeed the better way!

So go ahead, friends! Whisper that big, scary prayer.
Ask Jesus to pry your fingers loose from their death-grip on control and the parts of your heart made dull, dusty, and lifeless by sin. In full surrender, turn to embrace the new life He is building in you, believing that even when the work is hard and the journey is long, “He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
Join us for every Journey Study by signing up!
Looking for yesterday’s Journey Study?
Share your thoughts from today’s Study!

Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

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

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sacrifice Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

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

Sacrifice Day 4 Two Sacrifices: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

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

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Two Sacrifices!

The Questions

1) Why does Luke record the aside note in verse 9 of Jesus’ purpose in telling this parable?

2) What are the identifiable hinge points of each prayer? (verses 11-13)

3) Why are Jesus’ closing remarks so important to the whole of the story? (verse 14)

Luke 18:9-14

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’

13 “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Original Intent

1) Why does Luke record the aside note in verse 9 of Jesus’ purpose in telling this parable?
Each gospel writer had a different, God’s Spirit-inspired motivation to record and compile their experiences with Jesus during His ministry on earth. Matthew wrote to his fellow Jews, and didn’t care much for chronological recording, but rather focused on seeing Jesus as the Promised Messiah who fulfilled every prophecy. Mark wrote with big emotion, and though his book is the shortest, it also contains more graphic detail in many accounts than the other gospels because his focus lies in highlighting Jesus’ total authority over all things, especially sin and death. John recorded his gospel from a different perspective than the other three as very few parables or miracles are recorded in his writings. His purpose was to logically lay out exactly why Jesus is both Lord and Savior; John prompts us to deep faith. Luke, as the longest gospel writer, intends to provide as much thorough, eye-witness confirmed information in a clear chronological order as possible. Luke, a physician by trade, is the investigative detective of the gospel writers. He was not an eye-witness of Jesus; he apprenticed under Peter and much of what he records came from firsthand accounts of Peter. Being well-educated and logical, much of his narrative falls under directive headings, like the one we see in verse 9, so the reader will not mistake the intention or become distracted by misapplication. Though Jesus’ audience was certainly wide and varied at the time He told this parable, Luke wants us to understand the thrusting purpose and heart behind why Jesus told it and for who He chose His words.

2) What are the identifiable hinge points of each prayer? (verses 11-13)
First, Jesus underscores that each character in the parable went to the temple to pray. Jesus included this aspect because the common place to pray was the temple. Though both characters went to the right “place” to gain access to God, this didn’t automatically grant them access. This would have astounded Jesus’ first hearers, for it was the common understanding that all who came to the Temple accessed God. Secondly, the true heart-posture of each man in Jesus’ story is identifiable by both their word choices and their body language. Though both men were standing, Jesus says the tax collector was “standing far off”. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says Pharisees would stand to pray in conspicuous places so as to be seen by others. (Matthew 6:5) One man stood to be noticed, the other chose to stand “far off” (think, tucked back in a corner), so as only to be seen by God. (Matthew 6:6) The Pharisee talked to God about himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like others…”. (verse 11) In contrast, the tax collector, without even raising his eyes, talked to God about his need for Him, “God have mercy on me, a Sinner.” (verse 13) The tax collector knew his condition as sinner, and he knew full well the only hope he had was in the mercy of the God who was perfectly holy and righteous. Lastly, where the Pharisee listed his self-proclaimed-righteous-acts, the tax collector merely beat his chest in an outward action that reflected an internal humility. Sisters, which are we? List-givers or humble-heart-bowers?

3) Why are Jesus’ closing remarks so important to the whole of the story? (verse 14)
Jesus finishes His parable with a hard reality and a sweet hope for every human heart; it’s the perfect antidote to the hopeless melodrama of the human condition. Regardless of a person’s good deeds or how wonderfully they view themselves, none can be justified before God by exalting themselves. (verse 14) Some may think, oh that’s good news for me because I always think the worst of myself. I don’t think I’m worthy of God’s love, I know how terrible I am, I mess up constantly. But do you notice the subject of each of those phrases? Self. Whether you think highly or lowly of yourself, you’re still thinking of yourself. Jesus teaches that only the truly humble of heart can “go home justified before God.” Humble of heart does not mean self-deprecation, which is self-focus just in a different form. Rather, humble hearts see the reality of their state as sinner and recognize God as the only available Giver of Mercy because we each deserve eternal death as a result of our sin. We cannot even lift our eyes to Heaven, as the tax collector demonstrated. Not because we think so terribly of ourselves and have lowered our innate worth as a person, but because we recognize God as perfectly holy and ourselves as utterly full of sin. We simply cannot bridge the impossible chasm between us. THIS is a humble heart. THIS is the heart God looks upon and says, “Yes! Welcome Home, Child! You are forgiven and free!”

Everyday Application

1) Why does Luke record the aside note in verse 9 of Jesus’ purpose in telling this parable?
When we read Scripture, it’s absolutely imperative we begin with the original purpose as much as possible in order to make correct application to our own lives. Luke, because he was a natural investigator, makes it easy for us to know we are headed in the right direction with this parable, but we must not gloss over his purposed introduction. This parable is not about how to be a good Christian, or who should come to church (temple), or even how to pray effectively. Though we can gain insights about each of these areas, they aren’t the main reason Jesus told the parable. We would miss the mark of understanding HIM if we go off on our own tangent to make HIS parable into something He didn’t intend. What are good applications for our everyday from this teaching? They are many! But let’s hang out with a handful of them that center around the original meaning and let the Spirit convict our hearts as we pray and study His Words before ours. In a nutshell, the original intent could be phrased, “Self-Righteousness Cannot Justify Us Before God”. Now, let’s offer out our hearts to the Spirit, asking Him to convict us of sin and change us to be like Him! We could ask the Lord, “Where am I holding onto my own “goodness” with You?”, “Am I expecting You, Lord, to act on my behalf because I have told You how much I “deserve” it?”, “Do I expect others to behave or speak in a certain way toward me because I have declared myself “worthy”?”. These are only a few questions we can bring to the Spirit through prayer, but when we pair true Scripture study with genuine, humble prayer, we can be absolutely certain the Lord will speak to our hearts!

2) What are the identifiable hinge points of each prayer? (verses 11-13)
The first-century Jews believed that if they went to the right place and did the right things, they would be right before God. We may live centuries later, but we can be guilty of believing the same deception! Bring these questions before the Lord as you authentically pray, and see how the Spirit convicts you, teaches you, and encourages you. Consider writing down your thoughts as you pray and listen to the Lord as He reshapes your heart to be like His! Ask God, “Where are the places I go, actions I take, and words I say that lure me to trust myself and my own goodness to give me access to You?” “Have I elevated my church attendance, service, giving, or personal ministry to others as a “good work” that You now “owe me” for, or that I “passively brag” about to others to show how “good” I am?” “Remind me, Spirit, that I am justified through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone and my good works have absolutely no bearing on Your love for me, acceptance of me, or Your willingness to forgive my sin.” Consider taking the next few days and studying up on the core tenants of why Christians believe they are saved by grace, through faith, and of Christ; our Journey Into Sola is a great place to begin! When we study Scripture with a humble willingness to be changed by God, He will shift our hearts! (https://www.gracefullytruthful.com/journey-into-sola)

3) Why are Jesus’ closing remarks so important to the whole of the story? (verse 14)
Jesus begins His closing statements with an interesting phrase we might easily gloss over, “I tell you…”. The Jews held the Pharisee as the Top Dog of Jewish Law. None ranked higher in understanding the nuances than a Pharisee, but Jesus, ever intent on the flipping the tables of our worldviews, speaks with unequivocal authority, “I tell you…”. I, as God the Son. I, as God in the flesh come to rescue you from your bottomless, hopeless pit of sin. I, the God of Mercy. I, the original Law Giver who came to perfectly fulfill the Law and the Prophets for you because you never, ever will. (Matthew 5:17) You can’t. Your sin stops you. Your righteousness will fail you because it isn’t perfect. I know this, and I have come to Be Your Rescue. I have come to be Righteousness FOR YOU. “I tell you…”. Have you adopted these words into your view of self and God? What do they mean for you? What chains can fall away because of their truth? What burdens of “good works” and “trying harder” and “just can’t do all the things” would Christ desire to lift from your shoulders right now, in this moment? He is speaking, Sister, are you willing to give it up to the God of Mercy?

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

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Sacrifice Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Alive Day 15 King Of The Hill

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Proverbs 16:16
John 15:1-8
Romans 8:37-39

Alive, Day 15

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

Did you ever play “King of the Hill” as a child? Whoever reaches the top of the hill first is “king”? We push, pull, and fight our way to the crest, and then fight to remain? Standing high atop that hill, we feel accomplishment, strength, and pride!

I haven’t played that game in many years, but I can easily recall the feelings that accompanied accomplishing a big goal or achieving a milestone. Running my first half marathon, seeing my girls graduate from college, watching my “students” choose to live for God in the face of opposition. More than likely, you too have a list of your proudest accomplishments, when you felt you were, indeed, King of the Hill!

Today’s passage in Romans declares “we are more than conquerors, through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37, emphasis mine). “More than” . . . an interesting word choice, especially considering it was written by the apostle Paul, who was “king of the hill” in his former life. (Philippians 3:4-6) Before he encountered the living God (Acts 9:1-20), he had pride in his status, respect, and plans; his life probably felt right and good.

Until that fateful day on the road to Damascus, when everything changed. Only one verse later, in Philippians 3:7-8, Paul explains, “But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ.”

It is so easy to believe we are in control, when in reality, God alone is in charge! After encountering Jesus, Paul willingly walked down his “hill” and gave up his “kingship” for the sake of the one true King, Jesus! It’s highly counterintuitive, but the only way we can become “more than conquerors” is by letting Jesus have His way with us entirely!

Recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to experience first-hand being knocked off “my hill.” While I’d love to say that, like Paul, I gladly walked down the hill, I can’t. My situation involved more of a push by God. (Don’t let my description discourage you, because I’m stubborn, prideful, and uber competitive, and sometimes the only way I’m leaving my hill is by being pushed.)

This year’s end of school was super busy, but also brought many blessings my way. The more I allowed pride to sneak in, the further away from Jesus I walked, and the more physically run-down I began to feel. The push came when I landed in the hospital for several days with double pneumonia. Talk about being rocked! Honestly, I have never felt so weak. I was completely and utterly dependent on my family and the hospital staff.

Laying in my hospital bed the first night as sleep eluded me, an amazing sense of peace swept over me. It’s hard to explain, but I knew God was in control and at work. My worries and anxieties faded away and were replaced by an undeniable sense of divine peace and blessing. I was 100% confident that I was “more than a conqueror, through Him!”

After several more days of recuperation and listening to God, I realized He needed me off the hill I’d made. He needed me back in the place of submission to Him, following Jesus, allowing Him to become my more than! John 15:2 tells us, “He [Jesus] prunes every branch that produces fruit, so it will produce more.” And boy howdy, did my branches need some pruning!

Romans 8:38 goes on to say, “I am persuaded (CSB),” “I am convinced (NLT),” or as the Message paraphrases it, “nothing fazes us” or can separate us from the love of God. Paul wrote with such assurance because, following his conversion, his life drastically changed. Far from the position of stature he once held, 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 describes Paul’s suffering: shipwrecks, repeated arrests, beatings, even being left for dead. Yet his experiences only solidified his belief that God is more than! Sometimes, we see truth most clearly in the midst of hardships; when we depend on Jesus to carry us and bring victory, we can truly learn to allow Him to be King.

I love how John 15:4-5 shares a similar idea, reminding us God is the sole source of power and fruit in our lives. The key to living victorious with Jesus is to remain with Him, and in Him. We have to fight the urge to seize control; His job is to lead, ours is to follow.

Like many of us, Paul too needed that initial push off the hill of his own making. However, as he grew in his relationship with Jesus, he gained a better understanding of working in tandem with God’s Spirit. God is in control; we are not. Thankfully our Father loves us enough to give us that push when we need it!

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
Join us for every Journey Study by signing up!
Looking for yesterday’s Journey Study?
Share your thoughts from today’s Study!

Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

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

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Alive Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

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

Fruitful Day 14 The Gentleness of Jesus: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

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

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Gentleness of Jesus!

The Questions

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)

John 13:12-17

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you. 16 “Truly I tell you; a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)
Walking in sandals on the dusty dirty roads of Israel made foot washing a necessity before sharing a meal. Since people reclined at low tables, their feet were right next to others, not to mention the table and food. While the washing of feet was a common practice, it was highly uncommon for someone of Jesus’ stature as a revered Rabbi Teacher to perform the task reserved for household slaves. However, Jesus took it upon Himself to fulfill this lowly duty in order to model a lesson of love to His disciples. The lesson these twelve men seemed to have a hard time understanding was how necessary it was to have an attitude of servanthood toward others, just like Jesus. In Matthew 20 we read a story of two brothers, whose mom asked Jesus for a favor regarding her sons’ positions in His kingdom. It is clear from the exchange that the disciples not only expected Jesus to become an earthly king, but they also struggled significantly with pride. They felt they earned authority and power by being associated with Jesus. Cutting to the heart, Jesus responds with clarity, “you’ve got it all wrong, if you want to be great, then be a servant”. (Matthew 20:27-28, my paraphrase)

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)
It’s hard to say if Jesus’ instructions in the original context were meant literally as well as figuratively, but it was certainly an unforgettable scene. If you go back and read this story from the beginning of John 13, we notice that, of the men present, Jesus was the only person willing to tackle the dirty task of foot washing. The text doesn’t tell us why a servant wasn’t present to perform the job, but the other twelve disciples reclining at the table knew someone needed to do the work, yet none made any effort to do so. In that sense, one could make a case that Jesus’ words had two meanings; the first being “next time, one of you guys should do this for each other”. However, most likely, His words were meant as an example for His teaching point, “you all need to develop an attitude of serving others, which means setting your pride aside and doing things you think are beneath you”.

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)
Jesus’ intention was to get these men to look to Him as their example in all things. In that day, following a Rabbi literally meant to follow His every step, learning everything they could about “being a Rabbi”. This concept, however, went much deeper for Jesus’ purposes. He wasn’t trying to make “little Rabbis” who could speak and teach rhetoric like Him; He wanted them to live lives of sacrificial love as He modeled. He is the Master of Love; the disciples knew and understood He was greater than they in every regard. In a sense, Jesus was saying, “If I, the long-awaited Messiah, am willing to humble Myself and willingly take on the job of a lowly servant, you should as well”. It’s important to keep in mind that these men Jesus spoke to were the same ones who, in just a few short days, would be responsible for spreading the gospel and starting the Church by the power of God’s Spirit. Jesus needed them to think differently about Himself, others, and their role as His disciples.

Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus wash the disciple’s feet? (verse 12)
Jesus washed dirty feet to be an example to those who would soon carry His message of hope, love, and freedom to the world. The One Sovereign God of All, holding all power and authority above any other, willingly took on this menial job with humility and love. Our takeaway is to have this same attitude of Christ reflected in our everyday moments. In rich teaching, the apostle Paul wrote to believers, “adopt the same attitude as Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 2:5-8) This heart-attitude is characterized by humility, gentleness, and a willingness to meet and serve others regardless of who they are or their position in life. While foot washing is no longer commonplace, there are thousands of menial tasks to be entered into every day in our homes, churches, and workplaces. As followers of Christ, we also need to be willing to jump in and take on those tasks regardless of whether or not it’s our specifically assigned job. Pray over these opportunities and ask the Lord to show you where you can practically reflect Christ’s heart-attitude.

2) Was Jesus’ direction to wash the feet of others literal? (verse 14)
When Jesus directed His disciples to “also…wash one another’s feet”, He was speaking more about developing, and living out, an attitude of servanthood than He was about literal foot-washing. Living with a servant’s heart requires more than simply doing what is required or finishing tasks out of guilt or obligation. Rather, true service flows from love and a willingness to meet others in their mess and jump in with humility. Once again, Paul discusses this attitude in Philippians 2:13-15 when he says, “do everything without grumbling or complaining”. It’s one thing to serve others out of obligation, or because we can’t come up with a good excuse to decline. It’s completely different to serve others from a desire to love like Jesus in the middle of others’ messiness. It’s funny how Jesus seems to provide real life examples for me each time I sit down to write. Just today, I had planned to spend the entire morning researching and writing this study. I had my cup of coffee and was headed to my laptop when my sister called needing help. Helping her would mess up my plans and, honestly, I wasn’t even sure I could help, but I went because that’s what sisters do. In the end, it wasn’t so much about helping, but being present and standing with her. With transparency, I’m not sure my attitude reflected servanthood, but I still chose to go because loving people is rarely convenient. I don’t know about you, but my own life is messy; still, that doesn’t stop Jesus from meeting me where I am and loving me on the journey. I am a work in progress, just like all of us who have surrendered to Jesus, and I’m thankful He teaches me lessons like this every day!

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master”? (verse 16)
The twelve disciples played a critically important role in living out the kind of radical love Jesus had humbly modeled in front of them during His time on earth; our role as fellow Christ-followers is just as necessary. We too need to think differently about God, others, and ourselves. We have the exact same job assignment as the original twelve who witnessed Jesus act of humble love in front of them, “Go and make disciples”. (Matthew 28:19) Jesus provided us with real life, everyday examples of how to go about accomplishing His mission by meeting people and loving them exactly where they are. By serving others with humility and gentleness, we love like Him. When we don’t judge others and place ourselves higher, we love like Him. When we choose to love others in the middle of their messes, and in spite of our own inconveniences, we love like Him. The coolest part is we aren’t in this “loving others with humility” thing alone! Jesus not only wants to equip us and teach us how to love like Him through His Spirit in us, but He also invites us to ask for His divine help in every single circumstance we encounter. “Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart”. (Matthew 11:28-30) Let’s learn from the Master how to live and love like He did!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Gentleness of Jesus!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fruitful Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Fruitful Day 12 Cultivating Faithfulness: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

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

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Cultivating Faithfulness!

The Questions

1) Why would the Israelites prefer to die or return to the land of their captivity rather than venture into the Promised Land? (verse 4)

2) Why were Joshua and Caleb so eager to go into the Promised Land when everyone else was so fearful? (verses 6-9)

3) Why did the glory of the Lord appear at the tent of meeting when the Israelites threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb? (verse 10)

Numbers 14:1-10

Then the whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. 2 All the Israelites complained about Moses and Aaron, and the whole community told them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.” 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down in front of the whole assembly of the Israelite community. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite community, “The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. 9 Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!” 10 While the whole community threatened to stone them, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.

Original Intent

1) Why would the Israelites prefer to die or return to the land of their captivity rather than venture into the Promised Land? (verse 4)
The Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt into the freedom of the Promised Land highlights God‘s faithfulness at every turn. The Lord empowered Moses to demand Pharaoh’s release of Israel (Exodus 5:1), God parted the Red Sea so they could cross over safely when the Egyptians pursued them (Exodus 14:21), He sent food from heaven in the desert (Exodus 16), and ensured their shoes didn’t wear out (Deuteronomy 29:5). God provided in many miraculous ways; He faithfully kept His covenant with Israel to protect and treasure them if they obeyed Him. (Exodus 19:5) Even with such a rich history of provision and protection by God, the Israelites despaired when they heard the intimidating report of Canaan. They preferred to return to a life of bondage rather than trust God to defeat their enemies in the Promised Land. According to author David Guzik, “This was pure rebellion. They said they didn’t want God’s plan, God’s leaders, or God’s land. They believed they knew better than God.” The pride and rebellion of the Israelites caused them to see God’s blessing as a curse and despise the gift God promised them. To modern readers, their lack of faith and gratitude seem outrageous, but may we also be guilty of the same? Any time we refuse to embrace what God has for us because it seems too difficult or too painful, we are committing the same sin of rebellion as the Israelites when they refused the Promised Land. We can be thankful God is merciful and forgiving, and we can ask Him for grace to follow His plans, trusting in His steadfast love and unwavering faithfulness to help us obey Him.

2) Why were Joshua and Caleb so eager to go into the Promised Land when everyone else was so fearful? (verses 6-9)
In Numbers 14:1-10, the Israelites are bemoaning their fate because the long-awaited Promised Land of Canaan is filled with formidable foes they are afraid to face. Only Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb want to enter and claim the land as God commanded. Joshua and Caleb had spied out the land and were eager to lay claim to God’s promise. They had faith in God, believing that He would give the Israelites the land He had promised them. If God promised it, then it would happen, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the promise. Author G. Campbell Morgan notes that Joshua and Caleb “had clear apprehension of the goodness of the land; they were by no means blind to the formidable nature of the difficulties that stood between them and possession. But they saw God. They started with that vision, and saw everything else in its light.” Where the other spies saw the strength and number of the land’s inhabitants, Joshua and Caleb saw the land flowing with milk and honey, just as God promised. If the promise of an excellent land had proved true, so would His promise to give them the land also be true and trustworthy. Joshua and Caleb’s belief in God’s faithfulness was stronger than any fear caused by the strength and number of their adversaries. May we also see God first and view everything else through that lens, just as Joshua and Caleb did.

3) Why did the glory of the Lord appear at the tent of meeting when the Israelites threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb? (verse 10)
When the Israelites reached the Promised Land they were dismayed to find its inhabitants were numerous and strong. They began blaming God for their miserable circumstances, even declaring that returning to slavery would be better than dying in battle. After hearing their incessant complaints, God had heard enough from the rebellious Israelites and decided to act. Numbers 14:10 tells us, “The glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.” The glory of the Lord had appeared to the congregation before as a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire to guide them through the wilderness. (Exodus 13:21) It was a visible reminder of God’s presence and activity. At this particular display of glory, God intended to dispel their whining and rebellion and reward those who believed in His Word and in His power. He stepped in just as the Israelites prepared to kill Joshua and Caleb. Author Joseph Benson points out, “When they reflected upon God, His glory appeared, not to silence their blasphemies: but when they threatened Caleb and Joshua, they touched the apple of His eye, and His glory appeared immediately. Those who faithfully expose themselves for God are sure of His special protection.” Israel’s rebellion ran so deep, God knew they wouldn’t choose faith over their fears. (Numbers 14:11) Moses interceded for Israel, God honored his prayers and decreed that from the nation, only Caleb and Joshua would be permitted to enter the Promised Land one day. (Numbers 14:30) God’s glory came down so His faithful servants would be spared and rewarded for their trust in Him, while also bringing consequence on Israel’s rebellion.

Everyday Application

1) Why would the Israelites prefer to die or return to the land of their captivity rather than venture into the Promised Land? (verse 4)
Have you ever seen a little kid so excited to go swimming but also too frightened to jump in the water? She knows Dad is right there to catch her. She knows all the other kids are splashing around in the water with no problems. Everything indicates it’s safe and enjoyable, but she just can’t overcome her fears and take the plunge. The Israelites in the Bible were a bit like this. They had longed to enter the Promised Land of Canaan for many years, but when they finally got there, after years of captivity in a foreign land, they were too scared of the inhabitants to lay claim to the land God promised them. When it came to choosing between fearing what they saw with their eyes or trusting the Unseen God, they chose their fears. The Lord promised to be with them and give them the land, but they chose to believe the fearful tales and not the covenant of their faithful God. Sometimes staying inside the pain we know is more comfortable than the unknown pain we are sure to endure on the way to our own Promised Land. This debilitating fear is why we stay in jobs and situations we don’t like, or sometimes even in relationships that are damaging. We fear the enormity of changes we would need to make, the unknowns of potential outcomes, and the pain we may encounter along the way. But God wants us to focus on His faithfulness and not our fears in every situation. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18) He wants us to trust Him, even when our circumstances inspire fear. (Philippians 4:4-7) Isaiah 12:2 tells us, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.” God promises to be our salvation and our strength in our tough times. The path will sometimes be frightening and difficult, but He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8) When we choose to surrender our lives to God, trusting Him for our rescue from sin, He promises to never leave or forsake us; we will never be alone!

2) Why were Joshua and Caleb so eager to go into the Promised Land when everyone else was so fearful? (verses 6-9)
In elementary school, my class learned a dance routine to a rock song for P.E. class, but my parents disapproved of the lyrics. So, I sat in the nurse’s office during P.E. for a month while my classmates rocked out in the gym. Missing my favorite class was bad enough, but dealing with my classmates’ teasing was awful. I didn’t make things worse by trying to explain my parents’ position. Instead, I played the martyr and became the poor kid with the kooky parents who hated rock n’ roll. I couldn’t imagine trying to defend my family’s moral objections to the song lyrics. Knowing how hard it is to go against the crowd helps my perspective on Joshua and Caleb’s plight. In verses 6-9, the two men stand firmly against the entire nation of Israel who didn’t want to enter Canaan. Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes, indicating their intense distress at the peoples’ distrust in God and disbelief in His promises. This wasn’t about their feelings of being “outcasts”, but about Israel’s heart-rejection of the God who had proven Himself faithful. They pleadingly reminded the people of God’s constant presence and ability to protect them and defeat their enemies if they trusted Him. Joshua and Caleb were full of faith in God’s faithfulness. The people, however, were not inspired by the exhortation from Joshua and Caleb. In fact, they were so angry with their unpopular message they picked up rocks to stone them! Only God’s intervention kept the two men safe. Forty years later, after most of the crowd got their wish and died before entering the Promised Land, Joshua and Caleb were found faithful and allowed to enter Canaan (Numbers 14:30) and enjoy God’s gift. May the Lord help us all to be as faithful and trusting as Joshua and Caleb!

3) Why did the glory of the Lord appear at the tent of meeting when the Israelites threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb? (verse 10)
There are many references to glory in church literature and Scripture. Sometimes glory means God’s presence (Exodus 24:16), a reference to Heaven (Psalm 73:24), or any place where God resides (1 Peter 5:10). It can also be used to mean radiant, divine beauty (Isaiah 6:3), or sometimes praise and adoration to God (Revelation 14:7). When God’s glory appeared to the Israelites in verse 10, glory references God’s presence. Here the glory of the Lord “refers to the reality of the LORD’s presence in a manifestation of his power and splendor. It showed to all that God was a living God. The appearance of the glory indicated blessing for the obedient, but disaster for the disobedient” (Preceptaustin.org) When God’s glory came to the Israelites, not only did God save Joshua and Caleb, but He allowed Moses to act on behalf of the shameful Israelites by interceding for them through prayer. Because of Moses’ prayer, God saved Israel from sudden destruction. They still received the punishment of never entering the Promised Land, but they experienced the power and mercy of being visited by God’s glory. It is awe-inspiring to think the Holy Perfect God would visit His people with His glory, yet the Scriptures are filled with such visits from the Lord. When God revealed Himself just in time to save Joshua and Caleb from being stoned to death by the angry mob of Israelites, He showed Himself to be Omnipotent (all-powerful) and Merciful. When God’s glory arrives, nothing remains the same. Nahum 1:5 tells us, “The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt; the earth trembles at His presence—the world and all who live in it.” We want to invite God’s presence to shake and shape our lives as we glorify His Name and seek to obey His commands through whole-life surrender.

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

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fruitful Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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

Nations Day 14 Created To Participate: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

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

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Created To Participate!

The Questions

1) How does giving greater honor to the less honorable prevent division in the body of Christ? (verse 24b)

2) What does it mean to desire the greater gifts? (verse 31)

3) Why is having love more important than having any of the other gifts mentioned in this passage? (verses 1-3)

1 Corinthians 12:24b-13:7

24 (…) Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, 25 so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. 26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

13:1 If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Original Intent

1) How does giving greater honor to the less honorable prevent division in the body of Christ? (verse 24b)
Paul writes, “God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable.” (1 Corinthians 12:24b) Paul has been comparing the members of Christ’s church to the parts of a physical body. He says in 1 Corinthians 12:23, “those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect,  which our respectable parts do not need.” Author, Thomas Constable, explains, “When dealing with our human bodies we bestow more honor on our less honorable parts by covering them up. This makes our unseemly members more seemly. . . On the other hand, the more honorable parts, such as our faces, do not require special covering.” Paul suggests we do the same kind of thing with all members of the body of Christ, whether they are considered important or unremarkable. If the less honorable, or the less visible, members of the body of Christ are given honor, then those on the platform in high-profile positions won’t seem like their work is more important or that they are more valuable than the guy who does the necessary but more mundane tasks. As David Guzik describes, “The pride of the honorable member is checked, as is the shame of the less honorable member.” When the behind-the-scenes person is viewed as just as essential to the Church as the folks in the spotlight, then the church is working together in unison, able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the world.

2) What does it mean to desire the greater gifts? (verse 31)
In 1 Corinthians 12:31, Paul exhorted the church to “desire the greater gifts.” He admonished them to work together, using their gifts to build Christ’s church. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 he described God’s gifts to the church, “first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues.” This seems to set up a hierarchy of gifts, with those listed first as having greater importance, but in the preceding verses, Paul emphasized that all the members of the body are equally important to the functioning of the church. “But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.  And if they were all the same part, where would the body be?” (1 Corinthians 12:18-19) Instead, Paul told the Corinthians there was an even better way. (1 Corinthians 12:31) He then explained that love is greater than all the gifts. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) The ICC New Testament Commentary explains, “The Corinthians coveted the greater gifts, but they had formed a wrong estimate as to which were the greater. The Hymn of Love, which follows, is to guide them to a better decision: not those which make most show, but those which do most good, are the better.” Paul wanted the church to know that God’s gifts, no matter how dazzling or powerful, were of no value if they were not exercised in love. Even sacrificing your body would gain you nothing if it were done for show and not love. (1 Corinthians 13:3) Because love is so important to God and the functioning of His church, He pours it out freely on His children through His Holy Spirit. (1 John 3:1) Let’s use the greatest gift, God’s love, to reach out to others on His behalf today!

3) Why is having love more important than having any of the other gifts mentioned in this passage? (verses 1-3)
Paul professes to the Corinthians that the greatest thing, beyond the gifts of prophecy or healing, even beyond faith and hope, is the gift of love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) He describes love as “patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) The Bible tells us God Himself is love (1 John 4:16) Because God is love, showing other people His love is the most important thing we can do on His behalf. If we prophesy or speak in tongues or even give all our stuff away, but don’t have God’s love in our hearts, we gain nothing. When we use God’s gifts without being empowered by His love, we may make a lot of noise, but we don’t do any eternal good. To be God’s Church, we are required to love people with the love of God while moving in the gifts He has given us. David Guzik suggests, “The gifts are merely ways we can express and receive love from God and love to one another. They are the ‘containers,’ and what is in the container – love – is far more important.” The gifts we have from God are important only because they help us give away the love of God. When we are all serving God using the gifts He has bestowed on us, we radiate God’s love to those around us.

Everyday Application

1) How does giving greater honor to the less honorable prevent division in the body of Christ? (verse 24b)
A “mega-church” came to town and needed a temporary worship venue, so our church offered our building. One Sunday, their pastor spoke at a joint service. Their ushers limited movement as a safety measure for the platform team, and the pastor was escorted in and out by a small entourage. They obviously faced many more security issues than our smaller church, yet the “super star” treatment of the pastor and worship team bothered me. Growing up a preacher’s kid, I knew several pastors who sometimes also served as janitor, secretary, and worship leader. Those pastors recognized how all members of the church play an important role in sharing the Gospel. The church is a team, working together to ensure people are reached with the Good News. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:23-25, “And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, which our respectable parts do not need. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other.” God’s plan is for all members of the church to work together as one, recognizing that a victory for one is a victory for all, and that pain for one means that all hurt. The Bible Study New Testament suggests, “the strong members of the church ought to work for the good of the weak, and the weak should get rid of all jealousy and envy, to work for the good of the strong. When you help the other person, you are helping yourself, since you are part of the body.”  May we each recognize how important our part is in the body of Christ, and not think too highly or too lowly of ourselves as we use our gifts to share God’s love.

2) What does it mean to desire the greater gifts? (verse 31)
One of my favorite news stories last year was about a company that had their best year ever and decided to share the profits with their employees in the form of a whopping $25,000,000 in bonuses for all the team members. This included a weekend beach resort trip for the whole organization, stock in the company, prizes for those who went above and beyond, and cash for everyone. The CEO could have kept the profits for the business or himself, but he wanted to show his appreciation for his loyal, hard-working team who put the business over the top. More than profits or investments, he valued the service and devotion of his team. This reminds me of Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 12:31 to “desire the greater gifts”, which Christ says is love. (1 Corinthians 13) The greater gifts turn out not to be the ones gaining the most attention or notoriety. God wants us to love each other and those around us because this is how we express that God is love. Author, John Piper, asserts, “The Spirit doesn’t give us gifts in order that each of us gets our self-important moment in the spotlight. He gives us gifts so that for the greater glory of Christ we are able to pursue love through serving one another.” When we use our diverse gifts to love God and love others, we are working together in unity, the way God intended the church to function. God is not a CEO handing out cash and tropical vacations, but He is well-pleased when His church comes together in love to serve one another and share Him with a hurting world.

3) Why is having love more important than having any of the other gifts mentioned in this passage? (verses 1-3)
In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul describes possessing Christ’s love as greater than any other gift from God. He even says all other gifts don’t matter if we don’t first have His love. (1 Corinthians 13) Author, Jon Bloom, explains, “Love is the aim of the spiritual gifts. It is possible to possess and exercise impressive spiritual gifts without love. If we do, we are ‘nothing.’” You have probably experienced someone moving in a spiritual gift without the love of God. Maybe you encountered a preacher who was more impressed with his insights and eloquence than sharing God’s love in his message. Or maybe you have seen someone with so much faith that God will act through their prayer that she blames others when things don’t happen as she believed they would. Perhaps you had a teacher so intent on getting through all the points of her excellent lesson that she overlooked the teachable moments right in front of her. People often get caught up in the gifts God has given them and forget the purpose of the gifts, which is to extend God’s love to others. Quite likely, you have been blessed by a Christ-follower gifted by God who also moves in the love of Christ to minister to your heart. When Christians reach out in love, they are actively being the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing His love and grace with those who need to know Him or be reminded that God is for them. Let’s reach out in love today to those who need Him.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Created To Participate!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Nations Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

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