promise

Alive Day 13 Dearly Loved

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 1
Genesis 22:1-19
Psalm 44:17-22
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Romans 8:31-36

Alive, Day 13

“What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
Because of you
we are being put to death all day long;
we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Romans 8:31-36)

When I became a believer, I selected a life verse (a passage of Scripture I especially wanted my life to embody) reflecting my limited understanding of the Gospel as I felt I had to “live up” to a standard of “gospel” in order to keep God’s favor:

“Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27a)

As I grew in my understanding and the Lord unpacked the legalism I carried, He gave me Romans 8 as my new life passage. This shift has been monumental in my understanding of who God is, how I interact with Him, and how He cares for me. I pray that as we walk through this chapter today, you will allow Him to lead you deeper in relationship with Him! 

Verse 31: Is any enemy greater than our ally, our God?

The Creator of the entire world has called us unto Himself. He is Elohim, the only One who has ever created something from nothing. He has given us an eternal inheritance as His children and conformed us to the image of His Son. Nothing in the earth, physical or spiritual, is more powerful than our Great God. No one can remove what He has so graciously given.

Verse 32: Having given us THE greatest gift, Jesus, would God then withhold anything we need for a transformed life?

In Genesis, Abraham was willing to give up his precious son, Isaac, with unshakable faith in and love for God; how much more astounding is God’s sacrifice of His own perfect Son, Jesus, because of His love for us? Out of that same love, He promises to equip us, carry us, and sustain us until we reach our eternal home.

This doesn’t mean, “If I pray to win the lottery, God must give it to me.” Our Heavenly Father has so much more than money or other temporal items to give us, if we embrace His gift of a Spirit-led life!

Verses 33-34: Who is qualified to justify, judge, save, and intercede before God for us?

A joy of mine is using Scripture to interpret Scripture, for the Lord’s letters to us are consistent and true! In 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, I found a similar theme: only the One who sets the standard for righteousness can justify, judge, and save.

God gave the law to demonstrate our need for a Savior.
Jesus, fully God and fully Man, came to fulfill the law.
Therefore, we can have right relationship
with God
through Jesus.

Jesus is sitting next to the Father, speaking to Him on behalf of you and me (also known as interceding). Because Jesus bore the wrath of God in His death and then showed ultimate victory over Satan’s limited power in His resurrection, we can have new life! Only the One who designed this plan of redemption can justify or condemn. 

Verse 35: Can anything separate us from God’s love?

Isn’t it kind of the Lord to set these verses in this order?
He affirms our adoption.
He offers us everything we need for a God-filled, Spirit-led life.
He justifies us.
And now in verse 35, He reminds us nothing can steal any of those gifts.
Sometimes, when we walk through a serious trial, we wonder if God has left us alone.
Take heart, my sisters, He hasn’t left. Nothing can separate us from His perfect love. 

Verse 36: Does ridicule or persecution or suffering mean God has abandoned me?

At first glance, this might seem like a strange reference! However, King David was writing of Israel’s hardships. He was lamenting that Israel had walked away from God and was experiencing His judgement. The enemies of Israel were mocking and taunting them; they were “being put to death all day long.” And yet, throughout all their hardships, the Lord God cared for His people by continuing to redeem them.

We can take heart in our current sufferings, for the Lord God will not abandon us, but will redeem us! Our sufferings do not change the realities and truths of God’s love for us. We can rest in His promises and walk forward confidently in His love! 

Lord, as we study this passage verse by verse, show us Your heart. We want to build on these foundational truths so when we fall, we land on Your truth. Would You make clear Your desire for relationship, and show us Your great love? Let us respond to You with humility and a longing to know You. You are our good God and we praise Your holy name! 

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Reveal Day 12 Dancing In The Dark: 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!
Check out Dancing In The Dark!

The Questions

1) What was the historical background during Ezekiel’s time?

2) What hope did Ezekiel offer to the nations of Israel? (verses 19-22)

3) What is the covenant of peace? (verses 25-28)

Ezekiel 37:15-28

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, take a single stick and write on it: Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him. Then take another stick and write on it: Belonging to Joseph—the stick of Ephraim—and all the house of Israel associated with him. Then join them together into a single stick so that they become one in your hand. When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these things?’— tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel associated with him, and put them together with the stick of Judah. I will make them into a single stick so that they become one in my hand.’

“When the sticks you have written on are in your hand and in full view of the people, tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I am going to take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and one king will rule over all of them. They will no longer be two nations and will no longer be divided into two kingdoms. They will not defile themselves anymore with their idols, their abhorrent things, and all their transgressions. I will save them from all their apostasies by which they sinned, and I will cleanse them. Then they will be my people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow my ordinances and keep my statutes and obey them.

“‘They will live in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your ancestors lived. They will live in it forever with their children and grandchildren, and my servant David will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be a permanent covenant with them. I will establish and multiply them and will set my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. When my sanctuary is among them forever, the nations will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel.’”

Original Intent

1) What was the historical background during Ezekiel’s time?
Ezekiel lived during the 70-year captivity of Judah in Babylon. The prophets Jeremiah and Daniel were his contemporaries. The nation of Israel had forgotten God and become idolatrous by worshiping other gods. Through prophets, God repeatedly warned them about their sin and the coming destruction as a result. Even after they were captured, they took on the pagan gods and beliefs rather than standing up for the One True God. They had a “form of godliness but denied the power within.” (2 Timothy 3:5, Titus 1:16) They ignored the prophets, so God “left them to their own devices”. (Psalm 81:12) They wandered so far from God they no longer had unity within the nation. In just a few short generations after King David’s reign, the nation split into two nations. The Northern Kingdom (10 tribes led by the half tribe of Ephraim) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (The tribes of Judah and Benjamin). The Northern Kingdom had already been overtaken by Assyria during Ezekiel’s ministry and finally, God allowed Babylon to overtake the Southern Kingdom as well. Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, and the people were taken captive where they remained for 70 years. Ezekiel’s ministry was during these 70 years. In the first half of chapter 37, Ezekiel has a vision in the Valley of the Dry Bones. Ezekiel was amid piles of dry bones depicting the futility of the people’s lives without the Lord God. The people did not care about God. Even if they were still worshiping Him, it was in ritual only as they followed the cultural influences around them. They were dead in their sins and, for Ezekiel, it seemed there was no hope. But God showed Ezekiel He would raise His nation up and make them alive again.

2) What hope did Ezekiel offer to the nations of Israel? (verses 19-22)
God instructed Ezekiel to take two sticks, mark them with the names Judah and Ephraim and hold them together as one. As Ezekiel obeyed, the sticks fused into one by God’s power. This visual demonstration was a foreshadowing of what was to come. The prophecy was partially fulfilled after Israel’s 70 years of captivity when the two tribes of Judah and many of the tribes of Israel returned home to Jerusalem. Secondly, “it had a further accomplishment in the union of converted Jews and Gentiles in one body” after Jesus came to earth to live, die, and raise up again. However, the ultimate promise is yet to come when Christ returns to set up His Kingdom and all “shall join together in seeking the Lord, and David, their King, the Messiah, who shall be the one King over them…” (Gills Exposition of the Bible) Up to the birth of Christ, people lived in the Age of Truth under the Covenant of the Law. The people were in darkness because they had not seen the Light of God with their eyes in the person of Jesus. Only at certain times in the Old Testament did God come down to fellowship with His people. The Ark of the Covenant was the place of the Presence of God. (R.C. Sproul) No wonder, David danced when they brought the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem. For indeed, God was again “with them.” After 400 years of silence, God began to move again among His people and so, the dance began again. John the Baptist was conceived as a forerunner to Christ. He leapt in his mother’s womb just being near the mother of the Messiah. Doesn’t your heart leap at the joy of this news? Who could forget the angelic announcement of the birth of Christ? Think of it! If I were a shepherd, I would not be able to keep still with excitement at the prospect of this joyous time. Hope was being fulfilled as Emmanuel (Jesus) came to humanity; God with us! A different age was about to begin, the Age of Grace under the Covenant of Redemption. Now not only is God with us, but His Holy Spirit can live within us if we trust in Christ as our Savior! The light of the world had come to chase away the darkness and the people began to dance in the light!

3) What is the covenant of peace? (verses 25-28)
First, let us consider, “What is peace?”. According to GotQuestions.com, “the primary Greek word for peace is ‘eirene’, and it refers to rest and tranquility. A key focus of peace in the New Testament is the advent of Jesus Christ, as announced by the angels in Luke 2:14 when they declare, “Peace on earth…”. Isaiah had predicted the Messiah would be the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and He is called the Lord of Peace in 2 Thessalonians 3:16. It is through Christ’s work of justification we can have peace with God (Romans 5:1), and His peace will keep our hearts and minds secure (Philippians 4:7).” A covenant is a binding agreement serving as a legal document of guarantee. Therefore, the Covenant of Peace is like an unbreakable contract describing the terms and conditions of God’s ‘peace plan’ for mankind. Just like the Covenant of Redemption details the terms and conditions of God’s redemption for mankind, the Covenant of Peace will define what is needed to partake in the coming Age of Peace.” Ezekiel describes how this covenant of peace will be established. Note as you read Ezekiel 34:20 and following, four things: 1) The Lord will rebuke the leaders who have led the people astray and set forth a judgment on them. 2) God will restore not only people, but land and animals. 3) The earth is restored to its original state (Compare the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2 and the New Earth in Revelation 21) and 4) God will be with His people. “I will establish One shepherd over them, … And I the Lord will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them.” (verses 23-24) (Paul Jablonowski, Sons to Glory)

Everyday Application

1) What was the historical background during Ezekiel’s time?
Israel is coming alive today in many ways. The valley of the dry bones describes how the land of Israel was not productive but was like a desolate desert. Today the land of Israel is stronger than ever. In every way, they are flourishing. They are strong militarily, agriculturally, and have even discovered large deposits of natural gas within their land. (learn more at Behold Israel) The State of Israel in Ezekiel’s day sounds a lot like today’s newspaper, doesn’t it? Ezekiel’s counterpart, Habakkuk described it like this… “Why do you force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates. This is why the law is ineffective and justice never emerges. For the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.” Today, unity is difficult to find, even among believers. We fight over doctrine and petty details like the color of the carpet. We get downright nasty when politics are mentioned. Too often, we stir up division instead of encouraging one another to model Christ-likeness. If we step back, it’s easy to spot similarities between our modern church and ancient Israel as the pull towards cultural norms and worship for ritualistic or even entertainment motives is strong. God told Israel He was not forsaking them and would bring about flourishing. By humble repentance and a focus on unity, we can encourage the global church to move together in unity through the power of the Holy Spirit. How can you begin fostering unity within your local body?

2) What hope did Ezekiel offer to the nations of Israel? (verses 19-22)
God’s promise of hope to make Israel one nation has further been fulfilled in our generation. For over 2500 years, Israel had not been an official nation, but in 1948 the State of Israel was established. (Britt Gillette, End Times Bible Prophecy) In recent years, Jews are returning to the nation for Israel in droves from all over the earth. (Israel365 News) Not only this but, there are also reports that Orthodox Jews are coming to Christ in marked numbers. This brings up another fusing into one. The lines of Abraham (Isaac and Ishmael) are both coming to faith in Jesus. The lineage of Isaac is the Nation of Israel. The lineage of Ishmael being the Arab nations. According to Open Doors, Muslims are turning to Christ in unprecedented numbers. This is another amazing way that both lines of Abraham are coming together as one. Hope is abounding as more people find redemption in Christ and look forward to His return. Once He returns, our greatest hope will be revealed as John prophesied, “Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” (Revelation 21:3-5) We will live in perfect unity. Death – gone. Pain – gone. Crying – None! The very best part is this, “God’s dwelling is with humanity” just as Ezekiel prophesied. (verse 27) One day soon, we will dance in the joy of His Presence as God is with Us.

3) What is the covenant of peace? (verses 25-28)
God’s promise of restoration was depicted in the two visions to Ezekiel. First, the vision of the dry bones and then the two sticks coming together as one. Once they are joined, we will enter the Covenant of Peace. (Ezekiel 37:26) This will happen when Christ returns to earth and sets up His Kingdom. When God initiated the Covenant of the Law with Moses, he created the physical nation of Israel. When Jesus instituted the New Covenant of Redemption, God created the spiritual nation we call “the Church.” Soon it will be time for God to bring these two together. Both the spiritual and the natural must be in perfect balance, so God can create for Himself “one new man” from the two that will bring true peace in an Age of Peace. (Ephesians 1:9-13, Ephesians 2:14-17). In the Age of His Kingdom, Jesus will be the Prince of Peace. All things will balance out with His government. His judgment will root out the evil. Once evil is removed, His Truth and Grace will be in balance with His Government of Peace. Jesus will reign, and we will be in the Presence of God forever. God’s Peace will be revealed, and we will experience the “peace that passes all understanding” to the full! (Philippians 4:7) We have His peace within our hearts, but on that day, complete peace will be established. Finally, the prophecy of God’s Presence among us will be fulfilled and we can say as Isaiah prophesied, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. A light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time.” (Isaiah 9:2-3) It will be the greatest Dance of Joy ever!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Dancing In The Dark

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 Reveal 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.

Worship VII Day 4 The Wonderful Cross: 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!
Check out The Wonderful Cross!

The Questions

1) Who is Isaiah describing in these verses and what event is he foretelling?

2) Why is there a comparison to a sheep in verse 7?

3) What is the beautiful promise made in verse 11?

Isaiah 53

Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a young plant
and like a root out of dry ground.
He didn’t have an impressive form
or majesty that we should look at him,
no appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.
He was like someone people turned away from;
he was despised, and we didn’t value him.

4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses,
and he carried our pains;
but we in turn regarded him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion,
crushed because of our iniquities;
punishment for our peace was on him,
and we are healed by his wounds.
6 We all went astray like sheep;
we all have turned to our own way;
and the Lord has punished him
for the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth.
Like a lamb led to the slaughter
and like a sheep silent before her shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
8 He was taken away because of oppression and judgment,
and who considered his fate?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
he was struck because of my people’s rebellion.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
but he was with a rich man at his death,
because he had done no violence
and had not spoken deceitfully.

10 Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him severely.
When you make him a guilt offering,
he will see his seed, he will prolong his days,
and by his hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished.
11 After his anguish,
he will see light and be satisfied.
By his knowledge,
my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will carry their iniquities.
12 Therefore, I will give him the many as a portion,
and he will receive the mighty as spoil,
because he willingly submitted to death,
and was counted among the rebels;
yet he bore the sin of many
and interceded for the rebels.

Original Intent

1) Who is Isaiah describing in these verses and what event is he foretelling?
It is important to note this section of Scripture actually begins in Isaiah 52:13-15 and continues in Isaiah 53. Isaiah, through divine inspiration from God’s Holy Spirit, provides an incredible picture of the promised Savior, Jesus Christ. Isaiah paints a picture unlike anywhere else in Scripture of what Christ would endure as He took upon the sins of the world in all of His innocence. These verses describe the mission Jesus came to accomplish in dying sinless in order to offer rescue to sinners.

2) Why is there a comparison to a sheep in verse 7?

The reference to a sheep, or lamb, would have been a familiar one for Isaiah’s Israelite audience. From the first sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, God has required the shedding of innocent blood for atonement. Genesis 3:21 describes how God made garments of skins to clothe Adam and Eve. He sacrificed the first animal and innocent blood was shed, as He made clothing to cover their shame. Later, God called Abraham to sacrifice His son, Isaac, and at the last moment God provided a ram for the sacrifice instead. (Genesis 22) During the plagues in Egypt, the final plague required an innocent lamb’s blood to be shed. This blood was to be painted on the doorposts, allowing the angel of death to pass over their homes sparing the life of the eldest son. (Exodus 11-12) During the days of the temple, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement, and presented blood from an animal sacrifice to atone for the sins of the Israelites, a practice established in Leviticus 16:11-14. Isaiah uses language familiar to his audience to tell of a day coming when animal sacrifices would no longer be needed. There would be a day when the perfect, final sacrifice would come in the form of the promised Messiah. He would take the place of the innocent animal sacrifice; He would be led to slaughter for all sins.

3) What is the beautiful promise made in verse 11?
These verses are filled with an incredible promise. The Israelites likely didn’t grasp the entirety of this promise as they lived centuries before its fulfillment. However, Isaiah tells of a time that would indeed come when the promised Messiah would fulfill what God had put into action in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:15) Isaiah tells of a coming time when Jesus would take the sins of  the world upon Himself and exchange them for glorious salvation and restoration for His people through the work only He could accomplish. Isaiah tells of the Suffering Servant who would “justify many” (verse 11); this is the hope-filled promise Isaiah describes! Through Isaiah, God promises that one day, animal sacrifice would no longer be necessary because the final price would be paid in full. At that time, all who choose to accept His sacrifice would finally be justified before the Holy God because their sin would be paid for in Jesus.

Everyday Application

1) Who is Isaiah describing in these verses and what event is he foretelling?

Isaiah, hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, describes Jesus for us with vivid imagery of all He would endure as He took my sins and yours to the cross where He would die in our place. Because of our sin, we deserve death and eternal separation from God. We are utterly incapable of becoming righteous on our own; our sin is too great, so we are stuck in eternal death. But Jesus, in magnificent love, took the punishment we deserved and offers us His righteousness in place of our sin, if we are willing to trust Him. None of us are deserving of this gift! God chose to lay all our guilt for all of our sin on Jesus as He went to the cross for us. (Isaiah 53:6) Isaiah’s words in these verses lead us to a new understanding of exactly what Jesus did for you, me, our neighbor across the street and across the world, all those years ago. As we read Isaiah’s God-inspired prophecy, we can sense the anguish Christ lovingly chose to endure for all of us so we might be in right relationship with Him.

2) Why is there a comparison to a sheep in verse 7?
Atonement for sin has always required bloodshed. Since Adam and Eve first sinned in the garden, God has required innocent blood for those sins, but He has also faithfully provided a way for sin to be atoned. Even the Old Testament sacrificial system of bloodshed from an innocent animal was given by God as a grace gift. During Passover in Egypt, God provided lamb’s blood to spare lives, painting a clear picture of His provision that would one day come as Jesus poured out His blood in exchange for our eternal souls. We have the privilege of living on the other side of Isaiah’s prophecy foretelling a coming Messiah because Jesus has already fulfilled this promise. We are no longer called to sacrifice an animal to present as atonement for our sins. Jesus became flesh and offered Himself as the perfect Lamb who sacrificed Himself for all sins of all people on the cross. He willingly went to the cross of suffering although He was innocent. We have been given the opportunity to receive the gift of salvation because of the incredible sacrifice of Jesus’ life as He became the final, perfect sacrifice to atone for all sins. (1 John 2:2)

 

3) What is the beautiful promise made in verse 11?
“This verse tells of the enormous family of believers who will become righteous, not by their own works, but by the Messiah’s great work on the cross”. (NLT Study Bible) There is nothing you or I can do to be justified and become righteous on our own, but Christ willingly carried our iniquities to the cross, taking our punishment and, in return, providing us with His righteousness and forgiveness. He did what we could never do on our own account and permanently intercedes for us. This means, in Jesus, every one of our sins, past, present, and future, has already been paid for in full by the perfectly innocent Lamb of God! What an incredibly beautiful promise! When we choose to accept the gift of forgiveness and salvation offered to us in Christ, we agree to turn from our sin and are fully washed by the blood of Christ, becoming a new creation and part of the family of God forever!

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

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 Worship VII 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.

Sketched VIII Day 10 Tamar & Judah

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 38
Matthew 1:1-16
Isaiah 30:18-22

Sketched VIII, Day 10

“Judah has chosen you to marry his son, Er!”

“Papa!” my disgust was as thick as the outrage in my voice.

I’d always been too outspoken, and Mama’s quick glare reminded me I’d spoken out of turn, again.

“Tamar!” My mother clicked her tongue and added reprovingly, “Judah is one of the twelve sons of Jacob; you should be honored! Covenant promises with Yahweh surround his family.”

I whirled to face her. My family was well-accustomed to my vigorous debates, and this was one I would not lose. “You know Judah’s reputation! I don’t care a whit whether he’s Jacob’s son, that man has a wandering eye for any woman with a pulse!”

“Well, Tamar, you’re marrying Er, not Judah. That’s final!”

“Papa! No! It’s not fair!” My shrill voice drew the glances of passersby.

Papa responded with tender grace, “Tamar, I love you. You are important and precious, and Yahweh will use you for His work.” He reached out to touch my cheek. “My fiery girl, I adore you. Er has no idea what he’s in for.” He winked and took his seat to bless our meal.

I smiled at the memory. I loved Papa dearly, and he had loved me for who I was. I grieved every day he was gone, but also breathed a prayer of thanks he never had to witness the obscenity that was my marriage to Er.

Er was spiteful and addicted to many things: alcohol, women, and anger . . . but mostly, himself. Whatever Er wanted, he got, until finally, the Lord mercifully answered my pleas for safety. Er was killed by the Lord’s hand.
Truly, the Lord is a God of justice.

In accordance with the Lord’s law, Judah gave me to his next son, Onan.

“Onan.” I spat out his name like a curse. Onan was devious, passive aggressive, and manipulative. Where Er had beaten me with his fists, Onan cut my heart with his words and insidious deception. The death trap of marriage to Judah’s sons was stifling.

My only hope was to bear a child. Even one son would bring purpose to my suffering. Please, Lord, please, I whispered all day and through the watches of the night, grant your daughter redemption.

My situation felt hopeless. Onan only had sex with me for his own pleasure, pulling out at the last moment so I couldn’t conceive. Yet, I knew Yahweh saw all. I clung to my God of justice, waiting.

Mercifully, the Lord did see Onan’s treachery, and He hated it. By Yahweh’s hand, Onan was also put to death. Two dead husbands, a heart damaged enough for a lifetime, and all hope was dashed.

Still, Yahweh was and always would be just, even if I couldn’t see it. There remained Judah’s youngest son, Shelah. I would be close to the end of my child-bearing years by the time Shelah was old enough to marry, but Judah, with some semblance of honor, promised me Shelah if I returned home and waited for him.

Mama. Sweet mama. I nestled my head against her aging shoulder, wrapping my arms around her. “Tamar, my girl, I love you. You are important and precious. Yahweh will use you for His work.” Despite my pride, tears flowed down my cheeks into my mother’s silvery hair. Such faith! Lord, look upon Your daughter! Extend Your just arm!

Shelah’s coming of age came and went. Weeks turned to months as I waited, sure the Lord heard my pleas, but Judah never fulfilled his promise. Word had it, he blamed me for the deaths of his other two sons.

Angry, I cried out to the Lord. Where is your justice, Yahweh?! Have you not seen me waiting, oppressed, and broken all these years?! I have trusted You, haven’t I?!

“Tamar, Judah is heading to Timnah to shear his sheep.” My friend’s bit of information lit a match within me and hope sparked to life. My plan was devious, yes, but I was too angry to care. Yahweh had given Judah the responsibility of protecting and caring for me, yet he shirked his duties. Now was the time for action.

My heart raced as I removed my widow’s clothing, and hurried to the outskirts of Timnah where Judah would pass. Dressed as a prostitute, I was counting on old Judah to be as scandalous as always. I was not disappointed, for moments later, he asked for my services.

I would not be taken advantage of this time. “Give me your signet, your cord, and your staff from your hand as pledge of your payment.” Greedy Judah readily agreed and the deed was done. We both went on our way, Judah to shear his sheep, and me to plead with Yahweh for mercy.

Three months later, Judah’s baby was 12 weeks along.
The Lord had heard! Evidence of His justice fluttered in my womb.

Proof of His abundant kindness washed over me when I safely delivered two sons a few months later. As I held their tiny bodies close, tears streamed from my eyes. The Lord was righteous! Perez and Zerah were proof!

But when the community heard of my sons’ birth, they cried out for my death as an adulteress. As they dragged me to the place of judgement, I clenched Judah’s signet, cord, and staff, calling out for their owner to claim his items, and his sons.

The blood drained from Judah’s face as he put the fragmented pieces together.
I held my breath.

Would the Lord bring justice?

Judah stepped forward, raising a shaking voice,
“She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her my son, Shelah.”

I trembled, in shock at Judah’s confession and in awe of the Lord’s justice.
I would live and raise my boys in peace!

Hundreds of years later, Yahweh further unfolded a plan Tamar wouldn’t know until she reached Heaven: Perez and Zerah are listed in the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord is faithful and just; His righteousness knows no limits. God used a woman of fierce bravery, fighting through difficult circumstances, to usher in the One who would bring justice and righteousness to all people through His death and resurrection. Never doubt, dear sister, the Lord sees, and knows, and fights for you!

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

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

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Here Day 10 Simeon

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Isaiah 52:13-53:1
Luke 2:22-35
Isaiah 25:1-9

Here, Day 10

Though I often stumble as I amble because I am an old man,
today I could run like the youth and fly like an eagle. (Isaiah 40:31)

I have seen the salvation of my people!
He came in flesh, wrapped in linen, carried by a virgin.
Oh, the miraculous grace of my Lord!
Oh, His kindness that He gave sight to my faith.
Oh, the wonder of how this baby will save my people and more than I can imagine.
Oh, the heartache his mother will bear, his father will not be able to spare her from.

I endured a fitful night of sleep, woke early, and felt I must go to the temple right away as the Spirit led me. As I watched precious parents parade into the temple with lambs, or turtledoves and pigeons for those of meager means, I spotted Him and my heart quickened as God’s Spirit moved within me, opening my eyes to see His Promised One.

I stood for a few moments, taking in the scene before me. So long have I waited. So long have I prayed. Shamefully I recall my doubt when the years stretched on without answer. Yet, despite my doubt, the Lord has proven faithful. Tears stream unabashedly down my beard as my eyes drank in the long-awaited sight of the Messiah.
His mother so attentive to His cry, His father so attentive to His mother, and I marveled at the miracle of it all.

The Messiah!
How many have waited for this day right along with me, and yet, as I looked around at the crowd, my heart broke with agony.
They do not know! The ONE we have waited generations for is here, in our midst! Yet, they carry on. Oh Lord, make them see, I breathed.

The priest accepted their offering, 2 turtledoves, the offering marked out for the poorest of the poor. (Leviticus 12:8) Emotion flooded me as I realized Yahweh’s powerful grandeur lay before me wrapped in peasant flesh. Here. He was here with us.

And suddenly, overwhelmed by the Spirit, I moved forward with eyes only for the small, poor, sacred family of three as they left the altar. I approached, gently inquiring if I might prophesy over their child. They eagerly handed Him over as though they knew already what I was going to say. Had they been visited, too? Did they know Whose tiny fingers gripped theirs? Did they see how the One who held all things together was now being held by them? Unfathomable!

Nevertheless, I took this boy, just eight days old, raised him in the air and proclaimed by the Spirit,
Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have
seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples—a light for
revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.

I returned the boy to His parents, having held the Author of Life in my hands. Though my tongue had now stilled from the Spirit’s work, my heart continued in prayer as my soul lifted to heights I’d never experienced.
The wait was over, Hope was here!

Yes, this baby will bring joy, peace, and salvation, but His life will also perplex, anger, and confuse others. He will not rise on the accolades of all, nor fall from the targeted anger of those He offends, but He will live out His destiny.

And now I have lived out mine.
You promised, my God, that my faith would be given sight. You promised I would see Your Salvation.
You promised I would see the Messiah.
You promised, and though it felt like I might have misheard you at times for the longing of it, and the waiting for it, You have kept your promise. You have kept Your word.
You are faithful!

Here I am, an old man fulfilled in your kept word.
Here I am, a man whose life has been devoted wholly to you, satisfied and finding it all worth it.
The questioning, the doubting, the mocking at times by my own?
All worth it.
You kept your word.
You are worthy. 

For those who have yet to experience You and Your faithfulness,
may Your grace be upon them. 

For sweet Mary, whose heart will near break in two at the fulfillment of your word,
may Your grace be upon her. 

For Joseph, just a man called to raise the Son of Man,
may Your grace be upon him.

For all those who will question the life of this baby, the far-reaching grace of His life,
may Your grace be upon them to believe.

For those who will be questioned in their belief because they do not fit the mold of your Promised people,
may Your grace be upon them to persevere in hope.

For those who will condemn and betray this Messiah because He is not who they want Him to be, may Your grace be upon their souls. 

Have mercy, dear God, upon all
just as You have had mercy on me. 

And, now, I am at peace.
However much longer my days, I know a peace that nothing can pierce for my hope has been realized. Give this peace to all who may look upon the eyes and life of this baby and hope as I have, now, and for all time to come.  Amen!

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Relentless Day 6 Faith or Fear?

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Judges 6:11-18
Lamentations 3:21-26
1 Corinthians 1:26-30

“Thanks for coming for the interview yesterday. We’d like to offer you the job.”

As I stood with the phone to my ear, letting the words sink in, all I could think was there must be some mistake. Surely, they weren’t seriously offering me the job!

Doubts and insecurities flooded my mind. As much as I wanted this job as a school’s worker with a Christian charity, I didn’t feel capable. I was too inexperienced, too lacking in confidence, definitely not good enough to even consider this. Although I wanted the job, the chances of being selected had seemed so small, I’d really only gone to the interview for the experience.

Plus, I’d been dealing with some difficult things lately. There was no way I felt strong enough to take this on right now. All too conscious of my weakness, I was sure they could have found someone better.

I imagine Gideon’s feelings may have been similar when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. Cowering at the bottom of a winepress, threshing wheat, hiding from the Midianites who had destroyed the Israelites’ crops and reduced them to starvation, he wasn’t exactly a picture of strength.

When the words, “valiant warrior” are uttered, I picture him looking round in bewilderment to see who the angel is addressing, not thinking for a moment that the greeting is intended for him.

What’s more, the angel announces that God is with him! Gideon has little confidence in either part of this greeting. He struggles to see beyond his fear and his weakness to consider himself a “valiant warrior,” while also finding the idea of God being with him difficult to believe. After all, the Israelites’ oppression at the hands of the Midianites has been going on for seven long years. By this point, Gideon is worn down and out of hope. He can’t help but blurt out his honest question:

“If the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?”  (Judges 6:13)

Don’t we all ask similar questions at times?

Whether it’s a significant time of tragedy or loss, a situation where our hope and hard work give way to disappointment, or simply a day when the pressures and frustrations of life seem to mount up, it’s easy to question where God is and why He has allowed these things to happen.

Maybe, like Gideon, we have tried to hold on to God’s promises and the ways we have seen or heard of His power in the past, but, when we look at our current situation, we feel abandoned. The idea of God having a good plan for us can seem hard to believe.

It’s reassuring that God doesn’t rebuke Gideon for asking this question, but neither does He provide an explanation.

Judges 6:14 provides an intriguing twist: “the Lord turned to him.” As He calls Gideon to go forward in the strength he has and lead Israel to victory over the Midianites, it seems Gideon suddenly realises he is not merely talking to an angel, but God Himself.

God’s response to Gideon’s question is not to answer, but to draw close and reveal Himself. He shows Gideon He has not abandoned him, but that, even in the midst of the suffering and oppression, He is right there with him.

As God continues to speak, we see His relentless love both towards the Israelite nation and towards Gideon as an individual. By this point, the Israelites have been spiralling round in a self-destructive cycle of sin for several years. God has forgiven them time and time again, yet still they continue to turn away. It would have been understandable for Him to have rejected them, but instead He remains committed to the rescue.

The manner in which He chooses to effect that rescue is through Gideon, even in his weakness. Despite Gideon’s doubts and hesitation, his lack of confidence, and his fear, God’s commitment to His plan for Gideon is relentless. Gideon still doesn’t understand, and he continues to question his ability and seek reassurance, but despite this he is called to move forward and to step out in faith.

Gideon is faced with an important choice: follow God, or follow his fears.

As I considered my unexpected job offer, I had a similar decision to make. When I looked at myself, I felt inadequate and ill-equipped, but then I remembered my many prayers that God would let the right person get the job, and in the end, I knew my reasons for hesitating were due to fear. Instead, I knew I had to step forward in faith, trusting that God had answered my prayer, that He would be with me and help me, and that His strength would be enough.

As I did so, I saw His relentless faithfulness in providing all I needed and leading me into a place where I could serve Him and flourish. As I look back, twelve years later, still happily involved in the same ministry, I’m grateful He enabled me to choose faith over fear and as God used me even in my weakness!

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Kaleidoscope Day 3 The Kindness Of Love

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 13:4-9
Galatians 5:22-26
Proverbs 21:21

Kaleidoscope, Day 3

When was the last time someone was kind to you?
How did it make you feel?

Webster’s dictionary states that kind, as an adjective, is defined as:
“having a sympathetic nature, gentle,
characterized by sympathy or forbearance;
to give pleasure or relief, affectionate”.

In 1 John 4:8, the Bible defines God, at the very core of His essence, as:
Love

Love finds its multi-faceted definition in 1 Corinthians 13, and tucked in verse 4, this love flowing from the heart of God is kind.

The thread of God’s loving kindness is woven throughout the Bible. When I think of love being described this way, I can’t help but be moved to tears by the examples to our biblical ancestors and to us each and every day.
Journey with me and see what I mean….

In the Old Testament
In the Garden of Eden at the dawn of creation, God used His own hands to carve out our frame rather than speak us into existence as He had for every other act of creation.
How gentle and sympathetic of Him to put a personal touch on mankind.

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
Genesis 2:7

It was love that initiated our creation, but it was kindness that drew our Creator close!
The intimacy that was intentionally and immediately established in that sacred moment, planted within us a deep connection to and with God.

The kindness shown here was just the beginning of a love story that would span multiple generations and beyond.

In the New Testament
It’s one of my favorite stories precisely because it displayed Jesus’ unfathomable kindness. There was the woman brought to Jesus because she’d been literally caught in the act of adultery in John 8:1-11.

Her accusers were bent on using her as a way to trap Jesus in a philosophical and theological debate, but Jesus knew their hearts.
Rather than engage her accusers, Jesus addressed the woman who was desperate for love. This woman, embarrassed and full of shame, stood before Him exposed.

Jesus spoke to her, not with condemnation for her past, but with love. He acted with a kindness she had likely never experienced without strings attached.
Her forgiveness and freedom were delivered through the kindness of Jesus, as He removed the weight of condemnation she was crushed beneath before weighty stones sentenced her to death. Praise God for Jesus’ kindness!

At the Cross
The cross was kindness personified. Here was the culmination of a promise made long ago in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15) to restore mankind to a right relationship with God by forever crushing the head of the enemy, Satan. We were crafted for Eden as sons and daughters of God, but because of sin, the connection we had with the Father was broken (Isaiah 59:2).

But the kind heart of God is for us!
Before sin entered, a plan was already in place.

While we were in the midst of our sin, Jesus endured the cross.
I love how the Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA) version of Romans 5:8-9 describes this phenomenon, “But God commendeth his charity towards us; because when as yet we were sinners, according to the time, Christ died for us…”

And guess what friends? That word charity?
You guessed it; it’s a synonym for kindness.

In My Life
I have countless examples of the kindness of God in my life, but my educational journey is just one such example. I am finishing up a doctoral degree, while in the throes of “wife-ing”, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and other interests.

To say I am busy is an extreme understatement. But here’s the thing, friends.
I have seen God’s kindness!
Through various professors, peers, dissertation committee members, and my overall institution His kindness has been made known in ways that have truly blown my mind.

Extensions for papers, last-minute revisions of policies from which I have benefited, scholarships, etc. I know the kindness of my God because I have experienced it!
I can look back and see an unbroken thread of tender, loving-kindness serving as both the foundation of and structure to this process of growth for me.

Be Ye Kind
In being kind, we are exhibiting the very likeness of God through His character at work in us. We are admonished in Ephesians 4:32 to be kind and compassionate, just like God.

You may or may not be able to relate specifically to my testimony, but I know I’m not alone in witnessing the kindness of God in my life. If you look back or even around, I’m sure you too can identify a pattern of Divine kindness at work.

Just take a moment to do so, right now.
What areas of your life come to mind?
How can you, in turn, show this loving kindness of God to others?
To whom will you be kind as you mimic the Savior?!

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The GT Weekend! Awaken Week 1

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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) Vulnerable transparency is at the core of Gracefully Truthful. If we can’t be honest with ourselves, how could we possibly be honest before the Lord God who knows us intimately? But honesty costs us something precious, our pride. We all have those places we’d rather stay in control of, even if they are failing miserably. What’s yours? What if you turned that ache into a prayer for mercy to your Maker?

2) Go back and read Day 3, Awakening The Desperate, and make a list of areas in your own life where you feel you are reaching the “Land of Desperate”. What would it look like to surrender those places into the hands of the One who seeks after your heart? After making your list, sit in a quiet place and hold open your hands, praying as you release those areas to the Lord and spend some time dwelling on Psalm 16.

3) Do you ever struggle with feeling like your prayers don’t matter? Do you catch yourself wondering if God even listens or cares about the details of your life? These are temptations in disguise, subtly shifting our perspective from the truth of God and His character to feeling sorry for ourselves. The practiced discipline of steadfastly choosing to worship despite how we feel is something to grow up into as we become more like Christ. Choose a visual reminder (maybe draw on your mirror with a marker or use our lockscreen for your phone) to help you remember to steadfastly choose to worship the Lord this weekend.

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 Psalm 16:7-8 back to the Lord and let His Spirit speak to you through it!

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Prayer Journal
Ah Lord, how sweet it is to sit here in Your presence! Lord, the places of my heart that hold shadows of fear, doubt, anxiety, and pain…Jesus, You know them well. Give me Your treasured counsel, instruct my heart in these lonely places, teaching me trust and depend on You alone. Help me turn to Your voice instead of the taunting voices of my own insecurities.

I know with my eyes focused on You and the safe refuge of Your shelter, my life will not be shaken despite the circumstances that may swirl around me, ever shifting. Teach me to anchor my heart here with You, Lord. How I love Your Word and Your presence! I bless Your Name for your goodness towards me. Awaken me with Your love!

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Glimmers Day 13 Hope In The Manger: 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!
Check out Hope In A Manger!

The Questions

1) What is this registration and why is it important?

2) Who is this baby lying in a manger?

3) What do we learn from shepherds being the first to learn of this baby’s birth?

Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!

15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

Original Intent

1) What is this registration and why is it important?
The registration Luke writes about is a census for tax purposes. The Roman Emperor called for this census, requiring everyone to travel back to their hometown.  Joseph came from the line of David and therefore he and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem (the City of David). Mary was nine months pregnant and about to deliver her son, which is important because through this specific travelling, God places Mary and Joseph exactly where they needed to be in order for prophecies regarding Jesus’ birth to be fulfilled. Micah 5:2 declares the Messiah will come out of Bethlehem. 2 Samuel 7:12-13 says the Messiah will come from the line of David. Through this census, God shows the Israelites, who would have known these prophecies, this baby is the baby who has been promised.

2) Who is this baby lying in a manger?
In the narrative of Christ’s birth Luke never mentions the name of the baby born. In verse 11 Luke does tell readers the baby is “The Messiah, the Lord”, but He is not specifically named. Luke provides other basic details of the birth and tells of the announcement to the shepherds and their visit to the manger, but never His name. We must look further in the narrative to discover ‘this baby’ is Jesus. In Luke 2:21 Jesus is named on His eighth day according to Jewish custom. This baby is the long-awaited Messiah God had been promising to His people for generations. After 400 years of silence from God, He is finally heard from again in the form of a baby crying in a manger.

3) What do we learn from shepherds being the first to learn of this baby’s birth?
After 400 years of silence a baby cries and God is heard again. However, God first announced this miracle to shepherds in a field. God chooses a group of people who are probably the most unlikely group imaginable to announce His Son’s birth.
Luke doesn’t provide much information about these shepherds, but we know the angels visit them and they are afraid. Their fear quickly changes to action as they visit and worship this baby in a manger. Immediately, they left their sheep traveling to find this baby, their Messiah, and worship Him.

Everyday Application

1) What is this registration and why is it important?
This registration (census) is the means by which God divinely moved Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in order to fulfill the prophecies that told of the Messiah’s coming. God will take any steps necessary in order to accomplish His will. From the beginning, God knew humanity would need a Savior, a Messiah (a promised coming deliverer). God foretold of Christ’s coming so when He arrived, the Israelites would recognize Him as the One who had been Promised. I am certain this trip was anything but comfortable for Mary, yet God took her on it to accomplish His plan. For believers today, God spares no expense to fulfill His ultimate plan and purpose in our lives. We can rest assured knowing that God will use all situations and circumstances we journey through to accomplish His ultimate plan of restoring humanity to Himself just as He did with Mary.

2) Who is this baby lying in a manger?
This baby lying in the manger is the long-awaited Messiah God promised to His people for generations. Today, believers are God’s people, therefore this is the Messiah or Savior we need. Jesus is the answer to sin, He is the answer God promised at the fall to redeem His creation to Himself. This baby is God Himself who chose to put on human flesh for us. We cannot leave Him in the manger though. This baby grew up, lived a perfect life, performed many miracles, and then chose to take on the punishment for every sin of every person taking them to the Cross and bearing the consequence for those sins… death. He then conquered Death and the grave providing redemption from our sin and eternal hope for all who place their trust in Him alone. If we leave Jesus as a baby in the manger, we fail to see the entire picture of who this baby truly is… our everyday Savior!

3) What do we learn from shepherds being the first to learn of this baby’s birth?
The most unlikely group of people first heard of the birth of the Messiah. One would probably expect God to announce His Son to the royal or religious leaders, but instead He chooses to announce His Son’s birth to shepherds in a field. This isn’t a massive amount of people but a few lowly shepherds. Jesus didn’t come only for the rich and royal or the religious leaders, but for all. No matter who we are, where we come from, or what we have done, the gift of Jesus’ birth is for us. The shepherds immediately leave their sheep to seek out Jesus and worship Him. This is the response God is looking for. He came for all, but simply wants those who are willing to set aside everything and worship Him. He will accept you into His family no matter who your circumstance or your past baggage, as long as you are willing to open your life to Him to full worship through surrender!

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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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