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Shofar Day 7 Dear Believers In Pergamum: Digging Deeper

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Shofar Day 7 Dear Believers In Pergamum: Digging Deeper

Rebecca Adams

January 27, 2026

Desperate,Forgiven,Glory,Hope,Humility,Mercy

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

This DD Connects With "Dear Believers In Pergamum"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Peter 2:1-3

There were indeed false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.

2 Many will follow their depraved ways, and the way of truth will be maligned because of them. 3 They will exploit you in their greed with made-up stories. Their condemnation, pronounced long ago, is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Is James speaking to a specific twelve tribes?

James addresses his letter to the twelve tribes dispersed “abroad”, meaning the original twelve tribes no longer physically existed in one location in Israel. They have been dispersed or scattered over time.

The term “twelve tribes dispersed abroad“ was a description for the regathered and spiritually renewed Israel God was building. This included all who were genuine Christ-followers regardless of their bloodline, whether Jew or Gentile. (Matthew 19:28, Revelation 7:4-8, Revelation 21:12)

In his letter, James is writing to Jewish believers, God-fearing Jews from every nation. These devout Jews came to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost, heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, became converts, and returned to their places of residency. Those who stayed in Jerusalem were persecuted and driven away after the death of Stephen. (Acts 8:1, Acts 11:19) (Kistemaker)

While there is no indication James is specifically referring to Gentile Christians, nevertheless his message speaks to them as well.

The Everyday Application

1) Is James speaking to a specific twelve tribes?

The letter is addressed to the twelve tribes for the purpose of identifying the readers as Jewish. They were not residents of Palestine, but scattered among the nations. James’ letter is intended for those who are “Believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (D. Burdick)

It can feel like we are pretty far-removed from the days when James’ letter would have arrived on fresh parchment. Our persecution is likely nowhere near what the believers in Jerusalem were experiencing. But, we can be encouraged that, regardless of time in history or the fact that many of us read James’ letter on a pixelated screen instead of parchment, God has preserved His timeless message for all believers. 

His Word is living and active, not bound by a historic period of time or the suffering of persecution. Take time to dwell deeply with His Word today and find it fresh and rich as the Spirit awakens truth to your heart!

The Original Intent

2) Do trials today have a purpose?

The word “trial”, translated from its original Greek “peirasmos” has two basic meanings in the New Testament.  Either it can refer to the inner enticement to sin, the sins we commit in our hearts and minds which “plunge us into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy  6:9), or it can refer to external afflictions, particularly persecution of the physical body. (1 Peter 4:12) (D.J. Moo)

In James 1:2-4, the context points to “trials” as referring to persecution. Trials are common to all people, as well as the specific adversities Christians face as a result of their faith. Such trials can include illness, financial strain, or social and economic persecution.
God uses trials as a means of testing and refining the believer.

As a result, God sanctifies us, shaping our hearts and lives to better reflect Christ as He perfects our faith. In 1 Peter 1:6-7, the result of this testing process will be the genuineness of our faith. Or we could say trials are a refining fire, maturing our faith as we “grow up” to maturity in Christ. (Isaiah 48:10)

James wanted to encourage the believers that suffering is the means by which faith, tested in the fires of adversity, can be purified and strengthened. Steadfastness in trusting God is the outcome of the testing process of trials of all kinds. This deep trust is a quality necessary as Christians face adversity, temptation, and persecution in our daily walk of faith.

The Everyday Application

2) Do trials today have a purpose?

James exhorts us “to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of all kinds.” (verse 2) The testing of our faith will develop perseverance. No trial is wasted in God’s economy! “Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing”. (James 1:3-4) Trials are essential to our growth as Christians, driving us to maturity and total dependence on God, which is His heart’s desire that we would trust Him just as a small child trusts entirely upon his or her parent.

Testing of our faith is vital, though painful! Will our faith persevere? Will it withstand the test? If our faith is genuine, and not rooted in ourselves but rather, anchored in the Lord God, testing through trial and suffering will develop perseverance in our faith.

Do we have the patience to endure and tenacity to remain faithful to Christ and His call on our lives? Will we choose Christ over all else?

Barclay explains, “It is not the patience that passively endures, instead, it is the quality that enables us to stand on our feet and face the storm. It is in the struggle against difficulty and opposition that spiritual stamina is developed.”

The next trial you encounter, big or small, choose dependence on Christ and withstand the test. This isn’t founded in your ability to be strong, it is the Spirit of the Lord strengthening you! (James 1:5-8) God gives wisdom and enables us to avoid the paths of wickedness and choose righteousness instead. 

When we ask for wisdom to face trials, ask in faith, for even in the ask we have the opportunity to grow in our trust of the Savior. Our faith must be more than just words and rituals. To believe is to be confident that God will give what is requested in His perfect time and in alignment with His perfect will.

The Original Intent

3) JOY …What is it? 

Webster defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, good fortune, or by the prospect of possessing what one desires”. “Christian joy”, John Piper writes, “is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as He causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the Word and in the world”.

So, what is JOY? This three-letter word packs a powerhouse of meaning for the Christian. Our ultimate example of JOY is Jesus who laid down His life for us, enduring the cross and scorning its shame that we might be restored and redeemed, brought back to a place of unity and sweet fellowship with God. (Hebrews 12:2) God finds JOY in bringing about our atonement, our return to Him, and our sin being forgiven.

For believers, trials and persecutions are occasions for JOY, not because we “enjoy the pain”, but because even in the pain, we know and trust the heart of the God who gave Himself to rescue us. Peter and John found their time of physical scourging and suffering as cause to rejoice “because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name”. (Acts 5:41) There is no joy apart from Christ and the sweetness of knowing Him and studying His Word.

Without Christ, suffering is not a means to anything. But with Christ, suffering becomes a conduit through which we can better learn and trust the heart of God, this brings JOY.

As we live out this joy, regardless of our circumstance, we are marked as belonging to God’s kingdom, which is described as “righteousness, peace, and JOY in the Holy Spirit.“ (Romans 14:17) Fellowship with Jesus brings continuous joy, NO MATTER WHAT! 🙂

The Everyday Application

3) JOY…What is it?

JOY is an AMAZING miraculous benefit of knowing Christ as Savior and reading His Word. God’s benevolent character is unchanging, His goodness towards those who trust Him will never be thwarted or shift away. No, suffering is not pleasant and this kind of joy is not the same “happy feeling” we have in enjoying material things such as a birthday gift or a great vacation, but God is still good.

When my oldest was in her high school years, she had a shirt with the acronym F.R.O.G. on it. That acronym had a powerful impact on me, so much that I remember it well today. During those years, I struggled deeply; everyday seemed to carry difficulties between work and home. My trust in God and my expectations of myself were out of rhythm with God’s design; joy was hard to find. I would cry out to the Lord, and I knew He heard me because He gave me the strength to persevere.

Gradually, the Lord shifted my heart. Life wasn’t about me, but about God. As I served and worshipped Him alone, He brought me joy. F.R.O.G. had struck a chord in my heart and soul because I was learning to F….fully R….relying O….on G….God
GOD SAW ME THROUGH EVERYDAY. HE ALONE GAVE ME JOY! 

So, I can proclaim, He is good all the time!
As each day passes in my life on earth, the sweeter and more amazing my walk with the Father becomes. WHY? Because as I have walked through fire, the Lord has renewed my soul, and I have found the goodness of the Lord!

Don’t be afraid to walk through your everyday trials, the Lord will grow your faith beyond your wildest imagination! God is not done with you, He is molding you, refining you, and shaping you into the image of Christ!

As believers, when our lives are done on earth and we are taken into the arms of Jesus, oh what a glorious day that will be! Dwell on the joy of knowing the Lord and sweetly treasuring His Word; let the JOY of what is yet to come fill you!

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Shofar, Day 6
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Like Sin City, Pergamum was also steeped in depravity. Besides housing several temples for different idols, Pergamum’s leaders also commanded worship of their emperor.

This posed a major problem for Christians. Still, Jesus praised them because, despite their great suffering, the church in Pergamum held fast and continued to worship God alone.

Their faithfulness didn’t wane even when Antipas was martyred.
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Sketched XII, Day 15 Empty To Full: Digging Deeper

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Sketched XII, Day 15 Empty To Full: Digging Deeper

Melodye Reeves

May 3, 2024

Love,Relationship,Relentless,Repent,Return,Sacrifice

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 "Empty To Full"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Chronicles 30:1-7

Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh to come to the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem to observe the Passover of the Lord, the God of Israel. 2 For the king and his officials and the entire congregation in Jerusalem decided to observe the Passover of the Lord in the second month, 3 because they were not able to observe it at the appropriate time. Not enough of the priests had consecrated themselves, and the people hadn’t been gathered together in Jerusalem. 4 The proposal pleased the king and the congregation, 5 so they affirmed the proposal and spread the message throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba to Dan, to come to observe the Passover of the Lord, the God of Israel in Jerusalem, for they hadn’t observed it often, as prescribed.

6 So the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the hand of the king and his officials, and according to the king’s command, saying, “Israelites, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel so that he may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped the grasp of the kings of Assyria.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What was the purpose of Hezekiah’s message to Judah and Israel? (verse 1)
At the time of this writing, the kingdom of Judah had been ruled in its most recent years by the extremely vile King Ahaz. (2 Kings 16:1-4) As a godless ruler, he had shut down worship in the temple. But the Lord God, in His mercy, allowed Hezekiah (Hebrew Ychizqiyah = “Jehovah has made strong”) to reign after his father. The Lord God protected Hezekiah from the wicked example of Ahaz and taught Hezekiah to live up to his name by trusting Jehovah, the One True God.

Being a righteous and humble king (2 Kings 18:5-7), one of the first things Hezekiah did was to restore worship in the temple. (2 Chronicles 29:1-3) As part of that restorative process, he reinstated the Passover celebration. (Exodus 12:1-16) Through proclamation and written letters, the king invited the remnant of the Northern tribes of Israel to join with the people of Judah in celebration. 

[Sidenote: The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh represent the northern kingdom as a whole. (Hosea 4:16-17) At this time in history, Israel was split between North and South kingdoms.]  

Although the Northern Kingdom had been captured (2 Kings 17:6-7), Hezekiah extended an invitation to those inhabitants left behind by the Assyrians. It is unthinkable that the people of Israel, by neglecting the Passover observation, had ceased to habitually remember what the Lord had done for them. It had been instituted by God to be a reminder of their intimate relationship with Him.

As we will discover in the following verses, the people had become all too accustomed to neglecting the things of the Lord. King Hezekiah genuinely desired for the Israelites to rededicate themselves to Yahweh. He was putting action to his desire by extending a call for all of Israel to come to the temple in Jerusalem, to worship, and to “re–remember”!

The Everyday Application

2) Why had the observance of Passover been neglected for so long? (verses 2-5)

How could the people have forgotten to remember those firstborn children who survived as the Angel of Death passed over the homes with blood-covered doorposts? (Exodus 12:13-14) How could they not rehearse how God had delivered them from the slavery of Egypt?

Friend, maybe as you consider their forgetfulness, you’re cringing as I am. We know how it can happen, don’t we? All too often I find myself rehearsing my complaints rather than my blessings. As I do this, I become more and more convinced that God hasn’t really done that much for me. My worship of Him becomes stale as my passion dwindles.

Lord, may this not be! How could I spend so much time in this place of forgetfulness when You have done so much for me?!

By His grace, God convicts my heart to recall His faithful mercy. As I come to Him, the grace FLOWS in! I sing with psalmist of His goodness, kindness, and blessing. (Psalm 103) Can you remember His goodness to you today? If there’s nothing else that comes to mind, you can thank Him for the salvation He has provided us through His Son.

Maybe you think it’s been too long, and He won’t receive you.  Oh, His grace is FOR you right now. Even if you’re only able to whisper it, just start humming and the song of worship will come.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.

The invitation to come to Him is for all of us, sweet Friend. And there’s no cost to us. Just come to Him! (Revelation 22:17)

The Original Intent

3) How did the officials and congregation respond to the Hezekiah’s request? (verse 6)

We are told in verses 4-5 that the people of Jerusalem responded to the reinstating of Passover observance with affirmation and action. Hezekiah and his officials came together to call the people to respond with repentance and remembrance.

The news of the celebration spread “from Beersheba to Dan”, which was a figurative way of referring to all of Israel, including the southern and northern extents. (verse 5) The couriers (haratzim: “runners” who formed a portion of the king’s body-guard) spread the word, “Israelites, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel […].” (verse 6)

Hezekiah sought to bring revival to the land by calling the people together. (Psalm 80, Isaiah 58) Maybe the king recalled God’s response to the prayer of his ancestor King Solomon, “[If] my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 6 and 7)

Hezekiah was reminding the remaining Israelites of God’s promise to the humble and while giving a history lesson within his invitation. The God to whom they were to return is THE God of their rich heritage, the One of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Genesis 35:9-15) Hezekiah appeals to their understanding of God by calling on them to remember.

In the next verses, we see his desire to persuade them with reasons. In verse 9, the mercy of God is proclaimed, which was such a mercy that existed even in their case of sinful forgetfulness! Shouldn’t they realize they are but a remnant left from the devastation at the hands of the Assyrians?! “Could anything be expressed more pathetically, more movingly? Could there be a better cause, or could it be better pleaded?” (Matthew Henry)

The Everyday Application

2) What significance might we find in Jesus using the rich man’s thoughts (intentions) in the parable? (verses 17-19)

I haven’t found in Scripture a hardcore atheist in the philosophical sense. Many of the pagans didn’t know anything about the one true God. Others believed there was a God, but they did not follow Him. Most thought of God as a distant deity with the idea that “There is no God here.”

The crowd of people could likely relate to the sin of the rich man who was living for himself just as we can. He didn’t see people and he didn’t see God. He talked to himself about himself. The man who interrupted Jesus seems to be the exact same way. He wanted Jesus to fix a problem he had. His heart wasn’t in tune with Jesus’ mindset or mission.

My Sister, I don’t want to lose sight of what God is saying to me, nor do I want to miss the people around me to whom I should minister or witness. Jesus’ story was about a man who hoarded his grain. That grain would be a great resource for the people around him. By stashing it away, this man was not a life-giver. Ironically, he lost his own life.

Jesus said of Himself, “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35) We don’t need to store up earthly treasures for ourselves because we have Jesus! We don’t want to spend all we have on ourselves because others need Jesus, too.

It is a tragedy when people think this life is all there is. But even more tragic is when we know there’s another life, but we spend all our time and resources investing only in this one!

Friend, Jesus asks us to hold our earthly possessions loosely so we can have freedom to carry people to Him.

The Original Intent

3) How did the officials and congregation respond to the Hezekiah’s request? (verse 6)

We are told in verses 4-5 that the people of Jerusalem responded to the reinstating of Passover observance with affirmation and action. Hezekiah and his officials came together to call the people to respond with repentance and remembrance.

The news of the celebration spread “from Beersheba to Dan”, which was a figurative way of referring to all of Israel, including the southern and northern extents. (verse 5) The couriers (haratzim: “runners” who formed a portion of the king’s body-guard) spread the word, “Israelites, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel […].” (verse 6)

Hezekiah sought to bring revival to the land by calling the people together. (Psalm 80, Isaiah 58) Maybe the king recalled God’s response to the prayer of his ancestor King Solomon, “[If] my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 6 and 7)

Hezekiah was reminding the remaining Israelites of God’s promise to the humble and while giving a history lesson within his invitation. The God to whom they were to return is THE God of their rich heritage, the One of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Genesis 35:9-15) Hezekiah appeals to their understanding of God by calling on them to remember.

In the next verses, we see his desire to persuade them with reasons. In verse 9, the mercy of God is proclaimed, which was such a mercy that existed even in their case of sinful forgetfulness! Shouldn’t they realize they are but a remnant left from the devastation at the hands of the Assyrians?! “Could anything be expressed more pathetically, more movingly? Could there be a better cause, or could it be better pleaded?” (Matthew Henry)

The Everyday Application

3) How did the officials and congregation respond to the Hezekiah’s request? (verse 6)

What a beautiful restoration awaits those who respond to the Father’s invitation. The irony in Israel’s history is seen in the way their disobedience continued to reveal God’s heart of never-ending mercy. (Lamentations 3:21-24) In Malachi 3:7, God called His people to come back to Him, once again demonstrating His desire for them to remember what they had experienced in His presence.

Oh Sister, don’t you love that God won’t let us forget for too long? He will keep pursuing us with His goodness and mercy. (Psalm 23:5-6) We only need to turn around and see Him there and remember Who it is that has rescued and kept us. I’ve experienced times of genuine revival in my own life which have produced so much blessing that my lingering doubts about God’s love are diminished. It’s for our good that we come near the Lord. We then can taste and see His goodness. (Psalm 73:26-28, Psalm 34:8)

I am forever grateful our good Father draws us back with enduring kindness just as He called to Israelites, “Return to the Lord … that He may return to you”. (Zechariah 1:3) Of course, it is so much better if we never forget, but, Sister, we can begin to re–remember right now! The invitation to the celebration and remembrance of His goodness is open now. All we need is to come in humble confession and prayer. (2 Chronicles 7:13-15, 1 John 1:9)

“In short, it is a time … to remember what God has done in the past and to infuse the present with hope for a future life of well-being and communion with God.” (Graham, M. Patrick, “Setting the Heart to Seek God” Worship and the Hebrew Bible)

Listen in to “Re-surrender” and ask the Lord for revival to grow within you!

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idol,love,Remember,Return,worship
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Sketched XII, Day 15
Journey Study

The first year hadn’t been so bad.
But year one turned into five.
Then ten.

Each Passover, I still pictured small children running around our feet and playing on Zechariah during story time.

He faithfully recounted those stories of our freedom each year, but they fell on my ears alone.

Those dreamy boys and girls now looked more like ghosts in my head, like fragments of a quickly fading dream.
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Sketched XII, Day 15 Empty To Full

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Sketched XII, Day 15 Empty To Full

Katelyn Palmer

May 3, 2024

Alive,Deliver,Forgiven,Freedom,Hope,Life,Rescue,Sketched

Read His Words Before Ours!

Exodus 7
Exodus 12
Luke 1:5-25
Luke 1:57-64
Lamentations 3:19-33

Elizabeth’s Story
It was my favorite time of year; Passover. 

As a young girl, I loved listening to my father recount the stories of God rescuing our people from slavery in Egypt. God’s merciful patience toward Pharaoh was clearly seen as He sent plague after plague warning him to free us. (Exodus 7) Yet, Pharaoh’s refusal to worship Yahweh came at a high price. 

The Passover meal was our opportunity to offer worship to the Lord
who had been, and still was,
faithful and loving to His people. (Exodus 12)

This particular Passover year marked my first with my new husband, Zechariah! As he prepared our single lamb according to Yahweh’s ancient instruction, I dreamed of years to come and a table overflowing with children.

My heart swelled to think of Zechariah teaching our future sons to prepare the meat. I could see him bouncing our future daughter playfully while telling our children the same stories our fathers had told us going back thousands of generations. 

Several decades later…
The first year hadn’t been so bad. 
But year one turned into five.
Then ten.

Each Passover, I still pictured small children running around our feet and playing on Zechariah during story time. He faithfully recounted those stories each year, but they fell on my ears alone. Those dreamy boys and girls now looked more like ghosts in my head, like fragments of a quickly fading dream.

Though my dreams dissolved, Zechariah, meanwhile, never faltered in his priestly duties. When he came home at night, tired from carrying the weight of our people in the name of the Lord, he didn’t falter in loving me well. Sometimes he held me while I wept. Sometimes he prayed with me when I couldn’t muster the faith to speak. Sometimes we sang our favorite psalms together. Always he led me, reminding me the Lord’s ways are greater than our own. Zechariah insisted we would not stop praising His name. Inside the shelter of his faith, my own faith was beginning to flourish.

Zechariah’s Story
I just simply couldn’t believe. 

I never meant to doubt Him. I’m a dedicated priest; I love serving the Lord!
Yet we are so old, how could Elizabeth and I possibly conceive after living so long with an empty womb? I’d long accepted my lot was to forgo a heritage of physical sons, instead investing in the sons of Israel as priest.

But, clearly, having received a consequence for lack of faith, somewhere along the way, I had excluded Yahweh from my plans. Perhaps bitterness even stained my lost dreams. I sighed heavily, I knew the Lord was right  to remove my physical voice, for my spiritual one had ceased its zealous veneration for the Holy One.

I had given up the deep places of faith in view of my loss, preferring facades and the shallow end of “trust” over deep waters of surrender. It insulated my heart from feeling pain while carrying out priestly motions.   

My heart raced at Elizabeth’s certain joy! I would gladly give up my voice the rest of my days to make her happy, but I knew something had shifted for my wife in recent years. She no longer relied on me for joy and comfort; she had knit herself in faith to Yahweh.

As her body aged, her faith, once floundering, took root as we practiced worshiping together. She was coming alive, despite grief. I shook my head, deeply gripped, for I knew an exchange had taken place in me as well. Where she worshiped and trusted in surrender, I held back, quietly stowing my bitterness, letting my lips form words I no longer believed.

No more, I determined. If the Lord returned my voice, I would use it to speak of His eternal goodness. (Psalm 136)

Forgiveness washed over rough edges inside as I lifted my eyes toward home. I was without a voice, but I was being made new. 

Elizabeth’s Story
I thought Zechariah might topple over from how hard I wrapped my arms around his neck when he told me the news! We would have a baby! A boy named John who was set apart for God’s work. Praise the Lord! Yahweh is faithful! My heart overflows. 

I was already on the roof of our home with my knees on a pillow and my face to the floor in thankful prayer before Zechariah could even right himself.

This was Yahweh’s doing and for all my days, I would give Him praise. My heart’s dreams, though painful for many years, had been surrendered as faith grew from praise. The Lord’s goodness was not determined by circumstance. Empty house or full, He was my portion! (Lamentations 3:24)

Several months later…
“Lord,” I whispered into the morning. “You have surpassed my wildest dreams. You always have a plan and have never once forgotten us. We worship You today as we did yesterday and as we did when we were just kids, preparing a lamb for our first Passover. The more we know You, the deeper our praise!

You are a loving God, faithful to Your people, despite how it may appear. You have prepared my heart to give my son back to You with open hands; You have formed John for Your glory! You knew his little heart would one day beat for Your purposes. We praise You, Yahweh, for You hold all things together. Bless this Passover meal as we look to You for all things. Amen!”

Fearful to Hopeful
A cardboard testimony from the author

I have always been one to worry about the “what ifs” in life. As a child, I worried about every step I took, and all the ones I might take. To this day, I struggle with anxiety and fear, but Christ has given me a place to lay down those fears and anxieties when they grow too heavy for my shoulders.

Like Elizabeth’s story, He unwraps my fears when I choose worship.
(Philippians 4:4-7)

He reminds me He holds all things together and, in gratitude and obedience, He offers freedom from fear. Whatever life holds, I know He will one day welcome me into eternal life by His side. May my lips ever praise Him! (Psalm 34:1-3) 

 

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Sketched XII, Day 15
Digging Deeper

Sister, God can use one person fully committed to Him to bring about needed spiritual reform among His people.

Are you called to be a voice for revival within your family or church?
Are you willing to be used by God to invite people back to the table of worship?

Let’s not wait on someone else to draw us back to God.

Friend, I’m praying that He’ll use US to be the catalyst for revival in our circles.
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April 15 - May 3, 2024 - Journey Theme #131

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Pause VII Day 14 Repeated Refrain

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Pause VII Day 14 Repeated Refrain

Rebecca Adams

February 8, 2024

Adoring,Captivating,Dwell,Glory,Heart

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 46:10-11

10 “Stop fighting, and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
11 The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Selah
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There’s something powerful about a song, isn’t there?
Think about the ones you’ve listened to recently, the ones that seem to get to your heart the quickest.

Yesterday, while working, Ellie Holcomb started singing in my ear about lullabies she’d sung before her baby was born and how her heart had never stopped singing no matter how old her baby grew or how far from home she roamed. (Mine by Ellie Holcomb) I went from composed and efficient to scrolling old photos of my babies while tears gathered. I ended up sending a text to my little girl, now two decades removed from the days of lullabies, reminding her of my love for her.

The power of a song was intentionally handcrafted by the Author of music because He knew it would be a potent method for ministering truth to our needy hearts. He knew we would need refrains to ring in our hearts to bind us to back to Him and motivate us to action, which is precisely why such a large number of psalms have repeated refrains within them.

The strongest example of this is found in Psalm 136. It’s beautiful! I won’t unpack it here but go read it later. Soak in the repeated refrains for they were meant to totally saturate your soul!

Have you already spotted the repeated refrain in Psalm 46?

It was first sung following the reality statement around current events. Nothing appears stable or trustworthy politically or culturally. The songwriter anchors our hearts with the refrain he would later repeat in hopes we wouldn’t forget it when times were tumultuous.

“The LORD of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (verse 7)

Go ahead and repeat it now out loud or in your mind. The more say it, the more rhythmic it becomes as you notice the similarity of sounds while emphasizing different syllables.

Next, it’s repeated following the Lord’s command to “Be still and know” Him for He alone is the Victorious God who will make all wars cease, who holds all power and dominion, and whose fame and glory will be known throughout the earth. He Rules.

“The LORD of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (verse 11)

The nation of Israel preserved their history, and these songs, on scrolls, but the work was tedious and most couldn’t read it nor had access to the scrolls, so it was passed down orally. Mothers sang over their children, papas repeated refrains while sowing seed with sons or slaves. These refrains were sewn into their hearts meant as anchors to tie them to truth so that when the “mountains were moved to the heart of the sea”, they would remember,
“The LORD of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (verse 7)

As you meditate on the refrain of Psalm 46 and its implications for you today, remember the Author of the Song who longs to pull you closer to Him through His songs of deliverance! (Psalm 32:7)

Today's Pause Challenge

1) Be a scribe and copy the precious words of Scripture down word for word. Make space in your journal to write out Psalm 46:10-11 twice. We all need a refrain to sing in our day, and the Lord has truth to sing over you!

2) Lookup these cross-references from verse 10 and journal your fresh insights.
“Be Still” – Exodus 14:13, “I will be exalted” – Isaiah 2:11, 17, Isaiah 33:10 How do these two ideas connect with each other? How might they impact you today?

3) Keep working on memorizing Psalm 46:8-11 as you review Psalm 46:1-7!

Close by reading Psalm 46
(as a prayer of praise to God for Who He has shown Himself to be!)
God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
2 Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
3 though its water roars and foams
and the mountains quake with its turmoil.
Selah

4 There is a river—
its streams delight the city of God,
the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
5 God is within her; she will not be toppled.
God will help her when the morning dawns.
6 Nations rage, kingdoms topple;
the earth melts when he lifts his voice.
7 The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Selah

8 Come, see the works of the Lord,
who brings devastation on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease throughout the earth.
He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces;
he sets wagons ablaze.
10 “Stop fighting, and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
11 The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Selah

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adore,hope,Remember,worship
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Journey Into Pause VI!

Stop.
Stop forgetting who our God is. Stop pausing our awe of Him. He is worthy of our ceasing so we will stand in reverential awe of Him.

Know.
After we stop, we know. We give God His rightful place as the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe for whom nothing is impossible. (Luke 1:37) It’s when we stop, standing still in the presence of our wonderful God, we enter into knowing that He is able.
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Sketched XI Day 14 Unpopular Justice: Digging Deeper

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Sketched XI Day 14 Unpopular Justice: Digging Deeper

Melodye Reeves

July 6, 2023

Christ,Digging Deeper,Grace,Mercy,Paul

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 "Unpopular Justice"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Deuteronomy 32:1-9

“Pay attention, heavens, and I will speak; listen, earth, to the words of my mouth. 2 Let my teaching fall like rain and my word settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass and showers on tender plants. 3 For I will proclaim the Lord's name. Declare the greatness of our God! 4 The Rock-His work is perfect; all His ways are entirely just. A faithful God, without prejudice, He is righteous and true.

5 His people have acted corruptly toward Him; this is their defect-they are not His children but a devious and crooked generation. 6 Is this how you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn't He your Father and Creator? Didn't He make you and sustain you? 7 Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will teach you.

8 When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance and divided the human race, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the people of Israel. 9 But the Lord's portion is His people, Jacob, His own inheritance.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What does God’s continual interaction with Moses reveal about His character? (verses 1-4)

As his time on earth was ending, Moses obediently arranged for his departure. (Exodus 33:17-23) Commonly called “The Song of Moses,” its lyrics were given by God to Moses (Deuteronomy 31:19-22, 30) for the people to sing as a reminder of their God-authored history. It was a song delivered in the presence of all creation (verses 1-2) to remind the people of God’s continued faithful ways in contrast to their continued rebellious ways. (Isaiah 25:1)

Moses’ own sin resulted in him coming only to the border of the Promised Land. (Deuteronomy 34:4) His unrestrained frustration had revealed a deficiency in his reverence for God’s holiness and justice. Even as a man of great faith, Moses had demonstrated a lack of trust in God’s revealed character. (Exodus 34:5-10, Numbers 27:12-14) Though it had been a learning process for him, Moses now vividly sees that the name of the Lord should be honored. God’s name represents His essence! (verses 3-4)

Earlier in his life as a shepherd, Moses had been tending his flock when he guided them toward Mount Horeb (Sinai) and met the LORD there. (Exodus 3:1-8) This location would take a prominent place in Israel’s history. (Psalm 68, Judges 5:1-5, 1 Kings 8:9, 1 Kings 9:8-12, Acts 7:29-38) From then on, Moses would come into the Lord’s presence and learn the significance of the Lord’s name.

After he received “The Ten Words”, Moses came down from the presence of God only to find the people had rebelled, breaking the first and second commandments. In anger, he smashed the tablets the Lord had given, but God again showed His compassionate character by declaring His great name to Moses. (Exodus 33:17-23)

So as it is, Moses has now learned to fully and sincerely sing, “The Lord’s name is great … perfect … just … faithful … righteous and true!” (verses 3-4) This is who He is!

The Everyday Application

1) What does God’s continual interaction with Moses reveal about His character? (verses 1-4)

There are at least two more songs Moses wrote. One is recorded in Exodus 15:1-21 after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, and the other is found in Psalm 90. I imagine whenever Moses rehearsed his own story, he went way back to that day. (Exodus 3:4-6)

Surely he recalled the fear he experienced in that unexpected moment as he was simply tending sheep. But Friend, I believe he also remembered the awe and wonder he felt. The God of the universe had come to Moses.

The Israelites usually missed the value of God’s nearness, responding instead by complaining or rebelling. They refused to believe God by trusting His character. They rejected His mercy, believing they didn’t need Him. Oh Sister, I feel their pain! I tend to trust what I perceive or assume instead of what God has clearly revealed about Himself. HE IS our salvation and hope!

At Mt Sinai (Mt Horeb), God gave the Law with its guidelines and promises. Moses would not understand how God, in Christ, would Himself one day suffer the consequences of His laws being broken. Though Moses had wrongly struck the rock in anger, it is our God – the Rock – who would strike death, and Himself be stung in the process. (Isaiah 53:1-6)

The Son was struck not by the rod of Moses, but by the Father’s rod of wrath concerning sin. It is our unchanging Rock who perfectly completed the work of redemption and satisfied the justice of God. (Romans 9:30-33, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

Sweet Sister, as a result of this, we have been given, not the promised land of Israel but a promised life with God! God’s love lasts forever!!

The Original Intent

2) How had God’s children, the nation of Israel, acted in the wilderness toward God? (verses 5-6)

God’s instruction to Moses and His people had repeatedly pointed to a God who was close and interactive! “The Lord God spoke to us…”. (Exodus 19:9-11) But Moses and the Israelite people underestimated the consequences of allowing themselves to tolerate a rebellious and critical spirit.

At the rock where they received water (Exodus 17:1-7, Numbers 20:3-13, Psalm 95:8-9), the people demonstrated their distrust of God by complaining about their circumstances and criticizing God. Then Moses demonstrated his distrust of God by misrepresenting Him, choosing instead to unnecessarily lecture the people with harshness.

“Moses misrepresented God by acting as if God needed him to provide water for the people … angrily striking the rock twice, instead of just speaking to the rock as God had, told him to.” (enduringword.com) In verses 5-6, however, we notice that Moses has gained a little perspective. He knows God is loyal and true while so many of the people are not. (Deuteronomy 7:7-12)

The Hebrew for “defect” in verse 5 indicates “Israel’s major fault was its failure to act like God’s people; in fact, they acted quite the contrary.” (bible.org) Knowing what he knows, and what they know, Moses calls into question their rebellion and foolishness. (verse 6)

Did they not remember who made them? (Isaiah 45:18) It had been about 400 years since Joseph’s brothers promised to bury his bones in the Promised Land. Had they not heard how God had been faithful to Joseph and would be faithful to them? (Joshua 24:31-32)

Had not all the people been together to see the mighty works of God in how He had delivered them, provided for them, guided them and been so patient with them? (Acts 7:17-45) Moses is appalled at their continued unbelief!

The Everyday Application

2) How had God’s children, the nation of Israel, acted in the wilderness toward God? (verses 5-6)

Simply put, the people had forgotten. Remembering God is an essential disciplined practice of our faith! The Old Testament uses a form of the word “remember” over 200 times. (blueletterbible.org) The prophet Jeremiah summarized the condition of the defiant Israelites, “My people have forgotten Me.” (Jeremiah 18:13-23)

What an indictment on those to whom the Lord has revealed Himself. Maybe you are like me, friend, and the ‘sin of forgetfulness’ creeps up on you. By God’s grace, let’s strive to be like the saints of old mentioned in Hebrews 11 who had come to know Yahweh’s character by believing Him.

Jesus told His disciples to “remember” His sacrifice, and Paul urged his fellow believers toward that practice of remembering. (Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:17-26) Sister, we can discover the character of God as we remember the triumph of grace (Romans 5:18-21) through His perfect justice, and as we revere the Lord’s name as the great I AM who created you and me.

He loves us and wants to rescue us from the consequence of our sin, which is eternal death. (Colossians 1:13-20) Let’s heed the warning and remember God’s mercy. Let’s sing it together!

You’re our creator, our life sustainer –
deliverer, our comfort, our joy.
Throughout the ages, You’ve been our shelter – our peace in the midst of the storm.

With signs and wonders,
You’ve shown Your power.
With precious blood,
You showed us Your grace.
You’ve been our helper, our liberator –
the giver of life with no end.

When we walk through life’s darkest valleys, we will look back at all You have done.
And we will shout, our God is good, and He is the faithful One!

We will remember, we will remember, we will remember the works of Your hands.
We will stop and give you praise, for great is Thy faithfulness!
(We Will Remember by Tommy Walker)

The Original Intent

3) What does Moses call the people to do as a response to his testimony about God? (verses 7-9)

Moses makes one last appeal to the people before his death in verses 7-9. He calls on the people to REMEMBER! In verse 6, Moses questioned how they could forget what they had seen and heard. The love of God had always been on display for His people. In verse 7, Moses refers them to their parents and grandparents if they couldn’t come up with the answers.

If it was anything at all, God’s love was a proven love! His faithful love was evidenced by the many times God had repeated it to the wilderness-wandering children of Israel. I emphasize again: God IS love! (Exodus 34:6-7) God is abounding in faithful love. He is daily maintaining faithful love. God’s love is FOREVER lasting. God had centered the Law around this reality of love. (Exodus 20:3-6)

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God said of His people, “I have loved you with an everlasting love”. (Jeremiah 31:2-3) The Lord’s portion in verse 9 refers to His beloved people, those He most highly values. We find the same thought in Exodus 19:4-6, “Now if you will carefully listen to Me and keep My covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples.”

The New King James Version translates the phrase as “His peculiar treasure.” The Hebrew noun segullah, which means a special possession, conveyed how Israel was to stand in a place of privilege simply because God picked them. It wasn’t for anything they’d ever do, that’s for sure!

This scene in Deuteronomy 31:28-30 is stunning and Moses can’t help but remember it. He also realizes he only has a little time left on earth to convince them to remember the two most important things 1) Whose they are as the Lord’s portion and 2) What they have; an inheritance! (verse 9)

The Everyday Application

3) What does Moses call the people to do as a response to his testimony about God? (verses 7-9)

Sister, how should we respond to the challenge from Moses to remember? Let’s do so by reflecting on Peter’s words to those “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit.” If you’re a true believer in Jesus, that’s you and me, the “chosen” ones!

I can’t improve on Peter’s encouragement and invitation, let’s read and reflect on it together, allowing it to remind us to remember the Lord!

“So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.
Cry out for this nourishment now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but He was chosen by God for great honor.

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are His holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, ‘I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.’

Yes, you who trust Him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject Him … they stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.

Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” (1 Peter 2:1-10, NLT)

Let’s all practice remembering the truth of who God is!

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grace,justice,mercy,Remember
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Sketched XI, Day 13
Journey Study

“Ahab’s death is near”, I finally managed to speak after several minutes of heavy, silent walking.

Elisha’s arm stopped my forward momentum as he turned hard eyes on me, “It will be dishonorable, won’t it?”.

I closed my eyes against the scene the Lord had given me of dog’s licking up Ahab’s blood. (1 Kings 21:19) He was intended to be Israel’s king, leading us to worship Yahweh, but instead his death would be a mockery just as his life had been.
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Surrender Day 9 Image Unfiltered: Digging Deeper

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Surrender Day 9 Image Unfiltered: Digging Deeper

Mandy Farmer

February 2, 2023

Anchored,Covenant,Forgiven,Healing,Heart

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 "Image Unfiltered"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 3:22-30

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went to the Judean countryside, where he spent time with them and baptized.

23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were coming and being baptized, 24 since John had not yet been thrown into prison.

25 Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a Jew about purification. 26 So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing—and everyone is going to him.”

27 John responded, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus go to the countryside and baptize? (verse 22)

John’s gospel was written for the purpose of revealing the Son of God to mankind. By this point in chapter 3, Jesus had performed His first miracle and been baptized by John revealing Jesus’ identity as the Father’s Beloved Son.

Jesus had overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple and chosen His twelve disciples. Word was quickly spreading about Him and a stir was created among the religious elite, one of whom was Nicodemus, who covertly met Jesus at night with questions. He wanted to be sure of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. This story of Jesus has become a cornerstone of Scripture.

It’s a great place to point people to Jesus as He self-identifies as the Son of God. Much had happened in a short time for Jesus, and a quiet place to rest was needed; though He was fully God, He was also fully human. He needed a chance to build a bond with His disciples. Moving into the countryside would have provided this opportunity. Here Jesus’ disciples began baptizing under Jesus’ authority (John 4:1-2) to confirm and validate baptism as an outward necessary identifier of following Jesus. Baptism was a symbol of repentance John used, and Jesus’ disciples followed suit under Christ’s authority.

The Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus go to the countryside and baptize? (verse 22)

Just as Jesus escaped the busy demands of life and ministry for solitude and reflection, it is vitally important for us to find those quiet times, especially after an important public event or big expenditure of physical, emotional, and mental resources. The greater the expenditure of ourselves, the more important for us to get away to reflect. There is always a “down” after a “high” and we must take care not to allow Satan to neither pull us into depression nor elevate us into thinking how “great we are”.

We must take time to reflect on the work God has done, giving Him the glory for the work, and allowing Him to refuel us. Because we are human, we simply need time to rest. God provided this example from the beginning of time when He rested from His work on the seventh day. Concerning baptism, it is much like when Joshua set up stones of remembrance. Joshua’s stones of remembrance are just one monument in a series of memorials commemorating the mighty acts of God on behalf of the people of Israel. Explore these other memorials!

Passover (Exodus 13:3–6); Receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:4); Crossing The Jordan River (Deuteronomy 27:1–8); Possessing the Land of Canaan and God’s Covenant (Joshua 22:9–12; Joshua 24:24–28); Victory at Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:12). To everyone else, the stones were just a heap of rubble, but to the people of God, they were a constant reminder that Yahweh was a personal and powerful God, working wonders on behalf of His people. (gotquestions.org)

Believers in Jesus are baptized to make a public statement of our faith and a reminder for us that we have covenanted to serve the Lord. Do you remember that day?

The Original Intent

2) Why were John’s disciples concerned about purification and Jesus baptizing? (verse 25)

The Scriptures first introduced the ritual of purification in Exodus 30:17-21. This Mosaic law commanded the priests to cleanse themselves before entering the tent of meeting or approaching the altar. When John introduced baptism as a means of marking oneself out as a follower of God, it was not at all strange. But the terrain changed after Jesus was baptized, was identified as the Son of God, and His disciples also began baptizing. This concerned John’s disciples because Jesus was drawing greater crowds than John and discussions arose about whose baptism was better, John’s or Jesus’. John quickly put a stop to this discussion because he knew his ministry was intentionally ending while Jesus’ ministry was beginning.

John was the forerunner of Christ; meaning he was only meant to prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry. John fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy as “A voice of one crying out…” (Isaiah 40:3) John was overjoyed for this transition because it evidenced his job was complete. He had accomplished what God ordained for him to do, Preach Jesus! The Believer’s Bible Commentary mentions that when Paul came to Ephesus and spoke with the believers there, they raised the question of baptism. (Acts 19:1-6) “When the apostle raised the question of baptism, he found out that these men knew only about John’s baptism. In other words, the extent of their knowledge was that the Messiah was at hand, and they had signified their repentance by baptism as a necessary preparation for receiving Him as King. They did not know that Christ had died, had been buried, and had risen from the dead and ascended back to heaven, and that He had sent the Holy Spirit. 

Paul explained all this to them. He reminded them that when John baptized with the baptism of repentance, he urged them to believe … on Christ Jesus.” (William McDonald, The Believer’s Bible Commentary)

The Everyday Application

2) Why were John’s disciples concerned about purification and Jesus baptizing? (verse 25)

At first glance, this verse about purification seemed out of context to me. I had simplified the sacrament of baptism to a public proclamation of our salvation, which it is, but I did not connect it with the Old Testament concept of purification. So, what does water baptism represent? Let’s look a little deeper.

When a person is baptized by water, they are immersed or “covered over” with water. Water baptism represents the complete washing away of our sins. Immersion into the water represents death to our sins; our old way of living life is buried. When we rise from the water, it represents that just as Christ was raised, we, too, are raised from death into new life. (Romans 6:3-4) (Guzik, Enduring Word)

John’s baptism was for repentance, preparing the way to trust Christ for full salvation. Jesus’ baptism was for salvation and new life. This new life begins when the Holy Spirit enters our hearts and lives (baptism by His fire) as we confess Him as our Savior and repent of our sin. Water washes us clean, but dirt (sin) can return, and we need to wash again. This was the case for everyone up to the death and resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Fire (the Spirit of God) burns away sin and makes us pure (like gold or silver), accomplishing what water alone cannot. (1 Peter 1:3-9) The Holy Spirit then gives “us everything required for life and godliness”. (2 Peter 1:3)

The Original Intent

3) Why would John say, “He must increase, and I must decrease”? (verse 30)

John the Baptist understood it was good for him to become less visible and known in order for Jesus to become more visible and known. 

He recognized it was time for his ministry to lessen and Jesus’ ministry to flourish. John did not quit his work at this time, but he desired that everything he did pointed to Jesus, the pinnacle of his life’s work. He knew God had ordained his life to prepare others for Jesus, and he delighted in this! (David Guzik, Enduring Word)

The Everyday Application

3) Why would John say, “He must increase, and I must decrease”? (verse 30)

John the Baptist exemplifies for us it is possible to be popular and successful while still humble. He is a true example of humility for us.

In 2015, John 3:30 was my theme verse accompanying my word of the year (One Word), “Less”. The Lord gave me this word to prepare me for what was to come. I was dealing with chronic illness and slowly realizing I needed to give up increasingly more of my leadership roles.

So many things became less in our lives right down to Michael’s pastoral position, losing our place to live, having to downsize our lives, losing salary and benefits which led to no money in the bank account. God had prepared us to live “less” by the sustenance of His humility and grace. Becoming less is a characteristic meant to apply to all who claim to follow Christ, especially as we relate to each other within the church.

In our shared ministry, Michael and I often trained up people to go on and do greater things than us. We were thrilled to witness this! We have seen this in small churches, as well. We called them “sending churches”. They never rose above 75 people, but so many preachers, missionaries, and leaders came to these churches, found the Lord and moved on to do remarkable things.

This is the “significance of purpose” John the Baptist embraced, and we find delight when we do the same; humility is key to the Christian’s satisfying life.

Tags :
Confession,forgiveness,Remember,victory
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Surrender Day 8 Journey Study

When Jesus came into the world, He brought His light to shine in the darkness. (John 1:1-5) He didn’t need to “create a persona” because He is the image of the living invisible God. (Colossians 1:15-16) Real beauty. The perverse dark world, blinded by its sin, shrieks at the light and beauty of Jesus.

We are pressured to conform to a worldly concept of shiny perfection, with all of our messy parts hidden.
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The GT Weekend! ~ Questions 2 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) One of the most prevalent questions in our shared human experience is, “What is the meaning of life?”. We have found many different ways to answer this question on our own terms, but Monday’s Journey Study brought us face-to-face with one of the most common false answers and also with the truth. Many people think that getting the most pleasure out of life is what “it’s all about”, but God tells us glorifying Him and remaining in close relationship with Him is the only path to true fulfillment. How have you regarded fun and pleasure in your own life? Have you placed the false promise of pleasure above your need for relationship with God? If I’m honest, I frequently choose pleasure over relationship with God. While it is not wrong to find pleasure in our lives, when pleasure becomes a stumbling block to following Christ, we must make a choice. Will we follow God’s will or the siren call of “fun?”  Write down two ways you can choose to forego a pleasure that is tripping you up and choose to glorify God instead. This may look like fasting from social media for a time or giving up a certain TV show that is fun, but not glorifying to God. Ask God to show you where you can bring Him the most glory.

2) You may have heard it said that all religions are basically the same. They all boil down to the idea that if you are a good person and do good things, you will go to heaven when you die. Contrary to this common belief, the astonishing truth is following Christ means acknowledging you cannot be a good person or do enough good things to get to Heaven. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. On Wednesday, we saw how believing in Jesus and receiving His grace is the only way for us to be saved. Have we taken the time to really reflect on the wonder of this truth? God’s grace doesn’t depend on our ability to “be good.” God lavishes His grace on us even when we least deserve it. Sister, do you believe that? Or have you been burning the candle at both ends working to try to earn God’s favor? If you believe in the work Jesus did for you on the cross, you can take time today to rest in Him. Thank Him that His work is enough and find comfort in knowing you are secure in His grace.

3) Have your conversations with God ever felt one-sided? You sit down to pray, asking God for your deepest heart-felt desires and then… nothing. All is quiet. You wonder why you even bothered to try. Then as time goes by, you keep bringing your requests before Him, asking Him to do as He promised. And one day, your prayers are answered. Maybe not the way you had thought they would be, but God proved Himself faithful in the end. I have many stories of times I had all but given up on God answering my prayers, and yet, He has never failed me. If you don’t have any stories of answered prayers, I would challenge you to go back and look at past prayers. Look for the ways God has been working in your life. If you don’t have any prayers to look back on, start today. Write down your requests and your prayers to God. Then eagerly look to see how He answers them. When you see how God works in your life through your prayers, write down what you observe and thank Him for His faithfulness. Remember the truth that God gives good gifts to His children, and glorify Him when He shows up for you!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Ephesians 1:3-8 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.

Prayer Journal
Praise the Lord! Praise His holy name forever! You, oh Lord, give meaning to our lives. You make a way for us to behold Your goodness. You hear our prayers. Forgive me Lord for the ways I have neglected to glorify You in my life. Forgive me for the ways I have chosen pleasure and comfort over Your good plan for my life. Help me to identify the idols in my heart that draw me away from You. Thank You that I do not need to earn Your grace, but that while I was yet a sinner, You gave your life for me. Help me to treasure the gift You have given me and to share it eagerly with others. Most of all, I thank You for hearing my prayers and giving me just what I need, even when I do not know how to ask.  Forgive me for my neglect of prayer and my disregard for Your faithful answers. Help my heart to be attuned to the wonder of Your glorious answers to my prayers. .Help me to say, “the Lord has helped me to this point!”

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Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Reveal day 13 We Have This Hope

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 71
Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
1 Peter 1:3-7

Reveal, Day 13

Wars and rumors of wars . . . that is our life these days. One king after another has slaughtered us, starved us, kept us in confusion, unsure of the truth. Unsure of whom to trust.

At a loss, I try to remember the reassurances of my grandmother. “Remember Yahweh’s words,” she would say. “Listen for the prophets.”

But even Grandmother knew the prophets were long dead.

Their words of promise, of hope, are a distant, fading memory. A King to save us? That’s what they all say. Hundreds of years later, there is still no salvation from the bare existence we scratch out day . . . after day . . . after day.

They used to talk about David’s line, his descendants. From his family would come a new King, a Messiah. Ha! David’s line has not been seated on the throne for generations.

What good is Yahweh’s word when it simply isn’t?

It seems no one mentions Yahweh anymore. Not even a whisper.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My father has taken to reading the Torah and the writings of David again. Pulling dusty scrolls from forgotten back shelves, he reads aloud Psalm 130 and Psalm 131.

Hope.
Yahweh.
“Wait on the Lord.”
I can’t see it. But if it makes him feel better, I will listen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tikvah. HOPE. Why are people suddenly talking about this?
Today at the well, one woman was even singing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AND THEN IN THE HEAVENLIES —

“Now. It’s time.”

To the Earth below, there appeared a star, shining brighter than all others in the sky, and the sound of a baby’s first breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have you ever had a falling out with someone and not heard from her again?

I’ve been there.

What if you relied on someone to coach you, to give you good counsel, warn you of unwise plans on your part . . . but then suddenly she drops out of touch, just stops communicating with you?

How do you sit with that silence?

Israel sat in silence for 400 years. Generation after generation. An entire nation depended on hearing God’s voice, either directly or more typically, through His prophets, those He called to be His mouthpiece. Whether the prophets delivered words of encouragement and salvation, or chastisement and judgment, at least Israel heard from God.

But then came those 400 years of silence. As if Jehovah, God, locked tight the door of heaven. Silent.

It wasn’t as if they experienced 400 years of prosperity, of great economic growth and health, and stopped pursuing Him. No, they still had their cycles of corrupt governments, of wars, of pestilence.

Of hopelessness.

Maybe after so long without hearing from God, they simply gave up.

After being invaded and taken over by the world power of Rome and living under strict authoritarian rule, they wanted rescue. They wanted to hope in a King, a ruler who would come in like a warrior, defeat the Roman tyrannical rule, and bring prosperity and safety.

Have you ever felt that hopeless, that desperate?
Have you ever felt like God has left you, or you wonder if He was even there at all?

Even in the desperation, the questions, the loneliness, we can have hope.

We have hope in Christ, our God-made-flesh Who came to Earth and was born of a virgin.

Fast forward 30 years. Messiah begins His ministry of Hope. Not as the warrior or ruler Israel thought they wanted, but as a Savior, a Rescuer, and the Hope they needed.

He promised life abundant and life everlasting.
But like Israel, when we are in a hopeless situation, we can’t always see His promises.
We know we want out and want out now.
We want the answer to our hopelessness to be tangible. But it isn’t always.

Having faith in God, putting our hope in Jesus Christ, means trusting in the intangible. (Romans 8:24-25)

And yet, that intangible Hope is a very real anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:19)

We no longer need to strive within ourselves. We are free to admit we need something beyond ourselves; we need a Savior.

And so, our GOD OF HOPE gave of His very self to meet our desperate need. Jesus, the same babe born that first Christmas night in a Bethlehem cave, is our Hope. The God-man who gave His life on the cross, was buried, and rose again so we would be free and have eternal life is our living, breathing Hope.

He is your Hope. You only have to ask, to surrender yourself, your needs, and your heart to Him. Our journey in this life will still have challenges and struggles and hardship and hurt, but the One who sustains and controls everything in the Universe can and will be by our side through it all. (John 16:33)

Jesus Christ, our living hope. (1 Peter 1:3-9)

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Worship VII Day 1 Be Still My Soul

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Worship VII Day 1 Be Still My Soul

Rebekah Hargraves

October 26, 2020

Faithfulness,Fullness,God,Grace,Hope,Jesus,Journey,Love,Scripture,Stillness,Truth,Worship

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 46
Isaiah 43:1-7
Romans 8:31-39


 

I’ve always loved the beautiful hymn, “Be Still, My Soul” by Finnish writer Veikko Antero Koskenniemi. In studying the rich Scriptural truths behind these inspired lyrics I’ve discovered deep theological waters. Journey with me into cavernous springs of solid truth and sweet grace as we unpack the foundational truths behind one Finnish man’s heart cry.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to thy God to order and provide;
in ev’ry change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
thro’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

While Veikko’s lyrical melodies wash over us,
ancient truths from the heart of God are reborn within us.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” ~ Romans 8:31b

“For He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘the Lord is my helper; will not fear; what can man do to me?’” ~ Hebrews 13:5b-6

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ~ Romans 5:3-5

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
to guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice, who ruled them while He dwelt below.

“Be still”, Veikko croons as he quotes from King David.
How strenuously our bodies, minds, and souls push against this gift of slowing to stillness and silence before the God of the Universe! Yet, He continues washing us with truth…

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” ~Proverbs 16:9

“The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.” ~Proverbs 16:33

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” ~Jeremiah 29:11

“And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” ~Mark 4:39

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
and all is darkened in the veil of tears,
then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
from His own fullness all He takes away.

Deep, dark waters of loss threaten to pull us under with gripping physical force, but Hope sings low and clear with growing intensity, “I have defeated death!”

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’” ~ Job 1:20-21

 

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~Romans 8:38-39

Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

One day, time will cease, we will breath our last, and with our very own eyes, we will behold the mysteries that have eluded us for so long. At long last, we will be face to face with the Lover of our souls, the Great Rescuer of our hearts. We will be Home, and forever, we will dwell with the Lord of All. Oh, come Lord Jesus!

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” ~Revelation 21:4

Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely. ~ Revelation 22:17

Come away and drink deeply of the sweet waters of truth and feel the embrace of grace by the Father who loves you without end! The next time you hear this hymn or sing it yourself, remember just how much truth from God’s Word you are meditating on and memorizing, and may it encourage you in your walk with the Lord!

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