see

Come Day 1 Come To See

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Come Day 1 Come To See

Brenda Earley

February 10, 2025

Believe,Captivating,Follow,Identity,Lord

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 1:43-47
Psalm 46
Habakkuk 3:16-19
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Isaiah 40:25-26

It’s hard to stand on God’s promises when it feels like we’re sinking! His promises are firm and His Word is true, but when life’s circumstances shake, we feel the ground beneath us shift. 

Recently, my own “quicksand” circumstances have felt far from firm. 

This morning, I realized the truth again, “Everyone’s HARD is different, but it’s still hard!” Everyone experiences hardships, but these “sinking circumstances” don’t keep God’s Presence from our lives. 

During a devotional meeting, I noted,
“In our suffering, we have to see the God Who sees us!”

God is a very present help (Psalm 46:1),
 He sees our needs and inclines us to see Him.
God doesn’t ask us to handle circumstances on our own,
but calls us to confidently trust Him, even in our desperation! (Psalm 112:7)

In January of 2024, our world turned upside down. Our 11-year-old daughter was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This leukemia presents itself quickly, without forewarning, but is treatable and curable. Doctors often say, “If you want your child to have leukemia, it’s this type you want them to have!”
How about, we didn’t want this at all? 

Still, God invited us to come and see…. because “when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.” (Trust His Heart, NewSong) Easy to say, but much harder to live; for me, trusting is an issue! 

We stayed in the hospital after the diagnosis, while numerous tests were administered, and treatments began. Hours of waiting turned into days, while worries turned into fears. My stomach was constantly in knots. Questions were insurmountable. I wanted to pray a line from a movie, “Dear God, make me a bird so I can fly far, far away”, over and over again. 

How do we find comfort in such fear? (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.”  (Psalm 56:3, KJV)

Trust is hard. 

In wrestling with my feelings, I was reminded, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

During this time, I also grappled with applying wisdom to my trust in God. As I clung to His Word, I was reminded some promises are for a specific person, in a specific context, rather than a blanket promise for all Christ-followers. 

When my little girl asks, “Am I going to die?” I desperately want to paraphrase Psalm 118:17, assuring her, “You will not die, but will live to proclaim what the Lord has done.” At the same time, I know that until Christ returns, every human will experience death at some point. How can I reconcile these? It is hard!  

When I brush my baby girl’s hair and strands fall into my hand, I want to claim God’s rescue of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego from fire, without even a single hair singed. (Daniel 3:8-30) While I know this specific promise was for these men, what deeper truth in the story could apply to our circumstances? Wrestling is hard!

When my little girl’s medicine hurts her stomach, and I remember Psalm 91:10, “no harm will come to you,” and my heart aches for a broken world in which we’re both grateful for a treatment while mourn its necessity and the additional suffering it brings. It is hard!

As God deepened my trust in Him, He began to show me how to stand on His promises in a way that transcended my circumstances. 

In the hospital, I was reminded by my favorite psalm to “be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10, ESV, emphasis mine) Even though my “mama heart” felt crushed and I could not “fix it,” God called me to come. (Matthew 11:28) 

Psalm 46 has many precious treasures; come and see, let’s dig together. 

Did you know this psalm was written at a time of war? God was calling His people to stop fighting long enough to see and know Who He was.

Promise #1: God is a refuge and strength. (verse 1)
The writer of this psalm had been through difficult times. Can you relate? Still, he saw God as his Shelter. 

Promise #2: God is a present help. (verse 1)
With confidence, he saw God as his Helper. God wants us to know He is in the midst of our struggles. We can run to Him! 

Promise #3: God is our Peace. (verses 2-3)
The writer knew God was his Peace, even during crisis. Why should we fear if He goes before us, and alongside us? (Psalm 16:8)

Promise #4: God is our Provision and Presence. (verses 4-6) 
The writer acknowledges God as a peaceful river that “delights the city of God.” Because of His Presence, we “will not be toppled.”  We do not have a spirit of fear because God’s presence is in us! (2 Timothy 1:7)

In the remaining verses (7-11), the writer shows God’s character. He is the Lord of Armies, the God of Jacob, and the Creator of the universe. In essence, God is showing us a glimpse of Who He is, as well as what He can do. We can have confidence in a God who is with us! 

Sweet friends, our invitation, just like Jesus’ disciples, Phillip and Nathaniel, is to follow the One who sees us and bids, come and see. (John 1:43-51)

The hard reality of my daughter’s cancer is a hurdle we will jump, every day, for the next two years. We will continue to accept His invitation to come and see how He is with us through this suffering, and to trust in His heart!

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come,Explore,identity,Jesus,see
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After Habakkuk humbly sees and acknowledges the LORD, he is then able to remember what He has provided and will provide.

The prophet sees the future doom in the light of the present and able LORD.
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Another Day 15 Service With Love: Digging Deeper

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Another Day 15 Service With Love: Digging Deeper

Rebecca Adams

March 24, 2023

Borders,Busy,church,Community,Digging Deeper,Faithfulness,Fervent,Forgiven,Freedom

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 "Purposeful Pace"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Peter 4:7-11

The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why is prayer included in this list of actions? (verse 7)

The phrase, “The end of all things is near”, and ones similar to it like, “The Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:8), or “The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5) are found frequently in both Old and New Testaments. They express urgency and the necessity of working for the Lord while it is still called “today”. (John 9:4)

When an author uses one of these phrases, it accompanies a specific call to action for believers, those who have already been granted the assurance of their certain rescue when Christ returns to judge the world.

Make no mistake, all these Christians have sinned grievously against the Holy God, but the difference between them and everyone else, is they have acknowledged their sin, confessed it to God Himself, and accepted His complete forgiveness of their sin. (1 John 1:9) In place of sin and eternal distance from God, the Lord gives His own Holy Spirit to dwell eternally inside the soul of all who call on Him with genuine faith, effectively drawing them into close, intimate relationship with Himself. (Romans 10:9)

Each call to action in connection with these phrases is meant to align the believer more closely with the Lord in preparation for the increasingly intense battle against evil as we move ever closer to the Day of Eternal Judgment.

James calls believers to “strengthen your hearts” (James 5:8) while Paul says, “wake up from sleep” and “put on the armor of light”. (Romans 13:11-12) Considering the workings of the enemy on all sides, the accompanying allure of sin (1 Peter 4:2-3), and the quickening Day of the Lord,

Peter calls believers to pray. Other actions follow, but Peter places prayer at the top of the list, honing in on that special, intimate relationship between Warrior God and adopted, forgiven child.

The Everyday Application

1) Why is prayer included in this list of actions? (verse 7)

We often relegate prayer to a last resort. Our words reflect what our hearts truly believe when we say things like, “All we can do is pray”, “There’s nothing we can do except pray”, or “We’ve tried everything else, we might as well pray.”

To the Lord, prayer comes first because the power source of our battle isn’t found in the things we can do, the brilliance with which we devise a plan, or our ability to take control, but in our complete reliance on the God of All Victory. He holds all power.

Even the final “battle” between God and Satan at the end of time won’t be a battle. The Lord will speak to silence Satan once and for all, and it will be over. The God who spoke creation into existence, holds galaxies by His breath, and knits our DNA into every cell, is more than able to thwart every attack, calm every storm, heal every disease, and bind up every broken heart, but it all begins and ends in relationship with Him.

We look around and see un-answered prayer and begin to doubt whether “prayer” works, but we forget it isn’t the “prayer”, but the ONE we talk with in prayer who holds our hearts.

Amazingly, when we grow familiar with bringing everything to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, His desires become ours. (Philippians 4:4-7) Fear dissipates, peace embraces, and shockingly, it no longer matters as much that we “get our way” and “make prayer work” because we have the better, we have God Himself.

Don’t believe me? Try it! Pursue God for who He is, not for what He can do for you. Talk with Him, about everything. You’ll soon discover why Peter places prayer at the very top of his “call to action” list for believers!

The Original Intent

2) What is the motivation for the believer’s call to action in these verses? (verse 8)

We’re studying these few verses from Peter’s letter to the dispersed, persecuted believers of the early church, but context is everything, no matter what portion of Scripture you’re reading.

Reading context and slowing down for right understanding safeguards us from the danger of mis-applying God’s Words to our lives and completely misunderstanding the kind of God He is. Context matters! Study God’s Word, ladies, but do it well!

Backing up in this chapter, we find we are in the middle of Peter’s discussion. Verses 1-6 describe the evil in the world, which accurately reflects the evil naturally growing in our hearts. Human beings are vile creatures, lusting after ourselves and our own desires. Full of idolatry (that is, worshipping anything other than God alone), we actively rebel against the Holy God, choosing our own ways and desiring our own control, wishing to be our own “gods”.

All true believers will recoil at evil because the Spirit of the Holy God lives within them, calling them to be holy as God is holy. (1 Peter 1:16) His Spirit changes a believer’s appetite! (verse 4) It’s a good thing for our appetite and attitude toward sin to shift, causing us to desire righteousness as we honor the Father who adopted us and calls us His own.

The danger, however, because we still feel the pull of our old nature to sin, is to judge, condemn, and revile the people who are lost in the disease of sin just as we once were. The powerful antidote here is genuine love like Christ’s, not just for their physical needs, but for their souls! (verse 8)

The Everyday Application

2) What is the motivation for the believer’s call to action in these verses? (verse 8)

Peter reminds the believers in verse 5, “They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.” This is meant to remind the scattered believers who are in danger because of un-believers, that they too will stand at the coming Judgment Seat. Believers are covered in the righteousness of Christ, but those who continue to reject Christ, will earn their just reward without any rescue and will be sentenced to continue the path they have chosen all their lives on earth, rebellion and separation from God.

The punishment is now far worse for eternity, for no mercies and graces from the Lord will be experienced in Hell as they were on earth. No kindness, no acts of love, only the eternal awful wrath of God against sin.

This reminder should motivate every single believer to become more passionately serious about genuinely loving their neighbor across the street, at the grocery store, and around the world. This reminder of all humanity’s default destination for eternity, should quickly break down the arrogant barriers we’ve erected to think we are somehow better than any other sinner on the planet.

All people desperately need the Love of Jesus “that covers a multitude of sins”. We do, they do.

Let’s get busy and love well by showing them His love in practical ways and by verbally sharing who Jesus is and how He loved them enough to take their place and die their death, so they could live forever inside the life of forgiveness and righteousness!

The Original Intent

3) What is the target goal for this collection of actions? (verse 11)

“Be hospitable without complaint” (verse 9) reminds us to open our hearts and hands and homes with all generosity. The lack of complaining evidences how this generosity flows from a heart that knows exactly how much she has been forgiven of and how much Christ’s love has covered her sins.

When complaints rise up in hard relationships, stress, or hurt, remember Peter’s call to action that’s backed by the love of a Savior who gave Himself, humbly, for us to not only be forgiven for eternity, but be wrapped in peace and comfort by His constant presence on earth.

It’s hard to complain when we remember how loved we are, and it’s hard to love well when stinginess fills our hearts. The Lord has given every single believer gifts through the Holy Spirit for that Christian to actively live out in everyday life. Perhaps it’s singing, leading others to worship, easily understanding difficult biblical truths, being a good friend, making people feel welcome, cooking delicious meals, folding laundry, running a well-maintained home, or making flowers flourish.

Whatever your specific set of gifts, we are all called to live hospitably (read: openly generous) without complaint. Why? Peter tells us this glorifies God, meaning it reflects His character to the world around us.

When we take seriously each of these action steps, intentionally incorporating them into our everyday lives through the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit, we impact the world by showing them what kind of God would love them enough to save them from eternal separation from His goodness.

The Everyday Application

3) What is the target goal for this collection of actions? (verse 11)

Remember these verses we are studying are in the middle of Peter’s discourse? Let’s not forget the closing section. Though it sounds beautiful and like our authentic love would be well-received, welcomed, and embraced by the people we are trying to love and serve with the Spirit’s power, Peter tells us otherwise. He tells us to prepare to be reviled for loving people well in the Name of Christ. (1 Peter 4:12, 14)

People love their evil ways, otherwise they wouldn’t be stuck doing them instead of enjoying the full life offered by Christ. Evil revolts against holiness, including holy love. While some will soften when we love them like Jesus, and we pray they will embrace Christ as their own personal Savior, expect pushback along the way.

Peter says, “don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you […].” (verse 12) Suffering for doing good doesn’t sound pleasant, but Peter reminds us it’s infinitely better than suffering for doing evil, which is why Christ came and sacrificed Himself, so He could take our suffering for evil upon Himself. (verses 15-16)

Remember that Peter is writing this letter to persecuted Christ-followers, and he is urging them to keep following because, though it is hard, the goal of bringing glory to the Lord Jesus, who holds all rule and reign over all things and will one day bring us Home to dwell with Him forever is worth it.

Together, let’s set our hearts to fervent prayer, upon loving well as Christ loves us, and on living for the Lord’s glory and not our own. When we suffer for following Jesus, let’s remind each other as Peter does to “trust [ourselves] to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.” (1 Peter 4:19)

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kind,love,prayer,see,serve,tenderness
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Jesus taught, “You [true believer in Jesus!) are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Because “light carrying” is so important, He instructed, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Be a shiny sheep, serving others, showing them Jesus and giving Him glory? Yes, please!
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Word Day 10 Eyes To See

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Word Day 10 Eyes To See

Sara Cissell

April 30, 2021

Christ,Jesus,Obedience,Scripture

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 5:1-37
John 8:1-59
Ephesians 1:1-23


 

I recently read the story of Zacchaeus. (Luke 19:1-10) Though I’ve often read the story, this time I experienced it beyond the Sunday school story from my early years. Did you know his story occurred in Jericho? This wasn’t a fact I gathered from my felt-board storytelling long ago.

I could have told you the story of Zacchaeus without opening my Bible. I could have sung the little ditty written about him and provided a bit of historical context to reveal the depth of Zacchaeus’ heart change.

Compliments of my Sunday school years, I was familiar with the comparatively small Israelite nation marching around Jericho for seven days. As a result of their obedience, they witnessed Jericho’s mighty walls crumbling without being touched.

Yet, I never realized these two iconic Sunday school stories
took place in the same city, albeit years apart.

This new understanding added a fresh layer of significance to Zacchaeus’ story.
Jericho’s walls fell down in the presence of the Israelite army led by the Lord.
Zacchaeus’ spiritual walls of his heart crumbled in the presence of Christ.
Never before had I considered the internal dynamics taking shape in Zacchaeus’ heart. As a result, his story will never be the same for me.

While this seems unrelated to studying Jesus and His Words, my new understanding of Zacchaeus taught me an important lesson about studying Scripture. As I read anew of our diminutive friend, Zac, I hadn’t prepared for the study by recalling all the extra facts I already knew, placing them foremost as I prepared myself to “re-hear” a story I’d so often heard.
My filters were left behind.

When Christ came as God’s Word to take on human form walking about and engaging with people face-to-face, He encountered many from His own lineage (Jews) who firmly resolutely held their filters in place. The Pharisees were absolutely certain they knew what the Messiah would look like and act like, and it most assuredly wasn’t Jesus. They carried filters that clouded their vision of God speaking directly with them!

For all their years of studying Scripture,
they sorely lacked the ability to see the Word standing before their eyes. (John 1:14)

The Pharisees prided themselves on their wisdom regarding faith. They could eloquently recap the salient points of Scripture, just as I had boasted about my abilities to recall similar facts about Zacchaeus. They were so familiar with the Law, they even accused Jesus of breaking it.

“Jesus passed through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “See, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:1-2, emphasis mine)

For all their education, they failed to truly encounter God.
Their hearts lacked the connection that would have enabled them to see and recognize the Lord demonstrating His very presence right in front of them.

My fresh reading of Zacchaeus’ story showed me how easily a filter slips into place, quickly distorting my ability to clearly see deeper truths.

Jesus was grieved over the hardness of the Pharisees’ hearts and their unwillingness to see Who was speaking to them.

…He (Jesus) looked around at them (the Pharisees) with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart…” (Mark 3:5, ESV, emphasis mine)

Christ called out,
“…looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand.
Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:
‘You will listen and listen,
but never understand;
you will look and look,
but never perceive.
For this people’s heart has grown callous;
their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes.’”
(Matthew 13:13-15)

In light of the Pharisees’ response to Jesus, I find myself praying for eyes to see Jesus when I read His Word. I long to see God just as His Words describe, and know Him better, without my filters.

Apart from our suppositions, what does Jesus tell us about Himself and God the Father?

What will our response be as we live out our everyday lives?

What filters do we have in place that may be hindering our ability to truly see God?
Pride and fear are two that immediately come to my mind.

Let’s intentionally ready ourselves to approach God’s Word by first removing our preconceived ideas and previously-constructed filters. Only then, are our hearts in a position to be struck by deeper understandings of the Word made Flesh.

Oh Jesus, thank You for coming to earth and demonstrating the Father for us in human form. Thank You for living a life that teaches us Your grace and truth.
As we come in humility to You, remove our filters and give us eyes to see You and know You in full.

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change,depth,Eyes,heart,Led,Lord,Messiah,presence,see,Word,Zacchaeus
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Having our eyes opened to the power and mighty strength of God means having His immeasurable power working in and through us. (Ephesians 3:20) The fact that God provides enlightenment for the eyes of our hearts is an amazing blessing!Having our eyes opened to the power and mighty strength of God means having His immeasurable power working in and through us. (Ephesians 3:20)
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Worship VIII Day 15 There Was Jesus

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Worship VIII Day 15 There Was Jesus

Audra Darville

March 26, 2021

Broken,Fear,God,Good,Holy Spirit,Jesus,Pain,Peace,Prayer,Promises,Seeking,Truth,Waiting,Worship

Read His Words Before Ours!

Deuteronomy 31:1-8
John 16:31-33
James 1:2-3


 

Have you experienced times when you couldn’t see Jesus?
When the fog of confusion or pain cloaked you in isolation and fear?

I have. Recently, I was in such despair, I was blinded to Jesus standing right next to me, holding my hand and walking with me.

To be completely transparent, I am in a season of fighting for my marriage. At one point, I wanted to give up and call it quits. In my pain, I flung my questions to Heaven.
“God, why is this happening to me?”
“God, where are you?”
“God, I feel so alone.”

It is one of the hardest seasons I have ever experienced.
My heart was broken, crying out for God’s presence and His promises to reassure me.

Because God is so good, He gave me exactly what I needed.

One day, during a devotional time at work, my boss shared the song There Was Jesus, explaining how its message of truth had supported her like a rock through difficult times.

“In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I’ve been and where I’m going
Even when I didn’t know it or couldn’t see it
There was Jesus”

I sang to Jesus and cried my eyes out, letting the very present truth of my God-with-me soothe the raw, jagged edges of my heart.

But I did something else, too.

I prayed for God to take the blinders off of my eyes, so I could see Him clearly through this season. Searching for something to cling to, I asked Him to reveal His promises to me.
Because He is kind, He did exactly this.

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)

He reminds us life will be difficult and painful.
Yet, in the midst of our confusion and struggle, He promises we have access to His eternal, transcendent peace through Jesus because He has overcome the world.

“The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

He promises to go before us, never abandoning us regardless of our attitude, our circumstance, or our level of emotional control.
Never. He will never leave us.
In our darkest moments, when we feel most alone, we have only to reach out our hands to discover He is right there beside us.

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2-3, emphasis mine)
We can have joy through our trials, because our God is both good and kind.
When we cling ever tighter to God in the midst of our hardship, we grow closer to Him and our character becomes more like His. Our pain will not be in vain.

“On the mountain, in the valleys (There was Jesus)
In the shadows of the alleys (There was Jesus)
In the fire, in the flood (There was Jesus)
Always is and always was
No, I never walk alone (Never walk alone)
You are always there”

Circumstance in our lives change; God does not.

Whether we fling our arms wide atop a mountain, reveling in the blaze of unbroken sunlight, drinking in crystal clear air, unwaveringly certain of our place in the landscape stretched out before us . . .

Or we huddle in the shadowed and rocky valley, hungry and bleeding, too exhausted to take one more trudging step, fighting desperately against the enemy whisper that we are lost forever in this mire of suffering . . .

His promises remain true (scroll back up and read them again!).
His Spirit remains with us, for always. (Matthew 28:20)
His goodness remains unchallenged. (Psalm 31:19)
His kindness remains for all who turn to Him. (Titus 3:4-7)

Therefore, in any circumstance, we can fix our gaze upon Him,
and find a God worthy of our authentic worship.

In joy or in pain, our spirits can declare,
“Blessed be the Lord, for He has heard the sound of my pleading.
The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
Therefore my heart celebrates, and I give thanks to Him with my song.” (Psalm 28:6-7)

Sisters, how well I know the challenge of seeing God’s hand in the midst of trials. I pray in those trials, we draw faith from His past provision, proclaiming in chorus with today’s song, “There was Jesus.” I pray our faith gives us eyes to see through the chaos swirling around us to the One who is greater than all else, enabling us to say, “And here is Jesus.”

Tags :
alone,authentic worship,blessing,confusion,Great Joy,isolation,kind,Searching,see,There Was,Unchanging
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Worship VIII, Day 15
Digging Deeper

We can’t experience the power and victory of Christ’s resurrection unless we share in His suffering as well. Yet, in the midst of trial and struggle, God provides us with the grace gifts of peace and strength through the valley of the shadow of death. As we surrender our trust to Him, the God whom we know and rely on, He perfects our faith to glorify His name in our lives.
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Worship VII Day 15 What’s So Amazing About Grace?

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Worship VII Day 15 What’s So Amazing About Grace?

Carol Graft

November 13, 2020

Faith,Faithfulness,Fear,Freedom,God,Grace,Joy,Life,Peace,Promises,Salvation,Saul,Scripture,Worship

Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 2:1-9
Lamentations 3:22-24
Titus 2:11-14
2 Timothy 1:9-10
Revelation 20:4-6

 

We often think of those who write hymns, especially famous ones, as being faultless. Yet, each writer was human, and therefore deeply flawed, none more so than John Newton, author of “Amazing Grace.”

John Newton’s mother was a believer and instilled learning Scripture in John as a young boy. Motherless at 7, he joined his father, a ship captain, at sea for several voyages. As a young teen, he often found himself in trouble aboardship, and eventually, a moment of free time away from the ship put him into the path of a press gang. John was kidnapped to serve in the British Navy for several years, but all the hard work requirements didn’t stop him from creating havoc aboard the ships.

“Amazing grace,
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us the grace and salvation John Newton wrote about do not come at our own hand. Instead, like the apostle Paul, we can only see the truth of our sin and God’s grace when the scales fall from our eyes. Paul’s temporary blindness was physical, but it also represented his spiritual blindness to Who God truly was. We, like Saul, are blinded to Who He is, and to the ugliness of our sin, when we are mired in our self-serving sin and lifestyles dishonoring to God.

When John was free from the Navy, he was given the opportunity to assist a plantation owner and slave trader on an island off the African coast. Though slave trading was a legal business and he had success, John discovered himself chained in spiritual bondage, just as the slaves he traded were locked in physical chains.

“’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.”

Rescued from life on the island, John joined another trade vessel. A fierce storm arose, causing the ship to take on water and begin falling apart. After helping to bail water, he was assigned to the helm. It was in this moment, facing almost certain death, John remembered the faith of his upbringing and started praying.

Three hours later, the storm abated. John spent several more hours at the helm, giving him plenty of time to pray and reflect on his life. He began to realize God was very real and did, indeed, still hold him. Titus 2:11-13 aptly describes the call of God, which settled on John’s spirit, although he did not yet fully grasp it yet:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

“Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come,
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.”

Eventually, John became captain of his own vessel, making several voyages to Africa and back. Over the course of these trips, he made time for prayer and devotions with his crew. Before one trip, John was overcome with a fever and forced to remain behind; later, tragic news came that the ship sank. Once again, he was reminded of God’s divine protection over his life.

John retired as captain and eventually chose to go into ministry. He became active in the abolitionist movement, denouncing, and working to end, slave trade. God had continued to make John’s heart new and increasingly more like Christ’s!

“The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures,
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.”

As he penned these verses, John put into his own words the declarations of God’s faithfulness found in Psalm 28:7, Psalm 91:4, and Lamentations 3:22-24.

“Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.”

John spent many years writing sermons and poems, often collaborating with fellow poet William Cowper. “Amazing Grace” is one of the many poems produced by Newton. His past became the focus of many of the verses, but he concluded this famous work with his gaze fixed on eternity:

“When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.”

Grace was the theme of a wretched man like John, who gave himself over again and again to the Amazing God who died to free him from his chains of slavery to sin. Our sin gives us each the moniker “wretch,” and yet, when we turn to Him in repentance, even the most wretched heart is transformed by His amazing grace! Come, be amazed at the gracious kindness of a God who sacrificed Himself for you!

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Worship VII, Day 15
Digging Deeper

There is nothing the writers of GT would rather do than have conversations with you about Jesus becoming your Savior! God is faithful to who He is above all else, and He is a loving and merciful Savior.

His amazing display of grace is that He loves us where we are, right here and right now in the middle of our everyday mess. We cannot earn what He freely gives, but He offers it just the same!
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Pause IV Day 11 Tremble

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Pause IV Day 11 Tremble

Rebecca Adams

September 28, 2020

Character,God,Grace,Mercy,Pause,Power,Wisdom

Read His Words Before Ours!

Habakkuk 3:1-15

A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk. According to Shigionoth.

2 Lord, I have heard the report about you;
Lord, I stand in awe of your deeds.
Revive your work in these years;
make it known in these years.
In your wrath remember mercy!

3 God comes from Teman,
the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His splendor covers the heavens,
and the earth is full of his praise.
4 His brilliance is like light;
rays are flashing from his hand.
This is where his power is hidden.
5 Plague goes before him,
and pestilence follows in his steps.
6 He stands and shakes the earth;
he looks and startles the nations.
The age-old mountains break apart;
the ancient hills sink down.
His pathways are ancient.
7 I see the tents of Cushan in distress;
the tent curtains of the land of Midian tremble.
8 Are you angry at the rivers, Lord?
Is your wrath against the rivers?
Or is your fury against the sea
when you ride on your horses,
your victorious chariot?
9 You took the sheath from your bow;
the arrows are ready to be used with an oath. Selah
You split the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains see you and shudder;
a downpour of water sweeps by.
The deep roars with its voice
and lifts its waves high.
11 Sun and moon stand still in their lofty residence,
at the flash of your flying arrows,
at the brightness of your shining spear.
12 You march across the earth with indignation;
you trample down the nations in wrath.
13 You come out to save your people,
to save your anointed.
You crush the leader of the house of the wicked
and strip him from foot to neck. Selah
14 You pierce his head
with his own spears;
his warriors storm out to scatter us,
gloating as if ready to secretly devour the weak.
15 You tread the sea with your horses,
stirring up the vast water.

Read More Of His Words

“Oh Lord”, Habakkuk knelt and wept, hands outspread.
“I have heard You answer me, and I am left in awe, trembling at the majesty of Your justice and righteousness flowing together in ways I never would have imagined. I never dreamt Your ways were so far beyond mine; they take my breath away. Who am I to question You?!” (Habakkuk 3:2, paraphrased)

Habakkuk brought his everything to the Lord God, who listened with kind graciousness.
The Lord walked beside Habakkuk as He helped him understand the great depths of God’s righteousness and justice.

Now, we are left with Habakkuk’s response to God.
And it should take our breath away as he helps us see God more clearly.

He is in awe of God’s work that far surpasses any man-made design.
Habakkuk is left trembling at the work God will do in His people.

He brings his humble amen, meaning, “make it so”.
“Revive your work…make it known.”  (verse 2)

He did not understand it all, especially the why and the how, but what he did know was enough to make him stand in trembling awe.

In the midst of his swirling questions, Habakkuk takes a full one-third of his prophetic book to express the majestic glories of the Lord God who deserves our awe-filled trembling.

Habakkuk acknowledges the Lord’s justice and all-surpassing wisdom, power, and authority, then bows his heart and flings himself and his people on the gracious mercy of the Almighty God. Our question is, will we do the same?

Today's Pause Challenge

1) Read Habakkuk 3:1-15, then circle back and re-read verses 1-2 a few times through.
Answer these 3 questions in your journal:
a) What do these verses tell me about God and His character?
b) What do these verses tell me about others and the world around me?
c) What do these verses tell me about me and my heart?

2) Close your time by praying for these truths to take root in your heart and for the Holy Spirit to remind you and teach you more about these things today. Be sure to write out any questions you have as you read! If you’d like to send your questions to us, we’d love to study with you!

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depth,Habakkuk,justice,Majesty,questions,righteousness,see,Tremble,Who Am I
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Pause VI, Day 10

What fills your hands, your time, your passion, your thoughts? What do you protect, and are quick to defend?

These things threaten to be our own idols! Even if they are good and important things, or people, they all make for a very bad Sovereign Lord.

Things, and even people, will never love us back as the Lord loves us.
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Sketched VII Day 5 All In

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 13:5-18
Matthew 8:18-22
Luke 14:25-27

Sketched VII, Day 5

My husband and I said, “Yes” to the something big two years ago.
We’ve been married 10 years, we have three children, two with us, and one with Jesus. We’ve lived in seven houses in three countries.
We’re familiar with the Lord asking us to do something and us (trying) to say yes.

Our most costly “yes”, however, came when He asked us to Go.
For us, going meant moving across the world to share the Gospel with people who haven’t heard it and don’t have access to it from other people in their culture.
These are the unreached.

The price tag for obedience is varied for many, but Jesus says in Matthew 8 it may involve not having a place to lay your head. In Luke 14, Jesus says one should hate his father and mother in order to leave and follow Him. While not literal in meaning, these examples demonstrate what it looks like to surrender. We must be ready to give up everything we hold dear to us if we really want a deep, vibrant relationship with Him. This is not only my family’s cost for obedience, this is for every Christ follower!

Serving in cross-cultural evangelism is hard.
We moved to a country where we knew no one and didn’t speak the language. The food was strange and spicy, the traffic didn’t seem to have any system beyond Don’t Crash. While we have a really comfortable place to live, the plumbing is taped together, the washing machine is filled with mold, and the bugs and critters seem to multiply overnight.

One of our elderly neighbors passed away a few months ago. We attended the wake service for her and our eyes were opened again to the lostness and lack of hope without Jesus. Her religion believes that the night someone dies, God and Satan fight for the soul of the deceased. In order to get that person to Heaven, the family and friends must say special prayers and recite parts of their holy book with great fervor.
Hopefully, the deceased makes it in to Heaven.

We sat for nearly three hours listening to these petitions.
Many people had the prayers memorized.
Some used a book as they recited empty, hollow, words.
Wearing a scarf and long sleeves in the uncooled room was stifling.
Our kids were fussing and bored, tired of sitting quietly for so long.
Spiritually, the heaviness and darkness in that place was oppressive.
This is part of our price for following Jesus with everything we have.

When we see the heart of God, it’s easier to understand why He requires a 100% surrender. Jesus says in John 10:16,
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.
I must bring them also.
They too will listen to my voice,
and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

The why is rooted in radical love!

This neighbor and her family belong to an unreached people group in our city.
If there is no one to tell them of the redeeming love of our Creator God,
How Will They Know?

How will they believe anything different
than their traditional upbringing dictates?

Paul asks these same, bold questions in his letter to the Romans.
How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in?
And how can they believe without hearing about him?
And how can they hear without a preacher?
And how can they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
(Romans 10:14-15)

If all Christ asked of us was a head-nod assent to the fact that He is God and died to save us, then we not only cheapen His sacrifice, but we also miss out on being bearers of His good news. The cost to carry the good news is high, it’s total surrender.
But it is worth it!

Jesus asks us to give all, but He gave all of Himself first.
And He did it out of love for the lost who did not know Him.

Part of our task is sharing the Gospel with everyone the Holy Spirit prompts us to share with. This requires boldness we do not possess on our own, which is why God gives us His own Spirit inside of us to teach us how to surrender in obedience.

We frequent our neighborhood mall, markets, and playgrounds with the desire to proclaim the Good News often. We also work with a local group of believers to bring increased health to our church, with the long-term goal of seeing them reach their neighbors with the Gospel. All that sounds good on paper, but in the flesh, it’s messy at best, and always involves surrender.

In reflecting on our previous year on the field, the Lord has taught me repeatedly how the goal of my life is not to make it easy.
I’m not promised an easy life in Scripture.
In fact, I’m promised quite the opposite.
“If they persecute me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:18)

In the midst of this challenging year, He has shown how the joy of my salvation will sustain me. By God’s grace, we may learn to be more effective on the field, but it likely will never get easier. And that’s okay.

What “yes” is He leading you into today, dear one?

Carve out time to ask Him, Lord what would you have me do?
Listen for His gentle whispers.

Praise the Lord, you don’t have to be ready for what He’s asking you to do.
He’ll do it through you as you give Him your yes!
Count the cost, place it before Him as an offering, and step out in surrender.
Immense joy, found in that tight space, is waiting 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!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched VII Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched VII

Relentless Day 4 Arise And See The Glory: Digging Deeper

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Relentless Day 4 Arise And See The Glory: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

September 12, 2019

Digging Deeper,God,Grace,Holy Spirit,Jesus,Paul,Relationship,Relentless,Transformation

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 "Arise And See The Glory"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 11:17-27

We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What is the significance of “unveiled faces” in this passage? 

In the Old Testament book of Exodus, Moses went up to Mount Sinai to speak with the Lord and relay His commandments to the people of Israel.  When Moses came down from the mountain, his face shone brightly and it frightened the people, so he put a veil over his face. (Exodus 34:29-35) 

Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that Christians do not have veiled faces because they have an intimate relationship shared with Christ.  They have no need to fear His glory or His presence. 

Author John Piper explains, “the true meaning of the law is veiled to the minds of the Jewish people (and Gentiles!)—until they turn to the Messiah.”  Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible states, “All Christians, not just one man, as in the case of Moses, behold the glory of the Lord, and no veil is required.” 

Living under the New Covenant of Jesus brings open access to the Lord and relationship with the Lord to all believers.  If your heart trusts in Jesus, you have instant access to His grace and provision!

The Everyday Application

1) What is the significance of “unveiled faces” in this passage?

I often ignore things I fear, hoping they will disappear.  That is almost never how things work out, of course.  I think the Israelites had a similar reaction when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the 10 Commandments. They couldn’t comprehend the intense joy Moses had experienced in the Lord’s presence.  They didn’t even want to hear God’s message to them, they were so caught up by fear of this glory that was beyond their control.  They just wanted Moses to hide his face so they wouldn’t have to confront the awesome, transfiguring glory of God. 

My response to God is sometimes similar. I don’t want to consider that what scares me about the Lord or His plans may be the very thing God will use to make me more like Him.  I have the amazing privilege of direct communion with God through His Spirit living within me, but fear causes me to veil my face and settle for a secondhand version of His glory.

I know this fear does not come from the Lord.  I praise God He has given me a spirit of power, love, and sound judgment instead. (2 Timothy 1:7)  Whenever I am afraid, I can trust in Him and give all my worries to Him. (Psalm 56:3, Psalm 55:22) 

If apprehension also keeps you from embracing God’s will and entering into His presence, join me in praying that the Lord will calm our fears as His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)  May we enjoy sweeter communion with God than we have ever known before!

The Original Intent

2) How can we be transformed into the image of the Lord?

The apostle Paul wrote the book of 2 Corinthians as a letter to the church in Corinth around A.D. 55.  (John Macarthur)  The church was having plenty of difficulties with false prophets who were attempting to discredit Paul and promote their own teachings. 

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, asserting his authority in Christ, but also teaching about Christian ministry and the power of the Holy Spirit.  In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul referenced Moses and his physical transformation after being in the Lord’s presence. Moses’ face shone brightly after being with the Lord on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 34:29-35) and Paul compared it to the transformation the Christian has when seeing God’s glory.

As author Richard L. Pratt, Jr. points out, “the transformation that takes place in followers of Christ has ever-increasing glory, unlike Moses’ fading glory. This expanding glory comes from the Lord, that is the Spirit.” 

Paul asserted that being in the presence of God’s glory would create an ongoing, transforming work in the life of a believer.  He exhorted us to surrender to the Spirit’s work in our lives in this transformation.

The Everyday Application

2) How can we be transformed into the image of the Lord?

Have you noticed you can tell a lot about a student’s social circle by their appearance and behavior?  They tend to dress and talk like their cultural heroes and other kids they hang out with.  This tendency has given us the terms goth, greaser, preppy, jock, and geek, among others. 

The same phenomenon can be said of those who spend time with the Lord.  The more time we spend with God, the more we become like Him.  Author John Piper says, “we are transformed into His image by looking at His glory. You become like what you constantly behold.”  Author David Guzik concurs with, “As we behold the glory of God, we will be transformed. God will change our lives and change us from the inside out.” 

To be transformed by Christ’s glory, we can spend time reading and praying Scriptures and studying the life of Jesus.  We can submit to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, allowing Him to empower us to fulfill the good works Christ has for us. (Ephesians 2:10)

To be transformed into Christ’s image, we can pursue the course Andrew Murray proposes and “gaze on and adore the glory of God in Christ; you will be changed with Divine power from glory to glory; in the power of the Holy Ghost the mighty transformation will be wrought by which your desires will be fulfilled, and like Christ will be the blessed God-given experience of your life.”  The more time I spend with Him, the more I will be called “like Christ!”

The Original Intent

3) What does “from glory to glory” mean in this verse?

The word glory comes to us from the Greek term Doxa, and it means “to give a proper opinion or estimate of something.”   In terms of the glory of the lord, author John Piper explains glory as “the infinite beauty and greatness of God’s manifold perfections.” 

For one to go from “glory to glory,” as Paul states in 2 Corinthians 3:18, one will start becoming more and more like the beautiful and perfect Jesus.  Author J.R. Miller describes the phrase from glory to glory as going from “one degree of glory to another, the bondservant gradually becoming more and more like the Master.”  

John Gill describes it similarly as going “from glory begun here to glory perfect hereafter; when this image [of Christ] will be completed, both in soul and body; and the saints will be as perfectly like to Christ, as they are capable of, and see him as he is.” 

When Paul writes how the Holy Spirit’s power is transforming us into the image of Christ from glory to glory, (2 Corinthians 3:18), we can trust He will continue changing us to be more like Christ from the time we first trust in Him until we see Him face to face.

The Everyday Application

3) What does “from glory to glory” mean in this verse?

When I was a little girl, there was a popular song called “He’s Still Working On Me.” (Check out the video link to see just how old I am.)  The chorus proclaimed:
He’s still working on me
To make me what I ought to be…
How loving and patient He must be
‘Cause He’s still workin’ on me.
This idea informs my concept of what “from glory to glory” means in 2 Corinthians 3:18.

At the very beginning of my relationship with Jesus, around the same time I learned this song, He started to reveal His plans for my life through His Word (Psalm 119:105) and through the input of godly parents and teachers (Hebrews 13:7.) As I grew, He guided and corrected me as I made choices to obey Him or disregard His instructions. (Proverbs 3:12)

I have the promise of Philippians 1:6 that God will complete the good work He began in me from now until Christ returns.  To quote another old song from way back when:
Changed into His image by the Spirit of God…
From glory to glory He is making us more holy
As we’re changed into His image by the Spirit of God.

I am so grateful for how far along He has brought me, and more thankful still that He won’t leave me where I am The Lord will continue to grow, stretch, and change me until He takes me home to be with Him!

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Arise,glory,image of God,mirror,open access,Provision,see,transformed
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Relentless Day 3 Journey Study

However, faith does not preclude risk. In fact, sometimes faith and risk are synonymous, for it is in the risk that we make room for the glory of the Lord to shine for all to see (even if heaven ends up being the only observers). When we risk for the Lord and see His faithfulness over time, we will forever be changed.
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Sep 9 - Sep 27, 2019 ~ Journey Theme #58

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Relentless Day 3 Arise And See The Glory

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Relentless Day 3 Arise And See The Glory

Sara Cissell

September 11, 2019

Faith,Hope,Joy,Life,Obedience,Peace,Relentless

Read His Words Before Ours!

Judges 4-5
Judges 2:16-23
2 Corinthians 3:12-18


 

“Villages were deserted, they were deserted in Israel,
until I, Deborah, arose, a mother in Israel.”

Stop and ponder this sentence.
Villages were deserted.
Until
A mother arose.

Now I am guessing you haven’t found yourself walking through a literal ghost town in the last 24 hours, but have you walked through a lifeless void? Have you found yourself in a space where fullness of life would have required a literal resurrection of hope, faith, joy, peace, etc.?

The story of Deborah and Barak is found nestled in the book of Judges, which chronicles over 250 years of Israel’s history where no king ruled on the throne and the leadership largely came through judges. It was an era in which fullness of life failed to flourish due to years of oppression allowed by the Lord. It was only when the Israelites followed the leading of the judges, whom the Lord had appointed, they were able to experience the Lord’s compassion.

Until that obedience kicked in, the Israelites found themselves living in a veritable wasteland. In the time of Deborah, they had been experiencing oppression from King Jabin for 20 years. Proof positive that I am not the only person to be a little slow on the uptake as to the value of obeying and obeying the first time! Twenty Years!

In Judges 4, the scene opens with a description of Israel’s current context and then introduces Deborah by providing a brief resume: ruthless oppressor with 900 iron chariots on one side and a woman prophet sitting under a tree on the other. Only one of them had the backing of the Lord, and it is to this setting Barak arrives.

Deborah summons Barak and tells him the Lord is commanding him to gather warriors from two tribes of Judah for battle and the Lord will deliver King Jabin’s army and the victorious routing to Barak. Barak’s response was not a complete no, but it also lacked full, confident obedience. He said he would go, but only if Deborah accompanied him.

In Exodus, Moses says something similar to the Lord. On behalf of Israel, Moses state they would not go anywhere unless the Lord went with them.
How are these two scenarios different?
As I ponder on what it might be like to be in Barak’s shoes, I find myself echoing his thoughts in unexpected places in my own life.
I’ll obey that nudge from the Lord, if someone else has a similar nudge.
I’ll step out in faith and believe it was the Lord, if I get quick confirmation it was Him.
I’ll obey, if I can remove as much risk as possible.

However, faith does not preclude risk. In fact, sometimes faith and risk are synonymous, for it is in the risk that we make room for the glory of the Lord to shine for all to see (even if heaven ends up being the only observers).
When we risk for the Lord and see His faithfulness over time,
we will forever be changed.

Just as Moses shone after encountering the Lord on Mt. Sinai, our encounters with the Lord and seeing His glory displayed, changes our countenances too.
It’s the best beauty treatment there is. Collagen, move over!

Barak’s response did not finish the story. It did not tie the Lord’s hands or create a scenario in which Barak’s role suddenly ended. Instead, Deborah responded with a mother’s wisdom and a prophet’s insights by saying she would go, and the Lord would bring the victory through the hands of a woman.

All of which proved to be true. The army was defeated and its commander-in-chief met his demise after his encounter with Jael, a woman who used the ordinary elements of life to obey. Just like Deborah, Jael rose up and stepped out in faith for the glory of the Lord.

So today, regardless of your marital or parental status, how may you arise a wise mother in your sphere of influence? Is there a skill set or talent you can surrender to the Lord for His use? Are you feeling a nudge to obey in a particular aspect?

Darkness prevailed in Deborah’s day, but she chose to arise.
She listened for the voice of the Lord, and she followed through.

Never underestimate the impact of every day obedience.
They may very well be the crack through which the Lord shines His glory

Tags :
Arise,confident,glory,Mother in Israel,resurrection,see,value
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Relentless, Day 4
Digging Deeper

Living under the New Covenant of Jesus brings open access to the Lord and relationship with the Lord to all believers.

If your heart trusts in Jesus, you have instant access to His grace and provision!
Dig Deeper!

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

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Sep 9 - Sep 27, 2019 ~ Journey Theme #58

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