Strong

Champion Day 1 The Barren And Broken

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 15:1-6
Genesis 15: 17-18
Genesis 18:1-15
Galatians 3:1-9
1 Corinthians 1:27-31

Champion, Day 1

Abraham is introduced in Genesis 11 as Abram, the son of Terah. (Genesis 11:26) He is a descendant of Shem, residing in the land of Ur of the Chaldeans. Abram and his relatives did not know the Lord, yet the Lord called to Abram and told him to go to the land of Canaan. God promised He would make him a great nation and give his descendants the land of Canaan as their possession.

“I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you […] all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you [. . .] To your offspring I will give this land.” (Genesis 12:2-3, 7)

God’s promises of blessing, land, and offspring pointed toward a hopeful reversal of the curse of sin. (Genesis 3) The true Hope and true Champion of this story is not Abram, but Christ. Jesus is the Promised One through whom all the peoples on earth will be blessed. (Galatians 3:14)

God chooses ordinary people to fulfill His plan of redemption. At the time God called Abram, we aren’t told why he was chosen, but we are told Abram’s obedience was credited to him as righteousness.

God said to Abram,
“‘Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then [God] said to [Abram], ‘Your offspring will be that numerous.’ Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6, Galatians 3:6)

To establish this promise, or covenant, it was custom for animals to be cut in half and the two persons of the covenant could walk between the halves, binding them to the terms of the covenant lest they become like the animals. Rather than Abram walking between the split animals, God put Abram into a deep sleep, and God himself passed between, assuming the full burden of fulfilling the terms of the covenant. (Genesis 15:7-21)

God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many,” and expounded on the promises and requirements of the Abrahamic Covenant. (Genesis 17) Although God’s intent to establish Abraham’s lineage was clear, Abraham’s wife, Sarah, was old and barren, so she doubted, “But the LORD asked Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, saying, “Can I really have a baby when I’m old?”’” (Genesis 18:13)

Abraham and Sarah were only human. They saw limitations. They feared. They doubted. For example, when Abraham let Pharaoh believe Sarah was his sister, he essentially gave her as a sex-slave to Pharaoh to protect himself, proving he still had much to learn about fully trusting God and His promises. (Genesis 12:10-20)

Furthermore, Abraham and Sarah assumed that since she was barren, the promised offspring must come through a different woman. 

“Sarai said to Abram, ‘Since the LORD has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.’ And Abram agreed to what Sarai said.” (Genesis 16:2) Their attempt to fulfill God’s promise themselves caused immense suffering.

Abraham and Sarah aren’t the heroes of the story here. There is One Hero, the Almighty One. “Is anything impossible for the LORD? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year [Sarah] will have a son.” (Genesis 18:14)

God did not choose Abram to be the father of the nations because He saw Abram as capable, wise, and strong.
No, quite the opposite.
Abraham was old, his wife was barren, and he was incapable of fulfilling the covenant requirements.
No human is.

“Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world–what is viewed as nothing–to bring about what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence.

It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us–our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption–in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the LORD.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-31)

The Bible is full of weak, foolish, sinful people God used to fulfill His plan of redemption. God didn’t choose Abraham in order to give him a platform to be a hero. Rather, God chose Abraham to show God is the Hero.

To show God is able and wise and loving.

He alone could redeem His children; just as God alone traversed the split animals in Genesis 15, Christ alone could fulfill the requirement of the law and bring us salvation.

Galatians 3:8 tells us the gospel was preached to Abraham when he was given the promise. This is the Gospel: on our own we are weak and foolish, but God has sent us His Own Son to be our strength and wisdom. We, the Gentiles, are blessed in Him if we repent of our sins and have faith in His finished work on the cross.

Let that sink in.

Thousands of years ago, God declared His Gospel promise. If we become His daughters through faith, we will be redeemed through Christ, the Promised Seed of Abraham.

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Kneel Day 4 Fierce Faith: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

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

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Fierce Faith!

The Questions

1) Why does Paul admonish Timothy to be strong in the grace of Christ? (verse 1)

2) What should the reader understand from the examples of solder, athlete, and farmer? How do they relate to Paul’s suffering? (verses 3-9)

3) How do the truths declared in the short hymn in verses 11-13 impact our everyday faith?

2 Timothy 2:1-13

You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. 10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy:

For if we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.

Original Intent

1) Why does Paul admonish Timothy to be strong in the grace of Christ? (verse 1)
Submitting to God’s will for his life was not easy for Paul. He endured many trials, but he never wavered. Instead Paul persevered. Some of the men who ministered with Paul however, did not persevere. Instead, they deserted Paul (2 Timothy 1:15-18). Paul, who considered Timothy his spiritual son, offered instruction and encouragement to Timothy in his letter. First, Paul instructs him to be strong. According to the Enduring Word Commentary, “This is one of the twenty-five times Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong and endure in his work in Ephesus.” Living his life for the Lord was not easy for Timothy, just as it wasn’t for Paul. But Paul didn’t simply tell Timothy to be strong, He told Timothy how: “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus”. Paul knew from his own experiences the strength Timothy needed in order to endure would not come from himself. Manufactured strength would absolutely not cut it. “Our strength, both as Christians and as ministers, lies in Christ, and not in ourselves.” (studylight.org) Paul declared this truth for himself (Philippians 4:13), and he gave Timothy a gift in directing him to the only One who could sustain Timothy in his ministry work – Jesus. (written by Marietta Taylor)

2) What should the reader understand from the examples of solder, athlete, and farmer? How do they relate to Paul’s suffering? (verses 3-9)
In verse 3, Paul tells his son in the faith, Timothy, to “share in suffering”. He is repeating his admonishment from earlier in his letter. (2 Timothy 1:8) Based on the Greek translation, Paul wants the reader to be encouraged to “suffer hardship together.” He is implying his desire for the saints to be unified in their suffering along with Paul even though they lived apart. (biblehub.com/greek) Through this joint mission of suffering, they would experience the reward of the Lord. He would provide everything they needed to endure. (verse 7) Paul provides three examples he has previously used (read 1 Corinthians 9) regarding endurance. 1) A soldier understood the importance of remaining untethered. He could not be tied to the routines and expectations of normal civilian life. The soldier’s life is not his own as he has committed to serving his commanding officer first and foremost. 2) An athlete trains to deny himself certain things if he desires to win. He competes by submitting physically and mentally to the game. He trains by disciplining his body in regard to food and other pleasures, and then competes by submitting to the rules and boundaries. 3) The farmer may be the least glamorous of the three examples. His reward isn’t a medal or a trophy. His reward is the yield of good fruit resulting from demanding work. The examples Paul gives serve as a reminder to the reader that suffering for the sake of the gospel will require unwavering loyalty, long-term endurance, and humble persistence.  (verse 9) The soldier, the athlete, and the farmer have their eyes fixed on one thing: the reward. The faithful ones of Jesus do the same in their hardships as they focus their lives on Him. (verse 8) Here is where fierce faith is built! (written by Melodye Reeves)

3) How do the truths declared in the short hymn in verses 11-13 impact our everyday faith?
Faith that endures is a faith that has walked into the heat of suffering. (verse 3) Truly tenacious, fierce faith is built one small step at a time as we learn, on repeat, to die to ourselves and our sin, while living for Jesus. This is utterly impossible unless we have first been crucified with Christ. Paul closes this chapter on suffering and strength through His grace by singing of Christ’s crucifixion because His example leads us to do the same with our sin nature. We cannot follow Christ when we do not have His nature within us; our default nature is sin, which is full of lies, lust, and vile rebellion against God. Christ died, but as Paul exhorted Timothy to remember, anchor on, and lean into, “Jesus Christ,[is] risen from the dead…”. (verse 8) Christ died and rose victoriously, conquering death and sin. (Romans 6:9) So are we to die with Christ, crucifying our flesh (Galatians 5:24), that we also might share in His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) When we daily choose to take up His cross of crucifixion, we become radically freed to walk in new life from the Spirit of God! In this kind of living, we are given power to endure suffering as well as the right to reign with Him in eternity for our relationship with Him has been restored. (verse 12) In Jesus, sin no longer stains us or stands between us and God; we have been clothed in the very righteousness of God Himself! (2 Corinthians 5:21) (written by Rebecca Adams)

Everyday Application

1) Why does Paul admonish Timothy to be strong in the grace of Christ? (verse 1)
Ministry may look glamorous, but it can be hard work. If you try to “muster up” the strength to endure, you will quickly burn out. The apostle Paul knew this well. He told of his source of strength in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” This is the grace and strength Paul encouraged Timothy to tap into for his work at Ephesus. It is no different for us. According to Calveryfullerton.org, “If you expect to just be strong in yourself, you’re going to fail.  If you think that God owes you some strength because you “deserve” it, you’re going to fail. But when you get to the point where you realize that you don’t deserve a thing, but that you desperately need God’s help, then you have a chance.” Timothy was in Ephesus teaching and defending the gospel and making disciples. That’s our job too (Matthew 28:19-20), though it will look different for everyone. Whether we are in full time ministry like Timothy, discipling our kiddos, or volunteering at church, we all need the grace Christ provides to do any of it well and to the glory of God. This was what Timothy needed, and it’s what we need too. (written by Marietta Taylor)

2) What should the reader understand from the examples of solder, athlete, and farmer? How do they relate to Paul’s suffering? (verses 3-9)
Paul did not mean that a believer, specifically a minister or church leader, should never enjoy life or find pleasures in recreation. His goal is the gospel. It’s always the gospel! Whether it’s the mundane or the magical, our hearts are to be single-minded in purpose. This unifies all brothers and sisters in the world around the message of Jesus. It is the Spirit of God through the Word of God who will give us courage and perseverance as we face trial and hardship in life. In our season of suffering, He will provide His grace. “For the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (verse 7) We can trust Him to provide for us everything we need to endure and grow in our faith. We don’t need to give into temptation even as we suffer. We are not alone in our suffering. (2 Peter 1:3-4) And Sister, praise His Name, we have His word! It is alive and working in us. It “is not bound.” (verse 9) Look to the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer as your example to persevere. Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our salvation for it is HE who suffered the death we deserve. It’s in His life we have the endurance we need to never give up! (Hebrews 12:1-3) (written by Melodye Reeves)

3) How do the truths declared in the short hymn in verses 11-13 impact our everyday faith?
The closing words of this early church hymn reverberate with ground-breaking freedom, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”  No matter the inky blackness of our sin, or the many times we return to the putrid nature of death despite our new nature of life, God remains ever-faithful to Himself. He cannot abandon His own Life at work in us by His Spirit. He absolutely will not. We can dance in this confidence every moment of our lives regardless of circumstance. He will never prove unfaithful. Do whatever you must, right now, to ensure you remember this truth in the next breath, the next 5 minutes, and the next 5 months. Christ will not prove unfaithful to the work He has begun in us as long as we have surrendered ourselves to Him completely! (Philippians 1:6) However, there is one line we must not overlook, “If we deny Him, He will deny us.” (verse 12) Pause and breathe those words in. Re-read them. Uncomfortable? Me too. To deny Him is to be utterly without hope for He will most assuredly deny knowing us. Jesus’ own words are clear, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) What is this “will of My Father”? To become like Him in His death that we might become like Him in His resurrection. (Romans 6:5) If we refuse to surrender to the death of our sin nature, we are denying Him, which will result in Him denying us for eternity. The pathway of cultivating fierce faith is strewn with suffering, but it leads to life and the faithful love of God toward us. Choose His life, and sing in victory! (written by Rebecca Adams)

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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The GT Weekend! ~ Terrain 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) On Monday, we followed the sweeping journey of Abraham and his descendants coming to the land of Canaan. God made a promise to Abraham, and Abraham followed without question. He trusted God to keep His promise, even when he couldn’t see how. The nation of Israel had its ups and downs with taking God at His word, but eventually they laid claim to the land God had promised Abraham so many years before. As we walk through seasons of life that seem to detour and re-route our plans, it can be tempting to question what God is doing. Our hearts are quick to forget all the times God has been faithful to us, instead putting our trust in the false gods of wealth, comfort, security, certainty, and control. But God remembers us through it all. When you think about your life, were there any “detours” you took that showed God’s continued faithfulness? Draw a map of your life (this may look like a roadmap or more like a timeline). Think about where you started, where you thought you were going, and where you are now. Note the times that God showed Himself to be faithful, even when you were questioning. Thank Him for His faithfulness, and commit the rest of your roadmap, the part of your journey still to come, to His care.

2) Mount Sinai stands throughout Scripture as the mountain of God. This is where God met with Moses to give him the Ten Commandments, His rules for how to live as God’s set-apart people. Moses climbs this mountain multiple times throughout his life to meet with the Lord. Sara left us with two challenges on Wednesday. First, she asked us to consider what mountain God is calling us to climb in order to know Him more. Maybe it starts with committing to reading God’s word and praying daily. If this is already an established habit in your life, maybe God is calling you to study more deeply, or bring someone else into your study time in order to mentor her. Perhaps there is another step of obedience God is laying on your heart. Write down what that might be, and make a plan (not just a goal) to follow through. Second, Sara encouraged us to seek out a mature understanding of familiar Bible stories. What is one story that stands out to you from childhood? Go back and read that story, asking God to reveal His truth as you look at it with fresh, mature eyes.

3) The walls of Jericho were built to withstand any army or invader, but they could not stand before the might of the God of Israel. When God was commanding Joshua how to take the land He would give Israel, He did not tell Joshua to practice military drill and exercises. He did not tell him to study military training manuals or how to build the best weapons. No. God commanded Joshua to study the law Moses had delivered to them and to be strong and courageous. What problems are you facing in your life right now? What seemingly insurmountable obstacle is standing in your way? How are you trying to fix these? Where are you looking for answers to your questions? Are you looking to the world’s wisdom (or the internet’s) first? Or are you seeking the Lord before all else? Write a prayer asking God to help you with the challenges you are facing, remembering that you have no hope apart from Him.

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 1 Corinthians 1:20-22 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him. Therefore, through Him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God. Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us. He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

Prayer Journal
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your trustworthy words to us. Thank You for giving us so many accounts in Your word of Your faithfulness to Your people, even in the midst of their short-comings. Just as Abraham followed You into the unknown, help us to heed Your call on our lives. Just as Moses climbed the mountain to meet with You, unhindered by any obstacle, may we be faithful to boldly approach You through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Just as Joshua studied Your word and obeyed Your call to be strong and courageous, may we be faithful and not freighted by any fear. You, oh Lord, are our comforter, protector, healer, guide, and merciful Father. May our hearts be drawn to You at all times, even when life does not follow the course we anticipated, when You seem far off, or when our obstacles seem too great. Grant us the steadfastness to continue in service to You and to find our rest in Your presence.

Worship Through Community

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

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

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

The GT Weekend! ~ Ready 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) It’s well-known in my house that I win the award for most eclectic music choice. Gregorian chants and undiscovered Indie Christian musicians don’t make my teenager’s Spotify playlist. While I don’t love all their song selections either, my kids’ favorite lyrics have provided an excellent springboard for spiritual discussions. One of my favorite lyrics to chat about with my teens-turning-into-adults are from Maren Morris’ song, “The Bones”, “When the bones are good, the rest don’t matter, Yeah, the paint could peel, the glass could shatter, Let it break ’cause you and I remain the same.” As the words reverberate in my mini-van, I ask my kids what they think will build a strong foundation for life. What “bones” are sturdy enough to support someone in this life and the next? This was Paul’s motivation in sending Timothy to strengthen the church in Thessalonica. If the church believed sound doctrinal truths about God, themselves, and their future, then they would authentically live Ready for now and eternity. Sometimes, the best way to know what we really believe, is to look at how we live. What do your actions, thoughts, and priorities reveal about your true beliefs about God and your purpose on earth?

2) The point of studying Scripture is to know God and understand ourselves in light of who He is and His purposes for us. It’s one thing to read the Bible, but another to study it, pray it, and allow the Spirit of God to transform us through His own words! As humans, intent on being self-made people, our tendency is to take ownership of our own faith journeys. We want to manufacture our own goodness, faith, and ability to love others as God loves us, but this idea stands in direct opposition of the gospel we claim. Only Christ can rescue us from sin. Only Christ can shape our hearts and lives to mirror His own; our mission is surrender and worship. Make space now to pull out your Bible and sit in worshipful surrender to the Lord. He is present and ready to speak to your heart. Listen. When you’re ready, take Briana’s challenge from Wednesday and read 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 several times, praying as you read for the Lord to open your eyes to seeing and knowing Him. Make note of each instance where you see the word “in”. Then spend time praying over these, reading them again, and asking the Lord what truths He wants you to walk in today.

3) Think about the things in your life that are stable, bringing a source of security and comfort. Go ahead and list them out on paper and think about how each one brings you comfort in a unique way. Spend time praising God in specific ways for these sources of stability. Paul wrote his letter to the churches of Thessalonica during a time when their world was spinning with unknowns. There were very few certainties, much fear, and the constant threat of persecution, but Paul urged the believers to drop anchor into what they knew to be absolutely true. Because Paul had deeply invested in knowing God, he could confidently face the tumult around him. To this end, he encouraged his fellow believers to also trust the truths they knew about the Almighty. Unlike our constantly changing circumstances, God and His truths never shift. He has always, and will always, be steadfastly the same. Read 1 Thessalonians 1 and 2 several times this weekend and keep a log on your phone of truths you recognize in just these two chapters. When you feel discouraged, frustrated, or fearful, open this list and be reminded of the God who never changes!

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 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

You yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out.

Prayer Journal
Lord Jesus, sometimes I read of the first century church and I’m completely blown away with amazement at the wonderful things You did through them. I read of incredible boldness and Spirit-led acts of courage as believers set aside everything to follow You whether it was relationships, material possessions, or even their very lives. I admit I tend to amplify them in my mind, forgetting they were also real people like me and like other believers around me. Keep me from falling into the belief trap that You don’t work in the same way now as You did then, keep stirring inside my heart to go deeper in faith with You. Open my eyes and ready my heart to speak with boldness of the ways You’ve worked in my life! Help me to trust that You know exactly who, and how, You want my life to impact another’s with Your hope and love. I pray that was true for the church in Thessalonica will be true of me, “the word of the Lord rang out from you, (…) in every place that your faith in God has gone out.”

Worship Through Community

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

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

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Word Day 6 How’s Your Worship?

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 4:23-24
John 4:32-42
Galatians 5:16-26
Psalm 103

Word, Day 6

Put the praise music on. Turn up the Christian playlist.
Raise your hands in church. Sway to the rhythm.
Close your eyes.

Worship. Adoration. Emotion.
Is it? Is this worship?

Cease the lashing with your tongue and voice.
Yank out the bitterness.
Pull up the cynicism and critical heart.
Tear down that wall of self-protection and distrust.
Throw out the pornography and lusts of your eyes.
Break down the idols you love to serve.
Your jealousy, your tendency to stir up chaos as you self-love, the way you chase yourself, the little groups of ladies you gossip with, that clique you form to keep others out, the disdain in your eyes, get rid of it all. Trash, it’s trash. (Galatians 5:19-20, my paraphrase)

“I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21)

Oh yes, that list is full of worship. Worship of ourselves as ruler, insisting all others bow to our power. No room for any other to take up residency with us, let alone instead of us.

Worship cannot be about us.
It cannot be about what we do, what we bring, what we say, or the songs we choose.
It cannot be what we have made it, so what is it?

Jesus speaks over us, His voice insistent, strong, and full of truth,
willing our hearts to listen and hear His Word.

“But an hour is coming, and is now here…” (John 4:23)
It’s present. The time is now. No more waiting. We are not free to pretend we’ll get around to true worship “later,” when we have more time. We cannot claim ignorance. The hour is here.

“… when the true worshipers…” (John 4:23)
The line of distinction is a real thing. There is an actual judgment call the Lord God is righteous to make. True worshippers vs everyone else. Faith vs Fake.

“… will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23)
Here’s the identifier for the true and the faithful worshippers. It’s found in Spirit and Truth.
What is flesh cannot beget what is Spirit. Only Spirit births what is spirit.

There are no true worshippers who are not born of Spirit. None. Zero. Zilch.
Sure, we can fake it, follow the motions, lift our hands, close our eyes, and sway to the rhythm, fooling our neighbor and ourselves.

But if our hearts are not re-birthed from the Spirit of the Living God,
Jesus is abundantly clear,
we are not true worshippers.

Is there a prerequisite for worship?
Yes!

Full surrender to the One who died for us, taking our punishment for sin upon Himself. He, who is blameless and righteous, willingly and humbly took upon Himself our long list of hideous sins that we might be whole, forgiven, and free to worship Him in Spirit.

Birthed by His Spirit,
sealed by His Spirit,
taught by His Spirit,
we who once were dead in our sin, are now awakened to
worship Him because of the Spirit alive within us who cries out, “Abba, Father!” (Galatians 4:6)

The One God, in whom no deceit is found (1 Peter 2:22), births worshippers who offer their surrender in truth. There is no place for lies here in the sacred space of holy adoration.

Emotion? Passion? Tears? Rhythm? Hands in the air? Prostrate on the ground?
These are not the identifiers of true worship, my precious sister.
These are not required by our God.

When we base the litmus test of true worship on the level of our emotional connection or the language of our bodies, we have removed ourselves from the realm of true worship.
We have added performance stipulations Christ never intended.

Angry? Celebrating? Hurt? Happy? Alone? Joyful? Afraid? Peaceful?
Truth, bring the truth of your real, honest, heart condition. Fling the masks far from you, burn them in the blaze of sacrificial offering. Offer the fullness of your honesty with your sacrifice of praise, realizing anew the beauty of the gospel. Here in this place of true worship, we bring our mess, confident we will be forgiven and set free in ever-deepening ways because of the very truth of the Christ Whom we worship.

Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. (John 4:23)
His Spirit draws us in, nearer to His consuming fire, closer so we can breathe in the familiar scent of the One our hearts blessedly call Father.

Home.
Here we are home, welcomed in the embrace of Abba.
Here we are made whole.
Here we are treasured children and beloved daughters.
Here we are known.
Here we lay down ourselves for the kindest, gentlest Daddy who holds our hands, our hearts, and our lives.

Here, we slip blissfully into true worship.

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

Amen and Amen. May our hearts ever resound with this truth as our lives are set ablaze with the evidence of our offering of true worship born of Spirit and declared with truth.

How’s your worship?

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Reveal Day 10 Strong Joy

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Nehemiah 8:9-12
Romans 15:8-13
Luke 2:8-11

Reveal, Day 10

“But the angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people!’” (Luke 2:10)

“(…) Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

These messages of joy, received by different people at different times,
originated from the same source: God Himself.

This joy was revealed to us through His Son, Jesus, who is Christ the Lord, the representation of God the Father. (Hebrews 1:3)
He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
He is the great light shining in the darkness. (Matthew 4:16)

Sin separates mankind from God, the source of our joy, throwing humanity into utter darkness. There, we grope in inky blackness, searching for joy through different means without success.

Until suddenly, into humanity’s desperation comes the greatest news ever declared:

“But the angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.’” (Luke 2:10-11)

The shepherds were dirty, lowly, and homeless. Outcasts without reputation, these were the first recipients of this great news.

What unconditional love God has for all mankind!

Matthew 2:1-12 records the wise men from the east who saw Christ’s star and followed it to find little boy Jesus. Like the shepherds, they made haste to go and see the Christ.

Wealthy magistrates and lowly shepherds displayed one shared response upon welcoming the Savior of the world: joy.

“When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.” (Matthew 2:10, emphasis mine)
“The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God.”  (Luke 2:20, emphasis mine)

The joy of God had appeared in flesh to His people!

But not all willingly embraced this exuding joy.

Herod, king of the Jews, rejected this babe who was God Himself, wrapped in flesh come to rescue mankind from their darkness of sin.

Rather than delighting in the great Joy revealed,
Herod chose the cords of dark death,
seeking to kill the Light of the world.

In like manner, the chief priests, with full knowledge of the prophecies surrounding Christ’s birth, treated His coming with indifference and arrogance.

Both Herod and the chief priests were full of themselves.
They rejected the Light of Joy, refusing to allow it to penetrate their hearts.
They missed the great gladness of God.

Like King Herod and the chief priests, not all experience the advent of Joy.

Especially at Christmas. 

Some of us become so busy planning for the event, we forget to acknowledge what Christ’s long-awaited arrival means for our sin-wrecked hearts.

We spend our attention on what will provide immediate pleasure, rather than the real joy of renewed hearts and souls awakened from death to life.

Christmas pleasures come and go, and can leave a wake of frustration or emptiness behind. In his book Peace with God, Billy Graham wrote, “There is a vacuum in the heart of man that only God can fill.” We belong to God, and only in Him can we find lasting joy.

Our sin separates us from Him, but He offered His Son as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins that we might be restored back to Himself and His Joy.

Therefore, rejecting His Son means forfeiting His joy.

The Israelites who returned from captivity during the time of Nehemiah understood the emptiness of life without God. They realized their experience in captivity was a result of their rejection of God. Now, back at home and freed from exile, God’s word was read aloud for the first time in a generation.

As the people realized the devastating extent of their sin, they were heartbroken.

They wept and mourned over their sinful ways.

Nehemiah comforted their rightful grief with these Christmas-like tidings, ‘’Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’’ (Nehemiah 8:10) He told them to celebrate, for the Lord had brought His strong joy near!

What plans are you making this season?
Are you celebrating from the overflow of joy the Savior has revealed?
Or you are focusing on the immediacy of other pleasures?

Israel’s joy washed over them when their hearts repented; centuries later, the shepherds in their lowliness and the wise men in their majesty celebrated the arrival of God’s Joy . . .

. . . For in the city of David, a Savior was born, who is Christ the Lord.
He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
If you confess with your mouth that He is Lord,
and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

This Christmas, let’s turn our hearts to repentance and acceptance of His gift of grace as we experience His strengthening, magnificent joy!

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

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Calling Day 13 One To Another

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 5:15-6:9
Mark 12:28-34
Psalm 133:1-3

Calling, Day 13

I saw the picture.
I bet you did, too.

George Floyd’s body on the ground, a police officer’s knee to his neck.

I. Can’t. Breathe.

And the Church began to move.

While racial injustice has soared for the United States’ entire existence and slavery built the understructure of our nation, we’ve been quiet.

Excuses.

“If only…”
“Well, if they hadn’t…”
“They should’ve…”

Until the injustice was so blatantly obvious we couldn’t ignore it any longer.

I’m ashamed it took the dying words of a lynched man to wake us up.

Our call to love, to submit, to live in unity within the Church is as old as mankind
because our God is a God of unity.

All throughout Scripture, God tells us to love. He shows us He is a listening and hearing God and since we were made in His image, we should be listening and hearing, too.

Yet.

We have women in abusive marriages begging for help.
While the Church looks away. 

We have children crying for parents to love and care for them.
While the Church looks away. 

We have Black neighbors decrying injustice and racism of all kinds.
While the Church looks away. 

Or, at least, it did.

In Ephesians, Paul calls the Church to action, disputing the idea we were ever given permission to turn a blind eye to the many dark injustices in the world.

First, he calls us to unity, instructing us to be wise and clear-minded. He exhorts us to speak to one another with the music of heaven threaded through our words and to worship together, offer our thanks to the Lord, and …
submit to one another in reverent awe of Christ. 

Did you catch the lack of distinction?

Submit.
Every. Single. Believer.

The world tries to put the Bible within the context of its own darkened, limited, sin-stained understanding. Unfortunately, many Christians believe the world, instead of reading the Bible and commentaries and seeking the perfect understanding of the Holy Spirit. (Example: the world likes to say, “Only God can judge me.” But we know from Scripture, that is a misrepresentation to excuse sin.)

So, it’s no surprise we’ve believed the world’s pronouncement that submission is archaic, antifeminist, and oppressive. The idea of submission can leave us with a bad aftertaste if we refuse to learn what the Lord truly means by the beautiful dance of submission.

The Lord’s desire for us to submit, each to the other, whoever the “other” is, regardless of gender, heritage, race, position, or ethnicity, is born out of how God holds submission within Himself as a triune God. Each member of the trinity actively submits to the other to bring about whole oneness and perfect unity.
A lovely, holy dance of submission, one to another.

If we, as Christians, submitted “one to the other”, we would look a lot more like Jesus than we do right now.

Biblical submission is not archaic, antifeminist, or oppressive.
It isn’t abusive, it’s beautiful.

Submitting means putting others before ourselves.

In fact, the idea of biblical submission is closely related to meekness. Before you start thinking this means weakness, here’s the definition Jesus referenced for the Greek word for meek:

“Intentionally choosing to lovingly, gently defer in order to esteem and value another.”

Meek submission requires strength of character, complete reliance on God to supply our needs, and a tender, compassionate willingness to pause and listen to others’ words and respond to their needs. Meek submission lovingly and intentionally lays aside our own arrogant need to be right and instead, elevates the other person.

In order to live this way in our everyday lives, we must first submit to God by fully grasping His will for the Church to live as one unified Body.

Now here’s the thing… when I say the Church looks away when injustice reigns, I don’t mean every church or every person in the Church, but shouldn’t we be unified in opposition to injustice?

When People of Color within the Church speak up on division, shouldn’t the whole Church hold each other up?
That’s unity.
That’s submission.
That’s meekness.

Paul goes on to explain wives are to submit to their husbands, children are to honor and respect their parents, and slaves are to obey their masters (or employees to employers), all of which looks like a big, heaping spoonful of beautiful, godly, strong and gentle, meek submission.

Before Paul really gets into details, he first instructs us to speak to one another in love, give thanks, and submission to one another.

No distinction. No qualification. No excuse.

All of us are to submit to one another. 

And all are to submit to Christ.

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
–Jesus

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

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Esther Day 13 A Story For The Ages

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Esther 8:3-9:22   
Psalm 30:1-12
Romans 5:6-11
Revelation 7:9-17
Matthew 28:19-20

Esther, Day 13

If you were writing a story and handpicking your hero, you might choose someone strong, smart, handsome, and brave.  I am guessing you probably wouldn’t go with a teenage orphan girl living with her uncle as refugees in a foreign land.
Only God, the master Story writer, would do that!

And only God would ordain to use a massive plot twist where the girl is unwillingly entered into a beauty contest, wins, and is then crowned Queen for His glory.  Adding to the suspense, an evil palace official plots to annihilate the girl’s entire race, and successfully wins the king’s approval of his plan.

In this action-packed thriller, we anxiously turn the pages, eager to know if the girl will risk her life and go before the king. Will he extend his golden scepter, giving her the chance to expose the villain and save her nation?
Or will he order her instant execution?
The fate of millions lies in the balance.

If you have been following our Journey Study through Esther, you’ve watched this young teenager overcome fear and step up to daunting challenges.  She has wisely listened to Uncle Mordecai and humbly accepted God’s sovereign rule in her life. We sigh with relief as King Xerxes welcomes Esther into his throne room and celebrate as wicked Haman was removed from power, permanently.

But there’s no “happily ever after” here…
An irreversible royal edict had been issued, thanks to Haman, declaring the destruction of Jews everywhere.

In Esther 8, our heroine risks her life again, going before the king to beg a new decree be issued to counteract Haman’s orders. Xerxes graciously extends his scepter, allowing Esther to compose a new decree hereby giving Jews the freedom to defend their lives.

Just as Haman’s original edict was written in the “scripts and languages” in every province, so too was Esther’s NEW decree.

Just as Haman’s letter had been sealed with the king’s signet ring and swiftly dispatched to the entire empire, so too was the NEW decree.

Just as the king’s highest officers from India to Ethiopia all received word of Haman’s law, so now they were handed the NEW decree.

What Haman intended for evil, God would use for grand redemption!

When Haman’s decree was issued, “the city of Susa fell into confusion.”  (Esther 3:15)
Redemptively, Esther’s decree was celebrated, “And the people of Susa celebrated the new decree.  The Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere.”  (Esther 8:15-16)

Now, rather than deliberate genocide, the Jews are permitted self-defense!!!
In place of death, life!  Despair is replaced with hope!

 “I will exalt you, Lord, for You rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me…
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.”
(Psalm 30:1, 11)

The day of attack arrives, and both decrees are put into effect, “the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but quite the opposite happened.
It was the Jews who overpowered their enemies.” (Esther 9:1)

 VICTORY!
The Jews “celebrated their victory with a day of feasting and gladness.”

I’ve known about Esther since girlhood.
Our fourth daughter even has the middle name Esther.
While I thought I understood her story, it wasn’t until I prepared to write this Journey Study I began realizing the scope of God’s ETERNAL plan.

From Genesis to Revelation, God is at work, masterfully arranging every piece, telling His ULTIMATE story.

As I studied, I discovered how pieces of Esther’s story connect to Jesus’ birth, the Great Commission, and our own final VICTORIOUS REDEMPTION!

Esther’s decree was written in EVERY language for ALL people.
In the same way, the angels’ triumphant tidings to the shepherds the night Jesus was born proclaimed, “I bring you good news of great joy to ALL people!”
Their message, and the Messiah, were for EVERYONE and ALL.

So too, Jesus’ final words encompass ALL people as He sends His disciples to EVERYONE, “go and make disciples of ALL nations.”

Finally, in Revelation, John describes the scene of our very great redemption, our final victory, “After this, I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from EVERY nation, from ALL tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” 

Salvation is for EVERYONE.
Regardless of age, race, gender, social-economic status, or academic degree,
YOU are loved by God and invited into His salvation.

Haman’s decree was one of death.
Likewise, we have an enemy plotting our destruction. Because of our sin, we’ve already earned death.
BUT hope is NOT lost!

While Esther risked her life for her people and issued an edict countering Haman’s wickedness, Jesus surrendered His life for ours, taking our death for us.
With His resurrection on Easter morning, death was forever defeated.
Now, we ALL have access to LIFE!

The KING has extended His scepter, eagerly waiting for your response!
What will you choose?

If you’ve already chosen life, another challenge awaits.
In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul shares a profound truth about believers, “you are a letter from Christ…written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God..”

Esther acted with urgency to save her people, so WE must have an urgency about us.
EVERYone EVERYwhere needs to hear about Life offered in place of Death.
We are those message carriers to ALL!

If He can use a refugee orphan girl, make her Queen, and use her to save an entire people group, I am POSITIVE He can use YOU to share the gospel with your neighbor, co-worker, estranged aunt, child’s teacher, or the barista at your favorite coffee shop.

“And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?!”

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

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

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

Pause 3 Day 5 Sure & Certain

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Pause 3, Day 5

Strong encouragement and a sure refuge.  
It’s not flowery or poetic or Instagram worthy, but these truths have been, and continue to be, deep wells of safety and, more importantly hope.

When relationships are unsure, He is certain.
When financial plans plummet, His refuge will not fail.
When anger, hurt, or sadness envelopes on all sides, the anchor of the Lord will hold steady.

Regardless of what I do, or don’t do, the ways I live out love, or the times I love myself more than others, nothing will change the hope I have in Jesus.

See, my God cannot lie.
And He has promised safety for me.

Not a safety within this physical realm, though He often provides exactly that, but a safe harbor for my heart forever.

There is no “alone” with the Lord.
There is no “I’m too far gone”.
He is sure.
He is certain.
His anchor for every soul entrusted to Him will hold firm and secure no matter the storm!

Grab your Bible, a journal and pen,
and open your heart to bask in the presence of the Almighty!

Today's Challenge

1) Read through Hebrews 6:13-20 out loud today twice. Slowly. Linger over that verse (or verses) that stick out to you, slowing and listening as God’s Spirit speaks to your heart! Choose 1 or 2 to write out on notecards and post them around your house – then post a picture of your reminder cards on Instagram or on our Facebook Community Page. Take the weekend to memorize these and forever hide them in your heart!

2) We are so excited to share this hand-crafted Spotify playlist! We created it as we prayed over *you*. Put this playlist on repeat this weekend and be reminded of the rich truths God has shown you this week in Pause 3!

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Hebrews 6:13-20

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself: 14 I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you. 15 And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. 17 Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. 20 Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 2 weeks, we will provide you with a simple challenge. Each challenge is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.

3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!

4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.

5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!

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 Pause 3 Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies
in Pause 3!