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The GT Weekend! ~ Philemon, Week 3

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The GT Weekend! ~ Philemon, Week 3

Katelyn Palmer

March 4, 2023

Faith,Family,Fellowship,Forgiven,Freedom

Rest your soul through reflective journaling,
praying Scripture,
and worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

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Pray His Words Back To Him!

Colossians 3:12-15

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against one another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts.
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Yahweh, my studies this week reminded me that every book, every verse, every word in the Bible is rich with knowledge from Your hand. Thank you for opening my ears to Your Word. Please prepare my heart as I continue to meditate on verses like Galatians 5:14, Colossians 3:12-17, and the entire book of Philemon. Allow me to internalize and use these truths as anchors for my daily life in order to bring You glory and peace to my community. 

Fill me with the strength of the Holy Spirit and empower me to be Your ambassador. (2 Corinthians 5:20) Our world may be divided today, but, Lord, You give assurance for the kingdom of perfect unity to come; empower us to live for your kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. (Matthew 6:10) In Your Son’s name I pray, Amen.

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

Philemon covers less than 2 pages in our Bibles, yet within its single chapter there are many images and lessons to glean. In verses 18-19, Paul takes on Onesimus’ debt to Philemon, accepting responsibility for payment in order for Philemon to be reconciled to Onesimus.

This is a reflection of Jesus’ sacrifice through His death on the cross to reconcile us to God. He took the punishment on Himself that we deserved because of our rebellious sin against God. A key to reconciliation is forgiveness and the goal is unity in the body of Christ. In order to obtain either of these, we must submit to the will of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work in our lives, keeping in mind the need for forgiveness between ourselves and God.

The act of reconciliation among believers also serves to put the focus back on God rather than on us or worldly things. With our focus on God, we are able to recognize the strength of Christ’s love binding us together, which is far superior to the evil powers trying to separate us from Him. This process takes deliberate effort and sacrifice, but is rewarded by bringing glory to God and living with Christ’s peace in our communities.

JOURNAL TWO

Our second Journey Study this week was rich with biblical lessons from Philemon, but it also taught us an important study tactic when reading the Bible.

We must approach each book of the Bible with the questions of who the book was written for, when the book was written and the historical context of that time period, and the overarching goal of the book. With this background knowledge, we can identify the literal implications of the book for its direct audience and how that correlates with our spiritual and physical lives today.

When we apply this study tactic to Philemon, we are able to see how Philemon’s actions in daily life led Paul to be confident in his ability to surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit in order to reconcile with Onesimus, further unifying the body of Christ. We are also reminded that submission to God is an ongoing choice allowing us to move forward with the confidence and expectation that God will answer our prayers.

JOURNAL THREE

Yesterday, we finished our Journey Into Philemon with an example of Paul’s preaching illustrated in his own life. In the closing verses of Philemon (verses 23-25), we read several names of coworkers offering greetings to Philemon and his church.

One in particular, Mark, had some sort of previous grievance with Paul. (Acts 15:38-39) Paul’s inclusion of Mark’s greetings in Philemon evidence Paul’s reconciliation with Mark. This is further supported by 2 Timothy 4:11, when Paul requests Mark’s company on a mission. This seemingly small detail proves the consistency in Paul’s preaching, as well as in his actions, as they relate to the spread of the gospel and promoting unity within the Body of Christ.

The greatest leaders put their teaching into practice and lead by example, just as Jesus did, which is what Paul does here. Paul’s closing benediction to Philemon reminds us again of the intimacy of the first churches. They knew, supported, and prayed for one another on a personal level we should all strive to emulate in our own homes and churches as we seek to foster intimacy and love for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
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Surrender Day 15 A New Life: Digging Deeper

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Surrender Day 15 A New Life: Digging Deeper

Multiple Authors

February 10, 2023

Christ,Digging Deeper,Excuses,Forgiven,Trust,Truth

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 "A New Life"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Mark 8:34-38

34 Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it. 36 For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life? 37 What can anyone give in exchange for his life? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
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The Original Intent

1) What is the wider context of this passage?

When studying Scripture, it’s helpful to investigate the author’s purpose through a wide-angle lens of his writings to better understand his intent and audience. The gospel author, Mark, shines a spotlight on pivotal moments of Jesus’ life to underscore both His humanity and His divinity. Jesus is the “Son of Man” as well as the “Promised Messiah”.

In chapter 8, we see the very human need for food and sight. Jesus uses these common experiences, and their painful lack thereof as experienced by the blind man and the hungry crowds, to showcase His divine authority over all things. In pointed contrast, Jesus’ recorded exchange between Himself and the Pharisees who repeatedly rejected the truth of Jesus’ identity, is used to demonstrate their spiritual blind eyes who refuse to see the Christ standing face-to-face with them.

In contrast to the learned Pharisees, the fisherman, Peter, has discovered the truth for himself. When Jesus asks His disciples who they believe Him to be, emboldened Peter announces, “You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8:29)

On the heels of Peter’s declaration of Christ as the long-awaited promised Messiah King, Jesus “began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things and be rejected (…), be killed, and rise after three days.” (Mark 8:31)

Passionately, Peter denies his King should die! (Mark 8:32) Just as presumed political victory was within his sight, Peter angrily throws in the towel and, in essence, insists Jesus’ willing death to be outrageous.

Unknowingly, Peter’s vehemence opens the door for Jesus to explain that following Him, truly trusting in Him as the Son of Man and God the Son, will inevitably result in the price tag of suffering and death.

The Everyday Application

1) What is the wider context of this passage?

God didn’t manifest Himself in the way Peter expected, or the Pharisees, or the crowds. If we’re honest, we have our own expectations of who God is, how He should act, and what rescue looks like.

Christ consistently confronted Peter, the crowds, and Pharisees, pushing back on their expectations and providing them with truth instead. Their response makes all the difference. The Pharisees insisted Jesus’ representation of Himself as the “I AM” God was absolutely ludicrous. They rejected Him and paid the price of eternity apart from Him. The simple fisherman, though passionately protesting at several points along his journey, kept pressing into who Jesus claimed Himself to be. Peter chose belief while the Pharisees chose rejection.

Each of us face the same wrestling match as we investigate the claims of Jesus. Will we, like Peter, name Christ as our Lord and surrender everything, even our lives? Or, like the Pharisees, will we hold onto our pretentious ideas of an idyllic “god” made in our own image, reject the God of the Bible, and spend eternity dead and separated from the God of Love?

Jesus calls us to look beyond the miracles and open our once-blind-eyes to “see” the relationship He wants with us. He invites us to “see” our desperate need for a Savior. When we choose Christ, we choose the richest of all inheritances for He offers abundant eternal life after death and His sweet presence in this temporary life.

Let’s not become distracted like the crowds who sought the Miracle Worker, but ignored the Savior of our souls.

The Original Intent

2) What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? (verse 34)

To understand this phrase, which lands as so strange to our modern ears, it is essential we return to the first audience and understand what came to their mind’s eye. In New Testament times, the cruelest punishment for crimes against Rome was the grotesque torture of crucifixion. It was intended to send an inescapable message, “Don’t Mess With Rome”.

Crucifixion was humiliating, shameful, and cruel. Naked criminals carried their own death tool upon their shoulders as they were paraded through the city to its outskirts so all could see their shame and be assured Rome held all authority. Eventually, crucifixion victims died, not of the nails piercing their flesh as the whole weight of their bodies hung suspended by iron posts, but of asphyxiation. The only way they could grasp another breath was to push up on the nails in their feet so their lungs could expand. When they became too exhausted to do this, they suffocated. This whole process could span several horrific days of torture if they were not badly whipped beforehand as Jesus was.  

As gruesome and inhumane as this was, we must also remember it was not simply their bodies that could not be hidden, it was the guilt of their crime. It was not merely a cross they carried, it was their shame and sin. What a horrific portrait of our own consequence of sin! We won’t be crucified for our sin, but unless we accept Jesus’ paid-in-full gift for the debt we owe, we will experience an eternity even more grim and full of despair than a criminal heading to Golgotha.

The Everyday Application

2) What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? (verse 34)

In the 21st century, the term “carry your cross” is considerably watered down from how the first century audience understood its meaning. Perhaps we’ve heard this phrase and understood the modern context to be a minor annoyance or even used as a snarky sarcastic comeback. In the eyes of Christ, however, His intended meaning never lessened.

If you want to be a follower of Christ there will be obstacles, burdens, and situations you must endure, even heavy, painful things. Because that’s what death brings. Crucifixion meant death without exception; there were no survivors. This is the mentality Christ would have His followers embrace in order to follow Him. Death to our old way of living, death to our lusts, passions, and idols. (Colossians 3:5) Death to anything that lures us away from loving Him first and most and best. This is the cost of following Christ, it’s the cost of surrender.

This surrender could mean walking away from a promotion because you understand the work would run counter to your integrity. It could cost you finances as the Lord calls you to support that missionary instead of fund your vacation. Surrender to Jesus costs us making family and sports an idol.

Whatever it costs you, fellow Christ-follower, you can have this confidence: it’s worth it and the reward will be great! The rescue of our eternal souls is guaranteed (verse 35), and in the meantime while we live out a life of surrender on earth, we are granted the full riches of Christ’s constant presence, His joy, peace, guidance, and every other spiritual blessing. (Ephesians 1:3)

The Original Intent

3) What do the “for whoever” and “for what” statements signify in verses 35, 36, and 38?

The heart of every hearer was laid bare that day as Jesus spoke truth to those gathered around Him. His audience was full of long-time devoted Jews who had studied the Torah (the first 5 books of the Old Testament) and were waiting and waiting for God’s Promised Messiah, revealed through the prophets, to rescue them from Rome’s political tyranny.

Jesus’ audience that day fully believed they could earn favor with God by keeping His commands and offering the right sacrifices when they didn’t. Ritual could rescue while they loved their lusts.

But Jesus refused to allow them the false comfort of continuing to believe this outrageous lie. The self-love life only ends in one place, eternal death, which is evidenced by the concluding words of Jesus’ “for…” statements.

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it.”
Loss of true-real-abundant life and all perceived power to control anything.

“For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life?”
Loss of one’s soul for eternity.

“For whoever is ashamed of Me (…) the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels”
Loss of relationship with the Only One who is able to save both body and soul and grant abundant riches of life in this world and the next.

All self-loves will result in a guaranteed forfeiting of soul.
The antidote?
Full, Genuine Surrender to Christ alone.

The Everyday Application

3) What do the “for whoever” and “for what” statements signify in verses 35, 36, and 38?

Christ is pursuing our hearts, and Mark’s gospel is laid out to emphasize this reality with each story he tells of Jesus. Christ reveals the true heart motives of His listeners as He engages with them and points them to the truth that will free them if they embrace it in true surrender. Each of these 3 “for…” statements are immediately followed by statements of self-focused living; lives reflecting a lack of surrender and a poor understanding of truth.

“For whoever wants to save his life...”
We want to save our lives, and retain all control.

“For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world..?.”
We do want to gain and keep on gaining in every area of life.

“For whoever is ashamed of Me…”
We don’t want to suffer or be associated with suffering; we want to avoid pain or loss.

Each statement is meant to reveal a blind spot of the self-loving life. If we honestly study ourselves and our desires for any length of time, we come face to face with the reality that we quite zealously love ourselves, our plans, our desires, and our blueprints for how our lives should go. We may also notice a complete lack of surrender in these self-loves.

The 21st century is full of opportunities to prosper on our own merit. While we might earn wealth, higher social standing, or even good works for God’s Kingdom, none of this will pay off the debt of sin we owe to a Holy God. Christ, the Only One Worthy to pay the punishment for our sin, died to give us eternal life. In Him, we find access to rich communion with the God of the Universe!

*Written by Carol Graft & Rebecca Adams

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genuine,price,rescue,salvation,Truth
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My life is not my own. It belongs to God to do with as He pleases. I wonder now, how much was I really depending on God in those “good” times? After losing everything, we learned we hadn’t really been trusting God until we had nothing to lean on BUT HIM.

The Apostle Paul knew how to trust God for everything, how to be content with much or little. (Philippians 4:11-12) He considered the things in this life as garbage, compared to knowing Christ. (Philippians 3:7-11) Garbage, really?
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Surrender Day 8 Image Unfiltered

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Surrender Day 8 Image Unfiltered

Deborah Rutherford

February 1, 2023

Accepted,Confession,Constant,Strength

Read His Words Before Ours!

Mark 1:1-8
2 Samuel 6:12-23
John 15:18-21
John 7:18-26
Genesis 1:26-27 

Dazzling celebrities and influencers dance on television, magazine covers, and social media scrolls. They portray worldly perfection with perfect meal plans, body weights, and even “perfect Christians” with flawless pictures from perfect angles, smiles, and filters. 

The world’s lens focuses on external attributes to create desired impressions. Western cultures promote the self-made and superficially flawless person. Although these images may look pretty and offer popular things to attain, buy, or be, they are counterfeits of God’s beauty. 

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

We are pressured to conform to a worldly concept of shiny perfection, with all of our messy parts hidden.

As Christ-followers, we embrace God as Creator (Genesis 1:26-27), believing we are made to be set apart as a chosen, holy priesthood. (1 Peter 2:9) But how often do we feel ourselves conforming to the world’s image? 

Does our image conflict with who we are as people of God, remade to reflect Him? 

I’ve struggled with the impossibility of living up to social media. In high school, I emulated the models in the magazines and fell into an eating disorder. As a writer, I have been tempted to write for likes and followers, rather than for the One who called me to compose.

Did Jesus worry about His platform? 

Was He concerned with what the people, Pharisees, and Romans would think of Him? 

To fit in, did He water down His message?

No. Jesus was counter-culture. He eschewed building a platform, instead building a kingdom. He turned the world upside down with a King who serves and a God who had no place to lay His head, and a Holy One who washes feet. 

By surrendering our image to God, we release the world’s conception of an image, instead becoming His image-bearers.

As we bear His image, we too become counter-cultural as we live Spirit-empowered, holy, obedient lives.

Similarly, consider other figures from Scripture. 

Did John the Baptist, a prophet who declared the coming Messiah, have a nice suit, quaffed hair, and manicured nails? No, he came in a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. (Mark 1:1-8)

What of King David, one of the best-known kings of Israel, stripped down to his ephod, enthusiastically dancing as the Israelites brought the ark into Jerusalem. His wife, Mical, called him vulgar. But David danced before the Lord because it was, and is always, about the Lord. (2 Samuel 6:12-23)

Many despised Jesus, John the Baptist, and David. Many will despise us as Christians. 

“If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)

God blesses us for obeying His call to surrender our images and bear His.

Despite their humble beginnings and personas far from worldly acclaim, God used both David and John in significant, radical ways.

King David ruled a mighty kingdom and was a forebearer to Jesus. John the Baptist came ahead of the Messiah. Much like the groom’s friend who stands by and rejoices at the groom’s voice, John knew Jesus must increase, while he must decrease. (John 3:27-30) We, too, must decrease so Christ can increase, for our joy is complete in Jesus.

Just as the Lord was a faithful Sustainer, Supplier, and Satisfier to David and John the Baptist, so He is to us. When we surrender to Him, we no longer act on our own, seeking our glory, instead we seek the glory of the true and righteous God, and this brings us rich delight! (John 7:18-26)

God calls us to be His messengers,
proclaiming the good news of God’s love and sacrifice
to bring about our redemption. (John 3:16-17)
For, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news[!]” (Romans 10:15)

God holds His faithful with what the Bible calls “hesed” love, which is defined as an eternal, reliable, faithful, covenant love. As we turn our platforms, images, and life over to God, He proceeds with His perfect plan for our lives.

It took years to love my body and who I was as a child of God. Thankfully, I discovered a vital Christian principle: God is beautiful, and we are made in His image. (Genesis 1:26-27) We no longer need to match up to what society calls “pretty” when we learn how precious we are to the Holy Father.

By surrendering my image to Christ, my life shifted from a rollercoaster of never matching up, full of anxiety and striving, to focusing on Jesus and embracing His peace and joy. 

As a writer, I write for Him first. I ask if my writing and social media align with God’s image. My hair, makeup, weight, or home need not be perfect because God is my perfect.
 
Sisters, will you join me in asking God to show us where we need to surrender our worldly images to Him? For with God’s light in our image, we shine brighter than any shiny, perfected world picture.

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acceptance,grace,image,surrender,Truth,unfiltered
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Digging Deeper

To everyone else, the stones were just a heap of rubble, but to the people of God, they were a constant reminder that Yahweh was a personal and powerful God, working wonders on behalf of His people. (gotquestions.org) Believers in Jesus are baptized to make a public statement of our faith and a reminder for us that we have covenanted to serve the Lord. Do you remember that day?
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Pause VI Day 15 Greet With Grace

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Pause VI Day 15 Greet With Grace

Melodye Reeves

January 20, 2023

Accepted,Gospel,Grace,Journey,Joy

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philippians 4:21-23

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Read More Of His Words

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus … all the saints send you greetings! (Philippians 4:21-22)

Paul’s gospel is all-inclusive! Don’t you love that, sister? I just cannot ignore the intentionality of his mentions.

Emily Post was famous for writing about etiquette. She influenced the nation for years regarding what is proper, especially in writing. The apostle Paul was teaching us long before anyone knew of Emily Post. His letters included all the things that “the best letters” should. Under the influence of the Spirit: 1) Paul mixed the good with bad news, 2) he responded to questions asked or news shared in a previous letter, and 3) he always considered the recipients. (emilypost.com)

Post reminded her audience that good letter-writing included a positive salutation (greeting) and an encouraging closing (goodbye) in which the reader could relate. Paul did just that.

I heard someone say the gospel is not exclusive, but it is specific. And Paul was a master at making sure the reader understood this truth. I don’t know anyone who can preach a more concise gospel sermon in a simple greeting or goodbye. Paul is the GOAT for sure, and writing a good letter wasn’t even his goal!

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:1-2)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Philippians 4:23)

When I read the letter to the Philippians it brings me such comfort. Even now, thousands of years after he wrote it and his original audience read it, Paul’s writing is relevant to us. Why? Because the grace of God is timeless, and it’s inclusive.

Sister, as believers, we are included in this marvelous grace of the Lord Jesus.

Grace and peace were offered to the Philippians. Grace and peace are offered to me. Grace and peace are offered to you.

Pause.
Receive this greeting into your souls this very day.

Today's Pause Challenge

1) Read Philippians 4:21-23 out loud twice. Explore deeper by studying some cross-references of the authenticity of Scripture. (Here are some references regarding the reliability of the letters of the apostles: 1 Corinthians 14:35, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Romans 16:25-26, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Peter 3:15-16)

2) Here is our last hand-crafted Spotify playlist for Pause VI!
Put this playlist on repeat this weekend and be reminded of the rich truths God has shown you this week in Pause VI! Rehearse the goodness and grace of God. Let your worship be an act of joy and thankfulness before your God!

3) Memorize Philippians 4:4-5

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gospel,grace,inclusive,Truth,welcome
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Pause VI
Day 14

Do you ever wonder why so many people suffer from lack of food, clothing, or money? In light of this passage, it’s especially difficult to believe God always provides when it appears to us that believers may not have everything they need.

“And my God will supply all your needs …”

Sweet friend, ponder this: perhaps it is because our greatest needs are not material.
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Jan 2 - Jan 20, 2023 - Journey Theme #112

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Pause VI Day 3 Fearless Faith; Fervent Prayer

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Pause VI Day 3 Fearless Faith; Fervent Prayer

Melodye Reeves

January 4, 2023

Faith,Fervent,Pause,Prayer

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philippians 1:12-20

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ.

14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word, fearlessly. 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my salvation, through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Read More Of His Words

Prayer and faith have always been connected. Faith expresses itself through prayer. Answered prayer is the key that unlocks a life of growing faith.

Paul has just finished wording his prayer for the believers in Philippi. It seems that praying for them stirred his faith to rejoice and remind them his “imprisonment is because I am in Christ.” He didn’t want them to be sad for him but wanted them to know the gospel was spreading because of his chains.

Paul had prayed for them to love each other and to grow in righteousness. He could rejoice in their spiritual growth and wanted them to rejoice with him in the ways God was working through his imprisonment.

Pause and consider Paul’s source of joy: Christ preached, and lives changed.

Paul had seen an increase of courage in others as a result of his own willingness to be put in jail for the sake of Christ. It had given those around him courageous faith to share the gospel (good news) of Christ more boldly. He was so encouraged by this he could not contain his joy.

“Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice…” (Philippians 1:18)

God used the deep and resounding faith of Paul to actively encouraging believers everywhere, near and far. Paul’s letter was intended to strengthen the faith and courage of believers in Philippi. His steadfast courage and joy strengthened the believers within proximity of where he was in chains (probably in Rome).
Making the gospel known was Paul’s mission, and he knew the source of his strength was God working through believers’ prayers.

Knowing this “secret of strength”, Paul prayed for the believers and they prayed for him even when they weren’t physically together. We know this because Paul was in prison and they were in Philippi. Through prayer and encouragement, they each stirred up confidence in one another. Their partnership in grace (Philippians 1:7), through fervent prayer, was the means by which Paul and others were able to share the gospel with fearless faith.

Let’s pause and pray fervently for fearless faith together. Let’s believe God for greater boldness in sharing with others what He’s done for us. Let pray for others to have that kind of boldness too.

Today's Pause Challenge

1) Be a scribe and copy the words of Scripture down. Make space in your journal to write down every word of today from Philippians 1:12-20. As you copy, look up a cross reference or two as you come to them (they are the small letters next to certain words in your study Bible or online at biblia.com)  As you write, think of the gospel courage the believers were encouraged toward.

2) Choose one of these options to answer the invitation of going deeper into biblical community! 
            a) Take a photo of your journal time this week and share it, or share a quote.
            b) Do a Facebook Live on the GT community and share how God has been working in you.
            c) Leave a comment HERE about it.
            d) Plan a coffee or lunch date with a friend and share what you’ve been learning and soaking in as you have hit Pause.
            e) Write a note of encouragement to a sister who has been through the nitty-gritty of real life with you. Let her know how deeply she has impacted your walk with Christ.

3) Meditate on and memorize Philippians 1:20 , reflecting on the purpose of our lives as Christ followers.

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Sketched X Day 14 Dinner & Identity: 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 Dinner & Identity!

The Questions

1) Why would Jesus wash Judas’ feet even though He knew Judas would soon betray Him? Why not just send him away immediately? (verses 2-3)

2) Why was Peter hesitant to allow Jesus to wash his feet? (verses 6-9)

3) When Jesus talks about following His example, does He intend us to literally wash feet? (verses 12-17)

John 13:1-17

Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray him. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. 4 So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. 5 Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who asked him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus answered him, “What I’m doing you don’t realize now, but afterward you will understand.”

8 “You will never wash my feet,” Peter said.

Jesus replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.”

10 “One who has bathed,” Jesus told him, “doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For he knew who would betray him. This is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.

16 “Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Original Intent

1) Why would Jesus wash Judas’ feet even though He knew Judas would soon betray Him? Why not just send him away immediately? (verses 2-3)
It is impossible for man to fully understand God’s timing. While that seems like a “churchy” answer, this is simply the truth. However, we can draw some insights based on what else we know from Scripture about Jesus, this scene, and the revealed heart of God. The disciples never really understood who Jesus fully was or His plan to redeem mankind until post resurrection, which we see in part as this story unfolds. While they said they believed Jesus was the long-awaited Promised Messiah, they only knew part of the story, and their actions proved their understanding. Jesus, as God incarnate, perfectly represents God as love (1 John 4:16); there is no one God does not love, including Judas. Jesus Himself said, “I have come to serve, not be served.” (Mark 10:45) Every single word and action of Jesus carried deeper meaning and purpose than these twelve men realized. The plan written before the beginning of time needed to play out fully in order for Jesus to beat death and pay the penalty once and for all for ALL sin. Additionally, Jesus knew of Judas’ future betrayal even as He called him to be a disciple. He is God after all, which means He is all knowing. Perhaps the best explanation comes from Jesus who said, “I only do what the Father tells me”. (John 5:19) Jesus was obedient to the Father at every point, which included loving Judas.

2) Why was Peter hesitant to allow Jesus to wash his feet? (verses 6-9)
Peter didn’t understand Jesus’ often shocking actions and words. As a result, his pride often got the best of him and Peter was offended by Jesus. In this passage, Peter thought someone “lower” in rank than Jesus should be washing feet, which would have been culturally appropriate. It was the norm to have slaves do the unsightly task of foot washing, certainly not the Promised Messiah. It’s important to notice that Peter never once said, “Hey Jesus, I got this; why don’t you sit down while I wash your feet.” Peter did not yet understand true servanthood and humility. Offended, he balked at Jesus’ willingness to perform such a menial task. His limited understanding is even more evident by his next words after Jesus tries to gently lead him into understanding. Peter rashly responds, “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” (verse 9) In Peter’s mind, he was raising his hand shouting, “I get it Jesus! I’m gonna’ let you wash all of me!” While Peter expressed a willingness to do whatever it took in that moment to be close to Jesus, he still didn’t fully understand what it cost to be a humble servant and do whatever God asked. This is evidenced later in Peter’s story by his anger at Jesus’ arrest and subsequent three denials. 

3) When Jesus talks about following His example, does He intend us to literally wash feet? (verses 12-17)
Yes and no. For the original audience this passage could be taken quite literally, given their culture. It was common practice for a slave to wash your feet when you came into a home, as most travel was by foot. However, there is always a deeper meaning to Jesus’ recorded words. In this scene, Jesus emphasized that His disciples have been called to a lifestyle of humble servitude to others, regardless of who the “others” or the situation. Numerous times, Jesus instructs these twelve men to follow His example in other teachings. He has invested time, energy, and countless hours training them to be His hands and feet. Now the time had come for them to “step up” and humbly serve others by getting low, just as Jesus modeled. In a way, Jesus was saying, “I don’t care how messy, how dirty, how sinful, how different people are; I’m calling you to humbly serve each and every one of them. So that you can then tell them about Me and the salvation I bring.”

Everyday Application

1) Why would Jesus wash Judas’ feet even though He knew Judas would soon betray Him? Why not just send him away immediately? (verses 2-3)
Questioning God’s plans and His timing are an age-old issue. How many of us have said, “I just don’t understand what God is doing” or “I know this is God’s plan, but why is it taking so long?” or “Why wouldn’t God intervene?”. Like the disciples, we suffer from perpetual tunnel vision. We often focus only on what is right in front of us. We miss the big picture because we stubbornly refuse to see God working in hard things. Thank God, Jesus washed Judas’ feet! Consider for a minute if He hadn’t. What would it mean for us? It would mean there would come a point where we have sinned one too many times or our sin was too big to forgive. Jesus washed the feet of a man He knew would betray Him, just like He died for you and me, all the while knowing we too would betray Him. (Romans 5:8) Yes, those are hard words to hear, but each and every time we sin, we are choosing to betray Jesus. More so, sin is sin, from a white lie to murder each sin separates us for eternity from a perfectly loving God. (Romans 3:23) BUT Jesus died for it ALL! (Romans 8:37-39) We don’t need to understand His timing or His purpose, that desire to understand comes from our worldly thinking! We only need to understand, and fully place our faith, on the truth Scripture teaches over and over, Jesus willingly came to save each and every one of us. (1 John 2:2) He chose to be obedient to the Father’s call and submit to death, so that He could pay the penalty for our sin! “See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children!” (1 John 3:1)

2) Why was Peter hesitant to allow Jesus to wash his feet? (verses 6-9)
I love Peter! I am thankful he was so dense at times! His story gives me so much hope for my wayward self! If you’ve done much reading of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) at all you know Peter had a huge pride issue. This interaction over foot washing with Jesus is one of several in which Peter, thinking he had it all figured out, put his foot in his mouth and had to be gently, and sometimes firmly, corrected by his loving Savior. How many times have we done the same thing?! For me, too many to count. We are all guilty of it and some of us (not naming names, but me, Lori!) have a huge struggle with pride. Pride is one of those things that sneaks up on me, even though I know it’s an issue and try to be aware of its luring temptation. It’s deceptive and seems to sneak in under the radar until it gets fed and continues to grow and grow, pulling me deeper into sin and farther from Jesus. Then, just like with Peter, Jesus graciously points out my sin and gently allows me to see and understand its tragic depth. It’s not so much that Peter was hesitant to let Jesus wash his feet, he was hesitant to accept Jesus’ attitude of humility and servanthood and wear it himself. Let’s be honest, it’s hard to live with the same attitude as Jesus in our broken and messed up world, especially when we allow pride to trip us up.

3) When Jesus talks about following His example, does He intend us to literally wash feet? (verses 12-17)
Today’s application hasn’t really changed. We too are called to follow the example of Jesus by being His hands and feet. Hebrews 13:1-2 tells us “Let brotherly love continue. Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.” The truth of the matter is people and relationships are messy and hard; being humble requires full reliance on the Spirit of God at work within us. Look at Jesus’ life on earth and how many times He showed up in messy and hard situations to love others! We need not worry about how to love like Him, because it’s not us, but Jesus working in us as long as we are surrendered to Him! Our responsibility is to be willing and obedient to go where He leads, help those He puts in front of us, and even wash the feet of our enemies. (Romans 12:20) I can’t help but think about the passage in Isaiah 6, when the prophet is confronted with God’s holiness and it absolutely wrecks him. Isaiah’s response is exactly what ours should be today as we encounter the radical holy humility of Jesus, “Here am I, send me”. Jesus wasn’t forced to die to save us, He chose to obey His Father, which meant humbling himself to the point of death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8) The same is true for us, we aren’t forced to obey God’s call on our lives, but once we are truly confronted with the holiness of God and the depths of our sin, how can we not kneel and say, “Here I am, an absolute wreck, but send me, I’ll willing to go.”

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

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Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

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Sketched X Day 5 Injustice Upon Injustice

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Isaiah 30:15-22
Genesis 37:12-36
Genesis 39:1-20
Acts 8:26-40

Sketched X, Day 5

Joseph
My body racked with pain and it shook violently. Of their own volition, sobs overtook my frame. My legs could not sustain my weight and I crumbled beneath my grief. I gasped for air, my ribs pressed in, and I tasted the metallic hint of blood where my own teeth had crushed my tongue in anguish. The pain was too much. My fists clenched and opened rhythmically as I furiously pounded the hardpacked earth beneath me.

No, I wasn’t being tortured by enemy forces. No whip lashed my back. My head was not bowed by blows to my brow. The agony inside threatened to swallow me whole.

Injustice upon injustice was mine.
“Yahweh!” “Where! “Are!” “You!”
Each word punched the air as I screamed, the stone walls deafly pressing my agony back upon my ears.
Other prisoners banged on their bars to stop my clamor, but I didn’t care. What did it matter? My only hope of escape had flown away, the stones seemed tighter every day, and the memories of old dreams mocked me every time I closed my eyes.

My brothers’ sheaves bowing down to mine, then theirs turned to laugh at me with disdain.
My beautiful coat paraded as a king’s and then covered in goat’s blood.
The stars encircled me and then my embers exploded into oblivion.

Why would you mock and humble me, Yahweh?!
I obeyed you!
I listened to Your voice and believed You when You gave me dreams.
I was faithful to You and didn’t give in to temptation with Potiphar’s wife!
I sought You, not myself, for the answers to other prisoners’ dreams.

AND WHAT HAS MY OBEDIENCE GOTTEN ME?!
Injustice Upon Injustice

Philip
“I don’t understand,” the Ethiopian continued as he turned his eyes from the scroll to meet mine. “Who was despised? Why should we bother if he was rejected?”

Instantly, gruesome images and horrific sounds assaulted my mind’s eye as Isaiah’s centuries-old prophesies had played out right before me days before. The Spirit of Christ living within me had brought me to this Gentile Ethiopian’s chariot because he needed to know the truth. He needed to meet the risen Christ that Isaiah had foretold would come to suffer.

As the scenes in my mind flashed, God’s Spirit inside loosed my tongue and I explained Isaiah’s words.

“His body was wracked with pain as the Roman whip bit into his flesh, tearing skin away and exposing the bones of His spine and ribs. His wrists bled profusely where He was tied to the whipping post. The cries of a man near death hung in the air that morning, haunting all of us. The whip was not enough, of course”, I continued, not even seeing the Ethiopian beside me, for I could only see the scarcely recognizable body of Jesus in my mind.

“Thorns pierced His brow,” I went on, knowing I could do nothing to stop my voice from shaking. “Blood. So much blood, it was everywhere. But even the nails piercing innocent flesh and the wretched pain they brought, were nothing compared to the agony inside Him as He was separated from the Father as He bore our sin.”

I caught my breath and fixed my eyes on the Ethiopian. He must understand. “He was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5)

I made no attempt to stop the flood of tears now streaming down my face as I repeated Jesus’ anguished words from the cross, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?!” (Matthew 27:46)

The man’s eyes still clouded with confusion, so I begged the Spirit to make it clear to him as I said, “Isaiah’s prophesied Messiah is Jesus. He took our place, took our punishment for our sin and suffered injustice upon injustice, that we might be freely restored to God forever.”

Joseph
Slowly my heavy weeping slowed, my body spent. Dirt that had mixed with my tears and saliva caked my face. Broken and shaking, I lay silent, wondering if the Lord would hear my cries.

Unsuspectingly, an early memory of my father wafted over me like a welcome embrace. I saw my young, boyish self sitting at his feet and heard his strong voice warming me as he told me again how the Lord had come to him in one of his dreams. My eyes were alight with wonder that Yahweh would speak to Father and unwittingly my breath caught in my chest as I remembered one particular phrase, “I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you.” (Genesis 31:12) The God of Dreams SEES injustice. Surely, Yahweh longs to reverse the curse of injustice and usher in His favor just as He did with my Father!

I uncurled my frame and sat upright, wiping my face and breathing deeply, calmly, as if with new life. Yahweh sees. As I held onto this truth, repeating it over and over, memories came flooding back of how the God who sees injustice and gives Himself for the righteous had acted for me and generations before me.

Yahweh was indeed a faithful God and deep inside, I knew my story was not over here surrounded by stone, dirt, and darkness. He would finish the plans He had for me; I would wait for Him.

I bowed my head as fresh tears of gratitude washed my face. My once-clenched fists now lifted upward with palms raised in worship to the God of all Faithfulness who would take my injustices and finish the work to make me whole!

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

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

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Worship X Day 10 The Steadfast One

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Peter 1:3-11
Luke 12:22-25
Job 38:41
Psalm 24:1-2
Romans 11:33-36

Worship X, Day 10

Our car broke down. Gainful employment was scarce. We’d struggled to find a new church community after moving. Loved ones faced challenges with their health and needed help but traveling to reach them was more than we could afford.

Overall, it seemed we were lacking. We were short on finances, resources, energy, community, availability, and all the things we felt we needed.

During this season, I stumbled across 2 Peter 1:3-11. The first part of verse 3 struck me deeply, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness[.]” (2 Peter 1:3) The verse also brings to mind a line from the chorus of Great Is Thy Faithfulness, “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.”

I struggled to see how God provided “everything we needed” during that season, and I’ve certainly wrestled with this truth since then, too. Still, God has graciously shown me over and over that what I need for life and godliness, He does provide.

The second verse of Great Is Thy Faithfulness points to how God uses nature to demonstrate His provision.

“Summer and winter, springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.”

Along with the sun, moon, and stars that testify of God’s faithfulness, there are also the birds that fly among them, like the raven. Two particular references to ravens in the Bible encourage me that God does indeed provide everything we need, outside our bodies and within our souls, for life and godliness.

Luke 12:22-25 describes Jesus instructing us not to worry about life and the physical needs of our bodies like clothes or food. He points to the raven as an example of dependence, “Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?” (Luke 12:24)

As God’s hand provides all we need for life itself, He also provides what we need for abundant, rich internal life – godliness! Job 38:41 illustrates this as God asks Job, “Who provides the raven’s food when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?“

On the surface, this is another reference to physical need. But read in context, we find this is one of many, many questions that offer Job the astounding, reassuring perspective God cares for our souls, is aware of our suffering, and is sufficient for us when we experience lack, loss, and need. 

Just as God cares for the ravens’ livelihood and uses creation to demonstrate His care for the spiritual health of His people, so He cares for us in our everyday lives. 

How can God so faithfully provide for every raven, every person, every physical and spiritual need?  As “summer and winter, springtime and harvest” sing and the psalmist declares, “The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord[.]” (Psalm 24:1)

We saw this firsthand back in that season of feeling such lack. God unexpectedly provided a more reliable car for which we still thank Him today. A tax refund came in at just the right time, in just the right amount, for us to travel to help hurting loved ones. God led us to a church committed to His Word, where we were fed spiritually. Christian friends loved us sweetly and consistently.

By the time that season ended, it was hard to argue that anything we had wasn’t provided by God because it had all come about in ways that only He can work. His faithfulness spurred us to “join with all nature in manifold witness.” His faithfulness, not ours, had provided all we truly needed, in abundance.

That’s what happens when we behold and experience His provision firsthand, finding Him faithful to provide everything we need for life and godliness through Jesus. We end up wanting to praise Him, to declare the truth about Him, even to sing about Him!

Everything comes from Him and through Him,
and we discover as we receive from His merciful, generous hand
everything is for Him, too.
For His praise and glory.
“For from him and through him
And to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

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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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Worship X Day 4 Unshaken & Secure: 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 Unshaken & Secure!

The Questions

1) What is the significance of the three names of God in verse 3?

2) Why were the Israelites told not to fear? (verse 5)

3) Why did God create us? (verse 7)

Isaiah 43:1-7

Now this is what the Lord says— the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel—“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior. I have given Egypt as a ransom for you, Cush and Seba in your place. 4 because you are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you, I will give people in exchange for you and nations instead of your life. 5 Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 everyone who bears my name and is created for my glory. I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”

Original Intent

1) What is the significance of the three names of God in verse 3?
Isaiah 43 begins as a continuation of chapter 42, where we read of Israel’s disobedience to the Lord (Isaiah 42:21-24) and of His righteous anger regarding that disobedience. (Isaiah 42:25) Chapter 43 begins with the signal word “now” indicating a transition from spelling out the reality of Israel’s sin to the reality of God’s character, which He provides like a resume. He created and formed these people He called His own, (verse 1) He had redeemed them (verse 2), and rescued them from Egypt and the likes of King Sihon of the Amorites, King Og of Bashan (Numbers 21:21-35), and the Midianites (Judges 8:1-21) to name a few. God was always with them, even when they did not honor Him as they should. God promises to protect them in every situation (verse 2), and then He reminds them of His character and authority by which He can make these statements. “The three titles for God in verse 3 give a comprehensive understanding for the people. The term YHWH (Lord) evokes the exodus, the burning bush of Moses, and the giving of the teaching at Sinai (Exodus 20:2). The title “Holy One” refers to God’s distinctiveness. The first part of Isaiah uses this title (Isaiah 1:4). “Savior” alludes to God’s protection for Israel and Judah.” (Working Preacher) It was the One True God, the God who claimed Israel as His people and who Israel had claimed as their God and the Savior who had saved and would save, who was making these promises. Despite what Israel had done, God would rescue and protect His people, His prized possession, because He loved them.

2) Why were the Israelites told not to fear? (verse 5)
It’s important to note that this passage was written before Israel went into captivity in Babylon. This was a prophetic message to the Jews who would be in captivity, afraid the Lord had abandoned them. But God promised long before this, through Moses, “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 31:6) In Isaiah’s prophecy, God was telling the Israelites He would not only be with them, but He would ransom them with other nations! (verse 4) “To prove His love for His people, God was willing to give Egypt, Cush, and Seba as a ransom for Israel.” (Enduring Word) God had promised the Israelites their own land. (Deuteronomy 1:8) Here, He was reiterating that this promise still stood. They had no reason to fear, but every reason to hope. Because God loved them so dearly, He would gather the people from every far corner of the world to be with Him and to live out His promise to them.

3) Why did God create us? (verse 7)
When we bear someone’s name it means we are part of their family. God has created us and called us to be adopted into His family. But why? “For My glory”, says the Lord. The Israelites were created for God’s glory. He had a plan and a purpose for them right from the start, even before they knew Him. John Piper says, “…He created us to display His glory, that is, that His glory might be known and praised.” For the Israelites that played out by Him bringing them out of captivity in Babylon and returning them to their land. It was God who sent them there to discipline them and it was God who would free them. “God uses everything, even human sin, for his own glory” (Global Study Bible) Israel was created for God’s glory to be displayed to all the nations. In their sin and subsequent rescue and redemption, God showed His love for them and His power over all to utterly save.

Everyday Application

1) What is the significance of the three names of God in verse 3?
When we are in trying or dark times, it’s hard to see a way out. We wonder how things will get resolved. Isaiah 43:3 gives the solution. In the original context, God was reminding Israel He was their rescuer, their Savior. “God referred to Himself as a Savior in the Old Testament before Jesus arrived and became our Savior to forgive our sins.” (Never Thirsty) Now, as adopted daughters of God’s family, through the blood of our Savior Jesus, we too are rescued and redeemed. (Ephesians 1:5) We think of this on a spiritual level, but it is practical as well. God is more than able to help us in every situation. When He lists His names, they show the fullness of His capabilities to do what He says He can do. The first name, The Lord Your God, is listed as Yahweh in other translations. Yahweh is God’s holy name, evoking profound reverence. “Most Jewish people decline to pronounce this name lest they accidentally profane it.” (Sermon Writer) Beginning with this name alone, we know we are dealing with the same God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush. (Exodus 3:1-17) He is the same God who parted the Red Sea, the River Jordan, and brought down the walls of Jericho. The Holy One of Israel is the same God who promised to redeem not just Israel, but all people who would believe in Him. (2 Peter 3:9) It is this same God who became our Savior by sending His son Jesus to die for our sins and then resurrect Himself to conquer the grave and set the stage for His return to gather His people (Matthew 24:30-31) and establish the New Heaven and the New Earth. (Revelation 21:1-5) Whatever we face, this God can handle it. Trust Him.

2) Why were the Israelites told not to fear? (verse 5)
The Israelites had a history of forgetting Who was with them and for them. (Numbers 13:25-14:10, Judges 6:11-24, 1 Samuel 12:6-15). Even though God had demonstrated His power and His unfailing faithfulness and love for them, they still forgot. We are much the same. Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who is against us?” Instead of pressing into fear and doubt, we should focus on the faithfulness of God. Gill’s Exposition puts it this way, “The Lord is the covenant God of His people, holy in Himself, and the sanctifier of them, and their Saviour in time of trouble; and therefore need no doubt of His presence and support amidst all their afflictions; and besides they should call to mind past experiences of his goodness, to encourage their faith in him, as to present help and assistance” Has He been faithful before? How did He come to your aid, your rescue? Did He carry you through deep waters or the fire? If He has, which I am sure is true, then what have we to fear of the future? God has been faithful through the ages (Psalm 119:90) and He never changes (Malachi 3:6). So we lay down our fear and hold fast to the faithful love and care of our God.

3) Why did God create us? (verse 7)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism says, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” God created us with a purpose in mind. We were made to glorify God. But make no mistake, this is not about God being vain. It is about us reflecting His glory to others. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1), but God’s people are expected to make it known as well.  Joshua said to Achan, “My son, please give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel. (Joshua 7:19) David ordered, “Declare His glory among the nations, and His marvelous works among all the peoples.” (1 Chronicles 16:24). (Sermon Writer) Cooperating with the Holy Spirit within us (God with us), we are able to reflect His glory to those around us by serving, praising, worshiping and sharing the Word, and we, in turn, benefit. “..[W]hen we are glorifying God, we are fulfilling the purpose we were created for, and will therefore be the happiest and fulfilled.” (Enduring Word) When we operate out of God’s faithful love for us, we offer that love to others so they too may glorify the One True God. This is the purpose for which we were created!

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

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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?!

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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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