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Terrain Day 8 Bethlehem & Nazareth

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 2:4-11
John 7:40-52
John 6:22-35
John 15:1-11
Jeremiah 33:14-16

Terrain, Day 8

Come journey with me as we navigate the rough terrain Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born! (Luke 2:1-7) Are you ready to unpack the wonderful nuggets God is going to share with us? Let’s go!

Imagine the hot, humid climate of Israel.
You’ll need plenty of water on this trip. (Here’s where being a camel would be
great, haha!)
Feel the sun on your back.
The sizzle of the water as it touches your lips, and the refreshing relief it brings!
You’ll also need to pack bread and oil for your meals.
Just take the clothes on your back, traveling light is a necessity in these parts.
I think that’s everything on my travel list. Wait, the donkey . . . ok, check!

The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem is roughly 90 miles (144 km) southwest. OK, this doesn’t sound too bad if traveled by car, but during Biblical times, it was tiresome. We may not know exactly how arduous the journey was, but we know it was surely uncomfortable for Mary, who neared the end of her pregnancy. Nothing could have equipped them for this rough, downhill, and very windy terrain.

Nazareth, which means “the branch,” is just that, a branch, or fork, in the road, a secluded town perched on a hill, located in lower Galilee. It was said to be a “backwards town,” forgotten among other cities. Joseph and his espoused wife, Mary, were to be taxed and needed to travel from their hometown, Nazareth, to their ancestor’s city, Bethlehem, the city of David, or “the Bread.” (John 7:42)

In Bethlehem, this hill country-city located south of Jerusalem, the Messiah was prophesied to be born. (Micah 5:2) At the time of the census, an overcrowded city held no room at any type of suitable lodging. So, our couple resorted to a tucked-in-the-hills cave away from the harshness of the climate. This shelter in the rock, home to farm animals, would have been terribly noisy and odorous. Why would the Messiah be born here? Mary must have pondered so much that night.

“Bethlehem Morning, is more than just a memory
For the Child that was born there
Has come to set us free”
(Bethlehem Morning by Sandi Patty)

After the birth of Jesus, shepherds came from the fields to worship this babe in a feeding trough. (Luke 2:8-20) Then, Joseph and Mary fled with baby Jesus into Egypt to escape the king’s jealous decree of death to all baby boys (Matthew 2:13-18), where wise men eventually came to worship as well. (Matthew 2:1-12) Once the threat was neutralized, Joseph was told by an angel to return to their hometown of Nazareth. (Matthew 2:19-23) Another tiresome journey, this time with a busy little boy!

While Jesus grew up in Nazareth, He would later be rejected by His own people. (Mark 6:1-6, Psalm 118:22) But from this town, Jesus’ ministry began. God’s plan for His Son was to be fulfilled even from the lowliest of places. From this forgotten branch, the Bread of Life rose up! 

You see, the All-Sustaining One born in Bethlehem, “the bread,” was the Bread of Life:
“‘I am the bread of life,’ Jesus told them. ‘No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty.’” (John 6:35)

Though rejected by His own Nazarene people, He grew in connection to those who trusted Him (John 1:11-13) as the All-Encompassing One (the True Vine) from Nazareth, “the branch”:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.” (John 15:5)

Today, He is our All-Sufficient One:
“And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

How many of us feel like there are many forgotten places in our lives? Or, maybe, we feel forgotten? It’s been a tough, arduous journey just to arrive here in our lives. The past haunts us. The past reminds us. Our present life and our future life do not look like what we want.

Believe me, I understand. For so many years, I felt forsaken by friends and family as a result of abuse I endured. I was ashamed of letting myself believe marriage would solve all the problems in my abusive relationship. But the abuse continued, and I needed to conceal the problems to protect myself. Yet in these lonely times, God was showing me His love and care. You see, abuse doesn’t need to define your lifestyle either. You can reach out for help! It’s one hug away from hope! Restoration is just a prayer away! God became the Bread of Life to me, wrapped me in His love, and sustained me until He fulfilled His plan and purpose for me. And He can do the same for you!

Oh sweet friends, remember God takes those forgotten places, those forks in the road, and makes our paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) We can rest assured our forgotten places will become what God has intended for His purpose and His glory!

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“‘For I know the plans I have for you’–this is the Lord’s declaration– ‘plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

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Sketched IX Day 8 Who Do You Say I Am?

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Acts 4:1-22
Luke 9:18-20
Luke 22:54-62
Matthew 16:13-20

Sketched IX, Day 8

The Sanhedrin thought they had me cornered. But this time would be different. I would set the record straight and tell of the Truth. (John 14:6)

My life has always been wrapped up in catching fish. I love it! Night after night, my brother, Andrew, and I would boat out to sea. We would cast our nets into the water, waiting for that ONE BIG CATCH.

I remember one night in particular, which should have been a great night for fishing, but as much as we tried, there was not a single fish to be caught. As the sun began to rise, we pulled to shore. Along the shore, crowds of people were coming closer. Nearby, Jesus told us to return the boat to sea. I was exhausted from fishing all night. But being Jesus’ disciple, I pushed the boat back out and hopped inside!

After teaching the people gathered on the shore for a bit, Jesus turned to us and told us to cast our nets on the other side of the boat. Of course, I had to reply, rather insistently, “Uh, Jesus, we have been out all night. We didn’t catch one single fish, and we are too tired to try again!” He just looked at us and said, “Throw out your nets!” So we did. And guess what? We pulled in so many fish there were too many to hold!

Jesus said, “Peter, today you will catch fish in your nets, but one day you will catch people for Me!” My mouth dropped open. I didn’t understand what He meant, but looking back, I see so clearly. (Luke 5:10-11, paraphrased)

See, I was an ordinary man, like you. Doubt came easy. Fear, even easier. Passion drove me. Let me explain. One night, the winds were fierce and the waters were overtaking the boat. I, with the others, noticed something out on the water. What is that? A ghost? But suddenly, I knew Who it was! “Jesus, My Lord, if it is you, bid me to come.”

As I stepped onto the treacherous waters, “Come” was the only word I heard. I kept my eyes focused on Him, until I was slipping onto the water. How is this possible? For one brief second, I was walking on water.

The next second, the wind howled and tore against me, the roar of the waves was deafening, and I took my eyes from Jesus . . . “Uh, Jesus help me!” Instantly beside me, Jesus lifted me out of the water and we climbed into the boat. The others began worshipping, “Truly You are the Son of God!” The other disciples knew Who He was. But, did I? (Matthew 14:28-33)

Another time?

“Come, follow Me” were the first words I heard Jesus speak to me. And, on that very day, I became His disciple. Each day, talking and walking with Jesus, I was developing a relationship like no other! I was quickly learning He was exactly Who He claimed! Day after day, I watched as He healed, loved, and shared with others about His Father.

One day, He asked the other disciples, “Who are others saying I am?”.
Without hesitation, everyone began speaking.
“Elijah.”
“A prophet.”
“John the Baptist.”

“But Who do you say I am?” He asked with quiet insistence.
I didn’t hold back for a minute. “Oh, Jesus, You are the Messiah.”

Another question?

“Aren’t you a disciple of the One they call the Messiah?”
I quickly hid beneath my cloak. “You must have mistaken me for someone else.”
Three times, I was asked. And three times, I denied My Lord.
I, who once walked on water, heard teachings to the multitudes, witnessed countless miracles, healings, and the-never-ending-catches-of-fish, I could not even speak His name.
I was one of three disciples to pray with Him in the garden. How could I have done this? Deny the Messiah?

This moment? 

So, I understood the confusion of my inquisitors at this moment. Upon acknowledging their accusations, I saw the elders, rulers, and scribes converse. They seemed to be bewildered as I faced them with the Spirit’s courage and spoke of the very One I denied so many years ago.

“You ask me, by what power? In what name? Until my last breath, I will proclaim Jesus as the One True God. With boldness, I say this man was healed by Jesus, and in His Name.” (Acts 4:7)

One of the Sanhedrin turned to face me. “Um, Peter, well, we do not understand how an uneducated man could say these things to us. We’re going to let you go, but we order you not to speak in His Name again.”

Me? Not speak in Jesus’ Name?
I, who after years spent by His side, knew Jesus as both a man and as my Savior, my Lord?
I, who quickly learned I was loved and forgiven by the One Who carried my sins to the cross?
I, who was called and chosen by The Messiah to carry the Good News across the nations? (Luke 9:20)
I should remain silent? Impossible.

I knew Who He was because I had been truly touched by Jesus! I will remain immovable and unshakeable, just like the name Jesus gave me, the rock upon whom He would build His church. (Matthew 16:18)

But, my sweet friends, how would you answer this question? If I, Peter, a disciple and follower of the Messiah, who also had a deep relationship with Jesus, could truthfully answer this question, can you? Without hesitation, who do you say He is?

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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!

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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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Word Day 5 Of Water & Spirit

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 3:1-21
Ephesians 1:3-14
Revelation 2:12-17

Word, Day 5

If my husband or I call our daughter anything other than her name, she is always quick to correct us. Like many families, nicknames are an affectionate habit, so we often use something like “sweat pea” or “snuggle bunny” instead of her given name. If she’s pretending to be a dog, frog, or other animal, we’ll say, “Oh my goodness, Elise turned into a.…insert animal name. “No, it’s me, Elise!”, she exclaims without missing a beat.

Over time, our four-year-old realized she has an identity.
One way she lays claim to her is her name.
It belongs to her, and no one can pin a name on her that doesn’t belong. Before she entered the world, her Dad and I chose a specific set of sounds, syllables, and letters to refer to her, and this combination was chosen with plenty of thought and intention.

When we come to know Christ, God gives us a new name.
Revelation 2:17 tells us our new identifier is written on a tablet, to be revealed later to us. Scripture is filled with other names we can now take ownership of as well, such as daughter (Mark 5:34), conqueror (Romans 8:37), and co-heir (Romans 8:17).

Despite these God-given titles, and like the man, Nicodemus, who came with plenty of questions to Jesus, we wonder what it truly means to be a Christian.
Can we know, without a doubt, if we are in Christ and part of His family?

For much of my life,
I defined belonging to Christ
as following a rigid set of rules.
Maybe this is true for you, too?

I spent my middle and high school years at a Christian school, and the rulebook was lengthy. After years of keeping in line with their strict code of conduct, I tired myself out.

The tireless grace of God was an aspect of His character I didn’t yet understand, and no one attempted to explain it to me. My senior year, I was caught breaking the rules several times, and nearly expelled. Because my grades were good, the staff agreed to let me graduate with the rest of my class, but I didn’t return to church for nearly a decade.

Even though I ran, God pursued me.
As He is for you!

I didn’t recognize His pursuit at the time, but the passing of years always brings perspective. It took a cross-country move and the birth of my first child for me to realize it wasn’t sacrifices and rule checklists that God wanted.

He wanted my heart.
And yours.

In his gospel, the eye-witness disciple, John, records Jesus’ interaction with a Pharisee who brought his confusion and questions with him. He wanted to know who Jesus really is, but he came to Jesus at night so no one would see him. Jesus saw Nicodemus’ greatest need, just as He does for each of us, and cut to the heart of the matter.

 “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

To be born of water is flesh birthing flesh, but to be birthed of the Spirit of the Living God is altogether other.

Like Nicodemus, I questioned Jesus.
I found answers to some of my questions, but not all of them.

My point of surrender came when my thirst for Christ became greater than my thirst for answers. It came, blessedly, when my desire to know Him and love Him became greater than my need to have everything explained to me.

Once I surrendered all I knew of myself
to all I knew of God,
I knew I was His.

I was born of His Spirit.

Like my daughter, I had an identity that was given to me, not because I earned it, but because of the unconditional love of a parent. I knew who I was because the desire to walk in step with his Spirit came without feelings of guilt or shame. I was no longer obedient out of a sense of obligation or fear of punishment. I followed Jesus because I wanted to; I wanted to be a living reflection of the radical change He made in my life.

A couple of years later, Mormon missionaries came to our door and asked if I died tomorrow, would I know where I was going. For the first time in my life, I answered confidently. I knew God’s Spirit was in me because He was changing me from the inside out. When others commented on the newness they saw, it solidified my assurance.

Jesus’ Spirit in us is our seal, guaranteeing our redemption and our eternal future with Him. Although we can grieve Him when we go our own way or give in to the selfish cravings of our flesh, He will never leave us.

“In Him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.” (Ephesians 1:13)

Do you know Him?
Do you share conversation with Him, listening for His gentle whispers to guide your days?

If you will surrender, He proves a constant Friend and steady Counselor.
If something is keeping you from Him today, confess it to Him.
Declare out loud that He is your Lord.

Do you believe this?
Because the answer to that question changes everything.


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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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Word Day 2 Do You Believe?: 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 Do You Believe?!

The Questions

1) Being a Jew and knowing the culture, why would Jesus ask this woman for a drink? (verse 9)

2) How does the water Jesus gives keep us from getting thirsty again? (verse 14)

3) What is meant by “true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth”? (verses 23-24)

John 4:7-15

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said to her, 8 because his disciples had gone into town to buy food. 9 “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” she asked him. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask him, and he would give you living water.” 11 “Sir,” said the woman, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? 12 You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.” 13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.” 15 “Sir,” the woman said to him, “give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and come here to draw water.” 16 “Go call your husband,” he told her, “and come back here.” 17 “I don’t have a husband,” she answered. “You have correctly said, ‘I don’t have a husband,’ ” Jesus said. 18 “For you’ve had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus told her, “Believe me, woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.

Original Intent

1) Being a Jew and knowing the culture, why would Jesus ask this woman for a drink? (verse 9)
Jesus was never one to let a teaching moment pass Him by. During this encounter at the well, He was simply doing what He always did regardless of the audience, engage with love on purpose. He took an everyday situation and flipped it into an impactful lesson for many. Jesus came to destroy the old way of thinking with strict laws as means of coming to God. Ordinary people, like this woman, were easily bogged down with all the rules and had lost focus from the main point of having a relationship with God. Jesus took the opportunity that presented itself in the flow of His normal life, and used the fact that He was physically thirsty, to open this woman’s mind to her own spiritual thirst. First, he spoke directly to her. Men of her culture would have completely ignored her. With His words alone, Jesus demonstrated that He saw her and cared enough to engage in a conversation. Secondly, he guided this woman to understand that even though He had asked her for water, He was offering something far greater, eternal life. Jesus was a risk taker and never allowed cultural norms to stop Him accomplishing His mission and share His message of love with everyone He encountered.

2) How does the water Jesus gives keep us from getting thirsty again? (verse 14)
Jesus was a master at teaching in a way that others could relate to and understand. In this story, the woman’s interest is piqued and she asks some clarifying questions. “Where does this water come from?” “Are You saying You are greater than our father Jacob?” As the dialogue continues, understanding begins to dawn on this woman. The water Jesus spoke of wasn’t literal water, but eternal life. For this woman, a known adulteress and public sinner, she initially desired a way out of a daily struggle. Her life choices had resulted in consequences that made her life difficult and shameful. She didn’t want to go to the well each day to get water, she didn’t want the knowing looks, ridicule, and judgement of those who saw her. Ultimately, she comes to understand how this man Jesus is different; He’s even greater than a prophet. In fact, she gets so excited that John 4:28-29 records her leaving her water jug and running back to town to bring others saying, “Could this be the Messiah?!”. For this woman, the realization that she could be free from her past by simply accepting the free gift being offered her in Jesus was life changing!

3) What is meant by “true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth”? (verses 23-24)
Jesus is teaching that regardless of being Jew or Samaritan, He welcomes all to trust Him. He isn’t looking for a particular race, gender, or culture, instead He is seeking hearts who will take Him at His word, believe Him, and worship the Father. Culturally at this time, the Jews viewed themselves as superior to the Samaritans. The Jews were God’s chosen people, descendants of Abraham, while the Samaritans were considered less than because they were only half Jewish. The Samaritan race came from marriage between Jews and other races following the Jews’ return from exile. Everyone knew the Messiah would be of Jewish lineage, specifically from the tribe of Judah. This knowledge led the full-blooded Jews to look down on everyone else. While the Samaritan people worshiped God, they did not have the same “inside knowledge” as the Jewish people, in many ways they worshiped a God they did not know or understand. Additionally, the Jewish people believed you could only worship God in Jerusalem, which furthered the divide between these two people groups. Beginning in verse 21, Jesus breaks down that old belief system by saying it doesn’t matter where you worship or who you are, but that “true worshipers” (regardless of their nationality, history, or past) will worship “in Spirit” (a matter of the heart vs. the keeping of the law) and “in truth” (believing Jesus and embracing Him as the promised Messiah). By having this conversation with a Samaritan, who was also a woman, Jesus broke down several cultural stumbling blocks. He came for everyone, even this woman who was currently living in sin and, from all accounts, could never live up the standard of Jewish law.

Everyday Application

1) Being a Jew and knowing the culture, why would Jesus ask this woman for a drink? (verse 9)
There is no question that tensions run high when it comes to race, culture and even our moral belief systems. As much as we’d like to believe these are new things, we learn from this passage that respecting people with different colors of skin or cultural upbringings has been a source of tension since the beginning of time. At first glance, it can be tempting to think of this passage as a good moral lesson with some interesting history, but having little impact on our lives today. In reality, this true narrative is still as relevant today as it was when Jesus first had the conversation. Jesus refused to let the cultural standard or current belief system stop His work of meeting and loving people where they were. He took a risk and talked to someone most people would have avoided. He engaged in a conversation, which included listening to and responding to her questions as well as asking His own. He used a normal daily task, drawing water from a well, to teach, convict, and ultimately change this woman’s life and those around her. Every Christian today needs to follow Jesus’ example. None of us need to look far to find someone different than ourselves, we have look up and see them, be willing to engage in conversations, and look for opportunities to share Jesus’ message. In verse 26 Jesus says, “I am He” (meaning the promised Messiah), we must ask ourselves, just as this woman, do I believe Jesus is who He says He is? If our answer is yes, then we are compelled to share that knowledge with those around us, just like this woman.

2) How does the water Jesus gives keep us from getting thirsty again? (verse 14)
In this story, Jesus gives the woman what she needs instead of what she wants. She is looking for physical water so she wouldn’t need to face the shame of judgement when she comes to the well. Instead of giving her more isolation, Jesus gives her what she really needs, the way to eternal salvation and a transformation so deep it changed her life. Once we come to a place of accepting Jesus for who He is and the salvation He gives, we can stop searching for other things to fill us up; He is enough! You only need to acknowledge and accept Jesus as your Savior one time in sincerity, and He will faithfully rescue you for eternity. The analogy Jesus makes with water and a well doesn’t make as much sense to us today since most of us simply go to the faucet and turn the handle for water. For the people in our story, getting water was a daily chore requiring advance planning. Drawing water meant physically walking a dusty road with a heavy earthen jar. It was something that had to be done day after day after day. Much like following the law of the old covenant, it took repeated effort, day after day, all the while knowing you’d need to do it all again the next day. An unending cycle of trying to live up to an impossible expectation, failing, and working to atone or pay for those failures with the appropriate sacrifice. With Jesus, none of that is required! He has done all the work; all we need is to go to the faucet (Jesus) and turn the handle (pray in faith) that allows the water (eternal life) to flow.

3) What is meant by “true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth”? (verses 23-24)
Plain and simple, true worship comes down to the heart. Nothing else matters. Regardless of your skin color, your family’s ancestry, political party, church membership, or anything else, God desires the full worship of our hearts. True worshipers take Jesus at His word, believe He is in fact the Messiah, and did come to save each and every one of us from the deadly consequence of our sins. True worshipers follow Jesus from the heart, because they know it impossible to earn or work their way to salvation. True worshipers live all out for Jesus every single day, not those who simply spin their wheels trying to check all the right boxes. True worshipers have “tasted and seen that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8) and can’t imagine life without Him. We worship God in “Spirit and in truth” by allowing His Spirit living inside of us to teach us as John 16:13 says, “when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth”. The beautiful thing about life with Jesus is that He knows us and loves us for who we are, right here and right now. Even if our words and thoughts are a jumbled-up mess, He knows and sees what is in our hearts; this is what matters!

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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 VII Day 9 Born Again: 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 Born Again!

The Questions

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?

John 3:1-21

1 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2  This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him. 3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 ”How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit,  he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. 8  The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9  “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus. 10  “Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. 11 “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 22 But anyone who lives byJ the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Original Intent

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses when he was speaking to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?
Jesus is Emmanuel, God With Us. He is and always has been the God Who meets us where we are, and in his interaction with Nicodemus, we see this illustrated clearly. Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the highest Jewish council in the first century. The Sanhedrin was comprised of 71 individuals, which included 69 common members and was presided over by the high priest. The 69 common members were divided into three courts of 23 members, and Moses was actually considered the 70th common member. The Sanhedrin served as the highest court of the Jews, and they even appointed members to lower courts throughout the land. Their decisions were honored by Jews regardless of where they resided. If a lower court decision were to be appealed, it would be sent before the Sanhedrin for review…not unlike a first century Supreme Court. Every member of the Sanhedrin was well versed in the Law, as well as the history of Moses. They would have been well versed in all 613 laws, as well as any religious customs their culture had adopted as rules. Nicodemus undoubtedly knew the Law backwards and forwards, as was required of his position and title. The story of Moses lifting the snake in the wilderness would have been as familiar to Nicodemus as the back of his hand. Because he was after Nicodemus’s heart, as he always is, Jesus spoke to him in the language he would immediately recognize and understand.

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?
Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus about the new life God extends to every believer when they submit their life to Him and accept the deity, death, and resurrection of Jesus and salvation through Him alone. While conversing with Nicodemus, Jesus mentioned being born of water and the spirit. The phrase “born of water” likely refers to what Nicodemus would have recognized as familiar: spiritual cleansing by water. This is clearly referenced numerous times throughout the Old Testament. (Numbers 19:17-19; Psalm 51:2, 7; Ezekiel 36:25) The phrase “born of the Spirit” refers to the spiritual birth each person receives when they experience salvation and their sin nature is crucified with Christ. When we accept the gift of salvation, we are transferred into the kingdom of God and begin to be transformed into the likeness of Christ! As we allow Him to do the work necessary in our spirit, our soul and flesh fall into alignment and we begin to become more and more like Jesus. Praise God!

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?
Jesus was fully God and fully man. He knew His verbal exchange with Nicodemus that night would echo throughout the Jewish man’s mind, heart and life, as well as through the pages of Scripture for all time. This conversation was anything but casual. Jesus took this important moment to explain the miraculous spiritual transformation every believer can experience in their life. He had not yet been crucified, but being God, He knew the end of the story. Jesus wanted Nicodemus, and everyone who would read this passage of Scripture, to know what God had been telling the Jews since the first Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden: no one is able to become righteous in their own strength. Instead, spiritual salvation and transformation are required. In this passage, Jesus is explaining what it takes to enter the kingdom of God: the spiritual transformation which would be made possible only by His own death and resurrection.

Everyday Application

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses when he was speaking to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?
In the exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus that night, we see the nature of God illustrated clearly, and we are encouraged to follow suit. Jesus could have spoken to Nicodemus in a parable, or through an angel, or through any supernatural or natural way he desired. However, he knew Nicodemus intimately. He chose to meet Nicodemus where he was and speak to him using the language and medium He knew Nicodemus would understand. As born again Christians, we are charged to fulfill the great commission, and in this interaction Jesus shows us the best way: by meeting people where they are and speaking truth to them in the way Holy Spirit leads. Doesn’t it make sense that He would encourage us to come alongside others as we share the good news of the gospel? Grab hold of the freedom we see Jesus extend to us here!

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?
God never changes, and He has been telling us the same truth since the beginning: we are incapable of saving ourselves. No human could ever fulfill the law or become righteous on their own; we all need someone sinless to stand in the gap for us because all have sinned. God is holy, and He can not contradict Himself. As much as He loved His creation, He could not remain in intimate relationship with them once sin had entered the picture because sin deserves punishment and God is just. But, God also knew His creation would foul things up and sin (over and over), and He had already designed a different outcome. Enter Jesus. God sent His only begotten son to atone for our sins, so we could enter into a right relationship with Him. When we accept this gift of salvation, we are also recipients of spiritual birth! Our sin debt was paid for once and for all by the precious blood of Jesus Christ when He defeated death and hell, and rose from the grave three days later. This ultimate sacrifice made it possible for us to be born of water and the Spirit!

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?
From the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and accept the salvation and new life He alone can give us, we become part of God’s family through the spirit of adoption. But that’s not all. We experience an immediate transfer into the kingdom of God, but this is only the beginning! As we grow in our faith and spiritual maturity, God is gracious to transform us from the inside out, renewing our mind to become like Jesus. Freedom is truly ours as we find there is absolutely nothing we can do to manufacture this incredible spiritual transformation on our own; instead, we are tasked to let Him do his work in us. We can fight it, sure. We can struggle, and resist. And the Lord will honor our desires. He will never force us to change, but if we will submit every area of our lives to him, He will go about the holy work of redeeming us and using us for His glory!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Born Again!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Sketched VII Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

The GT Weekend! ~ Captivating Week 2

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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)  We’ve been discussing and studying in this Journey Theme how beautiful it is for Christ’s fragrance to extend to a dying world through US as believers as we are His ambassadors. Incredible! But we must turn the question on ourselves. How captivated are WE with the presence of Jesus? How mission critical is it for us to regularly and consistently sit with the Savior? How high does cultivating our own spiritual growth in deep ways actually rank when it’s on the same scale as diaper changes, difficult relationships, the DMV, and bills to pay? What would it look like for you to increase your captivation with Jesus this week? Regardless of where you are in your faith journey today, what if the Lord wanted to take you deeper tomorrow? Are you willing to be captivated by the sweetest love of Christ?

2)  Who do you know that’s longing to be loved? Pause and carefully consider the groups of people you feel are beyond your love, or your ability to love? The elderly or those with disabilities? The under-privileged or the exceptionally wealthy? Maybe it’s the diseased or the emotionally unstable? Perhaps they wear tattoos, drink more than you would, stand at the corner of your familiar intersection, or maybe they sit behind you at church and let their kids play and be loud during service. Take the challenge this week and Choose To Love Intentionally. Pray out loud, pray with honesty, pray with confession on your lips and ask God to help you understand how to love those you see as unlovely.

3) Audra shared the visual of believers being like refreshing water bringing life and encouragement in the middle of dry, desert-like experiences to others. Identify a desert season you’ve had in your life, or maybe you feel like you’re in the midst of one now. Who were the people that were like that cool water to you? Take time this weekend to send them a text, write a note, or call them to say thank you for being Jesus to you. Sit silent for a few minutes, thinking through the visual of a desert and living water as you think of your sphere of friendships and acquaintances. Who is the Lord prompting you to bring refreshment for? Make an action plan and step into it!

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 John 7:37-38 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.”

Prayer Journal
There are so many Scripture stories that paint You as quiet, unobtrusive, and silently loving or serving. Often, I keep this image of You in my mind, Lord, viewing You as always gentle, calm, and soothing. But then the Spirit reminds me of just as many recorded instances of You stepping, standing up, and crying out. Bold ways. Brave words. Fiercely following in obedience to the Father. This too is a picture of my Savior, and I’m so grateful, Lord! Get my attention, stand up in the middle of my self-supposed importance, remind I am Yours, remind me I’m called into a mission of living out love for others. Cry out, Abba, shake my shoulders and put my feet back on solid ground. Jesu, I love Thee!

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

Ignite Day 7 60 Seconds Of Truth: 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 60 Seconds Of Truth!

The Questions

1) Why did Nicodemus go by night?

2) What is the birth of water and spirit Jesus refers to?

3) Does verse 20 mean believers will never do wrong again?

John 3:1-21

There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. 8 The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

9 “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.

10 “Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. 11 “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven —the Son of Man.

14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Original Intent

1) Why did Nicodemus go by night?
Nicodemus, a Pharisee, decided to visit Jesus at night. He knew Jesus must be from God because of the miracles Jesus had performed. However, this public display of miracles and teachings were not enough for Nicodemus. He wanted a more private discourse regarding salvation with Jesus. Nicodemus wanted answers to certain questions and wanted to be free to talk with Jesus openly. In public, Nicodemus was a Pharisee and expected to behave as such. The Pharisees publicly opposed Jesus and would never have engaged Jesus as Nicodemus did. By approaching Him at night, Nicodemus was able to dialogue with Jesus without the judgement of the other Pharisees. Matthew Henry says, “Probably it was the very next night after he saw Christ’s miracles, and he would not neglect the first opportunity of pursuing his convictions. He knew not how soon Christ might leave the town, nor what might happen betwixt that and another feast, and therefore would lose no time. In the night, his converse with Christ would be more free, and less liable to disturbance.” Nicodemus wanted answers and would not allow anything to stop him from getting those answers.

2) What is the birth of water and spirit Jesus refers to?
Nicodemus understands how people are physically born and is thinking purely in human terms when Jesus begins talking about being born again. Nicodemus doesn’t understand how one who was already born can repeat the process of entering and exiting the mothers’ womb. However, Jesus quickly explains He is not talking about an earthly birth, but a spiritual birth instead. This birth takes place in a completely different manner than a physical birth. Jesus helped us understand this birth by obeying what His Father asked of Him when He was baptized by John. (Matthew 3:13-17) Jesus explained to Nicodemus that this second birth happens through water and spirit. John baptized Jesus in water and that day the Spirit was present in the form of a dove overhead. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that, while he was once born of a human mother, in order receive the gift of salvation, he must be reborn of the spirit. This gift of salvation is only possible by what Jesus would do on the cross and can only be received through faith and belief in what Jesus did.

3) Does verse 20 mean believers will never do wrong again?
This verse is found in a discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus and therefore is not meant to be taken alone. Jesus had taught in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13-16) that believers are the light of the world and here Jesus is saying evil (darkness) cannot be in the presence of light. If taken alone this verse may seem to be saying a believer cannot do evil. However, in this same discourse Jesus presents the Gospel to Nicodemus. Nicodemus learns He can never earn salvation on His own, but it is a gift of Jesus. Jesus is going to do what only He can do and what no man is capable of on His own by paying the penalty for our sin through His sacrificial death. The promise is in eternal life and the freedom from condemnation because of Christ, not of a life lived perfectly. This discourse ends by giving all credit to God. Jesus never tells Nicodemus that if He believes He will live perfectly, so Jesus is not promising the freedom from all evil only the forgiveness from evil.

Everyday Application

1) Why did Nicodemus go by night?
Nicodemus watched first hand as Jesus performed miracles and taught the masses. This left Nicodemus with questions he wanted answers. He waited until the most likely time to have an uninterrupted conversation with Jesus and sought Him out. As believers today, there is much we can learn from this. There are lessons we can only learn as we sit at the feet of Jesus and spend time with Him uninterrupted. While corporate gatherings of believers and fellowship together are wonderful and necessary, there is something irreplaceable in time spent alone with Jesus. In those moments, we are free to reveal our deepest thoughts, emotions, and questions to the Lord and He is able to meet us exactly where we are. In those moments, He can mold and shape us into who He desires to make us. We, like Nicodemus, need to make a priority of coming to Jesus when we can be free of interruption and simply sit at His feet.

2) What is the birth of water and spirit Jesus refers to?
Jesus welcomed Nicodemus’ questions and explained to Nicodemus how he must be reborn. However, this rebirth is not of flesh, but a birth of the spirit. We too, just as Nicodemus, must experience a rebirth if we are to receive the gift of salvation offered through Jesus’ sacrifice. We must accept, and hold firmly as our own, what Jesus did on our behalf on the cross by giving Himself as the payment for our sin followed by His victory over and defeat of death. To be reborn, we must see how we are the ones worthy of a death sentence and eternal separation from God because of our sin and believe Jesus as Lord over Sin and Death. When we do, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the spirit portion Jesus referred to in His conversation with Nicodemus. We are also called to follow in obedience as Jesus did and be baptized in water. As believers, we are baptized by water displaying an outward symbol of our belief in Jesus by which we have been baptized by His Spirit. When we are baptized in water it is a picture of our rebirth as a believer and shows the world the change that has taken place in our lives.

3) Does verse 20 mean believers will never do wrong again?
In John 8:21 Jesus calls Himself the light of the world and Matthew 5:14 refers to believers as the same.  However, this verse says if whoever does evil hates the light. If we read only John 3:20, it may seem that once we believe we will never do evil again and will be freed from it. However, that is not the promise Jesus makes. Jesus promises us the gift of eternal life and freedom from condemnation, the punishment for sin, when we believe in Him. There is only one who is capable of living with no evil and that is Jesus alone. However, that does not mean we continue in our old ways. Instead, as believers once we place our faith in Jesus, through the power of the Spirit we are now the light of the world. We have the source of all light living inside of us. As we allow God to work in us conforming us to look more like Him through the process of sanctification, there is less of us, less evil, to be found and more light as Jesus transforms us. This discourse closes by reminding us it is all the work of God and He deserves all credit… not us. It is never in our power, but only by His power we have been saved and are able to live as His light.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with 60 Seconds Of Truth!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

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

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Ignite Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

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

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

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

Study Tools

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

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

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

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Justice Day 11 Beyond My Walls

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Isaiah 30:18
Psalm 146
Psalm 147

It’s something I take entirely for granted.
Clean water.
In my house, there are 21 outlets for fresh water.
Twenty-One!
In many third world countries, there are zero.
Even traveling outside of a home or village to get to water, it’s contaminated and disease ridden,
meaning that literally millions of people have no access to clean water whatsoever.

My church has proudly taken a stand to help fill the gap, standing up for those suffering without this most basic necessity of life. They run for clean water by partnering with Team World Vision, where just $50 changes 1 life with clean water access.
For the amount of a nice dinner out, 1 life can be forever changed.

The fact that people, usually women, spend their days walking about 4 miles one-way to collect dirty water for their families, and then carry it home again, is a social injustice worth fighting against. One, that together, we can make a huge difference in.
It’s practical, it’s tangible, and it’s life changing!

We hashtag #firstworldproblems and snicker a little, knowing full-well the incredible advantage we have in the country we live in.

My daughter has every athletic bone in her body, she is speedy, determined, and does backflips like nobody’s business. She ended up on a soccer team with another girl her age, Addy. Addy is 8 years old, in the 3rd grade, and is training to run a half-marathon in October.
For Real!
What’s more, she’s raised a mind-blowing $10,000 for clean water in Africa so that little girls like her can grow up healthy because they have access to something my 2-year-old can turn on and off without even thinking about it.
Clean. Water.

Access to clean water saves lives.
While access to the Living Water of salvation through Jesus Christ saves souls for eternity.
We must not divorce these two!
We are called to share the fullness of the gospel and intertwine it with loving others in the nitty gritty real stuff of everyday life from digging wells, fighting for equal rights, supporting abortion clinics, and passing out food to those less fortunate.

Drink in Psalm 146 and joyously celebrate our God of Justice:
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
….who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry,
The Lord sets prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
He watches over the foreigner,
He upholds the widow and the fatherless.

This is our God, Ladies!
A God of freedom for all.
A God who stoops low to love well.
A God who fights for the oppressed.
A God of justice.
A God who never ignores people,
never side-steps issues to sweep them under the rug,
and never is blind to injustice,
but is a righteous Defender of the weak!

Looking at this list of those the Lord loves to defend, who do you know who fits these categories?
Who do you see that is
oppressed,
hungry,
in prison,
handicapped,
weighed down,
is a foreigner,
a widow,
or an orphan?

Yes, sister, we are called to share the gospel.
We are called to ministry in the church body.
We are called to encourage the saints (our fellow Christians).
But sharing the fullness of the gospel,
extends far beyond
words we say,
prayers we pray,
or classes we teach at church.
We are called beyond the safe walls of our homes, and churches, and carpool lines, and grocery aisles.
We are called to outside of us.

Plead with the Lord, this Maker of all, who cares so deeply and intimately about His creation,
to break your heart over what breaks His own.
Beg the Spirit to peel away the blinders on your eyes and truly see beyond yourself to the least of these.
Those you don’t like,
those you feel defensive against or look down upon,
those who clearly need the gospel as much as we do.
Then, fueled by the love of a Father who gave to you, choose to give yourself away for another.

Help Addy raise money for wells in Africa.
Adopt a family in need.
Partner with your local women’s clinic to help save unborn lives.
Go inner city and look under bridges and behind old warehouses for the souls who feel like they’ve been abandoned by humanity and God.
Find Them.
See Them.
LOVE THEM LIKE JESUS!
Love them like the God of Justice!

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

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 Justice 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 Justice!