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Captivating Day 14 His Heartbeat: 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 His Heartbeat!

The Questions

1) Verse 9 says “for this reason ‘also’”. What is the “also”?

2) What does this passage teach about the “guts” of prayer?

3) What is absent from Paul’s prayer list and what does this reveal?

Colossians 1:9-14

For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, 10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. 14 In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Original Intent

1) Verse 9 says “for this reason ‘also’”. What is the “also”?
Paul, the itinerant preacher who moved across Asia Minor to preach the gospel, plant churches, and then go back and encourage those churches to stay true to the gospel, had never physically visited the brothers and sisters in Colossae, at least not at the time of this writing. Paul had heard of them through another co-laborer in the early church, Epaphras, (verses 7-8) and their work to share Christ was known throughout the “entire (known) world.” (verse 6) Clearly, their love for Christ had caught fire in Colossae, and as is intended by God, was igniting others with its flame as they drew people towards knowing Jesus as Savior. The primary reason Paul and his companions prayed fervently for the church in Colossae was simply because they were fellow believers, followers of the same Jesus Christ who had rescued Paul from his own sin and transformed him with a new life. This was not a random group of people, even though they had never met or even exchanged personal details. They were brothers and sisters in Christ, and that was enough reason to come before the throne on their behalf. (verses 3-5) Adding, however, that these believers were “bearing fruit” in their own lives and simultaneously influencing the world around them (verse 6) through the same extravagant love shown them through Christ’s love, and Paul had even more reason to pray deeply and fervently. Because Paul knew what they were in the middle of, he could pray with laser intentionality. Because Paul could identify with them through his friend, Epaphras, his heart was knit to theirs and he prayed for them.

2) What does this passage teach about the “guts” of prayer?
This prayer from the heart of Paul is so rich in content! A few major highlights include:
1) He prayed consistently. Paul did not pray for the Colossian believers a handful of times and then check them off his prayer list. Because of his personal connection through Epaphras, he marked out time every day to pray for them. (verse 9)
2) He prayed for fullness. Depth of understanding who God is as He reveals Himself through Scripture is core to following Jesus. If we do not properly understand who God is, we have created an idea of Him in our minds that doesn’t line up with Scripture. (verse 9)
3) He prayed for their captivating witness. These believers had already proven to be world changers and influencers for Christ with His winsome love. Paul prayed this would not only increase, but that they would know God’s character better as a result of His work through them. (verse 10)
4) He prayed for their relationship with God. As they grew closer to God, becoming steadily more intimate with His heartbeat of love, Paul knew the outcome would be their own encouragement and delight in relationship with the Lord. They would be strengthened, their hearts would be emboldened, they would be joyful, and they would grow thankful as their hearts were focused ever more intently on the freeing gospel of Jesus Christ! (verses 11-12)
5) He prayed the gospel. Paul knew that everything hinges on the gospel, the freedom it brings, and the hope it points us toward. The gospel is not only for those who don’t know Jesus, it’s for every believer. We need to preach this gospel to ourselves daily, which is exactly why Paul includes it in every letter he wrote and wove it into the prayers he prayed. (verses 13-14)

3) What is absent from Paul’s prayer list and what does this reveal?

Often, what Scripture doesn’t say, is just as important as what it does say. While it’s dangerous to take this line of thinking too far (ridiculous example: the Bible doesn’t specifically say don’t gorge yourself on taco bell tacos after midnight, so it must be a healthy choice!), we can wisely look at what the Bible is silent on as long as we are simultaneously holding that conclusion up to the rest of Scripture to verify its validity. In our western church culture, we are quick to pray for safety and protection and blessing, generally intending monetary blessing and physical protection. While it isn’t wrong to pray for health, safety, and protection because the Lord does care about every aspect of our lives including physical, Paul only notes it in a specific prayer 1 time out his many, many recorded prayers. (3 John 1:2) We never once read of Paul praying monetary blessing over any one or any church. Paul’s main focus in prayer was the gospel unleashed in a believer’s life and their continued, steady spiritual growth through Scripture and the unity of biblical community.

Everyday Application

1) Verse 9 says “for this reason ‘also’”. What is the “also”?
Perhaps you know what it’s like to pray for a group of people you’ve heard about. Maybe it’s another church, maybe it’s a general vicinity like “inner city”, or “unwed mothers”, or the “lost without Jesus” or “persecuted Christians”. Or maybe you were scrolling social media and saw an image of a sick child that broke your heart and you were drawn to pray for them. We want to pray for them, we do pray, but when a prayer need becomes personal, a believer’s heart yearns and aches to pray for them, interceding on their behalf. When it’s your mother, your best friend, your nephew, your child, your pastor, your neighbor….we pray deeply and fervently because our hearts love them in deeper ways. Paul prayed for the believers in Colossae just as he prayed for all the other believers scattered across the known world, but then, on the word of his brother-friend, he ached for them. He wanted to carry them along in prayer, he wanted to encourage them, he literally came alongside them through prayer, even though they’d never met face to face. Write out the names of people or groups who you pray for generally, then narrow it to those you pray for specifically because your heart has been knit to theirs. Spend time intentionally carrying them along this week in prayer, while praising God for the way He builds His Body of Church together!

2) What does this passage teach about the “guts” of prayer?
Paul’s prayer for the Colossian believers provides us with an excellent gauge to assess our own prayer lives. As you read through the “guts” of Paul’s prayer above, push against any tendency to fall into guilt or shame (that’s never the voice of Christ!) or the pitfall of comparison. Instead, look for where the Lord is calling you deeper in relationship with Him. How is He equipping you to boldly stand in the gap and pray deeply, intentionally, and fervently? Look for areas to grow in as well as places you can be encouraged because your heart is already chasing after the Lord’s. And maybe? Maybe the person you first need to pray this kind of regular, consistent, wise, gospel-focused prayer over is yourself. Bring your transparent honesty before the Lord, regardless of what your personal prayer life looks like. Whether your spirit is familiar with the breathing of the Spirit as you move steadily along with His rhythm, praying as He speaks to you, or whether you feel intimidated and clumsy when it comes to prayer or how to even begin. Be encouraged that not even Paul began praying these kinds of prayers immediately; every single one of us is on a faith journey to know Jesus better and grow more intimate with Him! The important step is to take one!

3) What is absent from Paul’s prayer list and what does this reveal?
Given Paul’s very intentional focus in not only this prayer, but in his other recorded prayers in Scripture, we should use the opportunity to thoughtfully (and prayer-fully!) consider the DNA fabric of our common prayers. How often are we actually praying? What are we speaking with the Savior about in those sacred moments with the Holy One? It’s easy to rush in and pray a quick “blessing” for ease or healing or financial relief or safety. Again, it’s not that these prayers are wrong, but if these themes are the major chords in our prayer life, we are missing out on the heartbeat of the Lord God. Long for the Healer more than the healing, for the Giver more than the gift, and for spiritual riches and blessing that come through studying Christ and His Word more than the temporary happiness brought about by financial ease. Begin earnestly praying for these good things and see how much the Lord will pour out Himself on you, those around you, and your local church!

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

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 Captivating Week Three!
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.

Captivating Day 10 Streams

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 19:1-10
Isaiah 43:19-20
John 7:37-39

Captivating, Day 10

Have you ever written someone off?
Whether in my mind or through my actions, I must admit I have!

I have viewed people as unworthy of investing in a relationship….
I’ve decided they were “too far gone”.
Or their outward appearance repelled me.
Or their beliefs/struggles made me uncomfortable.

Maybe you’ve witnessed a religious organization, or even your church excluding some….
People with tattoos.
Those who smoke, or are heavily pierced.
Promiscuous people.
People with different sexual orientations.

Transparently, I’ve written off someone from each group listed above.
God has shifted my heart towards people, but those God has most laid on my heart recently have been the homosexuals. To help me see His heart, He gave me a visual as I prayed over this and studied His Word.

For this picture, there’s a tree in the desert, barely holding onto life, and a stream of rushing water keeping the tree alive. The tree represents people in hard, difficult places in their lives. The desert represents the wilderness seasons in our lives. And the stream is believers that have living water to offer in that person’s wilderness season.

One Scripture the Lord used to teach my heart was John 7:38,
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,
‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'”
Our hearts run with the overflow of Jesus’ love inside of us, pouring out to others in our lives. This verse has challenged me to be ready, no matter what, to willingly allow the overflow of my heart minister to others by the Spirit’s power. It has also softened my heart toward others, regardless of who they are or what they look like.
You never know what wilderness another person is walking through,
or how close they are to giving up.
Pour out His love like life-giving streams!

Another Scripture the Spirit used to teach me was Isaiah 43, specifically, verses 19-20, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people.”

Isaiah is speaking about God’s heart for Israel to be shining witnesses of Him, His glory, and His work to the world. He is capable of amazing things, even in the midst of the wilderness seasons in our lives, including springing forth rivers in the deserts to sustain and encourage us. By trusting His heart, studying His Words in Scripture, and engaging in biblical community, He will bring peace and His power will flow through us.

Zacchaeus’ story paints a beautiful picture of Jesus’ loving, relational pursuit of us.
Jesus was simply passing through Jericho on His way to somewhere else when He intentionally stopped to engage Zacchaeus. One tax collector, despised and hated, wealthy beyond belief, but living in his own desert of loneliness and purposelessness, desperately needed a stream of hope and love more than even he realized.
Zacchaeus was “trying to see who Jesus was”. (Luke 19:3)

Jesus called out to Zacchaeus and, like a stream of refreshing water, climbed into his loneliness with him by bringing winsome friendship. As a result, Zacchaeus’ life was forever changed and dramatically made new. Jesus came to bring new life, to be a friend to sinners, and enter into dry, desert places to bring revival.

Jesus intentionally sought out those whom religion and society had written off.
He chose the outcasts.
He built relationships with the missional purpose of saving them for eternity and giving them purpose.

If we are to be like Him, and we are all called to be like Him,
then we should choose to enter into relationships with people
that may make us uncomfortable.
We are commissioned to intentionally engage in order to be a river of life for them in wilderness seasons, holding out the life-changing gospel that they too might be rescued.

In my own life, this has been a challenge to walk out.
I have many people in my life that are living homosexual and promiscuous lifestyles and you might too. I have asked God to help me build relationships that honor Him and bring dramatic life change.

I have intentionally built relationships with these people in my life. They have been seeking and searching and unfortunately, the people claiming the name of Christ in their lives have been very unloving toward them. But through our relationship, they have seen that not all believers are judgmental, that some are willing to enter into the uncomfortable conversations to understand and love and walk alongside in friendship.

I can see their hearts soften toward the things of the Lord. It is not my job to change them, but it is my job to love them regardless. They know that I don’t agree with their lifestyle, but they also know I love them for them.

I pray that through our relationship, they would see what God’s love is like and discover it’s Him they are most searching for.

Sisters, I pray we all choose to intentionally be streams of living water to those around us. Not to save them or change them, only Jesus can do that, rather to give them a drink of what Jesus’ love tastes like.

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
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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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Captivating Day 7 Truth, Grace, And Winsomeness: 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 Truth, Grace, And Winsomeness!

The Questions

1) Are we literally to rejoice ALWAYS in ALL THINGS?

2) How do we reach that state of continuous rejoicing?

3) How does dwelling on truth bring about peace?

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Original Intent

1) Are we literally to rejoice ALWAYS in ALL THINGS? 
In verses 4 and 5, Paul the apostle addresses the Philippian church with a stirring call to rejoice in the Lord. He doesn’t give this command lightly as he himself pens the letter while imprisoned, knowing his own death was coming. Paul also realized the church he was sending this command to “rejoice always” was facing severe persecution for their faith.
Yet Paul, through the power of the Holy Spirit, set before the church of Philippi two qualities of the Christian life.
First, joy. “Rejoice, and again I say, REJOICE.” As Christ’s followers, we know there are dangers, toils, and snares, but when we walk in the counsel of Christ and in the oneness we share with Him through His Spirit, we can most emphatically REJOICE in the ONE who saves us. Theologian, William Barclay states, “Christian joy is independent of all things on earth because it has its source in the continual presence of Christ.” As Christians, we can NEVER lose our JOY because we can NEVER lose Christ. There will always be tears, sorrow, and troubles, but deep joy can be our constant because of Who God is!
Second, graciousness. In the context of verse 5, graciousness is “the spirit of willingness to yield under a trial”. (Barclay) L.H. Marshall adds that graciousness is “having an attitude of being charitable towards men’s faults and merciful in judgement.” This may have seemed impossible to the Philippians suffering persecution, but the previous verse is a reminder that graciousness is the “outshining of joy in the Lord”. (Michaelis)
Trials themselves provide the believer the opportunity for the Lord to shine brilliantly through us as we choose to rejoice in Who our God is, regardless of our circumstances. He will always be the indwelling, forever with us, abundantly loving God!

2) How do we reach that state of continuous rejoicing?
Prayer. This is the answer, or the “go to” if you will, providing the conduit for rejoicing to be unleashed in the heart and life of the believer. Through prayer, every Christian across the timeline of history has access to guidance, encouragement, and intimacy with the God of the universe. Verse 6 brings great hope and comfort in treacherous times, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” “Do not worry” is an imperative drawing us away from believing the lie that God cannot be trusted to care for us. The same verbiage is used in Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22 where we are commanded not to worry about any aspect of our lives, even necessities like food and clothing. “With thanksgiving” is a vitally important aspect of prayer. As we shift our focus off ourselves, our circumstances, and our need, instead recounting verbally to the Lord of His goodness, daily mercies, and abundant kindnesses, our hearts are re-shaped. Here, in the beautiful position of prayer, sitting in communion and declaring thanksgiving to the Holy One, where we present our worn and weary souls, our tears, our trials and anxieties. Here, in prayer, the healing balm of the Lord’s presence brings pleasure as we enjoy God’s peace that passes all understanding.  Here, in prayer, our hearts are adjusted to a heavenly position, and we can rejoice always.

3) How does dwelling on truth bring about peace?  
In verses 8 and 9, Paul calls the Philippians to think about or dwell on these virtues, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy…” There is no doubt the Philippians were surrounded on all sides with fiery trials, even death, but Paul urged them to discipline their thought-life. He taught them to train themselves to fill their hearts and minds with TRUTH. When their attention was directed away from lies, deception, fear, and circumstance and onto that which reflected God and His good character, peace would be the natural outcome. Notice that Paul did not give them parameters for only looking for Scriptural examples, but encouraged them to focus on whatever and anything that fit the qualifications listed. Each of these qualities are a reflection of God and His character and can be found in creation, Scripture, and within relationships, the instruction was simply to intentionally and mindfully dwell on these things.

Everyday Application

1) Are we literally to Rejoice ALWAYS in ALL THINGS?
We have all felt the anguish of pain (physical or mental), sorrow, fear and doubt. We are living in the midst of a hostile world full of sin and corruption. Everyday there seems to be something small or large giving us reason to not rejoice or forget how God is in control. In the midst of suffering, it becomes easy to drift into emotional tailspins or believe lies about ourselves, our circumstance, or even about God. We can drown in our own tears or our fears. How do we rejoice here?
Notice that Paul repeated his exhortation to rejoice, probably because it seems so unreasonable to rejoice under all circumstances. Can we truly rejoice when past sins haunt us, when loved ones are suffering, or when we are persecuted or facing death?
Let us be reminded that, like the suffering Philippians and imprisoned apostle, circumstances DO NOT determine heart condition. A Christian can rejoice even when all seems dark and dreary; we do not need to fall prey to lies, emotions, and fear. We are not celebrating because of difficulty, we rejoice because of our ever-present God! Where are you struggling with rejoicing? I wonder if perhaps, your eyes may be focusing on circumstances rather than the Savior? Hold tightly to the truth of Who God is, trusting Him to be faithful to His good character. “The Lord is NEAR!” (verse 5)

2) How do we reach that state of continuous rejoicing?
If we want to build a house, or plant a garden, or accomplish anything, it cannot be done by careful planning alone, actions must take place for the goal to be accomplished. For the goal of worry to be eradicated and rejoicing to dominate, prayer is the action plan. Prayer is not merely words thrown together, or a recitation of thoughts someone else penned, rather it is a fully engaged actionable step that begins with, ironically enough, sitting still. When we discipline ourselves enough to be still in the presence of the Lord, quieting our minds, and insisting on simply being with Him, we are moving into the action of prayer. The biblical antidote for anxiety is the outpouring of our hearts to God and prayer is the means to that end. As we sit with the Lord, the entry point to deeper intimacy is thanksgiving, not our requests and list of “must dos”.  We are invited to “cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) This truth alone can be a starting point for thanksgiving! Thank you for being an accessible God who cares for me. Thank you for never abandoning me. Thank you for giving me Your Word to know You and Your Spirit to teach me. And on goes our praise. When we begin with stillness and thankfulness, rejoicing naturally grows and overflows. Try it for yourself this week!

3) How does dwelling on truth bring about peace?
Truth will always be the antidote to worry and the conduit for peace to cover our lives. Truth is found in God’s Word as Jesus said, “sanctify them by the truth, Your Word is truth.” (John 17:17) Anchoring ourselves in truth in order to welcome the precious peace of Christ that passes all human comprehension begins with training our minds to hone in on the lovely things that imitate Christ and His glorious character. What are the things in your everyday life that speak to the loveliness of Jesus? Write them down, say them out loud, share them with a friend, dwell on these! Where truth is our anchor, joy bursts out. Where truth is the focus, peace overflows. As joy and peace become evident in our lives, Christ shines out to those we come in contact with in our everyday wanderings. As we engage in constant prayer with the Lord, peace floods us. (verse 7)
There is no peace like the Lord’s peace! It fills our souls as a precious gift of love from the Father God to us as His children. (John 14:27) This peace will keep “guard over our hearts and thoughts.“ (verse 7)
Theologian, Hendricksen, reminds, “True Believers hear and meditate until they understand, then they act upon it putting it into constant practice, thereby showing their house was built upon the rock.” Don’t just walk away from this life-giving truth and process for rejoicing and living in peace, begin practicing it!
Friends, do not despair of life, there is ALWAYS hope in JESUS CHRIST. He is waiting for you. Come in prayer, He will take your anguish and give you peace like no other can give.
“Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care and bids me at my Father’s throne, make all my wants and wishes known!” (Sweet Hour of Prayer)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Truth, Grace, And Winsomeness!

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 Captivating 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.