Dana

Today my precious friend Dana lost her battle with Cancer. Though our hearts are so broken, we rejoice because she is no longer in pain. She is healed and now in the presence of The Lord. 

Please be in prayer for Mark and the girls.

Rewards, little or a lot?

"For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies." 2 Corinthians 5:10

If judgment day came right now, and you stood before the Lord, awaiting His evaluation, what would the outcome be?

Have you handled your gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord?

On that day how will you be rewarded?

Altar Sunday

Abraham built many altars. Some for sacrifice and some for worship and to remember what God had done.

Though we don't build altars today, we do have them within our Church and we should use them more. They should be filled with followers of Christ who are knelt in awe and thankfulness, along with laying down sin and anything else that is separating us from complete fellowship with Christ.

The Motive Behind the Intention

When you open the Word of God, what are your intentions?

When you step out to serve, what are your intentions?

When you attend Church, what is your intention for being there?

Ladies, when you get all dressed up, what is your intention when you step out into public?

Behind every intention is a motive.

So what is your motive for doing and acting the way you do?

How do those motives and intentions hold up to the Word of God?

Are you aware of what God sees?

"People may thing they are doing what is right, but the Lord examines the heart." Proverbs 21:2

"People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives." Proverbs 16:2

The Difference in the Law and God's Promises in a Nutshell

S-The Greatness of His Promises

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-Wisdom 

L-The Law and God's Promises

If I were to just read these next few passages, with out digging further into them, I would have missed the true meaning of them. So often we read the Word, but we never take it to the next step. We never dig into the back story, history of it, to really grasp the depth of it. 

I hope that as we walk through the Book of Galatians we all walk away knowing His Word deeper, thus growing in our faith and developing knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

So let's look at these next few passages.

"Dear brothers and sisters, here's an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. God gave the promise to Abraham and his child. And notice that it doesn't say the promise was to his children, as if it meant many descendants. But the promise was to his child-and that, of course, means Christ. This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. For if the inheritance could be received only by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God's promise. But God gave it to Abraham as a promise." Galatians 3:15-18

Verse 15-Let's look at it from another version (it helps, especially if you don't use commentaries, which I don't, so I like the different versions.) 

    The Message: "Friends, let me give you an example from everyday affairs of the free life I am talking about. Once a person’s will has been ratified, no one else can annul it or add to it." Galatians 3:15

   NASB: "Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it." Galatians 3:15

What point is Paul making here? 

    -He is saying that God's promises cannot be broken or added too. 
            *Therefore, we should rejoice, walk in confidence and freedom, and allow it to strengthen our faith even more. Brethren, God does NOT break His promises to us. He never has and never will. And to reveal that to us, He sent Jesus, who fulfilled and displayed every promise.

   -I want to point out here, that this promise, this covenant, that was made between God and Abraham was based on Abraham's faith not the law. I believe it is the same point Paul is making as well. 

Verse 16-The Message: "Now, the promises were made to Abraham and to his descendant. You will observe that Scripture, in the careful language of a legal document, does not say “to descendants,” referring to everybody in general, but “to your descendant” (the noun, note, is singular), referring to Christ."  

    NASB:  ^"Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ."

  Who is the descendant, the seed? Christ. This is where we see the difference between God's promises and the law. God kept His promise to Abraham and through Abraham we received the blessing of Christ, one of Abraham's descendants.  God promised to save us, and He kept that promise when He sent Christ to die for us.  The law doesn't save us, nor did the law save Abraham.

Verse 17-The Message: "This is the way I interpret this: A will, earlier ratified by God, is not annulled by an addendum attached 430 years later, thereby negating the promise of the will. No, this addendum, with its instructions and regulations, has nothing to do with the promised inheritance in the will."

   NASB-"What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise."

Here it is in a nutshell. The agreement set between God and Abraham 430 years prior could not be changed, added to, or removed when He gave the law to Moses. If that were the case than God would be breaking His promise. And God NEVER breaks a promise. 

This is why its important for us to understand the difference and importance between God's promises and the law. When God promised to save us, He did just that. When God promises to take us home to heaven, He will do just that. When God promised to fill us with the Holy Spirit to teach us, guide us and direct us, He did just that. When God promised to forgive us of our sins, He did just that through His Son, Jesus.

The law given to Moses, was to protect us until Christ came. Today, the law helps guide us and protect us, but is not where our salvation lies. 

The overall point is found in this last verse.

"For if the inheritance could be received only by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God's promise. But God gave it to Abraham as a promise." 

Brethren, the law points out our sin, which in return reveals our need for Christ. When we depend on Christ, when we put our faith in Christ and realize His love and mercy, we will then obey the law because we will desire to glorify and please God through obedience. 

S-Share God's promises with someone today. 

When and How Many?

"I have heard all about you, Lord, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done." Habakkuk 3:2

Brethren, when was the last time you were filled with awe by the amazing things Christ has done?

Christ is doing amazing things all around us every single day. Therefore we should be filled constantly with awe.

Yet we are not. So where is our focus? What has happened?

If you were to look back on this week, how many times would you say you were filled with awe by the amazing things you heard about Christ and saw Him do?

Are we looking for them?

Are we listening as we read His Word?

Are we listening to those who speak of His greatness?

When brethren, was the last time you were filled with awe at the amazing things Christ has done, is doing, and going to do?

The Only Way to Receive God's Promises

S-The Promise

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Promises

L-The Promise

   -"Through the work of Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, and we Christians receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith." Galatians 3:14

Do you know what I love about this passage? It's a win-win for all who put their faith in Christ.

Plus, we all receive the most amazing gift-the Holy Spirit. I am so curious as to the reaction of the people of Galatia when they were reading this letter from Paul.

I know for me, who joins them on this side of the Cross, am so thankful for, and gladly receive the promised Holy Spirit.

Brethren, the only way to understand and know God's promise for us is through the work of the Holy Spirit within us. And the only way to receive the Holy Spirit is through faith.

Do you know God's promises for your life?

S-Share God's blessings and promises with someone in need of Christ today.

Rescued and Thankful

S-Rescued

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Truth

L-Rescued from the Curse

   "But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Galatians 3:13

As I read this passage over and over, I finally stopped and asked God to show me what He wanted me to get out of this passage. I didn't want to walk away without being impacted in such a way that it stuck with me all day.

This is what the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart.

"Why live with so many complaints? Why not live with thankfulness? Why live stressed and worried and in fear? Why not live with joy, peace, and contentment? You have been rescued from death. Christ took your place. He took those nails for you. He took your place upon the Cross. He took your sin upon Himself, so that you could be saved. He took the curse for your every wrongdoing.

How does this so easily slip your mind? It should stay on your mind at all times, and bring joy to your heart. You are loved, you are rescued and set free. Isn't that enough? It's more than enough. It's more than you deserve. So why, why not focus on His love and His grace and walk in joy and freedom and faith, rather than worry, fear, frustration, and doubt?"

How is it brethren, that we, as followers of Christ Jesus fail to walk confidently in the Lord, overflowing with joy and thankfulness for what Christ has done?

We have been rescued
We have been set free
We have been forgiven
We have been saved

So, how can we complain less and praise more?
How can we worry less and trust more?
How can we be less frustrated and angry and be more merciful, forgiving and loving?
How can we focus less on ourselves and more on Christ?
How can we be less sad, less empty, and more joyful and full?

By remembering what Christ did for us on the Cross. By storing His Word within us more and the things of the world less.

And best of all, we can spend more time in prayer praising God and being thankful.

S-Spend time as a family listing out all you are thankful for each day and once you are finished spend time in prayer thanking God for them.

      -The more you list out what you are thankful for, the more the Spirit will reveal to you how faithful, loving, merciful, and good God is. You will begin to see His promises for your life.



 

Whose in Control-You or Christ?

"If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." Galatians 5:24

In order to give Jesus all of us, we have to allow Him to remove each finger, one by one until we have released whatever we are holding onto. 

Giving up control is hard. Some of us even refuse to. But in order for Christ to take complete control, we have to be willing to let go and let God. 

Many of our worries, fears, and frustrations are a result of us trying to control situations. Ladies, if we really want our husbands to lead us, we have to first be willing to be led by Christ. We have to be willing to relinquish that need to control.  

If we truly want to be men and women of faith, we have to trust Christ enough to let go.  We have to be willing to lay our selfishness down. Isn't that really why we want to be in control in the first place? 

What are you holding onto right now, that you know Christ is asking you to let go and give Him control of?

Is it an addiction?

Is it your life?

Is it a job?

Is it your money?

Is it your Church?

Is it a child?

Is it a spouse?

Is it a family member?

Is it comfort?

Is it an affair?

Is it a re-occuring sin that you try to stop, but every time you lay it down, you pick it up on your way out?

What is keeping you from giving yourself fully and completely to Christ? 

Maybe you struggle with doubt, doubt in Christ. Maybe your faith is weak. Maybe you even find studying His Word to be hard because it requires you to surrender. It requires you to let the Holy Spirit lead, and that is hard for you. Whatever it is, take it to Christ in prayer and let Him help you let go. 

It's a process, but a freeing process, and once you have been set free, once you have let go, you will see voids filled, His promises revealed, His love and mercy freely flowing, and your worries and fears diminishing. All because you let God lead.

Jesus this is a huge struggle for so many of us today. It was even a struggle for many that we read about in Your Word. We see it with the Jews, we saw it with David, We saw it with Solomon and so many more. But we have also seen the joy and blessings that come when we do relinquish control and put our complete trust and faith in You. Forgive us for believing we are able to control situations on our own. We ask today, that You come in and begin to remove our fingers from whatever they are holding on to, so that we can walk in the freedom of Your love, protection and grace. Amen

Altar Sunday

Enter the House of The Lord because it's your hearts desire, not because you have to.

Enter the house of The Lord with a joyful heart, not one full of unhappiness.

Enter the house of The Lord with a desire to learn more about Him because you can't get enough of Him. Don't enter with intentions to be seen.

Enter the house of The Lord with a heart that has been prepared before hand, rather than with a heart full of unconfessed sin.

No matter what, just enter His house!

The Difference in the Two

S-The Difference

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace

L-The Difference in the Two

      "How different from this way of faith, is the way of law, which says, 'If you wish to find life by obeying the law, you must obey all of its commands." Galatians 3:12

Do you know the difference between the law and faith? Do you ever think about the two and how they are applied to your life?

Do you ever struggle with living more by the law than by faith?

I think we all do at times. Sometimes, if not often, we can become to focused on the rules, that we miss God's grace.

It's important for us to know the difference between the law and faith, and the right consistency between the two.

The Law

-It sets up protective boundaries for us
-It must be obeyed in its entirety
-Reveals our sinfulness
-If lived by it, rather than faith-puts us in bondage/slavery
-Can lead to the emphasis being on it and good works, rather than faith in Christ.
-If focused more on it than on Christ, can rob us of our joy, leave us feeling guilty, and as though we are never good enough.
-Is tangible

Faith

-Requires our trust in Christ
-Saves us from death
-Reveals God's amazing Grace
-Sets us free
-Fills us with the Holy Spirit who helps guide us into all truth and walk obediently.

Jesus show us the areas we are living in bondage. Help us to be people that live by faith and express mercy rather than condemnation. Thank You for setting us free from the bondage of the law. Amen

S-Tell someone why faith in Christ is the key to freedom and joy.

What Paul is Really Saying

S-Paul's Heart

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's promises

L-What Paul is Really Saying

       "Consequently, it is clear that no one can ever be right with God by trying to keep the law. For Scriptures say, 'It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'" Galatians 3:11

Stop believing the lies of these false teachers because they are leading you down a path that leads to death.

Hear me today, "Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is that the Jewish people might be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don't understand God's way of making people right with himself. Instead, they are clinging to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. They won't go along with God's way. For Christ has accomplished the whole purpose of the law. All who believe in him are made right with God." 

Romans 10:1-4

So, tell me people of Galatia, why would you want to live like that? Why would you rather be placed back into slavery? 

Choose today what it will be. Freedom through Christ, that offers the gift of joy, life, and God's richest blessings. Or slavery to the law, which brings death, frustration, and a constant feeling of guilt. 

S-Brethren, share with someone what you have chosen. Faith or The Law.

What Do You Depend On?

S-Dependence

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace

L-Dependence

            "But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, 'Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all these commands that are written in God's Book of the Law." Galatians 3:10

How much do you depend on the law to make you right with God? Paul wanted to make sure his point was getting across, so much so he pointed out the curse that would fall on those who failed to obey and observe ALL the commands written in God's Book of the Law. (Deuteronomy 27:26)

If you were to stop and take a good look at your life, what would your lifestyle and actions show that you depended on?

Would it be the law
Would it be your spouse
Would it be your parents
Would it be your money
Would it be your self
Would it be good works
Would it be your things
Would it be an idol
Would it be man

OR

Would it be your faith in Jesus Christ?

Does it show?

In Our Human Effort...

"Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life." John 3:6

In our human effort to love, we find we are incapable of doing so.

In our human effort to be merciful, we find we are unable too.

In our human effort to be forgiving we find that we can't.

In our human effort to know more about Christ, we realize we hit a wall.

In our human effort to study God's Word, we realize we lack desire.

In our human effort to parent, we find ourselves frustrated.

In our human effort to succeed, we realize how much worldliness we partake in.

In our human effort to be joyful, we find just how joyless we really are.

In our human effort to please God, we realize we always come up short.

In our human effort to obey the law, we realize just how sinful we are.

In our human effort to be peace loving, gentle, kind, humble, and yield to others, we notice just how opposite of all that we really are.

Until we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we fail to realize how much our thoughts are filled with doubt, negativity, condemnation, and constant guilt.

Maybe Jesus has taken residency within you, yet you realize that these are your thoughts and struggles.

If so, relinquish control today. Lay your self, and all that you try to be and do by human effort, at the foot of the Cross.

Let the Holy Spirit lead you, teach you, guide you, and consume you with God's amazing love and grace.

"The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." John 6:63

Jesus we so often try to accomplish and do things ourselves, always to come up short and frustrated. Fill us with Your Spirit who leads us into all truth. Amen

Same Blessing Through Faith

S-One Name

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace

L-Promised the Good News

     "What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, 'All nations will be blessed through you.'  And so it is: all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith." Galatians 3:8-9

God did not bless Abraham because he obeyed the law. he blessed him because he believed God was who He said He was, and He would do what He said He would do.

Did Abraham have a few questions, concerns and even some doubts along the way? YES!

But Abraham remained faithful, he pushed through and trusted God. And so should we.

When we have questions, we should seek God and His Word.

When we have concerns, we should take it to God in prayer.

When we have doubts, we should run to the Cross and be reminded of what Christ did for us.

Before anything existed, God had a plan. A plan to point us to His Son. Through His Son we ALL are accepted through faith. Because of Abraham's faith we too get to share in the same blessings God promised Abraham.

That is a wonderful thing!

What I love about this particular passage, is how Paul was able to point back to Abraham and remind the Gentiles, that although you are hearing all these false teachers tell you, "Law, law, law. Circumcision, etc" Let me remind you again, it is your faith in Christ that saves you, sets you free, and allows you to share the same blessing Abraham received because of his FAITH!

Let me close with this. "There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." Acts 4:12

The law can't save you. Your good works alone can't save you. Your religion can't save you. Being a regular attender at Church can't save you. Your spouse can't. Your family can't. Your Bible Study can't.

One Name-Jesus!

The more you seek Him, the more you will know Him, and the stronger and deeper your faith will become.

S-Share with Jesus today, who and what you have been putting your faith in. Let Him be your life line. Your strength. May He be the first one you run to.

Two Forms of Freedom...but the one that matters most.

Earthly Freedom

True-Life Giving Freedom

"God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins." Colossians 1:14

Altar Sunday

Before you even enter the Church, prepare your heart. I mean, actually take the time to get on your face before the Lord and get your heart ready to hear and receive the Words He wants to speak to you today.

Leave it all at His feet. Take nothing into His house with you.

Let Him remove any distractions, bitterness, anger, hurt, doubt, fear...so you can experience all of Him.

Greatest Gift Ever

"We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are." Romans 3:22

Christ made a way for each and every one of us to come to Him and receive everlasting life. He made it so easy, that even a child can do it. 

Place your faith in Christ today and receive the greatest gift ever to be given. 

Salavation

Life with Him forever. 

Christ gave His life so you and I could have life. 

Restore Me

"Restore to me again the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you." Psalm 51:12

Have you found yourself feeling joyless and stuck? Do you have sin in your life that you have failed to confess to the Lord?

If so, confess it today and let God restore you and bring you the joy of your salvation.

Not Always

"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm." 1 Timothy 1:3-7


Sometimes a good thing is not always a God thing!