Legalism…Legalist

"Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?" Galatians 3:3

I have been finding legalism so fascinating these last few days. As I search the depths of God's Word I have been finding that legalism is spoken a lot through-out the Bible. 

What is legalism-it is dependence on moral law rather than on personal religious faith.

In my terms, legalism is focusing more on the "Do's and Don'ts" rather than on our faith in Jesus Christ.

I like how Paul puts it, "And yet we Jewish Christians know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law commands, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted by God because of our faith in Christ-and not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law." Galatians 2:16

Brethren, there is a reason God is speaking on legalism in His Word. There is a reason He calls out the Pharisees as much as He does. They were legalist to the extreme.

It is because we too, especially me, can get caught up in legalism and not even realize how bad of a Christian legalistic we are being.

Does all of this mean we don't have to follow the law? No! It means we need to make sure we are living by faith and knowing that we are accepted by God because of Christ Jesus. 

All we do when we focus on legalism is rob ourselves of joy. We become so focused on what not to do that we miss out on what Christ has done for us and how far we have come. "For no one can ever be made right in God's sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God's law, the clearer it becomes that we aren't obeying it." Romans 3:20

Therefore showing us our need for Jesus. 

We can never win God's approval if our only effort is trying to keep the law.

The more we live a legalistic life, the more we separate ourselves from God's grace. (Galatians 5:4)

The Pharisees were miserable people. All they did is walk around demanding that there rules were followed. They were joyless people, especially when Christ came because He revealed that there law was getting them nowhere. It was faith they needed. 

Legalism causes a feeling of guilt, self-hatred, the need to "do good", hopelessness, failure, inadequacy, and the expectation of living up to the demands of others, especially yourself.

It even can lead us down a path of doubting God's love for us.

In closing, "There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law."  Romans 3:30-31

Jesus re-pattern my thought life to focus on Your love, forgiveness, mercy and grace, and the amazing fact that I am accepted by You. Keep me from trying to be perfect in my human effort. Amen

Healed by His Wounds

"He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!" 1 Peter 2:24

Jesus personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross.

He personally did this for you and for me. He placed upon Himself suffering, sorrow and sin so that you and I would not have to.

He took our place upon that cross!

His wounds healed us.

The holes in His hands and feet healed us.

There is no greater love.

God's Gift-Our Freedom

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes form the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:13-15

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance." Psalm 33:12

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe His commands, His laws, and His decrees that I am giving you this day." Deuteronomy 8:10-11

Sweet as Honey

"Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24

A little honesty for you today, okay A LOT of honesty. I am horrible at telling G the things I love the most about him. 

You might be wondering if this is something that should be done every day and well for me, yes I think it should be, for many reasons too. 

One is because G's love language just happens to be Words of affirmation. This happens to be one of the things I am the worst at. 

So last night as I was spending time with the Lord, He reminded me of why it is so important. 

It's important because I desire the same thing from the Lord. I want to hear words of affirmation from Him. I want to hear all the ways He loves me. 

And for some odd reason it is easier for me to accept it from the Lord than it is from G.

Anyway, what better way to be an encouragement to your husband than by telling Him the things He does well and the reasons you love him.

It will also help you overcome any anger, bitterness, or frustration you have towards him. Jesus likes it when we overcome anger with love. Not that I am angry at G, because I am not, I am just telling you from personal experience when I have been it has helped. 

Jesus likes to call it, counting our blessings.

So brethren, can you share 10 things you love about your spouse? Could you do it for the next 10 days?

Jesus as I shower G with kind words let them fill his soul with sweetness and bring health to his body, just as Your Word says. Amen

A Dedicated Christian

"I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:27

A dedicated Christian is...

Disciplined

Faithful

Committed

Consistent

Obedient

How well are we training our bodies, our speech, our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions to do what they should? Are we training them or are they training us?

The Spirit must become our Personal Trainer if we want to become a dedicated follower of Christ.

Altar Sunday

Could I encourage you this morning to grab the hand of a friend, your spouse, your children, your parents, or whomever and go to the Altar and pray. Pray with them, for them, and over them.

And whatever you do, don't let Satan distract you, discourage you, or put fear, embarrassment, or anything else in your mind, that you miss out on the most amazing opportunity to bless someone you love.

Let's fill the Lord's altar today and flood the throne room.

If I Choose This...

Y'all I love God's Word! I love it. I love it. I love it!

I normally don't do this, okay I very rarely ever do this, but I want to share some questions with you from the Commentary in my Bible that I really like.

You know I am a big "It's your choice" person. God gives us "The Choice" to choose, act, do, think, say, etc. and these questions go so well with helping us make choices.

I think these are GREAT questions for us to ask ourselves on serious, sensitive, and everyday issues.

If I choose one course of action:

1. Does it help my witness for Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19-22)

2. Am I motivated by a desire to help others know Christ? (1 Corinthians 9:23; 10:33)

3. Does it help me do my best? (1 Corinthians 9:25)

4. Is it against a specific command in Scripture and would thus cause me to sin? (1 Corinthians 10:12)

5. Is it the best and most beneficial course of action? (1 Corinthians 10:23, 33)

6. Am I thinking only of myself, or do I truly care about the other person? (1 Corinthians 10:24)

          

7. Am I acting lovingly or selfishly? (1 Corinthians 10:28-31)

8. Does it glorify God? (1 Corinthians 10:31)

9. Will it cause someone else to sin? (1 Corinthians 10:32)

-Aren't those amazing questions for us to ask ourselves?

I wonder how many of us would change our course of action, our speech, our thoughts, our decisions, the places we go, etc. if we asked ourselves these questions first.

Oh, wouldn't it be great to see how much change would be made for His glory?

Let's try it, want to?

Jesus implant these questions and passages within me so that I can base every choice off of Your Word. Amen

Dear Anonymous Writer

I appreciate your honesty. I am so sorry to hear of your horrible experience at First Baptist Carthage. I am completely putting everything out there writing you this letter, but I know of no other way to reach you since I can't reply.

Though I no longer attend First Baptist Carthage and have not for the last several years due to moving, I want you to know that there are some very sweet loving women who do attend church there that would love and welcome you just as they did me and my family when we first visited.

I will not ask who the women were that treated you that way because that does not matter, what matters is that you know that you are loved by the Lord and by me, even though I don't know you.

I know you will disagree, but please know that First Baptist Carthage really is a wonderful Church with a wonderful Church family. The entire Church staff is actually some of our very best friends and I know that any one of them would love to meet and visit with you regarding this matter.

I again am so sorry to hear of your experience and ask that you do not assume that everyone at First Baptist is the way you described those women. I promise there are some of the sweetest most Christ-like people at First Baptist Carthage, and I would love to put you into contact with them if you would like.

Please know that I appreciate your comment and am glad you felt comfortable enough to share.

As for the title of my blog, it is to encourage people who love Jesus to spread His Word from person to person. And as you know how rampant gossip is, why not make the gossip be all about Jesus.

You are loved!

What's the Use?

Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions?" James 2:14

What's the use of saying you have faith if your actions don't prove it? How powerful is this passage?

True faith transforms us into new and different people. Our actions are a reflection of our faith.

Oh geez brethren this one hit me between the eyes.

Are my actions reflecting true faith or a doubting faith?

Are my actions towards others reflecting a true and transformed woman who has complete faith that Jesus indeed died for her, loves her and forgave her?

What's the use of saying I have faith if my actions prove differently?

Jesus test me and know me. Search me and reveal to me the depth of my faith. Transform me so that my actions and speech will reflect a true genuine faith in You. Amen

Am I Able

Am I Able...

To be happy
To be kind
To be loving

Am I able

To be loved
To understand and be understanding
To obey
To be faithful

Am I Able...

To be full of joy
To be fruitful
To give
To serve

Am I Able...

To be patient
To be forgiving
To listen
To be Christ-like

I am NOT able to do any of those without Christ in me.

Do you know what I am able to do on my own?

I am able to be...

Negative
Hurtful
Joyless
Fruitless
Condemning
Judgemental
Self-righteous
Selfish
Greedy
Unforgiving
Short tempered
Bitter
Angry
Worldly
Disobedient

Those we are able to do and probably do more than any of us care to admit.

But Jesus tells us in Ephesians 3:20, "By His mighty power at work within us, HE is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope."

So anytime you begin to wonder if your able, remember Christ in you IS.

Jesus thank You for reminding me that You are able to do more than I could ever imagine. Help me to focus on this daily. Do in me all that is pleasing to You. Forgive me for doing the things that are not of You. Amen

Eye Exam

"Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word." Psalm 119:37

Worthless vision produces a worthless heart. Could that really be true? It is if our eyes see only that which is sinful.

Our eyes play two important roles. They can either fill our heart with sin, or they can fill our heart with life through the Word.

What is it that our eyes are seeing more, the worthless things that lie in the world, or the truth that is found in the Word?

Sometimes, we like the Author need to ask the Lord for an eye exam. How long has it been since we have had one?

I know I am due for one. 

Jesus turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your Word. Amen

The Light of Your Path

"Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found." Psalm 119:35

Where are my eyes leading my heart O Lord? 

Where have I wandered?

How far have I gone?

Bring me back to You O Lord

light my path with Your shining Light

Open my eyes to see Your Light 

and lead my heart back to You.

Give me no option

on which path to take

I want only Your path

where happiness lives.

Altar Sunday

Whatever your searching for, may it be found at the altar where Jesus is.

12, 14, 16, 20, 30, 40....

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. “Galatians 5:1

These are the ages of women who are stuck in sex trafficking. Not only do these women live in slavery, but they are put in situations that no woman should ever be in.

Whether they freely volunteered themselves or were forced in, these women are loved and adored by the Lord and they need to know that and hear that.

How can we protect women from entering or being forced into a lifestyle like this?

Would you pray for all these women? Would you pray that they would be delivered and set free from this type of slavery and bondage?

Jesus there are so many women in bondage today. They are hurting, confused, lost, broken, beaten, and feel trapped. They don't know where to turn, who to trust, nor do they know their worth. Jesus use us and show us how we can help end this slavery. We know You are the only one who can deliver these women, so we are asking You Jesus to save these precious girls and women. As only You can, show them who they are in You. Their worth and the love that You have for them. Amen

Someone Who Gets You

"You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain." Psalm 139:1-6


Do you ever wonder if anyone gets you? Do you wonder if anyone notices the things that make you, you?

Sometimes it can be frustrating when you are completely misunderstood, or maybe not even misunderstood, but just not gotten. Does that even make sense?

We have always heard that our best friends, our family, our spouses, get those small things about us, but what if they don't? What if those small things that mean the world to you go completely unnoticed or ignored?

It could even go as far as to say that maybe they know them but choose to be absent minded of them. Do you know what that can do? It can cause hurt, frustration, brokenness and any and all other emotions that flood your heart.

What do you do in situations like that?

You turn to Jesus. He is the one who gets EVERYTHING about you. He knows what makes you, you. He knows what you like and dislike. He knows your favorite things and even the things you despise. He knows what you love, what your passionate about, and He knows every fear, every doubt, and every thought. He knows where you are every second of your life and He cares about the littlest things just as He cares about the big things.

Oh, mercy does Jesus get you. He gets you and He gets me and the best part is, He loves every single part of us.

There is no one on earth that knows you better or loves you more than Jesus.

Jesus help us to get so wrapped up in Your love that our relationship with You deepens and strengthens. Thank You for getting us, every part of us, quirks and all. Amen

The Highest Price Paid

"You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19

I was bought at a high price. Every part of me belongs to the Lord. He sees me, knows me and has carved apart of Himself in me. 

He bought me at a price higher than I am worth. But to Him it was worth His life.

It's a debt I can never return, but I can live in gratitude and faithfulness because of it. 

Jesus thank You for seeing so much value in me that You paid the highest price, Your life. Amen

Pray For a Cure

Man Leaves Touching Message for Wife before Dying of Cancer from sharethemessage on GodTube.

Faith rather than Performance

"Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our own good deeds. It is based on our faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law." Romans 3:27-28

There are so many things in this world that are based on our performance. The most obvious are sports and business. Sometimes you can even find performance to be big in marriages, children, siblings, and even among Christians, and Churches.

This need to perform and be the best is a man-made thing. It can be crippling, devastating, and most often disappointing. What does it stem from? There are, I am sure, many answers to that question, but for me, right now those answers are too overwhelming. 

This need to be the best, biggest, richest, prettiest, smartest etc. is more of what the world requires than what Jesus requires.

Could there be more freedom found in the fact that Jesus loves us just the way we are? He loves the relationship and faith we have in and with Him. He does not love us or accept us based on the deeds we do or the way we perform, but on our faith in Him.

The purest form of love is to be loved for who you are, and not for how you perform or what you do.

That love is only found in Jesus.

Just maybe this passage will give us a deeper desire to strengthen and grow in our faith rather than in the way we perform.

Jesus thank You for loving me for who I am and for my faith in You. As I allow these precious thoughts to seep in every pore of my body, I pray it will break down the insecurities and walls that have been built within me. Amen

Who Determines...

"If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." Galatians 5:25

Right now who is determining your worth, values, and standards?

Is it you, the world, your spouse, or the Lord?

Jesus this is a tough question and one many of us don't want to answer, especially when we look at our lifestyles through Your eyes. Help us to address this and allow the Holy Spirit to determine who we are and our worth. Amen

Altar Sunday

Will your knees find the altar today?

If the Spirit calls, won't you go?

Go to the altar. It might be just what you need to keep your fire burning.

If for no other reason, do it for our Father. Today is His day.

Happy Father's day Jesus. May today and every day from here on out, be all about You. Amen