Why Can't You Marry Someone Else Daddy?

We are snuggled up in bed together and I am listening to Dax and G visit when Dax says, "Daddy do you know why I like to sleep with mommy and be with her?"

G, "Why?"

Dax, "Because I just love her so much and I just want to get big so I can marry her."

G, "Well baby, mommy is already married to me."

Dax, (insert mad voice and crackly voice) "Well why can't you marry someone else daddy?"

Oh mercy my heart can't contain that love. It is too precious, too amazing. It's real and the perfect example of Christ's love for us. His love was so great He died for us. Amazing, amazing love!

Thank You Jesus for these two precious gifts. Thank You for showing me through them the love You have for us. Amen

God's Curse on Those Who Twist the Truth

S-Galatians 1:8-10

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-Freedom in Christ

L-Calling Out

   **Paul doesn't waste anytime calling out the Judaizers' for twisting the truth of the Good News. Not only does Paul call them out, but he says, "Let God's curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. I will say it again: If anyone preaches any other gospel than the one you welcomed, let God's curse fall upon that person. Obviously, I'm not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant." Galatians 1:8-10

                      I think it is very important for us to understand why Paul used such strong words. Think about what the Judaizers' were doing. They were leading others away from having everlasting life!

It truly became a life and death situation, and it is the same today. When we lead others away from the Good News or when we ourselves our led away from the Good News it becomes a life and death situation.

I want to challenge you today to take everything you are being taught and hold it up to the Word of God and the Good News. If they don't align brethren you better get out, whether it's the Church preaching the twisted truth, a Bible Study teacher, family or friend.

Satan is very very good at twisting things around and making them sound good and right. So we need to be on guard, stay in the Word, and never be afraid to ask questions.

I strongly believe before joining a Church you should go visit with the Pastor. See where his heart is, ask him what he believes. Does it match the Word, does it show in his life? Does it point back to Christ?

Christ's servants, seek to please Christ not man. Paul found himself at a point to let them know that as well.

He knew his statement would offend many, but Paul wasn't trying to please them, he was trying to please God and save them from hell.

Where are you at today? Are you being taught the truth of the Good News that comes from the Word or a twisted version?

S-Share the importance of God's approval not man's, and God's curse that will fall upon anyone who twists the Good News. Remember it truly is a life or death situation.

If It's Anything Other Than God's Truth...Run!

S-The Good News-Romans 1

S-"Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." Romans 5:1

               **This passage will be our main passage throughout our studies in Romans.

A-God's grace

L-Romans 1:3-5

   I really love how Galatians and Romans are intertwining together. The depth that each Book contains is so solid and refreshing. It's as though the Lord says, just in case you still aren't getting this, let me give it to you again, but in a different way.

If you recall we studied Galatians 1:6-7 last time, and in it, Paul was addressing the issue of those who were  turning away and following a different way that pretended to be the Good News. And I have to tell you, that
as I  chewed on that passage for awhile, God asked me some pretty eye opening questions. (That I then asked my mentor in return-so much love for you Allen Tilley)

What if there are more people following a different way that pretends to be the Good News than we realize?

We automatically assume that everyone who hears the Good News, hears the real, God-breathed Good News, but brethren that just isn't the case today.

So as we read Romans 1:3-5, again, it is my prayer that we will know today if this is the Good News that we are following, believe, and sharing with others. And if it is not, that as we do hear it for the first time, that God would do a great work within us.

"It is the Good News about his Son, Jesus who came as a man, born into King David's royal family line. And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, God as given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name." Romans 1:3-5

Let's focus on a few key points about the Good News.

1. It is about His (God's)  Son, Jesus. If you are told anything different it is false!!! Run!

2. Jesus came to earth as a man-He was born into King David's royal family line.
            Why is that important for us to know what family line He was born into?
                      -So we could see Scripture fulfilled.

3. He was shown to be the Son of God, when God powerfully raised Him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. Here we see Jesus bridge the gap for us. We see the mercy and grace of God flow through His Son.

         *God sent His Son to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Then after dying a horrible death, God raised Him from the dead. And this is where freedom, life, and forgiveness come flooding in.

         *If anyone tells you, you have to work or follow the laws to be saved, it's false!! Run!!

         *"Brothers, listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is freed from all guilt and declared right with God-something the Jewish law could never do." Acts 13:38

4. So it is through Christ, that God has given us the privilege and authority to tell people everywhere what God has done for them and for us, so that they will believe and obey Him, and bring glory to His Name.

The Good News brings life! It brings forth forgiveness and freedom from guilt. It does not put a burden on us. If you have been taught anything different, turn and run!!

Let God's truth and love fall all over you today.

S-Jesus I pray we will share of Your goodness today. I pray we will all know and cling to the God-breathed Good News about Your Son Jesus, whom You sent to die for us. I pray we will not be led astray or deceived by false teachers who preach differently. Open our minds and our hearts and fill us with discernment, knowledge, and wisdom to know the difference. Protect us Lord. Amen


     

Any of this found in You?

"For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly." 2 Timothy 3:2-5

I have to step aside from Romans and Galatians today and ask you, does this passage describe you? What about your family? Are some of these things weaved in and out of your families life?

Maybe this is not found in you and your husbands home, but what about your immediate family?

This saddens me deeply. It should sadden all of us. This is the complete opposite of what a Christian home and family should be.

We need to pray for our families more. We need to silence the hurtful words with love. We need to remove bitterness and anger with forgiveness.

And as Dax would say, we need to be kind to one another and build each other up.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalm 139:23-24

As He points out to you all that offends Him, place a check by them. Then confess and repent. Once you have done that spend time thanking Him and ask Him to fill you with His love and Word and to keep you accountable.

• Lover of self                                                            
• Lover of money
• Boastful
• Proud
• Scoff's at God
• Disobedient to your parents
• Ungrateful
• Holds nothing sacred
• Unloving
• Unforgiving
• Slanders others
• No Self-Control
• Cruel
• Has no interest in what is good
• Betrays friends
• Reckless
• Puffed up with pride
• Loves pleasure rather than God

May God's love and grace take center stage!!!

Jesus You know what every home is like. You know every word that is spoken, every thought and the condition of every heart. If any of this passage is seen within any of our homes, relationships or hearts, show us. Show us in such a powerful way that the conviction becomes more than we can bear. Thus leading us to surrender, confess, and repent. Take any and all pride and humble us Lord. Amen

There is Only One Good News

S-Galatians 1:6-7

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

       **I want to note this passage will be our main passage throughout this study of Galatians. I hope you will memorize it and begin to live it out.

A-Freedom in Christ

L-There is Only One Good News

            *I want to tell you that the Lord impressed upon me to be more mindful of you and not put more out there than we can all chew and digest. So we will only be looking at two to three verses at a time.

     **Galatians 1:6-7 "I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ. You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ." 

     -Who was Paul speaking to in this passage?
                 Christians everywhere and the Churches in Galatia.

     -There are a several questions I want to ask you pertaining to this passage.

                1. Why were they turning away from God so soon?
                          -They fell prey to the smooth talk of the Judaizers and were easily deceived in their new faith and fell into the trap that they had to follow the Jewish laws and customs along with believing in Christ.

                2.  Who was deceiving them with false teaching?
                               -Judaizers

                3.  How was the Good News being twisted?
                              -It became more than faith in Christ and what He did on the Cross. They emphasized the Jewish laws and customs be followed in order to be saved.
                                

Do you know how often we too fall into this same trap? We believe that we have to earn God's love, work for God's love, or follow every law given that we become confused like the Gentiles and law enforcers like the Pharisees and Judaizers.

We need to make sure we have not and are not turning away from God and following false teaching. We must hold every word spoken up to the Word of God and make sure it is centered on Christ and what He did for us upon the Cross. We need to know and cling to the true teaching of the Good News that is found in the Word and allow any man-made teaching, rituals, or laws deceive us in believing something other than God's spoken truth.

Brethren the Good News brings life and freedom, not condemnation and the feeling of failure. None of us can ever be made right with God by trying to keep the law. It is ONLY through faith in Christ that we are saved.

I want to close with a passage from 2 Corinthians 11:3-4;13-15 that I think we all need to meditate on this week and make sure we are not being deceived.

"But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent. You seem to believe whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach about a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed." 

"These people are false apostles. They have fooled you by disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve." 

Jesus saves us the law does not. Don't be deceived brethren. Cling to the truth of the Good News.

S-Tell someone about the freedom and life that is found in Christ.

  

Altar Sunday

Taking the most vulnerable part of me today and laying at the altar.

I Will

"I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your principles and not forget your word." Psalm 119:15-16

Jesus as I study Your Word and reflect on your ways I ask that You place it deep within me. Help me to be still so I can hear from You. Teach me Your ways O Lord that I might walk in your truths and be a living, shinning light that reflects Your truths, love, and grace. Amen

God's Word or the World

"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11

There are two areas the Lord has been convicting me. 

1. My Prayer Life-Pray more and be selfless in my prayers. 

2. Living out the Word more

These two things if done according the Word and with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit can be extremely powerful. 

And as our Pastor has been asking us lately, "What are we filling our life with? God's Word or the World?

I am left seeing some things I, well, am not so happy with, and that is, I have filled myself with the world a little more than I care to admit to you today. 

But praise God He is faithful to reveal to me areas that are displeasing to Him so that I can confess and repent from them. 

With all that being said I want to challenge you this weekend to evaluate your life. Are you filling yourself with God's Word or the world?

Jesus show us what we are filling our lives with and if it is not Your Word, reveal that to us today. Amen

Funny, Awesome, Real, Random, God ordained, and Melt Your Heart

I had put the boys in the tub and went into the kitchen to finish cleaning up, when Avery starts yelling  "Mama, mama!" "What!"  I of course hollered back. "Mama, Dax got baptized. I baptized Dax."

G and I started laughing and I holler, "That's awesome." When I then hear Avery say, " I baptize you my brother (no pun intended) now go under Dax, go under the water."

Great God moments like this melt our hearts and remind us that God is working in the lives of these precious boys, even if they are still learning the real meaning of it.

Jesus thank You for the random God ordained moments like this that refresh our souls, melt our hearts, and remind us that You are living and working with in the hearts of these two precious gifts. Continue to fill them with wisdom beyond their years, and teach them daily who You are. Amen

Why We Journey The Straight and Narrow

Heaven, joy, peace, healing, forever, the Presence of God...this is why we journey the straight and narrow path, because these few amazing things are what await us in the end.

Do you appreciate these things and what Christ has done for you, enough that you choose to live daily for Him?

Is the path you are on now narrow and straight, or is it wide and full of traffic?

Let the Lord show you and sort that out for you as only He can.

Obligation

S-Romans 1

S-"For I have a great sense of obligation to people in our culture and to people in other cultures, to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach God's Good News." Romans 1:14-15

A-Our obligation to Christ

L-Paul's Obligation-Our Obligation

    * Why did Paul feel obligated to people everywhere?
           
             Because, just like Christ saved and rescued him, he too wanted to save and rescue others from the death trap of sin, by sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ.

      *In verse 16 of chapter 1 Paul goes on to tell us why he so desperately wanted to go see the Christians in Rome and even gives us insight to our obligation to Christ as well.

    "For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-Jews first and also Gentiles. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. this is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, 'It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'" Romans 1:16-17

We need to remember that the first part of Romans Paul's intentions were to share with the Christians in Rome what they needed to believe, and that was that Christ, the Son of God came as a man, died for our sins and was powerfully raised from the dead. Therefore it is through faith in Him that we are saved.

Secondly we need to remember when this calling on Paul's life began. If you remember from the book of Acts Paul, then Saul was headed to Damascus ready to arrest Christians and take them back to Jerusalem in chains when the Lord got a hold of him, beamed a bright light upon him and asked, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" Upon Saul's reply, 'Who are you sir? And Jesus replied, I am Jesus the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you are to do."  Acts 9:1-6(My Paraphrase)

Saul got up to find that he was blind and he remained blind for the next three days.

I like this part because Saul had to be led to Damascus by his companions. He needed help! To me this began Paul's suffering and dependence on Jesus.  There is so much depth in this passage.

Further on as we go, we see God's calling on Paul's life and when his obligation to the Lord and people everywhere began. "But the Lord said, 'Go and do what I say. For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for me." Acts 9:15-16

Why is it important for us to know this?

         * Because just like Paul, we too have been called and have an obligation to the Lord and others. It's called the Great Commission.

                      -"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

S-So today, how can we begin to fulfill this Great commission and obligation we have? How can you share with others what Christ has done for you and for them? Share the Good News with someone today.
 

             

Encourage and Encouraged

S- Romans 1

S-"I am eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours." Romans 1:12

A- let our faith be an encouragement 

L- The Good News brings great encouragement

    Paul was always encouraging believers everywhere.  If you study his letters encouragement is weaves all throughout them. 

Why is encouragement important?

  Better yet why is Scriptural encouragement important?

        It builds us up in our faith.

        It keeps us strengthened

        It gives us courage to stand firm and to continue spreading the Good News

        It places our attention on Christ's goodness and faithfulness.

        It brings hope

Scriptural encouragement is so much better than worldly encouragement.

Do you know the difference between the two?

Let's look and see we can apply Paul's encouragement to the Christians in Rome and the Churches in Galatia.

Romans 1:8-"Let me first of all say that your faith in God is becoming known throughout the world. How I thank God through Jesus Christ for each one of you. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about his Son." 

Galatians 1:3-5-"May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. That is why all glory belongs to God through all the ages of eternity. Amen." 

We can use these two Scriptures to encourage one another and to be encouraged.

Ways to Encourage

   -Focus on areas their faith is growing
   -Tell them how thankful you are for them
   -Pray with them (It speaks volumes when you actually stop and pray instead of just say you will pray)
   -Show them grace, and pray God's grace over them.
   -Share with them, remind them, and tell them what Christ did for them and that they have been rescued from this evil world.

    -Then together praise God for His love and kindness.

Ways we are Encouraged

   -When we encourage with God's Word, His love and encouragement falls back upon us.
   -When we encourage others, our eyes are off of ourselves and our hearts begin to fill up with joy.
   -We too are rescued
   -The faith of our brothers and sisters supplies us with the same courage, strength, hope, and ability to keep standing firm.

How can you encourage someone with the Word of God?

S-Let's share encouragement with one another today.

 

Altar Sunday

Today I pray that all of us who claim to be followers of Christ will stop saying it and live it.

It's easy to tell someone we believe in Jesus but its a whole other thing to actually live it out.

What's in Your Bag?

What baggage as a wife and mother are you still carrying that you need to lay at the foot of the Cross?

The Book of Romans and SSALS

S-Romans 1

S-"Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." Romans 5:1

A-The Truth of the Good News

L- Romans 1-What to Believe

         * Date Written- A.D. 57-from Corinth

         * Author-Paul

         * Purpose-to introduce Paul to the Romans and to give a sample of his message before he arrived in Rome. 

The book of Romans is jammed pack with the foundations of faith. Paul was very organized in this letter. He breaks down the sin of humanity, the importance of forgiveness, freedom, and our responsibility as followers of Christ. He wanted the Christians in Rome to know about his faith in Christ and how God intervened and saved us from the death trap of sin.

Paul began his letter by saying, "This letter is from Paul, Jesus Christ's slave, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News." Romans 1:1
  
            Why did Paul call himself a slave to Christ?

             Do we today, consider ourselves a slave for Christ?

Paul wanted and was willingly to submit all of himself to serving Jesus and going out and spreading the truth of the Good News. No matter the circumstances Paul faced or was in, he continued to submit to his Master-Jesus.

In Chapter 1 Paul gets straight down to business. Following the opening of his letter Paul says, "This Good News was promised long ago by God through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. It is the Good News about his Son, Jesus, who came as a man, born into King David's royal family line. And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority, to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name." Romans 1:2-5

Paul was very thorough in describing the Good News and so should we. Not only that but we need to have the same attitude and understanding that Paul did. In verse 5 Paul says, through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell people everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, thus bringing glory to His name. (Paraphrase mine)

Do we see sharing the Good News about Christ as a privilege? Do we see that we as followers of Christ now have the authority and call to go out and share it?

Jesus as we dive into these two aw some books-Galatians and Romans open our hearts and our eyes to see and absorb all this amazing truth that lies within them. Show us how we can be better ambassadors for You. Amen

S-Go out and share the Good  News about Christ with others, let them know what God did for them so they too will come to know Christ, believe in Him, obey Him, thus bringing glory to His name. 

The Book of Galatians and SSALS

“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 

Over the next however long, I will be studying the book of Galatians along with Romans. I am super excited about this study and all that God is going to pour into this heart of mine. I will be using a lot more of SSALS (Study, Store, Apply, Live/Learn, and Share) as I go along. I hope you will bury up with me over the next long while.

S-Galatians 1-The Authenticity of the gospel.
 
S- "He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. That is why all glory belongs to God through all the ages of eternity. Amen." Galatians 1:4-5

A-Freedom in Christ through the rescuing of His death and blood 

L- The Gospel and the Rescue

*The Book of Galatians was written appr. A.D. 49 from Antioch, prior to the Jerusalem council 

* The purpose-To refute the Judaizers who taught that Gentile believers must obey the Jewish law in order to be saved, and to call Christians to faith and freedom in Christ.

*Author-Paul 

The time this book was written, there was a lot of controversy about the Gospel. The Judaizers were claiming that the Gentiles had to obey the Jewish law in order to be saved, and that just isn't the case. It was the wrong gospel message, thus God used Paul to set it straight and bring believers back to the pure gospel.  

So what is the pure, real, authentic Gospel? God's Good News is for everyone, Salvation is God's grace to us through faith in Jesus Christ. It is centered on God. The death of Christ thus bringing about the death of our sin (We must daily die to ourselves.) The gift and power of the Holy Spirit within us, we are saved by faith in Christ not by keeping the law. We are one in Christ, and we are set free from sin and death.  

When we understand this we also understand and know this we understand freedom in a whole new light. 

The opening chapter of Galatians Paul comes out strong. He doesn’t wait to speak of the truth or to address the problem at hand. I like this about Paul. He tells it as it is.  

Paul makes it very clear that He was called by Christ Himself to write this letter. (Galatians 1:1)  

Why do you think it was important for Paul to do that?

                -Because many people questioned and doubted His authority to speak on such matters. 

As we read further on in verse 4 Paul makes a very powerful statement about Christ, His love, and why the pure gospel offers such freedom.

“He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. That is why all glory belongs to God through all the ages of eternity. Amen.” Galatians 1:4-5 

To be rescued from this evil world means that we are free from the confinement of sin, its danger and the evilness of it. We are saved and delivered, no longer held captive. The chains have been broken. 

Jesus died to set me free. His death saved me. There is praise to be made, glory and honor to be given. So why do I often walk as though I am still held captive by my sin? 

Jesus teach me through this powerful verse how to live in the freedom of God’s grace. Help me to not fall back into the slavery of the law and sin. I want to walk with joy and confidence because I am free.  

I have been saved by Christ to live for Christ.  In the book of Romans there are several passages that help us understand how to live in freedom and that it is for everyone, even us.

Romans 3:22-“We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.”

God’s tells us very specifically right here. No matter who you are or what you have done, if you trust in my Son Jesus Christ and believe that He will take away your sins, you will be saved. 

There is hope, hope for all mankind.  You can be set free from the bondage and entanglement of sin!

Jesus there is always so much to take in when we study Your Word. Thank You for the unending amount of knowledge and wisdom that pours out over us as we study Your Word. As we take in all that You have taught us today, I ask with complete faith that it will stick within our hearts second by second setting us free from any bondage of sin we are in. Show us and teach us today more about the freedom that comes from the pure Gospel truth.

Set Free

"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

Set free from the bondage of sin and death, by the blood and death of Jesus Christ.

Have you thanked Him today for setting you free?

Do You Know?

Do you know God loved you when no one else did? Ezekiel 16:6-8

Do you know He is the only one that knows everything about you and still loves and desires to be with you? Psalm 139

Do you know that God had you in mind when He sent His only Son to earth to die? John 3:16

Do you know that you are of value and have been set apart for the Lord? Jeremiah 1:4-5

Do you know that the Lord promises to never leave you nor forsake you? Hebrews 13:5

Altar Sunday

Today I come to the altar for him.

When Your Name is Mentioned

When people hear or mention your name, does Jesus immediately pop into their heads? Isn't that what reflecting Jesus is all about?

You being put aside and Jesus being seen and thought of?