A Little Confirmation

When you walk by and Jesus says, "Look up." So you look up and see this on the back of a car. You know you are right in the place of His Word He wants you to be.

Jesus thank You for the tiniest confirmations and at the times You know we need them the most. Bless You sweet Father. Amen

Let Me Put it Another Way

S-Let me put it another way.

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 through Christ

L-Here It Is

"Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian and teacher to lead us until Christ came. So now, through faith in Christ, we are made right with God. But now that faith in Christ has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian." Galatians 3:24-25

The law that was given, was to teach you how to obey and love God with all your heart. As pure, blameless, and holy as you possibly could. But as you have seen and heard, it is impossible to fulfill and obey the entire law to the fullest. Especially when these Pharisees and false teachers are placing a burden upon you that you will never be able to carry or achieve.

Because of that Christ came, He came to set you free from all of that. He came to fulfill the law and offer you freedom and life through Him. (Matthew 5:17, Romans 10:4)

It is only through your faith in Christ that you will be able to fulfill the law. (Romans 3:31)

Brethren, do you struggle with living by the law more than you do faith in Christ? Do you get bogged down with failure after failure to the point condemnation has become your constant companion?

If so, ask the Lord to set you free from the bondage you are in. Ask Him to show you what He sees. Are you someone trying to please Him through good works, or by faith?

Maybe, you are struggling to wrap your mind around faith and God's promises. If so, get in the Word of God, let Him teach you His truths. He will put it another way, after another way, after another way, to ensure that you get it.

S-Find someone grounded in the Word of God and share your struggle with them, so they can pray with you, encourage you, lift you up, and walk with you through it. 

They Are Both Significant, But Only One Saves

S-Until it was Shown

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 Word

L-Guarded

"Until faith in Christ was shown to us as the way of becoming right with God, we were guarded by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until we could put our faith in the coming Savior." Galatians 3:23

On the other side of the Cross, God put into place the law. The law would have several purposes.

1. Reveal man's sinfulness

2. Act as a guard, and protective shield 

3. Point to Christ

4. Teach us right from wrong

On this side of the Cross, God sent His Son Christ, whom revealed that life comes through faith in Him. Faith has three purposes.

1. To save us from death because of our sinfulness.

2. To set us free from the bondage of sin and the law.

3. To make us right with God, through Christ's sacrifice. 

Both have significant purposes, but only one saves us!

S-With faith comes obedience. Are you aware that both are a requirement and command from God? Share with your family why both must be lived out.

Don't Misunderstand

S-Is there conflict?

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-Don't misunderstand

"Well then, is there conflict between God's law and God's promises? Absolutely not! If the law could have given us new life, we could have been made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures have declared that we are all prisoners of sin, so the only way to receive God's promises is to believe in Jesus Christ." Galatians 3:21-22

Have you noticed how many times Paul repeats himself in this letter. He just words it differently. 

There is a point to be made, and sometimes we need to hear it differently. So even though its repeated and worded differently the main point remains the same.

I believe this particular passage backs up and shows us that God is the true Author. 

How? Because Paul begins the passage with a question, that would be and was in the minds of his readers. God doesn't leave out one detail, nor does He leave us wondering.

So up to this point after hearing about the Law and God's promises I can see this question being the key question.

There is no conflict between the law and God's promises. 

Here is the bottom line.

The law doesn't give us a new life. If it did Christ's death would be pointless.

Therefore, in order to receive God's promises we have to believe in Christ Jesus, who gives new life.

S-Share the Good News and the promises of God. Pray and ask The Lord to place someone in your path today that needs to hear about Him.

Your Need for Christ

S-The Purpose of the Law

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 Promise

L-Why. It's Purpose. God's Plan

 "Well then, why was the law given? It was given to show people how guilty they are. But this system of law was to last only until the coming of the child to whom God's promise was made. And there is this further difference. God gave his laws to angels to give to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.  Now a mediator is needed if two people enter into an agreement, but God acted on his own when he made his promise to Abraham." Galatians 3:19-20

Here is how God broke this down for me.

God's plan: Was to point to Christ from the beginning.

The Law: Was to to reveal our need for a Savior. Christ was the Savior that became the ultimate sacrifice.

When Christ died, He set us free from the law, the law which reveals our sinfulness.

He then became the one and only mediator for us. He became the sacrifice-He tore the veil and made way for us to enter the Most Holy place where God dwells.

"For there is only one God and one mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone." 1 Timothy 2:5

In the Old Testament, Moses was the mediator between God and the people. The angels were the mediator between God and Moses.

But when God entered into an agreement with Abraham, He did it on His own. He made that promise directly to Abraham. He did not use a mediator.

That is where the difference comes in. Abraham received God's promises because of his faith.

Do you recognize your need for Christ? Do you know you can enter the Most Holy Place at anytime and meet with God?

S-Tell someone how they too, can receive God's promises through faith in Christ.

Altar Sunday

Come to the altar with me as we pray for all the Fathers. They need our prayers. They carry heavy loads as men.

Before you get up from the altar, ask The Lord to show you how you can ease their loads. And to help you be an encouragement to them. 

Lets not place more on them ladies with our nagging. Lets love them and thank them instead. 

The greatest way to express your love is by respecting them. Even if we don't always agree, they still deserve respect! 

Jesus thank You for daddy's. Thank You for giving them the ability to do all that they do. Amen

What Will be Said About You?

I know we have spent several days outside of Galatians, and we will get back into it Monday. 

Because today, I am emotionally worn out. As I sat surrounded by so many people who loved Dana, I was reminded of how big of an impact we have on the lives of others. 

We can either make a godly impact or not one at all.

Dana made a godly impact daily with her love and kindness. 

One of the greatest blessings happened just a week before Dana passed away. 

Her two precious  girls gave their life to Christ and were baptized. 

That was the peace Dana needed. And it was the peace she received. 

As parents our biggest goal and priority in life should be to ensure that our children know Jesus Christ and give their lives to Him. And that we life that out in our own lives before them. 

As God's children our goal and priority in life, should be to please and honor Christ. To live a life that points others to Him. 

And that is what Dana did. 

What will be said of you at your funeral? You will have one, one day. 

As my daddy always says, "Leave everything better than you found it."

Let's leave this place behind a little better than we found it, by being a reflection of Christ filled with love, kindness, and joy! 

Tell people you love them! Grab the hand of someone hurting and pray with them. 

And please, pray for Mark, Shelby and Cameron. Especially in these days to come. 

The Overflowing Joy

When you turn around in the car, and catch your baby reading His Bible...there is nothing greater. 

Sweet boy, your love for Jesus and His Word at such a young age, is the greatest blessing to your daddy and me. 

May The Lord continue to fill you with wisdom beyond your years, along with a love for Him that overwhelms You daily. 

Nothing brings Jesus more joy (nor us) then when you spend time with Him. 

Bless you sweet boy! 

When it All Comes to an End...

"Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life id fleeing away. My life is not longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing." Psalm 39:4-6

In these moments, when your heart breaks for those you love, and you see the suffering, but you don't know the suffering, the pain, the fear, the what ifs, what now, like they know now.

Helplessness seeps in. Reality of the inevitable, floods in like a tsunami. It's real! We are not immune. We can't deny or ignore it.

"Don't try to avoid responsibility by saying you didn't know about it. For God knows all hearts, and he sees you. He keeps watch over your soul, and he knows you knew! And he will judge all people according to what they have done." Proverbs 24:12

For me, I have realized that one day, when I stand before the Lord, I will become very aware of what I have done with these gifts, opportunities, and my time for Him. But I don't want to wait until then and find out that I did very little.

I want to do more now. Do you?

I don't want to wait until something happens and the suffering, pain, and fear becomes my reality to decide to do more then. To love more, to serve more, to share Christ more, to praise more.

I want to do those now.

The best place to start is in our home, with our spouses and children.  Because the reality of life is that it will come to an end.

And when the end comes, we will stand before the Lord, the One who matters most, and He will give an account for the things we have done.

Brethren, I don't want to barely make it within the Gates of Heaven. I don't want to live here on this earth and do the bare minimum. I want to enter into heaven and hear my Father say, "Kristi, you have pleased me in every area of your life. You have been faithful in our relationship. You have served those of mine daily, you have shared my Word from one end of the earth to the other. You have brought great joy and honor to My name. Come, your rewards await you."

"For I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds." Matthew 16:27

That is my desire. For Him to be so pleased, for others to know Him, and to serve the least of these.

In this day, how can we express more love, serve more, share His Word more, praise Him more?

Don't waste your day focusing on yourself. Don't waste your day being angry. Don't waste your day being so busy, you miss serving, ministering or being there for someone in need. Don't waste your day complaining. Don't waste your day grumbling and gossiping. Rather, spend your day being encouraging, loving, kind, and a peacemaker. Spend your day holding the hand of a woman who needs prayer.

"See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay all according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs-the sorceress, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie." Revelation 22:12-15

Look at this day with expectation and preparation.

"For there is going to come a day of judgement when God, the just judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds." Romans 2:6-8

Jesus keep us from wasting any more days on being lazy, selfish, and so busy that we miss on why we are here. Set up divine interventions for us each and every day. Amen

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.