Favor or Relationship?

S-A Relationship

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-Favor

 "You are trying to find favor with God by what you do or don't do on certain days or months or seasons or years." Galatians 4:10

Today, so many religions try to find favor with God by doing certain things or not doing certain things. This passage still applies and speaks to each of us today.

We believe, if we do this, or say this, or act like this then we are good to go. But brethren, works alone will never get you to heaven.

Being good, just isn't good enough. 

Following a ritual that becomes a mindless ritual, just isn't good enough.

Christ wants an active, involved, and growing relationship with us. One that is personal and real. 

Our desire to serve, worship and obey God, should be because of our greatfulness for what He did for us. 

Not because we feel as though we are obligated.

This is where rituals come in. If we say this over and over, or if we give up this on these days, and if we pray this or celebrate this holiday or this occasion then we have done our spiritual deed.

Oh, brethren this is not at all what Christ is about. Don't get tied up again in slavery to the law or rituals.

Don't believe that doing something once a year, or a daily ritual, or that works alone will cover you.

It won't! 

It is about a personal relationship with Christ! It is having faith in Him and beleiving He is who says He is.

Are you trying to earn favor with God or do you have a real, thriving and growing relationship with Him?

S-Tell someone that Jesus desires to have a relationship with them, and then share with them what your relationship with Christ is like.

Tell Me Why

S-Don't Go Back

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 love

L-Why?

"Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world." Galatians 4:8-9

The first thing that came to my mind as I began to study this passage was, why.

Why, after tasting the sweetness and seeing the goodness of God would you want to go back to your old way of living?

Why are you even considering slavery again?

You have been set free, and now, because of the lies of these false teachers, you are actually considering putting chains back on yourself. That is crazy to me.

Well until The Lord pointed out that I am guilty of doing the same thing.

I know God's goodness, I have tasted the sweetness of His mercy and love. Yet, so has my flesh with the things of this world. Therefore, when I allow my flesh to lead, I can very easily find myself drifting back towards the slavery and bondage of sin.

Until, Christ intervenes, and reminds me of the freedom I now have from sin, and the law, because of His death.

And He doesn't stop there. He goes even further by reminding me how distasteful it is. So much so it gives me chills.

So, let me ask you today, why? Why after being filled with Christ and set free, do you want to go back to your old way of living?

Why are you choosing slavery over freedom?

Why do you even consider placing those chains back on yourself?

S- Turn from your fleshly, worldly desires, that enslave you and turn to God. Let Him set you free once and for all.

When the Shaking is Done

"When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire." Hebrews 12:26-29

The only thing that will remain is our relationship with Christ.

Do you have one?

Do you invest in it daily?

What will be left of you when the shaking is done?

Altar Sunday

Jesus may our hearts be heavy for those who are lost.

May the heaviness bring us to the altar.

On their behalf.

A Great Inheritance

S-The Best there is

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 freedom through Christ

L-Until Then

"Think of it this way, If a father dies and leaves great wealth for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. 

And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father. Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you." Galatians 4:1-7

 Several things to take from these passages.

1. Verse 1-2-Maturity-understanding-discipline, all come with time, age, guidance, and being taught. Don't focus on the waiting, rather take joy in the time you are given to grow, mature, and learn under the leading of the Lord. For when you receive your inheritance it will be used wisely and will have been worth the wait.

2. Verse 3-Before Christ- we were slaves to the law. We were in bondage to it, and we tried to be saved by obeying it, only to come up short every time.

3. Verse 4-5. God's timing is perfect in all things, and though waiting can be hard, we can use it to draw near to God, focus on His goodness, and sit under His teaching. These two verses reveal God's love and grace. They also remind us that Christ came in human form, born of a woman, a Jew, subject to the law just like us. This helps us relate to Christ, because He too faced the things we face today, yet He never sinned. He fulfilled every law, thus becoming the perfect sacrifice, who set us free, by purchasing our freedom with His blood.

4. Verse 6-7-It doesn't get better than this. Becoming a child of God, receiving the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts, being set free from the slavery of the law, and receiving all that belongs to Him, is the greatest inheritance there is. Why would you want anything other than the absolute best? This is the best there is!

Again, why would you choose slavery to the law over freedom in Christ? Why would you choose death that the law offers, over life that Christ gives?

S-Share with someone the inheritance that is theirs through Christ

Our Concern. His Concern

"And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost." Luke 19:10

Have you ever thought about the things that concern us and the things that concern God?

Our Concerns

Appearance
Being liked
Being loved
Being wanted
Being needed
Being noticed
Having a purpose
Having value
Money

God's Concerns

Our soul
Our heart
Our relationship with Christ
Our protection

What We Seek After

Materialistic things
Praise
attention
value
love
fulfillment
Success
(See a pattern here?)

What God Seeks After

         US

"But you shouldn't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that I, the Son of Man, can give you. For God the Father has sent me for that very purpose." John 6:27

Sweet Woman...

"Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." 1 Peter 3:3-4

My heart aches for you sweet woman, who is caught up in the entanglement of this world.

As you set out on your daily search to be loved, admired, fulfilled, and of value, I notice you are looking to the things that provide only temporary fulfillment.

It saddens me to see this.

It saddens Him to watch you.

He has what you need, yet you continue to look elsewhere. You look to clothes, appearance, men, even the compliments of other women. You shop to impress, to fill a void, yet at the end of the day, when you are all dressed up, you lay down your head and find, the emptiness is still there.

The words of your spouse become only words, they are not enough for you anymore. You soon desire the looks of others as you walk down the street, in a store, or restaurant.

Or maybe you have gone in the opposite direction and have began to care very little about yourself. Your insecurity and own condemnation has led you to the place of little desire to look nice, to take care of your body. You have let yourself go.

This saddens me to see this.

This saddens Him to watch you.

He has a purpose for you. He has washed away all self condemnation with His very own blood. Yet you listen to the lies of Satan and others who say, "You are not good enough. You are ugly. Look at her, she has it better than you. You will never amount to more than this. You have to look this way and be this size."

Sweet girl, we all have insecurities. Not one is perfect, no not one. God does not have those desires or standards for you. He wants you, exactly the way He made you-in His image.

Don't cover up God's beauty with food, or lazy attire. Don't expose God's beauty with little clothing either. Don't arouse the attention of men, by dressing inappropriately. There are men who do desire to remain pure and committed to their spouses and the Lord. Don't cause them to stumble because of your need to be noticed, sought after and loved. A modest woman, secure in the Lord is of more beauty than any other. 

Don't place your family in debt because your need to be admired and noticed sent you spending more on clothing and the finest for your home and children.

God always provides our daily needs. Abundance is found in His blessings not in materialistic things.

Sweet woman, these words that spew from your mouth, be careful with them. You will be held accountable for them one day. They can never be taken back.

This saddens me to hear such ugliness, towards other women who are hurting and searching just as you are.

This saddens Him to hear this.

These words you utter, are not a true reflection of Him. Don't allow your words and feelings to get tangled up. Be wise with them.

Remember, your words always reach the one you are speaking about. Forgiveness and kindness go farther, heal the hurt quicker, and offer freedom.

Negative words, towards yourself or others, bring bondage, more insecurity and doubt.

Don't be known as a gossip, it only reveals your insecurity, doubt in God, and your desire to be liked by man, rather than your desire to please the Lord.

Sweet woman, your actions. They are a reflection of all that is held in your heart. The rolling of your eyes, the disrespect with your body language, the fakeness in your tone. They all reveal what's in your heart.

This saddens me to see this.

This saddens Him to watch you.

Your spouse desires respect, and the biggest way he sees and feels that respect is through your actions.

She deserves to be respected and cared for, just as you do. Though she hurt you, don't hurt her in return. You will accomplish nothing by doing that.

Your actions are an overflow of what you fill your heart with. What flows from you, sweet woman?

And lastly, transparency.

Sweet woman, as you walk into your closet, seek out the outfit that reveals a woman of God. A woman who desires to show others God's mercy and grace. A woman that reveals the scars in a manner that will point others to the Cross.

Be a woman that is as genuine and real, as she portrays to be, that is transparency, when others can see Him clear to the core of you.

Be clothed in the Word.

For then, as you walk, others will see the "Light" of the Cross embedded within you.

Could You Ever?

S-Wholehearted Obedience

S-"The next morning I did everything I had been told to do." Ezekiel 24:18

A-Complete Obedience

L-A True Definition

Think of the person that is your dearest treasure.
.
.
.
.

Do you have them in your mind now?

Now imagine God telling you this about them.

"Son of man, I am going to take away your dearest treasure. Suddenly she will die. Yet you must not show any sorrow. Do not weep; let there be no tears. You may sigh but only quietly. Let there be no wailing @ her grave. Do not uncover your head or take off your sandals. Do not perform the rituals of mourning or accept any food brought to you by consoling friends." Ezekiel 24:16-17

Can you even imagine?

Me either.

To be honest brethren, when I was reading this story about Ezekiel, my heart broke. How? How did Ezekiel do it?

He did it because his devotion and love for God was so much greater. sigh

Only, by the power of the Holy Spirit could we ever be able to do what he did.

His heart had to be so broken, right? I mean he was human.

But instead of mourning like we do, he did the opposite.

"So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did everything I had been told to do." Ezekiel 24:18

Brethren, this man of God, obeyed the Lord completely and wholeheartedly, even in the midst of heartache.

I want to get to this point!

I want to be completely and wholeheartedly obedient and devoted to Christ...

Even when it hurts
Even when I don't feel like it
Even when it goes unnoticed
Even when its so hard I want to quit
Even when it is foreign
Even when it is uncomfortable
Even when it leaves me standing alone and apart from others
Even when it feels awkward
Even when it is so far from what I could ever do or imagine

I want to be obedient!

God had a purpose and reason for asking this of Ezekiel, and it was because of the sinfulness of Jerusalem. He was setting the example for the people of Israel, whom would soon have to follow it, when God destroyed Jerusalem.

Be obedient to the Lord at all times, for you never know when God might be using you. And always remember, if He asks it of you, He will give you the strength, courage, and help to do it.

Slow Down

"Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Somehow, in the midst of our busy lives, we seem to let those in need fall by the wayside. Our focus, that once was upon the broken, seems to have shifted.

That is, until you receive that call, text, or email, that says let me know you are still here. Let me know that this brokenness inside of me, is something I don't have to face alone. Please, just let me know you haven't abandoned me.

Let me know you are praying for me, thinking of me, and that I haven't been left here to deal with this on my own.

I want to tell you sweet one, if you are reading this and you are broken. You are not alone. You are not forgotten, nor do you have to face this brokenness alone.

God is with you at all times, and though it is so hard to understand, His presence alone is greater than any humans presence could ever be.

The Lord has never left you, nor has He ever failed you. Hold on to that sweet one.

Now, for us who get so caught up in the busyness of our lives, we need to have our focus shifted back to what's important. And all the rushing around and busyness "WE" create for ourselves is not near as important as being Christ in flesh to the broken.

How can we be used by Christ if we are to busy to listen to His instruction?

How can we make a difference if we serve in a rush?

How can we comfort others, if we never take the time to listen to them?

How can we be equipped if we rush our time with the Lord?

When we allow our busyness to take the place of serving, loving, listening, and being there for those in need, we become less useful.

Do you know someone who is hurting and lost, someone searching for hope, encouragement, and love? If so, let Christ use you. Slow down and take the time to be a reflection of Christ's love.

All. In. Belong.

S-God's Heir

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 gift of freedom through Jesus

L-Children of God

"So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians-you are one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you." Galatians 3:26-29

This is where God steps in and makes Himself known, in a way we all can understand. And He starts off by telling us how we become children of God and how we become united, identified, and made like Christ.

Through our faith in Christ, and through baptism.

"And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him."

Then, through Paul, God places words such as, all, through, faith, no, are, and belong, in Paul to drive a very important point home. The world and false teachers have it wrong.

They teach and point to self. They use words such as, I, me, us, some, they, etc.

But God says, no it's not about you or your group of people. It's about everyone who is in Christ Jesus. They are His heirs. They are the true children of Abraham. They also receive the promises God gave to Abraham.

As followers of Christ we need to stop with the "OR's" and be united, because we are ALL children of God through our faith IN Christ.

Brethren, this really hits home, in many ways for us. Maybe we need to allow this particular passage to sink in and work its way through us too. Because sometimes we can be really bad about placing people in a category. We can use the "Or" way to much.

So much that when a lost soul, searching for hope walks in our Churches, across our path, or is apart of  our family, and they don't look OR act like "we" think they should, we let them walk out even more hopeless and lost than when they walked in or by.

Let's be mindful that Christ made the way for ALL people to come to Him, and when they do, through their faith and baptism they become children of God. They become our brothers and sisters, whom we are to love, pray for, and encourage.

S-Tell someone today that God's arms are opened wide awaiting to embrace them. Tell them of His love and that through His Son, Jesus, they too can become a child of God, an heir, and receive God's amazing promises. 

Altar Sunday

Thank You Jesus for sunburns and summer kisses.

 Thank you for rain and sunshine.

Thank You for Your goodness and grace.

Thank You for laughter and tears.

Thank You for forgiveness and love.

Thank You for Church families and the altar to come and give You praise. 

Do You...

Do you get excited when you read God's Word?

Do you hurry to go meet with Him, because you can't wait to be in His presence?

Do you find it to be the absolute best part of your day?

Do you lose yourself in Him and His Word?

Does He make you giddy?

Do you find comfort and joy in Him?

Do you spend time listening as He lavishes you with His love? 

Do you desire more and more of Him daily?

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!