Faith Expresses Itself Through Love

S-Galatians 5:6

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

L-The Greatest Expression of Faith

  "For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love." Galatians 5:6

We can be the nicest person in the world, but without faith, it means nothing.

We can give all the money we have, but without faith, it means nothing.

We can serve until we can't serve anymore, but without faith, it means nothing.

We can attend Church every Wednesday and Sunday, but without faith, it means nothing.

We can be morally good, but without faith, it means nothing.

We can say all the right things, but without faith it means nothing.

We can follow all the rules, but without faith, it means nothing.

Brethren, we are saved by faith. All of our good deeds, nice words, etc are useless if we don't have faith.

The greatest expression of faith is love.

Do you know why?

"I tell you, her sins-and they are many-have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. Then Jesus said to the woman, ''Yours sins are forgiven.'" Luke 7:47-48

-Love is an overflow of God's forgiveness through Christ. When we realize the depth of God's love for us, and how much we have been forgiven, the more and more we express love for Him and others.

S-Are you aware of God's grace and forgiveness for your life? If so, is love an overflow of your faith in Him?

Altar Sunday

Jesus be so present within our churches today, that revival breaks out. 

Jesus we are asking for You to show up, we don't want to be without You. We want to be right where You are. 

Looking to What Lies Ahead

S-Galatians 5:5-6

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

L-Living by the Spirit
"But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith. Galatians 5:5

What is Paul referring to in this passage?

Romans 8:23-25 answer this question.

"And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently." 

The key to all of this, faith and the work of the Holy Spirit within us.

Without faith in Christ, we have nothing to look forward to that will be everlasting.

Anything outside of Christ will only last for a little while and then pass away. It's temporary.
But for us, who are living by the Spirit, through faith have so much to look forward to that will last forever. 

Let's make sure others know about Christ and what they have to look forward to.

S-Share Romans 8:23-24 with someone today. 

Sweet Reader

"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father-that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me." John 17:20-21

My heart overflows for you sweet reader. I am thankful to be in this fellowship and friendship with you.

My prayers for you are daily. No matter who you are, where you are, you are loved, adored. You are a precious part of this community of Christ.

May we strengthen one another in love. May we encourage one another with the sweetness of God's Word.

May we knit together a tight thread that intertwines the Body of Christ.

May we cover one another in prayer.

Together, may we always be better for the Lord than not.

May we join together with one voice and offer the loudest of praises to Him, the One and Only. Our Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Grace-giver.

Let's pull the best out of each other, and spur one another on to continue the race for which He has called us to.

Together, may we come humbly before His throne with hearts of awe and respect and lift up all those who are lost.

Sweet reader, together we are a brighter light for Him then we are individually. Let's be the brightest light, upon the hill that this world has ever seen.

Jesus clothe us in the righteousness of Your Word and truth. Continue to thread us together with Your strongest adhesive-Your blood.  Help us to become a Body that pleases You. A Body that works as One. Amen

No Substitutes-Open the Word!

Today, rather than reading this devotional, read God's Word.

Spend time listening to Him, to His voice.

Then sit and pray. Visit with the Almighty God. 

There is no word greater than God's Word. Nor does any human opinion compare.

Don't substitute devotionals, sermons, or Bible Studies for God's Word and the time you should be spending in it.

God wants you to come and meet with Him.

Let His truth, love and mercy fall afresh upon you today as You read and spend time with Him. 

Freedom...it comes from Christ

S-Set Free


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 grace and freedom

L-Six Things to Understand

"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. Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ cannot help you. I'll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey all of the regulations in the whole law of Moses. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace." Galatians 5:1-4

Need Paul say more?

Brethren, Christ died to set us free. If we take that freedom for granted and do what we want, then we are only placing ourselves back into slavery.

It's like a prisoner, who is in jail. They are in bondage right? Well, one day someone comes and says, "I am going to take the punishment of this person upon myself, so they can be free."

So, because of this one man, the prisoner is set free. They open the jail cell and he walks out free.

Now, this man has a choice. He can stay free or he can go out and live the same way he use to, do the same things he did, thus getting thrown back into jail.

Or, he can take this free gift of freedom because of the sacrifice of this man, and through him live a life of freedom and grace.

Do you get that? That is what Christ did for us. He took our punishment upon Himself in order to set us free.

We have the choice to walk and live in that freedom, or we can get tied back up again by taking advantage of this freedom and doing what our selfish hearts desire.

Here, Paul is saying, it's your choice, but understand this.

1. You can't find favor with God by obeying rules and regulations you will never be able to keep anyway.

2. If you choose circumcision and the law to make you right with God, well then know that you are cutting yourselves off from Christ. You have fallen away from God's grace.

3. Grace is not earned. It is a free gift from God through Christ.

4. You can't save yourselves, so stop trying! Only Christ can save you.

5. Understand what is at stake here. Your life!

6. Faith trumps the law, every single time.

Brethren, are you saved? If so, are you living a life that reflects the freedom you have been given through Christ. Or, are you still trying to earn favor with God through good deeds?

Maybe you have been saved, set free, yet have placed yourself right back into slavery again, because you are doing whatever you want and feeding those old selfish desires. If so, repent and turn back to Christ. Let Him really set you free.

S-Share your struggles, especially those than enslave you, with someone who will pray with and for you, who will encourage you, and will point you to God's truths. Be sure you have not fallen prey to those who try to enforce rules, laws, and regulations upon you that would enslave you again and set you up for failure.

Where Are You...

We are standing in the kitchen and both boys are helping me cook when Avery bursts out in song, "I am awesome, I am the greatest ever."

I start laughing, he keeps singing it, and finally I ask. "Avery, why do you think you are so awesome and the greatest ever?" I mean, I do desire to raise humble boys!

Avery's response, of which I totally did not expect! "Because I am smart and because I believe in God."

Brethren, if our babies can walk through this life, believing that they are smart and the greatest ever because of their faith in God, then we will be raising courageous men who love and fear the Lord.

Isn't that what we all desire as parents, for our children's confidence to be found in the Lord?

After we finished our discussion and I stressed the importance of being a humble leader, I was reminded of the movie Courageous. At the end Adam Mitchell gives a speech to Father's challenging them and encouraging them to become Godly Father's and leaders in their homes.

Take a peek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OEqYwz2qhw

Merciful Lord, as parents help us to do our parts in raising these precious gifts You have given us. May their hearts remain faithful and childlike for You all the days of their life. Help us teach them Your ways and Your truths and to walk it out in our lives daily. Thank You for the message You spoke through this wonderful movie. May we all be men and women of courage who rise up and answer the call that You have given us. Amen

Children of the Free Woman

S-Slave-Wife vs the Freeborn Wife

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 Faith in Christ

L-Children of the Free Woman

The only way to grasp all these next several passages, is for them to be taken as a whole. There is just no other way. Its good, long, but Paul makes a really strong point here.

"Listen to me, you who want to live under the law. Do you know what the law really says? The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave-wife and one from his freeborn wife. The son of the slave-wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God's promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God's own fulfillment of his promise. 

Now these two women serve as an illustration of God's two covenants. Hagar, the slave-wife, represents Mount Sinai where people first became enslaved to the law. And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia, because she and her children live in slavery. But Sarah, the free woman, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. And she is our mother. That is what Isaiah meant when he prophesied, 

Rejoice, O childless woman! Break forth into loud and joyful song, even though you never gave birth to a child. For the woman who could bear no children now has more than all the other woman! 

And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. And we who are born of the Holy Spirit are persecuted by those who want us to keep the law, just as Isaac, the child of promise, was persecuted by Ishmael, the son of the slave-wife. But what do the Scriptures say about that? Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the family inheritance with the free woman's son. So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, obligated to the law. We are children of the free woman, acceptable to God because of our faith." Galatians 4:21-31

In a nutshell Paul is saying, brethren listen to me, these false teachers are trying to pull you back into slavery by telling you, you have to follow the law in order to be saved.  I am telling you, that is a bunch of bologna. (My paraphrase!)

We, you and me, are children of the free woman, and we are acceptable to God because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

So don't believe anything other than that.

This is what it boils down to. Keep your faith in Christ. Don't believe or think you can get by, by doing good works alone, or by keeping the law.

Also, realize that you are not perfect, therefore you will never be able to obey the entire law perfectly. So don't set yourself up for failure that will only lead to death and hell.

Brethren, I know all this can seem either overwhelming or not interesting to you, but please know that every single word spoken in God's Word, applies to each of us. God placed each story in here for a very specific reason.

If we will seek the Lord and ask Him to help us understand His Word, He will do just that.

The purpose of all of this is to draw us closer to Him, to deepen our relationship with Him, and to protect us, guide us, and purify us.

I pray you will hang in there, keep reading His Word, keep spending time with Him, keep listening, and keep allowing the Lord to speak to You.

S-Spend time in prayer today and ask the Lord to bring His Word alive within you.

Altar Sunday

"When you drive out the nations that live there, you must destroy all the places where they worship their gods-high on the mountains, up on the hills, and under every green tree. Break down their altars and smash their sacred pillars. Burn their Asherah poles and cut down their carved idols. Erase the names of their gods from those places!" Deuteronomy 12:2-3

Do you have areas in your life that have taken the place of God? Surrender them to the Lord today and anything else that tempts you to focus more on the world and self.

Jesus we ask that you search us and test us. Reveal anything in us that displeases You and hinders our relationship with You. Amen

Enjoy Each Moment

As I woke this morning and spent time in the Word, I realized how easy it is to go through the motions of life.

Wake up, get ready, have a quite time, tend to the kiddos, etc.

To be honest it can become so daunting.

But it should't be. We should enjoy and soak up every second the Lord gives us. Rather than take it for granted.

We should find joy in each day, no matter our circumstances.

We should lavish ourselves in the Word of God and His presence and be thankful for the freedom we have to open the Word and read with out persecution.

We should spend every second praising God for the precious gifts of life He has blessed us with.

Life should not be overwhelming or daunting.

Nor should it be so jam packed with busyness that we never slow down enough to enjoy the blessings and gifts God has given us.

Jesus we are so blessed we don't even realize it. You keep Your hand of protection upon us beyond 24/7. You go before us, are behind us and right next to us. You gave Your life so we could have life. Jesus we lack a true relationship with You. We fail to get to know You in a deep and intimate way. Forgive us for that, we are missing out tremendously. Change our priorities, our desires and our attitudes. Give us faith that pleases You and the desires of Your heart. Amen

They Are Not Doing it For Your Good

S-Labor Pains

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure 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 Christ

L-Not for Yours, but Theirs

-"Those false teachers who are so anxious to win your favor are not doing it for your good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay more attention to them.  Now its wonderful if you are eager to do good, and especially when I am not with you. But oh, my dear children! I feel as if I am going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. How I wish I were there with you right now, so that I could be more gentle with you. But at this distance I frankly don't know what else to do." Galatians 4:17-20

At all times, we need to be aware of those who teach the Word of God. Especially if we are new in our faith. Why? Because like the Galatia Churches we can be easily misled by those whose motives are selfish motives.

The false teachers wanted to receive all the attention. So much so they would use smooth speech, that was persuasive and convincing just to get the attention of as many people as they could.

There are many Pastors today who do the same thing. Their motives are selfish rather than genuine. They tell you what you want to hear, rather than God's truth.

Paul on the other hand, was sincere and genuine. He had others best interest at heart, especially their salvation. He knew what was at stake. Thus, "I feel as if I am going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives." 

For those of us who do teach and share the Word of God with others, what is our motives for doing so? Is it selfish ambition, pride, or the need for attention?

Or is it because we too, like Paul understand what is at stake? Do we experience the same type of labor pains Paul described here?

Brethren, it is my prayer that God would develop hearts within us like Paul's.

Hearts that desire all people to know more about Christ. Hearts that are focused on Christ and others rather than ourselves.

Don't be misled by those whose motives are selfish. Stay focused on God's Word and His truth.

S-Share the truth rather than being a people-pleaser

Someone You Love Going to Hell...

"Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you." 2 Timothy 4:5

Does the thought of someone you love going to hell, devastate you and move you to the place that you are willing to get uncomfortable for their souls sake?

Or

Do you pray for them and hope someone else will share God's truth and love with them?

Brethren, if the thought of our loved ones going to hell doesn't motivate us to share the Good News with them, then I can't imagine how little our concern is for the lost stranger.

Let's step outside of our comfort zones and share Jesus with the lost. Let's not wait any longer for the right time, lets do it now.

Jesus set up a divine intervention for each of us to share Your truth and love with someone who is lost. Whether a family member, co-worker or complete stranger. Use us. Break our hearts for the lost, Jesus. Amen

Use Me

S-Useful

S-"But everything that is done must be useful to all and build them up in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 14:26

A-Your gifts in a manner that is useful to others

L-How to Become Useful

We all desire to be useful, to be needed. For me, I want God to use me to the max to spread His Word, to love and to encourage women in their faith.

In order for me to be of use, I need to keep myself pure. "If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." 2 Timothy 2:21

I also need to be sure, that my motives are sincere, genuine and for the benefit of the Lord and others and not myself.

And most importantly I have to clothe and saturate myself in the Word of God. It is the only way I can be useful.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Jesus I desire to be useful for You. You created me with a purpose. A purpose to please You, serve You by serving others, and to share Your Word with as many people as I can. Father if there be anything in me that hinders me from being used, reveal it to me today, so that I might confess and repent so that I can be pure and of great use for You and Your kingdom. Jesus I want to be used, use me! 

Return to Your First Love

S-Where Did It Go?

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-Where Is Your Joyful Spirit?

"Where is that joyful spirit we felt together then? In those days, I know you would gladly have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible. Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?" Galatians 4:15-16

Yesterday I asked you to think back on the day you were first saved, and the joy you felt. Do you remember those first few months you were so on fire for Christ, that you could barely contain yourself? You wanted to go out and share Jesus with everyone you could. You wanted to help and serve as much as you possibly could. 

You stayed on that high for awhile, and then...your fire and excitement dimmed.

Somehow your passion, though still there, became a lot less. The busyness of life, the frustration of school, work, being a parent, and self consumed more of your attention and time. 

Why? 

It seems as though now, Jesus is just another person you check of your list.

You do what you want, your passion now comes from temporary things. Your joy has been lost and your search for happiness, which again is temporary. You have managed to tie yourself back up into the very things that once enslaved you.

Paul addresses this issue here and calls out the Galatian Churches. And so does Jesus in the Book of Revelation.

"I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.  But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do." Revelation 2:2-6

What is your answer to this brethren? Where is your joyful spirit. Where has your willingness to serve others gone? Has Jesus somehow become your enemy because His Word revels your sinfulness?

His Word speaks truth, yet we only want to pick and choose the parts of truth we listen to or read. 

Why is this?

Have we forgotten what Christ has done for us? 

Brethren, Jesus is offering pure and lasting joy. Take it.

Let His love and Word rebuild the fire you once had for Him. 

S-Seek God and and His Word and ask Him to fill you with the love and passion you once had for Him. Return to your first real love.

Prelude

A prelude to Galatians 4:15-16

Think back on the day you met Jesus. 

Now, close your eyes and remember the emotion, the joy, the hope, and the relief that filled your heart.

Does it bring a smile to your face? Do those precious moments come flooding back in, making your heart swell?

When was the last time you felt that same joy and passion for Christ? 

Has it been awhile?

Altar Sunday

Rise up Church and lift your voices to The Lord. Pour out your hearts to Him.

Let a revival begin!!

In Sickness and In Health

S-Do not turn away from

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-In All Things

 "Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News of Christ. But even though my sickness was revolting to you, you did not reject me and turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus Himself." Galatians 4:13-14

Paul makes two important points in this passage, that I believe we need to pay attention to and apply to our lives today.

1. No matter the condition we are in health wise, we should always do what we can to share the good News with others. This is what Paul did all throughout his ministry. 

      -How do we do this? By example, with our attitude and speech even in the midst of suffering. And by depending on The Lord to give us the strength and energy we need daily.

2. As Followers of Christ, we need to serve those who are sick, homeless, widowed, lost, imprisoned, and broken. Just as Christ tells us to.

    -"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you have me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" Matthew 25:35-40

It seems anymore that we focus on "me" and our own busyness that we fail to remember those around us who are in need. We often pass the homeless man or woman on the side of the road and even grumble about them. Yet what if they, out of the rare few, really are in need?

I do understand they are ALL in need, but I also believe with the right help and motivation, many of them could and do desire to be helped, employed and have a roof over their heads. 

How about the widowed lady who sits next to you, or works next to you, or lives next to you. How often to you visit her? 

What about the sick, this is tough, because many of us shudder at the thought of hospitals. But brethren their are also a lot who are at home and sick that could use encouragement, a smiling face, a visit, even some soup.

As The Lord impressed these things upon my heart, He took it even further and asked, "What about those who are in places of poverty, who have HIV, or any other diseases that frighten us." What about them?

You see when we see serve the least of these, we are serving Christ. This is what the Galatian Churches did for Paul. 

This is how the Body of Christ should be. 

I wonder today, how many Churches are reaching out and taking in those in need? How many Churches today are stepping outside of their comfort zones and into the places where their dependence is fully in God?

I wonder today, how many of us really understand, it begins within each of us individually. We all have to do our part. 

Do you know of someone who is always serving others, always helping those in need? Do you notice they never are really asked? They are able, through the Holy Spirit to see the need and then they act?

Let's become those people. 

S-Share your blessings with someone less fortunate than you.

The Workers are Few!

^" He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few." Matthew 9:37

Brethren, at what point will we step outside of our comfort zones and step into the same places Christ is?

Yes He is everywhere, but He is found in the places where most of us don't want to go. Places that require us to be uncomfortable in order to share Him.

Places that require us to depend on Him in ways we never would or have before.

Places that break our hearts because of the devastation found there.

Places that open our eyes to the reality of how desperate Jesus is needed there.

And really, It's not about the places at all, it's about the people in those places.

The people are what matter. 

The souls and hearts of these precious God created people need Jesus, and in order for them to receive Jesus and His hope and love, we have to be willing to step outside of our comfort zones and own little world and step into theirs.

This requires us to have complete faith in Christ. 

Do we trust Him enough to be uncomfortable for His name sake?

Do we believe in His promises, like this one.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

Our Independence

Our freedom came through Christ Jesus, when he bought our freedom with His blood.

Lets celebrate Jesus today and the freedom He gave us. 

If it wasn't for Him, we would have no freedom at all.

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.