1 Thessalonians 2:1-7
You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.
Despite some very public opposition to Christianity, we really do not face much opposition to the gospel here in America yet. Yet we are always too busy to share Christ.
3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
It's and election year. How refreshing it would be if everyone on the political trail spoke this way. But that is of the world. Imagine every Christian checked their motives before they spoke.
4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.
The word entrusted carries meaning for me that I find hard to put into words. In the movie Dances with Wolves, the medicine man, Kicking Bird, entrusts the well being of his family to, Lt John Dunbar. It's the feeling of being given something of great value to care for.
We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.
I have a friend that I love to watch him worship. He has an audience of one and that is God. In the same manner when we share the gospel the only approval we need seek is from God.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
1 Thessalonians 1
1 Thessalonians 1
Paul, Silas and Timothy,
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is the giver of everything we have. Do we thank Him? Do we thank Him for the people he has brought into our lives. Do we there work and thank Him for the labor they do?
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
How much grace do we extend to people. Do we come to them in peace orso wrapped up in ourselves that we come to them in pieces?
God is the giver of everything we have. Do we thank Him? Do we thank Him for the people he has brought into our lives. Do we there work and thank Him for the labor they do?
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
When people see us as Christians they need to see that we are different. They need to see our words are from the Holy Spirit and come with conviction. Our lives should be ones that people want to emulate. Then they in turn tell others what they have learned from us. This is how the gospel is meant to spread. Sadly most Christians are so much like the world that our message is voided as hypocrisy and just ignored.
Be different. Be that one others want to follow.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Colossians 4
Colossians 4
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
This is NOT saying that slavery is right or good. It's reminding them that God is watching. It's the same reminder to us. We need to treat those under us fairly.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
Everyday, I get up and a I blog my Bible study and throughout the day I will send up popcorn prayers...if I remember. I'm rarely ever being watchful for thing that may trip me up and I'm usually only thankful on those days that I take the time to look around at what I have and what God has done.
I also need to pray more for our church pastors, elders, missionaries, deacons and teachers as they proclaim the gospel.
This blog I sometimes call my devotions. It's time I set aside to break into God's word. I need to devote some time to prayer.
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Everyone we meet is an opportunity to share our faith. Don't waste the chance to speak to others.
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
I'm reminded of the Christmas letters I receive most every year. One parent will send greeting from all the family and share a bit about what the person is up to. I get that family feel here as well. All of us as Christians are the family of God.
The grace of of Lord Jesus Christ with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
This is NOT saying that slavery is right or good. It's reminding them that God is watching. It's the same reminder to us. We need to treat those under us fairly.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
Everyday, I get up and a I blog my Bible study and throughout the day I will send up popcorn prayers...if I remember. I'm rarely ever being watchful for thing that may trip me up and I'm usually only thankful on those days that I take the time to look around at what I have and what God has done.
I also need to pray more for our church pastors, elders, missionaries, deacons and teachers as they proclaim the gospel.
This blog I sometimes call my devotions. It's time I set aside to break into God's word. I need to devote some time to prayer.
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Everyone we meet is an opportunity to share our faith. Don't waste the chance to speak to others.
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
I'm reminded of the Christmas letters I receive most every year. One parent will send greeting from all the family and share a bit about what the person is up to. I get that family feel here as well. All of us as Christians are the family of God.
The grace of of Lord Jesus Christ with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Colossians 3:18-25
Colossians 3:18-25
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
A wife is to submit as is fitting to the Lord. A lord controls every aspect of you life. You have no rights with a lord. Our Lord Jesus Christ submitted to the Father. That is your standard.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Why are men told to love their wives? We won't do it without instruction. We are men and used to being harsh in a harsh world. Ephesians 5:25-32 has greater detail in how we are to treat our wives. Christ is our standard too. We're to love our wives as he loved the church. His love will be the standard by which our love is measured.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
As a child I learned this verse in the King James. The last phrase in that translation said "for this is right". I constantly tell my children when they complain about life at mom's that scripture does not say obey "when you 'think' they are right". It's not about what you want to do or what you think you should do. It's about obeying God and he says obey your parents. There are no qualifier or loop holes.
Reminder that if you parent demands you do something you know to be wrong such as stealing or immorality, I encourage you to tell someone what is going on.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
Some dads think it is funny to frustrate their children. I get frustrated when I see Jimmy Kimble encourage parents to lie to their kids and tape the sadness and frustration so that he and his audience can laugh. As a dad your kids need you to be their rock here on Earth the points them to your ROCK in Jesus Christ. Once trust is broken it can take years to rebuild.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
Most of us are not slaves. We just feel like it some times. We do have employers and supervisors and leads and team members. Don't just do your job when you are being seen. Do it all the time for the glory of God. He is always watching.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
A wife is to submit as is fitting to the Lord. A lord controls every aspect of you life. You have no rights with a lord. Our Lord Jesus Christ submitted to the Father. That is your standard.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Why are men told to love their wives? We won't do it without instruction. We are men and used to being harsh in a harsh world. Ephesians 5:25-32 has greater detail in how we are to treat our wives. Christ is our standard too. We're to love our wives as he loved the church. His love will be the standard by which our love is measured.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
As a child I learned this verse in the King James. The last phrase in that translation said "for this is right". I constantly tell my children when they complain about life at mom's that scripture does not say obey "when you 'think' they are right". It's not about what you want to do or what you think you should do. It's about obeying God and he says obey your parents. There are no qualifier or loop holes.
Reminder that if you parent demands you do something you know to be wrong such as stealing or immorality, I encourage you to tell someone what is going on.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
Some dads think it is funny to frustrate their children. I get frustrated when I see Jimmy Kimble encourage parents to lie to their kids and tape the sadness and frustration so that he and his audience can laugh. As a dad your kids need you to be their rock here on Earth the points them to your ROCK in Jesus Christ. Once trust is broken it can take years to rebuild.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
Most of us are not slaves. We just feel like it some times. We do have employers and supervisors and leads and team members. Don't just do your job when you are being seen. Do it all the time for the glory of God. He is always watching.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Colossians 3:1-17
Colossians 3:1-17
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
This world offers so much that I forget this is not my home and my final resting place is with God in heaven. This does not mean I cannot enjoy the live and this world that God has given me. However, I must not forget the creator while I enjoy the things he has created.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
I don't put them in a closet or in a box under your bed. I don't try God and when things get rough and my faith is weak, pull our my pet sins. These are part of my past. God hates sin and his wrath is against it. My old life must be put to death.
8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
This is tough for me. Especially when driving.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Society thinks lying is a good thing. Lying cuts to the core and invalidates our walk with Christ. If we share Christ and our faith, yet we are found to be a liar, our credibility is gone.
When we put on the new self, we become like Christ. There is no difference between us.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Once you put to death your old life you fill the void with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. These will not be perfected over night.
I'm having a hard time forgiving someone, but here I'm instructed to forgive as the Lord forgave me. I know he has never withheld his forgiveness. I did forgive this person, but I keep taking it back. The Lord is the standard.
Love creates unity. Without love...true love not the romantic notion modern society has created...is the only way to have unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
I don't believe peace is possible without thankfulness. Every conflict that ever was involved someone not thankful for what they have and wanting more. The peace of Christ makes us content with what we have.
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Do you sing? I did not ask "can" you sing, but "do". Admonish does not always mean a negative either. We grow together and encourage each other with a song in our heart to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I was having a hard time focusing on school today. These words have helped me focus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
This world offers so much that I forget this is not my home and my final resting place is with God in heaven. This does not mean I cannot enjoy the live and this world that God has given me. However, I must not forget the creator while I enjoy the things he has created.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
I don't put them in a closet or in a box under your bed. I don't try God and when things get rough and my faith is weak, pull our my pet sins. These are part of my past. God hates sin and his wrath is against it. My old life must be put to death.
8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
This is tough for me. Especially when driving.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Society thinks lying is a good thing. Lying cuts to the core and invalidates our walk with Christ. If we share Christ and our faith, yet we are found to be a liar, our credibility is gone.
When we put on the new self, we become like Christ. There is no difference between us.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Once you put to death your old life you fill the void with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. These will not be perfected over night.
I'm having a hard time forgiving someone, but here I'm instructed to forgive as the Lord forgave me. I know he has never withheld his forgiveness. I did forgive this person, but I keep taking it back. The Lord is the standard.
Love creates unity. Without love...true love not the romantic notion modern society has created...is the only way to have unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
I don't believe peace is possible without thankfulness. Every conflict that ever was involved someone not thankful for what they have and wanting more. The peace of Christ makes us content with what we have.
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Do you sing? I did not ask "can" you sing, but "do". Admonish does not always mean a negative either. We grow together and encourage each other with a song in our heart to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I was having a hard time focusing on school today. These words have helped me focus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Colossians 2:16-23
Colossians 2:16-23
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
How God was to be worshiped was spelled out in very specific ways under the law. Now in Christ we have freedom to worship without ritual or formality. Yes our churches have structure during worship as God is not a god of chaos. Just don't elevate your worship style to a level of "the only way" and don't allow others to do the same to you.
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
These are "spiritual" people who live their lives based on their personal experience and not on the word of God. In reality they are not spiritual at all and have no real connection with God.
20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
So many people want nothing to do with Christianity because many organized religions have become just a list of rules. We died with Christ. That's it. We don't need any rules to save us.
Please note that Paul is NOT talking about rulers and authorities. He is speaking of those who want to add rules and restrictions to faith.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
How God was to be worshiped was spelled out in very specific ways under the law. Now in Christ we have freedom to worship without ritual or formality. Yes our churches have structure during worship as God is not a god of chaos. Just don't elevate your worship style to a level of "the only way" and don't allow others to do the same to you.
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
These are "spiritual" people who live their lives based on their personal experience and not on the word of God. In reality they are not spiritual at all and have no real connection with God.
20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
So many people want nothing to do with Christianity because many organized religions have become just a list of rules. We died with Christ. That's it. We don't need any rules to save us.
Please note that Paul is NOT talking about rulers and authorities. He is speaking of those who want to add rules and restrictions to faith.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Colossians 2:1-15
Colossians 2:1-15
I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
When Paul says he is contending, I believe he is speaking of prayer. And it's not just a, "Dear God be with those people and meet their needs.", type of prayer. How many Christians do we know go through their day:
I take two things from this paragraph. I need to pray MORE and I need to pray BETTER.
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
How did we receive Christ? We received him by faith. Live in faith. He is our source and as we get to know him, thankfulness will flow. It will be automatic.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
We accepted Christ on faith. There is no intellectual side of faith. It's not something you can prove through science. Therefore don't let someone talk you out of what know and believe.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Jesus is fully God. He is in charge. Just as real circumcision cuts off flesh, Jesus spiritually cut us off from our flesh. Victory over our flesh is ours. It's just that many of us like certain sins and don't want victory or we believe our problem is just too big.
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
We were dead. We ARE alive. We are forgiven. We are debt free. Our enemy is unarmed. Is there a smile on you face yet?
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
When Paul says he is contending, I believe he is speaking of prayer. And it's not just a, "Dear God be with those people and meet their needs.", type of prayer. How many Christians do we know go through their day:
- Discouraged in heart?
- Have no sense of unity or belonging?
- Have a shallow understanding of the riches of God?
- Have no clue of the wisdom and knowledge of God?
I take two things from this paragraph. I need to pray MORE and I need to pray BETTER.
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
How did we receive Christ? We received him by faith. Live in faith. He is our source and as we get to know him, thankfulness will flow. It will be automatic.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
We accepted Christ on faith. There is no intellectual side of faith. It's not something you can prove through science. Therefore don't let someone talk you out of what know and believe.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Jesus is fully God. He is in charge. Just as real circumcision cuts off flesh, Jesus spiritually cut us off from our flesh. Victory over our flesh is ours. It's just that many of us like certain sins and don't want victory or we believe our problem is just too big.
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
We were dead. We ARE alive. We are forgiven. We are debt free. Our enemy is unarmed. Is there a smile on you face yet?
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Colossians 1:24-29
Colossians 1:24-29
24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
Paul was willing to suffer for the gospel and for those who had received the gospel. I reflect on the pastors, elders and teachers I have had in the past. Most if not all would echo the words of Paul. I could see it in their face, their attitude and their walk.
Applying to me: Am I willing to suffer? I have a feeling the church in America is about to find out.
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
God does not do random. God had a mystery. He chose a man and sent him to reveal that mystery to people he had already chosen. Not just to the Jew, but the Gentile as well. If you are not Jewish, you are a Gentile. Because you are reading this, God included you in the revelation of that mystery. Meditate on that awesome privilege.
28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
Paul gave everything he had from Christ to proclaim the gospel, (Christ's sinless life. His death for our sins. His resurrection from the dead.), so that those of us who believe can be presented to God as mature or complete.
So how do I approach ministry? Is my focus presenting people to God mature? Do I use the power of Christ in me or do I use my own wisdom and understanding? I encourage you to search your motives and goals as well.
Galatians 6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
Paul was willing to suffer for the gospel and for those who had received the gospel. I reflect on the pastors, elders and teachers I have had in the past. Most if not all would echo the words of Paul. I could see it in their face, their attitude and their walk.
Applying to me: Am I willing to suffer? I have a feeling the church in America is about to find out.
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
God does not do random. God had a mystery. He chose a man and sent him to reveal that mystery to people he had already chosen. Not just to the Jew, but the Gentile as well. If you are not Jewish, you are a Gentile. Because you are reading this, God included you in the revelation of that mystery. Meditate on that awesome privilege.
28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
Paul gave everything he had from Christ to proclaim the gospel, (Christ's sinless life. His death for our sins. His resurrection from the dead.), so that those of us who believe can be presented to God as mature or complete.
So how do I approach ministry? Is my focus presenting people to God mature? Do I use the power of Christ in me or do I use my own wisdom and understanding? I encourage you to search your motives and goals as well.
Galatians 6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Colossians 1:15-23
Colossians 1:15-23
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Jesus is equal to God. It was he who spoke all of creation into existence. Even rulers were created by God. Which is why, even though I have no love for the current administration, I am careful speaking out in public.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
If Jesus stopped being God, everything in all creation would just fall apart.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
How well would my body function if I did not have a head? I'm not positive, but I believe "firstborn from among the dead" is referring to his resurrection. Though Jesus had raise others from the dead, he was the first to do it of his own will.
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Everything that God is resides in Jesus. That is why Jesus was able to die for our sins and bring us back into fellowship with God.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
I have not heard any reports from any of battlefields where our enemy showed us the way to victory and reconciliation to them. Enemies wish to conquer each other. Even though we were Christ's enemies, he died for us so that we can be holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. Think on that gift. Satan can whisper in you ear all day the things you've done wrong, yet in God's eyes you are free.
Continue in you faith. Don't walk away.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen. -Gal. 6:18
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Jesus is equal to God. It was he who spoke all of creation into existence. Even rulers were created by God. Which is why, even though I have no love for the current administration, I am careful speaking out in public.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
If Jesus stopped being God, everything in all creation would just fall apart.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
How well would my body function if I did not have a head? I'm not positive, but I believe "firstborn from among the dead" is referring to his resurrection. Though Jesus had raise others from the dead, he was the first to do it of his own will.
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Everything that God is resides in Jesus. That is why Jesus was able to die for our sins and bring us back into fellowship with God.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
I have not heard any reports from any of battlefields where our enemy showed us the way to victory and reconciliation to them. Enemies wish to conquer each other. Even though we were Christ's enemies, he died for us so that we can be holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. Think on that gift. Satan can whisper in you ear all day the things you've done wrong, yet in God's eyes you are free.
Continue in you faith. Don't walk away.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen. -Gal. 6:18
Monday, September 17, 2012
Colossians 1:1-14
Colossians 1:1-14
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you.
The faith and hope we have in Christ should make a difference in our lives. Enough that people will notice and be talking about us.
In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
"In the same way...". What way? Verses 3-6a tells us. Word of mouth. These Christian's were different and had a love for one another that others noticed and they wanted in. These people then shared the gospel with others just as Epaphras shared it with them.
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.
I need to continue to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
This is my prayer for my children and my brothers and sisters in Christ. If there is someone who you want to pray for and don't know what to pray, this is a great prayer. I want to start praying this for my children.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
We have been rescued, redeemed and forgiven. Think on these wonderful gifts from our God.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
Written by Paul to God's holy people at Colossae. I notice Paul called them faithful. If my mentor was to write me a letter, would I be called faithful? And once again we see the grace and peace from God bestowed upon these people. I hope that none of us now that we understand God's grace will ever just read past these greetings and not ponder the grace God has given.
The faith and hope we have in Christ should make a difference in our lives. Enough that people will notice and be talking about us.
In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
"In the same way...". What way? Verses 3-6a tells us. Word of mouth. These Christian's were different and had a love for one another that others noticed and they wanted in. These people then shared the gospel with others just as Epaphras shared it with them.
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.
I need to continue to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
This is my prayer for my children and my brothers and sisters in Christ. If there is someone who you want to pray for and don't know what to pray, this is a great prayer. I want to start praying this for my children.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
We have been rescued, redeemed and forgiven. Think on these wonderful gifts from our God.
Galatians 6:18
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Galatians 6
Galatians 6
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
People misuse Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, or you too will be judged.", as a way to avoid being confronted for their sin. The neglect the rest of that same passage that instructs us how to approach a brother in sin and warns us to check ourselves first.
Here we see another warning. If you see a brother involved in sin that you too have a weakness for, be careful. Their confession may tempt you to sin as well.
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Talk with one another. Venting is good. To the listener...shut up and listen. Don't try to solve the problem. Encourage. Share scripture. Lift one another up. Sometimes just being there is enough.
3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
As we grow in our walk with God compare yourself today with the way you were last week, last month and last year. Don't compare yourself with our brother. The Holy Spirit may deal with him at a different pace. If God does bring victory, by all means share it with your teachers, pastors and elders.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
God not only sees what you do,but he knows the why. He cannot be duped by smooth talking. Remember that God knew you would do that thing before the foundation of the world and yet he chose to save you out of His grace, so be honest.
You life will turn out the way you plant it. If you play in traffic, it's not God's fault you got hit by a car. Feed your spirit with the Word and let it grow within you.
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
It is our job to be faithful. God will provide the harvest in His time.
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
Paul usually dictated his letters. Perhaps the message in this letter was so important that Paul did not want to wait for a scribe. This verse has also lead some scholars to believe that Paul's thorn in the flesh was poor eyesight.
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.
These people wanted Christians to follow a law they did not keep themselves just so they can feel better about themselves.
14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.
It's not anything that I do. It's all about what Jesus did.
16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.
17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Paul had been beaten many times for his faith. His body showed the scars. He's lived his faith and did not want his integrity challenged any more.
I usually close my blog with God Bless. I have now found a new sign off.
Galatians 6:18
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
People misuse Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, or you too will be judged.", as a way to avoid being confronted for their sin. The neglect the rest of that same passage that instructs us how to approach a brother in sin and warns us to check ourselves first.
Here we see another warning. If you see a brother involved in sin that you too have a weakness for, be careful. Their confession may tempt you to sin as well.
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Talk with one another. Venting is good. To the listener...shut up and listen. Don't try to solve the problem. Encourage. Share scripture. Lift one another up. Sometimes just being there is enough.
3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
As we grow in our walk with God compare yourself today with the way you were last week, last month and last year. Don't compare yourself with our brother. The Holy Spirit may deal with him at a different pace. If God does bring victory, by all means share it with your teachers, pastors and elders.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
God not only sees what you do,but he knows the why. He cannot be duped by smooth talking. Remember that God knew you would do that thing before the foundation of the world and yet he chose to save you out of His grace, so be honest.
You life will turn out the way you plant it. If you play in traffic, it's not God's fault you got hit by a car. Feed your spirit with the Word and let it grow within you.
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
It is our job to be faithful. God will provide the harvest in His time.
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
Paul usually dictated his letters. Perhaps the message in this letter was so important that Paul did not want to wait for a scribe. This verse has also lead some scholars to believe that Paul's thorn in the flesh was poor eyesight.
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.
These people wanted Christians to follow a law they did not keep themselves just so they can feel better about themselves.
14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.
It's not anything that I do. It's all about what Jesus did.
16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.
17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Paul had been beaten many times for his faith. His body showed the scars. He's lived his faith and did not want his integrity challenged any more.
I usually close my blog with God Bless. I have now found a new sign off.
Galatians 6:18
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Galatians 5:13-26
Galatians 5:13-26
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Too many Christians use their freedom as a license to sin. They ignore God's standards and when conviction comes they confess but they don't repent and do it again and again. Our freedom was not given to us to indulge in our wants and greeds, but to free us to serve. Christians fighting among themselves destroys our testimony, but will destroy our ministry and eventually one another.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
These verses have never been more true to me then in the past two years since I started this blog. Just a look at the dates of this blog and you can see when I was walking in the Spirit and when I was off on my own doing "more important" stuff. When my life does not lineup with scripture, that's the last place I want to go because I know conviction lies there.
The hymn TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS, has the phrase, "and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace". This has proven true in my life. When I do a daily Bible study and I am in the word regularly, the things I found so fascinating suddenly become unimportant in the light of pleasing God.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
To a different degree each of us may still struggle with one or two of these and that is something for you to continue working out with God as the Holy Spirit convicts. If you have a lifestyle that matches any of these, I strongly suggest you examine yourself.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
When we accept Christ's payment for our sin the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. The fruit he will bring forth in our lives is about. One does not plant an apple seed and eat apples the next day. The tree has to grow and over time...HIS TIME...we will bear fruit. Each of these attributes should begin to show itself in varying degrees in our lives. We need to continue to study and allow these to grown within our lives.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
I envision marching in formation here. Think of a local parade. Certain groups have no structure and they are just a mob going down the street. But other groups are all left right in sync. Am I in sync with the spirit today? Are you?
Conceit comes from pride. If all the good things listed above are fruit of the Spirit, then they are not of me or you and therefore there is no place for pride. Also there is no place for us to envy another person's walk or to criticize another for their slow progress. The Spirit is the one controlling the process.
God Bless.
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Too many Christians use their freedom as a license to sin. They ignore God's standards and when conviction comes they confess but they don't repent and do it again and again. Our freedom was not given to us to indulge in our wants and greeds, but to free us to serve. Christians fighting among themselves destroys our testimony, but will destroy our ministry and eventually one another.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
These verses have never been more true to me then in the past two years since I started this blog. Just a look at the dates of this blog and you can see when I was walking in the Spirit and when I was off on my own doing "more important" stuff. When my life does not lineup with scripture, that's the last place I want to go because I know conviction lies there.
The hymn TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS, has the phrase, "and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace". This has proven true in my life. When I do a daily Bible study and I am in the word regularly, the things I found so fascinating suddenly become unimportant in the light of pleasing God.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
To a different degree each of us may still struggle with one or two of these and that is something for you to continue working out with God as the Holy Spirit convicts. If you have a lifestyle that matches any of these, I strongly suggest you examine yourself.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
When we accept Christ's payment for our sin the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. The fruit he will bring forth in our lives is about. One does not plant an apple seed and eat apples the next day. The tree has to grow and over time...HIS TIME...we will bear fruit. Each of these attributes should begin to show itself in varying degrees in our lives. We need to continue to study and allow these to grown within our lives.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
I envision marching in formation here. Think of a local parade. Certain groups have no structure and they are just a mob going down the street. But other groups are all left right in sync. Am I in sync with the spirit today? Are you?
Conceit comes from pride. If all the good things listed above are fruit of the Spirit, then they are not of me or you and therefore there is no place for pride. Also there is no place for us to envy another person's walk or to criticize another for their slow progress. The Spirit is the one controlling the process.
God Bless.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Galatians 5:1-12
Galatians 5:1-12
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
It's election time and there are many people who are talking about our eroding freedoms here in America. As a Christian you have been set free. Don't willingly go back to being a slave.
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
Once you start down the path of works and earning you salvation, then Christ's death on the cross will never be enough for you. Forever you will be adding to salvation.
3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
I believe this is harder for men to grasp than women. Men are action centered where women understand grace more as they have the maternal instinct. Faith is hard because it requires us to wait on God and believe. I know I want results NOW! However God's righteousness will come through the Spirit in HIS time.
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.
It's no how we begin the race. Get rid of the distractions or those who pull you away from God. If you are alive, the race is not over. It's not to late to finish well.
9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
It does not take a lot of corruption to completely pollute ones life. The analogy of brownies was shared with me. If I mixed all the ingredients together and just before putting it in the oven I added a teaspoon from the cat box would you eat my brownies? I mean it's just a little bit. So it is with corruption in our lives.
God will punish those who lead Christians astray. That is why I said "I don't know" yesterday. I do not want to lead anyone away from Christ.
11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
Paul was annoyed that these agitators were saying he preached circumcision. If circumcision is required for Salvation then Christ sacrifice is void. He was so annoyed that he wished this group with emasculate themselves. I think he was hoping they wouldn't breed.
Don't add to Christ. He died for sin and it is enough.
God Bless.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
It's election time and there are many people who are talking about our eroding freedoms here in America. As a Christian you have been set free. Don't willingly go back to being a slave.
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
Once you start down the path of works and earning you salvation, then Christ's death on the cross will never be enough for you. Forever you will be adding to salvation.
3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
I believe this is harder for men to grasp than women. Men are action centered where women understand grace more as they have the maternal instinct. Faith is hard because it requires us to wait on God and believe. I know I want results NOW! However God's righteousness will come through the Spirit in HIS time.
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.
It's no how we begin the race. Get rid of the distractions or those who pull you away from God. If you are alive, the race is not over. It's not to late to finish well.
9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
It does not take a lot of corruption to completely pollute ones life. The analogy of brownies was shared with me. If I mixed all the ingredients together and just before putting it in the oven I added a teaspoon from the cat box would you eat my brownies? I mean it's just a little bit. So it is with corruption in our lives.
God will punish those who lead Christians astray. That is why I said "I don't know" yesterday. I do not want to lead anyone away from Christ.
11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
Paul was annoyed that these agitators were saying he preached circumcision. If circumcision is required for Salvation then Christ sacrifice is void. He was so annoyed that he wished this group with emasculate themselves. I think he was hoping they wouldn't breed.
Don't add to Christ. He died for sin and it is enough.
God Bless.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Galatians 4:21-31
Galatians 4:21-31
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.
Abraham did not like God's time table so he rushed into things and had a son with his slave. Then God fulfilled his promise in the way he'd originally planned. I think of my life right now and the decisions that need to be made. I have two choices, God's plan or mine.
24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants.
Even when we screw things up God's plan comes through. Abraham's impatience and all the concequences that came with it was still used by God as an example.
One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:
28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But
what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for
the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free
woman’s son.”
There are consequences for sin. We can accept forgiveness and there will be condemnation or eternal punishment, but you will have to deal with the results here on earth. Parents don't like to see their children fight, yet the son born of sin tormented the son born of God's will. So God told Abraham to send them away. Think about the gut wrenching ordeal of sending one's own flesh and blood away.
31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
If we are followers of Christ, we are children of Sarah because we are part of the promise given to Abraham.
God Bless.
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.
Abraham did not like God's time table so he rushed into things and had a son with his slave. Then God fulfilled his promise in the way he'd originally planned. I think of my life right now and the decisions that need to be made. I have two choices, God's plan or mine.
24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants.
Even when we screw things up God's plan comes through. Abraham's impatience and all the concequences that came with it was still used by God as an example.
One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:
“Be glad, barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
shout for joy and cry aloud,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband.”
you who never bore a child;
shout for joy and cry aloud,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband.”
I'd say self explanatory but that's not true. I'm scratching my head for a commentary here. When in doubt shut up. So I just used all these words to say "I don't know."
There are consequences for sin. We can accept forgiveness and there will be condemnation or eternal punishment, but you will have to deal with the results here on earth. Parents don't like to see their children fight, yet the son born of sin tormented the son born of God's will. So God told Abraham to send them away. Think about the gut wrenching ordeal of sending one's own flesh and blood away.
31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
If we are followers of Christ, we are children of Sarah because we are part of the promise given to Abraham.
God Bless.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Galatians 4:1-20
Galatians 4:1-20
What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Jesus was not early nor late. His death was not an accident. It was done on purpose at the perfect time as part of God's plan.
6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
The Holy Spirit is a gift from God to his sons. No one who does not have God can have the Spirit.
What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Jesus was not early nor late. His death was not an accident. It was done on purpose at the perfect time as part of God's plan.
6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
The Holy Spirit is a gift from God to his sons. No one who does not have God can have the Spirit.
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
These people knew the truth and then went back to what they used to do before they knew the truth. I'm reminded of my children and the things I have to tell them over and over. I'm also convicted because there are things in my life that I return to even though I know I've been freed from their power.
12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Don't shoot the messenger. Paul used to be loved by these people and now they turn on him for loving them enough to tell them the truth. How do we react when confronted by a brother concerning sin?
17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
Paul is so frustrated. People whom he considers his children are being lead astray. No parent wants to see this. No good parent enjoys having to discipline their kids.
Verse 17 makes me ask questions. "Whom am I listening to?" "What message are they using to win me over?" "Is it for my good?" I encourage anyone reading this blog to ask the very same questions.
God Bless.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Galatians 3:23-29
Galatians 3:23-29
23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
The law has served it's purpose. We are no longer under it's authority.
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
There is no place for the race war or the gender war in the body of Christ. If you have faith in Christ you ONE with your brothers and sisters.
Years ago, my sister moved to Utah. The Christians their worshiped a bit differently than New Englanders. Cheryl tried very hard to separate her church tradition form what was actually Biblical. Recognizing the she was one in Christ with them she was able to join them in worship.
This goes right along with what I am dealing with right now. I have a friend who attends a church with a different name on the door. I have no doubt this person is saved. I have no doubt we both have Christ as the center of our lives. Even though we have different backgrounds and our church traditions may be different, we are still one. We are still both heirs to the promise given to Abraham.
God Bless.
23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
The law has served it's purpose. We are no longer under it's authority.
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
There is no place for the race war or the gender war in the body of Christ. If you have faith in Christ you ONE with your brothers and sisters.
Years ago, my sister moved to Utah. The Christians their worshiped a bit differently than New Englanders. Cheryl tried very hard to separate her church tradition form what was actually Biblical. Recognizing the she was one in Christ with them she was able to join them in worship.
This goes right along with what I am dealing with right now. I have a friend who attends a church with a different name on the door. I have no doubt this person is saved. I have no doubt we both have Christ as the center of our lives. Even though we have different backgrounds and our church traditions may be different, we are still one. We are still both heirs to the promise given to Abraham.
God Bless.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Galatians 3:15-22
Galatians 3:15-22
15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Wow. I have no idea how many times I've read or studied Galatians and this is the first time these verses pop out at me. (Love that.) So many people think Christianity is about dos and don'ts. That's not it at all. It's not the rules, it's Jesus. Those of us who follow Christ will live by faith according to his leading, but that is not what saves us.
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
It was given to point out sin so that people would know they need a savior.
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
The law cannot and does not save. If you are trying to earn you salvation through obeying a set of rules by your church denomination or even by following the 10 commandments you will get a sad shock when you die. Salvation is a gift given to those who believe in Jesus Christ.
God bless.
15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Wow. I have no idea how many times I've read or studied Galatians and this is the first time these verses pop out at me. (Love that.) So many people think Christianity is about dos and don'ts. That's not it at all. It's not the rules, it's Jesus. Those of us who follow Christ will live by faith according to his leading, but that is not what saves us.
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
It was given to point out sin so that people would know they need a savior.
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
The law cannot and does not save. If you are trying to earn you salvation through obeying a set of rules by your church denomination or even by following the 10 commandments you will get a sad shock when you die. Salvation is a gift given to those who believe in Jesus Christ.
God bless.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Galatians 3:1-14
Galatians 3:1-14
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Works is a lie that has been around since the beginning. Even I act foolishly somedays and don't come to God because I feel I have to "clean-up". There is nothing I can do to earn God's favor. In my own power and skill I will never clean up good enough to enter His presence. It is only through the power of what Christ has already done that I am saved and it is Christ's blood that makes me clean.
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Here is a case of scripture enhancing and defining scripture. When reading the Old Testament account, I would pass right over this phrase without a second glance. Just as God knew me before the earth was formed, he started laying a plan for my salvation. How great is our God!
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
No one can fulfill the law. Only Jesus did. If you were to break just one of the laws you were guilty of all the law. Jesus became a curse in our place.
14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
No commentary required.
God Bless.
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Works is a lie that has been around since the beginning. Even I act foolishly somedays and don't come to God because I feel I have to "clean-up". There is nothing I can do to earn God's favor. In my own power and skill I will never clean up good enough to enter His presence. It is only through the power of what Christ has already done that I am saved and it is Christ's blood that makes me clean.
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Here is a case of scripture enhancing and defining scripture. When reading the Old Testament account, I would pass right over this phrase without a second glance. Just as God knew me before the earth was formed, he started laying a plan for my salvation. How great is our God!
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
No one can fulfill the law. Only Jesus did. If you were to break just one of the laws you were guilty of all the law. Jesus became a curse in our place.
14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
No commentary required.
God Bless.
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