[Galatians 1, Proverbs 7]

H – Galatians 1:6, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel”

E – Steadfast!

It is clear from Acts 13:14 that God had greatly blessed the missionary efforts of Paul and Barnabas in the cities of South Galatia despite the strong opposition they encountered there. Many new believers were won to Christ, churches were planted, elders appointed, and miracles displayed. Now, in the afterglow of this great awakening, the Galatian Christians for whom Paul harbored such great hope were at the very point of abandoning the gospel itself.

How could this happen?

It appears that they allowed the voice of others to bring confusion in their life on what it truly took to be in right relationship with God. The different gospel seems to be added requirements such as circumcision for these Gentile believers. You could say it was the Gospel + earning it. 

Paul knew all about trying to earn his standing before God. He tried to earn his standing by being advanced in Judaism, extremely zealous for the traditions that were passed down to him (1:14). But, when he met Jesus he came to and understanding that none of those things could make him right before God. It only could come from the justification of King Jesus; by faith in his death, burial, and resurrection (2:16). 

Therefore, Paul’s message to the church of Galatia is to remain steadfast in the truth of the Gospel. It is never Jesus +. It is just JESUS!

A – Be careful who I allow to influence my life. Listen to words of truth. Preach the truth. Remain steadfast in the truth. 

R – Lord God, thank you for salvation. Lord, the more I grow in you the more I realize that I could never be good enough or do enough to earn my salvation. The story of my life is simply Jesus. Help me to surrender each day to you, steadfast in the Gospel. I pray the words that come out of my mouth with be the Gospel truth. 

In Jesus Name!

3/4/22

[Acts 16, Proverbs 4]

H – Acts 16:30b, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

E – Salvation!

Acts 16 is a roller coaster ride for Paul, Silas, and Timothy. As they traveled, God closed doors and He opened doors for them to carry the Gospel. God opened hearts for the Gospel to be heard and many believed in faith. 

There was also moments where Paul, Silas, and Timothy were ridiculed, faced accusations, beaten, and shackled as prisoners. 

Yet, right in the middle of this roller coaster ride was God. From the mountain tops of witnessing salvation and the valley lows of being beaten and put in prison, they continued to pray and sing praises to the Lord. And, it appears to be evident that in their lowest moments that God moved the most. People witnessed persecution against them, and to hear them pray and praise could only mean one thing; they legitimately believed in who they were worshipping. So, people began to listen to them (16:25). 

One who listened was the jailer placed over them. When God moved He not only shook the foundations of the prison, but He began to shake the foundation of the jailers life. To the point the jailer asked the question, “what must I do to be saved?” The answer given = BELIEVE!

But, notice the evidence of belief from the jailer. 1) The jailer became compassionate. Taking care of the wounds that were inflicted to these men (16:33). 2) The jailer desired to hear and know of God. He wanted to be taught about Christ and the ways of Christ (16:32). 3) The jailer wanted others to hear about Christ. He brought his whole household forward to hear. He was not embarrassed  (16:32). 4) The jailer desired obedience from the beginning. He wanted to be identified as a Christ follower through baptism (16:33). 5) The jailer lovingly met the needs of these men (16:34). 6) The jailer rejoiced in what God had done for him and those in his household that believed. He worshipped before the Lord and others unashamedly. He knew he had a reason to (16:34). 

Think about what a Roman jailer must have been like. They were tough, blunt, unconcerned with the welfare of a prisoner, and certainly lacked compassion. And then, The Lord opened his heart. He believed and was changed. 

Real Genuine Salvation places a new desire within you. It changes you. You cannot stay the same. No matter the roller coaster, you know God is with you and you can’t help but pray and praise Him.

A – Continue to believe upon the Lord Jesus. Let my faith be evident through my actions. Let my praise be louder than my struggles. Tell others of Jesus. 

R – Lord God, thank you for my salvation. Thank you for rescuing me. Lord, I have reason to praise. Lord, continue to give me a desire to seek after you. Lord, help me to know that no matter where I am at in life that you are with me. Shake foundations. I pray we would witness others call out to you for salvation. I pray households would be changed, forever.

In Jesus Name!

[Acts 15, Proverbs 3]

H – Acts 15:28–29, “[28] For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: [29] that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

E – Burden!

God’s Word had penetrated the hearts of Gentiles. However, the religious Pharisees and some of the leading Jews were not pleased because they believed these Gentiles needed to go through the rituals of circumcision. The law of Moses was their measuring stick and if you couldn’t measure up then you were not accepted. There was only one problem. They failed to accept that salvation did not come from circumcision, but through the grace of our Lord and Savior and faith in Him (15:9). Therefore, these apostles and elders came to the conclusion that they were not requiring circumcision and observance of the entire Mosaic law (15:10), for salvation is by grace alone (15:11).

Being religious is burdensome. Going through the motions and having a checklist Christianity is burdensome. Keeping up with everyone else’s demands is burdensome. Trying to follow ancient transitions can be burdensome. Yet, surrendering to Jesus and following Him is not burdensome. 

I believe John helps us see this clearly in 1 John 5:3, when he stated, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”

A – Don’t let the trap of tradition create burdens. Walk in faith to His great grace and commit to follow Him. For that is not a burden, but a blessing. 

R – Lord God, thank you for salvation. Thank you for your amazing grace. Thank you that being in a relationship with you is not a burden. Thank you God for the blessing that comes from obedience. Lord, help me to commit each day to following you. 

In Jesus Name!

[James 4, Proverbs 1]

H – James 4:4, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

E – Did You Not Know?

James began Chapter 4 with a warning against worldliness. This warning called imitators of worldliness adulterers. It was literal unfaithfulness to God making this claim against spiritual adultery or turning away from God. 

But, notice the question at hand, Do you know know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? It’s interesting that if these people were genuine Christ followers that they would know what Christ rescued them from, called them out of, and called them to. 

When I give my life to Christ He calls me out of and away from worldliness. I repent (turn away) from my old sinful ways and turn to Him. I am a new creation. I am no longer a friend to the world or her ways. I am a friend of Christ.

Christ came to deliver me from the enemy and when I do not flee wordiness and surrender all to Him then I am in camp with the enemy, against God. James makes it clear. You can not set your heart on the world and please God. I can not have one foot in and one foot out. I’m either all in or not. 

Did You Not Know This?

And John would confirm, 1 John 2:15–16, “[15] Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

A – Daily apply James 4:7-10 – 1) Submit myself to God, 2) Resist Temptations of all kinds, 3) Draw Near To God, 4) Repent on any Known Sin, 5) Receive Forgiveness, 6) Let Conviction take root, 7) Humble Myself to Hear from and Respond to His Spirit. 

R – Lord God, Thank you for loving me. Thank you for calling me out of the world. Lord, help me to wisely discern worldliness. Convict me of pride, jealously, and greed (4:1-3). Help me to know that my life in You is more valuable than anything I could gain or earn in this world (4:13-14). May my passion be for you and flow from you. 

In Jesus Name!