One of our friends that is a pastor in New York at Brooklyn Tabernacle posted this the other day...
"My goal in parenting is to raise my kids to have a boring
testimony..... In other words, to stay out of trouble and love Jesus all
their lives. Exciting, I know. But actually, it really should be
exciting. I know that in the church we usually privilege and promote
Christian horror stories where God brings someone back from the edge of
doom. They’re compelling. Heart-tugging.
But they’re also heartbreaking. Trust me, the stories that bring an
audience to tears brought far more tears to the parents who had to watch
their kids live them. You don’t want that pain, for you or your kids.
And while God can certainly turn our mistakes into miracles, I think
He’d still prefer to turn our obedience into an opportunity. An
opportunity to show that He’s not only worth coming back to, but also
worth never leaving in the first place.
It’s just that I’d prefer
that my kids change the world without having to have the world first
change them. A person’s testimony doesn’t have to be spectacularly
sinful to be significant. I hope and pray my kids will have a boring
testimony. I hope and pray the same thing for yours too. We don’t have
full control over whether it will happen. They will ultimately make
their own choices. But with all of our power as parents, let’s work and
live to see our goal realized. Our kids will thank us. We’ll thank
ourselves. And ultimately we’ll all thank God."-Reposted from Pastor Tim Dilena
Can I tell you how much I love this?! Because I have always considered my testimony to be boring! As I was growing up, I always thought that a more interesting testimony would draw people to Christ. I thought mine would never make a difference; but, in countless ways it has.
So, here is my boring testimony....
I grew up in a Christian home. I heard the stories of Jesus and His great love for me before I can even remember. I know this; because, I know my parents. They love Christ and they shared His love for me the day I was born. One of my earliest memories is of me swinging on my swing trying to go as high as the white puffy clouds in the blue sky above. While pumping my little legs back and forth, my little voice sang out a made up song, "Jesus, I love you...I love you."
My mom told me that I asked Jesus in my heart at a VBS at the age of four. I don't really have a memory of this; however, my parents were laying the ground work for me to have as many opportunities as possible to hear the gospel.Jesus was such a central part of our home.
I remember in the third grade in kid's church a man telling me that I had to choose to follow Christ. I remember very clearly God speaking to my heart about His love for me. He told me He died for me. He told me that He wanted me to live for Him. I decided to be a follower of Christ that day.
When I was a little older I stood in front of a congregation and told them how much I loved Jesus. I then was baptized. I remember coming out of the water and knowing that I was a new person. I was His and He was mine.
In the 8th grade, I did a little doubting. I did a little searching; but nothing to much to write home about. Enough to rededicate my life to Him never to waver again. Jesus was everything to me. I serve Jesus because I choose to....not because my parents ever made me....not because I am afraid of hell....not because it seems like a good thing to do...only because He loves me.
I do know this that I was a sinner. I was someone who was in desperate need of a Savior. Even at a young age I realized this. I was lost. I was alone. I was in need. I was no better than the worst of sinners. I was without God. When I realized those things, I gave my life to Him. We do not deserve His love or forgiveness; but, yet He gives it freely when we come to Him.
Woven through that testimony of mine is GRACE! God's grace to keep me, to carry me, and to hold me. I have never taken my boring testimony for granted. I actually have always said, "It is by His grace that I have it". My godly parents provided the opportunity and my heavenly father allowed me to experience it. Now that I have children, I hope that they will also have a boring testimony like me.
Every testimony is important! Maybe, your testimony is boring or full of what people may think is not boring! Which ever the case maybe, we are all saved by the same amount of Grace, the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on a cross for us. Tell others your testimony. Tell others about Grace. Tell others about what Jesus has done in you and for you.
What is your testimony?
and.....
GET JOY
If you are not a follower of Jesus then scroll down below and click on one of the buttons on the bottom of my blog. You can choose to be a Christ follower today!
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
My daughter is working very hard at church to earn the highest honor in our girl's ministries program, to become an Honor Star. One of those steps towards this achievement is to learn the ABC's of salvation.
Admit we are sinners. (Romans 3:23)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Believe in Jesus to forgive our sins. (Acts 16:31)
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Confess our sins. (1 John 1:9)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
This is one of those passages of scripture that is also so great to memorize. These verses lay out perfectly how to become a Christ follower, how to be saved. Jesus Christ is for anyone who believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth. There is no discrimination for anyone. We are His creation who He longs to redeem.
What a powerful 5 verses, especially verse 13, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!" Let's proclaim the love of Christ to everyone we come in contact with. His gift of salvation is free; we only need to have faith in Him. So simple...don't make the gospel complicated, He doesn't. He loves us so much. He does everything He can to bring us back to Him.
Will you call on the name of the Lord today and ....
Do you remember that Donald Duck cartoon where he struggles to become his better self. It was one of my favorite Donald Duck stories. In the cartoon you see Donald struggling with his naughty version and good version of himself. It is funny to see Donald struggle with sin; but it is not so funny when we struggle to do what is right. Donald is just a drawing; but the consequences of our actions can last for eternity. ( I think the story writer at Disney must have read Romans 7 as the inspiration for this cartoon. hehehehe)
This portion of Romans is one of my favorite. The first time I read 14-20 I laughed because I was like What, I am so confused????!!! It is a great portion of scripture that perfectly shows the war inside of hearts between the sinful man and the longing to do what is right. Try reading those verses really fast, it is kind of like a tongue twister.
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
I think, I like it so much because I can relate to Paul. The law of God reveals our sin and our sinful nature. It is so hard sometimes to do the right thing and choose holiness. When I was younger these verses meant a lot to a young Christ follower. I realized that Christ could still use this wretched sinner. Praise God that he provides help through Jesus Christ!
I love, love, love these verses.....
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Oooooooo Sin does not have to keep me a prisoner anymore! Jesus has delivered me. I will...
GET JOY!
Don't forget to visit Jenilee's blog and read what God has spoken to her about in Romans 7.
This next portion of scripture can be some what difficult for us to really understand fully. I think it is hard because we have such a negative view of slavery, and rightly so. God forbid we as Americans ever let such a savage, atrocity ever happen again.
In fact, my daughter this week had to do a paper on the "The Middle Passage". The middle passage was the portion of the process of bringing the slaves to America. It was completely horrible what people did to other human beings. I tried to get across to my oldest daughter the horror that slaves went through; but there are no words for me to describe my anger regarding such a treatment of men, women and children. Humans literally stacked in rat, lice and disease infected boats....humans feed to sharks....humans chained and beaten. There is no excuse for ever treating any human like the slaves were treated on those boats and with their masters.
Paul used slavery to help the reader to understand a deep spiritual truth. Putting slavery in a right perspective in this portion of scripture can be difficult. We are all slaves to one of two things, God or Sin; there is no other option.
Slaves to Sin Living a life of sin is as though you are slave to it. It controls you; it has its way with you. We are chained to it. Sin/Satan is your Master and we all willingly serve it/him. Satan, the Master, has come to kill, steal, and destroy you, much like how slaves coming to America were treated. He does not care about you; he hates you.
John 10:10 (New King James Version)
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
But unlike those African slaves sadly, more often than not, we love it, we worship it and we choose this type of slavery. Remember, being a slave to sin will lead us to death, eternal death. Oh the horror on judgment day when those who choose to be slaves to sin realize their fate.
Proverb 2
12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, 13 who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, 14 who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, 15 whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.
Slaves to God Now here is were we have a hard time understanding being a slave to God. Here is the irony, when we choose righteousness our shackles are removed....we are free.
18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
To become slaves of God is really choosing freedom. We are no longer bound to sin. We no longer have to feel shame for God gives us the power to overcome the things that use to bind us. We are forgiven. We freely make a covenant to serve a loving Master. Our new Master gives us life, love and hope. He has our best interest at heart. The scripture clearly expresses that this does not give us freedom to sin....No...we are to live a life of holiness an act of love to our new master.
17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.
The Bible really shows him more like a loving Father who welcomes us home. I think it is easier to stomach that then to be a slave. But I think when we look at this portion of scripture the Holy Spirit really illuminates this idea of slavery to God as being for our good...eternal life.
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I choose freedom; I choose to be a slave to God! GET JOY!
The passage is often used for baptism services. Baptism is a beautiful image of this passage of scripture. It illustrates and declares how we have died with Christ and now live new life in Him.
I was baptized as a young girl and my daughters were baptized a couple years ago. It is so wonderful to see someone baptized; it brings tears to my eyes every time. Baptism is the outward declaration of a life yielded to God. It declares that I belong to Him.
Going down into the water represents us dying to our sin. We no longer desire to follow our sinful desires any longer. I love this imagery of dying in Christ. Christ bore our sin on the cross. He took our punishment. Our sin is transferred to the work that was done on the cross so many years ago. Jesus paid our debt; we only need to have faith in Him.
There is this amazing beauty that I can not describe when I see anyone come up out the water. Literally my spirit man leaps inside of me in joy and I experience it every time. When a person comes up out of the water it is a picture of their sins washed away, all things are new. This display of hope, new life eternal, that takes my breath away for a second. They are now alive, I am alive my daughters are now alive!
I think I am so moved because I have come to understand the depth of the action, the depth of love that comes from God to redeem us. Romans 5...
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
I think these verses really sum up what Paul is expressing, words we should hide in our hearts.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
I Am Alive!
GET JOY!
The picture is of my husband baptizing my daughter...love it.
This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
This last portion of scripture sums up what all the previous verses mean for us today as Christians. Paul's strong argument, using Abraham as his evidence, proves that Abraham's righteousness was credited to him because of his faith. But it doesn't just work that way for him ...but for us all the same. We are all justified by faith.
When we believe in Jesus, he will save us. His work on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His triumph over death and the grave was all to redeem man....to make a way for us to be made right. His gift, His love is available to all....Jew and Gentile, Poor and Rich, Weak and Strong, No matter the color of your Skin, All His Creation! All we need to do is just believe and love Him in return.
Let now the weak say I have strength By the spirit of power that raised Christ from the dead Let now the poor stand and confess That my portion is Him and I'm more than blessed
Let now our hearts burn with a flame A fire consuming all for your Son's holy name And with the heavens we declare You are our king
We love you Lord, we worship you You are our God, you alone are good
Let now your church shine as the bride That you saw in your heart as you offered up your life Let now the lost be welcomed home By the saved and redeemed those adopted as your own
Let now our hearts burn with a flame A fire consuming all for your Son's holy name And with the heavens we declare You are our king
We love you Lord, we worship you You are our God, you alone are good You asked your Son to carry this The heavy cross our weight of sin
I love you Lord, I worship you Hope which was lost, now stands renewed I give my life to honor this The love of Christ, the savior king
GET JOY!
Check out my dear friend, Jenilee's thoughts on Romans! myawakejourney.blogspot.com
Romans 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
I love this quote from Matthew Henry's commentary,
"For all have sinned (Ro 3:23); all are sinners by nature, by practice, and have come short of the glory of God--have failed of that which is the chief end of man. Come short, as the archer comes short of the mark, as the runner comes short of the prize; so come short, as not only not to win, but to be great losers. Come short of the glory of God."
So where does this leave us? Paul has clearly argued that we are deserving of God's wrath, God will judge us, He knows the secret state of our hearts and we are all sinners. Are we without hope?
24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Matthew Henry alludes to a wound in his commentary to illustrate what is going on. I think it is very helpful and I want to take it a little further than he does.
Our sin has created this wound between God and us, which has been made very clear in the first three chapters. To remedy this, by His grace, He sent His son "The Great Physician" to come and heal this wound. It is our choice whether or not we want to choose the treatment. But in order to heal this wound there is only one way and that is the offering of perfect, sinless, holy blood to cover the wound. It is the only way; because there is nothing Jew or Gentile can do to make things right. We created the wound, we are guilty and we are sinful. The law shows us what is right and wrong but when we try on our own efforts we only make it worse it displays our sin all the more. The penalty for sin is death, the shedding of blood. Our blood is no good it is vile and sinful; the blood shed of rams, lambs and bulls is temporary fix....
We need something greater than ourselves...we need God the creator to intervene. We need Christ, the fulfillment of the law, our redeemer to rescue us. When we accept the free treatment through faith Christ, His perfect and holy blood covers the wound. Then and only then are we justified.
He toke on the sins of the world by dying on the cross. His work on the cross provides the healing ointment through his perfect sinless blood. His blood heals the separation between us and God. He becomes our mediator. He becomes our propitiation; he has appeased the wrath of God. Jesus Christ has healed us. He has conquered death and the grave. He is the perfect sacrifice for our sin.
All of this is ...because He knew us in our mother's womb. He created us. We are His children.....All of this, because He loves us.
We choose to stray...Yet, He choose to make away.
Death is what we have earned...Yet, Life is what He has offered.
We rejected God....Yet, He shed His blood.
Our efforts are unavailing....Yet, His death was restoring.
We needed a Savior...And He became or Redeemer!
GET JOY!
Don't forget to check out Jenilee's blog post on Romans 3!
The painting is one of Ron Dicianni's work that was commissioned by the Assemblies of God depicting one of our major tenants of the faith.
10 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous - not even one.
Our humanity is so plain in this first part of scripture. Here the Jews who are God's chosen people still don't get it. Just like the Jews we look for excuses to sin all the more. Surely, our sin makes God look more holy right!
No, NO, NOOOO! Our sin condemns us all the more and makes us more deserving of the punishment, the wrath of God. We are all sinners and our sin separates us from a holy God. The fact that we have broken the law proves this and we have disobeyed God.
Our sin does nothing to make God look better. (It is almost crazy talk going on here and Paul is correcting their crazy thinking) There is nothing we can do to make God look better, be better, more holy or bring Him more Glory. Why? Because He is completely Holy, completely Just, completely Glorious, completely Good and He is better than anything that ever was, is or will be. He is completely Faithful! He is completely True! There is no one like our God and it is overwhelming foolish to think that there is anything we can do to make Him better.
Do you see the ridiculousness of the thought, "That if I sin it will make God look better!"
Our sin only shows us how desperate we are for a holy God to save us from ourselves. We are so arrogant as humans thinking we can make God any less than who He is. Our sin requires a punishment; because God cannot be in the presence of sin. To be with God, we must be holy. How can we become holy? Well the answer is...when we give our lives to a holy God! When we accept His free gift, Jesus! Jesus is the only way we can become holy. A holy God can only make us holy!
An important point to note here is that it is our choice. Yes, our sin condemns us but Christ gives us away to escape punishment. So, when people ask, "How can a loving God send anyone to hell?" The answer simply is He doesn't. We send ourselves there by rejecting his free gift.
Thank goodness for Romans 3, part 2....tune into tomorrow and ...
GET JOY!
Ron Dicianni's Art "Only the Cross"! -My favorite Christian artist, love it!
25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
This verse sums up the whole last part of Romans 1; our sad state that we as humans have found ourselves in.
We are without excuse (vs. 20 I love, love, love) . We know the Truth. It is plain to us. Creation declares the evidence of a living God. However, humanity has in general decided to worship the created rather than the creator.
There is a VeggieTale story that I really like and since it is March this will be rather fitting. (Hey, I am a mom sometimes the only good t.v. I get is cartoons. hahaha) It is the story of St. Patrick. St. Patrick was a missionary to Ireland. He proclaimed the "Good News" of Jesus to the druids. The druids much like many today have traded the truth for a lie and worship the created rather than the Creator.
The Bible is so relevant for today! Paul then shares a list of things that humanity has done, rejecting God with their very lives. They did not glorify or thank Him. They thought they were wise but became fools. They exchanged the glory of God for things (sound familiar in our world now).
So, what does God do....he lets us have our way:
Humanity decided to...
lust, have unnatural sexual relations, have shameful acts with the same sex, fill themselves with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice.
Then to top it off, we become...
gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, boastful, invent ways of doing evil and just when you think whew I am not and have not done any of these things He throws in this last one.. they disobey parents!
Okay whoa! that covers just about everything and somewhere on that list we will find ourselves and that is when we need to realize our need of a Savior. We deserve God's wrath; we have turned our backs on the living God. Thankfully through out Romans Paul shares with us how we can avoid this wrath. Who can save us from these wicked ways ....Jesus Christ.
Just like St. Patrick I will give glory and thanks to God. I will worship the Creator. I will spread the good news so that those who are lost in their sin will no longer know the wrath of God but rather the greater love of the most high God. Jesus is Truth!
I love this portion of the prayer of St. Patrick...
I arise today Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock.
I arise today Through God's strength to pilot me; God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's hosts to save me Afar and anear, Alone or in a mulitude.
Christ shield me today Against wounding Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today Through the mighty strength Of the Lord of creation
One of my favorite traditions of Christmas celebrated it last year on Saturday. Faith Covenant Church for the past 31 years has had a traditional Swedish Breakfast the first Saturday of December. My family has been going to this event for the last 25 years. My family is Swedish so it is nice to learn about traditions of the Swedes(I wrote a portion of the program that explains the celebration at the end of this post). It has always been one of the highlights of our holiday season and this year it was no exception. I love this event and I love the message of Christ. (I have written going to this before, my great grandpa's Swedish pancake recipe is posted there Yum!)
A little Christmas shopping before the breakfast, we just had to get some more Swedish decorations.
The entry is just beautiful and "God Jul" (Good Yule) is Swedish for "Merry Christmas"!
Mom with her daughters.
Grandma with her granddaughters.
The candles were lit one last time.
In Jesus' name to the table we go.
Bless, dear God, the food we are about to receive.
For God's praise and for our use.
We receive the food.
In Jesus's name.
Amen
~Swedish Table Grace
We gobbled up our Lucia buns, cardamom bread and fruit soup. St. Lucia leads the way in celebrating the birth of our Lord.
The hand bell choir played beautiful Christmas music. The pastor gave a wonderful message of the birth of our Savior and that He came to this earth to die for us.
One last picture in front of the fabulous tree decorated with symbols of God. I love the gold crown at the top.
As one tradition ends new ones will always begin, but lets never forget Christ and why we celebrated His birth. God in heaven sent His son to be born of a virgin. Here on earth He was fully God yet fully man. His name is Jesus and He lived among us a life of purity and did many miraculous things. He who was blameless died for us so that we could be made right with God. But death could not contain Him. Jesus conquered death and rose again three days after His crucifixion. He ascended to heaven and is now preparing a place for us there.
When we die we can go to heaven as well. All we need to do is to accept Jesus as God. We must believe in our hearts that Jesus is who He says he is. Then we must ask for forgiveness and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
God loves us so much, that he died for our sins. He wanted to make a way for us to be with Him forever and He did that through His son. It is His gift to us and it is free, all we have to do is accept it.
In the program the girl who played St. Lucia said this....
"Do not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world for all centuries to see. We must ask Jesus for courage to bring the light of His love into our work, recreations, our relationships, our conversations....every corner of our day.
Hosanna, Christ the light of the world is born!"
The Saint Lucia Tradition (from program)
Lengend describes Lucia as a beautiful young Italian girl, who, as she was about to be married, gave her dowry to the poor and confessed to having become a Christian. She carried food and drink to the Christians hiding in the catacombs, wearing candles in her hair to help light her way in the dark. Finally, she was captured, accused of witchcraft, brought to trial as a Christian and burned at the stake on December 13th, 304 A.D.
The legend of Saint Lucia probably came to Sweden by way of the Church. It was primarily a family observance. Early in the morning, members of the family were awakened by the eldest daughter, who served coffee and special, freshly baked rolls. She wore a white gown and on here head she had a wreath of greenery adorned with lighted candles. Today, Saint Lucia festivities open the Christmas season in Sweden and are celebrated in homes, hospitals, schools and communities.
Saint Lucia stands as a symbol of service and light.
Don't forget to visit my dear friend Jenilee and her thoughts on Galatians 4!
Galatians 4
Here is the chapter breakdown (Tyndale Commentaries) 1. The difference between son and infant (1-11) 2. A personal appeal for better relations (12-20) 3. An argument from rabbinic's (21-5:1)
Chapter four is once again full of wonderful things to learn. We see the idea of adoption again in the first third of the passage. I love that part.
The next two thirds Paul voices his concern for the Christians of Galatia. Verse 11 Paul says, "I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you." Verse 20 says, " I am perplexed about you." Can we say, "Ouch?!" Verses 12-20 show the human condition. They loved Paul when he first came the heard the "Good News" and loved Paul greatly. Then while he was gone they lost that zeal for God's truth. It is just like us, if we are not vigilant in our faith it will start to decay...possibly even collapse.
This chapter is wrapped up with a comparison of Hagar and Sarah. Those who are under the law are like Hagar's descendants, in bondage. Sarah's descendants who are under grace....are free.
What God Wants To Show Me Today! I can not escape this idea of adoption. It is such a wonderful idea for us as Christians. I really love what God showed me yesterday in chapter 3. I think chapter 4 takes this idea even deeper today. In Tyndale's Commentary it pointed out something in verse 6 that took it to a whole new level for me. This idea of how we are adopted and the Spirit makes us true-born children. We see all three parts of the trinity working in our salvation...too cool!
Galatians 4:6-7 (New Living Translation)
5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
The commentary focuses on the word Spirit in reference to the Holy Spirit. Read this carefully... "For it is by the Spirit in our hearts that we are assured of our sonship of God...
Romans 8:16 (New Living Translation) 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. and are so enabled to pray with confidence. "
The commentary goes on to say, " It is not strange, therefore, that the Spirit is here described as the Spirit of the Son. This is no confusion of the two persons of the Trinity, but simply a recognition of the close link between the two which exists in Scripture. It is by the Spirit that Christ lives in our hearts.
Ephesians 3:16-17 (New Living Translation)16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
I love the idea of the Trinity here working out our salvation. We see God as Father, Christ as redeemer and the Spirit as the power all working out our adoption papers. My mom has a quote she loves, "God loves us the way we are, but too much to leave us that way." When we are adopted, we are not left the same; but we are transformed by the Spirit as true-born children.
What an amazing process...the day of our adoption!
For the month of January we will be praying for 31 Virtues for our Kids maybe even for ourselves too!
Isaiah 45:8 (New International Version)
8 "You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.
2 Timothy 2:10 (King James Version)
10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Tears ran down my face as I saw my two girls come up from the water on a beautiful Sunday morning this past Thanksgiving weekend. My daughters decided to be baptized. As I watched them declare their decision to follow Jesus my heart was overwhelmed with thanksgiving. What an appropriate weekend to be baptized on.
I remember when my sister (age 9) and I (age 11) in 1987 decided to do the very same thing my daughters were doing that weekend. I remember that it was my decision not my parents. I also knew that I needed to grow in Christ and become more like Him, at the ripe old age of 11. I am always amazed how much young children grasp and understand.
As a parent, there is nothing I want more for my kids then to know Christ love, His salvation and His life giving promises. Everyday, we need to pray for our kids salvation and what we as parents can do to guide (not force) our children to Christ. I always appreciated my parent's guidance in my faith. They never in any way forced me to be a Christian and I never felt that. My decision to follow Jesus was 100% my own and that is so reassuring to me as a Christ follower. My faith is my own.
I want my children's faith to be there own as well. I want them to feel free to ask questions...even the tough ones. I want them to be able to explore all that God has for them. I also want to provide everything they need to grow in the salvation that was so freely given to them in Christ Jesus. Part of that provision is covering them in prayer....
*"Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory"
As children growing up in the church this is one of the first verses we memorize. I think maybe some of us have a tendendency to forget that this verse maybe one of the most powerful verses in the entire Bible!
WOW, WOW, WOW! What more can I say to add to this verse. It says it all on its own. God loves us so much that He sent he son to die for our sins. WOW! I think I am just going to ask all of us to reflect on depth, width, the grace of this verse today
Thank you Lord for loving me and the added bonus of eternal life with you. I will....
I love verses that remind us of the grace and mercy of God. Those texts seem to just bring everything back into the right perspective. They make my heart feel...."Full". I don't know if that makes any sense but that is the best way I can put those feelings into words. So with that here is the next verse....
I am just about to change the light fixtures in our hallway and front entrance. (Well, actually my husband is gowing to change it) The old ones are just ugly. There is just something about a new thing. It works better...looks better...feels better....It's just better.
This verse is awesome because it tells us that when we have Christ we are new. All the old ucky stuff is gone and he cleans us up and makes us beautifully new... pure. I have been talking to my girls about purity and what it means. Basically in the simplest of terms...God washes us all clean.
Because of His sacrifice...Because of our belief ....Because of His promises we no longer have to be like we were. We belong to Him the old stuff is gone and all things are new!
The book of Romans is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I love it so much because it so clearly lays out the plan of salvation. It tells us who needs, why we need and how to receive salvation. It has so many verses that are inspiring, reminds of the great price Christ paid and the great gift it is. So here is one of my all time favorites in Romans... We have been studying Romans in our Sunday school class. I love the discussions we have been having and I loved talking about this verse. Paul declares why he is not ashamed of Jesus. He is not ashamed because he knows that through God there is life! If I had the cure for cancer I would not hide it away. No, I would give it to the world. I would want to save lives. But, unfortunately I do not have the cure for cancer. How much more should I yell it from the roof tops that I know the way of eternal life? So, Paul's "I am not ashamed" now becomes my declaration..."I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ!" This gift is for everyone! It does not matter who you are or what you have done. His love is for ALL who believe! What a great verse and a great reminder of His love and my call to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ!
9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"?
The Awesome Answer:
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6;23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5;8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 8:38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It is so awesome that God does not leave us in our sin. He gave us a choice to do something about it. He gave us the gift of salvation through His son Jesus Christ. If you have not chosen Him, please do so today! If you have already, take time and thank Him for what He has given you.
Thank you Lord and because of the gift you have given me. I am receiving...
Ron Dicianni is the artist of these paintings. He is my favorite Christian artist. I really think that he captures the heart of God in his paintings. I gave one to John "The Legacy" when he was ordianed.
The candles were lit one last time.
The pastor gave a wonderful message of the birth of our Savior and that He came to this earth to die for us.
"Get Joy" Book Verses
