Galatians 6-4.19.22
SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 6:14
"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."
OBSERVATION:
In this chapter, Paul talks to the brethren about the importance of restoring someone gently who has been caught in a wrong doing. By using the word, 'caught', he wasn't necessarily talking about someone who had been found out, but someone who had been entangled in their sin. In the restoring process, Paul emphasized the importance of watching out for themselves so that they wouldn't fall into the same temptation. Paul's instructions to the ones who had been entrapped in sin is like the process we call intervention. The sins that Paul was referring to were: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. (Galatians 5:19-21). As we live by the Spirit, we are to help our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in bondage to the works of the flesh so that they can be restored back to the Father and enjoy the benefit of living in true freedom that is provided through Jesus.
UNDERSTANDING:
Paul loved people! He wanted the very best for everyone! He had a pastor's heart. He was a servant of the Living God, and the motives of his heart were pure. Even though he was physically challenged, he pressed on by showing his love to people by preaching the gospel, and carrying out God's Word. He was deeply concerned about the Galatians, and did his best to warn them against false teachers, and made sure that their conversion to Jesus was real.
Paul endured a lot for the sake of Christ, but one thing he never did was to boast about himself, or his credentials. He gave all the glory to the Lord for the strength and endurance that he had received from God after he had become liberated from his sins. Paul learned that the most profitable way to exercise his newfound freedom was to become a servant of Christ.
LIFE APPLICATION:
I'm so grateful for the example of Paul. He was an outstanding leader for Christ. He taught the importance of relationships, not only among leaders, but among all believers. His love for Christ is what inspired and motivated him to want the very best for everyone, including the ones who had been caught in their sin.
I pray we will follow the example of Paul by loving God, loving others, and carrying each other's burdens.
-Robin Orefice
Psalm 146-4.18.22
Scripture
Psalms 146:3-4 NLT
“Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them.”
Observation-What does it say?
This is another psalm of David. It is a psalm where he sings of how great and awesome the power of God is. We should not put our hope in people, but rather in God. After all, God is the One who put this universe into existence. Who else should we trust more?
Understanding-What does it mean?
Put our hope in eternal things, not worldly things.
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”-Colossians 3:2
David had the right mindset that we should all take with us in life. Putting our COMPLETE trust in God and no one else! Who else made the universe, the stars in the sky, the vast oceans, the creatures in the air, land and sea? Who else can create the human body and all the complexities in it? Only God can! So why should we put our trust in anything else? People will fail and disappoint us. Our money and material possessions can be taken away in an instant. Our health deteriorates, but God is eternal and He never fails.
Life Application
In God we trust.
It’s a principle that our nation’s founding forefathers instilled for the people. It can even be found on our national currency. It’s something I believe our nation needs to get back to; Trusting God and instilling His values amongst ourselves. Imagine what kind of world we would have if we all put God first, followed His ways above our own and loved one another the way God called us to. I tell you one thing, it would be a WAY better world than we live in now.
Father God, I pray for our nation. I pray we get back to the old ways of our founding forefathers. I pray that we learn to trust in You again. I pray for the Church to take a stand and be the examples You called us to be out there in the world. May You help the Church, Your people, to lead the way. May it start with us and grow like wildfire. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
-Moses Gaddi
Galatians 3 - 4.15.22
Scripture - What stood out?
Galatians 3:29 ESV And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
Observation - What does it say?
The apostle Paul is speaking to a pro Pharisee group who were struggling to understand how the laws had transformed into something complete in and through Jesus Christ. Paul gives a very logical argument as to why salvation and redemption comes through Jesus by faith and not by the law.
The final major point the apostle makes in this chapter refers to our inheritance, our promised land, our eternity in God’s Kingdom. Paul points out that that promise was made prior to the law, a promise made to Abraham’s offspring singular.
And so our inheritance is not a product of the law but through a promise- Jesus.
Understanding - What does it mean?
Heirs according to promise.
When I was younger my immediate family looked so different. With my mom, dad, and brother at my side life was so much easier. I distinctly remember the yeses outnumbering the nos growing up. And as I entered my teen years and I saw my parents carving out a small business empire in the borough of Queens, NY, I remember feeling secure. I had room to screw up because I could fall back on my parents. I was kind of an heir to what they were building and doing. Although there were no formal negotiations I just knew, I just knew the way my Dad would speak to both me and my brother, that he would be willing to let us join the empire he was building if we so desired.
Abraham’s offspring both singular and plural forms of that word were heirs. They were due to inherit a promise God had made to Abraham. A promise that included innumerable offspring and a promised land. If we are Christ’s then we are heirs according to promise.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
As Moses and Joshua prepared to finally deliver God’s people into the promised land there was great anticipation. For yes it was a land flowing with milk and honey, but they would only be able to receive it through various trials and effort. As I continue to prepare myself Lord to enter into a similar promised land in heaven, I pray that you continue to watch over me as I go through my own trials. Help me to lean into my faith in You Lord. I am Yours. And it is my desire to be an heir according to promise.
I love you Lord. Thank you for the time I had with my father while he was still here on earth. Thank you for being an amazing Father. Thank you for being an amazing King.
In the name of Jesus do I pray. Amen.
-kenneth lee