Galatians 2 - 1.15.24

Scripture

Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

‭‭

Observation

“Paul draws our attention away from the law, sin, death, and every evil, and centers it upon Christ.” (Reference: studylight.org)

Paul was opposing Cephas for forcing Gentiles to follow Jewish customs, and reiterating that we are saved and justified by faith in Jesus Christ and not works of the law. Paul, who of all people, knew how to follow the rules (which is a reason why he persecuted Christians as Saul), did not want the church to fall into the trap of rule following again, but rather a faith relationship with Christ.

Application

It’s all about Christ. Keep our focus on Him.

It is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:6) I love this chapter in Galatians. Basically, do not be caught up in the rules of the faith, but rather the faith relationship with Christ. As a result, obedience will follow. If I just give my kids a bunch of rules to follow, but they don’t feel deeply loved by me first, how long do you think that relationship will last, before they start to rebel?

I want to encourage us through this time of prayer and fasting, that if it is not building our faith in Christ or drawing us closer to Jesus, we are just doing activities or having bragging rights of completing a challenge. Following rules breeds pride, but following Christ takes faith and humility.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your death and resurrection on the cross for my sins and that I am justified solely because of what You did, not what I did. Holy Spirit, please convict my heart when I fall into the trap of pride from following rules and the law. Help me to always stay humble and grateful for what only You alone have done for me. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Galations 1 - 1.11.24

Scripture: Galatians 1:1, 10

“Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—”

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”

‭

Observation:

Paul was secure in his calling and the one who called him.  This assurance helped him stay on course and keep going when things got rough. 

Application:

I want to focus more on God’s calling than people’s requests. I need to remember who God is, one that has power to raise the dead, and His specific calling on my life as I go through out my day. 

Prayer: Lord, Please help my heart’s desire to be you and your approval alone. So many things cry out for my attention, but there is one that matters most. Help me remember as I serve you, you will bring favor when necessary. At other times because I am doing your work there will be opposition as the enemy will be loosing ground.  Please give me clear direction as you did Paul and open my eyes to areas where I have gotten off the right path.  Amen

Cindy Howard

Psalms 52 - 01.11.24

SCRIPTURE -Psalms 52:8-9 ERV

“But I am like a green olive tree growing in God’s Temple. I will trust God’s faithful love forever and ever. God, I praise you forever for what you have done. I will speak your name before your followers because it is so good!”

OBSERVATION

This is basically David’s SOAP as a Psalm. David is writing about a personal experience when King Saul was chasing him with the Full force of his army—determined to kill him—out of severe jealousy. 

David ran from Saul with a small band of faithful men to the town of Nob to see Ahimelek the Priest for help and bread. The Priest questioned why one of Saul’s most effective military leaders in the King’s army wouldn’t have an army of men. (David “lied” saying he was on a “secret mission” for the King when actually he was “running away” from the King.) So Ahimelek helped David by giving him the ONLY bread that was available-the holy “consecrated” bread that had just been laid out as an offering before the Lord. 

David had no idea that Doeg, King Saul’s assistant was there at Nob and couldn’t wait to report everything back to the King.

This resulted in not only Ahimelek being executed as a traitor-but King Saul was so Angry he wanted every Priest, their families and livestock in Nob slaughtered. 

Only one son remained who had escaped to tell David what had happened.

APPLICATION 

Believing to Becoming 

In David’s Psalm you can feel the pain directed at Doeg as he “Observes” the circumstances of this vile act—the execution of the Priests, their Wives, and their innocent Children. Saul had ordered his army to carry out this execution order and they flat out refused. Only Doeg was evil enough to do such a vile act. 

As David says of Doeg—

“You love evil more than good..You love to destroy others with your words, you liar! 

But God will strike you down once and for all. He will pull you from your home and uproot you from the land of the living.”

(Psalms 52:3-5 NLT)

But the crowning glory of David’s SOAP is his “application”.

How he applies the Truth in his life of what He knows about God’s Character.

Believing to Becoming 

1.     I will always Trust in God’s unfailing Love.

2.     I will Praise You-Forever God-For what you HAVE Done.

3.      I will Trust in Your GOOD-Name—In the Presence of Your Faithful People.

To Trust in God’s unfailing Love requires that we sometimes see with the “eyes” of our heart and not always with our physical eyes. 

May God take us deeper and higher.

Remember what God has “already Done”. When I look back My mind is immediately flooded with memories of miracles. When we “remember” and Praise God for these—it builds our Faith in Knowing God’s Character and goodness AND encourages us for the future.

We can Trust in His Good Name in the Presence of His Faithful People.

Last Year Pastor Levi did an amazing series (Still available on our YouTube Channel) on a few of the meanings of God’s Name; Jehovah Rohi (Shepherd), Jehovah Nissi ( Banner), Jehovah Rapha (Healer), Jehovah Shalom (Peace), Jehovah Jireh (Provision). It’s so powerful to have greater understanding of HIS Name. God can reveal an aspect of His amazing nature to remind us, encourage us, and meet us right where we are at. 

PRAYER

JESUS,

Thank you for Your Word and for this Psalm.  Thank You for who You are. I will always Trust in Your unfailing Love. Draw us intimately close to Your Heart. Break any limitations we have. Bring fresh new revelation to us of ALL You desire to do IN Your Church. Whatever conditions there are presently in the world…it just doesn’t matter in terms of difficulty..it only matters how willing we are to be used by You and Your boundless and unfailing Love.

I will Praise You forever for what You have done. Your eyes are searching—always—looking for whose hearts are Truly Yours that YOU may Fully support them. Here I am Lord, Send me.

Tina L Kudelka