Galatians 1 - 11.21.24

S - Galatians 1:22-24  22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.

O – Galatians 1 is the introduction to Paul's letter to the Galatian church, which deals with a theological crisis caused by Judaizers who distorted the Gospel. Paul defends the divine authority of his apostleship and the Gospel's unity, denouncing any perversion of the Christ-centered message. He describes how and when Christ trained and sent him out to preach the gospel of Jesus. The chapter details Paul's biography, as he makes the case that he has been made an apostle by Christ and therefore his message is trustworthy. Paul sought to bring people to the obedience of God, not of men, and would not alter the doctrine of Christ to gain their favor or avoid their fury.

A – I was personally unknown and when they heard about the filthy sinner I was, and of the life of faith and love that I currently live out, for the Glory of God, and they BELIEVED. I am paraphrasing the above scripture of course, but this is how I want to be known! It’s great if you have grown up in church, maybe haven’t had much to feel ashamed about in your past, or just always have lived for God. Obviously, that speaks volumes to many. But I love that I can relate to Paul in such a big way.  I hate who I used to be, but I love the contrast I can see in my own life. I love that God took that ugliness and made beauty from ashes : ) Anyone who knew me BC knows that there were things I was doing in my life that weren’t great, and I am not proud of; some so horrible I would never share them, and those who know me now would be shocked to know. I am SOOOOO grateful that God has made me a new person! The old me is gone and I have replaced the vile things I used to do, with things that give honor to, and glorify God. I am definitely still a work in progress, but I am so thankful to be able to have the love of God inside of me to share with others now. I used to hate who I was, but now, I actually like me : )  I have run into people over the years who knew me when, and I can see a look in their eye as we catch up, like they aren’t sure what to make of the way I speak to them now, or the things I am doing in my life now. I pray that they would some day praise God because of me! And I often wonder, how can they NOT?! The ones that know what they know and see me now…..how could they not believe that YOU changed me. Nothing else could have made such a drastic change in me.

P – Lord Jesus, I pray that the answer to the question, how could they not,  is not because I am doing something wrong, or living in a way that is not pleasing to you. I pray that my life is an example to others and the way you desire for me to live out my walk with you. I can never thank you enough for pulling me out of that pit. Like Paul, you met me doing my own thing, and in an instant, captured my heart forever. You have converted my life into something useful for the Kingdom of God. I pray I will NEVER take that for granted and that you will always be the FIRST thing in my life. I pray that others will see you working in and through me, and that they will BELIEVE! 

- Crystal Flory

2 Corinthians 12 - 11.20.24

Scripture

2 Corinthians 12:9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Observation

Prior to verse 9, Paul says that he was given a thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming conceited. Or in other words, for attributing success to his own efforts instead of giving the glory to God. He asked God to take the thorn away, but the response was no – for my power is shown in your weakness. Through our weakness, God shows himself faithful to us as we depend on him. Through our weakness, God reveals his power. Through acknowledging our weakness, we acknowledge that God is in control. Through acknowledging our weakness, we are a witness to others of what God has done.

Application

We all have certain gifts and talents. And if we allow him to, God uses them for his glory. But when things come naturally to us, or things are going our way, we tend to think of that as the norm instead of giving God the glory. We might fall into the trap of thinking we’ve earned whatever success we encounter.

But when we have weaknesses or encounter trials, we are forced to depend on God. We are forced to acknowledge our dependence on him and his power and faithfulness. When he shows up, we, and others, know that it was God’s power at work – not ours. His power is on display for all to see. What better way to spread the word of God’s faithfulness and powerfulness than through our stories?

Psalm 96:3 “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!”

So Paul says, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Prayer

Father, your grace is sufficient for me. Please use me for your glory in all my weakness. Let your power rest on me.

- Debbie Dunn

2 Corinthians 11 - 11.19.24

SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINITHIANS 11:23b - 30

“I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

OBSERVATION

Paul went through a lot in the name of Christ. He, as the leader of the early church, took on everything you can imagine but yet the biggest concern he had was the “daily pressure of my concern for all the churches.” His heart was most concerned about the body of Christ. He even cares, on a deeper level, of those who feel weak and those who are led into sin. His questions in verse 29 shows he is taking those things on himself, he is affected, and cares for the body of Christ.

The end of this scripture (verse 30) concludes with Paul saying if he were to boast it would be about his weakness. He didn’t say all those things from verse 23 - 29 to boast about his trials and what he went through but to say that if he were to boast, it would be about his weakness. Paul knew that in his weakness, God’s power shows through in his life. We can do nothing outside of God. Just like the parable of the vine and the branches in John 15:4 ( “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” ) all that we have and do is because of God’s power through us when we are weak.

APPLICATION

In reading what Paul went through, all I can say is any of my trials or turbulations are nothing compared to all he endured. I’m encouraged to know that ultimately Paul gave glory in his weaknesses and trails, knowing that God’s glory can work through those incidents. Through all of the trials and difficulties in life, I can take comfort in knowing that God will carry me through. In my weakness, God is strong. I can do nothing without God’s strength which is perfected when I am weak.

Paul was the new church “pastor,” guiding, loving and caring for the new believers in Christ’s church. He carried a lot and you can see it in this scripture. This reinforces how much a pastor takes on for the church body. In the same way, my heart is heavy for Pastor Levi and Pastor Katie as they carry the burden and responsibility for the body of believers and the ministry at Desert Streams Church. Considering all they have on their shoulders, it brings me to continue in prayer for them, that God would strengthen, encourage and carry them through the burden they have for the church body.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for Paul’s testimony about what he endured. I am so thankful that in my weakness, your strength comes through. Help me to always be strong in you, that I always abide and remain in you, and never do anything outside of your power. I will praise you in my weakness because I trust and know your strength will come through. Lord, please be with Pastor Levi and Pastor Katie as they carry the burden for all that goes on at Desert Streams Church. This is your church and they are doing an amazing job as leaders. I pray you give them your amazing strength and help them through everything in the body of Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.

- Mary Oberg