Galatians 3 - 6.27.25

Scripture:  ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭26‬-‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Observation:

Faith has many rewards. Our faith brings us into relationship with God as His children. Children have special privileges that those outside the family don’t. When we move forward in baptism and walk closely where Jesus leads us, we are “clothed” in Him. Clothing implies covering. Something people notice. It sets us apart. 

God does not look at our nationality, social position, or even our gender. We are all one in Christ. You could say He has no favorites. He loves us all equally and sees us all equally. 

We are also considered Abraham’s seed, in his lineage, and heirs to the promise. 

Application:

I want to walk in such a way that I am clothed in Jesus.  I am a child of God. A child often imitates their parents. They learn to do things as they see their parents doing. I want to copy my Father. He loves and sees everyone as equal.  Spending time with Him is key to learning to imitate Him. I want to continue to dive into His Word and hear him speak to me. May I know God’s precious and wonderful promises are my inheritance. 

Prayer:

Lord, We are living in troubled times where people’s identity and how they view themselves is a bit skewed. You created us all perfectly and at the same time you love us all equally not looking at our status or gender, etc. May I continue to be a light and share your love to those around me. Thank you that you call me your child. May I look to you as my Father and trust you when troubles come. When times are good May I know it is because of you. Your care for us is complete. May I walk as one clothed in your holiness and be obedient to your call. Thank you that you have given your Word and I am one of your chosen people to inherit the promise. 

Amen

- Cindy Howard

Job 10. 06.26.25

SCRIPTURE: Job 10:2 NIV

“I say to God: Do not declare me guilty, but tell me what charges you have against me.”

OBSERVATION

After hearing accusations from both Eliphaz and Bildad—

Job asks three questions:

1.      How can I be righteous before God in Court? (9:1-13)

2.      How can I meet God in Court? (10:14-35)

3.      Why was I ever born? (10:22)

First-The question of being righteous before God is not about salvation but about “vindication”. Job ponders this deeply provocative question not knowing any other way to clear himself before his friends. But would anyone DARE go to court with an opponent powerful enough to shake the earth, make the stars, and walk on waves? (9:7-8)

I remember a panel discussion with theologians who were posed a question, “Was God too harsh in his punishment of Adam and Eve when HE banished them from the Garden of Eden?” Each one took their turn attempting to answer the question in some form. Then it was R.C. Sproul’s turn.

I had never heard of him prior. He was sitting back in his chair, looking frail and wearing oxygen. As he began to speak- life literally poured into his body-he said, “Why would you ask such a foolish question as-Was God TOO harsh?

“The problem is, You don’t know who you are AND you don’t know who GOD IS. God can DO Anything HE wants to DO”.

This response shook the other theologians-and the host-yet Job seemed to grab hold of this same Truth—as did Paul when he said “Who are you a mere human to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the ONE who created it ‘why did you make me this way?’” (Romans 9:20-21)

Second-In order to prove himself righteous, Job would have to be able to meet God in Court. That poses several issues. But say the “invisible” God was found to accept a summons and you were able to meet HIM in Court—how then do you actually proceed to plead your case? As it happens, we know that Job finally DID meet God (Job 34-41) and The Lord asked Job seventy-seven questions!! Job was not able to answer one single question. His only response was to admit his ignorance and shut his mouth in silence.

Third-Why did you allow me to be born--seems a reasonable question at this point in his life enduring these sufferings. Job questioned his life’s meaning—and asked God for a few days of peace before his final days.

APPLICATION

What Does God DO with our Suffering?

Job could not understand what God was doing, and it was important at that time that he Not understand.

If Job had known that God was using him as a weapon to defeat Satan, he could have simply sat back and trustfully waited. But God was proving to Satan that Job WAS Trustworthy and would remain faithful. Asking questions is a part of our growing faith..Job was suffering deeply and he wasn’t given any explanation as to why and Job knew he had not committed any sinful act that would have brought a need for deep repentance.

Job was searching for answers…Why?

Job asked the SAME question the disciples asked when Mary came to anoint Jesus for his burial:                

“Why this waste?”    (Mark 14:4)

Yet the SAME question is asked throughout time—and there is something important to be gleaned.

In January 1955 five missionaries seeking to love and share the gospel message with the Huaorani Tribe in Ecuador were speared to death. They had spent time investing in learning the language and giving gifts to the tribe which were well received. When they finally believed they had an open door to make contact-all five men were killed. “Why the Suffering..Why the Waste?” Yet, several years later family members of these same men would return and make a second attempt that would prove successful and not only did it result in salvations but Nate (one of the original five who had been speared) had a sister Rachel who would come and minister and led the murderer of her brother to salvation and was able to offer forgiveness.

Why do I  (we) suffer…

God always has a Plan that is Good and For a Purpose. We, like Job, may not always have the opportunity to know God’s reasons. But how amazing that Job was chosen to chastise Satan. We may not always get our answers here on earth..some suffering may only be made clear in heaven.

“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7 NIV)

“This third- I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold.

They will call on My Name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are MY people,’

and they will say, ‘The Lord is OUR God.” (Zechariah 13:9 NIV)

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

Thank YOU for Your Good and Perfect Plans. You formed me in my mother’s womb. YOU clothed me with skin and knit my bones and sinews together and gave me life—showing me YOUR Unfailing Love. My Life is preserved by Your Care (vs 10-12). Thank You that even in suffering Your gracious Hand is on me and Your plans are good. My Trust IS in YOU. You are a good good Father. Refine me and have Your way. Prove the genuineness of my faith, test me, search my heart. Thank YOU for Your Promise to Complete the Good Work You began. My Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness-I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly LEAN on Jesus Name. amen

Tina L Kudelka

Galatians 1 - 6.25.25

Scripture

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! (Gal 1:8)

Observation

Paul warns against false gospel or additions to the gospel. The Galatians were led to believe that they could earn salvation by good works or by following the law. Paul very clearly explains throughout the epistle that we are saved by grace only by putting our faith in the finished work on the cross by Jesus Christ.

Paul goes on to say that any teaching contrary to this, should not be accepted even if it is supposedly given by an angel from heaven! 

Application

Thank God that we are saved through grace. Thank God for his Word which is eternally set in heaven (Ps 119:89). John reminds us that in the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the word was God, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among men. (John 1: 1,2,14). Jesus and his word are the same. Jesus is the word who became flesh.  

We need to examine any teaching, prophecy or exhortation in the light of God’s word. If the teaching does not line up with the written word of God, we need to reject it, regardless of who is preaching it! This also applies to any direction we feel in our mind. If a thought does not align with the word of God, it is not from God, and we need to reject it.

Let us spend time reading and meditating on the word of God every single day of our life, so that the word of Christ richly dwells in us (Col 3:16). When we renew our mind everyday with the word of God, we will know what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom 12:2).

Prayer

Father, I pray that you will give me a desire for your word. Let your word be a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path (Ps 119:105). Let the word of Christ dwell richly in me (Col 3:16). Help me to discern the voices that are not from you, by examining them in the light of your word. Help us to be like the Bereans who received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what was heard was true (Acts 17:11). Help me to renew my mind everyday with your word. Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you (Rom 12:1). In Jesus’s name. Amen

- Asha Chacko George