This Week's Topic: Worship

"Our fundamental problem in life is not sin but idolatry"

"when you come together as a church community you do more harm than good. You are more focused on your faction than you are on God."
1 Corinthians 11:17-18 paraphrased)  

 
Reflect
 
Please read the following quote from Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It's brilliant and haunting. It is an example of the results of idolatry. 

"Every human idealized image that is brought into the Christian community is a hindrance to genuine community and must be broken up so that genuine community can survive. Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian community even though their personal intentions may be ever so honest, earnest, and sacrificial.....

Those who dream of this idealized community demand that it be fulfilled by God, by others, and by themselves. They enter the community of Christians with their demands, set up their own law, and judge one another and even God accordingly....

Because God already has laid the only foundation of our community, because God has united us in one body with other Christians in Jesus Christ long before we entered into common life with them, we enter into that life together with other Christians, not as those who make demands, but as those who thankfully receive. We thank God for what God has done for us. We thank God for giving us other Christians who live by God's call, forgiveness, and promise. We do not complain about what God does not give us; rather we are thankful for what God does give us daily."
 
Prayer
 
“Lord,  by your Grace prevent me from ever loving my ideal of a person (which is idolatry) than the person himself.   Amen”

*You Version Courage poll from yesterday.

Courage to Submit

"Everything is permissible" -- but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" -- but not everything is constructive."  
1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)  

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God-- even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."  
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (NIV)
   
Reflect
 
When have you chosen to submit to the demands of another, painful though it was, for the sake of the Gospel and the Glory of God?
 
Comment

There is a sense in which the entire law is thrown out for the Christian. There is a sense in which the entire law has been replaced by one simple statement, "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." In this sense you can do anything. This requires more than knowing and following the rules. This requires knowing the heart of God and aligning yourself with that, not the "rules", although of course the latter will, in their essence, necessarily flow from the former. Yes, it is true, Paul actually did write, "everything is permissible"!! And the only qualification he gave was that we make sure what we do is beneficial to God and to others.
 
Prayer
 
“Lord,  I too seek the free life of simply living to glorify you, to live the kind of life that ultimately results in fulfilling every jot and tittle of the law (Matthew 5:17) by simply being led by your Spirit.   Amen”

Courage to Admit Vulnerability

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful you don't fall." 
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)

Reflect

Do you believe you are in danger of succumbing to temptation? If you're a man, do you think that you are above succumbing to sexual temptation? If you are a woman, do you feel safe from succumbing to inappropriate emotional attachments?
 
Comment

The way of the cross teaches us that God came to earth, not primarily to model for us how to live amoral life, rather to die on the cross to forgive our sins. We need forgiveness because we are incapable of living above sin. We are incapable of not falling in one way or another.

The very moment that we think we "are standing firm" is the very moment that we are weakest, most vulnerable to falling.

Where in your life are you naively thinking that you could never fall in the way that so many other Christians have fallen? Pride cometh before the fall.
 
Prayer
 
“Lord,  I admit it. I get amazed how others could fall into temptation in such horrific ways. And I judge them because I think I'm above that and therefore "better" than they. Lord forgive me, protect me, help me. Ironically it's when I feel strong that I am actually most in danger.    Amen”

Courage to Relinquish Your Rights

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible . . . .I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:19-22(NIV)
  
Reflect

Where in your life do you relinquish a "right" so that another person's needs are put above your own?  

Comment

The cry of 21st century Americans is, "I have my rights!"

The message of the Gospel, the way of the cross, the power of the cross is that God will supply all my needs. The message of the cross is not that I an "owed", rather I am supplied.

Are you willing to give up alcohol, or smoking, or even eating green beans, if you discover that any of those things (to which you have a right) are a detriment to the spiritual growth of another? 

Prayer

“Lord,  I feel conflicted. Does this mean that Christian maturity means that I don't get to do what I want to do? It seems so. And for this I need your help.
Amen”

Courage to Defer

“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." 1 Corinthians 8:9(NIV)

Reflect

When have you been a ‘stumbling block’ to another because you ‘exercised your freedom’ in an inappropriate way?

Comment

The context is this: Some Christians were buying the cheap meat at the market, meat which had been sacrificed to pagan idols. This offended the legalists who felt that doing so was offensive to God. The Grace oriented Christians rightly felt that meat is simply meat and since idols are nothing anyway, why not eat the cheap meat. Paul refers to the legalists as “weak Christians” and refers to the Grace oriented Christians as “strong”.

Once again we see Paul teaching that the wisdom of God is found in the Cross. Strong Christians defer their rights, the right and permission to eat the cheap meat, so that their freedom does not lead the legalists into the sin of judgmentalism. It is for love and spiritual edification of the “weak” Christian that the “ strong” Christian defers.

Prayer

“Lord, show me where I need to defer claiming my rights, indeed to give them up, in favor of the way of the cross for the sake of others. Amen”

Monday, June 18, 2012

Courage to be Teachable
"We know that we all posses knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows somethings does not yet know as he ought to know." 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 (NIV)

Reflect
Are you teachable? Can you learn from others? While you are listening are you really listening or are you thinking about how to interject your (more impressive) thoughts?
How does it feel to be around who acts and speaks with an air spirtual or moral superiority?
Have you ever experiences "spiritual arrogance" in another? what's the difference between that and Spiritual authority? (hint: it's the opposite of arrogance).

Comment
An explanation of the issue addressed in these three chapters will come tomorrow.

Prayer
"Lord, give me the courage to subordinate my ("know-it-all-ness") in the presence of others. Lead me in the path of humility. Amen."

Scroll down to read what others are saying about how they exercise the "mind of Christ" in order to live the Spirit Led life.

YouVersion Results from Sundays, June 10 & 17, 2012:

Poll: I sense the leading of the Holy Spirit. . . .



Poll: How do you know you are being led by the Holy Spirit?



What do you do to put yourself in position to "hear"/receive the leading of the Holy Spirit?

I seek a quiet place to listen, question Trust

I keep myself aware throughout the day of His presence in my life, no matter what I am doing. I don't put the Holy Spirit in a box for specific times such as prayer time, devotions or church. I keep my "radar" out there working to "hear" Him while I am at work, driving, having a conversation with a friend or facing an unexpected problem in my life. This awareness of His promptings in my life did not just happen automatically. It developed over time by building a relationship with Him and asking Him to be that constant presence. It has been said the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He will not force Himself into our lives. He waits for us to invite Him in. Once we do, our lives will not be the same. A Spirit filled life is so much better and easier to live than one devoid of His presence! We chose to make Him a part of our everyday life

Continue to pray for the Holy spirits guidance.

Quiet time w/ prayer!

Pray, pray, pray, for God's supernatural power to supercede mine very limited power.

I worship

Realistically speaking, there is absolutely nothing I can "do" that invokes "hearing or being led by" God's Spirit. I "hear" the Holy Spirit when God wants me to, for His own good reasons. My job is to obey, but only when I am certain that the "word" is from God. There are clues: (1) never goes against Scripture; (2) advances God's Kingdom in some (usually small) way; (3) is rarely for my personal gain; and, (4) is generally a "thought" that is "higher" than I normally can think, that is, it is an "extra-ordinary thought". Sometimes I think we assume too much pressure onto ourselves by seeking to "hear" God so that we know what to do, to know His will. He has told us already His will to believe in Christ (Jn 6:29), to lead a quiet life (1 Thess 4:11), "hidden in Christ" (dead to sin), thinking on the true, noble, just, pure, lovely and virturous . . . and striving for love, joy, peace, patience etc.

Pray continually as i go about my day

I read verses, devotions, listen to sermons online, talk with Spirit-filled believers, and generally try to have a positive outlook - trying to discern the Upper Story beyond my small circumstances.

I try to spend time talking to God but more importantly, trying to take the time to listen for God speaking to me!

When I allow myself to need the Holy Spirit (I do all the time but unfortunately I don't consiously acknowledge that) I step aside from what I want and continue to pray and allow him to work in me and the situation

Read
 
“I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. 2 You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship."1 Corinthians 5:1-2(NLT)

Reflect

Can you explain why this sin is a sin? You must be able to explain to others the behind “because God said so” 


Comments 

1. God has forgiven and set you free. If you take this for granted and ignore the path to actually living in freedom (the Bible) then two things happen. First you are just using God to feel free, not actually trusting him. You’re blowing Him off. Second you are heading down a path of wreckage which brings others down with you. There’s no freedom in that.

2. Sex is sacramental. Genesis 1-3, Ephesians 5 and Romans 1 all add up to sexual intercourse as a picture of the oneness of Father Son and Holy Spirit, the oneness God and his church, the permanence of the consummation of all things, the future marriage of heaven and earth.

3. To use sex for anything else is to diminish the meaning God has given it.

4. Each act of intercourse is engagement in an act where the two have become ontologically one, whether it feels like it or not. To break this apart (divorce or just breaking up and moving on) is to leave part of yourself behind. You’re no longer whole, but broken. Yes you can heal, but the healing leaves you more and more calloused.

5. I think the Roman Catholics have it right. Marriage is sacramental because sex is sacramental. 

Prayer

“Lord, I am sorry for thinking of sex as no big deal, from what I watch to what I think. Lord help me  to “get it” to “see it” to know deeply your thinking behind this incredible of gift of sex, so powerful that it creates Life. Amen"

Read   When You Encounter Someone What Do You See?
 
“don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due . . . . .

What gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? 1 Corinthians 4:5-7 (NLT)

Reflect

Do you make premature judgments of others? Relative to what do you evaluate them?Relative to you? To your expectations? To what they once were? To what they are not? 

Comments

The Corinthians were arguing, complaining and being critical of others. Sound familiar? Here’s a simple but profound thought. What do you have that has not been given to you? What about you is there that is not gift? If you think this
through until you realize you are not self made, you will have come far in humility, the prerequisite for eliminating judgmentalism. 

Pray

“Lord, I proclaim now and forever that my life is ALL GIFT. There is nothing, absolutely nothing about which I can boast. It’s all gift and it’s all from You. Amen”

Read   Your Body
 
“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple”
1 Corinthians 3:16-17(NLT)

Reflect
 
Do you treat your body as Holy?

 
Comments

When God acted on you to open you to Christ, you received not only God’s inheritance but also Him, His Spirit.
 
The Bible tells us this is a real thing, God actually having taken up residence within. This is not something ethereal, it is “earthy”, real, and embodied.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing that I do with my body that is not “spiritual”. Eating, lounging, letting it get sloppy,keeping it fit, what you do with your mind, what you read and watch and think, how you work . . . . . these are all embodied
actions.

In a very, very important sense there is no such thing as a “spiritual life”, there is only life. It’s not how “you” treat “your body”, rather there is no you that can be separated from your body in this life.

How will your body embody and express the Life of Christ within you today as you encounter work, the opposite sex, fatigue, temptation, TV, the need for rest, and the draw of sloth?

Prayer

“Lord, I will treat my body as a gift. No more abuse. It is Holy. I will, from now on, treat it as such. Amen”

Read   The Wisdom of God 

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”

“Where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense."
1 Corinthians 1:18-23 (NLT)

Reflect

What is God’s message to you today through this passage? 


Comment

This is a very relevant passage, is it not? My guess is that most thinking Americans and Europeans today simply and unthinkingly accept the “wisdom” of the 21st century western world that says Christianity is simply ancient myth.
 
It’s amazing how the wisdom of our world’s best thinkers can be so wrong about so many things. Think how the discoveries Copernicus and Galileo and what we know about special relativity and time and space are totally foreign to what was the commonly accepted wisdom of the age.
 
It’s almost like the more we know, the less we know. We’re stuck in our little box that studies and knows and believes only what we see in the box no matter how new that thing is  and when a glimmer of light shines from without, unless we can explain it from ‘within the box’ standards, we dismiss it out of hand. 

Prayer

“Lord, may knowing you be light by which I see everything else as it actually is, clearly and  as if for the first time. Amen” 

You Have the Mind of Christ

Read   
 
“But we have the mind of Christ."      1 Corinthians 2:16 

“Isaiah's question, 'Is there anyone around who knows God's Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?' has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ's Spirit."I Corinthians 2:16

Reflect  

Just as Paul had begun “churches” (more like home groups of new believers) in Galatia (a region of Turkey), and Thessalonica (a region of Macedonia where our very own Suzanne Burton will be presenting an academic paper this month!) and then had written them letters, Paul also started a church in Corinth (southern Greece) and wrote back to them as well. Actually he wrote them three letters which have been condensed into two (they had a lot problems he had to address!!!).
 
The first problem he addressed was factions. (have you ever experienced division in your home, workplace or community???). Some followed the teaching of Apollos, others Paul, and others Peter. 

Paul writes and tells them that they have the actually mind of Christ within them. Don’t follow one teacher over another.
 
Do listen to others. But do learn how to follow Jesus exercising the “Mind of Christ” within you. First and foremost this means getting to know what the Bible actually says.

Scroll down to read what others are saying about how they exercise the "mind of Christ" in order to live the Spirit Led life. 

YouVersion Results from Sunday June 10, 2010 

Poll: I sense the leading of the Holy Spirit . . . .
 


Poll: How do you know you are being led by the Holy Spirit?




 
What do you do to put yourself in position to "hear"/receive the leading of the Holy Spirit?

I seek a quiet place to listen, question, Trust

I keep myself aware throughout the day of His presence in my life, no matter what I am doing. I don't put the Holy Spirit in a box for specific times such as prayer time, devotions or church. I keep my "radar" out there working to "hear" Him while I am at work, driving, having a conversation with a friend or facing an unexpected problem in my life. This awareness of His promptings in my life did not just happen automatically. It developed over time by building a relationship with Him and asking Him to be that constant presence. It has been said the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He will not force Himself into our lives. He waits for us to invite Him in. Once we do, our lives will not be the same. A Spirit filled life is so much better and easier to live than one devoid of His presence! We chose to make Him a part of our everyday life.

Continue to pray for the Holy spirits guidance.

Quiet time w/ prayer!

pray, pray, pray, for God's supernatural power to supercede mine very limited power. 
 
YouVersion Results from the Week of June 4, 2010
 
Is your life one of doing things for God or entering into what God is doing for you?




Do you live by trying to please God or by entering into what God is doing for you?

Grace is great.

An interesting question that seems to have two diametrically opposed perspectives. The first is: do I try to please God to gain my salvation. To this my answer is "No" which is bolstered by Mark 10:27. The second perspective is: do I try to please God because of my gratitude for what he has given me and to share his good news. The answer here is "yes" and this trying to please God is borne of grace. Does this make sense and is it right in God's sight? 

Both. The Bible says blessed is the righteous though.   Also says blessed is he who obeys God. Whatever happened to being obedient, serving him, making him your priority, living by his words? What are we supposed to do then. ...sit around and just enjoy God's presence and not do anything for God? What does "not everyone who says Lord Lord will enter the kingdom but the one who does God's will? "Isn't faith without actions dead??

A little bit of both. I want to be pleasing and honorable to God and at the same time bask in the gift of grace to fully acknowledge the debt that has been paid. 

I am learning to live in amazement and gratitude for what God is doing for me.  

Sometimes 

I try but constantly fail!
 
At times.... Both! 

A little bit of both, sometimes I'm trying to please him, sometimes I'm focusing on what he does for me. I have embraced that I am doing God's will by doing what I am talented at, I'm just trying to follow my true calling. 

Try to follow what God is doing for me. I try to make sure I can hear him when he is trying to guide me in my life decisions. 

I do live by trying to please God and I "please" Him by "following His commandments". The reason I try to please Him is that I 110% "cling to what He has done for me" and out of gratitude, I desire to please Him. I am also aware there will be a "judgment" of sorts one day and I don't want to "be ashamed". I am also aware that when I am presented to the Lamb as His bride at the marriage supper, my dress will be fine linen (my "good deeds") and I don't want to be in only my underwear! 

I do neither. I know God loves me, because I wake each morning. I know he has blessed me with favor, but I don't do anything to please him. To attempt to please him is not in my mind. Instead I feel so unworthy that I even find it difficult to pray. 

I try to live my life in a way that pleases God and makes him proud. But this doesn't mean that I feel guilty when I sin or make bad choices.
 
I'm slowly learning to join God in what He is doing. 

For most of my life I've been trying to please God and everyone else. I have been on a quest this past year to find the truth and be set free. I think I'm gaining some understanding but still a work in progress. 

I don't know that I ever thought of "entering into what God is doing". The concept seems a little deep. I might not understand it as asked.
 
God's Grace

Entering into...I try! 
I trust God's promises and grace. I may not always feel like I am joining him in what he is doing for me in my human weakness. However, I do not believe that changes his plan and he continues to work for my good. That is God's grace.
  
Is there a time when you have experienced the freedom of simply embracing what God is doing for you instead of holding onto what you can do for God?

I don't think it was trying to do something for God but I know it was instead of trying to do something for myself.

Yes usually when I have nothing left to give. I need to remember as Paul writes that when I am weak...I am strong.

Sometimes.

Yes, now, after living thru divorce and recent unemployment... I live more and more in trust of God and what comes into my life...

Yes

I do know that his time is not mine and there is a time and place for everything. My current situation makes me believe that God has his hand in my life.

The pure joy of knowing that God has placed me right where he wants me and that its ALL GOOD no matter how things work out... gives me a peace unlike anything I've ever known "WABI SABI"

At times, I have had small glimpses but they are short lived and overcrowded with pride and or guilt.

I am oftentimes overwhelmed by the emotions of just remembering where I came from and what God has brought me through and to. I have learned the "attitude of gratitude " and its blessing. I guess the only time I feel bound by works is when it comes to tithing and church attendance .... if you call conviction to fulfill obligations "works"; again, I may not grasp this questioning. Maybe it would make it easier to grasp with an example?

Yes

Yes by trusting that He is doing more than I can ask or imagine for my children and grandchildren.

Yes. Kind of selfish of me. Sometimes I need a wake up call

Galatians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians


Read

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance."
2 Thessalonians 3:5(NIV)

Reflect

When do you find yourself directed into "the love of God" and the "perseverance of Christ?" What is one thing you can do to increase those times?

Prayer

"Lord, I so much need the perseverance of Christ, which is the outworking of your love for us, your indefatigable pursuit of my salvation. Please, Lord, help me to endure my trials as Christ endured his, 'for the joy set before him'. Lord, whatever you set before me, I accept, with your help. Amen" 

Galatians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians

Read
How to Live the Spirit Led Life

“Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (NIV)

Reflect

These actions are all a product of your choice of attitude and your decision to rely on God's help. How do these commands reflect your daily choice of attitude? What will you do to change?

Pray

"Lord, at this moment I am thinking that these scriptures are the most profound things I have ever read!!! Lord help me choose joy. Help me to choose to pray at the very times I feel I don't have time. Lord, help me always, always, always to choose gratitude in all circumstances. This is the Holy Spirit led life and it's a life that is possible to live. Wow!!! Amen" 

Galatians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians


Read
The Holy Spirit

“we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,  because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake."
1 Thessalonians 1:4

Reflect

Are you able to identify any ways in which it is evident, at least to you, that the Holy Spirit is impacting how you live among others?

Experiment

Choose one area of your life where you struggle. Next take God at his Word and obey what He says about that area of your life. If you are prideful, apologize to someone who has been hurt by your pride. If you are angry, choose to “not let the sun go down on your anger”. Talk it out before it storms out. Whatever your issue, ask God for strength, courage, and guidance, then obey and see what happens.

This is the Spirit controlled, Spirit led, life!!!!!!
 
Bonus

This link (hit control click) will take you to C.S. Lewis’ comment on the irrationality of believing that nature created nature secular Darwinism) 

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=mgrkvhcab&v=001OgUuqzYELseUXdG1oj6I9TuM6fzbYGRTBXDM4_
skZRUmMc5Q7W9UXInn3FXjOyFQvkcW6X42rpPVOOlFaWIeZBIYzsGjM018u9e-G1hkMn34gfjveTcZHxGkMhG6Q3ehRXKmUis8rJU%3D

Read Galatians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians

Read
Leading or Being Led

"if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are . . .  . .  But the fruit of the Spirit is  . . . . Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:18-25 (NIV)

Reflect (Don't skip this step)

Can you tell the difference between being led by God and acting on your own? How can you tell?

Experiment
 
“Led” is in the passive voice, meaning you are not leading “Acts” implies what you have chosen to do apart from the Spirit’s leading. “Fruit” is a result, a product of the actions of another, in this case the Holy Spirit. Our job is to “keep in step”, which means I mirror the footsteps of another.
 
As for the “in the zone tennis player”, he gets in a zone because of practice. He has practiced listening to and being guided by his coach until that guidance becomes second nature.
 
Today listen to the coach, the Spirit of Jesus. When you get a leading, check it against the Bible. If your leading and the Bible disagree, follow the Bible. Before you go to bed tonight reflect on what happened. 

Note
     
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Read Galatians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians


The Holy Spirit on Monday at 3:45pm

"Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves" Galatians 5:16 


Did the Holy Spirit guide you at 3:45pm today?

Basketball Players talk of being in “the zone”. They speak of letting the game “come to them”. It’s as if their contribution to the game is something other than what they by their efforts are creating. They “can’t” miss. I was in a “zone” once. I’m a bad bowler. But once on my first bowling outing in years I bowled a 213. It was like I couldn’t stop throwing strikes if I tried. The next game, trying to repeat my success, I bowled 100. “I” got in the way. 

Entering into what God does for you, embracing His activity, letting the Holy Spirit guide you is similar. When I am out of the way, God is free to work in me and I’m free from “me and what my sinful nature desires”.
 
Prayer

“Lord, I want to be out of the way. I want to shed to old people pleasing ego that seeks to impress God. I no longer want to try to be impressive to You, rather I want to be impressed (in all of its ramifications) by You. Amen” 


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This Week's Reading: Galatians

Are You Crazy?

“You crazy Galatians! . . . Have you taken leave of your senses? . . . . 2 Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God's Message to you? 3 Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren't smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? . . . .  anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure . . . . The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him. Doing things for God is the opposite of entering into what God does for you. . . . . ."   Galatians 3:1-12 (MSG)
 
Reflect

Did your life as a Christian begin because you did something good? Now re-read verse 3. Do you actually believe that living independent from God is doomed to failure? Is that how you live now, even though you may claim not to? Reread the last sentence above. How can you be more effective in living it out?

Pray

“Lord, please help me to stop 'doing things for you' and begin 'entering into what You are already doing for me.' Amen”