Joy Robbers

What was it that stole the joy from the Galatians?  They were being persuaded to fall back to a rules based faith.  Fewer things can suck the life out of a believer than having to follow rules and regulations to earn their approval.  I did this until I was taught the truth at a church who taught about grace.  It changed the way I lived, thought, worshiped, even the way I played sports.  We all know people who are the rules keepers and judges in our lives and I'd say not many of them are much fun to be around. 

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Posted via web from John Walter's Life Stream

Living in God's grace

Galatians 3

I can get very judgmental and point my finger at the many religions that set up a whole list of rules to attain salvation and ignore grace, the essence of the Christian faith. But Paul points his finger at me when he gives me notice that I am failing to live by grace and have fallen back into trying to gain God's approval by works. "After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?"
This maybe the most difficult aspect of the Christian faith to live out. I can accept that I'm saved by God's grace but it is much more difficult to understand that same grace will continue to shape me into the likeness of Christ. I don't need to fear, or feel guilty, or be anxious for anything if I'm resting in Christ's love and grace. Why is this so hard to live out?

Posted via web from John Walter's Life Stream

SACRIFICE FOR FREEDOM

As I've listened to the radio and watched shows on televison commemorating those who fought for our freedom, how thankful I am for those who gave their lives so we could have that freedom.  Then Galatians 2 comes to mind and I recall how Paul was standing up for freedom also, freedom from the chains of legalism and religion. He eventually gave his life in that cause.  And then I am reminded that Jesus' sacrifice was for our ultimate freedom from the bondage of sin and spiritual death. Thank you for dying so that we may have life!  Without your sacrifice none of us would understand what true freedom is. 

Posted via web from John Walter's Life Stream

Two principles for winning the battle

In Ephesians 6,after Paul encourages me on how to live he reminds me that I have all that I need to live the life God calls me to live. Sometimes Christians fall into the trap of the "former life thinking"...I am a sinner therefore I sin. However, as a new creation in Christ, I am no longer a sinner but I am now a saint. I have the power to overcome any temptation. I don't have to sin anymore. Paul instructs us to do two things. !. To prepare for battle. Stay in constant communication to God, read your Bible and absorb truth, have faith enough to obey Him in every decision. Before the trials come, be grounded and prepared. 2. When the storm hits, stand firm. Don't fear and run to things that you might have run to in the past. Hold your ground, trust God and do the right thing which most of the time is the most difficult choice. Two simple directives that can make all the difference in the world for us.

Posted via web from John Walter's Life Stream

Eph. 5 Mutual submission

Many sight this passage in verse 21 as one to justify a husbands dominance over the wife. But in the following verses Paul describes how mutual submission works in 3 types of relationships: wives and husbands, parents and children, and slaves and masters. This idea of considering the needs of the other in relationships was world-shattering for its time. Paul takes the unorthodox stance that those who had the traditional power should submit as well as Christ submitted his life for us.
I've found that this principle is really the key to a great marriage. When both husband and wife surrender their own needs for the good of the other, then they are guaranteed a healthy marriage. When one or both live for themselves, the problems begin.
I pray that I can deny myself, pick up my cross and follow Jesus in my marriage and in every area of my life.

Posted via web from John Walter's Life Stream

Walk in a manner worthy of your calling.

I find it interesting how Paul always begins his letters building a foundation of theology and then gets to the application in the second half of the letter. It's always more fun delving into the theology and discussing the meaning than reading about what we should do with it. But knowledge without function and purpose is just hot air.
In Ephesians 4 Paul gets to the point by reminding us to walk worthy of our calling. And gives the characteristics of one who is a child of God. Isn't it interesting that these are not characteristics that are preached about on Sunday very often; humility, gentleness, patience and relating with each other in love. He gets more specific in the middle of the chapter but ends again with the admonition to be "kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ." And I must always remember as Paul taught in the previous chapters that I can't do this on my own, but only through the power God provides through the Spirit.

The immeasurable riches of Gods grace

In these incredible scriptures, Paul continues to remind the Ephesians and us today that all we have in Christ comes by God’s grace.For by grace you have been saved through faith, not of your own doing, it is the gift of God.  And then he adds the reason God created us and the reason for the gift of grace, our purpose for this life on earth; to do goods works for Jesus.When I get off course and begin to be overly concerned about myself, my happiness, my comfort, my security, this verse reminds me that His purpose for me is to glorify God by loving God and others.He blesses me not so I will be happy, but so that I may bless others.  And that it is accomplished not by my power or strength but through his grace and the power of the Holy Spirit.God, may I surrender my will to you today and allow me to be your vessel to bring the light of the gospel to those I encounter today!