The Power of One Word...Grace

I want to share a quote with you from a book I am currently reading. But before I do, I want to make an admission. OK, maybe we can just call it a "confession". And that would be that since I started blogging my reading has been almost non existent.  I used to devour books: I'm talking Christian books. I'd spend hours in them, then looking up scripture and taking notes.

I love to study the scriptures, and to "dig" in the rich and fertile soil of God's Word. Now I wouldn't just read anything, I'd pray first for God's direction in leading me to what He wanted me to read and study. Sometimes it would be a new release by a popular Christian author, then sometimes it would be a book by an author that has been in Glory for years. Prayer for direction is the key. I don't want to waste my time on reading something that isn't "Truth". Just because it's by a Christian author doesn't mean its scriptural. Does that sound harsh? Let me explain. There have been several blockbuster books written by Christian pastors and authors that the Holy Spirit would not give me permission to read. Books that sounded good on the outside, but deep down were not God's heart; they missed the mark. Literally hundreds of thousands of books sold to hungry Christians that in reality were only one man's opinion, and that opinion was limiting of who God really is. And if there's something that I've learned in the last 15 years, it is that we cannot limit God. Not in His powerful love for us or His ability to work on our behalf. When at a later time I read those books, I felt like a black cloud was hanging over me. God was minimized, and "standardized".

So that brings me to the quote from the book I'm reading. Relentless by John Bevere.

"Grace is God's empowering presence that gives us the ability 

to do what we otherwise couldn't do in our own ability."

Such a simple statement, but one that can completely change our way of thinking about living our life.

Most of us think of Grace as God's free gift of salvation. Salvation that He gives us that is not earned or merited, but that is given to every believer in Jesus Christ. That understanding will get you into heaven, but what if the word "Grace" is more than just that one "gift". What if it is a deep well of knowledge and understanding; a place that has limitless possibilities for us in our Christian walk. Who wouldn't want to go to that well each day and dip out the "Grace" needed for what is ahead. The Bible says that Jesus is our "Living Water". He is the embodiment of God the Father's grace to us.

(Google Images)

So today I just want to leave you with this. First of all "PRAY" for God's direction daily. Ask for what He wants to share with you, and be open to act upon those daily revelations. And then just as important, to seek Him in His "fullness", without limiting who He is and what He can accomplish. If we know Jesus Christ as our Savior, there is unlimited favor for us. There is Living Water to refresh us each day. Then, be open, be brave, be expectant.

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

to be continued...

Where Do You Live?

Do you live in the Freedom of God's Grace, or have you found yourself feeling like you're living under the Law? Knowing the difference can totally change your outlook on life and knowing God.

Here...

or here?

Version: NAS
Galatians 2:6-10


6.But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)-- well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. 7. But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter [had been] to the circumcised 8. (for He who effectually worked for Peter in [his] apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 9. and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas (Peter) and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we [might] [go] to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10. [They] only [asked] us to remember the poor-- the very thing I also was eager to do.

Lest we ignore the elephant in the room, I guess it's now time to talk about the Covenant of Circumcision. OK, how to handle this with the importance that is due it? Bear with me all you gals, and guys too for that matter, we need to understand the significance of this in the Jewish culture. There are a lot of verses on this subject, but let's look at the two main ones that show the difference between the opinions and beliefs of the Old Testament Law and New Testament Freedom.


Version: NAS
Genesis 17:10-14

10. "This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. 11. "And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12. "And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a [servant] who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants. 13. "A [servant] who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14. "But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."


 
God instituted the Covenant of Circumcision for several reasons I believe. God had set the Hebrew people apart from the rest of the races. He desired that they not marry outside their race, but remain within their own culture. God was and still is, a practical God. He wants us to be careful and wise about our personal health and hygiene. On one level circumcision of the males had to do with health and cleanliness. This practice, that is still used today, kept bacteria and disease to a minimum. In the days of infrequent bathing, there were many things God commanded His people to do that enforced their health. The book of Leviticus focuses on these practices. Amazing that God had them do these things that today we know minimizes sickness and disease, but at the time the people did not fully understand. The practice of Kosher eating that is still used by many Orthodox Jews, is a good example.

Then on another level the entrusting of such an important male body part to the Lord, signifies one's desire for letting God control our actions, our marriage, and to the male, of great importance, the "ego". Turning our bodies over to the Lord is what we all should do: male or female, married or unmarried, celibate or not. This not only goes for our reproductive organs, but our minds, hearts, mouth (talking and speaking), eyes (visually, such as pornography), ears (music and unwholesome talk), and feet (that can take us to some unwholesome and dangerous places).

Version: NASRomans 2:25-29

25. For indeed circumcision is of value, if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26. If therefore the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27. And will not he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter [of the Law] and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? 28. For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.


So now, back to Galatians Chapter 2. We know that the Judaizers were infiltrating the Gentile Churches and trying to get the new Gentile converts upset and stirred up about circumcision. They were still going by the Old Covenant and were trying to bring this practice to play on formerly Gentile, adult men. So we can see the upset here. If it were a Covenant of Clipping our Fingernails I doubt that it would have caused much of a ruckus, but this is a little different matter, with some scary consequences for these Galatians. I'm sure that many of them were willing to submit to this, but Paul comes on the scene and says no. This was an Old Covenant practice for the Jews. He didn't see the importance or relevance of holding these people hostage to the practice. I'm sure that God spoke to Paul concerning this issue at the time. He's confident of his stance here and gives everyone something to think about when he basically says that being saved is not about what we do on the outside, but the condition of the heart.

There are alot of issues concerning Old Testament thinking transitioning into New Testament thinking. I want to talk about a few others briefly. Celebrating the Feasts, Tithing, Baptism, to name just a few. Jesus said He came not to do away with the Law, but to fulfill it.

Version: NAS

There is a "trend" going on in some of the churches concerning celebrating the Jewish "Feasts" or Holy Days. These are important covenants that we should study and bring into our spiritual life and thinking, but God has not asked us to revert back into Judaism by setting up a tent in our front yard, any more than He REQUIRES us to be circumcised. Some of this has been used as a blatant ploy for money and while it's always wonderful to give to our churches and Christian Networks we cannot let it be held over our heads for a guilt trip if we do not. One such evangelist basically said that if you don't give a particular offering you will be missing out in living in the blessing of God. To that, I put it before the Lord. I'm not one that wants to miss out on ANY blessing that God might desire to give. God basically asked me a question:
"Do you think the blessing and favor is conditional on whether or not you give a certain offering, for a certain amount, on a certain day? Do you not think you walk in my favor now?"

Matthew 5:17


"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill."

This means the concepts are still the same, but they are not requirements for our salvation, pure and simple. Tithing, celebrating the Jewish Holy Days, and Baptism were instituted in the Old Testament and early New Testament times. They may have been required in the OT, but when Jesus died on the cross, was resurrected, and sat down at the right hand of God, these became guidelines, yes important ones, but not ones on which our salvation hinges.

To that I say do not be cajoled, or dragged, or pressured to walk back under the Law. We keep the Law by the Grace of God, and only that.

Love you all, dear friends,
Debra

Personal Revelation

We know God has laid out His plans for the Gospel and Eternity, but does He still speak to us, personally? Does He care about us as an individual who needs a personal "word" from the Holy Spirit? We're still looking at Saul/Paul's conversion and how he heard God speak to him.


Galatians 1: 11-17
11. For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but [I received it] through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13. For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure, and tried to destroy it; 14. and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15. But when He who had set me apart, [even] from my mother's womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased 16. to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17. nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.

In verse 11 there is a key phrase I want to look at. "received through a revelation of Jesus Christ". We know Paul aka "Saul" of Tarsus, was a zealous persecutor of Christians. He was a young rabbi taught under the tutelage of Gamaliel, a famous Jewish teacher in the first century. As I mentioned last week, Saul was fast making a name for himself that was causing him to rise up in the Jewish leadership. He was the "hands on" man for persecuting and killing Christians.
 
The word "revelation" in the Greek is apokalypto which means to disclose, unveil, uncover. And has the sense of restoring or curing. We are familiar with the word, "apokalypse" which comes from this Greek word, referring in our culture today as end time events or something of cataclysmic change and importance.
 

Saul had been on a mission to kill Christians in the city of Damascus, Syria, which is north of Israel and Jerusalem. For an in depth personal account of his experience read Acts 9 :1-19. Paul makes it clear that he did not receive his revelation from any man; not from the Jews, and not from the Christians. The Jews were trying to wipe out the Christians, and the Christians were afraid of Saul so they had nothing to do with him. His revelation came from Jesus Christ himself.


And what is this "revelation" that Paul is talking about? Something that had been hidden, a "mystery" not understood or yet uncovered for the Jews to know. Plain and simple, the message of Jesus Christ; that salvation was not just for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles, (everyone else). That revelation rocked the world of the Jewish people and they did not, nor have they yet, received it. Throughout the Old Testament there are indicators and prophecies of the "Savior" who would be coming. But the Jews had a concept of who they wanted that savior to be, and he didn't look anything like Jesus of Nazareth.

Do we feel like "revelation" is just for the OT and the early New Testament times? Well, some denominations would believe and say so. But God is still God, and even though there might not be the same type of revelations, we all still need to have Jesus "reveal" Himself to us personally. Maybe we haven't led a life as counter-productive to the cause of Christ that Saul had lived, but we all need salvation and to know our Savior on a personal one-on-one way.


In verse 15 of Galatians, chapter 1, Paul talks about God setting him apart from birth, and calling him by His Grace. In Jeremiah 1: 5-10 the OT prophet Jeremiah recalls his own calling, evidently at a young age. Take time to read this passage sometime this week. You will be blessed by it and maybe feel a tug at your own heart.


I remember about 11 years ago, (not well read in the Bible, or having studied alot) I came across these words in Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..." I remember it clearly because I was on a quest for personal revelation from God. I needed to hear from Him, personally. I was setting at the kitchen table, Bible on my lap. I read those words and an electric spark went through me. God was speaking. He was talking to me. insignificant me. Those words touched me so powerfully. I had heard them before...for many years. They had lived in a hidden place in my soul and spirit. A place that sometimes seems unreachable, yet we know it's there. A place where our spirit communicates with the Holy Spirit. Those words had been hidden there, until that moment when God "revealed" Himself to me personally for my own life.


There are many many people in the world today, that believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, and Savior, yet they have not had a "personal revelation" of who He is. I'm encouraging you and me both, to seek personal revelation from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, the Bible. (they need to go hand in hand) He will send it to you. Do you have problems in your daily life?...children, spouse, health, relationships, finances, unsaved loved ones? God is waiting to personally reveal Himself to you in these areas. It's something I need to remember too; seeking Jesus for personal revelation of His will for my life. Trust Him. He's ready to communicate.

This is where I will strongly reiterate the need for daily Bible study. When we put ourselves before God; Bible open, He sees our willingness and availability to hear from Him. If you aren't reading your Bible it's harder to get to that place. Not impossible, because people find Jesus everyday that have never picked up a Bible. But to receive instruction and personal guidance from God we need to be in His Word.


Paul is a huge example of how "suddenly" God can step in and change our lives...and our destiny. Don't give up on the possibility of "suddenlies" in your spiritual life.


love in Jesus,
Debra

Sending Grace and Peace

Do you have questions concerning your beliefs? Do you want to make sure that you haven't gotten "off track" in your spiritual life? Galatians is a good Bible book to study. We're hearing from Paul, and he's talking to new Christians that have made a wrong turn. Same holds true for us today. Let's look at what Paul has to say to the Church.

Version: NAS

Galatians 1:3-5

To the churches of Galatia:
3. Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4. who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5. to whom [be] the glory forevermore. Amen.
 
I believe there are many people who know about Paul, but don't really know him. I was one of those people for many years. I "appreciated" his ministry and writing the books in the Bible, but I had opinions about him, not all of them flattering. I guess that's because I'd never really known the underlying facts and history of his life and times. Knowing the background of the era, society, and culture can do a lot to explain people's specific words and attitudes.
 
We'll get into more of Paul's personal history in the next few verses, but today we need to take a look at where Paul was ministering with these churches in "Galatia".  Some say he was writing to the churches throughout the larger area of Galatia (which means the country of the Gauls). This was an area that had been founded originally by some migrating French tribes, but had been reorganized by the Romans several hundred years before Christ. In Paul's day there was this larger area of Galatia, and then the smaller area also known as Galatia. This smaller area is most probably where Paul had been traveling and setting up churches.
Paul had written letters to the churches of Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. These were all churches in the smaller area of Galatia; ones he had founded on his first missionary journey.
 
Knowing the location of these churches is important because we need to understand who Paul was writing to. These were "Gentiles", not Jews that had become Christians. These people were by and large unfamiliar with Judaism and were not religious except for idol worship. They were converted to Christianity without any background of Judaism.

 
In verse 3 Paul extends the concept of  "grace and peace" toward his readers. Maybe more than just a greeting, but a true desire that God's grace and peace cover and infuse his listeners. Trouble is brewing and Paul desires that his converts know in their hearts that God is the one who can sort things out and reveal His Truth in any situation. Grace and peace is a concept that we today need to grab onto. Asking for that in our own busy lives.

The word "Grace" comes from the Greek word "charis" which means "favor, gift, benefit or credit". To be covered in grace is living in God's favor, gifting, benefits and credit. The word "Peace" comes from the Greek word "eirene" which means harmony, tranquillity, safety, welfare, and health. What a wonderful greeting for those new Christians that Paul was writing to. I'm asking that for all of us; to be covered with God's favor and welfare.

Verse 4 says (Jesus Christ) who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. If you were with me earlier in this blog I did a teaching on Life in the Garden and how Adam and Eve fell from Grace and were expelled from God's presence. Ever since the fall of man, from Genesis Chapter 1 until the time of Christ, man was in a dispensation of "evil". The devil had manipulated Adam and Eve, and since that time, until the time of Christ here on Earth, Mankind lived in a period of death and estrangement from God. Yes, there were kings and prophets and those sent by God that heard Him speak, but the average, everyday person had lost the capability to "hear" God speak to them. This was forfeited when Adam and Eve sinned and were then evicted from the Garden of Eden.
 
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, walked here on Earth to bring salvation to each and every person. He made it possible for us to be reconciled to God the Father through His death on the cross. Jesus paid the price for our sin, therefore making it possible for us to regain our relationship with God. Not living by rules and regulations; law and sacrifice, but a time of Grace that God extends to all of us who are believers. It's God's will and desire that all mankind be saved.
 
John 3:16


"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Verse 5 finishes the greeting with the words "to whom be the glory forevermore". It's important to remember these words. Giving glory to God and Jesus Christ is a key theme here. Any ministry that does not point to God and Jesus, giving them the glory, is not a ministry that is true Gospel.

On a personal note here, you may have noticed this is a little different format in this Bible Study blog. I guess it's a more true reflection of a Bible Study. This is the first time I've taught "expositorily"; going verse by verse through a book in the Bible. I have a lot to learn and this is a great way to do it.

Glad you're coming by, and I hope that God has met you today through His Word.

Peace and Grace be with you!

love in Jesus,
Debra