Category Archives: Bible Thoughts

2017 My One Word – #mydays – wk5day3

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

This is today’s 750words. It’s about #mydays.

Warning – it is NOT a theological discussion! It does contain potential triggering information.

It is my heart cry to understand.

deep breath
i wish that i had a whole lot more experience with good doctors.
doctors that cared about their patients, and cared about the outcome and that were more concerned about their healthy recovery than their money.
why would someone go into medicine and not be concerned about their patients?
really, do so many go in just to have a profitable career?
Lord you brought S and M into our lives at a very difficult time, and for them, the time has gotten very difficult.
it’s negligence and a man’s life is in danger.
this make me furious.

thank you, lord for the senior tech that did my eyes yesterday.
thank you, lord that she and i were able to come up with a possible cause. sugar!
ok, another reason for me to stop sugar! sigh.
i’m supposed to be taking care of this temple.
and I eat sugar when i am frustrated, angry, sad, glad, afraid!
i eat sugar to comfort and to celebrate.
why?
my emotions are not allowed!
it’s more acceptable for someone to eat their emotions than to show their emotions.
it feels better to scream that i am angry about a doctor not caring for my friend well.
but, with a quiet man as my husband – and it’s not his fault – i tend to try to be more quiet for him. he’d laugh at that! but lord, you know it’s true.
it’s more acceptable to go to a party and sit and eat cake and drink alcohol than it is to jump up and down and hug and high five…unless of course you are watching a football game and at a football party/bar.
i’m really a very demonstrative person – at least I used to be.
as a child – i loved to do things and give things and make things for people, and i remember the time i was surprised with my first bike for my birthday. i ran and jumped up on my dad to give him a hug, i probably screamed! I was so happy.
i wonder what happened.

i don’t have to wonder too hard – sex happened.
if i made him mad – sex
if i made him happy – sex
if he gave me something – sex
it was always sex
and then i would hurt
of course, a child would hurt from the sex of an adult –
13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2
EIGHTEEN MONTHS
sex done to a child would hurt –
it’s why the ob/gyns in the navy saw such damage to my vagina and cervix –
it’s why they said i could never have children
my insides were such a mess the stoic navy guy doc gasped when doing the exam.
“it’s a mess in here! What happened?” actually – wth happened here?
He actually jumped.
I didn’t know – so I asked “what are you talking about.”
he quickly composed himself – “oh, just some scarring.”
12 years later the memories returned.
but it took years for me to put the pieces together, the things that happened in the present(at that time) while i did not remember, and put them together with the memories.
timelines – i want timelines!
but my memories are fading…i only have my journals.
and, the book. I’m supposed to write this book about my past, how i got to my present and my goals for my future.
and, i wonder if that doctor had told me what he’d seen, would i have started to remember? of course, they were not allowed to ‘lead’ a victim…they were not allowed to plant ideas into the head of a victim.
so I went along through life, wondering what was wrong with me…not knowing that it was something done to me.
what about doctors?
what about the family doctor that cared for me…shouldn’t he have known?
except there was nothing they could do back then, unless the child said something.
thank GOD that my mom apparently found out when I was 12 – sent me away to Florida, and separated from, then divorced my dad.
family called me the whore, the hussy, the tramp, slut – but i had no idea what had happened to me.
such horrors cause the brain to break into little pieces. thing were locked away.

but that trip to Florida set me up to meet Jerry the evangelist – and find out how to be a christian – to find out how to read the bible(didn’t know that was part of being a christian) – found out that I love love love the bible.
The memories almost ruined our marriage.
The memories still haunt our marriage.
The memories still hinder our marriage.
the memories, well, the act, has left scars in my body, my mind, my heart – and even in my spirit and whether i can trust my father God.
But I have learned grace.
I have learned forgiveness.
I’m still learning grace and forgiveness – daily.
but, mostly, it’s learning to give myself grace and mercy, extend forgiveness to myself – and then, to allow God to fill me with His Spirit – and to believe what I’ve written – that I have been chosen since before the foundation of the world.
I am loved by the creator of the universe!
I have worth, because THE GOD says so!
And who am I to argue with God?
I love you Lord Jesus – I ask you to stay
close by me forever and love me I pray
keep all your dear children in your tender care
and take us to heaven to live with thee there.
Amen!

No wonder I’ve struggled with suicide and depression all of my life.
No wonder I am an advocate for mental health awareness and rights.
No wonder I feel for those that cannot speak for themselves, that do not understand what is going on, that are bullied, abused, baited and attacked.
My past experiences have made me who I am.
My faith in Jesus Christ has kept me alive.
My heart is filled with emotion, and I feel so much.
I pray that I am a light, a source of grace and love to everyone.
In Jesus’ name.

I need to write this book – That is what today’s 750words has opened up for me.
I am able to write about this, without falling apart for weeks, or ending up in the hospital.
I am able to be ridiculed and called names without falling apart.
I have grown – and for that I thank Jehovah – Yhwh – G_d – through Jesus Christ, and by His Holy Spirit.
If it’s not clear which God I serve…it’s because someone isn’t listening!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission.
The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!

Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up!
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Joel 1

Joel 1

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

Wikipedia – the Book of Joel
Matthew Henry Commentary on Joel 1

Joel
1:1The word of the Lord that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel:
2 Hear this, you elders;
give ear, all inhabitants of the land!
Has such a thing happened in your days,
or in the days of your fathers?
3 Tell your children of it,
and let your children tell their children,
and their children to another generation.
4 What the cutting locust left,
the swarming locust has eaten.
What the swarming locust left,
the hopping locust has eaten,
and what the hopping locust left,
the destroying locust has eaten.
5 Awake, you drunkards, and weep,
and wail, all you drinkers of wine,
because of the sweet wine,
for it is cut off from your mouth.
6 For a nation has come up against my land,
powerful and beyond number;
its teeth are lions’ teeth,
and it has the fangs of a lioness.
7 It has laid waste my vine
and splintered my fig tree;
it has stripped off their bark and thrown it down;
their branches are made white.

The judgement of the Lord – serious, intense, destructive!
Or is this just the destruction of choosing sin?
Not necessarily CAUSED by God, but allowed – as a cause and effect?
Deuteronomy 28 contrasts and compares those that are walking in obedience, and those that are not. This sounds very similar to the warning to those that are not.
Trials come – temptations come – but we are given a choice. Always a choice.
Out of His great Love, God has warned us what would happen if we don’t follow.
I’m not talking about walking according to the Law – I wrote a lot about that in IBBS Galatians 3:10-20 and IBBS Galatians 3:21-29.
Many of the things that God warned His people about were to protect them.
This looks like a really bad, bad set of consequences.
And, then, The Word of the Lord comes to JOEL to tell the people to REPENT!
AWAKE ye drunkards.
WEEP AND WAIL
These words mean exactly what we’d think they mean…

8 Lament like a virgin wearing sackcloth
for the bridegroom of her youth.
9 The grain offering and the drink offering are cut off
from the house of the Lord.
The priests mourn,
the ministers of the Lord.
10 The fields are destroyed,
the ground mourns,
because the grain is destroyed,
the wine dries up,
the oil languishes.

LAMENT
MOURN
These two mean exactly what we’d think they mean…

11 Be ashamed, O tillers of the soil;
wail, O vinedressers,
for the wheat and the barley,
because the harvest of the field has perished.
12 The vine dries up;
the fig tree languishes.
Pomegranate, palm, and apple,
all the trees of the field are dried up,
and gladness dries up
from the children of man.

BE ASHAMED –
This one also reads – be dried up, confounded, withered, wither away.
The grief is so unbearable, that the life within just dries up.

Here, we are given insight into how we should repent, when we realize we have messed up!

13 Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests;
wail, O ministers of the altar.
Go in, pass the night in sackcloth,
O ministers of my God!
Because grain offering and drink offering
are withheld from the house of your God.
14 Consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly.
Gather the elders
and all the inhabitants of the land
to the house of the Lord your God,
and cry out to the Lord.
15 Alas for the day!
For the day of the Lord is near,
and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.
16 Is not the food cut off
before our eyes,
joy and gladness
from the house of our God?
17 The seed shrivels under the clods;
the storehouses are desolate;
the granaries are torn down
because the grain has dried up.
18 How the beasts groan!
The herds of cattle are perplexed
because there is no pasture for them;
even the flocks of sheep suffer.

I know that right here I am tempted to talk about how we have a advocate with he Father who is Jesus Christ the son.
1 John 1 & 2 are very very comforting…and yet, sometimes, they may be too comforting, and I don’t actually grieve the condition of my heart, I don’t actually grieve my sinful actions. Maybe, in this current age of grace, i miss the danger and destructive nature of sin. Lord, please, give me eyes to see and ears to hear!

19 To you, O Lord, I call.
For fire has devoured
the pastures of the wilderness,
and flame has burned
all the trees of the field.
20 Even the beasts of the field pant for you
because the water brooks are dried up,
and fire has devoured
the pastures of the wilderness.

My sin – my sin choices – do not only affect me.
Adam and Eve’s sinful choice affected the WHOLE WORLD – all of creation.
I need to see sin for what sin is – and I’m not talking about mistakes.
I’m talking about the sin that John is talking about in 1 John.
The continual sinning in the same way over and over.
I also think this is about sinning, with a high hand – not the sinning that occurs when one is trying to grow, or break bad habits.

Romans talks a lot about sin, and turning from it.
Repentance: Miriam Webster:

intransitive verb
1
: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life
2
a : to feel regret or contrition
b : to change one’s mind
transitive verb
1
: to cause to feel regret or contrition
2
: to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for

Do I truly feel regret and sorrow for the things that I know the Lord wants me to work on?
I have physical issues because of things that I know God has asked me not to do – and I do them anyway.
He has shown me nutrition I need, and foods that cause me problems.
It’s not the Jewish dietary laws – it’s His granting me understanding about how my body, in this fallen world, reacts and responds to things.

That is so sad.
I only have to obey what he has shown me, and I can reap the benefits of that blessing.

Thank you Lord that I have an advocate in Jesus Christ!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up!
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

2017 My One Word – #mydays wk5day1 – why why why?

Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

This is today’s 750words. It’s about #mydays.
Warning – it is NOT a theological discussion!
It is my heart cry to understand.

today.
today is monday
I have cleaned the house for the ccarpet cleaners.
I may have upset a friend who was coming this weekend
my foot hurts
i forget what I was going to write about when I first woke up, then went back to sleep.

why why why why
these are my words that come up often.

why why why why
i don’t ask why me, I jsut ask why
if God is faithful – why am I hurting
oh that horrible connundrum of christianity
maybe of any faith – but christianity has that promise that by christ’s stripes we are healed, that he sent his word and healed them.
i know that in his life, he healed physically
he has healed me physically
so I know, KNOW that he is able, and sometimes willing
I guess, while the question to God is why – it’s not why me, though, it is why me, what am i supposed to be learning?

oh, i’m learning about the lack of patience~!
I’m learning about the irritability!
i’m learning about asking for help – oh i hate this one with a passion!
I’m learning about leeting go of perfectionism
i’m learning about timing – oh yea, counting my days – numbering my days –
i’m learning about choosing each and every step
the steps of a good man are ordered by the lord – and he delights in his way
though he fall though he fall he shall not be cast down for the lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23)
i’ve asked that the lord teach me to number my days that i might apply my heart to wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
hmmmm, i think i just wrote that this trial is providing that very thing!

count it all joy brethren when you encounter trials…for the trying of your faith worketh – PATIENCE – ENDURANCE!(James 1:3-4)

oh my –

the fruit of the spirit is lLOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE – GOODNESS…..SELF CONTROL(Galatians 5:22-23)

Love is patient. (1 Corinthians 13:4)

i asked why…and it would appear that i am getting my answer.
how does one go about learning patience quickly?
um, i think that is the problem!
i want patience and i want it now!
old joke.
how does one obtain patience…

the working of your faith produces patience…I’m going to have to look that one up. (James 1)

why why why – i don’t think this is a bad question…
as long as my heart is open to the answer.
why me?
well, that could also give an insight into my heart
what about my heart?
what about the anxiety?
fear?
dread?
they call it high functioning anxiety.
I call it a pain!
the thing is – i could say that the bible calls it sin!
that which is not faith is sin….(Romans 14:23)
lack of faith is doubt
doubt and fear go hand in hand.
how many times does the bible tell me do not fear?(I don’t know – a bunch)

be strong and courageous…don’t tremble or be afraid….for the Lord your God is with you, wherever you go!(Joshua 1:9)
tremble – that’s anxiety!
naturally, i’m wired for anxiety.
but, i’m going to go out on a limb and say that naturally, we are all wired for anxiety!
that which is not faith is sin.
faith is not fear
fear not – (Isaiah 41:10)
the guys on the boat…in the storm….(Mark 4:35-41)
PEACE BE STILL
oh ye of little faith.

again – asking why brings me to these lessons from my past
stirs up the words that have been hidden in my heart

and the question reminds me that I have a Father that loves me, and cares for me, and looks after me, and is interested in teaching me his ways, and bringing me about to the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)

I can wrestle – like Jesus did in the garden(Matthew 26:36-46)
I can wrestle – like Jacob did and his thigh was touched.(Genesis 32:22-32)
walked with a limp the rest of his life.
well, my hip issues come from the disobedience of God – going into the Navy instead of the college for music and art.
and he touched me on the third day.

I guess I need to be thankful that He allows there to be medical ways to relieve the pain.
I need to use this pain to remind me every day that I am here for a purpose – and that I have made wrong choices, and in those choices, I have caused myself pain, in more ways than one.

teach me to number my days…that I may apply my heart to wisdom.(Psalm 90:12)
sigh
the answer to why is that I asked for this!
I gave the Lord Jesus, and the Father the permission to do whatever it takes to bring me into the fullness of Christ.
Do I trust my Father?
you bet I do!

I edited this in only two ways –
one, to add the scripture links
two, to correct spelling.

750words is part of my teaching me to number my days for 2017.
I am being able to face anxiety better.
I am being able to face uncertainty better.
Because, I am bringing these things to the Lord in prayer, and meditating upon HIM giving me the guidance needed.
I believe I am healing.
And it’s still January!

It’s all about choice.
And I choose Jesus!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

2017 My One Word – #mydays wk4day6

Today – my writing turned out a prayer, of sorts.
Maybe, this will help anyone else that might read it.
As I write with the 750words, I’m seeing the Lord’s focus in my heart.

Psalm 90:12

Lord, I need eyes to see.
oh my – that’s a story in and of itself.
a lesson.
i am a life lesson.
my life is full of lessons to be shared.

Lord,
i want to shine my light,
i want to share my lessons,
i need your guidance, and yes,
i need support from Jim.
i don’t know how i’m going to do this.
i need you to provide for the cleaning,
and some of the other things that suck the energy out of and cause pain in my body,
and then, to help me to energize and support my own body so that
i can positively affect the body of Christ.

Christi’s body supporting Christ’s body.
That’s an interesting concept.

Oh, i want to go to school…
i want to go to college – bible college!
That’s probably never going to happen,
but I wanted you, Lord to know.
i want to study your word under teachers that you have anointed.

You have anointed me?
well, I guess I’m in the same mess as several of those in the bible that felt that they did not have what it took to do what you wanted them to do.
Thank you for not asking me to lay down, naked, playing with toy soldiers.
I’ll try to listen before you have to talk to me via the donkey!

Thy will be done.
you are my God – and i yield to you, even as I complain.
i know that You are,
You will be, and
You have it all under control
i know that You have my story written, and
if i just follow the steps you put before me,
i will never be lost.
i love You.
~me

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

2017 My One Word – #mydays week three – Get a Grip

I know that I need to get a grip on what I’m doing.
I need to figure out what I need to do every day.
I need to set a schedule – which would work well if I could actually fall asleep when I’m supposed to go to bed!

Sleep – bed time – that’s when the schedule should start!
evening and morning the first day.
I need to get my bedtime routine set, and then, with this in the morning, maybe things will start to fall into place.

Maybe I can even start some sort of exercise routine!
I can write 750words, and then move over to the itty bitty bible study and write those…

meditation,
prayer,
seeking God and then
bible study

Then maybe my body…sounds like I just got my #mydays word for the day.
I do have an armor of God workout that I’ve created and should put into practice again!

Father God, please guide me – teach me your ways that I may number my days and seek wisdom – your wisdom!

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Today, I’m praying for

a friend’s sisters, and for her own peace
a friend having hernia surgery today
a friend who’s twin infant is hospitalized with breathing difficulties
a friend that is going through some trying times financially
a friend whose son will be deploying soon – as well as military moms I know
tonight’s group connect and the preparation for the home group in our home
my family
my friends
my country
my husband
my marriage
my walk with the Lord.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Galatians 6

I’m going to just throw this out there today – it’s late – and I’m sure those that have been following this can look up the verses on their own!

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

Galatians 6

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Matthew 18
2 thes 3:15
2 Tim 2:25
1 John 5:16
James 5:19
Nathan with David – 2 Samuel 12

In my IBBS thoughts on Galatians 5, I talked about WHY we are to judge righteous judgement.
Paul talks about his confronting Peter in Galatians 2:11-14.
WHY???
To RESTORE our brethren!

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.

5 For each will have to bear his own load.

Responsibility to oursevles and each other!

Romans 15:1, 14:1
Matthew 9:13
Isaiah 35:3-4
2 Thess 3:15

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.

If we know anything – we are to teach…old women teach the younger, older Christians teach the newer.

Deut 6:7
Mat 28:19
Psalm 25:4, 27:11
Acts 1:1, 15:35
1 Tim 1:3, 3:2
2 Tim 2:24

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Cause and effect

Eccl 11:1-6
Luke 8:5-15

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Endure to the end!

Mt 24:13
James 1:12
1 Cor 13:7
James 1:22
1 Peter 3:11
Amos 5:14
Luke 6:27

Paul is stating that this is HIS writing…hand in hand with his declaring that he is an apostle.

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

Again – Paul repeats that those that want the Galatians to be circumsized are not able to keep the law themselves.

12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

Interesting note here – several times he mentions being persecuted – and it’s always about refusing to apply the Jewish laws…and for teaching saved by faith through grace. He is saying that those others do not want to be persecuted, as Paul is, for the cross of Jesus.

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come

17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

Paul is referring back to his explanation of his position and calling…basically saying, leave me alone! It’s settled!

He ends with a simple prayer, though, grace is nothing simple!

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Amen – and I pray this for those that are joining me in this journey!

I’ve shared my thoughts on

2009 IBBS Galatians 6
My focus for this week will be to write up a summary of my thoughts – and starting next week, Itty Bitty Bible Study will be looking at Joel.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Galatians 5

Galatians 5

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

I’ve shared my thoughts on

Galatians 5
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

I believe that this is one of the key verses in Galatians!
I love the King James Version – it’s what I memorized as a young Christian!

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

It’s not just chains…it’s entanglement!

From Marmion by Sir Walter Scott

The vision is that once entangled, it is very hard to unravel all the parts to be set free.

How are we set free?

John 8:31-32
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:36
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Because the issue of being entangled into the law is:

James 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

Paul specifically points out the law issue of THIS letter – circumcision – to be counted as a child of God.

Galatians 5:2-6
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.
3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

The historical background is in Acts 15.
Paul wrote about this experience with Peter in Galatians 2:11-21
My thoughts on the aspects of the danger of the law in IBBS Galatians 2:14-21; Galatians 3:1-9; Galatians 3:10-20; Galatians 3:21-29.

Paul pleads with the Galatians…with a bit of an interesting wish for those that were preaching the “other” gospel…aside from being accursed (Galatians 1:6-9)

7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.
11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
in Galatians 2:11-21, Paul makes it evident that Peter’s hypocrisy affected others in the area to raise themselves up above the gentile believers.
One reason for our walking in the Spirit(later in this chapter) is that we do not cause others to stumble!

Mark 9:42
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

Matthew 18:6-7
6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,[a] it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin![b] For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

1 Corinthians 8:12
Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

1 Peter 2:15-16
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

Called to Freedom – and the purpose is not to sin, but to love and serve one another.

Galatians 5:13-15
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Walking in the Spirit does NOT lend to itself to sin,

Galatians 5:16-17
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the
flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Romans 6:1-2 –
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

One version says GOD FORBID!

Christians will be known by their fruit…their lives…their works!

Matthew 7:16

You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Being led of the Spirit – is to walk in liberty, not the law!

Galatians 5:18
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The works of the flesh…known by their fruit!

In Matthew 7, Jesus is talking about a lot of things!
It starts out in verses 1 – about Judge not that ye not be judged.

1“Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

In verses 13-14 he talks about the narrow gate:

Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Then,Matthew 7:15, he’s talking about judging false prophets!
Verse 16 –

you shall know them by their fruit.

We are to judge people BY THEIR FRUIT!

Matthew 7

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

In John 7:24 Jesus tells the leaders of the church to judge justly. Interestingly enough – his talk references circumcision being done on the sabbath, and that not breaking the law! There this sticky issue comes up, again!

We are to test the spirits of the prophets…1 John 4:1-3
How are we to know if we need to help a weaker brother, if we do not recognize the fruits of the flesh?

1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone

Matthew 18, Jesus tells us how to address a brother or sister in sin –
Obviously, there is a difference between judging another in order to ignore a sin in our own life(hypocrisy), and recognizing that a brother or sister is having difficulty, and going to them in love to restore them to fellowship(love for the brotherhood).

Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Based on the Matthew 7 chapter – first we need to take the log our of our own eye!

1 Peter 2:1-3
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

There are plenty of passages for putting off the sins of the flesh.
Even a few verses back!

Galatians 5:16-17
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the
flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Why should we take heed to how we act and are?

1 Peter 2:15-17
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Why? To silence those that are outside the church. To not give them any reason to truthfully say evil against us, thereby the church, thereby the reputation of Jesus Christ. We are ambassadors – we are often the only Jesus someone will see.

Galatians 5:22-25

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Peter had something to say about this!

2 Peter 1:3-10
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

Paul talked to Timothy about it in 1 Timothy 6

Titus 3:1-2
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Colossians 1:9-14
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

In Revelation 2 and 3, the Apostle John is told to write, over and over and over “i know your works…”

James 2:14-26 talks about faith without works being dead.
Works IS THE EVIDENCE of faith!
We cannot SEE faith, but God, in His wisdom, has showed us how to grade ourselves…and how to take the temperature of others in order to love them back to the fold.

John 13:35
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

This is Jesus speaking! The only way to know about someone’s love for another is to SEE it!

We were created FOR GOOD WORKS!

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13 – and it sounds a lot like the fruit of the Spirit!

Jesus talked about the difference between following the law in Luke 10, comparing it to that of the Samaritan who showed HIS faith by HIS works, and was commended for his acts, or “work”.

We need to show our faith by our works – our fruit – our evidence!
We will be judged by our works:

1 Corinthians 3:12-15
12 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled[b]master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.
11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—
13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

We are building upon the foundation – Jesus Christ. We are not adding to salvation, we are declaring our LOVE for HIM and our desire to HONOR HIM with our lives.

We will be judged by our words:

Matthew 12:36-37
36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

John 15:8-10
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

The beauty of Christianity is not that we don’t have to walk circumspectly…it’s that God has made a way!

John 15
Specifically verse 5

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

And he even promises us Joy for abiding in HIM!

John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Fruit and works are similar –

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

I looked up some verses about Love, Joy and Peace. Just the first three!

LOVE The only way to know if someone, if I, have the fruit of LOVE – is to see it. – it’s often said that Love is a verb. We can SEE it! (1 Cor 13; Mt 5:43-48, 22:39; Lk 6:27; Eph 5:2; 1 John 3;1 John 4 )

JOY – this should show on my face, even in times of despair…and I’m not talking about happiness that is based upon happenings around me. I’m talking about JOY that transcends what is going on, and is based in Jesus. (Mt 25:21; 1 John 1:4; Rom 14:17; Neh 8:10; John 15:11; Ps 16:11)

PEACE – it is obvious when someone has peace – or anxiety. (John 14:27; Eph 2:14; Phil 4:7; Heb 12:14; Isaiah 9:6)

I found a lovely coloring page for the Fruit of the Spirit from paper gifts for Estafany.

Galatians 5:26
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

We do not use our liberty to sin – but rather, rejoice in our liberty, wherewith Christ has set us free – and abide IN HIM, so that we are empowered to not become entangled again in the sins and lusts of our lives. Will we sin again? of course. Thank God for our advocate in Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9) But will we become entangled? Not if we abide in Christ!

1 John 5: 1- 3
1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome

Adding a little hope of joy and peace:

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

2017 My One Word – #mydays two – Psalm 90:12

#mydays

Psalms 90:12

NIV
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
NLT
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
AMP
So teach us to number our days,
That we may cultivate and bring to You a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 103:14-16
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

life is fleeting…
Interesting.
As I have been applying the increase in Bible Study, I have started upon Galatians – and here is Psalm 103

Psalm 103:17 & 18
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

How is the Lord merciful?

Psalm 103:10-14
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

BECAUSE!

Psalm 103
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Galatians 3 has been so intense for me.
Paul discussing how the Galatians were leaving the gospel of grace and moving towards the false teaching of works.
We cannot do anything of ourselves.

Ephesians 2:8-10 says
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Amplified says:

8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God;
9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].
10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

God has set me apart – he put the effort into me – and out of my love and gratitude to Him, I need to walk in the steps that HE places before me.

Two images that have come to me in Facebook.

I’ve been challenged with what choices I make with my time, my listening, my watching and my reading.

This is my confessional.
this is my journal.
Teach me Lord, to #mydays!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

2009 IBBS Galatians 3

Itty Bitty Book 2 – Galatians, Chapter 3, June 9
I just wrote this in a late addition to chapter 2 – in response to Jim’s and Janet’s posts….trying to do my ‘penance’ for not getting it in yesterday…and then I see that it fits so well in today’s reading.
Paul is exhorting the Galatians (and us!) that NOTHING can be gained by works…..we are not justified by works…….
My chapter 2 post:
We talked a lot in some of the previous Bible studies about how important grace by faith is…..
Abraham was counted righteous by his faith.
The just shall live by faith.
we are saved by grace through faith – and that not of ourselves – it is a gift of God!
Thank God that He had a plan to draw us in….and to make it possible! And thank God that Paul was able to stand up to Peter….Paul, who was Saul, who knew the Bible inside out as a Pharisee and teacher of the law….
If anyone knew how important it was to be saved by faith – not by law – it’s Paul!
And through Paul – Martin Luther had the same thing revealed to him.
Thank you Lord for those that go before – and help me to share with others the grace that you have for each person, if only they will believe and receive!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
vs 6 Just as Abraham “believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness”
vs 9 So that those who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
vs 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident for “the just shall live by faith”.
Now, here’s what I consider a caveat – blessed with FAITHFUL Abraham.
While we are saved by faith – we will be blessed by being faithful…..
But what a promise:
vs 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise!
We are part of the ‘count the sands” and “count the stars” part of being Abraham’s seed!
I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s chapter!