Not by works

 

Scripture:  [We] know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:16, 20-21)

 

This came from the 5 Minute reading plan in Deuteronomy 18:9-13, Psalm 38 and Galatians 2

 

Observation/Application:  Today’s observation and application is really one-in-the same and it is simply this, nothing we do will ever save us or make us “more right” in our relationship with Christ aside from what He has already done for us – namely His death and resurrection. 

 

I saw this quote this morning which sums it up for me: 

 

“Salvation will always lead to works, but works will never lead to salvation.”

 

When Christ saves us, He saves us as a sinner.  This means we have a lot of junk that we carry into our relationship with Him.  There is often emotional and physical baggage, sins and consequences from choices that we made without Christ.  So there will be things that need to change in our lives; things we need to work on and things Christ needs to work out of us.  The Bible tells us to put off certain things and behaviors and put on Christ-likeness.

 

So when we are working hard on something (you fill in the blank on what He is working on in you) sometimes it is easy to get into “works of the flesh”.  We must remember the same way we came to Christ for salvation is the same way we live our life daily – by faith and obedience!  By responding to Him and walking out the things He shows us to do each day.  Doing things in His strength and not ours; in His timing and not ours so that He gets the honor and glory for any success we have.

 

In my life I shared yesterday my health has been one of those things that He has been working on.  Some things take longer than others … or maybe some people (pointing at myself) just take longer to work with!  But the Bible is pretty clear that God wants us to live abundant lives.  Part of that abundance I believe is living as healthy of a life as we can.  Our health is a gift from Him and we should be good stewards of it.  I haven’t always done that.  Sometimes I mess up and forget that. 

 

 

If you read Psalm 38 today (albeit kind of depressing) you can see that the psalmist was hurting.  There are days I could have written that Psalm!  I can relate to words like this: “there is no health in my body … all day long I go about mourning.  My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body … I groan in anguish … My heart pounds, my strength fails me …”  There are people I know who live like this day in, and day out.  Is this God’s best for us?  Whether the psalmist felt this way because he felt like God’s wrath was being poured out on him or because he was just generally in poor health, the point is, this is not the way God wants His beacons of light to live!

 

What does the psalmist go on to say?  After all this he offers hope, “[But] Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.”  He confesses any sin or iniquity in his life and he seeks the Lord for help (verse 22).

 

So when we are working through some of the B.C. (before Christ) stuff in our lives let’s do what the psalmist did and seek God FIRST!  Let Him be the guiding light through it and let Him be your strength.  Let Him live through You!

 

Prayer:  Dear LORD, please remind us daily that it is You who lives in us and it is for You that we live!  In Jesus Mighty Name I pray, Amen & Amen.

The Year for Canceling Debts

 

Scripture:  “… the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed …”  Deuteronomy 15:2b

 

“ … for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, 5 if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. 6 For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised …”  Deuteronomy 15:4b-6a

 

From today’s readings in Deuteronomy 15:1-11 and Galatians 1

 

 

Observation:  This morning while I was getting ready for the day the song came over me with the lyrics, “Oh the grace that is greater than all my sins …”  As I got ready I looked the song up on my phone and played it about three or four times.  The lyrics are so beautiful! 

 

If I told you my story
You would hear hope that wouldn't let go
If I told you my story
You would hear love that never gave up
If I told you my story
You would hear life but it wasn't mine

If I should speak then let it be

Of the grace that is greater than all my sin
Of when justice was served and where mercy wins
Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in
To tell you my story is to tell of Him

If I told you my story
You would hear victory over the enemy
If told you my story
You would hear freedom that was won for me
If I told you my story
You would hear life overcome the grave

If I should speak then let it be

This is my story this is my song praising my Savior all the day long


Publishing: © 2015 Word Music, LLC, Weave Country (ASCAP) / Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Open Hands Music (SESAC) (All rights on behalf of itself and Open Hands Music adm. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC)
Writers: Mike Weaver / Jason Ingram

 

It’s a song about freedom and having victory over the enemy!  It’s His-Story that He writes into our hearts and lives!  Then I opened my Bible and read these words, “the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.”  I wanted to jump out of my seat and do the HalleluYAH dance!  Right now I am on a physical and spiritual journey with the LORD for better health.  I have struggled and been around this mountain in the wilderness for about 28 years – since I was 17 years old!  When one doctors words sank deep in my brain that I needed to lose 15 lbs to be at my ideal weight.  When I heard those words the perfectionist in me stood up and said, OK!  15 lbs and I will be PERFECT!  There is much more to this story, but it was the beginning for me of “working toward perfection”, trying to “save myself” physically.  But God wants to use “my story” and turn it into HIS STORY – what HE can do for me.  And I have sought Him over the years and done the “Christian weight loss” groups and read the books.  And have gained victory for short periods of time, but since last fall I think I really have given this over to Him and been seeking Him for HIS answers for me.  Today I receive that word, “the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.”  I can know that this year will be different, the results will be different.  This is a lifestyle change, but even more importantly a heart change.

 

Application:  “Remember that you were slaves [in bondage] in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you.”  Deuteronomy 15:15

 

Prayer:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  (Galatians 1:3-5)

 

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings [no], or of God? Or am I trying to please people?  [No] If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.  (Galatians 1:10)

 

 

One note:  Christ cancelled ALL our debts at the cross when He died and was resurrected.  What is important to note is that we don't always receive the "Paid in Full" stamp over every area of our life when we accept Christ.  As important as what Jesus did for us, receiving it, letting it be proclaimed and heard and taken into our hearts is JUST as important.  Stop trying to do things in your own fleshly works and let Him proclaim over you, "It is finished" ... no more struggling, trying, fighting ... just listen and obey ... trust me!  It's so much easier this way!  Oh the GRACE that is GREATER than all my sins ... let His GRACE cover you today ...