Month: September 2020

The Kitchen Table            Galatians Day 7

Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— ⁵ to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you

 Galatians 2:4-5

One of the greatest threats to this new life in Christ is false friends.  These are people who profess the faith but live in a false gospel.  Know God’s word; it is the food of your spirit.  The good news of Jesus is about a life of liberty in Him and with Him.  But, we won’t see the warning signs if we don’t know His word.  We let false friends take positions of influence in our lives when we don’t know God’s word to us.  We won’t know truth or love if we don’t know His word to us.  Unhealthy relationships are the product of unhealthy eyes.  We can’t see spiritually if we can’t think Scripturally.  Know the good news of Jesus and you’ll know the good life of love He gives us.

The Kitchen Table            Galatians Day 6

I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain Galatians 2:2

Never settle for a powerless gospel.  There really is no such thing but don’t settle for a man-made religious life.  The gospel of Jesus comes with “power” to see and to save.  Paul had a revelation of Jesus; he met Jesus himself.  It’s the personal connection with God that makes it so powerful.  I’ve met Jesus!  That is a powerful experience and encounter that is life-changing.  Now, don’t settle for vanity.  Vanity is what we get when we don’t let Jesus continue to reveal who He is and what He wants.  Vanity is what happens we make Jesus who we want Him to be and that is powerless.  You’ll see Jesus when you come to Him, but you’ll know Jesus when you hear Him.  Paul didn’t want vanity, he wanted victory and so he submitted himself to the scrutiny of the Scripture.  Do the same.  You’ve met Him, now get to know Him by getting into His word with His people for His will.

The Kitchen Table            Galatians Day 5

They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me. Galatians 1:23-24

Salvation is the greatest miracle of all.  It changes who we “used to” be.  We are not who we “used to” be and we don’t live like we “used to” live.  Before we were born-again, saved, we “used to” be used by Satan, sin and other sinners.  Sin had darkened the mind and damaged the soul.  But Jesus reached into the darkness and saved us from who we “used to” be.  If we have been saved, we will be changed and people may not believe it but they will see it.  Don’t fear the change, it’s always good.  The only people who won’t like it will be those who like death rather than life.  Jesus changes the “used to” mind, mouth and motivation of a man to the glory of God and it is good for everyone involved.

The Kitchen Table            Galatians Day 4

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, Galatians 1:15-16

Meeting Jesus personally makes all the difference in the world and eternity.  Some never really see Jesus, they just see the need to be better.  One day Jesus revealed who He was and is to Paul.  That’s what we all really need is a one on one with Jesus so that we aren’t just living on what someone else has said or experienced.  Jesus will meet each of us, one on one, right where we are, when we respond to His calling us.  We were made to know Jesus and He comes calling and when He does, we need to pick up the line and talk to Him.  It’s only in knowing Jesus personally that we can know His love, life, light and liberty seriously.  He who created us will call us and when we answer the call, His love will change us forever. Did you get Jesus or did you just try to get right on your own?  Get Jesus!  He is the real thing!

The Kitchen Table            Galatians Day 3

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8

You are a child and not a curse.  We can never let go of that thought or that treasure.  If we do it will poison our attitude, aptitude, and our affections.  To be accursed is to be doomed with no hope and no help in this world.  That’s what we were before we believed in Jesus.  In the gospel of Christ, we can and do become children of God.  There is that kind of love and life.  We can’t afford to listen to any other type of gospel which is no gospel at all.  Fake gospels come from fake people who want you to listen to and obey them rather than God.  But there is no pleasing men; their wants and demands are always changing.  You are a child, not  a curse.  Believe it, love it,  and live it.

The Kitchen Table            Galatians Day 2

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— ⁷ not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7

We were a curse, but Jesus made us His children by His grace.  His underserved, unreserved, unrelenting love finally reached our hearts and gave us another way to live as His children.  There is no other way and no other gospel that gives us a life of love.  That is why the Jesus’ way is good news.  People try to dress up another way but it’s really about pleasing man, not the Master.  We are left trying to make up for our let downs, trying to please the mind of men rather than live in the heart of God.  He loves you and me.  Don’t forget or lose sight of God’s love.  This life is lived from a faith that loves God back, like a child, not a curse anymore.  People who do not know the love of God can’t give you the love of God.  Love them but leave their gospel on the curb.

The Kitchen Table            Galatians Day 1

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵ to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5

There is a life of love for anyone who believes in love in Jesus.  And there is this action called “grace” which is the undeserved, unreserved and unrelenting love of God for us.  It’s what Jesus demonstrated on the cross where He paid the penalty for our hate, fear, and wrong.  This love doesn’t just come to us at the alter, it is something we can live in for the rest of time and beyond.  All we can do is receive this love by faith that loves Jesus back.  And when we live in this love we are freed from the curse of this present evil age.  We were a curse but now we are a child of God.  Live as a child of God through faith that loves Him back. 

The Kitchen Table   Ephesians Day 42

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. Ephesians 6:23-24

This life is lived from faith that loves.  It’s a relationship, not a religion, because those who believe in Jesus, love and find love with Jesus.  You see, it’s not just, “Do you believe in God?” but “Do you believe God loves you so much that you love Him back?”  Fall in love with what you discover about God and His word.  Living in love is the life of the believer and the underserved, unreserved love of God is what the believer lives in.

The Kitchen Table   Ephesians Day 41

Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times. Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers.¹⁹ And pray also that God’s revelation would be released through me every time I preach the wonderful mystery of the hope-filled gospel. ²⁰ Yes, pray that I may preach the wonderful news of God’s kingdom with bold freedom at every opportunity. Even though I am chained as a prisoner, I am his ambassador. Ephesians 6:17-20

The great preacher John Wesley once said, “God does nothing except in response to believing prayer”.  Pray passionately in the Spirit.  Join hands with Him by seeking what He wants rather than just saying what you want.  Call on God to do what He wants in your world and life.  This is how it works.  God is waiting for us to want what He has for us and through us.  Seek His presence and you’ll get His perspective on your predicament.  His presence will motivate your thoughts, your tongue, and your tasks in this world in His name and for His name.

The Kitchen Table            Ephesians Day 40

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore…

Ephesians 6:13-14

This life is not a secret and cannot be lived in secret.  To be secret about is to be Satan’s.  The life that God has given us involves standing for the cause, standing on the rock, standing in the truth and standing through the power of Christ.  If we want to withstand our enemy in his evil day while he grasps for anything, doing anything to hold on to his defeated rule and reign on this earth, stand for, in, by, and through Christ.  Stand in His armor and you’ll stand over your enemy.