Category: A Life Worthy

So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith  (Galatians 3:9).

If you made an appearance in Scripture, how would you be referenced?

I think, “The Man of Faith” is pretty great.

Go Abraham.

You know, Beloved, you may not be specifically written into the Bible, but your name is clearly written in another important God book–

The Book of Life.

You know, that book in which the Lord of the Universe records the names of those who are eternally, irrevocably his.

Pretty important book–and you’re in it.  Maybe even in bold font, though I can’t confirm that.

So, remind me again why you have trust issues?

And by you, I mean we.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the Gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”  (Galatians 3:8)

The Scripture foresaw…

The Scripture announced…

Sounds like a plan was already in place.

Before Abraham

Before us

So…you mean God’s not making this up as he goes along?

Cool

Maybe I can relax my grip.

Just a little

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7).

Father Abraham

Had many sons

Many sons had Father Abraham.

I am one of them

And so are you

So let’s just praise the Lord!

This song, with the accompanying hand and foot motions and giggling, is about all I remember from my first, rather unproductive, visit to Sunday School.

This song, and a raging fistfight that broke out between two of the other little boys.  All and all, I decided that I’d rather be home watching Popeye and Friends, hosted by Tom Hatten.  Now to be fair, it wasn’t just Popeye.  They also showed Tom Slick, George of the Jungle, and Super Chicken.  In between cartoons, Tom took squiggles that kids mailed in and turned them into amazing cartoon drawings.

Aaaand…that totally beat learning about Jesus on a Sunday morning.

That Michael.  Such a spiritual young man.

But I remembered the song.  And years later, when a slightly matured Michael learned about our adoption as Sons of God and becoming heir to the promises of eternal life, it clicked.

I am a child of Abraham

even though I’m not

because I believe.

Not do

Not earn

Not accomplish

Believe

As you head into Labor Day, hang onto that, ya?

Happy Monday, Beloved.

Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Galatians 3:6)

You try so hard

to earn a smile

a nod

a “well done” from the one you serve.

And yet, the only way to earn it

is to understand

that you can never deserve it.

The only way to achieve it

is to admit

that it is forever beyond you.

The only way to arrive

is to realize

that you are already there

and always have been,

carried in his arms.

Why do we make things so complicated, Beloved?

We are a very silly people.

Happy Friday.

Consider Abraham: “He believed God…” (Galatians 3:6).

This is one of my favorites.

Paul says, “He believed God,” not, “He believed in God.”

Chew on thatun for a minute.

Sometimes, all God wants is for you to believe him.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that he has a purpose for you.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that you are enough.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that you are forgiven.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that he has chosen you.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that you will be his forever.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that you are utterly complete in him.

Believe that he loves you.

Believe that he loves you.

Beloved, sometimes it is hard to believe all the promises that God has made.  We are somewhat accustomed to people breaking promises.

But your God calls you to believe him,

and he’s trustworthy, ya?

Happy Thursday, Beloved

Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?(Galatians 2:21)

Hold on a second.

Read that verse again.

Not to be dense or anything, but do you realize what you just read?

Twice?

God has given you his Spirit.

The Holy Spirit of God lives in you.  He just…gave it to you.

That’s crazy–no offense, but it is.

God has worked miracles in you, through you, for you.

Miracles

from God

to you.

Again…crazy.

Is there any way you could ever imagine that you could possibly earn such a gift?

Enjoy the blessings, Beloved.  You don’t deserve a one of ‘em!

Happy Wednesday.

Have you suffered so much for nothing–if it really was for nothing? (Galatians 3:4)

If you can do it on your own, then the cross wasn’t necessary.

If the cross wasn’t necessary, then your suffering for Christ is meaningless.

If your suffering is meaningless, then you are an idiot fool person making unwise choices.

Look, chances are none of you reading this has known the kind of suffering that the early church had to deal with.  Still, following Christ has cost you, in some cases dearly.  Are you sure the cost is worth it?

I mean, reallytrulydowninyourbones sure?

Good

Oh, just one more question: Why are you still trying to make it on your own?

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Are you so foolish?  After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? (Galatians 3:3)

Do you remember how it was in the beginning?

Not THE BEGINNING–none of us is that old, even if it feels like it on Monday morning.  No, I mean your beginning.  Do you remember how it was when you first gave your heart to Christ?  How you trusted him completely, how you knew you were utterly incapable of doing this on your own and so threw yourself at his feet?

Yeah, that was a good time.  You stayed out of God’s way and let him do his work.  And he did good stuff.  Whaddaya think–could you go back to that place?  Can you get yourself back to that state of total dependence on God?

No–you can’t get yourself there.

But

you can ask God to take you there, which is kinda the point, ya?

Happy Monday, Beloved.

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? (Galatians 3:2)

Hmm…let me think about that for a bit.

Sorry, this might take a while.

Nope,

actually it didn’t.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

You foolish Galatians!  Who has bewitched you?  Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified (Galatians 3:1).

You know the scene.  Star Wars–the real one, the first one.   Luke and Obi Wan–the real one, the first one–are on their way to the spaceport, and they are stopped by stormtroopers.  The troopers are on the lookout for two droids, which are obviously sitting in the vehicle in front of them.  Luke is scared, but Obi Wan does a little zip-zappety-zing-zang-force-ninja business and says, “These are not the droids you are looking for.”

And they buy it.

Paul’s words here make me think of the stormtroopers’ boss, reviewing the security tape later that day.  I imagine it went something like this:

“What was that?  The droids were right there!  You saw them!  They were obvious!  Some old dude waves his hand, and , what….you went blind?

You foolish stormtroopers!

You foolish Galatians!

You foolish Michael.
Happy Thursday, Beloved.