Do We?

"So, brothers, we are not children of the slave
but of the free woman."
Galatians 4:31

In our Galatians class this past Wednesday night, Stuart guided us in listing the differences between the old covenant on the left and the new covenant on the right, between Hagar and Sarah, between slavery and freedom.

Our rational minds say, “Given the choice, WE would all choose the right side!”

But in reality, do we?

Do we live lives of natural strength or lives empowered by the Spirit?

Do we depend more on our own law-keeping for salvation (and feel guilty when we fail!) or rely SOLELY on God’s merciful grace?

Do we adhere ever-so-strictly to an empty religion or pursue an intimate, interactive relationship with the living Jesus?

God worked his promises in the life of Abraham because Abraham reciprocated with the essential ingredient: active faith. Not passive belief--active faith.

Abraham didn’t just believe in God; Abraham believed God.

Do we?

Abraham "believed God,
and it was counted to him as righteousness."
Galatians 3:6

For you...for you...for you

This very intimate poem, later adapted into song and popularly used by choral groups, speaks of a singular focus—“for you”.

For God—we are born. For God—we live. For God—we die.

Such a beautiful, satisfying, profound purpose we enjoy. In this moment, let us praise Him for it!

Amor de mi alma

(You are the love of my soul)

I was born to love only you;
My soul has formed you to its measure;
I want you as a garment for my soul

Your very image is written on my soul;
Such indescribable intimacy
I hide even from you

All that I have, I owe to you;
For you I was born, for you I live,
For you I must die, and for you
I give my last breath

~ Garcilaso de la Vega (1503-1536)

Glorifying God in Creativity

Randy Alcorn writes in his book 50 Days of Heaven,

Art, music, literature, crafts, technology, clothing, jewelry, education, food preparation—all are part of society or culture, the creative accomplishments of God’s image-bearers. Human creations are an extension of God’s own creative works, because he created us to reflect him by being creators.

As humans, we glorify God by taking what he created from nothing and shaping it into things for our own good and for his glory. The entire universe—including angels and living creatures in Heaven—should look at our creative ingenuity, our artistic accomplishments, and see God in us, his image-bearers.

God created his image-bearers to glorify him in creative accomplishments, and he’s pleased by them. God is pro-culture; he is the creative artist behind and over human culture.

~ From Desiring God Blog, April 12, 2008

(Photo: Reflections in Sawbill, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Northern Minnesota, USA)

JONATHAN: Strengthen a Leader; Save a Nation (Excerpts from the Giants)

Jonathan gave up his own right to be king in deference to David, God’s true anointed.
1. When have you given up your “rights” in a situation? Was it difficult for you?

* Part of helping others to grow in their Christian service is to put oneself/ego in a background mode and encourage them to feel more confident in their effort. After all it is not my "right" to anything in life, it is the privileges that God has given me.
Was it difficult? We humans like to be given recognition for our efforts; however with "age" I have found that God knows and sees all and that is enough.

* Sometimes it’s hard for me to give up my right for “equality” in various settings—I like things to be fair and equitable according to MY definition and time table of such. I have to remember that God has promised to take care of that, and that I don’t have to force it myself.
And I'm very thankful that the Lord doesn't treat me "fairly"! :-) Grace is way beyond fair.

* In order to grow spiritually, mentally and morally we have to learn how to keep our ego in check. …We live in a "selfish me/mine, I'm more important than you" society. The number of people willing to step back and not demand "center stage" is dwindling faster than ever. The "second chair" attitude is achieved only by a conscience decision to seek out the greater good, i.e. the bigger picture.
As Christians I think we are obligated to be fair-minded and equal in all situations. Jesus purchased those "rights" for us.

* When God made us righteous he gave us a new view of our rights. "We no longer regard anyone from a worldly point of view" (2 Cor. 5:16) This includes ourselves and others. It is a wonderful gift of grace not just to have to be first, but not even to care that much about it. This is how I see it when I am in my right mind, but sometimes I slip into old ways of thinking.
As soon as I find it difficult to do or be what is obviously right and look for reasons to be or do what I really want, I know it is time to pray and renew my mind so that I can see clearly. God allows us our humanity and in our weakness gives his strength and grace.


2. When have you lifted someone to a higher level, or had someone lift you? Who could you be lifting up now?

* A vital part of a Christian walk is to lift up each other spiritually, emotionally, even physically when needed. A note, a kind/ or encouraging word, hugs!, helping with a task, listening, a phone call, etc., all provide a boost. Every time I am around fellow Christians, I am lifted up in one way or another. I hope I can do the same to those around me.

* I believe it is part of my God-given calling to lift up my husband and children to be the best they can be for God. And I think they do the same for me. I’m currently trying to lift up a friend who is under a great deal of pressure. I can’t do the job for her, but I can at least help keep her encouraged and supported to do the things that she is having to do on the front lines.

* I think I could do a better job of lifting up my family. Those who have lifted me are too numerous to name. :-)

* As a teacher for so many years, I had opportunities to lift up students and colleagues. I often pushed students, read numerous college applications and wrote a volume of letters. Every time one of them got the acceptance letter they coveted I rejoiced. I still hear from some of them and that is one of the joys of my retirement.
I have not lacked cheerleaders most of my life. My parents, especially my dad, was my devoted fan as have been my aunts and my grandmother. I've also been fortunate to have wonderful encouragers in and out of the church. And has it helped!...One of my favorite passages is Ps. 116:5-7. The Lord has been so good to me.

* My family is definitely my "Lifter"--a call from one of my children or grandchildren make my day, and my husband is always my #1 encourager. The Teens are also one of my supporters. The Sunrisers on Thursday mornings always make me feel super….I think that we mutually lift each other up in so many ways. Because when I lift someone up--at the same time they are lifting me up.

DAVID: Overcome Your Limitations (Excerpts from the Giants)

Even after being anointed as the next king of Israel, David still had to wait many years for many things to come to pass before taking over the throne.

1. What in your life are you currently waiting for? Is it easy or hard to wait patiently for this?

* For a number of years I have been waiting on my husband to be added to the Lord's Church…A few years ago I realized all I could do was try to be a good wife as well as set a good example. I had to turn it all over to the Master. I am patiently waiting and of course praying.

* While I have some things we are hoping to do in our future, I don't feel as though I am 'waiting on them.' We eventually would like to return to the mission field in a foreign country, but I am happy here too looking for people to share my faith with or study with.

* I am waiting for God to change me into a really nice person, and one who doesn’t worry about anything. :-) Sometimes I am patient; sometimes I am not, for those things and more. When I see things through “eternity” eyes, I am more patient. Other times I can only think about getting through one day at a time anyway.

* I'm also waiting on God for "character" type things—waiting for him to change me. Or to change those around me. :-) And patience is hard.

* While we are waiting for all the things that distract us to happen: the happily ever afters, explosions, escapes, escapades, and seasons of this existence, ever wonder what God is waiting for?

...His longsuffering (good KJV word), says scripture, is for our good because he wants all of us to have the best. He must occasionally wonder: What we are waiting for?

* I am waiting for, or looking forward to, my family maturing in their faith. I have truly seen so much growth in them and yet they are babes in Christ and we know Satan is always roaming around preying on the weak. I’m weak sometimes too so I pray for God to send others to help them as well. God has definitely brought us to the right church family.

…I would like God to just speak all these changes into existence, though the truth is that I don't know what God has in store for me. I also know I must be actively seeking to improve myself, supporting my family in their spiritual growth, and improving other aspects of my life while praying for God to guide the outcomes. I'm enjoying waiting to see what God has planned for the story of my and my family's lives.

* I don't have a "wait" list. I'm not sure what that says about me. :+) Hopefully that means I have just turned it over to God and his timing, but more likely means that I haven't recognized in my heart what I am waiting for except the coming of Christ.

* I am waiting for ??? I am not sure what I am waiting for, perhaps God's guidance as to what HE wants me to do next.

* I enjoy just sitting back and letting God direct me. (Sometimes I am not good at His directions though.)

2. David had to rely on his faith in what God could do. When have you really had to rely on your faith?

* I need to rely on my faith all the time, but to my shame I sometimes rely on Me, a poor substitute. I have raised children and buried my parents. …When I lost my parents, my faith was a crucial sustainer as well as people of faith who knew me. Now, I find myself relying on faith as the grandchildren arrive and grow, the church changes, and life changes.

* The last 20 to 25 years of my life has brought many events that were catalysts to bring my reliance on faith to a new level, or renewed my faith. It is sad to say but most often the events that brought me closer to God were traumatic, painful, and/or scary.

...These events I view as the trials and tribulations we are to consider pure joy (James 1:1-3) because it helps us develop the strength to hold on another day.

* I am having to rely on my faith with a daughter in college. I have to trust that the Lord is taking care of her and is giving her guidance that she needs, and all I can do is give advice now and again and watch from the sidelines as she makes her own decisions. And pray!

* I had to really rely on my faith the years I homeschooled my kids. Now I have to rely on my faith that God will take care of them while they are in school.

* I have had health issues to deal with and those have been hard. Losing my mom was really hard. But, some of the hardest times was when I think I wronged someone. If I thought for a moment I had made someone stumble for having not put forth Christ in the relationship, that deeply bothers me until I have gone to that person and made things right.

* One of the hardest times for me was when my daddy died. All that weekend though, I was at peace and knew that God was in control. I also knew where my daddy was going! At the present time it's making sure that my mother is taken care of.

* When my daughter started dating, it really tested my faith to turn those worries over to God. He was faithful, and I am thankful. The other testing time was during my husband’s health trouble, but I never remember feeling anxious or worried beyond what I consider normal. I felt very comforted and strengthened that God was in total control of the outcome, whatever it was to be.

* Currently I am having to rely on my faith in caring for my mother, while trying to not diminish caring for other personal and church family members. I have seen God's hand in my life in the past and I pray daily for guidance.