Ephesians 2

We were dead... all of us... in sin and disobedience. We followed our passions.  We satisfied our old nature. We acted how we wanted and did what we thought was best.  We ALL were worthy of the wrath of God and eternal punishment.

"But God is so rich in mercy and loves us with such intense love that even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience , he brought us to life with the Messiah - it is by grace that you have been delivered." (v4-5)

We proclaim with Paul - How rich is His grace!  How great is His kindness!
We could never accomplish our own deliverance.  We could never save ourselves.  It is His doing!
His gift!

Not only that, but He has brought us into union with Jesus.
Paul says that, "God raised us up with the Messiah and seated us with Him in heaven." 
 He made us a new creation, "created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do." 
He called us to be His people. (v11-12)
He brought us near. (v13)
He created a new union between the Jew and the Gentile. (v14)
He reconciled us all "in a single body". (v15)
He destroyed the enmity between us and each other as well as between us and Him. (v16)
He made us all one family.. one kingdom... one building... a holy temple where He Himself dwells. (v19-22)

Father in Heaven, You are rich in mercy, rich in grace, great in kindness, and perfect in love.  That You loved us and sent Your Son Jesus, to die on a cross and to pay the price for our lives... is a gift that we can never measure.  We give You thanks from our hearts. Our lips proclaim Your greatness.  We will sing of Your great love and compassion for the lost and hopeless... grateful that You choose to save us from sin and death.  May all the world look to You, seek You with all their hearts and find You.  We need You now, O Lord.  Hear us, draw near to us, and fill us with Your Spirit.  May Your Name be high and lifted up.  Bring many more into this wonderful union with our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is in His name that we ask this. Amen  

Ephesians 1  Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus begins with a wonderful truth... " Praised be Adonai, Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, who in the Messiah has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heaven."  EVERY spiritual blessing! Let us really think on that!

In the Messiah, in Jesus our Lord, the Father:

- "chose us in love" v4)
-"determined.. we would be His sons"(v5)
- "set us free... our sins are forgiven.." (v7)
- " made known to us his secret (mysterious) plan"  (v9)
- gave us "an inheritance" ( v11)
-"sealed" us with the Holy Spirit ( v13)

The Father's purpose and pleasure, Paul tells us, was "so that we would bring Him praise commensurate with the glory of the grace He gave us through the Beloved One." (v6,12,14)

May our prayers echo the prayer of Paul for the church in Ephesus.. "In my prayers I keep asking the God of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, the glorious Father, to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you will have full knowledge of Him. I pray that He will give light to the eyes of your hearts, so that you will understand the hope to which He has called you, what rich glories there are in the inheritance he has promised His people, and how surpassingly great is His power working in us who trust Him. " ( v16-19)

The power of God raised Jesus from the dead, seated Him at the right hand of the Father "far above every ruler, authority, power, dominion, or any other name that came be named.. not only in this age but also in the one to come. Also, He has put all things under His feet and made Him head over everything .. " ( 20-22)  This surpassingly great power is at work in us!

Thank You Father for this great salvation in Jesus our Messiah. We praise You for the overwhelming glory of Your grace towards us.  May we receive and be filled by the Spirit so that we will know You fully, understand the great hope You have called us to, rejoice in our future inheritance - with riches of glory; and be strengthened by Your great power working in us.   We pray in the Name that is above every other name, the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Galatians 6

If we have been made free from sin and from legalism through the Messiah Jesus.. and if we have been given His Spirit and are called to live our lives "by the Spirit"; be "led by the Spirit"; and "order our lives day by day" through the Spirit.. Paul says that the "fruit of the Spirit" will be evident.

We will have the fruit of love -  loving our neighbors like ourselves;  bearing "one another's burdens"; humbly helping those who are doing wrong to turn around and do right; doing good.
We will be joyful and filled with the peace that passes understanding.
We will be patient with those who struggle or annoy.. or even sin against us.
We will be kind and gentle.
We will be faithful, humble, and self-controlled.

We will "scrutinize" our own actions so that we don't fool ourselves.

"A person reaps what he sows."  Paul states. To think otherwise is to mock God.
If we sow "in the field of our old nature", Paul writes, we will "reap ruin".
But if we sow "in the field of the Spirit", we will reap "everlasting life" by the Spirit. 

Let us sow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, and goodness.   Let us not sow selfishness, impurity, immorality, anger, jealousy, or slander.  Let us repent and be cleansed from anything that comes from our old nature and live as the new creatures that we are in Jesus.

Father in heaven, lead us in Truth, cover us with the Righteousness of the Savior, strengthen us with Your strength that we might stand firm, taking up the shield of faith to quench the arrows of evil.   We have put on the helmet of salvation through the cross of Jesus and we have put on the shoes of peace, ready to share the good news of His redeeming love. We take up the Sword of Your Spirit, the Word of God as we pray. We belong to You, Lord God.  May Your will be done and Your kingdom come we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

Galatians 4-5

 Paul teaches that "... when the appointed time arrived, God sent forth His Son..."  Jesus was born "of a woman, born under the Law".  The CJB puts it this way.. "He was born from a woman, born into a culture in which legalistic perversion of the Torah was the norm.. "  Jesus came to redeem those enslaved to legalism.. to set them free to become God's sons.  He also came  to redeem the Gentiles who were not slaves to the Law, but to "beings which in reality are non-gods" for they did not know God.   But, now that they know the One True God and are "known by God".. they are also free in Christ Jesus.

There were Jewish "believers"  who had yet to let go of the "legalistic perversions" of the Law.  They were convincing the Galatian believers to be circumcised and converted to Judaism.  Paul warned the church in Galatia not to follow these "zealous" but self- serving teachers.  Their ways would only make them slaves again. They were not called to be slaves.. but sons!  For Messiah came to free them and us!

To try to become righteous through the Law would be to reject the work of Jesus the Messiah.  It would separate them from God's grace.  The truth is  that "... it is by the power of the Spirit, who works in us because we trust and are faithful. that we confidently expect our hope of attaining righteousness to be fulfilled."

We are called to be free.  We are called to "run [our] lives by the Spirit".  We are either led by our old human, unredeemed nature.. or we are led by the Spirit of God.  If we are led by the Spirit then we are not "in subjection to the system that results from perverting the Torah into legalism." 

Paul gives us the distinct contrast between a life led by the old nature and the life led by the Spirit of God (v19-25):

The old nature - sexual immorality, impurity, indecency, occultism, drugs, feuding, fighting, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, factionalism, intrigue, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and "things like these." 

But, the Spirit led life will result in - "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self- control.  Nothing in the Torah stands against such things." 

"Since it is through the Spirit that we have Life, let it also be through the Spirit that we order our lives day by day." 

Father in heaven, we thank You for sending Jesus at the right time so that we can be redeemed and set free from everything that is false.  Jesus is the Truth and He is the way and the life.. Hallelujah!
Help us to live our lives, led by Your Spirit, in trusting faithfulness to the glory and honor of Your Name.  May Jesus Christ be praised!  Amen and amen.

Galatians 3   Paul reasons with the Galatian believers, explaining the difference between salvation through faith in Jesus vs. salvation through legalistic observance of the Law.  These truths are just as important to us today as we seek to walk in the True Gospel and not be side-tracked or deceived by the world's viewpoint or by false teachers.

The main point is this- The Truth is that Jesus was crucified, "put to death as a criminal". (v1)

The 1st question is - "did you receive the Spirit" by keeping the Law or by believing and trusting this Truth? (v2)
The 2nd question is - "do you think you can reach the goal under your own power" ( by keeping the whole law)  or do you need the Holy Spirit?  (v3)
The 3rd question is this - Does God supply you with the Holy Spirit and do miracles because you keep the Law or because "you trust in what you heard and are faithful to it?" (v5)

Paul uses the example of Abraham to show that the promises of God were given because of Abraham's faith, not because of the Law that came 430 years later.  Therefore Paul says....righteousness is only attained by those who trust God and are faithful to Him.

The Law cannot do that:
The Law explains what sin is.
The Law has the purpose of shutting "all men under sin". Revealing that we are all sinners.
The Law was never able to make anyone "righteous".

Jesus came under the curse that was placed on every one who could not keep ALL of the Law.
He paid the full penalty.
He completed the work of the Father in "trusting faithfulness";  -"so that we might be declared righteous on the ground of trusting and being faithful." 

This is Good News!  This the true Gospel - "For in union with the Messiah, you are all children of God through this trusting faithfulness; because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah in whom there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor freeman, neither male nor female, for in union with the Messiah Yeshua, you are all one. " ( v26-28)
It is all about Jesus!

Father in heaven, You are greater and more wonderful than our minds can conceive or our tongues can tell!  The perfect work of salvation through Jesus Christ is so amazing and gracious.. so beyond anything we could ever imagine or think up on our own. We are so thankful!  Thank you for sending Your Spirit to lead us continually into the Truth and protect us from the evil one who is always looking for ways to deceive us.  Let Your people declare the Good News of Jesus Christ that others will trust in Him and be saved.  In His mighty and wonderful name we pray. Amen.

Galatians 1-2 The writer is Paul, who says he "received [his] commission not from human beings or through human mediation but through Yeshua ( Jesus) the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.. " 

The church in Galatia consisted of Gentile converts.  They were being influenced and pressured by Jewish legalists who were trying to force them to convert to Judaism so they could be true Christians.
Paul calls this a "false gospel".   Paul denounces this version( and any other version)  of the Good News vehemently - "if anyone announces 'Good News' contrary to what you received, let him be under a curse forever!"

There is only one true gospel.. Paul asserts,  the gospel received  directly from Jesus Himself. (v11)
He states that when God "who had set me apart, even from my mother's womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him... "  he did not consult with anyone else.. not even the apostles in Jerusalem .

Paul was sent to the Gentiles to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Even though he was Jewish, and he continued to be Jewish, he knew it was not right for Gentiles to be forced into a different culture and religion, nor to become legalistic followers of the Torah, in order to be saved. That would NOT be Good News!

Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, whether one is a Jew or Gentile.. "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even so we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ... " ( 2:16)  Paul asserts.. there is no other way.

It boils down to this confession, " I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me, and delivered Himself up for Me."   The Complete Jewish Bible puts it this way, " When Messiah was executed on the stake as a criminal, I was too; so that my proud ego no longer lives.  But the Messiah lives in me, and the life I now live in my body I live by the same trusting faithfulness that the Son of God had, who loved me and gave Himself for me." 

The Good News.. the Gospel of Jesus Christ.. must not be perverted or contaminated or lessened by our culture or viewpoint.  The good news is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God was executed on a stake.. on the cross, to pay the penalty for sin, for our sins.. so that we might be justified - rendered innocent - in the sight of our God.  Jesus died, was buried in a tomb for 3 days and rose again. He finished the work that the Father gave Him.  Through trusting in Him we are saved. Period.  That is Good News!

Father in heaven, we bless Your Name and give You glory and honor for You alone are God.  We come to You in the name of our Savior and King, Jesus Christ, who died for us, who has purchased our salvation, who has made us Your children.. O what glorious grace!  Let us proclaim the True Gospel and rejoice in You alone!  We desire to love You fully and to walk in Truth and Light.  Guide us today in all we do and say.. fill us Holy Spirit we pray, in Jesus name. Amen.

Judges 17-21  These last chapters of Judges show the depths of sin that had filled the land of Israel.  Over and over again we are reminded of this, " At that time there was no king in Israel; a man simple did whatever he thought was right." (17:6; 21:23) But, God said, "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, even man doing what is right in his own eyes."  (Deuteronomy 12:8)

They had turned to idols.  They had forsaken God.  They had forgotten that their Lord, Adonai, was their only true King.  They totally failed to do what He commanded.

In chapter 17 we read that a man named Milkah created his own "house of God";  hired his own priest; and set up his own altar, made his own god.  But, God said, "You shall not make for yourself an idol.. you shall not worship them or serve them..." Exodus 20:4-5

In chapter 18 we read the the tribe of Dan decided to go take over some land for themselves; stole the idols, took the priest; and attacked a quiet, peaceful town, and established their own city. But, God said, "You shall not steal" and "You shall not covet.." Exodus 20:15; 17

In chapter 19 we read about a Levite man who took a woman from Judah to be his concubine.  When she was unfaithful and ran back to her father's house, he went to get her.  After being delayed by the father, they finally head home.  However they ended up in a town in the territory belonging to the tribe of Benjamin.  Here some "good-for-nothings" come after the man as he stayed in the home of an old man from that city.  They acted like the men from Sodom at the time of Lot.  The man, lets them have his concubine.. and she is raped, abused, and killed.  He sacrificed his own wife.. he was just as bad as those who came after him...    He takes her home, cuts up her body and sends a piece of her to each tribe in Israel.  "Everyone who saw it said, 'From the day the people of Israel came up from Egypt until now, never has such a thing happened or been seen.'"  God said, "You shall not murder."

In chapter 20 we read that all of Israel gathered to get the facts about the situation.. which the Levite calls a "shockingly obscene and degrading crime in Israel."  A battle between the tribe of Benjamin and the rest of Israel begins.  Eventually, Benjamin is defeated and the town where the wickedness happened was destroyed.

In chapter 21 we read how the people of Israel twisted things around so that the remaining men from Benjamin could have wives and remain as a tribe in Israel.

They were doing what was right in their own eyes. And it was horrible! Abuse, murder, idolatry, immorality, perversion... the complete opposite of what their God had called them to be.. "Be holy" He had said.  "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice and by holding fast to Him, for this is your life and the length of your days that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your 
fathers..." ( Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

They chose death.  They chose the curse. They had sunk to the depths of the nations that God had judged and delivered them from.

Today, as we read and watch the news, we cannot help but observe that our country is falling into the same sins as Israel did those many years ago.  Our nation is choosing death.. choosing immorality.. choosing false religions and evil ideologies.  We will not escape the judgement of God.

 Romans 1:25-32 makes it so clear, "For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason, God gave them over to degrading passions... and just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustful, unloving, unmerciful.... " 

Father in heaven, holy and infinite God, the only God- who rules over all of heaven and all of the earth, we praise and hallow Your Name.  We, who call on Your Name, choose life and blessing, through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Heal our land, forgive our sins, bring repentance and revival to this nation.  Deliver us from those bent on evil.  Close the abortion mills. Stop those who traffic in sex slavery.  Change the thinking of those who promote immorality and cleanse us!  We see all too many who believe that it is ok to do what is right in their own eyes and have no idea that You even exist.  Lord God, let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Help us we pray..  in Jesus' name. Amen.