LIBERTY! FREEDOM!
Today’s Reading: Galatians 5-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Ruins of the theatre of ancient Pergamos, one of the seven cities of Revelation (Rev. 2:12-17), located in north-western Turkey. Galatia is not far from here.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision or uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
The word “circumcision” is used in one form or another 10 times in today’s reading. I think Paul wants us to pay attention! The practice of circumcision was the most unique demand of the Law. The Jewish man was set aside in this way from all other men. Paul, himself, would have been circumcised, as was Jesus, on the eighth day after His birth. Dr. Nelles Silverthorne, renowned pediatrician, said on a 100 Huntley Street telecast that on the eighth day of a child’s life, the blood congeals more quickly than at any other time. God, who initiated this practice, chose the right day of a boy’s life. In today’s reading, Paul addresses those who wanted to convert non-Jewish believers in Jesus into Jews and were insisting that men, whether they be 30 or 70, must go through this practice in order to be saved. This is why Paul, the Apostle of Jesus, made such a strong statement: “Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1). Both Jewish and non-Jewish believers in Jesus are a new creation. Jesus has changed lives and practices dramatically! What a glorious difference He makes!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I thank You for the liberty You bring. It’s fine for a non-Jew to remain as they are in terms of the outward physical sign of circumcision. I need Your Life in me to produce the outward manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit. This is Your new law! Help me to “through love serve one another,” and to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Thank You for reminding me through Paul that “all the law is fulfilled in one word, even this, you shall love your neighbour as yourself, but if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another” (Galatians 5:14-15). I pray that I will learn these lessons well. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
It’s amazing to me that the same kind of people who sought to put the Galatian men into bondage are still at it today. One of my grandsons, David Shaheen, once worked in a warehouse where he unloaded trucks from suppliers and then loads other trucks for distribution to the big box stores. His co-worker, a man in his 30’s, came in one day in great discomfort. He was obviously in some pain, and my grandson had to do work which had been shared between them in the past. Finally, my grandson learned the truth. This man from Latin America was in a cult that demanded men, non-Jews, to be circumcised in order to fulfill the Law. I wonder what Paul meant in Galatians 5:12 where he wrote, “I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!” Paul used very strong language to make his point absolutely clear.
Yours to encourage us to “stand fast, therefore, in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,”
David
Indeed, we “stand fast, therefore, in the liberty by which Christ has made us free.” Thank You Jesus, for giving Your life for us, that we might be forgiven, have salvation and offer forgiveness to others. Let us plant the seeds that others may come to know You. We worship and adore You, with all our hearts. Amen. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord.
I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.
Ecclesiastes 3:14 ESV
Lauren Daigle – You Say (Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8WK9HmF53w
Beautiful song with words. Thanks Beverlee. BEAUTIFUL day here in S Ontario too. Looking forward to dawning my mask and gloves 🧤 & walking 🚶♀️ in the Sonshine!! Blessings all.
I heard from my brother, Murray and he thanks you for your prayers. I think he felt them. He sure was appreciated. I thank you all too.
Thank you Lord.
Blessings all.
Thanks for the update Nan, I will continue to pray that Murray comes to the Lord for salvation.
Praise GOD!!
So glad to hear when Prayers are answered- especially, in such a positive way (from our human view, that is)….
Now this snowy, gray morning in Alberta seems more joy-filled.
Always enjoy Beverlee’s Music choice. Thank you.
Dear Saints,
Could you please pray for my friend Victoria–His hedge of protection over her. In Jesus’ precious Name. Amen. Thank you!
Dear lord, I also ask that you would create a hedge of protection around Victoria as Beverlee has asked. You know exactly what she needs at this time , so we leave her in your precious hands. In Jesus name amen. Eleanor M.
Amen. I prayed this prayer over Victoria. Again I say Amen.
Amen praying for Victoria.
Yes Lord she is in your hands In Jesus Name Amen.
Father, in Jesus Name, minister to Victoria in her need, according to Your Perfect Will. May she be aware that You are close and lean upon You in her hour of need. Amen.
Amen and amen.
Yes Lord- may You be a strong tower for Victoria to run into. May You be her fortress; her Protector.
Thank you to all who prayed for Victoria–Eleanor, Nan, HJR, Laur, Doreen and all who prayed but did not post. Also thinking of Ger, at this hour. Thank You Lord God, for You are great and greatly to be praised. Sweet dreams, fellow saints in the Lord. May angels whisper gently in your ears. ☽ 😇
Thank You, Lord, for Your beautiful Word. Help us all to live by it. May Your Word become flesh as we become doers and not just hearers. In Jesus’s name, amen
From Daily Light:
“The Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. § David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. § God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. § “I have certainly seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them.” … He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. § Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
He who promised is faithful. § Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? § Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. § The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Gen. 21:1; Ps. 62:8; 1 Sam. 30:6; Gen. 50:24; Acts 7:34, 36;
Josh. 21:45; Heb. 10:23; Num. 23:19; Matt. 24:35; Isa. 40:8
Amen Rob