Not a slave to sin - Galatians 4

In Galatians 4:4-7 it says, “4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.[b] 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c] Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir”.

To me this is the best news in that chapter! Abba Father actually means “Daddy”. We need to call out to the God Almighty like he is our Daddy…because HE IS! How amazing and wonderful is that? The King of Kings is our father. He is the biggest celebrity in the world and yet he loves us enough to send his son Jesus to die for us so we don’t have to be slaves. What a blessing that is!

It goes on to talk about Hagar and Sarah. It says, “21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.

24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:

“Be glad, barren woman,

    you who never bore a child;

shout for joy and cry aloud,

    you who were never in labor;

because more are the children of the desolate woman

    than of her who has a husband.”[e]

28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”[f] 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman”.

We are free! Thank you Jesus for paying the ultimate price for us! This chapter really made me smile just knowing that we have a precious Father who loves us so much. We are truly blessed! This really enjoyed this chapter. It just makes you think of how amazing our Father is.

What does this chapter mean to you?

Reading Thru God's Word - Divine Mentor

Reading God's Word (March 11, 2016)

Deuteronomy 17:18
When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself
on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites.

God is giving instructions for a King that would rule over Israel in the future.
God wanted the King of Israel, to labor over parchment with a pen and to make a personal copy of the law of Israel for himself.  This shows that God wanted the word of God to be on the hearts of His rulers.  God also wanted the word of God to be a constant companion of the King of Israel and something he would read everyday.  By staying in the word the King was intended to build a reverence for God, to stay humble and not to think of himself as above those he ruled over.

As a follower of Christ, we are to be in God's Word daily.  Being in God's Word allows us to plug into God's power.  God shows us thru His Word that the impossible can become possible.  If anyone is serious about changing their life, you are going to have to get into the Bible.  You will need to read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it and apply it.  Daily just like the Kings of Israel we are to fill our minds with the truth of God's Word.  The reason, to make us more like Jesus Christ.

Church isn't a show...

I saw this image today and wanted to share. I feel like this is so true. In my opinion there are people in this world that think they are doing everything right, they want everyone to join them on their  journey and to make things as perfect as possible for show and attention. To me, the only thing that is perfect is Jesus Christ. Church is not for show. It is a place for sinners to come together to worship and praise the God who gave us life and forgiveness! We don't need to expect things to be handed to us or that we are owed anything. We definitely are not worthy of such things! We fall short everyday. The most important thing is to worship for the glory of God and to understand that the Lord is with us always. Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we are able to have life and a way into Heaven. When you are in church, just think about how great it is that God Almighty is right there with all of us. He loves us and wants a relationship with us. The biggest celebrity in the world knows our name and cares so deeply for each of us.  How amazing and wonderful is that?!

God Has an Incredible Resume - Divine Mentor Reading Plan - Debbie McGrath

Divine Mentor - March 9 - Deuteronomy 10-12, Mark 16

Powerful reading in the chapters of Deuteronomy.

I loved the verse Deut. 11:2
Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the Lord your God:his majesty, his mighty hand, his outstretched hand.

Moses was speaking to the Israelites reminding them that they saw and they experienced the love and wrath of God.  He spoke to the generation that should know and remember.  Moses even reminded them thru scripture of the mighty acts of God they had witnessed.  Moses called this generation to remember what God did in their history and to teach their children.

Today, we need to be reminded to look back on our journey and see what great and miraculous acts God has done in our lives.  It is so easy to look back and be more concerned with what we have accomplished professionally and personally.  This is what the world teaches.  This is how many determine if they have been successful.  But God wants us to look at history and see what He has done and what he promises for our future.  We learn far more and are more more benefited, by looking what at what God has done, rather than looking at what we have accomplished.

Lord, I pray that today, I set me my mind on things above and not on earthly things!  Colossians 3:2

15 Prayers Every Christian Should Pray by Sarah from Ask in the Desert

How do you pray? Do you find it hard to pray during the ups and downs of life? I think we all have moments like that, as we are not perfect. I feel that this list of prayers is a good helping tool for anyone who is in need.

God is always listening. He may seem quiet at times but he never leaves us. He is always present in our lives and is always working on the good things for us. So if you are unsure what to pray during this time in your life or maybe you do not know how to say what is in your mind, find the list below. I pray that this list will help you.

1.     Let me boast in what you have done for me NOT what I think I’ve done for you.

2.     Help me to see the fullness of my sin so that I might seek the fullness of your love, knowing you alone can save.

3.     Lord, my heart longs for control, I want only for me. Change my desires Lord so that my will would be yours. 

4.   Give my soul a mirror, that I might see who I really am, not who I believe myself to be.

5.   Give me the strength to resist unbelief.

6.     Teach me to surrender to your plans, instead of imposing my plans upon you.

7.     Teach me to see your glory in everything around me, and let me appreciate what you have made.

8.     Let me understand a little bit more of your love every day.

9.     Turn my sinful anger into empathy and understanding.

10. Turn my apathy towards sin into righteous anger.

11. Let my life show how much love you have for your people.

12. Let me live today, for today. Not worrying my soul, trying to control the world around me to a degree that is sinful.

13. Teach me to trust you, in every part of my life. Not just the parts that are convenient to me.

14. Let me know your true character, not be fooled by only seeing “what I want to see” in you.

15. Let my soul feel the depth of what you did for me on the cross, and in your resurrection.

Struggling in your Prayer Life? Anne Graham Lotz

Are you struggling in your prayer life? Making time for prayer? Knowing how to pray? Or in getting answers to prayer? 

One of the greatest privileges we have in Jesus Christ is the privilege of actively communicating with the God of Heaven. Yet Daniel 10 reveals even great men of God struggle in prayer. 

Prayer is the single greatest struggle of my Christian life. I wrestle IN prayer and I wrestle WITH prayer. But I am learning to persevere. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres.” According to Hebrews 11:27, Moses “persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.” Listen to me. Pray! Pray when you feel like it. Pray when you don’t feel like it. 

Through prayer we see God with the eyes of our heart – and it makes the struggle worth it. Persevere in prayer!  Anne Graham Lotz

There's no elevator to success take the stairs by Charlotte Gambil.

THERE’S NO ELEVATOR TO SUCCESS, TAKE THE STAIRS! 

Here’s a thought for you today! Just in case you are tempted to spend this year looking for the short cut or the elevator to get you to where your heart desires; can I save you some time and suggest you take the stairs. Stairs are your friend in 2016, each step you take builds more strength into your story. 

The staircase will teach you the value of journey and the lessons in your progress. Yes climbing stairs can be tiring and at times tedious but it’s the way you sustain the very things your dreaming of attaining. Anything that flings you forward can also throw you backwards. Stairs keep your momentum consistent and the ground you gain becomes established. Don’t waste months or more years of your life trying to leap where you should learn to climb. Don’t wish away your days, when you can take the same energy and take more steps. God will promote, bless, bring favor but I have found that always happens for me on the staircase that I have already committed to take. He can bring you new landings you weren’t expecting, amazing opportunities at different levels, new relationships as you climb. These are all things you miss in an elevator, that only has one direction and often no view of anything greater than its own confined space. 

The elevator only teaches you how to press a button, limiting your capacity inside its own ability. The elevator decides your journey and limits who can get in with you at any floor without your approval. If all you’re concerned with is arriving then sure the elevator may appeal, but if your desire is to achieve great things then the staircase is your friend. So maybe renew your commitment to those stairs this year. Let the steps you take be the success you seek and you will find you go a lot further than you thought possible. See you on the staircase!