Ephesians 2- Even our faith is a gift from God

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

...

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

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This is a great reminder that everything is truly from God.  Vs. 8 is one of my favorite passages because it clearly states that even the Faith required for me to believe in God's incredible plan has been gifted to me.  None of salvation is based on what I can do, but solely on what God has done.

Help me to be humble and trust that You are in control.

Ephesians 1- God works all things according to His will

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love

5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight

9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him

11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,

12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

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How incredible a passage.  I really wanted to copy the entire chapter in here.  Anyway, look at vs. 11... My wife was just telling me not to worry about the things at work, because ultimately God has a plan for my life.  It doesn't matter what decisions are made, NOTHING will take God by surprise.  He has a plan for me and if I allow Him to lead me I will be in His will!

Galatians 6- Boasting Only in Christ

14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

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My continual prayer is that I would be humble.  I have learned over the years that Pride is one of my sinful attitudes that I must constantly be watching, praying about and held accountable to.  I always viewed pride as arrogance, and I wasn't arrogant.  So I didn't think I had to worry about pride.  But the more I saw myself struggling with sin especially in professional relationships, God helped me understand these sins were based on the basic belief that I was better, smarter, more articulate or whatever. 

Now, I pray every day as I am heading to work, "Lord give me humility and help me to be a great Ambassador for Christ".  It has changed how I interact with my coworkers and boss.  It is still a struggle.  I am constantly reminded by the Holy Spirit, that I may not have all the answers, or that I just need to listen.

This section of Scripture reminds me that I do have one thing to be "proud" about...that God sent His Son to die in my place.  Jesus was the only acceptable sacrifice for all the despicable things that I have done.  Thank you Lord that you first loved me!

Galatians 5- Walk by the Spirit

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

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What an amazing picture. If we walk by the Spirit, we will not have an opportunity to pursue the things of this world. We should be so taken by what Christ has done in us, that we run to Him.

Paul brings us back to the Law here. The entire book of Galatians was written to counter the false teaching that we, as believers, must continue to keep the whole Old Testament Law. Paul is trying to instruct that we are saved by FAITH. It is only through the free gift of Salvation that we can be redeemed. Christ's death was the only acceptable sacrifice to God that could pay for our sin!

How incredible...

I am reminded by vs. 17 about the analogy of removing air from a container. What is the most complete way to remove air from a container? Fill it with something water! That is true for us if "air" is our sinful nature and the "water" is God's Spirit.

Are you allowing God to fill you?

Galatians 4- Heirs

3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.

4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

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What an incredible picture of adoption. We are lost in this world. We have on one looking out for our good. We wander around in desperation, trying to make sense of this life, to no avail. Then Christ takes hold of our lives. We discover that He is our redeemer! And when we receive that by Faith, we become adopted sons(and daughters) of God, with full rights to the fullness of His inheritance.

Galatians 3- Salvation by Faith Alone

5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are (K)sons of Abraham.

8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU."

9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM."

11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM."

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--

14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

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Galatians 2- Crucified with Christ

20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

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What a privilege we have that our flesh has been crucified. We no longer need to obey the fleshly desires. We must live by faith to experience God's power of transformation.

Galatians 1- Seeking God's Favor

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

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We are called to be imitators of Christ. Our examples for how to live like Christ include the apostles, like Paul. Now I look at this section of scripture and when I apply it to myself I am seeing the importance of doing everything for Christ's glory.

It would be easy to take this verse out of context and say that I do not have to please men (like my boss, local authorities, etc), however it is important that we understand this in regard to teaching false doctrine. I must do what my boss asks me (unless it is illegal, or against my convictions) because in doing so I am serving Christ!

This verse is about not changing the Gospel message. It is about protecting the important doctrine of Justification by faith, not works.

The book will go on to talk about the futility of the Old Testament Law. And as we see in Scripture time and again, the Law only brings proof that we are insufficient on our own and NEED CHRIST TO SAVE US!

II Corinthians 13- Our weakness, God's Strength

3 since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.

4 For indeed He was crucified because of [our] weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

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Thank God for His power. If everything were up to us, all we could possibly do it fail. We have to know this: in comparison to God's perfection every action we have is flawed. There is nothing we can do apart from Him that will bring Him Glory.

Now if that first paragraph is true, how amazing is it that God sent His Son, our Lord Jesus the Christ, to be our ransom?

II Corinthians 10- God's Approval

17 But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.

18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

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What a great reminder that we should be more concerned about what God wants in our lives than ourselves. We need to be humble. We need to give God the glory for anything good that has happened in life. It is truly only through Him that we are changed, only through Him we can do any good.

Lord, please help me to be humble. Help me to seek Your will only.

II Corinthians 9- Cheerful Giving

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

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This is the second chapter on giving from II Corinthians. This is truly important to God. Giving, whether it is our time, money or skills, is one of our opportunities to worship the Holy God who created us and everything in this world. The amazing thing is that God continues to provide for all that we need, even if we give sacrificially. That is giving to the point we feel it. It impacts our lives in a real way, not just giving what is left over at the end of the month.

Are you using the money, time and abilities that God gave you for the right things?

II Corinthians 7- Repentance

9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.

10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

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This is a great picture of the true repentance of salvation, but it is also the appropriate response to discipline. The discipline was never meant to break down, or discourage, but to wake us up out of our selfishness. To remind us that God is in control of every circumstance in life and that He has our best in mind. When we can escape the sinful, selfish tendencies we able to move beyond the discipline to see that we have Salvation!

Lord help me respond to Your Word in a manner that always brings me back to a thankful, humble attitude which will easily follow You in whatever you ask.

II Corinthians 6- Protecting Our Ministries

3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,

4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

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Paul as his fellow ministers worked hard in every aspect of life to ensure those evaluating their lives for legitimacy would only see nothing but proof of God's work in them. That required many times persecution, beatings and hunger (see following verses). However, they had one goal: To show Christ's work in transforming them into servants of God.

They ensured all things to present the saving work of Christ and make sure it was not discredited. We have the same responsibility today in our daily lives. Do we live up to the persecution of Paul's day? NO. But we have many opportunities to ruin our testimony. People will be rude to us, they will take our parking spot, cut us off in traffic and some will try to push us to the edge.

How are you "giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited"?

II Corinthians 4- God's Treasure

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;

9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
...
17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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Paul is pointing out that although we have been blessed beyond measure with salvation, we are replaceable. We will not be here forever, and all that God has done thorough us, is strictly that, GOD WORKING IN US. Not anything that we have done.

Then Vs. 8-9 talk about all the trials of life, when things are not going "our way". Then then end of the chapter Vs.17-18 remind us of the purpose of the trials. They have been allowed to influence our lives to continue to build the stockpile of treasure God has stored in us.

Salvation is incredible enough to marvel at continually, but we see here that God is building us up to become an acceptable sacrifice to Him one day when we see His face in Heaven!

Maranatha! (what?)

II Corinthians 3- Our Futility

4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.

5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

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While reading this passage I was encouraged that we can have confidence (as sinful as we continue to be while on earth) about our standing with God (vs 4).  But as I read the associated notes in my study Bible this is what I found about the Law:

"The letter kills in two ways: 1) it results in a living death.  Before Paul was converted, he thought he was saved by keeping the law, but all it did was kill his peace, joy and hope; and 2) it results in spiritual death.  His inability to truly keep the law sentenced him to eternal death.  Only Jesus Christ through the agency of the Holy Spirit can produce eternal life in one who believes."

So, not only is the law simply a measuring stick, but it's only purpose is to point our our inadequacy.  All our efforts are complete futility when measured up to God's standard.  That is the reason for Christ.  He is the only way to a relationship with God.

Now, back to vs.4...  Christ's death on the Cross for our sins gives us the ability to be reconciled, and because God Holy Word declares it, we have confidence through Christ! 

II Corinthians 2- Tough Love

4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

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If have read I Corinthians you will understand the "tough love" Paul needed to use with this church. Everything was done with incorrect heart attitude from taking the Lord's Supper to sexual sins. And the Corinthians were okay with it...

That is why Paul had to step in and correct their behavior. It didn't feel good at the time, but as Paul describes in this verse it was all in love. It was obvious that Paul spent much time in prayer and anguish over the situations, but his ultimate goal was to drive the Corinthians back to Christ.

Lord help me to use discipline appropriately and only in a pure and loving manner... but help me not to ignore to sin.

II Corinthians 1- Comforted to Serve

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

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What an encouragement to all of us who are being afflicted by circumstances we are in. The message here is that God will comfort us even at our most down-trodden times. Later in this chapter Paul was talking about being tormented to the point of wishing for death (vs 8). This is as low as you can get, but he reminds us that God will not leave you out to dry, but will comfort us to the point that we can even encourage others!

Thank You Lord for continually reminding me to have an out word focus and to serve others!

I Corinthians 16- Always Be Ready to Serve

13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

14 Let all that you do be done in love.

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Verse 13 is a command to be ready for any circumstance. But vs 14 is the descriptor in that is tells us how we should behave in "all that you do", in everything. What does it mean to do everything in love? We just read a few chapters ago:

4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails;...

To me that sounds a lot like serving. Serving God, serving Christ, serving family, friends. How about co-workers, your boss, the grocery store clerk, the bank teller? There truly is no limitation here. We were called to serve others and in so doing, share the Gospel of Christ!

What would the world think of Christians if we were known for serving? What would they think about Christ's saving grace? Are you serving those around you as Christ would?

I Corinthians 15- Our Sure Hope

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

54b "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

55 "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?"

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;

57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

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What an incredible time it will be when Christ returns for His bride... It could be any moment! What a day that will be, finally made perfect in every way. Eternity with Christ in Heaven. Worshiping constantly, ever in adoration. No opportunity to sin, only perfect living in holiness. Thank you Lord Jesus for the victory! Maranatha!