Discouraged by Galatians?

Discouraged by Galatians?

The Galatians owed Paul so much because he had given so much to them. Who were these Galatians and where did they live? Evidently the boundaries of Galatia extended to include those cities Paul visited on the first and second missionary journeys. The churches in Galatia and in many places were established in times of great trials. Paul had given so much of himself to them, even to the point of almost dying when they stoned him in Lystra. Just weeks after this horrid event, he returned to again preach in that city. He had given so much even to these churches, yet shortly after he departed from them, they were forsaking the Lord. Paul said, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ” (Gal. 1:6). With anguish in his heart, he asked the Christians in Galatia, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16).  When this happens, it is so easy to become discouraged.

Perhaps you have had these same feelings when you have given so much to teach others about Jesus. Then, with anguish in your heart you saw them rejecting Him. How do you deal with your broken spirit when you are giving so much? You watch them as they reject, not you, but the message of Jesus.

Even Jesus Himself experienced this in His life. You are not alone—they rejected Jesus. “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). When the rich young man came to Jesus and the Master told him what to do, “He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matt. 19:22). It was not Jesus who failed on that day, it was the rich young man!

Because of His teachings, Jesus was rejected by the Jewish nation. The Bible describes what happened as He approached Jerusalem in His triumphant entry. “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it” (Luke 19:41). He entered the city, and then said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing” (Matt. 23:37). It was not Jesus who failed, it was that nation who refused to listen to Him!

So even when your heart is filled with anguish because others will not respond to the words of Jesus you are showing them, do not become discouraged. Your heart weeps for them, just like Jesus’ heart was filled with grief because they rejected Him. However, this did not keep Him from telling others about the will of His Father. Do not become discouraged. Speak the truth; speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). When others refuse to obey, you have not failed—they did!

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Same-Sex Love the Basis of Marriage?

Is Same-Sex Love the Basis of Marriage?

Advocates of same-sex marriage use the following argument: “Love” experienced by heterosexuals is the same as “love” experienced by homosexuals. (“Love is love.”) And, (as Frank Sinatra sang) “Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage,”— that is, “love” is the basis for marriage. Therefore, all those who “love” (including same-sex “lovers”) have a right to marriage. Is love the basis of marriage?

In the play, Fiddler on the Roof, the idea that a man and a woman would get married because of “love” was opined as “a new style,” “radical,” and “a little crazy.” The notion prompted Tevye to ask Golde “Do you love me?” She had to wrestle with the answer because it never occurred to her that marriage would be based on such a notion since it wasn’t for them—they were “matched.”  The notion that “love” ought to replace “tradition” as the basis of marriage won out in the play and in western culture.

However, for the vast majority of human history—and even today in many countries of the world—marriage was not based on “love,” but the decision of parents, and they made their decision based upon their religious beliefs. In other words, God was the basis of marriage, not “love.”The Bible says, “Whatsoever God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6). This doesn’t mean that the married should not love one another. After all, God is love—but “love” is not God. Believers don’t worship “love;” they worship God. Love is a consequence of a God-based marriage, not the basis of it. To make “love” into God is idolatry. In marriage, the love of the heterosexual is God-based; the love of the homosexual is not. The two are not the same.

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Proverbs 31 – Virtuous Woman

Proverbs 31 – Virtuous Woman

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV)

Today is my amazing wife’s birthday. It just so happens, as I have been reading and blogging each day the chapter of Proverbs corresponding to the day of the month, that today I read what the inspired writer says about the virtuous woman and her value. Upon reading this, my thoughts immediately went to the virtuous woman who is sharing her life with me, and I with her, whom I value more than I have the words to describe!

Proverbs 31:10-31 describes the ideal Christian woman. Most ladies will not be able to live up to the ideal standard set here, but many are not far off and continue to grow into that ideal! My bride included. God here sets forth a picture of the mature Christian woman who is committed primarily to Him, but also is fully committed to her husband and children. The spectrum of her commitment begins with God carries on through with her commitment to husband, children, household, the needy and finally, to herself. She is industrious in the home, in business, and in benevolence. She genuinely cares about the needs of others more than her own needs. She is never a detriment to the reputation of her God, her husband, her children, or her community. In fact, she truly is an asset to anything she involves herself with. If she works outside of the home, she is a praiseworthy employee. When she returns home, still she garners praise for the way she upholds the home. When she involves herself in community service, she truly shines. And through her light, all can see Christ living in her.

The ideal Christian woman is blessed spiritually by her God, blessed by her children for the example and guidance she provided them and by her husband for her virtue. He continues to bless her for the inner beauty he sees in her, a beauty that age will not lessen, a beauty that sickness will not diminish, a beauty that grows more precious with age, a beauty he cherishes increasingly as the years of their shared life go by.

Read Proverbs 31:10-31; Titus 2:1-4

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Not Many Mighty and Noble

Not Many Mighty and Noble

The words of Paul to the Corinthians reveal so much about the response to the gospel when the lost hear it. “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Cor. 2:26). Why is this true? All of mankind is invited to come to Jesus, but so many of the mighty and noble do not answer the invitation. Much can be learned by looking at those who were mighty or noble who did respond.

There were those whom the Bible describes as noble who did respond. John chapter four describes a nobleman who lived in Capernaum and traveled more than twenty miles to see Jesus in Cana. His child was dying, and he begged Jesus to come and heal his son. Jesus told him to return home for his son would be healed. “So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went on his way” (John 4:50). Read it carefully. Unlike most who are noble and do not respond, this man responded because he believed the word of Jesus. Every noble man who believes and obeys the teaching of Jesus will be saved. Those who do not will be lost—not because they are noble but because they fail to listen to Jesus.

What about the mighty? The mighty are those whose position in life has placed them above others. An example of this would be centurions, the Roman officers who commanded a hundred soldiers. Why is it that some centurions responded and realized who Jesus was?

Matthew chapter eight and Luke chapter seven describe a centurion who lived in Capernaum. He had used his own money to build a synagogue for the Jews. He sent the elders among the Jews to ask Jesus to heal his sick servant. As Jesus approached his house, the centurion gave this message to Jesus. “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.” He was a mighty man but realized the Mighty One. He said, “I did not think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

How did Jesus describe this mighty man?  The Lord turned to that crowd who was following Him and said, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel” (Luke 7:9). Why did this man, this powerful soldier, find such favor from the Lord? His great faith was verbalized when he said that all that was needed was for Jesus to simply say the word. Mighty men whose hearts respond to the words of Jesus will be among those who are called and become the chosen (Matt. 22:14).

The gospel is for all mankind, but only those who are humble enough to listen to the words of Jesus will become the chosen people of God.

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Grumpy Cat

Grumpy Cat

…I received a Grumpy Cat desk calendar. Grumpy Cat is a popular internet figure celebrated for her frowny face and angry eyes. She made her debut on the Internet in 2012. Sadly, she passed away in 2019. What made Grumpy Cat famous was her apparent grumpy attitude paired with the word “No.” Many find Grumpy Cat funny because she represents negative personalities in a humorous way. We all know people like Grumpy Cat, and maybe we have demonstrated such attitudes at one time or another. grumpy cat

It may be humorous occasionally to be facetiously grumpy, but one certainly wouldn’t want to develop a lifestyle of such behavior. First, such a lifestyle is contrary to God’s word. The Christian’s life should be characterized by joy (Philippians 4:4) and brotherly love (Hebrews 13:1). Those two attitudes alone are enough to dispel grumpiness. Second, grumpiness tends to push other people out of one’s life. I suppose that one might find a fellow grump in the vein of the misery-loves-company tradition, but eventually, that will end, and the grump will find himself or herself alone. (It’s never good to build relationships  upon common “enemies.”) Christians are not isolationists (Acts 2:42). Third, grumpiness isn’t wise. Proverbs 15:13 says, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Eventually, one will become a victim of one’s own grumpiness and become depressed.

It is worth the effort to seek to be cheerful and not to indulge grumpiness. I suppose everyone has grumpy moments (that’s what coffee is for), but let’s not let those moments become a lifestyle. Rather, let’s seek to lift one another up with words of graciousness and a cheerful disposition (Romans 12:8).

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