Hello! I'm returning to the real world today. Actually going to school and then returning to work after 4 days off. I'm honestly kind of ready just because being lazy isn't my thing. It's nice for a day...if that, and then I get extremely bored. As much as I think I hate going going going I think I actually enjoy it.
Galatians 6
I'm kind of sad to be finishing this book in the Bible. I've really enjoyed it. It's actually the first time I've read it so it's nice getting this all fresh and seeing it for the first time.
Chapter 6 I listened to with Walker on the way to Fort Worth to meet up with a friend. I remember how much I loved the first part, so when I decided to reread I was excited to study it again.
Doing Good to All
I absolutely love this part. It mentions helping others, but being extremely cautious towards them. Chances are if you're helping someone they're in a state of trouble and trouble is easily passed on. We are meant to carry our burdens and help others with theirs as well. That's a big thing to ask, but what makes it the hardest is avoiding catching onto other's negativity/sadness/anger while helping. We are called to be humble, which means keeping a level head while helping others. People want you to feel their feelings, but people need people to keep them down-to-earth.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9.
I absolutely adore this verse. What's funny is I sent this same one to Walker when he was having a tough day at work, then it was mentioned in the service we watched together, and now I'm studying the chapter. Something tells me that this verse is not only meant for Walker, but myself as well.
And then the chapter goes into circumcision...which I always find a bit awkward...maybe it's because I haven't had a child or anything yet, who knows. I do like that it basically says it doesn't matter if you are or aren't, in the end it matters about what you're doing/saying/telling/etc.
So now that I'm finished with Galatians I'm not sure what I'm going to read, but I'm thinking of trying the old testament..maybe.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
My Journey Through Galatians: Chapter 5.
Sorry for the lack of posting. I have been keeping up with my daily reading, I just haven't had time to come back here and post. It's nice though, coming back on what I've read recently and getting to revisit it again. Every time I read the Bible I find something new or look at something in a new way, it almost challenges me to look more for what God has to say to me.
Also, today is my 20th birthday! No big plans today, the past 3 days I've been going going going it feels like so definitely getting some much needed rest in before I return to work today.
Galatians 5
Freedom in Christ
These verses (1-12) are really fantastic. They remind you that you are in fact, free. Anyone/anything that makes you feel weighted down, or overfull, is not what God wanted for your life and to be tricked into stress by these things is foolish. And as a good reminder, your actions speak louder than words and titles.
Life by the Spirit
This is so great, basically covering the basic things you learn in elementary, treat others how you want to be treated. But it goes so much more into it, reminding us that we were put on this earth to love and support each other. Without that, we also have a gift of being able to tear each other apart. Not really a gift, but ability I guess.
In this, we are also retold that we cannot simply do whatever we want. That will lead to our demise and unhappiness. Let's be real, when we make our own impatient decisions, how often do they turn out fantastically?
And finally, it compares what actions of the flesh give vs. actions of following the law give. The differences make it a very obvious choice as to what we should want to do, but if only it was that easy every day to follow so strictly in that.
The awesome thing about all of this is God forgives, and growth is possible.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Also, today is my 20th birthday! No big plans today, the past 3 days I've been going going going it feels like so definitely getting some much needed rest in before I return to work today.
Galatians 5
Freedom in Christ
These verses (1-12) are really fantastic. They remind you that you are in fact, free. Anyone/anything that makes you feel weighted down, or overfull, is not what God wanted for your life and to be tricked into stress by these things is foolish. And as a good reminder, your actions speak louder than words and titles.
Life by the Spirit
This is so great, basically covering the basic things you learn in elementary, treat others how you want to be treated. But it goes so much more into it, reminding us that we were put on this earth to love and support each other. Without that, we also have a gift of being able to tear each other apart. Not really a gift, but ability I guess.
In this, we are also retold that we cannot simply do whatever we want. That will lead to our demise and unhappiness. Let's be real, when we make our own impatient decisions, how often do they turn out fantastically?
And finally, it compares what actions of the flesh give vs. actions of following the law give. The differences make it a very obvious choice as to what we should want to do, but if only it was that easy every day to follow so strictly in that.
The awesome thing about all of this is God forgives, and growth is possible.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Saturday, October 26, 2013
My Journey Through Galatians: Chapter 4
Good morning! Finally getting to do this in the morning and comprehend has me feeling much better, and I really enjoyed this chapter.
Galatians 4
In Galatians 4 it really seems like Paul is beginning to worry that the message he's trying to spread among the Galatians is not sinking in, not affecting them in this chapter. They continue to go on and live normal and to live for others or themselves instead of Jesus.
I got affected by this a lot while in a manger position over the summer, I lived to make my bosses happy, but never to make God happy. I was going to them for advice constantly instead of God, leaving me with unknown feelings. That time in my life was so stressful, but it was a simple reason: I was living to please people rather than God. It is impossible to please people all of the time, and God as well, but the mercy of God is what makes the difference between the two.
People want you to like them, for you to be on their side. Just as much as I wanted them to like me I'm sure they wanted to come off as a good boss, maybe even the favorite. I'm not saying my bosses are awful people that caused me this terrible time, in the end that was my own fault because I was living to please them.
"Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you." Galatians 4:17-18
Galatians 4
In Galatians 4 it really seems like Paul is beginning to worry that the message he's trying to spread among the Galatians is not sinking in, not affecting them in this chapter. They continue to go on and live normal and to live for others or themselves instead of Jesus.
I got affected by this a lot while in a manger position over the summer, I lived to make my bosses happy, but never to make God happy. I was going to them for advice constantly instead of God, leaving me with unknown feelings. That time in my life was so stressful, but it was a simple reason: I was living to please people rather than God. It is impossible to please people all of the time, and God as well, but the mercy of God is what makes the difference between the two.
People want you to like them, for you to be on their side. Just as much as I wanted them to like me I'm sure they wanted to come off as a good boss, maybe even the favorite. I'm not saying my bosses are awful people that caused me this terrible time, in the end that was my own fault because I was living to please them.
"Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you." Galatians 4:17-18
Friday, October 25, 2013
My Journey Through Galatians: Chapter 3 Part 2
Sadly I'm doing this at the end of my day, it's just been so busy from opening to having lunch with a friend and dinner with Walker's family and I'm just now getting to sit down.
Galatians 3:15-29
So while reading this half over again I realized this half is definitely the more confusing side. I have a hard time keeping up with whether they're talking about the law of God or the law of men, and a verse didn't really stick out to me and grab me like normal which is making me a little upset.
But I did get a good message in the end, a nice refresher, we are all God's children. Whether you accept it or not, He loves us. Those people that I have a hard time tolerating, God loves just as much as me. They're my brother/sister in Christ, and I must start treating people like that.
As I continue reading the Bible and doing these blog posts I see my days change, nothing miraculous, but it's me. God is changing me. And I am so very thankful.
Galatians 3:15-29
So while reading this half over again I realized this half is definitely the more confusing side. I have a hard time keeping up with whether they're talking about the law of God or the law of men, and a verse didn't really stick out to me and grab me like normal which is making me a little upset.
But I did get a good message in the end, a nice refresher, we are all God's children. Whether you accept it or not, He loves us. Those people that I have a hard time tolerating, God loves just as much as me. They're my brother/sister in Christ, and I must start treating people like that.
As I continue reading the Bible and doing these blog posts I see my days change, nothing miraculous, but it's me. God is changing me. And I am so very thankful.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
My Journey Through Galatians: Chapter 3 Part 1.
I'm splitting this up because I feel slightly overwhelmed with how many directions this chapter seems to go in...maybe it's just me but I feel like split in half, it covers two different topics and I want to make sure I spend enough time on each.
Galatians 3:1-14
I opened at work this morning, meaning I woke up at 4:30 or 5ish. I still made time to listen to this chapter, but lets be real, I wasn't at my fullest while listening. Once I got home from work I listened again and realized how much this chapter entailed. In the first half verse 12 stuck out to me saying: "The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, 'The person who does these things will live by them.'"
As I post these on here, I also share them on tumblr. Yesterday while checking my tumblr (I was about to post over the second chapter) I saw I had a message..which rarely happens. I opened it and it said something along the lines of me needing to step it up because I'm a Christian living with my fiance. I typed out a reply with a little bit of anger, but then decided it wasn't worth it. I felt really convicted, I know what I'm doing isn't right, but we are taking the steps to right it by getting married and spending time with God and learning how to make Him the foundation of our marriage. Funny enough my devotion of the day was about letting go of the past, and realizing God forgives you.
It applied to me completely because I feel that one day me and Walker will be so strong in our marriage and relationship with God that this part of our life will have to be something we let go of. I'm not sure how much sense that makes to others, but all I know is once I prayed about it and really earnestly thought of ways to fix it, we are doing what we can. No, I'm not going to move out of this apartment or force Walker to when we will be living together again in a year. And honestly if we push each other to grow like we have been, this might end up being a positive thing we can teach our children about as a lesson.
Then I read this this morning. When I read this, I feel I can apply it once again to my situation and personal conviction. The biggest part of this when it talks about the law is that it does not allow change. You are what you are, and you'll never be anything better. On the contrary, God says he forgives and even in the wrongness he allows growth and the ability to be better.
I'm not trying to justify the way that I'm living, but if you read this with any judgment on myself or my relationship, know that myself and Walker are taking the steps to better our relationship and lay a sold foundation for our marriage that can only be in God.
Galatians 3:1-14
I opened at work this morning, meaning I woke up at 4:30 or 5ish. I still made time to listen to this chapter, but lets be real, I wasn't at my fullest while listening. Once I got home from work I listened again and realized how much this chapter entailed. In the first half verse 12 stuck out to me saying: "The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, 'The person who does these things will live by them.'"
As I post these on here, I also share them on tumblr. Yesterday while checking my tumblr (I was about to post over the second chapter) I saw I had a message..which rarely happens. I opened it and it said something along the lines of me needing to step it up because I'm a Christian living with my fiance. I typed out a reply with a little bit of anger, but then decided it wasn't worth it. I felt really convicted, I know what I'm doing isn't right, but we are taking the steps to right it by getting married and spending time with God and learning how to make Him the foundation of our marriage. Funny enough my devotion of the day was about letting go of the past, and realizing God forgives you.
It applied to me completely because I feel that one day me and Walker will be so strong in our marriage and relationship with God that this part of our life will have to be something we let go of. I'm not sure how much sense that makes to others, but all I know is once I prayed about it and really earnestly thought of ways to fix it, we are doing what we can. No, I'm not going to move out of this apartment or force Walker to when we will be living together again in a year. And honestly if we push each other to grow like we have been, this might end up being a positive thing we can teach our children about as a lesson.
Then I read this this morning. When I read this, I feel I can apply it once again to my situation and personal conviction. The biggest part of this when it talks about the law is that it does not allow change. You are what you are, and you'll never be anything better. On the contrary, God says he forgives and even in the wrongness he allows growth and the ability to be better.
I'm not trying to justify the way that I'm living, but if you read this with any judgment on myself or my relationship, know that myself and Walker are taking the steps to better our relationship and lay a sold foundation for our marriage that can only be in God.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
My Journey Through Galatians: Chapter 2.
Galatians 2
Yesterday I was talking about the importance of searching and reading through verses and finding the message God wanted us to get from it. Isn't it crazy that in every verse there is advice/hope/guidance? Just something that made me really think!
Anyways, the verse that really got me was verse 14: "When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, 'You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?'" People know I'm a Christian, by my tattoos and by my occasional post on twitter or facebook about how good God is. But that isn't enough. Honestly if you saw me on a day-to-day basis and only judged me off of that, I'm not too certain what you would see. Maybe some hints of God's wisdom every now and then, but you would also so judgment onto others and me being impatient.
I sometimes wonder why it is so hard for people to love God and to really "get it" if that makes sense. But if you look at the Christian examples there are so many that don't live up to the name, myself included. Also with the radicals on TV with the "God hates fags" signs, our image has been soiled. It is so easy to look at those groups and say they give Christians a bad name, but what are we doing in our daily lives to make sure we give Christians a good name, and show the love of God?
If you really want to move others and show them God you have to let him shine through you. That means being stronger than the anger/anxiety/sadness, and instead showing peace and love.
Yesterday I was talking about the importance of searching and reading through verses and finding the message God wanted us to get from it. Isn't it crazy that in every verse there is advice/hope/guidance? Just something that made me really think!
Anyways, the verse that really got me was verse 14: "When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, 'You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?'" People know I'm a Christian, by my tattoos and by my occasional post on twitter or facebook about how good God is. But that isn't enough. Honestly if you saw me on a day-to-day basis and only judged me off of that, I'm not too certain what you would see. Maybe some hints of God's wisdom every now and then, but you would also so judgment onto others and me being impatient.
I sometimes wonder why it is so hard for people to love God and to really "get it" if that makes sense. But if you look at the Christian examples there are so many that don't live up to the name, myself included. Also with the radicals on TV with the "God hates fags" signs, our image has been soiled. It is so easy to look at those groups and say they give Christians a bad name, but what are we doing in our daily lives to make sure we give Christians a good name, and show the love of God?
If you really want to move others and show them God you have to let him shine through you. That means being stronger than the anger/anxiety/sadness, and instead showing peace and love.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
My Journey Through Galatians: Chapter 1.
To give you a quick insight as to why I'm doing this particularly and why Galatians: I haven't been spending enough time in the word. My life has been rocky and unstable for the past few months, and after watching a sermon yesterday I realized exactly why. The pastor talked a lot about Galatians and it being a chapter I've never read before I figured I'd give it a try. I'm hoping to get one of these up every day and teach myself obedience and the importance of making time for God in my day.
Galatians 1
The verse that stuck out to me most in this is verse 10 which said "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." That's a heavy verse to me because I'm a known people pleaser and I thought my main purpose on earth was to love others and make people happy. The thing about it is, people will always let you down, intentionally or not. To serve people of this world rather than God leaves you with a feeling of emptiness and questions on how you're doing. By serving God you feel his love and guidance, whether you take the right or wrong step, he is there with you and is willing to help you.
Now I'm not saying never ever help others or serve them, but instead it's in a different manner. Your day does not depend on their outcome or the people's opinions, but rather the thoughts of God you feel throughout the day. When you serve God you get a clearer message on how you're doing and you always feel love, whereas people can puzzle you. Why would you lean towards something with uncertainty?
Work for God and love others, share His love rather than your own love.
Galatians 1
The verse that stuck out to me most in this is verse 10 which said "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." That's a heavy verse to me because I'm a known people pleaser and I thought my main purpose on earth was to love others and make people happy. The thing about it is, people will always let you down, intentionally or not. To serve people of this world rather than God leaves you with a feeling of emptiness and questions on how you're doing. By serving God you feel his love and guidance, whether you take the right or wrong step, he is there with you and is willing to help you.
Now I'm not saying never ever help others or serve them, but instead it's in a different manner. Your day does not depend on their outcome or the people's opinions, but rather the thoughts of God you feel throughout the day. When you serve God you get a clearer message on how you're doing and you always feel love, whereas people can puzzle you. Why would you lean towards something with uncertainty?
Work for God and love others, share His love rather than your own love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)