Tag Archives: Paul

You are your brother’s keeper (1 Corinthians 8), Mar 23, 2015

Today’s Podcast

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Corinthians 8
Set – Joshua 17; 1 Corinthians 8
Go! – Joshua 15-17; 1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 8
¹ As to the concern of eating food dedicated to idols: we know that all of us have knowledge, but knowledge can be risky. Knowledge promotes overconfidence and worse arrogance, but charity of the heart (love, that is) looks to build up others. ² Just because a person presumes to have some bit of knowledge, that person doesn’t necessarily have the right kind of knowledge. ³ But if someone loves God, it is certain that God has already known that one.

⁴ So to address your concerns about eating food offered to idols, let me start with what we know. An idol is essentially nothing, as there is no other God but the One. ⁵ And even if the majority believes there are many so-called gods in heaven and on earth (certainly many worship such “gods” and “lords”), this is not our view. ⁶ For us, there is one God, the Father who is the ultimate source of all things and the goal of our lives. And there is one Lord—Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King; through Him all things were created, and by Him we are redeemed.

⁷ But this knowledge is not in everyone. Up until now, some have been so familiar with idols and what goes on in the temples that when they eat meat that has been offered first to some idol, their weak consciences are polluted. This is the issue. ⁸ Again, here’s what we know: what we eat will not bring us closer to God—we gain nothing in feasting and lose nothing by fasting. ⁹ Now let me warn you: don’t let your newfound liberty cause those who don’t know this to fall face-first. ¹⁰ Let’s say a person (someone who knows of Jesus) sees you eating in the temple of an idol; and because the person with a weaker conscience is still unsure of things, he becomes confident, follows your lead, and eats idol food. ¹¹ Now, because of your knowledge on display in your conduct, the weaker brother or sister—for whom the Anointed One died—is destroyed! Ruined! ¹² What’s more, by living according to your knowledge, you have sinned against these brothers and sisters and wounded their weak consciences—and because you sinned against them, you have sinned against the Anointed One, the Liberating King.

¹³ So if any type of food is an issue that causes my brothers and sisters to fall away from God, then God forbid I should ever eat it again so that I would never be the crack, the rise, or the rock on the road that causes them to stumble.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Paul’s words seem to cause a lot of people discomfort and discord in the church today. Some go much too far on the side of anything not specifically prohibited in My word is permissible. That’s clearly not what I want from you. Others go too far the other way and declare anything that in any way might cause anyone any kind of disturbance must be banned. This too is not what I want from you.

I inspired Paul to write the words. I want you to help your brothers and sisters grow in Me. That means discipling them. I expect you to help them eventually grow to understand that what they eat doesn’t mean anything. Idols don’t mean anything. What is dedicated to senseless pieces of wood and stone mean nothing. But I also know that it sometimes takes time to change from an infant to an adult spiritually just as it does to grow from an infant to an adult physically.

Just as you would help a child grow to maturity by keeping them from dangerous activities at an early age, I expect you to keep my infant children from things that are dangerous spiritually. For instance, you don’t let children play with fire or knives. So don’t entice my spiritual children with things that may become harmful to them in their infancy. That’s the message Paul shares with his readers.

Today, the problem may not be food dedicated to idols. The problem might look like soccer practice instead of prayer meeting. A night at the movies instead of a night at the church’s revival service. Sunday on the lake instead of Sunday in worship. None of the former are bad and in some instances might even be necessary at times. But when they cause one of My spiritual infants to fall because of your behavior and their lack of discipleship, I have a problem.

You see, just as with Cain and Abel, you are your brother’s keeper. I expect you to do everything you can to help each other grow in your understanding of Me and My kingdom. How will you help your brothers and sisters this week through your actions and your words?

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Taking My Name in vain is more than just using bad words (1 Corintians 5), Mar 20, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Corinthians 5
Set – Psalms 69; 1 Corinthians 5
Go! – Joshua 7-8; Psalms 69; 1 Corinthians 5

1 Corinthians 5
¹Because of my deep love for you, I must express my concern about the report brought to me regarding the lewd and immoral behavior exhibited in your community. This scandal has come to my attention because this kind of thing is unheard of even among the outsiders around us: I understand a man is having sexual relations with his father’s wife. ² You have turned into an arrogant lot who refuse to see the tragedy right in front of your eyes and mourn for it. If you would face these hard realities, the one living in this sin would be removed from the community.

³ Despite the fact that I am not physically present with you, I am there in spirit and already have spoken judgment against the man who has engaged in this conduct. ⁴ When you gather in the name of the Lord Jesus and I am present with you in spirit, and the infinite power of our Lord Jesus is present also, ⁵ I direct you to release this man over to Satan so his rebellious nature will be destroyed and his spirit might be rescued in the day the Lord Jesus returns.

⁶ Your proud boasting in this matter is terrible. Don’t you understand that the tiniest infraction can bring about an unwelcome chain of events? That just a little yeast causes all the dough to rise? ⁷ Get rid of all the old yeast; then you’ll become new dough, just as you are already a people without sin’s leavening influence. You see, the Anointed One is our Passover lamb; He has been sacrificed for us. ⁸ So let the real feast begin. Get rid of all the old yeast, the yeast of hatred and evil. Throw it out so we can feast on the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

⁹ In the letter I wrote to you previously, I made it clear that you are not to band together with those who have embraced immoral lives. ¹⁰ Don’t misunderstand; I’m not telling you to hole up and hunker down from the rest of the world. That’s impossible. The world is filled with immoral people consumed by their desire for more; they steal from one another without hesitation and will worship man-made idols with no shame at all. If you attempted to avoid these people, you would have to leave the world itself. ¹¹ What I was saying is that you should not associate with someone who calls himself a brother or sister but lives contrary to all we stand for: committing immoral sexual acts, consumed with desire for more, worshiping tangible lifeless things, using profanity, drinking into oblivion, swindling and cheating others. Do not even sit at the table with a person like this. ¹² Why would I ever attempt to judge those outside the church? Aren’t we called to judge those within the church? ¹³ God judges the outsiders. Your job is this: “Expel the wicked from your own community.”

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

In the early days of the church, it wasn’t popular to become a member. You literally put your life on the line to join. As the church grew, though, Satan did what he does best an began to use his lies to infiltrate even the sacred halls of the church. Some leaders began to want the wealth of some of their members more than they wanted the pure character of Christlike behavior.

Consequently, some, the wealthy or friends of the wealthy, were given…allowances…in following what My new covenant required of them. Paul recognized the problem and met it head on. The church is My church, not the pastor’s, not the board’s or council’s, not man’s. It is Mine. I expect the church to live as I want it to live. I want it to be an example to the world around it. His letter condemned the members at Corinth for putting up with the apostasy in their congregation.

The same apostasy happens in many of the churches around the world today. The church has become big business instead of the place of redeeming grace I want it to be. James talks about how the rich are given comfortable seats while the poor are dismissed or moved to the back of the room. Members allow inequities and injustices because they fail to recognize the importance of living for Me instead of for themselves. Selfishness creeps into the body and the lies of Satan make them think the money or skills of some are so important allowances must be made for their behavior.

The truth is My church doesn’t need the money of the apostate. I need the repentance of those living in hypocrisy. I need their attention and their understanding they are far from the kingdom. Their sin keeps them separated from Me and unless forgiven, they will never see My face.

It’s time to clean up My church. Does that mean I don’t want you to reach out to the lost and bring them in? No, I want you witness to them. I want you to share my message with them. I want you to introduce them to Me. I don’t want them to parade around as My followers until they have given themselves to Me, though. It soils My Name and My Name means something to Me. In fact, calling yourself by My Name and behaving in a way contrary to My decrees violates the Third Commandment. It uses My Name in vain! It tarnishes My reputation to a lost world. There are severe consequences for those actions. Don’t be a part of it.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

The other cheek lifestyle (1 Corinthians 4:1-13), Mar 19, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Corinthians 4:1-13
Set – Joshua 6; 1 Corinthians 4
Go! – Joshua 3-6; 1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:1-13
¹Rather than power brokers, think of us as servants of the Anointed One, the Liberating King, caretakers of the mysteries of God. ² Because we are in this particular role, it is especially important that we are people of fidelity and integrity. ³ It makes little difference to me how you or any human court passes judgment on me. I even resist the temptation to compare myself to the ever-changing human standard. ⁴ Although I am not aware of any flaw that might exclude me from this divine service, that’s not the reason I stand acquitted—the only supreme judge, our Lord, will examine me in the proper time. ⁵ So resist the temptation to act as judges before all the evidence is in. When the Lord comes, He will draw our buried motives, thoughts, and deeds (even things we don’t know or admit to ourselves) out of the dark shadows of our hearts into His light. When this happens, the voice of God will speak to each of us the only praise that will ever matter.

⁶ Right now, brothers and sisters, the best thing I can do for you is to apply these principles to the situation with Apollos and me. Maybe we can show you the meaning of the saying, “not beyond the things written.” If you learn that, perhaps none of you will swell with pride because you fall into the seductive trap of pitting one against the other. ⁷ Is there any reason to consider yourselves better than others? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If you received it as a gift, why do you boast like it is something you achieved on your own?

⁸ Now let’s see if I have it straight. You suppose that you already have all you need. You already are rich and prosperous. And without us you’ve already begun to reign like kings. To be honest, I wish you did reign so that we could reign with you ⁹ because it seems to me that God has put His emissaries at the end of the line, like convicts in their final walk to certain death. We have become a spectacle to the rest of the world—to all people and heaven’s messengers. ¹⁰ We are nothing but fools for the cause of the Anointed One while you are wise in Him. Am I right? We are feeble and tired while you are mighty and full of life. You are well respected by others while we’re treated as contemptuous creatures by pretty much everyone everywhere. ¹¹ Up to this very minute, we are famished, we are thirsty, and our clothes are shabby, practically rotted to pieces. We are homeless, hapless wanderers. ¹² But still we labor, working with our hands to meet our needs because, despite all of this, when a fist is raised against us, we respond with a blessing; when we face violence and persecution, we stay on mission; and ¹³ when others choose taunts and slander against us, we speak words of encouragement and reconciliation. We’re treated as the scum of the earth—and I am not talking in the past tense; I mean today! We’re the scraps of society, nothing more than the foulest human rubbish.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

How do you get to the place Paul found himself as he wrote these words? “…when a fist is raised against us, we respond with a blessing; when we face violence and persecution, we stay on mission; and when other choose taunts and slander against us, we speak words of encouragement and reconciliation.”

I talked about turning the other cheek when someone strikes you, but is it possible to do so? Shouldn’t revenge come in there somewhere? Doesn’t vengeance play any part in the life of a follower? Look at what is happening to Christians around the world, can’t we defend ourselves?

Paul learned that he doesn’t have the power it takes to overcome the evil of the world. Were he to try to stop the violence, persecution, and slander aimed at him, it would only multiply. Paul never had the strength to stand against his enemies. He didn’t stand a chance against them. But I did. And I still do. When Paul was left for dead, I revived him. When Paul faced the critics in the arena, I gave him the words to say to counter their arguments. When Paul stood before kings, I spoke through him with just the right information so they were astounded with his knowledge.

Paul leaned on Me for his strength, wisdom, words, protection. He knew I would sty with him in whatever predicament he found himself. I promised never to leave him or forsake him. I’ll do the same for you. The promises I make to My children don’t differ much. I’m just and fair. Though life might not be fair, I am. So you can rest assured that I will stay with you whatever happens to you. I will remain with you in the happiest and the darkest of days. I will let you tap into the greatest power source available to get you through your troubles. Me.

You will astound your enemies because of Me. You will paralyze the greatest armies because of Me. Others will think you have some secret weapon. Me. Miracles will happen around you. You will be deemed different, odd, peculiar, strange, weird. You’ll be unlike the average person. You should, you’ll have God inside you directing you’re life. Just give Me all of you and you can experience what Paul experienced. Confident calm in the midst of the fiercest storms. Because I am in control of it all.

Learn of Me. Know Me. Invite Me into your life. You’ll never need to fear again.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

You reap what you sow (Galatians 6), Mar 15, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Galatians 6
Set – Deuteronomy 28; Galatians 6
Go! – Deuteronomy 28-29; Galatians 6

Galatians 6
¹My spiritual brothers and sisters, if one of our faithful has fallen into a trap and is snared by sin, don’t stand idle and watch his demise. Gently restore him, being careful not to step into your own snare. ² Shoulder each other’s burdens, and then you will live as the law of the Anointed teaches us. ³ Don’t take this opportunity to think you are better than those who slip because you aren’t; then you become the fool and deceive even yourself. ⁴ Examine your own works so that if you are proud, it will be because of your own accomplishments and not someone else’s. ⁵ Each person has his or her own burden to bear and story to write.

⁶ Remember to share what you have with your mentor in the Word.

⁷ Make no mistake: God can’t be mocked. What you give is what you get. What you sow, you harvest. ⁸ Those who sow seeds into their flesh will only harvest destruction from their sinful nature. But those who sow seeds into the Spirit shall harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. ⁹ May we never tire of doing what is good and right before our Lord because in His season we shall bring in a great harvest if we can just persist. ¹⁰ So seize any opportunity the Lord gives you to do good things and be a blessing to everyone, especially those within our faithful family.

¹¹ Look at how giant these letters are now that I am writing with my own hand!

¹² The troublemakers who are putting pressure on you to be circumcised are trying to impress the flesh. They want to avoid the persecution that comes from preaching the cross of the Anointed One, the Liberating King. ¹³ But even those who receive circumcision can’t keep the law—although they think they can—and they hope to influence which way you go with your own skin so they can have bragging rights over your flesh.

¹⁴ May I never put anything above the cross of our Lord Jesus the Anointed. Through Him, the world has been crucified to me and I to this world. ¹⁵ Let me be clear: circumcision won’t save you—uncircumcision won’t either for that matter—for both amount to nothing. God’s new creation is what counts, and it counts for everything. ¹⁶ May peace and mercy come to all of you who live by this rule and to the Israel of God.

¹⁷ In the future, don’t let anyone cause trouble for me because I bear in my body the marks that wounded Jesus.

¹⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, infuse your spirit with His, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I wish young people today learned more about agriculture in school or at home. It seems many of them don’t understand one of the very basic natural laws I set in place when I created the universe. It’s a simple rule. It says, “Whatever you sow, you reap.” If you sow corn in a field, you don’t get wheat, you get corn. If you sow beans, you don’t get watermelons, you bet beans. Simple.

The same rule applies to all of nature. If you sow deceit, you reap deceit. If you sow hatred, you reap hatred. If you sow love, you reap love. If you sow kindness, you reap kindness. Whatever you sow, you reap. I wish I could make people understand that fundamental law early in life. It would reduce so much pain and suffering in this generation.

You see, that first act of adultery has consequences you cannot stop. The first toke has consequences you cannot stop. The first drink or the first pill has consequences you cannot stop. Whatever you sow, you reap. Whether it’s the physical, emotional and psychological, or the spiritual effects of your actions, there are always consequences as a natural offshoot because whatever you sow, you reap. It’s a law you cannot change.

Every once in a while, I might use My power to bail you out of the consequences of your action, but most of the time, I don’t. I forgive you and cover you with My blood so your sins are never held against you again in My sight. But the physical, emotional, and relationship scars created remain. Often I still let you reap what you sow. I don’t take away the consequences of your actions. So broken relationships remain broken. Diseases don’t go away. Scars remind you never to walk that path again.

I’m not sure why people today think they can do things without reaping the consequences that come with those actions. I’ve said it enough in My word. The phrase is well known in the general populace. Common sense should tell you actions create consequences from the first time you stick your finger in a flame. But time and again I see people thinking they will get away with their bad behavior. They think nothing will happen. They think what they do will have no affect on their life or the lives of others. It’s as if someone sucked out their brain just before they decide to participate in behavior they know is wrong.

Perhaps one day people will listen better. Perhaps they will understand the natural laws of the universe I put in place. Perhaps they’ll stop before “sowing wild oats” because those wild oats grow where they are planted and reap consequences that live on. Perhaps parents will begin to share their stories with their children and teach them to live responsibly early in life because they will reap what they sow even at those early ages. That law hasn’t changed since creation. Don’t expect Me to change it any time soon.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Arguing in the church? Surely not! (Galatians 5:1-15), Mar 14, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Galatians 5:1-15
Set – Deuteronomy 27; Galatians 5
Go! – Deuteronomy 25-27; Galatians 5

Galatians 5:1-15
¹So stand strong for our freedom! The Anointed One freed us so we wouldn’t spend one more day under the yoke of slavery, trapped under the law.

² Listen because I, Paul, am going to make this message very clear so it cannot be misunderstood: if you undergo the rite of circumcision, then all that the Anointed accomplished will be lost on you. ³ And understand this: if you choose to be circumcised, then you will oblige yourself to do every single rule of the law for the rest of your life. ⁴ You, and anyone else who seeks to be on the right side of God through the law, have effectively been cut off from the Anointed, circumcised from grace, and cast off from the favor of God. ⁵ We, on the other hand, continue to live through the Spirit’s power and wait confidently in the hope that things will be put right through faith. ⁶ Here’s the thing: in Jesus the Anointed whether you are circumcised or not makes no difference. What makes a difference is faith energized by love.

⁷ Who has impeded your progress and kept you from obeying the truth? You were off to such a good start. ⁸ I know for certain the pressure isn’t coming from God. He keeps calling you to the truth. ⁹ You know what they say, “Just a little yeast causes all the dough to rise,” so even the slightest detour from the truth will take you to a destination you do not desire. ¹⁰ Despite this, I’m confident because the Lord reassures me that you will truly hear and take my message to heart. Besides, I also know that these troublemakers, whoever they are, will answer to God and be judged accordingly. ¹¹ As for me, brothers and sisters, if I continue to preach circumcision—as these agitators claim—then why do I still face persecution? If I were to preach a compromised version of the good news, then the scandal of the cross would come to an end. ¹² I really wish that these people who weigh you down with corrupt counsel would mutilate themselves!

¹³ Brothers and sisters, God has called you to freedom! Hear the call, and do not spoil this gift by using your liberty to engage in what your flesh desires; instead, use it to serve each other as Jesus taught through love. ¹⁴ For the whole law comes down to this one instruction: “Love your neighbor as yourself,” so ¹⁵ why all this vicious gnawing on each other? If you are not careful, you will find you’ve eaten each other alive!

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

This last paragraph you heard today from Paul’s letter written 2,000 years ago to a church in Galatia could just as easily be addressed to many churches around the world today. How did so many of you get so far away from the truth of My word? I called you to the freedom as I taught you with My example as I walked among you. I still lived within not just the letter, but the spirit of the law given on Mount Sinai to Moses. But I refused to bow to the ridiculous traditions that pulled people away from My command to love each other.

I purpose when I first created man entailed the populating of the earth and giving stewardship of all My creation to you. To do so effectively, I wanted you to love each other. To care for each other and build relationships that allowed for opportunities to serve each other using the talents and skills I gave each of you. None of you can make it through life alone. All of you need each other for survival and the abundant life I want you to experience.

I want you to share in families and friendships and business relationships. I want you to act like I did when I walked the streets of Jerusalem and understand that freedom means service. Freedom means exercising the talents I gave you for the betterment of others. But here you are, squabbling over petty issues. Getting hurt over what you thought you heard, usually second- or third-hand, when that’s not what was said at all. Fighting and bickering over nothing. And all of this within the framework of the church. But not My church. I won’t visit when that stuff is going on. I’ll give it over to you, then. That’s what you want anyway in those situations.

Can’t you get rid of the selfish interests and look for the good of others? Can’t you understand the sacrifice I made for you to abolish the very behavior you exercise in your petty arguments? Does the tempo really matter if I am being praised? Do you think I care about colors of walls if you are lifting My name in prayer and thanksgiving? I want you to love others, especially those within the body of Christ. My command to you is to love Me first then love others as you love yourself. The gnawing at each other that seems to happen in My churches just doesn’t fit that pattern. So the question you must ask yourself, before I ask you in front of My throne, “Is my heart right with God?” Remember, if you hate your brother, you can’t love Me.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Life under the law isn’t the answer (Galatians 4:8-31), Mar 13, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Galatians 4:8-31
Set – Deuteronomy 23; Galatians 4
Go! – Deuteronomy 22-24; Galatians 4

Galatians 4:8-31
⁸ During the time before you knew God, you were slaves to powers that are not gods at all. ⁹ But now, when you are just beginning to know the one True God—actually, He is showing how completely He knows you—how can you turn back to weak and worthless idols made by men, icons of these spiritual powers? Haven’t you endured enough bondage to these breathless idols? ¹⁰ You are observing particular days, months, festival seasons, and years; ¹¹ you have me worried that I may have wasted my time laboring among you.

¹² Brothers and sisters, I have become one of you. Now it’s your turn—become as I am. You have never wronged me. ¹³ Do you remember the first time I preached the good news to you? I was sick, and ¹⁴ I know my illness was a hardship to you, but you never drew back from me or scorned me. You cared for me as if I were a heavenly messenger of God, possibly as well as if I were the Anointed Jesus Himself! Don’t you remember? ¹⁵ What has happened to your joy and blessing? I tell you, the place was so thick with love that if it were possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and handed them to me. ¹⁶ And now, do I stand as your enemy because I tried to bless you with the truth? ¹⁷ I’ll tell you what these false brothers and sisters are counting on: your attention. They are ravenous for it. They are not acting honorably or in your best interests. They want to keep you away from the good news we proclaim so they can have you all to themselves. ¹⁸ Listen, there’s nothing wrong with zeal when you’re zealous for God’s good purpose. And what’s more, you don’t have to wait for me to be with you to seek the good. ¹⁹ My dear children, I feel the pains of birth upon me again, and I will continue in labor for you until the Anointed One is formed completely in you. ²⁰ I wish I were there. This letter is really harsh, yet I am really perplexed by you.

²¹ Now it’s your turn to instruct me. All of you who want to live by the rules of the law, are you really listening to and heeding what the law teaches? Listen to this: ²² it’s recorded in the Scripture that Abraham was the father of two sons. One son was born to a slave woman, Hagar, and the other son was born to a free woman, Abraham’s wife, Sarah. ²³ The slave woman’s son was born through only natural means, but the free woman’s son was born through a promise from God. ²⁴ I’m using an allegory. Here’s the picture: these two women stand for two covenants. The first represents the covenant God made on Mount Sinai—this is Hagar, who gives birth to children of slavery. ²⁵ Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and she stands for the Jerusalem we know now. She has lived in slavery along with her children. ²⁶ But there is a Jerusalem we know above. She is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ Isaiah wrote,

Be glad, you who feel sterile and never gave birth!
Raise a joyful shout, childless woman, who never went into labor!
For the barren woman produces many children,
more than the one who has a husband.
²⁸ So you see now, brothers and sisters, you are children of the promise like Isaac. ²⁹ The slave’s son, born through only what flesh could conceive, resented and persecuted the one born into the freedom of the Spirit. The slave’s son picked at Isaac, just as you are being picked at now. ³⁰ So what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the slave and her son, for the slave’s son will never have a share of the inheritance coming to the son of the free woman.” ³¹ So, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but sons and daughters of the free.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

It is so easy to slip into the Pharisaical bonds of religious order. Just follow the rules and you’ll make it to heaven. The problem with following the rules is no one can do it. Since Adam first fell to the temptation of Satan in the garden and disobeyed My rule concerning the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, humankind has failed to keep the rules. Some seem simple, but as you heard from Jesus when He spoke, even the simplest become the seeds for transgression in the mind of sinful man.

The law was necessary to give you some tutelage as to the standard of living I require of humankind, but I knew from the beginning it was a standard you could not keep in your own strength. It only reminds you of your frailty, sinfulness, and self-centeredness. It takes more than a list of rules to keep you from breaking them. In fact, the list entices you to stretch your behavior to see how close you can come to violating the law without breaking it, but you always end up crossing the line.

It is the carnal nature you inherited from your parents throughout the generations to the first parents, Adam and Eve. They passed on to you their bent toward evil and selfishness and you pass it to your children. Without My intervention, you can no more keep My laws than you can flap your arms and fly. But My law is the standard I hold for living in My kingdom. So how can anyone make it?

John 3:16 is the answer. Believe in Me. Then I give you eternal life. Confess your sins to Me. Then I forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. That’s your ticket. That’s what it takes to enter into My kingdom. That’s the secret sauce that enables you to come near Me. Because when you believe in My Son for forgiveness of sins, I see His blood, not your sins. I see His holiness, not your sinfulness.

Let Me into your life and the rules become easy. Let Me rule your life and the rules of life take care of themselves. Let Me direct you life and you’ll find your thoughts directed differently. Your actions unfold differently. The rules you’ve struggled to keep will no longer feel like the burden they once were. You’ll find freedom you’ve never felt before. Paul discovered it and told his friends about the genuine experience you can have, too. Don’t live under the stress of the law, but under the freedom of My love.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Put on God to keep the rules (Galatians 3:15-29), Mar 12, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Galatians 3:15-29
Set – Deuteronomy 19; Galatians 3
Go! – Deuteronomy 19-21; Galatians 3

Galatians 3:15-29
¹⁵ My dear brothers and sisters, here’s a real-life example I can give you: With a last will and testament, when all the property is accounted for, the document is signed, witnessed, and notarized; and afterward no one can make changes to it. ¹⁶ In a similar way, God’s promises established a binding agreement with Abraham and his offspring. In the Scriptures, it is carefully stated, “and to your descendant” (meaning one), not “and to your descendants” (meaning many). Therefore, in these covenant promises, God was not referring to every son and daughter born into Abraham’s family but to the Anointed One to come. ¹⁷ What this all means is that the law given to Israel comes along some 430 years after the promise made to Abraham; so it does not invalidate the covenant God previously agreed to or in any way do away with His promise. ¹⁸ You see, if the law became the sole basis for the inheritance, then it would put God in the position of breaking a covenant because He had promised it to Abraham.

¹⁹ Now you’re asking yourselves, “So why did God give us the law?” God commanded His heavenly messengers to deliver it into the hand of a mediator for this reason: to help us rein in our sins until the Offspring, about whom the promise was made in the first place, would come. ²⁰ A mediator represents more than one, but God is only one. ²¹ “So,” you ask, “does the law contradict God’s promise?” Absolutely not! Never was there written a law that could lead to resurrection and life; if there had been, then surely we could have experienced saving righteousness through keeping the law. But we haven’t. ²² Scripture has subjected the whole world to sin’s power so that the faithful obedience of Jesus the Anointed might extend God’s promises to everyone who has faith. ²³ Before faith came on the scene, the law did its best to keep us in line, restraining us until the faith that was to come was fully revealed. ²⁴ So then, the law was like a tutor, assigned to train us and point us to the Anointed, so that we will be acquitted of all wrong and made right by faith. ²⁵ But now that true faith has come, we have no need for a tutor. ²⁶ It is your faith in the Anointed Jesus that makes all of you children of God ²⁷ because all of you who have been initiated into the Anointed One through the ceremonial washing of baptism have put Him on. ²⁸ It makes no difference whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a freeman, a man or a woman, because in Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King, you are all one. ²⁹ Since you belong to Him and are now subject to His power, you are the descendant of Abraham and the heir of God’s glory according to the promise.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

So why would I give you the law if you couldn’t keep it? Well, there are several reasons.

First, they keep you safe and secure. Understanding the nature of humankind after the fall of Adam and Eve, I knew you needed something that would put in check the evil behavior you often think about. I know you think those thoughts, but the law keeps you from carrying out a lot of the behavior because you know the punishments associated with the behavior. In the ancient days, it was an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, remember?

The in-kind punishment meant people stayed on better behavior than they might otherwise without the laws. It meant people thought twice before stealing since they would pay back two to five times as much as they stole. People hesitated before they struck someone or killed someone because it was life for life. There was no jury system other than the priest. If you killed someone other than accidentally, chances were pretty great you joined the victim soon after. Even then you escaped death from family members only by living in a sanctuary city.

Second, the law demonstrated My standard of living for you. But it showed just how difficult it was to live that law apart from My presence. Those commandments about lying, stealing, coveting, honoring parents. They might seem easy, but let Me ask you a couple of questions. Do you ever cheat when playing solitaire? That’s lying, you know. Do you have any company pens at home? They don’t belong to you. That’s called stealing. Ever wish you had that promotion or that car someone has? Coveting. Not so easy, is it?

The third reason I gave you the laws is because they point to the coming of My salvation for you. From the day Adam and Eve failed to obey Me, I made provision for them to find forgiveness. The laws before My coming seemed quite cumbersome to the Israelites, but they all pointed to My coming in the flesh to redeem all of humankind who would trust Me. For those who willingly gave up the rights to themselves and took me on as their total life manager, they found I could keep them free from the guilt of sin. I could do something the law couldn’t do. I could forgive and empower them to really live. The impossibility of the law becomes possible in Me.

Remember what I said to the disciples, “All things are possible with God.” Having trouble keeping the rules? Try Me on for size instead.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

God changes people (Galatians 1:11-24), Mar 10, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Galatians 1:11-24
Set – Deuteronomy 14; Galatians 1
Go! – Deuteronomy 13-15; Galatians 1

Galatians 1:11-24
¹¹ Know this, dear brothers and sisters: the good news I brought to you isn’t the latest in fiction or the product of some creative mind. ¹² It is not a legend I learned or one that has been passed down from person to person, ear to ear. I was gifted with this message as Jesus the Anointed revealed Himself miraculously to me. ¹³ Surely you are familiar with my personal history, with my dedication to the teachings and traditions of Judaism. I persecuted the church of God—in fact, I meant to destroy it. ¹⁴ I excelled in the teachings of Judaism far above other Jewish leaders, and I was zealous to practice the ways of our ancestors. ¹⁵ But God—who set me apart even before birth and called me by His grace—chose, to His great delight, ¹⁶ to reveal His Son in me so I could tell His story among the outsider nations. I didn’t confer with anyone right away, ¹⁷ nor did I go to those who were already emissaries in Jerusalem. I went straight to Arabia and later returned to Damascus.

¹⁸ After living this adventurous mission for three years, I made my way to Jerusalem and spent ¹⁵ days with Cephas, whom you know as Peter. ¹⁹ But I didn’t see any emissary other than James, our Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (You can be certain that what I am offering you is an authentic account. Before God, it’s the whole truth—I wouldn’t lie.) ²¹ Later I journeyed to Syria and Cilicia; ²² and since I had spent so little time in Judea among the churches of the Anointed One, no one there could pick me out of a crowd. ²³ But stories of my call and mission preceded me: “The very man who wanted to kill us all is now preaching the faith he once labored to destroy.” ²⁴ And so they praised God for the miracle He did in my life.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The story of Paul’s conversion is well known. How I met him on his way to Damascus to persecute My followers there. How I blinded him and showed him what he was doing to My church and the people who knew the truth about Me. Paul changed in that encounter. There is something to remember in what happens after that first encounter, though, that many forget today.

The story Luke tells Theophilus jumps pretty quickly from the Damascus road experience to events with Peter and the other disciples. When he picks up the story of Paul again, it talks about Barnabas being sent from Jerusalem to Tarsus to find him. Then the two of them spent a year in Antioch before they embarked on their first missionary journey to establish churches across Asia Minor.

That time frame is important. Paul spent those three years in Arabia learning about Me. He poured over all the scriptures he learned during his tutelage under Gamaliel, one of the most renowned rabbis in Israel, to see how I fit the prophecies and discovered for himself that I was indeed the long awaited Messiah. He made sure his Damascus Road experience wasn’t just a dream, but that all I told him was true.

The next thing Paul began to do was discover My mission for him. He listened when I said I would have him telling others about Me, so he wanted to prepare himself well. Paul didn’t wait to talk about his experience or what I had done for him, but he also didn’t start his missionary journeys right away either. Paul wasn’t ready to take on the task of becoming the theologian for Me through his letters to the churches yet.

Paul needed to spend time with My word and absorb who I am and what I had done for him so he could adequately argue before the leaders of the synagogues and the temple. It didn’t stop him from witnessing of his experience during those three years. Many saw the change in him. But he needed preparation before he turned his attention to the pulpit to begin planting churches across the countryside.

There is the difference in many new Christians today. I want you to get up from the altar and tell others about what I have done for you. I want you to express the joy and freedom from the guilt of sin that you receive when you accept My gift of forgiveness and salvation. But I also want you to prepare diligently to share better to those you might meet who would try to dilute My word or twist it for their own pleasure.

Look at the history of the scriptures. It’s message hasn’t changed since Moses began sharing My laws with the Israelites 4,000 years ago. The message is still the same. The right and wrong of the commandments still hold true. Life and love and devotion to Me are still the hallmarks of the behavior I want you to internalize and display for everyone you meet. I will meet out justice when the time is right. You don’t need to worry about that. Instead, love others into My kingdom. That’s what I did when I walked the earth. That’s how others will know you are My followers, by your love for each other and for My creation at large. All of it. Love others into My kingdom.

That also doesn’t mean you agree or condone the behaviors of others. I detest evil more than you. I am holy. I always have been holy and always will be holy. I cannot bear evil in My presence. But I still love all of humankind I created. I still love the world and all that is in it. I don’t like what man has done to it, but I still love man. That’s why I died to save you. That’s why I made provision to pay the penalty for sin you could not pay.

Share your story immediately with all who will hear you. Learn My story. Read about it in My word. Study it with faithful followers. Prepare to incorporate it into your life in ever deeper realms until it engulfs every part of you. Then be prepared to share it with anyone and everyone who has ears to hear.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Have a testimony ready (Acts 26), Feb 19, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 26
Set – Psalms 22; Acts 26
Go! – Numbers 5-6; Psalms 22; Acts 26

Acts 26
Agrippa (to Paul): ¹Go ahead. You may speak for yourself.

Paul (extending his hand): ² I am indeed fortunate to be standing before you, King Agrippa, to humbly defend myself against accusations from my Jewish opponents. ³ You are extraordinarily familiar with Jewish customs and controversies, so I beg your patience as I begin. ⁴ My way of life is well known to the whole Jewish community, how I have lived in the Jewish community abroad and in Jerusalem. ⁵ If they are willing to speak, they themselves will tell you something they have long known—that I was a member of the strictest sect of our religion and lived for many years as a Pharisee. ⁶ But now I am on trial here for this simple reason: I have hope. I have hope rooted in a promise God made to our ancestors. ⁷ All our twelve tribes have hope in this promise—they express their hope as they worship day and night. How strange it is, then, Your Excellency, that I am accused by the Jews of having hope! ⁸ Why would any of you think it is absurd to have hope that God raises the dead? ⁹ As you know, we’re talking specifically about Jesus of Nazareth. For a long time, I was convinced that I should work against that name. ¹⁰ I opposed it in Jerusalem. I received authorization from the chief priests to lock many of His followers in prison. When they were threatened with execution, I voted against them. ¹¹ I would find them in synagogues across Jerusalem and try to force them to blaspheme. My fury drove me to pursue them to foreign cities as well.

¹² On one occasion, I was traveling to Damascus, authorized and commissioned by the chief priests to find and imprison more of His followers. ¹³ It was about midday, Your Excellency, when I saw a light from heaven—brighter than the noonday sun—shining around my companions and me. ¹⁴ We all fell to the ground in fear, and I then heard a voice. The words were in Aramaic: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? When you kick against the cattle prods, you’re only hurting yourself.” ¹⁵ I asked, “Lord, who are You?” and the Lord answered, “I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting. ¹⁶ Get up now, and stand upright on your feet. I have appeared to you for a reason. I am appointing you to serve Me. You are to tell My story and how you have now seen Me, and you are to continue to tell the story in the future. ¹⁷ I will rescue you from your Jewish opponents and from the outsiders—for it is to the outsiders I am sending you. ¹⁸ It will be your mission to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God. This is so that they may receive forgiveness of all their sins and have a place among those who are set apart for a holy purpose through having faith in Me.”

¹⁹ King Agrippa, I did not disobey this vision from heaven. ²⁰ I began in Damascus, then continued in Jerusalem, then throughout the Judean countryside, then among the outsiders—telling everyone they must turn from their past and toward God and align their deeds and way of life with this new direction. ²¹ So then, this is my crime. This is why my Jewish opponents seized me that day in the temple and tried to kill me. ²² God has helped me right up to this very moment, so I can stand here telling my story to both the humble and the powerful alike. I only say what the prophets and Moses said would happen— ²³ that the Anointed One must suffer, and then, by being the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light to both Jews and outsiders.

Festus (interrupting): 24 You’ve gone crazy, Paul! You’ve read one book too many and have gone insane!

Paul: ²⁵ No, most excellent Festus, I am not insane. I am telling the sane and sober truth. ²⁶ The king understands what I’m talking about, which is why I could speak so freely to him. None of these things have been covered up and hidden away in a corner, so I’m sure none of these things have escaped his notice. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you must believe.

Agrippa: ²⁸ Paul, have you so quickly moved on from defending yourself to trying to persuade me to become a Christian?

Paul: 29 Whether I have done so quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also everyone who is listening to me today might become what I am—minus these chains.

³⁰ The king stood to leave at this point, along with Festus, Bernice, and all those who had been seated; ³¹ and as they left, everyone was saying the same thing: “This man isn’t doing anything deserving death—he shouldn’t even be in prison.”

Agrippa (to Festus): ³² This man could have been released completely if he had not appealed to the emperor.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

When Paul met Me on the road to Damascus he thought his life would end. In those few moments of brilliant light, the voice from heaven, and he and his entourage fallen on their faces before Me, he knew My wrath was about to fall. But I had other plans for him. He would never have dreamed he would stand before proconsuls, governors, and kings. Yet here he is standing before King Agrippa giving his testimony of faith in Me, his risen Lord.

Many who follow Me find themselves in peculiar circumstances which they didn’t expect. I often prepare the way for encounters to happen so that My message can go out at just the right time to just the right people in just the right place. You see, I know who best can share the message of faith to those who seem hardened by sins effects. I know the best time to sow the seed that it might germinate in mens’ hearts and reap a harvest of believers. The question is, will you have the courage to speak for Me when the time comes as Paul did.

Paul stood before King Agrippa knowing the consequences. Agrippa could send him to Jerusalem to his death at the hands of the Jewish leaders who wanted him exterminated. He could hold him in Caesarea until a formal trial determined his fate and disregard his request to go to Rome. Or Agrippa could send him to Rome to the emperor’s court as Paul requested making this new religious order quite visible to the emperor’s throne.

What I want you to learn from Paul today is what Peter wrote in his first letter to the churches:

Don’t be intimidated, but exalt Him [Jesus] as Lord in your heart. Always be ready to offer a defense, humbly and respectfully, when someone asks why you live in hope. Keep your conscience clear so that those who ridicule your good conduct in the Anointed and say bad things about you will be put to shame.

You never know who I might want you to speak to and the influence you will have because of your testimony. So be ready. Don’t be intimidated. You are My child. The child of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Speak boldly in My name about the hope you carry in you because of your faith in Me. I will always be with you.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Be a curiosity, it’s okay (Acts 25:1-22), Feb 18, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 25:1-22
Set – Numbers 4; Acts 25
Go! – Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

Acts 25:1-22
¹Three days after arriving in the province, Festus traveled south from Caesarea to Jerusalem. ^2-3 The chief priests and Jewish leaders still had a plan to kill Paul and gave a report to Festus about their unresolved grievances against Paul. They suggested that as a favor to them, Festus should move Paul to Jerusalem. Of course, this was part of the plan to set an ambush for Paul and kill him en route. ⁴ Festus instead offered to reopen the case. He would be going back to Caesarea soon.

Festus: ⁵ So let your leaders accompany me, and bring your accusations against the man.

⁶ Eight or ten days later, Festus returned to Caesarea, and the next day he took his seat in court. He ordered Paul to be brought before him. ⁷ The Jewish opponents from Jerusalem immediately surrounded Paul and from all directions bombarded him with all sorts of serious charges, none of which could be proven.

Paul (quietly and simply): ⁸ In no way have I committed any offense against Jewish law, against the Jewish temple and all it represents, or against the emperor.

⁹ Here Festus saw an opportunity to do just the favor Paul’s Jewish opponents had requested.

Festus: Would you like to have your trial in Jerusalem? I’d be willing to try your case there.

Paul: ^10-11 If I had committed a capital offense, I would accept my punishment. But I’m sure it’s clear to you that I have done no wrong to the Jews. Since their charges against me are completely empty, it would be wrong to turn me over to them. No, I do not wish to go to Jerusalem. I am appealing to the court of the emperor in Rome.

¹² Festus conferred privately with his council and returned with this decision:

Festus: You have appealed to the emperor, so to the emperor you will go.

¹³ Several days later, the provincial king Agrippa arrived in Caesarea with his wife Bernice to welcome the new governor. ¹⁴ Their visit lasted several days, which gave Festus the chance to describe Paul’s case to the king.

Festus: Felix left me some unfinished business involving a prisoner named Paul. ¹⁵ When I was in Jerusalem, I got an earful about him from the chief priests and Jewish elders. They wanted me simply to decide against him, ¹⁶ but I informed them that we Romans don’t work that way. We don’t condemn a person accused of a crime unless the accusers present their case in person so the accused has ample opportunity to defend himself against the charge. ¹⁷ I arranged for them to come here for a proper hearing. In fact, the first day after I returned to Caesarea, I took my seat in court and heard his case without delay. ¹⁸ Contrary to my expectations, the accusers brought no substantial charges against him at all. ¹⁹ Instead, they were bickering about their own religious beliefs related to a fellow named Jesus, who had died, but whom Paul claimed was raised to life again. ²⁰ I had no idea how to handle a religious squabble pretending to be a legal case, so I suggested Paul be taken to Jerusalem so he could be tried on Jewish turf, so to speak. ²¹ But Paul refused, and instead he appealed to be kept in custody so the case could be referred to his Imperial Majesty. So I have held him until we can arrange to send him to the emperor.

Agrippa: ²² This sounds interesting. I’d like to hear this fellow in person.

Festus: You will, then. We’ll bring him in tomorrow.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Christians become a real curiosity when they do what I ask of them. Don’t expect others to understand you. But you are not alone. Imagine how people misunderstood Noah. Rain had never fallen on the earth when I told him to start building an ark because I was going to unleash the torrents of water from the sky. Everyone thought he was crazy. He tried to convince them the world was coming to an end, but they didn’t believe him, just like they don’t believe many of My prophets.

Or think about Gideon. How many thought he was out of his mind when he sent a third of his army home if they were just married, had crops to harvest, or were afraid. Then out of the 10,000 soldiers left, at My command, he selected only 300 to attack an army that had been undefeated by any force they faced. There were a lot of curious bystanders taking cheap shots at Gideon…until the Mideonites destroyed themselves.

David was a curiosity. This shepherd that became king because of his military exploits beginning with the slaying of Goliath. Everyone wondered how he mustered up the courage to take on the giant. David’s son, Solomon, certainly became a curiosity for the kingdom and the world with his knowledge and wisdom. His wisdom became known throughout the world and powerful men and women came to listen to him speak about every subject under the sun.

Hosea was curiosity to the Jews around him when he married a prostitute and then retrieved her when she ran away from him. He had every right to divorce her and wipe his hands clean of his adulterous wife. Instead, he restored her to a place of honor and respect in his household because of his love for her.

Then My Son comes along and becomes a curiosity for many who saw Him. No one could deny His miracles. No one could refute His wisdom. No one could deny He was not like everyone else. The same was true of His disciples and all those who came after Him and accepted Him as Lord of their lives. Paul, Peter, John, James, Silas, Barnabas, and the list goes on in the millions of men and women whose lives have been changed because of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Christians are always a curiosity. People remain covered by a veil that blinds them to the truth until they step out in faith and accept Me as their Lord and Savior. But once that single step of faith happens, like Paul, the scales fall from their eyes and the scriptures begin to open to their minds by the power of My Spirit with in them. Then they understand. Until then, Christians remained an enigma.

It’s really okay to be a curiosity, if you’re a curiosity because of Me. You’ll understand the reasons someday. Until then, just do what I ask and know others will question what you do, but one thing is sure. You’ll stand out in a crowd.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.