Thursday, February 28, 2008
News
New Grandchild born February 25, 2008
Samantha Rae Bertolet
8 lbs... 11 oz.
19 inches long
Born to Timothy and AudraJo Bertolet
Sisters: Lily and Elizabeth Bertolet
Watch for the pictures
Samantha Rae Bertolet
8 lbs... 11 oz.
19 inches long
Born to Timothy and AudraJo Bertolet
Sisters: Lily and Elizabeth Bertolet
Watch for the pictures
The Showy Life?
Many people like to "put on a show". They want to be notice unfortunately that is all there is to their life. But the greater danger is when we are compelling others to but on a show so that "we" look good. Paul is warning the Galatians that there are those who want to get them to do certain things so they can put a "notch" on their "spiritual pistol."
Are we compelled by those around us to act a certain way because we need to look like them or are we compelled by the Spirit of God to be obedient to the Scriptures?
Gal 6:11-18 11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. NASU
I would like to ask you another question. Do YOU compel those who you come in contact with to act in a certain manor to be able to "hang out" with you. Do you want change in their life because it looks good to those around you or do you want change to come because they are learning the truth of Scripture and the Holy Spirit is convicting them and bringing the challenge of change to them.
Explore for yourself
1. Why does Paul say this was in "his own hand"?
2. How did the "Judahisers" show that they were having good "success"? What danger is there for today?
3. What warning signs are there for us to observe concerning these types of teachers? What do they avoid preaching about?
4. How would a Godly teacher/learner appear or act?
5. What should really matter in pursuit of true Christianity?
6. What rule should we walk by?
7. Why does Paul state that no one should cause "him" trouble?
Are we compelled by those around us to act a certain way because we need to look like them or are we compelled by the Spirit of God to be obedient to the Scriptures?
Gal 6:11-18 11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. NASU
I would like to ask you another question. Do YOU compel those who you come in contact with to act in a certain manor to be able to "hang out" with you. Do you want change in their life because it looks good to those around you or do you want change to come because they are learning the truth of Scripture and the Holy Spirit is convicting them and bringing the challenge of change to them.
Explore for yourself
1. Why does Paul say this was in "his own hand"?
2. How did the "Judahisers" show that they were having good "success"? What danger is there for today?
3. What warning signs are there for us to observe concerning these types of teachers? What do they avoid preaching about?
4. How would a Godly teacher/learner appear or act?
5. What should really matter in pursuit of true Christianity?
6. What rule should we walk by?
7. Why does Paul state that no one should cause "him" trouble?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Planting and Harvesting
I grew up on a small farm "farmette" where we grew vegetables, corn for cattle and hay. I can tell you from years that we never planted peas and harvested tomatoes. Yet, we thinking we can go through life and "plant" all kinds of acts and think it won’t be a problem to our lives.
First, we need to see that Paul challenges the Galatians to take what they learned and pass it along to others. Years ago, when a farmer harvested his crops he had to save some seeds to replant in the spring otherwise he wouldn’t have any future harvest. Second, Paul warns them that they shouldn’t be deceived because what they sow/plant they will harvest. Notice if we live/sow in the flesh the return will be of the flesh. The flesh is corrupt and has not eternal value. But when we sow in the Spirit we will see eternal benefits. One spiritual "planting" is to do good to all people.
Notice what Jesus said in John 13:34-35 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 " By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." NASU
Gal 6:6-10 6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. NASU
Explore for Yourself
1. Why does Paul state that the one taught should share with the one who teaches?
2. What was Paul trying to prevent?
3. What warning does Paul give in this matter?
4. What can happen when we do good to others?
5. Who deserves to receive kindness from us?
Time is short start today and sow in the Spirit.
First, we need to see that Paul challenges the Galatians to take what they learned and pass it along to others. Years ago, when a farmer harvested his crops he had to save some seeds to replant in the spring otherwise he wouldn’t have any future harvest. Second, Paul warns them that they shouldn’t be deceived because what they sow/plant they will harvest. Notice if we live/sow in the flesh the return will be of the flesh. The flesh is corrupt and has not eternal value. But when we sow in the Spirit we will see eternal benefits. One spiritual "planting" is to do good to all people.
Notice what Jesus said in John 13:34-35 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 " By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." NASU
Gal 6:6-10 6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. NASU
Explore for Yourself
1. Why does Paul state that the one taught should share with the one who teaches?
2. What was Paul trying to prevent?
3. What warning does Paul give in this matter?
4. What can happen when we do good to others?
5. Who deserves to receive kindness from us?
Time is short start today and sow in the Spirit.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Restoration 101
For twenty years I work in construction doing various types of carpentry. The jobs that were the most fun were those where you got to restore an older building to look like it did when it was originally built. When I did this type of work it was a constant reminder that if I didn’t keep up with the repairs to my own home it could suffer the same consequences.
Paul is instructing those who "catch" someone in sin to beware. They have a responsibility to RESTORE...NOT DESTROY. And it comes with a warning "beware, lest yo suffer a similar fate." We are to help others become all that they were meant to become in Christ. This doesn’t mean that we ignore their sin or simply "brush it off" but we are to do this in a gentle, loving manor. In Matthew 7:1-5 we are told to examine ourselves first and then we can help the other individual.
There was a time when I laid the brick on my home. There were 10,000 brick to lay and I was set to lay them all by myself. That did not happen! My three children (who lived at home), lots of friends from church and others came by to help and make the job easier. Although we only worked on it a couple days a week it only took a few month to get the job done because the work was spread between many people.
We are not meant to live the Christian life in solitude. We are to help (and open to being helped) others.
Gal 6:1-10 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 B ear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load.
Explore for yourself
1. What are we to do IF we catch someone in a trespass? HOW? WHY?
2. What preventative steps should we take?
3. How are we to respond if someone shares a struggle they are having?
4. Why does pride (self reliance-superior attitude) have no place in the Christian’s life?
When being around others think of going out of your way to help restore them, just like Christ is willing to do for you.
Paul is instructing those who "catch" someone in sin to beware. They have a responsibility to RESTORE...NOT DESTROY. And it comes with a warning "beware, lest yo suffer a similar fate." We are to help others become all that they were meant to become in Christ. This doesn’t mean that we ignore their sin or simply "brush it off" but we are to do this in a gentle, loving manor. In Matthew 7:1-5 we are told to examine ourselves first and then we can help the other individual.
There was a time when I laid the brick on my home. There were 10,000 brick to lay and I was set to lay them all by myself. That did not happen! My three children (who lived at home), lots of friends from church and others came by to help and make the job easier. Although we only worked on it a couple days a week it only took a few month to get the job done because the work was spread between many people.
We are not meant to live the Christian life in solitude. We are to help (and open to being helped) others.
Gal 6:1-10 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 B ear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load.
Explore for yourself
1. What are we to do IF we catch someone in a trespass? HOW? WHY?
2. What preventative steps should we take?
3. How are we to respond if someone shares a struggle they are having?
4. Why does pride (self reliance-superior attitude) have no place in the Christian’s life?
When being around others think of going out of your way to help restore them, just like Christ is willing to do for you.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Learning to Walk
Each of our children learned to walk in different ways. Our oldest son, crawled, rolled, pulled his way to where he wanted to go. When we were to far away, he would try to walk only to fall and try again. Our daughter, however, is just the opposite. She never left the security of holding on to something until she was sure she could walk with out falling. She seemed to start walking without falling because she waited until sure of herself and her abilities.
Paul is telling the Galatians how they must walk. Not in their own abilities but in the power of the Holy Spirit. When you walk by the Spirit, the flesh loses power over you. This is were the battles in our life comes. The struggle between the flesh and Spirit. The flesh and the law are connected in that neither one will completely change our life. Only the Spirit can bring about a complete and full change. Paul also tells us that we can tell if we are walking by the flesh or Spirit by the way we act (our deeds).
Gal 5:16-5:26 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. NASU
Now you might be saying, "Well, I don’t do all those things in the flesh." Does that make me bad. But neither do I do all the deeds of the Spirit. Now what do I do? Remember God is conforming us into His image. This means there should be changes taking place in our lives. We should have less of the "deeds of flesh" and more of the "deeds of the Spirit."
Whose controlling you today?
Explore for yourself.
1 What is the true purpose of our freedom in Christ?
2 What is the true statement of the fulfilling of the law? (Lev 19:18, Matt 19:19 John 13:34)
3. What happens when we become consumed with anger for others?
4. How are we to walk? Why is this important?
5. How can you know if you are walking in the Spirit or flesh?
6. What is the difference between "deeds of the flesh" and "fruit of the Spirit"?
7. What happens to the flesh for those who belong to Christ?
8. What challenge does he give us?
Paul is telling the Galatians how they must walk. Not in their own abilities but in the power of the Holy Spirit. When you walk by the Spirit, the flesh loses power over you. This is were the battles in our life comes. The struggle between the flesh and Spirit. The flesh and the law are connected in that neither one will completely change our life. Only the Spirit can bring about a complete and full change. Paul also tells us that we can tell if we are walking by the flesh or Spirit by the way we act (our deeds).
Gal 5:16-5:26 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. NASU
Now you might be saying, "Well, I don’t do all those things in the flesh." Does that make me bad. But neither do I do all the deeds of the Spirit. Now what do I do? Remember God is conforming us into His image. This means there should be changes taking place in our lives. We should have less of the "deeds of flesh" and more of the "deeds of the Spirit."
Whose controlling you today?
Explore for yourself.
1 What is the true purpose of our freedom in Christ?
2 What is the true statement of the fulfilling of the law? (Lev 19:18, Matt 19:19 John 13:34)
3. What happens when we become consumed with anger for others?
4. How are we to walk? Why is this important?
5. How can you know if you are walking in the Spirit or flesh?
6. What is the difference between "deeds of the flesh" and "fruit of the Spirit"?
7. What happens to the flesh for those who belong to Christ?
8. What challenge does he give us?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Dead Weight
Why would anyone want to carry around "dead weight?" Sometimes a person might carry it in order to increase their strength, however, if the weight would not bring any benefit to the body it would be totally useless. Driving your car with one foot on the brake will not help you have good gas milage. Neither will running the race of faith with the weight of sin on your shoulders.
Paul notices that the Galatians started out well in their spiritual journey but lately something has caused them to be hinder in their obedience. The hindrance did not come from God but from someone/something else. Paul calls it "leaven" because the Galatians would have know that a little bit of yeast has an effect on the entire batch of dough. You need to understand that what he means by the description is sin. Even a small amount of sin will corrupt your entire life.
Gal 5:7-15 7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves. 13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. NASU
Paul continues to point out that if it really was important to be circumcised for ones salvation then he should not be receiving persecution. However, those pushing obedience to the law will just continue to expand the requirements. You can never obey all of the law and one small step of disobedience will cause your judgement.
Explore for yourself
1. What danger does Paul shout concerning truth?
2. What confidence does Paul have?
3. What question does Paul ask concerning his own persecution?
4. What does Paul wish would happen to those stirring up trouble? (See also Deut 23:1)
Is there some "small" sin in your life that is corrupting all of you? Follow the truth of 1 John 1:9 and confess that sin, God will be faithful and forgive you and then cleanse you of all your unrighteousness.
Paul notices that the Galatians started out well in their spiritual journey but lately something has caused them to be hinder in their obedience. The hindrance did not come from God but from someone/something else. Paul calls it "leaven" because the Galatians would have know that a little bit of yeast has an effect on the entire batch of dough. You need to understand that what he means by the description is sin. Even a small amount of sin will corrupt your entire life.
Gal 5:7-15 7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves. 13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. NASU
Paul continues to point out that if it really was important to be circumcised for ones salvation then he should not be receiving persecution. However, those pushing obedience to the law will just continue to expand the requirements. You can never obey all of the law and one small step of disobedience will cause your judgement.
Explore for yourself
1. What danger does Paul shout concerning truth?
2. What confidence does Paul have?
3. What question does Paul ask concerning his own persecution?
4. What does Paul wish would happen to those stirring up trouble? (See also Deut 23:1)
Is there some "small" sin in your life that is corrupting all of you? Follow the truth of 1 John 1:9 and confess that sin, God will be faithful and forgive you and then cleanse you of all your unrighteousness.
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