I am beginning to read the book of Galatians. It tells of Paul (writer) teaching a portion of Jewish people that Gentiles must obey Jewish laws in order to become Christians.

In chapter 2, Paul is preaching in Jerusalem with the news that these people aren't right.

The Bible Commentary on verse two says, "The essence of Paul's message to both Jews and Gentiles was that God's salvation is offered to all people regardless of:

race,
sex,
nationality,
wealth,
social standing,
education,
or anything else.

"Forgiveness comes through trusting in Christ."

***

Yesterday's entry in "365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Sample.

Especially as we get closer to Thanksgiving.

THANK YOU

"Let us be thankful,
because we have a kingdom 
that cannot be shaken.
We should worship God
in a way that pleases Him
with respect and fear."

~ HEBREWS 12:28 NCV

"Thank you, God. I pray for a heart that feels those words the moment I open my eyes each day. Thank you for opening my eyes today. Thank you for the possibilities stretched before me. Thank you for chances to depend upon and glorify you as I go along my way. Please forgive my ingratitude, Lord. When I grumble about wanting a few extra minutes of sleep, remind me that I have reason to rise. When I look upon a messy kitchen with resignation, let me see it as the beating heart of my home, reminding me I have a home. Come into every moment, Jesus, and remind me I have you."

"Are you truly thankful?"

***

The minister at our local church is leading a 4-week study series on 'Loneliness' as we go into the holiday season. Last night was class number two.

"The most terrible poverty
is loneliness
and the feeling of being unloved."

 ~ Mother Terese

If you have feelings of loneliness, reach out to someone else to talk with or do something together.

To help someone else this holiday season, invite him/her/them to your home. Or to a community event or to your local church.

According to the class, "If a person is dealing with loneliness, he/she should reach out to God and to others."

"The Lord himself goes before you 
and will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged.

~ Deuteronomy 31:8

*

"Keep your lives free from the love of money
and be content
with what you have,
because God has said,
'Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.'"

~ Hebrews 13:5

**

Heavenly Father,
help us to look to You
when we feel lonely 
or afraid.
Help me to think less
about myself
and more about others.
And to keep my focus on You!
Amen.

**

At our ecumenical Bible study a few weeks ago, our leader challenged us to read the 23rd Psalm every day for a month.

I decided to take the challenge and just passed 30 days today! I read it the Living Bible translation, which I tend to like.

Most of us know the first verse, "The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want!" But we tend to 'want' a lot of stuff.

This translation says, "Because the Lord is My Shepherd, I have everything I need!" "Need' is much different than 'want'.

Here is the 'whole' chapter; pretty short:

 "Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!

"He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most.

^"Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.

"You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as your guest;
blessings overflow!

"Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home."

Notice how David (writer) goes from talking 'about' his Shepherd in the first few verses to talking 'to' the Shepherd in the last part. David's need became bigger as his need intensified!

Yesterday's Max Lucado email to me:

NORMAL DISCIPLESHIP

"You don’t have to be weird to follow Jesus. You don’t have to stop liking your friends to follow him – just the opposite!

"Sometime ago I was part of a foursome for golf that included two preachers, a church leader, and a guy who wasn’t a Christ follower. The thought of four hours with all of us didn’t appeal to him. His best friend, a Christ follower—and his boss—insisted, so he agreed.

"I’m happy to report that on the ninth hole he said, 'I’m so glad you guys are normal.' I think he meant this: 'I’m glad you didn’t get in my face or club me with a King James driver. Thanks for laughing at my jokes and telling a few yourself.'

"We didn’t lower standards, but neither did we saddle a high horse. Discipleship is sometimes defined by being normal."

***

"Look here, 
you people who say,
'Today or tomorrow we are going
to such and such a town,
stay here a year,
and open a profitable business.'
How do you know what is going
to happen tomorrow?
For the length of your lives
is as uncertain as the morning fog---
now you see it; soon it is gone.
What you ought to say is
'If the Lord wants us to,
we shall live
and do this or that.'
Otherwise you will be bragging
about your own plans,
and such self-confidence
never pleases God."

~ James 4:13 - 16 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "It is good to have goals, but goals can disappoint us if we leave God out of them There is no point in making plans as though God does not exist, because the future is in His hands. What would we like to be doing ten years from now? One year from now? Tomorrow? How will we react if God steps in and rearranges our plans? Plan ahead, but we are to hang on to our plans lightly. If we put God's desires at the center of our planning, we will not be disappointed.

"Life is short no matter how long we live. We are not to be deceived in to thinking we have lots of remaining time to live for Christ, to enjoy our loved ones, or to do what we know we should. We are to live for God today! Then no matter when our life ends, we will have fulfilled God's plan for each of us."

***

It's Veterans' Day; and an opportunity to think about and/or thank someone who is/has worn a uniform supporting/defending the United States of America. A good day to attend an organized event in our areas or to write a note/call a veteran or person in active duty in service to our country.

God bless America,

Land that I love,

Stand beside her and guide her

Thru the night with a light from above;

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the ocean white with foam,

God bless America,

My Home, sweet home.

God bless America,

My Home, sweet home.

Over the years, God has definitely blessed America. And many times he has used our people in uniform to do 'what needed to be done'. Thank you, veterans and people currently in uniform!

Short entry from a book by Joyce Meyer;  "Words to Live By": 

"I heard a story about a woman who was afraid. This woman was a believer who had lived all her life in fear. She wouldn't drive because of fear. She wouldn't go out at night because of fear. Fear controlled her life.

"One day, she was talking to her friend, a fellow believer, and said, "i Just don't know what to do. I'm so afraid. Fear is stealing my life. I don't do this because of fear. I don't do that because of fear.' Her friend looked at her and said, 'Well, why don't you just do it afraid?'"

"God did not give us
a spirit of fear!
He gave us power,
love, and a calm
and sound mind."

~ 2 Timothy 1:7

****

Today might be a good day to hear from Tama Fortner and her ""100 Things God Loves About You". This is the first one! I used it one time before, but I like it:

GOD LOVES YOUR STORY

"All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.''

~ PSALM 139:16


"You have an amazing story.

 How can you be sure? 

Because it was written by Yahweh, the Lord God Himself, 

before you were even born.
He knew every twist of the
plot and every unexpected turn.
Every joy,
every sorrow.
Wherever you go, He has already been.
He will walk before you
and with you as Lord
and Guide and Friend.
And when you entrust
your story to Him,
He promises you the best of endings----
a happily, heavenly, forever after."

*****