Galatians 5:1-12 Law or Grace?

Galatians 5:1-12 NIV
Abandon your life to the grace of God! There are so many laws and traditions, I find it virtually impossible to keep to the traditions and letters of the law that are set forth by humankind. Can anyone know them all? Can anyone abide by them all? We have barely entered the season of Lent (it is the day after Ash Wednesday) and I find myself unable to sleep at 3 a.m. begging God for His mercy and grace; for without Him I would surely be lost.

The church on earth, in Paul's time, spent a lot of time worrying about the law of circumcision; whether gentiles should be circumcised or not. Paul said no. Others said yes. Paul insisted that keeping this law would not justify one person. His claim was that if we are trying to be justified by the law then we are alienating ourselves from Christ. The only justification that we have is Jesus the Christ. He died on that cross so that we might be justified in our Father's eyes. The law had to be satisfied. He satisfied it for us.

Mistakes will be made; sins will be compounded, laws will be broken. Much time will be spent worrying about it and trying to justify our own actions. If we continue to attempt to be justified by our own good works in keeping the law (which none of us ever have) we have fallen away from grace. We must abandon our lives to God's mercy and grace! We must trust Him! Our help is found only in Him. Give thanks and praise that your sins are forgiven for "the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;  we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets." Dan 9:9-10

God's Peace - Pr. J

Daniel 11 - Apocalytic Dream

Tomorrow will be our last day in the book of Daniel as there are only 12 chapters in Daniel. It has been quite interesting reading about one vision or visitation after another. Today, the angel Gabriel reveals to Daniel what is to come. The events mainly describe wars and alliances between Egypt and Syria. However, verse 36 to 45 describe a time that is not fulfilled in Daniel's time. It appears to be for the end time. Antiochus, it appears, may well be a archetype for the Anti-Christ that was yet to come.

These past days of reading about Daniel's visions have had a definite effect on my sleep and dreams. I don't remember my dream last night except that it was apocalyptic. It was about conflict and war. It was not terribly frightening as I do remember one event in detail. When I began to get a little anxious in my sleep, I suddenly found myself walking with God. He was holding my hand and we were walking through this lush green valley. His hand was wonderfully warm and comforting. An awesome sense of peace came over me. But, being the inquisitive person that I am, I had to wake myself up to see if it was real! The dream was gone, but the sense of peace that I had felt was not. Thanks be to God!

God is with even in the midst of spiritual warfare. And.. be comforted in the knowledge that on the cross, the battle with the Anti-Christ was won for you. Nothing can prevail against the love of God in Christ Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Daniel 8 - Ram and Goat

I am stumped! I enjoy reading the visions of Daniel; but, this one is difficult in that the commentaries all pretty much say that this prophecy was for the old testament times only. Yet, the scripture itself says: “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.” (vs 26)

Does anyone really know for sure? I have been studying this chapter for a while this morning with no conclusions. Attempting to understand it is actually is beginning to feel quite exhausting even as Daniel thought it was exhausting. "I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding." (vs 27)

What I am seeing here is that we have two power players: the ram and the goat. The ram is powerful, but the goat is more powerful. It is a conflict between two earthly kingdoms; yet, in the end even the more powerful goat will be overthrown by the hand of God.

All this conflict in the world and for what? There is only one God and in the end He will put an end to the terror that mankind inflicts upon mankind.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Daniel 7 - Four Beasts

First, I want to point out that the Book of Daniel is definitely not in chronological order. Two chapters ago, Belshazzar was King; in the last chapter Darius was king following Belshazzar's death; and now we are reading about a vision that Daniel had during Belshazzar's first year of reign.

Just as it is hard to decipher what happened in what order in Daniel, it is also difficult (no impossible) to discern what, if anything, has already occurred from Daniel's dream regarding the four beasts. We cannot tell for sure if some or all of this prophecy as already been fulfilled or how much of it is yet to be fulfilled.

Daniel writes: “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.” (vs 28) Even after receiving the interpretation of the dream, Daniel is troubled. It can indeed be very troubling trying to figure out what the interpretation of the dream means. It will not be good. But, then again, it will be very good, because Jesus will reign.

I have heard so many interpretations of the interpretation found in this seventh chapter of Daniel (as well as in books like Revelation), I cannot even begin to count them, let alone sort them out. It is quite troubling to hear these interpretations as though they are fact. There are fiction books out there based on this prophecy and I would ask anyone who reads them to remember this that these books are not Holy Scripture: They are FICTION! Some of it can be quite fascinating fiction; but, it is fiction, nonetheless. No one, but God, knows for sure how the details will be played out. The interpretations that I speak of are those that would put the fear of death and of Hell and not the love of God into your hearts and minds.

But, there is one thing, for sure, that we can take from this dream that will give us hope. Daniel writes: "Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him." (vs 28)

Let not your heart be troubled by the imaginations of men. The LORD is with you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Daniel 6 - Tell Every Nation

The book of Daniel is just full of familiar stories - stories taught to our Sunday School youth. In this chapter, Darius the Mede is ruling. The administrators and satraps play to his ego and get him to issue and edict that calls for everyone in the kingdom to pray to no one but King Darius. They cannot pray to anyone or anything else or they will be thrown into the lion's den. Apparently, Darius' ego over-ruled any common sense because Darius signed the edict.

Of course those who coerced Darius into signing this edict had an ulterior motive. They were jealous of Darius and wanted him gone. They caught Daniel praying, who they had known would not stop praying to his God, and turned him in to Darius. Darius had no choice but to keep his word and lock Daniel in the lions' den. Apparently King Darius had at least a little faith in the God that Daniel prayed to. He told Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (vs 16 NIV)
Darius was so anxious that he did not sleep all night.

"At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

"Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”  (vs 19-22)

The king threw the men who had plotted against Daniel, along with their families, into the lions' den.

"Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!

“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

“For he is the living God
    and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
    his dominion will never end.
He rescues and he saves;
    he performs signs and wonders
    in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel    from the power of the lions.” (vs 25-27)

The king had seen the miracle that the living God had done in saving Daniel and not only did he decree that everyone in his kingdom should reverence the God of Daniel, the living, eternal God; but, he wrote to all the nations proclaiming God's power and mighty deeds.

Now, here is one who has no birthright to the kingdom of God. But, he sees. He knows. He reverences the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And... this King Darius is an evangelist! He wrote to all the nations! What about us? Have we told even our neighbors, our family, about this God, who is above all things; whose Kingdom will never be destroyed; nor will His dominion every end? This is the God who rescues and saves! Have you told anyone this - so that they too might believe and be saved?

Go into all the world... proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Daniel 4 - Babylonian King Glorifies God; Will We?

"At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
    or say to him: “What have you done?”

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Dan 4:34-36 NIV)

King Nebuchadnezzar, mighty and powerful, had been brought to his knees and when he looked toward heaven, acknowledging that no one was before God, no one was more mighty or powerful than God, he was restored to his sanity.

Nebuchadnezzar had another one of those fantastic dreams which Daniel interpreted for him. Nebuchadnezzar, this powerful king, would be brought down to his knees. He would wander around in the wilderness, completely mad. It was as was predicted. He went through a horrible time of trial; but, in the end this great Babylonian king did not shake his fist at God. He thanked God. He praised Him!

What about us? Do we, who profess Jesus Christ, give thanks and praise to God for all things? Do we praise Him when we go through trying times? Think about it; King Nebuchadnezzar had gone totally mad; driven by God from the people to wander about in the wilderness with the wild animals, even eating the grass of the fields with the oxen.

When we are driven to wander aimlessly in the wilderness, what will we do? Will we turn quickly and give praise and thanksgiving to God?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Daniel 2 - Jesus is the Rock

Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” (Dan 2:4 NIV)

Not! The king wants his servants to not only interpret his dream, but to tell him what it was that he dreamed first! No king's servant is able to do that. Only God knows what goes has been put into the mind of man whether he is awake or asleep. The LORD comes to Daniel's rescue and shows Daniel the dream so that the dream might be interpreted for the king and the king will know what is to come.

"Daniel replied, 'No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come...'" (Dan 2:27-28)

What has been revealed is none other than Jesus, the Rock; Jesus the King. "They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:3-4)

"As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—  you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.”

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”

and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble    and a rock that makes them fall.” (1 Peter 2:4-8)

Daniel interpreted the kings dream: “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces..." (Daniel 2:44-45 NIV)

Jesus is the rock. He is the King of Kings. His Kingdom is the kingdom, prophesied by Daniel, that will endure forever.

And we will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Amen. (Psalm 23:6)

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Daniel 1 - Everything Permissible; Not Beneficial

Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednigo) have found themselves in captivity in Babylon. They have been chosen to prepare to personally serve King Nebuchadnezzar. They don't have a problem with this. They do have a problem; though, with eating from the king's table. The diet is not one that God would choose for them. Daniel convinces the chief official to try feed him and his comrades food that would not defile them. It works! Daniel and company are healthier than those who eat from the king's table. "So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead." (Dan 1:16 NIV) They are not only healthier, they are blessed by God. "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom." (Dan 1:17-20)

We eat and drink some stuff that is not always so good for us. Sure, it is permissible; but, is it good for us? Paul wrote: “'I have the right to do anything,' you say—but not everything is beneficial. 'I have the right to do anything'—but I will not be mastered by anything.'" (1 Corinth 6:12) Sometimes we just need to consider that just maybe God did not give us those dietary laws for His health, but for ours. How many times have we been warned by our doctors to eat healthier? Do we listen? What are the benefits to us if we do? Lately, my memory and my focus have been off a bit. Frankly, some days, it is just hard to keep up with everything. A few years ago, my doctor prescribed additional vegetable protein. It worked while I listened. So, now I find myself going back to concentrating on increasing protein content to my diet so that I can function up to par. Sure, we can eat all the junk food and drinks that we want. Nobody is stopping us. Everything is permissible; but, not every thing is beneficial...

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Ezekiel 28 - Pride Goes Before A Fall

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘In the pride of your heart
    you say, “I am a god;
I sit on the throne of a god
    in the heart of the seas.”
But you are a mere mortal and not a god,
    though you think you are as wise as a god.
Are you wiser than Daniel?
    Is no secret hidden from you?
By your wisdom and understanding
    you have gained wealth for yourself
and amassed gold and silver
    in your treasuries.
By your great skill in trading
    you have increased your wealth,
and because of your wealth
    your heart has grown proud. (Ezekiel 28:1-5 NIV)

And... because of this the LORD promises that the ruler of Tyre will fall. Ezekiel gives us another reminder, this morning, that "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov 16:18)

As St. Paul wrote to the Galatians: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Gal 6:14)

God's Peace - Pr. J