I’m sharing over on the First 5 app today in our study of Galatians. We’d love to have you join us as we wrap up this study! Here’s a preview . . .

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Today’s Reading: Galatians 5:13-15

Galatians 5:13 (ESV) “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

What comes to mind when you think of freedom? Maybe you remember the first time you drove on your own as a new driver, free to go wherever you pleased. Maybe you dream of financial freedom and not agonizing over every expense. Maybe you cherish the liberty Americans enjoy, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Those who are united to Christ have been given a freedom unlike anything a government, bank account or driver’s license can provide. Paul shared the good news of our freedom in Christ in Galatians 5:1, and in today’s reading, he adds a caution: “Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13b). Paul knew that as the Galatians turned away from the legalistic message of the Judaizers, they might be tempted to use their freedom to rationalize sin.

Paul wanted his readers – then and now – to understand that giving yourself over to the desires of your flesh (that is, your sinful nature) isn’t true freedom.

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To read the rest of the teaching, head over to the First 5 website or download the app!

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I’m sharing today at First 5 in our study of Galatians. We’d love to have you join us! Here’s a preview . . .

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Today’s Reading: Galatians 3:15-20

Galatians 3:18 (ESV) “For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.”

I’m a planner. In fact, one plan usually isn’t enough – I prefer to have a plan and at least one back-up plan. When my kids were little and my friends planned a girls’ night out, I had a babysitter on stand-by in case my husband couldn’t get home from work in time. When I fly, I like to have a mobile boarding pass and a paper boarding pass. I own two coffee makers so if one malfunctions, I don’t have to go without my all-important morning jolt of caffeine.

As a committed maker of back-up plans, I can identify with the Christians in Galatia. After Paul came to preach salvation by faith alone, the Judaizers spread a false teaching that said Christians needed to be circumcised to be saved. Maybe the Galatians just wanted to cover all their bases. Faith was important, but having the back-up plan of circumcision couldn’t hurt, right?

Paul addressed these issues in Galatians 3:15-20. Through his arguments, we see that our salvation doesn’t depend on our law-keeping but on God’s promise-keeping. And God always keeps His promises.

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To read the rest of the teaching, head over to First 5 or download the app!

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Today I’m sharing over at First 5 in our study of 1 and 2 Chronicles. We’d love to have you join us in the app! Here’s a preview:

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 32

2 Chronicles 32:8 (ESV) “‘With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles. ‘ And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”

My daughter came into the room with a writing assignment in her hand. “We don’t think you’ll know the answer to this,” she said. “But can you help me?” She and her brothers had already discussed their complete lack of confidence in my grammatical skills – how embarrassing! – but out of desperation, she came asking for my help anyway.

Have you ever felt that way as you approached God for help? Maybe you worry that your sin is too serious for His forgiveness. Maybe you wonder if He’s powerful enough to help with your problems. Maybe the storm of your suffering seems beyond His promises of peace. Your confidence in the Lord is weak, but you know He is the only place to turn.

In 2 Chronicles 32, we find the people of Judah asking the same question: Can we have confidence in the Lord’s deliverance?

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You can read the rest of this teaching over at First 5. I hope you’ll consider downloading the app to join us as we continue to study God’s Word together!

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I’m sharing today in the First 5 app as we make our way through 1 and 2 Chronicles. Here’s a preview . . .

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2 Chronicles 10:19 (ESV) “So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.”

Every junior high seems to have one couple that everyone thinks will last forever. You’ll find them listed under “Cutest Couple” in the yearbook. Their relationship stands the test of time, extending beyond days and weeks to months and years.

At my school, we had a few of these couples, but none of them withstood the Great Breakup of 1991. In the course of one week, several boys dumped their girlfriends. Two of the couples had been dating for over a year, and we were all in shock that these love stories had come to an end.

I imagine that the Israelites felt the same way about the events of 2 Chronicles 10. God called Abraham to be the father to a great nation. (Genesis 12:1-3) God brought His people out of slavery in Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land. He gave them victory, wealth and strong leadership during the reigns of David and Solomon. It seemed like nothing could derail the success of God’s people.

And then Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, dealt so harshly with his people that Israel rebelled. (2 Chronicles 10:15-16) We read in 1 Kings 12:20 that Rehoboam was left to rule over only the tribe of Judah, and the other tribes of Israel made Jeroboam their king. From that point, until the fall of Israel in 722 B. C. , God’s people would be two nations: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.

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To read the rest of the teaching or download the First 5 app, click here. We’d love to have you join us as we continue our study!

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