Galatians. .Week 1. .Fast Fact

Hello, hello!!
Is it hard for anyone else but me to believe that it is NOVEMBER??? 
 I do NOT know where the time goes!! 

Hopefully, you have been able to read through the book of Galatians once already. .
As I did. .I came to a few thoughts that I wanted to share. .

As I read Galatians, I was reminded of a comment from of the ladies in our email study last month. .
The first time she read through the book of 1 John. .
she felt a sense of panic. .
like there was NO way that she could be as diligent in keeping God’s commands as she felt He demanded. .
That sin is such a huge part of our everyday life. .
it’s easy to feel frustrated and overcome with the guilt of all of it. .
And the book of Galatians, if you haven’t yet read it. .
should set your mind at EASE!!

Paul talks repeatedly of grace. .
what IS that really. .
One of my favorite definitions given by James MacDonald, a great bible teacher. .
is Grace=Getting something that we do NOT deserve
(uh, like forgiveness. .eternal life. .a fresh start every day. .you choose which something you are interested in). .
as opposed to his definition of . .
Mercy=NOT getting something that you DO deserve
(a bad grade. .a long lecture. .DEATH for your sins) 

Another definition of grace is. .
unmerited favor. .
The book of Galatians does an excellent job of demonstrating the importance of the concept. .
we can NOT follow the law. .
that goes back to Romans 7 (if you chose NOT to read it a couple weeks ago. .do that today!!)
 And God KNEW that. .it is why He sent a Savior. .
to bestow us with grace. .giving us eternal life, even though we DESERVE death. .
I’m thankful for that gift. .and I hope you are too. .

I also wanted to take a quick minute to introduce you to the author. .Paul.

His story is one of my favorite illustrations of WHAT God can do to people. .
Paul was born in the city of Tarsus. .
His given name was SAUL. .
Jesus changed that to Paul later. .
He was both a Jew. .and a Roman citizen.
When he was young, he was taken to Jerusalem to be trained by Gamaliel, the most famous rabbinic scholar of the time. He was very well versed in Jewish laws, customs, and traditions. .
Even more advanced in the studies than many men his age. .
and was a member of a group of men called Pharisees
(these men were a bit like lawyers. .they knew the Jewish laws extensively. .and taught and followed strict observance of those rules, religious practices, and oral laws and traditions that they devised).
These men were rebuked by Jesus multiple times throughout the gospels as being people that “proclaim me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. .their worship is in vain, their teachings are merely human rules” Matthew 15:8-9. 

Paul had gotten so strict in his practice of being a Pharisee. .
that his main focus was persecuting Christians that were no longer following the Jewish customs. He was the one that approved the stoning of Stephen (a great Christian man). Saul’s life really changed in his last persecuting mission. .
He was on his way to Damascus (breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord) to arrest (and likely kill) some of the Christians there. .
on that road. .the road to Damascus. .
a light from heaven shone around him causing him to fall down, unable to look.
Jesus made a personal appearance to Saul that day. .changing his ENTIRE life!!
 It is a profound story. .found in Acts 9. .
take a few minutes today to read that story for yourself!!
After Paul’s conversion to Christ. .he went on to lead a phenomenal ministry for the Lord. .
and wrote 13 out of 27 New Testament books.

Another good evidence that God doesn’t just want “good” people. .
the people who go to church, have it all together all the time. .
and have never done anything HORRIBLY wrong. .
Who but GOD could take a murdering, slandering, blaspheming SINNER. .
and glorify HIMSELF. .
by making him useful to the ministry of Jesus Christ for all of time??
 I hope Paul’s story just makes you say. .W-O-W!!

So. .after a few tidbits to consider today. .

It’s time for our weekly Fast Fact. .
When did God become REAL to you?

I grew up knowing about God. .I knew that He was important. .
I did things that I thought would honor Him. .
and tried to live (for the most part) in a manner that He would approve of. .
It’s been over 16 years now that I truly KNEW that I would be going to heaven when I died. .
and that I recommitted myself to walk in line with His will. .
but in considering this question for myself. .
I don’t think He was “real” in my life. .
until the last 2-3 years. .
as I began studying more, reading more, and spending more time pursuing that relationship with Him. .
as I began to TASTE and SEE that the Lord is good!!
 I began feeling like He was hearing my prayers. .
that I was walking in obedience. .
that He was speaking in my heart, in a way that I truly knew it was Him. .
that He was leading me and teaching me in a way that I had never experienced before!
I knew He was REAL all along. .
but I didn’t REALLY perceive that REALITY of REAL until then. .
If that makes any sense!!
You may read the question differently than I did, and you just answer accordingly. .
there are no wrong answers today!!

THIS fast fact. .was probably not that fast!!
I realize that it was much deeper than they have been. .
and hopefully it is provoking you to seek in your heart an answer to it. .
Good for you!
I encourage you to answer sometime in the next day or two. .
I think it is good to own our stuff. .
if He isn’t real to you yet. .
don’t be afraid to say that. .
every person is different in their walk. .
It should be something that we are ALL aware of though. .
and thus the reason I chose this question. .
don’t worry. .
this is probably the most thought provoking fast fact there is. .
next week we are back to silly. .
though there will be a couple more deeper leveled fast facts in your future!! 
 Remember. .there is NO judging here. .
so please don’t be afraid of giving a “wrong” answer. .
the worst that could happen. .
is that you might give us something to pray for you about!!
Enjoy your day!!