No Pep Talks

FAITH:

The key question in life is not "How strong am I?" but rather "How strong is God?"

Focus on his strength, not yours. Occupy yourself with the nature of God, not the size of your biceps.

That's what God told Moses to do. Remember the conversation at the burning bush? The tone was set in the first sentence. "Take off your sandals because you are standing on holy ground" (Exodus 3:5). With these eleven words Moses is enrolled in a class on God. Immediately the roles are defined. God is holy. Approaching him on even a quarter-inch of leather is too pompous...No time is spent convincing Moses what Moses can do, but much time is spent explaining to Moses what God can do.

You and I tend to do the opposite. We would explain to Moses how he is ideally suited to return to Egypt... Then we'd remind Moses how perfect he is for wilderness travel...We'd spend time reviewing with Moses his résumé and strengths.

But God doesn't. The strength of Moses is never considered. No pep talk is given, no pats on the backs are offered. Not one word is spoken to recruit Moses. But many words are used to reveal God. The strength of Moses is not the issue; the strength of God is. by Max Lucado

FRIENDS:

Father, I pray that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which you have called me, the riches of your glorious inheritance in the saints, and your incomparably great power to us who believe. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
MAY 16
Mark 14:12-31; 2 Cor 13; Psalms 109; 2 Samuel 5-7
MAY 17
Mark 14: 32-42; Galatians 1; Psalms 110; 2 Samuel 8-10
MAY 18
Mark 14:32-42; Galatians 2; Psalms 111; 2 Samuel 11-12

~Galatians~
The Emancipation Proclamation was ready to be signed. The papers were complete. All that was lacking wast he signature of the president. But Abraham Lincoln was not ready. He had spent the morning at a reception and his hand was swollen from greeting visitors.

"Let me wait until my hand is better," he reportedly requested. "I don't want my signature to be shaky. I want people to know I set the slaves free in confidence."

Galatians states that Christ did the same for us. "He set the slaves free in confidence." No hesitation. No reservation. No reluctance. No exceptions.

The book of Galatians is the Emancipation Proclamation for the church. Written by the confident hand of one who had known slavery, it declares and defines Christian liberty. Paul wrote it to combat those in the church who were insisting that it was necessary to follow a law or code in order to be saved.

Many of the early Christians were Jewish Christians who were accustomed to following a law. Though they had accepted the gift of grace offered by Christ on the cross, some were falling away---substituting God's gift for man's works. Paul recognized this for what it was---legalism.

Legalism is not unique to the Galatians. Any time the gospel has been preached, there have been those who contend it is too good to be true. It's not enough to be saved by faith, argues the legalist, we must earn God's approval. Some teach that we earn God's favor by what we know (intellectualism). Others insist we are saved by what we do (moralism). Still others claim that salvation is determined by what we feel (emotionalism).

However you package it, Paul contests, legalism is heresy. Any gospel other than the pure gospel is anathema. Salvation comes only through the cross---no additions, no alterations.

We are free in Christ. "We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong. Do not change and go back into the slavery of the law" (5:1). Galatians is a document otffreedom. As you read, note the confidence of the writer. His hand doesn't shake, his conviction doesn't waver, his belief doesn't falter.

And neither should ours.


Ten Things To Be Thankful For
1. True, lasting values
2. People who love to teach children
3. A cool evening after a hot day
4. A pot of Earl Grey tea
5. Introducing old friends to new friends
6. Finding a good bookstore
7. Taking a walk when the world is too much
8. Wild roses over a cottage door
9. Murals on buildings
10. A sunset that makes your spirit soar

FOOD:

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD
2 cups small seashell pasta
1/3 cup Italian-style salad dressing
salt to taste
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper
flakes (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse pasta in cold water. Place in a large mixing bowl and add dressing and salt; mix well.
2. Combine pinto beans and black beans in a colander; rinse with cold water and add to pasta. Add corn, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, dried red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste; toss lightly.
3. Chill salad in refrigerator until ready to serve.

FUN:
For those of you that sew here is a really cute idea:
http://www.supernaturale.com/articles.html?id=70