ARE YOU BREATHING THE SWEET AIR OF FORGIVENESS?

Today's promise: God is always willing to forgive us

Are you breathing the sweet air of forgiveness?

Though our hearts are filled with sins, you forgive them all.

Psalm 65:3 NLT

The sweet air of forgiveness

If you doubt God's forgiveness, allow the words of Romans 8:32 to strengthen your faith. If God gave up His only Son for you, so surely He will not hold back His forgiveness!

Since God did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?

God's forgiveness is different than human forgiveness. Isaiah 43:25 declares that when God forgives sin, He forgets them forever.

"I — yes, I alone — am the one who blots out your sins for My own sake and will never think of them again."

Human forgiveness often comes with hidden strings. We say we forgive, but later, at a crucial time, we yank the string and pull the offense back into view. Saying "I forgive you" comes easily, but truly forgiving and forgetting is much more difficult. Knowing our tendency to store past offenses and hold grudges, we assume that God does the same.

But the Bible proclaims that God will never think of our sins again. Does God take sin seriously? Definitely! Sin is so serious that it deserves the death penalty, eternal death.

Does God want to forgive sinners? Certainly! God sent Jesus to take the punishment for sin, dying on the cross in our place. All who repent and trust in Christ can be forgiven.

Can we trust God to forgive us? Of course! Release that load of guilt. Stand tall and breathe the sweet air of forgiveness.

From Living Water for Those Who Thirst Tyndale House Publishers (2000), pp 37-8

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

RESCUED

RESCUED

READ:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 20-25

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and you will be saved. -Acts 16:31

Manuel Gonzalez was the first rescue worker to reach the 33 miners trapped for 69 days in a Chilean mine explosion in 2010.  At great risk to his own life, he went underground more than 2,000 feet to bring the trapped men back to the surface.  The world watched in amazement as one by one each miner was rescued and transported to freedom.

The Bible tells us of an even more amazing rescue.  Because of Adam and Eve's disobedience, all of mankind is trapped in sin (Genesis 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12).  Unable to break free, everyone faces certain death-physically and eternally.  But God has provided a Rescuer-Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  Everyone who accepts the free gift of salvation offered through His death and resurrection is freed from sin's grip and its resulting death penalty (Romans 5:8-11; 10:9-11; Ephesians 2:1-10).

Jesus Christ is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20).  He was the first to be raised from the dead, never to die again.  Likewise, all will be given life who put their faith in Christ (Romans 8:11).

Are you still trapped in your sins?  Accept Jesus' gift of salvation and enjoy the freedom of life in Christ and eternity with Him (Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13). - C.P. Hia

THINKING IT OVER
What keeps you from calling out to God for spiritual
rescue?  Do you fear that you are too bad for God's
grace?  Read and think about Romans 3:23-26.
*******************************************
Through His cross, Jesus rescues and redeems.

INSIGHT
At the heart of the gospel is the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus.  "Christ died for our sins according to Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; cf. Matthew 1:21).  God validated His sacrifice for our sins by raising Him from the dead (Romans 4:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:14-18).  The resurrection confirms the sufficiency and efficacy of His death (Romans 6:4-11; 1 Peter 3:21-22).

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace

UNSTOPPABLE

UNSTOPPABLE

READ:
Numbers 22:10-34

The LORD opened Balaam's eyes,
and he saw the Angel of the LORD
standing in the way.  -Numbers 22:31

Under it.  Over it.  Around it.  Through it.  Nothing will stop me from doing it."  I often hear people express this kind of attitude when they get an idea or see an opportunity that seems good or profitable.  They devote all of their resources to getting it done.

As evidence that this way of thinking may be flawed, I call as my witness a donkey-a donkey belonging to a man named Balaam.

Balaam was offered a profitable assignment from a neighboring king, and he inquired of God for permission to accept it (Numbers 22).  When God said no, the king's representatives made a better offer.  Thinking God might change His mind, Balaam asked again.  God granted permission for Balaam to go with them but with strict conditions.  God knew Balaam's heart and was not pleased with him so He placed His Angel in the way.  Balaam couldn't see the Angel but his donkey could.  When the donkey refused to continue, Balaam became angry with the animal for blocking his progress.

Balaam's story teaches us that not every obstacle is meant to be overcome.  Some are placed by God to keep us from doing something foolish.  When our plans are hindered, we shouldn't assume that it's Satan trying to stop us.  It might be God trying to protect us.  -Julie Ackerman Link

Let Your wisdom guide me ever,
For I dare not trust my own;
Lead me, Lord, in tender mercy,
Leave me not to walk alone. -Reed
*****************************
God is always protecting us-
even when we don't realize we need it.

Have a blessed evening.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace

HOW DOES YOUR LIFE REFLECT GOD'S FORGIVENESS?

Today's promise: God is always willing to forgive us

How does your life reflect God's forgiveness?

Brothers, listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness of sins.

Acts 13:38 NLT

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32 NLT

Proclaiming God's forgiveness

Proclamation of the Good News of God's forgiveness is what my Christian testimony is all about. That includes forgiveness within my marriage. There is great testimony of God's power when I forgive Teresa as He has forgiven me.

Nothing about myself wants to forgive. It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that I am able to forgive. Forgiveness is a divine reality that I must first receive from my Creator. Only then can the Spirit prompt me to share that forgiveness with others.

I remember when God humbled me with this truth through the words of Isaiah 53:4-6. Christ took on my sickness of selfishness and pride and carried my pain to the cross. Jesus was pierced for my harsh words and snippy attitudes with my wife. He was crushed by my "white lies" and subtle dishonesty. The Savior took on the punishment for my years of neglecting my wife and forgetting my kids.

Because of Christ's forgiveness, Teresa and I can proclaim that it is possible to live in harmony with one another. We are grateful to be able to proclaim God's work in our marriage, to be able to demonstrate to those around us that we don't go to sleep with unforgiveness or bitterness in our hearts. This testimony has only been possible through the divine provision of His forgiveness.

Adapted from The One Year® Book of Devotions for Couples by David and Teresa Ferguson, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for June 5

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGES THREE

TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGES THREE
(Notes taken from Pastor David Epstein’s Sermon at Calvary Baptist Church on 1/27/2013)

3 - Paul changed his loyalties (boss) from the Chief Priest to Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1
To identify with Jesus Christ and His name is a revolutionary act, a transfer of allegiance but Paul did it.  This was a big deal and can cause you your life.  It caused Paul his life.
[Saul needed his loyalty changed.]

Jesus' name is the only name that is used in curse words.  All the names to be demonized that could be used are not, only Jesus' name is demonized.

Jesus offered His life for our sins and we chose to demonize His name.  WHY?

There is something spiritual, moral going on.

Paul before his conversion despised Jesus Christ.  When Saul met Christ on the Damascus Road he changed his name and loyalty, from the high priest to Jesus Christ.  He changed his name from Saul to Paul, (Acts 9:1-19)

Paul honored Jesus' name over and over again.

We are in Christ.  We are spiritually rich.  We are not to take Jesus' name lightly.

Act 26:9-11
Paul is speaking truth to power.
Saul wanted to do everything in his power to oppose Jesus' name.  His hatred for Christ was so great he not only wanted the followers of Jesus in prison but also put to death.  Saul blasphemed and he wanted the followers of Jesus to blaspheme too, so he forced them under the penalty of death to blaspheme.  Saul had an obsession with persecuting the people of God.

America is the only place in the world where people are not being persecuted for teaching, preaching, spreading God's Word, the name of JESUS.

Act 26:12-18
Saul was told by Jesus he was persecuting HIM and HIS people.
Jesus told Saul his allegiance is being transferred.
All who loved you will hate you because of the name of JESUS.
Jesus was going to use Paul to turn them from darkness to light.
The people that were hating Jesus and His people were serving Satan not God.
Now Paul will be serving God.

Act 26:19-20
The vision and name was JESUS.
Paul now proclaimed that name, JESUS.

Act 4:1-23
The name [JESUS] was always the issue.
When thousands of people were converted after hearing Peter and John speak there was trouble in the city, (vs. 4).

"By what power or what name did you do this?" (vs. 7)

They wanted Peter and John to give them the name under the threat of death.

Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, (vs.8).  He said, "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead that this man stands before you healed, (vs. 10).

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved, (vs. 12).

Jesus is "the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone" (vs. 11).

Jesus' name was considered a dangerous name.  The Sadducees didn't want Peter and John to teach under this name anymore under the threat of death.

Peter and John was not afraid of them and they said, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God," (vs.19).

Jesus' name was/is to be praised.
Philippians 2:9-11
9 - Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name,
10 - that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 - and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

RED TAPE

RED TAPE

READ:
Romans 5:1-8

Through [Jesus] also we have
access by faith into this grace
in which we stand, and rejoice
in hope of the glory of God.
-Romans 5:2

The expression "red tape" describes the annoying way that bureaucracy prevents things from getting done.  Originally, the phrase referred to the common practice of binding official documents with red ribbon.  In the early 1800s, the term was popularized by the writings of Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle, who was protesting governmental foot-dragging.  Following the American Civil War, the problem of "red tape" resurfaced as war veterans struggled to receive their benefits.  The term denotes frustration and disappointment because of the burdensome hurdles it erects to accomplishing goals.

Bureaucratic red tape is almost legendary, but there is one place in the universe where it's never an issue-the throne of God.  In Romans 5:2, Paul speaks of Christ, "through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand."  When our hearts are broken or our lives are troubled, there is no red tape hindering our access to God.  Jesus Christ has paved the way so that we can have access to enter boldly into the presence of the King of Heaven (Hebrews 4:16).

Remember, when your heart is hurting, you don't have to cut through a lot of red tape to present your needs to God.  Through Christ, we have full and immediate access.  -Bill Crowder

Thank You, Father, that access to Your throne
has been secured for us by Jesus Christ.  We
know that You will not ignore us.  Thank You for
the confidence we can have that You care.
*****************************************
God's throne is always accessible to His children.

INSIGHT
Because of what Jesus did on the cross, believers are now justified by faith (Romans 5:1).  Paul speaks of this as our undeserved privilege.  We now have "peace with God" (v.1), for we are no longer His enemies.  We have been delivered from His wrath and reconciled to Him (vv.9-11).  We have access to God, and our glorious hope (v.2) is being restored to His glory (3:23).  This gives us a new perspective on life's pains.  We can rejoice in our present sufferings because they are designed by God to strengthen, mature, and perfect us (5:3-4).  All of this is possible because of a new experience of God's inexhaustible love, demonstrated through Christ's death and affirmed through the giving of the Holy Spirit (v.5).

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace

HAVE YOU FELT YOUR SIN WAS BEYOND FORGIVENESS?

Today's promise: God is always willing to forgive us

Have You Felt Your Sin Was Beyond Forgiveness?

And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved…

Joel 2:32NLT

"I assure you that any sin can be forgiven, including blasphemy; but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. It is an eternal sin." He told them this because they were saying He had an evil spirit.

Mark 3:28-29 NLT

"But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that Your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."

Mark 11:25 NLT

Nothing can ever separate us from His love…

Romans 8:38 NLT

Can any sin be forgiven?

The Bible commands us to forgive others when they have wronged us and to seek forgiveness when we have wronged others. We must do this to follow the example of God, who extends to us the ultimate pardon — forgiveness for our sins.

Forgiveness is not based on the magnitude of our sin, but the magnitude of the forgiver's love. No sin is too great for God's complete and unconditional love. The Bible does mention one unforgivable sin — an attitude of defiant hostility toward God that prevents us from accepting His forgiveness. Those who don't want His forgiveness are out of His reach.

adapted from TouchPoint Bible with devotional commentary by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers, Tyndale House Publishers (1996), p 1199

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A Christian will find it cheaper to pardon than to resent. Forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits.
HANNAH MORE

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

READ:
Psalm 143:1-6

I remember the days
of old.  -Psalm 143:5

Sometimes our minds run back through the years and yearn for that better time and place-the
"good old days."

But for some, the past harbors only bitter memories.  Deep in the night, they ponder their own failures, disillusionments, and fantasies, and think of the cruel hand life has dealt them.

It's better to remember the past as David did, by contemplating the good that God has done, to "meditate on all [His] works;...muse on the work of [His] hands" (Psalm 143:5).  As we call to mind the lovingkindness of the Lord, we can see His blessings through the years.  These are the memories that foster the highest good.  They evoke a deep longing for more of God and more of His tender care.  They transform the past into a place of familiarity and fellowship with our Lord.

I heard a story about an elderly woman who would sit in silence for hours in her rocking chair, hands folded in her lap, eyes gazing off into the far distance.  One day her daughter asked, "Mother, what do you think about when you sit there so quietly?"  Her mother replied softly with a twinkle in her eye, "That's just between Jesus and me."

I pray that our memories and meditations would draw us into His presence.  -David Roper

I have promised you My presence
With you everywhere you go;
I will never, never leave you
As you travel here below. -Rose
******************************
Fellowship with Christ is the secret
of happiness now and forever.

INSIGHT
This is one of seven penitential psalms (Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) where the author expresses deep sorrow over sin.  These psalms are intended to help worshipers see themselves as forgiven people whose only right to enter God's presence is by His mercy.  In this psalm, David-pursued ruthlessly by an enemy and in grave danger (vv.3-4)-cried out to the Lord for mercy and deliverance (vv.1-2, 11-12), not based on his own merit (v.2) but on God's faithfulness and righteousness (vv.1, 11).  Deeply aware of his own sinfulness, David recognized that he was not qualified to stand in God's presence, "for in [His} sight no one living is righteous" (v.2).

Have a blessed day and week ahead.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace

HAVE YOU BEEN PARALYZED BY THE FAILURE TO CONFESS?

Today's promise: God is always willing to forgive us

Have you been paralyzed by the failure to confess?

When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable and groaned all day long.

Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide them.

I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the Lord." And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to You while there is time.

Psalm 32:3-6 NLT

Confessing instead of hiding

We find many ways to get around admitting our sin. We rationalize our sins away. We try to drown out the guilt with all types of distractions. But over time, our sins deplete our will to pray. David was intimately familiar with all the ways one can try to hide sin. He had exhausted himself covering up his own sins. But everything changed when he finally gave up running away from his sin: "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you."

Like David, we can find our prayer life renewed when we freely confess our sins to God. Confess your sin and let God restore your prayer life to what it can and should be.

Prayer for today:

Dear Lord, I don't want to hide my sins anymore; I want to confess them to You today …

from The One Year® Book of Bible Prayers edited by Bruce Barton, Tyndale House Publishers (2000), entry for January 4

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On the other hand…

Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them quite so much.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGES - TWO

TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGES - TWO

(Notes taken from David Epstein [Pastor] at Calvary Baptist Church - 1/20/2013.

2 - Paul Changed his job from a Pharisee to an apostle

Matthew 20:17-19
Jesus will be killed but He would not stay dead.

Matthew 20:20-29
Jesus is powerful with tremendous power and authority but yet He is humble.  He wants us to follow His example.

POWER TENDS TO CORRUPT.  GREAT MEN ARE ALWAYS BAD MEN."

Saul was great and powerful and bad but when he became spiritual and connected to God, he became a good man.

Paul changed his name from Saul to Paul.  He changed his job.  God changed his job from a terrorist to an apostle (someone to give a message.

2 Corinthians 2:1-10
God gave Paul the power to write Ephesians while he was in Prison (Spiritual Warfare).

Paul's vision and thorn (vvs. 1-10)
God gave Paul power but He showed him his weaknesses to keep him close to God letting him know God gives him grace and mercy.  Paul shares his suffering and persecution.

The church cannot be adjusted to evil.  The church must stop the culture stamp used in its image.  The church must not change the message but adjust how the message is presented.  The church must change the method.

Acts 21:27-22:21
Saul was an extremist for evil to an extremist for good (Paul).

They used to listen to Saul now they wanted him dead (Paul).  Saul had the love for the death of the people that was against God.  Saul is changed/converted (Paul).  He becomes a new man.

"When those who killed You they believed they were doing the work of God."

Ephesians 2:19-22
We (the people) are the church not the building itself.
The Spirit of God indwells the Church (the people).

THE MARK OF LEADERSHIP

THE MARK OF LEADERSHIP

READ:
Mark 10:35-45

Whoever of you desires
to be first shall be slave
of all.  -Mark 10:44

While visiting the campus of Purdue University on a frigid winter day, I came upon two young men chipping away thick ice on the sidewalk next to a fraternity house.  Thinking they must be underclassmen who had been assigned the tough job by older fraternity brothers, I said, "They didn't tell you about this when you joined, did they?"  One looked up with a smile and said, "Well, we're both upperclassmen.  I'm the fraternity vice-president and my friend here is the president."  I thanked them for their hard work and went on my way having been reminded that serving others is the mark of a true leader.

When two of Jesus' disciples asked Him for positions of honor in His coming kingdom, the Lord gathered His twelve closest followers and told them, "Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.  And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all" (Mark 10:43-44).  If there was any doubt about what Jesus meant, He reminded them that He had not come to be served but to serve others and to give His life to ransom them from the power of sin (v.45).

The mark of true, godly leadership is not power and privilege, but humble service.  God gives us strength to follow Jesus' example and to lead His way.  -David McCasland

The paths of leadership are trod
By those who humbly walk with God.
Their gracious spirit holds a sway
That makes you want to go their way. -D. DeHaan
*****************************************
A qualified leader is one who has learned to serve.

INSIGHT
James and John were brothers (Mark 1:19) and part of Jesus' inner circle (Mark 5:37; 9:2).  They may have been Jesus' cousins.  Their mother Salome was probably Mary's (Jesus' mother) sister (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25).

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace

HOW HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED GOD'S FORGIVENESS?

Today's promise: God is always willing to forgive us

How have you experienced God's forgiveness?

Come back to Me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.

1 Kings 19:3-4 NLT

Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.

Luke 17:4 NLT

About this week's promise

Since forgiveness is an expression of love, a person whose life has an endless supply of love should be demonstrating an endless supply of forgiveness. We can experience unlimited love in our relationship with God. It is this resource that makes it possible for us to forgive others again and again. First, we recognize that God forgives us time and time again. Second, we want to express God's love in a world that needs desperately to witness it.

adapted from TouchPoint Bible with devotional commentary by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers, Tyndale House Publishers (1996), p 904

Digging Deeper

For more on forgiveness, see Radical Forgiveness by Julie Ann Barnhill, Tyndale House Publishers (2004).

Julie Ann Barnhill helps women understand and embrace the power of Christ to eradicate sin and establish a new life of freedom. Enjoy her typically sassy yet vulnerable style as Julie shares from her own and other women's experiences. Along the way you'll see what real forgiveness looks like in everyday life and relationships.

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It is far better to forgive and forget than to hate and remember.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

"I can forgive, but I cannot forget," is only another way of saying, "I will not forgive."
HENRY WARD BEECHER

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

HOW DO YOU REMIND YOURSELF OF GOD'S LEADING IN THE PAST?

Today's promise: Overcoming discouragement brings great blessing

How do you remind yourself of God's leading in the past?

Joshua said to the people, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: …I took your ancestor Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him to the land of Canaan. I gave him many descendents through his son Isaac.… Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I brought terrible plagues on Egypt; and afterward I brought you out as a free people.… With your very own eyes you saw what I did.… Finally, I brought you into the land of the Amorites on the east side of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave you victory over them, and you took possession of their land.… When you crossed the Jordan River and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you. There were also many others who fought you. … It was not your words or bows that brought you victory. I gave you land you had not worked for, and I gave you cities you did not build—the cities in which you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them.

Joshua 24:2-13 NLT

Joshua's story of hope

Joshua reminded a discouraged people of all the times God had provided for them and demonstrated His goodness. Reviewing past blessings can encourage us to continue to serve God faithfully. Keep records—through a journal or a scrapbook—of the love God has shown for you. When you need encouragement, review what God has already done, revisiting the mementos of His work in your life. And read the Bible in order to refresh your knowledge of the many blessings God has given His people throughout history.

adapted from TouchPoint Bible with devotional commentary by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers, Tyndale House Publishers (1996), p 208

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGES

TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGES

(Notes from Calvary Baptist Church from Pastor David Epstein's Sermon)

Paul writes of the transformation and changes in his life.
Ephesians 1:1-2
1 - He changed his name from Saul to Paul.
2 - He changed his job from a Pharisee to an apostle.
3 - He changed his loyalties (boss) from the Chief Priest to Jesus Christ.
4 - He changed his destiny/purpose from his leadership dictating his destiny, the captain of his own ship to allowing God to lead/guide him.
5 - He changed his friends from the ones who rejected the Messiah to the ones who loved the Messiah.
6 - He changed his world view from no longer trying to be good enough getting other people to like him to his life be given grace/mercy from Jesus.
7 - He changed his address from Jerusalem to a Roman prison.  Before he was free but now he is freer through Jesus Christ, true freedom.

For half his life, Saul did not know he needed change.  He had been lied to and he lied himself.

"Things are not always what they seem to be."

Saul thought that he was right with God.  He thought he was killing for God but he wasn't.  He thought he was rich spiritually but he was bankrupted.

Philippians 3:4-11
He was totally diluted.
Now we are connected to God (vs., 10-11).
Paul finally got connected to God with the changes in his life.

Ephesians 4:1-16
Transformation is a change that we have new life.  Where there is change we have life.  Where there is no change we have no life.

Living as children of light
Ephesians 4:17-5:2
You will find/see proof of life by a change in your life, (4:30 - And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption).

Any one of the above changes can change your life forever.

Paul changed his name.
Saul was his Hebrew name.  Someone who was asked prayed for.
Paul was his Roman name.  It meant, small, humble.

Why the change?
Not all the Jewish people were Roman citizens but he was.

Our children are lent to us from God to be given back to Him.

Act 13:4-12
Paul is in a spiritual fight.  The false prophet Elymas wants to do everything to keep Sergius Paulus away from Christ.
Paul tells Elymas he is a prophet of the devil.  This is the first time Paul is referred to as Saul.  The power of Elymas was great but God's power was greater.  The good guys won.

Why did Paul stop being known as Saul?  What does it mean?
He might say he changed his name to commemorate God's grace to keep God's love for people first in his life.

Because Saul meant hatred and brutality, he wanted to make a shift in his life.  He wanted people to see the change in his life.

When you change your name you start over.  He changed his name so he could minister to the Gentiles.  He changed his name because Paul meant small, humble and that is how he was after he changed his name.

God calls us by name and He wants us to connect with people and share His love.

GUEST LIST

GUEST LIST

READ:
Luke 14:7-14

When you give a feast, invite
the poor, the maimed, the lame,
the blind.  And you will be blessed.
-Luke 14:13-14

Qumran was a first-century Jewish community that had isolated itself from outside influences to prepare for the arrival of the Messiah.  They took great care in devotional life, ceremonial washings, and strict adherence to rules of conduct.  Surviving documents show that they would not allow the lame, the blind, or the crippled into their communities.  This was based on their conviction that anyone with a physical "blemish" was ceremonially unclean.  During their table fellowship, disabled people were never on their guest lists.

Ironically, at that same time the Messiah of Israel was at work in the cities and villages of Judea and Galilee.  Jesus proclaimed His Father's kingdom, brought teaching and comfort, and worked mighty miracles.  Strikingly, He proclaimed:  "When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.  And you will be blessed" (Luke 14:13-14).

The contrast between Jesus' words and the guest list of the Qumran "spiritual elite" is instructive to us.  Often we like to fellowship with people who look, think, and act like us.  But our Lord exhorts us to be like Him and open our doors to everyone.  -Dennis Fisher

The gospel must be shared with all,
Not just with those like you and me;
For God embraces everyone
Who turns to Him to set them free.  - Sper
**********************************
The inclusive gospel cannot be shared
by an exclusive people.  -George Sweeting

INSIGHT
Every parable had a trigger event that made Jesus tell it (e.g., Luke 12:13-16; 15:1-3; 18:9; 19:11).  Jesus told the parable in today's reading because "He noted how [the invited guests] chose the best places" (v.7).  The two places of highest honor were on the right and left hand of the host (cf. Matthew 20:21).  This parable teaches proper self-appraisal-it is better to be humble than humiliated (Luke 14:11), the same lesson of Proverbs 25:6-7.

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace