daily prayer

     Good morning! How are we faithing? We read the epistles in the Word and we learn about our savior. We also must remember when we read them that we are actually reading someone elses mail. With that in mind we must also realize there has to be some things that the intended receiver of the mail will take for granted. Cultural things are assumed, traditions and ways of worship have to be explored by us to get the entire message written in the letters.  Galatians for example is a letter by Paul to a group of churches that he founded but were straying off the free gift nature of Christ's grace. They were intermingling Judaism rituals and missing the simplistic nature of grace. Being from the Celtics a couple hundred years B C they were a warrior type  of people and with the combining of cultures they needed to be set straight on salvation by grace. We see it today with many denominations setting much more importance on ritual than necessary. People tend to forget the rituals are for edification and not salvation. Salvation is by grace, the other things we ought to do are to help us remember such a great love God has for us and to not be swept away with the world. These letters, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Corinthians are wonderful teaching letters that can solidify ones faith if we but pour over them. Also a little history research will explain how things were in those societies so we can better understand the points being made. Take the time this week end and enjoy some history and faith building reading!

remember Norma...remember Emma...

Heavenly Father,
  Open our eyes to your truth. We ask for a desire to your Word. We ask to be ever thinking and learning so we may better serve you. Grant us wisdom when we witness to the lost. Grant us courage also. Bless our deeds that they show your true face and not ours. In Jesus name, amen