Reflecting on My Faith as I read Galatians

May 25, 2019

My Thoughts as I read Galatians 

“But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.”

Galatians 3:25-27 MSG

https://www.bible.com/97/gal.3.25-27.msg

We were slaves under the law

Salvation; set free from sin and death; 

a one time occurrence 

By God’s Grace alone! 

How?  When we choose to believe and 

receive His gift of faith which is freely given

No longer slave under the law

Made an heir in God’s Kingdom forever

Justification; sins forgiven and forgotten

Redemption; by the final sacrificial Lamb;  

the final atonement; once and for all!

Christ’s Righteousness imparted into 

those who choose to believe.  It is never forced upon us.  We are given free will.

we can never be righteous in and of ourselves

Indwelled by the Holy Spirit at Salvation

Given the fruit of the Spirit 

Sanctification process begun; 

a process by which the Holy Spirit grows His fruit within us as He teaches us to be more loving, joyful, peaceful, kind, better persons, patient, faithful and gentle 

with more self control.  

We Inherit Eternal Life ;  which is

true, promised, and secured eternally.  

How do we know God’s promises?  We read and believe God’s Word,

our instruction manual, the Bible; for life as we walk our physical journeys.  

Each of us is a unique creation made by our Creator.

Each being consists of a body, a mind, and a spirit.  All three parts of us must be fed for continued life and growth.  

Our  spirits are eternal.

We walk through this life in a body.

We have a mind and the ability to think, learn , and make decisions.

We are spiritual-thinking beings on a physical journey in a temporary body.  

According to scriptures, our days are numbered.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed.  

NOW, this moment, is in the day of salvation 

I have chosen to believe that the One True God is the creator of all.  He has one plan to be united with his children as seen through out the 66 books in His Word.  It is stated in the Gospel of John; John 3:16.  

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 KJV

https://www.bible.com/1/jhn.3.16.kjv 

I made Jesus , the messiah, the Christ, Lord over my life many, many years ago.  He has never disappointed me.  No one who meets Him will ever want to turn back.  He continues to sanctify me and grow my spirit as I get ready to meet Him and my loved ones in Eternity someday.

My Testimony in Christ’s Love, 

Anna Mae Carlstrand

Psalm 1, 2, and 3 ..... Psalm 146 to 150

April 26, 2019
Psalm 1, 2, 3
As we read the Psalms we are to meditate on the words. God speaks to us as we read; breathe, pause, meditate, and think about what He is saying. He speaks to us and we enter His presence. When I am able to; I read each Psalm out loud. Lord open up our spiritual ears, eyes, and hearts. Give us a hunger for your word and a thirst for your living waters. We come to you in “praise and worship”. This we do no matter what is going on in our lives. You never leave us or forsake us . You are walking with us on the mountain and in the valley; in the joys and in the trials. Speak Lord! We are your servants and we are listening!

As I read Psalm 1, 2, and 3 God tells me that He prospers His children. He takes care of us. His living water brings forth fruit in our lives. The fruit of love, joy, peace etc. (Galatians 5:22,23). As believers we have God’s righteousness within us.

God Blesses all who trust in Him. (He knows His sheep and we hear His voice). He knows the way of the righteous but the way of the ungodly shall perish. We are to serve the Lord with fear (respect and commitment) and rejoice with trembling. He Is mighty. He is in control. He is to be the Lord of our lives.

Salvation belongs to the Lord and His Blessing is on His people. I am His and I know He takes care of me in all situations. The Lord sustains me and gives me His rest even when enemies (evil people, illness, problems) come against me. I trust Him. He has saved me. He hears my cries and my praises. He Blesses me and those I love. God is love and because He loves us we know how to love others. I trust, praise, worship and love Him. And we love each other in Him.
Love in Christ, Anna

April 27, 2019
Psalm 146 to 150
Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6). We are to praise God in His Sanctuary (in our churches and in our homes and in our lives) and in the firmament of His power (in all of creation). Luke 19:40 tells us that even if we don’t praise Him, creation will; then even the “stones will cry out”. We are to praise Him in the “firmament of His power” (Psalm 150:1). God guides us. We are to trust Him. He is the creator of all and of each of us. He is all powerful. We and all of creation are to worship Him with praise and Thanksgiving.

As believers we are to lift up words of praise to our God and converse with Him continually. We are to practice His presence through out our day and we are to know and be grateful for His closeness to us in all situations. We are to believe His Word and His Promises and live every moment in an awareness of Him in us and in all of creation.