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Psalm 52

Doeg the Edomite was down-right the opposite of what we know as a good person.  He was essentially an antagonist.  Has anyone ever run into one of those in your life??  The answer is probably yes, but have any of us ever run into one like Doeg?  That may be a different answer.  Doeg was extremely proud of doing wrong.  It wasn’t just mere sinning, he was boastful about it.  He highly indulged in the telling of lies way more than the truth.

Then there is the complete opposite of Doeg, and that is David.  He believes in truth over lies all day long.  He reminds us that God will always expose the lies and remove those that act in such a deceitful manner.  God always sees the truth and will bring justice.  David knows that the righteous will always see God’s justice and learn the lesson to be given.  So many times lies can lead to more money, power, and wealth, but only true trust in God is what is most real and right.

Doeg was the epitome of a bad man.  He was a true example of the bad guy in the movies who wanted no part of being good or righteous.  God always sees his type of injustice, but remember God will respond in His time.  Evil people may seem powerful for a while, but it won’t last.  Trust in God and stay rooted in His love.  Remain faithful even when evil seems to be winning.

Psalm 50 offers a clear warning against relying on outward religious actions or self-righteousness instead of genuine relationship with God. God speaks through the psalmist to confront His people—not for lack of sacrifice, but because their worship had become empty ritual. He reminds them that He doesn’t need their offerings; what He desires is a heart of gratitude and obedience.

This message speaks directly to Christians today who may rely on good works or a moral checklist to feel spiritually secure. While good deeds matter, Psalm 50 reminds us that they are meaningless if disconnected from authentic faith. God values thankfulness, humility, and a surrendered heart over religious performance.

The psalm also rebukes those who claim to follow God while being judgmental and hypocritical. God condemns those who speak His Word but live in contradiction—committing sin while condemning others. This reflects a modern temptation: Christians who speak truth but do not live it with grace and integrity, thus damaging their witness.

In verse 23, God clarifies what honors Him: “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” True worship is not about perfection or performance—it’s about a posture of thankfulness and trust.

Psalm 50 reminds believers that God sees beyond outward actions. He looks at the heart. Good works and moral behavior must flow from love for God, not pride or obligation. And when it comes to others, we are called to witness with humility, not condemnation. Our lives should reflect the grace we’ve received—not just in word, but in deed and attitude.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

Galatians 4

The book of Galatians is a letter. When we keep that in mind, we should not be stumbled by the chapters and verses that were placed into this letter. It is a fluid writing and when we go from chapter 3 to chapter 4 and then on to chapter 5, Paul continues speaking about a main point and that is Grace v. the Law.
In chapter 3 Paul is sure to point out that the Law brings a curse on individuals and that we are justified by faith and not by the law. He also states that the Spirit of God came to men not by the law, but by faith. Paul is combatting an issue he has seen crop up in the Galatian church and that is that they are falling back into their old ways.

In chapter 4 Paul makes two declarative statements about the believer in Jesus Christ. First, he states, “we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free” (verse 31). He also states that we are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (verse 7). The only reason one could be called this is by faith, not by following the law because we can never be perfect. James, in his letter, mentions that if we break one part of the law, we are guilty of breaking the whole thing. The reason the Galatians are children of God is because they were given grace on account of their faith.

Paul’s fear is that the Galatians are “turning again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire to be in bondage?” (verse 9). The Galatians had been known by God, experienced His grace and were in danger of referring back to their old ways. I am not one to point fingers at them because how often do we fall back into trusting in our traditions? How often do we forget that our Salvation hangs on what Jesus did on the cross? How often do we want to say that Jesus + something = salvation? Paul could very well be writing the same thing to our church here in the United States.

So, what is the takeaway? The most important thing, when it comes to our Christian doctrine, is that our salvation is by grace alone in faith alone. Jesus + nothing = everything. We don’t add good deeds to our salvation. We don’t add baptism to our salvation. We don’t add confession or penance to our salvation. We stick to Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Now I will add that good works play a role in the believer’s life by means of sanctification, but that is a completely different doctrine. The believer should be baptized and should confess and repent of their sins individually or with another believer. But we must remember that our salvation is by our turning from sin and submission to Jesus.

Today’s Reading: Galatians 2

Experience is one of the best teachers. Through the process of learning and growing, we understand and gain wisdom. By undergoing different circumstances we experience. When we are attentive we can learn from every interaction and situation that we have.   If we have guided experience, we grow to be a better person. If we have a difficult experience, we learn to rise above the challenges so that we can give that knowledge to others. Over the last several years, writing blogs and posts I have gained experience in Paul and his writings. In this writing, Paul is keeping it real. He is showing his experience in years and he is also showing his dedication to the mission despite what others think.

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Paul Opposes Peter

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.[a] 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” – Galatians 2:1-14

In this chapter of Galatians, Paul is reflecting on some interactions that he had with Peter, also noticed as Cephas.  Paul is telling us  how long he and the apostles have known each other. From this interaction, we should see that they have known each other for almost 20 years after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.Paul also informs us that he was given the mission of spreading the gospel to the non-Jewish people, also known as Gentiles. Paul also tells that Peter was commissioned to spread the gospel to the traditional Jewish people.

One of the major themes in this particular chapter is Paul is keeping it real with everybody. Paul is showing what is most important without question. Paul establishes his credibility and he also establishes his ability to step up when the time is right and to do what is right for the good of the gospel. Paul also shows that Peter wanted to keep up appearances. Paul is asking us not to be pretentious. Paul wants us to be genuine in all of our actions.  Paul shows us how to be genuine no matter who we are with or what we are doing.  If the people that we are with can not understand the genuine person that we are, why are we with them?  Paul wants us to be  an ambassador of God‘s love to everybody despite possible interactions are unfavorable circumstances.

We all have been Peter.  We all have denied Christ in our daily lives.  We all have tried to be someone other than ourselves.  We all have tried to play both sides.  Paul is challenging us to know ourselves and at the same time be uncomfortable when it is hard. 

If we are trying to show God‘s love, let us show God‘s love without conditions or fear of retribution or retaliation. If we are mentoring our ministering to someone it is okay to be seen. If we are in a midst of our own failures,  it is okay to show God’s love in the midst of our failures.

This chapter really brings a realness to our daily walk. Paul challenge us to keep it real. Paul is charging us to love despite of the hurt. Paul is challenging us to remember our mission and to give God‘s love no matter what the consequences are no matter who is watching. 

 

Paul’s warning in Galatians 1 cuts straight to the heart: there are those who would distort the gospel, turning it into something it was never meant to be. And that raises a haunting question—have I fallen into that trap?

My first instinct is to deflect.
“Yeah, but I’m not listening to those people. My sources are solid.”
Right. Whatever.

When I take an honest look at the voices shaping my thinking—podcasts, YouTube channels, influencers—the picture gets uncomfortable. Take Ed Mylett, for example. If I’m really honest, I don’t listen to him because he brings me closer to Jesus. I listen because he gets me closer to that billion-dollar dream.

Now, maybe Ed’s a bad example—he’s a Christian and talks openly about his faith—but even there, I feel the tension: God versus money. Kingdom versus platform.

Or Steven Bartlett. Despite his Jewish heritage, he calls himself a “devout and practicing agnostic”—believing God is unknowable.

Now, I love Steven’s podcast. He brings curiosity and wisdom in truckloads. But… should I trust it?

Is this what Paul is talking about when he says,

“You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all.”
— Galatians 1:6–7 (NLT)

Why Would We Distort the Gospel?

When I stop to think about it, the motivations become clearer.

Sometimes it’s about pleasing people—offering a message that’s more palatable, more powerful. A gospel that promotes me, where Jesus becomes a means to an end.

Other times, it’s just easier.

Going back to Bartlett—saying that “God is unknowable” is way easier than surrendering to the gospel. I can acknowledge God exists and still wash my hands of any responsibility to know Him. Engage Him. Surrender to Him.

I don’t think most teachers start out saying, “God’s word is wrong; let me rewrite it.”
They just… manage it. So it becomes more immediately rewarding.

That’s the danger: truth rebranded as something easier to swallow.

The Spiritual War We’re In

This is war. Lies, confusion, and temptation don’t just come from the outside—they build strongholds inside us.

And if I’m being real? Fighting them feels impossible most days.

So what’s the alternative? Sanctification.
Being set apart for Jesus.

But that road is costly. Holiness demands everything.

And if I’m not careful, I gravitate toward the blended message—a little Jesus, a little self-help, a little prosperity. The mix goes down easier.

But Paul’s warning in Galatians pulls no punches: there is no other gospel.
Anything we add to it, subtracts from it.

The uncomfortable truth is that I’m drawn to these half-truths because they offer transformation without the cross. Success without surrender.

But that’s not the gospel Paul lived and died for.
That’s not the message that changes everything.
That’s not Jesus.

Psalm 42

Psalm 42 is a classic psalm that has no doubt encouraged believers for thousands of years. This is a psalm people put on their fridge, hang on their walls, or even put on their church bulletins. The beautiful imagery and metaphor of the psalmist’s soul longing for God as a deer longs for water helps us understand foundational truths about God.

The Psalmist was far north of Jerusalem near Mount Hermon (v. 6) and the distance from God was making his soul downcast. To put christianese to these verses, the psalmist was feeling spiritually depressed. To further explain, he may have been feeling like he was in a spiritual dry spell. Not only is the distance causing the psalmist to feel downcast, but he has mockers and scoffers urging him to doubt the presence of his God saying, “Where is this God of yours?” (v. 3, 10). Lastly, in his sorrow he has a memory of how magnificent it was being in close proximity to the Lord and leading people in worship to the very temple where God inhabited.

How does the psalmist respond to his spiritual depression?

First, he questions himself. He searches himself and asks, “Why am I downcast, o my soul?”. Notice he doesn’t just roll over, cave and say, “Oh well. I am downcast and that’s all I’ll ever be”. Sometimes when we search ourselves, we can find the root of what’s causing this spiritual rut. But, this takes effort and a lot of us, myself included, have had times where we don’t want to have to deal with our own thoughts and put the work in to better ourselves. Second, he establishes his hope in the Lord (v. 5,11). This hope is not wishful thinking that things will get better. This hope is a confidence that things will get better because this hope is in a God who is a rock that is immovable. Lastly, the hope he has is evidenced by his action. He will praise the Lord even when he really doesn’t feel like it.

So how do you get out of a spiritual rut when it feels like you’re longing for God but can’t even get a drop of His presence? Crack open your Bible. It’s the same concept as when there is a person who is on a strict workout plan and they still go to the gym even when they are tired and don’t feel like it. The most important time to read your Bible is when you really don’t feel like it. Find your hope in a God who is immovable. Lift your hands in worship when you feel the resistance pulling them down. Please God.

Today’s Reading : II Corinthians 12 

Have you ever taken a test and every question that you answer is correct?

Have you ever played a game and you were winning consecutively without losing?

Have you ever been on a “ lucky streak” where you are constantly winning? 

Sometimes these things happen to us and we question ourselves “is this real?” We then sabotage or lose our focus and the streak ends.

The world that we live in exists due to balances. Light and dark. Cold and hot. Wet and dry. There is a balance of all things that we have in our life. There is no perfection in our life.  One of the best quotes about perfection that I have read is 

“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist….. Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.”- Stephen Hawkins 

On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – II Corinthians 12:5-10

In this chapter of Corinthians, this is one of the last pieces of advice that Paul is giving the Corinthians. He tells about his own affliction or injury or anchor to this world. Paul shows that his life had been ordered to a certain doctrine of Jewish law. In the Jewish customs, he seem to be almost perfect. Paul also references his connection with Christ after Jesus‘s resurrection and ascension into heaven. These two facts would have created him to be the “perfect“ person to deliver the message of the gospel. 

But in his travels and in his life, Paul has this affliction that has brought him insurmountable suffering. As Paul is explaining this, he is not using his pedigree or his conversion to win people over, he’s actually using the contrary. He is speaking that his affliction actually allows him to be anchored in Christ in the midst of everything. Sometimes we may feel that we are in control, but we are actually submitting to God‘s authority in our life.

Paul could’ve asked himself if all the things that were going on for him” is it real?”. He had some of the best things happening to him as a Pharisee and as a Sadducee.  He also had a great thing going by being a missionary and delivering the gospel to many. But through his affliction, he was able to sympathize and connect with others through Christ.

There have been countless times in my life where God has provided many things for me and my family. There have also been times where we have had tremendous hurt and pain. But the one constant is in the hurt and pain and in the joy and celebration, God‘s love is continuous. It is through the hurt and pain that we are able to give comfort to others. We have been able to be examples of God‘s love and of his benevolence through some of the most difficult times.

People often ask me how can I smile and be joyful in the midst of all of the hurt and pain, and my response is God‘s love. I’ve seen the abyss and God‘s love has been the bright beacon of light that has allowed me to continue to share his love with others.

Sometimes we question “Is this is real?”Sometimes we are going through extreme highs and the feeling is undeniable.  Sometimes we experience tragic lows in the feeling is indescribable. But through all of the feelings, through all of the challenges and exhilaration, we can rely on God‘s love. This love will help us to continue to love others and to love ourselves in any circumstance.

Be blessed