Reflections and Questions

Reflections -

Although the group was a bit smaller Thursday the sharing was great.  The teaching we have received and the lessons we have learned have been so exciting.  What an incredible blessing!  Many shared what a joy their quiet times had been and how much was added to it when we came together to share.

We spent a little time looking back at Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish?  After beginning with the Spirit are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?  When we last met a few questions were posed.  What is the goal and what does it look like when we try to attain it by our own human effort?  This week we were reminded that the goal is not just salvation but a restoration of the relationship God intended for us at creation. 

Discussion on Belshazzar and his father, Nebuchadnezzar, revealed that there is a difference between a reverent heart change that occurs when we come face to face with the Holy God and a belief that results in no change.  Both of these men saw incredible evidence of God's might and power and although briefly impressed, it did not change their hearts or their lives.

It was noted that Daniel's life reflected God to all who encountered him.  He was always mentioned in conjunction with God, the pagan rulers all knew about the God he served.  May we live lives that reflect God that way to the watching world, and may we have faith like Daniel.  When Darius' decree that anyone caught praying to any god other than him be thrown into the lion's den Daniel didn't even pause before he went to his room and knealt to pray, just like he always did.  Daniel had seen many jews die and suffer horribly so he had no mistaken idea that he was going to be spared.  He was able to step out in faith because he knew the God who holds his life in his hands and that he could trust him.  May we know him that way too!

The dangers of legalism, works salvation, and self- righteous behavior were revealed in Galatians.  God calls us to boast in the cross of Jesus Christ alone.  What a challenge it is to keep our focus on Christ.  We all seem to be prone to falling into two traps:  an unhealthy, exagerated idea self-importance and value or a very low view of ourselves as it relates to others.  We are only able to view ourselves correctly when we view ourselves according to the cross, through the lens of God.

Questions -

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.   Ephesians 1:18


What is the hope to which He has called you?  What are the riches of His glorious inheritance? And finally, what is the incomparably great power for us who believe?

Take some real time to reflect on these questions.  It is easy to breeze over them because we think we know the answers in our hearts but what would we say to an unbeliever or a new believer if they asked us?  Can we put it into words?


I am looking forward to reading your responses and discussing it more Thursday night!