"The righteous shall live by faith."

While we're doing a different study every week in cell group, we're also all reading through the Bible at the same pace throughout the week. Last night we started just sharing some of the verses that the Lord really ministered to us with from Paul's letter to the Galatians. The verse cited above, Gal. 3:11b is essential in following Christ. I'd just like to share some of those verses here. It's my prayer that they become my way of living more & more as well as for those Leo & I have the privilege of serving.

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God> Or am I trying to please man> If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (1:10)
"...yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (2:16-20)
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (5:1)
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an oportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (5:13-14)
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." (6:7-10)

Often times, yes, even being on the mission field, there can be a disconnect in what I know is good & right & what I do. When a farmer or a gardener plants a seed, it takes a long time to see fruit. Many times even the plant (before the fruit comes) can be confused with a weed. But how can we presume to harvest what we have not planted? Even if we do become weary in a moment, we need to retake the impulse & not give up... not faint as it says in the Spanish version. In my 28 years of life I've seen many who have been walking with the Lord but they grow weary, they give up walking the hard way to take the seemingly easier or more pleasurable path. The thing is, the pleasure of the flesh is momentary with eternal consequences of suffering, while the affliction or hardship one may endure following Christ is momentary now with an eternal harvest of being consoled by Christ himself, being face to face with His glory.

Lord, forgive me for the laziness and weakness of my flesh. So many times knowing what is good & right according to Your Word, but choosing what seems like the easier path. I want to be diligent to plant in the Spirit for eternal results. As Your word says... my flesh has been crucified with Christ, it's no longer Elizabeth who lives, but You who live in me. It is Your Holy Spirit who governs my life. Thank you that You promise to help me live accordingly as my faith is in You.

"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (6:14)