Abundant Life (Genesis 9; Exodus 20:11; Psalm 139:13-14; Acts 17:25; Psalm 104:29-30; John 20:22; 1 Samuel 2:6 ESV)

 I still feel very appalled that believers in Jesus Christ will still venerate a person, who although legendary, committed suicide.  The suicide cloaked in sentimental pathos, for sure, and to prove a point but self-murder nevertheless!

Who was this person?

It was the ancient Chinese poet, also considered the father of Chinese poetry, the one and only Qu Yuan.  He was once a trusted aristocrate, minister to King Huai sometime around the late 340's BC.  He died 278 BC but had been banished from his post by corrupt and wicked officials and jealous colleagues.

Lies that became false truth in the ears of  the King of Chu.  False advisors that when the State of Chu fell into the hands of the State of Qin, proved Qu Yuan had been correct in his battle plan strategy.

He apparently had given his utmost loyalty to King Huai and served with integrity.  He was very patriotic and couldn't bear to see his state and king overtaken.  But he was betrayed by the rival nobles and banished to nether regions of China during the Warring States Period.

When the Qin took over the Chu state, these remote areas were left to 'rot'.  More and more this poet, who did show it in lengthy poems, as a sort of whistleblower of his day, hung on to his devotion to king and the Chu State.

And to prove it and his stance against corruption he walked into the Miluo River and never walked out.  I'm wondering, that if even despite his stances of patriotism and his anti-corruption bureau of one, if he was deeply depressed and could this have been the true reason he committed suicide?

After all, this aristocrat lost everything, stripped of all his privileges.  He was sent off to be forgotten and kept quiet.  Then his predictions of the Qin take-over proved correct and the Chu plight became worse.  All things combined, it would definitely be cause for depression.

Anyway, we cannot confirm nor deny this but it is interesting history.  From this, stems the Duan Wu Festival, or some may know it as The Dragon Boat Festival.

As the story goes, the villagers who had come to know and respect Qu Yuan were devoted enough to be concerned about him.  So that the fish would be deterred from eating his body, the villagers put rice in the water.  They used boats and paddled frantically to distribute the rice before the fish could nibble at Qu Yuan instead.

So incase you are wondering, this is what that festival is all about.  It overlooks the heineousness of the suicide itself.  It is not a festival I want to celebrate.

God is the giver of life.  He breathed into Adam's nostrils the breath of life and Adam became a living soul (see Genesis 2:7).  Furthermore, we read from Deuteronomy 32:39 NIV,

"See now that I myself am He!  There is no god beside me, I put to death and I bring to life ... and no one can deliver out of my hand."

The sanctity of life is seen in Exodus 20:13.

"You shall not murder."

I believe it refers to any type of murder, even self-murder.  Furthermore, 

"The LORD gives both death and life ..." (1 Samuel 2:6 NLT).

There are several Bible characters who pleaded with God to take their lives.  Elijah was one of them.  He was in great despair and exhaustion.  God gave him food, rest, gentle correction and then a further mission (see 1 Kings 19).

Others, such as King Saul and Judas Iscariot, took their own lives.  Despair, guilt, and betrayal of others got to them.  They may have had remorse but not repentance.  If they'd cried out to the Lord, He'd have heard them.  But they hastened their own demise instead.

These were not looked upon favorably.

Jesus came to give us life and to have it more abundantly as we trust Him and grow in our spiritual life and relationship with Him.

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10 ESV).

This was said by Jesus way back when.  This offer is still on offer.  All our distresses of life, all our despair, banishments, betrayals and the like can find solace in Jesus Christ who continues to give life.  I do not minimize anyones' agonies but offer this as hope we can have in Jesus Christ.

Let's remember to go to God in prayer.  Beseech Him in the agonies of life.  Hold tightly on to Him to help you through your valleys and shadows of death.

Suicide, as much as we may wish to leave this world early, is not what our Heavenly Father, who is GOOD and kind and compassionate, no matter how venerated and worthy you may be, wants for you.

And it is certainly nothing to celebrate!

                                                   ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Genesis 9; Exodus 20:11; Psalm 139:13-14; Acts 17:25; Psalm 104:29-30; John 20:22; 1 Samuel 2:6 ESV.

Sing, Because He Lives, along with Faith and Grace.

Free From the Law (Galatians 3: especially vs 7, 09 13, 14, and 29 ESV)

 

If you've been able to surface from the vast deep ocean of living under a tightly controlled childhood or even years in a particular religious group that had rules and unwritten rules, you are beginning to find a breath or two of fresh air.  It feels just like that to read the book of Galatians.

Paul, the author, must have experienced such himself.  He had been a Pharisee of the Pharisees, at the top of that 'religious game'.  But now, now living through God's grace and by faith in Jesus Christ, he can live!  He can breathe!

And he wanted to share this good news with the believers in the Galatian assembly.

"Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham" (Galatians 3:7 ESV).

No matter if you are of Jewish or Gentile lineage, it is faith in Jesus Christ that counts.  It is NOT following a strict set of rules but living by God's Word and empowerment of indwelling Holy Spirit.

"So then," Paul continued to write, "those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith" (Galatians 3:9 ESV).

Then in verse 14 we read,

" ... so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith" (ESV).

All who have accepted Jesus as Savior have been

 "redeemed ... from the curse of the law" (see vs 13). 

 So why would we want to plunge ourselves back into the murky waters of legality and having to subject ourselves to law that did not save in the first place?

Whether Jew or Greek, we are all one in Christ and we ought not to be coerced into living a particular way according to manmade rules and regulations.

When we walk by faith and live by the Holy Spirit and get guidance from God's Word and obediently follow Jesus, we will be set free.  We will be able to come up for air and not continue to bob in the waters of uncertainty and bondage.  Jesus is our lifeline and He can draw us out to live an abundant life in Him - to be spiritually rich in a relationship with the One who will never leave us nor forsake us.

We who belong to Christ are 

"heirs according to promise." 

 Let's live in the freedom of this knowledge.

Amen?

So be it.

Thank You, Jesus!

                                       ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 3: especially vs 7, 9, 13, 14, and 20 ESV.

Sing, We Walk By Faith, along with Divine Hymns and Free from the Law, O Happy Condition, along with Baptist Hymnal.

No Add-On's (Galatians 2 ESV)

 

The other day at the supermarket we were accosted by two neatly dressed, complete with tie, young men of likely about 18-20 years of age.  They greeted folks in very freiendly manner and according to the  respective language group they thought a particular shopper might be of.  They were energetic and lively.

These young men could well put fundamental Christians to shame.  They believed and trusted in their message and were eager to share it with one and all.

Alas!  Their message is flawed.  If asked, they'd likely say, "It's all about Jesus," or "It's Jesus alone."  But if you ever do a very cursory search to see some of their beliefs beyond that, you'll discover that they do not believe that God's grace and salvation through Jesus Christ is enough.

They add on, 'works.'  Thus their enthusiastic mission work as seen in front of that supermarket.  Or they show up in parks where people are jogging or enjoyoing the peace of the park's ambience, to share their message.

The truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ as delivered to the apostles and then Paul has been altered.  Take a look at the book of Galatians where certain factions were trying to stick their oar in where it should not have been.  They too, were "adding on."

Paul wrote,

"We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by the 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" (Galatians 2:15-16 ESV).

We are justified by our faith, NOT by our works.  To insist that our own works must be part of the salvation equation is erroneous. When we realize this truth, the truth will set us free from the bondage of working to earn our salvation.

No doubt,  we are saved through faith and not through works,

"It is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

What's more, we learn from the book of Romans that,

"... we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law"                          (Romans 3:28 ESV).

Works, no matter how good and how well done they may be, do not save us, they do not justify us before God.  In fact, we are saved for the purpose of doing good works,

"which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

after our salvation experience.

So to coerced believers to believe they need to do works in order to earn complete salvation is false doctrine.  When folks want to add on to God's perfect plan of salvation, His free and perfect Gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone, be wary.

Remember, it is

" ... not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mrecy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost"               (Titus 3:5 KJV).

Discern through Holy Spirit empowerment what the truth is.  As Paul wrote in Galations 2:21 ESV,

"I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose."

Let's not add on to God's truth.

                                                 ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 2 ESV.

Sing, In Christ Alone, along with Hadleigh Baptist Church. 

Lord's Day Devotion - Free Indeed (Galatians 4)

 How does a follower of Jesus Christ prove his or her devotion to Him and to the true gospel of salvation by grace and through faith in Him?  And, is this grace and faith actually enough to save us, to make us safe, sure and happy?

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ that Paul preached.  Those who trust in Jesus and His work of salvation never have to work to earn and/or keep our saved condition.  Any work we do for Jesus is only because of our faith, love and honor and gratitude for Him.  Absolutely none of our good deeds work to secure our everlasting life and salvation.  Of this we can be sure.

Another thing we can be sure of is that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  He never fails (see Hebrews 13:5 and Zephaniah 3:5).

So when the Judaizers began to bully the Galatians by saying they had to be circumcized, forcing them to kowtow to the Law that never saved them but only showed up their sins instead, Paul had to talk sense into them.

Confused and bewildered by the false teachers, Paul had to reassure them, you are sons and the Spirit of God's Son is in your hearts and cries "Abba Father".  Hang on to this, brothers and sisters-in-Christ!

"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit"               (Titus 3:5-7 ESV).

We are Jesus' heirs

 "according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:7 ESV).

Grab ahold and hold tightly on to this in your minds.  Let it trickle down to your hearts and bring you peace and assurance.  It's by faith alone.  All you had had to do was believe it for yourself.

Don't make yourself slaves again

 "we are not chidlren of the slave but of the free woman".  

We are children of the promise (see Galatians 4:31 ESV).

Let this knowledge seep into our core, loose the chains of the old creation.  Be set free in our minds and hearts because what the

"Son sets free, we are free indeed!"

This can change our whole outlook.  Live and move in the knowledge of this freedom in Christ!  This will show our devotion to Him and the true gospel of salvation by grace and through faith in Him.  Let the heavy burden down.

Praise the One who died for you!  And this Lord's Day, remember Jesus.  Partake of the broken bread.  Drink from that cup of wine and so remember Him in His death and resurrection.  Bask in the freedom you have in Christ, then praise, worship and serve Him, until He comes.

                                                     ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 4 ESV.

Sing, Who You Say I Am, along with Hadleigh Baptist Church/Hillsong.

My Protection Source (Psalm 48 ESV)

 

Psalm 48 is a comforting psalm.  Verse 3 took my attention, especially.  Even though Zion and the city of the great King had citadels and was a fortress, the security and protection did not come from them alone.

NO.  The key Protection, or should we say, 'Protector,' was God Himself.  In this psalm, His name is also addressed as LORD, great King, and the LORD of hosts.  This is the source of power and protection that is established and will last forever and ever.  

And ...

"He will guide us forever" (vs 14 ESV).

Some trust in horses, or cars, in crops, money and possessions but we can trust in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We trust and joy in our God who never fails (see Psalm 20:7; Zephaniah 3:5).

Lord, keep our hearts ever cleaving to You.  May we trust in You alone, and never be afraid.  You are our shield and protection in life and even in death because of the everlasting life You earned on our behalf.  Thank You!  It's only in Your precious name we pray Lord Jesus.  Amen.

                                               ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Psalm 48 ESV.

Sing, In Whom I Can Trust, along with Grace Assembly of God.

Be A - Lert! (Galatians 1: especially vs 23 & 24 ESV)

 May God's peace guard your heart.  May God's truth guide your heart.  May His love cocoon your heart and keep you ever on course towards Him and His people through the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit (see 2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV).

And as we turn our eyes to the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians may God's grace and peace continue to be with you.  Let's not be diverted from God's truth that will always set us free should we embrace it and guard against false teachings.

Let us not be diverted from the truth we originally were taught, instead, grow in the faith delivered to us to deliver us from this ...

" ... present evil world" (Galatians 1:4 ESV).

When those domineering or even passive agressive people come among a congregation of followers of Jesus Christ, demanding all to follow their way, don't become manpleasers.  This will turn you away from being a servant of Christ.

Your personality will not be so Christlike but become that personlike; that one, or group of false teachers'-like.  You are not free then.

What the Son reveals and sets you free from, don't become entangled in again.  Don't glorify those leaders who will lead you astray.  This is idolatry of another kind.  

Glorify God.

The apostle Paul went through many excruciating experiences as he strove to bring the truth to the Gentiles, the Galatians included.  His beginnings was that of a man who hated the Jesus people and he tried to exterminate them.  But He was arrested by God.  He was directed to Jesus!  He was humbled.  He was given his mission to preach Jesus to the Gentiles!

He received this commission,

"through a revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11-12).

And this was NOT a "man's gospel"!

His credentials, were pristine.  He'd become an apostle,

"not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father ... (Galatians 1:1 ESV).

What further proof of his authority and right to preach and teach and guide them into God's truth could they want?  After all that, how could they desert Paul and

 "turn to a different gospel" (vs 6) - 

and that, one that chained them up again!?

Furthermore, all the stories other churches of Judea had heard about Paul's former life - the life as a persecutor, but who was now

 "preaching the faith he once destroyed" (vs 23 ESV), 

and they marveled over it.

"And they glorified God because of [Paul]" (vs 24 ESV).

Was this enough evidence, do ya think?  It looks like Paul continued in the vein of establishing his credentials in order to kick some sense, graciously, yet firmly, into the Galatians hearts and minds.  He wanted them to think it through.  Whom had the unadulterated truth?  Was it what Paul brought and taught to them, or was it those trying to chain them up again with rules of which there may well have been many unwritten ones binding the believers in fear to keep them under the thumb of the domineering false teachers.  Like a power play to keep the rest subordinate and subservient.

I really like verse 24,

"and they glorified God because of me."

Paul's change of heart, and shall we loosely say, 'personality' because he'd gone through so much but still had become more and more like Christ, is what caused the churches of Judea to glorify God and how He'd worked it out in and through Paul.

Paul preached the faith he once persecuted.  Only God could have wrought such positive and permanent change in a person.

Do you feel like dancing and praising the Lord too?

After all, we benefit from this change in Paul.  We have the letters he wrote that have taught believers all down through the ages since Paul's time to ours!

God is so amazing to preserve all of this for us now.  We ought not to waste it.  Examine God's Word.  Let it change us from the inside out and then we can preach it.

Let it also alert us to the false teachers that creep into our lives and congregations.  Our churches need 'lerts'.

Be a - lert!

                                             ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 1 ESV.

Sing, All My Boast Is in Jesus Christ, along with Matt Papa and Keith and Kristyn Getty.

I Would! (Nehemiah 8:10 ESV)

 Would you like to be a joyful person? 

 I would.

Would you like to feel acceptance without having to 'perform' or achieve certain goals before you are accepted for who you are and not for what you can do?

I would.

Would you like to be granted unearned grace?

I would.

We can have this in Jesus.

Would you like to have a more thankful character?

I would but I think I have to intentionally practice gratitude and thankfulness on a regular basis.

We are worthwhile creatures in Christ.  He can change me into His likeness as we build our trust in Him.  

Would you like the joy of the Lord to be your strength to be more like Him and have such a precious relationship with Him?

I would.

In Him we can have it all.  

Praise the Lord.

                                           ~  ERC  June 2026  ~

Based on Nehemiah 8:10 ESV.

Sing, Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, along with Reawaken Hymns.