POEM - For Just One Hour

 "So, could you not watch with me one hour"  (Matthew 26:40)?

This sounds like one of the saddest verses in the Bible.  The loneliness behind the words, of our Savior dreading one of the most difficult hours of His life on earth before experiencing the next horrendous hours of arrest, fake trial and death by crucifixion.

"Watch and pray" (Matthew 26:41 ESV).

But the disciples fell asleep.

Even now, if someone were to ask if you can schedule one hour per week in a quiet place to just watch and pray with Jesus, could you?  Would you?  Try it - and with no agenda or prayer list.  Watch and pray.  Listen.  Write down what God says to you.  This has been recommended by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen in their booklet entitled PRAYER The Real Battle.

It's actually hard to do.  Seek God though.  Pray before it's too late and we get sleepy and fall asleep and don't keep Him company and don't support Him.

Our Father in Heaven, teach us to pray, to commune withYou.  What do You want to say to me?

"Cease the distractions," He says.

"Come silent before Me.

Listen.

In the stillness,

Hear Me,

What I say.

Come apart from everything.

May My Kingdom come.

Knock down Satan's strongholds -

with prayer.

Do you hear My whisper?

My still small voice?

Quiet.

Be alert.

Ready and waiting.

In this stance you may hear 

MY weeping,

MY spiritual battle.

Fierce.

Therefore,

"watch and pray that you enter not into temptation" (Matthew 26:41).

Be delivered from evil.

"Mine," continued Jesus, "Mine is the kingdom" - go and claim it back for Me, in My name and with Holy Spirit's power....

Watch for at least one hour."

"Yes, Lord."

                                                 ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Matthew 24:40 & 41 ESV, and PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen (Open Doors booklet).

Sing,  Blessed Assurance, along with City Alight.

HAIKU - Solid Ground and Peace Prayer

 Earthquake shakes bring fear,

pain, rubble, lost loved ones; cry!

God, where's solid ground?

Wars, rumors of war,

Produce fear, sorrow, sadness,

God, help us, bring peace!

          ~ ERC November 2023 ~

Jesus wept at death,

for mourners at their loved ones'

wake.  He weeps today.

Oh come, Lord Jesus.

May Your Kingdom come and Your

will be done on earth!

            ~ ERC, added July 2026 ~

Sing, On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, along with Reawaken Hymns.

Ceaseless Praying

 I thought I was pretty good already but I've read something that's shown me up.  There's pride there.  Not sure when it entered in, but gasp, it's surely there!

No matter how often one prays, with a phone alarm set at intervals as a reminder to pray for this, that and the other thing, it is sincerity of heart that matters.

It's also the humble of heart.  God's word actually asks us to,

 "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV).

We can have a constant conversation with our Lord.  There's no need to pat onurselves on the back at the three or five times-a-day we may utter a few words on others' behalf.

Praying, "Your will be done on earth Lord, is my desire."  but I often fall short of it.

"Lord, I repent of my pride in prayer, I forgot to ask what you want and desire.  May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  May my whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless.  I await your coming.  God of peace, sanctify me completely until you come and bring me Home" (see 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV).

Thank You for hearing me at all hours.  May I learn to listen for your voice more.  I love You Lord.  Thank You for first loving me.  Amen.

                                            ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV.

Sing, Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus, along with David and Noelle Music.

Lord, Teach Me to Pray

 "Whenever our Lord prayed, things happened."

I read that sentence in PRAYER The Real Battle, a booklet written by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.  They went on to exclaim,

 "No wonder the disciples asked Him ... "Lord, teach us to pray" (see Luke 11:1).

Surely, most followers of Jesus do pray.  But how effective do you feel those prayers are?  Not to minimize anyone's heartfelt prayers, but even speaking for myself, has the room ever shaken like an earthquake when you've prayed either as an individual or with a care group or even as a whole congregation of God's people?

When Peter and John and a gathering of other believers prayed for them to

 "continue to speak [God's] word with all boldness while "God did signs and wonders; ... the place in which they gathered together was shaken" (see Acts 4:30-31).

In another instance, Paul and Silas had been imprisoned in Philippi.  They'd been praying and singing hymns, when ...

"Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken ..." (Acts 16:25-26).

I love it when God does things like this.  It's like He gets the last laugh for His people.

The repercussions were a jailor and his household coming to Christ.  Perhaps even some of the fellow prisoners, who incidently had not run away when their chains had shaken off, came to Christ too.  We don't know as we are not told.  The point is the direct result of Paul and Silas' praying and praising despite their plight.

So, on a sclae of 1-10, brothers and sisters-in-Christ, 10 being the most, how often do you pray constantly for God's will to be done on earth?

Yes, we pray but is it a list?  A list of my will to be done?  Or do we actually ask our Heavenly Father to do His will here on earth. 

I hang my head.  I admit to a very low score.

But this rating can change.  If we remind ourselves, saying those words, "Your will be done, Father, here on earth as well as in heaven" and mean it with sincere heart, we may get some shake ups.

God's divine power may move for us.  Let's ask the Lord,

 "Lord, teach me to pray."  

Do what it takes to move your rating, at least one number closer to 10, the booklet authors encourage.

Let's be more God's kingdom-minded in our prayers.  See then how He works to breakdown Satan's strongholds in our lives and elsewhere around the globe, for the furtherance of the true gospel and our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Get in touch with God your Heavenly Father and pray,

"Lord, teach me to pray."

                                                   ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Luke 11:1; ACTS 4:30 & 31 and 6:25-26 and PRAYER The Real Battle, Chapter 1, by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, Sweet Hour of Prayer, along with Alan Jackson of Grace Bible Church.  Here is also a call to earnest, earthshattering type of prayer ...  it is about 10 minutes in length but just watch/listen to the pathos.  RISE Prayer Warriors RISE!    Re: spiritual warfare.

Transformation (Galatians 6)

 When a believer in Jesus Christ begins to change from the inside out by the grace of God and the indwelling guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will definitely see the 'new creature'.  Our character and even personality will undergo transformation for the better when we submit ourselves ever-increasingly to the Lord and His Word.

It takes time to transform.  It could take days before we see first signs, but it is always an ongoing process; in fact, lifelong.  The stages take time.  It is much like the caterpiller.  It inches along for two or three weeks and eats like crazy and then it creates a cocoon around itself.  It huddles in there for five days to three weeks.  It breaks itself out and viola!  It's a beautiful butterfly!

Now and again though, a brother or sister may slip back into yielding to temptations:  outbursts of anger, lack of self-control and other works of the flesh.  If they get caught in any transgression, we who can humbly, with much prayer, and God's guidance and spirituality, 

"should restore him (or her) in a spirit of gentleness" (Galatians 6:1 ESV).

Spiritual warfare is so real but we must remember we have the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live according to the Holy Spirit as we walk in step with Him.

As we do so, we will care for others and their burdens of life; we will examine our own hearts and we won't force or coerce another to add on to their faith, any rules or regulations, written or unwritten.  It is not outward action performed that saved us.  Rather, the focus is on what Jesus does within us, for His glory and honor.

Let us live in the freedom we have in Christ.

Paul brought this true gospel of Jesus to the Galatians and others, through thick and thin, and great difficulty.  In fact, he said he has on his body,

 "the marks of the Lord Jesus."

Like a soldier showing war wounds and scars, Paul mentions his; not to boast, but to show that what he says does not come lightly.

May the

 "grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit" 

both now and forevermore.

Amen.

                                                ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 6 ESV.

Sing, Freedom, along with Jesus Culture.

In Step With the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26 ESV)

 Personality changes may be, perhaps, seen in negative light.  I'd like to change that narrative by introducing God's ideal as seen in Galatians 5:16-26.  I'm using the ESV YouVersion.

Keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, walking by the Spirit, and being led by the Holy Spirit, are terms that as we read them, we may breeze through.  But taking some time to stop and ponder the significance is worthwhile.

When we do, we'll observe the personality change of the before and after person's character.  That is, the person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and has instantly been indwelt by the Holy Spirit - God's Son's Spirit; that Comforter and Guide.

Their old way of thinking and operating, which is according to 'the flesh' to gratify the desires of the flesh,' need to be relinguished.  As the born again believer grows in Christ, he or she will leave those

 "works of the flesh" 

such as sexual immorality, idolatry, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, envy, drunkeness and the like, behind.

Case in point, for example, did you know that more recent data is that one in five children in the USA alone, are said to have been sexually abused?  The perpetrator is generally someone they know, such as a parent, grandparent, brother, uncle, someone of their own peer group or a neighbor or family friend.

If you had been someone like this before your salvation, know that Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead, also said,

 "unbind him, and let him go" (John 11:44 ESV).

The grave clothes, those linen strips and of the cloth that had wrapped his face and body, needed to be removed.  Unwind them, and Lazarus could walk freely.

A believer in Jesus Christ needs to have his 'grave clothes' unwrapped.  As we allow the Holy Spirit and God's Word teach us, and we obey and follow these 'revelations,' our personality and character, will be transformed by the renewal of our minds and actions.

The works of the flesh will drop away - not like magic, generally speaking, but one step at a time.  The fruit of the Spirit will begin to shine in our hearts and actions.  There will be peace and joy, gentleness, kindness, goodness, self-control and so on.

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24).

Incidently, if you have been a person who engaged in being the perpetrator of sexual abuse, you may have to turn yourself in.  It is a serious matter that needs to be addressed.  The survivor of such abuse (if they have survived) will be affected for life but by God's grace the victims can find healing.  May the Lord help and comfort those of you who have been so terribly treated!!

  Lord, have mercy!

Take the pain of all these children and the many who have grown into adults, those who have been betrayed by a family member or others who were supposed to have been trusted friends or teachers or neighbors, but also the strangers that perpetuate such violence against children (especially), take this pain Jesus.  Help them, have mercy upon them.  May they find solace in You, and healing.  Oh Lord, You must cry too, as we do for these people.  Turn their ashes into something that gives life to all their wounded hearts, so they can overcome. Your enemy, Satan only comes to steal, kill and destroy but You come to give life and that they may have it more abundantly.  Lord, have mercy.  I ask in Jesus' name.  Amen (see John 10:10).

When we live by the Spirit we will be more apt to keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).  Let's aim for this restoration and perfection of our souls.

                                              ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 5:16-26 ESV.

Sing, New Creation, along with Mac Powell (quite lively) and Made New, along with Jason Nelson (a bit noisy but the lyrics are good).

Lord's Day Devotion - I Forgive You

 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" Ephesians 4:32 ESV.

It can be observed that this verse of Scripture commands us to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving.  This is not optional nor to only select certain people to treat this way.  These actions are for "one another."  The impetus for the individual to obey is that God in Christ forgave them.

Of course, the parable of the two servants owing a sum of money is a good example.  One owed the master, the other was an underservant owing the servant who owed the master.  This servant was such a bully.  He was an ungrateful, unmerciful man.

Jesus taught this parable in response to Peter's question of how many times did he have to forgive when his brother sins against him (see Matthew 18:21).

"77 times," was Jesus' reply.  Then he told that parable.

It is often those closest to us that we find hardest to forgive.  We have expectations and assumptions that these friends or family members wouldn't do such and such to us.  But they did.  It's a betrayal of trust and friendship or even of marital trust.  How could that person treat you like that!!!?

"Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant" 

Jesus asked in His parable.

That could work both ways, of course.  And so we grind and grit our teeth and seethe in the stew of simmering anger and hurt.  That is, until the still small voice whispers in our ear and conscience,

" ... forgive, as God in Christ forgave you."

Emotions twist and turn until we submit to the One who died for us, and we exclaim, "Father forgive, but how can I?!  Didn't you see and hear what he said and did!?"

Again, we hear,

"...as God in Christ forgave you."

It's hard but then we think again of all the agony Jesus went through, suffering and dying on that cruel 'tree' and cross. Costly grace He exuded to erase my sin and buy my pardon.  Debt, paid in full.  And we say,

"Thank You, Jesus.  Thank You for this salvation.  God has now forgiven me."

And we choke a bit and stumble over our own, "OK, I forgive you" to that person who has injured me.  "I forgive you only because God in Christ forgave me."

Like we have been forced and out of guilty feelings.  It sounds, not quite "fully baked" forgiveness.  There is still a holding back.  May the Lord, forgive us again, teach us how to love and forgive, until we can utter a clean, clear, and sincere,

"I forgive you."

And we remember then Jesus' kindness, tenderheartedness and His forgiveness and what's more, all He has done for us and we give our thanks.  And on Lord's Day we remember Him through the breaking and partaking of the bread and the drinking of the cup.  We remember His suffering and sorrow.  He did all this, for me.

Lord Jesus, I do remember the travail of Your soul, the torture of Your body; the betrayal by Judas Iscariot and Peter's denial that he even knew You.  All of that!  I remember.

Yet You chose to forgive.  Then You chose to forget our sins and remember them no more because You died for them, taking our punishment for them and clearing our debt.  You offer forgiveness.

  "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:30 ESV).

Even those perpetrators of Your death, You would forgive!

And we hang our heads and finally with a full heart give our thanks to You by being able to say a genuine "I forgive you" to those who have wronged us.

Thank You, Jesus.  

Amen.

                                                     ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Ephesians 4:32 ESV.

Sing, Let Your Mercy Flow, along with Risen Tunes.

POEM - The Crucible

 The cactus

grew

there,

In the desert.

It was

hard

to believe,

but

there it 

grew.

In

unrelenting,

scorching,

and blazing hot

sun

by day.

Cold temperatures

by night.

It was by night, though,

in the dark,

that it could breathe.

In.

It could breathe

out,

in that dry,

arid desert

crucible.

Alone

but its

resilience

was at its best;

its best, best.

And that's like

life.

We go 

through 

valleys,

those

shadows of death.

But 

mountains of

victory,

come.

And we 

breathe

in.

and out,

in our

crucible 

of

life.

We 

endure.

We

become

resilient -

like that cactus.

And

in that crucible

we find,

"the fourth man."

He 

is the

One

who walks

beside

us.

Never leaving,

Never forsaking.

Never failing

us.

In

Him

we can

trust,

with 

all

our 

heart.

And

go on

breathing

in,

breathing 

out,

despite

the heat

and

the cold.

Thank You, Lord.

For

Your

sustaining breath

in the night

and  in this

crucible

of 

life.

~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Proverbs 3:5 & 6 ESV; Psalm 23:4; Daniel 3:24-26; Hebrews 13:5 and Zephaniah 3:5 ESV.

Sing, Trust In God (Chris Brown), along with Elevation Music.

POEM - The Empty Crib (Isaiah 40:11)

 

The Empty Crib sat there,

abandoned.

 Quiet.

  Alone.

   Silent. 

That was the worst of it.

And,

No more

  crying

to be heard.

No more

   cooing

        either.

Baby

    is

     gone!

Gone.

It wasn't because she

  grew up.

No, she didn't get

  that chance.

Sickness

overcame her.

Rivers of

  tears,

Hiccuping sobs,

  battled

each other.

Her Mamma,

Her Pappa,

  in mourning.

    Bewildered.

        Stunned.

Jesus,

Where are You?

You could have

   healed

      her.

We knew

  You

 could have!

Why not?

We still

    love You.

We still

   trust

     You.

She's in Your 

   arms!

     You

     embrace

          her

              now.

But it's so empty.

  Empty crib.

    Empty arms.

       Empty chest.

  My heart

            gone!

But,

  because You

      live,

Jesus,

  we'll

     face

        tomorrow.

In this 

  stillness,

In this

  silence

give us

  back

     our hearts.

Make them

  full.

Make them

  overflow

Make them

  comfort

    others

     who

       sorrow.

You have 

  given

    us

hope and

   peace.

Someday

  we will

    see

      her

       again.

Turn our empty

   hearts

     always to

        You.

You love us even

  more

   than

     we loved her.

This is a

  lesson

   we

    learned.

Heart-achingly

  painful.

   But joy

    has

    come

 in this

  morning

     of life.

Someday,

  our heart-crib

   will be

     full

      again.

~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Isaiah 40:11.

Sing, I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus, along with Gaither Music and Trust in God, along with Elevation Worship.

In loving memory of, and in conjunction with Hannah Elizabeth's Chin Swe Hwa's anniversary of departure from earth to her Heavenly Home in the arms of Jesus.

In His Service (Galatians 5 ESV/KJV)

 The imagery of slavery and bondage is one Paul often uses in his writings.  Certainly the book of Galatians bears this out.  It's very obvious.  I believe his readers knew and understood well about slavery.

That's why he's so keen to keep them free.  These two verses are linked,

"So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman (or slave), but of the free (woman).  Stand fast therefore in the liberty (or freedom) where with Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (or slavery)"              (Galatians 4:31 and 5:1 KJV/ESV).

The Judaizers, trying to enforce Jewish ways as 'add-ons' to the pure gospel of Jesus Christ - that is, salvation only in Him alone - were attempting and perhaps making inroads into the Gentiles among the believers in the Galatian assembly, were trying to entangle and entrap them and bring them into slavery and bondage to those laws.

It was described as a "yoke."  It would be a heavy burden to bear.  They all knew it.  The Judaizers knew it too.  After all, their history was riddled with the yoke of slavery.

They'd been slaves for 400 years in Egypt.  Moses had helped them escape.   They'd been captives for 70 years in Babylon and in Persia.  Even then, at the time of Paul's writing, They were 'captives' under Roman rule.

Even the Gentile Galatians themselves lived under a Celtic migrant governance and some sort of tribal rulers and tetrarchs.  Above them was a judge, military commander and subordinate officers if AI Overview is to be believed.  So why, when they came to church where freedom in Christ should reign, would they want to put on another yoke of bondage?!

Some may even have been actual slaves in someones household as Onesimus had been in Philemon's home.  If they'd become free of such yokes, why would they ever went to be re-bound?

They had to "stand firm" and "not submit" to these unnecessary yokes.  Those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ have been "called to freedom" (Galatians 5:13 ESV).

Of course we cannot use our freedom to do just whatever we like.  We must live to please the Lord and honor Him with our thoughts and actions.  We need to serve Him and others with the love we have in Christ.

We walk by His Holy Spirit and not by our own desires.  Let's be led by the Holy Spirit so we will indeed honor our Lord and Savior.   In this way we will be less prone to go back to the yoke of slavery.  It's a choice.  Choose wisely.

When we follow the Lord and are sensitive to the Holy Spirit leading we will not forge ourselves back to those bounds, as individuals nor as a congregation of the Lord's people.

Let's all stand fast in the freedom that cost our Savior His life.  May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship we have in His Holy Spirit keep us living free from spiritual bondaage of any kind except to be only His servant in His service, until He comes.  

Perhaps today!

                                                    ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 5 ESV/KJV.

Sing, Glorious Freedom (Once I Was Bound), along with Gaither Music.

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.

Free - Flow (Philippians 4:7 ESV)

 Irritations such as other road users who don't drive as well as we do (ha,ha) or children who can make us frustrated and bring out our impatience and anger, can be hindrances to free-flow fellowship with our Lord and Savior.

I don't know about you but I'd like to have that free-flow of fellowship with my Heavenly Father like Abraham and even Moses once had with Him.  It seems like it was so natural and easy for them.  

So what holds us back from this today?

Actually, we need to grab hold of our faith and believing in God, that He can and will and has already, clothed me with His Holy Spirit.  In Holy Spirit's strength I can overcome the interruptions and irritations of the daily grind.

Do you feel any resistance and/or skepticism to this ideal idea because of those road users, children, annoying colleagues and the like?

There are times we need to give up our rights.  Our rights to uninterrupted time, to not having to slow down when some car driver cuts in, in front of us, or when someone is not punctual to an event, and so on.

Free-flow fellowship with our Abba Father would confess those frustrations and anger and impatience.  It would forgive the 'intruders'.

As difficult as it may be, let's make peace with all that and praise our God from whom all blessings flow.  Let's crawl up into His arms, rest our head on His shoulder and bask in His love, calling Him, "Abba Father."

And say, "OK Lord, what shall I learn from this?  May your peace and joy be a mantle upon me and may I go in peace."

We can choose.  It's our choice.

                                              ~  ERC  June 2026  ~

Based on Philippians 4:7 ESV.

Sing, Your Are My Peace, along with Faithful Sound.