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By blobaugh, February 5, 2009 11:04 pm

I am so excited about today! Jeff and I studied over Galatians 3 and 4. Chapter 3 is my favorite chapter so far. It really shows off the freedom we have in Christ. Many of my non Christian friends think that Christians cannot have as much fun as non Christians because we have so many rules. IT IS NOT TRUE! We have FREEDOM in Christ! Jesus came to free us from the curse(as Paul describes it) of the law! Amazing. If we are truly living sold out for God, as I like to think I am, we will probably wind up doing many of the so called laws, but not out of a restriction from them. Because we love Jesus so much that we naturally do. And it feels good to follow the rules! How often do you hear people say that? But before I get too far off on this I should probably give an update on how I am doing.

Today has been great. I went to the cafeteria twice to study for my Calculus II test with some other people. It seems that my sense of smell is heightened, because I can make out almost every individual food right when I walk in the cafeteria, but it did not bother me. I sat in there and drank my water and felt great. As with the other days, I feel hunger, but it does not control anything. I do not really know how to describe it adequately. It is almost like when your car has less than half a tank of gas. You know it needs more gas, but it still continues to operate just fine. My mind is still plenty sharp, and I am expecting to do well on my test tomorrow. My focus is a bit off. I thought it was my eyes, but I realized it is my focus. Normally I am slightly paranoid and try to pay attention to everything going on around me, but I find it difficult to do so now. Not that it worries me too much, but it is a little annoying when I am walking around at night alone. What I do find interesting is that my stomach feels sorta flabby. If you have seen me lately you know that I have a bit of a gut now. Not a huge thing, but enough. It is still there now, but is feels like there is nothing underneath it, like it is just a flab of skin hanging on there. Maybe that is why I have not been crazy hungry, I've got reserves . But enough of me, more of God!

I have a feeling that this is going to get kinda long, so you may want to go get a cup of coffee or order a pizza or something.

Galatians 3. All about faith versus the law. Remember that previously we learned that Paul is an amazingly learned man. Paul knew more than most of the other religious Jewish leaders about the scriptures in his time. This knowledge of Paul lends an amazing amount of weight to his words. Anyone who denies a verse like Galatians 3:16 must be crazier than me not eating for a week.

I love how this chapter starts out: "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Paul wastes no words, he does not beat around the bush, and he does not bother to be politically correct enough not to hurt peoples feelings. Instead he just comes right out with it. What he is trying to say here is that it is foolish to follow the law instead of the things he had told them. Why is that? Faith. We are justified by faith in Christ, not the law in humans, which is really what it is. When we Christians try to follow the law guess who is doing it. US. WE ARE. That is not how it is supposed to be at all. We are supposed to believe in God and follow him. He will lead us to where we need to go, and how to act. Listen to this, "Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."(verse 6)". Paul is trying to illustrate here that Abraham did not have the law with him. Abraham had faith: "So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.(verse 9)" Some people try to say that God gave Abraham the law, but it is clearly Moses who received the law from God. Later on in the chapter we learn that God gave the law 430 years later! That means a lot of Christians today!

So what is the point? Here it is. The law was not made for use to be able to follow, verse 23 says the law held us prisoner. God knew what he was doing when he created the law. He knew that we could not follow it. The law is way to extreme for us. That is why he sent Jesus. Jesus followed not only the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law as well. The law was designed to show that it is impossible for us to get to God, and reveal to us Jesus Christ, the only one who could, so that we might be able to come to him.

This issue of whether or not Christians are under the law seems to have a lot of contention surrounding it. Let me share with you a few verses that should dispel any argument that we must live under the law.

2. Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law , or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After begining with the Spririt, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

5. Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

10. All who rely on observing the law are under a curse...

11. Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith" The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law...

18. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

25. Now that faith(Jesus) has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

That is a pretty large selection of verses in a chapter with only 29 verses. This whole chapter is all about Paul making a case that we are not bound by the law. "What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed(Jesus) who the promise referred had come.(19)" God gave us the law because there was so much sin in the world. When we have a relationship with God we will naturally do what he wants,  but many in the world rejected relationship with him. God had to tell us exactly what he wanted from us. Now check this out, "Before this faith(Jesus) came, we were held prisoner by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.(23)" Living by the law causes us to be restricted. It is hard to love or serve anyone who has such strict laws. But Paul goes on and gets to my favorite part, which also happens to tell us exactly what the law was for. You would think that he could have just said that, but people are thick skulled and needed it pounded home a bit. "So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.(24,25)" Holy crap! That excites me to the core! Instead of being restricted all over the place I am now free to love God and worship him however I feel.

Many people that argue in favor of the law have told me that we should still do what is contained in the law. Now I do not disagree that the law is good, but there is no possible way that we can do everything contained within the law. Luckily Christ freed us from that burden. And here is my firm belief from reading and observation. If we, as Christians, strive for an ever deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus Christ we will eventually wind up doing what his heart is, which is the law! Cool isn't it? If you do not understand that let me use the marriage analogy. When two people get married they know very little of each other, but over time as they grow in their relationship they learn more and more. Their love for the other person causes them to desire the desires of the other's heart. That person in essence becomes their law. That is exactly the same as with Jesus. As we pursue a deeper relationship with him we will begin to desire the things of his heart.

There is so much more here, and I have not even touched on chapter 4 yet, but it is midnight here, and I have a test at 8am and all my roommates are in bet already.. I am going to hit the sack, but please leave me comments on this. If I have time before the post for tomorrow I will post more about the amazing things in these two chapters, but really, I challenge you to read them for yourself. Do not just take my word for anything I say, but examine the scriptures and determine the truth of my words for yourself.

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By blobaugh, February 4, 2009 9:24 pm

Jeff and I were unable to meet for our Bible study today, and though I am eager to share Galatians 3 with you all I have decided that I am going to wait until tomorrow. Jeff may have some view point that I have not thought about and I would hate for you to miss the goodness. So instead I will just update you on my day.

This is the third day. One would think that by the third day they would be absolutely famished. I feel great though. I have not had any problems with hunger really. I even sat in the cafeteria with a friend for an hour and a half today without any problems. It has to be a God thing, cause I should be driven out of my mind being near food now. I am, however, looking forward to eating again. Not because I am hungry, but because it is comfortable. It is a little uncomfortable to not eat. Not terribly, but I feel empty and that is really a weird sensation. Jeff was feeling a bit off today. He was lightheaded for a while, and he says he is feeling a bit weak as well. We decided that we should drink a glass of juice today to get a bit of nutrients. Boy, never has a drink of anything tasted better! I thought it might be hard after that, but it hasn't been. I think Jeff will probably be drinking some juice for the rest of the time, but I am still going to try water only. In future fasts there will definitely be juice though! Water is just so ugh, but it helps me remember that I am not doing this for my own comfort, but rather to channel my physical discomfort into something for God. And let me tell you, it has been a pretty incredible experience!

Tonight my roommate, Nick, spoke at Timeout. Timeout is a Wednesday night churchy type thing that several students seeking a deeper relationship with God put on. Though I live with him I have not heard his complete testimony, I knew pieces of it, but tonight he told all of us. All I can say is wow! That kid has been through a lot. He was a social outcast because he looks Mexican most of the time he was growing up. He has been in a gang, and even joined the mafia at one point. You name it and he has done it. Something happened on one of the runs and another member of the mob got caught by the police. Everyone else scattered. He had no contact for quite a while and that gave him time to think a bit. The mafia eventually called him back but he felt different and eventually wound up crying out to God for help. Miraculously the mafia let him go, all his addictions ceased, and he, once a highschool dropout, while be graduating this year! God truly is amazing and can pull of some amazing stunts.

Sorry for the lack of Biblage tonight. Jeff and I are doing chapters 3 and 4 tomorrow so read up and be prepared.

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By blobaugh, February 3, 2009 9:55 pm

Today has been interesting. There is hunger, but it is small and on the bottom of the stack. What bothered me more today was drinking water. Any of you that have known me for any length of time will know that I hate water. I don't drink it often of my own volition. Last summer I went on a water only liquid kick for a while. It was an attempt to see if I could be healthier. I felt pretty good while drinking water only, even felt slightly nauseous at the thought of drinking soda again. I remember the first time I had a soda, I did not finish it. So today sucked because I only had water. Next time I am definitely doing juice instead . But back to the hunger. I have a good analogy for how I feel. I am not sure why I am spending so much time on this, other than I find it highly humorous in my own head. Here we go, laugh and point fingers if you must.

Over Christmas break I read the entire Twilight trilogy. I can hear you snickering! The movie intrigued me, and most of the junior highers I work with were reading them too. If you do not know what Twilight is, it is a vampire story, but not normal vampires, these vampires are 'vegetarian'. They drink the blood of animals only, in stark contrast to the rest of their kind. One of the vampires falls in love with a human female and the reader learns a lot about how these vampires work. Vampires are always thirsty for human blood, but these vampires have mastered control over their thirst in a way that enables them to be around and interact with humans. Thing is, the thirst is always there. Whenever they are around humans they must recognize their thirst and put it in the proper place. I am feeling the same way with my hunger. It is there, and I recognize it, but when I am around food I control it enough that it does not bother me.

Ok, all the silliness aside, today has been wonderful. Jeff had fun dreding his hair, but had to sit through the baking of cookies to get it done, and it did not help when I texted him that I was craving pretzels either! We read over Galatians 2 today. Chapter 2 is much easier to get something out of than chapter 1. There is actually something going on. I will try to sum up what Jeff and I talked about this evening here.

I like Paul. I like Paul more today than I did yesterday. Why is that? Yesterday I learned how awesome Paul is. In chapter one, verse 14 I found that Paul was incredibly smart. Top of his class. I bet that he was on the deans list and the most sought after tutor. Not to mention the teachers pet. He probably could get an A in class simply by signing up he was so smart! Then later on I saw that Paul went and started preaching and teaching immediately after he became a Christian. I don't know about you guys, but I have been a Christian for many years now, and I grew up in a Christian home, but I often balk at the thought of preaching, even for those close to me. So that is in chapter one, now we know that Paul is an amazing brainiac that jumps in feet first with his convictions. He couldn't get anymore awesome could he? Yep, he can, and he does. In chapter 2, verse 2 I see Paul, back at Jerusalem, with a revelation. Now remember how awesome Paul is. Don't you think that with this new revelation he would be out there spreading it around? He had people everywhere eating out of his hand. Holding on to every word like it was a life raft and they were drowning in the rapids. But he didn't go around spouting his mouth. Instead he went to the leaders of Jerusalem to make sure his message was not in vain. Let me tell you. This shows some pretty awesome humility on Pauls part. On of the most respected men of his time, and in the Bible period, and he defers to the wisdom of the leaders. Always has Moses been my favorite person because of his great humility, but Paul shows he has great humility too. I continually beseech God that I might have the humility of Moses, and it helps me with every new example that I see.

Next, in verse 6, we see that Paul has no regard for those who 'seem' important. I just thought that was so cool the first time I read it. Jeff and I talked about this verse for quite a while. It is so common in our society, and in our churches, to automatically listen, agree with, and do what those around us who seem to be leaders want. Need an example? The whole reason I am at NNU! A piece of paper. I have struggled for years with this idea. My major is computer science, and I am good at it. Already, before NNU, I excel at computer stuff far beyond what most bachelor degree holders do. I do not say this egotistically, I, and others around me, have simply seen it, yet the person with the degree nine out of ten times gets the job over me. Why is that? That person 'seems' to be better because they have a degree. Doesn't sound quite right does it? Let me introduce another example that will have the church people shocked, especially those in the group I will talk about. Most churches have some form of leadership by the people in them. In my church, and many others, it is called the Board. Board members are elected because they 'seem' to be wiser, or more in tune with God, or , or , or. Are they? I doubt it. I have seen people on church boards that I know are not pillars in the church. I also have seen many cases where these supposed pillars have caused severe rifts in the church. But what usually happens? The Board is looked at as the highly spiritual group, the ones in charge, connected to God. They 'seem' like they are leaders, but in reality they offer nothing of substance that in any way furthers the mission of the church. Paul saw these people, and while I am sure he was respectful to them, he also knew that nothing they had to say would make any difference in his relationship with God, nor would it help him teach others.

Confrontation is good! Huh? Most people avoid confrontation, however when Peter was doing something contrary to the will of God Paul did not hesitate to call him on the carpet for it(verse 11). What could Peter, one of the most respected founders of the church, possibly do wrong? Sadly he did what I am all to guilty of doing myself. He lived and acted his life how he felt God wanted, but when people came around that might possibly judge him in a bad way he began to pull back away from the life that God had given him. This seems to be a strange curse on all humans. Whether for religious reasons or not, we tend to have double standards when someone comes around that may not approve totally of what we are doing. We pull back and limit ourselves in ways that cause us grief. God did not intend us to be limited in our relationship with him, rather he wants us to become more all the time.

Here is some craziness for you. The law in the Bible shouldn't be followed! I can hear thousands of Christians turning in their graves right now. It is the truth though. Paul, one of the most learned men when it came to the scriptures said it himself. Check out verses 16 and 21. Pretty intense stuff. Many Christians today argue that we should still live by the law. Well...that is impossible. If we try to live by the law we will never make it into heaven. I do not want to jump ahead too much, but later in Galatians Paul tells us that if we believe that one law must be followed then we must follow them all. Great, that means I am not going to heaven at all. The cool thing is that verse 16 also tells us that we are justified in Jesus! At this point you all should be rejoicing because you do not have to met all the requirements of the law. And check out verses 17 and 18. Just because we are following Jesus does not mean that we no longer sin, nor does it mean that sin is ok. Following Jesus means that you begin to recognize what your sins are. Jesus gives you a changed heart and mind! You will realize more than ever when you are in Christ that you were and are a horrible law breaker. This should lead you to scream out praises to God that he sent his Son to pay the penalties for you that HE might become your justification. Laws only break down and kill. Jesus builds up and gives life!

I am totally stoked about this fast still. I have been learning so much by giving up so little. God truly is amazing. I would love to hear your comments below, both good and bad.

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By blobaugh, February 2, 2009 6:54 pm

As I went through this first day of my fast I noticed a few things. The most suprising of which is how selfish I am when it comes to my body. Sure a human needs food to sustain life indefinitely, but having the restriction really showed me how much I simply give my body what it wants. America is a very food oriented, we have candies and cakes, big meals and snack foods, foods to sit with, and foods on the go. There is alway food during mealtimes, and usually ten or twenty times in between. Today I noticed much more just how much food we constantly have around us, and I am sure I will only discover more as the week goes on.

Though I was hungry, the hunger did not drive me to food. Instead when I felt hungry I would pray. Through the prayers God allowed me to step outside of my hunger and see just how much I eat to satisfy me. Even during times when I am not hungry. This lead my thoughts down a path totally apart from food. What else in life do I do for my own selfish satisfaction? As the week goes on I hope to be able to more fully answer this question and begin to extricate myself from by own selfishness and turn instead to seeing others fulfilled.

Today our study was over Galatians 1. At first it was difficult for me to glean any meaning from the first chapter, as it is an introduction. Jeff brought up a good point. Verses 6 and 7 say "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." If you look around at society today there are so many things demanding your attention. So many groups are claiming to have 'the way'. This includes non religious groups as well, they via for your attention and belief just as hard. Taking a look into the Christian side of things one would think it would be better. Nope, Christianity has been swayed and influenced by society so much that in many places it is hard to distinguish between it and what is around it. I think this is probably part of what Paul was talking about. So how do we fix it? Jesus. Jesus came to repair creation. Jesus allows us to have a relationship with God. God is the only unspoiled fixed point on the map. Collectively we Christians need to move deeper into a relationship with Christ and uncover the gospel as God intended it.

I encourage all my readers to pick up their Bible and read Galatians along with me. Please feel free to leave comments too. Even those of you who think I am totally off base. I would love to hear your insight, as many times kernels of truth are to be found.

God Bless

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By blobaugh, January 30, 2009 6:25 am

My buddy here at NNU, Jeff Nicol and I have been toying with the idea of doing a fast. For those of you not familiar with what this is, fasting is a sometimes silly Christian tradition where one abstains from food for a given period of time and instead uses the hunger, and fills the time, with another activity designed to bring you closer to God.

In the past I have participated in group fasting for events like the 30 Hour Famine, during the 30 hours of which I learned about the great needs in areas of the world, and how the Bible directs Christians to respond to it.

This time it will be a little different. Jeff and I have formed a strange, but strong, bond in my time here at NNU. The idea for the fast originally came from Jeff. Him and I were sitting in the cafeteria talking about ideas to help further our relationships with God. This is the part that will scare you. Jeff wants to do a week long fast. A whole week! My previous max is 30 hours. Jeff has tried it on his own twice, but only lasted 2 days each time. This time when he tries it there is going to be support and purpose. We are going to be getting together probably during normal meal times and studying the book of Galatians. There are 6 chapters in Galatians so I figured it would be a good book to use, plus I read it last week and am intrigued by it's contents. This fast is going to be hard, and I am not sure if I will be able to make it the full week, but I am going to try. My desire through this time is to definitely come closer to both God and Jeff.

Right now the plan is to start Monday February 2nd, and break our fast Sunday February 8th. If you support our actions, I ask you to please be in prayer for us as we attempt this fast. Pray for protection over our bodies, and growth and understanding of God and his word.