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Hi—thanks for checking in with me today!

Last Week’s Work

LESSON(S) LEARNED
Over the last seven weeks, Paul taught me I have a choice: I can choose the salvation of God’s unfailing, unending grace and look forward to forever in heaven with Him by believing Jesus Christ was God’s Son who willingly gave His earthly life to redeem me. Or I can opt to always act in accordance with every condition of God’s law. I can’t do either of these perfectly, but the risk manager in me realizes that grace covers me even when my belief is small as a mustard seed. I choose grace.

CONVICTION

I am reminded that my actions always reflect what I believe. And, unfortunately, that fluctuates. Many times, I let fear take over when faith should lead. I speak or act based on what I’m afraid of because my confidence in Jesus isn’t strong enough to overcome the worry.

CORRECTION

In this study, two cross-references caught my eye: He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” (Matthew 13:33 ESV); and Luke’s version: And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened” (Luke 13:20-21 ESV). These two are the only instances where leaven is used as a positive influence: a woman working with this hidden substance successfully impacts a whole batch of flour.

For good (or bad), my faith impacts my behavior. But I know it’s also true that action impacts my belief. About the time I was saved, I read a book called Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. To the best of my recollection, it was more self-help than scriptural, but I believe the title is an excellent reminder of what faith looks like: it’s acknowledging I need God’s help for a successful journey but taking the first step anyway.

ACTION PLAN

Going forward, I want to stop allowing fear (unbelief) to hold me back from doing what I believe God has prepared for me to do: studying His Word and helping other women do the same. I want to grow my faith by taking the first step in whatever form it appears and continually reminding myself that He is with me all the way.

Our Next Study

Next week, I’m excited to begin a study of Psalm 23, the Scripture that saved my life thirty years ago and—because God is like that—ties right into what I discovered here in Galatians 5!

This upcoming study kicks off a new series called God Who? where we’ll examine passages that feature several of His names. I can’t wait to explore the treasure to be found there, and I hope you’ll join me to learn more about our awesome God!