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Category Archives: Galatians

Galatians 4:3-4

12 Dec

And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.

Galatians 4:3-4

Dear God, “But when the right time came.” That’s what catches my attention today. There is something about your timing that is just so far beyond what I can understand and appreciate. I think that is really where the gap between your power and glory and my understanding starts—time.

One thing I started to figure out several years ago is that humans measure time in days, weeks, and months, and you measure time in years, decades, and centuries. But even that is too simple because you are timeless. And then beyond timelessness you see the big picture. You see all 6.5 billion of us at once. You see those who are to come and you see those who have already been here. This is one of those moments when I feel really small, but it is good for me to feel really small.

Father, help me to live the small life you want me to live today. Living in a small town, it is easy to start to see my life as being much more consequential than it really is. Help me to simply be obedient and leave the big picture stuff to you. Be glorified in me and don’t let me do anything that gets in your way.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 12, 2017 in Galatians

 

Galatians 4:22-23

11 Dec

The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise.

Galatians 4:22-23

Dear God, there are a lot of examples in the Bible of people taking your promise and applying their own plan to its execution. That’s what Abraham did with Ishmael and Isaac. I still think it’s what the apostles did when they cast lots to replace Judas. You knew you had Paul, but they were compelled to not wait on your timing.

I have certainly been guilty of this. My best examples relate to my career and trying to force what I believed was your call. But there are other examples too. In fact, I have a situation that has really been concerning me within my family. I’ve lost some sleep over it, I’m just sure you want my wife and me to help in some way, and I have even mapped out my own plan to solve the situation. But so far that plan has been rejected. And maybe that rejection is of you, and then again maybe it’s not. I know I can’t force my will upon another adult, but I confess that that is the mistake I lean towards when I see someone struggling and I feel like I can do something about it.

Father, make my path straight, and make it straight for those I love. I know my wife and I are both frustrated with several things happening in lives around us. Help us to seek your desires for us and the role you have for us to play. Help our loved ones to truly sit before you and ask for your guidance. If they feel like we might be helpful, help them to reach out. And in the end, make all of this for your glory and not ours.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 11, 2017 in Galatians, My Utmost for His Highest Scripture of the Day

 

Galatians 6:14

26 Nov

14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whicha]”>[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:14

Dear God, I think I used to boast a lot more than I do now. Oh sure, I still boast, but the hubris of youth caused me to boast more when I was younger. Now, I feel very unsure about so much. It’s true when they say that the younger we are the more we feel like we have all of the answers. Right now, I feel like I have many more questions than answers.

One area where I had a lot of pride about 10 years ago was in parenting. I thought I had it nailed and figured out. Now, I have so many things that confuse me that when I see other parents struggling with their children I have zero judgment for them. I have nothing but love for them. I’ve used the example of Johnny Manziel’s parents before. They were facing a set of circumstances with their son that I cannot imagine. I know they love him and have done their best for him. They’ve made mistakes, but none more egregious than I would have made in their shoes.

I say all of this because of the verse saying that Paul only boasts in your Cross. I should only boast in the fact that I live a redeemed life because you did what you did. Otherwise, I would wake up in the morning with nothing to live for except myself. But your cross teaches me to lay down my yoke and pick yours up. Your yoke includes me serving my wife, children, friends and neighbors more than myself. In fact, even in Rotary, our motto is “service above self.” Our sin nature drives us to be self-centered, and I have had times in my life when my service was really done with the ulterior motive of getting something in return. But your free gift is eternal life through Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23). That is my example.

Father, help me to be what my wife needs. Help me to be what my daughter needs. Help me to be what my son needs. Then I grow the circle from there. My family of origin and my in-laws. My neighbors, co-workers, and friends. My community, state, and country. My world. Help me to decrease and to only boast in your Cross that redeems me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 26, 2017 in Galatians, My Utmost for His Highest Scripture of the Day, Uncategorized

 

Galatians 6:14-16

25 Nov

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.

Galatians 6:14-16

Dear God, I have friends who are younger and at a point in life when they are trying to establish themselves as professionals and impress others with what they are accomplishing. I have two friends who were talking recently and I heard one of them exaggerate his job to the other. What was interesting is that the other friend could see through the exaggeration and it made him think less of my first friend, not more, as my first fiend had hoped.

So this leads me to myself. How do I represent myself to others? Do I try to impress out of insecurity, or do I humbly share both my failures and successes so that others can be at ease around me? Does my life bring you glory, or does it bring me glory? At the end of the day, is someone else’s life better or worse because of the example they see in me?

Father, make me an instrument of your peace. Love others through me. Be glorified through me. Help me to decrease so you can increase. Help me to give my utmost for your highest.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 25, 2017 in Galatians, My Utmost for His Highest Scripture of the Day

 
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