Category: Galatians

Where is my Boasting? Thoughts from Galatians 6

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Galatians 6

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:14 ESV

Though Paul had plenty that he could’ve boasted about, he saw himself as the chief of sinners and all his worldly accomplishments were as rubbish compared to knowing Christ. (See 1 Timothy 1:15, Philippians 3:8)

What about me?

  • Do I see my daily need for the power of the Spirit or do I think I can do it on my own?
  • Do I see my own depravity or do I think I’m really pretty good on my own?
  • Do I live for the world’s applause or God’s?

Ever since listening to C.S. Lewis’s message on the Great Sin, I’ve been thinking a lot about my struggles with pride and boasting. Lewis originally gave this message as a radio broadcast but later made it into a chapter in his book, “Mere Christianity.” I hope it blesses you!

C.S. Lewis examines the Great Sin: Pride

Oh, Father, keep me humble. Keep me at Your feet. Let me look into Your perfect love and see my utter, desperate, daily need for a Savior. Let me boast in nothing except in the cross of Christ. By the blood of Jesus and for His Fame, I pray, Amen.

What is Your Freedom For? Thoughts from Galatians 5

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Galatians 5

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:13-14 ESV

America has been called the land of free and the home of the brave. So, fellow Americans, I must ask you, what are you using your freedom for? For watching more TV and playing more video games? For watching more cat videos and scrolling through more Facebook posts? For drinking more wine and sleeping later on Saturday mornings?

Or for sharing the gospel with more people and making more disciples of Christ? For honoring your parents more and loving your neighbor better? For giving more freely to the poor and being a more shining example of Christ in an increasingly dark world?

May we never forget, fellow Americans, that this freedom is a precious gift granted us through the blood of many men who sacrificed their lives for our country.

But what about those of you who don’t enjoy the privileges of freedom of speech, freedom of press, and freedom of religion granted by the U.S. constitution? Have you not been freed by the blood of Jesus Christ? Have your chains not been broken by the cross? Are you enslaved to sin, the devil, and an evil empire? May it never be.

Man can oppress you, but in Christ you are free. Evil men can throw you in prison, take captive your body, and threaten your life, but you still have choices. Will you speak up or stay silent? Will you live day by day with a heart filled with  bitterness or love? Will your life reflect the prince of this world or the King of kings?

Heavenly Father, You are good! You have set free the captives by the sacrifice of Your Son! Whom the Son sets free is FREE indeed! Who can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? What can man do to me? My life is in Your hands. Make me courageous. Make me pure. Make me shine with the light of Christ burning in my heart. Amen.

Am I a Slave or a Son? Thoughts from Galatians 4

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Galatians 4

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."
– Galatians 4:4-7 ESV

25 years ago we were packing our bags to travel to Russia to finalize the adoption process for our son. Adopted as a six-month-old, Nick learned to sit and crawl on our carpeted living room floor. He learned to cruise along our comfy brown couch. He learned to say “Daddy” and “Mommy” on my lap. From the moment he became a part of our family, he was given equal standing with his older sister who had grown in my womb. There were no extra rules to keep. He was our son, and we were his parents. End of story.

Thank You, Father, for adopting me as Your daughter, for placing Your Holy Spirit in my heart as a seal of the genuineness of my faith. You have engraved my name on the palms of Your hands (Isaiah 49:16) and You have caused me to bear the name of Christ. Thank You for causing me to be born again, creating me anew after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24). In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

A Galatians 3 Prayer for your Children

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Galatians 3

Oh precious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of faith, the grace given to me through Jesus Christ, the righteous for the unrighteous. Thank You for the example of Abraham who was counted righteous by his FAITH, not by his works. I pray that my children would indeed be made sons and daughters of Abraham, being recipients of Your blessings because of their faith in Your Son.

Thank You for the gift of the law as a tutor and guardian to protect me and my children until our eyes might be opened by Your grace to the beauty of that Savior hanging on the cross. Please help me to be a good steward of the Law. Let me not breed little Pharisees who take pride in their own good deeds. I don’t want to raise better liars, better hiders, better sin-concealers. Rather may I point them to the perfect Lamb who kept the Law in every point, training them to be quick to repent, to run toward reconciliation with Jesus, with their parents, and with others.

Protect my children from believing the lie that they can be good enough to deserve Your mercy or merit Your grace. Help them to recognize that this is a lie sent from that liar, tempter, and accuser, Satan, who tempts us to sin and then accuses us when we fall.

I pray that my children would receive the gift of redemption found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. May they receive that inheritance found not in the blood running through my blood but in the blood of Christ poured out on the cross.

Help them to believe the truth of Galatians 3:26-28, that we are sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ, that when we are baptized into Christ, we are clothed in Christ, and that we are all one in Christ Jesus. Help my sons take joy in being boys, and help my daughters take joy in being girls. Protect them from the sin of pride, thinking they know better than You do. May they humbly recognize that their inheritance begins and ends in You.

For the glory of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Living a Crucified Life: Thoughts from Galatians 2

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Galatians 2

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

In so many ways, I’m much the same person that I was back in college as an atheist. I still have brown curly hair and blue eyes. I’m still short. 😄 I still like to read, and I still couldn’t care less who won the World Series or the Superbowl. I still don’t drink. I’m still pro-life. (Yep, I was a pro-life, non- drinker as an atheist.) I still struggle with pride, and I still struggle to be honest. And I still like having deep conversations about heavy topics.

But, in so many ways, I’m a totally different woman. I have so maybe different “want to’s” as well as different motives for why I want to do what I want. I want to forgive others because Jesus has forgiven me so much. I want to love my enemies because Jesus loved me while I was His enemy. I want to speak words of encouragement because Jesus has spoken words of encouragement over me. I want the world to know the depth of the Father’s love because I have experienced that love first hand.

Because Christ lives in me, I’ve been changed from the inside out. The old me has died, and a new and improved me has been born. Praise God for new beginnings!

A Galatians 1 Prayer: Clinging to the Gospel and Sharing our Testimonies.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Galatians 1

Oh Heavenly Father, You chose Paul to be an apostle, and You chose me to be your daughter. Thank you for Your grace and thank You For the peace that I have with you because of the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself up for my sins that I might be delivered from this present evil age. May you be glorified now and forever and ever.

I pray that I would cling to You. Tightly holding fast to the true gospel, the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ by the grace you have given. May I seek your approval alone. Keep me from being a man pleaser. I cannot seek both the approval of man and the approval of God. The things of this world are opposed to the things of God.

Help me to trust your Word rather than the opinions and traditions of man. Help me to turn to You first when I’m confused or unsure, trusting that Your Holy Spirit is my Helper and the giver of wisdom.

I pray that many will glorify You through me. May I steward well the unique testimony that You have given to me, that You turned this blaspheming atheist’s heart from darkness to light and for the power of Satan to God. Please, Father, give each of us boldness to share our unique testimonies, that we might be faithful stewards of our time here on earth.

By the Grace of Jesus and for the glory of His Name we pray. Amen.