And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9).

I never grow weary of eating homegrown tomatoes. The planting, watering, weeding, and waiting all wearied me, but the eating never does. I know that I cannot have one without the other. To reap tomatoes in late summer, I had to plant, water, weeds and wait through the prior months. In Galatians, Paul is telling us life is the same. Goodness is reaped in due season. Goodness grows in the soil of consistency (not giving up). Goodness is worth the wait. The world waited for through millennia for Jesus Christ. He was worth the wait. Goodness always is.

What good will you sow today? What good sown years ago will you harvest today?

The Day of Rest

Today is Sunday and the blogger resteth. Go to worship! See you tomorrow!

Daily Devotions: many choices have predictable consequences

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:8, ESV)

Arguably the greatest theological mystery is summed up in the great question: why God? Why is there evil? Why did God permit sin? What did God create beings capable of sin? Why do bad things happen to good people? All of these "why's" are facets of the great WHY GOD?

Not everything is a mystery. Today's reading points out a non-mystery: many choices have predictable consequences. In agriculture, You reap what you sow. Plant a radish, get a radish. Plant weeds, get weeds. In life, if you spend more than you earn, you will go broke. If you cheat on your taxes, you will end up in jail. If you constantly show up late for work, you will get fired. If you don't study, you'll get low grades. If you hang around with the wrong crowd, you will end up in trouble. As we say, this is not rocket science.

Some evils are a mystery, but many are not. If you are sowing weeds, don't be surprised if your garden is unpleasant...and don't blame God. Instead, sow some good seed. Live within your means or work hard for better means! Be faithful. Be on time. Study hard. Choose good friends! Above all, believe in God. Faith is the best seed of all!

Today, sow some good seed! Make some good choices!

Daily Devotion: The First Rule of Prayer

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Galatians 6:7, ESV)

Martin Luther's first rule of prayer was "Don't lie to God" (attributed to Luther. Apologies, I have not been able to find the precise citation).  Since God knows everything, lying to Him sounds at face value ridiculous, but nonetheless we do it all the time. The most obvious lies we tell God are about our own sins and their consequences. We act falsely (we sow weeds) and then we shocked when it turns about badly (we reap problems).

Today, first: remember God's grace! He hears even the prayers you forget to speak and puts the best construction on the ones we do. Second: make every effort to "tell it like it is" when you speak to God, remembering Luther's first rule of prayer.

Daily Devotion: teachers

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. (Galatians 6:6, ESV)

What do you value? Often I will not go to the movies because the movie in question is not worth $12 to me. I might rent the same movie from Redbox for $1.50. For example, I saw Pirates of the Caribbean One in the theater. I rented Pirates Four. That is a measure of the value I place on those two movies.

The spiritual question is what value to you place upon those who teach you the Word of God? Value is (of course) more than money. Money is one measure of value. Honor, respect, and gratitude are others. Think about those who teach you God's word (I have such teachers just as you do). Have we valued them as we ought?

Today, share some good thing with those who teach you the word. You could pray for them, call them/email/write them to thank them, and (yes) send them an offering or gift as a tangible expression of your love.

Daily Devotion: indepedence and interdependence

Paul writes both "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" and, a mere three verses later "For each will have to bear his own load" (Galatians 6:2 and 6:5, ESV). Which is it? Are we to "bear one another’s burdens" or each bear his/her own? And the answer is...yes.

The Bible teaches both independence and interdependence. Regarding independence, Paul writes,

"But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one" (1 Thessalonians 4:10b–12, ESV).  Regarding interdependence, the Bible repeatedly speaks of Christians collectively as a body, meaning a organism built of interdependent organs with Christ as the head. Both are true.

In which areas of life do you need more independence? In which areas should you seek to be more interdependent? Ask God for answers to these questions in prayer today.

Someone made a mistake...

Brothers [and Sisters], if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1, ESV)

Everyone makes mistakes: people with spiritual beliefs and people without spiritual beliefs. Everyone makes mistakes. Paul makes two important points about this truth. First, people with a rich spiritual life should take the initiative. "You who are spiritual should...." The burden to help is yours. As Christ helped you with your mistakes, you should help others.

Second, our approach should be gentleness. Our approach should demonstrate kindness, modesty, humility, and mildness. Our approach should never be described as rough, hard, violent, angry, aggressive, or contentious.

Today, seek God's spirit of gentleness in your dealings with others.

The Day of Rest

Sunday! The blogger rests. Go to church. See you tomorrow!

In Step

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25)

When I was a boy, I played various instruments in a marching band (euphonium, trumpet, snare, bass, and glockenspiel). I was a decent musician, but a poor marcher. I was always falling out of set. Two left feet. The quickest way to get back in step was to skip. However, as an adolescent boy, the mere thought of skipping in public mortified me. What would people think if they saw me skipping? I had this choice: look goofy skipping or look goofy by being out of step. I decided being out of step was worse. So I skipped. Exactly no one noticed. All my worrying about what people would think was unnecessary. I was back in step and no one even noticed.

I often wonder how people stay out of step with God because they are afraid of what other would think? Don't be afraid. Follow your heart. Skip into church next week. You have my permission!

Fruity People

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Paul lists eight virtues that arise from the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance (meaning cutting lots of slack), kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I meet a lot of people who struggle with one or more of these. I struggle with not a few myself. These virtues are like fruit and fruit doesn't just appear on trees. Fruit takes time. Depending on the species, fruit begins as buds and flowers in the spring, followed by hard, sour, inedible fruit in the summer. Autumn at last brings the harvest. In winter the fruit is stored away. These virtues are like that too. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control don't just appear. God grows them in us over time. We should always seek them, but (as the bumper sticker says) be patient...God is still working on us.

One Word

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”(Galatians 5:14, ESV)

One word: love. Greek: agape meaning selfless, no-strings-attached love. If anyone wants to know what being a Christian is all about, its love. God's love for us. Our love for one another. Even love for self. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13, "Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love." Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). John writes that God is love (1 John 4:8). Tender love. Tough love. Honest love. Forgiving love. Selfless love. Risk-taking love. Vulnerable love. Faithful love. That's us. Christians are lovers.

Freedom

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13, ESV)

You are completely free. The bad things in your past are washed away.
You are completely free. You will not truly die. You will leave earth and go to heaven forever.
You are completely free. You will not go to hell. Heaven is waiting for you.
You are completely free. You cannot fail. God is on your side.

Every one of those statements is true in Christ. Now what will you do? What you will do is love and serve.  Remember: for freedom God has set us free (Galatians 5:1)

You're a new lump (it's good thing, trust me)

A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9, ESV)

What a funny little phrase! Yeast has way of spreading and once the yeast gets into the dough, it is nigh impossible to get it out again. Only God can get the yeast out of the dough once its in...and he has! Yeast is sin. You are the lump (nothing personal, just quoting). Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, "Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:7–8, ESV)" You're a new lump. Rejoice!

God, is that you?

This persuasion is not from him who calls you. (Galatians 5:8, ESV)

How do I know it's God talking and not just my imagination or worse, an evil voice? How do we learn to recognize any voice? We learn to distinguish the voices of people with whom we have active, caring relationships. There is the key: active, caring relationships. The best way to learn to differentiate God's voice from other voices is by having an active, caring relationship with God. How do you do that? It's really very simple: regular communication.

• First, talk to God every chance you get. In the car, turn off the radio and talk to him. Just say, "Hey, God. how's your day going? Let me tell you a little about about mine...." 
• Second, read your Bible everyday. Take it out at free moments. Read a little bit whenever you get a chance (like you are doing now). 
• Third, join a group of people who read and study the Bible together. Check your church for a small group.  
• Finally, go to church every Sunday. 

You will learn what God's voice sounds like and you will learn to distinguish his voice from others.

The Day of Rest

Today is Sunday. The Blogger rests. Celebrate God at your place of worship!  See you tomorrow!

What really matters to God (Galatians 5:6, ESV)

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6, ESV)

What really matters to God? Faith working in love. That's it: faith, work, and love. In fact, its not three ideas, it's one big idea called FAITHWORKLOVE. You can't have faith and hate people (1 John 4:20). To have faith is to love people. You can't have faith and not do good works (James 2:17).  You can't love without belief (1 John 4:19). What God wants from us, God gives us. God gives FAITHWORKLOVE.

Do some FAITHWORKLOVE today. Note how FAITHWORKLOVE is active in you and in others.

Eagerly waiting (Galatians 5:5, ESV)

For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. (Galatians 5:5, ESV)

What a funny combination of words! Eagerly waiting. The idea is something like...

• You are eight years old and it's 7PM on December, 24th. Remember that feeling! You couldn't sleep because you were too excited but if you didn't fall asleep the night would never pass. You eagerly wait Christmas morning.
• Its mid-June. You are in seventh grade. It's the last day of school before summer break. You are in the last class of the year. The hands on the clock are moving so slowly. You eagerly wait for summer break.
• You are twenty-six years old. You are in the back of the church in a wedding gown, standing beside your father, the both of you eagerly waiting for the doors to open, waiting for the people to stand. In the front of the church, a young man is also eagerly waiting. 

All of us are eagerly waiting. Not for Christmas. Not for summer break. Not for marriage. All of us are eagerly waiting for righteousness. We are eagerly waiting for an end to sinning. We are eagerly waiting for an end to evil. We are eagerly waiting for heaven. We are eagerly waiting for Jesus.

Today, expect Jesus everywhere you go. Eagerly wait for him by looking for him everywhere. Look for him in every face. Look for him every second.

Freedom (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

Too often, the faith gets reduced to a list of rules. There are rules, of course (The Ten Commandments, for example), but rules are not the essence of faith. In fact, if the rules become the center of religion, then the faith is lost. Rules (though important) do not create faith. Rules are the opposite of faith. Do this and you will live. There's a rule and it requires no faith whatsoever. It only requires action. This is not freedom. This is slavery.

Faith is different. Faith is freedom. Faith does not require action. Rather, faith motivates action. People of real faith are extremely action-oriented. but not because they have to. People of faith are action-oriented because the love putting faith into action. I believe and therefore I serve. I believe and therefore I love. I believe and therefore I sacrifice. I believe and therefore I rejoice.

Today, activate your faith. Do something positive not because you have to but because you believe in Jesus Christ.

Above (Galatians 4:26, ESV)

But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. (Galatians 4:26, ESV)

Today, I want to share with you a very short, but very important devotional practice I call "looking up." If heaven is above as Paul says, then we should look up. First of all, yes, I mean this literally. Everyday, look at the sky. Look throughout the day. Look at night. Think about heaven. Look up (literally).

I also mean this figuratively. Look for the higher things. Look for the better things. Listen to great music. Read great books. Talk to great people. Think higher thoughts. Do excellent work. Praise excellent work in others. Look up (figuratively speaking). 

Spend today looking up literally (see the sky) and figuratively (reach for the stars).

Two Ways to Live (Galatians 4:24, ESV)

Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. (Galatians 4:24, ESV)

Abraham had two sons: one by Sarah (his wife) and one by Hagar (his wife's maid). I know its seedy, but that's what happened. Sarah's son (Isaac) was a freeman. Hagar's son (Ishmael) was not. Paul writes to the Galatians that there is a deeper meaning in this.  Paul sees two ways of life: freedom and slavery. What you believe either sets you free or enslaves you. Jesus said, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32, ESV).

Believe the world is evil? Believe you are no good? Believe you are unworthy? Believe there is no hope? Believe there is no truth? Believe you are unlovable? These negative beliefs are enslaving. They are your chains. And they are lies. The truth never enslaves. The truth always liberates.

Believe God is love? Believe you are good? Believe you are worthy? Believe in hope? Believe in truth? Believe are lovable? These positive beliefs are liberating. They are your keys. They are the truth. The truth never enslaves. The truth always liberates.

Today, rejoice in the truth. You are loved. You are good. You are worthy. You have hope. You know the truth. You are lovable.

The Anguish of Waiting (Galatians 4:19, ESV)

"My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!". (Galatians 4:19, ESV).

Paul loved the Galatians and he wanted their faith strong and sound. They were not there yet and Paul was in anguish. The Galatians were tottering, almost unbelieving and Paul was afraid. He was afraid because the Galatians just did not seem to be (as we say today) getting it.

Most of us have people in our lives who just don't get it. We all know people who are...

• ruining their lives
• missing their chances
• living irresponsibly
• burying themselves debt
• entangled themselves in bad relationships

What is worse is they don't get it. They don't see it: the ruination, the lost opportunities, the price of irresponsibility, the danger of debt, or the pain of a bad relationship. It's so hard to watch someone you love fall away. It's anguish. If they don't get it, what can we do?

Choose a few people from your life who just don't get it. Pray for them everyday this week. Tell them you love them and you are there for them.  What can we do? We can not give up.

I am back!

Dear friends who follow these devotions, I apologize for the unexpected gap in their publication. I was at a church convention in St. Louis and the cost of internet at the hotel was ridiculously high! I could not bring myself to pay $$$ (you hearing me Renaissance Hotel Downtown St. Louis: drop the rate).

I had hoped for some time away to find some free access, but the convention schedule was brutal. OK...I did go the Cardinals game one night, but that was it for fun. I confess and beg forgiveness.

Regardless, I am back. Tomorrow's devotion will be up tomorrow at 4:30AM.  Monday - Saturday, I will be seeing you (virtually...so to speak... you know what I mean).  :-)

Unpopular, Necessary Truth

Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Galatians 4:16, ESV)

The people who tell us the truth are not always our favorite people, but they should be. Children sometimes get angry at their parents when they tell them the truth...and vice-versa, I might add! Friendships are sometimes strained when the truth is told.  Coaches who are honest with their teams are not always beloved. I had an English teacher who was brutally honest with me about my writing. I was not happy!

Do we make enemies of the people who tell us the truth? If we do, we are wrong. We should bless the people who tell us the truth, especially the truth we do not want to hear. The one sure sign of true love is the willingness to tell the truth, even when it hurts.



Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Proverbs 27:6, ESV)

The Silver Lining (Gal 4:13)

You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,(Galatians 4:13, ESV)

No one likes being sick. When life goes wrong, it is miserable. Paul was sick for much of his adult life. We know for sure that he had bad eyes, but likely he had more trouble than just that. In today's reading, Paul notes that his sickness was the immediate cause of preaching to the Galatians for the very time. Paul was sick. He had to stop in Galatia, so he preached. Think of all that happened because Paul did not feel well. Because Paul got sick, thousands of people came to Christ. Because Paul got, the first book of the New Testament (Galatians) got written. Literally, millions and likely billions of people will reach his letter to the Galatians and come to faith. These all happened because Paul got sick.

No one likes being sick, but God can and will use your sickness and suffering. Remember Romans 8:28, God words all things [even sickness] for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 

It's the right time (Galatians 4:10)

You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.(Galatians 4:10–11, ESV)

While everything has a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1), there are somethings that are always in season. There are somethings that are timeless. Paul is chiding the Galatians about their observation of months, seasons, and years. He is telling them that the really important matters of faith and live know no seasons. Now is always the time to love one another. Now is always the time to believe. Now is always the time to trust God. Now is always the time to rejoice. Now is always the time to praise. Now is always the time to forgive. Now is always the victory of our God.

Today, try to live as much in the NOW as you can. Do not wait to express your love. Do not wait to pray. Do not wait to read your Bible Do not wait to give thanks. Do not wait to forgive. Do it now!

The Chicken or the Egg (Gal. 4:9)

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God...(Galatians 4:9, ESV)

Did I come to God? Or did God come to me, first? Did I come to know God or did God come to know me, first? Which came first, the chicken or the egg? While the chicken and the egg question is hard to answer, the questions about God are easier to answer. God always comes first. God came to me before I came to him. God knew me before I knew Him. This isn't just word play: which came first matters. If everything depended on me coming to God or me finding God first, then I might not make it. I am not perfect at getting places and finding things. Suppose I missed God? Supposed I looked for Him and looked in the wrong places. This is why it is vital that God comes to us first and that we are known by God before we know Him. God never gets lost. God never loses anything or anyone. Remember today: God knew you first. God found you first. There are no accidents. No mistakes. You are part of God's perfect plan.

"Abba, Father" (Gal. 4:6)

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”(Galatians 4:6, ESV)

I love watching good fathers. I know a few. I can spot a good father by the trust his children place in him. You can see it. His kids trust him. He's not perfect, but he is good. His children know that. They trust him. You tell a good father when you hear his kids say, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" Next time you are at the playground, near a school, or in church, listen. You'll hear it. It is the sound of trust.

Paul is telling us today we can trust our heavenly father. We can call him, "Father." The word 'Abba' is the Aramaic word for Father. We can place that same trust in God that children place in a trustworthy earthly father. If you had a trustworthy parent, give thanks! If you didn't, remember: you have a heavenly father who loves you. You can place your complete trust in God, your father.

"The Fullness of Time"

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.(Galatians 4:4–5, ESV)

Time. I am fond of saying, "I can make more money. I cannot make more time." Time is our scarcest non-renewable resource. Rarer than diamonds. Rarer than gold. Lost time is irreplaceable. In Galatians 4:4, Paul states that Christ came at the fullness of time. In other words, Christ came into the world at exactly the right moment: not a moment too soon and not a moment too late.

Christ also came to you at exactly that right moment. If you were baptized as an infant, Christ came to you then and that was the right time for you. If you came to faith as an adult, Christ came to you then and that was the right time for you. Christ always arrives at exactly the right moment for each person.

Even more, Christ comes to you today and that is exactly the right moment. Jesus comes to you everyday. Today is always the day of salvation. Now is always the time of our God.

None of us knows when our time will run out. None of us knows how much time he or she has. This is why it is so vital that Jesus comes at the right time. He was born at the right time. He came to you at the right time. He comes to you every day at the right time. He will come to you on your last day. He always comes at the right time.

Growing with Grace Daily Devotions

Today is Sunday! The blogger rests. Worship at your place of worship. See you tomorrow!

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:29, ESV)

Have you ever inherited anything? A little money? A piece of furniture? A car, perhaps? How did it make you feel? My inheritance left me feeling...well...ambivalent. I inherited amongst other things a particular desk from my mother. She called the desk a 'secretary.' On the one hand, I'm glad I received it. It's a beautiful piece of furniture. On the other hand, I'm sad because I received it after her death. "For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive" (Hebrews 9:17, ESV).


Inheriting comes with mixed feelings. Another inheritance I have received came from God. Jesus wrote me into His last will and testament. He named you, too. Because Jesus died, I am an heir and so are you. I inherit the promises God made to Abraham for the same reason. You do, too. Am I glad I will inherit the promises of God? You bet I am and I bet you are, too. Am I sad Jesus had to die for me to inherit those promises? I am and I expect you are, too. Inheriting is both happy and sad.

My actions toward my inheritance are complex, too. The little bit of money I inherited I spent much more carefully than any money I earned myself. Why? I take special care of the desk I inherited, too. Why? Inherited money spends exactly the same as earned money. An inherited desk does not require more care than a store bought desk. Atom for atom, inherited money and furniture are identical to all other money and other furniture. But in my heart, they are very different and deserve different treatment. The English language has a beautiful word to connote the special status of things inherited: heirloom. Heirlooms are more than mere atoms. My heirloom desk is an imperfect reflection of my mother. I remember her whenever I walk past it. Seeing it, I glimpse her out of the corner of my eye, sitting at her desk writing. I see her "through a glass darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12, KJV)

What heirlooms have you received from Jesus Christ? Your Bible is an heirloom left to you by Jesus. Your baptism, too. The Lord's Supper as well. Even more: every human being you have ever met, every breath you have ever taken, every drop of love you have ever felt, and every joy in all creation are heirlooms left to you in the last will and testament of Jesus Christ. Look for some heirlooms today!

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)

In Paul's day, the Jews thought they were better than the Greeks and the Greeks thought they were better than the Jews. Both were wrong. The free people considered themselves better than the slaves. The slaves thought themselves better than the free people (making their slavery even harder to bear). Both were wrong. The men thought they were better than the women and the women thought they were better than the men. And again, both were wrong.

Everyone was and is equal in Christ. No one had or has any business looking down on someone else. Paul cites three examples from Galatia that still trouble us today. Let us be clear. Racism in all its forms is an abomination. Slavery (and its modern form human trafficking) is reprehensible. Gender bias and discrimination is abhorrent. These are but three horrors: there are, sadly, many more. Let us commit to put an end to these and other such monstrosities in our individual lives. This begins with you and I. We are all the same in Christ.

Paul identified three rifts in the people of Galatia: Jew/Greek, slave/free, and woman/man. What rifts would he find in your world? Whom do you regard as less equal? Upon whom do you look down? Pray that God would change your heart. Who regards you as less equal? Who looks down on you? Pray that God would change that person's heart.

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion

"But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:25–27, ESV).

The word "guardian" is interesting. Guardians were similar to babysitters. Guardians protected the children from themselves. Guardians child-proofed the house. Guardians made sure homework was done. Children had guardians until they could be trusted to make their own decisions. Children need guardians until they mature. Adults are guardians or at least are supposed to be guardians. The words "mature adult" should be a redundancy, not an oxymoron!

Which, by the way, are you? A child or an adult? Do you need a guardian or are you ready to be a guardian? Since none of us is fully mature, a better question is "in which areas of life do you need a guardian and in which areas can you be someone's guardian?" The more faith you have in an area, the less you need a guardian. The less faith you have in an area, the more you need a guardian. How to know which is which? Worry and fear are strong indicators. The areas you worry most about or fear most are likely the areas where your faith needs strengthening.  You may need a guardian. The areas you are confident and courageous are areas where your faith is strong. Here you might be guardian to another. In either case, remember: the guardian's job is to work him/herself out of a job!

Today, define one area of life where you need a guardian. Ask God to bring a guardian into your life. Someone who can help you grow up in this area. Someone who will "work him/herself out of the job." Also, define one area of life where you are ready to be someone's guardian. Ask God to bring someone into your life who needs your help and then work yourself out of that job.

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion

"Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith" (Galatians 3:23–24, ESV).

Captive. Imprisoned. I have never been in jail...except in my own mind. My mind is a prison I know all too well. My mental prison has four strong walls. I have written one word on each wall. What are the four words? I am no good. The belief "I am no good" is the single most enslaving belief in the world. And it is a lie.

Set free. Loosed. The door to my mental prison had a single key: love. God's exception-less love for all. All includes me. I am loved. Loved is good.

I am ashamed to admit this, but I lock myself in my prison cell from time to time. If you find yourself locked up today, remember God loves you and so do I.

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion

"Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ" (Galatians 3:16, ESV).

In baseball, batting average (BA) is one of the most important hitting statistics. Number of hits divided by number of at bats equals BA. 3 hits out of 10 at bats over a career will make you a multimillionaire and likely land you in the hall of fame. Here's a more important stat to calculate: promise-keeping average (PKA). Number of fully kept promises/total promises made equals PKA.

Every promise God has ever made God has fully kept. "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 1:20).  God's PKA = 1.0. What's yours?

Let's get our PKA's up. Today, make and keep a few simple promises!

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion

“The righteous shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:11 (ESV)

What is this faith by which I am to live? "Faith is being sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see" (paraphrase of Hebrews 11:1). Faith-living is life WITH HOPE and FOR HEAVEN. 

The first part of faith-living WITH HOPE. Everyone wants hope. Too many live in despair. Thoreau wrote, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” Everyday I ask God for his song for my life and for the voice to sing it. Everyday I ask God for his hope for my life and the strength to believe it. Do not either settle for quiet desperation. Do not let the song die within you. Ask God for his SONG for your life and the voice to sing it everyday! Ask God for his HOPE for your life and the strength to believe it everyday. This is the first part of living by faith: WITH HOPE.

The second part of faith-living: FOR HEAVEN. I live on earth but my true life awaits in heaven. Sometimes, the earth seems so dreadful a place, with disasters, disease, death, and the cruelty of people, that I long FOR HEAVEN. Other times, the earth seems such a breathtaking and achingly beautiful place, the mountains, the sea, the great plains, the rising sun, the setting moon, and the kindness and genius of people, that I glimpse heaven here. Glimpsing heaven is also part of living FOR HEAVEN. To live FOR HEAVEN then is both to long for heaven and to glimpse it. I see it and want it. To live FOR HEAVEN, I ask God for the will to reject utterly and fight constantly disaster, disease, death, despair, and cruelty. To live FOR HEAVEN, I ask God for the will to seek and the grace to see heaven everyday in every good thing and person. Ask God to give you the longing FOR HEAVEN and the grace to see it everyday. This is the second part of living by faith: FOR HEAVEN.

Live with HOPE and for HEAVEN. This is living by faith.

Growing with Grace Daily Devotions

Today is Sunday! The blogger rests. Worship at your place of worship. See you tomorrow!

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion (6 July 2013)

"And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all the nations be blessed.'” (Gal 3:8)

If you watch TV on a high definition screen, each image of your favorite show is made up of approximately two million tiny dots called pixels. Currently, my favorite show is Top Gear (BBC America). On the one hand, I could press my nose right up to the screen to try and see the individual pixels that make up Top Gear. If I do this, I will never enjoy the new season and will likely need an ophthalmologist. On the other hand, I could sit on my comfy couch at a reasonable distance from the screen. I won't see the pixels from the davenport, but I will enjoy the antics of Jeremy, Richard, James, The Stig, and "the star in a reasonably priced car." I see the big picture when I take a step back from the screen because a pixel is not the big picture.

God blessed Abraham with a son (Isaac). That blessing was a pixel, not the big picture. God told Abraham to take a step back if he wanted to the big picture. God told Abraham to take a step back and look up at the stars. Every star was a blessing God had in store for Abraham. To see the enormity of the big picture, Abraham had to take a step back to see the billions and billions of blessings including Isaac. In fact, Abraham couldn't fully love Isaac until he saw Isaac's place in God's big picture...and his own! Abraham and Isaac were each single stars in God's vast firmament.

You take a step back, too. Look at your Bible. Abraham was a pixel. Isaac was a pixel. David was a pixel. All the blessings of the Bible were pixels. Don't stare at the pixels, step back and see the big picture. Every blessing in the Bible is a pixel. The pixels combines to form a single big picture: the face of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the big picture.

Take a step back. Consider your life. If you are at all like me, you stare at the day to day pixels and miss the big picture of God. Don't get so focused on the small matters of life that you miss the big picture. The big picture is Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 says we should “fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith....”

Are you staring at pixels or seeing the face of Jesus Christ? Are you seeing big picture?

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion (5 July 2013)

[Abraham] “...believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? (Gal 3:6)

Abraham believed God. Way to go Abraham! There's more to the story than just "Abraham believed God." Abraham doubted God at times, too (read Genesis 12, you'll see). Abraham both believed and doubted. And Abraham isn't alone in the Bible. In Mark's gospel, a man who asked Jesus to heal his son said, "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). Like Abraham, this man believed and doubted. Jesus even chose an apostle who became known for his doubting: Doubting Thomas. Thomas believed...and doubted. These believers, Abraham, the man from Mark's gospel, and Thomas were human beings just like you and me. All believers doubt sometimes and believe sometimes.

Even though we doubt, God is greater than our doubts. Abraham was saved. Thomas was saved. Jesus healed the man's son in Mark's Gospel. We doubt, but God remains faithful. Our doubt does not negate God's goodness, greatness, and grace. God loves doubters! Jesus died for doubted. The key lesson from the doubt-belief of these men is that in spite of times of doubt, they kept on believing. God didn't give up on Abraham and Abraham didn't give up on God.

Don't you give up on God because you sometimes doubt. God will never give up on you. You are just like Abraham, the man from Mark's gospel, and the apostle Thomas. God never gives up. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). As the rock band Journey said, "Don't stop believing!"

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion (4 July 2013)

Galatians 3: 1-3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Foolishness is a form of insanity. Foolishness is continuing to do things that have not worked in the past, are not working in the present, and will not work in the future. Foolishness, like insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The Galatians in the past tried to earn salvation by obedience to rules and laws. It didn't work. Living legalistically only made them guilty and unhappy. Feeling guilty and unhappy, they sinned more and not less.

In other words, they were just like us. Legalism didn't work then, doesn't work now, won't work tomorrow, and never will work. Nonetheless people keep returning to it. Worse still, people keep imposing failed legalism on others. Legalism, like misery, loves company. As one radio personality is fond of saying, "I'm not happy till you're not happy." That’s legalism: everyone is unhappy. So, where is legalism making you guilty and unhappy? Leave the law behind and live a life of grace, compassion, mercy and forgiveness. Where are you being foolish? Stop doing over and over again what has not worked in the past. Ask God to show you new ways. God gladly gives wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5). Ask today.

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion

Gal 2:20 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 (ESV).

I am not who I was. Before I met Christ, I was one person. Afraid. Angry. Hurting. Darkened. That person died when Jesus died. Occasionally, ok daily, ok hourly, ok minute by minute, ok ok second by second, that dark person tries to rise from the dead like some Hollywood zombie. Worse, I even help dig him up sometimes. Still, even though I fail and fall, in spite of my frailty, I still say that I am not who I was before. I am not who I was. And while that is good, there is something even better. I am not yet who I one day will be. I am not fully the person God will one day make me. I am in between this world and the next. I am in between cross and crown. Paul calls this “in-between-ness” "the life I now live in the flesh." How shall we live this life in between cross and crown? How shall I live on earth but destined for heaven? Since we believe Jesus loved us and died for us, we will love others the same way Jesus loved us. This is how we will live our life in the flesh until we rise as Jesus is risen.

Growing With Galatians Daily Devotion

Gal 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by 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. (ESV)

To be justified is to be declared innocent by a judge. The idea is that a justified person is innocent, good, worthy of love and respect, and valuable. Paul is saying that a person is not declared innocent, good, worthy of love and respect, and valuable because of what he or she has done. The reason no one is declared innocent? No one is. Instead, a person is declared innocent, good, worthy of love and respect, and valuable because of Jesus Christ. Jesus is innocent and those who believe in Him are too. Not because we are perfect (we aren’t), but because Jesus is perfect. Since everyone is justified in the same way (through Christ), none of us is better (or worse) than anyone else. In the light of our sameness in Christ, whom have you disrespected? Whom have thought unworthy of love? Whom have you undervalued? Whom have you ignored? Turned away from? Remember, we are ALL justified in the same way. The greatest and the least are level in Jesus Christ. If we are all the same, we see each other eye-to-eye and face-to-face. We look down on no one.

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion

Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the [divided congregation] acted hypocritically along with [Peter], so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. (ESV)

People sometimes say, "The church is just a bunch of hypocrites." They are surprised when I, a pastor, say, "You're right. The church is a bunch of hypocrites, but there’s a worse problem. The worse problem is that some of them are unaware of their hypocrisy." What is a hypocrite? A hypocrite is someone who defends certain moral standards, but does not live according to those very standards. They talk the talk but don't walk the walk. The church is full of frail humans who do not ever fully live up to their own beliefs and they know it. They are hypocrites and know it. Knowing their hypocrisy, they become humble and nonjudgmental toward others. These people are not the problem. There are others in the church who act as if they are NOT hypocrites, but they are. They act as if they actually walked the walk they so loudly talk. Believing in their own moral superiority, or at least acting as if they believed it, such people are proud and judgmental. These people are a big problem for the church and for themselves. St. John writes "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). The church is a place filled hypocrisy and the height of hypocrisy within the church is its failure to admit its hypocrisy. The church is a hospital for hypocrites, not a quarantine for the righteous alone. The church should be more like Hypocrites Anonymous. Each of us should confess, "Hello, my name is...and I am a recovering hypocrite. St. John continues, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotions (29 June 2013)

But when Cephas [Peter] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.(Galatians 2:11, ESV)

Paul had issues with Peter. Notice Paul says, “I opposed him to his face.” Face to face. Paul does not avoid Peter.  Peter does not flee from Paul. This is the only way conflicts get resolved. However, it takes more than meeting face to face and arguing and shouting. Both parties have to meet in a spirit of love. They have to want resolution and want it badly! Paul wanted things to be right between him and Peter. Peter did too. They hashed it out. They worked it out. Maybe it wasn’t pretty, but they got it worked out. They loved each other because Christ first loved them.  Peter later calls Paul “our beloved brother.” So, no more fleeing conflict and no more gossip! No more talking about people behind their backs. Face to face or not at all. When you find yourself ready to say something negative about a person with you have issues who is not present to face your words, resolve to keep silent. Despise conflict, but don't flee from it. Face your issues face to face.

Growing with Galatian Daily Devotions (28 June 2013)

Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.(Galatians 2:10, ESV)

Most of us are not rich: we are not poor either. We are “in-betweeners.” The trouble with being an “in-betweener” is that we tend to focus on those who have more than we do. We look up and think we have been cheated. Galatians today reminds us to look down. Being an in-betweener means that there are many many people who have less than we do. Some of them have a lot less. Today, think of those who have less and (1) be thankful for what you have and not unhappy for what you do not have. (2) Remember the poorer in your prayers. (3) Do something practical for the poor. Find a great charity and make a donation. Be kind to the people on the street.

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion (27 June 2013)

...They gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (Galatians 2:9, ESV)



The word translated as fellowship is the Greek word koinonia-a very important word in the Bible. Unfortunately, fellowship has come to mean ‘fun activities we do at church’ such as fellowship dinners and fellowship nights. This is not what the Bible means by fellowship. The book (and film) The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien got the meaning of this word right. A fellowship is group of people with close mutual relationships and a shared purpose or mission. In the book, the fellowship was a group of nine characters with a common mission (the ring) and who came to love one another. Church is a fellowship in this deeper sense. We are brought together by Christ who intends us to be as close as a family, even closer. We are brought together around a mission: to bring others into His fellowship. Fellowship is not the same as congregation or denomination. Fellowship is larger. Our most important fellowship is NOT Lutheran, Catholic, or Baptist. These are fellowships, but they are not the most important fellowship. Our most important fellowship is Christian. Our fellowship is Christ. There is only ONE FLOCK because there is only ONE GOOD SHEPHERD.

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion (26 June 2013)

...What they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality (Galatians 2:6, ESV)

God shows no partiality. I love this passage. The Greek word translated ‘partiality’ means a person’s face. God does not measure a person’s value, ability, or worthiness based on looks. God looks beneath the surface at the substance. The world is the opposite, valuing a pretty face over a good heart. The challenge for you and I is to follow God and not the world. Today, try to ignore people’s looks altogether. Treat everyone the same. Show no partiality.

Growing with Galatians (25 June 2013) Daily Devotion

Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—(Galatians 2:4, ESV)

The freedom Paul is referring to in Galatians 2 is freedom to be Christian without following certain Old Testament...er...surgical practices. The word ‘spy’ is particularly funny in this context. Kidding aside, there are always people who are opposed to the freedom Christianity gives. In Christ, we need not fear (if God is for us, whom then shall we fear? No one). Never let another human intimidate you. You are God’s beloved. He will defend you. In Christ, we need not feel guilty. Your sin is forgiven. There is no need for guilt. Never let another human being pour guilt upon you. Jesus died for you. His death takes your guilt away. Christianity is freedom from guilt and from fear. It is freedom to live abundantly. Today, remember that you are free. Free from guilt. Free from fear.  Do not let anyone ‘spy out your freedom.’

Charles Long
www.refractingthelight.blogspot.com

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion (23 June 2013)

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles...(Galatians 2:1–2, ESV)

Paul describes himself as “a Hebrew of Hebrews” (Philippians 3:5) and yet he becomes God’s chosen messenger to non-Jewish people. Talk about getting outside your comfort zone! There are several important messages here.

First, a comfortable life is not a worthwhile goal. We do not find meaning and purpose through being comfortable. We find meaning and purpose in overcoming adversity and overcoming adversity is almost always uncomfortable. So, today, get out of your comfort zone at least once.

Second message: God is always breaking down walls. God is iconoclastic (an idol destroyer). What are the walls God is breaking down in your life? Whom have you walled out? What are walling in? Take a sledge hammer to one wall today.

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion (22 June 2013)

And they glorified God because of me.(Galatians 1:24, ESV)

What a wonderful sentence: they glorified God because of me. Hearing Paul became a Christian made these churches so glad. They were so happy that God could take an enemy and make him a friend. Imagine the awe and joy Paul felt. People who probably once wanted Paul dead were now praising God because Paul was alive. They glorified God because of me. What an amazing feeling! Think of the beautiful, wonderful people in your life. Thank God for them and then tell them, “I glorify God because of YOU.” Say that to your spouse, to your children, to your relatives, to your friends. And think, they feel the same way about you. People praise God because you are alive. People praise God for creating wonderful, beautiful you.

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotions

And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. (Galatians 1:22, ESV)

Paul’s reputation was well known to the churches in Judea, but not his person. The churches knew the old Paul, the bad Paul. The new Paul, the good Paul, was a stranger to these churches. The churches in Judea welcomed the new Paul. They did not reject him based on who he once was; they received him because of who he had become. Paul was not the man he once was. 

This is a cautionary tale about not judging based solely on past reputation. People can change. People can be changed. What matters then is not who a person was, but who a person is. What matters even more is that God loves every person: the greatest and the least. This is the chief reason we are not to judge. There are others reasons.

We are commanded not to judge because we poor judges, focusing on surface rather than substance. Gold does not always glitter! Diamonds are sometimes found in the rough! As radio host Delilah is fond of saying, our "picker outer" is broken.

We are commanded not to judge because we do not like being judged. If we would “do unto others as we would have others do unto us” then we ought not judge. 

We are commanded not to judge because God will judge us with they very standard we judge others. The mercy we show others is the mercy God will show us.

I am sure there are more reasons, but these are compelling! Today, make every effort not to judge and to think the best of everyone.

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion (20 June 2013)

But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Galatians 1:19–20, ESV

God gives us some amazing experiences in this lifetime. For Paul, meeting James the Lord's brother was just such an experience. The precise familial relationship between Jesus and James is unknown (the word brother might mean cousin). In either case, James was a biological relative of Jesus Christ. James and Jesus shared Mary’s DNA. Also, James knew Jesus as a boy. They grew up together. How amazing! Paul considers meeting James so amazing that he worries the Galatians might think he’s stretching the truth. Meeting James was that amazing to Paul.

I believe every life is amazing. Consider your amazing experiences; your amazing life. Which experiences have been the most amazing? Marriage? The birth of a child? The mountains? The sea? The ordinary can be amazing too. The sunrises and sets everyday and everyday it is amazing. Every human face is utterly unique and amazing. You are amazing, too. Reflect on the wonders of life and thank God for the amazing life you have been given.

By Charles Long

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion (Wed., June 19, 2013)

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas [Peter’s Hebrew name] and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles...(Galatians 1:18–19, ESV)

The last time Paul had been in Jerusalem, he had participated in the execution of the first Christian martyr: Stephen. He had not been back since. Understandably. Cephas (Peter) and the other apostles had known Stephen. They had known Paul’s role in Stephen’s death. Paul had to face them. Two of them, Cephas and James were still in Jerusalem. The others were not. Paul needed forgiveness from Peter and he needed it from those no longer there. Which is harder: asking forgiveness in person or never being able to ask because you missed the chance? Paul experienced both. Paul asked Peter's forgiveness. Paul missed the chance to ask forgiveness of many others-the departed, the imprisoned, the exiled.

Sometimes in life we get to ask the forgiveness of those we have hurt and that is hard, very hard. Other times when we need forgiveness, the people from whom we need it are gone. This is even harder than asking forgiveness. Asking forgiveness brings closure. When asking is no longer possible, closure is harder. The wound is slower to close.

The relationship between Paul and Peter was healed through forgiveness. Peter later calls Paul “our beloved brother” (2 Peter 3:15). Still, Paul never got ask forgiveness of those who were gone. He missed the chance. Don't do likewise. Always ask forgiveness immediately-while there is still time. Give forgiveness likewise: now-while there is still time. Whose forgiveness do you need to ask? Ask while you can. Who needs your forgiveness? Give it while you still can and give it freely. You must trust God regarding the giving or receiving of forgiveness from the people no longer here. That is in God's hands. They are in God's hands. You are, too. We all are.

--
Peace,


Charles M. Long

...and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13b)

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotional; Tuesday, June 18 2013

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me...(Galatians 1:15–16a, ESV)

Life is bounded by two great mysteries. What was I before I was born? What will I be after I die Before I was born, God called my name by His grace because God is love. That’s what a loving parent does: he sets apart his beloved child before the child is born by giving the child a name. Before my sons were born, I loved them and I named them. Their names were decided BEFORE their births. I set them apart in my heart. God set you apart in His heart too. What was I before I was born? I was set apart in the heart of God. What will I be after I die? I will be revealed to God. Revealed to God? Yes. The covering of Jesus over my sins will be lifted like clothing. And when that clothing is removed the sins will be removed with it. Underneath I am clean. I will also be revealed to myself. Revealed to myself? Yes, that too! I will at last see myself as God has always seen me, as He saw me before I was born. Heaven is the revelation of what truly is. Look around today: every good thing will be revealed to in heaven. Look for it now in the time after birth and before death.

Growing with Galatians Daily Devotion June 17, 2013

For you have heard of my former life...(Galatians 1:13a, ESV)

“For you have heard of my former life...” I have a former life that I do not live anymore. Likely you do, too. We are not the people we once were. Our minds are wiser. Our hearts are softer. Our eyes may see the world less well, but they see truth much better. The words we speak are fewer, but kinder. It’s not just that we have grown older. As Indiana Jones famously said, “It’s not the years; it’s the miles.” We are not who we once were...thankfully! If you have heard of my former life, forgive me! I am not be the person I once was. And you? Don’t worry. I’m not worried about who you were a long time ago or even yesterday. I’m glad for who you are now. I am glad that God has brought you to this day and that you are who you are right now.

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Sunday Sabbath Rest Day

Thanks for reading and responding to Refracting the Light. Tomorrow is Sunday. Rest. Relax. Celebrate great dads. See you all on Monday!

Growing with Galatians daily devotions 6/15/13

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.(Galatians 1:8–10, ESV)

Apparently, Paul had been accused of people-pleasing, of compromising the message in order to be liked. The charge concerns Paul’s motives. Why is he doing what he is doing? Is he an authentic Apostle? Or is he an attention seeker? In Galatians, Paul makes it clear. He is not a people-pleaser. He is servant of Jesus Christ. As you go through your day, question your motives. Why do you do what you do? What are your reasons for your words and actions? What words and actions would make you servant of Christ? Discover these and do them. 

Growing with Galatians - 6/14/2013

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.(Galatians 1:6–7, ESV)

Stephen Covey famously said, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” This is, in essence, what Paul is saying to the people in Galatia. The main thing is the Gospel. The Gospel, the love God demonstrated in Christ, is the core message of Christianity. How did they lose the main thing, the Gospel? They lost it by adding something to it (a ritual called circumcision). The Gospel was complete as it was. The Gospel needed no additions. Adding to the Gospel only diluted it. They added work to the Gospel and it became less potent. They would have been better doing LESS. In our lives, what we do matters, but what we choose NOT to do also matters. Keeping the main thing the main thing often involves what we choose NOT to do as much as what we choose to do. Less is more. What is YOUR MAIN THING? What do you need NOT to do to keep your main thing the main thing? Today, make a TO DON’T LIST of things you will not do.

Growing with Galatians (June13, 2013

Your daily devotion from my Growing with Galatians series...

[God] To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.(Galatians 1:5, ESV)

Yesterday, we looked at Christianity and life today. Today, we see that our faith is also about forevermore. Paul writes “...no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9, ESV). Whatever forevermore is it is greater than we can imagine. One of the best imaginings of heaven is C. S. Lewis’ book, “The Last Battle.” The vision of heaven is wonderful, beyond wonderful. However wonderful Lewis’ imaginings are, they are not wonderful enough. If you encounter any unpleasantness today, remember what awaits you in heaven.  Forevermore is greater than anything that can be conceived. Smell the roses! Look at something beautiful today: a sunrise, a flower, a baby. Remember that however beautiful these may be, forevermore will be more beautiful.

Everyday Expect Eternity!

Growing with Galatians (daily devotions based on Galatians)

6/12/2013

[Jesus Christ] gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age according to the will of our God and Father...(Galatians 1:4, ESV)

The Christian faith is about life today as well as life forevermore. Tomorrow’s verse from Galatians is about forevermore. Today’s concerns the present. “This present evil age” Paul wrote. Look around. Evil is alive and well in our world. Life today can be very, very difficult and painful. Sickness. Violence. Fear. Loneliness. Loss. But this present evil age cannot defeat us because we have been delivered from it. This is God’s will: that nothing in this world should ever be able to separate us from His love. You may have some heartaches today: God is greater than that them. You may worry today. God is greater than your worries. You may...no, you will sin today: there is no sin that Jesus’s death cannot cleanse. God will deliver you from this evil age. In fact, He already has. Good has triumphed over evil.

NOTE: I am re-posting 6/10/13 and 6/11/13 from Facebook in order to keep this blog complete. All subsequent entries will be posted here, on Facebook, and via email for those who request it.

6/11/13

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,(Galatians 1:3–4, ESV)

Begin your morning by reading and rereading this phrase, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Consider its meaning. Grace,God’s Remarkable Attitude Concerning Everyone, is yours today. Peace, the assurance flows from knowing that God will keep you utterly safe no matter what, is yours today. Grace and peace is yours. Having read this and reread this, extend this same grace and peace to everyone you meet. In every interaction you have this day, share God’s grace and peace.

6/10/13

Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:(Galatians 1:1–2, ESV)

Paul begins his letter to the churches in Galatia saying that his calling, his Apostleship, came “Not from men nor through a man, but through Jesus Christ....” Paul’s calling and his identity came from God (not from men). What about you? What is God calling you to do today? What is God calling you not to do today? Now consider your identity. Your identity does not come “from men or through a man, but through Jesus Christ.” Who are you in Christ? Here are some possibilities: beloved, child of God, heir, friend, brother, sister...and more!