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!