Galatians

July 13th – Galatians 5:1

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Galatians 5:1

Jesus’ sacrifice not only provides salvation, but also frees us. It frees us from the bondage of legalism and the relentless pursuit of trying to earn God’s favor through our own efforts. Living in the freedom of His grace means embracing the truth that our worth and salvation aren’t based on our works. Instead they’re based on Christ’s completed work on the cross. This freedom allows us to experience a deep, abiding joy and peace. Because we know that we are fully accepted and loved by God. It liberates us from the guilt and fear that comes with legalistic striving and empowers us to live authentically and boldly in our faith. Grace transforms our motivation for obedience, shifting it from a place of obligation to one of love and gratitude. As we stand firm in this freedom, we resist the pressures to revert to old ways of legalistic thinking. And instead embrace the abundant life Jesus offers. In doing so, we reflect the true essence of the Gospel and inspire others to seek and experience the liberating power of Christ’s grace.

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July 3rd – Galatians 5:13

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Galatians 5:13

The freedom we find in Jesus liberates us from the bondage of sin and self-centeredness. Instead, redirecting our lives towards love and service. This newfound freedom isn’t a license to pursue selfish desires, but a call to emulate Christ’s love in our daily lives. By being free in Jesus, we are empowered to look beyond our own needs and to seek the well-being of others. Allowing us to reflect God’s love in practical ways. We can use this freedom to volunteer our time, offer support to those in need, and show compassion to those who are hurting. Serving humbly in love means putting others before ourselves, listening with empathy, and acting with kindness. It transforms our relationships, enabling us to be agents of peace and joy in the world. To live out this freedom, we can ask God to soften our hearts and open our eyes to opportunities to serve. By embracing this call of love and humility, we align our lives with the selfless example of Jesus. This makes our freedom a testimony to His grace and a blessing to those around us.

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June 1st – Galatians 5:22-23

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Galatians 5:22-23

In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul outlines the Fruit of the Spirit. A collection of nine virtues that together make up a Christ-like character. These virtues, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are the hallmarks of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit. Each attribute reflects part of Jesus’ own nature and offers a blueprint for how we are to live as His followers. Love leads us to selflessly care for others. Joy uplifts us and those around us, and peace brings harmony in our relationships. Patience helps us endure trials with grace, while kindness and goodness spur us to acts of compassion and integrity. Faithfulness keeps us steadfast in our commitments. Gentleness tempers our actions with humility, and self-control enables us to resist temptation. By cultivating these virtues, we not only grow closer to Christ but also become living testimonies of His love and power. Allowing us to become effective witnesses of the gospel in a world that desperately needs saving.

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November 16th – Galatians 6:9

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Galatians 6:9

In his letter to the early church in Galatia, Paul uses a parallel between the diligence of farmers and the endurance required in our spiritual journey. Much like farmers who toil in the fields, working and patiently waiting for the harvest season, we are urged not to grow weary in doing good while we wait for God’s great harvest. The apostle uses the comparison to underscore the importance of perseverance and patience for both. Just as farmers trust that their labor will eventually yield a bountiful harvest, we too are called to maintain hope and endurance in our faith journey. Being fully assured that our efforts in living according to God’s principles will bear fruit at the appointed time. Paul also encourages us to emulate the steadfastness of farmers, who continue working the fields despite challenges. To apply that same resilience in our spiritual lives, trusting that in due season, our faithful endurance will lead to a harvest of blessings and fulfillment.

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April 5th – Galatians 6:7

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Galatians 6:7

Only those who hate God would dare mock Him right? Preacher Charles G. Finney wrote, “To mock God is to pretend to love and serve him when we do not. To act in a false manner, be insincere and hypocritical in our professions, pretending to obey, love, serve, and worship Him, when we do not.” No true believer has to pretend to love God. Yet even though our devotion to Him is strong, we’ve all been guilty of behavior that could be called many things, except godly. I myself have disobeyed God, not walked as Jesus teaches, and at times acted more like a Pharisee than a Christian. But thankfully we serve a loving God who, when we confess our sin and repent, is faithful to forgive and restore our fellowship with Him. The world is constantly looking at us to see if we practice what we preach. By living lives of integrity, sowing seeds of the Spirit, and being examples of the grace of God, instead of seeing mockery and hypocrisy, the world will see shining lights that glorify our Father! (Matt. 5:16)

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April 4th – Ephesians 4:1

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Ephesians 4:1

When we receive Jesus as our Savior we receive a calling to walk away from our old, sinful lifestyles, and walk worthy of our new calling. And what is our new calling? To live life in a manner that is consistent with the high standards and values of the Christian faith. It means intentionally choosing to die to self daily. Instead walking in obedience to God and following the example of Jesus Christ. This includes living a life of humility, love, and forgiveness as our Lord did. For as Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” When we surrender our own desires and plans, allowing Christ to live in and through us, we walk worthy of our calling. And that in turn leads to a life centered on God and His purposes, rather than our own.

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March 3rd – psalm 92:14

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Psalm 92:14

In a world that searches endlessly for the fountain of youth, God assures us His blessings aren’t reserved for the young. As long as we continue to walk with the Lord and seek His will, no matter our age we can bear fruit and be effective workers in His kingdom.  Because even if we aren’t physically able to serve the Lord, we can be examples to others by bearing the fruit of, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal. 5:22). Bodies grow old and frail, but no physical infirmity can stop the Spirit of God from working in and through us. And those who walk in righteousness, God promises will “flourish like the palm tree“, “grow like a cedar in Lebanon“, and the most wonderful of all, be “planted in the house of the Lord.” There we will “flourish in the courts of our God“, and be “full of sap and very green“.

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February 28th – Galatians 5:26

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Galatians 5:26 

Society today glorifies wealth, fame, power, and aggression above all else. This makes it a real challenge for Christians to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh. For temptation is everywhere we turn. And the sins of conceit, provoking others, and envy, are easily given in to. Especially when we ourselves are hurting, suffering or wanting. But we can guard ourselves against these negative attitudes by instead cultivating the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. Fruits including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And fruits that keep our focus off ourselves, and our own desires. Putting them instead where they belong, on God and others. Allowing us not only to live in love, joy, and peace, but build healthy relationships with others and most of all, honor God.

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February 23rd – Luke 6:35

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Luke 6:35

The world is full of difficult people. And the last thing we want to do is love them, do good things for them, and pray blessings into their lives. Yet that’s what Jesus calls us to do. To love our enemies as He loves us. So how do we get past our hard feelings? First, by bearing one another’s burdens. (Gal. 6:2) Second, by remembering we all fall short of God’s glory. (Matt. 6:23) Third, by never giving up on doing the right thing. (Gal. 6:9) All Jesus did wasn’t for His benefit, but for ours. For once we too were poor, in need, and enemies of God. Having a debt we could never pay, Christ came to ransom His life for ours. And out of thankfulness for His unmerited grace, He wants us to pay it forward. To extend the same to others. Continuing to sow seeds of love and goodness, remembering God promises what we give will be given back to us. (Luke 6:38)

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February 13th – Proverbs 31:8-9

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Proverbs 31:8-9

Throughout the Bible we read how seriously the Lord takes the plight of the poor, the widowed, and the orphaned. And He let’s us know exactly what He expects our treatment of them to be. “Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” (Is. 1:17) We are God’s mirror images here on earth, and as His representatives our lives and behavior should reflect His just and holy character. To follow the Lord means to practice justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Him. To be living testimonies of the fruit of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. (Gal. 5:22-23) One day soon Jesus will return. But until that time, it is up to us to demonstrate to the world what it means to act justly and to love mercy. To stand up against oppression and abuse of those who cannot stand up for themselves.

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