Galatians

February 23rd – Luke 6:35

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

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)

February 23rd – Luke 6:35 Read More »

February 13th – Proverbs 31:8-9

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

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.

February 13th – Proverbs 31:8-9 Read More »

November 29th – 1 John 3:1

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

1 John 3:1 

I am thankful to call God my Father 

Jesus came to be our perfect substitute. Taking our place, He paid our sin debt allowing us to be redeemed to the Father. Because of His sacrifice we are not only forgiven of our sins, freed from the burden of the Law, we are also adopted as sons and daughters into God’s heavenly family forever. Imagine that! No longer called slaves, but heirs to the kingdom through the blood of Christ. But it gets even better. In one of my favorite verses Paul says, “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying ‘Abba! Father!” (Gal. 4:6) Abba is an Aramaic term which closely translated means Daddy. What a privilege to be able to call God, Daddy! As sinners on our own we can never be worthy of being in His family.  But because of Jesus not only does God accept us, He calls us His own. And in this gift giving season, God’s gift of adoption is one I am forever thankful for.

November 29th – 1 John 3:1 Read More »

November 26th – Galatians 1:8

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Galatians 1:8

I am thankful for the true Gospel of Jesus Christ

The adding and taking away from God’s Word is pretty serious business. So serious Paul doesn’t just tell us to stay away from those who teach a distorted gospel, he calls for a curse upon them. As fallen people with fallen hearts, we cannot fathom such a pure, perfect, and unconditional love as is God’s love. A love whose height knows no limits, and whose depth knows no end. And most wonderful of all a love not earned, but offered freely to everyone who receives Jesus as their Savior. That’s why in our human frailty people twist and turn the gospel to fit their narrative. But the true Good News is this. Once we were dead in sin, separated from our Father in heaven. But through the grace of God and the blood of His only begotten Son, we can be reconciled back to our Father in heaven forever.  Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation. This is unmerited grace. This is unmerited love. And this is the one and only true gospel!

November 26th – Galatians 1:8 Read More »

August 10th – Galatians 5:1

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Galatians 5:1

As the perfect fulfillment of the Law, with His death the Lord freed us from living under a set of rules. Yet because we’re all in various stages of our spiritual growth, what we feel free to do or not do means different things to different people. And Paul tells we need to respect those differences with patience and kindness. Instead of saying, “I’m not giving up my rights because another Christian hurt feelings about it!”, say, “From a Christlike love, it’s better to limit my own freedom than to cause a weaker believer to stumble.” Paul knows of what he speaks. As an apostle personally chosen by Jesus, Paul was entitled to certain rights specified by God. But instead of claiming these rights, he voluntarily laid them aside for a greater reward. (1 Cor. 18-19, 23) Paul thought it a great privilege to serve the Lord. And although he never compromised his convictions, he was more than willing to put his comfort, needs, opinions, and rights behind those of others. And all to grow God’s kingdom.

August 10th – Galatians 5:1 Read More »

July 20th – Proverbs 17:17

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Proverbs 17:17

Playwright Oscar Wide once said, “The burden of this world is too great for one man to bear, and the world’s sorrow too heavy for one heart to suffer.” It’s said you find out who your real friends are when you’re at your lowest. They are the ones who not only stay through the bad times, they offer to help carry the load. And if that load is due to falling in sin, they follow the words of Paul restoring, “such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” (Gal. 6:1) Real friends set aside their pride. For they know we all fall short daily, have moments of weakness, and need help from time to time. As Christians being a servant of the Lord is a great honor. But Jesus gives us an even greater honor by calling us friends. Therefore, from joyful hearts filled with thankfulness and love, may we mimic the friendship of Jesus to a hurting world, And, “while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” (Gal. 6:10)

July 20th – Proverbs 17:17 Read More »

July 4th – Galatians 5:22

1 Comment / Daily Devotional /

Galatians 5:22

The moment we receive Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit enters into our hearts and gets to work. And the result of His labors is evidenced by the spiritual fruit we produce. Described by Paul, this fruit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Throughout the Bible we are told of the importance of love. So no wonder Paul lists it first. But a very close second is joy. Because no matter our circumstances, God wants us to experience the fullness of His joy. An everlasting joy that can never be taken away. The Greek word for joy is chara, and is described as the natural reaction to the work of God, whether promised or fulfilled. There’s nothing that will humble us quicker than when we truly realize the favor and grace God shows us daily. So with thankful heats, how could the fruit of joy not be in spilled over into all we do!

July 4th – Galatians 5:22 Read More »

may 22nd – Galatians 6:7

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Galatians 6:7

Have you ever said to yourself, “If only I had..?” or, “I wish I didn’t…!” The Bible is filled with story after story of those who made both wise and unwise decisions. And the consequences of their choices. It also teaches us a very important Biblical principle. We reap what we sow. That’s why before we sow, we need to first seek counsel from the Lord. Because by doing so, we save ourselves from reaping a life filled with regret. So how do we receive God’s advice, power, and grace? By applying practical principles. These include surrendering our will to His. Meditating on His Word. Spending time in prayer. Having patience in waiting to hear from Him. And finally, trusting completely in the answer He gives. Each day we find ourselves facing decisions to be made, both big and small. And with each one God wants us to come to Him.

may 22nd – Galatians 6:7 Read More »

May 5th – Psalm 61:3

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Psalm 61:3

The world is rapidly becoming more dangerous by the day. And although we have no control over what happens around us, we can control how we react. We can cower and hide, living a life of worry and fear. Or we can trust in God who promises to be a “tower of strength against the enemy.” We all experience times when it feels almost impossible to keep going. Or felt like we aren’t making a difference and the Enemy is winning, But we need to remember Gal. 6:9 which tells us to “…not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” So keep praising the Lord and spreading the Good News in boldness and love. And in times of weakness, run into the arms of God. And take refuge in the shelter of the wings of the Most High!

May 5th – Psalm 61:3 Read More »

November 8th – Galatians 6:2

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Galatians 6:2 

Vincent Van Gogh once said, “Close friends are truly life’s treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never really alone.” One of God’s greatest gifts is friendship. For He never intends us to walk alone. We all have burdens to bear in this life. Burdens too heavy to bear alone. Jesus is our great burden bearer. When our loads become overwhelming, He is there to see us through. And the care, comfort, support, and love and extends to us daily, we should be extending to others. For we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. And we all need each other’s help in this life. So out of thankfulness for the love and friendship of Jesus, let us example our Lord and, “while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” (Galatians 6:10)

November 8th – Galatians 6:2 Read More »