Confident About You

Confident About You

Galatians 5: ⁷ You were doing so well! Who made you stop obeying the truth? How did he persuade you? ⁸ It was not done by God, who calls you. ⁹ “It takes only a little yeast to make the whole batch of dough rise,” as they say. ¹⁰ But I still feel confident about you. Our life in union with the Lord makes me confident that you will not take a different view and that whoever is upsetting you will be punished by God.

 

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After running over some glass, my car developed a slow leak in one of the tires. I could still drive as I pleased, but I was not confident I could go on a trip that was too far from a place to refill the tire. This little pinhole changed my trips for a while until I saved up to get it fixed.

 

• Something tiny changed my thinking.
• One little thing made a big difference in my life.
• A tiny problem added to my sorrow.

 

Paul questions everyone about how easily they could be persuaded to stop believing in JESUS as the truth. One person may have preached a message that countered the truth about JESUS being the one and only Savior. He may have even gone so far as to raise questions about the need to be saved. But Paul remained confident for a reason.

 

My Observations

• Little sins can cause me to feel unconfident in GOD’s power for me.
• My sins cannot stop GOD’s love for me.
• My confidence comes from being in union with CHRIST.

 

“But I still feel confident about you” are true words of surrender to GOD’s power. I mean, when I see someone struggling in life due to a lack of a relationship with JESUS, I want to jump in and convince him or her to choose HIS power. It does not always work that way, so I feel helpless.

 

GOD wants me to be confident in HIM that HE will draw everyone who belongs to JESUS back to HIM because of their belief. HE chose us before the foundations of the world and is in complete control. I am glad I can let go of situations and remain confident in the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT in my life and many others.

 

Challenge

• What is the concern being raised from the writer?
• Has there ever been a time when you received conflicting information regarding salvation?
• Will you remain confident that JESUS saved you for all eternity and is not mad at you rather is quite pleased with you today?

What Matters

What Matters

Galatians 5: ² Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, it means that Christ is of no use to you at all. ³ Once more I warn any man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the whole Law. ⁴ Those of you who try to be put right with God by obeying the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ. You are outside God's grace. ⁵ As for us, our hope is that God will put us right with him; and this is what we wait for by the power of God's Spirit working through our faith. ⁶ For when we are in union with Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor the lack of it makes any difference at all; what matters is faith that works through love.

 

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One more thing went wrong that day. “LORD, what!?” was my frustrated cry. “Aren’t I doing enough? I’m trying to live right and it seems like those who easily do wrong are getting ahead in life!”  When I calmed down, the situation remained the same but I could quiet down to listen to GOD.

 

• I thought I could live right to make everything go “”my” way.
• I was doing “good” for me versus serving GOD.
• I wanted something from the “deal” with GOD instead of simply living as HE wants.

 

Paul urges the Gentiles not to half-follow the Law by picking and choosing certain parts in efforts to feel closer to GOD. He warns everyone that by trying to depend on the Law to measure how “good” one can be brings judgment of the whole Law rather than freedom.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to see that HIS grace is what saved me.
• GOD wants me to recognize that there is nothing in me that is worthy of HIS grace.
• GOD wants me to accept HIS wonderful gift, which is HIS only SON.

 

When things go wrong, the HOLY SPIRIT is there to pick me up. I mean, because I believe that JESUS died to save me eternally, HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me and anyone else who believes. Comfort, guidance, discernment and peace is what is given to all who believe.

 

Unfortunately there is a war inside me that tries to take over the situation, causing me to doubt GOD’s true love. I think “I” have to do something rather than simply having faith in HIS ways. I am glad JESUS forgives me for those weak moments and restores my faith in HIM.

 

Challenge

• What do you think was going on with this group of people?
• What does it mean to be “put right” with GOD?
• Will you seek unity with CHRIST through faith versus trying to be “good” enough to please GOD who is already pleased with you?

Stand as Free

Stand as Free

Galatians 5:1 Freedom is what we have—Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.

 

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When things were going well, I found myself in the same pattern. I did not pray as much, nor did I mind sinning as much. But when trouble came, I was fervent in prayer and I tried to walk straight.

 

• I was trying to control my life.
• I was not sure if GOD was really on my side.
• I thought I could manipulate GOD by “doing” more.

 

Church leaders were prescribing more to “do” but Paul was sent by JESUS to give everyone rest. Freedom is something that CHRIST has provided for all who believe in a Savior. No longer do we need to show GOD we are wrong by doing the Law.

 

My Observations

• Peace is a gift GOD wants me to have, so I accept it.
• Joy is part of the fruit of the SPIRIT, so I embrace it.
• Rest is the place GOD wants to take me to, so I can start now.

 

Attempting to fulfill all of the Law proved impossible for all humans except one. JESUS knew how to navigate life without committing one single sin. HIS creation was busy trying to get others to not believe in HIM but to follow their preaching and remain blind.

 

Weak leaders want to be the solution and to grow a following. BUT GOD wants all of us to point to HIM and depend on HIS mercy and grace. Sin no longer has control over the situation. Whether I sin or not GOD’s power prevails. I am glad HIS decisions of love for me are not based on my actions but through faith.

 

Challenge

• What does freedom look like to you?
• Can you be free, yet choose to be a slave to GOD?
• Will you stop trying so hard to please GOD and seek HIS kingdom by spreading the Good News of forgiveness, love and mercy today?

Freed Woman

Freed Woman

Galatians 4: ²⁸ Now, you, my friends, are God's children as a result of his promise, just as Isaac was. ²⁹ At that time the son who was born in the usual way persecuted the one who was born because of God's Spirit; and it is the same now. ³⁰ But what does the scripture say? It says, “Send the slave woman and her son away; for the son of the slave woman will not have a part of the father's property along with the son of the free woman.” ³¹ So then, my friends, we are not the children of a slave woman but of a free woman.

 

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Hearing “GOD loves you” or “Trust in the LORD” got on my nerves. My mother and grandmothers were trying their best to impress something special on me but I wasn’t hearing it.

 

• I wanted to do what “I” wanted to do.
• I wanted to rebel and show everyone that I did not need GOD.
• I wanted to just be angry and full of rage.

 

GOD’s amazing promise was explained by Paul. Through two women, Hagar and Sarah, two covenants were displayed. One covenant was laced with mistrust, rules and disobedience, the other with belief, grace and freedom. Those who choose to believe will be freed.

 

My Observations

• Freedom is mine to choose.
• Accepting the fact that GOD owns everything frees me because I am in HIS family.
• Believing in JESUS is what set me free.

 

GOD chose some women to perform HIS amazing promise. HE redeemed mankind through a miraculous birth. HE grew up and raised women up from oppression so they too could be filled with HIS SPIRIT.

 

When the women were freed, there was no malice in them. They spoke about JESUS with excitement and fear. Many people believed because of their testimonies. I am glad I have had many women in my life who stood firm to the belief in JESUS.

 

Challenge

• What does it mean to be a child of GOD according to this passage?
• Have you ever devalued what a woman said?
• Will you ask GOD to look at the heart as HE does and see people as HE sees them so you can be added to HIS family and given freedom today?

Freedom is Our Mother

Freedom is Our Mother

Galatians 4: ²¹ Let me ask those of you who want to be subject to the Law: do you not hear what the Law says? ²² It says that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman, the other by a free woman. ²³ His son by the slave woman was born in the usual way, but his son by the free woman was born as a result of God's promise. ²⁴ These things can be understood as a figure: the two women represent two covenants. The one whose children are born in slavery is Hagar, and she represents the covenant made at Mount Sinai. ²⁵ Hagar, who stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia, is a figure of the present city of Jerusalem, in slavery with all its people. ²⁶ But the heavenly Jerusalem is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For the scripture says,

 

“Be happy, you childless woman!

    Shout and cry with joy, you who never felt the pains of childbirth!

For the woman who was deserted will have more children

    than the woman whose husband never left her.”

 

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Wanting to live “right” I decided to start over. My life was not going as well as I would have liked, so I pursued GOD for a change. I attended church regularly and went to a bible college to learn more. I soon felt bad about my relationship with GOD because of all the rules humans put in place to “follow the rules.”

 

• I felt obligated to “do” a lot.
• I felt like GOD was ready to punish me if I did the slightest sin.
• I felt more confined trying to follow the Law so I could “please” GOD.

 

What sets us free, our actions or GOD’s loving grace? Paul tackles this difficult question by tearing down a cultural norm. Church leaders at that time wanted to categorize people as “sinners” for not following the Law. Pharisees made rules to follow the rules. They were putting people in bondage versus setting them free.

 

My Observations

• Free will was given to me as a gift.
• I am freed from the eternal consequence of my sins because I believe that JESUS is GOD who rose from the dead after becoming a human and being murdered by HIS creation.
• I choose to refrain from temptation to keep my mind clear enough to hear the soft voice of GOD as HE speaks through HIS Word.

 

The Law doesn’t save us, JESUS does, so being “good” will never get me anywhere. I mean, I cannot rely on thinking I can be “good” enough to merit any favor with GOD. JESUS fulfilled the promise given through mother Sarah. She and Mary had miraculous pregnancies.

 

Belief in JESUS means I am forgiven for my sins and no longer have to walk the tightrope of perfection. This is Good News! Now, I can choose to follow what GOD says and be rewarded for when I choose HIS ways. HE desires to bring all of HIS creations back to HIM. GODS is not an achievement, HE is GOD. I am glad HE freed me.

 

Challenge

• What sticks out to you in this passage?
• Have you ever felt that GOD was distant because you were not getting your way?
• Will you know that GOD is already pleased with you and you do not have to “do” more, or “give” more or “hurt” more so you can get your way?
• Will you simply “be” HIS child by loving JESUS today?

Participate Anyway

Participate Anyway

Galatians 4:¹⁷ Those other people show a deep interest in you, but their intentions are not good. All they want is to separate you from me, so that you will have the same interest in them as they have in you. ¹⁸ Now, it is good to have such a deep interest if the purpose is good—this is true always, and not merely when I am with you. ¹⁹ My dear children! Once again, just like a mother in childbirth, I feel the same kind of pain for you until Christ's nature is formed in you. ²⁰ How I wish I were with you now, so that I could take a different attitude toward you. I am so worried about you!

 

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After a long day I sat on the bus headed home. Traffic was thick so we creeped down the street. I looked out the window and saw people from my school taking an alternate route since the main one was filled. I could also see thugs waiting to rob them.

 

• I felt there was nothing I could do.
• I felt bad for the those who were about to be victimized.
• I felt angry at those who were trying to take advantage of others for their own gain.

 

Paul expresses his deep concern for those who have turned away from the saving message of JESUS to follow other messages that provided temporary hope. Thieves desiring attention were busy trying to steal love versus living it. All Paul could do is be concerned from a distance. It seemed hopeless.

 

My Observations

• When I see someone being wronged, I can ask GOD to intercede.
• GOD lets me know that prayer is more powerful than thieves, even though it doesn’t feel that way in the moment.
• Vengeance is for the LORD so my participation is for all people involved to receive HIS mercy.

 

It is painful to watch someone try to steal people’s hearts. I mean, those who are hurt try their best to keep other people hurt because misery loves company. BUT GOD holds the key to that situation.

 

It takes faith to let go of the obvious trap you can see someone walking into. GOD sees the heart of those who are being victimized and those who are being predators. HE hears your prayers even though you may have to participate from a distance. I am glad GOD intervenes and intercedes for those HE is bringing back to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What “other people” is the writer speaking about?
• Can you feel the writers pain and passion for everyone he spoke the gospel to?
• If you see someone intentionally trying to hurt someone and you are not able to directly intervene, will you participate anyway by asking GOD for HIS protection and mercy?

Message Received

Message Received

Galatians 4: ¹² I beg you, my friends, be like me. After all, I am like you. You have not done me any wrong. ¹³ You remember why I preached the gospel to you the first time; it was because I was sick. ¹⁴ But even though my physical condition was a great trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you received me as you would an angel from heaven; you received me as you would Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ You were so happy! What has happened? I myself can say that you would have taken out your own eyes, if you could, and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

 

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Communication was getting messy. I would say something but the other person would hear it differently than what was in my heart. Somehow the message that I sent was not the message that was received.

 

• I felt like giving up on communicating.
• I felt like my words would be twisted no matter what was said.
• I felt a strong concern for those I sent a message to.

 

At one point the people of Galatia could hear the words of CHRIST through Paul. But over time, they turned away from the message and started following those who spoke of the latest trend. Paul begs for them to return to their first love, namely CHRIST.

 

My Observations

• It is understandable to want out of my trials so GOD is patient with me.
• I have a tendency to want plans to go “my” way so GOD speaks softly to me until I hear HIM.
• Even in the middle of my pain, suffering or agony GOD can be my purpose.

 

No one likes to suffer so when someone speaks about relief, it is instantly accepted by the masses. “Just take one of these” or “Simply do this and your problems will clear up” are the fallacies the world wants me to believe. BUT GOD says something different.

 

In the middle of my pain, GOD wants me to say “JESUS is LORD of my life, the rock of my salvation, whom shall I fear.” HE knows Satan introduces me to strange personalities named “Fear of my future” and “I don’t want to be sick” and “Be comfortable at all costs.”  All are okay when they include CHRIST as the provider, but sometimes I leave HIM and follow them. I am glad GOD reminds me HE is in control.

 

Challenge

• Do you hear the appeal from the writer?
• What is the writer trying to get everyone to do?
• Will you look beyond your fears, worries and doubts and turn back to CHRIST as the only answer today?