“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.  Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ” (Galatians 6:11-12).

In the example of Paul, one works as long as one is able.  The idea of going off into the sunset to do what you please is foreign to the idea of following Christ.  In Christ, we are all called to the tasks of working while there is time to do the work.  In Paul’s day they did not have glasses, so He would have had to write large to see what he was doing.  More important, he worked up to the end of his time in this age.

Lord, let me not go the way of the world and stop working when there are things I can do.  Guide me in the ways You would have me go and give me the fortitude to continue doing what You give me to do.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life and keep me far from those things in this world which would hinder my walk in and with You.  May I work while there is within me the ability to work.

Lord Jesus, You came and did the work that was needed that we all might have the opportunity to abide with You forever.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life that I would now and always walk in the eternal way and not give in to the pressures of this world.  Let me leave this life “Writing with large letters” that others may hear from me the truth of the Gospel.  Amen.

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10).

Are you able to begin to grasp what the Lord is up to?  He is turning those who follow Him from being centered upon the self to looking beyond.  This is a beginning point.  Do see that the Lord takes what He has created and turns it away from sin (slaying it on the cross) and toward Himself as you become a willing lover of His will and way.  Come then and live into the opportunity which is yours in Christ.

Lord, I begin to see these things, but the world comes and hammers at them so that I become confused.  Help me Lord to see through the dark clouds of this world’s thinking that I may learn how to abide in You and You in me.  Lead me ever deeper into the reality given by grace and lived through faith.  Let me clearly see the opportunities that will come my way this day and utilize them according to the Father’s will.

Thank You Lord Jesus for making possible the hope which is mine through You.  Guide me, Lord, through the opportunities You give that I may learn how to always abide in You and the way You are teaching me.  Show me those places where I can reach out.  Show me the ways I can become a little more like what You are creating me to be.  Guide me, Lord, in the way and truth of life.  Amen.  

“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.  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:8-9).

This principle is true and we see it in the lives of others who enter into a sinful lifestyle believing they are exempt from the recompense of their deeds.  No one is exempt.  It is a truth that this belief in our difference is common to us all.  Confess it and live knowing these things apply to You as well as everyone else.  Sow what is right and good that the goodness of the Lord would flourish in You.

Lord, teach me what is right and good.  Teach me where there are those places in my life when I am believing that these things do not apply to me.  Guide me that I may be good soil that is able to grow what needs to grow in me.  You alone are able to help me bear fruit.  Prepare me that I may become the kind of person that my faith hopes I will be.  Let me not lose the love of what is good.

Lord Jesus, You persevered to the end.  Help me learn again how to abide in You knowing that You are always abiding in me.  Lead me this day, O Lord, in those ways You know I need to go that I may humbly abide with You in readiness for all that You have in mind for me.  Let me not sow corruption but reap the good fruit of the Spirit.  Let me not look at what I produce, but at You for all things.  Amen.

“The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:6-7).

This is not a law, but a reality.  We sometimes think that where our thoughts end up are a very private matter, but not to God.  He who sees all things know the way of our hearts.  We are to work on being whom we proclaim and living the faith in word and deed.  Be thankful to the One who gives all good gifts and live in the truth of His will and way knowing He sees all things.

Lord, help me to be consistent in thoughts and in deeds.  There are temptations and it is not these things I am talking about, but where I do not do what I ought and then pretend something else to mask my sinfulness.  Let me share with others as others have shared with me.  Help me to learn how to be generous, giving, and thoughtful with all whom I meet.  Lead me in the way I need to go.

Lord Jesus, You know all that is needed.  You know what hinders our hearts.  You know those places where the Spirit needs to be in control.  Bring me to the place where I am what You know I can be and have removed those things which hinder my life in You.  Give me Your heart, Lord, that I would walk as You walked in this age and live a life that is pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Amen.

“But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.  For each one will bear his own load” (Galatians 6:4-5).

A life that includes meditation is a part of living the life that Christ offers.  Introspection and true assessment bring one to realize that the only one with whom you are in competition is the old Adam who seeks to destroy.  Come then and live into the life that is offered and do the work the Lord gives you knowing that what He will do is build you up in the likeness of Christ, our Savior.

Lord, help me enter into the vineyard and once again seek to do what You give me to do.  Let me not worry about what my neighbor is doing, but instead simply do what You give me to do.  Guide me, Lord, in the way You would have me go, doing what You give me to do, and contemplating these things that I may learn under Your Spirit’s direction to do what is needed.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to be tested.  Guide me, Lord, in the way that leads to eternal life.  Guard my heart against all false things and teach me to be constantly discerning.  Help me, O Lord, that I may day by day become more like You.  Give me eyes to see the progress, not as the world sees it, but as You show me.  Let me appeal to You alone for approval that I would have nothing to boast of except You.  Amen.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:2-3).

Who are you?  We tend to sinfully think more highly of ourselves than we ought.  We all go through the same motions and, by and large, have the same issues.  Share with one another and live in peace in-so-far as you are concerned with others.  This is enough work for each one of us because we do struggle with thinking ourselves exempt from the things that tempt all of us.

Lord, teach me to the depths of my heart that I am indeed no different than any of my neighbors.  (There but for the grace of God go I.) Guide me in the goodness of Your love to see others in the same way I see myself and in all these things to be honest about what I see.  Teach me to truly accept and love my neighbor as one created in Your image and loved by You as You love all equally.  Guide me in Your way and truth, Lord.

Lord Jesus, You died that all would have the opportunity to come through You and to You for eternity.  Lead me in the upward way You have made possible by grace.  Guide me to realize that in You there is great love and hope.  In all things, lead me to become like You.  Begin with today and help me see the changes You are making in me that I may willingly take on the challenge of seeing all others through Your eyes.  Amen.

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted” (Galataians 6:1).

Too often, we look for ways to tear down others.  In the Word, we are taught to care for the other with the goal always of restoring such a one to the faith.  Do not live as the world lives to tear others down, but as one who loves others as the Lord loves them and is always praying and working for others, living the life you have been given by grace.  Be at peace with others.

Lord, grant that I would have a heart that is reconciled to You in and through all things.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see that in Your grace is not freedom to do as I please, but the ability to care for others as You care for me.  Teach me how to use this ability You have given me that I may grow in Your likeness and be of use for the growth of Your kingdom.

Jesus, You have come that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of life that I would learn from You and care for those You place in my life.  Help me learn the art of restoration that I would be about the business of true reconciliation.  Lead me, Lord, where You would have me go.  Help me to have a new heart that I would care for those You place in my life.  Amen.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:25-26).

Loving your neighbor is more than the doing of good.  Do you really care for those around you?  Do you keep yourself from thinking ill of others?  The Lord will change our hearts that we would be at peace with ourselves and with our neighbor.  This is the invitation to the new life which is ours through Christ.  This is the goal of our salvation: that we will become whom the Lord is making us to be.

Lord, open my eyes to see more clearly that in You is all hope and a future.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life that I may now and always abide in You, growing into the person You are making me to be.  Deal with the envy and other inappropriate feelings I have toward my neighbor that I would learn to be content in all things.  Lead me in this direction, Lord.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we may have the fulness of life through You.  Continue to work in me that I would live with the new heart You give me.  Guide me today in those things I need to learn that I would not merely settle for grace for myself when I can be one who actually does good for others.  Raise me up for every challenge and lead me in the way of life which will be mine in eternity.  Amen.  

“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24).

Do you see what needs to happen?  We are born in rebellion against God.  We need to lay down our rebellion that we may be picked up by Christ and live in a new way.  How this happens is a mystery, but that it happens is the message of the Gospel.  You have been claimed by Christ in your baptism.  Begin again today living as one who has been claimed by Christ and be conformed to His image.

Lord, I know too many who stop here and try and figure these things out.  Instead Lord, guide me to die to the self that I may be resurrected with Christ in the narrow way that leads to eternal life.  Remove those obstacles that get in the way and in all things may I be found living and working in the new life that comes through faith and by grace, Lead me, Lord, to where I need to be led.

Lord Jesus, You went to the cross and have invited us to join You there. You have done all the real work, but we each have our part.  Guide me Lord ever deeper along the narrow way that daily I would die to sin to be resurrected in Your likeness.  Help me to make good and right choices throughout this and every day and learn the lessons You will give me.  Let me not doubt Your love, grace, and mercy, but live in the hope of Your promises which belong to those who love You.  Amen.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Most Christians are familiar with this list.  They may not live it, but they know it.  Like the commandments, these are the goal.  Let the old Adam die and let the Spirit replace the old with the new.  The reality is, you and I need to get out of the way and the Holy Spirit needs to replace the old with the new.  Be led by the Spirit and watch as these fruits grow in you.

Lord, may I indeed see the fruits of Your Spirit grow in me.  You know what is needed for this to happen.  You know where I need to be pruned.  You know the soil that needs to be added and the rocks that need to be taken away.  Lord, everything is according to Your will and way that in each of us we become more like Christ as You shape us into whom we are becoming by Your grace.

Lord Jesus, in many ways You have told us of the process of becoming which is ours when we follow You.  Guide me, dear Lord, that I would indeed follow You in all of Your ways and be led by Your Spirit.  Grow in me those fruits which befit the kingdom that I may be prepared in all ways to be a part of all that You are.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, now and forever in this journey of becoming fit for Your kingdom.  Amen.