“For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions” (Galatians 1:13-14).

You have had the experience you have had and it may have taught you what it taught you, but that does not mean that it was right.  What is truth?  It begins there.  When you have found the pearl of great price, go and sell all that you have that you may have what is offered through this great pearl, which is the truth of the Gospel.  And what you sell is yourself being the center of things.

In one sense, regardless the time or place, there is great similarity in how we sinful humans live.  We want to be the center and we want things to go our way.  But the Lord created everything and He is the center and it will be the way He has determined.  Be zealous for the Lord and leave behind the human traditions that get in the way (keeping those which help but do not hinder the faith).

Lord Jesus, You have told us in many ways how to live into the life of faith You offer us.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would not be hindered by either traditions that contradict the faith, nor my own will which sinfully wants to be in the center.  You died for these sins that I would be set free to live into the life You have called us to by Your grace and through faith.  Help me to live the new life of faith You give.  Amen.

For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.  For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12).

What we share is not from someone who made it up.  The world has always had believers of something man made up.  Some think that none of the worlds religions have been made up by man.  But there is truth, and we are called into the truth.  Come then and live into and by the truth that has been revealed once for all through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Lord, You have given each of us a mind and You rightly expect us to use it.  Let me see through the fog of confusion spread by non-believers that I may live out the truth You have revealed once for all.  Guide me into the truth that I may stand firm and not be led astray.  In and through all things, may I be found resting in You and the guidance You give through grace.  Teach me to live by grace alone through faith alone.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we may have the assurance that only faith can give in the truth that we all have fallen short of God’s glory and that through Your crucifixion and death our sins are atoned for.  Not only that, but because You were raised from death by the Lord and Giver of Life, we too might have new life.  Lead me ever deeper into this new life that You give.  Amen.

“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

As Christians we say that we run the race.  What does this mean?  Are we running to please those around us?  If we say we are not, then why do we care so much what others think?  We are called into Christ to follow where He leads.  That’s it.  It really is that simple.  Everything else is the pretense we deal with in this age.  So, the truth is simple.  Follow Christ and look to Him always.

Lord, I do not understand why I become so confused.  I look to those around me and seek their approval, which does not matter, and then ignore You whose will does matter.  Guide me out of the insanity, Lord, that I look to You first, caring for my neighbor, but not being swayed by their opinion.  I need saving Lord and You have come that all who believe would be saved.

Lord Jesus, You know all that each of us needs.  You know the struggle we have with those around us.  Guide me, O Lord, in thy way of truth You firmly established that I would abide in You this day and learn from You what You would have me learn.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way You want me to go and help me keep my focus on You throughout my days.  In You alone is all hope of salvation.  Amen.

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:8-9)

We hear in our day, “You have your truth and I have mine.”  This is an absurd statement for it indicates that truth is what you want it to be.  If that is the case, then we are our own god.  But then if I am god, why do you have your truth and I mine?  That means I am not god.  No!  There is One God and even the demons tremble.  There is One Lord and one truth and He is the truth. Accept no substitutes!

Lord, let me see through the insanity of this world’s rage against the truth.  Help me to humbly come into Your presence and live into the life to which You have called me.  Guide me to not fall into the snares of the wicked one or the illogical things that are said and bantered around.  You have revealed once for all the truth we need to know through Your death and resurrection.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, truth, and life.  No one comes to the Father except through You.  There are those who will not believe this, but that does not change what is true.  Help me, O Lord, to live the truth in all I say or do.  Guide me in Your goodness to live into the life to which You have called me that I may now and always live out the truth of the Gospel today and every day.  Amen.

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7).

The world is filled with many ideas and options.  Christ came to save as many as believe from the destruction of death the comes through sin.  Either Christ saves you or else you remain in your sins.  P.C., inclusiveness, happy thoughts, or any other alternative does not change the truth of the salvation which is in Christ alone.  Do not reject the only hope there is, but come into the full Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lord, grant discernment that I would see where I am being led astray.  Help me to not chase after those words which tickle my ears, but instead help me hold fast to the unchanging truth of the Gospel revealed once for all.  Let me be gracious to others, but firm in commitment that I may never be led astray.  You have revealed the truth and have given the words of eternal life.

Lord Jesus, to whom else can we go?  There is no Savior but You and no grace but that which You have purchased for us from the cross.  Lead me along the narrow path that I would now and always hold fast to the truth You have revealed.  Let me not be led astray, nor lead others astray, but live into the truth of Your salvation which You alone have made possible for all who believe.  Amen.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen” (Galatians 1:3-5).

The will of the Father is that you would believe in Jesus whom He sent.  We sometimes forget that it is not by our own power or might that we do these things, but through the power of the One who created all things.  Come then and be guided in the goodness of the Lord.  Come then and live into the life He gives.  Come then and be faithful in an age that is evil.  Come into the will of the Father.

Lord, I have begun to understand what is needed.  You know all that is needed.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life that I would not be hindered in this age of evil, but grow into the likeness of Christ and become what You are making of me.  You know the path before me that I must walk by faith.  Guide me in the faith You have given me that I would walk firmly and boldly.

Lord Jesus, You have come to rescue us from this present age.  You know the pitfalls and traps that are set along the way.  You overcame them for us who could never overcome them.  Take my hand and lead the way.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see and know that in following You I am being led out of the wickedness that is the snare of this age.  May I learn from You how to be faithful.  Amen.

“Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),  and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:1-2)

As John said in the beginning of the Gospel he was given to write, “Not through the will of any man.”  God does what God does and He calls whom He calls.  The Lord is the One who created us and we did not create Him.  Receive the Lord and live.  Be guided by His Spirit and know the direction He will lead.  Listen to His Word and those whom He sends and understand.

Lord, You have a purpose for everything.  You have come to lead the way into the life for which we were created.  Guide me, O Lord, in this way of life that I may be conformed to Jesus as You have said will happen.  In all things, Lord, help me to listen to Your voice through whomever You send to speak it.  Guide me into the way of life that is right and good in Your eyes.

Lord Jesus, You were sent and You have sent us.  You came to do what we cannot do, but have called us to do Your will.  Help me to focus not on what I do, but upon You.  Help me to see that You are the One who will conform me to Your image.  Let nothing hinder me in this journey You have set before me that I may reflect Your light into the world.  Amen.

“All the saints greet you.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:13-14).

What is it we should want for others?  Is it not that they too are blessed in the truth of the Triune God?  Let us learn how to dwell together in peace and love one another as the Lord loves us.  Let us be people who, in deeds, act as those who are preparing for eternity with the One who made us.  Let us soften our hearts that they may belong to the Lord and in all we do, give Him thanks and praise.

Lord, I need to learn these things.  I need to be led in how to live life and even though I see that these things are right and good, I still need Your help to make them a part of who I am.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may live into the life to which You have called me.  May I learn from You how to bless others as You have blessed me.  Lead me where I need to go.

Lord Jesus, You breathe upon Your disciples and they receive Your Spirit.  You have breathed upon me and I have received Your Spirit.  Lead me that I may bless others as You have blessed me.  Guide me to press through all the circumstances in which I find myself that I may become what You intend and be whom You are making me to be.  Let Your grace go with me always.  Amen.

“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss” (2 Corinthians 13:11-12).

What is the Lord doing?  Do you look to the Lord and seek after Him in all things, or just in those things You want.  Let the Lord be Lord of your life that He may be the One who fills you with all good things.  In Him is life and it is His peace which surpasses all understanding.  Rest in the truth You have been given and be content in the Lord, the One who redeems you from the pit.

Lord, I do struggle and seek to have things the way I see them.  Give me eyes to see that I may learn from You and become complete even as You are complete.  Through all things that come in this life, let me not be carried away with this world, but instead be wrapped in the love You have for all people.

Lord Jesus, You have come that those who walk with You may become complete even as You and the Father are complete.  Lead me in this life and remove the hindrances that get in the way of my humble walk with You every moment of every day. Guide me, O Lord, and help me to listen.  Teach me, O Lord, and help me to learn.  Amen. 

“For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.  For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down” (2 Corinthians 13:9-10).

Pray that you may be made complete.  This is the goal, that we would be like Christ, that is, complete in Him.  Come then and continue the journey into becoming like Christ and let nothing hinder you on this journey.  Let those whom the Lord sends build you up that you may be strong in faith and join in the mutual good works the Lord intends for all who believe.  Do these things willingly.

Lord, a new heart is required to be a person of faith.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of life that I would walk willingly and humbly under Your guidance.  Let me not become puffed up or vain, but grant a listening ear and a humble disposition that I may simply walk forward on the narrow path You have set before me.  Let me be built up according to Your will and become complete as You intend.

Lord Jesus, You have come to us as One who is complete to lead those who follow into the completeness You are.  Guide me this day, and whether learning, teaching, or both, guide me in the way You would have me go knowing that in You is all hope and an eternal future.  May I be complete even as You are complete that in all things I may know and share in Your goodness.  Amen.