live in Faith (Galatians 6:11-18)

Galatians 6:14 But May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul was saying he wouldn’t boast because of advances he made in the world. He didn’t need glory from achievements of the world. He would not live to serve men. Those who strive for riches, fame, power or status are living in the world. They do good things just so people see them. They are of the flesh. The powerful people in Paul’s time followed Christ in a “do as I say, not as I do” fashion. They would do things that people could see and say things to make themselves look better than they were. But they weren’t truly living in faith of Christ. 

We must follow Paul in this manner. We must strive to increase our faith in Christ. We must devote our whole self to him, and not live for the world. 

Lord, I pray that I strive to boast for you and the cross. I pray I don’t become susceptible to the ways of the world. 

Make a Difference (Galatians 6:6-11)

 Galatians 6:9 Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. 

There are so many times in our every day lives, when we don’t see an end product for our work, we want to give up. We feel like the effort we are putting in isn’t worth it. I know of someone who was considered a trouble student when they were younger. He had a teacher who refused to just label him and put him to the side. That teacher pushed this person to be their best. The teacher planted a seed and kept loving it as Jesus would. This person grew up to be a phenomenal adult and got to thank the teacher for what they instilled in him.

Imagine if that teacher had just gotten tired of putting in an not seeing a result. If that teacher had just given up on him. This person may have not learned how to believe in himself and considered himself a failure (which is how most people saw him). How different his life would have been?

This thought process is an act or just to teaching. If we want to rewards, we need to plant good seeds. That goes for our work, family, friends, and our personal self. What you put in is what you get out. Trees don’t produce fruit the day after you plant the seed. Be patient, and keep loving what you’ve planted. 

A Gentle Spirit (Galatians 6:1-5)

 Galatians 6:1 Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted. 

It is very easy to see the sins of others sometimes and forget that we too are sinners. In Matthew 7:3, Jesus says, “Why do you notice the splinter in your brothers eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?” 

We need to approach others who have faults with a gentle spirit. If we approach with harsh criticism, and then we sin, we are considered hypocritical. Harshness will do nothing for helping another’s heart grow closer to God. It is through kindness and patience, through living in the Spirit, that we help others see Jesus.

This is hardest for me with my children. It’s easy to overlook that they have their own burdens to carry. I can use gentle spirit with adults, but if my children do something wrong, I quickly turn to anger. 

Lord I pray for a gentle spirit with my children. I know that I view their faults larger than they really are. And I know that when I shout in anger to them, I am doing no good for their soul. Help me to grow closer to you Lord so that I can leave them closer to you.

Live in the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25)

Galatians 5:24-25 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Following the spirit means showing love, kindness, joy, peace, patience, generosity and faithfulness.  Want to know a way to show love, kindness and joy? Easy. Smile. This has been difficult to accomplish with masks these last 18 months. But did you know, even with a mask, people can tell if you give a genuine smile. It’s in your eyes. Don’t believe me? Try it. Go in front of a mirror and cover your mouth. Then do as quick, “I don’t care” smile. Then give a “I have so much love in my heart” smile. You an totally see the difference in your eyes. We are all struggling in some way with this pandemic that just won’t end. Next time you go out in public, try giving a genuine smile even behind your mask. It will make someone’s day. 

Another easy way to show kindness and love is to give a compliment. It shows you made the effort to notice something about someone else. Another thing to try when you are out: if you notice something about someone, let them know. Compliment their shoes, their hair cut, their shirt, or even applaud someone’s intelligence. 

Do the dishes. Next time you visit family or a friend and there is food involved, get up and start doing the dishes. No one loves doing the dishes. But taking that “dirty job” off the hostess hands will bring joy and show love and kindness. Saint Teresa of Calcutta (formerly Mother Teresa) said, “wash the plate not because it is dirty nor because you are told to wash it, but because you love the person who will use it next.” I have this quote framed on my kitchen sink to remind me of a way to show love in my own house. Even if my kids don’t see it that way. 

Lord I pray I am humble enough to see acts of work as showing joy and kindness for others, as you have called me to do. I pray that you continue to guide my heart and help it grow in love for your word. 

Desires of the Flesh (Galatians 5:19-21)

Verses 19-21 gives us examples of the passions and desires of the flesh that we who are called to Christ turn away from: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, envy, drinking bouts, orgies, etc.

If we claim to be of the Spirit, we must turn away from these things. Dissensions and factions mean lack of agreement, a state of conflict within a group. This could be in a church, in a community, in the government. We are quick to have outburst of fury if we see, hear, or read something that we don’t agree with. Licentiousness means disregarding moral restraints. 

Acts of selfishness are pretty self explanatory, and is probably one of the hardest ones to let go of. Asking for help but never offering it, never giving advice or support, being overly controlling, taking all the credit, avoiding responsibility, manipulating, uncaring, are all examples of selfishness. Praying for it to rain so we don’t have soccer practice is also selfish. This is me. I need to confess. 

Lord, I am a sinner. I try to live in the light of Christ, but I am selfish sometimes. Please help me to forgive myself and know that when I am asked for something, I should think of it as you asking me. 

Galatians 5:16-18

Somehow I got my numbers and days mixed up and did too large a section at once. I am fixing it.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want.

The Holy Spirit lives inside us if we walk with Jesus. If we live with the Holy Spirit, we are not going to fall to the desires of the flesh. Because the Holy Spirit will totally fill us, so there is not room for those desires to come to fruition. The thought is similar to Matthew 6:24, in saying “No one can serve two masters… you cannot serve both God and mammon.” If we begin to serve the desires of the flesh, we are no longer walking with Jesus. We will not be doing what we want, no longer living how we know we should. 

Lord I pray the Holy Spirit stays with me so that I don’t fall for the desires of the flesh anymore. I don’t want to separate myself from you.