Galatians 1

Sometimes when I read God’s Word, tons of things jump out at me from the page. Today, it was just three words…“But when God…”

As we begin this letter to the church at Galatia, Paul describes to the people what his life was like before Christ. Then in verse 15 he says those three vital words, “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son…”

The same God who transformed Saul to Paul is the same God I worship today. The same God that can take a persecutor of Christians and turn him into the most well known follow of Christ in the New Testament – is the same God who saves today.

I’m grateful for those three little words in my life too. But when God…so loved Nathan. But when God saved Nathan. But when God called Nathan.

Where has the grace of God found you? When did you hear those words in your life? Praise God today for the moment he came into your life and changed your life forever. If you haven’t had that moment yet, choose today to invite the Lord come into your life and accept Him as Savior and Lord.

2 Corinthians 12 & 13

This morning I went to the doctor for my annual physical. A “physical” is simply an insurance term for checking off the boxes to see if a person is “healthy.” My doctor is always great and takes time to evaluate not just how I’m doing physically, but also personally. He takes time to consider me as a whole person – not just as a patient…and for that I’m very grateful.

On days like today I’m reminded that I am aging. Things don’t work as well as they once did. I have back pains, neck aches, and now I get to have a sleep study. Am I really old enough that I need a machine to help me breathe. I know Ashley sure would like to hear me snore less, so if it helps – bring it on!

In all this talk of health and aging, I’m reminded during this scripture reading of my frailty. My weakness. It’s not easy to consider our weaknesses. We all have weaknesses in our physical health, but also in our mental and spiritual life too. Sometimes those are even harder to face. But the truth is – we all sin. We all fall short. None of us is perfect.

So, when I read Paul say, “…I delight in my weaknesses…” (2 Cor 12:10) I take notice. Do I really delight in my weaknesses, or do I try to hide them. Do I rejoice when I struggle or do I try to cover it up and pretend I’m fine. When someone asks, “how’s it going?” – do I say… “fine.” Paul reminds us all that it’s in our weakness that God finds us and is willing to use us anyway. In fact, He wants to use our weaknesses to show His glory. May we rest in that today. Use me Lord – even with all my imperfections. May I be a witness of your grace.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬

2 Corinthians 10 & 11

Does it ever feel like we live in a battle? As if we are constantly being pressed in from every side by evil and temptation? If so, it’s because we are. Though this world is wonderful and I’m grateful to be alive, it’s not our home. The Kingdom of God should be our goal.

Paul comes across frustrated and disappointed in these chapters. He spends time defending his ministry, the work he has done for Corinth and pointing out false teachers to the church.

In the midst of this I love what Paul says in verses 3-5 of Chapter 10.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”. – 2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:3-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Often we find ourselves as churches fighting amongst ourselves. We battle one another rather than the evil one. There is a spiritual battle raging around us that we often never notice, but it shows itself all too often. May we remember that it’s not just what we see on the surface. There is a battle of cosmic proportions raging around us even today. Satan wants to divide us, break us down and leave us in our shame and doubt. May we, “take every thought captive,” and live today in the power and freedom of the resurrected Christ.