Verse for the Day – Galatians 1:3-5

Carolyn

As we continue in our study of Galatians, the verses for the day are from Galatians 1:3-5:

“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (NKJV)

The benefit of Bible study is that you can take time to linger on a short section. You can use commentaries or Bible dictionaries, read the verses in other versions of the Bible, use the cross references in your Bible, read your Bible notes, etc. to learn more about that passage.

One of the things that jumps out to me in reading these two verses today is that they sound very familiar. Paul gave similar greetings when he wrote his other letters, and we start to see his pattern and style of writing that make his letters identifiable as being his. (Of course, he says at the start he wrote this letter, and the authorship is not debated, but it is interesting to see the structure of his writing.)

Look at these passages below that are greetings to some of his other books of the Bible, and see the familiar greeting giving author, recipient, and the language of grace and peace:

Ephesians 1:1-2:”Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 1:1-2: “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Colossians 1:1-2: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 1:1: “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Thessalonians 1:1-2: “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

We could keep going with 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans, and Philemon, and find much the same thing.Paul’s greetings were very similar in each epistle.

Paul writes of the grace and peace that come from God – the grace of God that saves us and the peace with God and from God that this salvation brings.

In Galatians, Paul lengthens that greeting of “grace and peace” with the following:

“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

That is a summary of the gospel. Jesus gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from evil, according to His Father’s will, to whom be all glory be given forever. This is grace – nothing in ourselves we bring – and this gives peace.

We went to my husband’s grandfather’s funeral this week. While we were there, I was looking at his well-worn Bible with handwritten notes, evidence of much Bible study. I looked up the beginning of Galatians to get a small nugget from what Grandpa had gleaned when he studied Galatians. By this verse Grandpa had written “Titus 2:14” which says, “who [Jesus] gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”  It’s the same idea of Jesus giving Himself for us to deliver us, to redeem us, to purify us for Himself.

This is what Bible study can do. It can connect verses and books and thoughts and teach us wonderful truths as we make observations that lead to application in our lives.

That makes my heart feel so full this morning to remember that Jesus gave Himself for you and me, a gift of grace, such that a result can be expected and hoped for! That is, that I am delivered from evil, redeemed from lawless deeds for purification, for good works, for peace. Out of evil and sin, into purity and good works. All by grace, resulting in peace. Jesus gives us what the world cannot – grace, peace, forgiveness of sins, redemption, deliverance, purity. He makes us His own.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, how can we find words to praise You rightly and fully for all that You have done for us and given us in Christ. He gave Himself for our sins so that we might live abundantly now and eternally forever with You. Your grace and peace upon us humbles us. We did not earn or deserve this, but You did this for us while we were sinners to deliver us. Thank you for this deliverance, this redemption. Please guard and keep us from evil, purify our hearts as You are pure, and let us rest in the grace and peace that you give and offer us today. Thank you, Lord, for Grandpa’s life, for the legacy he leaves, for his example of love for You and Your Word. May we also study it faithfully, live it joyfully, and may our lives show others You and Your salvation and the treasure that You are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verse for the Day – Galatians 1:2

Carolyn

Our verse for the day is Galatians 1:2:

“and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:” (NKJV)

That’s short, but I wanted to point out that when we study a book of the Bible, it’s good to take time to understand who the author is (Paul in this case) and to whom he was writing (the churches of Galatia).

It’s also interesting to read commentaries for more information about the date of writing or the purpose for the book, etc., and we can also establish some of those things as we read through.

My ESV Bible study notes say, “Paul’s letter to the Galatians was likely written to the churches he established in the southern part of Galatia during his first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-14:28). He probably sent the letter from his home church in Antioch, sometime before the Jerusalem council (see Acts 15:1-31).”

So we now have our author and recipients of this letter to the Galatians.

There is one other thing I wanted to point out about the “churches” of Galatia. Though there is what is called the “church universal,” referring to all believers who are Christians, there are also many references throughout the New Testament, such as this, to the local church.

At our local church, they have just had a special emphasis on the church and made available a booklet on the importance of church. I am also reading through Josh Moody’s book on Galatians, No Other Gospel, as I am reading Galatians, and it also speaks about this issue of the local church.

He points out often that “It is the constant assumption of Scripture that, to be a member of the universal church, one must be a member of the local church…. The New Testament knows nothing of a Christian who is not a part of a local church. So, if you are a Christian but not a part of a local church, find a biblical church where you can get involved in order to be securely and confidently a member of the universal church.” (No Other Gospel, p. 21)

Our culture will always float unbiblical ideas (such as “I don’t really need to go to church. I can have church by myself or in the outdoors alone – I worship when I fish or am in nature or when I work, etc.”). People look for ways to try to assert that the Bible doesn’t really speak to such issues. But it does, and it’s quite relevant actually to all the cultural things we find around us, and we always want to know biblical truth.

So here we see Paul writing to the “churches of Galatia” and remember again the emphasis the Bible has on the local church and being part of one.

PRAYER: Lord, we thank you for our local church that is God-centered and gospel-centered where we can participate in the local body of believers and worship You. We thank you for this letter written to the churches in Galatia that can help instruct us in our faith today. Would you grow us as we study your Word, and let us love to know You and Your Word more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verse for the Day – Galatians 1:1

Carolyn

The Verse for the Day project began for my children, sending them verses each day to encourage them.

Today we’re starting a new plan for the Verse for the Day. Rather than individual random verses, I’d like to go verse by verse through a book of the Bible. This way, we might see more the context of the Scripture we are looking at each day.

I thought we could go through Galatians.

When you start to study a book of the Bible, it’s usually good to read through the entire thing quickly to get a quick overview or feel for what is coming. It’s the view from up above, getting the general landscape of the book and what will follow. Then you can start to go verse by verse to dig into the details. Maybe you want to read through Galatians if you have time. I will try to, as well.

The first verse today then is Galatians 1:1:

“Paul, an apostle (not from men nor though man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),” (NKJV)

The verse today tells us the author of the Book of Galatians. It’s the apostle Paul who we know wrote a number of the New Testament books. An apostle in the NT was one who had seen the risen Jesus. This shows Paul’s authority to speak—as an apostle of Jesus Christ and of God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead.

We see that Paul is an apostle not from man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.

Think about the choice by God of Paul to be an apostle. Paul had been Saul, the one who had persecuted the Christians. You may know the story of his conversion on the road to Damascus. (See Acts 9.)

If man had chosen an apostle to follow Christ, I doubt he would have chosen Saul who became Paul. Man doesn’t see things like God. I think this is a picture of God choosing the weaker things, the things the world wouldn’t expect. And it demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of God!

And if God can choose and use Saul who He made Paul, what do you think he can do with you or me? He’s really not limited by our mistakes or sins, is He? The risen Lord Jesus can call us and redeem us and use us for God’s glory.

PRAYER:  Dear Lord, I have no idea if this day by day through Galatians is possible. I don’t know enough to even write about the verses that will come. But I pray in spite of my obvious weakness, You will teach us and lead us through this study, this book, and that through it, we will come to know and love You and your gospel more. Thank You that You take the unlikely, the unexpected, and are able to use that which we can’t conceive for your great glory and kingdom advancement. Would you work in and through us by the power of the Spirit. Thank you that you are a Risen Lord who is alive and powerful to do all of these things and more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verse for the Day – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Carolyn

Have you ever felt like you can’t do it? You can’t live the Christian life well? It’s just too hard?

Or why not just keep going like things are—isn’t that good enough? Do we really need to try to do better? or be better? And is that even possible in a world stained by sin? Can we possibly improve ourselves, much less make a positive difference in this world?

If you’ve ever struggled with these things, those questions, then I think you are in a really good place. Does that sound strange? What?! Feeling as though I can’t do it is a good place to be? Wouldn’t it be better to feel like I am competent and able and strong and doing really well?

I introduce you today to my life verses, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Paul has been talking about a thorn in his flesh that was given to him, and he had pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from him.

“And He [the Lord] said to me [Paul], ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefor I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (NKJV)

Think about that. God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. If we could do it all, if we had all it takes, why would we need Him? But when we wrestle in our Christian walk of faith, when we see this is too much, it’s too hard, it’s when we begin to realize, yes, it’s too hard! But not for Christ! He is strong, He is greater than it all, and He is able by the power of His Holy Spirit to work in you for his good pleasure, your great joy and good, and His glory.

See your inability, your weakness, not as something to discourage you, but to lead you to Christ. He does still call us to act and obey, to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12), to “put off” sin and “put on” godliness (Col. 3), but He will help us. Keep calling out to Him for help.

He forgives us when we repent (1 John 1:9). He hears us when we cry. He answers us when we call. Let Him give you His strength to live each day. Sometimes it may be up and down and hard, but keep looking to Him, keep seeking Him, keep believing He is able and will lead you. Let His strength help you in your weakness.

We can’t live this life in our own strength. (We can try, we may feel we can for a bit, but it will always fail!)  When we understand and see the truth and beauty of that reality, then we are able to accept something which is so much better: we live this life in His strength, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ in us, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we come to You this day acknowledging our sinfulness and the things that so easily beset us and discourage us. Help us to give up ourselves and turn to You who is able to keep us from falling and is able to give us the strength that we need to obey and follow You with great joy. We are human, we surely fail, but we have You, our God who is greater than all our sin, who rejoices when we repent, who waits patiently for us, and who will supply us with all we need for life and godliness. We love and praise You this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verse for the Day – Psalm 119:105

Carolyn

Yesterday I had lunch with a dear friend to celebrate a milestone birthday! During our conversation, she shared with me that she had just finished reading through the entire Bible for the first time in her life. I also had read through the Bible in a year during 2013 for the first time in my life, and it was so fun to share what we had learned. I loved listening to her takeaways, from thinking about the Babylonian captivity, seeing God as Sovereign Lord and the Lord of hosts, sharing about God who answers our cries, etc.

It was exciting to see again what time in God’s Word does for us. This verse came to mind this morning:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and focused on God’s word, law, testimonies, etc. They are beautiful and life giving and light our way. Truly His Word does provide light to our paths and is a lamp to our feet giving us much-needed direction in our daily walks of faith and life.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, please help us to prioritize time in your Word each day. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, showing us the way to go. Thank you for giving it to us and for the freedom we have to access it and read it here in our country. Let us not forget this gift and let us look for ways to give it to others and encourage others by it. Thank you that it is living and inspired, able to change us and guide us by the power of your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.