Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight” – Ephesians 1:7-8

There isn’t much to add to these glorious words! They are so beautiful, so powerful, and so true! Just sit with these words for a while right now. If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, this is true about you. You have redemption through the blood of Jesus that He shed on the cross for you. Your freedom from slavery to sin and death was bought with the innocent blood of Jesus. Your sins have been forgiven. God’s grace has been lavished upon you. You didn’t receive a tiny snack-sized portion of grace. In Christ, you have received an enormous outpouring of grace beyond all imagination.

Rather than read more in a devotional, spend the next few minutes reading and re-reading these verses several times. Think about how they are completely true about you through faith in Jesus Christ. Then rejoice and #FollowJesus

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

Think about these words for a moment or two. The LAW of Christ. That’s serious business!!! And how do we fulfill it? By bearing one another’s burdens. Clearly, this is very important for Christ followers. It isn’t optional (and it isn’t convenient).

However, we must understand what a burden is, biblically speaking. After all, 3 verses later it says that each person has to bear their own load. So, what’s the difference between the load we must bear by ourselves and the burdens we must help each other bear?

A person’s load is the ordinary obligations of life… Working to provide for themselves and their family. Raising their children in the Lord and ensuring they are educated. Paying their taxes. Navigating normal amounts of illness, injury, and pain. Loving God and neighbor. Making disciples. These are things that every person must simply embrace in the Lord.

So, what’s a burden? Something above and beyond the ordinary. Burdens are those things in life that are simply too much for a person to carry alone. The things that can grind a person down or even break them. Chronic illnesses. Disabilities. Tragedies. Broken relationships. Persecution. Disasters. Dire and unexpected financial blows.

Every Christian is called to help one another with their burdens. To encourage and strengthen one another. To assist, meet needs, love, and pray for one another. It isn’t optional. It is the fulfillment of the law of Christ. #FollowJesus

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25

If Jesus is your Lord, then you have the Holy Spirit living in you. But do you walk in step with Him? The original language in this verse pictures soldiers marching in line and lockstep with their leader. That’s how followers of Jesus are intended to live our lives – marching in line and lockstep with our leader, the Holy Spirit. He is to set our direction and our pace. When we walk in step with Him, we feel joy, satisfaction, and become very fruitful for the Lord.

Unfortunately, most Christians don’t walk in step with the Spirit. Many quench the Spirit, either by continuing to tolerate sin in their life (which radically opposes the Spirit’s leadership) or by simply ignoring the presence and promptings of the Holy Spirit. The more we do those things, the easier it is to keep doing them. If you can get past those two ways of stifling God’s influence, you will experience more of the Spirit’s power and leadership. This is wonderful, but do we truly walk in step with the Spirit?

As the Spirit leads your life, do you hesitate and hold back? Does the Spirit move far ahead of you because your fears (of failure, embarrassment, etc.) or your attachment to how things already are? Or, do you race ahead of the Spirit, because you’re so eager to do what He wants that you neglect to pray and listen for His guidance? Neither situation is ideal. Both can lead to disappointments, frustrations, and failures.

Take time to really reflect on where you are with regard to the Holy Spirit. How can you be more obedient when He prompts you to move? How can you still your racing mind and draw nearer to Him when you’re tempted to race ahead? It’s very important to get this right if you want to experience the full joy and fruitfulness the Spirit desires to give you as you #FollowJesus

“For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.” – Galatians 2:12

Sometimes Christians lose their courage… around other Christians! Even the most mature Christian can find themself tempted to back away from the more radical aspects of obedience to Christ because they don’t want to be questioned or criticized by less mature believers. They back away from sacrifices, people, or situations that could make others uncomfortable. Peter certainly did and Paul had to call him out for his error. Peter understood the glorious gospel truth that in Christ, Jews and Gentiles are one people with no dividing wall any longer. For years, He lived that out. Then, some other Jewish Christians came to town and made him nervous.

Peter stopped eating with Gentile Christians because he was afraid of the criticism of these other believers. This was wrong! It was a fundamental denial of the Gospel. However, his fear blinded him to this reality. Peter probably didn’t want to have to explain himself to these members of his own church. So Paul had to publicly rebuke his anti-gospel behavior.

This isn’t merely a problem in the past. It can be a very present problem for Christians today. Because faithful Christians develop a certain culture amongst themselves, it can be noticed and criticized whenever a believer steps beyond the traditions and expectations of that culture to really engage people who are different. And yet, that’s exactly what we’re all called to do.

Are there things that are commanded in the Bible that you’re nervous about doing because you think other believers will question or criticize you? Think carefully about this, because there probably should be. Identify those things and review the relevant Scriptures. If the Bible says to do them, then have the courage to do what the Lord desires, rather than limiting yourself to what’s approved of by fellow Christians. This is an important aspect of what it means to #FollowJesus

“They only were hearing it said, ‘He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’” – Galatians 1:23

The stunning testimony of the Apostle Paul centered on the way Jesus turned him right around in his Christian-hating tracks and transforming him into the most fervent of followers, evangelists, and church planters. Paul’s transformation shocked and encouraged the early church. It was a vivid reminder of how powerful the Lord Jesus truly is.

The good news is that Jesus has been doing things like this ever since. He still miraculously turned hardened opponents into faithful followers. He’s doing it right now, all over the world. He really is! So, if you’re a follower of Jesus, don’t become discouraged by the number and kinds of people who are attacking Christians. Instead, drop to your knees in prayer for Jesus to take hold of more of them. Think of those most opposed to our unchanging faith in Jesus Christ, whether because of their politics, personal lifestyle, or religious upbringing. Then pray for them specifically and boldly.

Pray for them to have a miraculous encounter with Jesus. Pray for them to hear and respond to the Gospel. Pray for them to be deeply convicted about their sins and to find forgiveness for them in Christ. Pray for modern-day Pauls to be raised up in all the nations, factions, dictatorships, and movements around the world. Pray for revival and awakening to break out in the most unlikely of places, both here and abroad. Pray for those currently persecuting you to suddenly #FollowJesus