Author Archives: gonelikeashadowatevening

Angels, Battles, Bible, Choices, Dependence, Disciplemaking, God's Will, Messages, Scripture, Witnessing

AN ANGEL OF GOD

GALATIANS 4:14

“and you did not despise that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition, nor express contempt, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.” 

Perhaps you have heard of an evangelist by the name of David Ring (davidring.org). David has cerebral palsy and often refers to it as he preaches. He is known to say, “I have cerebral palsy. What’s your problem?” Some people may be offended by David’s brazen portrayal of the Gospel. In fact, he has been arrested for street preaching against some immoral activity in businesses. But that does not deter David from sharing the message the Lord has given him.

Paul, undoubtedly, had a fairly serious malady while in Galatia. This verse hints at something that may have offended the Galatians. Perhaps his ailment was disfiguring in some way. Maybe an infection caused him to have a physical appearance which could cause some people to turn away. But he praises these Galatians for accepting him “as an angel of God, as Christ Himself.” Their acceptance of him in this condition obviously meant a lot to Paul.

APPLICATION

Okay, here is where the rubber meets the road. What excuse are you using for not sharing the Gospel? Carl, I’m too old. Carl, I’m too weak. Carl, I just too busy. We all have excuses, don’t we? Paul could have used his physical ailment as an excuse (and an understandable one) to take a break until he was better. Look how he describes this in 2 Corinthians 12:7. “Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!”

After asking the Lord to rid him of this “thorn in the flesh” and having that request refused, Paul says this later in that same chapter. “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” Can you say that about the excuse you are giving? Will you lay down your excuses and allow the Lord to use you just as you are?

God can use anyone anywhere at any time if they will only submit to His will. Ask the Lord today to show you His will for your life. Ask Him to give you His message to share with others. He will. He’s just waiting on you.

Father, take my weakness and make it strong with Your power and might.

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Abiding, Bible, Delays, Detours, God's Will, Purpose, Scripture

PROVIDENTIALLY DELAYED

GALATIANS 4:13

“but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;” 

Have you ever been delayed on a trip? Most of the time these delays get us irritated. Why did MY plane have to have mechanical issues? What in the world is causing this traffic jam? We complain without knowing why God has allowed it. I believe everything that touches us goes through His hands first, don’t you? And if that is so, then these delays have been allowed by Him for a purpose.

Many scholars think Paul may have gotten sick which caused his stay there in Galatia to last longer than he intended. We can recall time after time in the book of Acts when God blocked Paul’s attempts to go somewhere, only to direct him where He wanted him to go. Perhaps this is a similar situation. For whatever reason, God wanted Paul to linger longer in Galatia to preach the Gospel and disciple these young believers.

APPLICATION

In Acts 16:6-10, we read about one of Paul’s delays or reroutes. “6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 and passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and pleading with him, and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately sought to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Many believe this detour, this delay on Paul’s second missionary journey is what birthed the Gospel into what is now modern day Europe. I am a direct descendant of European settlers who came to America and brought the Gospel with them. Delays! Detours! The have a providential purpose. God does not waste His time just creating roadblocks for us.

The next time your plans are interrupted, ask the Lord what He wants you to learn. Look for God moments. There may be a person you are supposed to meet. There may be a place you are supposed to go instead. Stay alert and watch. I promise you God has a reason for your journey.

Lord, give me Your eyes to see the reason behind each Your “delays” in my life.

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Bible, Imitation, Influence, Relationships, Scripture, Witnessing

JUST LIKE ME

GALATIANS 4:12

“I beg of you, brothers and sisters, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;” 

When I travel internationally, I intentionally try to embrace the foods and customs of where I am traveling. They eat differently than I do back home. They may take morning and afternoon tea breaks. They certainly dress different, and in some countries, they drive on the opposite side of the road. I have to become as they are. If they came to the U.S., they would have to adjust their way of living temporarily.

Similarly, Paul is explaining to the Gentile believers there in Galatia how he had become like them, giving up the keeping of the Mosaic law. He had become like them. So, he implores them to become like him. “Imitate me,” he says. Paul tells them to do as he is doing, not like those who are trying to put them back under the Law. They are free in Jesus now. There is no need to follow the Mosaic law anymore.

APPLICATION

In I Corinthians 9:19-22, Paul explains this idea more fully. “19 For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the Law, I became as one under the Law, though not being under the Law myself, so that I might gain those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without the Law, I became as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some.”

Now, that was a long passage, but I wanted to share it to show you how Paul did it. We can do the same. Paul became like others, without embracing any sinful lifestyle, to reach them for Christ. Who can you reach that way? Is there a certain group of people you can “become like” to reach? Jesus never expects us to lower His bar of holiness, but He does expect us to lower ourselves in humility. There’s a difference.

This week look around you and ask the Lord who you could “be like” in order to win them to Christ. I am sure there is someone in your sphere of influence whom you could come alongside to lead them toward a saving knowledge of Christ. And be like Paul – don’t be offended by them. Love them like Jesus does.

Some people are hard to love, Lord. Love them through me.

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Battles, Belief, Bible, Caregiver, Compassion, Eternity, Fear, God's Will, Love, Relationships, Scripture

FEAR FOR OTHERS

GALATIANS 4:11

“I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.”

Oh, how I can relate to this verse today. I know people who do not know Christ. They have not placed their faith in Him as Savior. I know without Christ that their eternal destiny is doomed. I fear for them. I know some believers who are not living for Jesus. There is no fruit in their lives. I fear for them that they are missing out on such blessings. I pray they all will surrender fully to the Lord Jesus.

Paul’s words here state the same fear for the Galatians. He had just scolded them for returning to the former things in their lives. Now, he says he fears for them. He is fearful that there are no basic principles in their lives. Has he wasted all his time with them? The word “labored” means he really worked hard. He gave his all to teach them.

APPLICATION

I have felt that way in my ministry from time to time. There have been days when I felt like all I was doing had no eternal impact on people’s lives. They didn’t seem to “get it.” When I see men, in whom I have invested months and months of time, turn back to their former manner of living, it grieves me deeply. We are warned against that. Proverbs 26:11 reads, “Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so is a fool who repeats his foolishness.”

How do we, as believers, deal with this fear for others? Simply put, we trust in Christ. We trust in the almighty hand of God. We pray. We continue to reach out and try to influence both our lost friends and family and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:16, “‘Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’” We can all do that.

Today, let your walk with Christ be so bright that others ask you how you do it. Point them to the Word that is their guide. Point them to prayer which is your communication piece with God. Show them how, when you fail (and we all do) how you get back up in the strength of the Lord. Make an impact today. Don’t give up.

There are those in my circle for whom I fear, Lord. Help me direct them to You and Your love.

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Bible, Freedom, Law, Scripture

METICULOUS

GALATIANS 4:10

“You meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years.” 

Well, there’s a word you don’t use every day – meticulous. What exactly does it mean. In the English, it means “showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.” That sounds good. My wife can be a very meticulous housekeeper. She wants everything in its place. Honestly, most days I feel like I am living in a magazine cover. I love that about her – her attention to details to make sure our home looks beautiful.

But in Paul’s use of the Greek word translated as meticulous, it is not a very positive thing. In fact, the Greek word Paul uses here is only used five other times. And all those times it is used in a negative context. Four times it is used of the Pharisees watching closely to catch Jesus “abusing” the Sabbath. Once it is used of Paul’s enemies watching the gate to catch Paul. And then here in Galatians Paul says they are trying in vain to keep all these days, months, seasons and years.

APPLICATION

Are you being meticulous about the wrong things? It is a good thing to have your daily Quiet Time. But are you doing it out of habit? Just reading the Bible and praying can become such a routine that you stop getting anything from it. Jesus said this about the Pharisees in Matthew 23:5, “‘And they do all their deeds to be noticed by other people; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.’”

He also goes on in that same chapter to speak eight woes against the Pharisees. Take a few minutes and read Matthew 23:13-33. But here is just one of those woes which speaks to the meticulousness. Verses 23-24 read, “‘23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!’”

Don’t be a Pharisee! Don’t be so concerned about the details that you don’t see the fuller picture. God loves you and wants you to enjoy your life in Christ. His Word tells us commandments are not burdensome. Live holy but not legalistic. Celebrate who you are in Christ.

Thank You, Lord, for freeing me from the details and allowing me to be free in Jesus.   

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Battles, Bible, Power, Scripture, Strength, Weakness, Worthless

WEAK AND WORTHLESS

GALATIANS 4:9

“But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles, to which you want to be enslaved all over again?”

No one wants to be seen as weak and worthless. I know I sure didn’t. When I was in junior high and high school, I had a weight-lifting coach who had an incredible strength building regiment. I loved lifting weights. I wanted to be the biggest and strongest guy on the team, so I worked hard in the gym. It paid off, and I was able to gain the muscle I wanted to compete on the football field.

Paul isn’t talking about “bulking up” physically. He is, however, talking about those weak and worthless things in our lives that rob us of our spiritual strength. He was warning the Galatians about going back to their former way of thinking, to the things of their former lives that were without any spiritual good. The Greek word for “worthless” literally means like a beggar. Who wants that?

APPLICATION

We have all heard about drug addicts who go through rehab, learn coping skills to deal with their addiction, get better, get released and then almost immediately return to their former way of living. They return to those weak and worthless things. We are warned about that. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” You can’t return to the old way of living.

So, what do we do to prevent this from happening? I love how Paul puts it in his letter to the Philippians. In 3:14 he says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” That’s it! We press on. Just like I had to do those bench presses and shoulder presses and leg presses to build physical muscle, I have to press against anything that tries to pull me back into my former way of thinking or living. That pushing back will build spiritual muscle.

I don’t want to become some spiritually muscle-bound Christian who doesn’t know how to apply what I know. I want to be fit for the kingdom and actually in the battle. How about you? Are you ready to “get fit” for Jesus? Are you ready to lay down anything from the past that is weak and worthless? Let’s do it.

Father, pump me up spiritually so I am able to fight the battles that are headed my way.

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Abiding, Accountability, Belief, Bible, Devil, God's Will, Idols, Scripture

NOT KNOWING GOD

GALATIANS 4:8

“However, at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are not gods.”

I remember my BC (Before Christ) days, do you? I was enslaved to sin and did not even know it. To make matters worse, I was going to church and doing all the expected things there. I went to Sunday School, sang in the youth choir and threw a few bucks in the offering plate. I thought I was good. Boy, the devil can sure lure us into that false sense of security.

Paul shifts gears here a little in today’s verse. He turns his attention to the Gentile believers but puts them in the same category as the Jewish believers. They were both slaves to sin before coming to Christ. In contrast to the Jewish believers, who had been following the Mosaic law, these Gentile believers had worshipped just about anything. Paul referred to this idolatry by saying “which by nature are not gods.”

APPLICATION

But before we point too many fingers at these Gentile believers, let’s take a look at ourselves. In my BC days, my idols were selfish ambition, pleasure and pride, just to name a few. Romans 1:18 tells us the results of unbelief. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,” Who wants to face the wrath of God? Not me!

The opposite of this is spelled out by Peter in 1 Peter 4:1-2. “1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human lusts, but for the will of God.” That last phrase is the key – “for the will of God.” Before I came to Christ, I only pursued my own will. But now my heart is drawn to His will.

Do you know Him? I mean, do you really know Him? If you don’t, you are a slave to your own will and the schemes of the devil. By coming to Jesus and living under the knowledge of His will for your life, you can break free from the bonds of slavery. Your choice – what will it be?

Lord, I only want to live according to Your will for my life. Help me know You more and more.

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Accountability, Age, Bible, Enslavement, Family, Home, Maturity, Responsibilities, Scripture

A CHANGE OF POSITION

GALATIANS 4:7

“Therefore, you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.”

From time to time in life we have the opportunity to change positions. What do I mean by that? Well, we move from son to father to grandfather (which is the best, by the way). We may move from employee to employer. And for many young ladies, they may move from bridesmaid to bride. All significant changes. All involve a change in responsibilities. But they all also carry with them a change in how they are seen by others.

Paul goes through a progression in today’s verse – slave to son to heir. Of course, Paul is speaking in spiritual terms regarding each of these. We all were once a slave to sin, bound under the chains with no hope for freedom. But as believers in Jesus, we each became sons (or daughters) to our heavenly Father. We are in His family now. And as such, we are now heirs to all our Redeemer possesses. We are called joint-heirs with Christ in Romans 8:17.

APPLICATION

As I mentioned, with a change in position, comes responsibility. In each stage of my life, my responsibilities changed from son to father to grandfather. As a believer, I have responsibilities as part of this family. Billy Graham once said, “Our faith becomes stronger as we express it; a growing faith is a sharing faith.” Do you believe that? Look at these verses.

In Mark 16:15 Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Paul told Philemon in his letter to him (v. 6), “and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” One more. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15-16, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

One of our major responsibilities as believers is to share our faith, to tell others the good news. Will you do that today? Ask the Lord to give you one person to share with today. Ask the Lord to help you lead one person to Jesus today. Share the greatest story ever told. Share how He has changed your life. Do that today.

O Lord, I go so many days without sharing my faith. Give me someone today to talk to about Jesus.

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Abiding, Bible, Children, Family, Father, Intimacy, Parenting, Relationships, Scripture

DADDY!

GALATIANS 4:6

“Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba! Father!’”

Oh, the joy that feels my heart when I hear my children say, “Daddy.” They don’t say it as much anymore. It’s been shortened to “Dad” now. My daughter will still call me daddy sometimes, but only when she wants something. (Just kidding, Casey) There was just something about hearing them holler “Daddy” when I would come home from work or a trip. It thrilled my heart.

Paul uses the Aramaic word, Abba, here in today’s verse. I was surprised to see that this word is only used two other times in the NT and only 9 times in the OT (2 in Ezra and 7 in Daniel). In Mark 14:36, Jesus uses it as He prays in the garden on the night before His crucifixion. Paul uses it in Romans 8:15 in a similar way he uses it here in Galatians. The word Abba means father but in a more tender way. Some translations use the word “daddy.” I like that.

APPLICATION

Can you just picture it? Jesus, kneeling in the garden, praying earnestly to His Father in heaven. And in the most intimate of ways, He calls Him daddy. I am not trying to be irreverent. Quite the contrary. By showing Jesus’ intimacy with the Father, we see His human side. In the same way, we can call our Father in heaven daddy. Abba Father.

As I mentioned, Paul uses this same word in Romans 8:15. “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” We have been given the right as His children to call Him daddy.

As I picture this word “daddy,” I see the image of a child crawling up into their father’s lap, snuggling up under his chin. Maybe the daddy is reading to them or maybe the daddy is just listening to his child. Whatever the conversation is, be sure it is two-sided. In the same way, our talks with our “daddy” in heaven is two-sided. Let’s talk and also listen. He has much to say.

Abba, Father, I praise You. I truly want to be close enough to hear Your voice when you speak my name.

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Adoption, Bible, Chosen, Family, Joy, Love, Redemption, Scripture

ADOPTION

GALATIANS 4:5

“so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters.”

I have a lot of friends and some family who have chosen to adopt children. Some did it because they were unable to conceive a child. Others did it because they wanted to give a child a home. But both chose a child. Both made a choice. Some of my friends even celebrate their child’s “chosen day” each year. I can’t imagine the joy the child feels when they have been chosen.

As believers in Christ, we have all been chosen by Christ. In today’s verse, Paul is still addressing those who have been under the Law, those Judaizers who were trying to influence the Gentile believers. He tells them Christ has saved them from the struggle of trying to keep the Law and has given all believers the joy of “adoption as sons and daughters.” What joy!

APPLICATION

What will you do with your adoption? Some children who are adopted truly flourish in their new homes. They take full advantage of every part of being in a new family. Others don’t and hang on to the past hurts and rejections from their birth families. We are the same spiritually. Some of us grow and mature as believers. Others hang on to the past and refuse to let go.

The Greek word for adoption is huiothesia, which comes from huios (son) and tithemi (to place) – to place as son. It is interesting to me that the word huios is used since that is the word used to describe Jesus every time in Scripture. We have the same sonship in the family. God has placed us as sons (and daugters) into His heavenly kingdom with all the benefits He can offer.

We have a choice to make. Will we take advantage of all those benefits, all those gifts of the Spirit or will we cling to our past and stay chained to our sins? Let me close with this passage from Ephesians 1:3-5. Then you can make your decision how you will live as adopted sons (and daughters) of the King.

“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” 

Thank You, Lord, for adopting me as Your child into Your kingdom. I want to enjoy my new family to the fullest.

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